《The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never》 Chapter 1 ¡°Divorce. ¡± A mere pair of delicate paper sheets marked the conclusion of a four -year marriage. Hannah Moore¡¯s slender fingers touched the inked name of her husband on the document. Raising her eyes to meet Den Edwards¡¯s, a tearful glint was unmistakable. ¡°Is there no chance for us?¡± Her voice wavered slightly, strained from emotion and the exertion of household chores. Beads of sweat clung to her forehead, sticking to her thick ck eyess frames, making her appear awkward and in. Anticipating his return tonight, excited to discuss their future, she had gotten up early, handpicked fresh produce, cooked, and tidied the house. Her efforts felt futile upon hearing the gut-wrenching news. ¡°Our marriage was essentially a business arrangement,¡± Den snapped, flicking ash from his cigarette. ¡°Plus, Eliana will return soon. ¡± So that was it. Eliana Patel, the woman who upied his heart, was the one he could never let go of. With her tongue pressed to her pte, Hannah felt a familiar ache. She bowed her head, her mind a bit cloudy. Whenever Eliana showed up, Den disregarded everything, even his own principles. Back then, he married her out of obligation. Throughout their years together, his devotion never strayed from Eliana. After a seemingly endless silence, Den nced at the woman before him.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah was undeniably beautiful, her skin smooth, her nose finely shaped, and her lips akin to rose petals. Even behind thick-framed sses, her eyes sparkled now and then in the light. Yet, she was unexciting, almost to the point of being boring. Her demeanor was always mild. The dutiful wife persona she had maintained for so long was as uninteresting as a ss of water. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She fit the role of Mrs. Edwards just fine, but she could never be the woman he truly wanted. Cigarette in hand, Den stubbed it out in an ashtray and began, ¡°You once¡­¡± Pausing, his eyes flicked towards Hannah¡¯s expression. She kept her head bowed, making him inexplicably feel she harbored bothint and ttery. Switching gears, he said icily, ¡°Given your background, you might face difficulty finding a job in the future. So, beyond the property agreements, you¡¯ll get three more vis. You can also keep the limited-edition Ferrari, and I¡¯ll personally throw in fifty million dors. ¡± Once, when Eliana had moved abroad, Den had followed out of love. The patriarch of the Edwards family was so incensed that he nearly disowned Den. Only a dramatic act by his mother, a suicide threat, had pulled Den back into the family fold. To reim his family¡¯s favor, he had agreed to marry Hannah, who was rumored to have recently been released from prison. Chapter 2 Though he felt nothing for Hannah, he was willing to offer her a generous settlement, acknowledging her years of service and trouble- free rtionship with the Edwards family.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. It was akin to keeping horses for pleasure but knowing there was a cost involved. Den gestured to the contract with his long index finger, on which was a meaningful ring that had remained on that finger for four years. Hannah¡¯s eyes stung momentarily. ¡°You have three days to think it over. But don¡¯t keep me waiting. My patience has its limits. ¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Hannah picked up a ck pen beside her and signed her name at the designated area. ¡°I¡¯m clear-headed. I¡¯ll move out today and won¡¯t be in your way anymore. ¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Den acknowledged, unfazed. He had to admit, even now, Hannah remained poised and sensible, never causing him concern. It should be called a twist of fate that he had always loved another woman. In truth, as Mrs. Edwards, she was arguably the most suitable wife among society¡¯s elite. Unfortunately, Love was not something that could be dictated. Just as Den was about to speak further, the door burst open. Sadie Edwards, Den¡¯s younger sister, stormed in, blurting out, ¡°Den, I heard you¡¯re parting ways with the jailbird today. Mind if I take that limited-edition Ferrari?¡± Her eyes met Hannah¡¯s, who had just turned to look, and she rolled her eyes dismissively at Hannah. Annoyed, Den said, ¡°How many times must I remind you? When I¡¯m discussing business, you need to knock before entering. Your behavior hardly befits a socialite. ¡± Leaning against the table, Sadie grinned slyly. ¡°Alright, got it. Now, give me the car keys. I¡¯ve got ns with my friend to go for a drive. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Always indulgent of his headstrong sister, Den nodded towards Hannah. ¡°Give her the keys. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes lowered, her voice even. ¡°I thought you said that car was mine. ¡± Her words were soft as ever, but Den sensed an unfamiliar chill. Infuriated, Sadie lunged at Hannah and shoved her forcefully. ¡°What are you talking about? Everything here belongs to my brother. What do these things have to do with you? Hand over the keys!¡± Chapter 3 For all her years as part of the Edwards family, Hannah had always been good-hearted toward Sadie. Sadie was nothing but a ma for trouble, always running to their mother when things went awry. Once, Sadie had provoked the youngest daughter of the Mitchell family, finding herself held captive at the top of a tower by Bryson Mitchell, the family¡¯s third son as well as the patriarch. If not for Hannah¡¯s intervention, Sadie might have been crippled for life in a fall from that height. But Sadie repaid her kindness bybeling her a jailbird. ¡°No. ¡± Hannah was resolute, locking eyes with Den. ¡°I want the car. You did promise, Mr. Edwards. You¡¯ve always been so generous. It¡¯s just a car after all. Yet, in that moment, Den felt as if the woman before him was apletely different Hannah than the one who had been picked on all the time before. Taking a brief pause, Den coolly addressed Sadie.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°We have plenty of cars at home. Go to my garage and choose one for yourself. ¡± Sadie, however, was a pampered girl with a stubborn attitude. Except for that one time she¡¯d crossed Bryson, nobody ever dared to challenge her, especially not a woman with a criminal history Like Hannah. Pointing an usatory finger at Hannah, Sadie demanded, ¡°Answer me. Are you giving me the car or not?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± p! A stinging pnded on Hannah¡¯s right cheek. ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve, acting so audacious here. Who do you think you are? You¡¯re not even fit to serve me!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Den¡¯s eyes flickered momentarily before resuming their neutral expression. ¡°Sadie, watch yournguage. ¡± Cradling her pped cheek, Hannah cast a sideways nce at Sadie. ¡°Clearly, someone failed to teach you manners. ¡± Sadie¡¯s arrogance grew; she lifted her chin in defiance. ¡°So what¡­ Ah!¡± Ignoring the flowers still in it, Hannah grabbed a nearby vase and drenched Sadie¡¯s head with its water. Chapter 4 ¡°Consider it a lesson from someone who cares enough to teach you. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re insane, Hannah!¡± In the shrill tone of Sadie, Hannah exited the study, not ncing back. A text buzzed on her phone as soon as she stepped out. It was from her bestie, Lydia Phillips. ¡°Seriously, Hannah, you¡¯re skipping the Crimson Bar tonight? Marriage isn¡¯t a meditation retreat. You don¡¯t have to ditch your friends because of Den, that jerk! Please! Heads up, Kris said he¡¯ll flood my phone with calls if you bail. ¡± Hannah replied, ¡°Lydia, you have a point. ¡± Lydia said, ¡°Wait, what?¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Hannah shared, ¡°I¡¯m no longer married. I¡¯m rejoining the real world starting today. ¡± Following a brief pause, the chat was flooded with exmation marks. Hannah could practically feel Lydia¡¯s bubbling excitement. ¡°Ten minutes! Give me just ten minutes! I¡¯ll be at your doorstep to celebrate your glorious return!¡± Even after the door to the study mmed shut, Sadie was still in disbelief. She unleashed her anger on Den. ¡°Are you really going to let that bitch walk all over me? Drag her back and give her what she deserves! I want to ssh water in her face!¡± ¡°Stop it!¡± Den snapped coldly. ¡°Look at you. Where¡¯s your self- respect? You¡¯re a member of the Edwards family, not a thug!¡± This was the first time Den had ever rebuked Sadie in such a manner, leaving her stunned. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After watching Den engrossed in his work, Sadie cautiously inquired, ¡°Since I can¡¯t take that car, can I tag along with you to the wee banquet tonight? It feels like ages since I saw Eliana, and I miss her. ¡± Den waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Fine, just don¡¯t bother me. ¡± Taking this as a silent yes, Sadie cheerfully exited the room. In the now serene study, theputer screen¡¯s glow caught in Den¡¯s vacant stare. Despite his efforts to focus, the vision of Hannah pouring water over Sadie¡¯s head kept haunting him. Chapter 5 He had a strange sense that he¡¯d never really known his wife¡­ Lydia, ever prompt and decisive, had promised to be there in ten minutes but arrived in eight, stepping out of her Benz and whistling at Hannah. ¡°Here¡¯s to my best friend¡¯s freedom!¡± Before Hannah could even respond, Lydia popped a bottle of champagne, and the frothy liquid drenched Hannah¡¯s outfit. ¡°No time to grab a party popper, so champagne will have to do. Hope you¡¯re cool with it!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah sighed, tossing her bag into the back seat. Then a car key appeared before her eyes. ¡°Fancy driving this modified Benz? It¡¯s been four years since you were behind the wheel!¡± Hannah swatted Lydia¡¯s hand aside and slid into the passenger seat. ¡°Not feeling it. ¡± Lydiaughed, stepping on the gas, her voice filled with mischief. ¡°Alright, out with it. What brought you back from your lovesick daze?¡± Resting her chin on one hand, Hannah seemed lost in a distant reverie, bidding farewell to the past years. ¡°Eliana¡¯s back. ¡± Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s words, Lydia smirked and retorted, ¡°You and Den are a fascinating pair, equally stubborn. I sometimes wonder if you two should take a paternity test to see if you¡¯re rted. What¡¯s with the fixation on collecting junk?¡± Even as Lydia continued her tirade, Hannah¡¯s thoughts were elsewhere. Hannah¡¯s recollection of Eliana was vague but impactful. Eliana was gentle, level-headed, and thoughtful. These traitsposed Hannah¡¯s mental portrait of Eliana, an image she had spent four years trying to emte. She copied Eliana¡¯s straight ck hair, her style of dress, and her kind words, all in a bid to keep Den¡¯s attention. But fakes would always remain fakes.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Yawning slightly, Hannah responded disinterestedly, ¡°Perhaps because nobody falls for a woman with a prison record. ¡± Lydia rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, not that nonsense again. If your unhinged step-sister hadn¡¯t spread lies about you being in prison during your secluded training in Summerdell, do you think Den would have dared act so boldly? Speaking of which, now that you¡¯re free and divorced, interested in the uing car race?¡± ¡°Pass. ¡± Hannah reclined, hand supporting her neck. Chapter 6 ¡°I don¡¯t feel like going out. ¡± Eyeing her skeptically, Lydia queried, ¡°You haven¡¯t been dwelling on your heartache, have you?¡± Hannah remained silent, but the sudden shift in her demeanor gave Lydia all the confirmation she needed. Annoyed yet intrigued, Lydia¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Moonshadow will be there! Remember how he was the only racer who could hold his own against you? Don¡¯t you want to see the man behind the mask?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The East Coast Racing circuit was an underground haven for high- stakes races, attracting a mix of wealthy thrill-seekers and privileged adrenaline junkies. Every driver brought a custom-modified car to the track, and the level ofpetition was so fierce that it could be life-endangering. To maintain anonymity, race organizers mandated the wearing of masks. The only objective was to win or lose. No one cared who was behind the wheel. However, one exception existed. A racer could directly challenge another. Should the challenged party ept and lose, they would be unmasked then and there, effectively banishing them from the circuit. With a spark in her eye, Hannah suddenly perked up. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go check it out. ¡± Bending forward, she began to adjust her casual outfit. ¡°But first, I need to change my clothes. ¡± Lydia gave Hannah¡¯s outfit a once-over and smirked. ¡°What, swapping one house dress for another? If you show up to a bar dressed like that, people will think I¡¯ve abducted a housewife!¡± Hannah quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Who said anything about another house dress?¡± About half an hourter, they walked into Crimson Bar. Upstairs, a mixed crowd milled about, sat, and drank. Yet, everyone¡¯s attention seemed to gravitate toward the woman seated in a corner booth. She was dressed in a vibrant red fringe dress, reminiscent of a seductive actress from a ssic film. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since you¡¯ve worn something so eye-catching!¡± Lydia couldn¡¯t help but exim. ¡°You have such a stunning figure, yet you¡¯d always wear dull office wear or simple dresses. It was as if you were perpetually clocked in at the Edwards family mansion.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah just smiled softly without replying. In her early married days, she had made the effort to look morous, only to be reprimanded by Den¡¯s mother for being too shy and for not embodying proper feminine virtues, and Den had given his chilly approval. But those days were behind her. Now, free from the Edwards family¡¯s restraints, she could dress as she wished. Chapter 7 As they were talking, Lydia¡¯s phone buzzed. Her expression shifted immediately. She held up her phone towards Hannah. ¡°I need to take this. I¡¯ll step outside. ¡± No sooner had Lydia left than Hannah began to dab at a wine stain on the back of her hand. Suddenly, a sleazy hand mped onto her shoulder. ¡°Hey gorgeous, find yourself alone? Mind if we join you?¡± When Den and Sadie stepped into Crimson Bar, Eliana and her small circle of friends had already settled into a booth for some time. ¡°Eliana, I¡¯ve missed you like crazy!¡± In a theatrical disy, Sadie wrapped her arms around Eliana, clinging to her and putting on a cutesy act. Gently patting Sadie¡¯s head, Eliana said softly, ¡°Why do you still behave like you¡¯re five?¡± Her eyes then shifted to the stern-faced man sitting opposite her, adding meaningfully, ¡°Yet, it¡¯s only you, my little sweetheart, who seems to think of me. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Almost snapping to attention, Sadie borated, ¡°Are you kidding? My brother¡¯s been missing you. The moment he heard you wereing back, he kicked his wife to the curb!¡± The moment she closed her mouth, the booth erupted in whoops and hollers, and Eliana couldn¡¯t suppress her grin. The woman who had upied Den¡¯s thoughts day and night was now seated before him, locking eyes with him warmly. Yet, a peculiar unease gnawed at his heart. Just as he was about to speak, one of his friends blurted out a curse. ¡°Damn! Den, isn¡¯t that your wife?¡± Turning his head around, Den¡¯s eyes met Hannah, radiant in her cascading wavy hair, captivating makeup, and a striking red dress that ttered her slender waist and showcased her endless, perfect legs. Even at a distance, she was undeniably stunning. Currently, she was encircled by an overweight, overdressed man and a troupe of sleazy youths, all clearly making her uneasy. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that Carlos? The notorious yboy of the ck family? If Hannah ends up with him, she¡¯s done for!¡± ¡°Maybe she¡¯s into it. I mean, what kind of decent woman dresses Like that andes to a bar? She¡¯s fishing for guys, for sure!¡± ¡°Man, I never thought Den¡¯s wife would be so hot. She always looked like a librarian.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. Who knew she had curves?¡± Jumping in, Sadie added, ¡°Look at her. She¡¯s definitely here to reel in some men. My brother left her. Who¡¯d want her if she didn¡¯t pull some tricks?¡± The crude joke sent their friends into peals ofughter. The inexplicable irritation surging within Den erupted. ¡°Shut up!¡± His outburst immediately brought the room to silence. Chapter 8 Glowering at Sadie, he snapped, ¡°If you can¡¯t behave yourself, maybe you should go back to school and learn some decency instead of wasting your days with these misfits. ¡± Taken aback, Sadie looked near tears. Eliana reached over and tenderly grasped Den¡¯s hand. As he turned toward her, she softly murmured, ¡°Sadie¡¯s just a girl, don¡¯t be so harsh. ¡± Pausing for a moment, she nced at the distant Hannah and continued, ¡°This is on me, no doubt about it. If I hadn¡¯t reappeared and taken Miss Moore¡¯s spot, she wouldn¡¯t have resorted to these desperate measures. ¡± Den¡¯s expression turned even darker. ¡°She made her own choices, and they led her down this path. No one pushed her. ¡± Annoyed beyond measure, Hannah shook off Carlos¡¯s unwee hand and icilymanded, ¡°Leave me alone!¡± Embarrassed in front of a crowd of friends, Carlos¡¯s arrogance only escted.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. He moved closer, wrapping his arms around Hannah¡¯s slim waist, ready to nt a ki*s with his garish purple lips. ¡°So, you¡¯re ying hard to get? Allow me to grace your beautiful face with a ki*s!¡± Hannah¡¯s lips twisted into a mocking smile as Carlos puckered his lips in anticipation. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bang! Swiftly, she grabbed a beer bottle from a nearby table and smashed it against Carlos¡¯s head with conviction. The shattering sound sliced through the bar¡¯s pulsating music. Carlos toppled over, gripping his bloodied, ss-strewn head, and let out a gut-wrenching cry. ¡°f@ck you! Bitch! How dare you hit me?¡± Rising to her feet slowly, Hannah pointed the jagged neck of the shattered bottle at Carlos and grinned coldly. ¡°Lay a finger on me again and see if I won¡¯t incapacitate you right here, right now!¡± Carlos clenched his jaw, retorting, ¡°You know who I am? My brother runs the ck Group. One word from me and you¡¯ll vanish from Valmere, mark my words!¡± Ignoring him, Hannah rummaged through her Hermes Birkin bag in silence. For a moment, she said nothing, leading Carlos to believe his social standing had unnerved her. His arrogance swelled. ¡°We¡¯re not done here. A scar like this could make you reduced to poverty and ruin. I¡¯ll get a medical checkup, you know. My uncle has contacts with the police. Just one call and you¡¯ll be locked up for two weeks. ¡± ¡°Den, what are you nning?¡± Upon seeing Den rise, Sadie clutched his sleeve and looked at him incredulously. ¡°You¡¯re not actually going to protect her, are you?¡± Unperturbed, Den removed her hand. ¡°The paperwork¡¯s not finalized. Chapter 9 She¡¯s still my legal wife. Offending her is a disrespect to the Edwards family. ¡± Sadie tried to dissuade him. ¡°Nobody here knows she¡¯s one of us. If you stay out of it, whatever happens to her is her own bad luck. ¡± However, the shadow that crossed Den¡¯s eyes silenced her instantly. Eliana interjected, ¡°Let me handle this. I¡¯ve interacted with Carlos¡¯s brother before. For my sake, they won¡¯t make it too hard on Miss Moore. ¡± She cut off Den¡¯s impending refusal, adding softly, ¡°Your concern is mine as well. ¡± At that moment, Hannah pulled a bundle of dor bills from her bag and tossed it into Carlos¡¯s face. Ssh! Some money rained down from the second-floor, filling the air with a sense of theatricality. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah rested her arms on the low railing, looking as if she might topple over from the second floor at any given moment. Amidst floating dor bills, she stood in a red dress that made her allure stand out. She turned to the disheveled man before her, a bewitching smile gracing her Lips. ¡°Will that cover your losses?¡± Fury boiling over, Carlos shot a venomous look at his gang and roared, ¡°Seize her! I¡¯ll end her life! Just watch her arrogance crumble!¡± Just as his thugs were about to lunge, a vibrant female voice stopped them in their tracks. ¡°End whose life? I¡¯d love to see anyone try toy a finger on my friend while I¡¯m here. ¡± Carlos¡¯s expression shifted dramatically as Lydia walked up to Hannah, baseball bat in hand. She met his gaze with a mocking smile, as though she were looking at something insignificant. ¡°Your brother treads lightly in my presence.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Who gave you the nerve to shout at my friend?¡± ¡°Lydia Phillips?¡± Sadie¡¯s voice was tinged with incredulity. ¡°How could Hannah, an ex-convict, be acquainted with Lydia, one of Valmere¡¯s richest young women?¡± Den observed Hannah intently, his mouth a firm line. Carlos was a quivering mess, kneeling before Lydia with his hands pressed together. ¡°Miss Phillips, I¡¯m deeply sorry. I didn¡¯t realize she was your friend. I was wrong to offend her. I deserve whateveres to me. Watch, I¡¯ll punish myself!¡± Without waiting for Lydia¡¯s answer, he pped himself repeatedly. Observing Carlos marred by self-inflicted bloody smears, Hannah grimaced. ¡°Enough, this is revolting. Take this cash as a settlement for your injuries and get out of my sight. ¡± Chapter 10 ¡°What happened to your hand? Why is it bleeding?¡± Lydia seized Hannah¡¯s injured hand, her eyes filled with concern. Waving her hand dismissively, Hannah answered curtly, ¡°Probably caught some ss shards earlier. I¡¯ll wash up. ¡± Emerging from the restroom, Hannah dried her damp hands and sauntered back to their private nook. Midway, she bumped directly into Den and a woman clinging to his arm. With her alluring eyes and poised manner, the woman was Eliana, who Den had always considered superior to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, fancy meeting you! Remember me? I¡¯m Eliana. ¡± Though Eliana¡¯s greeting was warm, Hannah¡¯s response was icy. Sensing the tension, Den intervened, ¡°We have an appointment with Grandma tomorrow night. She¡¯s heard about our divorce and wants to meet us. ¡± Hannah nodded, prepared to move past them. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Den scrutinized Hannah¡¯s aloof demeanor and frowned, ¡°ces Like this don¡¯t suit you, nor does the way you¡¯re dressed. ¡± Unmoved, Hannah shot back, ¡°Mr. Edwards, given our divorce, it¡¯s really not your business what I do. ¡± Struggling to keep his mounting irritation in check, Den said, ¡°You seem eager to put space between us. ¡± Hannah gave Den an odd nce, sizing him up from head to foot. ¡°And you¡¯re not in a rush, Mr. Edwards?¡± Hesitant, words caught in his throat, Den took Eliana¡¯s hand and started to walk away. ¡°Hold on, Den! I need to talk to Miss Moore for a moment. ¡± After Den rounded the corner to light up a cigarette, Eliana walked up to Hannah and said softly, ¡°Miss Moore, I regret any strain my return has put on your marriage. But having suffered the unbearable pain of my first loss, I can¡¯t afford to lose Den again. ¡± Bewildered, Hannah¡¯s eyebrows knit together. ¡°So?¡± Fidgeting with her bag and kicking at the transparent balustrade, Eliana looked up, her eyes radiant with a smile. ¡°I appreciate that you¡¯ve allowed Den and me this chance at happiness I once lost. I hope you find your own happiness soon, so you¡¯re not trapped in an unreachable rtionship.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. ¡± It clicked for Hannah in that moment. This wasn¡¯t an apology. It was a deration. Eliana was showing her that the heart she had tried to warm for four years could indeed find warmth, but not from her. Despite her meticulous grooming, despite analyzing every word and gesture from Den, she couldn¡¯t measure up to Eliana, who seemed to win effortlessly just by being there. Chapter 11 But that no longer had any relevance. From the moment Hannah signed her name on the divorce papers, love or its absence, Den was destined to be just a temporary chapter in her story. What was done was done. ¡°Miss Patel, I¡¯m afraid you are wrong. ¡± Lifting her eyes, Hannah met Eliana¡¯s gaze with a touch of sarcasm. ¡°I got divorced because I grew bored. Den is a fine partner, but after four years, I¡¯m tired of this dreary charade. ¡± Taken aback, Eliana forced a smile. ¡°You don¡¯t need to offer insincere words just to wound me. I know you¡¯ve always had feelings for Den. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°And if I have?¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Stepping closer, so close that her breath whispered against Eliana¡¯s skin, Hannah offhandedly remarked, ¡°I can have feelings for a lot of people. I hope you find joy together. It¡¯s not my concern. ¡± With that, she turned around and began to walk away, her high heels echoing assertively down the ss corridor. As she left, her silhouette radiated the intensity of the loneliest moonbeam in the midnight sky. Upstairs in an exclusive lounge, a man leaned against the railing, quietly observing the exchange happening below. ¡°Ah, Den is a fascinating man. Dumped by a Patel family girl four years back, he waited all this time. Now that she¡¯s back, he¡¯s left his wife to pursue her. Sounds like a tale of true love,¡± Bryson remarked. Holding a ss of red wine, the man exuded an air of gravitas despite his casual posture. ¡°Bryson, we¡¯re here to unwind, not to be engrossed in some soap opera. You¡¯ve been transfixed ever since Carlos stirred up trouble. nning to take over the Edwards Group, are you?¡± Brayden Davies queried, his voice tinged with sudden insight. ¡°Is there some secret I¡¯m not privy to?¡± Bryson took a leisurely sip of his wine. ¡°The sunset industry doesn¡¯t interest me,¡± he said dismissively, shifting his gaze to the red-d figure at a booth. ¡°Den¡¯s ex-wife, however, is another story. ¡± ¡°His ex-wife?¡± Brayden paused, puzzled. ¡°Do you know her?¡± Then he rapidly dismissed his own question. ¡°Impossible. She¡¯s just an average woman with a criminal past. She¡¯s practically an outsider. Chapter 12 I can¡¯t fathom how she ever married Den. To top it off, she knows Lydia! She must be incredibly Lucky. ¡± Bryson put down his wine, stood, and moved closer to the railing for a better view of Hannah, who was now engaged in a spirited drinking game. ¡°When Sadie wronged Grace and was taken to the tower, that woman stood alone in her defense. ¡± Bryson smirked as if recalling a fond memory. ¡°Seems she has more spine than anyone in the Edwards family. ¡± Brayden¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Wait, the gutsy woman who bested you in Roulette is Den¡¯s ex-wife?¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Bryson simply nodded. Amazed, Brayden gave Hannah another nce. Then he remembered something and queried, ¡°Speaking of which, how¡¯s Grace? Any updates on the so-called Phantom Healer?¡± The cheerful expression on Bryson¡¯s face vanished instantly. With a measured tone, he said, ¡°Word is, the Phantom Healer was once the top racer on the East Coast Racing circuit but retired four years ago for unknown reasons. I intend to see if I can meet them this time around. ¡± Hannah reached Den¡¯s grandparents¡¯ house thirty minutes before the scheduled gathering. ¡°Ah, Mrs. Hannah Edwards, you¡¯re¡­¡± The housekeeper, momentarily bbergasted by Hannah¡¯s uncharacteristic outfit, quickly regainedposure and escorted her inside. ¡°Mrs. Allison Edwards has been looking forward to seeing you. There¡¯s time for a little chat before dinner starts. ¡± Hannah sensed that Allison¡¯s invitation for dinner was merely a cover. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The true agenda was to persuade her against divorcing Den. The moment Hannah stepped into the living room, she noticed a huddle of people lounging on the sofas. Though she contemted avoiding the crowd, Allison called out warmly, ¡°Hannah, over here! It¡¯s been ages, let¡¯s catch up. ¡± Feeling obligated, Hannah approached to offer her greetings. As she did, she spotted Leah, apanied by Sadie and Eliana. Den¡¯s mother, Leah, never a fan of Hannah, rolled her eyes disdainfully before Hannah even reached them. Once, Hannah had gone out of her way to win Den¡¯s favor by being amodating and respectful to Leah. When Leah was in the hospital for a couple of days dealing with uterine fibroids, Hannah personally cared for her and prepared her meals, only to go unacknowledged. Now, with the divorce virtually certain, Hannah couldn¡¯t muster the will to cater to Leah again. She took a seat next to Allison, neglecting everyone else. Caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s disregard, Leah couldn¡¯t contain her irritation. ¡°How disrespectful! Won¡¯t you greet your elders? Should we be the ones to greet you?¡± Holding Allison¡¯s hand and smiling her usual sweet smile, Hannah inquired, ¡°Allison, has your cough improved? Did you enjoy the snow pear soup I made?¡± Allison, clearly fond of Hannah, affectionately patted her hand. Chapter 13 ¡°You¡¯re ever so thoughtful. I finished the entire soup, and my cough has gotten much better. ¡± Nodding, Hannah responded, ¡°I¡¯m d you liked it. I¡¯ll make it again for you. ¡± Ignored and slighted, Leah tightened her lips and said, ¡°If you¡¯re heading for divorce, why prolong the attachments? You¡¯vetched onto a fortune not yours for four years. Why continue this charade?¡± Before Hannah could reply, Allison mmed her cane on the floor. ¡°For four years, Hannah has been nothing but dutiful and considerate. She even learned to cook dumplings because you mentioned wanting them once. Are all her efforts wasted on you? Leah, how can you say that?¡± Leah¡¯s face turned ashen, but she dared notsh out at Allison. Instead, she red at Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°She has a lowly background, no money, and even a prison record. Had you not been so insistent, there¡¯s no way I¡¯d let them marry. And for what? Four years and still no child. Who would invest in a barren hen?¡± Allison fixed her gaze on Leah and retorted, ¡°What kind of nonsense are you spouting?¡± Leah recoiled but clung to Eliana¡¯s hand, mumbling, ¡°I¡¯m stating facts. Someone as ster as Eliana is the only suitable match for Den. I can guarantee that their offspring will continue the Edwards family¡¯s legacy of excellence.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Or else, imagine the disgrace if that woman were to birth a convict! In the midst of Leah¡¯s barrage, Hannah chose not to engage. She silently resolved to sever ties with the Edwards family as soon as the day was over. Allison¡¯s expression turned even grimmer. She scoffed, ¡°A match? Hear me well. As long as I draw breath, the only wife of Den¡¯s will be Hannah. ¡± Just then, Den appeared at the stairs. ¡°Grandma, what¡¯s happening?¡± Still furious, Allison directed her ire toward her grandson. ¡°So, you think some shameless woman can just waltz into the Edwards family by attaching herself to Den? Think again. This is a respectable family. No ce for shameless women. ¡± Den¡¯s face stiffened while Eliana looked at him, her eyes moist and sorrowful. Noticing the tension, Hannah assisted Allison into her seat and offered her a ss of warm water. ¡°Allison, your cough hasn¡¯t improved. Raising your voice won¡¯t help. ¡± With a clenched fist, Den loosened his grip and said, ¡°Grandma, the one who has my heart has always been Eliana. Marrying Hannah was never my choice. A loveless marriage is cruel to both parties. A peaceful divorce, with properpensation for Hannah, seems the best option. ¡± Allison snapped, ¡°And whatpensation? Is your time more precious than Hannah¡¯s youth? What did she ever do wrong? She¡¯s been nothing but devoted to you for four years. Even a block of iron would soften under her care, but you remain stubborn. And what about Eliana? She left you before, didn¡¯t she? Hasn¡¯t she caused you enough suffering?¡± As Eliana stood, tears filled her eyes. Chapter 14 ¡°Allison, I apologize. My past decisions hurt many, myself included. These years apart have shown me how much I need him. I¡¯mmitted to proving my love for the rest of my life. ¡± Allison widened her eyes in disbelief. Sensing another argument brewing, Hannah offered Allison a ss of water. ¡°Here, drink some water first. ¡± Taking a sip, Allison finally calmed down. Softly, Hannah said, ¡°Allison, don¡¯t me him. My feelings have changed. ¡± A chilling silence engulfed the Living room. Upon saying that, Hannah seemed as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. ¡°As you said, there¡¯s no point in wasting my youth on someone who¡¯s emotionally unavable. It¡¯s just not worth it. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Without her in ck-framed sses, her eyes sparkled brilliantly in the light, casting a shadow over Den¡¯s face. Clutching a ss of water, Allison appeared to be in a state of disbelief. ¡°Are you for real, Hannah? There¡¯s no turning back¡­¡± Hannah offered a faint smile and nodded, an air of detachment about her, as if the past no longer weighed on her. The living room was enveloped in quiet. Finally, Allison shattered the silence. ¡°We¡¯re to me. I will respect your decision. ¡± Sensing the conversation had reached a tipping point, Hannah felt it was time to make her exit. She rose and said her goodbyes to Allison. Casting a fleeting look at Den, who had been silent throughout, Allison felt a sudden wave of irritation. However, she masked it with a warm smile and softly patted Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°Please, make sure youe to visit me. We can catch up, and you know how much I adore your cooking. ¡± Hannah smiled back but said nothing, grabbing her purse and heading for the door. Dinner at the Edwards household was equally strained. Despite Eliana¡¯s best efforts to engage her, Allison barely acknowledged her presence. Eventually, Allison had enough of Eliana¡¯s overly attentive manner towards Den, and she mmed her fork down, her expression turning sour. ¡°Den, meet me in the study!¡± Leah interjected instinctively, ¡°Allison, Den hasn¡¯t even finished his dinner¡­¡± ¡°Missing one meal won¡¯t kill him, will it?¡± Leah went mute, and Allison shot Den a stern look before ascending the staircase alone. Den¡¯s grip on his fork tightened. ¡°Den, you should gofort Allison. She seems quite fond of Miss Moore. Seeing her leave so casually must have hurt. You¡¯re her cherished grandson; she¡¯ll want to talk to you,¡± Eliana suggested, gently touching Den¡¯s hand.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 15 Touched by her words, Den said, ¡°Eliana, you¡¯re so perceptive Once Grandma gets to know you better, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll warm up to you Eliana smiled softly, ¡°No worries. We have all the time in the world. ¡± After consoling Eliana, Den proceeded to the study upstairs. Upon entering, he found Allison fidgeting with a familiar bead bracelet. He sighed, a note of resignation in his voice. ¡°Grandma, Eliana is my choice for a life partner. The Patel family has been friends with us for years. If you have reservations, couldn¡¯t you discuss them with me privately? Why humiliate her?¡± ¡°Defending her already, even before marriage? Where was this concern for Hannah?¡± Allison retorted, lifting the beaded bracelet. ¡°Remember this?¡± Den¡¯s brow furrowed as he searched his memory, then shook his head. Allison exhaled sharply in vexation. ¡°You remember every detail about Eliana, but forget what concerns your own wife. Hannah gave me this bracelet the year you married. For a decade, I¡¯ve had trouble sleeping. Despite countless medical consultations, nothing helped until Hannah found this blessed bracelet for me. And let¡¯s not forget,st month she burned herself with fireworks while prepping your sister¡¯s birthday party. That scar on her waist? Does that ring any bells?¡± Den clenched his jaw, his eyes clouding over. ¡°Whatever she¡¯s lost, I¡¯ll make it up to her, twofold¡­¡± ¡°Can you actually make it up to them?¡± Allison exhaled deeply, staring at her normally level-headed grandson who never ceased to perplex her on this issue. ¡°Do you honestly not understand why Hannah agreed to be a part of our family? It¡¯s one thing to deceive others, but can you truly deceive yourself?¡± Den¡¯s fists tightened involuntarily, his eyes growing darker. ¡°You secured the venue, sent out engagement invitations, and had an engagement party nned. Then your intended bride took off! If Hannah hadn¡¯t stepped in to salvage the situation, we¡¯d be the town¡¯s biggest joke!¡± Allison scoffed. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°And you wonder why I don¡¯t wee Eliana with open arms? She bailed and created this fiasco for us, and now she expects a warm wee as if nothing happened? Absurd She nced at Den. ¡°You need to do some serious soul-searching. ¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Motionless, Den remained in Allison¡¯s study, strands of his hair casting shadows over his contemtive face. That night, Hannah slept soundly, blissfully unaware of Allison and Den¡¯s discussion. After finally breaking free from Den, she had enjoyed a rare restful night. Lydia was the one who woke her up the next morning. She eased her mildly fatigued eyes and savored a bite of toast coated in blueberry jam, all while using one hand to send messages. ¡°Mr. Edwards, are you free this morning? If so, meet me at the courthouse at 10 a. m. ¡± Den¡¯s reply arrived unexpectedly quick, startling Hannah. She knew this was usually his meeting time at Edwards Group, and he was typically unreachable. ¡°No. I havemitments. ¡± ¡°What about 3 p. m. ? Or even 4? Just not past 6, as they close then. ¡± Chapter 16 ¡°We¡¯ll discuss itter. I¡¯ve got a lot on my te right now. ¡± After that, silence. Den never responded again. Hannah frowned at her phone, puzzled. Hadn¡¯t Den been desperate to marry Eliana? Why did it feel like she was the one pushing him now? Lydia poured a ss of milk for Hannah, then furrowed her brow in thought. ¡°Oh, I almost forgot, a few days ago, Mr. Campbell asked if you¡¯d be interested in resuming your old job. And if you are not inclined to, he hoped you could mentor at Starrywinter University. He even offered to be your assistant. ¡± Taking a sip of milk, Hannah shook her head as she wiped her Lips. ¡°Having a senior citizen as my assistant? That¡¯s just not going to work. ¡± ¡°So, should I tell him that?¡± Pausing to wipe her mouth again, Hannah pondered, ¡°Tell him I¡¯m not inclined to reim my old position for the time being. It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve used a scalpel. My hands might be a bit shaky. Being a mentor sounds usible. But can I sit in on other people¡¯s sses? I¡¯ve been out of the loop for so long. Who knows how many research papers Mr. Campbell and the others have published by now?¡± Lydia rolled her eyes yfully. ¡°Seriously, even if you took a break for decades, you¡¯d still outperform most. ¡± When Hannah walked into the hospital, Saul Campbell had just finished a surgical procedure. At the sound of a knock, he hastily swallowed a mouthful of tea and blurted out, ¡°He¡¯s not avable. Try again tomorrow. ¡± Feeling awkward, Hannah replied, ¡°Alright, Mr. Campbell, I¡¯ll leave these items at your doorstep. Please remember to grab themter.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Just as Hannah was about to leave, the door swung open. Saul gazed at her, astonished. ¡°Hannah? What brings you here? Please,e in!¡± Eagerly ushering her inside, he continued, ¡°I had a critical situation in surgery today and wasn¡¯t sure who to talk it over with. Lucky you¡¯re here. I¡¯ve got a ton of questions!¡± Once she entered, Saul immediately handed her a stack of papers and reports, essentially pinning her to an academic chair. While fixing tea beside her, he said, ¡°It¡¯s a rare visit. I need to pick your brain as much as I can today. Who knows when I¡¯ll get another chance?¡± Hannah set down the papers and reassured him. ¡°No need to worry, I¡¯m divorced now. ¡± Observing Saul¡¯s stunned expression, she borated, ¡°I¡¯m here to discuss the mentor position you mentioned to Lydia previously. ¡± Hannah seemedposed, but a rush of conflicting emotions surged through Saul. Years ago, as an intern, Hannah had disyed a remarkable aptitude in her first surgery. She had then, however, sacrificed a promising medical career for a man. This decision remained a persistent ache in Saul¡¯s heart. Upon learning of her divorce, his initial concern was for her emotional well-being. He had feared she might make another drastic sacrifice. Relieved to see her stable, he exhaled softly. Chapter 17 ¡°If you¡¯re open to it, I can help with the paperwork tomorrow. You¡¯ll be officially on board in a few days,¡± he offered. Then, hesitating a bit, he added, ¡°Your credentials would easily qualify you to be a doctoral advisor. It seems a waste to just be a guidance teacher. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes sparkled for a moment. Saul¡¯s meaning was clear to her, but she chose to respond by shaking her head, a faint smile gracing her lips. ¡°Thank you for the high praise, Mr. Campbell, but I haven¡¯t operated in four years. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m as adept as I once was. Bing a doctoral supervisor wouldn¡¯t be fair to anyone. ¡± ¡°Unbelievable!¡± Saul interjected, almost desperate to convince her. ¡°With your extensive background and field experience, you¡¯d be¡­¡± Hannah cut him off. ¡°I appreciate your kind words, Mr. Campbell, but I¡¯d prefer to ease back into things. It¡¯s also an opportunity for me to learn. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Realizing she was resolute, Saul sighed. An idea then shed across his mind. ¡°Speaking of which, a friend told me someone privately offered a substantial sum just to consult with you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°He¡¯s quite influential, apparently seeking help for a family member. ¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah¡¯s fingers idly fiddled with the hem of her dress. ¡°Mr. Campbell, I¡¯d rather you didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Saul cut in swiftly. ¡°Given how much you¡¯ve aided my medical expertise, I won¡¯t disclose your identity unless you give the green Light. ¡± Warmth filled Hannah¡¯s heart. Despite her distant rtionship with Saulpared to her closeness with Lydia, his enduring sincerity after four years of no contact felt like a blessing. After some discussion with Saul, she respectfully turned down his offer for dinner and left the hospital. Eager to participate in the East Coast Racing event, Hannah headed home early to gear up and recharge her energy. Returning to racing after a four-year hiatus, a mix of jitters and excitement buzzed within her. The next morning, Lydia drove her to the east coast. Competing under her old alias ¡°Tequ¡±, a name that once topped the rankings, Hannah adhered to the rules of anonymity. Besides the event staff, no one knew the real identities of the racers. With two hours to go before her race, Hannah blended into the crowd as a spectator, leaning against a railing and talking with Lydia. Chapter 18 ¡°Rumor has it Moonshadow¡¯s racing today. Can¡¯t wait to see him in action. Wish I could snag his number after the race. He seems Like my kind of guy!¡± The voice belonged to Sadie, and it made Hannah frown unconsciously. ¡°Why not ask your brother? Despite his shares not being in the same league as the Mitchell family¡¯s, obtaining a racing driver¡¯s contact information is rather simple,¡± Eliana suggested, smiling warmly at Den. ¡°Den, any racer you¡¯re rooting for?¡± Den appeared indifferent. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter to me. Though I heard a once top-ranked yer is making aeback today. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s just a publicity stunt¡­¡± one of Den¡¯s friends began, only to stop abruptly, eyes widening. ¡°Den, isn¡¯t that your¡­ What¡¯s she doing here?¡± The moment the words left his lips, he nced at Den¡¯s face and felt a twinge of regret. Hannah looked different. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, and her sses were swapped for subtle makeup.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. She wore a simple white tee and low-rise jeans that exposed her slim, smooth waist. She tipped her head back, gripping the beer bottle with her teeth, exuding the effortless cool of a ¡®90s icon. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana¡¯s eyes darted toward Den and caught a glimmer of surprise and admiration in his gaze. She clenched her Lips and etched a deep scratch into her palm with her fingernail. Quick to mask his emotions, Den directed a scowl at Hannah. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here. ¡± Lydia chuckled at his words and tossed her eyes dismissively. ¡°If both the home wrecker and the jerk are allowed, it¡¯s clear the standards here aren¡¯t lofty. Why shouldn¡¯t regr folkse in for some fun?¡± Eliana¡¯s face shifted subtly before she replied calmly, ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong, Miss Phillips. Den¡¯s running the East Coast Racing event. My curiosity about the sport brought me here. I just didn¡¯t anticipate Miss Moore tagging along so closely¡­¡± She turned to Hannah, feigningpassion. ¡°Love can¡¯t be forced. Since you and Den are divorced, you might consider forgoing these desperate attempts to recapture his interest. ¡± Her words were slick, well-crafted to portray her as if she were Den¡¯smitted partner, implicitly painting Hannah as shamelessly persistent. The crowd, mostly celebrities who had followed the story between Den, Hannah, and Eliana, was well aware of Den¡¯s historical fondness for Eliana and his reluctance to acknowledge Hannah. Chapter 19 Now divorced, it appeared Hannah still couldn¡¯t resist stalking him. ¡°f@ck off! Do you honestly think that jerk is royalty?¡± Lydia silenced Eliana before thetter could utter another insult. Turning around, Hannah said to Den and Eliana with a touch of apathy, ¡°Miss Patel, perhaps you should spend more time in front of a mirror. Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself. Feel free to chase me away once and only when this shareholder revokes my right to attend the event. ¡± Den¡¯s expression shifted abruptly. For the entirety of their four-year marriage, Hannah had been submissive, never daring to oppose him. However, ever since he broached the subject of divorce, she seemed to have transformed into a different person altogether. She had be sharp-witted and dignified. ¡°Why the tone? You think seeing Miss Phillips makes you great?¡± Sadie, unable to contain her fury, snapped. ¡°How dare you disrespect the Edwards family like this? I¡¯ll have you escorted out this instant!¡± She turned around and signaled to the nearby security guards. ¡°Remove this instigator right away¡­¡± Her words were cut short as the crowd parted like the Red Sea, making way for an imposing figure. The only sound was the rhythmic thump of leather boots on the floor. Everyone held their breath, fixated on the man who was approaching. This was Bryson, Valmere¡¯s most esteemed resident and the true power behind the East Coast¡¯s business operations. Den straightened up as he acknowledged Bryson, who had slowed his pace.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, it¡¯s been a while since our meeting at Westridge Vi. You seem just as¡­¡± Bryson, tall and upright, brushed past Den without a word. Then Bryson paused. He tilted his head slightly, locking eyes with Hannah, who was leaning against the railing, peering down. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Instinctively, Hannah straightened up. Before she could avert her eyes, Bryson chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s been ages, Miss Moore. ¡± His eyes were prating, and his smile was maic. It was enough to captivate any girl with a single look. Hannah was mildly astonished that Bryson even remembered her. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Grinning, Bryson nced back at his assistant. ¡°Put all of Miss Moore and her friends¡¯ expenses on my tab today. ¡± Caught off guard, Hannah protested ¡°That¡¯s not necessary, Mr. Mitchell. You really don¡¯t have to¡­¡± She was on the verge of pointing out that they weren¡¯t close enough to warrant such a gesture. Chapter 20 Interrupting her, Bryson queried, ¡°Miss Moore, did you make a bet? Moonshadow or Tequ? What¡¯s your pick, Miss Moore?¡± As the sea breeze from the East Coast brushed her forehead, a glint of curiosity flickered in her captivating eyes. She grinned. ¡°I didn¡¯t bet much. I prefer to back the strong horse. It¡¯s safer that way. ¡± Arching an eyebrow, Bryson questioned, ¡°So you bet on Tequ?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t deny it. Bryson subtly shifted his stance andmanded, ¡°Bet five times the sum of Miss Moore¡¯s stake on Tequ again.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Ensure Miss Moore enjoys herself. ¡± Hannah scrutinized Bryson with tant intensity. However, Bryson appeared indifferent. He offered a slight nod, turned around, and walked away. Once Sadie was certain Bryson was out of earshot, she queried Hannah, ¡°When did you hook up with him? Why is he treating you so distinctly?¡± Hannah shot Sadie a frosty look and said, ¡°When? It was all because of you idiot!¡± She then turned around and departed with Lydia, not sparing them another nce. Today, the East Coast Racing event had drawn a sizable crowd. The audience was primarily there to witness the return of Tequ, once the top-ranked racer, and the rise of a new force, Moonshadow. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Additionally, rumors swirled that Bryson, the Mitchell family patriarch, would be present. Within moments, the venue, capable of holding ten thousand spectators, was packed to capacity. Den couldn¡¯t shake the recent encounter between Bryson and Hannah from his thoughts. His fingers subconsciously grazed his palm. Recalling the interaction, his eyes grew shadowy. ¡°Den, are you alright? You seem off,¡± Eliana inquired, gripping Den¡¯s arm. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. The race has started. ¡± Clearly, Den wasn¡¯t keen on borating. His gaze shifted to the center of the venue. Eliana, however, clenched her clothing¡¯s hem. She couldn¡¯t overlook the jealousy igniting in Den¡¯s eyes when he witnessed the exchange between Bryson and Hannah. Nheless, Hannah, a divorced woman, couldn¡¯t possiblypete with her. Chapter 21 On the racetrack, as Hannah¡¯s hands met the familiar steering wheel, exhration surged through her. She hadn¡¯t felt this thrilled in ages and yearned to shout. With the sound of a gunshot, Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed, and her scarlet sports car rocketed forward like a finely honed de. The scarlet and ck race cars vied for supremacy on the track, captivating the entire crowd. Throughout the race, the two vehicles remained neck and neck. In the final curve, however, the ck car sped up and crossed the finish line first, clinching the win. ¡°Moonshadow takes the victory!¡± A roar of apuse erupted from the crowd. Hannah gripped her steering wheel and peered through her car window at the man exiting the vehicle ahead of her. Her eyes narrowed gradually. ¡°You¡¯ve lost. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah could barely make out the man¡¯s muffled voice through his helmet. ¡°You¡¯re incredible,¡± Hannah dered candidly. With both hands, she removed her helmet. Her long locks caught the wind, captivating everyone around. ¡°Oh my God! Tequ is a woman!¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Unbelievable! A woman with such driving skills?¡± ¡°Who knew the top-ranked driver for years was a woman?¡± ¡°Good thing Moonshadow won. It keeps the male ego intact. ¡± ¡°Who¡¯s to say? Tequ could take the win next round. ¡± Hannah¡¯s hand hovered over her mask. Through its filter, she noticed the man nearby had also removed his helmet. ¡°I¡¯ll honor my word,¡± she began. She was about to reveal her face when the man interrupted, ¡°Hold on. ¡± With a hand signal, he proposed, ¡°How about we make a deal?¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What are you suggesting?¡± ¡°Grant me a favor,¡± he said, stepping closer. ¡°And the mask stays on. ¡± Chapter 22 Their enigmatic exchange baffled the onlookers, sparking chatter. ¡°What are they discussing? Can¡¯t catch a single word. ¡± ¡°Why¡¯d she stop? Can¡¯t Tequ handle defeat?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you see? Moonshadow signaled her not to unmask. ¡± The murmurs flew past Den¡¯s ears, unnoticed. He was fixated on the enigmatic figures at center stage, his mind awash with questions. Out of nowhere, a hand touched his wrist. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Den?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Roused from his reverie, Den nced at Eliana next to him, masking any trace of emotion. ¡°Usually, racers would have left the track by now, not stand there chatting. ¡± Savoring a sip of freshly-served champagne, Den continued, ¡°Mr. Mitchell would be furious if he knew about this blunder. ¡± Eliana inquired, ¡°Is Mr. Mitchell really that influential? Never heard of him before I went overseas. ¡± Taking thest gulp of his champagne, Den replied dispassionately, ¡°He¡¯s a recent addition to Mitchell Group but quickly became an uncontested leader. ¡± His gaze returned to the intriguing drama unfolding in the arena, as if seeking a distraction from the unease settling within him. The pre-race interaction between Hannah and Bryson had been a lingering irritant for Den. As he was about to refill his ss, his hand froze, eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°No deal,¡± Hannah dered, her tone unyielding. ¡°I detest being manipted. ¡± The man looked like he was going to say something, but Hannah had already snatched up her mask. Her face, radiant despite a light sheen of sweat, beamed with unapologetic confidence.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. This was Hannah, who¡¯d leaned casually against the railing just a while ago. She tossed the mask aside, gripped her helmet, and extended her hand toward the man. ¡°Your skills aren¡¯t bad, though. Maybe we¡¯ll have a rematch someday. ¡± The man stayed quiet, eyeing her open palm, and then burst intoughter. Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed. She had braced herself for an insult, but instead, he took off his mask. Chapter 23 Beneath the mask, his features were still strikingly handsome. His maic personality and innate nobility made him unforgettable at first sight. Bryson ran his fingers through his sweat-dampened hair and grinned at Hannah. ¡°Tequ, you live up to the hype. ¡± Hannah was stunned. She had never thought Moonshadow would turn out to be Bryson. Rumor had it that the Mitchell family¡¯s fortune originated in real estate and hadsted through five affluent generations. However, in Bryson¡¯s father¡¯s era, family wealth became a fierce battlefield due to numerous offspring. Bryson¡¯s father was an useless womanizer whose only legacy was fathering illegitimate children who never made it onto the family tree. Eventually, Bryson, the lone son of the mysteriously vanished Mrs. Mitchell, reimed his ce in the family. He ousted all those vying for the family¡¯s assets and became the Mitchell patriarch. In thest couple of years, he had shifted the family business toward finance while also excelling in emerging sectors. Contrary to expectations, Bryson was unapproachable, ruling with a style that was as decisive as it was ruthless. Curiosity filled Hannah. She had never guessed that a man so stiff and distant in professional life would enjoy such daring, untamed private pursuits. She looked down, her shadow merging with the ground, her emotions a tangled web. ¡°Miss Moore¡­ and your friend, care to join me for lunch?¡± Bryson suddenly asked. Seeing her puzzled expression, he rified, ¡°I¡¯d like to apologize for my earlier rashness. ¡± Hannah responded with candid warmth, nodding and smiling at him. ¡°Your hospitality is much appreciated. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Afterward, they headed to the observation deck before changing their outfits. As Hannah emerged from the changing room, Lydia was still fuming. ¡°You threw the race intentionally, didn¡¯t you?¡± Exasperated, Hannah replied, ¡°I don¡¯t even know him well. Why would I lose on purpose? No one¡¯s paying me off. ¡± Confused, Lydia countered, ¡°Your drifting used to be lightning-fast; you nevergged even after fiveps. How could you mess up?¡± Hannah nced down at her callused hands, hardened from years of domestic Labor. ¡°These hands are the reason. The feeling of holding the steering wheel is different now. ¡± She disyed them to Lydia, shrugging. ¡°It¡¯s been four years since Ist touched a racing car.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. At this, Lydia¡¯s frustration escted. ¡°If not for that jerk, you would never have¡­¡± ¡°Who are you badmouthing?¡± Sadie, Eliana and Den appeared just as Lydia was speaking. Chapter 24 ring at Hannah, Sadie sneered, ¡°Never knew you were so versatile. Barely divorced my brother, and you¡¯re already man-hunting?¡± Lydia bristled, retorting, ¡°You make it sound like it¡¯s easy. Some dummies might take a lifetime just to learn how to wash a car!¡± ¡°Who are you insulting?¡± ¡°I¡¯m talking to whoever thinks this is about them,¡± Lydia shot back, rolling her eyes at Sadie. Sadie was about to retaliate but was halted by Den. Den¡¯s cold eyes met Hannah¡¯s. ¡°When did you take up racing? How did you be Tequ?¡± Hannah shot him a detached nce. ¡°Why would I owe you an exnation, my ex-husband?¡± Den stared at Hannah, his expression icy. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s not forget, we¡¯re still technically married. ¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°Ah, Mr. Edwards, you suddenly remember our marriage status? Since you despise me so much, why didn¡¯t you go to the courthouse with me? Do you need me to repeatedly push you to do it?¡± Just as Den was about to respond, Eliana approached and took his arm. ¡°Miss Moore, I think you¡¯ve misunderstood Den. He was merely surprised you had secrets he wasn¡¯t aware of. ¡± She nced at Den, adding, ¡°You both were a couple once, and Den is a man of integrity. He¡¯s concerned about the faithfulness in your marriage. ¡± Hannah chuckled, ¡°Faithfulness? He¡¯s so concerned about it that it didn¡¯t stop him from engaging in an affair?¡± Eliana was taken aback by Hannah¡¯s blunt remark. ¡°I believe you¡¯re misreading the situation between Den and me. ¡± Den¡¯s eyes darkened further. ¡°Eliana, there¡¯s no need to exin yourself to a convict. It¡¯s beneath you.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡± Smirking at Den, Hannah replied, ¡°Well, let¡¯s quicken our meeting at the courthouse, Mr. Edwards. I¡¯d hate for my marriage status to further tarnish my so-called criminal record. ¡± She began to walk away, then paused and looked back. ¡°Oh, by the way. Chapter 25 A word of advice. Act fast. Otherwise, Miss Patel might suffer from undue criticism for being seen with you. ¡± Hannah and her friend Lydia left, their departure marked by the distant sounds of Eliana¡¯s sobs and Den¡¯s cating words. Lydia eximed, ¡°Fantastic! That¡¯s great! You put him in his ce. The man¡¯s a cheater who thought you¡¯d be just as deceitful!¡± Hannah flipped her hair dismissively. ¡°As long as he stays out of my way, he¡¯s irrelevant to me. ¡± The venue had arranged a lunch at Sapphire Treasure, a sky-high restaurant requiring a month¡¯s notice for reservations. Hannah and Lydia took their seats, conveniently Located with a scenic view. The restaurant manager, dressed immactely, approached Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Miss Moore, the host would like to invite you and your guest to lunch on floor A. ¡± The host? The floor A? Floor A was a destination not all wealthy individuals could ess. Intrigued nces followed Hannah. How did she know the owner? From afar, Den¡¯s eyes turned stormy. Eliana feigned surprise. ¡°It appears that Miss Moore is even more appealing after divorce. ¡± Realizing this must be Bryson¡¯s doing, Hannah rose and followed the manager to floor A, Lydia in tow. Arriving at the outdoor circr tform, they found Bryson lounging with wine and an array of gourmet dishes. Unhesitatingly, Hannah and Lydia chose their seats. Nodding toward the feast, Hannah said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, your hospitality is much appreciated. ¡± Brayden, sitting beside Bryson, scrutinized Hannah. ¡°I¡¯d heard of Tequ long before today. Seeing her now, she truly is one-of-a-kind. ¡± Hannah delicately cut her steak. ¡°And Mr. Mitchell is equally captivating. ¡± Chapter 26 Indeed, with his chiseled features, Bryson could have easily passed for a movie star. It was evident his mother must have been a woman of extraordinary beauty. Bryson caught Hannah¡¯s gaze fixed on him, yet he felt neither ufortable nor shy. Instead, he calmly met her eyes while holding a ss of red wine. ¡°I appreciate your warm wee, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Setting her utensils down, Hannah averted her gaze from Bryson. People often said Bryson was a heartless, wicked man. But why did she feel differently? By the time they left the Sapphire Treasure event, night had settled in. Due to some unforeseen issues, Lydia couldn¡¯t apany Hannah. Despite Lydia¡¯s protests, Hannah sent her away early. Hannah bowed her head and rummaged through her purse for her phone, intending to call a taxi. Just as she was about to open the app, a suave yet chilly voice broke the silence. ¡°Miss Moore, no ride for you? We¡¯ve got room. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Care to join us?¡± Turning, Hannah saw Eliana, arm-in-arm with Den, smiling at her. Why were these two always on her tail? And why did they always seem to be wherever she was? Suppressing an eye roll, Hannah waved her phone at them. ¡°I¡¯ve got my phone. I can call a taxi, No need to burden yourselves, Mr. Edwards and Miss Patel. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s ratherte and no one else is around. It could be risky for you to go home alone. ¡± Looking up at Den pitifully, Eliana said, ¡°We¡¯re heading the same way. Why not take Miss Moore with us?¡±N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. Den¡¯s gaze was icy as he wrapped an arm around Eliana, his eyes scrutinizing Hannah. ¡°If you¡¯re asking, how could I refuse?¡± ¡°Den, you¡¯re so generous. ¡± Wearing a joyful smile, Eliana turned to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, please join us in the car. ¡± Their behavior felt like phony benevolence, making Hannah feel nauseated. Hannah¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. Chapter 27 ¡°Did you not hear me? I said I can take a taxi. Are you deaf?¡± ¡°Miss Moore¡­ I¡­ I didn¡¯t intend anything by it. ¡± Eliana appeared rattled by Hannah¡¯s biting words.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Her eyes began to glisten. ¡°I was just worried it¡¯s gettingte. I didn¡¯t want you to be unsafe alone¡­¡± Den¡¯s brow tightened as he stepped in front of Eliana. ¡°Eliana meant well. Don¡¯t be ungrateful!¡± ¡°Den, don¡¯t. ¡± Eliana tugged at his sleeve. ¡°If your anger is about the divorce, don¡¯t take it out on Eliana. She means well, truly,¡± continued Den. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Meant well? Den¡¯sments felt ludicrous. Was he out of his mind? ¡°If there¡¯s something wrong with your brain, go seek medical help. But don¡¯t stop me from hailing a taxi!¡± Chided by Hannah, Den remained motionless, his expression sour. Eliana seemed concerned as she clutched Den¡¯s arm. ¡°It looks Like Miss Moore really doesn¡¯t care for me¡­¡± Wanting no more interaction with the pair, Hannah lowered her gaze to her phone, nning to hail a taxi via the app. Just then, Den snatched her phone away. Hannah was livid. ¡°What exactly is your problem?¡± Out of the blue, a shy red sports car pulled up next to her. A grin unfolded on Brayden¡¯s face as he leaned out the car window. ¡°Ah, seems like my timing¡¯s off. Are we having a dispute here?¡± Leaning his arm on the window and resting his chin on his wrist, Brayden turned to Hannah and inquired, ¡°Why are you by yourself, Miss Moore? Need a ride?¡± Seated in his red sports car, the night breeze tousled his hair, making his good looks even more striking. Den, however, narrowed his eyes involuntarily. Chapter 28 Brayden Davies, heir to the Davies Jewelry empire and notoriousdies¡¯ man. His affluence and influence made switching girlfriends as casual as swapping designer outfits. How had he crossed paths with Hannah? Initially, Hannah had been reluctant to mingle with Bryson and his circle. Her gut told her that Bryson¡¯s invitation at the contest wasn¡¯t straightforward, but right now she had no desire to deal with Den. ¡°Much appreciated, Mr. Davies. ¡± Hannah turned around and extended her hand towards Den. ¡°Could I have my phone back, please?¡± Wearing a grim expression, Den still held her phone. Before Den could utter a word, Eliana, standing beside him, chimed in, ¡°You sure get around, Miss Moore. First the Phillips heiress and now the Davies scion.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. How do you do it?¡± Her tone dripped with clear spite. Sadie then added, ¡°She must frequent all kinds of questionable events to get the attention of men like these. ¡± Eliana cut her off, ¡°Don¡¯t be so harsh, Sadie. Maybe she has her reasons. ¡± The pair¡¯s coordination was wless. Catching a glimpse of Brayden, Hannah roughly deduced their intentions. They were trying to paint her as morally loose in Brayden¡¯s eyes. Before Hannah could retort, Brayden erupted intoughter. