The Invisible Girl's Revenge (Harper) novel Chapter 186

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It was the day of the awards and almost everything was under control. My suit and shoes were ready, but it was my relationship with Harper that I couldn’t seem to manage.

I wasn’t able to tell her the truth about where I was. The only one who knew the truth was Uncle Sebastian and he agreed that it had to stay that way for now.

I lied when I told her that I had an emergency with a friend. That was why I couldn’t prove it. I hated keeping her in the dark. It only made it seem like I actually had something going on with Claire.

The thought of her made me clench my fist. She really tried hard. She always showed up in dresses that were just a little too tight and neck lines just a little too low for business meetings. There was also the way she would bite her lip while pretending to think about something I had just said. Then, there were the subtle touches on my arm under the table that lasted a bit too long.

It wasn’t that easy to get me alone, so she thought she’d get me to give her a ride by making excuses like her car was getting fixed or something, except it wasn’t. I just knew she was up to something.

On Thursday, even after I tried so hard not to be alone with her, the opportunity presented itself even when I didn’t mean for it to happen. She thought she had me right where she wanted me, but to her disappointment, I resisted. I kept my distance, only keeping Harper in my mind.

Claire had underestimated one thing. She thought I’d easily break. But I wasn’t going to break my promise to my girl.

After I was done getting ready, I grabbed my coat and headed to the airport that morning.

By the time I stepped onto the private runway, the jet was already descending. I was still watching it when my phone buzzed. I took one look at the screen, saw Claire’s name and shoved the phone back in my pocket. I didn’t bother to read the text she had just sent me. That was the weekend. There was no way it was anything to do with work.

After the jet smoothly touched down, the door opened and my father stepped out. That was the happiest I had ever seen him. He was wearing a tropical shirt, sandals and an oversized straw hat that would usually look completely ridiculous and yet somehow, he was able to pull it off.

I shook my head as I approached him.

With a bright chuckle, he opened his arms wide and we shared a warm embrace.

It had been a while since I’d felt him so relaxed.

“You look like you already want to go back,” I said, as we broke the hug.

He laughed. “I would’ve stayed longer, but I had to be here for the awards. That was enough fresh air for now. I can always go back.”

“Just be ready for Margot’s drama,” I warned him as we headed towards the car.

He laughed louder. “Let’s not talk about her. She doesn’t matter right now because my son is a huge winner tonight. That’s

what matters.”

When we arrived at the Aldridge Estate, everything felt different and less heavy. I didn’t realize how much negative weight Margot had carried with her until that moment.

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Chapter 186

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We got comfortable in the living room and I sat across from him, leaning forward while intertwining my fingers.

“Now that you’re back, you can have what belongs to you,” I said. “I don’t need all that.”

He burst out laughing, making me raise my eyebrows.

“What’s funny?” I asked.

He shook his head in amusement. “Did you really think I transferred everything just so you could babysit it until I came back?”

“Yes,” I said, without hesitation.

He leaned back in his seat, stretching comfortably, like someone who had no intention of reclaiming anything.

“I’m done,” he said simply. “I just want to enjoy life.”

“That wasn’t the plan.”

“It is now.” he opened one eye to look at me. “It all belongs to you

now.”

Those words landed so heavily that I wasn’t comfortable. “What about Tiffany?”

He fully closed his eyes again, then said, “That’s a discussion for another day. Is Sebastian coming tonight?”

“He can’t make it because he’s busy.”

He opened his eyes again with curiosity. “What would be so important that he misses the awards?”

“It’s extremely important. He’d be there if he could.”

He studied me for a few seconds, then nodded slowly. “I see. You better steal the show tonight, especially with your girlfriend next to you. I wonder what she’s going to wear this time.”

I smiled automatically, but it faded just as quickly. She was still mad at me. That’s why I didn’t even know how it went when she met her father the previous day. She didn’t call me afterwards to tell me anything and I didn’t ask because I knew she was hurt and was just going to ignore me.

I smiled slowly again with determination. I knew exactly how I was going to fix everything. I just needed a little bit more

time.

Harper

It was exactly 6 PM when the headlights washed over the living room window. I stepped closer to the curtain and took a peek through the glass. A familiar limousine had just parked in my driveway.

The chauffeur stepped out first, then opened the back door.

Maddox emerged in a white suit with black details lining the lapels. His hair was sleeked back, not a single strand out of place. He looked absolutely gorgeous and I hated that I had to admit that to myself

But that didn’t mean I was over what had happened. I hoped he had come to me with the truth.

Stepping away from the window, I checked myself one last time, smoothing my hands down the fabric. My purple dress was

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Chapter 186

a slightly loose fit, yet accentuated my curves in all the right places.

I took a deep breath to stay calm, then headed outside.

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He was already approaching the doorstep when he saw me and his neutral expression instantly changed. His eyes scanned my outfit slowly, like he was taking in every detail. He licked his bottom lip with a nod of approval, like nothing was wrong and we were just fine.

When he was close enough, he wrapped his arm around my waist and tried to kiss me, but I turned my face slightly to the other side. His gorgeous lips brushed the side of my cheek instead.

“This is supposed to be the part where you tell me the truth,” I said.

He sighed. “Let’s go.”

I wasn’t satisfied with that response, so I crossed my arms and vowed not to move from my spot.

“We have to go,” he said, his voice lower and firm.

“No. I’m not going anywhere until-”

“Babe, let’s go.”

I should’ve told him that I wasn’t getting into that limousine until he explained everything. I should’ve stood my ground. But there was something about the way he spoke. He was calm yet so dominant without raising his voice and my body reacted before my pride did.

I began to move towards the driveway, his arm still around my waist.

The chauffeur was still waiting, but Maddox opened the door for me himself.

The ride began in silence, as I didn’t feel like saying anything, so I stared straight ahead, but I could feel his eyes on me. Even without looking, I knew he was studying me.

I pretended like he wasn’t there and that made him shift closer, possessively placing his hand on my thigh.

I inhaled sharply, but didn’t look at him.

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