Chapter 83
Another Man in Her Heart
This direct and provocative statement once again infuriated Benjamin.
He landed heavy blows on Frank's face, causing it to bleed and leaving traces of blood on his knuckles.
The commotion attracted the attention of others who were about to leave work, and although they didn't know what had happened, they recognized Benjamin.
Seeing the situation, Sophia quickly ran to her office and said, "Ms. Mitchell, there's a fight going on outside."
Harper, still half-asleep, was startled by the assistant's shouting. She furrowed her brows in confusion and asked, "Who's fighting?"
"Mr. Martin and Mr. Parker."
Hurrying out of her office, Harper saw Frank sitting on the ground and Benjamin clutching his shirt collar with a cold stare.
"Benjamin, what are you doing!"
Rushing over, Harper pushed Benjamin away and helped Frank up, asking, "Frank, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, don't worry," Frank replied.
Harper then turned to Benjamin with a frown and questioned, "Why did you hit Frank for no reason?"
"Ask him what he did," Benjamin replied, his expression gloomy and indifferent.
Frank interjected, "Harper, Mr. Martin may have misunderstood me. I'm fine, you and Mr. Martin should leave first, okay?"
"Misunderstanding? Is what you just tried to do to her just a misunderstanding? Frank, you have the intention but lack the courage to admit it? What kind of man are you?"
Benjamin wore a cold face, showing no consideration for Frank's dignity.
Harper didn't continue the argument. She arranged for Frank's assistant to accompany him to the hospital and instructed the others to leave for the day.
Alone with Benjamin, Harper finally asked, "Why did you hit Frank? Just because I'm close to him, you're unhappy?"
Benjamin frowned, his anger accumulating.
Before he could speak, Harper continued, "Benjamin, don't you think it's unfair? You can maintain intimacy with Lauren and even create rumors that could be misunderstood. Frank and I are just good friends, we haven't done anything inappropriate. So why did you hit him?"
"So in your eyes, I'm someone who acts irrationally and resorts to violence for no cause?"
Benjamin glanced at her and gave a brittle laugh, his expression exuding a chilling aura.
The fight with Frank just now expended quite a bit of energy and effort, resulting in his messy hair and wrinkled clothes. However, his elegance was not diminished in the slightest but rather added a hint of unruliness.
Their eyes locked, and Harper was momentarily speechless by his words.
Benjamin continued, "If I had arrived a second later, he would have kissed you. You claim to see him as just a friend, but does he see you the same way? Why would a friend try to kiss you while you're asleep? Can a man constantly stay by your side without any ulterior motives?"
Harper's eyes widened suddenly. She was unable to articulate the complex emotions swirling within her.
After a long pause, she replied, "Benjamin, perhaps you misunderstood. He wouldn't do such a thing. He knows my bottom line, so..."
"So, did I wrongly accuse him? Do I have to wait for him to kiss you before I capture the evidence and present it to you for you to believe? Harper, I don't know what your bottom line is, but my bottom line is that I won't allow my woman to cheat on me. You better keep your distance from him, or I'll personally make sure that distance is maintained between you two."
Harper fell silent, reluctant to entertain Benjamin's insinuations further.
As far as she was concerned, her relationship with Frank had always remained unchanged. It was a friendship built on companionship and support. But Harper really couldn't believe that Frank would do such a thing while she was asleep and wasn't sure if there had been other times before this. She didn't speak again even after getting into the car.
Inside the car, it was so quiet that they could hear each other's breathing.
Back at Pineview Villa, Benjamin did not rush to get out of the car, and Harper remained still as well. The two of them just sat there like that. Benjamin hesitated before speaking. "Have you ever thought about reaching out to the person you still love deep down in your heart?
Harper turned to look at Benjamin.
"What do you mean?"
"Have you been unable to forget the person? If you haven't let go and still wish to find him, maybe I can help you."
Frank's words echoed in Benjamin's ears repeatedly. If Harper didn't figure out how things stood with that person now, he felt her heart would forever be entwined with an obsession that couldn't be uprooted or forgotten.
Harper pressed her lips lightly and said, "Thank you, but it's not necessary."
"Why not?" Benjamin inquired.
"No specific reason, just not interested," Harper replied expressionlessly, turning to Benjamin and asking, "Do you really want me to forget about that person?"
"It's not about wanting or not wanting, but I don't think it's a good thing for my wife to always have another man in her heart," Benjamin remarked.
His expression was not very pleased, and his gaze showed a hint of indifference.
Harper asked, "But don't you also have another woman in your heart? Is there inequality in a marriage?"
Benjamin's expression turned serious, his brow furrowing even more tightly. He remarked, "Some things aren't as you perceive them."
Harper understood his implications and responded with the same phrase.
Turning to Harper, who met his gaze without evasion, Benjamin asked, "What do you mean by that?"
"Perhaps I mean what you mean."
The two engaged in a game of cat and mouse, each unsure of the other's thoughts.
However, Harper was eager to tell him that the person in her heart was him. She thought, "If he finds out, will he also wish for me to forget him?
If the answer is as such, it's better left unsaid.
Let it be a secret, forever buried deep within my heart."
As for the events of the day, Harper was conflicted.
After dinner, she messaged Frank: [Frank, how are you? Are you okay?]
Frank replied: [No big deal, just a minor injury. Did he trouble you?]
Harper typed: [Good to hear you're okay. I'm truly sorry. Benjamin might have misunderstood our relationship, which led to him acting out. I apologize on his behalf.] After she sent the message, Frank called immediately.
"Harper, why are you apologizing for him? He's the one who hit me. You shouldn't be apologizing, and I don't need his apology either."
Frank seemed to be agitated.
Harper calmly stated, "Frank, I'm his wife."
The word "wife" left Frank speechless.
He replied coolly, "Right, you're his wife. I overstepped. I'm fine, no need to apologize."
Harper remained silent, her inner turmoil unspoken.
She knew that if she didn't do anything, today's events would unfolded again. Harper didn't want anyone to suffer unnecessary harm because of her.