Chapter 8
She had been suffering from stomach pain and nausea for quite
some time now.
The next day, she went to the hospital for a general check-up.
The doctor said there was nothing serious, so she drove back to
the company shortly after.
“Hara.”
The elevator arrived at the office floor. As she stepped out, she
heard a familiar voice.
Looking up, she saw Kelsey walking toward her in a red dress
with a warm smile.
She greeted Kelsey, “Hello, Kelsey.””
Still smiling, Kelsey gave her a once-over and said, “It’s been a
couple of years, and you’ve become even prettier, Hara.”
She put on a smile as well. “You, too, Kelsey!”
Kelsey and Ellsworth were of the same age, both three years
older than her.
She wasn’t exactly their childhood friend. Given the gap in their family backgrounds, she was at best a fringe presence in their
inner circle.
In the past, Ellsworth would occasionally invite her to hang out with them. But now, only Kathie remained her friend.
Kelsey smiled, “Hara, you haven’t had lunch, right? Wanna join
me?”
She shook her head. “Another time, maybe. I have to…”
But Kelsey interrupted her before she could finish, “Come on, Hara. Don’t tell me you’ll have lunch later. I ran into Jolene a few minutes ago, and she told me you went to the hospital for a
stomach check-up. How are you supposed to work with an
empty stomach? Let’s go.”
When saying this, she grabbed Harriet’s hand, leaving no room
for refusal.
The radiant smile on her face made it difficult for Harriet to say
They soon arrived at a restaurant, and Kelsey poured some
water for Harriet. “I know all about Ells’ bad temper. Those
years must have been tough for you.”
Harriet smiled, “It’s OK. We rarely see each other after all.”
Knowing Kelsey was fishing for information, she said this
truthfully.
Kelsey and Ellsworth were bound to be together. Why would
she stand in their way?
After pouring the water, Kelsey put down the carafe. “This isn’t
a long-term solution. What are your plans, Hara?”
Picking up the glass, Harriet took a sip of the water and said, “Ellsworth and I are splitting up. My grandpa has already given me my birth certificate, and I don’t think Sir Townsend will
have an issue with it either.”
Ellsworth didn’t want to stay with her, and now, the feeling
was mutual.
Kelsey sighed, “I feel so awful. If I hadn’t kept things hidden
back then, none of this would have happened. But I guess
there’s a silver lining after all-you don’t have children, which
makes things much easier.”
Harriet smiled, “You’re right.”
Just then, Kelsey waved at someone behind her. “Over here,
Ells.”
Harriet turned around, only to see Ellsworth walking over in
his navy-blue suit, brimming with vigor and vitality.
Somehow, she felt he was glowing.
His presence always outshone everything and everyone
around him.
Ellsworth’s expression darkened a little when he saw Harriet.
She pulled out an awkward smile.
With a smile, Kelsey stood up and said to Ellsworth, “I ran into
Hara and asked her to join us. Surely, you won’t mind, right,
Ells?”
Ellsworth glanced at Harriet deadpan. “Whatever makes you
happy.”
He sat next to her as she poured him some water. “Hara and I
were talking, and she mentioned you are splitting up. I’m
thinking of introducing her to a decent guy. It’s the least I can
do to make up for all those years she wasted on you.”
Ellsworth sat so naturally next to Kelsey, as if she, instead of
Harriet, were his wife.
And it seemed even the sight of Harriet disgusted him.
Harriet didn’t raise any objections. What possible grounds
could she have, after all?
She just felt embarrassed.
She should have realized earlier-he was the only reason why
Kelsey had shown up in the company.
