I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

Aggressive?

"What's that supposed to mean? Does he think my painting's a fake too?" Harper laughed mockingly at herself, her gaze indifferent but her eyes holding a deep, hidden sadness. "Does he really love Lauren that much?" she couldn't help but wonder.

Paul noticed the flicker of pain in Harper's eyes, but his tone remained sharp. "Whose idea was it to invite Ms. Davis to my birthday? I don't remember her being on the guest list." His words cut deep. Tears welled up in Lauren's eyes, and she felt utterly wronged.

"Grandpa, I know you love Harper, and you're upset that Lucy exposed Harper's lie. I don't want to embarrass Harper either, but if she dared to do this, she should face the consequences, right? Can your love for her really make everyone else turn a blind eye, Grandpa?"

"Lauren, don't talk to Grandpa like that." Benjamin's expression darkened. He glanced at Lauren before turning to Paul. "Grandpa, Lauren didn't mean anything by it."

Paul snorted coldly, "What? Are you teaming up with an outsider to lecture me now?"

"Grandpa..."

"Enough!" Paul barked, his eyes piercing Lauren. "Ms. Davis, are you trying to teach me how to behave?"

Scott and Lily also questioned, "Ms. Davis, what are you trying to do?"

"Lauren, apologize to Grandpa," Benjamin said.

He seemed to be blaming Lauren, but the others present believed he was protecting her.

Lauren pressed her lips tightly. "Benjamin, I didn't do anything wrong. I won't apologize. It's clearly Harper's fault, she's the one who should be saying sorry." Benjamin's face darkened, and a tense silence filled the room.

The guests were all prominent figures in the business world. While they respected the Martin family and were also afraid of them, quiet whispers began to circulate.

Some were whispering that the Martins were bullying Lauren. If Harper had tricked Paul with a fake, she should have admitted her mistake and apologized. It wasn't fait to just brush it off like this because Paul liked her.

Harper's lips pressed together. She'd stayed silent, not wanting to cause a scene at Paul's party.

But now she couldn't bear it anymore, especially when these people were pointing fingers at the Martin family. It was fine to blame her, but not the Martin family and Paul.

Harper looked at Lauren and Lucy, her eyes deep as she said, "So, do you really this painting is a fake?"

"Isn't it?" Lucy straightened her back.

Harper didn't respond but kept staring at Lauren.

Lauren's eyes darted away, but she still maintained her composure, saying, "Harper, I know you want to make Grandpa happy. No one would fault you for not being able to get the real thing. You were doing the right thing. But shouldn't you admit your mistakes? No one would think less of you if you apologized."

Harper sneered, "So if I apologize, everything will be fine?"

"Of course. If you admit you were wrong and make things right, Grandpa won't hold it against you, and no one else will either."

"So, I guess I should thank you for your kindness, Ms. Davis?"

Then, Harper's expression changed abruptly, and she took out her phone and opened a video. She said to Paul, "Grandpa, I have an old friend who wants to wish you a happy birthday. Would you like to see his video message?"

"Sure thing! Any friend of yours is a friend of mine." Paul nodded and grinned as if it didn't matter whether the painting was real or fake.

But Jack and Jennifer were not happy about this. Jennifer said, "Harper, what more tricks do you have planned? Apologize to Grandpa and everyone here immediately. Are you trying to disgrace the entire Mitchell family?"

"I haven't even said anything, so why are you so anxious? You don't know what kind of person Harper is, but I do," Paul said sternly, glaring at Jennifer for a moment before sweeping over the crowd. His gaze was so sharp that no one dared to look him in the eye.

Harper's heart was filled with warmth, and she smiled faintly.

Although Benjamin didn't believe her, the Martin family gave her a sense of family protection and support.

Harper pressed her lips and grabbed Paul's arm. "Grandpa, don't get upset. Sit down first."

Then, she cast the video from her phone onto the big screen and pressed play.

"Sir Martin, hello. Vincent Cardin here. Happy birthday! This painting was actually taken from me by Harper. She said she wanted to give it to her beloved grandfather. I had the honor of meeting you years ago, and I know you're my biggest fan. This painting is from my private collection, and I'd never part with it unless it was for Harper. I wish you a wonderful birthday and hope we can meet soon for a game of chess. She tells me you're quite the player."

That was the end of the video.

But most of the people present knew who was in the video.

"That really was Mr. Cardin!" someone exclaimed. "The painting could be a fake, but you can't fake a video person. Why would anyone spread rumors about Ms. Mitchell?"

The wind wouldn't always blow in one direction, and people follow the wind, so those who had been fanning the flames just now had already completely changed their minds.

Jack and Jennifer also chimed in with a frown. "Harper, you should have spoken up sooner to avoid this mess. You could have cleared things up and saved Grandpa some heartache."

"Who said I'm upset? I'm in a great mood," Paul interrupted with a hint of annoyance in his voice. He turned to Harper and said warmly, "Harper, you're helping me meet my idol! You know Vincent, and you didn't tell me at all? We have to have him over for dinner."

"Sure, I'll mention it to him when I get the chance and invite him over for a chess game. I bet he wouldn't stand a chance against you."

Paul chuckled, his heart brimming with joy.

Just then, someone questioned, "Ms. Davis claimed her painting was the real one, but now that Ms. Mitchell's has been proven authentic. What about Ms. Davis' then?"

Lucy and Lauren visibly tensed.

Paul said, "Ms. Davis, you and your friend have wronged Harper. Don't you think you owe her an apology? Honestly, I don't even care if your painting is real or not, and neither will the Martins."

They didn't like it, so they wouldn't be bothered with it. Whether it was fake or not didn't matter to him.

Lucy's parents came forward and scolded her. Then, they quickly apologized and pulled Lucy away.

Lauren stood there, looking lost and desperate. Her eyes were fixed on Benjamin. "Benjamin, I swear, I didn't mean to do it. I have no idea what happened. I was scammed. I tried everything I could to buy it, but those people... They tricked me!"

Tears began to stream down Lauren's face.

Benjamin's expression remained cold, his handsome face a mask.NôvelDrama.Org © content.

Before he could speak, Harper jumped in. "So, Ms. Davis, you think you don't have to apologize just because you were scammed?"

"Harper...I really was. Why are you being so aggressive? Why are you trying to humiliate me?"

"Are you blaming me now, Ms. Davis?" Harper sneered.

"Benjamin, please," Lauren whimpered, reaching for his sleeve. "Please, tell Grandpa and Harper the truth. I don't know how this happened. Benjamin, my head... It's starting to hurt again. I can't breathe, I feel so sick."

Benjamin frowned and said in a low voice, "Grandpa, Lauren didn't do it on purpose. I apologize to you on her behalf, please don't be mad, okay?"

"Benjamin, Ms. Davis should apologize by her own if she did something wrong. Is she and exception?"

Harper looked directly at Benjamin and asked.