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Ah, Miss Edwards, isn¡¯t it? Been a while since I saw you dance on stage. Last I remember, you were at some club. ¡± Arching an eyebrow, Brayden appeared genuinely intrigued. ¡°Speaking of which, where¡¯s the guy who was clinging to you? Figured he was your boyfriend. ¡± At this, Sadie nched. Den looked puzzled. ¡°What boyfriend? When did you hit the clubs? Why wasn¡¯t I informed?¡± Panicked, Sadie stammered, ¡°Wait, Den, hear me out. Don¡¯t tell our parents, please!¡± Hannah, uninterested in the unfolding drama, gestured impatiently at Den. ¡°My phone, if you please. ¡± Den looked stern but ultimately handed back the phone without furtherment. Snatching her phone, Hannah opened the car door and slid in. Chapter 29 ¡°Thanks again, Mr. Davies. ¡± As the car sped along, the world outside blurred, yet Hannah¡¯s expression remained steady. She was grateful for Brayden¡¯s aid, but she knew nothing came without a price.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. ¡°No problem,¡± Brayden said, driving at about 130 km/h and casually resting one arm on the window. ¡°Bryson got held up. It was something about ast-minute video conference in Europe. ¡± It was Bryson¡¯s idea. A frown creased Hannah¡¯s forehead. She knew better than to expect something for nothing. After pondering for a moment, she asked, ¡°What does Mr. Mitchell really want? You can tell me. ¡± Peering at her through the rearview mirror, Brayden noted herposed demeanor that rendered her beauty even more striking. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Bryson¡¯s never been good at articting his feelings. He doesn¡¯t aim toplicate things for you. But me, I have no hesitations. We¡¯ve been friends for over a decade, so I¡¯m asking you as a favor. ¡± Hannah tilted her head, as though straining to catch every word. ¡°Did you ever meet Grace, Miss Moore?¡± Brayden paused before adding, ¡°A few years back, Sadie wronged Grace. Bryson set her straight. You were the one who escorted Sadie from the top tower, weren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Grace Mitchell, the youngest daughter of the Mitchell family?¡± It seemed Hannah was piecing things together in her mind. ¡°Exactly. Bryson¡¯s involvement with East Coast Racing is because of her. ¡± Brayden rified, attempting to frame his words carefully. Yet Hannah beat him to it. ¡°She¡¯s the one with the untreatable illness, correct?¡± Caught off guard, Brayden almost lost control of the sports car, the steering wheel veering dangerously. He quickly steadied it with both hands and wiped away any trace of a smile. Fixing a serious expression, Brayden questioned, ¡°How did you figure it out?¡± ¡°I just did,¡± Hannah replied casually. Once she grasped Bryson¡¯s intentions, she eased into the back seat and spoke deliberately. ¡°I saw her once when I was at the tower. Does she often cough up blood, struggle to swallow, have heart palpitations at night, and find it hard to sleep?¡± Chapter 30 Impressed by Hannah¡¯s medical acumen, Brayden exhaled in relief. ¡°Absolutely, Miss Moore. You¡¯re right,¡± he said, his voice tinged with sorrow. ¡°Grace was poisoned once, and it took too long to get her the help she needed. She survived but with Lingeringplications. ¡± ¡°Despite seeking the best medical minds, we¡¯ve had no luck. Mr. Campbell recently stated that without a cure, she has at most a year to live. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed as she recalled Saul mentioning someone was secretly looking for her. So it was Bryson. ¡°Miss Moore, the Mitchell family can offer you anything you desire in exchange for your help,¡± Brayden proposed. Resting one hand on the armrest and rhythmically tapping the window with her fingers, Hannah finally said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m unwilling. ¡± Had her ill-fated four-year marriage never happened, she might not need Bryson to do anything to please her, and she¡¯d be open to helping a child like this. But four years had psed, and she couldn¡¯t even bring herself to confidently walk into an operating room. How could she assure the survival of a critically ill patient? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯m aware you¡¯ve uncovered my background. You probably reviewed my history before you located me. So you should know that I¡¯ve been out of the medical field for quite some time,¡± Hannah said slowly.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s unlikely I can treat such aplex case on short notice. Please consult another doctor. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t dismiss the possibility so quickly. Take some time to consider it,¡± Brayden replied, seemingly indifferent to her decision. ¡°Bryson can wait. ¡± Catching Brayden¡¯s steadfast gaze in the rearview mirror, Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed involuntarily. As he observed Hannah climb into Brayden¡¯s car and drive off, Den¡¯s expression remained stony and displeased. Eliana sidled up to him, her familiar scent filling the air. She whispered, ¡°Den, my parents are returning in a few days. Can we find time to talk about our wedding ns?¡± Gazing at Eliana¡¯s face, radiant with unguarded anticipation for love, Den felt momentarily lost in thought. Hadn¡¯t he dreamt of this very moment? Years ago, he had be the talk of the town in Valmere just to win her over. He¡¯d journeyed abroad for Eliana, only to be turned away. Disheartened, he returned. Had it mot been for his subsequent marriage to Hannah, Edwards Group would¡¯ve been the butt of many jokes. The woman who filled his thoughts day and night was right before him, meticulously nning their imminent wedding. What more could he want? Chapter 31 ¡°Den?¡± Realizing he¡¯d been distracted, Eliana softly said, ¡°If you¡¯re busy, it¡¯s okay. Focus on your work. ¡± Squeezing her nervous hand, Den reassured her. ¡°No career is as vital as you are, especially considering we¡¯re nning our wedding. I¡¯ll make time to meet your parents soon. ¡± Instantly, Eliana nestled into Den¡¯s embrace. ¡°My parents n to be here for a bit; Dad has some work. So I was thinking, rather than booking a hotel, maybe we could rent a house for them. ¡± Furrowing his brows, Den retorted, ¡°Why rent when I own multiple properties? Your parents can pick one. ¡± Eliana¡¯s eyes sparkled, but she feigned shyness. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that inconvenience you?¡± Den affectionately touched her forehead, ¡°Inconvenience? You¡¯re about to be my wife.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. Stop being so formal. ¡± Eliana rested her head on his shoulder, her face aglow with unmistakable joy. ¡°Miss Moore, maybe reconsider?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Exiting the car, Hannah received a business card from Brayden. Hannah nced at it and inquired, ¡°Bryson Mitchell?¡± ¡°The Valmere Pass. ¡± Brayden raised his brows and ryed, ¡°Bryson assured that you can call upon his name whenever you need assistance, regardless of the circumstances. ¡± Hannah examined the card and smirked. Brayden gestured his farewell. ¡°Till next time!¡± The roar of engines punctuated the dark night as Hannah returned to her room, grinning. Living in Lydia¡¯s home wasn¡¯t a long-term option for her. Recalling the house Den had once offered her, she declined Lydia¡¯s warm invitation and decided to move to Springridge Vi. She owned multiple properties, but they were all in holiday destinations across the globe. Ironically, she hadn¡¯t thought she¡¯d return and settle down here, leaving her without a residence. Yet Springridge Vi was conveniently located near the university where she worked, cutting down hermute time. Chapter 32 Hannah¡¯s reason for meeting Saul was Bryson. ¡°Yes, I recall treating Grace,¡± Saul sighed.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°Her condition is baffling. In all my years in medicine, I¡¯ve never encountered anything like it. We¡¯ve tried everything we can think of, but all we¡¯re doing is buying time. ¡± After a pause, he queried, ¡°Has he been in touch with you?¡± Hannah shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how he found out who I am. Saul quickly defended himself. ¡°I¡¯ve kept my Lips sealed. You told me not to say anything, and I didn¡¯t. ¡± His eyes narrowed as he stared at Hannah. ¡°Have you been treating patients behind my back?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah was at a loss for words. ¡°I knew it! Four years and you¡¯ve never treated anyone? I don¡¯t believe it. ¡± Saul¡¯s eyes were full of distrust. ¡°You¡¯re out there healing people while keeping all these medical skills from me, aren¡¯t you?¡± Swearing to vindicate herself, Hannah began, ¡°I promise, for thesest four years, I have never¡­ I¡¯ve tried my best¡­ Maybe I haven¡¯t¡­ treated anyone else¡­¡± As she spoke, her conviction wavered. She saw the mixture of shock, sadness, and suspicion on Saul¡¯s face, as though she were some kind of viin. Feelingpelled to reassure him, she said, ¡°Fine. Once the university semester starts, I¡¯ll pick up some extra sses to Lighten your load. ¡± ¡°Deal!¡± Saul eximed, practically skipping away to brew some coffee for her. Despite being a renowned medical expert and a respected guest at top -tier universities, evenmanding respect from the influential Mitchell family, Saul was like a yful child around her. Hannah felt a touch overwhelmed by it all. As she left the hospital, her thoughts drifted back to her recent sh with Den. She wanted to minimize their interactions. She texted him, ¡°Free this afternoon? Have you given any thought to what we discussed?¡± No reply came. Growing frustrated, she sent more messages. ¡°It¡¯s you who proposed it. So why hesitate now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have the luxury of pestering you endlessly. Can you be direct?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not the world¡¯s only busy person, you know. ¡± Chapter 33 As time ticked away without a response, her patience finally broke. Just as she was about to head to the Edwards Group office to confront him, her phone buzzed with a new message. Den texted, ¡°Alright. I give you my word. ¡± Exhaling in relief, Hannah promptly typed out a message. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Be there at 3 PM. No excuses. ¡± Eliana¡¯s face hadn¡¯t yet resumed its normalposure when she heard footsteps behind her. ¡°Eliana, have you seen my phone?¡± Instinctively, Eliana hid the phone behind her back and feigned ignorance. ¡°Oh, your phone¡¯s missing?¡± A frown marred Den¡¯s face. He looked somewhat irritated. ¡°I was on a call and put it down on the table. I stepped into the tea room, and now it¡¯s gone. ¡± Holding back her anxiety, Eliana cautiously suggested, ¡°Maybe you left it in the tea room. You should go check. ¡± Den, sensing something amiss but not wanting to question Eliana¡¯s intentions, walked back to the tea room. As he retreated, Eliana swiftly retrieved the phone and deleted all the recent texts. Noticing that the chat history reverted to a few days prior, Eliana sighed in relief, her eyes filled with smug satisfaction. Her eyes fixated on the name ¡°Hannah¡± at the top of the chat. Her resentment intensified. How dared this woman try to ensnare Den? She must be delusional! Den was Eliana¡¯s and hers alone! Hannah had been waiting at the courthouse for a while. ncing at her phone, she saw it was already 3:20, and still, no sign of Den. Growing impatient, she took out her phone and dialed Den¡¯s number. Silence. No one picked up. Annoyed, she texted him, ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t waste my time. ¡± ¡°How much Longer will you be? I need a straight answer. I can¡¯t wait around forever. ¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Chapter 34 She waited but received no reply. As she gazed at the sky through the window, a sense of mncholy engulfed her. Seeing Den¡¯s name in her chat history only fueled her anger. Four years of lingering emotions couldn¡¯t quell her anger at this moment. ¡°If you¡¯re going to be this stubborn, don¡¯t even think about begging for my forgivenesster. ¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Resolute, she stood up and made her way out, nning to head straight home. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ However, she hadn¡¯t driven today for the sake of convenience, and it just so happened to start raining. She considered messaging Lydia but hesitated and closed the chat. She knew Lydia would drop everything at herpany, where a press conference was underway, toe and find her. She didn¡¯t want to be a burden. She tried using a taxi app, but given the courthouse¡¯s remote location, no drivers epted her request. Left with no choice, she bravely endured the rain and moved forward. After a challenging 10-minute walk, she reached a busy intersection and finally called a taxi. Once home, she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She toweled off the rainwater and, fearing illness, took a hot bath, downed some cold medicine, and drifted into a deep slumber. Knock, knock, knock! The loud knocking jolted her awake, her head still throbbing. She rubbed her temples and blinked, momentarily confused about who might be calling on her at such an hour. Slipping on her slippers, she made her way downstairs to answer the door. ¡°Please, make yourself at home. Once Eliana and Den get married, you¡¯ll practically be family. Den has enough property. You can pick any house to live in. ¡± ¡°How fortunate Eliana is to find her way back to Den. Their idental separation only paved the way for viins. ¡± ¡°Absolutely. Eliana is leagues above that bitch Hannah. It¡¯s a blessing that she¡¯ll be Den¡¯s wife. ¡± The congenial chatter outside halted abruptly as Hannah opened the door. Leah¡¯s face soured upon seeing Hannah in her pajamas, her hair tousled and her eyes still clouded with sleep. ¡°What are you doing here? What gives you the right to be in my son¡¯s home?¡± Leah surveyed the interior and raised her voice. ¡°Where¡¯s Jessie? I told her to clean up, and she left this trash untouched!¡± Leah¡¯s abrasive tone left no doubt that she was directing her spite at Hannah, instantly clearing any remnants of Hannah¡¯s grogginess. Her eyes grew icy as she regarded the visitors. ¡°The house is actually quite clean. The only trash seems to be lingering at the doorstep. ¡± The expressions of those standing outside instantly soured. Eliana approached, attempting to diffuse the tension. Chapter 35 ¡°What a surprise to see you here, Miss Moore. ¡± Suppressing a yawn, Hannah retorted, ¡°It¡¯s no surprise. This is my home. You must¡¯ve known that already, didn¡¯t you?¡± Flustered, Eliana was cut off by an infuriated Leah. ¡°Your home? What do you actually own? Everything you have is because of Den. How dare you im this house?¡± Stung by Leah¡¯s unmasked scorn, Hannah felt an emotional chill. While it was true that Den had promised her the house, the paperwork hadn¡¯t been finalized. What really annoyed her was Den¡¯s absolute disregard for her, allowing people to confront her as if she had no stake in the home. As if she were some mistress, and Eliana the legitimate wife, all under the endorsement of their parents. Although she hade to terms with Den¡¯s indifference, she had expected some semnce of respect, especially given their four-year history and his status as a sessful entrepreneur. Instead, she felt demeaned and mistreated. ¡°What a disgrace! Her being here must have tainted the air. I can hardly bear it!¡± Sadie sneered, gripping Eliana¡¯s arm while sizing Hannah up. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You¡¯ll need to clean the ceter, Eliana. We don¡¯t need her bad luck. ¡± Patting Sadie¡¯s hand, Eliana smiled softly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. You¡¯re always looking out for me. ¡± Turning her attention to Hannah, Eliana said in a slightly apologetic tone, ¡°Miss Moore, if you¡¯re struggling to find a ce to stay, perhaps I can reserve a hotel room for you? In the meantime, you can look for a permanent residence. My parents have already set their hearts on this house. ¡± For a moment, Hannah remained silent, studying the faces before her while nursing a throbbing headache. ¡°Didn¡¯t Den mention he gave me this house?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be absurd! Do you really expect us to believe that Den would gift a house to someone like you?¡± Both Sadie and Leah interrupted Hannah, incredulous at the thought that Den could be so kind toward her. ¡°You were there when your brother gave me the sports car, right? You even picked a fight with me over it. So why wouldn¡¯t he give me this house?¡± Hannah remarked, her tone nonchnt. Leah¡¯s eyes darted to Sadie, her skepticism palpable. ¡°Is she being honest?¡± ¡°That¡¯s different!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice rose, her eyes locked onto Hannah. ¡°A sports car is one thing, but akefront vi in a prime location worth at least ten million? You¡¯re clearly not the sort who deserves to be here. ¡± Upon hearing this, even La, Eliana¡¯s mother, couldn¡¯t suppress a derisive snort. ¡°To see such a materialistic woman is truly enlightening. The lengths she¡¯ll go to have no bounds. She really has no self-respect. ¡± Chapter 36 Fed up, Hannah reached for her phone and dialed Den, activating the speaker function. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it from him. ¡± Before Den could get a word in, Leah and La began hastily offering their own narratives. ¡°Den, did you actually gift thiskeside vi to her?¡± ¡°Den, this is La, Eliana¡¯s mother.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Listen, you wanted us to pick a house, right? Eliana¡¯s father and I have our eyes set on thiskeside vi. But now your ex-wife hasmandeered the ce and made a spectacle of Eliana. You wouldn¡¯t stand for that, would you?¡± A few seconds of awkward silence passed before Den finally said, ¡°Pick whatever you like. I¡¯ll sort out the rest. ¡± Sadie nced at Hannah with smug satisfaction. ¡°Listen, my brother already made it clear. This house has nothing to do with you. Leave, now. ¡± On the other end of the phone line, Den felt an urge to intervene, but held back. He didn¡¯t want to cause any difort for Eliana or the Patel family. Softening his tone, he said to Hannah, ¡°Hannah, I¡¯ll have my assistant reserve a room for you at the Hilton. You can stay there for a bit. Eliana¡¯s parents are here for a while, especially for the wedding. Afterwards, they¡¯ll decide if they¡¯re moving in. For now, let¡¯s give them the space. ¡± Upon hearing this, Hannah¡¯s irritation escted, her feelings a mix of helplessness and anger. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Rushing to marry her, but couldn¡¯t spare a minute for our divorce proceedings at the courthouse yesterday?¡± Her voice dripped with disdain. ¡°You act so high and mighty, like you¡¯re waiting for me to beg you for a divorce. I wonder who¡¯s been unfaithful and is desperate to marry another. ¡± ¡°Divorce? Were you trying to reach me about that yesterday?¡± Den was genuinely puzzled. He had no clue what Hannah was referring to. Eliana¡¯s heart sank. So Hannah had reached out to Den for a divorce the day before? Had she missed an opportunity? But then again, she pondered, could she really trust that Hannah wanted a divorce for the right reasons? Just as Hannah geared up to unleash her frustrations on Den, Eliana intervened, ¡°No need to argue, Den. My family and Miss Moore can share this house. There¡¯s plenty of room for everyone. And she¡¯s your former wife. Evicting her wouldn¡¯t look good, would it?¡± As Eliana finished, Leah chimed in, disdain coloring her voice, ¡°Who cares about appearances? Eliana, you¡¯re too soft-hearted. That¡¯s why people like her walk all over you. ¡± Den¡¯s silence over the phone seemed to extinguish Hannah¡¯sst shred of hope. She hung up abruptly. ¡°Where are the security guards?¡± Leah snapped, dialing the property management office with an air of arrogance. ¡°There¡¯s an intruder in my home. Deal with it now or face a formalint!¡± Hannah chuckled at Leah¡¯s theatrics, then took a couple of steps back and dramatically mmed the door shut, leaving the crowd puzzled. Chapter 37 Leah felt her face redden, humiliated in front of Eliana¡¯s family.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Rage surged within her, and she bellowed at the door, ¡°Who gave you the right to m that door? This is my son¡¯s house! You¡¯ve freeloaded long enough. Cross me again and you¡¯ll find yourself in jail!¡± La, standing beside Leah, tried to contain her anger. ¡°Good thing the divorce was timely. Had she stuck around, Den would¡¯ve been in even deeper trouble. ¡± Arion Patel, Eliana¡¯s father, sighed, ¡°A troublesome spouse is a gue unto the family. ¡± Clutching Eliana¡¯s arm, Sadie expressed her contempt. ¡°Thank God Eliana saved my brother from this mess. Otherwise, with this woman¡¯s hostility, she¡¯d certainly make my life miserable in the days toe!¡± Eliana masked a sly smile, pretending to be empathetic as she patted Sadie¡¯s hand. ¡°Perhaps we¡¯re all misunderstanding Miss Moore. I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s as thankless and disgraceful as she¡¯s being made out to be. ¡± The Property Management Division didn¡¯t disappoint. Quickly, a team of security personnel arrived. Mopping their brows, they inclined their heads toward Leah. ¡°What¡¯s with the sloppy work? She¡¯s locked herself in. You¡¯ve got five minutes to bust that door open!¡± The guards conferred briefly, then readied themselves for a concerted assault on the door. Retreating a few paces, they surged forward in unison. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bang! The abrupt burst of the door sent several guards tumbling to the floor. Clutching a modest suitcase, Hannah surveyed the fallen guards, then turned to the astonished faces outside. ¡°Is this a stage y?¡± Fury washed over Leah. Shemanded the security guards to escort Hannah out. Ignoring Leah, Hannah wheeled her suitcase toward the exit. As she walked past Leah, she paused and said, ¡°You do realize, under existingw, I¡¯m entitled to half of Den¡¯s assets, owing to matrimonial shared property rights?¡± Leah and Eliana instantly turned their attention to Hannah. ¡°Did you know that the contract your son crafted is null and void, even if I put my signature on it?¡± Leah¡¯s tone turned piercing. ¡°What are you implying? Enough with the scare tactics!¡± Chapter 38 ¡°If you doubt me, feel free to consult a fewwyers with your legally uninformed son,¡± Hannah suggested. She took a few strides forward, pulling her suitcase behind her, and remarked scornfully, ¡°The only reason I ever agreed to that contract wasn¡¯t because I thought I deserved only that meager sum. It¡¯s because I was willing to invest four years of emotionalbor into your miserly son. ¡± With a mocking smile, she turned back to look at them. ¡°It seems, now, that was unnecessary. ¡± Having said this, Hannah continued her walk toward the gate, dragging her luggage behind her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana felt her heart racing. She turned to Leah and questioned cautiously, ¡°What did she mean by that? Half the property? Didn¡¯t Den give her a substantial amount? It¡¯s not about Den¡¯s assets for me. I¡¯d love him whether he¡¯s rich or not. I¡¯m just concerned he¡¯s too trusting and might get swindled. ¡± Leah¡¯s eyes flickered briefly before she regained herposure. ¡°You¡¯re not actually buying into her nonsense, are you? I¡¯ve lived with her for four years. She¡¯s no match for the Edwards family. ¡± With that, she warmly invited Eliana¡¯s parents to rx inside the house. Eliana paused, her mind drifting to the day she witnessed Bryson¡¯s attentive behavior towards Hannah on the East Coast. It felt like something was amiss. She quickly dismissed the thought. Influential people like Bryson bestowed minor acts of kindness as if tossing a bone to a stray dog. Why would he care about an ordinary person like Hannah? As Hannah stepped out of the vi, her head began to swim. She tried to hail a taxi using her phone, but her vision blurred, making it difficult. The emotional turmoil of the evening worsened her existing cold, pushing her closer to a feverish state. She felt herself faltering, about to copse, when suddenly a pair of strong hands caught her around the waist. Blinking, Hannah whispered, ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t sure how much time had passed in sleep. She stirred, nestling further into the soft big bed, and blinked her eyes open. As her vision adjusted, she noticed a figure perched on a nearby sofa. Startled, she sat up immediately. ¡°Mr. Mitchell!¡± ¡°Mr.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Mitchell?¡± A voice echoed from Bryson¡¯sptop. ¡°We¡¯ll conclude today¡¯s meeting here. ¡± Unplugging his Bluetooth earpiece, Bryson shut hisptop and rose to his feet, approaching Hannah. Chapter 39 He leaned over, picked up a ss of water from the nightstand with elegant fingers, and offered it to her. ¡°Feeling better?¡± Gratefully, Hannah epted the ss from him. ¡°Drink this. It¡¯s your medicine. ¡± The warm Liquid slid down her throat, invigorating her. ¡°I apologize for the inconvenience. ¡± ¡°Well, you have been somewhat of a hassle. ¡± She looked up to find Bryson¡¯s eyes twinkling. ¡°You do realize you¡¯ve caught a bad cold, don¡¯t you? Wandering in the pouring rain with a suitcase isn¡¯t the best idea Although Bryson¡¯s tone was teasing, Hannah merely pursed her Lips, remaining silent. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to tell him she had been kicked out of her home. Brysonid a warm hand on Hannah¡¯s¡¯ forehead, making her instinctively look up. ¡°You¡¯re no longer feverish. Our family doctor confirmed it¡¯s just a cold from getting drenched. You¡¯ll be fine in a few days. ¡± Slightly ufortable, Hannah pulled back and touched her own forehead. ¡°It¡¯s just a cold. No big deal. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Then she locked eyes with Bryson. ¡°By the way. Isn¡¯t it true that the Mitchell family Lawyers are known for never losing a case?¡± ¡°True,¡± Bryson said, sensing where this was headed. ¡°Gerry Brown specializes in corporatew. But his expertise is actually in divorce cases. ¡± Augh escaped Hannah.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. She rubbed her still-aching forehead and teased, ¡°You must have spies on me, Mr. Mitchell. You figured out exactly what I was thinking. ¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t hard,¡± Bryson replied with a soft smile. ¡°In that case, may I borrow Mr. Brown for my divorce proceedings? I¡¯ll cover the fees, of course. ¡± ¡°Certainly, I¡¯ll have him get in touch with you. ¡± ¡°Thanks, I owe you one. ¡± Chapter 40 ¡°Hannah. ¡± Hearing her name, she looked up. Bryson studied her for a moment before asking, ¡°We¡¯re friends now, aren¡¯t we?¡± Considering all he¡¯d done for her, Hannah nodded. ¡°Absolutely. ¡± ¡°In that case, you owe me nothing. ¡± Hannah looked down, nervously fiddling with her fingers. ¡°Rest up. You¡¯re safe here, so focus on getting better. ¡± As Bryson began to leave, Hannah quickly said, ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to help your sister, I promise. ¡± Pausing, Bryson turned back, his gaze heavy with meaning. Watching the man who stood at a distance, Hannah asserted, ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee it, but I¡¯ll do my best to save her. ¡± With a tender smile, Bryson responded, ¡°Thank you. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After Bryson departed, Hannah sprawled out on the bed and rolled onto her side, relishing thefort. The exhaustion from the previous days lifted at that instant. Due to the cold medicine she had taken, she drifted back to sleep in no time. It was likely because her sleep had been so deep that when she finally woke up, the sky outside her window was already shrouded in twilight. Hannah climbed out of bed, her feet sinking into the plush carpet. She made her way to the door, slipped into her shoes, and exited the room. Only then did it dawn on her that she was on the second floor of a vi. ¡°Hannah!¡± Descending the staircase, she bumped into Grace in the living room. ¡°You might not recognize me. I¡¯m Grace, Bryson¡¯s sister. ¡± Grace radiated an air of cultured grace. Donned in a pink dress, she looked even more cute. Despite being chronically ill, Grace¡¯s face bore a kind of poignant beauty. Yet, her spirit was indomitable, full of life and cheer. Smiling softly, Hannah responded, ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure. I¡¯m Hannah Moore.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡± Chapter 41 ¡°I¡¯m aware. My brother speaks of you quite often. ¡± Often? Before Hannah could inquire further, Grace had alreadytched onto her arm. ¡°Come, Hannah. Let¡¯s sit and chat. ¡± Grace felt soft to the touch, her presence exuding aforting scent, akin to warm milk. ¡°How are you feeling, Hannah?¡± ¡°Much better after the medication, thank you. ¡± Hearing this, Grace¡¯s smile widened. ¡°I was stunned to see Bryson carrying you when he came back. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Bryson¡­ carried me?¡± ¡°Yes. He seemed quite concerned when he returned with you. ¡± Grace looked into Hannah¡¯s eyes, blinking thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him so worried about someone else. And, he¡¯s cooking dinner himself tonight. ¡± Grace gestured toward the kitchen, adding, ¡°Usually Gail takes care of the cooking when we have guests. ¡± Hannah felt a bit puzzled by what Grace was implying but simply sighed, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that he could cook. ¡± ¡°Grace. ¡± Bryson emerged from the kitchen, now dressed in a casual ck ensemble, a pair of silver-framed sses perched on his nose. Catching sight of Hannah¡¯s expression, Grace let out a suppressed giggle and sauntered over to Bryson. ¡°Bryson, Hannah is as enchanting as you described!¡± For a fleeting moment, Bryson appeared off-bnce. He nced at Hannah and simply said, ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready. ¡± At the dining table, Grace took the seat next to Hannah, encouraging her, ¡°Go on, try my brother¡¯s cooking. Very few have that privilege Sampling the dish, Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°This is really good. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Cradling her chin in her palm, Grace looked at Hannah with a trace of innocence. ¡°Of course! I¡¯ve always said my brother¡¯s culinary talents were reserved for my future sister-inw. ¡± ¡°Ahem, ahem, ahem!¡± Chapter 42 Hannah choked on her food. ¡°Hannah, are you alright?¡± Grace nced nervously at Bryson. ¡°Bryson¡­ Did I say something wrong?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ In aposed manner, Bryson poured a ss of water and slid it in front of Hannah. ¡°No. ¡± Grasping the ss, Hannah lowered her gaze, feeling a bit awkward. How touching it was that Bryson could be so attentive to his sister! ¡°Really? Hannah¡¯s going to be my future sister-inw?¡± Grace¡¯s face lit up with a spark of excitement. The conversation was veering into unexpected direction. Quick to correct her, Hannah said, ¡°No. ¡°Grace, does eating not keep your mouth busy enough?¡± At Bryson¡¯sment, Grace yfully stuck out her tongue. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll zip it if you don¡¯t want me talking. ¡± Feeling a bit awkward, Hannah deftly switched subjects. ¡°Actually, Grace, I owe you an apology. ¡± Tilting her head to the side, Grace shed a puzzled wink at Hannah. Hannah set down her fork and knife. ¡°I rushed over this time and didn¡¯t even bring a gift for our first meeting. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not on you,¡± Grace responded, solemnly. ¡°After all, we¡¯ve met before.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. I saw you years ago in the tallest tower. Both Bryson and I remember it well. ¡± Hannah recalled Brayden mentioning something simr. Noticing Bryson¡¯s look, she quickly told Grace, ¡°Next time, I won¡¯t forget to bring you a gift!¡± Hannah stayed at Bryson¡¯s family house for five days. As soon as she felt better, her old teacher called, urging her to start her hospital job immediately. Chapter 43 What Bryson had told her was that she could stay in this house. He was seldom there, and she could pick any room she liked. However, Hannah graciously declined. Though conveniently located near the school, she felt uneasy residing in another person¡¯s home. After expressing her gratitude to Bryson, she packed up and left, despite Grace¡¯s reluctant farewell. Grace watched her go, then tugged at Bryson¡¯s sleeve. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°So, when is Hannah going to be your girlfriend?¡± Watching Hannah¡¯s fading figure, Bryson murmured, ¡°Soon, very soon. ¡± In the city¡¯s heart, rents were exorbitant, and desirable properties were quickly snatched up. Listening to the realtor¡¯s pitch, Hannah felt overwhelmed.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Lately, she had toured several ces in various neighborhoods, but none had felt right. ¡°Hannah!¡± Lydia stepped in, arrivingte and teetering on her high heels. ¡°Any luck?¡± Hannah sighed, ¡°Not yet. Why are you sote? I wanted you here to help me pick out a ce. ¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been staying at Bryson¡¯s ce for five days without a word, and you only reached out when you needed help finding a house. I haven¡¯t said anything about you favoring men over friends! So, how can you fault me for beingte? I should probably head out!¡± Grabbing Lydia¡¯s arm, Hannah said, ¡°I¡¯d never prioritize a man over you. I¡¯m sorry, Lydia. My bad. ¡± ¡°Humph!¡± Lydia lifted her chin. ¡°You¡¯re forgiven, just this once. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, have you made a decision? This 80-square-meter ce in Autumngami Cove could be perfect for you. It faces the ocean and has arge French window in the living room. Thendlord¡¯s eager to rent, so it¡¯s just eighteen thousand a month. Plus, it¡¯s got an ocean view!¡± the agent interjected politely. Autumngami Cove was a prime residential area downtown, and the deal was tempting. Hannah was nearly sold on it when Lydia snatched the iPad from her hands. ncing through some photos, Lydia faced the agent and asked, ¡°Building 6, unit 11037¡å The agent seemed a little on edge; he started to sweat and his Lips quivered. Chapter 44 ¡°Is it a good property?¡± ¡°The ce is excellent, Miss. ¡± The agent wiped his brow and dered, ¡°You won¡¯t find a better, more affordable ce than this, I promise!¡± Lydia looked at him coldly as she set the iPad on the desk. ¡°Did you inform my friend that the previous tenant died here justst week?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°Seriously?¡± Caught off guard, the agent stammered, ¡°The death was natural. It was a heart condition. It¡¯s irrelevant. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying! The man hung himself in the bathroom!¡± Lydia¡¯s voice rose in outrage. ¡°You¡¯re misleading customers! I¡¯m going to file aint!¡± ¡°How did you find out?¡± the agent blurted out. Then he instantly mmed up, realizing he made a mistake. Just as Lydia was about toy into the agent further, Hannah interrupted, ¡°Hold on, Lydia. I¡¯ve got a call. ¡± She picked up her phone. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hello? Mr. Davies?¡± Brayden responded with a cheerful tone, ¡°I heard from Grace that you¡¯re in the market for a new ce. Have you found it?¡± ¡°I¡¯m still looking,¡± Hannah said. ¡°Well, what a coincidence,¡± Brayden continued. ¡°I have a ce that¡¯s empty. I can rent it to you. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Brayden ranted on, ¡°You familiar with Autumngami Cove? It¡¯s a modest ce under two hundred square meters. Bought it originally for the view, but lost interest.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡± Puzzled, Hannah inquired, ¡°Autumngami Cove? Less than two hundred square meters?¡± Brayden nced at Bryson, who was lounging on the couch, and grinned. ¡°You¡¯re a friend of Bryson¡¯s. No need for a deposit. How about three thousand a month?¡± ¡°Three thousand a month?¡± Hannah questioned, wondering if Brayden was out of his mind. Chapter 45 Intrigued, Lydia chimed in. ¡°For a two-hundred-square-meter ce in Autumngami Cove? That cheap? Did someone die there or something?¡± At the sound of the voice on the other end, Brayden¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t mind her. The house is new andpletely ident -free. You have my word. ¡± ¡°Look, you don¡¯t need to cut me a special deal just because I know Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not. The house would be vacant anyway. Might as well rent it to someone I know. ¡± After hanging up, Hannah exhaled deeply. ¡°Come on, Lydia. Dinner¡¯s on me. ¡± Curious, Lydia tugged on Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°So? Who was that?¡± Brayden, too, let out a long sigh after ending the call. ¡°If you want Miss Moore to rent the ce, why not tell her yourself? Why get me involved?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°If I offered, she¡¯d probably decline. ¡± Brayden gave Bryson a sly smile. ¡°You¡¯re right. Miss Moore made it clear she didn¡¯t want favors because of you. Seems like she wants to keep her distance. ¡± Staring Brayden, Bryson said nothing. Feeling a shiver, Brayden quickly added, ¡°She¡­ She must not want to inconvenience you, that¡¯s all. ¡± ¡°Why are you just sitting there?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes remained focused on hisputer screen as his fingers danced across the keyboard. ¡°I need that proposal on my desk by Monday. ¡± ¡°But it¡¯s already Sunday, Bryson. You¡¯re really putting the squeeze on me,¡± Brayden protested. ¡°Fine,¡± Bryson responded, casting a nk look toward Brayden. ¡°I¡¯ll delegate the project to a different firm. ¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Brayden immediately rose to his feet, grinning. ¡°You¡¯ll have the proposal at precisely 9 AM tomorrow!¡± Chapter 46 On her first day in the new residence, Hannah relished a warm bath before settling into the soft,rge bed and moving around. The house boasted an unobstructed panoramic view of the ocean from the bedroom window. By night, the shore was aglow with the lights of myriad ships, and a far-off signal tower blinked intermittently. The property was clearly designed for its views, with the vistas being nothing short of breathtaking. Leisurely, Hannah grabbed her phone and navigated to Brayden¡¯s WhatsApp, sending a quick message. ¡°Now tell me the truth, Mr. Landlord, how much is the rent? It definitely shouldn¡¯t be a mere 3000 dors. ¡± A response popped up after a short pause. ¡°You¡¯re a friend, and I won¡¯t overcharge you. I¡¯ll offer a 50% discount. 10, @0@ dors will suffice. ¡± Without a second thought, Hannah wired 30, 000 dors. ¡°Fair enough. No need for formalities then.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± A whimsical emoji came through, apanied by another text. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Exactly. Any friend of Bryson¡¯s is a friend of mine. ¡± Hannah smirked and typed out another message. ¡°Great. How about a thank-you dinner at my ce in three days?¡± After hitting send, Hannah exhaled deeply, flipped over, and drifted to sleep. With only a few personal items, Hannah found it easy to getfortable in the fully furnished home. ¡°Are you busy tomorrow?¡± She dialed Lydia, settling into the sofa. On the other end, Lydia was applying a facial mask. ¡°For you? Never. I¡¯m free. ¡± ¡°How about dinner at my ce tomorrow? A good chance to thank a friend. ¡± Peeling off her face mask, Lydia sounded skeptical. ¡°This friend wouldn¡¯t happen to have a hidden agenda, would he?¡± With a yful rebuke, Hannah retorted, ¡°Could you not joke for once? Chapter 47 We¡¯re just normal friends. ¡± Lydia shot back teasingly, ¡°Does a normal friend let you rent a fabulous ce in Autumngami Cove for so cheap?¡± As shey back on her couch, Hannah¡¯s dark tresses fell freely. She grinned. ¡°Quit it or no spicy dish for you tomorrow. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re cooking? Really?¡± Lydia perked up immediately. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve had your cooking! How did I survive?¡± ¡°You were invited for dinner before, but you never showed up. ¡± ¡°Right, because I wanted to avoid anyone rted to the Edwards family. ¡± After a pause, Lydia apologized in regret.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Sorry to bring up that bastard. Are you doing okay?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Hannah sighed, thinking of Den with exasperation. ¡°I¡¯m about to sue him for dragging his feet on the divorce. ¡± ¡°Sue him, for goodness¡¯ sake! You¡¯ve been too soft, and they¡¯ve taken you for granted! Den is incredibly annoying! Even though his sweetheart is back, he won¡¯t release you. It¡¯s just disgusting!¡± Hearing Lydia¡¯s furious voice over the phone, Hannah felt a touch of relief. ¡°From here on out, he¡¯ll be dealing with my attorney. I don¡¯t want toy eyes on him ever again. ¡± The following morning, Lydia arrived at Hannah¡¯s apartment with a bottle of fine wine. Standing before the towering window, Lydia eximed, ¡°Wow, the view from here is unparalleled!¡± Just then, the doorbell chimed. Busy in the kitchen, Hannah heard it and called out, ¡°Lydia, could you get the door for me?¡± ¡°on my way!¡± Lydia hurried to answer the door, locking eyes with Brayden in an awkward standoff. Recognizing Lydia as Hannah¡¯s friend, Brayden broke the ice. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m a friend of Miss Moore¡¯s. ¡± When Hannah finally set the table, she was mildly surprised. Apart from Brayden, two other individuals upied her couch. Chapter 48 Grace rose politely and greeted her. ¡°Hello, Hannah. ¡± ¡°I ran into Grace while I was at Bryson¡¯s office signing a contract today. I thought we could all have dinner, so I brought them along. Is that okay?¡± Brayden borated. ncing at Hannah, Bryson said in a hushed yet captivating tone, ¡°Apologies. Grace heard you¡¯d moved and wanted to visit. I hope we¡¯re not intruding. ¡± ¡°Not at all, the more the merrier,¡± Hannah replied, cing dishes on the table. ¡°Two more dishes areing up, so please make yourselvesfortable. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Within half an hour, Hannah had cooked up a delightful meal. Lydia assisted in setting the dishes on the table. The meal was a feast for the eyes and smelled heavenly, instantly arousing everyone¡¯s appetite. Nevertheless, Brayden hesitated and turned to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, do you have anything that¡¯s not spicy?¡± Removing her apron, Hannah asked, ¡°You can¡¯t handle spicy food?¡± ¡°It¡¯s actually Bryson who. . ¡°Once in a while is okay. ¡± Bryson cut Brayden off, smiling warmly at Hannah. Brayden was in disbelief. Bryson had avoided spicy foods for over a decade.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Was he breaking his own rule tonight? Hannah¡¯s culinary efforts were met with resounding praise from everyone at the table. ¡°Hannah, you¡¯ve outdone yourself this time!¡± Lydia eximed, her face glowing from the spicy vors. Brayden, a spice aficionado, was equally impressed. ¡°Miss Moore, your dishes could put a professional chef to shame. They¡¯re incredible!¡± ¡°Even better than Bryson¡¯s cooking,¡± Grace added, her face tinged red from the spice. She then yfully asked, ¡°Hannah, mind if I drop by next time for a meal?¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee anytime. I¡¯ll cook whatever you like,¡± Hannah warmly replied. Grace¡¯s charming personality had a way of melting hearts, and Hannah found herself quite fond of her. ¡°Really?¡± Grace clung to Bryson¡¯s arm. Chapter 49 ¡°Can my brother join us too?¡± Bryson looked at Hannah, his eyes brimming with emotion. ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll make sure to include some non-spicy options next time,¡± Hannah assured him. Bryson held his gaze on Hannah, nodding approvingly. Lydia, watching the two of them, sensed that something was brewing between them. After dinner, Hannah offered fruits to everyone. Lydia had already struck up lively conversations with Brayden and Grace. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah noticed Bryson, seated on the far end of the sofa, appeared pensive. She excused herself and headed for the kitchen. Suddenly, an elegant, slender hand appeared in front of Bryson. ¡°Having trouble with the spicy foods?¡± Hannah offered him a ss of warm water. ¡°Thank you. ¡± Grasping the water ss, Bryson emptied it in one go, a sense of relief settling over his tense stomach. His knitted brows smoothed out. ¡°I don¡¯t often indulge in spicy food, but what you made was so good I overindulged a little. ¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. As Hannah was about to respond, her eyes caught the three people on the distant sofa. They were no longer engaged in their chit-chat but were casting knowing nces at Hannah and Bryson. Noticing Hannah¡¯s attention, they hastily redirected their gaze and dove back into their discussion. Once the guests had departed, Lydia couldn¡¯t resist grilling Hannah. ¡°Out with it, Hannah Moore! When did you be friends with Bryson?¡± ¡°Thest time we were at the racetrack. After you left, his friend offered me a ride home. ¡± Hannah hesitated, opting to keep the full story under wraps to spare Lydia any concern. ¡°But that¡¯s Bryson Mitchell! A man who¡¯s practically a god! His family¡¯s business empire remains stable in a vtile market, all due to his sharp decision-making. My father tells me he¡¯s generally aloof. For years, aside from his sister, there hasn¡¯t been a woman in his life. He¡¯s a subject of much spection but nobody dares to challenge him!¡± Lydia exhaled deeply and continued, ¡°I never expected him to be at your home, enjoying your food, and being so gentle with you. Who would have believed it?!¡± Hannah blinked, perplexed. Her experiences with Bryson didn¡¯t align with Lydia¡¯s portrayal. Catching the look on Hannah¡¯s face, Lydia narrowed her eyes and leaned back on the sofa. ¡°Well¡­ Could it be he behaves differently around you?¡± Chapter 50 ¡°Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions,¡± Hannah said, lobbing a pillow at Lydia. ¡°Are you staying over tonight or not?¡± Ever since that initial dinner, Brayden had felt bold enough to frequent Hannah¡¯s home, often apanied by Bryson and Grace. Hannah relished the buzz their visits brought and routinely cooked new recipes for them to sample. Currently, Bryson was in the kitchen, doing the dishes. The sight left Brayden and Grace stunned, both harboring the same incredulous thought. Bryson was washing dishes?! The sun definitely rose in the west today! Grace, holding a warm cup of coffee, fixed her eyes on Hannah. ¡°You and my brother really do seem perfect for each other. ¡± Caught off guard, Hannah nearly choked on her apple juice, her cheeks flushing. She managed to suppress her cough. ¡°And what¡¯s your take on my brother?¡± Grace pressed, maintaining her serious demeanor as she sipped her coffee. ¡°Your brother¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah was about to speak when Bryson emerged from the kitchen, still adorned in her cartoon apron. She cleared her throat and averted her gaze as he removed it. ¡°Our group is hosting a charity event soon. Would you be interested, Miss Moore? Feel free to bring along some friends,¡± Bryson announced. ¡°Absolutely!¡± Grace tugged on Hannah¡¯s arm excitedly. ¡°You can make it, can¡¯t you?¡± Caught in Grace¡¯s enthusiasm, Hannah relented with a warm smile. ¡°If I¡¯m avable, I won¡¯t miss it. ¡± Hearing her consent, Bryson nodded.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯ll have a pair of invitations sent to you tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Inside a bustling nightclub, the sound of music was overwhelming. In a private VIP room, a friend of Den¡¯s slung his arm over Den¡¯s shoulders. Chapter 51 ¡°Man, we¡¯ve been trying to get you out forever, and you finally show up. Is it because you¡¯re hiding your stunning new bride from us?¡± Laughter and teasing aimed at Den filled the air. Eliana blushed a little, tucking a loose curl behind her ear as she grasped Den¡¯s arm.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Den¡¯s been swamped with worktely. ¡± ¡°Wow, Den, you lucked out with such an understanding wife!¡± Sitting close by, Sadie beamed with pride. ¡°Of course he did! Eliana¡¯s way ahead of Hannah in education and social standing, not to mention how gorgeous she is! Hannah, who didn¡¯t even finish college and has a criminal past, can¡¯tpare to Eliana. ¡± Feeling the tension as Sadie disparaged Hannah, Den¡¯s brow knitted subtly. Noticing his difort, Eliana interjected softly, ¡°Sadie, that¡¯s not fair. Hannah has been a great help to Den for many years. I owe her my thanks. ¡± ¡°You sure about that?¡± Sadie¡¯s face twisted further in disdain at Eliana¡¯s words. ¡°What else could she possibly do besides keep house? She¡¯s been living off our family for years. If anything, she should be thanking us!¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± One of Den¡¯s friends, sitting next to him, scratched his head in confusion. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I recall Hannah being quite the support for Den back in the day. ¡± Den¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Remember that time when Eliana left the country and you were a mess?¡± Taken aback, Den could vaguely recall his emotional turmoil when Eliana left, though the details were hazy. ¡°During that time, you were estranged from your family because of your issues with Eliana. You were even on the brink of losing your executive position. ¡± The fog slowly lifted from Den¡¯s mind. ¡°I remember now,¡± he said, his voice deepening. ¡°Back then, it was Hannah who knelt before your grandmother for three days straight, pleading on your behalf. Only after Hannah had secured major contracts for yourpany did your grandma let you stay on. You didn¡¯t know this?¡± Chapter 52 Den was taken aback. The revtion made his heart race. Thinking of Hannah¡¯s dejected face, a wave of regret washed over him. ¡°How did this get out?¡± His friend looked uneasy, ruffling his own hair. ¡°It became a pretty big deal.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Everyone in our circle knew. I assumed you knew too. ¡± Now aware of Hannah¡¯s sacrifices, Den¡¯s earlier difort began to fade. Filled with a sense of gratitude, Den thought back to the injustices Hannah had endured, forcing her to leave their shared home. He grabbed his phone, located Hannah¡¯s contact information, and called her. From the other end came a sterile, automated female voice. ¡°Hello, the person you¡¯re trying to reach is unavable. Please try againter. ¡± It dawned on Den that Hannah had actually blocked him. His face took on a sour expression. ¡°She didn¡¯t pick up, did she? She must be dodging your calls to avoid the divorce!¡± Fueling the fire, Sadie added, ¡°She¡¯s being so maniptive, dragging this out on purpose. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Sadie, Miss Moore might have other motivations. She didn¡¯t intend to hold up Den,¡± Eliana said. ¡°Eliana, you¡¯re too generous. She¡¯s just stalling to dodge the divorce. Den, you should move forward and finalize it. Don¡¯t let her continue to meddle in your life. ¡± Upon hearing Sadie¡¯s words about Hannah not wanting a divorce, a wave of inexplicable happiness washed over Den. Eliana caught the subtle change in his expression and felt uneasy. The divorce papers between Den and Hannah were still up in the air, and the future remained uncertain. ¡°Forget about her, Den! The Mitchell Group is hosting a charity event soon. Did you get the invite?¡± a friend interjected. ¡°Yeah. ¡± ¡°Then you should bring Eliana. She¡¯ll definitely make you shine!¡± another friend chimed in. ¡°Besides, Eliana will be part of your family soon, it¡¯s just a matter of when!¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes sparked as she rushed to tug on Den¡¯s arm. ¡°Take me, Den! The Mitchell charity event sounds like a st!¡± Chapter 53 ¡°The Mitchell Group?¡± Eliana seemed intrigued. ¡°I¡¯ve just returned and haven¡¯t been to any of these events yet. But never mind. ¡± Eliana cast her eyes down and smiled softly, ¡°If Sadie wants to go, let her apany you. It¡¯ll make things easier for you. ¡± Den wished to bring both, but the invitation specified only one family member could attend. He was torn. A friend casually remarked, ¡°Given Den¡¯s influence, taking both his girlfriend and sister should be no problem. ¡± The Edwards family still wielded considerable influence in Valmere. Though not at the level of the Mitchell family, Den stillmanded some respect from them. ¡®s BunnyBookery After pondering briefly, Den¡¯s expression lightened, ¡°Let¡¯s all go together. It¡¯s just one extra person. We can clear it with the host. ¡± ¡°Den, you¡¯re the best!¡± Hannah had thought Bryson¡¯s mention of sending her an invitation was just chit-chat. She didn¡¯t expect Bryson to actually show up, Grace in tow, to deliver the invite. Two foreign individuals followed them, each carrying arge box.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Lydia stood next to Hannah, puzzled by the extravagant disy. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡± ¡°These are foreign designers. Bryson believes their dress design is ideal for Hannah, so he invited them here. ¡± Grace eagerly walked up to Hannah, her eyes bright with anticipation. ¡°Hannah, go try on the dress. I¡¯m looking forward to seeing how you look!¡± Unable to resist Grace¡¯s enthusiastic plea, Hannah finally gave a nod of consent. When Hannah stepped out of her room in the dress, conversation in the living room abruptly ceased. Self-aware, Hannah nced at the upants of the couch. ¡°Does it look odd?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes momentarily sparkled with evident approval, though his tone stayed even. ¡°No, you look amazing. ¡± ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re absolutely stunning in that dress! It¡¯s perfect for you!¡± Grace¡¯s eyes radiated pure admiration. The dress was a rich shade of blue, adorned with tiny sequins at the hem and featuring a waist cinched by a pink diamond. Thanks to the dress¡¯s design, Hannah¡¯s already slim waist looked even more refined. Chapter 54 Both foreign designers showered her withpliments. ¡°Wow! This is definitely your dress! Perfection!¡± ¡°Hannah, even the designers agree it¡¯s made for you!¡± Lydia interjected. ¡°You look really great!¡± Bryson promptly reserved the dress for her and ushered the designers out. ¡®s BunnyBookery A touch flustered, Hannah said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you didn¡¯t have to go to such lengths. Besides, I think I shouldn¡¯t take the invites when so many people out there are yearning for them. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you remember, Hannah? The gem you¡¯ve been eyeing is only avable at Mr. Mitchell¡¯s charity event,¡± Lydia said, but was quickly cut off by Hannah. ¡°Lydia!¡± Realizing her blunder, Lydia instantly fell silent. ¡°It¡¯s just a gem. It¡¯s not a big deal. ¡± Hannah reassured Bryson. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Mitchell. I have other means to attend if I choose to. ¡± Grace turned her gaze, her eyes shimmering like constetions, and yfully nudged Bryson. ¡°You two really are on the same wavelength, huh?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Before Hannah could decode Grace¡¯s implication, Bryson had already risen and approached her. Reaching into his pocket, he unveiled a small box. When he opened it, it revealed Hannah¡¯s long-desired ruby. Hannah¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. With a gentle smile, Bryson proposed, ¡°Would this gem serve as an appropriate invitation for Miss Moore to attend my party?¡± Lydia inhaled dramatically. ¡°Well, what do we have here? Mr. Mitchell, how¡¯d you guess this is exactly what Hannah would want?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know that.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. I just had a feeling this gem would suit her,¡± Bryson answered. ¡°This is far too valuable, Mr. Mitchell. You should take it back,¡± Hannah chimed in, not meeting Bryson¡¯s eyes. Chapter 55 ¡°The gem¡¯s value is subjective. It depends on whether you appreciate it or not,¡± Bryson responded, his eyes lowered, telling Hannah sincerely, ¡°To me, it¡¯s just a rock. ¡± Then he added, ¡°Think of it as my consultation fee. ¡± At that point, it would have seemed disingenuous for Hannah to reject the gift again. epting the gem, Hannah assured, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I won¡¯t bete for the charity event. ¡± On the day of the charity event, Hannah was prompt for her styling appointment. As her look nearedpletion, Lydia was still a no-show. Hannah decided to ring her up. ¡°I¡¯m on my way, darling! Got a little dyed. Head to the party without me. ¡± Hannah massaged her forehead, responding in exasperation, ¡°Lydia, could you be a bit more punctual? You¡¯re alwayste. Fine, I¡¯ll wait at the entrance. ¡± That day, toplement her dress, Hannah¡¯s hair was elegantly pinned up and embellished with a traditional green hairpin, leaving everyone captivated by her ethereal, traditional charm. Arriving at the venue in a special car, Hannah refrained from entering immediately, choosing instead to wait for Lydia on the sidelines. ¡°Who¡¯s that stunning woman over there? Is she a celebrity? She¡¯s glowing!¡± ¡°Looks like they¡¯ve invited some stars today, but she¡¯s new to me. Celebrities are just on another level!¡± Despite her discretion, Hannah¡¯s look drew a continual crowd of admirers. Just then, a message from Bryson buzzed on Hannah¡¯s WhatsApp. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Being the event¡¯s organizer, Bryson was tied up but had requested Hannah notify him upon her arrival for someone to guide her in.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Hannah looked down and texted back, ¡°Just got here. Waiting for a friend. I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t worry. ¡± At that moment, Den, Sadie, and Eliana appeared, all dressed up in morous attire. As they ascended the hotel steps, Eliana casually looped her arm through Den¡¯s. Yet, the crowd¡¯s murmur redirected their gaze toward Hannah at the entrance. Her slender, alluring neck, adorned with a sapphire ne, radiated an unmatched elegance. Den was somewhat taken aback, having never seen Hannah look so spectacr. His heart fluttered. Noticing Hannah, Sadie blurted out, ¡°Oh my God! What¡¯s she doing here? Look at her dress! She¡¯s probably wondering how to get inside. Seems like she doesn¡¯t even have an invitation. ¡± Chapter 56 Sadie squinted her eyes and moved toward Hannah. ¡°What a shameless whore! Really, you¡¯re that desperate forpanionship? Who do you think you are, showing up in a ce like this? Everyone knows what you¡¯re after. ¡± Hannah lifted her head, locking eyes with Sadie. Just then, Den and Eliana joined them. Hannah shot Sadie a fleeting look, choosing not to engage. With a delicate smile, still clutching Den¡¯s arm, Eliana offered, ¡°You know, they sometimes bring in renowned artists and models for performances at charity events. ¡± ¡°Oh!¡± She quickly covered her mouth with her fingers, adding, ¡°That just came to mind, Miss Moore.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. I didn¡¯t mean to imply anything else. ¡± Unimpressed, Hannah looked at Eliana squarely and said, ¡°If you¡¯re insinuating that I¡¯m here to catch a wealthy man, just say it. No need for beating around the bush. ¡± Eliana feigned a hurt expression. ¡°I truly didn¡¯t mean it that way, Miss Moore. ¡± Sadie interjected, raising her chin proudly, ¡°Don¡¯t think Eliana¡¯s as malicious as you. And even if she did mean it, so what? She¡¯s just stating the obvious!¡± Puffed up with self-righteousness, she continued, ¡°You must realize by now that your days of luxury are over. Is that why you¡¯re here? To trap another wealthy man? Especially with so many high-profile attendees today?¡± As he nced at Hannah¡¯s opulent attire and processed Sadie¡¯s remarks, Den¡¯s expression grew colder. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ In a low voice, he said, ¡°I¡¯ve given you enough money to livefortably for the rest of your life. Why are you here? What more do you want?¡± Hannah retorted, her voice icy, ¡°You were the one who betrayed me first. The settlement from our divorce is mine to use as I please. It¡¯s none of your business. ¡± Sadie scoffed, her eyes scanning Hannah¡¯s outfit before sneering at her, ¡°Some people are never satisfied. iming marital assets? Don¡¯t make meugh. That money is all Den¡¯s. ¡± Increasingly audacious, Sadie¡¯s voice climbed, attracting the attention of the newly arrived guests. ¡°Some women are so pathetic, they couldn¡¯t live without a man and continue to prowl for men immediately after a divorce. ¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits as she red at Hannah. ¡°Not everyone is as fortunate as Eliana, boasting a top-tier education and influential international standing, let alone her well-educated family. Or even me. I may not be overly talented, but I was born into the Edwards family. A ss apart from people like you. ¡± Her voice dripping with disdain, Sadie added, ¡°You appear to count on your looks and body to gain favor and request even an ounce of respect. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Hannah said, a sly smile forming on her lips. ¡°You¡¯re quite aware of yourck of talent, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Sadie¡¯s face flushed with anger. Chapter 57 ¡°Besides being empty-headed, you alsock basic decorum, picking fights in public like this,¡± Hannah added, provoking Sadie to the point where thetter almost lunged at her. Just then, the event manager emerged, greeted by the staff at the entrance. Recognizing the manager from previous encounters, Den immediately pulled Sadie back and extended his hand, smiling, ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Mr. Navarro. ¡± But his hand grasped only air. Ignoring everyone else, the manager headed straight for Hannah and greeted her warmly. ¡°Miss Moore, atst, I¡¯ve found you!¡± Den¡¯s expression shifted abruptly. He hastily pulled back his hand and stared at Hannah, incredulous. This was the man who had been overseeing the Mitchell Group¡¯s charity event and also reported to Bryson.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. How could he extend such courtesy to Hannah? Irritation surged within Den. Just then, Sadie¡¯s piercing voice broke the silence. ¡°So you found an escort for show? You think you would look like a VIP with this charade?¡± ¡°Sadie, enough!¡± Den cut her off. Eliana said softly, ¡°Everyone here this evening is, in fact, a VIP. Miss Moore, if it suits you, Den could escort you inside. ¡®s BunnyBookery Regaining his poise, Den said frostily, ¡°Join us. Don¡¯t make a scene out here. ¡± Without meeting Den¡¯s eyes, Hannah nodded at the manager. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She reached into her purse, pulled out her invitation card, and handed it to the door attendant. The attendant scrutinized the card, then promptly returned it with a bow. ¡°Miss Moore, our boss considers you a VIP. Please, proceed through the VIP entrance. ¡± ¡°What? What are you talking about? She¡¯s a VIP?¡± Staring at Hannah, Sadie blurted out, ¡°Is this some sort of error? She¡¯s an ex-convict. How does that make her a VIP?¡± The manager, emerging to greet Hannah, was well aware of her importance to his boss. Upon hearing Sadie¡¯s disparaging words, his face turned stormy. ¡°Youngdy, you may hail from Valmere¡¯s high society, but yourments are nothing but reckless nder. You¡¯re seriouslycking in manners. ¡± Chapter 58 His words about Sadie¡¯sck of manners not only embarrassed her but also shamed Den and his family. Hannah grinned, casting a quick nce at Den. ¡°Mr. Navarro, can guests be apanied as long as they have an invitation card?¡± ¡°If you possess an invitation to tonight¡¯s charity event, you¡¯re allowed to bring a family member,¡± the manager answered candidly. ¡°Really?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows arched, and she nced towards Eliana. ¡°Do mistresses count as family members?¡± Color drained from Eliana¡¯s face. She wobbled and leaned weakly into Den, as if on the verge of tears. The manager grasped Hannah¡¯s implication and turned to Den. ¡°Mr. Edwards, ording to the invitation, you may bring only one guest. Please don¡¯t put us in an awkward position. ¡± Den¡¯s face clouded over, his gaze towards Hannah inscrutable. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Den! You promised to bring me to the event! You can¡¯t go back on your word!¡± Sadiemanded. Eliana wept, gripping Den¡¯s sleeve, and didn¡¯t say anything. Casting a nce at Eliana, Den said to Sadie, ¡°There will be other times. For tonight, Eliana will apany me. ¡± Upon hearing this, Sadie lost herposure entirely, making a scene at the entrance. ¡°Eliana can go with you at other events.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. But why does she have to be your plus-one tonight?¡± She nced at Eliana, asking, ¡°You¡¯re not nning topete with me, are you?¡± Eliana, her eyes tinged with red, responded softly, ¡°I was interested in checking it out, given how rare this opportunity is. But since you want to go in, Den, please take her. ¡± Rubbing his forehead in frustration, Den felt torn. Eliana was so thoughtful, he hated to leave her behind. ¡°You shoulde in with ¡± he said. ¡°Den! I am your sister!¡± Sadie interjected, pulling Eliana away from him before turning to confront her brother. ¡°How could you favor an outsider over me?