Chapter 5

A sleek black luxury car drove into the Taylor family courtyard. Harper's mother, Miley Larsen, frowned. "Whose car is that? How can someone just casually drive into our courtyard?" Harper, however, stared intently at the man stepping out of the car, her eyes lighting up with delight. "Mom, it's Tristan! It's actually Tristan! Did Dad invite him over?" "How could that be?" Miley scoffed. "Our family may have money, but the Burtman family is practically legendary in Jasfield. Your father doesn't have the right to summon someone from the Burtman family." Harper remained silent, her gaze firmly fixed on Tristan. Miley glanced at her and asked quietly, "Don't tell me you're interested in Tristan?" "Mom, he's so handsome and charismatic. What woman wouldn't be?" "But his reputation precedes him—ruthless and cold-blooded. I imagine more women fear him than admire him. And given his background, I doubt he'd look twice at us." Standing nearby, Miriam interjected, "That's not true. With Ms. Taylor's beauty, Mr. Burtman is sure to like her." Harper smiled bashfully. Miley playfully scolded Miriam with a laugh, "You're always flattering her. No wonder she keeps you around." Miriam chuckled awkwardly, her gaze softening as she looked at Harper. As they chatted, Tristan strode toward them. "M-Mr. Burtman, are you here to see my father?" Harper dared not meet his eyes, her voice carrying a hint of shyness. Tristan sized her up before saying, "I don't know your father. I'm here to see you." "Me?" She was both startled and delighted. "After what happened between us last night, didn't you say you'd take responsibility?" "What... what happened?" Miley gasped. "Take responsibility for what?" Harper quickly regained her composure and tugged on Miley's sleeve. Then, with a shy smile, she said to Tristan, "So, you recognized me last night. I was planning to keep it to myself—it's a matter of my reputation, and I wasn't sure how you felt about it…" "I want to marry you. Will you accept?" Tristan asked. Her eyes sparkled, and she nodded without hesitation. "Yes, of course I will." He frowned slightly. Her reaction was not what he had expected. He pulled a pendant from his pocket but didn't open his hand. Instead, he asked, "This is something you left behind last night. Do you remember what it is?" Her expression faltered. The truth was, she hadn't been with him last night. How could she possibly know what it was? No one noticed Miriam staring intently at the red braided string from his hand. She recognized it instantly. She had made that string for Genevieve herself, using a reverse weaving pattern different from anything sold in stores. Could it be that the woman with Tristan last night was Genevieve? That would explain why Genevieve didn't have a red string around her neck today. "What's wrong? You don't even remember your own belongings?" Tristan's sharp gaze bore into Harper, leaving her no room to hide. Just as Harper was about to crumble under the pressure, Miriam suddenly grabbed a mop bucket and "accidentally" splashed dirty water all over him. He stood there, drenched, his face dark as a thundercloud. Miley immediately scolded, "You useless woman! Did your broken leg affect your hands too? Apologize to Mr. Burtman right now!" "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry... Mr. Burtman, let me wipe it off for you." Tristan pushed her away with a look of disdain and turned to leave. Harper quickly grabbed his arm. "Mr. Burtman, it's cold outside, and you're soaked. Why don't you come inside to change into something dry?" "No need. I have spare clothes in the car." Without another glance at her, he strode toward his vehicle. Harper was furious and flustered. She turned on Miriam and unleashed a tirade of insults. Miriam bit her lip in silence, then forced a smile. "Ms. Taylor, it's a semi-circular pendant with gold trim around the edges and a gemstone in the center." Harper looked at her in surprise. "How do you know that?" "Because it belongs to my daughter." "What?" Harper's voice rose in anger. "Are you saying the woman with Mr. Burtman last night was your daughter? Ha! Your daughter must have incredible luck to end up in his bed!" "Exactly! You'll probably ride your daughter's coattails to wealth and status soon. Why are you still working as a maid in our house?" Miriam panicked. "Mrs. Taylor, Ms. Taylor, please don't worry. I won't breathe a word of this to anyone. I only described the pendant's shape because I hope Mr. Burtman ends up with Ms. Taylor. My daughter is nothing—how could she possibly deserve someone like him?" When Genevieve arrived, she immediately spotted the familiar black luxury car. How odd. Why was Tristan everywhere she went? The car door was slightly ajar, and a black wallet had fallen onto the ground below. She instinctively bent down to pick it up and pulled the car door open to look inside.