Chapter 3 Evan, Are You Jealous?

"Claire, I've got something to deal with here. Gotta go."

After hanging up, Evan looked at the address his assistant sent, grabbed his car keys, and strode out of the office.

But as soon as he stepped out, he ran into Hank, who was there looking for him.

"Look what you've done!" Hank slammed a financial magazine down in front of him, his chest heaving with anger. "How many times have I told you? Stay away from that Martinez woman! And what do you do? You land yourself on the front page! What are people going to think of the Morgan family? What is Harper supposed to think?"

"Grandpa, don't get upset." Evan frowned, his voice tired. "I'll handle this."

"Handle what?" Hank's tone was stern. "You're going to hold a press conference right now, publicly announce Harper as Mrs. Morgan, and cut ties with that Martinez woman once and for all!"

Evan pressed his lips together, his face dark, clearly unwilling to do so.

"Did you hear me?" Seeing his silence, Hank got even angrier. "What's so great about that Martinez woman? What's got you so obsessed?"

Evan was silent for a few seconds, then said quietly, "Claire is independent and talented. Harper can't do anything except laundry and cooking every day. How is marrying her any different from hiring a housekeeper?"

"You're being foolish!" Hank shook his head and sighed helplessly. "If Harper's grandfather hadn't saved me back then, where would the Morgan family be today?"

"The Wilson family helped us back then, but we've repaid them plenty over the years. Grandpa, we don't owe them anything."

"You!" Hank started coughing from anger.

"Grandpa, are you okay?"

Evan looked panicked and tried to step forward to check on him, but Hank pushed him away.

"You go find Harper and bring her back right now!" Hank rubbed his temples and shouted angrily, "Otherwise, don't call me your grandfather anymore!"

At that moment, Harper and her best friend Ava Turner were at a singles party.

Harper wore a simple black slip dress, her long hair in loose waves, light makeup on her face. She looked elegant with a touch of distant beauty.

"Harper, you're amazing!" Ava exclaimed, holding her phone. "Look at these comments. Everyone's discussing whether Evan can perform or not. No one's saying you're not good enough for him anymore!"

Harper held a glass of whiskey, a cold smile on her lips. "I just told the truth."

"Good for you. Teach him a lesson, let him know you're not someone to mess with." Ava said indignantly. "Why didn't you tell the reporters about Claire being pregnant too?"

Harper chuckled. "If I had said that, would the reporters have written it this way?"

Ava paused, then gave her a thumbs up. "You're brilliant!"

Just then, a handsome man in a gray suit walked toward her.

"You must be Harper, right? You look even better in person than in the video!" The man bowed slightly and extended his hand to Harper with a warm, polite smile. "Would I have the honor of asking you for a dance?"

At that moment, a smooth blues waltz started playing in the background.

Harper looked at the man, her fingers tightening around her glass.

Since marrying Evan, she hadn't danced in public. She'd almost forgotten how to dance.

"Go on, Harper!" Ava whispered in her ear encouragingly. "Don't forget, you're single now! There are plenty of men out there for you to choose from!"

That's right. Evan had a child with another woman, so why couldn't she accept other men?

Harper downed the rest of her drink, looked up at the man, and placed her hand in his palm. "Okay."

The man's dance steps were skilled and gentlemanly, and Harper quickly got lost in the moment.

Meanwhile, Evan found the place based on the address Attorney Hart had sent.

As soon as he walked in, he saw Harper nestled in a man's arms, dancing. She wore a backless dress, her shoulders and neck creating perfect lines under the lights.

He'd never seen Harper like this—sexy and alluring, her eyes sparkling.

Especially when he saw the man's hand wandering on Harper's waist, something snapped in Evan's mind.

He strode through the crowd toward the dance floor, radiating a terrifying aura.

"Miss Wilson, my name is Ryan Campbell."

Ryan held her slender waist, his voice magnetic and low as he whispered in her ear, "Actually, I've admired Miss Wilson for a long time."

Harper smiled seductively. "Really? Well, now's your chance."

Just as she finished speaking, a strong hand grabbed her wrist roughly and yanked her away from Ryan.

Harper let out a pained gasp and looked up to meet Evan's cold face.

"What are you doing here?" Harper asked in surprise.

"Come with me." Evan pulled her away from the dance floor.

Harper struggled hard, trying to shake him off. "Evan, what's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" Evan sneered, gripping her even harder, almost crushing her bones. "You're my wife, and you're here wrapped around another man. Harper, have you no shame?"

Harper was unfazed. "We're getting divorced anyway. I can be with whoever I want!"

Evan stared at her intently, his voice cold. "If you want money, just say so. Why do something so sleazy?"

Harper paused. "What do you mean by that?"

"You know exactly what I mean!" Evan's lips curled into a cold smile. "What do you mean I can't perform? You've never even tried. How would you know?"

"Was I wrong?" Harper said calmly. "We've been married for three years, and you haven't touched me once. How is being Mrs. Morgan any different from being a decoration?"

"Oh? So that's what's bothering you?" Evan moved closer, his tall figure looming over her, his voice low and teasing. "I never realized you wanted a man so badly."

Harper's cheeks flushed red immediately. She instinctively stepped back to avoid him, but Evan grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace.

"If you want a man, just say so. I can satisfy you." Evan's tone was full of provocation.

Harper was both embarrassed and angry. She struggled to shake off his hand but couldn't.

Suddenly, she laughed, her eyes mocking as she looked at Evan. "Evan, the way you're acting right now... it almost makes me think you're jealous."