Chapter 25 James gave a faint smile , filled with pity and self - reproach . He had people keep watch by the hot spring pool and catch a glimpse of Harper when she was changing clothes . He didn't need to look closely ; even through the mist , he could see the scars all over her body . Those scars were evidence of the suffering Harper had endured over the years , and it was far worse than they had imagined . " Harper , all of that is in the past , " James said earnestly , trying to ease Harper's worries . " Ava cares about you . You will still be the young lady of the Walker family . Mr. Walker said it himself . " Harper shook her head , holding her knife and fork . " Ava does care about me , but I'm not her daughter . " Having spent these days with her , James could sense her pain and melancholy . He was prepared to spend a long time helping Harper work through her feelings . Mason overheard this as he approached . Isabella stood beside him , casually linking her arm with his , and greeted Harper at the table . She raised her arm and called out , " Harper ! " James turned around and met Mason's deep gaze . He looked back with a complicated expression , but Isabella forcibly pulled him over . " So you came here with Assistant James . No wonder they all say " " Enough , " Mason said , slightly impatient . " Aren't we supposed to be cating ? " " Just happened to sit at the same table as Harper . " Chapter 25 . 17 Isabella sat down and asked , her eyes darting between James and Harper . the layers of ambiguity growing stronger and almost igniting into flames . " We're not in the way , are we ? " It was already too late to say that they were in the way . Isabella sat next to Harper and glanced at her plate . " Harper , why are you eating so little ? You never used to diet before . " " It's not a diet . " James , aware that Harper's personality had changed and that she no longer liked to associate with people like Isabella , spoke up for her . " She just doesn't have a good appetite and eats less . If Ms. Turner likes , she can order another portion . " " Mason , what would you like to eat ? " Isabella brought over the menu . She seemed to be ordering food , but in reality , she was stabbing at Harper's heart . " I remember you like bluefish , right ? But of course , Harper knows you best here . " Closing the menu , Isabella propped her chin on her hand , and it was unclear whether her tone was hostile or just casual . " Harper , what do you think ? " Mason didn't step in to help . Harper lowered her eyes , a faint fragrance emanating from her . She nervously curled her fingers , and everyone was looking at her , with Mason's gaze the most intense , as if he urgently needed an answer . After a moment of stalemate , James wanted to answer for her , but Harper looked up . She was going to marry James , and she shouldn't hesitate about such a question . " I don't remember . " " How could you not remember ? " Isabella pressed on , making it hard for Harper to breathe . " Didn't you remember everything about Mason even better than your own period ? " With that , she covered her mouth and laughed . James frowned deeply . " Ms. Turner , if you're not here to eat , please don't disturb us . " What's the matter ? Just a joke . " Isabella's lips drooped as she teased again , " Harper , your fiance is a bit stingy , isn't he ? " No matter what Isabella said about Harper , it didn't matter , but she couldn't mock James . " He's not stingy . " Harper's expression was sincere and resolute . " He's very good . " As soon as she finished speaking , Mason , who had been silent , let out a sneer from between his teeth . He suddenly stood up , kicked a chair , and before leaving , he threw out a sarcastic remark , " Ms. Sullivan really has a bad memory for important . things . " Not only that , but she changed her mind quickly . If he remembered correctly , when Harper was pursuing him , she never sincerely said he was good like this . In that case , he was even worse than James . After drinking a glass of peach juice that Isabella handed her at the dinner table , as soon as Harper got back to the room , a large rash appeared on her arms and neck . She wasn't allergic to peaches , but the itching was uncontrollable .