Chapter 70
Aren't You Afraid of Death?
Benjamin's expression was grave as his sharp gaze passed indifferently over Lauren, then he stood up. "Lauren, Curtis has found an apartment today. You'll move in tomorrow. Have the servants help you pack your things in the evening, alright?"
With that, he walked out of the dining room.
Lauren exclaimed excitedly, "Benjamin, are you going to abandon me and kick me out?"
But all she received was the man's silent response.
Harper watched the man's back, a wave of sadness washing over her. After all, he still couldn't bear to be too harsh on Lauren.
A self-deprecating arc involuntarily appeared at the corner of her mouth, and the indifference in her eyes grew stronger. However, Lauren directed all her dissatisfaction towards Harper, glaring fiercely. "Harper, you schemed against me." "Don't look at me like that, or I can't guarantee that I won't expose this matter to let your fans see your true colors." Harper warned coldly, a coldness emanating from her exquisite and beautiful face.
Lauren ran fell silent, but her eyes were filled with deeper hatred.
Harper picked up a wet wipe from the table, wiped her hands, and then stood up to leave the dining room.
Initially, she had considered exposing this matter to expose Lauren's innocent image to everyone, but upon careful consideration, she realized that this might not entirely convince the public. Instead, it might make her even more transparent. She didn't want to attract so much attention to herself, so she decided to let only Benjamin know.
But Harper wasn't naive enough to make Benjamin completely fall out with Lauren over this matter. After all, it was not easy to change one's feelings for someone they loved.Têxt © NôvelDrama.Org.
She just wanted Lauren to move out of the villa. She didn't want to share the same roof with Lauren.
Now that her goal was achieved, she didn't want to pursue it any further.
As for Nathan, he had been cautious since Lauren invited her to the hotel. The call she made afterward was to Julie. Julie had direct evidence of Nathan taking pills, enough to implicate the Lynch family, so he dared not disobey.
With this matter concluded, Harper didn't feel relieved; instead, she felt a bit weary.
Back in the bedroom.
Benjamin stood by the window. She walked in and closed the door behind her.
She stood beside him and asked, "Benjamin, are you upset because of Lauren?"
Wasn't he happy because she let Lauren's true colors be revealed?
Benjamin's lips tightened into a straight line. After a moment of silence, he turned to look at her, his voice low. "You knew from the beginning that she was involved in this?"
Harper's expression remained unchanged as her eyes met his deep and unfathomable gaze. Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes, I knew from the beginning. She thought meeting me would lead to me saying something to you, which would then prompt you to clarify the relationship directly in front of the media."
Benjamin's brows remained furrowed throughout, and the wrinkles between them deepened upon hearing this. He asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"What would telling you accomplish?"
"Harper, we're husband and wife. Don't you think it's useless not to tell me?"
He seemed quite angry.
Harper just smiled faintly, "I didn't mean that. I just thought it would be better for me to solve it myself rather than putting you in a difficult position by choosing to stand by Lauren's side or fulfilling the responsibilities of a husband on my own. That way, you wouldn't have to explain to Lauren."
"So your intention was for my own good?"
His gaze darkened, and a myriad of coldness occupied a large portion of it.
Harper remained silent, lightly pressing her lips.
Was he blaming her?
For embarrassing Lauren?
Benjamin's gaze remained fixed on her, unblinking. "Harper, you knew there would be danger, yet you continued despite the risks, just to expose Lauren. Do you think you're exceptionally clever? Do you know what kind of person Nathan is? Aren't you afraid of death?"
Harper's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Was his strong reaction because he was concerned for her safety and the risks involved?
She bit her lip lightly, suddenly unsure of what to say.
She watched as Benjamin's eyes grew colder, his handsome face exuding a chilling demeanor. She spoke softly, "I considered it, but if this matter isn't resolved, it will never end. Instead of continuously bearing the risks, it's better to bring this to a close."
Someone who kept provoking her wouldn't stop unless they felt fear.
But Benjamin didn't seem to see it that way. He smirked coldly, "So you think you're in the right? That it's worth risking everything, including yourself, just to punish Lauren? Harper, how much of you do I not know?"
Though a cold smile played on his lips, his eyes betrayed a deep-seated anger and indifference. He narrowed his eyes, giving Harper a fleeting glance before turning and heading to the bathroom. Harper keenly felt Benjamin's displeasure. Before he spoke those words just now, she almost thought he was angry because she disregarded her safety and put herself in danger.
But his recent words made her realize - he was only upset because she reprimanded Lauren. If Lauren hadn't suffered a grievance, he wouldn't be unhappy.
Her lips curved into a shallow arc, exuding a nonchalant self-deprecation.
*****
The next morning, Lauren moved out of the Pineview Villa.
Benjamin had arranged an apartment for her, conveniently close but also distanced from Pineview Villa. Her agent, Rue, had inspected it in advance, ensuring everything was ready for her to move in with just her luggage.
She told herself, "He didn't make me move out because of Harper. It just so happened that he found a suitable place for me, so he let me move out. He's doing all this to protect me and prevent me from being harmed."
She attributed all her dissatisfaction and grievances to Harper, yet she didn't want Harper to see her leave, so she waited until Harper had left before she packed up and left.
Rue came to pick her up. Throughout the journey, Lauren remained silent.
Sensing her displeasure, Rue said, "Mr. Martin did this for your own good. If he didn't do anything, Harper wouldn't let it go easily. You're the most important person to Mr. Martin." Lauren lowered her sunglasses and looked at her agent. "Do you think so too?"
"Of course."
Lauren felt much better. She hummed softly to herself, murmuring, "I can move out, but Harper won't have it easy."
Pineview Villa returned to its usual state after Lauren left.
The servants were relieved. They whispered among themselves, "It's good that Ms. Davis left. She was so difficult to serve. She is gentle when Mr. Martin's around, but when he's not, she's too harsh on us." "Yeah, Mrs. Martin is much better. She doesn't try to win us over, but she's not strict either. Such an employer is easy to take care of."
However, Harper and Benjamin were unaware of these sentiments, and the atmosphere between them had turned cold and tense again after last night's events.
After arriving at the company, Harper finished organizing the interior design drawings. She didn't need to visit the construction site today, but she had to go to the Martin Group.
She needed to bring the interior design drawings to Charlie's team for review, and this time, Frank accompanied her.
On the way, Frank suddenly asked, "Is everything sorted out with Lauren bothering you?"