Filed To Story: The Scarlet Vengeance: Justice of a Framed Beauty Novel (Grace & Jason)
But just because there was a fairy tale beginning, didn’t mean there was a fairy tale ending.
In the end, the outcome they faced was nothing more than parting ways.
“I don’t think we’re necessarily cut out to be friends,” Harley said with a self-deprecating smile, looking at Lornell. After all, she had been in love with him for so many years. Now, to treat him as a friend was somewhat difficult. At least she didn’t know how she would feel about his love life when he found someone he loved in the future.
“But…” Harley paused, “If we happen to meet somewhere, I don’t see any problem with giving you a proper greeting.”
“So now you don’t even want to be friends with me?” Lornell frowned.
“It seems that apart from our identities as each other’s fiancés, we didn’t really have much in common in terms of hobbies and social circles. I think, after breaking off our engagement, it would be better for both of us to keep some distance, don’t you agree?” she said.
“Is it because of that model named Calvert?” Lornell abruptly asked.
Harley was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Lornell to know Calvert.
Indeed, Lornell had seen Calvert before, that one time they had a meal together at a small shop near the school.
But in her eyes, it was just an ordinary chance encounter.
Also, the Calvert that Lornell mentioned earlier wasn’t a “student”, but a “model”. In other words, Lornell knew that Calvert was working as a model at that time.
“What’s wrong? Do I know Calvert is strange?” Lornell seemed to see her confusion, “I’m afraid that by now, many people in this circle know that Harley from the Hart family has brought a person named
Calvert into this circle. Many people are saying that you have taken a liking to this person.”
Harley nearly choked on his spit when he heard what Lornell said.
She just sincerely wanted to help Calvert, that’s all!
“In this circle, rumors are bound to arise. I want to keep some distance from you, and it has nothing to do with Calvert,” Harley said.
“Really? If you’re not into him, then why do you insist on keeping your distance from me? Even if we’ve broken off our engagement, we can still be like we used to be, right?” Lornell said.
At this moment, her indifferent expression made him feel a bit uncomfortable. He still wanted to see her sweet smile directed at him.
Originally, Lornell thought that getting a divorce wasn’t a big deal for him.
However, he overlooked the terrifying power of habit. When he had grown accustomed to someone’s presence in his life, the sudden absence of that person from his routine would leave him feeling incredibly unsettled.
In the past, Harley would often call him, sharing interesting tidbits from her daily life. Even though he found these things quite mundane, she would persist nonetheless.
But when all these “boring things” were gone, he surprisingly found himself feeling out of sorts.
Lately, he had gotten into the habit of picking up his phone, hoping to see a message from her. But in the end, he was always left disappointed.
“Like before?” Harley suddenly chuckled, “Lornell, so you really don’t love me after all.”
If he had ever loved her even a little, he would know that letting her interact with him as she used to is such a cruel thing to do. It would only make her cling to her feelings for him even more, sinking deeper and deeper into this quagmire.
Lornell squinted her eyes, her voice laced with a hint of subtle mockery, like a needle piercing his heart.
“Are you so sure that Calvert loves you?” Lornell suddenly said, “As far as I know, he’s just a poor boy with no background. Right now, he’s only sweet-talking you because you can provide him with good resources and more benefits. If you can’t bring him any benefits…”
“He’s not like that!” Harley interrupted Lornell, “His current achievements are the result of his own hard work, not the benefits I brought him.”
Lornell scoffed, “You might fool others with that, but do you even believe it yourself? Do you really think he could attend this charity banquet just as a newbie model? Harley, don’t be so naive. The world is far more complicated than you think!”
As Lornell said this, her gaze drifted past Harley, landing on a figure standing not too far behind her!
That was Calvert. He had seen him before when he was looking for Harley near the school.
Later, after breaking off his engagement with Harley, he heard the name Calvert mentioned again. So, he specifically went online to look up information related to Calvert.
He was a newly debuted model, still in college, but his photos had received quite a bit of praise in the industry. The clothes he modeled had seen a significant increase in sales, making him quite popular in the modeling circle in a short period.
However, quite a few voices said that Calvert, the model, was just riding on the coattails of Harley. If it hadn’t been for Harley, Calvert would have been nothing.
After all, in the entertainment industry, there was no shortage of these glamorous models.
So, had Harley taken a liking to Calvert?
Although he thought that Calvert was just an average guy apart from his good looks, for girls like
Harley, being handsome was probably the most important thing.
Harley seemed to sense Lornell’s gaze on something behind her. She turned around and spotted
Calvert standing not far away.
“When did you get here?” Harley asked, surprised.
“I just got here and wanted to say hi, but I saw you chatting with Mr. Quentin, so I didn’t come over,”
Calvert said.
So, Calvert knew Lornell!
Even if he originally didn’t know who Lornell was, the news about the Hart family calling off their engagement was all over the internet, so naturally, he would know who Lornell was!
