Chapter 3

Marshall continued pulling Ben aside for private conversations over the next few days.

No matter how much I asked, Ben would just smile and tell me, "Good times are ahead."

For some reason, hearing those words made me nervous.

I wanted to confront them and find out what they were hiding from me.

But seeing how happy Ben and Mrs. Harrington were every day, I didn’t know how to approach the situation.

Besides, I didn’t think Marshall would go so far as to deceive his own son.

One day, I came home to find several strangers sitting in the living room.

Ben, excited, pulled me over and proudly said, "Harper, we’re getting a bigger house soon."

I was completely confused.

Ben and I were just regular office workers. The house we had now had taken years of saving to afford.

The thought crossed my mind—did they know my house was part of the Urban Renewal Project?

Marshall gave a huff.

"Don’t worry, it’s not coming out of your pockets. I’m paying for the upgrade."

I looked at him, shocked.

"Dad, you’ve only been back for a month. Where’s the money coming from?"

Marshall coughed and gestured toward the two people on the couch.

"I’m planning to mortgage this house to them and chip in some extra cash to get you a bigger one."

Seeing that I was still hesitant, Ben tugged at my hand.

"Harper, Dad said he’s buying us a place in Silverwood Estates."

"Silverwood Estates?"

Marshall assumed I was overwhelmed with excitement and gave me a dismissive glance.

"That’s a prime location. Tons of people would kill to live there."

I knew full well how exclusive Silverwood Estates was, but it wasn’t a place people like us could afford.

It had only recently been developed, marketed as luxury living, with prices around $1,500 per square foot, and all units were a minimum of 3,200 square feet.

For people like Ben and me, living there was a pipe dream.

I knew it wasn’t realistic and turned to Ben, hoping he’d snap out of it.

"Ben, this isn’t something we can just rush into."

"We’ve only had this house for two years. It’s a good home for all of us."

Ben seemed to waver, looking at Marshall with uncertainty.

"Dad, Harper makes a good point. We’re just regular folks, and we’re fine as we are."

Marshall looked irritated.

"Ben, why are you so easily swayed?"

"I’m the CEO of the company now. Do I need to answer to outsiders just to buy my son a house?"

"It seems you’ve forgotten you even have a father."

Marshall was seething, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he breathed heavily.

Mrs. Harrington and Ben rushed over to calm him down.

In the corner, Gabriel suddenly spoke up.

"Although the company is just starting, we’ve already secured several big contracts in under a month."

"And Mr. Harrington’s performance overseas has been stellar for years."

"The company’s chairman is even offering a bonus to Mr. Harrington to help him buy a house as a reward."

His gaze bore into me, as if trying to drag me into a dark pit.

"Harper, your father-in-law only wants what’s best for you. Besides, don’t you still have that other house your parents left you?"

Ben’s voice held a hint of reproach.

Marshall’s anger shifted at Ben’s words, softening slightly.

No matter how much they tried to persuade me, I refused to sell the house.

"This house belongs to both Ben and me. My name is on the deed."

"Unless I agree, there’s no way you’re selling it."

I threw down those words and stormed off into the bedroom.