No Wife, No Life Chapter 71

Harper's eyes were cold, her lips curling into a faint, indifferent smile.

"Kaitlyn just got back from abroad. They're having a family dinner at The Lavien Mansion."

Alex's eyes darkened, his voice rough.

Harper watched him quietly, saying nothing.

These family gatherings were rare, only a few times a year.

Especially this time, with Jeremy and Kaitlyn both attending, Alex naturally didn't want to go alone.

Besides, how would he explain it if Holden asked?

After all, their divorce wasn't public yet. Only Kaitlyn knew, and given her personality, she would definitely want Harper to attend with Alex.

If it were before, Harper would have taken the initiative to arrange the schedule and prepare gifts.

But now that they were divorced, she naturally wouldn't be involved in such things.

In what capacity would she attend? As his ex-wife? That would be too ridiculous.

"Grandpa wants us to go together."

His voice was low, his eyes flickering slightly.

Harper's smile widened a bit. "Mr. Lavien, you can take your chief secretary."

His chief secretary was, of course, Emily.

Alex's face turned cold. "She's not suitable right now."

"Mr. Lavien, do you think my current status is suitable?"

Her tone was calm, without much emotion.

"Grandpa has always been good to you. Do you really want to hurt him now?"

He brought up Grandpa again. Grandpa was the best excuse.

Holden had always been good to Harper, and she never wanted to go against him.

"Grandpa's heart isn't great." Alex added.

Harper knew this better than anyone.

Holden was getting old. He looked healthy, but three years ago, he had three stents put in his heart and needed medication regularly.

"I'll find a chance to tell Grandpa about us."

He pulled a cigarette from an exquisite, expensive case and lit it with frustration.

The smoke rose, carrying a distinctive scent.

She used to like that scent on him.

Unable to help it, Harper coughed lightly and moved away.

Since getting pregnant, she couldn't stand the smell of smoke.

"I understand."

Harper replied softly.

It wasn't for him, but for Holden.

As he said, she didn't want to hurt Holden. If Holden had a heart attack, she would feel terrible.

Alex's expression softened noticeably.

He seemed to realize she didn't like the smoke and put out the cigarette, then took a gift box from the drawer.

"This is a limited edition from the company. I had Travis prepare it for you."

From a distance, it looked like a high-end custom dress, worth at least several million dollars.

These limited editions were custom-made, with only a few sets in the world. No more could be made.

He pushed the gift box towards her, his tone somewhat relieved. "Your compensation."

This was what he owed her. She was indeed helping him with social obligations.

Using Holden as an excuse to morally blackmail Harper was his tactic.

But he didn't know how long this tactic would work.

For him, everything was a fair trade. She helped him; he repaid her. Everything balanced out.

Harper's smile turned cold, her tone even more detached.

"Mr. Lavien, so everything I do is just a transaction to you? If money could solve everything, why don't you just give it to Grandpa? It'd be easier."

"Or maybe you could hire someone to go in your place. It'd be a lot cheaper."

Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.

For five years, every year on her mother's death anniversary, she had hoped he would come.

What did he do? He transferred money.

Every year on her birthday, she celebrated alone. When she mentioned it, he just gave her money.

Not to mention their wedding anniversary, Valentine's Day—these concepts didn't exist in his worldview.

"If you want something, buy it yourself."

He always said it so coldly.

Spending time on these meaningless things was too pointless.

"If money could buy back my five years of marriage, I'd be willing to pay a higher price. I wish I could go back five years. I wish I had never met you. I'd be happier."

Her tone was icy, carried by the cold wind from outside, chilling to the core.

It seemed the weather had changed.

The sky was dark, clouds thick, as if it were about to rain.

"Mr. Lavien, not everything can be bought with money. Life, feelings, need to be carefully nurtured."

Her voice was low, like a sigh from the heart.

Alex frowned deeply, his eyes dark. "Harper, we've always been like this, from the beginning."

Harper laughed, a self-deprecating laugh.

Why did she say these things?

He had always been like this. How could she expect him to understand now?

Alex was cold.

He couldn't grasp emotions. He couldn't empathize.

It was as if when God created him, He forgot to give him that part.

Most of the time, he was like a cold machine.

She should have understood long ago.

"Yes, Mr. Lavien, you're right."

Her emotions calmed again, and she said lightly, then left.

Back in her office, Harper sat down and resumed her work.

Just then, the door was forcefully pushed open.

Emily barged in.

"Caden's coming back soon, right? Harper, I'm so happy because I believe Luminary Innovations Inc.'s project will succeed."

She raised her chin, pride evident on her face.

Harper ignored her, picking up the office phone and dialing a number.

"Mr. Lavien, I need a fingerprint lock for my office, one that only I can open."

She glanced at Emily, her voice cold. "Since your lover will never learn to knock, I'll have to change the lock."

Not knowing Alex said, Harper had already hung up.

Emily looked a bit embarrassed but nonchalant.

"No matter what you do, it won't work. I'll prove to you that I'll secure the biggest contract for the company. I'll replace you as the top secretary."

She was smug, as if she had already succeeded.

"Congratulations!"

Harper said lightly, her head buried in her work.

All along, Emily saw Harper as a rival, always competing with her. But to Harper, what was she?

Like comparing a hundred to ten. Harper was always a hundred, and Emily could only be ten.

Such an existence, Harper could completely ignore.

Emily's anger grew at Harper's indifference.

"Harper, I'll drive you out of the company."

She almost screamed.

Harper remained cold. "Do you really want me to call security? Emily, you're disrupting my work."