Chapter 303 Happy Divorce!
Francis's words stopped Harper in her tracks. She turned, surprised and excited, and asked, "Really?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Francis nodded sadly, a pained look in his eyes.
Harper hadn't expected such good news so early. She said happily, "Hold on a sec."
She needed to grab her documents, and her steps were light and joyful, like she was set free.
Seeing this made Francis's heart ache again. Lately, his heart had been hurting off and on.
He even wondered if something was wrong with his heart, but his recent physical exam was fine.
When Harper came back, beaming, Francis's eyes darkened. He loosened his tie and said heavily, "I have two conditions."
Harper's smile froze, and she said angrily, "You're messing with me!"
Francis's expression stayed the same. "If you agree, I won't back out. We'll handle the divorce right away."
"And?" Harper asked, annoyed but with no choice.
"After the divorce, you can't avoid me, and you can't remarry for six months," Francis said.
"That's it?" Harper was surprised. She expected tougher demands.
Even without Francis's conditions, she wouldn't remarry in six months. Finding a stepfather for Agnes wasn't something to rush.
As for not avoiding him, they barely interacted, so it didn't matter.
She didn't hate him deeply. Running into an ex and saying hi wasn't a big deal.
Francis pressed his lips together. "That's all."
Harper thought it was too easy and was about to agree when Francis added, "I'm not giving up. You want fairness? I'll give you fairness and pursue you again. Just don't hide from me."
"But be fair to me too. Let go of your prejudices and treat me like any other suitor. Can you do that?" Francis was taking a gamble. After thinking all night, he decided to give her the fairness she wanted. If she loved him once, she could love him again.
At this moment, Francis was like a gambler, putting everything on the line to win her back.
If he lost, as long as she was happy, he might bless her. But even he didn't believe that.
Harper understood Francis's intentions. It wasn't that simple, and she hesitated.
Francis chuckled, "No confidence? Afraid you'll fall for me again?"
These words provoked Harper.
"Narcissist, who'd fall for you? Go ahead and try; I won't love you." For some reason, saying this made Harper's heart ache. It felt like a reminder, but her mind was blank.
"Let's go." Harper seized the moment and arrived at the courthouse when it wasn't busy. Before signing, Francis paused with the pen and said, "I'll give you eight percent of Getty Group shares and the house at Tranquil Haven Retreat. I'll arrange the transfer soon."
Harper hadn't expected Francis to be so generous.
She shook her head. "I don't want the shares or the house."
The Murphy family might not be as rich as the Gettys, but they didn't need charity.
"Just sign it. I'll leave with nothing." Harper didn't want to be entangled with him any longer.
Francis frowned slightly. She wasn't saying it, but it was clear she didn't want to be involved with him.
"You can refuse the shares, but the house at Tranquil Haven Retreat is yours. You used to live there, and I'll arrange the transfer," Francis insisted.
To avoid any hassle, Harper nodded. "Okay."
As long as she could get divorced, she didn't care. The process was quick, and a fleeting, familiar scene flashed in her mind, causing a brief headache before it passed.
Francis felt a sharp pain in his chest, like something was being slowly stripped away.
Outside the courthouse, Francis asked, "Need a ride?"
Harper, in high spirits and eager to celebrate, waved him off. "No thanks. Jasper's picking me up."
She wanted to share the good news with Jasper right away.
A blue limo pulled up, the window half-lowered, and Jasper called her to get in.
Before stepping forward, Harper turned and gave a playful smile. "Mr. Getty, happy divorce."
In that moment, time seemed to rewind.
Once, he had smiled and said, "Happy remarriage."
Thinking of the past, Francis felt a deep, tearing pain in his chest, like a blunt object had been driven into it.
After Harper got in the car, Jasper's voice was clear. "Harper, congrats on being single again."
As the car passed Francis, Jasper slowed down, glancing sideways.
Seeing the pain on Francis's face, Jasper rested his arm on the window, feeling it was far from enough compared to what Harper had endured.
That evening, Harper invited Jessica to a bar to celebrate and to welcome Lisa.
In the booth, the three girls each had their own charm. Harper was pure and seductive, Jessica was serene and quiet, and Lisa was full of allure.
Harper laughed, "I did it. I'm divorced."
The other two knew about the process but hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.
Lisa said, "I really didn't expect Mr. Getty to be so agreeable now!"
Harper and Lisa had met at a party four years ago when Lisa had helped her out of a harassment situation.
Lisa had told her they used to be good friends. Although Harper didn't remember, their mutual understanding made them close friends again.
She knew Lisa was from Northfield and came from a prominent family, so she probably knew something about Francis.
"Thanks to his misunderstanding that Vincent and I were a couple, I played along to hit him where it hurt, and then I tried to reason with him, which made him compromise."
Harper had thought she would have to negotiate for a few more days, but Francis had been so straightforward. She had to admit, it made her feel that Francis wasn't so bad after all. But that was it; he was just upgraded to a not-so-bad stranger in her eyes.
Lisa and Jessica raised their glasses together, cheering, "To our little princess being single again!"
After putting down her glass, Jessica took out a diamond brooch and handed it to Harper. "A divorce gift."
Harper hadn't expected Jessica to prepare a divorce gift, but that was a nice gesture. She smiled and kissed her on the cheek.
Lisa propped her delicate fingers under her chin, looking troubled, "How could I forget about this?"
Harper was about to say it didn't matter when Lisa said, "I'll get you a man!"
Harper almost choked on her drink at those words.
Lisa had already raised her hand to motion the waiter and called out, "Excuse me, get me your most expensive and best-looking man."
Instantly, Harper's mouth twitched, and she covered her face in refusal. "No."
Lisa teased Harper, "That's true! Even a man with a face like Francis's can't interest you. Compared to him, the men here are indeed no."
Harper smiled and replied, "What's the use of a good-looking face? He's still a jerk."
These words successfully changed the expression of the handsome man in the booth behind them.
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