“I’ve pretty much finished chatting with Mr. Quentin, and it just so happens I have something to discuss with you too!” Harley said, heading towards Calvert.
“Harley!” Suddenly, a hand fiercely grabbed hers.
Harley paused, turning to look at Lornell. “Is there something else?” he asked.
“Are you really going with him?” Lornell asked, feeling that if he let go at this moment, some things might never be able to change again.
“He’s my friend, I don’t see any problem with having a chat with him.” Harley gave a light laugh, then gently pulled away from Lornell’s grasp, “Goodbye.”
With just a soft “goodbye” from Harley, Lornell shuddered, feeling as if a piece of his heart had suddenly been hollowed out.
Harley approached Calvert: “Let’s go.”
“Alright,” Calvert responded, following alongside Harley.
The two of them walked away side by side. Lornell stared blankly at Harley’s retreating figure, his hand hanging by his side slowly clenched into a fist. “Harley,” he muttered, “one day, you’ll regret this!”
Harley and Calvert moved to another quiet corner before she finally stopped, turned her head to look at him, and said, “Long time no see.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”
“You’re doing pretty well, aren’t you? I’ve heard a lot about you lately. You’ve even managed to land a steady job. Things are only going to get better from here. Who knows, in a few years, you might become the top model!” Harley said with a smile.
“Can I be your friend when that time comes?” Calvert asked.
Harley looked at the other person in surprise.
Calvert explained, “I know, when you told Mr. Quentin that I was your friend, you were just trying to save me from embarrassment. I’m not oblivious!”
After all, Harley was a princess held in high esteem. The more he worked in the entertainment industry, the more he understood her noble status!
“I thought we were friends already, or do you think what I just said to Lornell was a joke?” Harley looked at Calvert, who was hanging his head in front of him.
Even though Calvert was seen as a confident and charismatic model in the eyes of others, he always seemed to carry a sense of inferiority when he was in front of Harley.
Calvert was somewhat at a loss: “I…”
“If you think we’re not friends, then what makes you believe that once you become a famous model, you can be my friend?” Harley took a step closer to Calvert and said.
“What?” He was taken aback, his beautiful eyes meeting Harley’s stunning ones.
“In this circle, there are many top models who want to be my friends. Besides, there are many popular stars, famous directors, and producers who want to befriend me, because I am Harley.” She was the heiress of the Hart family, and she was very clear about this.
Those people didn’t want to be friends with her because they liked her or thought she was great. They were purely interested in gaining more benefits from her.
“So, do you want to be my friend just because I’m Harley because I’m the daughter of the Hart family?”
she asked.
Calvert stared blankly at the person in front of him. He had a hunch that this question was about his future. If he didn’t answer it well, she might never stand so close to him again.
“I hope we can become friends because you’re different from all the rich people I’ve met before, you…”
He paused as if gathering the courage to say, “You don’t look down on me with a superior gaze, instead, you look at me with an equal eye.”
Harley chuckled. She knew that her own glow wasn’t due to her abilities or talents. It was simply because of the aura of the Hart family. Without that, she was just an ordinary person.
“Then we’re friends,” Harley said, “But I hope you’re being honest today. Never approach me with ulterior motives.”
“Alright,” Calvert responded gently.
Calvert seemed to understand that if he approached her with ulterior motives, they wouldn’t even be able to remain friends!
But he wasn’t without any intentions. He wanted to be friends with her, hoping she would pay more attention to him, hoping to get closer to her, hoping to hear her talk more…
Are these goals considered interests?
If it didn’t count, then could he have stayed by her side forever with this intention?!
Calvert was lost in thought.
Afterward, Harley had occasionally met with Calvert in private, getting to know some of his family affairs. He learned that Calvert’s mother had abandoned him, and his father was fond of gambling.
In Harley’s view, it was nothing short of a miracle that Calvert had grown up so well, with good values and no bad habits to speak of.
Thanks to the income from his modeling career, Calvert had moved to a new place. He sent some money to his father every month, and for the time being, they were getting along peacefully.
“What did you say? Today’s your birthday?” Harley looked at Calvert with a surprised expression.
“Mm-hmm.” He nodded, “Thank you so much for agreeing to have dinner with me today.”
“…” Harley was at a loss for words. What was there to thank for in this situation? “Why didn’t you tell me about your birthday earlier? I didn’t even prepare a gift!”
“I don’t need any gifts. Just having you join me for dinner today makes me really happy,” Calvert said sincerely. The pure honesty in his eyes made Harley understand that he was serious.
It was as if a meal like this was truly a great gift to him.
But it was always the case that the more content the other person was with the current situation, the more she wanted to give them something even better.
Harley found her attitude towards Calvert a bit odd. They weren’t particularly close, and Calvert had made it clear that a meal was more than enough. Yet, she still wanted to give him something more substantial.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.