I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin) novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75 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?"