Chapter 48
Not Divorced
Benjamin spoke in a low voice before this. "Grandpa, Harper and I aren't divorced yet. For you to do this, and for others to find out about it would not only make me undignified, it would also make the Martin family undignified."
"Are you threatening me?"
"I'm just stating the facts to you."
Benjamin frowned slightly, somewhat helplessly.
Paul faintly said, "You don't want to threaten me with this. The Martin family won't lose their dignity so easily."Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
"Grandpa, you are right. But if people talk about it in droves, it will ultimately have a negative impact, especially now that the Martin Group's new project has officially begun. There are a lot of people staring at this project, the government is also paying attention, and there are countless companies that want us to fail. We have to be careful with our words at this time, don't you think?"
Benjamin's face was heavy and very serious. He wasn't saying this for his own sake, and it was all about the Martin Group.
Benjamin added, "In order not to affect the company's influence as well as its interests, my marriage with Harper will remain status quo for the time being. As for the divorce, I can only wait until this project is over."
Scott followed suit and chimed in. "Dad, I think Benjamin has a point. The Martin Group has stood at the top for too long, and while the surface may seem brilliant, it still can't take any chances." Paul was silent, then subconsciously looked at Harper.
Harper looked grave. She was calm, then said, "Benjamin and I's marriage was not publicized to the public, not many people know that we are married, even if we get divorced, it won't make a difference, right? And I won't want the shares of the Martin Group, so it won't have any effect on the Martin Group at all."
Her analysis was methodical, clear, and rational.
The atmosphere also quieted down. Harper raised her eyes to look at Paul and finally dropped her gaze on Benjamin.
Between each other's eyes, he had a cold attitude and said, "No secret is never revealed. We will divorce although it is not publicized to the public, but can you guarantee that the Mitchell family will not reveal it? Besides, you said yourself that they don't agree with our divorce at all, so can you guarantee that they will keep it a secret?"
Would the Mitchell family align with her?
The answer, of course, was no.
Jennifer was unwilling for Harper to draw a line in the sand with the Martin family, so she would certainly not be willing to go along with Harper.
Harper looked bleak and suddenly became silent.
Benjamin was still looking at her. "Since you can't guarantee it, I can't take the risk."
He had just finished speaking when his cell phone suddenly rang at that moment as well.
Benjamin took out his cell phone and glanced at it before looking at the crowd and explaining in a low voice, "A call came from the company, so I have to go over there right now. Harper, stay and chat with grandpa. I'll come and pick you up later, okay?"
Harper had a stony expression on her face and didn't say anything. Benjamin couldn't wait for her to answer, so he said goodbye to Paul and left.
Harper wasn't sure why she could not divorce Benjamin in just a few minutes.
Of course, Harper certainly didn't think that Benjamin was doing it because he didn't want a divorce, much less because of her. Benjamin was only doing it for the sake of the Martin Group and the Martin family. She was silent.
Paul whispered, "Harper, you don't have to care about Benjamin's words. If you insist on getting a divorce, I am in support of you. As for what Benjamin said, none of it is important. In my opinion, your decision is the most important."
"Grandpa, thank you." Harper flashed a smile. As much as she wanted to divorce Benjamin, after all, it would be better for everyone. She couldn't put the Martin Group at risk, let alone cause the Martin family to lose their dignity.
She took a silent breath, before she said softly, "Since Benjamin has decided so, let's do what he wants."
Benjamin postponed the divorce today for the Martin Group and would probably do the same for Lauren tomorrow.
Harper could just as well take advantage of this period to finish the project in hand.
Instead of waiting at the Martin Manor for Benjamin to come and pick her up, Harper had the driver drive her back to Pineview Villa.
Paul personally escorted her to her car. Before she left, Paul whispered to her, "Harper, if you've changed your mind about Benjamin during the delayed divorce, and you've unanimously decided that you can move on with your life, then give him a chance, and give the Martin family a chance. Give the baby a complete home without compromising yourself, okay?"
Those words kept echoing over and over in Harper's mind, and so it continued until she returned to Pineview Villa.
She thought, "If that day ever did come, would I say yes?
Would Benjamin want it?"
Harper was a little haggard. She was pale from being hospitalized for two days, but it didn't diminish her beauty in any way.
Harper was the type of person whose features were extremely durable and delicate without the slightest blemish. Her skin was soft and smooth, without any spots or pimple marks, and she looked as good as any celebrity.
Harper changed into her soft slippers and prepared to go upstairs. As Lauren suddenly walked down the hall and approached Harper, Harper had just reached the stairway. Lauren asked, "Where's Benjamin? You're the one who forbade Benjamin from seeing me, aren't you? Harper, why are you doing this? I almost died for Benjamin. How could you take him from me?"
Harper didn't have much strength, and because of the hospitalization, she was now a little worried, so her hands subconsciously just shielded her abdomen from anyone's approach and touch. Harper looked at Lauren coldly and said faintly, "You can just call Benjamin if you want him. You don't even need to tell me what you did for him. Do you expect me to thank you in the name of his wife?" "Harper, we're both women, and I wish you could know better. Why do you keep refusing to agree to a divorce when you know that the person Benjamin loves is not even you?"
"Ms. Davis, you are mistaken. It is not me but him who is not divorcing now. Benjamin himself told grandpa that we are not divorcing. If you don't believe me, you can ask him." Harper smiled, glanced at Lauren, and headed upstairs.
Even though they weren't getting divorced just yet, it wasn't good news for Lauren after all.
She actually didn't have much animosity with Lauren, just some womanly caution. But Lauren was too hypocritical for Harper's liking.
Lauren was shocked to learn the news that Benjamin and Harper were not getting a divorce. She couldn't believe it, so she called Benjamin first thing.
She asked, "Benjamin, Harper said you're not getting a divorce, right? That's not true, is it? Harper lied to me, didn't she?"
"She didn't lie to you. We can't get a divorce for a while."
"Why?" Lauren got emotional as she asked, "Why not? Harper was the one who told Grandpa something to make him force you, isn't she?"
"No, I initiated it."
Benjamin told the truth.
His answer definitely made Lauren lose control. She said, "Benjamin, didn't you say you were going to divorce Harper and marry me? Why have you changed your mind now? You're lying to me, aren't you? Don't you know how much I love you? How could you lie to me?"
"Lauren, I'm not lying to you. It's just that because of this current project at the Martin Group, my marriage to Harper must continue."
His voice was warm and light. Benjamin was not trying to explain. He simply stated what he wanted to say.
But Lauren couldn't take it.
She asked excitedly, "Benjamin, you're just in love with Harper, aren't you? You've simply forgotten that I almost lost my life for you. You're totally attracted to Harper now, aren't you?"