Marian and Nicole go to Harris's penthouse together as they are again to convince Harris to hasten the wedding date for the sake of Harriet's stable family. "Nicole, this is the right time to execute plan B," Marian said, determination flashing in her eyes.
"Are you sure about this, Marian?" Nicole asked anxiously.
"Trust me. I am with you. Don't be afraid," Marian held Nicole's hand assuringly.
As they stared at each other, a conniving plan was about to take place. They are confident it would shake Harris and eventually stirs him to decide in their favor.
"Harris, we have important things to say to you. This is for the good of our family."
"Is that what you two came here in my house?" Harris senses the despicable plan of his mom and Nicole.
"Before you get mad," Nicole chimed in. "We want to clarify, Harris, that we have the best intention for Harriet and all of us involved."
Harris furrowed his eyebrow upon hearing his daughter's name. "What is it then? Tell me."
"I have decided to adopt Harriet when we get married so she would be our legal child and won't be bullied growing up," Nicole said hesitantly, her hands shaking.
"Nicole, I can't believe you carried yourself in this mud along with my mother. You seriously allowed them to treat you like a puppet, letting them control the course of your life." Harris replied tersely, his mind racing with thoughts of Harriet and the life he could have had with Mallory if circumstances had been different.
Nicole was taken aback by what she heard. "Harris, no," she bowed her head in embarrassment.
"Harris, where did you learn to be so disrespectful to women?" Marion asked, her voice dripping with impatience. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to bore into Harris, demanding answers. "Whether you like it or not, we must discuss your next steps in securing Harriet's future. You must file for full custody of Harriet and then marry Nicole as soon as possible. It's the only way to maintain our family's reputation."
Harris's jaw tightened, the muscles in his neck tensing as he tried to contain his mounting frustration. "I won't use my daughter as a pawn in your twisted game, Mother," he said through gritted teeth.
"Twisted game?" Marion scoffed. "I'm trying to protect you and our family from scandal! I don't understand why you're so stubborn about this, Harris. You and Nicole should get married and raise Harriet together. You'd provide her with the stable, loving environment she needs."
"Is that what you call it?" Harris shot back, his voice laced with bitterness. "A loveless marriage built on lies and manipulation? No, thank you. I won't subject my daughter—or myself—to that misery."
"Fine," Marion snapped, her eyes narrowing as she assessed her son's defiance. "But know this: I will not stand idly by while you jeopardize everything we've worked so hard to achieve. If you don't do what's best for our family, I'll take matters into my own hands."
Harris paced the room, his hands clenched into fists and his jaw set in frustration. The penthouse's luxurious décor and stunning city views did little to calm the rising storm within him. Marian stood before him, her arms crossed and her gaze unwavering, an immovable force against his anger.
"Mom, I won't be manipulated into marrying Nicole or anyone else," Harris said firmly. His voice was low and steady, but the undeniable edge of frustration betrayed his emotions. "I need to make my own decisions about my life, including how I choose to raise Harriet."
Marian's eyes flashed with determination, her perfectly coiffed hair and elegant posture making her a formidable presence. She raised a manicured hand, waving it dismissively as she paced the room. The luxurious penthouse seemed to shrink around them, the tension between mother and son palpable in the air.
"Harriet needs stability, Harris," Marian insisted, her tone laced with venom. "And you know as well as I do that a child born out of wedlock will never have the same opportunities as one raised by married parents. It's time for you to step up and take responsibility for your actions."
Harris turned away from his mother, angry at her unwavering insistence on controlling his life. He stared out at the sprawling cityscape below, the lights of the metropolis twinkling like distant stars. For a moment, he felt an overwhelming desire to escape the confines of his gilded cage and explore the world on his own terms.
"Responsibility means being there for my daughter and making sure she has the love and support she needs," he replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Forcing a marriage based on appearances is not best for Harriet or me."
"Have you learned nothing from your father and me?" Marion asked, her voice dripping with disdain. "We built this empire together and expect you to continue our legacy. A scandal like this could ruin everything we've worked so hard for."
"Maybe it's time to consider what really matters in life, Mom," Harris said, his voice cracking with emotion as he turned to face her again. "It's not wealth or power—it's love and happiness. And I won't let you dictate the course of my life any longer."
Marian glared at him, her eyes narrowing as she took a deep breath, readying herself for another barrage of arguments. Her resolve was clear: she would not back down until her vision for her son's future became reality.
"Fine," she spat out, her voice cold and unyielding. "But don't say I didn't warn you when your stubbornness costs us everything."
Harris paced the room, his hands clenched into fists and his jaw set in frustration. The penthouse's luxurious décor and stunning city views did little to calm the rising storm within him. Marian stood before him, her arms crossed and her gaze unwavering, an immovable force against his anger.
"Mom, I'm not going to be bullied into marriage," Harris bit out, stopping in his tracks. "Nicole and I need time to process this news, and I want to get to know Harriet without any added pressure."
"Love doesn't pay the bills, Harris," Marion retorted sharply. "Your father and I didn't have the luxury of taking things slow when we started this company. Sacrifices had to be made for the sake of our family's future. You owe it to all of us to ensure that legacy continues."
"Legacy?" Harris scoffed, his heart pounding in his chest as he fought to keep his voice steady. "Is that what you call a loveless marriage built on appearances? I won't make the same mistakes you two did. I want more than that for myself and for my daughter Harriet."
His mother's eyes flashed with indignation, and she stepped toward him, her voice trembling with emotion. "You think you know better than us? We gave you everything we never had, and this is how you repay us?"
Harris stared at her, struck by the raw pain in her expression. He knew she believed she was doing what was best for him, but he couldn't bear to live a life devoid of genuine love and happiness. Taking a deep breath, he softened his tone, hoping to make her understand. "Mom, I appreciate everything you and Dad have done for me. But can't you see that I need to find my own path? Rushing into a marriage without considering the consequences could ruin everything."
The tension between them was palpable, a heavyweight that threatened to crush the fragile balance they had maintained for years. Marian's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her disappointment and frustration evident in every line of her face.
"Then I hope you're prepared to live with the consequences of your choices, Harris," she whispered, her voice cracking under the strain of their disagreement. "Because once you defy our expectations, there will be no turning back."
Harris swallowed hard, feeling the sting of her words deep within his soul. He knew that choosing his own path might mean losing the support and approval he had relied on for so long. But in the end, he couldn't deny the burning desire for true love and happiness that Mallory and Harriet had awakened within him.
"Maybe it's time I find out who I am without all the expectations," he replied quietly, his voice filled with determination. "And if that means walking away from everything I've known, then so be it."
Throughout the tense exchange between Harris and his mother, Nicole had remained silent, observing the conflict with a mix of shock and concern. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, emphasizing her high cheekbones and piercing blue eyes. The corners of her mouth were turned downward, betraying her unease at the sudden turn of events.