¡± Sadie¡¯s rash actions drew a crowd outside the venue, turning the entrance into an unexpected scene. Standing alone by the entrance, Hannah suddenly felt her eagerness to enter wane. Chapter 59 ¡°Anyone who knows the situation understands there¡¯s a charity event happening inside. Those who don¡¯t might think it¡¯s a farmers market with all the noise,¡± she muttered. Hearing the irritation in her voice, the manager grew anxious. His boss had high expectations for her attendance. ¡°Miss Moore, I apologize for the oversight. I¡¯ll handle this at once. My boss is awaiting you. ¡± Slightly frowning, Hannah didn¡¯t want to make life difficult for the manager. Nodding silently upon hearing that Bryson was waiting for her, she decided to stay. Relieved, the manager turned and issued a stern warning to Sadie and Eliana. ¡°If you two persist in causing disturbances, you¡¯ll be barred from entering!¡± His statement left no room for negotiation. The manager then guided Hannah through the VIP passage into the venue. Den¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment, casting a dark and intimidating aura. Eliana felt a surge of anxiety and swiftly grasped his arm. The tension on her face eased as she softly told Den, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s best if I leave. I don¡¯t want this toe between us. I¡¯ll head out now. ¡± As she turned around to make her exit, Den seized her wrist and shot a chilling re at his sister. ¡°Go home,¡± hemanded. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Sadie¡¯s eyes bulged in shock, poised to cause a fuss, but Den cut her off sternly. ¡°This crowd is filled with reputable individuals.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. Do you really think you can stay after stirring trouble? If you don¡¯t leave now, don¡¯t expect me to smooth things over if Grandma hears about today¡¯s mess. ¡± Haunted by her lifelong fear of Allison, Sadie retracted her neck and dashed off, sobs trailing behind her elegant gown. ¡°Den, was that really necessary?¡± Eliana cast a concerned gaze in the direction Sadie had vanished. ¡°She looked devastated. ¡± Den shrugged nonchntly. ¡°We¡¯ll pacify her with a giftter. Her presence here could make things worse. It¡¯s best she leaves. ¡± Inside the venue, the stage glowed, a sea of opulent attire and champagne flutes swirling around it. Hannah recognized many faces from TV and the financial papers. Chapter 60 The manager escorted her to a VIP seat in the front row. ¡°Miss Moore, my boss saved this seat just for you. Feel free to mingle before the event officially starts. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°No need for thanks, Miss Moore. It¡¯s part of my job. ¡± The manager left Hannah to herself and moved on to greet other guests. Sitting up straight, Hannah texted Lydia, directing her to the front row upon arrival. ¡°Hannah!¡± Hannah shifted her gaze towards the call. Dressed like royalty, Grace scurried over, her eyes twinkling. ¡°You made it, Hannah! Please follow me, I¡¯ll take you to my brother!¡± ¡°A moment ago, Mr. Mitchell messaged me that he was tied up, so I chose to wait for him here,¡± Hannah said. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Alright. ¡± Grace¡¯s smile was warm as she grasped Hannah¡¯s arm and took a seat. ¡°I¡¯ll keep you entertained. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As they chatted, Hannah discovered that Mitchell Group hosted a charity g annually. They donated a substantial eighty percent of the proceeds to charitable causes. Numerous high-profile celebrities graced the events, contributing donations to boost their public image. ¡°Look, Bryson¡¯s there! Hannah, let¡¯s go say hello!¡± Noticing Bryson walking towards the garden, Grace¡¯s eyes lit up as she led Hannah in his direction. ¡°Bryson!¡± Arriving in the garden hand in hand, Grace and Hannah found that Bryson was missing. Instead, several of Grace¡¯s rtives were present. Sensing Grace¡¯s tension in her tightened grip, Hannah instinctively moved to protect her. Conflicted, Grace hesitated, torn between advancing or retreating. Upon spotting Grace, a middle-aged woman in the garden blurted, ¡°Ah, the distinguished princess graces us. ¡± Grace looked visibly ufortable, avoiding eye contact and murmuring, ¡°Hello, Aunt Makenna. ¡± Chapter 61 ¡°What¡¯s Bryson thinking, bringing you out when he knows you¡¯re unwell?¡± Makenna Mitchell shot Grace a look. ¡°I hear you¡¯re not doing great. Only a year to live, they say. Bryson¡¯s usually so resourceful. Why hasn¡¯t he found a cure for you?¡± Grace shivered at Makenna¡¯s words. She¡¯d been shielded by Bryson all her life and had never interacted much with these rtives. Plus, her chronic illness had always been met with polite sympathy before, never this kind of cruelty. Grace¡¯s fingers clutched Hannah¡¯s sleeve. Her voice was barely a whisper. ¡°Bryson¡­ he¡¯s working on it. ¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Finally breaking his silence, a young man interjected, ¡°Mom, why grill her like that? You¡¯ll upset her enough tond her in the hospital, then her brother will have words with you. ¡± Makenna crossed her arms, huffing, ¡°Should he really confront us for such a fragile girl?¡± Hannah gathered that these were Grace¡¯s rtives from their conversation. Theirments were distasteful, and the naive Grace was close to tears. Stepping up, Hannah protected Grace. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What makes you so untouchable?¡± It wasn¡¯t until then that Makenna noticed Hannah. She scrutinized her from head to toe. ¡°And you are?¡± Lingering at a distance, wine ss in hand, Makenna¡¯s son, Tyshawn Mitchell, scrutinized Hannah. ¡°Ah, another gold-digger. But this one¡¯s smarter. She¡¯s starting with the weak Link. ¡± Hannah met his gaze, ice-cold. ¡°I¡¯m simply a friend of Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°A friend?¡± Tyshawn scoffed. ¡°Seems everyone these days can im ties to our family. ¡± ¡°You! Watch your mouth when you talk about Hannah!¡± Though nervous, Grace mustered the courage to speak up for her friend. Chapter 62 ¡°So you¡¯re Hannah Moore!¡± Makenna¡¯s disdain intensified.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Do you know her, Mom?¡± Tyshawn assessed Hannah with a swift nce. ¡°Do you not remember? Miss Moore was once married to Mr. Edwards! We even received a wedding invite from them. ¡± Grasping his wine ss smugly, Tyshawn dismissed Hannah. ¡°Ah, now it clicks. The second-hand woman. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare defame Hannah!¡± Grace, who seemed like a pint-sized rebel, interposed herself between Hannah and Tyshawn, her eyes moist. ¡°Grace, I¡¯m saying this for your benefit. This woman is unworthy of being associated with Bryson,¡± Makenna chimed in, her smile never wavering. ¡°Exactly. What business does she have getting near Bryson? She must have a hidden agenda!¡± Tyshawn advised, ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled. The world is aplicated ce. ¡± Hannah remained unfazed by their words. With aposed smile, she shot back, ¡°Not long ago, there were headlines about you, Mr. Mitchell. You squandered fifty million at an underground casino in Beachholt. ¡± Narrowing her eyes, she went on casually, ¡°Have you managed to settle that fifty-million-dor debt yet?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Are you inviting danger, Hannah Moore?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah grinned ear to ear. ¡°Why so edgy? Could it be because you were short on funds and misappropriated public money?¡± Makenna broke into a nervous sweat, stuttering, ¡°How did you find out? You¡­¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Still sensible enough, Tyshawn swiftly cut off Makenna, though the revtion had already urred. Feigning astonishment, Hannah covered her mouth. ¡°Oh, I was only specting. Seems I was right. ¡± Her eyes turned icy. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but slothful and greedy!¡± Makenna was at a loss for words. ¡°You¡­ You¡­ How can you be so rude?¡± Chapter 63 ¡°Ie from humble beginnings. Manners are not my concern. ¡± Hannah quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Besides, if I were as refined as Grace, wouldn¡¯t yourck of manners disturb me?¡± ¡°I dare you to repeat that!¡± Fuming, Tyshawn advanced on Hannah, staring down at her. ¡°You bitch! You¡¯re not just unrefined. You¡¯re despicable!¡± Hannah stared back, her sneer intact. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your family¡¯s influence, you¡¯d have been behind bars. ¡± In the next instant, Tyshawn¡¯s hand was in the air, poised to strike. ¡°Hannah!¡± Grace shrieked in rm. Hannah held her phone with feigned shock. ¡°Oops! I didn¡¯t notice it but at the beginning of our conversation, my finger slipped and hit the record button. If I identally sent this recording to Grace¡¯s brother, you¡¯d be in a real bind. ¡± Her fingers hovered over Bryson¡¯s chat window, her expression torn. ¡°If that p had connected, I can¡¯t promise this recording wouldn¡¯t have been sent. ¡±? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. Makenna quickly grabbed her son¡¯s hand, aware they couldn¡¯t afford to provoke Bryson. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Grimacing, Tyshawn muttered, ¡°Fine, you win this time!¡± As they prepared to exit, Hannah¡¯s smile vanished, her voice icy. ¡°Apologize. ¡± Tyshawn spun around, disbelief coloring his words. ¡°Damn it! What the hell did you say?¡± ¡°I said say you¡¯re sorry to Grace. Are you deaf, Mr. Mitchell?¡± The sound of music drifted from the hall, visible through the clear windows, where guests could be seen mingling elegantly. In stark contrast, the garden¡¯s ambiance had grown chilly. Tyshawn, looking sharp in his custom-made suit, turned to face Hannah. His eyes bore into her with a venomous re. ¡°Ah, Hannah Moore, isn¡¯t it? I know you!¡± Chapter 64 Unfazed by Tyshawn¡¯s menacing tone, Hannah offered a serene smile but remained silent. Clearly unnerved by her stare, Tyshawn refrained from making a scene. He nonchntly faced Grace and lifted his drink. ¡°Don¡¯t be offended by my earlier words. We¡¯re family, it was merely a jest.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Don¡¯t take it to heart. ¡± ¡°Is that your attempt at an apology?¡± Hannah sneered. ¡°Even a dog knows to apologize sincerely. Haven¡¯t you learned that much?¡± Tyshawn thought to himself, ¡°She had the audacity topare me with dogs?¡± His grip tightened on his ss, incensed by her words. ¡°Bitch! What the hell did you say to me?!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be offended by my words. It was merely a jest. Don¡¯t take it to heart. ¡± Hannah echoed Tyshawn¡¯s own words. Now truly enraged, Tyshawn swung his wine-filled ss towards Hannah. With no time to evade, Hannah quickly turned around, enveloping Grace in a protective hug to keep her safe. Crack! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The sound of shattering ss reverberated, yet Hannah felt no pain. Turning, she found herself shielded by a ck suit. Lifting her eyes, she saw Bryson had silently stepped in, his face emotionless as he stared down Tyshawn. His tailored suit emphasized his broad shoulders and lean waist, making him look nearly mythical. Casually, Bryson discarded the pricey suit jacket onto the ground. His icy gaze made Tyshawn shudder involuntarily. Upon seeing Bryson, Makenna¡¯s face nched. ¡°Bryson, you¡¯ve misunderstood!¡± ¡°Misunderstood?¡± Brayden walked over, hands tucked into his pockets. ¡°Oh, so Tyshawn ¡®identally¡¯ hurled the ss at Miss Moore?¡± Chapter 65 Makenna began to retort but found herself halted by Brayden¡¯s follow -up. ¡°Be extra cautious on your drive home tonight. You never know what idents might ur. ¡± Startled, Makenna¡¯s face paled further, sensing the veiled threat. Tyshawn lost all bravado, muttered an apology to Grace, and hastily exited the garden. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Bryson shifted his gaze from Tyshawn¡¯s retreating figure to meet Hannah¡¯s eyes, warmth returning to his expression. Hannah nodded her head and looked at Grace, who was securely enveloped in her arms. ¡°How about you, Grace?¡± Grace appeared genuinely shaken, her eyes brimming with vulnerability. ¡°I¡¯m okay. ¡± Two lingering tears adorned her cheeks, rendering her both pitiable and endearing. ¡°Thank goodness you were here,¡± Grace added softly. She clung to Hannah, gripping thetter¡¯s arm firmly. ¡°It¡¯s my fault, I apologize,¡± Bryson admitted. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah shrugged off the incident.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°ALL that matters is that Grace is okay. ¡± Exiting the garden, they stepped into the bustling hall. The auctioneer had already begun presenting the evening¡¯s items for bid. In the front row, Lydia spotted Hannah and signaled her over. Hannah took a seat next to Lydia, with Grace sitting beside her. Lydia glimpsed Bryson next to Grace and whispered, ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re doing great! I saw that jerk with that nasty woman at the back. I made a show of walking past them before sitting up front just to get under their skin!¡± Tapping her forehead, Hannah advised, ¡°Next time, just ignore them. No need to stoop to their level. ¡± A few rows behind, Den had been intently watching Hannah ever since she reentered the hall. He recognized Grace as Bryson¡¯s beloved sister. Why did she seem so chummy with Hannah? Eliana noticed Den¡¯s gaze fixed on Hannah and felt a pang of worry. She feigned surprise. Chapter 66 ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t that Miss Moore? I didn¡¯t expect her to be so close with Miss Mitchell. ¡± yfully nudging Den, Eliana said, ¡°You once mentioned that Miss Moore keeps to herself, right?¡± Den snorted in response. ¡°She¡¯s just social climbing, by any means necessary. ¡± Eliana bit her lip and hesitated. ¡°What is it?¡± Den asked, noting her expression. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. ¡± With a slow shake of her head, Eliana shared, ¡°I¡¯ve just realized that nobody in this crowd knows about your breakup with Miss Moore. ¡± Den¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked towards Hannah, filled with icy resolve. He thought to himself, ¡°You won¡¯t get far using my family¡¯s name, Hannah!¡± Elianaid her delicate hand over Den¡¯s. ¡°Don¡¯t stress. Clear things up with Miss Mooreter. She¡¯s reasonable. ¡± Grasping Eliana¡¯s hand, Den felt his tension dissolve. ¡°Soon, Eliana, you¡¯ll stand beside me as Mrs. Edwards. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Oblivious to being the topic of conversation, Hannah¡¯s attention was fixed on an antique porcin vase being auctioned. The opening bid was two million dors. Thinking of the antique enthusiast back home, she lifted her paddle for the first time that evening. ¡°Three million,¡± she announced. Gavel in hand, the auctioneer pointed to Hannah. ¡°We have three million. Going once¡­¡± ¡°Bid at three and a half million!¡± ¡°Three point eight million!¡± Competing bids echoed throughout the hall. ¡°This vase is truly exquisite,¡± Elianamented genuinely. ¡°My mom has a fondness for these. She¡¯ll be thrilled to hear I got to see one tonight. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Chapter 67 ¡°If she¡¯s a fan, let¡¯s get it. ¡± Den casually raised his paddle from the back. ¡°Five million. ¡± ¡°Going once at five million, going twice at five million¡­¡± Hannah lifted her paddle. ¡°Six million. ¡± Den¡¯s eyes narrowed as he looked toward Hannah, clearly not wanting to lose.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. He hoisted his own paddle, announcing, ¡°Six and a half million. ¡± ¡°Is that jerk deliberately driving up the price because he saw you bid?¡± Lydia¡¯s tone wasced with irritation. Hannah nced her way, offering reassurance. ¡°He¡¯s not even worthpeting with me. ¡± Hannah held up her paddle again, dering, ¡°Ten million. ¡± A wave of murmurs washed over the room. The host grinned ear to ear. The more the price soared, the fatter hismission. ¡°First item tonight to hit ten million, folks, courtesy of this youngdy!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡®s BunnyBookery Den¡¯s expression soured. Eliana leaned in, her voice tinged with concern. ¡°Den, ten million is no small amount. What if Miss Moore can¡¯t cover it? Could that tarnish your reputation? Don¡¯t forget that she¡¯s still riding on the Edwards family name. Will she even¡­¡± Den cut her off, ¡°Ten million and a half. ¡± He knew Hannah couldn¡¯t cover it. After their divorce, he¡¯d left Hannah with only five million. She couldn¡¯t possibly afford this. But Hannah wasn¡¯t willing to back down. Why should she keep yielding to Den? Undeterred, she raised her paddle. ¡°Thirteen million. ¡± In his mind, Den scoffed. He couldn¡¯t believe she had the audacity to bid. Chapter 68 Kicked out of the Edwards family and homeless, and yet she dared to make such an extravagant offer just to irritate him! The murmurs around them amplified. ¡°Who is that woman upfront? She seems fearless. Have you ever seen her?¡± ¡°She¡¯s bold enough topete with the young master of the Edwards family. She¡¯s got to be someone of status. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°You¡¯re right. That¡¯s the daughter of the Mitchell family beside her. ¡± Then, a man nearby lowered his voice but couldn¡¯t contain his excitement.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°I know her! She¡¯s Mr. Edwards¡¯s wife!¡± ¡°What?¡± another person interjected, puzzled. ¡°His wife? Then who¡¯s the woman next to Mr. Edwards?¡± ¡°Who do you think?¡± The man hushed his voice again. ¡°His mistress. ¡± Realization dawned on someone. ¡°Ah, so it¡¯s a wife-versus-mistress scenario. Makes sense now. ¡± ¡°Calling her a mistress? I heard he actually loves the woman beside him. His marriage was the forced one. ¡± ¡°What a worthless wife,ing from nothing and snagging Mr. Edwards. She¡¯s not in the same league as the woman he really wants. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana overheard and a satisfied smile formed on her lips. She leaned in to Den, whispering, ¡°Let it go, Den. That vase must mean a lot to her. ¡± Den grasped her hand, dering, ¡°I¡¯ll deliver on my promise to you. ¡± With his paddle in the air, he shouted, ¡°Twenty million!¡± Intentionally, Den hiked up the bid to twenty million, aiming to humiliate Hannah. His goal was to show her she was out of his league, to teach her a lesson she wouldn¡¯t forget. Even Den¡¯s friend seemed taken aback. ¡°Mr. Edwards, isn¡¯t twenty million a bit steep for an old vase?¡± Chapter 69 Unfazed, Den fixed his gaze on Hannah, gauging her difort. ¡°If it brings Eliana joy, it¡¯s worth every penny. ¡± The host was on the cusp of making the final call. The room was silent. Everyone was holding their breath, eager to hear the conclusion. Whispers and spections about the two had already filled the hall. Some were so tense that they were sweating, keen to witness the spectacle of Mr. Edwards¡¯s ex-wife making a fool of herself. The hammer hovered in the air. The room¡¯s collective heartbeat seemed to pause. ¡°Thirty million. ¡± From the front row, Hannah slowly rose to her feet, announcing, ¡°Whoever bids next, I¡¯ll exceed it by a million. ¡± ¡°Miss, that¡¯s not permitted. We can¡¯t¡­¡± The flustered host was about to object when an assistant tugged at his sleeve, whispering into his ear. Regaining hisposure, the host turned to Hannah with newfound respect. ¡°Per the seller¡¯s conditions, the piece goes to thisdy for thirty million!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The room erupted in chatter. It turned out that Hannah, Mr.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Edwards¡¯s ex-wife, wasn¡¯t as useless as people thought. Seated at the back, Den observed, cold and calcting, curious about how Hannah would handle the payment. Charity auctions had their own set of rules. A retraction after a winning bid meant a twenty percent penalty on the final price. For items over ten million, the penalty doubled. If Hannah couldn¡¯t cover the thirty million, she¡¯d owe twelve million as a penalty. Den narrowed his eyes, intrigued to see how Hannah would ultimately grovel. Following the auction, Hannah retreated backstage to post the security deposit. Emerging with her friend Lydia, they found the manager awaiting them. ¡°Miss Moore, our boss had some personal matters to attend to. He¡¯s sent the car for you. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need. Taxis are plentiful here. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s no inconvenience. The car will be here shortly. If you and your friend could please wait. ¡± Chapter 70 Hannah gave a nod. ¡°Fine, extend my thanks to Mr. Mitchell. ¡± As they awaited the car, Hannah and Lydia stepped outside for some air. There, they spotted Den and Eliana, seemingly waiting for them. As they made eye contact, the couple approached. ¡®s BunnyBookeryContent is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Miss Moore,¡± Eliana called out cheerfully. Hannah chose to ignore her. With a tinge of bitterness, Den locked eyes with Hannah. ¡°Think you can really afford thirty million?¡± ¡°That¡¯s really not your concern,¡± Hannah shot back, arching an eyebrow. ¡°Miss Moore, Den was only looking out for you,¡± Eliana interjected, clutching Den¡¯s arm. ¡°If you can¡¯t afford it, you¡¯re looking at a twelve million penalty. ¡± Den chimed in, his tone sarcastic, ¡°That¡¯s no small change. It could lead to awsuit, which wouldn¡¯t be new for you, would it. ¡± Den¡¯s gaze turned stormy. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah, what are you doing here, using your real name at this auction? You¡¯re fully aware of the deceitful tactics you employed to get that invitation!¡± Eliana interjected softly, ¡°Ease up, Den. Hannah¡¯s situation might be moreplicated than you think. ¡± ¡°Complicated?¡± Chuckling as if he¡¯d heard a great joke, Den scoffed, ¡°She could make millions simply by lying in bed. Don¡¯t tell me her life is hard. ¡± Hannah found herself cornered outside the hall by the pair, their voices raised enough for the crowd to overhear. Every car parked nearby was a luxury model, and the guests were all people of influence. As folks passed by, several paused at a distance, eager to catch a bit of the spectacle. In high society, gossip spread like wildfire. ¡°I knew his first wife must have messed up somehow! Seems like she¡¯s gold-digging now. ¡± ¡°Yeah, I see that. Just look at her gown. That¡¯s a Chilli design. No one here has even had the chance to wear one yet. The Edwards family could never afford that. ¡± Den observed Hannah¡¯s dress, recalling her earlier closeness to Grace. Hearing the whispers, he shot Hannah a frigid look. Chapter 71 ¡°You think an extravagant dress makes you one of us? Quit fooling yourself. You¡¯ll never escape your lowly status, no matter who you sleep with. ¡± His words demeaned Hannah,pletely stripping her of her dignity. The crowd cast pointed nces her way. Some men eyed her with undisguised Lechery.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Before anyone could react, Hannah¡¯s hand flew up,nding a p squarely on Den¡¯s face. ¡°Miss Moore, have you lost your mind?¡± Eliana grasped Den, looking concerned. ¡°Even if you became angry from shame, there¡¯s no call for violence. We¡¯re all civilized here¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not civilized. Speak again, and you¡¯re next,¡± Hannah cut her off, her gaze icy. She flicked her wrist dismissively and turned back to Den. ¡°Just because you¡¯re a certain way, why assume everyone else is the same?¡± Hannah shot Den with a frosty gaze, stating, ¡°I assume I don¡¯t need to remind you that we¡¯re in the midst of divorce negotiations, do I? Who gave you the right toment on my personal life? You parade around with your mistress as if having an affair is something to be proud of. What, is that your idea of being an honorable man?¡± Eliana¡¯s eyes filled with tears as she clung to Den, whispering softly, ¡°There¡¯s got to be some kind of mix-up¡­ Den¡­¡± The sound of the p still reverberated in Den¡¯s mind. Swamped with shame and indignation, Den seethed at Hannah, ¡°An affair, you say? You¡¯re one to talk. nning on jumping to the next guy as soon as our divorce is finalized, like you¡¯re hooking up to the young heir of the Davies family? Think you¡¯re being subtle? Do you take pride intching onto him? You believe a notorious yboy like that could truly care for you?¡± Sarcasm dripped from Den¡¯s words. ¡°He¡¯s just toying with you. Offer you a few perks and you¡¯re all in. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Just as Hannah was about to p him once more, she felt a sudden warmth envelop her. A heavy coat was dr@ped over her shoulders. She caught a lingering scent from the coat and turned around, surprised to find Bryson. ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve settled the matter inside and came to see you off,¡± Bryson replied, casting a meaningful look at Den. That one look left Den anxious, cold sweat forming on his hands and feet, and he found himself speechless. ¡°I hadn¡¯t anticipated witnessing someone tarnishing your reputation. ¡± Though anxious, Den feignedposure. Chapter 72 ¡°Everything I said is true. Mr.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Mitchell, you need to understand who you¡¯re dealing with. ¡± ¡°As for Miss Mitchell, she¡¯s meless,¡± Eliana chimed in, brushing her hair back as if to speak on behalf of Grace. Brayden appeared, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as he observed Eliana and Den. ¡°My reputation isn¡¯t the best. Being associated with mees at a risk. But Miss Moore is here as an honored guest invited by Grace. The idea of Miss Moore hooking up with me is absurd. ¡± Bryson began, ¡°Mr. Edwards got one thing right. A few perks from the Mitchell family, and the Edwards family is all too happy to y along. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Then, with a hint of indifference in his eyes, he dered, ¡°Effective immediately, any business dealings between the Mitchell and Edwards groups are hereby cancelled. ¡± Upon hearing the news, the crowd around them buzzed in hushed conversations. ¡°What apetent woman! To think she¡¯d have the Mitchell family patriarch in her corner!¡± ¡°She¡¯s close to Mr. Mitchell¡¯s youngest sister whom he¡¯s incredibly fond of. ¡± Elsewhere, outside the venue, voices whispered. ¡°In my eyes, the Edwards family¡¯s young master had iting. Parading his mistress around and stirring up chaos, especially in front of his wife. He asked for it. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°True love, you say?¡± ¡°True love? In this social circle?¡± someone scoffed. ¡°Would you let true love be your mistress?¡± His words were loud enough for even Eliana to hear. Already looking a bit ashen, Eliana¡¯s face paled further. ¡°Den. . Oblivious to Eliana¡¯s emotional state, Den¡¯s mind was a nk te, reeling from what Bryson had dered. In Valmere, the Edwards group held considerable influence. Their business alliance with the Mitchell family spanned multiple sectors. If Bryson were to suddenly sever this partnership, the stock market would undoubtedly erupt into chaos. The weight of the situation wasn¡¯t lost on Den. His animosity towards Hannah intensified. If she hadn¡¯t been involved, things wouldn¡¯t have escted to this point. Chapter 73 ¡°Mr. Mitchell, the issue between Hannah and me is a private affair. Are you willing to jeopardize the partnership between our families over it?¡± Trying to contain his irritation, Den reasoned with Bryson, ¡°Our conglomerates wield significant influence in Valmere. If we halt our coboration, stock prices will plummet, resulting in losses exceeding ten million.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Just pausing the coboration would still mean a significant loss! He nced away, guilt written across his face. Brayden dr@ped his coat over his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself, will you? Miss Moore has mentioned you¡¯re still to sort out divorce papers. Yet you defamed her in front of everyone. You made it impossible for her not to sue you now. ¡± Sensing that events were not unfolding in their favor and aware of the growing crowd, Eliana discreetly tugged at Den¡¯s sleeve. Then she addressed Bryson. ¡°This is all a big misunderstanding. Mr. Mitchell, please let cooler heads prevail. On behalf of Den, I apologize to Miss Moore. He¡¯s not a terrible person; he can just be brutally honest, often disregarding others¡¯ feelings. ¡± Eliana turned to Hannah and bowed. ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s all my fault. Please don¡¯t me Den. I shouldn¡¯t havee back into your lives. I shouldn¡¯t have ruined your once-happy marriage. ¡± Tears brimmed in Eliana¡¯s eyes. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Guilty, Den wrapped his arms around Eliana¡¯s waist. ¡°This isn¡¯t on you. I chose this path, so the fault is mine!¡± The couple¡¯s melodrama made Hannah nauseous. Brayden chuckled, ¡°What soap opera are you two starring in? Aren¡¯t you ashamed or at least embarrassed?¡± Annoyed, Den turned to Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you might want to reconsider our business¡­¡± Bryson cut him off, ¡°Why should I invest in dying industries?¡± Den¡¯splexion suddenly went ashen. Hannah had some insights into the world of finance. If her actions had put Bryson in such a predicament, she¡¯d feel forever indebted to him. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I realize you decided to exact revenge on the Edwards family on Grace¡¯s behalf. However, mixing personal vendettas with business coborations isn¡¯t something she¡¯d approve of. ¡± Chapter 74 Den was taken aback. Hannah¡¯s defense of him indicated she still had feelings for him. With an icy gaze, Hannah turned to Den. ¡°What if the Edwards family publicly apologized to Grace?¡± Forced to bite back his rising fury, Den¡¯s face twisted. ¡°This is all a misunderstanding, but rest assured, the Edwards family will offer a formal exnation to the Mitchell family. ¡± Bryson cast a sidelong nce at Hannah, who stood beside him. She didn¡¯t seem keen on escting matters, and he was okay with letting it slide. ¡°Fine,¡± Bryson murmured. Brayden blinked, astonished. Since when had Bryson be so open- minded? Just as Den let out a sigh of relief, Hannah said, ¡°Every responsible party must apologize. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Eliana rested lightly against Den. ¡°Den¡­¡± Den didn¡¯t dare to favor Eliana in Bryson¡¯s presence. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°We do owe an apology. Eliana, you¡¯ll have to join me in this. ¡± Stunned, Eliana clenched her hand to maintain herposure. Forcing a smile, she said, ¡°Absolutely, apologies are in order. I¡¯ll also talk Sadie into apologizing with us. ¡± Now that she had to apologize, roping in Sadie was her next move. At that moment, a ck Maybach pulled into view, halting gracefully at the venue¡¯s entrance. The driver stepped out, opened the passenger door, and nodded at Bryson. ¡°Sir, your car is ready. ¡± Without even ncing at Den, Bryson gestured toward Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I¡¯ll have the driver take you home. ¡± After leading Hannah to the car, Bryson briefly caught her eye and offered a faint smile. Hannah rolled down the car window and returned his smile. ¡°Thanks for today, Mr. Mitchell. I¡¯ll give you back your coat another time. ¡± Chapter 75 ¡°I failed to look after you well. I¡¯ll make it up with a dinner,¡± Bryson said, his eyes twinkling as he inclined his head. Hannah then reclined in her seat, yawning before drifting into Light sleep. Startled awake, she noticed the car pulling into hermunity. Expressing her gratitude to the driver, Hannah finally rxed only when she was safely inside her apartment. Kicking off her heels, she went barefoot to her living room sofa and reclined. She then unlocked her phone and pulled up her chat. ¡°I¡¯ve reached home. Thanks for arranging the ride. ¡± After sending the text, Hannah hesitated, biting her lip. No response came, so she sent another message. ¡°I apologize for the day¡¯s events. ¡± Having sent her text, Hannah retreated to the bathroom, phone in hand. She had just switched from her dress to her pajamas and secured her hair in a bun when her phone buzzed. The caller was Lydia. Picking up the phone, Hannah was met with Lydia¡¯szy voice. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Are you back home, Hannah? I heard some jerk was hassling you earlier. Had I known, I would¡¯ve stayed back to give him a piece of my mind!¡± Laughing softly, Hannah responded, ¡°What¡¯s done is done. ¡± Lydia teased, ¡°Heard that Mr. Mitchell came to your rescue?¡± ¡°Was it Brayden who told you? Since when are you two so chummy?¡±Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Detecting the shift in focus to her, Lydia lowered her voice. ¡°Hurry up. Tell me everything!¡± ¡°Cut the chatter. Mr. Mitchell was angry for his sister¡¯s sake. This had nothing to do with me. ¡± Just then, Hannah¡¯s phone buzzed again as another call came in. ¡°Lydia, I¡¯ve got another call. We¡¯ll catch upter!¡± Ending the call with Lydia, she picked up Bryson¡¯s iing one. Chapter 76 The captivating voice of the man came through. ¡°I wanted to thank you. ¡± His unexpected words left Hannah slightly bewildered. ¡°For what?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about Grace. ¡± It then clicked for Hannah that Bryson was referring to what happened in the garden. ¡°Is Grace alright?¡± ¡°She¡¯s doing well. ¡± From the other end, Bryson chuckled softly. ¡°She came home ted, saying how fortunate she was to have you there. ¡± Knowing Grace was safe, Hannah exhaled in relief. ¡°That¡¯sforting. ¡± ¡°I overheard your friend say you¡¯re working on an iplete college paper. Grace is at Halliday University in Valmere. Interested in teaching there? They¡¯re hiring in the Medical Department. ¡± Valmere¡¯s renowned Halliday University was a haven for the cream of the crop, most of whom hailed from affluent backgrounds. Yet, wealth alone couldn¡¯t secure admission. High academic achievements were a must. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ It was Hannah¡¯s alma mater, and it was also her lingering regret that she didn¡¯t graduate sessfully that year. ¡°Thank you for the offer, but no need, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Hannah declined politely.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. She had already epted a role as a guidance teacher from Saul and was ted to start the next day. Assistance from Bryson was unnecessary. The voice on the other end of the line hesitated but said nothing more. Bryson¡¯s voice, always soothing, took on a s@xy tone in thete hours. ¡°Sleep well, Miss Moore. ¡± Disconnecting the call, Hannah went through her nightly routine and then copsed onto her big bed. The idea of teaching at her old school seemed almost dreamlike. Years had passed, but now she was finally making her way back to school. Halliday University extended a formal offer, inviting her to join as a clinical guidance teacher. Still, Hannah harbored reservations about the return. Chapter 77 Over the years, her life had narrowed to serving her ex-husband Den and his family. She had traded her promising future for a loveless marriage, a decision she now regretted. Lost in thoughts of the past, she drifted off to sleep. Come morning, she dressed meticulously. From her apartment, conveniently rented from Brayden, Halliday University was a mere ten-minute walk. Arriving half an hour early, she inhaled the campus air and felt invigorated. She observed students hustling towards their morning study sessions, some munching on bread as they ran. A softugh escaped her lips. Ah, the vibrance of young campus Life. Just as she turned to head to the teaching building, a voice rang out. ¡°Oh, my God! Hannah! What are you doing at my school?¡± Abruptly, a force yanked her back by the shoulder, forcing her to spin around. Upon seeing Hannah¡¯s face, Sadie¡¯s aggression intensified. ¡°Do you realize the pain you¡¯ve caused my brother and me? You humiliated us, making us publicly apologize to the Mitchell family. Do you know how mortifying that was?¡± With her hands on her hips, Sadie scanned Hannah disdainfully and sneered, ¡°And now you dare to show up here?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Shrugging off Sadie¡¯s grip, Hannah was in no mood for confrontations. She turned to leave, but Sadie persisted, blocking her path. Sadie scoffed, ¡°Feeling guilty, huh? nning to run? The security must be blind to let just anyone wander in. ¡± Sadie¡¯s attitude toward Hannah had always been condescending, belittling her due to her background. ¡°You think you can sneak around the university? nning on going to college through some self-study exams? Don¡¯t kid yourself. Once my brother divorces you, what are you? An ex-con. Do you think you¡¯re smart enough to go to college? You¡¯d be living off my brother¡¯s money!¡± Sadie¡¯s words were caustic, far removed from the decorum you¡¯d expect from a university student. Hannah had enduredments Like this at home before, but she wouldn¡¯t any longer. ¡°If Halliday University is filled with students like you,cking any real character or education, then this institution doesn¡¯t have a bright future.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah¡¯s calm retort stung Sadie, making her voice rise in pitch. ¡°What did you just say? How dare you talk back to me?¡± Sadie noticed Hannah had grown bolder since leaving her brother. She used to be submissive! The change in Hannah¡¯s attitude toward her made her even more overbearing. Chapter 78 ¡°You have no right to speak of Halliday University! This is my school, you have no ce here. Leave, or I¡¯ll call security!¡± Sadie¡¯s words looped like a broken record. Exhausted, Hannah pulled out her phone and disyed a job offer. ¡°I work at Halliday University now. ¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Without even scrutinizing Hannah¡¯s phone screen, Sadie scoffed, ¡°You¡¯re an uneducated ex-con. What school would take that risk? They don¡¯t care about their reputation anymore?¡± Sadie then erupted intoughter, as if suddenly hit by a realization. ¡°You¡¯re working some menial cafeteria job, aren¡¯t you? Should I look for you during Lunch?¡± Sadie kept talking incessantly, preventing Hannah from leaving. Hannah had initially arrived at school thirty minutes early, but now, thanks to Sadie, she risked beingte for her job. Hannah scowled. ¡°Whatever I¡¯m doing has no relevance to you. Your brother and I have decided to divorce. I¡¯d appreciate it if you¡¯d stay out of my life moving forward. ¡± ¡°What? You think you can just sever ties with the Edwards family after a divorce? You¡¯ve spent years living off us. Ever thought about paying all that money back?¡± Sadie sneered. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She shot a proud look at Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re despicable! You¡¯re after half of my brother¡¯s assets. I haven¡¯t finished with you. You shameless bitch! What makes you suitable for a position at my school? You should know that I can ruin your newfound job with a single phone call. ¡± Hannah met Sadie¡¯s eyes with an icy stare. ¡°Talking big could backfire, you know.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Oh, I didn¡¯t realize your family owned Halliday University. Feel free to fire anyone you please. Go on, make that call. Just because I¡¯ve been tolerant doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m a pushover,¡± Hannah challenged. Stung by Hannah¡¯s retort, Sadie was left speechless. Hannah used to exert herself to please her, but now the woman had disyed her true colors. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this,¡± Sadie finally said, pointing at Hannah. ¡°Mark my words. My brother will fire you. Just wait and see. You¡¯lle to beg my brother!¡± As Sadie stormed off, Hannah checked the time on her phone, heaved a sigh of relief, and made her way hastily toward the principal¡¯s office. Hannah¡¯s office was located on the fifteenth floor and housed only three clinical teachers, including Hannah. One of them was an older professor who rarely came to the office. Chapter 79 ¡°Ms.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Moore, word is you¡¯re quite knowledgeable in clinical matters. I look forward to learning from you. ¡± Another teacher, Zayn ke, stood as Hannah entered. Hannah blushed slightly. ¡°I appreciate thepliment. It¡¯s been years since I taught. I¡¯ll Likely need your guidance. ¡± ¡°Sure thing. Let¡¯s grab lunchter, and I can show you the cafeteria. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Aside from her ufortable morning encounter, Hannah felt quite pleased for the rest of the day. She enjoyed both the delicious food at Halliday University and the pleasantpany of her fellow teacher, resulting in a particrly hearty meal. After eating, Hannah and Zayn exited the cafeteria, only to be intercepted by Sadie, Leah, and Eliana. Learning that Hannah had supposedly bullied Sadie, Leah had hurried to the scene. Upon spotting Hannah, Eliana offered a courteous smile. ¡°Miss Moore, are you clocking out?¡± Eliana assumed that Hannah was working in the cafeteria. Hannah sensed that crossing paths with this group would lead to trouble. She signaled for Zayn to move on. With her usual arrogance, Leah said, ¡°So, Hannah, you find work here after divorcing my son. But bullying Sadie? How dare you!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana chimed in, ¡°Perhaps Miss Moore is auditing sses,menting her missed opportunity for a college degree. ¡± ¡°Here to audit? Don¡¯t give her too much credit, Eliana! She¡¯s either working odd jobs or mooching off lectures!¡± Emboldened by her mother¡¯s presence, Sadie shot Hannah a malicious look. ¡°Mom, tell my brother to fire her. I can¡¯t stand the sight of her!¡± Leah scoffed, ¡°Dream on if you think you¡¯ll get back with my son by stalking Sadie¡¯s school! Your divorce is final. I¡¯ll never let him remarry a worthless ex-con like you. Leave the campus willingly or face humiliation!¡± Theirments were venomous, causing even Zayn to furrow his brow. ¡°Excuse me, Miss Moore is a designated faculty member here. If there¡¯s a misunderstanding, let¡¯s keep the discourse civil,¡± Zayn intervened. Leah sneered, ¡°A teacher? She¡¯s a convict! Doesn¡¯t your school perform background checks when hiring staff? I¡¯ll lodge aint against your school!¡± Sadie shot Zayn a sidelong nce. ¡°She hooked up with you pretty fast, didn¡¯t she? That¡¯s why you¡¯re defending her!¡± Chapter 80 Zayn, a young instructor, retorted, ¡°Student, make ims with proof.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡± Just then, the student lunch crowd peaked, and Sadie¡¯s escting voice caught their attention. ¡°Listen up, everyone! Despite her previous time in prison, this womannded a teaching job at the school. No one knew the devious tricks she had used! What does that say about our learning environment? After divorcing my brother, you¡¯re here to hooked up with a teacher. Aren¡¯t you ashamed, Hannah?¡± Their usations rippled through the gathering students. A few recognized Zayn and began to murmur. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Mr. ke, the Medical Department¡¯s clinical instructor? What¡¯s he doing with her?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never seen her before. She¡¯s new, right? She doesn¡¯t seem like that type at all. ¡± ¡°Looks can be deceiving. ¡± The students¡¯ debate escted into a fervor. Sadie nced at Hannah with a smug expression, hoping the surrounding chatter would overshadow her, robbing her of any standing at Halliday University. ¡°Really, Sadie, how did you even get epted into Halliday? Your intellect?¡± Hannah scoffed, not showing any hint of vulnerability. ¡°Or was it the Edwards family fortune that got you in?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The color drained from Sadie¡¯s face as she retorted, ¡®What are you insinuating? Quit your baseless usations!¡± ¡°And why can¡¯t I? You¡¯re mot shy about spreading rumors. You do realize that¡¯s illegal, right?¡± ¡°You¡­ Don¡¯t you dare try to intimidate me!¡± Amid the escting tension, security guards hustled over. Upon seeing them, Leah swiftly barked, ¡°What kind of security is this? Anyone can waltz in! Remove her immediately!¡± Confused, the guards took steps toward Hannah, treating her as if she were a trespasser. Amanding voice emerged from the crowd. ¡°Miss Moore underwent meticulous evaluation before joining our school. If you have issues, address them to me. ¡± ¡°The principal? The principal¡¯s here?¡± ¡°Hello, Mr. Ramsey. ¡± Chapter 81 Whispers rippled through the students, tinged with surprise and curiosity. ¡°Did you hear what Mr. Ramsey just said? He mentioned that Miss Moore underwent a meticulous evaluation. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°And I agree. Landing a teaching job here isn¡¯t easy, let alone a clinical teaching position!¡± Upon seeing the principal, Leah¡¯s arrogance intensified. ¡°You¡¯re the principal, correct? Fire this woman! What sort of staff are you recruiting? You¡¯re damaging Halliday University¡¯s reputation!¡± Seeing Mr. Ramsey, Sadie¡¯s brashness evaporated. She gestured to Leah, signaling her to hold her tongue. The principal had been steering Halliday University for two decades, ying an instrumental role in its rise to prominence. He held considerable sway in Valmere, and Sadie knew better than to provoke him. Leah, however, remained blissfully ignorant and continued her tirade. ¡°Are you really allowing someone without a degree to teach here? Are you trying to tarnish the school¡¯s name?¡± The principal, his hair tinged with gray and his usually gentle face now stern, replied, ¡°Miss Moore¡¯s academic background has been thoroughly checked. She may not havepleted her degree, but she was an exceptional student. Your derogatory remarks against a member of our faculty will not be tolerated!¡± Leah couldn¡¯t contain her disbelief. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°An exceptional student? Are you kidding? You¡¯re just covering for her!¡± The principal quit the idle chatter and ordered the guards, ¡°Escort this parent out, right now!¡± Leah was about to drop her name as a threat, but the security guards had already moved toward her and escorted her out. ¡°Hom!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Witnessing her mother being led away, Sadie felt a twinge of humiliation. Standing by her side, Eliana let out a soft sigh. ¡°Miss Moore, ever since your divorce, you¡¯ve certainly made some powerful friends and built an impressive career teaching at Halliday University. But Leah is your elder, isn¡¯t she? Why humiliate her publicly?¡± Unfazed, Hannah looked at Eliana. ¡°Who really escted the situation here at the school? They¡¯ve been the ones making distastefulments since the beginning. If my response embarrasses her, what about their inappropriate remarks?¡± Hannah then turned to Sadie, her gaze tinged with mockery. ¡°I¡¯ve severed all ties with the Edwards family. You keep pestering me. You do know I can take legal action, right? Your brother holds no allure for me! Don¡¯t assume he¡¯s some sort of catch, or that I can¡¯t Live without him. He was the one leaning on me to reim his status within the Edwards family. Do you really want me to bring up how he lost his position of heir?¡± Sadie¡¯s expression shifted dramatically at Hannah¡¯s words, memories she wanted to forget flooding back. Sensing Sadie¡¯s difort, Hannah smirked. Chapter 82 ¡°Looks like you didn¡¯t need my help to remember. After splitting with your brother, he got to be with his mistress, didn¡¯t he? And yet you can¡¯t let me be. Maybe you should devote more time to your new sister-inw. ¡± For a moment, student whispers focused on Sadie and Eliana. ¡°What? There is so much drama around with our new, attractive teacher. ¡± ¡°Her ex-sister-inw is here causing a scene with the mistress? Our new teacher¡¯s life seems tough. ¡± ¡°I heard the Edwards family recently got on the bad side of the Mitchell family. They had to apologize as a group to clear it up. ¡± ¡°How does one family stir up so much trouble? That parent was totally out of Line. Good thing I didn¡¯t believe her. ¡± Sadie faltered, almost losing her bnce as she heard the students¡® conversations. Her fists clenched, anger boiling within her. When did Hannah get so articte? Even when she talked about Den, Hannah didn¡¯t show any interest. Feeling utterly humiliated, Sadie vowed to give Hannah a taste of her own medicine someday. As she was silently cursing Hannah, the principal¡¯s voice echoed again, sending shivers down her spine. ¡°Sadie, you¡¯ve disrespected and even falsely used our faculty. You¡¯ve earned yourself a major demerit!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Sadie didn¡¯t anticipate the issue would be this grave. If she received a major demerit, the entire school would publicly chastise her, greatly impacting her standing within the institution. ¡°Mr. Ramsey! You can¡¯t be biased toward Hannah! She must have lied about her credentials to get this job!¡± The principal¡¯s expression chilled further. ¡°Sadie Edwards! If you think a major demerit isn¡¯t sufficient, would you prefer to postpone your graduation?¡± Before Sadie could respond, the principal shifted his focus. ¡°Miss Moore, please report to my officeter for the handover of your clinical courses with Mr. ke. ¡± ¡°Of course, Mr. Ramsey,¡± Hannah replied. The onlooking students gradually dispersed. Despite the principal¡¯s warning, Sadie still harbored resentment toward Hannah. Eliana softly consoled her, ¡°Maybe the principal is just taking extra care of the new teacher. I¡¯ll see if your brother can help you with the demerit. ¡± Fury bubbled within Sadie.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 83 ¡°Does Hannah think she can get away with anything just because she¡¯s hooking up with the principal? She¡¯s delusional! I¡¯ll get my brother to kick her out. If she can¡¯t make my life easy, then I won¡¯t make hers easy either. She¡¯ll see!¡± In the principal¡¯s office, Hannah expressed gratitude to the principal for his assistance. Yet, the principal simply smiled and responded, ¡°Bryson asked me to watch out for you here at school. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, touched by Bryson¡¯s thoughtfulness. The principal continued, ¡°No need to worry about your academic standing or thesis. Your records are safe here. Back in the day, you were quite the prodigy in clinical medicine. Professor Kennedy often speaks of you, wishing for your return to finish your education. Now, he¡¯s gotten his wish. ¡± Hannah lowered her gaze, recalling the time she¡¯d left school for marriage. She wondered why she¡¯d ever thought giving up her studies for a man was the right choice. Hannah replied, ¡°I appreciate it, Mr. Ramsey. I¡¯ve returned to wrap up what I started and to honor both the professor¡¯s and my own aspirations. ¡± After the principal¡¯s stern words, Sadie greatly behaved, and the Edwards family left Hannah in peace from then on. However, Den would asionally text Hannah. His usual line was a request to meet, but she always firmly directed him to discuss divorce matters with her attorney. On a Saturday, Hannah was attending to Grace at Bryson¡¯s family house. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Treating Grace wasn¡¯t easy. The pain it induced made her eyes well up, but she bravely endured. Once Bryson had someone take Grace for some rest, Hannah¡¯s expression grew somber. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Grace?¡± Bryson inquired, noting Hannah¡¯s concern. ¡°It¡¯s graver than anticipated,¡± Hannah admitted. ¡°The cancer cells are proliferating rapidly. Traditional treatments might not suffice.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. My approach will intensify Grace¡¯s pain, but it¡¯s a potential path to healing her. ¡± Bryson appeared lost in thought for a moment, then hesitantly asked, ¡°What are the chances of recovery?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t sugarcoat it. With a solemn expression, she gazed at Bryson and uttered, ¡°I can¡¯t be certain. But I assure you, even if there¡¯s only a slim chance, I¡¯ll do everything in my power to heal her. ¡± Emotion welled up in Bryson¡¯s eyes, threatening to overflow. He tried to keep hisposure, especially when he heard Hannah¡¯s phone ring. In a frosty tone, she answered, ¡°Den, I¡¯ve told you not to bother me unless it¡¯s absolutely necessary¡­¡± ¡°Grandmother¡¯s unwell. Could you visit her?¡± Den¡¯s voice wasced with genuine concern. Hearing of Allison¡¯s deteriorating health, Hannah inquired, ¡°What¡¯s happened to Allison?¡± Chapter 84 ¡°Juste. She¡¯s not doing well,¡± Den urged. ¡°Understood. I¡¯m on my way,¡± Hannah replied. After ending the call, she turned to Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I have an urgent matter. I¡¯ll resume Grace¡¯s treatment next week. ¡± ¡°I can give you a ride,¡± Bryson offered. Hannah shook her head. ¡°Thanks, Mr.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Mitchell. But a taxi will do. ¡± ¡°As it happens, I¡¯m headed to the office. We¡¯re going the same way,¡± Bryson insisted, grabbing his jacket and standing tall. ¡°Come on. ¡± Dazed, she nodded and trailed behind Bryson. Only when she settled into Bryson¡¯s car did it ur to her. She hadn¡¯t mentioned her destination. How had Bryson known? ¡°Fasten your seatbelt,¡± Bryson prompted. Caught in her thoughts, Hannah missed his words. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As she was about to speak, a silhouette obstructed her view. The click of a seatbelt interrupted her. As Bryson shifted the car into gear, Hannah blinked in surprise. ¡°Where to?¡± With a sense of urgency, Hannah reached for her phone and frantically essed the map. ¡°I¡¯ll use my phone to pinpoint the location!¡± Bryson, appearing rather cheerful, chuckled as he steered towards Allison¡¯s house. Soon, they reached the entrance. Outside, Den puffed on a cigarette leaning against his posh car, while Eliana stood beside him, her conversation a mystery. Hannah unbuckled her seatbelt, preparing to exit. ¡°Thanks for the ride, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Chapter 85 Bryson¡¯s eyes flickered towards Den as he replied, ¡°Let me know if you need further assistance. ¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± Hannah stepped out. Upon seeing Hannah emerge from the luxury car, Den¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Mom mentioned you¡¯d been hooking up with the rich people again. I didn¡¯t buy it until now. ¡± Eliana chimed in gently, ¡°If Miss Moore finds a worthy partner, it would be cause for celebration. Miss Moore¡¯s achievements are admirable. Teaching at Valmere¡¯s top university and attending elite charity events? I¡¯m genuinely envious. ¡± However, Den¡¯s temper red at Eliana¡¯sment. ¡°You can¡¯t learn her skills. ¡± Ignoring Den¡¯s sarcasticment, Hannah interjected, ¡°Wasn¡¯t Allison unwell? Instead of gossiping here, perhaps you should check on her?¡± With that, she proceeded towards the house, indifferent to those she left behind. Inside, a cheerful Allison engaged in conversation with her family. Catching sight of Hannah, her face lit up. ¡°Hannah! What brings you here?¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Hannah, a hint of a smile ying on her lips, took a seat beside Allison. ¡°Allison, I heard that you were not feeling well, so I rushed here to check up on you. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Allison¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Who told you that? I¡¯m perfectly fine. ¡± Across the room, Leah and Sadie remained quiet, while the uncle and nephew of the Edwards family exchanged puzzled nces. At that moment, Den entered with Eliana. ¡°Grandma. ¡± Upon seeing Eliana next to Den, Allison¡¯s displeasure was evident. ¡°Why do you bring a mistress back every time? Are you just trying to provoke me, is that it?¡± ¡°Allison. ¡± Eliana addressed Allison. ¡°We¡¯re family. I. . ¡°We are not family!¡± Clutching Hannah¡¯s hand, Allison gave Eliana an icy stare. Chapter 86 ¡°I can¡¯t be family with a mistress!¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Allison, Den¡¯s had feelings for Eliana for ages. We¡¯re practically family with her. Why can¡¯t things be easier?¡± Leah wasn¡¯t pleased hearing Allison defend Hannah. ¡°Remember, Eliana is set to be Den¡¯s wife¡­¡± ¡°I can¡¯t stand by her. Let¡¯s see who dares to support her!¡± Allison¡¯s intentions to back Hannah were clear. Eliana, tears in her eyes, murmured, ¡°If I¡¯m not wanted here, I should leave. ¡± ¡°Eliana!¡± Before she could step away, Den intervened, ¡°You have every right to be here with me. ¡± His gaze locked onto Allison¡¯s. ¡°Grandma, you know where my heart lies. I¡¯ve chosen Eliana as my wife. I can¡¯t imagine being with anyone else. ¡± A sudden thud echoed. Allison tapped her walking stick against the floor tiles, amplifying the tension in the room. ¡°So, she¡¯s your chosen one¡­ What about the sacrifices Hannah made for you? Don¡¯t you remember? That woman abandoned you, nearly shaming the Edwards family! It was Hannah who willingly stepped in and became a part of our family for your sake. ¡± Eliana¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears as she clung to Den. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Allison, circumstances forced me to leave him back then. My return wasn¡¯t for me, but for Den¡¯s happiness. If it meant he¡¯d smile again, I¡¯d willingly stay away forever,¡± she said, her voice shaking. ¡°But, Den¡¯s been miserable. I don¡¯t want anything for myself. I just want his happiness. ¡± Crying, Eliana buried herself in Den¡¯s embrace. Gently holding Eliana, Den addressed Allison. ¡°I invited Hannah over to put the past behind us. The divorce papers are ready. We¡¯ll finalize it today. ¡± Hannah, observing the pair¡¯s evident love, felt no sorrow, only irony. Their words dismissed all she¡¯d done. Was her past naivety to me? Den shot a look Hannah¡¯s way. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged a more generous settlement for you. ¡± Hannah reassured Allison with a touch before standing. ¡°Den, mywyer sent over the legally binding property agreement. It states an equal split post-marriage. If you missed it, I can resend. ¡± Chapter 87 Den had perused the document, yet he wasn¡¯t prepared to share his wealth equally. His brow furrowed, but he remained silent. Leah¡¯s anger surged. ¡°After years of marriage to my son, you¡¯re already getting a hefty settlement post-divorce. Isn¡¯t that enough? How can you be so greedy? Have you lost your mind?¡± Hannah had anticipated Leah¡¯s outrage and dismissed her reaction. Unfazed by Hannah¡¯s ims, Den replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been more than fair. Push too much and you¡¯ll regret it. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah grinned, remarking, ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. ¡± She stooped to retrieve her bag from the couch, softly advising Allison, ¡°Stay safe, Allison. If anything feels off, let someone notify me. I¡¯ll be right there. ¡± Allison, her gaze brimming with sympathy, held Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°Sweetie, if Den doesn¡¯t want you, know that I do! Regardless of your decision with him, you¡¯ll forever be my granddaughter. As long as I¡¯m alive, there will always be a ce for you in the family home. ¡± Tears welled in Hannah¡¯s eyes. Allison¡¯s unwavering love was evident. Nodding gently, she murmured, ¡°Understood. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As she departed, she didn¡¯t even spare a nce towards Den. Once outside the family residence, Hannah inhaled deeply and hailed a taxi. As she lingered near the home¡¯s roadside, Den¡¯s voice reached her ears. ¡°Must it end this way?¡± She turned to find Den unsettlingly close. Silently, she stepped back. Watching her, Den¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. She¡¯d always sought him out before, but now their roles had reversed. Annoyed, he loosened his tie and gripped Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± She jerked away, her disdain for him clear. ¡°Expect my Lawyer¡¯smunications about our divorce soon. In the meantime, leave me be!¡±? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. Chapter 88 As she boarded the taxi, Den watched, an unfamiliar unease stirring within him. His phone then interrupted his thoughts. Irritably, he answered, ¡°Yes?¡± Hiswyer¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Mr. Edwards, they¡¯ve presented evidence against you. We need to meet at the office. ¡± A short while into her ride, a message from Den popped up on Hannah¡¯s phone. It detailed a meeting at Sunshine Coffee the next day to discuss their divorce terms. After scanning the message, she turned off her phone without responding. She yearned to finalize matters with Den and sever ties. As the sun rose on the second day, Hannah woke up early and made ns with herwyer to meet at the cafe Den had mentioned. They arrived slightly ahead of schedule, finding the cafe empty. As they settled near a window, about thirty minutes ticked by. Just as Hannah¡¯s patience thinned and she contemted messaging Den, Leah and Eliana walked in. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ There was no sign of Den, but Eliana cheerfully greeted Hannah before joining Leah opposite them. ¡°Miss Moore, Den¡¯s tied up with work today, so Leah and I are here in his ce. ¡± Hannah¡¯s response was frosty. ¡°We¡¯re leaving, Mr. Brown. ¡± ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Leah shot a stern look at Hannah. ¡°Do you intend to leave when you figure out you can¡¯t seduce my son here?¡± Hannah retorted, ¡°My divorce is with him, not you. What business do you have here? Can you sign the papers in his stead?¡± Leah, unustomed to such defiance, and still seething from a previous public humiliation by Hannah, mmed the table, eximing, ¡°Just so you know, I¡¯m not as tolerant as Den. Sign those papers and be done with the Edwards family!¡± ¡°Just so you know, I want nothing to do with the Edwards family,¡± Hannah countered. Simultaneously, thewyer slid two copies of the paperwork across the table to the duo seated opposite. ¡°Review the papers. If all is well, I believe my client is ready to finalize the divorce with Mr. Edwards. ¡± Eliana meticulously went through the divorce papers, then quietly set them down without uttering a word.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Upon examining the agreement, Leah¡¯s temper red. She mmed the papers onto the table, her face a mask of rage. Chapter 89 ¡°You intend to take half of my son¡¯s assets and stock? Think again. Thewyer collected the papers withposure, remarking, ¡°My client¡¯s ims are detailed in the paperwork. Should you have concerns, seeking legal counsel is an option. ¡± ¡°And who might you be? To address us so boldly?¡± Leah sneered at thewyer with arrogance. ¡°You believe this paper grants you rights to my son¡¯s wealth? Do you assume the Edwards family can be so easily defeated? Are you aware of our standing in Valmere? My son could easily brush aside people Like you. ¡± Gently patting Leah¡¯s arm, Eliana tried to soothe her. ¡°Leah, let¡¯s stay calm. Perhaps Miss Moore isn¡¯t familiar with the Edwards family¡¯s reputation in Valmere. She¡¯s been mostly homebound, managing household affairs. ¡± Leah¡¯s gaze grew even more scornful. ¡°To my son, you¡¯re nothing more than a housekeeper he¡¯s employed.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Did you truly believe he ever cared for you? Den neverid a hand on you after the wedding! Even letting someone as audacious as you revel in the Edwards family¡¯s wealth has been an act of charity. ¡± Hannah retorted with a smirk, ¡°If you ask me, it¡¯s your treasured son who struggles with s@xual dysfunction. ¡± Hearing that, Leah seethed, ¡°What did you just said? You bitch! How dare you insult my son?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Languidly reclining in her chair, Hannah shot Leah an amused nce, teasing, ¡°Struck a nerve, did 1?¡± ¡°Miss Moore, a touch of respect might be in order. After all, she is your elder¡­¡± Before Eliana could finish, Hannah raised her hand, cutting her off. ¡°She¡¯s your elder, not mine. I don¡¯t recognize such a demanding elder. ¡± Upon realizing she couldn¡¯t sway Hannah, Leah shifted her focus to thewyer, her voice threatening. ¡°Mark my words, if you dare help this woman, the Edwards family will ensure you never find peace in Valmere. ¡± Thewyer, however, appeared unflustered. He replied with a gracious smile, ¡°Mrs. Edwards, our primary duty aswyers is to defend our clients¡¯ rights and interests. I¡¯m aware of the Edwards family¡¯s influence in Valmere, but thew remains paramount to any individual¡¯s status. ¡± His words clearly conveyed his unwavering support for Hannah. Years of Leah¡¯s dominance in Valmere had made direct confrontations with her rare. Yet, with her divorce from Den, Hannah¡¯s demeanor had shifted. Her audacity reflected even in her choice ofwyer. Leah¡¯s patience snapped. She pointed usingly at Hannah. ¡°Thinking of splitting the property with my son? Dream on! I¡¯ll fight it as long as I breathe!¡± Hannah responded calmly, ¡°Then take it to court. We shouldn¡¯t waste time. Unlike you, every minute counts for me. ¡± Signaling herwyer, she prepared to depart. Chapter 90 Leah¡¯s temper red, her eyes shing with fury at Hannah¡¯s evident disdain. Her entire frame quivered with rage. Noticing this, Eliana slid a coffee cup toward Leah, seemingly attempting to soothe her. ¡°Leah, calm down. Stress isn¡¯t good for you. I care about your wellbeing. ¡± But seeing the coffee only fueled Leah¡¯s fury. She grabbed the cup, intent on hurling it at Hannah. Quick as a sh, Hannah seized Leah¡¯s wrist, causing the coffee to drench Leah instead. Releasing Leah¡¯s wrist, Hannah¡¯s eyes locked onto the older woman¡¯s coffee-soaked form, and her voice was icy. ¡°I might have been lenient before, out of respect, but it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m a pushover. Lose control again and next time it won¡¯t just be coffee. ¡± The coffee sshed across Leah¡¯s meticulously applied makeup, staining her expensive outfit and ruining the elegance of her look. The liquid seeped into her attire, making her appear disheveled. Caught off guard, Leah stood frozen, the coffee dripping through her hair, her anger momentarily forgotten. