I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)
Chapter 67

Chapter 67 Who Is Behind This?

Harper tried to keep her distance and quickly said, "Could you please let go of me?"

"What if I don't?"

Instead of releasing her, he lowered his head and slowly approached her from behind, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder, their position intimate and ambiguous. Feeling uncomfortable, Harper attempted to break free, but Benjamin asked, "Are you shy, Harper?"

"I'm not... Could you please back off a bit? It's hard for me to talk like this."

"Am I bothering you by standing too close?"

His warm breath brushed against her ear, leaving her feeling a bit unsettled.

What happened to him?

He seemed a bit clingy.

Seeing her silence, Benjamin continued, "Harper, you've been cold to me lately and haven't called me once. Are you trying to force me into agreeing to a divorce?

You're so ruthless, Harper."

His tone was faintly accusing, his deep eyes meeting hers through the mirror, each word laced with grievances.

Slightly pressing her rosy lips, Harper stared at Benjamin's apple bobbing in his throat, her eyes narrowing momentarily. Then Benjamin turned around, pressing his forehead against her, and hoarsely whispered, "Do you really want a divorce?"

"You were the one who brought it up first."

How could he act so aggrieved?

Wasn't she the one feeling wronged?

"Yeah, I brought it up first, but you should think about it. I only mentioned it once. How many times did you bring it up afterward? You even went behind my back to talk to Grandpa. What did you say to make him change his mind, huh?"

He was a little angry, but his tone remained gentle as he held her waist, tightening his grip as if to punish her.

Harper tried to push him away to maintain some distance, but his chest felt like an immovable wall.

He continued, "Answer me, hmm? Are you really in such a hurry to draw a clear boundary between us? Are you so heartless as to leave me like this?"

"Don't twist the facts. It was you who wanted to divorce me to marry Lauren. How can you turn the tables on me?"

Their proximity made their breaths mingle, each one palpable.

Benjamin noticed her avoiding gaze and decided to lift her chin with his hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. He said, "I haven't mentioned it again, so you need to dissuade Grandpa from the idea." "I won't."

She refused.

Benjamin furrowed his brow and said, "Harper, be a good girl, hmm?"

With that, he leaned in and kissed her lips forcefully, causing her pain.

Harper instinctively struggled and pushed him away with all her strength. Then she whispered softly, "You can't keep doing this to me."

Her voice trembled with a hint of crying, her eyes reddened, and her nose tingled. Her emotions were starting to spiral out of control.

Her appearance made his pupils shrink, as if something heavy was tearing at his heart.

Looking up at him, she asked, "Why are you reluctant now that Grandpa is willing to let us divorce? Benjamin, what do you want?"

"Um..."

Before he could respond, he kissed her lips again.

Benjamin had always been dominant in this regard, not giving her any chance to resist or refuse. He simply wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly.

The kiss deepened until she was almost out of breath, and then he stopped.

Their eyes met, heavy with meaning in his. Her beautiful flushed face was so enticing that it was hard to look away.

He still didn't let go of her, but Harper couldn't let him continue. She could only say, "I'm on my period."

Benjamin chuckled.

He said, "I haven't asked for anything, so what are you talking about?"

His laughter echoed in the dressing room, neither light nor heavy, but it resonated clearly, stirring something in her heart.

Faced with his changes, Harper felt lost.

"Wasn't he supposed to love Lauren? Why is he saying and doing things like this?"

But Benjamin didn't say anything, and she naturally wouldn't ask him.

After all, the answers she might get might not be what she wanted.

His changes left her feeling perplexed.

What was he thinking?

Harper still hadn't figured out Benjamin's thoughts, but she found herself in trouble.

Julie informed her over the phone, "Harper, someone is spreading rumors about you being promiscuous behind the scenes, mingling with unsavory friends to secure your position in the Mitchell family, and even saying..."

"What else did they say?"

"The words are quite harsh. Have you provoked someone?"

Julie found it difficult to say, feeling extremely reluctant to speak.

She sent Harper screenshots of the messages. It wasn't just something that had surfaced in the past couple of days; it had been circulating for several days, spreading throughout their circle.

Although Harper had only returned to Mayby a year ago, people in the circle still remembered her, considering the Mitchell family's longstanding presence in Mayby as a well-established old enterprise. Julie's words left Harper confused about what was happening, Jennifer called at the same time.

Ever since Harper insisted on divorcing, her mother's attitude towards her had been cold. Her mother said indifferently, "Are you divorcing Benjamin because your reputation outside is so bad that he wants a divorce?"

Harper was silent.

Jennifer continued, regardless of whether Harper responded or not, "Harper, although you didn't grow up by my side, I raised you for more than ten years. Is this how I educated you? Is this how your grandmother educated you? How can you be so shameless?"

"Grandma raised me well. You have no right to say anything against her."

Harper retorted sharply.

Jennifer paused for a moment, then continued. "So it's because you've turned bad yourself? Is it because we, the Mitchell family, mistreated you? How could you casually associate with those promiscuous people? Your behavior is tarnishing our family's reputation. How will your sister replace a good marriage partner in the future? You've disappointed me greatly."

"Is it that in your mind, you believe whatever others say, regardless of whether it's true or not? As long as there are rumors, you automatically assume it's my doing? If that's the case, then I have nothing more to say. If you think it's me, then so be it!"

Jennifer was slightly stunned, then continued with a barrage of questioning and orders for Harper to immediately resolve the issue without bringing any negative publicity to the Mitchell family.

Harper felt helpless and realized that the situation might not be as simple as it seemed.

But she didn't know who was behind it yet, so she needed to replace out.

Upon arriving at the company, she briefed Frank on the matter.

Frank's expression turned grim, his brows furrowed tightly. He said, "I'll investigate who's behind this. What about Benjamin? How do you plan to explain it to him?"

"If I haven't done anything, why should I explain?"

Harper replied calmly.

Frank exchanged a few more words with her before retreating to his office. He made a call to initiate an investigation, then fell into contemplation. However, within half a minute, he reopened his phone and dialed a number.

The call was quickly answered.

In a cold tone, Frank asked, "Didn't I tell you not to do things I don't want to see?"

The person on the other end of the phone said calmly, "I hate her."

"So you're not even listening to me now?"

"I..."

That person remained silent.

"Do not let this happen again, otherwise you'll only make matters worse. Don't forget our goal."

"I got it."

Ending the call, Frank put down his phone, pinched his forehead hard, and fell into a deep and silent contemplation.