The Cold Heir's Contract Wife

009

Harper leaned back against the sofa, folding her arms across her chest. "If you came here only to say that, I think you've wasted your time."

Victoria laughed softly, slightly taken aback by the response. "You're quite bold." "I just don't like wasting time."

Victoria’s gaze shifted, turning sharper than before. "What is it that you actually want from Darian?"

Harper remained silent.

"Is it money?"

Harper stayed quiet.

"Or power?" Victoria leaned forward slightly, closing the distance. "Or are you aiming for the entirety of the Vane family fortune?"

This time, Harper met those eyes with firm resolve. "I don't want any of that." "Of course," Victoria’s tone now dripped with sarcasm. "Then why did you suddenly appear in his life when your child is already five years old?"

Harper's expression turned frigid. "That is none of your business."

"You are quite bold! Given your status is far below mine!" Victoria snorted in annoyance, seeing Harper’s attitude of someone who truly felt she had won Darian over.

"Victoria!"

A deep voice suddenly rang out from the entrance, causing both of them to turn quickly.

Darian stood there. In his arms, Jesslyn was held tightly, clutching her beloved teddy bear.

Victoria immediately stood up. "Darian."

However, Darian did not look at Victoria at all. He lowered Jesslyn slowly to the floor. "Sweetheart," he called out gently to the child.

Jesslyn looked up. "Yes?"

"Didn't you want to buy toys today?"

Jesslyn’s round eyes instantly brightened. "Yes!"

Darian smiled faintly and patted the top of Jesslyn’s head. "In that case, go with your mother."

Jesslyn immediately trotted toward the sofa and took her mother's hand. "Mom! Let's go!"

Harper was just about to stand up when Darian stepped closer. Without hesitation, the man reached out and clasped Harper's hand right before their eyes. That simple yet assertive motion caused Victoria’s face to freeze instantly.

"Harper is my fiancée," Darian's voice was calm, yet resonated powerfully within the room. "You must respect her."

Victoria clenched her fists at her sides. "Darian, I am your fiancée!"

"I am your fiancée, Darian!" "Our families have been discussing all these plans for a long time!"

"But I never agreed to it."

Victoria’s face began to flush with volatile emotion. "How could you possibly marry this woman?" Her gaze shifted fiercely toward Harper. "Miss Collins, I am certain you have been lied to by him."

Harper furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

"Darian is only using you for his own interests."

But before Harper could demand a further explanation, Darian took control of the conversation again. "She did not come to me, Victoria."

Victoria turned quickly. "What?"

"I searched for her," Darian asserted.

The room was once again enveloped in a suffocating silence. Victoria’s expression shifted drastically, filled with profound disbelief.

Darian continued in a flat, emotionless tone. "And I will reiterate once more: I never agreed to that family-arranged match."

Victoria bit her lower lip, her eyes beginning to well with tears of rage and humiliation. "Darian—"

"Please do not come to my house again to discuss the same matter."

The sentence sounded like a crushing blow. For the first time since setting foot in this mansion, Victoria’s haughty smile had vanished completely from her face.

Harper had no intention of interfering further in their conflict. To her, this was Darian's unfinished business, especially since their status was not yet officially married. She chose to take Jesslyn’s small hand. "Let's go, sweetheart."

Jesslyn nodded obediently.

A few minutes later, they were inside the Vane family car. As the vehicle slowly left the mansion grounds, Harper glanced into the rearview mirror and saw Victoria walking out toward her car with an expression far different from when she first arrived. That woman clearly would not give up so easily. And Harper knew that the real trouble had only just begun.

The city's largest shopping mall was bustling that afternoon.

Jesslyn walked beside Harper with light steps and a face full of excitement. Every now and then, the little girl pointed toward a toy store window display with sparkling eyes.

"Mom! Look at that doll! It's so cute," Jesslyn exclaimed happily.

Harper chuckled softly seeing her daughter's behavior. "Yes, we'll take a look inside later, okay?"

After purchasing a few necessities, Harper and Jesslyn exited a boutique. But Jesslyn’s steps stopped suddenly, as if there were something she feared ahead.

In front of them, a few meters away, stood Elizabeth Collins—Harper's biological mother.

Reflexively, Jesslyn hid behind Harper’s body. Her small fingers gripped the hem of her mother's clothes tightly. Harper could clearly feel how that tiny body was trembling with fear.

"Harper," Elizabeth’s voice sounded cold and distant. "I thought you would return home soon, giving in to the situation, but it turns out I was wrong."

Harper chose not to answer; she only stared at her mother flatly. Elizabeth swept her gaze over several branded shopping bags Harper was carrying. Her look was filled with undisguised contempt. "You're shopping?"

Elizabeth was with her socialite friends, who also observed Harper with curious, whispering eyes.

"Where did you get that much money?" Elizabeth asked again, her tone rising.

Harper remained silent. However, that silent reaction only made Elizabeth laugh cynically. "To the point of being able to buy things this expensive..." Her gaze narrowed suspiciously. "Then what’s next? Are you selling yourself, Harper?"

Harper's face hardened instantly. Behind her back, Jesslyn’s grip tightened as her body continued to shake in terror from past trauma.

And for the first time since she had walked out of the Collins residence, Harper felt a surge of rage that truly threatened to explode in her chest.