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana¡¯s hair too was dampened by the stray sshes. But instead of worrying over her own mess, she hurriedly grabbed a_ tissue, attempting to clean Leah¡¯s stained face and outfit. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡­¡± Eliana began. But Hannah, apanied by thewyer, had breezed past without a hint of acknowledgment. Back to her senses, Leah shouted, ¡°Hannah Moore! Stop! How dare you do this to me!¡± Amidst sharp screams and angry voices, Hannah and thewyer exited the cafe. ¡°Mr. Brown, I never anticipated this happening today. Thank you. ¡± ¡°It was my pleasure, Miss Moore. ¡± With papers in hand, Gerry stated seriously, ¡°Mr. Mitchell directed me to handle your issue thoroughly. The evidence is all here. If you choose to pursue awsuit, I¡¯m confident we¡¯ll win. ¡± ¡°Thank you again, Mr. Brown. ¡± Afterwards, Hannah took a taxi back to school due to her afternoon sses. After her lessons, as Hannah left the ssroom, she activated her phone and noticed a missed call from an unfamiliar number.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Oddly enough, the same unknown number rang just as she powered on her device. ¡°Hello?¡± Chapter 91 The moment Hannah picked up, an agitated voice rang out. ¡°Hannah! How dare you! How could you drench my mother with coffee?¡± Recognizing Den¡¯s voice, Hannah promptly ended the call. As she was about to store her phone, it rang again with Den¡¯s persistence. Answering once more, she responded icily, ¡°Is the Edwards Group going bankrupt? Have you resorted to scam calls now?¡± Caught off guard by her sharp remark, Den stuttered momentarily. Hearing his silence, Hannah bluntly said, ¡°I¡¯m ending this call. ¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Den hesitated, then added, ¡°We need to discuss our divorce terms. ¡± With a mocking edge, Hannah retorted, ¡°Why bother? Your family made their stance clear today. Go ahead and sue. ¡± ¡°Yes, she was wrong today. But she¡¯s still my mother. Why did you. . Den¡¯s chastising tone was abruptly cut off by Hannah. She promptly blocked his new number. From that point on, Den tried reaching out from different numbers, but Hannah consistently blocked him without hesitation.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. It became clear to Den that Hannah was avoiding him, and he ceased his attempts over the next few days. ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ On a Friday evening, after taking a shower, Hannah nned to text and check on Grace¡¯s health. However, Bryson beat her to it. Bryson¡¯s soothing voice greeted her. ¡°Miss Moore, do you have a moment?¡± ¡°I was just about to inquire about Grace¡¯s well-being, and then you called. ¡± There was a hint of amusement in Bryson¡¯s response. ¡°Grace is getting better, thanks to Miss Moore¡¯s magic hand. ¡± His voice seemed to lift the weight off Hannah¡¯s shoulders, and she chuckled, ¡°That¡¯s great news. It looks like she can proceed with her physical therapy session tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Earlier today, Grace mentioned she spotted you at school. She wished she¡¯d chosen clinical medicine so she might¡¯ve been your student. ¡± Recalling the shimmer in Grace¡¯s eyes and her yful yet adorable demeanor, Hannah broke into a smile. ¡°Maybe if I give her a few more shots, she¡¯d start fearing me. ¡± ¡°No, Grace is eagerly waiting for you to visit the family house tomorrow and keep herpany. ¡± Chapter 92 Perhaps it was Grace¡¯s improved health that had Bryson talking more than he usually did that day. Hannah, listening intently, asionally chimed in. Bryson rose and approached the French window in his room. Clutching his phone, he gazed out into the night, the smile in his eyes growing more profound as he listened to the steady breathing on the other end. The sound of her ringtone woke Hannah from her sleep. Groggy, she reached for her phone and mumbled, ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Hannah,e shopping with me today. Gi¡¯s releasing some exclusive bags, and I¡¯ve got my eye on a few. Need your advice on picking. ¡± The excitement in Lydia¡¯s voice was palpable. Hannah rolled over, forcing her eyes open. ¡°Can¡¯t make it this morning. I¡¯ve a visit scheduled at the Mitchell residence for Mr. Mitchell¡¯s sister. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tag along! Once you¡¯re done, we can head to the store directly!¡± Hannah was left without words. Ending the call, Hannah skimmed throughst night¡¯s call records. She jolted upright in realization. In the midst of her conversation with Bryson, she fell asleep! Checking the duration of the call with Bryson, it showed 40 minutes. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Holding her head in her hands, her hair cascading down her shoulders, a blush crept up her face. When had she fallen asleep? Had she mumbled anything? Why hadn¡¯t Bryson ended the call? The feeling of shame deepened upon seeing Bryson at his house. She was so red-faced she couldn¡¯t even muster the courage to nce at him. Grace, sensing Hannah¡¯s difort, whispered, ¡°Did you and my brother have a disagreement?¡± ¡°No. ¡± While checking Grace¡¯s blood pressure, Hannah¡¯s hand twitched, betraying her unease. ¡°My brother¡¯s clueless, Hannah,¡± Grace murmured, tugging at her sleeve. ¡°If he upset you, just let me know. I¡¯ll set him straight!¡± Observing Grace¡¯s expression, Hannah yfully pinched her cheek. The embarrassment waned a bit. ¡°I¡¯m not upset, really. ¡± ¡°Why would you be?¡± Holding a warm ss of water, Bryson ced it before Hannah and continued, ncing into her eyes, ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Caught off guard, Hannah¡¯s gaze locked with Bryson¡¯s, feeling a twinge of unease. She blinked, trying to dispel the awkwardness.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just Grace being yful. ¡± Lifting his hand to pat Grace¡¯s head, Bryson gave Hannah a reassuring smile. ¡°Grace dislikes pain. Kindly look after her. ¡± Chapter 93 This genuine gesture eased Hannah¡¯s anxiety. She remembered their call from the previous night and hoped she hadn¡¯t acted too out of character. Afterpleting two hours of physical therapy, Hannah said her goodbyes to Bryson and Grace. Exiting, she spotted Lydia¡¯s crimson Porsche awaiting her. Wearing a seductive ck dress and impable makeup, Lydia beckoned as she caught sight of Hannah. ¡°Come on, Hannah!¡± Once Hannah was seated, Lydia elerated, reaching the downtown Gi store in mere minutes. Stepping inside, Lydia wasted no time, instructing the attendant to bring over a special edition bucket bag. Turning to Hannah, she inquired, ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°The bag¡¯s aesthetics are quite pleasing. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze settled on a butterfly-patterned bag with grid markings. Addressing the salesperson, she said, ¡°May I see that bag?¡± But before she could proceed, a soft voice interjected from behind, ¡°I¡¯d like to purchase that bag. ¡± Hannah turned around, noticing Eliana in a flowing white silk gown, standing next to Den, her smile gentle. ¡°Miss Moore?¡± Eliana raised an eyebrow in surprise, then grinned. ¡°Fancy meeting you here.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. Are you shopping for bags too?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Den hadn¡¯t anticipated seeing Hannah in this ce. Remembering how she¡¯d ignored his calls days prior, a hint of annoyance flickered in his eyes. He simply stared at Hannah without uttering a word. The previously indifferent saleswoman shifted to a warm and weing demeanor upon seeing Den and his group. ¡°Mr. Edwards, Miss Edwards, wee. I¡¯ll have the VIP room prepared immediately. Please follow me. ¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± With her arms crossed, Sadie strode over to Hannah, sizing her up with a scornful look. Her distaste was clear upon seeing Hannah¡¯sid-back attire. Facing Hannah directly, Sadie remarked with a mocking tone, ¡°Eliana, you give her too much credit. How can she afford bags from here?¡± Eliana approached Sadie and, ncing at Hannah, offered kindly, ¡°Miss Moore, if there¡¯s a bag you fancy, I can have Den gift it to you. ¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Hannah responded, her smile undiminished. Eliana was taken aback by Hannah¡¯s response. Just as she was about toment, Hannah turned and pointed to a bag disyed at the back. ¡°I¡¯ll take that one. Wrap it up. ¡± The saleswoman stepped forward, retrieving the bag. ¡°You¡¯ve got an eye, Miss. This is a new, limited edition piece for our store this season. After applying the discount¡­¡± Chapter 94 As the saleswoman tapped on her phone, calcting the total, she finally looked up, offering a genuine smile to Den. ¡°Thates to 2 million 50 thousand. Will that be on a card?¡± Sadie gasped, ¡°2 million 5@ thousand for a bag? Are you out of your mind?¡± The saleswoman maintained her pleasant expression, rifying for Sadie. ¡°This is a unique, limited-edition piece for the season. Only twenty exist globally, and this is our store¡¯s only piece, Miss Edwards. ¡± With a raised brow, Hannah interjected, ¡°You can process the payment now. ¡± ¡°And why should we cover your expense?¡± Sadie regarded Hannah with an air of superiority. ¡°Eliana, your generosity sometimes backfires. Some might exploit it to push their boundaries!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions, Sadie. Miss Moore might not even want to use the limited edition. She could always sell itter. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s clearly looking to get a bag from you and make a quick buck. How despicable!¡± Sadie scoffed. ALL the while, Den merely observed, making no move to defend Hannah, permitting Sadie¡¯s derisivements. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°And who exactly are you calling despicable?¡± Lydia¡¯s sharp voice cut through from the sidelines. Earlier, while Hannah browsed, Lydia had ventured into the VIP area, selecting a few newly-released outfits. Emerging to witness her friend being belittled, fury red in her eyes. ¡°Sadie, mind your words! Whatever Hannah desires, I¡¯ll get for her. Do you honestly believe we value your cheap gifts?¡± The Phillips and Edwards families were equally influential in Valmere. Due to her familial ties, Sadie didn¡¯t fear Lydia and retorted with a sneer, ¡°For a daughter of the Phillips family, you sure stoop low to associate with suchmoners. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Hannah halted her friend and retrieved a ck card from her purse.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡°Today, I¡¯m buying every bag in this store. ¡± Eliana, seeing the ck card, blinked in surprise and then voiced her concerns. ¡°Miss Moore, this is going to be incredibly pricey. Are you sure the cardholder knows about this? I¡¯m concerned¡­¡± Chapter 95 Without hesitating, Hannah handed the SVIP card to the nearby sales associate and announced, ¡°I¡¯ll settle the bill now. ¡± Realizing the importance of the card, the saleswoman grasped it carefully and responded, ¡°One moment, please. ¡± Sadie sneered, ¡°Is that even real? I didn¡¯t even know such a card existed here. Still trying to impress, Hannah?¡± Before Sadie could continue, the cashier had already processed the payment and inquired politely, ¡°Pardon me, are you Miss Moore?¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°Yes. ¡± ¡°Understood, Miss Moore. ¡± The cashier ryed, ¡°Currently, your card holds 3. 2 million points. Your total today is 14 million. I¡¯ll tally up the points for you. ¡± ¡°Selena, Linda, assist Miss Moore with her purchases!¡± The once serene store ambiance shifted dramatically as the staff hustled about. Sadie, in disbelief, used, ¡°This can¡¯t be happening! Did you hire someone to y along, Hannah?¡± Hannah met Sadie¡¯s gaze indifferently, remarking, ¡°Sometimes, Sadie, I genuinely question your intelligence. ¡± ¡°Enough is enough, Hannah,¡± Den chimed in with a scowl. shing a smile, Hannah stated, ¡°I¡¯d rather not encounter these individuals here again. Could they be cklisted?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Certainly not an issue,¡± the saleswoman confirmed, showing utmost respect to Hannah. ¡°We¡¯ll remove these VIP memberships from our database and cklist them permanently, Miss Moore. ¡± Fuming, Sadie retorted, ¡°What do you mean? How dare you stand against the Edwards family for her? I demand to speak to your manager!¡± The saleswoman calmly replied, ¡°Miss Edwards, no need for the manager. Miss Moore holds a significant status here. Even our highest executives respect her wishes. ¡± Den appeared taken aback, gazing at Hannah as if seeing her for the first time. While Sadie readied another tirade, Den gestured for her to stay silent. Softening, he suggested to Hannah, ¡°Can we discuss this? Why the hostility the moment we cross paths?¡± Hannah replied coldly, ¡°You initiated the hostility. If there¡¯s an issue, contact mywyer. I¡¯m busy. Lydia, we¡¯re leaving. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll offer you one percent of Edwards Group¡¯s shares. Can we please talk?¡± Den proposed. ¡°Why would you offer her one percent of the stock?¡± Sadie¡¯s shout pierced the room. She owned just five percent. Why this bitch?!! Hannah nced back at Den with a smirk. ¡°Only one percent? If my memory serves me right, once the assets are assessed, I stand to gain twenty percent, correct?¡± Chapter 96 ¡°Unbelievable! Why do you think you deserve a piece of our family¡¯s fortune?¡± Sadie shouted. Clearly, Hannah had no intention to engage in this debate. She turned and left the store with Lydia. They hadn¡¯t gone far when Den and a few others approached them. ¡°Hannah!¡± With a somber look, Den reached out to Hannah.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I¡¯ll grant you three percent of the stock. Also, the assets under both our names are yours. ¡± Sadie clenched her jaw, saying, ¡°Happy now? My brother¡¯s offering you three percent! Isn¡¯t that enough? You were never meant to have any of it! Only because of my brother¡¯s generosity and your intimidation tactics are you getting anything!¡± Hannah paused and faced Den. ¡°Mr. Edwards, wasn¡¯t it due to our marriage that Allison transferred those shares to you? It seems that I was the reason you got that 40% in the first ce. ¡± Remembering Allison¡¯s words during the share transfer, Den¡¯s face shifted. ¡°You think offering three percent is enough to push me away? If I can im 20%, why would I need your pity? I never take what¡¯s not mine. But I¡¯ll stand my ground for what is. ¡± Eliana, with a mournful look, clutched Den¡¯s arm. ¡°Miss Moore, I believed you two were deeply in love and wouldn¡¯t let money tear you apart. How could you hurt Den over wealth?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah responded evenly to Eliana, ¡°Considering our past, isn¡¯t that bond worth 20% of the shares? You think 20% is a huge amount?¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s mere money. I might not need it, but I won¡¯t let it slip from my grasp. ¡± Eliana¡¯s eyes welled up, seemingly hurt by Hannah¡¯s words. Den, seeing Eliana upset, cast a reproachful nce at Hannah. ¡°What¡¯s be of you, Hannah? I¡¯m truly disheartened. I intended to be more generous, even after our divorce. I never imagined it woulde to this. ¡± Hannah shot back with a smirk, ¡°I¡¯ll see you in court. ¡± Observing Hannah¡¯s resolve, Den felt unsettled. Hiswyer had mentioned that Hannah¡¯s chances of winning were quite high, and they were at a distinct disadvantage. The idea of relinquishing 20% of the stock, not to mention several properties and luxury cars, was hard for Den to stomach. ¡°Hannah, remember how kind Grandma was to you? Do you really want to break her heart over this?¡± With a softer voice, Den added, ¡°Thest thing we want is for her to learn of this and fall ill, right?¡± Chapter 97 Hannah gave Den an icy stare. But before she could retort, her phone rang from her bag. She answered it, hearing Bryson¡¯s usually calm voice tinged with worry. ¡°Grace finished eating and now she¡¯s feeling light-headed. Our family doctor checked on her and her blood pressure is dangerously high. She needs to be hospitalized right away. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow creased with concern. ¡°Don¡¯t move her. I¡¯m on my way. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah told Lydia, ¡°I need to return immediately. Grace isn¡¯t doing well. I fear for her safety!¡± ¡°We should leave right away!¡± Quickly, Lydia moved towards the car. Sadie confronted Hannah. ¡°You can¡¯t leave. You owe us an exnation today!¡± With a chilling stare, Hannah replied If anything happens to my patient because of you, you¡¯ll regret it Sadie felt a shiver. The iciness in Hannah¡¯s eyes was something she had never seen before. Momentarily hesitating, she let go. Only after Hannah departed did Sadie erupt in anger. ¡°Den! I halted her for you.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Why didn¡¯t you defend me?¡± Already troubled by Hannah¡¯s attitude, Den¡¯s patience wore thin when Sadie pressed. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You were the one who confronted her. Why would she back down? Just continue with your shopping. I¡¯m leaving. ¡± The brother who once pampered her had recently shown impatience, leaving Sadie teary-eyed. ¡°ALL I did was for you. How could you berate me over an outsider?¡± From the side, Eliana tried consoling Sadie, ¡®¡±Den¡¯s just distressed. He didn¡¯t mean tosh out at you. It¡¯s not your fault. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s all because of Hannah! If not for her, today would have been different!¡± Rage ignited in Sadie¡¯s gaze. ¡°Someday, I¡¯ll make her pay and see if she dares to cross me again. ¡± Upon reaching the Mitchell family residence, Hannah found Grace in her room, looking a touch better but still quite pale. After a brief consultation with the family doctor, Hannah understood Grace¡¯s state. Despite receiving medication, Grace¡¯s blood pressure remained high. Suspecting low blood oxygen, Hannah had a pulse oximeter ced on Grace¡¯s finger. The reading showed a dangerous 88%, well below the healthy 94%. ¡°Bring an oxygen tank now. Her oxygen level is critically low. She needs oxygen immediately!¡± The nurses, apanying the family doctor, promptly fetched an oxygen cylinder. Once Grace was administered oxygen, her condition visibly improved. Chapter 98 Relieved, Hannah inquired of the doctor, ¡°Did you check for allergens before my arrival?¡± Pausing, the doctor admitted, ¡°Considering Miss Mitchell only had elevated blood pressure without allergic symptoms, we didn¡¯t. ¡± ¡°Run the test,¡± Hannah said with a crease in her brow. To her, Grace¡¯s sudden ailment could only point to an acute allergic reaction. The doctor, unfamiliar with Hannah and perhaps judging by her youthful appearance, sought validation from Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± ¡°Just do it,¡± Bryson instructed. With Bryson¡¯s nod, the doctor promptly had a nurse draw a blood sample from Grace for testing. Now that Grace was temporarily stabilized, Hannah rxed, leaning on a wall and looking exhausted. Bryson quickly said, ¡°Thank you. I regret disrupting your day out with your friend. ¡± Hannah, looking up, responded with a sincere smile, ¡°Grace¡¯s well- being is more important. Given her symptoms of allergies, I feared the worst if I had been anyter. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Allergies?¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow. ¡°We always choose Grace¡¯s meals carefully. ¡± Hannah reassured Bryson. ¡°The trigger might not be food. Once the results are in, I¡¯ll investigate for Grace. ¡± Soon after, the results were in. The family doctor, holding the report, approached with a respectful look towards Hannah. ¡°Thisdy guessed right. Miss Mitchell indeed had an allergic reaction. ¡± He handed the report to Hannah. ¡°She¡¯s allergic to peanuts. ¡± Reading the report, Hannah saw a 90% likelihood of a peanut allergy, but her brow furrowed.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯d like to speak with the nanny. It¡¯s odd that Grace consumed peanuts. ¡± Bryson immediately signaled the butler to summon Gail, the nanny. Upon learning that Grace¡¯s recent reaction was due to a peanut allergy, Gail eximed, ¡°We¡¯re well aware of Miss Mitchell¡¯s allergy. We never include peanuts in her meals! This is a first in years!¡± Observing that Gail appeared sincere, Hannah paused, then inquired, ¡°Outside of the meals you prepare, does Grace eat anything else?¡± Chapter 99 Gail pondered and then shook her head. ¡°Miss Mitchell is always cautious. She doesn¡¯t consume food from outside. ¡± If Grace hadn¡¯t consumed peanuts, the report wouldn¡¯t indicate an allergy. While discussing, a nurse emerged from Grace¡¯s room. ¡°Miss Mitchell is awake and wishes to see Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah nced at Bryson, and upon his nod, she headed to Grace¡¯s room. There, Gracey on the bed, her pale face adorned with a faint smile. ¡°Hannah, thank you for your concern¡­¡± Gently patting Grace¡¯s head, Hannah replied, ¡°It¡¯s no trouble. Grace, did you consume anything with peanuts?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I had regr food and then felt unwell¡­¡± Despite her frailty, Grace answered Hannah earnestly. She paused, blinking, then said with gravity, ¡°Besides Gail¡¯s dishes, I did have some cakes today. They were desserts from Wilders Cake Shop, a gift from my aunt when she visited with her daughter. I adore them. After my meal, I ate a couple. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Realizing the potential source, Hannah swiftly acted. ¡°Rest up. I¡¯ll inspect these cakes.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. ¡± Hannah handed over the cakes to Bryson. ¡°They might be the cause, Mr. Mitchell. Perhaps have someone examine the ingredients. ¡± ¡°Thanks. Allow me to escort you out. ¡± epting the cakes, Bryson observed Hannah. She gestured dismissively. ¡°A friend is picking me up. No need to worry. ¡± As she was leaving, she added, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, if anything happens to Grace, reach out. I¡¯m always reachable. ¡± He looked slightly taken aback, then responded with a smile, ¡°Will do. ¡± On Monday, upon reaching her office, Zayn greeted Hannah with paperwork. ¡°Miss Moore, my students have health checks today. But I¡¯m engaged elsewhere. Could you escort them to the school clinic?¡± Hannah skimmed her schedule, noting her free morning. Taking the papers, she said, ¡°Sure, I¡¯m free this morning anyway. Chapter 100 Hannah walked into clinical medicine¡¯s ss 2, papers in hand, and immediately, murmurs spread among the students. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the gorgeous instructor from ss 3? Wow, she¡¯s stunning! I knew you guys weren¡¯t exaggerating!¡± ¡°See, I told you to join me in her ss once, but you refused. ¡± ¡°I saw her in the cafeteria once. She¡¯s genuinely breathtaking!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah, unaware of their chatter, simply lowered her gaze to the papers and announced, ¡°Those I call out, please form a line outside. I¡¯ll escort you to the school clinic for your health check. ¡± By chance, when they reached the clinic, it was packed with students from another department still undergoing their checks. They found themselves at the back of a growing queue. The students ahead kept stealing nces at Hannah, their discussions growing louder. ¡°Who¡¯s that? Do we really have such an attractive teacher?¡± ¡°She seems sophisticated. Could she be from the art department? Some of their faculty are quite stunning. ¡± Recognizing Hannah, a student whispered, ¡°No, she¡¯s our new teacher in the clinical medicine department! The dean spoke highly of her recently. ¡± ¡°I remember now! Saw a blurry photo of her on the school board. She¡¯s even more beautiful in person!¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t she get this job due to some connections? Looks aren¡¯t everything. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°True, but she wouldn¡¯t just be handed a clinical medicine teaching position solely because of that, right?¡± The students whispered among themselves with evident excitement.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. As Sadie exited the school clinic, snippets of their conversation reached her ears, causing her to nce over her shoulder. Upon spotting Hannah, Sadie clenched her teeth in anger. A mention of the school forum caught her ear and an unsavory thought crossed her mind. By midday, before the student health checks concluded, the school¡¯s online forum was buzzing with activity. A post quickly garnered attention. It showcased a candid picture of Hannah, leaning against a wall. Her long hair cascaded onto her chest, her head modestly tilted, looking stunning. Yet, the apanying caption was less than ttering. ¡°Check this out! Rumor has it that the newest instructor of clinical medicine ss 3 used her connections to secure her spot. Just look at this photo for proof. ¡± Below the text was another picture. It depicted Hannah getting out of a shy red Porsche at the school¡¯s entrance. Chapter 101 The post¡¯s author added more fuel to the fire, writing, ¡°Word on the street is that she doesn¡¯t even have a college degree. Yet, here she is, teaching at our school. Suspicious, right? Moreover, insiders im her personal life is a mess. They say she has a penchant for mingling with wealthy men, using them for her own gains. Halliday University is renowned in Valmere. Is this the kind of faculty they think we deserve? Anyone else find this absurd?¡± Comments from students flowed in rapidly. ¡°Is this for real? This is juicy! Spill more!¡± ¡°Unbelievable! Seriously? Damn it! How on earth is she fit to teach here? I¡¯m baffled!¡± ¡°I once thought she was this ethereal beauty. Never imagined she¡¯d be so¡­ flirtatious. ¡± The individual who shared this post keptmenting, leading its poprity to soar instantly. Many others soon chimed in with their own discussions. Comments supporting Hannah quickly got lost amidst the gossip frenzy. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Have you heard? She apparently tricked the CEO of the Edwards family into marrying her, keeping him from his true love. Rumor has it she¡¯s also trying to take half of the Edwards family fortune. Once a housewife who¡¯s capable of nothing but asking for money, now she ys the part of the virtuous teacher at school. ¡± When thisment went up, the views shot up beyond ten thousand, with reposts in the thousands. Thement count skyrocketed in mere moments. ¡°I never imagined she¡¯d be that kind of person! How does someone without a college degreend a teaching job at our school? What was the dean thinking?¡± An anonymous usershed out, oozing arrogance in the forum. Anothermented with doubt, ¡°You¡¯re making ims without proof. A few secretive photos, and you fabricate stories?¡± ¡°Exactly. We¡¯re college students. Let¡¯s use our heads. Spreading gossip based on a few photos is reckless, don¡¯t you think?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Why defend her so passionately? Did she send you? How much do you get paid per post? I¡¯d like to earn that way too. ¡± The forum was abuzz with talk. Screenshots even found their way to social media, making it a trending topic.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. The headline? It was ¡°A new teacher at Halliday University who reportedly got the job through connections!¡± The post caught the eyes of many, quickly being shared far and wide. Some even reached out to Halliday University¡¯s official ount for rity. Unbeknownst to Hannah, she was the talk of the town. As she walked with students post their physical exams, she noted the murmurs around her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± A few students, seemingly reluctant to share, were ushered away. They simply shook their heads in response. Hannah sensed something was amiss but didn¡¯t push. After ensuring the students were back in ss, she returned to her office. That¡¯s when Grace appeared. She knocked and entered. Seeing Grace, Hannah expressed surprise. Chapter 102 ¡°Grace? Why are you here now? Is everything alright?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Grace¡¯s face showed concern. ¡°Hannah, have you seen the school forum?¡± ¡°I rarely check it. Why?¡± Grace handed her phone to Hannah. ¡°Somebody¡¯s spewing nonsense on there. The post¡¯s gone viral. I tried getting it removed but the admin wouldn¡¯t! They¡¯re so spiteful!¡± Hannah skimmed the forum post on Grace¡¯s phone, offering a soft smile ¡°Baseless rumors, Grace. Don¡¯t let it get to you. ¡± ¡°People online are iming you leveraged connections to get this position!¡± Anguish was evident on Grace¡¯s face, her eyes moistening. ¡°Why tarnish your name with such lies? This is way out of line!¡± Seeing Grace on the verge of tears, Hannah soothed her. ¡°I¡¯m okay, really. Those online bullies will get what¡¯sing to them.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She gazed at Grace¡¯s innocent face and offered, ¡°How about dinner at my ce tonight?¡± ¡°Sounds great!¡± Grace¡¯s eyes lit up at the invitation. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since I dined at your house. Mind if I bring my brother along?¡± ¡°Absolutely. I¡¯ll cook a few extra dishes. See you both tonight. ¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Hannah seemed to brush off the online bacsh effortlessly. As dinner neared readiness, Grace showed up, but without Bryson. ¡°Where¡¯s Mr. Mitchell?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow in surprise as Grace arrived alone. Grace made a pouty face and clung to Hannah¡¯s arm, behaving like a spoiled child. ¡°My brother dropped me off and had to rush to a crucial business meeting. ¡± Chuckling, Hannah teased, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to drive you hometer. ¡± Chapter 103 ¡°Okay!¡± Grace nodded in agreement. While dining, Grace sneakily perused the online forum on her phone. Suddenly, she dropped her fork, herplexion ashen. Hannah felt something was amiss. With a concerned expression, she took Grace¡¯s phone and read the forum¡¯s content. The recentment had been added by the original poster. An unmistakable covert picture was attached. It captured Bryson holding open the car door for Grace at the entrance of amunity. Another image showed Hannah walking into the samemunity. ¡°These images tell the whole story. There¡¯s no need for words. This is an upscale neighborhood. How could she afford it? She¡¯s obviously with a wealthy man. Where¡¯s the person who wanted proof now?¡± Comments flooded in. ¡°She¡¯s a gold digger! I knew it! She seemed shady from the start!¡± ¡°I defended her earlier today. This is so disappointing!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t the girl Mr. Mitchell¡¯s sibling? Perhaps they¡¯re just acquaintances. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll put my head on the line. She¡¯s absolutely a gold digger. ¡± With a sigh, Hannah closed the school forum. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Grace, don¡¯t let this get to you. Ignore theirments. ¡± Tears welled up in Grace¡¯s eyes. ¡°Had I not visited you today, they wouldn¡¯t have had a reason to badmouth you. It¡¯s my fault¡­¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°It¡¯s not on you. They¡¯d find another reason to spread rumors, even without your visit. ¡± Grace looked earnestly at Hannah. ¡°Let my brother assist you. ¡± ¡°No. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes twinkled with determination. ¡°I¡¯ve got this. ¡± That evening, inte chatter grew even more intense. Hannah¡¯s personal social media profile was unveiled, attracting countless visitors. She had shared three posts in total in the past, each being flooded by thousands of disparagingments. Chapter 104 Soon after, Lydia rang her. After a pause, Lydia remarked, ¡°You¡¯re trending, Hannah. ¡± ¡°Did you mean the articles shared online?¡± Hannah replied. With a hint of frustration, Lydia remarked, ¡°Have youe across those articles? I was thinking of asking someone to take down the trending topic. Clearly, these baseless stories were crafted to tarnish your reputation! I noticed people sharing screenshots of your school¡¯s forum. Who¡¯s behind all this?¡± Knowing Lydia was concerned, Hannah felt a bit more uplifted. ¡°I¡¯ve figured out who¡¯s behind the rumors. No need to take down the trend.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. In fact, I¡¯d appreciate if you could help boost my presence even more. ¡± ¡°ihat?¡± From the other end, Lydia¡¯s voice wasced with bewilderment. ¡°Why would you want that?¡± After an extended chat, Hannah ended the call. A faint smile graced her lips upon seeing her name trending. If Sadie desired for the inte to loathe her, Hannah would dly grant that wish, hoping Sadie wouldn¡¯t rue this decision. Predictably, the next day¡¯s top trend revolved around a Halliday University educator allegedly securing a position through questionable methods. Hannah¡¯s social feed was awash with gossip, racking up over 50, 000ments and surpassing 200, 00@ shares. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Before Hannah could delve into thements, her phone rang. It was Bryson. Why would he call her now? Hannah inquired, ¡°Is Grace alright?¡± ¡°Grace filled me in on the online situation. I regret not catching it earlier. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice conveyed warmth and sincerity. Hannah, taken aback, responded, ¡°Why are you apologizing? It¡¯s not your fault that others are spreading lies. ¡± ¡°If I hadn¡¯t sent Grace to your apartmentst night, they wouldn¡¯t have had the opportunity to covertly snap those photos. ¡± Bryson¡¯s tone was gentle, yet his demeanor seemed stern. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this situation. Rest easy. ¡± However, Hannah firmly countered, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, there¡¯s no need for you to intervene. If this negatively impacts you as well, then I¡¯d be the one feeling guilty. I¡¯ve uncovered the mastermind of this smear campaign. It¡¯s not the right moment to unmask her. ¡± Bryson paused briefly before saying, ¡°If you ever need assistance, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out. ¡± ¡°I appreciate that, Mr. Mitchell. Thank you. ¡± The gossip frenzy churned non-stop for the day, amplifying the controversy across digital tforms. Chapter 105 Upon arriving at work, Hannah was summoned to the principal¡¯s chambers where a group of agitated parents were moring for her dismissal. The principal handled the matter fairly. He presented documents indicating the school¡¯s recruitment of Hannah, as well as numerous des she had received both domestically and internationally. ¡°Miss Moore is indeed a teacher we hired specifically due to her merits, and her academic achievements during her studies were unparalleled. While abroad, she secured an advanced medical license. She has performed many intricate and high-profile surgeries, including some that garnered significant attention. ¡± the principal added, Handing over the files to the assembled parents ¡°I¡¯m sure some of these procedures ring a bell. ¡± One of those surgeries notably saved the life of a high-ranking politician critically injured in a shooting overseas. Beyond that, she confidentially operated on a renowned billionaire who, despite a terminal diagnosis, fully recovered post-surgery. His remarkable recovery became an online sensation, bolstering his influence. However, the head of the disgruntled parents appeared skeptical of Hannah¡¯s achievements. He skeptically sized Hannah up, remarking, ¡°If she¡¯s truly that skilled, why is she teaching here?¡± With a courteous smile, the principal responded, ¡°Imparting knowledge has always been one of Miss Moore¡¯s passions. She wishes to share her vast practical knowledge to aid more people. She may not hold a formal university degree, but we¡¯ve kept her academic records here as an exception. She¡¯s earned her ce here based on merit, contributing significantly to both our institution and the nation. She returned this time to continue her studies, aiming for her graduation certificate and doctorate. ¡± Taken aback by the principal¡¯s assertions, the parent leader seemed at a loss for words. The other parents, sensing their own embarrassment, murmured amongst themselves, contemting an exit. Defensively, the parent leader challenged, ¡°Shecks a graduation certificate! That means she neverpleted college! You¡¯ve misled us! We demand an apology, or this won¡¯t end. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Unfazed, Hannah interjected, ¡°In hiring, schools prioritize capability over credentials. I owe you no apology. ¡± ¡°What? You refuse to apologize?¡± The parent¡¯s voice grew loud and usatory. ¡°Mark my words, I¡¯ll escte this. You¡¯ll regret ever bing a teacher here. Apologize to the entire school!¡± Before Hannah could respond, a disturbance arose at the entrance. A flurry of new faces appeared.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Sadie, apanied by multiple parents, red at Hannah with disdain. ¡°Halliday University doesn¡¯t need someone who uses underhanded means to secure a job, nor her empty apologies!¡± The principal¡¯s concern deepened as he noticed school board member Alban Carter behind Sadie. ¡°Mr. Carter¡­¡± Alban raised his hand to stop the principal and casually settled onto a couch, giving Hannah a quick look. Almost instantly, a barrage of reporters and videographers stormed into the room, cameras rolling. Chapter 106 Eager students, sensing drama, began livestreaming the event, hoping for viral fame. The scene became chaotic, with shing lights illuminating Hannah¡¯s calm face. The principal, desperate for control, summoned several faculty members to restore order. He then confronted Alban. ¡°Mr. Carter, why invite the press to a private school matter?¡± Alban lit a cigar, replying with cool detachment, ¡°Parents contribute millions to our institution yearly.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. It¡¯s our duty to ensure those funds are properly utilized, isn¡¯t it?¡± His statement resonated with many of the parents present. ¡°We invest a fortune in our children¡¯s education annually. We expect a pristine learning environment. How can we trust the institution with this blemish?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right!¡± Echoing their feelings, Sadie turned towards Hannah with a smug expression. ¡°You lied to the school, falsified credentials, served time, and used questionable tactics to secure your position. Have I misrepresented anything?¡± With a soft, defiantugh, Hannah met Sadie¡¯s gaze head-on, challenging. ¡°Will you stand by your usations?¡± Hannah¡¯s sudden Laugh unnerved Sadie, but thetter stood her ground, unyielding. ¡°Of course. I speak only the truth. You wed my brother just for our family¡¯s stake, and you¡¯ve tried concealing your time behind bars. And now, you wish to infiltrate Halliday University, putting students at risk?¡± With the room teeming with figures like the school board member and the media she¡¯d invited, Sadie shot Hannah a defiant nce. ¡°Can you swear you didn¡¯t use dubious means to join Halliday University? How can someone without a college degree even teach here?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A student, live streaming the event on his phone, aimed his camera intently, ensuring the unfolding drama was captured for his viewers. Initially, the live stream had few viewers, but as word spread about the attractive Halliday teacher, viewership surged. Comments flooded in as viewer count hit 50, 000. ¡°Wow, she¡¯s even more stunning in person! I like her!¡± ¡°Really? Just because she¡¯s pretty, you¡¯re throwing your ethics out the window?¡± ¡°She¡¯s a deceptive, disgraceful woman. If she isn¡¯t fired, the school¡¯s name will be dragged through the mud!¡± A majority of thements berated Hannah. Leaning back on a sofa, legs crossed, the school board member remarked to the principal, ¡°Regardless, her moral integrity is questionable at best. She should be let go, and this will all blow over. ¡± The principal, countering this, showcased documents proving Hannah¡¯s overseas qualifications and her history of phnthropy. Chapter 107 ¡°This was all thoroughly vetted by our institution Every detail about Miss Moore is genuine, without any fabrications. ¡± He then handed over a detailed profile of Hannah to the press, ensuring they got a clear shot. ¡°This outlines Miss Moore¡¯s journey. I trust in your judgment. Let me be clear. She has never been incarcerated. ¡± Reporters eagerly snapped photos of the documents about Hannah. A student, phone in hand, pushed forward to live stream the contents. Onlinements flooded in. From what was visible, it seemed Hannah had a graduation certificate from a foreign university, detailing her bachelor¡¯s degree. ¡°Unbelievable! Did I see that correctly? She¡¯s an alumna of Deton University overseas? Isn¡¯t that the top-ranked university worldwide? Did she truly graduate from there?¡± ¡°That¡¯s got to be a fake. If she could get into Deton University, then I could get into Halliday University. What a wild fabrication! Is she trying to pose as a prodigy?¡± ¡°Can she exin the treatment for organic heart disease? If she¡¯s so talented, maybe she can enlighten us?¡± ¡°Hrious! Are you actually quizzing her? I can¡¯t help butugh at this!¡± It was clear most were skeptical of the principal¡¯s ims about Hannah. Then, ament from a well-known inte personality appeared. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I recognize her. She¡¯s my younger schoolmate. She genuinely graduated from Deton University. We had the same instructor. ¡± The moment thisment was posted, there was a noticeable uptick in responses. Some recognized this influencer as a renowned medical science educator and esteemed professor at a medical institution. Many referred to him as the modern-day liver surgery prodigy. People flocked to him at the hospital, seeking his expertise. Viewers of the live feed recognized him instantly, sparking a flurry ofments.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°Is that Professor Swain? Is she really rted to Professor Swain? Incredible! Professor Swain has stepped in to debunk the rumors!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t he the one she brought in to sway the public¡¯s opinion? Who exactly is Professor Swain?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know Cary Swain? He¡¯s an exceptional medical professor. It¡¯s a feat to secure an appointment with him! Turns out she¡¯s his junior!¡± Curious people dug deeper, locating a list of Deton University graduates. Chapter 108 Sure enough, Hannah¡¯s name was listed within the third graduating ss. ¡°It¡¯s confirmed! Professor Swain wasn¡¯t lying! I found her name online. She¡¯s genuinely a Deton University graduate and holds a dual degree!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe it! I¡¯m relieved I didn¡¯t criticize her earlier. What a remarkable individual she is!¡± The narrative online swiftly shifted, with praises for Hannah pouring in. Meanwhile, Sadie was oblivious to the digitalmotion. Upon viewing the principal¡¯s evidence, she scoffed, ¡°That¡¯s merely paper. Could¡¯ve been fabricated. You¡¯re just trying to keep her in school. So, she doesn¡¯t possess a degree, right? All those overseas achievements might be concocted. Anyone can counterfeit such ims. ¡± Crossing her arms, Sadie confronted Hannah. ¡°ALL you had to do was confess and apologize. Now, with usations of academic dishonesty, you might face prison! No big deal though. It wouldn¡¯t be your first time in prison. It¡¯s like to returning home for you. ¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Hannah¡¯s smile remained unyielding in the face of Sadie¡¯s taunts. ¡°Why not verify my supposed academic dishonesty?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery She gestured towards the assembled media. ¡°Every camera here has captured your baseless allegations. ¡± Sadie¡¯splexion altered. She jabbed a finger at Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You dare threaten me?¡± Unfazed, Hannah responded, ¡°I merely intend to remind you of the weight of your words. ¡± ¡°Did I say anything wrong?¡± Sadie¡¯s confidence wavered, but she retorted with amplified volume, ¡°Did I falsely use you of imprisonment? You never even finished college! You¡¯re a fraud!¡± ¡°Who dered she neverpleted her college education?¡± A resounding voice broke through the cacophony in the room. The sound drew everyone¡¯s attention, and they turned to look. An elderly man, his hair a distinguished gray but his demeanor robust, entered in a sharp suit. As many puzzled over his identity, a voice from the crowd rang out. ¡°That¡¯s Mr. Campbell! It¡¯s him!¡± The atmosphere electrified. Reporters swiveled their cameras to capture Saul and even offered him a microphone. ¡°Mr. Campbell! Haven¡¯t you been engrossed in pioneering drug research at the Medical Research Institute? What brings you here?¡± Chapter 109 Saul caught Hannah¡¯s eye and nodded in acknowledgment. With a stern face, he began, ¡°I was alerted by my colleagues at the Institute to some distasteful online remarks about Hannah. I¡¯m here to back her up. ¡± Saul approached Hannah and addressed the gathering with a measured tone. ¡°While Hannah pursued her studies at Deton University, I had the privilege of mentoring her. In fact, she was myst student. I¡¯ve taken no others since. ¡± The live broadcast viewership swelled with excitement upon spotting Saul.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Thements poured in at an astonishing rate after they digested Saul¡¯s testimony. The live viewer count skyrocketed past 100, 000! ¡°Mr. Campbell! I¡¯ve only seen Mr. Campbell on TV! Those students are so fortunate to have him on campus!¡± ¡°That¡¯s the renowned Mr. Campbell! His leadership brought forth groundbreaking treatments for previously untreatable diseases. His contributions are unparalleled!¡± ¡°So, she truly was Mr. Campbell¡¯s student. Who then, propagated these baseless rumors about this talented young woman?¡± ¡°Someone must be envious of her securing such a prestigious teaching role at her age!¡± ¡°How can you be sure she¡¯s been falsely used? What if she roped in Mr. Campbell for some theatrics?¡± This remark instantly attracted a barrage of disdainful responses. ¡°Recruit Mr. Campbell for an act? What world do you live in?¡± ¡°You expect us to believe a top-tier professor from the National Medical Research Institute would partake in such a ruse? You really made meugh!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You¡¯re disying breathtaking ignorance. If this were an act, her so-called academic fraud could lead to serious legal repercussions. ¡± Saul¡¯s presence tipped the scales of public sentiment. Challenging the narrative, Sadie retorted, ¡°Do you really think any endorsement can absolve you of usations of academic deceit or criminal past?¡± Hannah shot Sadie a disdainful nce, an air of pity about her. ¡°Everything you need to know is right here. Can¡¯t you see? You were the first one to smear my name on that forum, weren¡¯t you?¡± Hannah¡¯s lips curled into a half-smile, her gaze on Sadie icy and detached. A flicker of panic crossed Sadie¡¯s face. But realizing Hannah had no solid proof, she regained her haughty demeanor. ¡°Stop making baseless usations! Someone must¡¯ve had a bone to pick with you long before that forum post. That¡¯s not nder, that¡¯s just fact. ¡± Without responding to her, Hannah addressed the principal. ¡°Mr. Ramsey, do we have a projector in this room? I¡¯d like to use it. ¡± Chapter 110 ¡°Yes. ¡± The principal set up the projector, handing over the remote. Hannah approached theputer, her fingers dancing over the keys with precise, sharp taps. Theputer screen mirrored onto the projector. With a determined expression, Hannah rapidly navigated through various web pages, bringing up chat logs and the forum IP addresses. Screenshots of group chats popped up, with Sadie¡¯s social media ount prominently disyed. ¡°Get more people toment on that post. It¡¯s gaining traction. We need to push it even further. ¡± ¡°As the post gains poprity, capture it and share it widely. Pay some influencers to make this a trending topic. Blow it up as much as we can!¡± Various group members acknowledged her messages. Another screenshot showed Sadie sharing the viral post with her group. ¡°Push harder. She¡¯s drowning in the negativements on her ount. I want her to know what it feels like to be publicly shamed. ¡± Comments from a few other participants followed. ¡°Theseizens are so naive. They¡¯ll buy any story we spin, joining in on the hate. ¡± ¡°They¡¯re just hopping on the bandwagon. But hey, it¡¯s working in our favor. Feels great using these gullible folks against her!¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The onlookers, viewing the projection, began to buzz with shock and outrage. ¡°This girl is wicked! Manipting public sentiment like that?¡± ¡°Jumping on hate trends is dumb, but what these girls are doing? That¡¯s another level of nasty. They deserve consequences!¡± ¡°They¡¯re just kids, yet so cruel. They were spreading false, scious rumors, even saying someone¡¯s been jailed! Absolutely unforgivable. ¡± ¡°Damn it! People like them shouldn¡¯t be allowed here. ¡± Hannah hadn¡¯t realized the intensity of the online bacsh. Without missing a beat, she flipped to another screen showing the post¡¯s IP address. It traced back to Room 301 in the girls dormitory. She fixed her gaze on a flustered Sadie across the room. ¡°This was you, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Upon discovering that Hannah had identified the dormitory¡¯s IP address, Sadie felt a rush of panic, yet she attempted to justify herself. Chapter 111 ¡°How does this implicate me? You¡¯re trying to frame me! I rarely stay in that dormitory. My whole ss can vouch for that! For all you know, someone could have sneaked into my room and used myputer. ¡± Many who watched the unfolding drama live noted Sadie¡¯s disarray, transforming her expression into meme-worthy content shared across social media tforms. ¡°She seems so unnerved. I bet she¡¯s the one who started the gossip. How could she manipte people like that? At least the beautifuldy is sharp. ¡± ¡°Thatdy¡¯s impressive. Not only is she articte, but she also knows her way aroundputers. Did anyone notice she¡¯s adept at tech?¡± ¡°Wait a minute! Look at her online profile. She¡¯s a racecar driver! And not just any driver, she¡¯s the renowned beauty of the racing world, Tequ! Incredible!¡± Suchments drove countless individuals to explore Hannah¡¯s online presence. Hannah had only shared three posts in the past, all showcasing her victories in notable national racing events. The most recent post depicted her, trophy in hand, her long hair dancing in the evening breeze and a soft smile ying on her lips. While initially met with disparaging remarks, the tide soon turned, with adoringments from newfound fans. ¡°Oh my God! She¡¯s not only stunning but also incredibly talented behind the wheel! What a woman!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I wish I had even half her skills!¡± ¡°I¡¯m in love with her! Is she seeing anyone?¡± ¡°She¡¯s breathtaking!¡± Within mere hours, the narrative on the web shifted. Cameras and microphones turned to Sadie, firing away. ¡°Miss Edwards, considering your brother is a prominent businessman in Valmere, why are you here, causing a scene with a schoolteacher? Is it because she¡¯s your brother¡¯s ex-wife?¡± This question hit Sadie like a dagger, draining the color from her face, leaving her speechless. Yet, the reporter persisted, ¡°Miss Edwards, could you shed light on the tension between you and Miss Moore?¡± In the office, all eyes were on Sadie.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Some gazes held suspicion, others contempt, and a few seemed eager to see her blunder. Sadie had never felt so wronged. She yearned to flee the room, but she was hemmed in, escape seemed impossible. Gritting her teeth, she shot a re at Hannah. Chapter 112 ¡°You¡¯ve set me up! I can get the police involved!¡± ¡°Save the call. ¡± Lydia¡¯s clear voice rang out as she parted the crowd and stepped forward. Arching an eyebrow at Sadie, she remarked, ¡°I¡¯ve already brought the police. If you have a defense, now¡¯s your chance. ¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Following Lydia were several police officers in uniform. Calmly, she addressed one, ¡°Officer, this woman spread false rumors online. I suggest you take her for a thorough investigation. ¡± The officer in charge saluted them, then showed Sadie his badge. ¡°You¡¯re used of defamation and spreading false information. You¡¯ll need toe with us. ¡± Seeing the police, panic consumed Sadie. ¡°My brother is Den Edwards! You can¡¯t just detain me!¡± But her protests were in vain. The police escorted her out as the parents, realizing they had been misled by Sadie, silently dispersed. The school board member rose and remarked to the principal, ¡°The Edwards family represents other parents at Halliday University. This isn¡¯t good. Such a family shouldn¡¯t be representing us. ¡± The principal grasped his meaning. The Edwards family would be ousted from elite school circles, and reentry wouldn¡¯t be easy. Following the scandal, Edwards Group¡¯s stocks plummeted by 5 percentage points! In the midst of his frantic work, Den got a distraught call from Leah, urging him to fetch Sadie from the station. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana listened on until Leah ended the call. She gently massaged Den¡¯s temples, murmuring, ¡°Sadie made a mistake, but she¡¯s still young. This isn¡¯t entirely on her. I hadn¡¯t foreseen the gravity of the situation. I assumed Miss Moore would caution Sadie, knowing her fiery nature. Even if she bears grudges against us, taking it out on Sadie is unjust. If only she had warned Sadie sooner, given that this all began with one of Sadie¡¯s outbursts. Sadie was simply naive, not anticipating any maniption. ¡± Her brow creased, voicing her concerns. ¡°Den, you shouldn¡¯t overexert yourself for the firm¡¯s image. ¡± A hint of anger simmered within Den as he retorted, ¡°She¡¯s the kind to go to any lengths to get her way! Your heart¡¯s too pure. You can¡¯t fathom the depths of her wickedness. ¡± Lydia was with Hannah at the police station, jotting down notes. Hannah presented the officers with all the evidence she¡¯d gathered. Despite being under the watchful eyes of two officers, Sadie¡¯s demeanor was defiant. ¡°Just wait. My brother will be here any minute, and he¡¯ll set you straight!¡± Hannah, a soft smile gracing her lips, inquired of an officer, ¡°Officer, what¡¯s the potential sentence for someone spreading malicious rumors and defaming, thus harming my reputation and rights?¡± The officer answered with a sense of seriousness, ¡°Defamation carries a sentence of up to three years in prison. ¡± Chapter 113 Hannah turned to face Sadie, a smirk ying on her lips. ¡°Congrats! You might just be behind bars until you¡¯ve earned your degree. ¡± A shade of fear washed over Sadie¡¯s face, her confidence wavering. As if on cue, Den and Eliana walked in.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Den warned, ¡°Don¡¯t push it, Hannah. ¡± Upon spotting her brother, tears welled up in Sadie¡¯s eyes. ¡°Den, save me!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ But before she could rise, she was restrained by the officers beside her. With quivering lips, Sadie sobbed out to Den, ¡°Den, she¡¯s wronged me!¡± Den¡¯s icy stare settled briefly on Hannah, then shifted to the officers, dering, ¡°We wish to post bail for her. ¡± Hiswyer began to step up, but an officer halted him with a raised hand, stating, ¡°Given the evidence at hand, she¡¯s facing a jail term and isn¡¯t eligible for bail at the moment. ¡± Sadie was in shock, unable to believe she couldn¡¯t secure her release. She clung to Den¡¯s shirt and sobbed loudly, ¡°Den, help me! You just can¡¯t leave me here!¡± Den was irritated. He looked at Hannah and asked, ¡°Is there room for making amends?¡± ¡°Making amends? Now you ask?¡± Lydia, sitting beside Hannah, scoffed, ¡°Where were you when Sadie was busy ruining Hannah¡¯s reputation online? Practically invisible, that¡¯s where. ¡± ¡°Miss Phillips, it¡¯s not on Den. We only found out today,¡± Eliana interjected, holding Den¡¯s arm. Facing Hannah, she continued, ¡°Miss Moore, if you have any qualms about the prior divorce agreement, you can speak directly to Den. There¡¯s no need to use this as an excuse to hurt Sadie. We can renegotiate terms. The Edwards family won¡¯t mistreat you. ¡± Narrowing his eyes, Den red at Hannah. ¡°Hannah, I really misread you. You¡¯re ruthlessly opportunistic!¡± ¡°Shame on you! It¡¯s you who¡­¡± Lydia fumed. Hannah silenced her indignant friend. She turned her gaze on Den, posing a question. ¡°Was it me who had her post nderous stories about me online? Did I pay people to spread rumors about me on social media? Or invite reporters and school board members to the principal¡¯s office?¡± Hannah smirked, disdain clouding her eyes. Chapter 114 ¡°Den, you¡¯ve failed to discipline your sister. And now you me everyone but her?¡± Observing Hannah¡¯s expression, Den¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°If you had guided Sadie earlier, would she be in this mess? She¡¯s young, she doesn¡¯t know better. ¡± ¡°Young? She¡¯s 20,¡± Hannah retorted,ughing at Den. ¡°She¡¯s an adult who should know better than to engage in cyberbullying. She leaned on the Edwards family¡¯s wealth and influence, believing that regardless of the chaos she caused, you could always resolve the situation. ¡± Eliana interceded, addressing Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s not like that. Sadie is merely spoiled, not malevolent. Why escte things over a disagreement with Den?¡± Hannah offered a casual smile to Eliana and remarked, ¡°Miss Patel, your ability to mix up right and wrong is still intact. I have better things to do than deal with you. ¡± Hannah stood up, nodding at the police. ¡°All evidence has been provided. Thank you. ¡± Sadie¡¯s sobs and pleas continued, imploring Den to save her. Outside the station, Lydia shook her head and said, ¡°Eliana is so infuriating. All these people are repulsive. They me you when you¡¯re the victim. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Let it go. Let¡¯s grab a taxi and leave this behind,¡± Hannah replied. Her phone buzzed as she spoke. She saw it was a call from Bryson and answered. ¡°Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°I saw you trending online. Looks like you¡¯ve handled things. Need any help?¡± A genuine smile spread across Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°No, thank you.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. I¡¯ve submitted all the proof to the authorities, and Mr. Brown is backing me. They can¡¯t even secure her bail. ¡± ¡°Alright then. ¡± Grinning, Bryson announced, ¡°I¡¯ve reserved a spot for us at Avendez Restaurant tonight. Feel free to bring a friend along. ¡± ncing at her watch, Hannah appeared hesitant. The voice on the other side of the call continued. ¡°Mr. Ramsey will handle the uing school issues. Grace wants to meet you. Are you avable?¡± Recognizing it was Grace who wanted to see her, Hannah promptly agreed, ¡°Sure, text me the location. I¡¯ll head over with my friendter. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Chapter 115 The call concluded. Grace lounged on the couch, cradling a teddy bear. She tilted her head and toyed with the bear¡¯s head, saying, ¡°Bryson, why do you always use me as an excuse to see Hannah?¡± Smiling at Grace, Bryson inquired, ¡°Don¡¯t you also want to meet her?¡± ¡°I definitely do. ¡± Grace pouted cutely. ¡°Hannah is so kind and gorgeous. How could I not miss her?¡± Regrettably, the nned dinner had to be canceled. Hannah sent Lydia home first, then hailed a taxi to Bryson¡¯s house. As the butler escorted her inside, she seemed tense. ¡°Why is she having trouble breathing all of a sudden? Has the family doctor been summoned?¡± ¡°Yes, the doctor is here. Miss Grace is using an oxygen mask in her room. I¡¯ll take you to her. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± To her relief, upon her arrival, Hannah found Grace in good spirits, conversing with a girl beside the bed. ¡°Hey, Hannah!¡± Grace¡¯s eyes sparkled when she saw Hannah. She waved Hannah over, saying, ¡°Come on in!¡± Hannah quickly moved to Grace¡¯s side and grasped her hand. ¡°Did you get a blood test? Let me see how you¡¯re doing. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry, Hannah. It was just an allergy.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. I¡¯ve taken my meds. Did I frighten you?¡± Grace offered Hannah a reassuring blink. Relieved, Hannah shook her head. ¡°No, I¡¯m just d you¡¯re okay. What caused the allergic reaction?¡± ¡°It was the cookies I baked. Grace has always enjoyed them without any issues. But the doctor says she¡¯s a bit vulnerable now, even milk could set off an allergy. I¡¯m the one to me. ¡± Only then did Hannah¡¯s eyes fall upon the unfamiliar young woman in an apricot dress sitting at the edge of the bed. Her hair rested softly on her shoulders. The girl stood, guilt coloring her features. She carried a gentle and elegant air about her. Meeting Hannah¡¯s gaze, she introduced herself courteously. ¡°You must be Miss Moore, whom Bryson asked to look after Grace. My name is Melina Glyn. Please, call me Melina as Bryson does. ¡± Returning the smile, Hannah replied, ¡°Feel free to call me Hannah. ¡± Beaming, Melina added, ¡°Both Bryson and I have been caught up with work. We appreciate you looking after Grace. ¡± Chapter 116 ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯vee to see Grace as my own sister,¡± Hannah said, patting Grace¡¯s head with affection. Grace looked up at Hannah, a smile touching her lips. ¡°I feel the same way about you. ¡± Melina teased, ncing at Grace, ¡°Seems like you¡¯ve forgotten about me with a new sister in the picture. Maybe next time I bring treats, I¡¯ll only give them to your brother Grace replied adorably, ¡°You¡¯re my sister too, Melina. Don¡¯t you dare stop bringing me yummy treats!¡± ¡°You little glutton. ¡± Chuckling, Melina turned to Hannah and said, ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind. Grace is such a prankster. ¡± With a lightugh, Hannah responded, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just came to visit Grace. I should be heading out. Take care. ¡± Melina offered a warm smile. ¡°Goodbye. ¡± Hannah began moving towards the door but was halted by a sudden presence. ¡°Leaving so soon, Miss Moore?¡± Bryson, evidently just back from work, had his suit jacket dr@ped over his arm and his tie clutched in hand. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Seeing Hannah¡¯s intention to depart, he quickly suggested, ¡°I had the evening¡¯s restaurant ns cancelled and brought in Lavenke¡¯s chef to cook at home. Why not join us for dinner?¡± Supporting his invitation, Melina chimed in, ¡°It would be nice to have dinner together. Thanks foring by today. ¡± Hannah hesitated, but Grace¡¯s gentle voice rang out, ¡°Please stay, Hannah. Dine with us. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Hannah relented, settling down next to Grace. As Melina took her ce by Bryson, she remarked, ¡°The property from Jenkins Group is promising. It¡¯s the talk of the town, with major corporations vying for development right. Do you want to be a shareholder?¡± Bryson, clearly uninterested, responded, ¡°No, I¡¯ll pass. ¡± He approached Grace, briefly touching her forehead before looking at Melina. ¡°Let¡¯s leave business for work hours. ¡± With a resigned smile, Melina shared, ¡°My father wants to see you at the Glyn family home this weekend. You can¡¯t dodge him again. I¡¯d be in a tight spot. ¡± ¡°Understood.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡± As the two conversed, Hannah found herself drifting into boredom, opting to busy herself with her phone. Bryson¡¯s attention inadvertently drifted towards Hannah, a smile forming as he observed her subtle expressions. Chapter 117 Noticing his amused look, Melina¡¯s gaze followed Bryson¡¯s to rest on Hannah. ¡°Did you introduce Miss Moore, Bryson? I¡¯ve heard of her significant contributions to the medical field. ¡± With a nod of agreement, Bryson shared, ¡°She indeed has made remarkable progress in medicine. ¡± Melina, with a courteous smile, addressed Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, could you assist me with something?¡± Hannah, a tad hesitant, inquired, ¡°What do you need? As Mr. Mitchell¡¯s associate, I¡¯ll certainly try my best. ¡± Melina said, ¡°Here¡¯s how you can assist¡­¡± Melina softly brushed her hair behind her ear and inquired, ¡°Miss Moore, would youe to my home and help my family with aplete medical check-up?¡± Hannah primarily dealt with major surgeries andplex diseases, and she had never conducted such exams. She was at a loss for words, finding it hard to decline the poised and graceful Melina. ¡°If your family requires aprehensive medical examination, I can arrange an appointment with a private doctor in Montgomert,¡± Bryson offered. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Melina responded with a yful twinkle in her eye, ¡°I know. I¡¯ll follow your advice. I¡¯ve noticed Dr. Garza has been preupied with Gracetely. I don¡¯t want to impose on him. I understand your hesitation to involve outsiders, so I¡¯ll wait for you to set up an appointment with another doctor. ¡± Hannah lowered her gaze and absentmindedly tapped on her phone screen, somehow feeling an unusual mix of difort and unease. As the food was served, Melina¡¯s expression shifted to one of displeasure. ¡°What happened with the chef today? Bryson, you never indulge in spicy dishes. Why is today¡¯s menu so spicy?