Chapter 18

Eugene stood up abruptly and paced around the same spot.

“In such cases, it’s most important to look deeply into your own heart. Because humans interpret and accept things differently, even when looking at the same thing.”

“You’re saying not to view people with prejudice.”

“Something like that.”

It was indeed about Claire, but suddenly Lennox Diorne’s face came to mind. A man who had shown a side different from what she had thought. A man who could be mischievous and then turn into a polite gentleman. A man who didn’t get angry when she kicked him but turned cold over a few words.

While Harriet recalled the dazzling regret, Eugene continued.

“More precisely, it’s important to step back objectively and look at yourself without projecting.”

It was a riddle-like answer, both understandable and not. Harriet clutched her dress.

“Will the situation change then?”

“Even if it doesn’t change, your mind will become peaceful. Sometimes, there are things you must do, no matter how difficult and challenging.”

“Things you must do, even if they’re difficult and challenging…”

Harriet repeated his words, looking down at her hands, while Eugene, who had returned to his seat, added playfully.

“Please tell your friend that.”

“Oh.”

It’s not about her. It’s about her friend. Since she started that way, it was only natural. Harriet, who belatedly relaxed her stiff expression, nodded.

“Yes, I’ll do that. Sorry for dropping by during your break.”

Harriet, who had stood up, walked towards the door. Eugene, who had followed, opened the door for her with a regretful expression.

“I heard you’re hosting a charity party. To celebrate your birthday.”

“It seems it’s already in the morning papers.”

“It’s a good cause. I hope it goes well.”

Harriet smiled faintly at his well-wishes and suddenly remembered something, rummaging through her bag. She pulled out an envelope.

“If you don’t mind, please come that day. It’s an invitation.”

“Isn’t it a place for selected people? I’m just an ordinary doctor.”

“I’m inviting you to see your face again.”

“Ah…”

Eugene’s cheeks flushed slightly at her straightforward answer. Harriet laughed brightly at his innocent reaction.

“Then I’ll take it as you’ll come. Goodbye.”

Without waiting for a response, she left the clinic. The next destination for the carriage was the department store.

When she opened the private entrance and entered her personal office, Yvonne was waiting anxiously.

“You’re finally here? I’ve been waiting.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Young Master Aaron is here. He’s waiting inside.”

“What?”

Could he have found out about Claire’s existence? 

Harriet looked at Yvonne with a surprised face, and she pushed her towards the door instead of answering. Having no choice, Harriet turned the doorknob and opened the door to see the back of Aaron’s head.

“What’s going on, all of a sudden?”

“Big sister!”

Big sister. A familiar yet unfamiliar word made Harriet pause. Yes, Aaron had two sisters. But for the past three years, she was the only one. A sense of foreboding made her hair stand on end. Harriet closed the door behind her and strode towards her brother.

“What’s wrong? You look pale.”

“Well…”

Aaron, hesitating, looked down at his clasped hands. Harriet, growing anxious, crossed her arms and stared at him. He looked like he was holding a ticking time bomb.

“Did you get into trouble, by any chance?”

One troublemaker in the family, Theodore, was enough. The older brother who irresponsibly had an affair and tried to cover it up clumsily. Harriet was managing things before their father found out, but she couldn’t handle any more.

“No, it’s not that. But there’s something I need to tell you. It might be shocking to you, but please don’t be surprised.”

“What is it that you’re hesitating so much? Is it about Mother’s health, perhaps…”

“No! It’s not that.”

Aaron waved his hands at Harriet’s face, which was also turning pale, and then dropped his tense shoulders.

“Little sister is back.”

“…What?”

“Little sister, Marianne, is back.”

She heard it with her ears, but it didn’t make sense. It felt like she was hearing a foreign language.

“What do you mean?”

Harriet forced a smile through the tense air that felt like it was about to snap.

“You’re lying, right? Why would she come back here? With what face?”

She had heard that Marianne had married Mikhail and was living abroad. She had deliberately ignored it, not caring about how they lived.

“It’s true. I only found out today.”

“That can’t be!”

Harriet shouted sharply, her voice straining.

“Where is she?”

“Sister…”

“I’m asking where she is!”

“I don’t know. Maybe at one of the villas. She won’t be in the capital.”

Aaron swallowed dryly and answered. It was a blatant lie. Marianne was at the main house, summoned by their father.

But he couldn’t say that, even if his mouth was torn open. He couldn’t shake Harriet, whose face was turning red with anger and then white with shock, any further.

“Really?”

Harriet, suddenly calm as if doused with cold water, turned away. Aaron hurriedly grabbed her arm.

“Where are you going?”

“To catch her. To find her.”

“Sister!”

Aaron, terrified, followed her, but Harriet walked briskly outside without looking back.

On that shameful and painful wedding day. She wanted to ask what thoughts were behind the face that congratulated her on her marriage. Their relationship had started to slowly deteriorate at some point, but she had still believed they were sisters. She had thought they were family.

In some ways, the betrayal and anger towards Marianne were greater than those towards Mikhail.

“You’re hosting a charity party soon!”

Aaron clung to her, trying to stop her from running out with a gun.

“Do you want to ruin things at such an important time? Everyone is counting on you!”

“…”

Important time. The words from Aaron’s mouth made Harriet stop. Aaron, relieved, led her to the couch.

“Calm down first. Calm down and talk to me. Whatever you do about Marianne, that’s up to you, but for now, let’s focus on the immediate matters.”

“Aaron…”

“I’m always on your side, big sister. You know that, right?”

Yvonne’s face, who had said the same thing, overlapped with Aaron’s. Harriet rubbed her face dry and tried to catch her breath.

“You’re right. I should focus on the important matters right in front of me.”

With Harriet persuaded, Aaron smiled. But his smile froze at her next words.

“I’ll deal with Marianne afterward.”

Harriet added coldly, her face calm as if she had never been agitated, and dismissed Aaron.

“Then you may leave, Aaron. Tell Yvonne to come in.”

* * *

Harriet was different from before. Unlike her emotional past, she was now somewhat used to restraining herself. As a result of pouring her heart and soul into it, forgetting to eat, sleep, and drink, the charity party and birthday banquet Harriet held a week later was perfect.

“Happy birthday, Miss Vanetti. I’m really surprised you’re hosting a charity party at the department store.”

“Yvonne, my secretary, helped a lot. It’s my first charity party, so it might be lacking.”

“Oh, not at all. On the contrary, it’s fresh and perfect, isn’t it, Viscountess Roden?”

“Absolutely. The intention to help those in need is truly beautiful and moving.”

The main event of the charity party was an auction of rare, expensive limited-edition luxury items, which were hard to obtain. Under the skilled guidance of the auctioneer, the ladies eagerly raised their hands, and Harriet was able to raise twice the amount of donations she had expected.

“All the donations collected today will be used for orphanages and almshouses. Of course, the details will be transparently published in the newspaper.”

“You handle everything perfectly, leaving nothing more to be added.”

All attention was focused on Harriet, the birthday girl and the star of the fresh charity party. Although she was tired, Harriet enjoyed a sense of accomplishment as she dealt with the guests who continuously approached her.

That was until an uninvited guest suddenly appeared and poured cold water over her head.