I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

A Stranger

"I said no means no, Harper. She may owe you a favor, but she owes me nothing. It's your business if you want to take responsibility, but it has nothing to do with me. If you have nothing else, you can leave now."

Jennifer got up to go upstairs, her actions fueling a surge of anger within Harper.

Harper rose to face Jennifer, her voice cold and threatening. "If you don't visit Eleanor at the hospital, I'll make sure the Mitchell Group's current deal falls through.

"If you think I'm bluffing, ask Kimberly. The Mitchell Group is partnering with me now, and without my approval, they won't find a suitable partner, and the project will collapse. That will only make the Mitchell Group's path forward even more challenging." Harper's words brought Jennifer to a halt.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Jennifer turned back and stared at Harper. Her gaze was icy, and her face filled with anger as she challenged. "What do you mean by this? Do you even know what you're saying? Are you really going to treat your own family like this for a stranger? Harper, don't you remember your last name is also Mitchell? You really are a thankless wretch!"

"A stranger? But do you know that the so-called stranger you're talking about raised me? Now you think she's of no use, so you just ignore her? You'll face retribution for this."

"Get out, just get out of here now. I don't want to see you."

Jennifer was furious, her eyes brimming with rage and resentment.

Harper remained calm, her voice steady as she addressed Jennifer, "You have to go to the hospital to see grandma today. Listen to everything she says, no matter what. If you don't, I'll do whatever it takes to make you regret. And if you don't believe me, we can test it out!"

With that, Harper turned and walked away, refusing to waste another moment on the argument.

She was unsure if her actions were justified, but she saw no other option. Jennifer was stubborn and unyielding, leaving Harper with only the threat of force.

Harper mused to herself. "Sometimes, threats really are a powerful tool."

A silent smile played on her lips as she returned to her apartment.

She instructed the nursemaid caring for Eleanor to accompany her at all times if Jennifer visits. Harper couldn't bear the thought of Jennifer's words hurting Eleanor.

Harper had anticipated Jennifer's visit to the hospital, which was why she had briefed the nursemaid beforehand.

And as she had expected, Jennifer did indeed show up. However, Harper remained in the dark about what transpired between Eleanor and Jennifer, opting not to inquire.

That evening, Benjamin returned home and joined Harper and Annie for dinner. After the meal, Benjamin excused himself from his study for work, leaving Harper and Annie alone in the living room.

"I mentioned Benjamin's proposal to Anderson," Annie informed Harper. "He's interested and might be coming to Mayby soon to meet with Benjamin."

"That's great news," Harper replied. "But you didn't make any personal sacrifices, did you?"

"Of course not," Annie assured her. "The Martin Group isn't my company. I'm just a middleman. Whether or not they collaborate has little to do with me."

Harper said, "That's good. I was mainly worried that you'd feel like you had to bend over backward to get Anderson to agree because of me. I'd be so embarrassed. After all,

the Martin Group isn't ov

Annie pouted, her eyes filled with understanding. "Even if it's not yours, you're at least getting some benefit. What about me? I get nothing, and have to be the go-between. It's a losing proposition. Maybe I should just tell Anderson I'm not interested in working with him."

"I think that's a good idea," Harper agreed.

Annie reached out and shoved her. "You're not a nice person."

"Let's just talk, no touching. I'm in a special condition right now. I can't be jostled around."

"I'm going to touch you anyway." And then Annie just hugged Harper tightly and wouldn't let go.

Benjamin walked out of the study and saw the two women hugging each other with big smiles on their faces. He stood expressionlessly in the doorway and cleared his throat lightly. "What are you two doing?" he asked calmly.

The two women fell silent and turned to look at him simultaneously.

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