¡± ¡°I simply requested the chef to follow the menu,¡± Bryson replied. He nced towards Hannah, suggesting, ¡°Miss Moore, since you have a liking for spicy cuisines, why not try the dishes prepared by my chef from Lavenke?¡± Hannah tasted the dish and responded with a mild surprise, ¡°It¡¯s truly authentic, but¡­¡± She hesitated, then added, ¡°It¡¯s exceedingly spicy. It might be too much for you tonight. ¡± Grace tasted the dish and tugged at Hannah¡¯s sleeve.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The food isn¡¯t as delightful as what you prepare. Perhaps we should dine at your ce next?¡± Chuckling, Melina chimed in, ¡°Do you both secretly dine out without inviting me? Next time, make sure I¡¯m included. ¡± She then yfully nced at Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, would you mind if I joined?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Hannah replied, her smile subtle yet warm. After their meal, Melina¡¯s driver came for her. Chapter 118 Once Hannah was sure Grace was okay, she bid her farewell. Exiting the house, Hannah spotted Bryson, poised against a ck vehicle, awaiting her. ¡°Mr. Mitchell?¡± The evening wind ruffled Bryson¡¯s dark shirt cor and tousled his hair. With a soft expression, he met Hannah¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hop in. I¡¯ll take you home. ¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not. ¡± Almost instinctively, Hannah aimed to maintain space from Bryson.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. But instantly regretting her words, she hesitated, then added, ¡°Taxis are easy to hail around here. I appreciate the offer, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Bryson, without a word, swung the car door open. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I don¡¯t Like the thought of you traveling alone. ¡± After a brief hesitation, Hannah agreed and slid into the car. The subtle scent of mint in the car revived Hannah¡¯s once sleepy mind. She buckled her seat belt and gazed out the window. During the journey, neither of them spoke, and Bryson stayed quiet until he reached the red traffic signal. ¡°For generations, my family has been close with the Glyn family. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Melina¡¯s grandfather and mine fought side by side. Our families have always shared a bond. ¡± Hannah, puzzled, wondered why Bryson brought up his ties to the Glyn family. As she nced at him and caught his striking face illuminated by the moon, she was momentarily speechless. ¡°Melina and I? We¡¯re just acquaintances with business ties. ¡± Suddenly, a rush of emotion hit Hannah. She looked down, fidgeting with her handbag¡¯s straps. ¡°Why share that with me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to misunderstand. ¡± Hannah and Bryson shared a brief silence. The light turned green. As the car moved, Hannah inquired, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, did I misunderstand something?¡± Bryson replied with a grin, ¡°I¡¯m d there¡¯s no misunderstanding. ¡± Soon, the car pulled up outside Hannah¡¯s home. After thanking Bryson, she exited the vehicle. Chapter 119 From his car window, Bryson watched her depart. As Hannah approached themunity¡¯s security booth, she nced back and called out, ¡°Until next time, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± It wasn¡¯t until Hannah vanished from view that Bryson regained hisposure and drove off. Upon reaching her home, Hannah kicked off her shoes onto the carpet and sank onto the sofa, even before the room lights were on. Suddenly, her phone rang. Recognizing the caller, she promptly answered. Loud music sted from the other end, prompting Hannah to distance the phone from her ear. ¡°Lydia, are you at a bar again?¡± ¡°Hannah, Lydia¡¯s in a drinking contest with someone. I can¡¯t dissuade her. If she overdoes it, I¡¯ll get med,¡± a female voice, distorted by the bar¡¯s music, ryed this. Sitting upright, Hannah responded, ¡°Give me the location. I¡¯m on my way. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s been sent through WhatsApp!¡±¡± ¡°Alright, keep an eye on her. I¡¯ll be there soon. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah quickly headed out and called a taxi. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Guided by the provided address, she urged the driver to hasten to the bar. Upon entering, the bar¡¯s vibrant lights momentarily blinded her.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Squinting, Hannah made her way to the center of the bar. She spotted Lydia in a booth, her distinct red hair waving as she drank with a woman. As Hannah approached, the deafening beats from the DJ made her increasingly agitated. She reached Lydia just as thetter took another swig. Snatching the bottle away, Hannah yelled, ¡°Lydia!¡± Lydia, not too drunk, recognized Hannah and flung herself at her, nting a ki*s on her cheek. ¡°Hannah! What brings you here?¡± Seeing Lydia¡¯s drunken state, Hannah sighed. Wrapping an arm around Lydia, she urged, ¡°Let¡¯s head home. ¡± Lydia seemed to agree, setting down her wine ss, ready to depart. ¡°What? Backing out already? Afraid to challenge us? Resorting to bringing backup is a low move, even for you, Miss Phillips. ¡± The taunting came from the woman Lydia had been drinking with, her red lips contrasting with s@xy attire. She gestured at Hannah with her wine ss. Chapter 120 ¡°Friend of Lydia¡¯s? She hasn¡¯t finished her drink. How about you take it for her?¡± Eager to avoid further conflict, Hannah tried to dismiss the provocative woman, intent on leaving with Lydia. But two young men blocked their way. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Hannah inquired, her gaze drifting to the array of bottles scattered across the table. ¡°Nobody leaves until the wine¡¯s gone,¡± the woman retorted. Hannah scoffed, ¡°Three against one? Feeling strong, are we?¡± Flustered, the woman stammered, ¡°Did you think we¡¯re ganging up on her? She wanted to drink with Mr. Shaw, and we didn¡¯t force her. Right, Mr. Shaw?¡± Hannah first spotted the man in the booth¡¯s corner when she nced over. In his casual attire, he appeared slightly disheveled. He hadn¡¯t uttered a word since her arrival, so she¡¯d overlooked him. ¡®s BunnyBookery Alick Shawzily raised his wine ss, a smirk forming. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Keep me out of this, Myrtle. ¡± ¡°Lydia drank on your behalf,¡± Myrtle reminded him. The she turned and addressed Hannah, her gaze filled with disgust. ¡°If you¡¯re not here to cover for your friend, then leave. Don¡¯t get in the way.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡± The assistant, the one who¡¯d beckoned Hannah, murmured, panic evident, ¡°Should I summon Mr. Phillips?¡± ¡°No, he¡¯d only reprimand Lydia. ¡± Hannah assisted Lydia, handing her off to the assistant. ¡°Help her sit. Get her some water, perhaps it¡¯ll sober her up. I¡¯ll handle the rest. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± As the assistant ensured Lydia was seated, Hannah calmly rolled up her sleeves. She grabbed an unopened whiskey bottle, smashing it against the table. Lifting the bottle to her lips, she downed its contents. As thest drop trickled down her throat, she set the bottle down, challenging, ¡°Your turn. ¡± Myrtle was visibly taken aback by Hannah¡¯s tolerance. A swift signal to herpanions, and one of them eagerly drank from another bottle. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Hannah gestured toward the three wine bottles left on the table, her gaze fixed on Myrtle. ¡°Why not go for expensive wine? Or is it too steep for you?¡± Myrtle¡¯s gaze involuntarily darted to Alick, her cheeks reddening in a mix of embarrassment and fury. Chapter 121 ¡°You! To say I can¡¯t pay the bill for Luxury wine? Ridiculous.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hannah rang for service. Shortly, a bartender approached their booth, inquiring, ¡°How may I assist?¡± ¡°Do you have any expensive liquor?¡± Hannah inquired. The bartender referenced his digital device. ¡°We¡¯ve got a 60-proof foreign liquor, priced at two hundred thousand a bottle. But it¡¯s a package deal, minimum of five bottles. ¡± ¡°That works. We have arge group here. ¡± Hannah briefly scanned the gathering and told the bartender, ¡°Let¡¯s start with ten bottles. ¡± ¡°Ten bottles?¡± Myrtle nearly shouted in disbelief. Hannah turned to face her and yfully teased, ¡°It¡¯s a mere 2 million. Can¡¯t handle that?¡± Visibly irritated, Myrtle pulled out her card and shot a fiery re at Hannah. Oh, how she longed tosh out at the wench at that moment ! ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As the bartender departed, he added, ¡°If there¡¯s any liquor left, we can store it for you. ¡± Soon, ten bottles were presented on their table. Crossing her arms, Myrtle scoffed, ¡°Since you ced the order, you should take the first sip!¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not. ¡± Myrtle¡¯s brows knitted together. ¡°Are you going back on what you said?¡± Hannah, without lifting her gaze, uncorked a bottle and shed a radiant smile at Myrtle. ¡°If we¡¯re ying, let¡¯s go all out. Do you have the guts?¡± Flushed with embarrassment, Myrtle shot a quick look at herpanions before fixing a harsh gaze on Hannah. ¡°Afraid to drink? I think the real coward here is you. Quit the theatrics!¡± Unfazed, Hannah downed an entire bottle of liquor in one go. Setting the empty bottle on the table, she looked up at Myrtle and dered, ¡°Your turn. ¡± Smirking, Myrtle signaled to the man beside her. Eager to mimic Hannah, he grabbed a bottle and attempted to gulp it down. However, he sputtered out the alcohol mid-way and slumped back into his seat, waving off any more attempts. Hannah clicked her tongue and scoffed, ¡°Given up already? Seems Like you didn¡¯t pick the best sidekicks. ¡± Chapter 122 ¡°Pathetic,¡± Myrtle sneered at her stumblingpanion. She then leaned her neck toward Hannah and taunted, ¡°Keep drinking!¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. This time, Hannah emptied two bottles back-to-back. Even Myrtle¡¯s men couldn¡¯t keep up, leaving Myrtle to fend for herself. However, when Myrtle lifted her bottle and managed to down only half, she mmed it on the table and gagged. ¡°You think Lydia sending you makes this a fair win? Don¡¯t kid yourself!¡± Until now, Myrtle had been unbeatable in drinking games. But faced with Hannah¡¯s prowess, she started to lose herposure. Hannah shot back, ¡°Three against one and you¡¯re using me of cheating? How strange. If you¡¯re dictating the rules, why not just dere yourself the winner?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Infuriated, Myrtle shoved her bottle off the table, causing it to shatter on the floor. The sound drew a crowd. ¡°You¡¯re a cheater!¡± Myrtle barked, nudging the men next to her. ¡°You two! Throw her and Lydia out!¡± The two men heeded Myrtle¡¯s words and advanced toward Hannah with the intent to intimidate. With a considerable height advantage over Hannah, they closed in with amanding presence, ready toy a hand on her shoulder. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ But before they couldy a hand on her, Hannah swiftly grabbed one man¡¯s arm and wrist. With a firm grip on his muscr arm, she applied pressure. He howled in pain and copsed into a nearby chair. Seeing his friend copse, the second man lunged at Hannah, hands outstretched, only to find his arm caught and pulled back by her. His arm was also twisted, a sharp crack sounding above the bar¡¯s music as he crumpled in agony. Before Myrtle could process what had happened, both men beside her were down, She gaped at Hannah, retreating a couple of steps. ¡°You¡­ You!¡± ncing dismissively at the fallen men, Hannah flexed her wrist, saying, ¡°You thought you could take me down just because I outdrank you? Pathetic. ¡± As she spoke, other onlookers in the booth rose to confront her. One bellowed defiantly, ¡°So what if we gang up on you?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression chilled. She¡¯d had no intention of fighting, but they weren¡¯t giving her a choice. Fine, then they¡¯d asked for it. Chapter 123 Ducking to dodge the iing fist, she swiftly counterpunched,nding a blow to the man¡¯s stomach. The impact sent him sprawling to the floor, unable to get back up. The crowd watching had never seen a bar fight before. Some took out their phones to record, while others whistled and cheered. These troublemakers were all talk. When the police arrived, they slumped onto sofas, nursing their various injuries. During the routine police questioning, several people mored to assess their injuries. They imed Hannah was the instigator, insisting they were in so much pain they could barely move. ¡°Miss, is this true?¡± the police officer asked Hannah, turning towards her. Though she had just been in a brawl, Hannah looked entirely unscathed. She smoothed her hair back. ¡°There¡¯s security footage in the bar. They started it. I was just defending myself. They¡¯ve only got dislocated joints. Nothing serious. As a matter of fact, I know a bit about medical treatment. I could pop their joints back into ce for free if they like,¡± Hannah said, smiling courteously. Those men were silenced by her grin, their bravado suddenly evaporating. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Owing to the surveince footage and corroborating witness statements, Hannah was soon released. Meanwhile, Myrtle and her gang were taken in for causing a disturbance. By this point, Lydia had sobered up and was waiting on the stairs of the police station.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. When she saw Hannah emerge, she rushed over, guilt written all over her face. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! I didn¡¯t realize things would get so out of hand!¡± Lydia sped her hands together and bowed slightly. ¡°Are you alright? Did they harm you? It¡¯s all my fault, please don¡¯t be mad. ¡± Hannah stood there, flicked Lydia on the forehead, and asked, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Whatpelled you to go to that bar¡ªand with Alick too?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to go! That idiot leveraged his status as my fiance to coerce me. He said he¡¯d tell my dad if I didn¡¯t go. I was livid!¡± Lydia stamped her foot in frustration. ¡°You helped me blow off some steam, at least. My dad inexplicably favors him, even though Alick is just a clueless yboy. Myrtle also provoked me, so I ended up drinking more than I should¡¯ve,¡± Lydia fumed. Catching Hannah¡¯s expression, Lydia lowered her tone and said, ¡°I promise I¡¯ll be more careful next time. Don¡¯t be mad, okay?¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t actually angry. Seeing her friend so remorseful, she simply patted Lydia¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s forget it for now. I¡¯ll take you home. ¡± Chapter 124 As they prepared to leave, Alick emerged from the police station. At the sight of him, Lydia became very heated and yelled, ¡°Alick, You bastard!!!¡± Alick walked over, hands in pockets, and shot Hannah a smirk. ¡°I never knew you had such fighting skills. ¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah firmly grasped Lydia¡¯s hands, shooting Alick a frosty look. ¡°I¡¯m aware you¡¯ve been using your fiance status to manipte Lydia. You¡¯re going to regret it. Come on, Lydia, let¡¯s go. ¡± ¡°Hannah! I need to give this jerk a piece of my mind! He¡¯s the reason we¡¯re in this mess!¡± Lydia continued to seethe as they walked away, while Alick¡¯s eyes lingered on Hannah¡¯s retreating figure. Once inside Lydia¡¯s car, with the assistant at the wheel, Hannah handed Lydia a bottle of water. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Next time he wants to see you alone, either call me or refuse him directly. ¡± ¡°If I refuse him, he¡¯ll just whine to my dad again. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Resting her head on Hannah¡¯s shoulder, Lydia sighed, ¡°The Shaw Group and our family¡¯s business have been partners for ages. We¡¯ve been engaged since we were kids. My dad won¡¯t let me break it off. What am I supposed to do? It¡¯s not like I¡¯m Alick¡¯s babysitter! He keeps messing up and I¡¯m left to clean up his disasters. I¡¯m not his mother!¡± Lydia, flushed from both wine and frustration, turned to Hannah and mumbled, ¡°What about you? Is Den still refusing to sign the divorce papers?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve filed. He can¡¯t stall much longer. ¡± After escorting Lydia home, Hannah returned to her apartment and quickly fell into a deep sleep. A phone call woke her up the next morning. Still half asleep, she answered, ¡°Hello?¡± Pausing at the sound of her voice, the person on the other end of the line then said, ¡°Did I disturb you?¡± Bryson¡¯s rich, inviting voice filled her ears, jolting Hannah fully awake. ¡°No, what is it, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve sent over some porridge for you. It should arrive soon. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah was puzzled. ¡°Porridge?¡± But before they could continue, a knock sounded from Bryson¡¯s end. ¡°The conference room is ready, boss. The board meeting starts in five minutes. ¡± Chapter 125 ¡°Alright. ¡± Bryson¡¯s tone softened as he spoke into the phone. ¡°I have to go to a meeting now. Don¡¯t forget to eat the porridge. ¡± ¡°Okay¡­ Thank you, Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± Once she hung up, Hannah sat dazed on her bed, phone in hand. Why had Bryson sent her porridge out of the blue?Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Shortly after ending the call, the doorbell chimed its arrival. Hannah hastened to greet her visitor. Standing there was Bryson¡¯s chauffeur, wearing a warm grin and holding arge, insted container. ¡°Miss Moore, I waited at Bamer Restaurant to get this freshly made porridge for you. It¡¯s good for your skin and digestion. Please try Bamer Restaurant specialized in porridge made with Luxurious ingredients. They were open only in the mornings, and people started lining up an hour before opening. Caught off guard, Hannah said, ¡°Um¡­ Thank you. ¡± With a gloved hand, the chauffeur gave her the insted container and smiled, ¡°I¡¯m just doing my job, Miss Moore. The boss insisted that you eat it while it¡¯s hot. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± After dismissing the chauffeur, Hannah lifted the lid of the insted container, inhaling theforting scent of cooked rice. Inside the container were a small jar of porridge and a thick bamboo tube filled with in congee. The aroma of the in congee blended harmoniously with the scent of the bamboo, and the congee was impably cooked, free from any foreign matter. Eight additional dishes, equally refined,pleted the spread. Hannah arranged the porridge and other dishes on the table but found she had no appetite. The alcohol from the previous night still lingered in her stomach, causing mild difort. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Reclining in her chair, Hannah scrolled through her phone. On opening Facebook, she discovered a barrage of messages awaiting her. A video fromst night¡¯s altercation with Myrtle¡¯s men was featured prominently. The edited video was deceptive, making it look like she was the instigator who even assaulted Myrtle after drinking excessively. Reading thements, Hannah saw that she was the subject of considerable scorn. Critics said she was a two-faced teacher, gentle at school but morally corrupt in private. However, there were also those who defended her, arguing that the critics didn¡¯t know the full story and that Hannah was unfairly criticized. Some used Hannah of seeking inte fame by Leveraging her good looks, all because her teaching sry couldn¡¯tpare to an online celebrity¡¯s earnings. Hannah put down the spoon she¡¯d just picked up. She realized Bryson must¡¯ve seen the online video, prompting him to send her theforting porridge. Chapter 126 Gazing the fragrant porridge, Hannah picked up the spoon again, took a spoonful of the porridge and tasted it. Then she clicked on the topment below the controversial video. ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time before she denies it. She¡¯ll im it¡¯s not her in the video, and her fans will jump to her defense. Just watch,¡± thement read. Hannah typed her response. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. That¡¯s me in the video. For a clearer picture, check out my Facebook page. Come on!¡± Within half an hour, Hannah¡¯sment rose to the top, drawing a crowd to the discussion beneath it. ¡°Damn it! Is that really Hannah replying in person??¡± ¡°Is she out of her mind? Why is she still so brazen after supposedly assaulting someone? Why?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Go check her Facebook for the real story. This video doesn¡¯t show everything!¡± Hannah had uploaded the unedited video fromst night¡¯s bar incident to her Facebook page. Within thirty minutes, the video had been shared extensively, attracting over 100, 020ments. ¡°You¡¯re incredible! A true hero! You are so awesome! !¡± ¡°Hannah easily defeated those thugs. So badass!¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°She¡¯s definitely trained inbat. Amazing!¡± Soon after, the police released their official findings on the prior night¡¯s events. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Myrtle and her gang had failed to intoxicate Hannah and Lydia, became enraged, and tried to attack them. Hannah had acted in self-defense. Myrtle and her crew were sentenced to 7-15 days in detention and fined 20 thousand. Shortly afterward, people discovered that the police¡¯s statement corroborated Hannah¡¯s story, and several witnesses from the bar that night also vouched for her. The real events in the bar diverged from what the edited video showed, with Hannah being the true victim. Within a matter of days, Hannah found herself having faced two onughts of online harassment, and skepticism continued to flood social media. Public doubt remained high, with many using her of seeking attention. An hour had barely passed since Hannah uploaded the video when her phone buzzed. It was a call from Bryson. ¡°I¡¯ve just wrapped up my meeting. I¡¯ve asked Mr. Brown to help clear your name online. Rest easy,¡± he assured her. ¡°A lot of people caught the incident at the bar on video. I uploaded the full surveince footage to Facebook, and yet it didn¡¯t go viral. So I could really use Mr. Brown¡¯s help. ¡± Chapter 127 ¡°I¡¯ve already spoken to him. If you need anything, give him a ring. ¡± Hannah heard Bryson¡¯s voice and grinned. ¡°I appreciate your involvement in my affairs, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Sitting back in his office chair, Bryson exuded an air of easygoing calm. ¡°Well, you¡¯re Grace¡¯s attending doctor. It¡¯s only natural I take an interest in your well-being. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Should you really be prying into your attending doctor¡¯s personal life, though?¡± Hannah¡¯s Laughter echoed from the other side of the call. Noting her joy, Bryson smiled, ¡°You¡¯re taking care of Grace, so as your employer, I ought to keep tabs on your overall well-being too. ¡± Hannahughed again, unable to contain herself. Bryson was surprisingly charming. The more she interacted with him, the clearer it became that the rumors about his aloofness were unfounded. ¡°Rest easy, boss. I¡¯m in peak condition, mentally and physically. Your sister¡¯s treatment won¡¯t suffer. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Just as her smile lingered after hanging up, another perplexing call came through. The moment she picked up, a recognizable voice filled her ear. ¡°Hannah, how could you be so cold-hearted? You¡¯re really going to let Sadie go to jail? Really?¡± Upon hearing Den¡¯s voice, Hannah¡¯s cheerful demeanor evaporated. Her voice turned icy. ¡°She tried to defame me first.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Why shouldn¡¯t I involve the police?¡± Den exhaled deeply, softening his voice. ¡°Hannah, what will it take for you to drop the charges against Sadie? She¡¯s still a student. A criminal record would ruin her. ¡± Feigning indifference, Hannah retorted, ¡°Why are you begging me? You¡¯re the capable one. Figure it out yourself. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t hang up!¡± Anticipating Hannah¡¯s next move, Den interrupted, ¡°Tomorrow we finalize the divorce. After the assets are legally divided, you¡¯ll get twenty percent of Edwards Group shares and two properties in Lee Bay. ¡± After a brief silence, Den¡¯s tone gentled. Chapter 128 ¡°My sister is still young. For the love of our grandmother, please let this go. I apologize on her behalf. ¡± With a snort, Hannah replied, ¡°So, you can apologize. That¡¯s odd. ¡± Barely containing his frustration, Den forced down his anger. ¡°Sadie is in the wrong, no doubt. If you have further conditions,y them out. I¡¯ll agree to anything if it means making amends. ¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Hannah said calmly. ¡°Meet me at the courthouse tomorrow at 8:30. If you bail on me, you can forget about me signing the letter of forgiveness. ¡± With that, she ended the call, not allowing Den any room to reply. Den¡¯s eyes took on a menacing re, his hand gripping the phone so tightly that his veins protruded. Beside him, Leah questioned nervously, ¡°Well? Did that bitch agree to release your sister?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Yes,¡± Den replied, his face growing stormy. ¡°She wants to meet at the courthouse tomorrow to finalize our divorce andplete the 20% share transfer agreement for Edwards Group. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana, overhearing that Hannah was nning to divorce Den, discreetly rejoiced and clung to Den¡¯s arm. ¡°Wow, she¡¯s really putting your sister¡¯s reputation on the line. I never thought Miss Moore would use that as leverage. ¡± Fuming, Leah blurted out, ¡°That audacious woman! Demanding 20% of thepany shares? Let me give her a piece of my mind!¡± Den snapped, ¡°Mom, if you want Sadie to end up in prison, go ahead and call her!¡± Taken aback by Den¡¯s outburst, Leah was rendered speechless for a moment.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Den, I understand you¡¯re upset, but you can¡¯t speak to your mother like that. ¡± Eliana softly reassured Leah. ¡°He¡¯s been under a lot of stresstely because of Sadie¡¯s situation and the business. Please don¡¯t be too harsh on him. ¡± She yfully nudged Den¡¯s arm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Den. I¡¯m with you all the way. ¡± Easing up a bit, Den looked at Eliana. ¡°I¡¯ll marry you soon, right after the divorce is final. ¡± Eliana smiled warmly and said, ¡°I believe you. ¡± Chapter 129 Leah¡¯s face rxed. Turning to Eliana, she said, ¡°Please, marry soon so that I can have a grandchild sooner rather thanter. ¡± The following morning, Den entered the hall of the courthouse and saw Hannah sitting there, wearing a ck dress. ¡°Here¡¯s the agreement you requested. ¡± Den approached Hannah and presented her with the contract. ¡°It¡¯s clearly written. Take a Look. ¡± Hannah scrutinized the document, then nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve got our number. We¡¯re up next.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡± Observing Hannah¡¯s expression, Den took a seat beside her. ¡°I get it. You got involved with Sadie to get my attention. I don¡¯t hold it against you. I¡¯m truly grateful for all you¡¯ve done for me over the years. ¡± With sincerity, Den continued, ¡°Love can¡¯t be forced, Hannah. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t have feelings for you. It¡¯s just that Eliana means too much to me. You must know that. ¡± Had he lost his mind? Confused, Hannah shot Den a sideways nce. What was he doing here, trying to upset her right before their divorce? Meeting her gaze, Den exhaled deeply, then said with a semnce of tenderness, ¡°I realize you don¡¯t want this divorce and you never thought I¡¯d actually give you 20% of thepany shares and proceed with it. But the truth is, we¡¯re at a dead end¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°If you can waste time spouting nonsense, why not focus on how you¡¯ll maintain your sess without the 20%?¡± Hannah rose and made her way to the divorce counter. She wanted to distance herself from the foolishness surrounding her as quickly as possible. Within twenty minutes, the paperwork was finalized. Hannah clutched the divorce certificate, exhaling a sigh of relief. The nagging anxiety that had been haunting her had finally lifted. Stepping outside the courthouse, Hannah thought the sun seemed exceptionally bright today. Yet, as she descended the steps, Den intercepted her. ¡°Hannah, about the letter of forgiveness¡­¡± Without emotion, Hannah turned. ¡°I¡¯ll have mywyer forward it to you tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Den!¡± Eliana emerged from the car and approached him. ¡°I was getting restless in the car, so I decided toe find you. ¡± Grasping Den¡¯s arm, Eliana offered Hannah a smile. Chapter 130 ¡°Miss Moore, congrattions. You¡¯re single once again. ¡± Hannah shot Eliana a brief look before turning away. She bent her head, intending to hail a taxi through her phone. ¡°Miss Moore, didn¡¯t youe by car? Why not let Den drive you home? We¡¯re not busy at the moment, are we?¡± Den gave Hannah a confirming nce. ¡°Where would you like to go? I can take you. ¡± Abruptly, Hannah scoffed, sizing them up. ¡°You¡¯re in the mood to offer me a ride? You might want to save on gas; you¡¯ve just lost 20% of the stock, after all. ¡± Eliana¡¯s expression turned somber instantly. She feigned a smile and said, ¡°You know, Miss Moore, I think we could be friends. Besides, you¡¯ve been such a help with Den during my absence. By the way¡­ She added, her smile widening, ¡°Den and I are getting engaged. Our engagement party is set for early next month, and we¡¯d love for you toe. I hope any tension between you and Den won¡¯t persist because of me. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m tied up then. But for his next engagement to another woman, I¡¯ll make sure to attend. ¡± With that, Hannah climbed into a waiting taxi, indifferent to Eliana¡¯s discolored face. The online gossip that had been circtingtely ceased when those responsible for spreading the rumors got legal notices. Interest in the issue waned, but Hannah¡¯s Twitter followers multiplied, growing from fifty thousand to over two hundred thousand. Hannah shook her head, amused yet not surprised. People just loved drama. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Just as she was scrolling through Facebook, her phone buzzed. It was a call from Grace, which she picked up reflexively. Through the phone, Grace¡¯s yful voice could be heard. ¡°Hey Hannah, can you make that Mexican dish of yours? I¡¯ve lost my appetitetely. My allergic reaction has long gone, but my brother keeps pushing nd food on me. Can you help?¡± Hannah could almost visualize Grace¡¯s pleading eyes. ¡°Listen to your brother. You just got better. No spicy food for you. ¡± Grace responded in a gentle voice, ¡°I promise, it¡¯s okay. Just a bit, please?¡± ¡°Alright, fine,¡± Hannah sighed, amused by Grace¡¯s antics. ¡°I don¡¯t have sses tomorrow afternoon. I¡¯ll pick up some ingredients and cook for you. ¡± ¡°Awesome!¡± Grace¡¯s voice was cheerful. Chapter 131 ¡°Bring your friends. We can have a barbecue in the yard. My brother can man the grill. He¡¯s pretty good at it. ¡± Hannah hesitated but eventually agreed, ¡°Sure. ¡± ted, Grace ended the call and swayed her legs back and forth from her seat on the rocking chair. Bryson, busy at hisptop on the sofa, nced over at Grace when he heard her hang up. ¡°So, she¡¯sing?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Absolutely, she adores me. ¡± Grace sprung from her chair, approached the sofa where Bryson sat, and began massaging his shoulders. ¡°So, when will you properly pursue Hannah?¡± Bryson merely snorted in response. Grace looked curiously at her brother¡¯s face. ¡°You do know how to win a woman¡¯s heart, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Grace. ¡± The moment Bryson¡¯s word left his lips, Grace immediately ceased her teasing.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°I just remembered I have unfinished homework. I¡¯1l be in my room working on it. ¡± The following day, after Lunch, Hannah suggested to Lydia, ¡°Let¡¯s go grocery shopping. We need some ingredients. ¡± Pushing a shopping cart through the supermarket aisles, Lydia questioned Hannah, ¡°Since you and Den are officially divorced, when are you moving back to your vi in Lee Bay? It would mean we¡¯d be neighbors. ¡± At that, Hannah realized she hadn¡¯t reimed her Lee Bay vi. She casually selected some groceries from the shelf and replied, ¡°The Patel family is still there. I don¡¯t n on moving back just yet. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What?¡± Lydia¡¯s voice escted. ¡°You¡¯re divorced, but Eliana¡¯s family is still living in your vi? What¡¯s your reason?¡± A helpless look crossed Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°Who said I was letting them stay? I simply forgot about the vi until you brought it up. I¡¯ll contact themunity security to have them removed, but I¡¯m not keen on living there. It¡¯s far from schoolpared to my present residence, making mymute inconvenient. ¡± Lydia frowned, somewhat disappointed. ¡°I could send a car for you. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need a car. ¡± Hannah grinned, exining, ¡°The ce I¡¯m living now is really nice and close to school. I haven¡¯t considered moving out yet. ¡± Chapter 132 ¡°Alright then¡­¡± Lydia let out a sigh. ¡°Never mind. I¡¯ve got time to spare. I can stay at your ce for a few days sometimes. Here, take this ingredient. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Exiting the supermarket with bags full of groceries, they arrived at the Mitchell family¡¯s vi by three in the afternoon. Donned in casual attire, Brayden was in the yard, tending to a barbecue grill. Spotting Hannah and Lydia, he greeted them warmly. ¡°You¡¯ve arrived! Come in. Miss Moore, Grace has been talking about you. ¡± Carrying bags, Hannah made her way into the house. The second she kicked off her shoes, she was greeted by the distinct voice of Grace saying, ¡°Hannah. ¡± Rushing over, Grace offered to take the bags from Hannah. ¡°Let me help you carry these. ¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. ¡± Patting her head, Hannah told her, ¡°Take a seat. Lydia and I have got this. Just wait to eat. ¡± Grace cheerfullytched onto Hannah¡¯s arm, and they headed for the kitchen, chatting andughing as they went. A refined voice interjected, ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯d love a sample of your culinary skills. ¡± Melina, in a light blue dress, sat gracefully on an armchair beside Bryson and smiled at Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Would you mind an extra mouth?¡± Grace tugged at Hannah¡¯s arm and said, ¡°Hannah, Melina came to visit me today. Is that okay with you?¡± ¡°The more the merrier.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Why would I mind?¡± Acknowledging Melina with a courteous nod, Hannah guided Lydia into the kitchen. As Lydia quietly helped with the food prep, she whispered, ¡°What¡¯s Melina doing here? Marking her territory with Bryson?¡± Hannah cast a skeptical nce at Lydia. ¡°How is that any of my business?¡± As Lydia rinsed vegetables, she remarked earnestly, ¡°You¡¯ve heard the gossip, right? About the Glyn and Mitchell families merging through marriage, specifically Melina bing Bryson¡¯s fianc¨¦e. You can¡¯t be unaware of this. ¡± Hannah hesitated briefly, her tone dispassionate. ¡°Why should that matter to me?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb. Haven¡¯t you noticed Bryson taking a special interest in you?¡± Chapter 133 Hannah¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. She quickly nced over her shoulder to make sure the kitchen door was empty before whispering, ¡°Stop talking nonsense!¡± Lydia gave a yful nudge to Hannah¡¯s shoulder. ¡°He¡¯s sent you gifts and stood up for you. You can¡¯t seriously believe a busy CEO like him would do that for no reason. ¡± As Hannah prepared the ingredients, she paused, looking down. ¡°I¡¯m attending to Miss Mitchell¡¯s needs, so it¡¯s only natural for Mr. Mitchell to be polite to me. It¡¯s merely courtesy. Don¡¯t go spreading rumors. ¡± Lydia made a face, ready to argue that it wasn¡¯t just courtesy, but held her tongue upon seeing her friend¡¯s expression. ¡°I need to use the restroom. ¡± Drying her hands, Lydia said, ¡°I¡¯I1 return shortly to help. ¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°Sure, go ahead. ¡± Hannah pulled her hair back into a tie, adding minced garlic and dried red chili pepper to the hot oil in the pan. The spicy garlic scent instantly permeated the kitchen. She then skillfully added shrimp to the mix and poured in two frothy cans of beer. Only when bubbles started to form did she cover the pan and reduced the heat. ¡°Need assistance here?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Just as Hannah adjusted the me, Bryson walked in, his shirt sleeves rolled up. ¡°No, I¡¯m fine,¡± Hannah replied hastily. ¡°Lydia will be back to help me soon. ¡± As Bryson walked past her, a faint mint aroma filled the air. Before she could process it, he had already begun cleaning the dishes in the sink. ¡°If Lydia isn¡¯t here yet, I can help with the dishes,¡± he said, his downcast eyes and hair softly illuminated by sunlight streaming through the window, giving him an unusually gentle aura. Hannah was momentarily speechless until a soft voice disrupted the tranquil atmosphere. ¡°Bryson, there you are,¡± Melina announced, lifting her skirt slightly as she stepped into the kitchen. Regaining herposure, Hannah quickly turned her attention back to the stove. She picked up the spat, lifted the pan¡¯s lid, and stirred the shrimp. ¡°Oh, that smells wonderful!¡± Approaching Hannah, Melina whispered with awe, ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s no surprise that Grace is always eager to eat your cooking. ¡± With a warm smile, Melina continued, ¡°I¡¯ve never managed to pick up the art of cooking. I always rely on Bryson whenever I visit. Miss Moore, I should definitely take cooking lessons from you. Otherwise, my dad will have a few words for me if Bryson has to keep cooking every time I¡¯m here. ¡± Hannah briefly halted, ncing subtly in Bryson¡¯s direction. ¡°The credit goes to Gail,¡± Bryson said. After rinsing the dishes, he dried his hands and adjusted his sleeves. He gave Melina a fleeting Look. Feigning disappointment, Melina huffed, ¡°Can¡¯t you indulge me a little? You¡¯re always so reserved. ¡± Chapter 134 She shifted her gaze to Hannah and chuckled, ¡°Bryson may seem blunt, but if he ever offends you, just let me know. I¡¯ll set him straight. ¡± Hannah offered a subdued smile. ¡°Mr. Mitchell has always been courteous with me, Miss Glyn. No need for concern. ¡± She then turned back to the stove, skillfully maneuvering the spat through the pan of shrimp. Her lowered eyshes concealed any emotions. ¡°The kitchen is a bit smoky. Maybe you both should wait outside. ¡± ¡°I¡¯l stay and assist,¡± Bryson volunteered, his understated words resonating in Hannah¡¯s heart Like a pebble being thrown into a pond and causing ripples. ¡°Then I¡¯ll stick around and help too,¡± Melina chimed in, trailing behind Bryson. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°You¡¯re not handy in the kitchen. You¡¯d be better off outside, Bryson told her tly, without turning his head. A momentary stiffness crossed Melina¡¯s face, but she quickly smiled again. ¡°Well, it¡¯s your spoiling that keeps me from learning. Fine, I¡¯ll go keep Gracepany. ¡± Once Melina exited, Hannah and Bryson were left alone, enveloped in a slightly awkward atmosphere. ¡°Apart from you and Grace, I¡¯ve never cooked for anyone else,¡± Bryson suddenly confessed. Caught off guard by Bryson¡¯s unexpected admission, Hannah found herself at a loss for words. Why did he feelpelled to share this with her?All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Not wanting to dwell on it, Hannah simply nodded in quiet affirmation, choosing not to say more. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With Bryson¡¯s assistance, Hannah quickly whipped up the Mexican delicacy, Camarones a Dia. The housekeeper helped carry the dish to the outdoor table. The charcoal in Brayden¡¯s grill was ready, signaling for Bryson to join him in grilling the meat. When Hannah spotted Lydia, she found thetter resembling a little scavenger, snatching a grilled chicken wing right from Brayden¡¯s hand. ¡°Lydia!¡± Hannah set the dishes on the table and shouted for Lydia. Lydia rushed over promptly, offering a chicken wing to Hannah. ¡°Hey, try a wing. ¡± ¡°Nice of you to vanish halfway through setting up just to enjoy the barbecue, huh?¡± Lydia said mysteriously, ¡°I saw Bryson assisting you in the kitchen after I washed my hands. Figured you two could use some alone time. Wouldn¡¯t I just be in the way if I returned?¡± Chapter 135 ¡°So, you¡¯re saying I should be grateful?¡± Hannah quipped, lifting an eyebrow toward her close friend. ¡°Haha. ¡± Grinning, Lydia looped her arm through Hannah¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m starving. Let¡¯s dig in. ¡± Lydia guided Hannah to the table and they took their seats. With twinkling eyes, Grace sat beside Hannah. ¡°Wow, Hannah, it looks Like you¡¯ve outdone yourself this time!¡± ¡°Judging it better than thest time, and you haven¡¯t even had a bite yet?¡± Hannah chuckled. ¡°Already buttering me up?¡± Grace made a yful frown. ¡°Guess I better try it first then!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She sampled a piece of pinchos morunos and mped her hand over her mouth in awe, eyes round as saucers. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Oh my goodness, this is delicious! Just like what I tasted in Mexico!¡± Fresh from the grill, Brysonid a tter of barbecued delights on the table. Melina softly suggested, ¡°Bryson, there¡¯s a seat here I saved for you. ¡± ¡°Bryson, sit here!¡± Spotting Bryson approaching, Grace quickly rose, gesturing to the seat beside Hannah. ¡°Better sit next to me. Remember, your brother doesn¡¯t handle chili well, Grace,¡± Melina reminded her. Ignoring Melina, Bryson pulled out the chair next to Hannah and took a seat. Bryson took a seat beside Hannah, altering Melina¡¯s facial expression. But when Grace sat next to her, she managed to regain her poise. ¡°Honestly Bryson, acting timid because we have guests?¡± ¡°Hannah¡¯s no guest. ¡± Grace offered Melina an innocent smile. ¡°Exactly.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡± Affectionately patting Grace¡¯s head, Melina said, ¡°If someone makes good food for you, they¡¯re never considered a guest. ¡± Hannah ate quietly, choosing not toment. Sensing the mood dip a little, Brayden tried to inject some humor. ¡°Bryson¡¯s not treating Miss Moore like a guest, is he?¡± Chapter 136 Bryson shot Brayden a chilly look, focusing instead on deboning the fish on his te. Feeling the tension, Brayden aimed to lighten things up, but winced when a sudden pain struck him. Lydia was ring at him! Maintaining her feigned smile, Lydia whispered menacingly to Brayden as she handed him a spicy pepper. ¡°It¡¯s better to keep your mouth shut!¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Hannah was drawn to Brayden¡¯s wince. Feeling both intimidated by Lydia¡¯s smile and a bit sheepish, Brayden shrugged. ¡°Nothing, a dog bit me. ¡± His face nearly turned a shade of blue as Lydia applied more pressure to his foot. ¡°A dog?¡± Hannah looked puzzled, her gaze shifting toward Bryson. Unfazed, Bryson used serving forks to ce some deboned fish onto Hannah¡¯s te. ¡°Ignore him.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Hannah murmured, eyes on the extra serving of fish. Seeking to distract herself, Hannah took some spicy crab and offered it to Grace, ¡°Miss Mitchell, this is a spicy crab dish I recently learned. Care to try?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Grace¡¯s eyes twinkled as she began to savor the crab, taking small bites. ¡°I¡¯d like some as well,¡± a voice suddenly chimed in next to her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah turned to see a faint smile on Bryson¡¯s face as he observed her. Hannah muttered to herself, ¡°The crab was within his reach. He could¡¯ve grabbed some if he wanted. ¡± Nheless, she picked up a piece of crab and set it in front of Bryson. Observing the exchange between Bryson and Hannah, Melina felt a weight sinking into her heart, suspicious that Bryson¡¯s behavior toward Hannah was umonly warm. With a gentle interjection, Melina advised, ¡°Bryson has a low tolerance for spicy food and seldom eats crab, Miss Moore. Even so, Bryson, please pass me the crab. Better not to let it go to waste. ¡± Before her words trailed off, Bryson had already sampled the crab Hannah had ced on his te. He nodded his approval and told Hannah, ¡°This is excellent. ¡± Pausing, Melina questioned, ¡°Bryson, since when did your pte adapt to chili? You used to avoid it entirely. ¡± Dabbing his fingers with a napkin, Bryson met Melina¡¯s gaze unflinchingly and replied, ¡°Times change. ¡± Meanwhile, Lydia and Brayden, who had been engaged in a subtle standoff, exchanged knowing looks and quietly resumed their meal. Chapter 137 Upon finishing her dinner, Grace patted her rounded stomach and gleefully told Hannah, ¡°Hannah, your culinary skills are outstanding. I feel like I¡¯ve packed on some poundstely. ¡± Hannah lightly pinched Grace¡¯s cheek in jest and said, ¡°Ah, I do detect a bit of baby fat.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Seems like I¡¯ve been spoiling you recently, huh?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Grace¡¯s eyes twinkled as she touched her cheek. ¡°Have I actually gained weight?¡± ¡°Nah, just teasing you. ¡± Melina nced outside before rising gracefully. ¡°Bryson, my chauffeur can¡¯t make it today. Would you mind dropping me off?¡± As she spoke, Hannah¡¯s eyes instinctively darted toward Bryson. ¡°I¡¯ve got an online meeting lined up. ¡± Bryson declined curtly. Hiding her disappointment, Melina still managed a smile. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait for another ride. Your work is more important. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Before Hannah could look away, her eyes met Bryson¡¯s. With no time for a detailed exnation, Bryson¡¯s tone grew gentle as he said, ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for the chauffeur to take you home. ¡± ¡°No need,¡± Hannah interjected, shaking her head. ¡°Lydia and I will be heading the same way, we¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the case. Brayden will be driving me hometer,¡± Lydia cut in, tugging Brayden along. ¡°Ah?¡± Oblivious to the n, Brayden hesitated. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­yes, I¡¯ll take you along. ¡± Noticing Lydia¡¯s stern expression, he quickly amended. ¡°Let¡¯s get going, we should leave now. ¡± On the road beside the vi¡­ Cornered under Bryson¡¯s watchful eyes, Hannah reluctantly entered the car. Midway through the drive, her phone buzzed. When she answered, all she heard wasmotion from the other end. Chapter 138 ¡°Miss Moore, would you minding to the vi? We can¡¯t get them to leave, and we¡¯re at the end of our patience. ¡± Curses seemed to filter through the background noise, prompting Hannah to frown. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll be there shortly. ¡± After ending the call, she addressed the chauffeur. ¡°Could we reroute to Lee Bay, please?¡± The chauffeur, ever courteous to Hannah, promptly adjusted the GPS and said, ¡°Of course, heading to Lee Bay now. ¡± Within ten minutes, they arrived at a vi in Lee Bay. Scattered luggage cluttered the area in front of the vi, while Eliana and her parents stood defiantly at the doorstep. The moment Hannah stepped out of the car, she was greeted by the piercing rants of La Patel. ¡°This house was gifted to me by my son-inw! How could it belong to that bitch? You better get my stuff inside, or else I¡¯ll see you in court!¡± The security team, unable to act against such irrational behavior, simply held their batons at the ready. A representative from the property management reasoned, ¡°Miss Moore is currently the rightful owner. Yourints are misced. She¡¯s the one asking you to leave. ¡± ¡°What rightful owner? That bitch was divorced from my son-inw! This house still belongs to him. There¡¯s no way you¡¯re making me leave!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah emerged into view, surveyed the gathered crowd, and said to the security guards, ¡°They¡¯re uwfully upying a residence. If you can¡¯t resolve this, legal action may be necessary. ¡± Upon seeing Hannah, the property manager promptly approached. ¡°Miss Moore, we¡¯ll remove their belongings immediately.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡± La¡¯s eyes bulged as she lunged forward, her hand raised for a p that narrowly missed Hannah¡¯s face. Hannah seized La¡¯s hand before anyone could react. ¡°You¡¯re an adult, yet you¡¯re causing a scene and throwing fits. Isn¡¯t that shameful?¡± Hannah threw away La¡¯s hand and leveled an icy gaze at her. ¡°I¡¯ve parted ways with Den. This house is my own property. If you want it, it¡¯s yours. I¡¯ll offer it to you at market price. ¡± She then turned to the property manager at her side. ¡°What¡¯s the current market rate for a vi in Lee Bay?¡± ¡°Considering the prime location, you¡¯re looking at roughly¡­ ten million dors. ¡± Chapter 139 A sly smile crossed Hannah¡¯s face as she sized up La. ¡°So, ten million it is. Interested?¡± La¡¯s face flushed in fury. Eliana stepped up, her eyes moist as she addressed Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, my parents live here because of Den. My mother misunderstood the situation, but you don¡¯t have to demean us like this. ¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Hannah touched her lips in a mock gesture of surprise. ¡°Is offering you the house for ten million an insult?¡± ¡°Oh, right. ¡± As if a light bulb went off in her head, she added, ¡°Den only holds 20% of thepany¡¯s shares now. He¡¯ll have to seriously consider if he can even afford this. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana¡¯s face reddened, her tone edging into sharpness. ¡°Miss Moore, you deceitfully took 20% of thepany¡¯s shares from Den. Aren¡¯t you ashamed?¡± ¡°That¡¯s rightfully mine. ¡± Hannah shot Eliana a smile. ¡°You¡¯re not embarrassed to be someone¡¯s mistress. Why would I feel guilt for iming what¡¯s rightfully mine?¡± Upon hearing this, Arion¡¯s temper red. He lunged forward. Two security guards promptly restrained him. La unleashed a torrent of curses. ¡°You bitch! This house should belong to my daughter and son-inw. On what grounds do you tell us to go?¡± Hannahughed casually, ¡°Belong to your daughter and son-inw? Why not try to call him?¡± ¡°Eliana, call my beloved son-inw. Let¡¯s have him evict this lunatic! She¡¯s still sticking around us and the Edwards family, even after the divorce!¡± Eliana hesitated. Den was swamped with corporate matters, and she didn¡¯t want to bother him. ¡°Mom, just let it be,¡± Eliana whispered. ¡°If Miss Moore desires this house, we should vacate. Den will arrange another residence for us. ¡± La nudged Eliana with her elbow. ¡°What about it? Your brother is returning from overseas soon, getting married. Where will he stay?¡± The color drained from Eliana¡¯s face, disliking her mother bringing her brother into the mix. Mom!¡± La fixed her eyes defiantly on Hannah.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 140 ¡°I refuse to leave this house, no matter what! If anyone should go, it¡¯s that bitch. My son-inw guaranteed I could reside here indefinitely!¡± ¡°It appears you¡¯ve gotten toofortable living in someone else¡¯s space, thinking it¡¯s your own. ¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow subtly, reached for her phone, and lightly touched the screen. Before dialing 110, she showed the disy to La. ¡°You can save face by leaving now. If you stay until you¡¯re forcibly removed, the embarrassment is on you. ¡± Eliana wanted to defuse the situation and softly tugged at La¡¯s arm. ¡°Look, Den¡¯s sorting out the housing. For now, you and Dad can stay in a hotel. ¡± ¡°Stay in a hotel? Preposterous!¡± La¡¯s voice pierced the air. ¡°Leaving now would only serve her interests. We¡¯re not going anywhere!¡± ¡°Hello,¡± Hannah said as she dialed the call. ¡°I have individuals attempting to upy a private residence at 9 Lee Bay. Please send assistance immediately. ¡± Taken aback, Eliana¡¯s face paled.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. She nervously bit her lip. ¡°Miss Moore, this is a minor inconvenience. Is it necessary to escte it like this? Den initially agreed to let my parents stay here. It¡¯s rather heartless to suddenly kick them out, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my problem who gave your parents permission. This is my home now, and I¡¯m within my rights to ask you to leave,¡± Hannah stated, ending the call. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You have ten minutes to pack up. ¡± Fuming, La gestured to Arion. Both, appearing otherwise respectable, tried to lunge forward but were restrained by security. Seeing Hannah in peril, the chauffeur exited the car. ¡°Miss Moore, please get inside the car!¡± His concern was that any harm to Hannah would be difficult to exin to Bryson, so he tried to keep the Patel family at bay. Noticing the chauffeur, La scoffed, ¡°Divorced my son-inw and now unting a wealthy man? No wonder she¡¯s bold enough to im the house!¡± She raised her voice to grab attention. ¡°Everyone, listen up! This woman cuckolded her husband during her marriage, deceitfully took my son-inw¡¯s assets and stock, and now she wants to steal our home! Witness her shameless behavior!¡± Residents who were normally few and far between started gathering due to her loud tirade. The property manager was struggling to disperse the crowd when La continued to single out Hannah. ¡°She¡¯s the one, arriving here with her new man, trying to kick us out!¡± Just then, police sirens filled the air. Officers arrived on the scene. Chapter 141 When questioned by the police, Hannah maintained herposure. ¡°I was awarded this house in the divorce. They¡¯ve been Living here against my wishes. I had the property management begin removing their belongings when they turned confrontational. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her, officer! She¡¯s a con artist who stole our home,¡± La retorted defiantly. Hannah showed the officers her legal documents and property certificate. After verification with property management, the police were ready to escort the Patel family away. La was still not done. ¡°The police are in cahoots with her! They¡¯re using force!¡± Eliana, mortified by her mother¡¯s theatrics, approached Hannah and whispered, ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ll get my mother to leave. Can we settle this without involving the police?¡± Only then did Hannah look up and smile at Eliana. ¡°No. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana¡¯s tear-filled eyes widened in surprise, and not a single drop fell. She stared at Hannah, dumbfounded. ¡°Your mother seemed very pleased when she humiliated me in front of everyone earlier. Why are you trying to make peace with me now?¡± The crowd had stuck around, and they were able to watch as La and Arion were carted into the police car. Eliana¡¯s heart twisted with anxiety. ¡°Please, Miss Moore,¡± she pleaded. ¡°My parents were in the wrong this time, and I¡¯m sure that they know it. I¡¯m begging you, please don¡¯t send them to the police station!¡± She then dropped to her knees and Looked up at Hannah with a pitiful expression. ¡°Please! They are old and frail. This situation might prove to be too much for them. I beg of you, Miss Moore! Please show us some mercy!¡± Hannah leaned over slightly, her lips curled into a mocking smile. ¡°Are you trying to hold my sense of morality hostage now? Do you really expect me to let this matter go so easily?¡± ¡°I¡­ That¡¯s not what I meant at all, Miss Moore. I-I am being sincere. Please-¡° ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Patel. ¡± Hannah straightened and looked down her nose at the kneeling woman.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 142 ¡°But I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ve grossly overestimated my morals. You can¡¯t leverage them against me. ¡± She turned to leave, only to nce back again and add, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a day to pack up and leave. Otherwise, you will be served with awyer¡¯s letter, and we shall see each other in court. You¡¯d do well to take everything I say to heart. ¡± When Hannah arrived hometer that evening, she found several missed calls from Den. Already knowing what he wanted to talk about, she tossed her phone on the bathroom counter without returning any of his calls, then proceeded to take a long, rxing bath. She had just finished blow-drying her hair when her phone rang again. Hannah picked it up and answered without looking at the caller ID. ¡°If you¡¯re calling about Eliana, Den, I suggest that you spend your time moving your things out of the vi instead of pestering me like this!¡± ¡°Oh, he was pestering you, then?¡± Hannah paused, That voice sounded different from what she was expecting. She pulled her phone back and nced at the screen. Bryson Mitchell. She cleared her throat and put the device back to against her ear. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really. Just a minor issue. ¡± Hannah grabbed a towel and padded out of the bathroom. ¡°Are you done with your meeting?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll be taking a business trip to Muvrand for a few days, though. ¡± Hannah merely hummed in response. ¡°Take care on your way. ¡± ¡°Grace¡¯s condition has significantly improved. I was thinking of taking her with me this time. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s a great idea. A change of scenery would do Miss Mitchell a lot of good. ¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. A brief moment of silence followed. When Bryson spoke again, his voice was soft, his tone measured. ¡°I really want to take Grace with me, but I¡¯m still worried about her health. May I invite you to apany us to Muvrand?¡± Hannah let out a light chuckle. ¡°So, this is what you were getting at, Mr. Mitchell. The school will be on summer break soon, so I think I¡¯d have some time to spare. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± Chapter 143 ¡°You¡¯re wee. ¡± Hanna stretched her arm and crawled under the covers. ¡°You¡¯ve always looked after me, Mr. Mitchell. The least I can do to return the favor is to take care of Miss Mitchell. Well, it¡¯s gettingte. I¡¯m off to bed. Good night, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Hannah had barely finished speaking when Bryson¡¯s voice came again, sounding a little urgent this time. ¡°I¡¯m not inviting you solely for Grace¡¯s sake, Miss Moore. I just want you to know that. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, but before she could ask what he meant, Bryson spoke again. ¡°Have a good night, Miss Moore. ¡± The call ended, and Hannah was left staring at her phone screen. She shook her head helplessly, Lydia¡¯s words from earlier echoing in her mind. How could she possibly get involved with someone like Bryson Mitchell? Early the next morning, Hannah found her face and name stered all over the news. A video of Eliana kneeling in front of her, pleading and crying, was making its rounds online. Needless to say,izens were cursing Hannah, saying that she was so starved for fame that she was deliberately causing such scenes. People were criticizing her for being cruel and unreasonable. How could she make someone kneel and beg in front of so many people? Hannah ate it all up despite herself. She was so engrossed in the drama that she kept clicking on article after article. And then, the next thing she knew, they were all gone. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She went back to the home page, but the posts were no longer there. Even the video clip had disappeared from the trending section. Hannah knew of only one person who could, and would, do this for her-Bryson. She opened their WhatsApp conversation, only to hesitate at thest second. In the end, she typed one simple line and hit send.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. [Thank you. ] In a certain office in the city¡¯s business district, Bryson¡¯s phone vibrated on his desk. He tapped on his WhatsApp notification, read Hannah¡¯s message, and smiled. Yosef Reed, Bryson¡¯s executive assistant, who had been waiting on standby, gaped at his boss as if he had just seen a phantom. Bryson Mitchell was actually smiling? And at a text message, no less! This was the same ruthless boss, who was notoriously known as a demon lord in the business circles, whose every decision rocked the entirendscape of Valmere¡­ And he was smiling at a text?! Bryson looked up just in time to catch his assistant staring and trembling ever so slightly. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± I think ¡°Boss. ¡± Yosef bowed his head and took a deep breath. Chapter 144 ¡° I¡¯ma little cold¡­¡± ¡°Hmm. ¡± In the blink of an eye, Bryson reverted to his usual aloof demeanor. Yosef was oddly relieved to see it. ¡°Boss, all the news regarding yesterday¡¯s incident have been wiped out. No one is currently discussing the matter, at least not online. We have also secured the business cooperation the Edwards family had been working on. Do you have any other instructions?¡± Bryson narrowed his eyes, his voice icy. ¡°I heard that the Patel Group is nning a resurgence in the business scene. ¡± ¡°That is correct. The Patels are looking to enter into a marriage alliance with the Edwards family.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. The merger would certainly benefit both parties¡¯ ventures in Valmere, but nothing that would be of consequence to us. ¡± Bryson drummed his fingers on the table, a sinister glint shing in his eyes. ¡°We¡¯re taking all the orders that have been made to the Patel Group this month. ¡± ¡°Uh¡­ I understand, Boss. ¡± After exiting the CEO¡¯s office, Yosef paused and allowed himself a long sigh of relief. Then, he took out his phone and hurriedly sent a message to a small group chat. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ [Explosive news! It looks like Mr. Mitchell is into someone! ] A barrage of replies immediately came, ranging from strings of question marks to bouncing avatars. Some replies were questioning him if he was telling the truth or not, but overall, everyone was eager to get more details. [I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m right! You weren¡¯t there to see it, but the boss was smiling at his phone just now! It was right after he received a message! ] [No way, the boss was smiling?! Quit ying with us! I¡¯ve never seen such a phenomenon before!] [Please, everyone knows that the big boss never smiles. His natural face doesn¡¯te with a smile, end of story. ] [Are you having fun with your jokes, Yosef? Fine, I¡¯ll y along for now. So, who is this mystery woman that our boss apparently fancies, anyway?] Yosef huffed and typed furiously at his phone. He was still right next to the door to Bryson¡¯s office. [I¡¯m not sure, I haven¡¯t seen her yet. But she can¡¯t be an ordinary person. ] [I agree! Whoever catches our boss¡¯ attention must be a goddess descended from the heavens. ] [Quit bbering like an idiot! The boss isn¡¯t in the group, so there¡¯s no point to your cringey ttery!] While Bryson¡¯s subordinates busied themselves with guessing what kind of person Hannah was, she was walking out into the hall after finishing her afternoon sses. She was osted by Den outside of her office. He looked miserable and utterly worn out, with dark circles under his eyes. He had been swamped withpany matters recently, and he also had to bail Mr. and Mrs. Patel outst night. Den stepped directly into Hannah¡¯s path, his face glum and morose. Chapter 145 ¡°We¡¯ve already divorced, so why are you still making things difficult for Eliana? Are you still not satisfied with thepensation that I gave you? Until when are you going to keep harassing me?!¡± ¡°Are you paranoid or something, Den?¡± Setting her book aside, Hannah shot Den a frigid nce. ¡°Maybe you should invest in some mental health care. ¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Annoyed and humiliated, Den retorted, ¡°You¡¯re the reason Eliana¡¯s parents were hauled off to the police stationst night. Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re meless!¡± ¡°I did call the cops, yes,¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°They trespassed into my home and insulted me. Why shouldn¡¯t I involve the authorities?¡± ¡°They were only staying a few days. Can¡¯t you show somepassion?¡± ¡°We¡¯re divorced,¡± Hannah responded calmly but sharply, catching Den off guard.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. She narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°Anyone connected to you should keep their distance from me. ¡± Taken aback, Den felt a pang of sadness. She had once pursued him relentlessly, but now she acted as if she couldn¡¯t care less. With a dismissive snort, Den shot Hannah a contemptuous Look. ¡°Don¡¯t kid yourself. You won¡¯t win me back. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Den turned at the doorway and exited. ¡°Crazy man,¡± Hannah muttered under her breath. After Den left, Zayn inquired, ¡°Should we tell the principal, Miss Moore?¡± ¡°I doubt he¡¯ll be back,¡± Hannah assured, before turning to Zayn. ¡°I apologize for the scare. ¡± Zayn waved it off. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m more concerned that he might bother you again. By the way, Miss Moore, any ns for the summer? Our school offers a summer course. Not many attend, but it pays well, $100, 020 a month. Would you consider it?