I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

He Hit Frank

Lauren's face was deathly pale as she looked stiffly at Benjamin. In a low voice, she asked, "Benjamin, are you trying to drive me away? I never expected last night to become such a public spectacle. If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn't have let you go."

Benjamin remained silent, his expression cold and indifferent.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

Seeing him like this, Lauren felt utterly hopeless, but there were things she could no longer say. She could only do as he had suggested, picking up the lunchbox she had brought and then softly said, "Benjamin, please don't be mad at me. I really didn't mean for it to happen. If you're upset because picking me up last night made the headlines, I'll issue a statement right away clarifying that we're just friends. I'll even send out cease and desist letters to those sensationalist reporters. Would that make you a bit happier?"

Benjamin's deep eyes stared at her, his facial expression still faint. He hadn't said a word, but his displeasure was clearly visible, impossible to miss.

Lauren bit her lip, feeling that her lengthy explanations had elicited no response at all, and she struggled to contain her growing impatience.

She asked, "Benjamin, why won't you speak? Are you trying to tell me you don't plan to divorce, and that I should stay away from you in the future?" "Lauren, when did you become so insecure?" Benjamin said coolly, his brow slightly furrowed.

His light remark suddenly left Lauren speechless.

His words undoubtedly hinted to her that without Harper, she was more confident and prone to wild thoughts.

Lauren wanted to explain, but fearing it would only worsen his mood, she ultimately said nothing.

Leaving the office, she encountered Curtis at the door.

Her face was slightly stiff, and her eyes rimmed with redness. She asked, "Mr. Yost, is Benjamin upset about today's trending news?"

Curtis, adept at reading subtle cues, noted that Lauren wouldn't have left so quickly had she just been there to deliver lunch. Clearly, the lunch had not been delivered, and there had been some displeasure with Mr. Martin, seemingly one-sided.

Curtis slightly lifted his head and responded coolly, "Ms. Davis, I cannot speculate on Mr. Martin's thoughts. If you have any questions, it's best to ask Mr. Martin directly."

Though displeased, Lauren did not react angrily; she just nodded and left first.

After watching Lauren enter the elevator, Curtis then knocked and entered the office.

He relayed Lauren's words to Benjamin without omission. Benjamin showed no noticeable reaction, nor did he seem inclined to discuss the matter.

After a moment of silence, he spoke softly, "Cancel tonight's engagements; I'll drive myself home."

Curtis was momentarily taken aback, then quickly nodded. "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

"Oh, and regarding the matter I asked you to look into, do you have any results?" Benjamin asked, his expression somber.

"There hasn't been any noticeable progress, and the people coming and going are the usual familiar faces; nothing too suspicious beyond that."

"Keep watching; don't miss anyone they've been in contact with."

His deep gaze narrowed slightly, unfathomable as if steeped in ancient lore, incomprehensible to the observer. The play had truly begun, and the actors were stepping onto the stage one by one. A tough battle was likely not far off.

...

Harper was busy until about three in the afternoon before she returned to the office.

I just grabbed lunch with Sophia outside, probably still feeling the aftereffects of a fever. I feel exhausted after just doing a little bit of work. Seeing her tired face and pale complexion, Frank poured her a glass of warm water and offered, "Harper, why don't you go home and rest?" "I can't. I just discussed some flaws in the interior design with Mr. Kerr, and I need to make the changes right away to show him tomorrow." "Don't worry; work never ends. Why don't you lie down on the sofa and rest for a bit? I'll wake you up later, okay?"

After saying this, Frank took her laptop away and insisted she lie down on the sofa to rest.

Harper didn't put up a fuss, not just for herself but for the baby she was carrying, so she didn't refuse.

Harper slept for a long time, and Frank didn't wake her up. Just before the office closed, he tiptoed into the office.

Sunlight filtered through the window as the sun set, casting a warm glow over Harper, who was deeply asleep on the couch. Her eyelashes curled slightly, her face delicate, and her lips moist, as if inviting someone to kiss them.

Standing above her, Frank watched intently, his gaze deepening and his throat tightening.

He had loved Harper for many years, from initially wanting to be with her to later just wishing for her happiness. But after she married Benjamin, it was clear that she had changed. Harper smiled less; she wasn't herself anymore, and it pained him. He wished more than anything that she would divorce Benjamin and cut all ties with the Martin family.

Frank bent down, half-kneeling beside the sofa, lifting his distinctively jointed fingers towards her cheek, wanting to touch her but fearing she might suddenly wake up. Just as his fingertips were about to make contact, he stopped.

Reluctant to wake her, he slowly leaned in to kiss the corner of her lips. But just as his nose was about to brush against hers, a sudden cool breeze struck, and someone grabbed the collar of his shirt from behind, yanking him backward. "What are you doing?"

The man's voice was low and icy, his tone restrained but questioning. His deep eyes fiercely stared at Frank, his handsome, cold face showing none of its usual refinement or gentility, just a sharp, ruthless intent.

Frank smiled thinly and said, "Isn't it obvious? Do I need to repeat myself?"

Before he could react further, a fierce punch landed on him, swift and brutal, giving him no chance to dodge.

Benjamin grabbed his collar, dragged him from the office, and landed another punch, his brows furrowed with intense and unbridled menace.

Frank did not fight back; he was knocked to the ground. Benjamin towered over him, his eyes cold and furious, his narrow, deep gaze brimming with a murderous intent. "Frank, stay away from her. You know very well who she is. If you dare try anything again, I won't hesitate to make you disappear."

"The Martin family has made people disappear before, I'd believe it," Frank said.

Despite being in a sorry state, Frank's thin lips curved into a mocking smile, his handsome and scholarly features undiminished.

Benjamin frowned slightly, not delving into the implications of his words, merely issuing a cold warning, "Don't think because you're her friend I won't do anything. Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself; I don't want her eyes and ears sullied."

"Mr. Martin, on what grounds do you say these things to me?" Frank looked up, his smile persistent, and said softly, "As her husband? It seems, aside from that relationship, you and Harper are less close than she and I. After all, the person she loves isn't you, so what does being married change?"