Chapter 4

Harper raised an eyebrow and gave a wry smile.

She subtly tugged her sleeve down, trying to hide the injury on her wrist.

This was her own mess. Her pride and dignity wouldn't let her show it to anyone else.

"Sign the contract? Hand it over." She tried to sound calm, reaching out with her good hand.

But Caden didn't give her the document. He just stared at her with those brown eyes, like he was trying to read her mind.

Caden asked, "You're recognized as Mrs. Lavien by the Lavien family. This is the Lavien Group; is there anyone here who dares to mess with you?"

His tone was icy, and his gaze drifted from her face to her injured wrist. Harper thought, 'Does Alex even acknowledge that title?'

Harper just gave a wry smile and stayed silent.

Some things were hard to talk about, like a scar on the heart; it hurts sometimes, but it's nobody else's business.

Caden was sharp; he could guess the reason.

The whole internet was buzzing about the Lavien Group's president picking up his lover at midnight. That said it all. The only person Harper would tolerate was Alex.

"How disgusting, did your jerk of a husband bring his lover here?" Caden cursed through gritted teeth, his eyes sharp.

He could read every expression on her face; it was clear she didn't want to make a fuss.

Harper's lips tightened, and her nails almost dug into her palm.

"Don't tell me you're just going to let it slide; that's not like you." Caden said, frustrated, "If it really comes to it, let me know when that woman shows up next time. I don't mind teaching her a lesson."

"She's more hurt than I am!" Harper looked up, her eyes cold and proud. "I'm going to the hospital to get this treated; I'll be back soon."

"I'll go with you." Caden tossed the document to his assistant and followed her.

They headed to the nearest hospital from the company.

Caden stuck by Harper's side as she got her wound treated.

Besides the burn, her ankle was a bit sprained, but nothing major. Some ointment would fix it in a few days.

Caden was super attentive, helping her with the meds, paying the fees, and running errands.

After a hectic morning, it was finally over.

Harper still looked pale, her eyes a bit swollen, and she seemed exhausted.

Caden checked the time; it was almost noon.

Caden said, "Let's grab lunch, my treat."

Honestly, Harper didn't have an appetite at all.

"It's just a breakup, not the end of the world. It's important to eat and maintain your strength if you want to fight them as the legitimate wife.." Caden shrugged, his usual laid-back tone.

Harper nodded slightly.

She couldn't turn down his kindness, especially since he'd been helping her all morning.

"Which restaurant would you prefer?" Caden listed a few popular spots.

But Harper was indifferent, "Anywhere's fine."

"Which one is 'anywhere'? Let me think." He pretended to frown, looking serious.

"Alright, you decide." Harper was a bit helpless.

Just then, two people walked towards them; it was Alex and Emily. He had brought her to this hospital too.

Seeing Harper and Caden walking closely, looking relaxed, something he had never seen before, Alex's face darkened instantly.

Was she so eager to find her next husband? Or had she planned this all along...

"Harper is here too, and who is she with? They seem very close. Alex, she doesn't care about your reputation at all. After all, she's still your wife in name. Isn't it too much for her to be fooling around outside?" Emily sighed and continued, "I feel bad for you. Harper is so shameless, isn't she?"

Alex strode up and angrily scolded, "Harper! Do you have any shame? Don't forget your identity! As long as we're not divorced, you're still Mrs. Lavien. You'd better keep your distance from other men outside! Don't disgrace the Lavien family!"

Harper was floored. He actually thought she was the one fooling around and disgracing the family. She wanted to ask him, what about him?

Harper sneered, "And what about you? Have you forgotten that you're married, yet you ditch your wife to bring another woman to the hospital?"

Alex frowned, "Emily is not just another woman. And you hurt her. Not only do you not feel sorry, but you also say such cold-blooded things?"

Harper wanted to laugh but couldn't.

Did he see the obvious bandage on her hand, or did he see it and just not care? She didn't want to think about it anymore. They were getting divorced; what did it matter if he cared or not?

Harper suddenly felt a bit free. "Don't worry; the divorce agreement will be in your hands soon, so I won't be carrying the title of Mrs. Lavien. What I do will have nothing to do with you."

Alex's frown deepened. She agreed without any hesiation; it seemed she had found a lover!

Inexplicably, he felt annoyed, like something he had been holding onto tightly was slipping out of his control.

Suddenly, Emily cried out in pain. "Alex, it hurts so much!" Her voice was pitiful.

Alex finally found a reason and coldly said, "Harper, I can let this go, but you must apologize to Emily right now! Otherwise..."

He ordered her in a commanding tone, just like he did in the company.

Harper's heart ached, and she lowered her head slightly to hide her expression. She said, "If I refuse to apologize, will you use the same tactics you use on business rivals on me?"

The strong facade was easily shattered, revealing the vulnerable side she never showed.

In the business world, Harper, the chief assistant who often defeated opponents with a single sentence, never showed a hint of weakness.

Alex suddenly felt uncomfortable and was about to say something when mocking laughter came from the side.

Caden seemed to have heard a joke and asked, "What? You want your wife to apologize to your mistress? Are you out of your mind? Since we're in a hospital, I suggest you see a psychiatrist, or maybe an ophthalmologist."

His unrestrained mockery made Alex's face turn cold.

Knowing Alex's ruthless methods, Harper worried Caden would offend him and cause trouble. She adjusted her emotions and returned to her previous calm demeanor. "Emily tried to hurt me; she should apologize to me, right? If you care so much about her, check the surveillance footage."

"I think that's feasible; if it's discovered that Emily intentionally harmed Harper, would it be considered a crime?" Caden echoed, glancing at Emily.

Emily panicked, her face visibly flustered. "Alex, it doesn't hurt that much, and it's not entirely Harper's fault. I was indeed careless. It's a small matter; let's not make a big deal out of it, okay?"

She glanced at Harper's wrist, pretending to be concerned. "Harper seems to be injured too. It's my fault."

Harper sneered, "If you knew it was your fault, why didn't you explain it at the beginning?"

Emily looked innocent and naive. "I was in too much pain at the time, so I forgot."

She looked up at Alex, acting coy. "Alex, you won't blame me, right?"

Alex said, "In that case, let's drop it."

With a light sentence, Alex's face remained stern, his attitude firm, but his eyes softened when he looked at Emily.

If Harper made a mistake, Alex would pursue it to the end. But for Emily, he let it go. He was always impartial, yet he made exceptions for Emily time and again. Indeed, favoritism was unfair.

"Let's go." Harper sneered.

Caden glanced disdainfully at Emily and followed Harper.

Just then, Alex called out, "Wait!"

Harper immediately stopped, with a secret sense of anticipation and joy.

Did he call her because he believed her? But the cold words that followed shattered her last hope.

Alex said, "Don't forget the divorce agreement!"