¡± ¡°Thanks, but no. ¡± Hannah declined promptly. ¡°I have othermitments this summer. ¡± Chapter 146 As it happened, the Patel family had recently lost several business deals to the Mitchell family, leaving them frustrated and helpless. Their only recourse was to push Den, their would-be son-inw, to get married as soon as possible. Likewise, the Edwards family were too preupied with their own business affairs to cause Hannah any grief. Time flew, and half a month had already passed. When summer break arrived, students burst from the school buildings, excited and chattering. Strolling among them, Hannah overheard their conversations. ¡°My parents are taking me to Australia for the summer. What about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on my own. My parents gave me $300, 000 for pocket money and told me to explore the country. So dull. ¡± ¡°We¡¯re off to Europe. A designer I adore just dropped a new collection. Mom wants to take me to his fashion show. ¡± ¡°Wow! I¡¯m so jealous. ¡± Hannah wore a grin as she listened to the students chatter.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Their youthful exuberance transported her back to her own carefree days in school. One student, recognizing her, eagerly approached and inquired, ¡°Miss Moore, any summer ns?¡± Over the past several months, Hannah had be a familiar face to virtually every student. Her striking appearance, coupled with her teaching prowess, had won her widespread acim. Ever since she¡¯d stood up to Sadie in the principal¡¯s office, she had be a heartthrob for the boys and an idol for the girls. She was a campus celebrity. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A group of students, who had been engrossed in conversation among themselves, now circled around her, joining the discussion. ¡°Miss Moore, how about a European getaway with me?¡± ¡°Come with us, Miss Moore. I¡¯ll cover your flight!¡± Engulfed by a group of eager students, Hannah listened to their ceaseless chatter and smiled, ¡°I¡¯m ttered, but I¡¯ve already made summer ns. Enjoy yours!¡± ¡°What are those ns?¡± Curious students crowded around her, questioning, ¡°Is it a romantic date with your boyfriend?¡± ¡°Wow! ! Seriously?¡± Their lively banter drew the attention of even more onlookers. ¡°No romantic dates. Stop the rumors!¡± Slightly embarrassed, Hannah admonished them, ¡°Watch your tongues! You¡¯re tempting fate by teasing your teacher. I might just have you dropped from your sses. ¡± Realizing she was jesting, the students chuckled and pretended to be scared, continuing to banter with her at the school entrance. Just then, a Bentley rolled up to the school gate,ing to a stop. The driver exited the vehicle and advanced toward Hannah. Chapter 147 ¡°Miss Moore, your ride is here. ¡± The sight of the luxury car left the students whispering among themselves, visibly taken aback. Though surprised to see Bryson¡¯s chauffeur, Hannah chose not to unt it. She simply nodded and replied, ¡°Okay. ¡± After bidding farewell to the students, she climbed into the car. Once inside, she questioned the chauffeur, ¡°Is something wrong with Miss Mitchell?¡± ¡°Nothing concerning Miss Mitchell, but there¡¯s a change in tomorrow¡¯s agenda. Mr. Mitchell has rescheduled your flight for this evening. We need to head to the airport immediately. ¡± ¡°A flight tonight? But I haven¡¯t even packed!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Moore. Mr. Mitchell has taken care of everything. ALL your travel essentials are ready. ¡± At that moment, Hannah got a text from Bryson on WhatsApp. ¡°Apologies. I had to shift the flightst minute for some work. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ I¡¯ve arranged for the chauffeur to take you to the airport. Did that scare you?¡± Hannah snapped a photo of her route to the airport and sent it his way. ¡°If I weren¡¯t familiar with your chauffeur, I wouldn¡¯t have risked getting in the car. In the airport lounge, Bryson read Hannah¡¯s text, a subtle smile lighting up his eyes.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Grace peeked at Bryson¡¯s phone screen and couldn¡¯t help but smile behind her hand. ¡°Bryson, what¡¯s so funny about texting Hannah?¡± Bryson nced at Grace¡¯s inquisitive expression and affectionately patted her head. ¡°Adult matters. No need to concern yourself. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a kid anymore. ¡± Pouting, Grace gave her pink suitcase an irritated kick. ¡°I¡¯m in college now, you know. Stop treating me like a child. ¡± ¡°Having another spat with your brother?¡± At the sound of Hannah¡¯s voice, Grace sprung to her feet and dashed over. Chapter 148 ¡°Hannah, you made it! Come with me to scold my brother!¡± As Hannah turned, she found herself locking eyes with Bryson, whose soft smile made her momentarily self-conscious. She quickly averted her gaze. Grace ushered Hannah to a seat, then asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t it frustrating hanging out with me?¡± ¡°Not at all. ¡± Smiling, Hannah suggested, ¡°You might want to consider rxation therapy. It could be beneficial for your wellbeing. ¡± ¡°Hello there! You¡¯re on this flight too? What a coincidence!¡± There came a familiar voice. Dressed in a flowing white chiffon gown, Melina entered, trailed by an assistant lugging suitcases. Catching sight of Hannah¡¯s slightly raised eyebrows, she grinned. ¡°So, Bryson, taking Grace out for some leisure time?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Business trip,¡± Bryson responded, his tone t. ¡°What a coincidence. ¡± Melina eased into the seat next to Bryson. ¡°My family has some dealings in Muvrand as well. It¡¯s fortunate that I can also spend a few days there. ¡± She then turned and shed a smile at Grace. ¡°How about joining me for some fun, Grace?¡± ¡°I¡¯d Like to hang out with Hannah, too,¡± Grace replied, her face crinkling into a pout. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Wie could all go,¡± Melina suggested, angling her head toward Hannah.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t mind, would you, Miss Moore?¡± At first, Hannah thought she¡¯d be alright being left out of their ns. But since Melina had asked, it was tough to say no. ¡°Of course, I have no objections. ¡± With a yful tap on Bryson¡¯s shoulder, Melina quipped, ¡°Bryson, Muvrand might be picturesque, but it¡¯s not exactly safe after dark. Just having Miss Moore to look after Grace might not cut it. ¡± Bryson shifted slightly, his shouldering to rest against Hannah¡¯s. ¡°That¡¯s not your concern. ¡± A cool, minty aroma hovered in the air. Hannah tensed up as both brother and sister nestled beside her, feeling cornered and immobilized. ncing down at Hannah, who was aimlessly scrolling through her phone, Bryson¡¯s mouth curved into a faint smile. Chapter 149 Once they were on the ne, Hannah found her seat next to Bryson¡¯s. As she moved to sit, Melina leaned in to whisper. ¡°Could I switch seats with you, Miss Moore?¡± Smiling subtly, Melina exined, ¡°I¡¯d like to talk business with Bryson during the flight. Would you mind taking my seat?¡± Before Hannah could even nod, Bryson shot down the proposal. ¡°I¡¯d rather not talk business while flying,¡± he said. With his back against the seat, he nced coldly at Melina. ¡°No need to switch seats. ¡± Melina¡¯s face registered a mix of hurt and confusion. She turned to Bryson. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I understand you don¡¯t want to discuss work, but this is vital for our uing ventures. ¡± Shifting his gaze to Hannah, Bryson lifted his hand to his forehead and softly instructed, ¡°Come sit by me. ¡± He then told Melina, ¡°We can talk this out when we¡¯re back in Valmere. ¡± Melina¡¯s face tightened, but she managed a small smile. ¡°Very well.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The flight was scheduled tost seven hours, with an expected midnight Landing. Not long after takeoff, a sense of drowsiness overcame Hannah. As the overhead announcements yed, she closed her eyes and slipped into sleep. In her half-awake state, she faintly heard murmuring beside her, followed by a feeling of warmth, as she sank deeper into sleep. When her eyes flickered open again, the cabin was dimly lit. She noticed a nket over her legs, and next to her, Bryson appeared to be snoozing, his back against the seat. Carefully, Hannah lifted the nket from her legs and began to dr@pe it over Bryson. However, he stirred, opening his eyes. The closeness was palpable. His warm breath grazed Hannah¡¯s cheek, causing her to instinctively loosen her hold. In a swift move, Bryson grabbed her wrist. His newly-awakened voice tinged with a raspy undertone, Bryson wore a gentle smile. ¡°Be careful,¡± he whispered. Feeling the warmth from where Bryson had grasped her wrist, Hannah delicately tried to pull away. ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± she whispered back. Chapter 150 Swiftly averting her gaze, she feigned sleep, clenching her eyes shut to shake off the lingering awkwardness. She questioned herself about why she feltpelled to cover him. Noticing Hannah¡¯s tense form, a silent chuckle brightened Bryson¡¯s eyes. As they touched down in the early morning, Grace was visibly weary. Hannah assisted her, taking her suitcase and offering aforting hug. ¡°Bryson. I¡¯m tired,¡± Grace mumbled sleepily, nestling into Hannah. ¡°We¡¯ll be at the hotel soon,¡± Bryson assured her. Walking next to him, Melina chimed in, ¡°I¡¯ve been considering switching hotels as well, so we can keep an eye on each other. ¡± She gestured, signaling a young assistant toe forward. ¡°Cancel our prior hotel reservation. We¡¯ll all stay together. It should be more convenient that way. ¡± Leaving the airport, they found two Rolls-Royces ready to whisk them away to the hotel. Melina, having booked her roomter, found it was on a separate floor. She headed downstairs, apanied by an assistant. Concerned for Grace¡¯s safety, Hannah asked Bryson to rearrange the amodations, opting for a suite on the same level. Bryson cautioned her before departing, ¡°Muvrand gets pretty hectic when the sun sets. Stick close to Grace, and call me if anything goes wrong. ¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Hannah responded. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Grace will be safe with me. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± After a draining day, both women were wiped out.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Following a quick freshening up, they copsed into bed, sumbing to sleep after a brief chat. Come morning, Bryson was tied up in meetings and couldn¡¯t join them. However, he ensured they were guarded by four bodyguards for any excursions. Drawing back the curtains, Hannah admired the view, feeling a sense of contentment. ¡°Muvrand doesn¡¯t appear to be chaotic Muvrand didn¡¯t boast towering skyscr@pers like Valmere. Instead, it had the charm of an old, scenic town and also featured waterways. Half of the city was essible by boat, which added a tranquil allure. ¡°Hannah, despite the picturesque surroundings, Muvrand isn¡¯t as peaceful as it seems,¡± Grace informed her, propped up on her elbows in bed. ¡°I¡¯ve been here a few times with my brother. He told me the crime rate is unusually high due to the city¡¯s geographic perks and abundant resources. ¡± Intrigued, Hannah Lightly drummed her fingers on the window ss, looking back at Grace. Chapter 151 ¡°Is there no oversight here?¡±Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Whenever my brother pays a visit for work, even if it¡¯s all by the book, there¡¯s a bit of risk involved. ¡± Noticing Hannah¡¯s skepticism, Grace immediately defended her sibling. ¡°Hannah, I assure you, my brother isn¡¯t involved in any underhanded dealings! You have to trust me and him. ¡± ¡°I do,¡± Hannah replied, ¡°I¡¯m just a little anxious for him. As the head of Mitchell Group, he could be a target, given Muvrand¡¯s peculiarities. ¡± Grace met Hannah¡¯s eyes. ¡°He¡¯s faced challenges before. But my brother never lets me dwell on such matters, and he has a team of reliable bodyguards with him, so there shouldn¡¯t be any issues, right?¡± Hannah softly patted Grace¡¯s head, saying, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m worrying too much. The Mitchell family are in clean businesses, and your brother often visits Muvrand for work. He should be fine. ¡± Just as the words left her lips, a knock echoed at the door. Carefully, Hannah approached and peeked through the peephole. Recognizing Melina, she utched the door. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Ah, Miss Glyn. ¡± ¡°Good morning, Miss Moore,¡± Melina greeted, gracing Hannah with a courteous smile. ¡°Miss Glyn, are you here to see¡­¡± Before she couldplete her question, Melina had already slipped past her, grinning as she entered the room. ¡°Grace, new styles from your preferred designer have been sent to the hotel. Interested in trying them on?¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather take a walk outside,¡± Grace retorted, ncing at Hannah with a slight pout. ¡°Hannah, can¡¯t we explore a bit nearby? You¡¯ve mentioned I should get out more. ¡± Hannah nodded and then turned toward Melina. ¡°If Grace wants to stroll, why don¡¯t we all go? Let¡¯s switch to casual wear and grab a cab. ¡± Melina, looking effortlessly elegant in her stylish attire, gently shook her head at Hannah¡¯s proposition. ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s your first visit to Muvrand. It¡¯s natural to be cautious,¡± Melina continued, her voice soft and her expression warm. ¡°I¡¯ve been here many times with Bryson, and both the Mitchell and Glyn families are highly respected. We even own property here. There¡¯s no reason to be concerned. ¡± Chapter 152 Hannah felt a twinge of difort despite Melina¡¯s soothing words. As a friend of Bryson, she didn¡¯t want to create tension over a small issue, especially not in front of Grace. ¡°Mr. Mitchell did say we should maintain a low profile when we go out ¡° Before Hannah could borate, Melina had already linked arms with Grace. ¡°We¡¯ll increase security and use our car. It¡¯s all for Grace¡¯s safety,¡± she assured. With that, Melina guided Grace toward the exit. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Noticing Hannah¡¯s hesitation, Grace reached back for her. ¡°Hannah!¡± Suppressing her apprehension, Hannah quickly followed them. As they left the hotel, a brand-new limousine awaited Melina, apanied by four burly bodyguards in suits. Hannah observed the holstered firearms at their sides, her brow subtly furrowing.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. She chose a window seat and stayed quiet. ¡°We have additional security trailing us,¡± Melina announced as she gotfortable in the limo. ¡°Rest assured, everything will proceed without a hitch. ¡± Seated close to Hannah, Grace softly reassured her, sensing that Hannah was still concerned about their well-being. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Hannah. We¡¯re safe. ¡± In an attempt to uplift Grace, Hannah concealed her anxious demeanor and nodded. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m not worried. ¡± On their journey, Melina had already called ahead to ensure that CoCo, a high-end boutique for custom clothing, was empty. As they pulled up, their eye-catching limo was the only vehicle in front of the boutique. The bodyguards from the follow car got out first, establishing a secure ring around the limousine. Then the driver opened the door for Melina. Stepping out of the car from the opposite side, Hannah felt uneasy as if a pair of malicious eyes had locked onto her. She cast a chilly nce around, but she didn¡¯t find anything wrong. There were only the spectators¡¯ curious stares. Was it her imagination? Was she overthinking it? Chapter 153 Grace noticed Hannah¡¯s momentary distraction and tugged softly at her attire. ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s wrong? Are you okay? Regaining her focus, Hannah shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m good. Let¡¯s head in. ¡± The boutique waspletely empty. As they walked in, the sales assistants bowed in unison. ¡°Wee, Miss Melina. ¡± ¡°I recently had a gown made here, adorned with a pink gem. I was told it¡¯s ready. ¡± The associate nodded respectfully and guided them. ¡°The gown is ready, Miss Melina. Please take your guest to the VIP room to try it on.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. We¡¯ve prepared some fine tea and refreshments for you. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± With her high heels clicking, Melina turned to Grace beside her. ¡°Obtaining this dress was no small feat. It cost me 600 thousand for this exclusive piece. Please try it on with care. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Holding onto Melina¡¯s arm, Grace¡¯s eyes sparkled like a deer¡¯s, brimming with joy. ¡°Thank you, Melina!¡± Hannah followed behind, opting not to enter the VIP room. ¡°Grace, I¡¯ll wait for you out here. ¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t youing in with us?¡± Grace¡¯s eyes twinkled with the hope of pulling Hannah along. However, Melina gripped Grace¡¯s wrist gently. ¡°Maybe Miss Moore would rather explore the boutique alone. ¡± She faced Hannah with a smile. ¡°If you find something you like, don¡¯t hesitate to take it. It¡¯s on me. ¡± ¡°Come on, Grace. ¡± With that, Melina guided Grace into the VIP room. Hannah lounged outside, her head propped on her hand, a look of ennui on her face. ncing at her phone, she realized she¡¯d missed a text from Bryson, sent a mere ten minutes earlier. Chapter 154 ¡°Are you outside? Stay cautious. ¡± Hannah texted back with a quick location pin of the boutique to Bryson, ¡°With Miss Mitchell dress shopping. We¡¯ll be back soon. ¡± Receiving a brief ¡°okay¡± from Bryson, Hannah left it at that. Grace swiftly tried on the dress and emerged from the dressing room. She twirled in front of Hannah, clutching the hem of her dress. ¡°Do you think it suits me, Hannah?¡± The gown, embellished with a massive pink gemstone at the waist and borate pink fabric, made Grace look every bit the little princess she was. The shop assistants couldn¡¯t stop singing praises for how enchanting Grace looked in the gown. ¡°Our leading designer crafted this dress, it¡¯s just perfect for the young miss. ¡± ¡°This pink gem is a custom import from South Africa. Miss Glyn spared no expense, spending 600 thousand. ¡± Melina stood nearby, a soft smile gracing her face as she observed Grace. ¡°If Grace is happy with it, that¡¯s all that matters. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What do you think, Hannah?¡± Grace looked at Hannah expectantly, still holding the hem of her dress. Hannah¡¯s smile widened as she looked at Grace. ¡°You¡¯re the picture of a fairy-tale princess today. The dress is a perfect match. ¡± ¡°Really!¡± Hearing Hannah¡¯s praise, Grace¡¯s smile grew even more radiant. Suddenly, Hannah felt someone watching them. She instantly turned her gaze toward the ss window. A shadow flickered and vanished. The warm expression on Hannah¡¯s face evaporated, and she swiftly rose to her feet. ¡°Miss Moore, is something amiss?¡± Melina, following Hannah¡¯s line of sight, searched outside but failed to discern anyone, a slight crease forming on her brow. ¡°I had this eerie sensation of being watched just moments ago,¡± Hannah disclosed, her gaze fixed intensely upon the source of her unease. ¡°Miss Moore, perhaps you¡¯re simply being a touch oversensitive,¡± Melina consoled, her voice reassuring. Chapter 155 ¡°We are surrounded by top-tier bodyguards; no one would dare approach us unnoticed. ¡± With her gaze retracting, Hannah gazed up at Melina and uttered softly, ¡°I¡¯m truly hoping it¡¯s just my nerves. ¡± Gesturing at the shop¡¯s offerings, Melina turned her attention back to Hannah, her voice gentle as she inquired, ¡°Is there something you desire, Miss Moore? I¡¯ll buy it for you. ¡± ¡°No need,¡± came Hannah¡¯s response. Melina swiftly signaled to an attentive salesperson nearby, dering, ¡°As long as we are here, kindly fetch us all of yourtest in- season arrivals. ¡± The employees of CoCo lined up in an orderly fashion, loading Melina¡¯s acquisitions into their vehicle, each one offering a respectful bow as the trio climbed aboard. ¡°Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Miss Glyn!¡± they chorused. Once ensconced within the vehicle, Hannah leaned against the window in contemtive silence. Grace proceeded to ce a call to Bryson, ensuring him of their safety. After concluding the conversation, Grace provided the driver with an address, then leaned in towards Hannah, her tone affectionate. ¡°Bryson mentioned that we¡¯re heading straight to Golden Bay beach tonight. The scenery is breathtaking and he wants us to unwind. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°That sounds utterly perfect,¡± Melina chimed in, her voice filled with excitement. ¡°Put on that custom dress and let Bryson marvel at his radiant sister tonight. ¡± Throughout their conversation, Hannah had remained notably subdued. ¡°Hannah, is something bothering you today? You¡¯ve been awfully quiet since earlier. ¡± Grace gently prodded, her gazeden with concern. Melina¡¯s gaze shifted towards Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, have I erred in my hospitality today?¡± Hannah¡¯s response was swift andforting. ¡°It¡¯s not about you, Miss Glyn. ¡± In a gentle, almost hushed tone, Hannah turned towards Grace, who held her arm, and offered a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯m simply not in the best spirits at the moment. ¡± Grace, her eyes shimmering with care, proposed, ¡°Since the journey to Golden Bay will be a bit lengthy, why don¡¯t you take a Little nap, Hannah? I¡¯ll rouse you when we reach our destination. ¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Hannah agreed with a nod. She leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes, though slumber eluded her. Inside the car, the ambiance was tranquil, marked by soft conversations and the gentle sway of the ride, abination that began to induce drowsiness in Hannah.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Chapter 156 Bang! Suddenly, a deafening noise erupted, its source external to the vehicle, followed by an abrupt and sharp swerving motion. ¡°Ahh! I¡± Involuntarily, everyone within the car shifted and tilted towards the opposite side. A chorus of rmed cries filled the air, jolting Hannah from her light repose. Hannah instinctively reached out, shielding Grace who sat beside her. The warmth in her eyes was swiftly reced by a stark intensity. ¡°What on earth is happening?¡± ¡°Look outside, through the window!¡± Melina, herplexion slightly paling, urgently gestured toward the exterior. The bodyguards within the vehicle had already drawn their weapons, their aim steady and unwavering upon the outside world, their expressions etched with unwavering tension. Hannah¡¯s gaze was drawn to the window on Melina¡¯s side, where she witnessed four or five entirely ck motorcycles encircling their vehicle from the outside. Their riders brandished objects resembling baseball bats and the previous thunderous noise that had resounded through the car had most likely been the sound of those objects striking the vehicle¡¯s windows. Hannah maintained a sereneposure as she took a moment to reflect, her eyes lifting to the window on her side. Indeed, she observed another four or five shadowy, onyx motorcycles tailing their car.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Ladies, there is no cause for rm. This vehicle is equipped with bulletproof ss. Your safety is guaranteed,¡± assured a nearby bodyguard, his voice tinged with an attempt to instill a sense of calm. Yet, Melina, despite the reassurance, appeared visibly agitated. She swiftly retrieved her phone from her handbag, urgency in her voice as she initiated a call. ¡°Hello? Mr. Watson! We are under attack on the Muvrand overpass; I implore you to dispatch the Tiger Force immediately!¡± Even as Melina¡¯s words hung in the air, the ebony motorcycles had drawn perilously close to their windows and a menacing figure cruelly rapped upon the ss. Just as Melina turned her gaze, a brawny assant viciously swung a bat against the window! A bang reverberated through the vehicle, sending it into a disconcerting tremor. ¡°ARI¡± Melina¡¯s startled cry filled the cabin as she instinctively covered her ears, her earlier poise abandoned in the face of sheer terror. ¡°You, all of you!¡± Melina gestured toward the bodyguards seated opposite her, a tremor in her voice. ¡°Quickly rid us of these assants!¡± The lead bodyguard hesitated, his voice cautious. Chapter 157 ¡°Miss Glyn, for the moment, remaining in the car is the safest course of action. We shall strive to elude them at the earliest opportunity. ¡± ¡°What good are you then?¡± Melina¡¯s voice quavered,ced with a hint of distress. She reached for her phone once more, her tone slightly tearful. ¡°Mayor Todd! Melina Glyn speaking; we are currently under attack on the Muvrand overpass! I implore you to dispatch aid without dy!¡± Concluding this conversation, Melina¡¯s tumultuous emotions appeared to subside somewhat.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°Mayor Todd assured us that help is en route. He urged us not to be unduly rmed. ¡± Grace had been nestled within Hannah¡¯s embrace, her gaze cautiously lifting to meet Hannah¡¯s. ¡°Hannah¡­¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Hannah cautioned Grace with a gentle finger to her lips, urging her to remain silent. Hannah had earlier discerned the presence of the pursuing gang outside; it wasn¡¯t a mere happenstance chase but appeared to be a carefully orchestrated assault. In an instant, the discordant crash of shattering ss erupted, perilously close to her ear. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A harrowing scream followed, reverberating through the car¡¯s cabin. Shards of ss hurtled towards them, prompting Hannah¡¯s pupils to contract sharply as she instinctively shielded Grace in her protective embrace. ¡°Get down!¡± The abrupt cmity left the bodyguards with little recourse but to form a human shield, barricading the car¡¯s windows and safeguarding its upants. Hannah¡¯s gaze fell upon an unupied seat adjacent to the driver, and she raised her voice with purpose. ¡°You, take the passenger seat; I¡¯ll handle the driving!¡± ¡°What? But¡­¡± The driver in the front seat quivered with nervousness, Hannah¡¯s directive only exacerbating his diposure. The prospect of entrusting the wheel to such a delicatedy seemed perilous; it was as though they were hastening their own peril. ¡°Miss Moore, this is no time for jests!¡± Melina¡¯s voice rose in urgency. ¡°Do not overestimate yourself; it will endanger us all!¡± Chapter 158 In defiance of Melina¡¯s admonition, Hannah leaned in closer to Grace, her words a gentle murmur. ¡°Grace, fasten your seatbelt, hold on securely and ensure you stay out of harm¡¯s way. ¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Grace replied, her trepidation counterbnced by the unwavering trust she ced in Hannah. She obediently nestled in the seat¡¯s corner, clutching the handrail with unwavering resolve. With Grace¡¯s safety assured, Hannah raised her eyes, her gaze an abyss of resolute determination. Stepping forward to the vacant space beside one of the bodyguards, Hannah swiftly retrieved the sidearm from the guard¡¯s waist, pressing it decisively against the driver¡¯s temple. ¡°No more words, just move!¡± The driver sensed an icy metallic chill seeping in through his temple, causing his heart to plunge into an abyss of frigid fear. Tio o5 I¡¯ll move right away!¡± he stammered. Unfastening his seatbelt, beads of anxiety glistened on his forehead as he cautiously peered towards the passenger seat, surrendering himself to the whims of destiny. In an abrupt, chaotic twist, the unmanned vehicle careened wildly across the road! Despite some semnce of readiness, the vehicle¡¯s upants couldn¡¯t suppress their primal screams. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah, her unwavering gaze fixed intently, deployed her legs to vault from the rear to the driver¡¯s seat, assumingmand of the steering wheel. Raising her eyes, Hannah glimpsed, through the rear-view mirror, the pursuing posse in hot pursuit. A sardonic smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she deftly shifted into reverse, forcefully propelling the vehicle backward! Caught off guard by the car¡¯s audacious retreat, the pursuers scattered to both nks. Several motorcycles, unable to evade the abrupt maneuver, toppled askew, their trajectories disrupted. Hannah withdrew her focus from the rear-view mirror, swiftly manipting the gears and flooring the elerator, initiating a high-speed pursuit on the elevated roadway.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Melina, her side window already reduced to shards, struggled to inhale amid the tempest unleashed by their breakneck velocity. Her mouth hung slightly agape but no words could escape; she was astonished and somewhat fearful. ¡°Hannah, this daredevil! What on earth is she trying to do?¡± The dashboard conspicuously disyed a formidable speed exceeding 200 miles per hour. The driver upying the passenger seat, beholding Hannah¡¯s fearless overtaking at this perilous velocity, found himself utterly overwhelmed. There was no way that Miss Moore was merely an unassuming university teacher! The relentless pursuing gang proved to be formidable adversaries. Chapter 159 Despite their momentary disarray, they swiftly regrouped and returned with renewed determination! On this asion, the gang¡¯s leader, devoid of any pretense of civility, drew perilously close to their vehicle and struck it with the deliberate intent of instilling fear. The forceful impact caused the car door to crumple inward, yet Hannah, poised and resolute, maintained her grip on the steering wheel, forging ahead undeterred. However, these adversaries proved unyielding. Following the Leader¡¯s assault, a menacing assemge of seven or eight motorcycles encircled them, relentlessly colliding with their vehicle. The driver seated on the passenger side, clutching the handle with an anxious resolve, turned to Hannah and implored, ¡°Miss Moore, we must devise a strategy to elude them! This cannot persist; a few more strikes and our car may face grave jeopardy!¡± Hannah, her hands steadfastly gripping the steering wheel, cast a sidelong nce at the leader who, astride a motorcycle, had positioned himself beside her window, brandishing a baseball bat with ominous intent. The car window fractured into a mosaic of fine fissures upon the savage impact. ¡°Miss Moore!¡± the driver beside her eximed, his heart vaulting into his throat. Hannah, her focus unwavering, addressed him withposure. ¡°Do me a favor. ¡± The driver nodded urgently. ¡°Please, Miss Moore, instruct me. ¡± ¡°Keep the steering wheel steady for a moment. ¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Before the driver could fathom Hannah¡¯s intentions, he observed her, seated in the driver¡¯s seat, purposefully lowering the window, relinquishing her grasp on the steering wheel.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eyes widened in astonishment, the driver swiftly leaned over to assume control. Hannah, bracing herself against the window frame, extended half of her graceful form outward. For an instant, the tendrils of her hair danced in the fierce wind, casting an enchanting silhouette. Yet it was the unflinching intensity in her dark, tranquil eyes that sent a shiver of dread coursing through the man on the imposing motorcycle. Her gaze exuded a chilling resolve, far removed from the ordinary. With a swiftness that caught her adversary off guard, Hannah curved her lips ever so slightly, deftly leveling a firearm at his head while unhurriedly disengaging the safety. Her gaze momentarily flickered beyond the man, taking stock of the other motorcycles that dared not approach, all owing to her audacious actions. Only then did she return her gaze to the man before her. The handgun gracefully pirouetted in her hand and, with eyes as cold as the arctic sky, Hannah discharged a single round. Subsequently, she directed the ominous muzzle toward the man framed by the car window, her head c@@ked slightly, a smile etching her lips, her eyes harboring a piercing chill. Recognizing that the upants of the car were not to be trifled with, the man signaled hisrades to retreat. The motorcycles that had been pursuing them obediently receded along thene. Chapter 160 It was only after the motorcycles had vanished from sight that Hannah pulled over to the side of the road, allowing the driver to resume his original position. Hannah slipped into the rear seat of the vehicle, her first concern being Grace. ¡°Grace, are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Grace replied. She intended to voice her thoughts further to Hannah but Melina interjected. ¡°Miss Moore, do you not believe your actions were somewhat impulsive?¡± Melina furrowed her brow, her gaze pointedly fixed on Hannah. ¡°Had our pursuers been armed as well, did you consider the dire consequences that could have befallen us today? If everyone behaved as recklessly as you did, it is my fear that none of us would have emerged from this day alive. ¡± Hannah looked downward, idly toying with the gun in her hand, methodically disassembling the bullets and turning them over in her fingers. ¡°We ventured out today at your behest, Miss Moore. If it weren¡¯t for your desire to do so, we would not have found ourselves in this predicament. ¡± Grace held her lip between her teeth, casting a cautious nce toward Melina. ¡°Melina, I also wanted toe out, so it¡¯s not Hannah¡¯s responsibility. ¡± ¡°Grace, there¡¯s no need to defend Miss Moore. She¡¯s the one who erred. ¡± Melina¡¯s gaze swept over Hannah, her words carrying a frosty undertone. ¡°I¡¯ve already requested assistance, so why is she persisting with this disy?¡± Click! Hannah had already reassembled the pistol, skillfully maneuvering the trigger, allowing the firearm to glide seamlessly in her palm before handing it to the bodyguard at her side. She pivoted, her frigid gaze fixing upon Melina¡¯s countenance as she spoke with dispassion. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Where are your people?¡± ¡°What ?¡± Melina found herself taken aback by Hannah¡¯s intense scrutiny. ¡°Your rescue team,¡± Hannah borated, and suddenly, Melina was jolted back to the present, feeling a twinge of unease. Why was she quarreling with individuals of this caliber?Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Melina offered a gentle smile, her fingers lightly brushing her forehead. ¡°My apologies, Miss Moore. I believe I was quite frightened a moment ago, which caused me to speak without due consideration. You won¡¯t hold it against me, will you? I should express my gratitude to you, even now. ¡± With a faint, lingering smile gracing her features, Melina casually inquired of Hannah with a trace of skepticism, ¡°Aren¡¯t you a teacher? Chapter 161 How is it that you possess the skill to handle a firearm? It¡¯s truly remarkable. ¡± ¡°I happen to indulge in watching certain police and criminal-themed television programs; that¡¯s where I picked up a few things,¡± Hannah replied with aposed countenance, her response offered as though an absolute verity, betraying no hints of deceit. Yet to Melina, Hannah¡¯s words were far from convincing. They seemed fraught with inconsistencies and loose ends. ¡°Miss Moore¡­¡± Melina wished to delve deeper into her query but Grace, her face aglow with admiration, had already clung to Hannah¡¯s arm, her eyes glistening with a deep reverence. ¡°Hannah, you are absolutely astounding! Not only are you an exceptional driver but you also confronted those individuals without a shred of fear, even employing your knowledge from television to contend with the adversaries!¡± Hannah¡¯s gentle touch graced Grace¡¯s head, and she inquired, ¡°Did fear overtake you just moments ago?¡± With a yful glint in her eyes, Grace responded to Hannah, ¡°Perhaps a tad but I held unwavering trust in you, dear Hannah, so my fear quickly dissipated. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery As their profound bond unfolded before her, Melina smiled and expressed, ¡°Indubitably, Miss Moore deserves our gratitude for this asion.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Grace, turning her gaze towards Melina, extendedfort, saying, ¡°It was, in part, my insistence on a leisurely stroll that caused you distress in the car. I must shoulder some of the me, too. ¡± Softly, Melina spoke to Grace. ¡°No burden of me should you bear. It was an unfortunate ident; let your worries fade. ¡± Grace redirected her gaze to Hannah, her eyes glistening. ¡°Hannah, you don¡¯t hold me at fault, do you?¡± A reassuring smile adorned Hannah¡¯s face as she _ responded, ¡°Absolutely not, my dear. It¡¯s possible our conspicuous presence today drew undue attention. ce no me upon yourself. ¡± Melina furrowed her brow subtly, pondering the meaning behind Hannah¡¯s words. Hannah¡¯s implication weighed heavily on her mind. It had been her insistence on apanying them with bodyguards today. Was Hannah subtly reprimanding her? ¡°I too share the me,¡± Melina confessed, her gaze falling to her knees. ¡°I aimed to protect Grace but clumsily miscalcted. I¡¯m truly sorry, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah replied lightly, ¡°It¡¯s okay. None among us foresaw today¡¯s unfortunate turn of events. ¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Grace chimed in, nodding sweetly. ¡°Hannah speaks the truth; it was a mere ident. Let us leave it in the past and refrain from revisiting it. ¡± Chapter 162 As the evening approached, they encountered no further incidents and, as they arrived at Golden Bay¡¯s shore, twilight descended. The manager of the Skyline Hotel eagerly awaited their arrival, greeting them with a warm smile as they alighted from the vehicle. ¡°Miss Glyn, Miss Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell awaits you in the hall. Allow me to escort you,¡± the attendant graciously offered. Hannah¡¯s gaze briefly drifted to the distant, sun-ki*sed sea, aglow in the waning light, casting a captivating orange hue. The towering cliffs at the ocean¡¯s edge and the melodious symphony of waves caressing the rocky shores resonated in their ears. ¡°Shall we, Hannah?¡± Grace entreated, gently taking Hannah¡¯s hand and leading her forward. ¡°My brother awaits. ¡± Within the embrace of the Skyline Hotel, Hannah discovered that Bryson had reserved it for a forting business discussion. ¡°Do sample the cuisine here. Let us know if it suits your pte,¡± Bryson said as he pulled out a chair for Hannah, beckoning her to sit beside him. With the grace of a host, he plucked a piece of sulent fish with the serving fork and extended it to Hannah, saying, ¡°Give it a try. ¡± As the vors of the fish burst within her mouth, a burst of freshness intertwined with the subtle essence of ginger. Raising an eyebrow, Hannah inquired, ¡°Is this grouper?¡± ¡°You can identify the fish after a single taste. Miss Moore, your discernment is truly remarkable. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes danced with a hint of a smile. ¡°It appears I can¡¯t serve subpar dishes in your presence. ¡± ¡°Grouper, a prized delicacy, truly shines when steamed, but freshness is key to its allure, lest an undesirable fishiness pervades. ¡± Hannah wore a smile, her eyes fixed on Bryson. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Mr. Mitchell, it seems you¡¯ve gone to considerable lengths to acquire grouper at this time. ¡± Witnessing the undeniable rapport between them, Melina experienced an inkling of disquiet in her heart. Raising her ss with an appreciative smile, she acknowledged, ¡°I owe a great debt to Miss Moore today. Were it not for her, Grace and I might have encountered considerable trouble. ¡± Bryson¡¯s countenance bore a subtle furrow as his gaze briefly shifted towards Melina before settling upon Hannah, inquiring, ¡°Did any untoward events befall you during your journey today?¡± ¡°Bryson, let me share, let me share!¡± Grace, resembling an animated sparrow, embarked on an enthusiastic recount of the day¡¯s urrences. With sparkling eyes brimming with admiration for Hannah, she propped her chin on her palm, her voice bubbling with excitement.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Hannah truly dazzled us all! You didn¡¯t witness it, Bro, but when she leaned out and trained that firearm on the individual, she exuded an extraordinary sense ofposure!¡± ¡°Nevertheless, it did entail a degree of risk. Had those individuals been armed, Miss Moore might have found herself in a perilous predicament. ¡± Melina offered her gentle counsel to Hannah, her tone suffused with care. ¡°Miss Moore, although you have acquired proficiency with firearms, in the future, you should exercise greater vignce. The specter of worry loomsrge if any mishap should arise. ¡± Chapter 163 Hannah found herself unsettled by the recurrent mention of the firearm.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. She raised her eyes, bestowing upon Melina a nonchnt gaze, her response restrained. ¡°In times of exception, exceptional measures be imperative. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice resonated with calm assurance. ¡°I discern no fault in Miss Moore¡¯s course of action. ¡± Hannah was taken aback by Bryson¡¯s unexpected support in this instance. She looked at him in surprise. Bryson¡¯s eyes remained impassive as he directed his attention to Melina, asserting, ¡°In such a situation, self-preservation is the only recourse. ¡± Melina, having bitten her lip and momentarily averted her eyes, ultimately embraced a smile, articting her concurrence after a brief pause. ¡°Bryson speaks the truth. I¡¯ve previously been safeguarded by vignt bodyguards and never confronted such a circumstance. Hannah, please, do not let my words weigh upon you. ¡± Only then did Hannah divert her gaze from Bryson, lowering her eyes to reply with an understated assurance. ¡°I don¡¯t mind. ¡± Following the dinner, Grace, her appetite satiated, insisted that Hannah apany her for a seaside stroll. The area had been meticulously secured under Bryson¡¯s men¡¯s watchful eye, allowing Hannah to lower her guard considerably. Extending her hand to sp Grace¡¯s, Hannah turned to Bryson and conveyed, ¡°I shall apany Miss Mitchell for a leisurely stroll by the beach. Mr. Mitchell, please feel free to continue with your work. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Once they departed from the hotel¡¯s embrace, Grace, akin to a bird unburdened by gravity, eagerly pulled Hannah along, their destination the beckoning shore. Grace, embracing spontaneity, unstrapped her tform shoes and carried them by the straps. She spread her arms wide, stepping onto the soft, damp sand, her countenance aglow with effervescent delight. ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve felt this joyous!¡± Grace¡¯s gently curled tresses cascaded over her shoulders as she looked up at Hannah, radiating an adorable and luminous charm. ¡°As long as your heart is filled with happiness, this journey here holds its worth,¡± Hannah responded with a warm smile and fished out her phone to capture moments of Grace¡¯s tion. After a while, Grace subconsciously touched her shoulders, showing signs of her potential difort. ¡°The seaside can be rather chilly at night. Shall we return?¡± Hannah suggested. ¡°But I¡¯d like to stay a little longer and y,¡± Grace yfully implored Hannah. ¡°Could you apany me a bit further?¡± ¡°Alright, then, but first,e back with me to change into something warmer. ¡± Pouting and casting a mildly aggrieved nce, Grace lightly shook Hannah¡¯s sleeve. Chapter 164 ¡°But that seems like such a bother. ¡± Hannah sighed, her sense of helplessness apparent, ¡°In that case, wait here for me, I¡¯ll swiftly fetch you some warmer clothing. ¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Grace eximed with boundless enthusiasm, stepping toward the water, and waved at Hannah with a radiant smile. ¡°I always knew Hannah was the best!¡± Reluctantly, Hannah retraced her steps to the hotel, grabbed a long- sleeved jacket and hastened back to the shoreline. Yet, in the span of a mere five minutes, Grace, who had been so recently immersed in the seaside merriment, had vanished. The expanse of beachy vacant, devoid of any soul. Hannah was instantly gripped by rm, her voice piercing the night. ¡°Miss Mitchell! Grace!¡± The seashore¡¯s emptiness reverberated with Hannah¡¯s solitary voice, unanswered by anyone. Perceiving an ominous presence, Hannah urgently dialed Bryson, uttering, ¡°Mr. Mitchell! Miss Mitchell has gone missing near the beach!¡± ¡°What Bryson¡¯s voice turned frigid in an instant. ¡°I¡¯ll dispatch someone immediately! Where are you now!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°I¡¯m near the shoreline. ¡± As she spoke on the phone, Hannah surveyed her surroundings. ¡°Hold on!¡± In a sudden revtion, her eyes narrowed, fixating on a figure atop a towering rock. She swiftly pivoted toward the rock¡¯s direction. ¡°It appears Miss Mitchell is on that rock! I¡¯ll investigate first!¡± Meanwhile, Bryson, on the other end of the call, had already left the room. Yosef, Bryson¡¯s assistant, awaited outside and promptly followed Bryson, speaking with urgency. ¡°Boss, security from Golden Bay and our bodyguards have initiated a thorough search. We¡¯ll locate Miss Mitchell soon!¡± ¡°Join me at the nearby rocks immediately!¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Upon concluding the call, Hannah quietly veered off her path and ascended the rocky pinnacle, indeed spotting Grace. ¡°Grace!¡± Grace sat on the ground, her youthful countenance marred by fear, dust from the earth covering her, while two men before her were attempting to drag her toward the sea. Chapter 165 Hannah¡¯s sudden exmation caused the two men to cease their actions, their guns now aimed at Grace. ¡°Hannah! Escape now, don¡¯t worry about me!¡± Even when faced with the Looming threat of being thrown into the sea, terror coursing through her, Grace still managed to cry out these words, filled with heartbreaking desperation. The two men dressed in ck suits relinquished their grip on Grace. One of them slowly lowered his hand, the muzzle of his gun now indicating Grace¡¯s direction. ¡°If you dare attempt to flee, she¡¯ll meet her demise,¡± he warned. The night breeze wafted gently, lifting a corner of Hannah¡¯s pristine white dress, casting her figure in an exceptionally delicate silhouette beneath the night sky. With deliberateposure, she lifted her hands, her gaze locked unwaveringly on the two men. ¡°If you require a hostage, I believe I would be a more fitting choice than her. ¡± ¡°But she¡¯s Bryson¡¯s sister, what are you inparison?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been ying a dangerous game, pretending to threaten Miss Mitchell only when you saw someone approaching. ¡± Confronting the gun barrels pointed at her, Hannah proceeded with measured steps toward the two men. ¡°You know that Mr. Mitchell cherishes his sister above all. If any harm befalls her, it won¡¯t just be your loss. Those who orchestrated this will suffer!¡± One of the men angrily gestured his firearm toward Hannah. ¡°What use do we have for you?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Hannah halted, positioning herself a mere ten paces from them. ¡°I am Miss Mitchell¡¯s primary physician; Mr. Mitchell relies on me. Holding me as a hostage would not be to your detriment. ¡± ¡°Why should we trust a woman¡¯s words?¡± Then, suddenly, a gunshot pierced the air! The man in front of Hannah felt his wristwatch tumble in response. Startled and disoriented, the two men swung their weapons toward the source of the shot. ¡°Who?! Who in the world fired that shot?!¡± Hannah, taken aback, turned her head and beheld Bryson, standing tall with a gun in hand, not far from her. Bryson¡¯s profound eyes exuded an icy chill. After discharging that gunshot, he stooped, gently cing his firearm on the ground, and extended his arms to demonstrate hisck of weaponry. Only then did hemence a resolute advance, moving steadily in the direction of Hannah. Chapter 166 ¡°Mr. Mitchell!¡± Hannah¡¯s heart quickened, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°This is far too perilous!¡± The man in the suit opposite, his wristwatch shattered by a well- aimed bullet, finally regained his faculties, brandishing his firearm toward Bryson. ¡°Damn you, are you courting death? Do you no longer care for your beloved sister¡¯s life?¡± Confronted by Bryson¡¯s unwaveringly lethal stare, the bravado of the two men across from him withered instantaneously. ¡°You!¡± The man who had lost his wristwatch raised his voice, bolstering his own resolve, aiming his weapon at Hannah.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Approach us immediately !¡± Hannah attempted to step forward but an unyielding force drew her back. Bryson¡¯s eyes,den with resoluteness, remained fixed upon her. ¡°I shall go. ¡± The man in front of them grew impatient, clutching his gun. ¡°Enough talk! Any further dy and we shall cast her into the sea!¡± The other appeared poised to drag Grace, who had fallen to the ground, upward. ¡°I¡¯m on my way. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah broke free from Bryson¡¯s grasp, casting him a determined look before turning and approaching the two men stationed near the rugged cliffs with a subdued expression. Upon reaching Grace¡¯s side, Hannah made an attempt to kneel and offer her assistance, but a man seized her shoulder harshly. ¡°Do not you dare move!¡± The gun¡¯s cold barrel pressed against her forehead, causing Hannah to lower her gaze and inquire, ¡°What do you want?¡± Holding the fates of two individuals within his grasp, the man finally let down his guard and directed his gaze in Bryson¡¯s direction. ¡°You¡¯ve trespassed into territory you ought not to; today serves as a mere lesson for you!¡± With a scornful grin, he casually twirled the gun aimed at Grace. ¡°Today, we shall take but one of her limbs, a message to Mr. Mitchell!¡± The moment of reckoning had arrived! Hannah elevated her hands, seizing the gun that had been menacing her temple and forcefully redirected its aim. The man behind her, startled, instinctively pulled the trigger. Chapter 167 The bullet found its mark, striking the hand of the other suited man wielding the weapon, causing it to tumble to the ground amid his agonized cries. ¡°Ahhh! I! While enduring the excruciating pain, the suited man knelt to retrieve the fallen firearm, only to be met by Bryson¡¯s sudden presence, a devastating blow that sent him sprawling! In perfect synchronization with Hannah¡¯s audacious move, Bryson closed the distance between them, taking advantage of the suited man¡¯s incapacitation. The man positioned behind Hannah, his grip constricting her throat, inched her perilously closer to the precipice of the rocky Ledge. ¡°None of you make a move! Another step, and I¡¯ll throw her¡­ Ahhh !!!¡± Before he could utter another word, Hannah¡¯s eyes darkened. She hoisted her hand,tching onto his arm, and used his own momentum to strike with all her might. Both of them tumbled from the rocky precipice, hurtling swiftly toward the unforgiving sea below! ¡°Hannah!¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± From the heights of the cliffs, two voices resounded urgently. During her rapid descent, Hannah thought she caught a glimpse of someone leaping from the rocks! The voices around her faded into an indistinct murmur, and the sensation of plummeting into the sea sent a flutter of panic through her heart. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The water surrounding her, suffocating and icy, seemed to extinguish her will to survive. With her eyes barely open, she could only make out hazy shapes in the murky water, memories flooding back to a distant time, years ago, when she had been forcibly pushed into the sea! Sinister eyes lurked in the obscurity, willing the ocean to im her, to drown her beneath its depths! Hannah¡¯s once-vigorous struggle gradually waned, and she found herself sinking into the abyss of the dark waters. ¡°Hannah, Hannah!Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Who could be calling her? Struggling to lift her eyelids, Hannah found herself surrounded by a disorienting haze until an image of a teenage boy crystallized, approaching eagerly in her direction. Though his lips moved as if speaking, she couldn¡¯t make out any sound. She felt her plummeting form caught in a tight grip, encircled securely as her descent was arrested. Chapter 168 Muscr arms lifted her from the ocean¡¯s depths; then her memories scattered, elusive as a kite cut from its string. ¡°Hannah! Wake up, Hannah!¡± Drenched through and through, Bryson carried Hannah to the shore, but shey unresponsive. Nearby, Grace sobbed guiltily, ¡°This is all my fault! If I hadn¡¯t been so adamant about staying outside, Hannah wouldn¡¯t be at risk! Bryson! Please save Hannah!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Wet strands of hair stuck to their foreheads as Bryson, with his strong stance, bent down, his intense gaze fixed solely on Hannah. Upon hearing themotion, Melina rushed over and gasped, ¡°What. . What¡¯s going on here?¡± After multiple unsessful CPR attempts by Bryson, he pinched her nose, preparing to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. ¡°Maybe we should wait for medical help,¡± Melina advised. Ignoring her, Bryson softly pressed his lips to Hannah¡¯s. Melina¡¯s fingers clenched, her face barely masking her disquiet. Why did a mere teacher deserve Bryson¡¯s full attention? ¡°Cough! Cough!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s eyes still sealed, she coughed forcefully, expelling a mouthful of seawater. ¡°Hannah!¡± Her eyes flickered open, their focus wavering before settling on Grace. She mumbled, ¡°Grace¡­¡± Seeing Hannah regain consciousness, Grace immediately knelt down, grasping her hand.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯m here¡± A faint hum buzzed in her ear, and Hannah seemed slow to react, her hazy eyes meeting Bryson¡¯s. His eyes glinted even in the darkness, causing Hannah to squint as his face began to meld with that of the teenage boy who had saved her from drowning years ago. ¡°Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Without another word, Bryson scooped Hannah up and made his way to the hotel. Worn out and cradled in his arms, Hannah soon fell asleep. Chapter 169 When she awoke, gentle murmurs reached her ears. ¡°Is Hannah really okay? Her forehead felt hot. Bryson, shouldn¡¯t we get her to the hospital?¡± ¡°Rest assured, Miss Mitchell. She just had a chill from the water. Her fever¡¯s gone down; she¡¯ll wake up soon,¡± someone assured Grace. Struggling to open her eyes in the dimly lit room, Hannah saw Bryson beside her, his features hidden in shadow, his expression unreadable. ¡°Grace¡­ Mr. Mitchell. ¡± As soon as she spoke, Grace rushed to her, tears spilling over. ¡°You scared me, Hannah! Really scared me!¡± Looking at the distraught young girl, Hannah tenderly wiped her tears. ¡°I¡¯m okay, see? You¡¯re the one crying. ¡± Leaning on Hannah¡¯s shoulder, Grace¡¯s Lips quivered before she sobbed, ¡°It¡¯s all because of me¡­ my fault. ¡± ¡°How could you say it¡¯s your fault?¡± Hannah reassured her, patting her gently. ¡°Someone evil did this, using you to get to your brother. Thankfully, you¡¯re fine. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Stop crying. It won¡¯t help you heal,¡± Hannah softly whispered to Grace.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Finally, Bryson broke his silence. ¡°Grace, let¡¯s leave Hannah to rest. ¡± Grace sniffed, regaining someposure. ¡°Alright, Bryson, you stay with Hannah. I¡¯ll go back to my room. ¡± Click. The door shut softly, leaving Hannah and Bryson alone. ¡°Thank you for saving me today, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°Do you understand how risky what you did today was?¡± Chilled by the sternness in Bryson¡¯s voice, Hannah met his gaze. Chapter 170 ¡°But had I not done it, they would have surely hurt Grace. I was worried for Grace. It was a desperate act, but given the situation, it was my only option. ¡± Bryson sat next to the hospital bed, weariness and concern evident on his face. ¡°Even when it meant risking your life at sea?¡± Taken aback by Bryson¡¯s words, Hannah averted her gaze. ¡°Actually, I can swim,¡± she admitted. Her face was pale from the near-drowning incident. ¡°I had an ident in the water as a child. That¡¯s when I learned to swim. ¡± ¡°But¡­ ¡± With a bitter smile, Hannah continued, ¡°When I fell into the ocean this time, memories of my past overwhelmed me, and I forgot my swimming skills. It wasn¡¯t intentional. Anyways, we should move on from that. ¡± She tried to change the topic. In a more cheerful voice, Hannah said, ¡°With everyone here, I felt pretty safe. ¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°I¡¯d like for you to rely on me in the future, instead of taking risks with your life,¡± Bryson cautioned, his eyes still filled with concern. Noticing Bryson¡¯s worried look, Hannah, who was lying on the bed, gave a subtle nod. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Understood. ¡± Easing back into his chair, Bryson¡¯s voice grew tender. ¡°I¡¯ll stay right here. You should rest. ¡± With a nod, Hannah shut her eyes, reopening them only after a significant amount of time. Bryson had his eyes closed too, leaning into his chairfortably. Hannah boldly let her eyes linger on him. She recalled a childhood memory of nearly drowning, and the first face she saw upon waking was that of Den. She had always believed it was Den who had pulled her from the water. But now, it was Bryson who hade to her rescue. As these memories resurfaced, she began to doubt whether Den had been her savior back then. Rather¡­ Her eyes were drawn to the man in front of her,pletely mesmerized. The boy from her distant memories began to morph into Bryson. She shook her head vehemently, dismissing the notion. Could fate really be this uncanny? Chapter 171 Perhaps she had been staring a bit too ¡°intensely,¡± because Bryson abruptly opened his eyes, meeting her gaze with a soft grin. Realizing she had been caught staring, Hannah quickly blinked and moistened her dry lips. Yet, she couldn¡¯t hold back, lifting her intrigued gaze to query, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, is it possible that we¡­ Knew each other long ago?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes momentarily wavered, as if he were about to respond. Suddenly, a knock interrupted them at the door! The resonant echo of a knock intruded into Hannah¡¯s reverie, abruptly yanking her from her contemtion. Swiftly, she averted her gaze, inclining her head. ¡°Enter. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice eventually emanated. Yosef made his entrance, positioning himself beside Bryson and, in a hushed tone, he conveyed, ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve ascertained that the individuals responsible for Miss¡¯s abduction are Travis Nixon¡¯s men. And furthermore¡­¡± Yosef momentarily hesitated, casting a furtive nce in the direction of Hannah, reclined on the bed, before halting his discourse. Bryson¡¯s gaze delved into profound contemtion. ¡°Continue. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Those malefactors that thedies encountered earlier today were also orchestrated by Travis. Our intent in venturing here revolved around securing that coveted piece of real estate in Cityscape Gardens. Their operatives have cast their covetous gaze upon it as well. With the deal now sealed, they perceive it as an affront and it appears retribution is their foremost objective. ¡± Yosef¡¯s voice dwindled further, almost a whisper. ¡°Boss, should we. . Bryson¡¯s eyes turned icy, his tone devoid of emotion. ¡°Gatherpelling evidence and submit it to the local authorities. ¡± Comprehending his boss¡¯s unspoken directive, Yosef nodded and then inclined his head in the direction of Hannah. ¡°Boss, Miss Moore should retire early. I shall not disrupt her further. ¡± As Yosef departed, Bryson¡¯s phone abruptly chimed. He retrieved it and deliberately lowered his voice, inquiring, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°That shrewd individual, Nigel Kelly, suddenly extended an invitation, asserting a banquet scheduled for tomorrow where the contract shall be formally signed. ¡±Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Brayden, on the other end of the line, was idly flipping a butterfly knife, casually leaning against a sofa. ¡°He¡¯s had a change of heart, given your absence this evening, unwilling to proceed without your presence. ¡± Bryson pinched the bridge of his nose, his wordsced with nonchnce. Chapter 172 ¡°I will attend the rendezvous tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Incidentally, I heard Miss Moore had a close call today?¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze alighted on Hannah, her form now peacefully asleep, her head gently inclined, her eyes sealed in slumber. ¡°Hmm. ¡± ¡°Travis incurred significant losses thest time. How audacious of him to provoke the Mitchell Group once more!¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze turned cial, his knuckles pressing lightly against his furrowed brow. ¡°He¡¯s trying to salvage his reputation. Injuring Grace and Hannah won¡¯t grant him an easy escape this time. ¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g When it came to discussing the ns for the following day, Bryson rose from his seat. Casting a quiet nce at the peacefully slumbering Hannah, he made his exit with utmost discretion. The room descended into a hushed tranquility and only then did Hannah slowly unfurl her eyes. She had caught snippets of Bryson¡¯s conversation earlier, which had somewhat reassured her with the glimpse of a strategy. The next morning, Hannah presented herself to the group as though nothing had transpired. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah, are you feeling better now? Perhaps you shouldn¡¯t apany me outside today?¡± Grace fretfully clutched Hannah¡¯s arm, reaching up to gauge thetter¡¯s temperature with her palm. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine,¡± Hannah responded nonchntly. ¡°It¡¯s just a minor chill from my tumble into the water. A night¡¯s rest has resolved it. ¡± As everyone gathered for breakfast, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but notice Melina¡¯s conspicuous absence, though she refrained from inquiring. Just as Hannah began to nibble on a piece of bread, Grace, cupping a ss of milk, inquired first, ¡°Bryson, where¡¯s Melina?¡± ¡°She had some matters to attend to and returned to Valmere. ¡± ¡°Oh. ¡± Grace nodded, turning to Hannah with a smile. ¡°Then, Hannah, I¡¯ll be relying on you for our outing today. ¡± ¡°Of course. ¡± Bryson set down his coffee with a calm demeanor. ¡°I¡¯ll apany you. ¡± Grace blinked mischievously, as if she had discerned something, her gaze fixed on Bryson while she yfully swirled her milk-filled ss. The young girl couldn¡¯t resist teasing Bryson, ¡°Bryson, who do you worry about more, me or Hannah?¡± Chapter 173 As Bryson¡¯s eyes settled upon them, Grace yfully extended her tongue and meekly focused on her meal. Hannah, too, experienced a certain disquiet, lifting the ss of milk at her side and taking a sip, deliberately evading Bryson¡¯s scrutiny. Their entire day had been spent outdoors and Bryson had been their unwaveringpanion throughout. When the sun began its descent, heralding their return to the hotel, Bryson observed attentively as Hannah and Grace entered the car, meticulously closing the door behind them. Grace lowered the car window and leaned forward, inquiring, ¡°Aren¡¯t you joining us on the way back?¡± ¡°I have some work this evening,¡± Bryson conveyed. He extended his hand and gently tousled Grace¡¯s hair through the open car window. ¡°You two can head back now; I¡¯ll followter. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± With a gradual ascent, the car window sealed itself. Seated within, Hannah only shifted her gaze after she witnessed Bryson embarking on his departure in another vehicle. Upon their return to the hotel, after ensuring Grace wasfortably settled, Hannah retreated to her room. It was then that a message illuminated her DarkLink app. [Boss, are you in Muvrand? Someone is engaging in identity fraud at the Enchantment Casino, posing as you. ] [Moreover, she¡¯s aiding the dealer in substantial cheating. Please hurry over!!] Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A precise Location was then promptly transmitted. Upon reading the message, Hannah furrowed her brow, casting a fleeting nce at the time disyed on her phone; Bryson likely wouldn¡¯t be returning imminently. [Monitor their activities; I will be there shortly.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ] Swiftly altering her attire, Hannah discreetly exited through the hotel¡¯s rear entrance, avoiding drawing the attention of the security detail Bryson had stationed outside. Bryson¡¯s vehicle came to a halt outside the Enchantment Casino, where a contingent of individuals led by Nigel, a portly man, awaited. Upon Bryson¡¯s exit from the car, Nigel immediately broke into a grin, revealing a set of teeth tinged with a yellowish hue. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, it¡¯s a rare privilege to have the chance to meet you!¡± Nigel, his thumb rotating a green jade ring,ughed heartily, causing his ample cheeks to ripple with mirth. ¡°I¡¯m truly honored that you¡¯ve graced my banquet this evening!¡± This boorish fellow, attempting to don an air of refinement. Brayden, positioned beside Bryson, kept his discontent internal. Nigel¡¯s demeanor wasn¡¯t like this the previous night; this cunning fox was remarkably shrewd! Chapter 174 As they made their entrance into the Enchantment Casino, a throng of individuals swarmed around them. The Enchantment Casino wielded considerable influence within both the underworld and the city¡¯s legitimate circles of power in Muvrand, under the jurisdiction of two major factions. The banquet hall on the casino¡¯s topmost third floor served as a social hub for the city¡¯s elite, its opulent veneer consistently concealing a deeper underbelly. The casino¡¯s second floor was designated for the leisure and entertainment of the city¡¯s upper echelon. It naturally served as a sanctuary for the shadowy world of gambling. Within the elevator of the Enchantment Casino, Nigel pressed the button for the second floor. Brayden furrowed his brow and queried, ¡°Mr. Kelly, aren¡¯t we supposed to be attending the banquet? Why are we heading to the second floor?¡± He cast a vignt nce in Nigel¡¯s direction. In contrast, Nigel erupted into heartyughter. ¡°Mr. Mitchell is here for the banquet but how could he resist a visit to our casino? The legendary God of Gambling has also graced our casino with her presence. Mr. Mitchell, wouldn¡¯t you like to meet this renowned God of Gambling?¡± Brayden, somewhat taken aback, remarked from the sidelines, ¡°The Magician is actually in Muvrand?!¡± Ding Dong! As the elevator doors gracefully parted, the resonant buzz from the second floor immediately flooded the senses. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Two rows of impably attired bodyguards, standing sentinel at the entrance, offered a deep bow to Nigel and addressed him with utmost deference. ¡°Mr. Kelly!¡± Nigel, a genial demeanor gracing his countenance, emerged first from the elevator, turned around, and smiled at Bryson, gesturing toward the casino. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, if you would be so kind as to follow me. ¡± Bryson, a man of few words, exited without a sound. Upon crossing the threshold into the casino¡¯s exuberant domain, the ceaseless tumult enveloped them. ¡°Step right up! ce your wagers,dies and gentlemen!¡± In the distance, amotion erupted around a group engaged in a spirited dice game, swiftly seizing their attention. Nigel, with a graceful gesture, presented the intriguing spectacle before them. ¡°This, my friend, is the renowned ¡®Magician,¡¯ the God of Gambling. Would you care to test your fortune alongside me, Mr. Mitchell?¡± Bryson, a portrait of stoic indifference, regarded the veiled woman in the vicinity, choosing silence over affirmation.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 175 Thedy concealed behind a silver mask was shaking a dice cup in her delicate hand. With a resounding flourish, the dice cup descended upon the table¡¯s surface! ¡°How much are you willing to wager this time?¡± inquired the veileddy. ¡°I shall double the stakes. ¡± A throng of onlookers encircled the gaming table, raucously exhorting the participants. Amidst the fevered cacophony of gambling, the man seated opposite the masked woman resolutely set down his dice cup. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ll always emerge victorious!¡± The man affectionately caressed the woman at his side before confidently resting his hand on his dice cup and tauntingly suggested, ¡°If I win this time, will you unveil your mask?¡± The masked woman, her countenance tranquil beneath the veil, smiled enigmatically at her adversary. ¡°Very well, but what if you lose?¡± In a bold and decisive move, the man shoved all his remaining chips to the center of the table! ¡°Let¡¯s go all in, two million! Let the wagermence! I find it hard to believe that Luck shall favor you in this game!¡± ¡°Very well, I ept your wager. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With a flourish, the man forcefully unveiled the contents of his dice cup. A pair of fives and a six were revealed and a triumphant chuckle danced on the man¡¯s lips as he cast an impertinent gaze at the veiled woman. ¡°It appears that your mask muste off, my dear.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡± Exuding confidence, the woman elegantly dispersed her chips and made her own dice cup known. ¡°Three sixes. My apologies, but this round is mine. ¡± In a fit of rage, the man¡¯s expletives erupted. ¡°You devious woman! Bitch!¡± Furiously, he mmed his palm against the table and rose to his feet. ¡°You¡¯re cheating, aren¡¯t you?¡± The woman, unfazed by his outburst, simply chuckled and retorted, ¡°If you cannot afford to lose, you are free to depart. It¡¯s only two million, after all. Is it beyond your means?¡± Chapter 176 In the spotlight of the casino, the woman Nigel hired radiated with an enchanting allure. Turning towards Bryson, Nigel¡¯s smile held a subtle element of self-satisfaction, a glint of triumph in his eyes. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, how is your experience? The God of Gambling hasn¡¯t disappointed, has she?¡± The God of Gambling? Bryson¡¯s indifference was palpable as he averted his gaze from the veiled woman. He had astutely observed her cheating moments ago. If she were indeed the God of Gambling, her deceit would not have been so readily exposed. Yet Bryson chose not to divulge the truth, feigning disinterest. Nigel, failing to discern a satisfactory reaction from Bryson¡¯s demeanor, felt his smile momentarily freeze before he gracefully regained hisposure. ¡°It appears, Mr. Mitchell, that this venue doesn¡¯t quite suit your tastes. Allow me to escort you upstairs. ¡± As they turned to leave, a beguiling, mellifluous female voice resonated within the casino. ¡°In your right pocket, you should find three ordinary dice. As for the three on the table, they¡¯re imbued with maic stones, ensuring that no matter how they¡¯re cast, the oue aligns with your desires.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡± Hushed murmurs rippled through the assembled spectators, who willingly yielded space for the neer. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah was concealed behind the mask of the God of Gambling, her form adorned in a red wrap dress that elegantly entuated her graceful silhouette. Whispers of admiration emanated from those nearby. In the casino¡¯s dimly lit ambiance, Hannah¡¯s silky skin took on an even more enchanting allure. ¡°By the heavens, her figure is divine!¡± ¡°If only I could sp her waist!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Who might this enchantress be? Bold to emerge and challenge the God of Gambling!¡± Curiosity gripped the onlookers. The hired woman, casting a haughty nce in Hannah¡¯s direction, retorted, ¡°Dear Miss, don¡¯t assume that donning the same mask grants you the power to seize attention and usurp my identity!¡± ¡°You ought to direct those words inward. ¡± Beneath her mask, Hannah fixed a frigid stare upon the woman before her. ¡°You may possess the potential to supnt me but you¡¯ve yet to master any of my skills. ALL you¡¯ve been doing is nothing but cheating. ¡± Witnessing a masked interloper stir up trouble, Nigel¡¯s temper red. He raised his hand, gesturing to those in his proximity. ¡°Remove her from the premises¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Bryson intervened. Chapter 177 ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about which one is the true God of Gambling?¡± Nigel chuckled as though entertained by a jest. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, your infrequent visits to casinos may have left you unaware of the formidable reputation the God of Gambling wields. Now that you¡¯ve developed an interest in our little spectacle, I¡¯ll dly partake in this amusement alongside you. Let us consider it a jest!¡± With this deration, Nigel signaled to the retinue behind him to leave the neer alone for the time being. Adorning Hannah¡¯s delicate neck was a rose-shaped velvet ne, ingeniously housing a voice-altering device. In the midst of such a chaotic environment, Hannah demonstrated a masterful ability to conceal her true identity. Before the impostor on the opposite side could utter a word, Hannah adopted a taunting tone.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°You im to be the God of Gambling. Are you willing to gamble with me?¡± A sardonic sneer curled upon the impostor¡¯s Lips. In her estimation, Hannah hardly fit the mold of the authentic God of Gambling, who had long remained elusive. ¡°Thisdy must be posing as the God of Gambling, hoping to make a ssh in the casino and ensnare the attention of eager young men,¡± she surmised. Thinking of this, the impostor readily assented, her gaze locked onto Hannah, ¡°Very well! At the gaming table, there must be wagers apanying wins and losses. Pray, madam, what shall be the stakes?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah nonchntly tapped her fingertips upon the table and dered, ¡°Should I lose a round, I shall surrender ten million. If you find yourself defeated, you must publicly acknowledge that you are a counterfeit God of Gambling. ¡± A haughtyugh escaped the woman¡¯s lips as she regarded Hannah confidently. ¡°I regret to inform you, Miss, that your fate appears sealed. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery With a smug expression, the woman inquired, ¡°What shall be the game, then?¡± Hannah, her demeanor brimming with confidence, gave the dice cup in her grasp a deft shake. ¡°Let¡¯s engage in a contest of numbers, yet this time, we shall utilize cards instead of dice. ¡± The woman gracefully lifted her hand, beckoning the nearby attendant to exchange the dice for a pair of decks of cards. Taking hold of the cards, she delicately held them in her grasp. With her right thumb and middle finger, she expertly sent them flying with a gentle flick! A set of cards unfurled in a wless trajectory through the air, eliciting collective bated breath from the onlookers. The cards danced lithely, eventually descending obediently into her awaiting left hand. The crowd, spellbound by her disy of skill, erupted in apuse. Chapter 178 Hannah observed her performance with a condescending smirk. ¡°A paltry trick! How audacious to proim yourself the God of Gambling!¡± Murmurs of dissatisfaction echoed around the room. Someone retorted, ¡°Who¡¯s really cheating here is still up for debate! You just waltz in, acting high and mighty, yet you think you¡¯re clever?¡± Soon, others chimed in, nodding in agreement. ¡°Exactly! Not too skilled, but a whole lot of talk! If you¡¯re so great, prove it!¡± ¡°Yeah! Nothing but words, who¡¯s to say if you¡¯re genuine or a fraud!¡± The atmosphere in the casino was electric, a ma for onlookers drawn by themotion at this particr table. The crowd expanded, and Hannah¡¯s table became the main attraction of the entire venue. Hannah¡¯s fingers lightly touched the deck, giving it a subtle twist, and the cards elegantly fanned out.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She skimmed her fingertips across the cards a few times, swiftly drawing out four and sliding them forward. One by one, she revealed them to be four Aces. And she hadn¡¯t even shuffled! Could she have seen through the deck? Did she possess X-ray vision? A collective gasp filled the air. Swiftly, Hannah separated the deck into two stacks and revealed their suits. One side showcased hearts, the other spades. The room erupted into cheers, the music surged, and the energy levels soared. Across the table, the other masked woman¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Those are child¡¯s y! You¡¯re not the only one who can do tricks. ¡± Hannah gracefully swept her arm, arranging the cards, and snapped her fingers at the dealer. Cards floated down, as if time had slowed, aligning perfectly in front of him. Casually, she pointed a finger at the first face-down card in front of the dealer, dering, ¡°The first card is the King. ¡± Chapter 179 The dealer flipped it, revealing it to be true. ¡°It is the King!¡± Those who had doubted Hannah fell silent, stepping back without a word. The thrill-seekers in the crowd turned their attention back to her, probing, ¡°Are you really the Magician? Then who is she?¡± ¡°Simply an amateur scam artist. ¡± Hannah grinned,ughing freely, and stared across at the woman with no pretense. ¡°Next time you try to impersonate someone, make sure you don¡¯t get caught in the act. ¡± ¡°Caught? Do you have proof?¡± the masked woman shot back, her tone defiant. ¡°The game¡¯s not even started yet. Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself!¡± Hannah shot a fleeting nce at the dealer next to her. ¡°Shall we get started? Deal the cards. ¡± The masked woman and the dealer locked eyes for a moment. With a subtle nod, the dealer meticulously shuffled the deck and handed a card to both Hannah and the other woman behind the mask. The masked woman grabbed her card, looked at Hannah, and announced, ¡°Two of spades. Tough luck, Miss. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A collective exhale emanated from the audience. ¡°God of Gambling starts strong. The otherdy¡¯s luck has run out!¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Peeking at her own card, Hannah realized they¡¯d conspired to set a trap. She held a six of diamonds. It was a certain loss if the cards were shown. Hannah tapped her card lightly, locking eyes with the masked woman. ¡°Care for a second chance? Best two out of three?¡± ¡°Hahahahahahahaha!! You¡¯re funny!¡± The masked woman erupted into derisiveughter. ¡°Miss, a loss is a loss. No need to save face. I¡¯m God of Gambling, and I stand by my rules. A single round seals the deal, and that¡¯s that. She squinted at Hannah. ¡°Scared to show your hand, are you? It¡¯s just 10 million. ¡± Chapter 180 Someone chimed in, ¡°Nost-minute rule changes! Come on, quit wasting time! Show your card!¡± Another one sneered, ¡°If you¡¯ve lost, own it. It¡¯s only 10 million. You didn¡¯te here pretending to be wealthy and unable to handle the loss, did you?¡± A man shouted, ¡°Can¡¯t pay? Then give us a striptease. Make it good, and we might clear your debt!¡± Jeers and vulgarments filled the air, punctuated by ripples of mockingughter. Unfazed, Hannah simply smiled, ¡°Alright, but remember, you had your chance. ¡± With a subtle dip of her head, she pinched her card between two fingers and elegantly flipped it over. Suddenly, the room fell silent. Although the crowd had assumed the oue, a palpable tension hung in the air. The mor of the casino was reced solely by the rhythmic thumping and seductive dances emanating from the main stage. A two of heartsy exposed for all to see. Hannah flicked her finger, nonchntly sending the two of hearts onto the table. ¡°Looks like the tables have turned. I win. ¡± In the world of gambling, it wasmon knowledge that the two of hearts trumped the two of spades. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The masked woman¡¯s eyes widened, darting frantically toward the dealer.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Frozen in disbelief, the dealer couldn¡¯t move an inch. ¡°The real Magician stands before us! She is the real God of Gambling! The other was a mere pretender!¡± In the crowd that had gathered, a voice rang out, soon echoed by others in jubnt agreement. ¡°Exactly! Theter is the real God of Gambling!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m actually seeing the real God of Gambling today!¡± Abruptly, an authoritative yell broke the chatter. ¡°The fraud is making a run for it!¡± ¡°Seize her! A fake challenging the true God of Gambling and thinks she can flee after being exposed?¡± Chapter 181 Swiftly, the crowd formed a human barrier around the gambling table. The woman in the mask attempted to vanish in the ensuing chaos but found herself cornered by the masses. Hannah was simrly engulfed by a sea of astonished and awed faces, each person eager to form a connection with the legendary God of Gambling. Noticing the crowd¡¯s focus shift toward the neer, Nigel felt his flushed cheeks cool a little. ¡°Mr. Kelly¡¯s event has certainly lived up to expectations,¡± Bryson remarked in a tone tinged with apathy, causing beads of sweat to form on Nigel¡¯s forehead. Nigel turned his head and offered Bryson a forced grin. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I apologize for the awkwardness. Shall we head up for dinner?¡± Guiding the group toward the elevator, Nigel discreetly gestured to a waiter. Getting the cue, the waiter promptly headed back into the gaming area. With a casual wave, the waiter summoned two bodyguards, instructing them as they focused on a central table. ¡°The boss wants the real¡± God of Gambling captured. But don¡¯t harm her, got it. ¡°Understood!¡± The bodyguards turned and began walking in Hannah¡¯s direction. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ From afar, Hannah noticed the bodyguards making their way toward her. It looked Like the casino owner really was out to capture her! Hannah expertly wove her way through the impassable crowd, swiping a jacket from the table as she disappeared. The bodyguards shoved their way through the swarm of people, but Hannah had vanished. They looked at each other, puzzled. ¡°Search every nook and cranny, now!¡± The two guardsmunicated discreetly via concealed earpieces, skillfully essing surveince footage spanning the entire expanse of the casino hall. Their vignt eyes eventually glimpsed Hannah, attired in a suit, vanishing through an unassuming door on the eastern nk. Upon receiving this critical intelligence, the two vignt guards promptly set their course towards the doorway of the east! Hannah possessed a certain familiarity with this ce, her renown as the God of Gambling had its genesis in these very precincts. Her mind adorned with nostalgic echoes, Hannah expertly navigated thebyrinthine corridors, finally locating the sanctum of the casino¡¯s waitstaff.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Chapter 182 The ensembles adorning the staff here exuded a certain allure, boasting a darkce skirt that tantalizingly halted just at the threshold of her thigh. This sartorial choice didn¡¯t escape Hannah¡¯s disapproving scrutiny. However, the approaching footfalls outside left her with no choice but to hastily shroud her identity within the garb of a waitress. ¡°Intruder alert! I saw someone enter this chamber. Launch an immediate search!¡± ¡°We shall investigate the changing room; the rest of you, maintain your vigil at the staircase entryway!¡± As the footsteps edged nearer, Hannah maintained herposure, discreetly stashing her mask and vocal modtor amidst the surrounding disarray. The resonant creak of a door pierced the chamber¡¯s silence, heralding an imminent arrival at the entrance!Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g In a calcted performance, Hannah gracefully arose, meticulously adjusting her attire, simting an air of surprise as she swung the door wide open! ¡°ARE¡± It appeared as though Hannah was taken aback by the two men standing at the threshold, her expression reflecting a semnce of trepidation. ¡°This is thedies¡¯ changing quarters! What is your purpose here?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The pair of vignt sentinels cast a dubious gaze into the chamber, scrutinizing Hannah intently. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°What else would one be expected to do in a changing room, if not to change attire?¡± Hannah¡¯s patience wore thin as she nonchntly flicked her hair. ¡°A customer drank too much earlier and vomited on me. I sought refuge here for a change of attire. And what, may I ask, is your mission here?¡± ¡°Our orders, madam, are to locate a certain individual¡­¡± The conversational bodyguard found himself swiftly interrupted by the other individual. ¡°Cease the chatter; our priority lies in Locating the person!¡± They executed a seamless about-face, embarking on their journey toward the ascending staircase. Hannah, positioned at the changing room¡¯s threshold, released a breath of relief. She had barely taken a step forward when the vignt bodyguards interposed. ¡°Hold on a moment!¡± At their behest, Hannahplied, her gaze transitioning into an icy resolve, her digits slowly coiling into clenched fists. ¡°Our superior hasmunicated ack of waitstaff in the banquet hall on the floor above. Swiftly ascend and lend your assistance. ¡± Hannah pivoted, her countenance still adorned with a gracious smile. Chapter 183 ¡°Very well, I shall proceed forthwith. ¡± Beyond those doors, she ascended in the elevator to the third level. Upon disembarking, Hannah was hastily ushered into the kitchen to partake in the transportation of dishes. ¡°Why the hesitation? Hurry! Don¡¯t keep Mr. Kelly waiting!¡± The manager, attired in a suit, led Hannah and a select few among the waitstaff, instructing them to make haste to the bustling kitchen arena. Upon reaching the banquet kitchen, where the waitstaff congregated, the managermenced a discerning appraisal of Hannah. Although she had initially positioned herself at the vanguard, the manager directed a shift. ¡°You, kindly line up at the back. ¡± Hannah, everpliant, dutifully stepped aside, relocating herself to the tail end of the waitstaff assembly. Subsequently, she overheard the manager¡¯s specific instructions. ¡°You shall be responsible for presenting dessert as the final course, particrly at Mr. Kelly¡¯s table. Exude a dash of charm when the moment arises; I trust you understand what to do. ¡± Mr. Kelly¡¯s table? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Manager, I¡¯ve only justmenced my service on the second floor and I am regrettably unacquainted with the visage of Mr. Kelly. I harbor apprehensions about my capacity to articte properly. Might it be more prudent to delegate this duty to someone else?¡± ¡°Is this your first day here?¡± The manager cast a discerning gaze upon Hannah, a burgeoning satisfaction reflected in his eyes as he admired her physique and overall appearance. He harbored unshakable confidence that Mr. Kelly would undoubtedly find her to his liking. ¡°No need for concern, as long as you deliver the dishes impably, Mr. Kelly is not one to make things difficult. Simply follow the lead of the person in front of you and serve. Everything else should be the least of your concerns. ¡± ¡°E, show her the ropes,¡± the manager instructed the waitress positioned ahead of Hannah, then executed a graceful pivot, departing the scene. The waitress in the vanguard, who was equally striking in her allure, turned back to Hannah, her expression a mix of warning and advice. ¡°Just a gentle reminder, whatever unfoldster, it¡¯s imperative that you captivate Mr. Kelly. You must be aware, since you applied for this position, that the handsome sryes with its demands. ¡± E scrutinized Hannah with a measured gaze, from head to toe. ¡°With your looks, Mr. Kelly is bound to be rather generous. ¡± Hannah retained her demure disposition, offering a slight bow in tacit eptance. Her lengthyshes veiled her downcast gaze and the warmth in her eyes had been wholly extinguished. She had been a frequent visitor to the Enchantment Casino in the past.Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Chapter 184 Even though she only frequented the second floor, she was well aware that the casino harbored dark undercurrents, with illicit transactions frequently transpiring on the first floor. The third floor, frequented by the social elite, adhered to its own peculiar and tacitly acknowledged codes during the grand banquets. She needed to seize an opportunity to make her escape soon! Carrying an ornate trayden with delectable pastries, Hannah was thest to depart the kitchen, her intention set on locating an exit for her discreet departure. However, her ns took an unexpected turn as she inadvertently eavesdropped on a nearby exchange. Two individuals, engaged in casual conversation while indulging in a smoke, unknowingly came within earshot. ¡°Have we sessfully gathered everyone? We wouldn¡¯t want to face a shortage should Mr. Kelly decide to take action. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for concern; all the bodyguards have descended to the lower levels. He¡¯ll be as defenseless as a wing-clipped bird. Moreover, Mr. Mitchell made a solo entrance this time; there¡¯s nothing to fret over. ¡± Mr. Mitchell? At the utterance of Mr. Mitchell¡¯s name, Hannah momentarily halted, her thoughts racing. Could this Mr.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Mitchell they spoke of possibly be Bryson Mitchell? Recollecting Bryson¡¯s mention of business negotiations scheduled for today, a fleeting shadow passed over Hannah¡¯s eyes, causing her to slow down. ¡°One cannot afford to provoke the Mitchell Group; their influence extends across the nation. I¡¯m afraid that Mr. Kelly might be ill- prepared to contend with him¡­¡± ¡°No matter how influential an individual may be, upon crossing the threshold of our Enchantment Casino, they are akin to a rooster devoid of talons. Surrounded by a multitude today, even if he were forged from iron, he will find no sanctuary. ¡± With her suspicion that they were indeed referring to Bryson Mitchell confirmed, Hannah directed her gaze toward the distant banquet entrance and proceeded in that direction, a tray of delectable desserts in her hands. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The two conversing men, upon sighting Hannah¡¯s approach, swiftly muted their voices, interposing themselves before her and conducting aprehensive appraisal from head to toe. Witnessing the tray of pastries, one of them offered a permissive wave, granting her passage into the banquet hall. In the wake of her departure, hushed whispers trailed behind her. ¡°The selection of girls this time is particrly alluring. Undoubtedly, she shall align with Mr. Kelly¡¯s tastes. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s our perpetual misfortune, forever relegated to the periphery, missing out!¡± Adorned in stiletto heels, Hannah made her graceful entrance into the opulent banquet, deftly closing the door on the cacophony of the outside world. Beneath the resplendent glow of the chandeliers, the banquet hall reverberated with the symphony of elegant footsteps and ceaseless conversations. Her gaze alighted on an array of sumptuous dishes and exquisite wines, elegantly arranged on lengthy tables. Revelers clinked their sses together, and diligent waitstaff weaved through the crowd, trays in hand. Numerous round and elongated tables were meticulously set, their eleganceplemented by distant opulent settees. Ladies, adorned in resplendent gowns, held wine sses while indulging in animated discourse, and gentlemen, immactely attired in finely tailored suits, engaged in discussions of matters grand and profound. Chapter 185 Every denizen of this space bore the unmistakable aura of high society, their presence a testament to their wealth and nobility. It was beyond question that only those of significant means or noble lineage couldy im to an invitation to this g. Regrettably, Hannah couldn¡¯t afford the luxury of savoring the splendors of the high-society soiree. Her unwavering focus zeroed in on a distant settee. And there he was-Bryson!Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Amidst the throng, Bryson was an arresting figure,manding attention simply through his mere presence. He leaned casually against the settee, his countenance a portrait of sereneposure, wholly oblivious to Hannah¡¯s approach. A gentle clinking echoed through the air as ss met tabletop, producing a crystalline note. In hushed tones, Hannah ventured forth. ¡°Sir, please have a cookie. ¡± Suddenly, a voice Bryson knew well graced his ears. His gaze ascended and his profound eyes promptly turned icy! Hannah¡¯s luxuriant, dark tresses, adorned with gentle waves, cascaded upon her shoulders. Her petite skirt, a mere wisp concealing the summits of her thighs, unveiled a woman¡¯s dainty and smooth legs. Engaged in the art of socializing, Brayden¡¯s countenance bore a rxed grin as he raised his ss in response to a toast, when suddenly, his eyesnded on a woman. Miss Moore is in attendance?! ! Struggling to contain the wine within his mouth, Brayden began to convulsively cough! Nigel swiveled his head andid eyes upon Hannah. His visage was a tab Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ leau of astonishment, as he had not anticipated discovering such a caliber of woman amidst the servers! ¡°The one dispatched this time possesses remarkable beauty. ¡± Nigel¡¯s discerning eyes deliberately traced the contours of Hannah¡¯s form before abruptly pivoting towards Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you¡¯ve arrived unapanied today. The women in this gathering are all exquisite; why not select apanion to apany you directly?¡± ¡°No selection is necessary. ¡± Bryson, reclining against the sofa, lifted his ss towards Hannah. ¡°Her. ¡± Nigel was taken aback, then erupted into heartyughter. ¡°I¡¯ve heard rumors that Mr. Mitchell is typically indifferent to women but it appears that not all the rumors hold true. ¡± After uttering this, he turned to Hannah with an encouraging tone. Chapter 186 ¡°Don¡¯t linger there, hasten your way to Mr. Mitchell¡¯s side!¡± Hannah acquiesced obediently, moving cautiously to upy the seat beside Bryson. The man did not appear to have drunk much; a subtle hint of mint lingered upon his person. For the time being, Hannah feigned the role of an inexperienced server, perching beside Bryson, gracefully pouring wine and presenting the courses. Brayden, engrossed in contractual discussions on the periphery, caught sight of Nigel raising his ss, proiming, ¡°We¡¯ve almost reached our drinking limit today; I¡¯ll certainly sign the contract!¡± ¡°Will you not raise a toast to Mr. Mitchell?¡± Nigel¡¯s inquisitive gaze shifted toward Hannah. Hannah carefully poured herself a ss and, using both hands, tenderly offered it to Bryson¡¯s lips. Her melodious voice washed over him like a gentle zephyr. ¡°To your health, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Bryson extended his hand, delicately grasping Hannah¡¯s, allowing her to guide the ss to his lips for a sip, all the while offering a subtlepliment. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°This is exceptional wine. ¡± ¡°The presence of a lovelydy truly enhances the drinking experience. We¡¯ve been urging Mr. Mitchell to indulge all evening, but he¡¯s been rather Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ reserved. Yet now, in thepany of such beauty, it seems he¡¯s genuinely moved!¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Extending his arm, Bryson drew Hannah into a warm embrace and, with a grin directed at Nigel, dered, ¡°When in the presence of such grace, it¡¯s only fitting to partake more liberally. ¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± Nigel pped his hands. ¡°As long as Mr. Mitchell is content, you may choose whomever you like and we¡¯ll seal the contract at the end!¡± Following three rounds of spirited toasts, Nigel, citing the call of nature, departed in thepany of a few of his security personnel. Brayden remained absorbed in conversation on the sofa, while Bryson, still half-enfolding Hannah, guided her to the opposite end of the seating. Shielded from prying eyes, Bryson¡¯s brow subtly creased as he inquired, ¡°What brings you here?¡± It was a coincidence. Hannah chose not to divulge her covert identity as the enigmatic Magician to Bryson. With her palm resting gently on Bryson¡¯s shoulder, their proximity intimate, she Lowered her voice. ¡°I came out of concern for your well-being and seized an opportunity to blend in. ¡± Chapter 187 Drawing nearer to Bryson¡¯s ear, her voice exuded an air of warmthced with genuine worry. ¡°I overheard talk of ill intentions toward you tonight. ¡± Bryson extended his hand, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind Hannah¡¯s ear, his words a soft cadence. ¡°We have outside support. You, on the other hand, should find a pretext to depart. Do not fret for my safety. ¡± ¡°But. ¡± Before Hannah could articte her concerns, a sudden burst of apuse erupted nearby, prompting them to turn their heads. Nigel¡¯s gaze remained unabashedly fixed upon Hannah. ¡°It appears Mr. Mitchell is quite pleased with my employee. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson¡¯s countenance brightened and he held Hannah in a partial embrace, opting to convey his response through silence. Observing this, Nigel signaled to an attendant behind him. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, we have a special offering for you today-a fine vintage, brought forth expressly for your discerning pte. ¡± The server emerged with an obsidian bottle, deftly pouring a ss for Bryson. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Mr. Mitchell, do indulge in this, for it is truly exceptional. It would be a great pity to let it go to waste. ¡± Upon noting Nigel¡¯s unwavering fixation on the wine, Hannah furrowed her brow, an unsettling suspicion gnawing at her. Bryson held the ss, his gaze fixed upon the deep crimson contents, yet disying no intention of imbibing. Nigel gestured toward Bryson, his voice tinged with insistence. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you wouldn¡¯t deny me this courtesy, would you?¡± A palpable tension hung in the air!Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Brayden, who had initially been partaking in a sideline conversation, sensed an undercurrent of unease. Feeling a mild dizziness, he attempted to wrest the ss from Bryson¡¯s hand. ¡°Bryson doesn¡¯t hold his liquor well; let me take this drink for him!¡± ¡°Hey, hey, hey!¡± Nigel extended his hand in amanding gesture, forestalling Brayden. ¡°Since when do men intervene in libations on behalf of other men? If Mr. Mitchell chooses not to partake tonight, it implies ack of regard for mypany¡­¡± Before Nigel could conclude his remark, an elegant hand swiftly imed the ss from Bryson¡¯s grasp, tilting her head back and boldly imbibing its contents in a single, audacious gulp! Chapter 188 ¡°Han¡­ Bryson¡¯s fingers abruptly mped around Hannah¡¯s hand with an intensity that defied subtlety! Though he endeavored to modte his tone to a hushed register, the coldness therein remained undisguised. ¡°Have you lost your senses?¡± Hannah raised the corners of her mouth, her gaze directed in Nigel¡¯s direction. ¡°Mr. Kelly, it shouldn¡¯t matter whether I partake on Mr. Mitchell¡¯s behalf; after all, I am a woman, not a man. ¡± ¡°Humph I¡± Nigel emitted a chilly, disdainful snort, deliberatelyplicating the matter for her. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Drinking is permissible but should you drink in lieu of others, you must ept a penalty of three. Keep the wine flowing!¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes resembled unfathomable abysses, poised for action, yet Hannah restrained his wrist. ¡°Very well, three sses it is!¡± Holding the brimming ss of ruby-hued wine, Hannah raised her graceful neck, downing its contents in a swallow that traced the contours of her throat! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ In that moment, allpetitive imbibing came to a halt as every gaze in the vicinity fixated upon Hannah¡¯s audacious disy. Nigel observed her consumption, hisscivious eyes unabashedly fixed upon her, his Adam¡¯s apple involuntarily rising and falling! Bryson, his countenance a mask of frost, subdued her hand gripping the ss.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± ¡°Mr. Kelly, must we subject a woman to such challenges in the realm of business negotiations?¡± Bryson exuded an aura as chilling as Arctic winds, his eyes tinged with a semnce of impending retribution! Not wanting to further rile him, Nigel swiftly donned a cating smile. ¡°Considering Mr. Mitchell¡¯s preference, let¡¯s settle for two sses. ¡± ¡°You were aware of what the wine contained¡­¡± Bryson hushed his tone, his brows knitted with concern. ¡°Why, then, did you partake?¡± Hannah poised the ss near her lips, her words intended for his ears alone, her voice a mere whisper. Chapter 189 ¡°Mr. Mitchell, please do not worry. I grew up limated to potent elixirs; I can withstand it. Our focus should remain on the bigger picture. ¡± The minor incident appeared to pass without fanfare, yet beneath the surface, Hannah sensed a subtle surge of warmth. Seated next to Bryson, Hannah gripped the wine ss with a semnce ofposure, her facade serene, though her trembling fingers betrayed her facade. A surge of warmth radiated from her lower belly and Hannah raised her hand, biting her own finger with a fierce determination! Hannah¡¯s grip on her wine ss wavered, causing a few drops to spill. She steadied her hand by grabbing her wrist with the other hand. Fortunately, no one caught the moment. She shifted to find support against the couch for a bit. The couch¡¯s cool leather touched her bare skin but did nothing to cool her internal heat. On the contrary, it intensified her feeling of difort! ¡®s BunnyBookery Even she wasn¡¯t immune to whatever had been mixed into the wine. Nigel was truly loathsome! Nigel, busy making toasts, threw ascivious nce her way.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It looks like you¡¯re already tipsy, judging by that flushed face of yours. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t make it hard for you. Guys, take her to sober up. ¡± Nodding to two nearby bodyguards, Nigel indicated they should escort Hannah out. However, Bryson dr@ped his arm protectively around Hannah and met the gaze of the bodyguards with an icy stare. ¡°She¡¯s with me now. I haven¡¯t given permission for her to leave. ¡± Nigel¡¯s scheme crumbled, and a fleeting look of disappointment shed across his face before he forced a smile. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you make a good point. I¡¯ve got plenty of staff here. If you want her, she¡¯s yours. ¡± Nigel¡¯s eyes drifted away from Hannah. After all, the world was full of beautiful women! Yet, this one could not make it out of here alive. The room darkened as the night wore on and a private call pulled Nigel away. The party had mostly dispersed. Despite her disoriented state, Hannah felt something was wrong. Even though she felt weakened, she locked eyes with Bryson and warned, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, something¡¯s not right!¡± From his waistband, Bryson pulled out a gun and handed it to Hannah. Chapter 190 His demeanor turned icy as he stared intently at the hall¡¯s entrance. ¡°Trouble¡¯sing. ¡± Brayden shifted from his rxed posture, cing his hand on his waist, ready for action. Hannah rose and peered through the window at the ring of bodyguards below, then back at Bryson and Brayden. ¡°Those are all their men down there. ¡± Bryson said icily to Brayden, ¡°Take Miss Moore and get out. ¡± ¡°No!¡± Hannah cut him off immediately. ¡°Even if you have outside help, escaping alone will be tough. Listen, I have a n. ¡± Inhaling deeply, Hannah fought back the surge of drug-induced s@xual desire within her. She nced at the two men and dered, ¡°The roof is their weak point. I know the way up. Come with me!¡± Bryson lifted his eyes to meet Hannah¡¯s, curiosity gnawing at him about her familiarity with the ce. But he held his tongue, sensing now was not the moment for questions. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Understood. Just as Bryson got to his feet, bodyguards, armed with knives and axes, flooded into the banquet hall from the second floor. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Catching sight of Bryson, they lunged at him! Although Hannah was a beat slower in her reaction, she promptly aimed her gun and took down an advancing man. Firing a quick session of bullets, Bryson positioned himself in front of Hannah. ¡°You go ahead! They won¡¯t dare shoot right now. Brayden and I can hold them off. ¡± The hand Hannah had around her gun ckened, trembling ever so slightly. Ssh! The sound of shattering ss echoed as Brayden smashed a man¡¯s head into a ss table and efficiently shot the next assant. ¡°Get Miss Moore out of here, Bryson!¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Bryson¡¯s gun clicked empty. He shielded Hannah just as a knife-wielding attacker closed in. With swift precision, Bryson tossed his coat over the man¡¯s face. His icy eyes filled with deadly resolve as he seized the man¡¯s knife- wielding arm and brutally twisted it. Chapter 191 A piercing scream erupted from the man. His knife ttered to the floor as he writhed in excruciating pain. Hannah¡¯s vision clouded, and she mentally chastised herself. Dodging around Bryson, she headed for the shattered table. After neutralizing the remaining threats, Hannah took shallow breaths and squatted. She snatched a shard of broken ss from the floor and, without a second thought, shed her own arm. Blood spurted from the wound instantaneously! Bryson grabbed Hannah¡¯s injured arm, his eyes shing with a touch of anger. ¡°You¡¯re gambling with your life!¡± The pain in her arm jolted Hannah back to reality. ¡°A scratch like this is nothing. ¡± Her thoughts crystallized as she clutched her bleeding arm, eyeing the entrance of the banquet hall. ¡°I¡¯ve got a few rounds left. I¡¯ll take point. Stick close, both of you. ¡± Noticing the blood oozing through Hannah¡¯s fingers, Bryson lifted her to her feet, casting an icy re at the intruders who stormed the hall. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g I¡¯ve got your back. ¡± Hannah softened her gaze as she turned to face the frosty aura emanating from Bryson. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Alright. ¡± Bang! Bang! Bang! Three shots rang out, and the first wave of assants copsed instantly. Her own blood coated Hannah¡¯s hand, making it tacky. The texture of the blood and her dwindling strength evoked memories of her younger years. Her gaze turned steely, her moves unyielding. Click! The magazine was empty. One assant, seeing Hannah¡¯s emptied gun, lunged at her with a knife. With swift agility, she turned around, using the gun¡¯s butt to strike the man¡¯s temple. Taking advantage on his agony, she gripped and twisted his hand, snapping the wrist. Chapter 192 She scooped up the fallen knife and sliced it towards another attackering from behind. Hannah¡¯s moves surprised Brayden, who had never seen her fight before. In this tense situation, he couldn¡¯t help but look at Bryson in amazement and say, ¡°I never knew, Miss Moore¡­ incredibly skilled. ¡± With a stoic countenance, Bryson dispatched his own foes and turned to Hannah. ¡°Help her hold the front. ¡± ¡°On it!¡± Brayden rolled up his sleeves and charged, subduing another assant.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Blood loss was draining the color from Hannah¡¯s face, but it sharpened her senses. The three of them cleared the entrance, then proceeded toward the hidden rooftop passage. As anticipated, the rooftop was unguarded. Hannah, clutching her arm tightly, guided Bryson and Brayden up to the open space above. ¡®s BunnyBookery The instant Hannah¡¯s feet touched the rooftop, her vision plunged into total darkness. She stumbled backward, falling into Bryson¡¯s waiting arms. Clutching her securely, Bryson shot Brayden an icy look. ¡°Are they here yet?¡± ¡°They¡¯re on their way. The helicopter¡¯s been readied. It¡¯ll be here any minute. ¡± Just then, the door to the rooftop was violently kicked open! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Striding in with his crew, Nigel cast a mocking nce at Hannah, now ensconced in Bryson¡¯s arms, and broke into augh. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, even at this crucial point, you¡¯ve chosen not to part ways with thisdy. I have to say, I¡¯m rather taken aback!¡± ¡°Having found refuge here, it¡¯s evident that you possess quite extraordinary talents,¡± Nigel remarked as his gaze took on a deeper intensity. ¡°I regret to inform you, Mr. Mitchell, that this is not a personal vendetta but rather a matter of someone else¡¯s intentions. Today, I¡¯m afraid you all find yourselves facing an inescapable fate. ¡± With amanding gesture, Nigel directed his cohorts. ¡°Eliminate them. ¡± Hannah made a move, yet Bryson shielded her with resolve. ¡°Leave this to me. ¡± Nigel¡¯sughter resonated with an air of malevolence. Chapter 193 ¡°My suggestion, gentlemen, would be to take a leap off this edifice together, sparing yourselves the agony of a gruesome demise beneath a fric storm of lethal blows. ¡± Suddenly, the reverberation of gunfire pierced the atmosphere! The individuals standing closest to Bryson crumpled into lifeless masses! Panic gripped Nigel and his gaze shot upwards, revealing a menacing helicopter hovering above, its upants unleashing a barrage of gunfire upon the scene below! His countenance drained of color as terror overwhelmed him. In an attempt to flee, he was fatally shot in the back of the head, copsing soundlessly at the threshold of the rooftop stairwell. As the rooftop was purged of adversaries, the helicopter descended marginally, extending adder. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, up thedder, quickly!¡± Bryson, holding Hannah closely, began the ascent, with Brayden following suit into the awaiting aircraft. Within the cabin, Bryson, cradling a nearly unconscious Hannah, provided words of sce. ¡°Rest assured, Hannah, we are out of harm¡¯s way now. Please, don¡¯t sleep. ¡± ¡°Fetch the medical kit!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s vision blurred as she listened to Bryson¡¯s soothing voice. Her heart raced as though it sought to break free from her chest¡­ Subconsciously, Hannah raised her hand, and in a heartbeat, Bryson tenderly sped her blood-stained hand. ¡°We¡¯ll be at the hospital soon, my dear; you must remain conscious. ¡± Exhaustion was overwhelming; Hannah yearned to heed Bryson¡¯s counsel, but darkness imed her consciousness. ¡°Hannah!¡± Clutching Hannah tenderly, Bryson¡¯s voice took on amanding tone. ¡°Hurry !¡± ¡°Mr.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Mitchell, we¡¯re making haste; the hospital is only five minutes away. ¡± Observing the blood staining Bryson¡¯s shoulder, Brayden couldn¡¯t hide his unease. ¡°Bryson, you¡¯re injured as well, maybe¡­¡± ¡°My injury is of no consequence. ¡± Bryson¡¯s unwavering focus remained fixed on Hannah, his concern palpable. Chapter 194 Brayden cast a troubled nce in Hannah¡¯s direction, his brow slightly furrowed. ¡°I know it may not be the right moment but something feels amiss with Miss Moore Something¡¯s not right Enchantment Casino is heavily fortified; how did Miss Moore infiltrate it? She seems unnaturally familiar with theyout and she was just a homemaker before. How does she possess such skills, handling firearms even? I suspect¡­¡± ¡°Brayden, you talk too much. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze towards Brayden grew chilly. Sensing he had struck a sensitive chord with Bryson, Brayden fell into a contemtive silence.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. The moment the helicopter touched down, Hannah was swiftly conveyed to the emergency room! Bryson, his shirt marred by blood, sat outside the emergency room, his head bowed in solemn silence. Nurses approached him repeatedly, urging him to seek medical attention but he steadfastly declined. Only when the crimson light of the emergency room extinguished, and Hannah was wheeled out, did Bryson rise to his feet. ¡°She¡¯s stable, though she lost a substantial amount of blood and was weakened due to the effects of spiked red wine,¡± the doctor stated, removing his mask as he delivered the wee news. Upon receiving the reassuring news of Hannah¡¯s well-being, Bryson¡¯s somber gaze softened ever so slightly. He turned to Brayden, requesting him to keep herpany in the hospital room as he tended to his own injuries. When Bryson eventually returned to the hospital room, he found Brayden outside, taking a smoke break. Upon spotting Bryson¡¯s approach, Brayden swiftly extinguished his cigarette and ryed the situation. ¡°All of Mr. Kelly¡¯s associates have been ounted for but the puppeteer orchestrating it all remains shrouded in mystery. The Enchantment¡¯s overseer has extended apologies and offers ofpensation. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson¡¯s eyes remained icy and unwavering as he dered, ¡°Five percent ownership of Enchantment Casino, or there will be no room for negotiation. ¡± ¡°I understand; I¡¯ll ensure he gets the message. ¡± As Bryson began to turn away, Brayden intercepted him with a sense of duty. ¡°We¡¯ve been like brothers for countless years, and I must voice my concerns, even if you¡¯d rather not hear them. Hannah is truly enigmatic and I fear she may be¡­¡± Bryson spoke dispassionately. ¡°Regardless of her affiliations, she poses no threat to me. ¡± Brayden took a deep breath, finding himself unable to argue further, and nodded in acquiescence. ¡°Very well, I won¡¯t bring up the matter again. ¡± Entering the sickroom, the scent of disinfectant lingered in Bryson¡¯s nostrils. He took a seat by Hannah¡¯s bedside, close to the window, quietly observing her peaceful countenance in slumber. In that moment, a pang of regret coursed through him; had he not extended that invitation, Hannah might never have been entangled in this web of danger and suffering. Chapter 195 When Hannah finally awoke, she found her hand cradled within another¡¯s grip. She raised her eyes to meet Bryson¡¯s form, his face buried in his arms, which were resting on her bed, his well-defined hand sping hers with unwavering support. His disheveled hair obscured one of his eyes, rendering him a stark departure from the usual image of a CEO, appearing more like a recent college graduate, vulnerable and sincere. With a delicate and barely perceptible movement of her finger, Hannah roused Bryson from his light slumber. ¡°You¡¯re awake.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Bryson stirred and hastened to assess Hannah¡¯s condition. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± As he leaned in closer, his handsome countenance filling her vision, Hannah¡¯s words faltered. ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Concerned that Hannah might be unwell, Bryson drew nearer, extending a hand to feel her forehead. ¡°Do you have a fever?¡± His warm breath caressed Hannah¡¯s eyshes, eliciting a tingling sensation that prompted an involuntary blink. Bryson regarded her, his gaze falling upon her freshly moistened Lips that she had just lightly licked. He lowered his head slightly, his voice deepening. ¡°Would you like some water?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A resounding bang shattered the moment as Grace forcefully pushed the door open. ¡°Bryson, Brayden informed me about Hannah¡¯s ident, so I rushed here to¡­¡± The young girl¡¯s eyes widened as she took in the ambiguous tableau at the hospital bed and she fell silent abruptly. Swiftly, she concealed her eyes with her hands and stepped back, stuttering, ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything, absolutely nothing!! I¡¯ll leave now!¡± The door shut with haste, dispersing the lingering tension in the room. Hannah¡¯s cheeks bore a somewhat unnatural flush as she turned her head away. ¡°Water. ¡± Bryson, a gleam of amusement in his eyes, turned to pour a cup of warm water for her, guiding it gently to her lips. ¡°Take care. ¡± Chapter 196 The previous night¡¯s harrowing ordeal remained an unspoken presence between the two, a tacit understanding that they skirted around. It wasn¡¯t until some time had psed that the door inched open, and a fetching head peered inside. ¡°Hannah, may I enter?¡± Grace¡¯s presence brought a smile to Hannah¡¯s face and she warmly replied, ¡°Please,e in. No need to linger at the threshold. ¡± ¡°Hannah, what happened to you? I discovered you were missing from the hotel today, and my brother was unreachable by phone. I was absolutely terrified!¡± With teary eyes, Grace sidled up to Hannah¡¯s bedside, clutching her hand. Her gaze fell upon the injury on Hannah¡¯s arm, and she dissolved into tears. ¡°Hannah, your hand is so badly hurt!¡± ¡°My dear, please don¡¯t cry. ¡± In a feeble voice, Hannah consoled Grace, ¡°If you fall ill because of me, I¡¯ll be ovee with guilt. ¡± Amidst her sobs, Grace turned to Bryson, seeking answers. ¡°Bryson, what transpiredst night? How did Hannah get injured?¡± ¡°It happened like this,¡± Hannah said with a grin.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°When you went back to the hotelst night, Mr. Mitchell invited me to a dinner event. A server mishandled the wine, causing a bottle to tumble and break near me. I got a minor cut on my arm, but it¡¯s no big deal. ¡± Hannah looked somewhat delicate as she spoke to Grace, a soft smile gracing her lips. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°The cut isn¡¯t severe. No need to fuss over me. ¡± Grace bought into the slightly awkward fib without question. She shot Bryson a disapproving look. ¡°Bryson, you asked Hannah to the dinner. How could you let this happen to her?¡± She understood that Hannah was downying the situation to keep her from worrying. Bryson¡¯s voice was soft yet filled with warmth. ¡°I apologize for the oversight. It won¡¯t happen again. ¡± Grace averted her eyes and grinned, puffing her cheeks as she moved toward Hannah. ¡°Can we consider my brother¡¯s apology and move on, Hannah?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t ming him to begin with. ¡± Touched by Grace¡¯s naive charm, Hannah smiled and gently pinched her cheek. Chapter 197 ¡°It¡¯s a shame our journey had to end early. We missed out on so much. ¡± ¡°The adventure was unlike anything I¡¯ve ever experienced. It was worth it. ¡± Hannah let out a softugh. ¡°Is that really the correct way to use ¡®worth! ?¡± Grace¡¯s presence lightened the atmosphere. . Once again, Grace¡¯s eyes settled on Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°Should we wait for your arm to heal before departing?¡± The atmosphere in Muvrand was now fraught with peril. Earlier that day, they had killed Nigel, and it was only a matter of time before his backers took action. Bryson looked at Hannah¡¯s wounded arm, struggling to find the right words. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°It¡¯s just a scratch. I¡¯ll be out of here today,¡± Hannah assured, gracing Grace with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s a superficial wound; better to get proper treatment back home. Besides, I¡¯ve got sses to prepare for. The new term is approaching, and I might even be teaching a different grade. Your recovery can¡¯t wait either. ¡± Brayden joined the conversation. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Indeed, healthcare here is subpar. Why risk a scar? It¡¯s wiser to return to Valmere and consult a specialist. ¡± Everyone did their best to reassure Grace. Forgoing amercial airline, they boarded a private jet back to Valmere in the early morning. When they touched down, it was already past 1 in the morning. Grace slumbered peacefully. Bryson had instructed the chauffeur to drop her off at Mitchell residence first, while he himself took Hannah to the hospital.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g On the way, Hannah nced at the passing streetlights and said, ¡°You really don¡¯t need to escort me to the hospital, Mr. Mitchell. I¡¯m a physician, you know, and this wound is minor. ¡± Bryson remained silent, not uttering a single syble. Hannah turned and caught sight of Bryson¡¯s somewhat icy expression, btedly grasping that he appeared annoyed. Why was he irritated? Chapter 198 She found herself confused. In Muvrand, he¡¯d been perfectly amiable, but now he seemed detached and chilly. Since Bryson appeared uninterested in conversation, Hannah chose to remain silent too, tilting her head to one side and drifting off to sleep. By the time Bryson pulled up beneath Hannah¡¯s apartment, she was already lost in slumber, her head resting against the car window. Turning his head, he saw her sleeping form and his previously frigid expression seemed to falter. His eyes lingered on Hannah¡¯s tranquil face, and he found himselfpelled to gently sweep a stray lock of hair from her forehead. Even his tender touch was enough to rouse Hannah, her eyshes fluttering as she awoke. Blearily, she noticed Bryson pulling his hand back. Hannah peered out the car window at the familiar setting of her home. Realizing that he had indeed paid heed to her words, a gentle smile spread across her lips. Hearing her softughter, Bryson turned his head to look at her. Lifting her gaze, Hannah¡¯s eyes met Bryson¡¯s, a faint smile dancing in her eyes. ¡°Ahem. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Slightly embarrassed, Hannah cleared her throat, opened the car door, and got off. ¡°I appreciate the ride, Mr. Mitchell. I¡¯ll head inside now. ¡± Watching Hannah almost dash away, Bryson felt his spirits oddly Lifting. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The earlier frustration he¡¯d felt about her injury seemed to vanish, brightening his heart. The next morning, before Hannah was fully awake, her phone buzzed with an urgent call from Lydia. ¡°Hannah, have we even remained friends? You returned home and didn¡¯t bother to notify me! You got injured and kept me in the dark. Have you decided you don¡¯t need your only friend anymore?¡± In the early morning, Hannah was nearly bowled over by Lydia¡¯s booming voice through the phone.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Lydia, calling you did cross my mind. But I touched down at 1 a. m. Didn¡¯t want to wake you. ¡± From the other side of the line, Lydia chuckled smugly, ¡°Well, get to your front door. Hurry up!¡± ¡°What?¡± Suddenly snapping to full awareness, Hannah carried her phone into the living room and swung open the front door. To her surprise, there stood Lydia, arms full of breakfast. Chapter 199 ¡°Move aside!¡± Unconcerned with appearances, Lydia bustled in, unloading milk, bread, and sandwiches onto the dining table. She then turned to face Hannah, hand outstretched. ¡°Show me where you¡¯re hurt. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing major, just a few scr@pes really. ¡± Touching the bandage on her arm, Hannah sat down at the dining table. ¡°You¡¯re the best, Lydia. You even brought me breakfast. ¡± Tickled by thepliment, Lydia let out a giddyugh. Then, holding up a slice of bread, she pointed at Hannah. ¡°Enough distractions. Tell me everything! What went down in Muvrand? How¡¯d you get those scr@pes?¡± Not wanting to hold back from her friend, Hannah shared the Muvrand story while munching on her breakfast. ¡°Are you kidding me?!¡± Expecting Lydia¡¯s outburst, Hannah reclined in her chair and Looked up at her friend. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? I¡¯m okay, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°You pulled out guns! And you say you¡¯re fine?¡± Lydia¡¯s gaze met Hannah¡¯s, examining her intently for a few moments before hesitantly asking, ¡°So, are those nightmares still haunting you?¡± Hannah looked down, shaking her head. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Oddly enough, no nightmares this time. Falling into the water might have something to do with it. Lydia¡¯s brow furrowed in puzzlement. ¡°So you think it wasn¡¯t Den who saved you, but maybe Bryson? Be cautious, Hannah. You¡¯ve jumped to conclusions before. Could you be wrong this time too?¡± The memory of plunging into the sea and being rescued by Bryson felt incredibly vivid. Still, Hannah wasn¡¯t fully convinced. ¡°I¡¯ll find a chance to ask him. ¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t the chance staring us right in the face?¡± Lydia mixed her oatmeal in deep thought.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org . ¡°The Mitchell family is organizing a grand dinner at the end of the month, with Valmere¡¯s elite on the guest list. Couldn¡¯t you get what you¡¯re after there?¡± ¡°You mentioned ¡®elite¡¯. Why would I be on that guest list?¡± Hannah gave Lydia a desperate nce. ¡°Maybe we should brainstorm something more realistic. ¡± Chapter 200 ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you be considered important? You are the¡­¡± Catching herself before slipping, Lydia mped a hand over her mouth. ¡°I mean to say, you¡¯re Miss Mitchell¡¯s primary doctor. They¡¯ll surely send you an invite. ¡± Just as Lydia finished her sentence, Hannah¡¯s phone buzzed. It was Bryson calling. With a gesture for Lydia to hold her tongue, Hannah picked up. ¡°Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°How¡¯s your arm healing up?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a minor wound, actually. ¡± Seated in his office, Bryson shuffled through papers and smiled slightly at the sound of Hannah¡¯s soft voice. ¡°Would you do me the honor of attending the Mitchell family¡¯s uing banquet?¡± Hannah momentarily hesitated at the sound of Bryson¡¯s charming tone. ¡°If you¡¯re extending the invitation, how could I possibly say no?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be there at 7 to pick you up. ¡± ¡°Sure.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah hung up the phone. Lydia couldn¡¯t contain her excitement, vigorously shaking Hannah by the shoulders. ¡°It was Bryson, wasn¡¯t it? He invited you, didn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Yes, indeed! But if you keep jostling me like this, I¡¯ll lose my breakfast. ¡± Grinning from ear to ear, Lydia cradled her face in her hands. ¡°Hannah, your rise in the Mitchell family¡¯s social circle is truly remarkable. He¡¯s even offering to pick you up for the banquet!¡± Hannah caught the misinterpretation on Lydia¡¯s face and gently poked her on the forehead. ¡°You¡¯re reading too much into it. Mr. Mitchell and I are merely friends. ¡± ¡°If you¡¯re going, then so am I!¡± Sitting next to her, Lydia propped up her cheek thoughtfully. ¡°I had actually nned to turn down the invite if you weren¡¯t going. ¡± ¡°Lydia, that banquet is important for the Phillips family¡¯s standing. Chapter 201 You should attend regardless. ¡± Hannah nced at her hesitant friend with curiosity. ¡°Is the issue that Alick is going to be there?¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You¡¯ve always been good at reading me. You¡¯ve got it exactly right. ¡± Resting back into her chair, Lydia sighed and averted her eyes. ¡°The moment we meet, the Phillips and Shaw families will dredge up the past. I can¡¯t avoid it! That Alick really annoys me, and he won¡¯t even discuss breaking off the engagement. The thought of him fooling around with other women disgusts me!¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze softened as she looked at Lydia, her thoughts drifting. Lydia was naturally daring and cheerful, hailing from one of Valmere¡¯s most prominent families. Being a woman, her only path to solidifying her family¡¯s status was through marriage. Traditionally, the Shaws and the Phillips had been friends for many years, making a marital alliance between the two families seemingly perfect. However, Alick was a notorious yboy, and Lydia could barely stand him. Numerous attempts to bring them together had failed spectacrly. Fiercely independent, Lydia had left her family home in a huff and had been living on her own since then. ¡°Hannah, quick, think of a solution for me. You¡¯re always so wily. You must have some idea. ¡± ¡°Wily, you say?¡± Hannah shot her a look but then said earnestly, ¡°You¡¯ve got the skills to run the family business. If you could make the Phillips name more prosperous on your own, your parents might stop pressuring you into marriage. ¡± ¡°Easy for you to say. Lydia rested her chin on her hand and released a deep sigh. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯ve been away from the family business for years, and my older brother has assumed control¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s voice trailed off. ¡®s BunnyBookery She pondered, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the business isn¡¯t doing well and several of my brother¡¯s investments have stalled. My dad¡¯s insistence on me attending this banquet clearly means he¡¯s set on marrying me off to the Shaw family. I can¡¯t let that happen. You have to back me up!¡± Hannah reassured her. ¡°How will you know you can¡¯t handle it if you never try? I recall you were prettypetent when you were involved in the business. People evolve. I mean, look at me. I reconsidered things and ended up divorced. Surely, you stepping in can¡¯t make things worse than they already are. ¡± Heartened by Hannah¡¯s encouragement, Lydia contemted for a second before nodding. ¡°You have a point. If my dad can endure my brother despite his inability to keep thepany afloat, who¡¯s to say I can¡¯t have a try?¡± Seeming resolute, Lydia took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll follow your advice. I¡¯m going to have a serious talk with my dad. If things don¡¯t improve, then maybe I¡¯ll consider the marriage alliance. ¡± After waving goodbye to her spirited friend, Hannah finally settled down to enjoy her breakfast and opened herptop to gear up for the next semester. Chapter 202 Just then, her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. With her eyes still on herputer screen, she picked it up and said, ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°An overseas inquiry about you hase to your academic advisor¡¯s attention. I¡¯ve taken the liberty of removing your details from the database. Only your academic records will be essible. No need to worry. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°Were you able to identify who¡¯s probing into my affairs?¡± ¡°The person utilized international dark web resources, so pinpointing the origin is impossible. What is certain, however, is that this individual is highly influential and likely close to you. Exercise extreme caution. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Got it. ¡± Hannah hung up, erased the caller¡¯s number, and shut herptop slowly. Someone questioning her identity? Who could it be? She moved to the window in her bedroom, her fingertips brushing against the ss, her eyes staring fixedly into the distance, her face etched in a cial expression. The Edwards family? No way. As soon as this notion popped into her head, she quashed it. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ If the Edwards family were that clever, they wouldn¡¯t be perpetual pawns in Eliana¡¯s games. Could it be¡­Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g The light in Hannah¡¯s eyes faded a bit. Was the Mitchell family scrutinizing her? Herbat and firearms skills had only been disyed in Muvrand. Rationally, Bryson seemed the likely suspect, but she wanted to think otherwise. Her fists tightened subtly. The flutter that she had experienced when faced with Bryson seemed to dissolve. Time flew, especially since it was holiday season. The month¡¯s end approached faster than usual. On the day of the banquet, Hannah picked up her specially ordered luxury gown from the boutique, a brand she rarely indulged in. And then, as she donned the dress and gazed at her reflection, a fleeting sense of disorientation gripped her. She was undeniably beautiful, but this was her first time in a plunging neckline. The gown gracefully highlighted her figure, adding a touch of sublime allure! Dressed in an pearl-white satin gown with a plunging neckline, Hannah was a vision of ethereal beauty. Chapter 203 A single ruby, the size of a pigeon¡¯s egg, graced her slender neck, setting off her silky skin. Opting for simplicity, Hannah wore no other ornaments, letting the lone ne add a touch of ss to her ensemble. Her makeup was understated,plemented by a striking shade of red on her lips and soft waves in her hair. She looked as strikingly beautiful as a movie star. Before heading out, she slipped into wafer-thin silver stilettos and grabbed her phone. Then she entered the elevator. As she stepped out of the building, her phone buzzed. Bryson was calling. ¡°Mr. Mitchell? I¡¯m just at themunity gate. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery At her words, Bryson, previously Leaning against his car, immediately shifted his gaze toward the gate. He was pleasantly surprised. Hannah seldom dressed so strikingly, looking both captivating and mildly intoxicating. With a slight grin, Bryson hung up and opened the car door for her. ¡°Miss Moore, you never fail to shine at these events. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Once inside the car, Hannah looked over at Bryson who was getting behind the wheel. ¡°Well, it¡¯s your family event tonight. The least I can do is not embarrass you. ¡± A softugh escaped Bryson¡¯s lips as he ignited the engine. ¡°Having you as a guest is my honor. ¡± Hannah turned her gaze to the window, feeling an unexpected flush on her cheeks. Bryson¡¯s words are growing warmer, she thought, her fingers lightly touching her flushed cheek, her eyes clouding a bit. She shouldn¡¯t be feeling this way. The Mitchell family had arranged their family gathering at a suburban mansion. As the car came to a halt within the estate, attendants rushed forward to open the doors for Bryson and Hannah. Handing over the keys, Bryson extended his arm in a chivalrous gesture for Hannah to take.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org . Hannah averted her gaze, gently resting her fingers on his arm, as they gracefully entered the mansion¡¯s grand hall. The setting was reminiscent of a medieval castle. Alcoves in the walls housed a selection of exquisite liquors. Although the lighting wasn¡¯t as extravagant as one would find in a hotel, it added a sense of allure to the overall atmosphere of the party. Before the festivities officially kicked off, a crowd of well-known socialites mingled, their sses chiming in time with the melodious notes of a violin. Soft footsteps and muted conversations added to the room¡¯s opulent ambiance. A tower of champagne sses greeted guests at the entrance, rising to an impressive height of two meters. An array of scrumptious desserts and dishes adorned elongated tables, tempting those who passed by. Chapter 204 ¡°You¡¯ve made it atst, Bryson! We¡¯ve all been expecting you!¡± Upon spotting Bryson, Tyshawn promptly approached him, then shifted his focus to Hannah. ¡°Ah, Miss Moore, we meet again. Tyshawn¡¯s voice and movements drew the attention of the room, quieting other conversations to a hushed murmur. Gossip had been swirling that Bryson had been seen with a womantely, a rumor many had disregarded as baseless chatter, given that women were seldom seen in Bryson¡¯spany.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Yet, here she was, proving the rumor true. Hannah, not particrly fond of Tyshawn from past interactions, offered him a courteous nod and a faint smile. Bryson seemed disinterested, barely acknowledging Tyshawn. He turned to Hannah and softly said, ¡°I¡¯d like to introduce you to my grandparents. They¡¯ll be quite taken with you. ¡± ¡°Ah, hold on there,¡± Tyshawn cut in. ¡°Grandfather is preupied with business discussions for next year with the shareholders. Now might not be the best time to introduce a guest. ¡± A cool look washed over Bryson¡¯s face, making Tyshawn step back a bit, looking somewhat apprehensive. ¡°I¡¯m being honest, Bryson. ¡± Hannah, her arm affectionately intertwined with Bryson¡¯s, whispered, ¡°You just got here. It¡¯s only respectful to greet the elders first. I¡¯ll stay put and wait for you. ¡± Softening his expression, Bryson tenderly said, ¡°I¡¯ll return shortly. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Their exchange didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Everyone at the gathering observed it. Those standing on the opposite side of the room could barely contain their indignation. ¡°Why does Hannah even have a ce at this event? And why is she so cozy with Bryson?¡± Sadie gave Hannah a spiteful look. How could she forget that Hannah was the reason she¡¯d nearly been kicked out of school? ¡°First she wreaks havoc on the Edwards family, and now she¡¯s setting her sights on the Mitchell patriarch. This bitch was utterly shameless!¡± Leah, who was observing Hannah from a distance, chimed in. ¡°After tarnishing our Den, she¡¯s moved on to charm someone from the Mitchell family! From the beginning, I knew she was trouble. She didn¡¯t even wait to catch her breath after her divorce before finding another man. What does she even have besides a pretty face?¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes brimmed with quiet malice as she whispered, ¡°Someday, I¡¯ll make sure that pretty face of hers isn¡¯t so alluring anymore. ¡± ¡°Ah, Miss Moore, you¡¯re here too. ¡± Melina, dressed in an elegant dark green velvet dress, approached Hannah. ¡°Came alone? Bryson is probably tied up and can¡¯t attend to you. Hope you don¡¯t mind. ¡± Hannah offered a delicate smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Miss Glyn. Mr. Mitchell and I came together. He¡¯s off talking to some elders. I¡¯m good on my own. ¡± Chapter 205 A forced smile shed across Melina¡¯s face. So this was the woman Bryson had been ¡®busy¡¯ with! ¡°I see. ¡± Melina regained herposure, shing a genuine smile. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen Bryson¡¯s grandfather. I¡¯ll go and greet him, so I won¡¯t be able to keep youpany, Miss Moore. ¡± Neither woman made an effort to lower their voices, allowing the nearby crowd to catch every word. Before Melina could leave, whispers started circting. ¡°Isn¡¯t Melina Glyn the one the Mitchell family actually approves of? Who is this other woman with Bryson?¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t she married to Den? Their divorce was quite the scandal, and she walked away with a good chunk of the Edwards family¡¯s fortune!¡± ¡°Just divorced and she¡¯s already ensnared Bryson? She¡¯s something else. ¡± ¡°I mean, look at her. She¡¯s stunning. Who could resist her?¡± Amid the whispers, Den stood gripping a wine ss, his gaze locked onto Hannah. She was the main focus of the banquet, and he found it difficult to look away.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Den? Is something the wrong?¡± Eliana had long sensed that Den¡¯s attention was unwaveringly on Hannah. Though seething with jealousy, she resisted making a public spectacle of her feelings toward Den. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Holding back her irritation, she lightly nudged Den¡¯s arm. ¡°Why so lost in thought? What has caught your eye?¡± Den quickly looked away and took a sip of his red wine, as if to hide the unease he felt. ¡°Nothing at all. ¡± Meanwhile, Sadie was audibly fuming beside them. ¡°Mr. Mitchell is engaged, and yet here she is, trying to wedge herself into their rtionship. How scandalous! The fiancee is an heiress from the Glyn family. What significance does Hannah hold? She¡¯s just a woman from a broken home. She¡¯s not even in the same league as Mr. Mitchell!¡± Hearing Sadie¡¯s words, Eliana felt a figurative p to her face, making her grip her fists in silence. Engaging in affairs and being a mistress, Eliana realized she was also guilty of such disgraceful behavior. Unaware of Eliana¡¯s internal struggle, Sadie leaned in closer and gripped her arm. ¡°Eliana, you agree with me, don¡¯t you? What right does that bitch have?¡± Chapter 206 Concealing her envy, Eliana forced a smile for Sadie. ¡°Even though Miss Moore came with Mr. Mitchell, I don¡¯t automatically assume the worst. Maybe she¡¯s dealing with her own struggles. As Mr. Mitchell¡¯spanion, Miss Moore must have made certain sacrifices; let¡¯s not jump to conclusions. She had plenty of male friends even before she was married. It¡¯s just how she socializes. ¡± Sadie bit her lip, choosing not to respond, though her heart swelled with lingering resentment. How could Hannah, of all people, be fit to stand beside the CEO of Mitchell Group? Meanwhile, Hannah stepped away, immersing herself in dessert. Shortly after, a housekeeper descended from upstairs, extending an invitation to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, our Chairman, Mr. Franco Mitchell, would Like to speak with you. Would you please follow me?¡± Setting down her dessert, Hannah nodded to the housekeeper. ¡°Lead on, please. ¡± Giggles from Melina floated down from the upstairs private room. ¡°Franco, you¡¯re such a joker, especially with Bryson right here. Oh, Miss Moore has just arrived. ¡± The delight that had Lit up Franco¡¯s face at Melina¡¯s jest instantly dimmed as his eyes settled on Hannah, who had just walked in. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Melina cozied up to the older man, offering Hannah a warm smile. ¡°Miss Moore, please have a seat. Franco was just mentioning how eager he was to meet you. ¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org . Hannah saw Bryson sitting stiffly with a cold expression on his face. Had something transpired before she got there? ¡°Hannah!¡± Grace was the only one to greet Hannah with unrestrained joy, hurrying over for a hug. ¡°Hannah, it was so boring without you!¡± ¡°Grace! Mind your manners!¡± Franco¡¯s words made Grace draw back a bit, her lips pursed in a sulk. ¡°Grandpa, you¡¯re such a _ killjoy! Always picking on your own granddaughter!¡± Alexandra Mitchell, wife of Franco, observed from the sidelines, her eyes settling warmly on Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, you truly are a beauty. I¡¯ve heard so much about you. You¡¯ve done wonders for Grace¡¯s health. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to ask. We¡¯ll do our best to amodate you. ¡± Chapter 207 Hannah responded with poise, ¡°There¡¯s no need for any reward. Fulfilling my promise to Mr. Mitchell is its ownpensation. I¡¯ll do everything in my power to heal Miss Mitchell. ¡± ¡°I understand you are Mr. Campbell¡¯s youngest apprentice. ¡± Franco¡¯s tone was somewhat icy when he addressed Hannah, as if displeased by her unexpected presence. ¡°Word has it that you¡¯ve surpassed your mentor? Is that true?¡± ¡°That¡¯s merely gossip. My teacher devoted his life to medicine, and I aim to follow in his footsteps. ¡± Upon hearing this, Franco¡¯s expression softened. The sincerity behind Hannah¡¯s words struck a chord with him. Though he¡¯d heard rumors, his impression of Hannah took a turn for the better after meeting her face-to-face. ¡°Franco, Miss Moore is exceptional. She took down assants in Muvrand, averting disaster. ¡± Melina rted the incident to Franco as if sharing an amusing tale. ¡°When Dad found out, he summoned me back to Valmere that very night and forbade me to venture to Muvrand on business for a while. On that note, I owe Miss Moore my gratitude. ¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Melina tilted her head, offering a smile towards Bryson. ¡°Bryson, think you can help me pick a thoughtful gift for Miss Moore?¡± Hannah smiled, gracefully declining, ¡°Miss Mitchell was in the vehicle then. I should apologize to Miss Glyn for the extreme actions I took to protect us. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°That¡¯s awesome!¡± Upon hearing Hannah, Grace hugged her tightly, eximing, ¡°Grandpa, you have no idea! Hannah was so incredible that fear never crossed my mind! It was Hannah who shielded us. She owes no apologies!¡± Melina nned to shift the conversation to Hannah¡¯s skill with firearms, but Grace diverted it. ¡®s BunnyBookery However, Franco abruptly delved into Hannah¡¯s history, asking, ¡°Miss Moore, you recently went through a divorce, right?¡± Seizing the opportunity, Melina fanned the mes, echoing Franco¡¯s sentiments. Standing firmly, Bryson approached Hannah, his gaze intense yet devoid of emotion, asserting, ¡°Her personal affairs are not for you to question. ¡± As years passed since that particr event, Bryson¡¯s disposition had starkly contrasted with his grandfather¡¯s. Franco often engaged in heated confrontation with Bryson. Yet, deep within, he held immense pride for his eldest grandson. But now, Bryson¡¯s words had reignited his fury. Before the situation could escte, Hannah¡¯s clear voice intervened. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I sense that Mr. Franco Mitchell holds me in high regard, leading to his personal inquiries. ¡± With her eyes downcast and a radiant smile, Hannah continued, ¡°Yes, I recently ended an ill-fated marriage. Persisting with it would have been the real mistake. ¡± ¡°Hmm. ¡± Alexandra chimed in from the sidelines, ¡°That¡¯s true. You¡¯re very sensible, Miss Moore. It¡¯s clear why Grace adores you. ¡± Chapter 208 Franco¡¯s unexinable irritation faded with Hannah¡¯s soothing words, though he remained distant. He dismissively gestured with his hand, proiming, ¡°Time for you youngsters to have a chat. As an elder, I won¡¯t meddle any longer. Take your group and leave. ¡± Bryson took Hannah¡¯s hand and guided her out of the private room. ¡°Bryson, hold on!¡± Grace quickly lifted the hem of her dress and scurried after them. Only after they were out of sight did Melina shift her eyes, which had been trailing Bryson and Hannah, and said with a cheerful expression, ¡°Franco, it looks like our families, the Glyn and Mitchell families will have several joint ventures this year. My father is particrly interested in entrusting the uing Eastern project to Mitchell Group. ¡± As she gracefully poured tea for Franco, she continued, ¡°However, other board members seem inclined to award the project to the Moore Group in Crakholis¡­¡± The implication was clear: choosing the Mitchell Group could lead to unrest among the other board members. Yet, if Bryson became a son-in w to the Glyn family, the dynamics could change. epting the tea, Franco took a cautious sip before responding with deliberate ambiguity, ¡°Our families have been allies for generations. Under Bryson¡¯s leadership, the Mitchell Group is thriving. There¡¯s no reason to sever ties between our families. I¡¯ve had a longstanding friendship with your grandfather. Bryson sees you as a sister, just as he does his own. Business is fickle. Should this deal fall through, it won¡¯t affect the bond between the Glyn and Mitchell families. Bryson knows his way around. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± With these words, Franco deftly deflected Melina¡¯s veiled suggestion. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Whether the business deal seeded or not, the friendship between the two families remained intact. Marriage wasn¡¯t part of the equation. Although slightly annoyed, Melina kept her smile and replied softly, ¡°You¡¯re absolutely correct, Franco. No matter the business turns, the bond Bryson and I share for over two decades won¡¯t falter. ¡± Back in the corridor, on the staircase¡­ Hannah released her hand from Bryson¡¯s grasp, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear. ¡°The way you spoke with your grandfather earlier seemed a bit off. ¡± Bryson had initially returned to the Mitchell family gathering mainly for the sake of his grandmother, though he kept this from Hannah.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Suppressing his jumbled thoughts, he offered her a slight smile. ¡°Did I bother you?¡± Hannah was on the verge of mentioning her concerns about leaving a negative impression on his grandfather, Franco. But when her eyes met Bryson¡¯s, she thought better of it. Why should she care what Franco thought of her? What right did she have to even consider it? ¡°Never mind. ¡± In the end, Hannah held back the words she¡¯d intended to say, gently shaking her head at Bryson. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be the cause of any distress for you or your grandfather. ¡± Before Bryson could respond, Grace¡¯s face appeared between them. ¡°Hey, you two, why are you still up here? I¡¯m getting hungry!¡± Chapter 209 ¡°I¡¯m hungry too. Let¡¯s all go downstairs,¡± Hannah said. Seizing the opportunity, Hannah took Grace¡¯s hand and descended the stairs with her. As he observed Hannah¡¯s seemingly evasive behavior, Bryson hid his feelings. Had he been too forward? Grace, acting Like a little princess, guided Hannah through a variety of gourmet offerings. Holding a tiny cake, Hannah nced in Bryson¡¯s direction. Today marked the Mitchell family¡¯s grand celebration. Since Bryson hade downstairs, he had been swarmed by guests from various families, constantly engaged in toasts and conversations. Yet, his face remained impassive, showing little interest in the proceedings. ¡°Hannah! You made it! I was starting to worry you¡¯d skip out today. I was about to shoot you a text to scold you!¡± Lydia approached Hannah, holding a ss of red wine and donning a ck velvet off- the-shoulder gown. ¡°Thank goodness for Brayden. He helped me dodge a tricky situation. ¡± ¡°Were the Phillips and Shaw families giving you grief again?¡± Hannah asked, concern filling her eyes. ¡°Do you want me to intervene?¡± ¡°No need!¡± Lydia winked. ¡°I¡¯ve already taken care of it, and managed to annoy my parents in the process!¡± Intrigued, Grace leaned in closer, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°What made them so mad?¡± ¡°They were trying to orchestrate my marriage. When Brayden happened to walk by, I just grabbed him to act as my fake boyfriend! They want to make my life difficult? Well, two can y that game. ¡± Clutching her wine ss, Lydia¡¯s face hardened with anger as she recalled the recent events.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°My brother¡¯s business just copsed again. Now thepany is six million in debt. They thought they could exploit me to rescue them. Not in a million years!¡± ¡°So¡­¡± Hannah paused momentarily before inquiring, ¡°What¡¯s the Shaw family¡¯s take on this?¡± ¡°Ugh. ¡± Lydia gave an eye-roll of contempt. ¡°¡°Alick would be thrilled if I rejected the marriage proposal. If our Phillips family is the one to break off the engagement, we¡¯d be the talk of the town, in a bad way. He¡¯d love that. ¡± ¡°Oh. ¡± Grace, who was busy savoring some pastries, looked up at Lydia with a naive expression. ¡°Did Brayden actually agree to be your boyfriend?¡± Lydia couldn¡¯t resist grinning at Grace¡¯s adorable questioning. Chapter 210 ¡°Absolutely not. I merely got him on board to be my fake boyfriend. That¡¯s the deal. ¡± Grace scratched her head in mild confusion. ¡°Brayden agreed to that?¡± Lydia sighed deeply at this point, emptied her ss of red wine, and exchanged a wordless nce with Hannah, shaking her head. Hannah chuckled, ¡°Brayden usually enjoys a bit of drama.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. He wouldn¡¯t pass up the chance to y your pretend boyfriend. What¡¯s the catch?¡± Lydia tilted her head upwards as if seeking divine intervention. ¡°I have to be his actual girlfriend for a month. That was his condition. ¡± That stiption fit right in with Brayden¡¯s whimsical and cheeky personality. Hannah quirked an eyebrow and nodded. ¡°I¡¯m not concerned about that, but I do worry that your parents, the Phillips family, may not treat you well. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother. When have they ever been good to me? They only have eyes for my good-for-nothing brother. ¡± As they were engrossed in conversation, a piercing voice interrupted, ¡°Well, well, well, look who it is! My brother¡¯s ex-wife, with a criminal record, no less. ¡± Sadie nced at Hannah disdainfully. ¡°You must¡¯ve moved heaven and earth to be at a Mitchell family event, especially someone as lowly as you. ¡± The word ¡®lowly¡¯ came out as a snarl from Sadie,ced with malice. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Sadie Edwards, are you begging for a smack? Your breath reeks. Forget to brush your teeth?¡± Lydia, already in a sour mood, turned around and shot back defensively, standing up for Hannah. Sadie wore an expression of distinct irritation as she remarked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Not happy with how I described your master? Considering the Phillips family¡¯s recent financial woes, you and her make a perfect pair. You¡¯re Like garbage sticking with trash in a polluted canal!¡± Hannah opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by Grace¡¯s gentle yet firm voice. ¡°Watch your Language!¡± With a glint of anger in her gentle eyes, Grace shot back, ¡°By your reasoning, am I also garbage or trash? Hannah is here as my brother¡¯s guest, does that make him trash in your eyes, too?¡± Sadie¡¯s expression tensed. She couldn¡¯t afford to upset the Mitchell family. She fumbled for an exnation. However, just then, Hannah stepped forward, shielding Grace, and gave Sadie an icy re. Chapter 211 ¡°Days in detention didn¡¯t make you any smarter, did they? How can the Edwards family tolerate someone as dim as you?¡± ¡°Ah, my apologies. ¡± Hannah smirked at Sadie. ¡°I forgot. The Edwards family is naturally full of dimwits who enjoy public humiliation. ¡± Sadie was visibly boiling, about to lose herposure. But considering they were among Valmere¡¯s high society, she held her tongue. ¡°Hannah, who did you just call a dimwit?¡± Just then, Eliana walked over, wine ss in hand, gracing Hannah with a smile. ¡°Sadie, your mother is looking for you. Miss Moore, we won¡¯t impose on you any further. ¡± Grudgingly, Sadie walked away with Eliana, muttering under her breath, ¡°Bitch! She¡¯ll get what¡¯sing to her!¡± At that moment, Sadie¡¯s gazended on a passing waitress, igniting an idea. ¡°Hold on, Eliana. I need to blow off some steam! I can¡¯t let this slide!¡± No sooner had the waitress served wine to Hannah and herpanions than she appeared to stumble, dousing Hannah¡¯s dress with red wine. ¡°Hannah!¡± Grace eximed. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The waitress looked flustered as she hurriedly offered tissues to wipe Hannah¡¯s dress. s, Hannah was wearing a pristine white satin gown, making the red wine stains all the more conspicuous. Standing at a distance with her arms folded, Sadie remarked, ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve ruined that fancy dress you borrowed. Can you afford thepensation?¡± ¡°Sadie Edwards, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re going too far!¡± Lydia retorted icily. ¡°You purposefully caused the waitress to trip, didn¡¯t you?¡± With an expression of feigned surprise, Sadie replied, ¡°Why bring me into this? I didn¡¯t evenin about her stepping on my foot. Hannah¡¯s just unlucky, that¡¯s all. ¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Lydia fumed. Hannah restrained her friend, who was ready to go another round with Sadie. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your words on her. Every moment spent talking to her cheapens us. ¡± Witnessing the wine stain grow on Hannah¡¯s dress, Grace swiftly grasped her hand.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°There are extra dresses upstairs, Hannah. Let¡¯s go change you out of this mess. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Hannah nodded gently. Chapter 212 The waitress, who had earlier attempted to clean the dress, eagerly offered, ¡°May I escort Miss Moore upstairs for a wardrobe change?¡± Turning to Lydia, Hannah said, ¡°Watch over Grace. I¡¯ll be back shortly. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. ¡± Hannah went upstairs, followed by the eyes of Eliana, who stood nearby, her expression unreadable.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Reaching the end of a second-floor hallway, the waitress opened a door for Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, feel free to pick any dress from our changing room. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± ¡°Please make yourselffortable, Miss Moore. If you need anything, just call out. I¡¯ll be right outside. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± After the door shut behind her, Hannah quickly selected a tasteful light blue dress and retreated behind a curtain to change. Meanwhile, outside the changing room, the waitress passed the keys to a man and hurriedly departed. Hannah had just zipped up her new dress when she heard an unsettling sound. The door¡¯s lock was turning. Initially, she brushed it off, assuming the waitress had returned to stand guard. However, within seconds, she was on high alert. The approaching footsteps were deliberately muffled, making it clear this was not the same waitress. Hannah turned around to yank the curtain aside. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A mysterious man¡¯s face confronted her. When he realized she was fully clothed, a trace of disappointment crossed his features. ¡°Ah, Miss Moore. High society¡¯s not exactly weing, is it?¡± The man fidgeted with his tie, his skin glistening with sweat and emanating a pungent smell. He sneered as he moved closer. ¡°Look, the Mitchell family is way out of your league. With Bryson, you¡¯d always be a hidden affair. But with me, things could be different. Serve me well, and I can elevate your status. ¡± His smirk turned flirty. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your past marriage. Just be obedient and I can give you anything you desire. ¡± Hannah shot him an icy re. Chapter 213 ¡°You dare to behave like this on Mitchell property? nning on being exiled from Valmere?¡± Laughing as though he¡¯d heard an absurd joke, his eyes shone with lechery. ¡°Who do you think you are to them? Just another woman. Do you think Bryson cares for a divorcee? You¡¯re just a ything for men. You pretend to be pure, but behind closed doors, you¡¯re quite the flirt. ¡± At his words, Hannah¡¯s eyes turned cial, her hand at her side tightening into a fist. ¡°The Wood family has a long history with the Mitchell family. You think you could possiblye between that?¡± Suddenly, the man lunged, reaching for Hannah with his sweaty hand. ¡°Even if I take you right now, the Mitchell family, especially Bryson, won¡¯t object. ¡± His grip on her was revolting, making Hannah¡¯s gaze toward him chillingly hostile. ¡°I suggest you release me now, if you want to keep that arm. ¡± Disregarding her warning as an act of desperation, he leaned in, attempting to steal a ki*s. Crack! The sound of breaking bone filled the room as Hannah expertly fractured his arm. His shrieks reverberated around the changing room. ¡°Ah ah ah!! My arm, my hand!! You bitch!!!¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Despite his fractured arm, the man exuded an aura of menace. ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You bitch! How dare you! Reject my goodwill, and now you¡¯ll pay the price!¡± Retreating slightly, the man miraculously unsheathed a dining knife from his pocket with his good hand and charged at Hannah! Caught off guard by the knife, Hannah instinctively lifted her arm to shield herself. The de¡¯s sharpness cut through the air! But Hannah felt no pain. Lowering her arm and raising her gaze, she saw Bryson standing protectively in front of her. Gripping the knife-wielder¡¯s hand tightly, Bryson¡¯s eyes pierced through the man with intensity. A subtle twist of his wrist elicited ear-piercing screams from the man! ¡°Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!¡± The man crumpled to the floor, writhing like a worm in agonizing pain. ¡°Bryson. Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± Chapter 214 Shifting his focus solely to Hannah, Bryson inquired, ¡°Are you okay?This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Did he harm you?¡± ¡°You got here just in time. I¡¯m unharmed. ¡± Hannah shook her head as she massaged her wrist. With Bryson standing before her, Hannah found her heart pounding in unexpected excitement. Newly emerging emotions subtly swept her off her feet as she fixated on the man who had just saved her. The crowd behind Bryson hesitated to enter, gossiping and murmuring from the doorway instead. ¡°Who¡¯s this woman Bryson brought? Cheating in the changing room?¡± ¡°Stop your foolish talk! Didn¡¯t you see? She was cornered by that knife-wielding man!¡± ¡°That¡¯s Mr. Wood, the manager from Visionary Building Supplies. Maybe she led on Mr. Mitchell and then gave Mr. Wood the cold shoulder, making him lose it!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°What nonsense are you all spouting!¡± Grace suddenly emerged from behind the onlookers, her dress held high. Seeing her, the crowd instantly silenced their idle chatter. Bryson sternly ordered his apanying security guards, ¡°Contact the authorities, now. ¡± Hearing that Bryson was summoning the police, the fallen man began to crawl forward in desperation. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Mr. Mitchell! We can¡¯t let years of partnership go to waste over a woman!¡± ¡°Companies thatck integrity have no ce in business with the Mitchell family. ¡± Upon learning that the Mitchell family intended to cut ties with his own, the man mustered all his might to lift his head and yelled, ¡°This woman summoned me here! She wanted to have a tryst with me here, so don¡¯t me me!¡± ¡°Bullshit! Quit defaming Hannah!¡± Grace burst into the room, instantly enveloped by Hannah who whispered, ¡°How¡¯d you manage to get in?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t stand by and let him tarnish your reputation!¡± Grace¡¯s voice escted so that even those outside c ould hear. ¡°If we don¡¯t set the record straight today, who knows what rumors might circte tomorrow!¡± Still defiant, the man insisted, ¡°She¡¯s the one who lured me here! As a man, how could I say no!¡± ¡°Hannah was drenched in her dress. She was in my changing room! How could she seduce you while being escorted by a waitress?¡± Grace moved forward, arm in arm with Bryson, and looked contemptuously at the man sprawled on the floor. Chapter 215 ¡°Do you really think Hannah would leave my fantastic brother for you, a fool and unsightly old man?¡± Hannah stood to the side, her eyes widening in surprise at Grace¡¯s sudden intensity. Speechless and humiliated, the man grew pale and shaky, pleading with Bryson, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I was¡­ ensnared, I suppose¡­¡± With a gaze as icy as a frozenke, Bryson sent shivers down the man¡¯s spine. Bryson announced, ¡°Effective immediately, the Wood family will have no business in Valmere. ¡± The man¡¯s face contorted, his eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°Mr. Mitchell! I see the error of my ways.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. I swear, it won¡¯t happen again! I implore you, Mr. Mitchell, give me another chance!¡± As if suddenly recalling something, the man turned to Hannah and begged, ¡°Miss Moore, could you please convince Mr. Mitchell to let me off the hook? I swear I¡¯ll never do it again!¡± Hannah stood aloof, observing the pitiful man on the floor but offering no words. Bryson made a subtle hand gesture, and the security personnel immediately escorted the man out. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The crowd outside slowly dispersed, their eyes following the unfolding drama. Grace sensed her brother Bryson wanted a private word with Hannah, so she quietly stepped away. ¡°Let me see your wrist. ¡± The usually stoic Bryson seemed to soften in Hannah¡¯s presence. Hannah lifted her hand, glimpsed the discolored spot from the earlier grab, and tried to pull away. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really. ¡± Catching her hand as she retreated, Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°You¡¯re bruised. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s no big deal, just a minor bruise. I¡¯m alright. Mr. Mitchell, there¡¯s something strange about that man. I didn¡¯t see him follow me up. ¡± Though engrossed in Hannah¡¯s injured wrist, Bryson acknowledged her concern with a nod. ¡°We¡¯ll review the security footage soon and find out what¡¯s going on. ¡± For Bryson, Hannah¡¯s well-being was the top priority, above all else. ¡°Let¡¯s first get that bruise treated. ¡± Chapter 216 With a protective demeanor, Bryson escorted her out of the room and down to the hall below. Standing beside him, Hannah¡¯s heart raced wildly. His recurring attentiveness drew her in, making her long for his continued presence. Whenever she faced peril, Bryson was there, like her own guardian angel. Yet, these ¡°improper thoughts¡± made Hannah pause. A remarkable man like Bryson felt out of reach. This wasn¡¯t new to her. ¡°Watch your step. ¡± Lost in her thoughts, Hannah nearly stumbled on the staircase. With quick reflexes, Bryson caught her in his embrace! As she felt theforting thud of his heartbeat, Hannah gently freed herself. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Below, the crowd in the hall witnessed the unusual spectacle, eyes wide with surprise. Mr. Mitchell showed concern for a woman? Perceiving Hannah¡¯s awkwardness, Bryson offered a small smile. ¡°You seemed deeply absorbed in thought.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. What was on your mind?¡± Confessing she was distracted by thoughts of him, to the point of almost tripping, seemed too mortifying. Clearing her throat, Hannah diverted the topic. ¡°I was pondering if they¡¯d locate that suspicious waitress. ¡± ¡°She could run, but she won¡¯t get far. ¡± Bryson allowed Hannah to hold onto his arm as they made their way down the staircase. ¡°The Mitchell family own all thend around here. She¡¯s got nowhere to go. ¡± Earlier, a crowd had climbed the stairs, eager to catch a glimpse of the unfolding drama, filling the hall with whispers and murmurs before retreating back down. As Bryson and Hannah appeared, a hush fell over the crowd. They observed Bryson leading Hannah to a secluded area where she could rx. A nervous Sadie inquired, ¡°Eliana, I spilled something on her on purpose. Do you think she¡¯ll retaliate?¡± Chapter 217 ¡°This has nothing to do with you. It was an ident. Why would she make trouble for you?¡± Eliana¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Hannah, cursing the timing. So near, yet so far! How did she manage to have such good luck every time? In the distance¡­ As Hannah nestled into the sofa, Lydia and Grace quickly approached. ¡°Let me see, are you injured?¡± Lydia examined Hannah, concern filling her eyes. ¡°I heard a scream that sent shivers down my spine. As I headed upstairs, Miss Mitchell was on her way down. She assured me you¡¯d be okay and rejoining us soon. What exactly happened?¡± Grace took a seat next to Hannah, clearly furious. ¡°This all happened because that man had bad intentions! What a relief that my brother got there in time! It could¡¯ve been disastrous otherwise!¡± A furious Grace gripped Bryson¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Bryson, we can¡¯t let that man slip away. He must be sent to prison!¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Bryson looked warmly at his sister, patting her head reassuringly. At that moment, the estate¡¯s steward showed the surveince video. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Mr. Mitchell, we¡¯ve found the woman. Our security is on the way to capture her. ¡± Upon viewing the video, Bryson caught the moment when Sadie spilled wine on Hannah¡¯s dress.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. His face turned cold, his inscrutable eyes finding Sadie in the crowd of people. ¡°Sadie Edwards! She said it was an ident, but it¡¯s clear that Hannah had to change because of her actions, leading to all of this!¡± Grace indignantly said. Lydia¡¯sposure broke, her voice tinged with outrage. ¡°This is intolerable! We should¡¯ve never given her the benefit of the doubt! We should¡¯ve called her out immediately!¡± Lydia sprang up from the couch, as if ready to face Sadie head-on. Hannah quickly seized her hand. ¡°If we confront her now, we¡¯ll only get a hollow apology. ¡± Lydia fumed, ¡°And what should we do? So we just ignore it? I can¡¯t bear this!¡± Chapter 218 At the same time, Bryson scrutinized the security footage, his face turning increasingly frosty. ¡°That man was let in by this waitress. ¡± Following Bryson¡¯s gaze, Hannah looked at theputer screen. The video confirmed it. A man lurked into view, and the door-guarding waitress discreetly left the scene. ¡°This was no ident. ¡± Having suspected as much, Hannah¡¯s expression turned even chillier upon seeing the footage. ¡°It¡¯s obvious, Hannah. Sadie set you up! We should confront her right now,¡± Lydia said. Hannah muttered to herself, ¡°This can¡¯t be Sadie. she¡¯s not clever enough to orchestrate something like this. Though she had intentionally spilled wine on me earlier, it was purely a spontaneous act. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it was Sadie,¡± Hannah said calmly to Lydia. ¡°Even if she knew about this, someone else is pulling the strings.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org . Let¡¯s first find out who¡¯s actually behind this. Then we can deal with her. ¡± Meanwhile, Sadie kept a wary eye on Hannah and breathed a sigh of relief upon realizing that they weren¡¯ting her way. ¡°What luck for her to run into trouble just as she went to change!¡± Sadie remarked. Eliana shook her head softly. ¡°I can¡¯t say. But I heard from bystanders that Mr. Wood knows Miss Moore. He approached her because she abandoned him, and he couldn¡¯t handle the shame. ¡± ¡°What a slut! Ever since leaving my brother, she¡¯s been entangling herself with men wherever she goes. Can¡¯t she manage on her own?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Sadie scoffed. ¡°She had iting! She shouldn¡¯t even be at such a posh event; someone needed to put her in her ce!¡± Security acted promptly. After moving the guests aside, they escorted the waitress upstairs. Standing in the expansive room, the waitress quivered with fear. Hannah reclined on the couch, observing the waitress with an icy re. ¡°I¡¯ve already alerted the authorities. You¡¯re implicated, so don¡¯t think you¡¯re dodging thew. ¡± The waitress rushed to rify, ¡°Miss Moore, I only took the money! I never intended to hurt you!¡± Chapter 219 The waitress continued, flustered, ¡°I was just seduced by the allure of money! The real culprit told me to exit the scene when I saw the guy approach. I swear, I truly had no idea! Miss Moore, temporary greed clouded my judgment. Please, don¡¯t let them lock me up!¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah said, ¡°If you disclose who¡¯s behind this, I might consider sparing you. ¡± The waitress nodded frantically. ¡°I¡¯ll tell everything! It was the youngdy from the Edwards family! She handed me ten thousand to guide the man in that direction!¡± Lydia mmed her palm onto the table, her eyes aze. ¡°I knew she was behind this! Who else would stoop so low?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed momentarily before he motioned to the security outside to bring in the Edwards family. Meanwhile, Sadie was visibly anxious, continually shifting in her seat. She discreetly sought out Den. ¡°Den, should we head home? I¡¯m not feeling so great. ¡± Den looked puzzled. ¡°You seemed fine when we arrived. Weren¡¯t you excited about socializing with other families¡¯ daughters at the banquet?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡­ might be having some stomach issues,¡± Sadie stammered, unable to admit she had messed with Hannah. ¡°Den, I¡¯m really not well. Can we leave?¡± Knowing that the Edwards family needed to cultivate social connections, and having just made some progress, Den was hesitant to exit. ¡°Just hold on for another ten minutes, then we can go. ¡± As soon as he finished his sentence, a pair of security personnel approached them in the halt. They were polite. ¡°You¡¯re both invited by our boss. ¡± Sadie¡¯s heart lurched. She lowered her head even further, not daring to meet anyone¡¯s eyes. Den assumed that Bryson wanted to reignite their partnership and smiled warmly. ¡°Very well, let¡¯s proceed. ¡± ¡°Den!¡± Sadie clutched at his sleeve, desperate. Chapter 220 ¡°I should go home¡­ I¡¯m not feeling up to this. Sadie attempted to slip away, but the nearby security halted her. ¡°Miss Edwards, Mr. Mitchell insists that you apany us upstairs. ¡± If Bryson had business matters to discuss, he wouldn¡¯t have insisted on Sadie¡¯s attendance. A wave of unease suddenly washed over Den. Swiftly turning his gaze to his sister, he caught her rmed look; his brow tightened, a question on the tip of his tongue, only to be interrupted by a security guard nearby. ¡°Follow me, please. ¡± Puzzled, Den trailed behind the security guard to the second floor, where he discovered not just Bryson, but also Hannah seated casually on a nearby couch. ¡°Den. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Visibly anxious, Eliana stepped closer and lightly gripped Den¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯m a little frightened. ¡± Taken aback to find both Eliana and his mother in the room, Den reassured her by patting her hand gently. ¡°I¡¯m here. There¡¯s no need to be scared. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you¡¯ve gone to considerable effort to bring us all here. What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asked Bryson. By this point, it was obvious to Den that Bryson had no ns to talk business. As Den¡¯s resounding voice filled the room, a woman dressed as a waitress was ushered in. Bryson¡¯s detached gaze surveyed the group opposite him. ¡°Does anyone know her?¡± Den looked at the waitress, his brow furrowing as he shook his head. ¡°Why would I know her?¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org . ¡°No. . I don¡¯t recognize her,¡± Sadie said, her voice tinged with guilt, avoiding eye contact with the waitress. Leah found the situation puzzling but refrained from speaking out of turn in Bryson¡¯s presence, simply shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen her before. ¡± Chapter 221 Eliana, still clinging to Den¡¯s arm, also softly shook her head. ¡°I haven¡¯t met her either. ¡± ¡°Very well. Let¡¯s involve the police then. ¡± Bryson¡¯s words, seemingly casual but deeply consequential, hit Sadie like a freight train. ALL she had done was spill red wine on the insufferable Hannah. Why the urgency to call the police? Having experienced a stint in jail before, the mere mention of police rattled Sadie. Before she could voice her concerns, however, the waitress preemptively made her plea. ¡°Don¡¯t involve the police, please! I can¡¯t afford a criminal record! It was Miss Edwards who put me up to it. I was truly unaware! I just did what I was told!¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Sadie¡¯s eyes grewrge. ¡°Are you using me? I merely spilled wine on Hannah! Don¡¯t point fingers without proof!¡± ¡°You¡¯re the one who handed me ten thousand dors, telling me to step aside when I see a man walking toward the dressing room!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Tears flooded Sadie¡¯s face for the first time she¡¯d been used of something she didn¡¯tmit. She lunged, aiming to p the waitress, and screamed, ¡°I didn¡¯t do that! You¡¯re fabricating this!¡± Security intervened, halting Sadie¡¯s advance. She then shot a re at Hannah, her eyes aze with malice. ¡°It¡¯s you, isn¡¯t it, Hannah? You¡¯re ming your own wrongdoings on me! You¡¯re still bitter about my brother divorcing you. You are not satisfied with me getting detained. Now you want to set me up at this banquet too? How low can you go!¡± Hannah let out a softugh, her gaze icy as it met Sadie¡¯s. ¡°You¡¯re the one who spread vile rumors about me in school, inviting the police into your own mess. How is that my fault?¡± At Hannah¡¯s signal, the butler disyed the security footage for all to see. ¡°You intentionally spilled that wine, sending me off to change. Then this waitress conveniently allows a stranger into the changing room and uses you. Interesting, isn¡¯t it?¡± The video footage unmistakably disyed Sadie purposefully ruining Hannah¡¯s dress. A second video revealed Hannah having no conversation with the waitress on their way to the changing room, making it obvious that the man¡¯s intrusion was prenned. Even Den, although hesitant, found doubt clouding his vision as he looked at Sadie. Chapter 222 ¡°So, did you or did you not n for someone to harm Hannah?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t! I swear! I absolutely didn¡¯t!!¡± Sadie exploded, her eyes widening in disbelief as she looked at her brother.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Den!! You don¡¯t believe me either? I promise, I didn¡¯t set up anything against her! I confess! I did spill the wine!¡± Sadie¡¯s voice had a razor¡¯s edge, cutting through the room. ¡°But I never plotted against her, I swear!¡± Leah, moved by her daughter¡¯s distress, stepped in for a warm hug. ¡°Den, can you really doubt your own sister based on what that woman says? Hannah, you¡¯re a real piece of work. Even after your divorce from Den, you¡¯re still stuck on him!¡± Leah¡¯s tone shifted, bing authoritative. ¡°Just because you¡¯re chummy with Mr. Mitchell doesn¡¯t give you the right to falsely use others. We won¡¯t admit to things we didn¡¯t do!¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze turned frosty, targeting Leah¡¯s face. ¡°Mrs. Edwards, do you honestly think I¡¯d use you just because Hannah said so?¡± Leah, quick to rify, retorted, ¡°I never implied that, Mr. Mitchell! But we¡¯re concerned Hannah might be twisting the facts and implicating my daughter!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Why not involve the police, then?¡± Hannah offered a smug grin. ¡°Sadie ruined my costly dress. She owes me and that¡¯s all. But if you¡¯re talking about intentional harm, that¡¯s a legal matter. ¡± Sadie held her ground, defiantly retorting, ¡°Go ahead, call the police! I¡¯ll pay for the dress!¡± Eliana intervened. ¡°Sadie, maybe it¡¯s time to say sorry to Miss Moore. It seems you were at fault. ¡± ¡°Why should I?!¡± Sadie felt utterly betrayed. ¡°I¡¯m innocent. She¡¯s clearly setting me up!¡± Eliana tried to soothe her. ¡°Sadie, we all heard what Miss Moore said about you at the banquet and that¡¯s what infuriated you. Even if you did mess up, no one¡¯s holding it against you. Miss Moore isn¡¯t petty. ¡± Hannah shot Eliana an icy look but remained silent. Chapter 223 Eliana looked back at Hannah and offered, ¡°Miss Moore, Sadie¡¯s young and might¡¯ve acted without thinking. I apologize for her, and I hope you can let it slide. ¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything, why should I apologize?!¡± Sadie teetered on the edge of emotional copse, pointing at Hannah. ¡°You did this intentionally! You wanted to humiliate me! You framed me on purpose!¡± Ignoring Sadie, Hannah arched an eyebrow towards Eliana. ¡°So, you¡¯re admitting she actually did it?¡± ¡°Um¡­ Eliana appeared distressed as she nced at a tearful Sadie. ¡°I believe neither Sadie nor Miss Moore wanted this. Perhaps it¡¯s time for some leniency?¡± ¡°Miss Patel. ¡± Hannah, ever so poised, addressed Eliana directly. ¡°Your words are evasive. Are you admitting Sadie¡¯s guilt by offering an apology for her?¡±This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Eliana let out a weary sigh and looked at Den. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m not certain. Sadie can be quite impulsive. The least I can do now is extend an apology to you on her behalf. ¡± Hannah was proving to be a tough cookie to break. Confused and conflicted, Eliana leaned on Den and subtly squeezed his arm. Den couldn¡¯t just stand by. He looked at Hannah with a hint of disappointment. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Hannah, why this hostility? An apology has been made. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ What more do you seek?¡± ¡°I seek nothing. ¡± Hannah¡¯s tone became icy. ¡°Am I supposed to be grateful for your apologies? What if the tables were turned, and it was your sister locked in a room with a lecherous man? How would you feel then?¡± Den¡¯s eyes narrowed, a look of reproach aimed at Hannah. ¡°When did you turn so vindictive?¡± Finally, Bryson, who had been quiet, chimed in, ¡°Is this what you call. vindictiveness?¡± His gaze was unreadable but cold, directed at Den. ¡°If it were my sister who was harmed, do you think anyone from the Edwards family would walk away unscathed from the Mitchell property?¡± His words were biting, snapping Den back to reality. Chapter 224 Den pated, at a loss for words under Bryson¡¯s frosty stare. ¡°Enough. I¡¯ve given you opportunities you¡¯ve squandered. I¡¯m calling the police,¡± Hannah dered, reaching for her phone. Frantic, Eliana turned around and grabbed Sadie¡¯s arm. ¡°Sadie, for the love of God, apologize to Miss Moore. Do you really want another police record to impact your education?¡± Unyielding, Sadie shook off Eliana¡¯s grip. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I fear no one. Let her call the police!¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Internally, Eliana cringed. If the police got involved, sweeping this under the rug would be quite challenging. Hannah, observing from a distance, couldn¡¯t help but smile. What a spectacle this was. Her attention shifted to the waitress. ¡°Here¡¯s another chance for you. If you lie again, I assure you, you¡¯ll be answering to the authorities. Choose your next words wisely. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The waitress looked up, meeting Hannah¡¯s ice-cold eyes. The experience felt like plunging into a frozen abyss,pelling her to abandon any thought of deceit. ¡°It was¡­ it was that¡­¡± The waitress hesitated before turning around to point at Eliana. Eliana discreetly nced downward, motioning to her phone. With a jolt, the waitress turned back and lowered her head, eximing, ¡°Ah, it¡¯s Miss Edwards!¡± The instant the waitress turned, Hannah and Sadie caught sight of her finger aimed at Eliana. Yet, her words contradicted her motion and that only meant one thing! ¡°Eliana Patel! I saw her single you out. You orchestrated Hannah¡¯s trouble but framed me, didn¡¯t you?¡± Eliana¡¯splexion drained of color, and she slumped into Den¡¯s embrace. ¡°Sadie, why would I ever do such a thing? Are you misunderstanding the situation¡¯ Turning around, Den raised his tone slightly. ¡°Sadie, quit causing a spectacle. Why are you implicating Eliana?¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± Sadie jabbed a finger at Eliana, shouting, ¡°I¡¯m not blind! Chapter 225 Didn¡¯t I see her pointing at you? Quit your lying! You also despise Hannah, I can tell! How can you keep your nefarious ns against Hannah a secret andy the me on me, Eliana? Have you no decency?¡± Sadie¡¯s face twisted in a snarl, bordering on lunacy. Shaking in Den¡¯s hold, Eliana pleaded, ¡°Sadie, calm down. Someone must be manipting you, trying to pit us against each other.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Let¡¯s not let it ruin our rtionship. ¡± ¡°Indeed, Eliana¡¯s correct. You should hold your tongue before you embarrass yourself further. ¡± Den¡¯s endorsement only stoked the fires of Sadie¡¯s anger, driving her to a boiling point. Throwing caution to the wind, Sadie lunged at Eliana. With a swift move, she seized Eliana¡¯s hair and wrenched her from Den¡¯s grasp. A sharp pain erupted in Eliana¡¯s skull; her hand lifted, but it was toote to fend off the attack. A stinging p echoed as it struck her cheek. Her ears buzzed and her face burned with pain. She lost her bnce and tumbled to the floor. ¡°Bitch! How dare you act so shamelessly! Think you can lead a reckless life and get away with it? I¡¯ll make sure you regret framing me! You deceitful bitch! I even thought of you as family, but you just used me as your pawn! Do you even remember who brought you into the Edwards family? It was me! Only because I referred to you as my future sister-inw did my brother even consider marrying you! Who do you think you are? You and Hannah are both devious! But don¡¯t even dream that I¡¯ll be your scapegoat!¡± By now, Sadie had lost all sense of reason. Afternding a p on Eliana, she straddled her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Her hands descended like hammers, showing no restraint as she smacked Eliana¡¯s soft cheeks, each p resounding through the room. The chilling cries of pain, high-pitched screams, and spiteful curses filled the air, reverberating throughout the room. Downstairs, the banquet attendees looked up, puzzled by themotion. Even the gentle music couldn¡¯t drown out the sporadic shouts and criesing from above. Brayden, ss of wine in hand, sensed the tension and gathered a small crowd of intrigued onlookers. ¡°It sounds like trouble upstairs. Should we intervene? It wouldn¡¯t bode well if a full-blown brawl erupts in the Mitchell household. ¡± Eager for a spectacle, no one hesitated. Some began ascending the stairs, while others trailed behind. Brayden led the way up the staircase, followed by a dozen or so individuals, all anxious to see what was going on. Inside the room, Den saw Sadie escting the confrontation and wanted to step in, but he was unable to restrain his unhinged sister. ¡°That¡¯s enough! Quit hitting her! Stop it now!¡± Eliana struggled beneath her assant, her face contorted in a futile effort to maintain some semnce of dignity. She couldn¡¯t fight back, using her arms only to shield her face. Sadie, her eyes filled with madness, forcefully pulled at Eliana¡¯s dress and incessantly gripped her waist, causing Eliana to wince in pain on the floor. Chapter 226 A few feet away, Hannah lounged on a sofa, eyes twinkling with delight as she watched the floor-level fiasco unfold. This public humiliation of Eliana was surprisingly entertaining. ¡°Seeing Eliana get smacked around is oddly amusing,¡± Lydia observed, a note of disbelief coloring her voice. ¡°Never thought I¡¯d see her so degraded. How thrilling!¡± Hannah met Bryson¡¯s eyes, her own eyes glinting with mischief. She leaned in and whispered, ¡°Thanks, Mr. Mitchell. You¡¯ve earned another favor from me. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s really my bad for not looking out for you. I appreciate you not holding it against me, Miss Moore,¡± Bryson responded. Lydia broke in, rolling her eyes, ¡°Enough with the sweet talk, you two. It¡¯s nauseating!¡±This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. On the other side of the same room, the drama has escted into a whirlwind of chaos and violence. Sadie had torn Eliana¡¯s dress to pieces. She¡¯d also ravaged Eliana¡¯s hair, smeared her makeup and lipstick, reducing her to a disheveled and pitiful sight. ¡°What¡¯s themotion? We heard noises from below. Don¡¯t tell us a fight broke out,¡± Brayden began, walking into the room. His words trailed off as he saw Eliana¡¯s humiliated form on the floor. The shocking scene left Brayden momentarily speechless. The onlookers trailing behind him inhaled sharply. They recognized Sadie as the young daughter of the Edwards family. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ And though her opponent¡¯s face was obscured, the disarray of hair allowed them to suspect that it was Den¡¯s new wife who was being battered. ¡°What led to this? Why did they start fighting?¡± ¡°I saw them downstairs earlier. They were addressing each other warmly as sisters-inw. How did things get so out of hand?¡± ¡°The quarrel might have something to do with Miss Moore¡¯s dressing room incident. Someone was used of scheming and shamelessness. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Eliana must be envious that Miss Moore has someone as influential as Mr. Mitchell in her corner, so she resorted to these low tactics. ¡± ¡°I¡¯d bet on that. With Mr. Mitchell and Miss Moore here, it¡¯s got to be connected to this drama somehow!¡± Bruised and aching, Eliana heard the chatter at the door, wishing she could simply lose consciousness right on the spot! ¡°Den! Come rescue me, Den!¡± Her voice tinged with despair, Eliana pleaded. ¡°Den, it¡¯s excruciating! It¡¯s unbearable!¡± Fuming with anger at the spectators outside, Den knelt down to pull his sister to her feet. ¡°Enough of this! If you¡¯re going to cause a scene, do it in private!¡± Chapter 227 ¡°Who¡¯s the real drama queen here? Me or her, who was ndering me?¡± Grabbing Eliana by the hair, Sadie yanked her upright and sneered at the onlookers, ¡°This shameless woman schemed against Hannah, but framed me in the process! What¡¯s wrong with me giving her the punishment she deserves?¡± Eliana did her best to shield her dignity with her tattered dress, but her humiliation remained palpable as she broke down in tears. ¡°I¡¯ve always considered you as a sister. I knew you never liked Miss Moore I even warned you, remember? I cautioned you against spreading that gossip in school, didn¡¯t I?¡± Wrapping his arms around Eliana, Den gently covered her with his coat, a pained expression on his face. No longer resembling dewdrops on a blossom, Eliana¡¯s tears flowed freely. Her face was swollen, her eyes nearly shut, crisscrossed with scratch marks, and her makeup was a smeared disaster. Sobbing vulnerably, she said, ¡°You could¡¯ve just apologized this time, but instead, you shifted the me to me and assaulted me! If not for Den, I¡¯d be calling the police right now!¡± Blinded by rage, Sadie lunged at Eliana, aiming to scratch her face again, but was met with a powerful p from Den. Smack!!! Sadie¡¯s cheek puffed up instantly as she staggered back, incredulous, and shrieked, ¡°Den, you hit me?!¡± ¡°I did it to teach you a lesson, so you¡¯ll think twice before doing something so reckless again!¡± Amidst high-society onlookers, Den and the Edwards family had thoroughly disgraced themselves. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Attracted by the uproar, Franco and Melina made their way over. ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± The elderly man¡¯s stern expression intensified as he struck his cane firmly on the ground. The crowd¡¯s whispers abruptly died down. Confronted by Franco¡¯s interference, Den had no choice but to swallow his pride and offer an apology. With a face clouded in displeasure, Den turned around and muttered an apology to Hannah. ¡°Hannah¡­¡± ¡°Call me Miss Moore,¡± Hannah cut him off sharply.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Exhaling deeply, Den gritted his teeth and strained, ¡°I apologize, Miss Moore. I didn¡¯t keep a close enough eye on my sister. I¡¯ll reimburse you for your dress and any emotional pain inflicted. I will also make a public apology. Please, forgive my sister just this once. ¡± ¡°Den! It wasn¡¯t me!¡± Sadie burst out, desperately trying to defend herself. ¡°Why trust that wicked woman Eliana over your own sister?¡± Ignoring her, Den continued his apology to Hannah. Chapter 228 ¡°I hope you can ept my apology. I¡¯m truly sorry. ¡± Hannah looked down, smiling faintly, ¡°Let¡¯s move on. I don¡¯t want to make your life difficult. Mr. Edwards¡¯ apology will suffice to close this matter. ¡± Awkwardly, Den ushered Eliana and Sadie, along with his mother, toward the exit. ¡°But make sure thepensation is in my ount by tomorrow,¡± Hannah added. ¡°I trust Mr. Edwards will keep his word. ¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± Den responded through clenched teeth, steering his group through the gathered crowd and exiting the estate in a disgraceful manner. ¡°How unfortunate, the Mitchell family¡¯s banquet has be quite the spectacle,¡± Melina said, her eyes narrowing subtly as she studied Hannah. ¡°If only Miss Moore hadn¡¯t needed to change her dress, all of this could have been avoided. It should be called. . ¡± Melina paused, then chuckled, ¡°Ah, the butterfly effect, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡±This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Her words implied that if Hannah hadn¡¯t attended, the evening might have proceeded more smoothly. shing a teasing smile at Hannah, Melina said, ¡°I¡¯m only kidding. You must be shaken up. Make sure to rest well tonight, or both Bryson and I will be concerned. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I really put Mr. Mitchell in a tight spot today. Miss Glyn was on point. Had I not shown up, none of this fuss would have happened, and she wouldn¡¯t be upset. ¡± Melina¡¯s face shifted. Hannah grinned at her and continued, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I was only kidding. I know you¡¯re not upset. ¡± ¡°This is a Mitchell family gathering. Don¡¯t concern yourself with what others think,¡± Bryson interjected. ¡°Actually, the me falls on me for not looking out for you better. ¡± Hearing this exchange, Melina found it hard to keep her smile intact. She chuckled andtched onto Franco¡¯s arm, whispering, ¡°Franco, look at Bryson, He actually took my joke to heart. ¡± Franco cleared his throat and advised, ¡°Everything¡¯s fine now. Why are we still lingering?¡± Franco¡¯s words instantly silenced the room and the onlookers retreated. Everyone was wary that Franco mightsh out. Even though Franco wasn¡¯t fond of Hannah, he said gravely, ¡°Bryson, it¡¯s gettingte. Have someone take Miss Moore home. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll drive Hannah back. ¡± Bryson began to rise, intending to escort Hannah out. Melina intervened, ¡°This is the Mitchell family¡¯s event, Bryson. You should focus on bidding our guests farewell. I can drive Miss Moore. I was just told by my father that there¡¯s a matter to attend to at home. I can drop off Miss Moore on my way. Would that be eptable to you, Miss Moore?¡± Chapter 229 Melina nced at Hannah warmly. ¡°It¡¯s fine by me if it works for you, Miss Glyn,¡± Hannah replied with aposed smile. Turning to Bryson, Hannah announced, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯ll take my leave now. ¡± While displeased, Bryson conceded, ¡°Let me know once you¡¯re home. ¡± ¡°WiLL do.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Melina¡¯s car was a customized silver Lamborghini. She tossed her bag onto the back seat and gestured for Hannah to hop in. Hannah gracefully slid into the passenger seat and buckled up. The car quietly rolled out of the Mitchell estate. Darkness had already settled in, and the roadside lights offered only a faint glow, creating a serene atmosphere. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯m aware you¡¯re the doctor Bryson has enlisted for Grace¡¯s care. I sincerely hope Grace recovers soon. I¡¯ve known Bryson since we were kids and consider Grace like a sister. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to ask me. The Glyn and Mitchell families have been tight-knit for generations. I also share a close bond with Bryson. So don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re not bothering me. ¡± Hannah tightened her fist and stared into the distance, a subtle sadness clouding her mood. She remained quiet, unsure of what to say. Gripping the wheel, Melina nced over at Hannah, who had her eyes cast down. With a cheerful expression, Melina inquired, ¡°Miss Moore, do you think I¡¯m overly chatty? My apologies. I tend to ramble when the topic is Bryson. ¡± ¡°No worries. ¡± Lifting her gaze, Hannah offered Melina a smile. ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with Mr. Mitchell. How about sharing some stories from your childhood?¡± Caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s suggestion, Melina hesitated before answering, ¡°Sure, Bryson had his fair share of amusing childhood antics. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As they drove, Melina regaled Hannah with tales of Bryson¡¯s youth. Eager to steer the conversation, Hannah subtly brought up Golden Bay, where she¡¯d had a near-drowning experience a decade ago. ¡°Golden Bay?¡± Melina pondered for a moment and shook her head. ¡°I doubt Bryson would frequent such a ce. ¡± Just as she finished speaking, Melina sensed that Hannah had a specific reason for mentioning Golden Bay. She halted the car at a red light and looked intently at Hannah, who was seated beside her. ¡°Miss Moore, did you cross paths with Bryson ten years ago?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Hannah shook her head, dispelling the idea. ¡°Students often go to Golden Bay for recreation, so I was just curious. ¡± ¡°Bryson was far from your average student back then. He wouldn¡¯t have gone to such a ce for leisure. ¡± Chapter 230 As Melina spoke, a faint air of arrogance tinged her words. ¡°You might find it hard to understand, Miss Moore, but the Mitchell family had a tight rein on him. Going to such a ce was out of the question. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah averted her gaze. Perhaps it really wasn¡¯t him. Upon reaching the outskirts of themunity, Melina turned off the engine and announced, ¡°I apologize, Miss Moore. I won¡¯t be going any further. I¡¯ve got some matters to attend to. Your ce isn¡¯t too far from here, right?¡± ¡°Quite close. ¡± Hannah grabbed her purse and stepped out of the car. Out of the blue, Melina said, ¡°Miss Moore, if you ever run into trouble, feel free to reach out to me. You don¡¯t need to involve Bryson in everything. ¡± Pausing, her hand hovering over the car door, Hannah offered a smile.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org . She shut the door and leaned in to sh another smile at Melina. ¡°Will do. Take care, Miss Glyn. ¡± Once Melina drove away, the smile vanished from Hannah¡¯s face. She hoisted her purse onto her shoulder and wearily made her way into the residential area. Upon arriving home, she didn¡¯t even switch on the lights. She kicked off her heels and tossed her purse to the side. Reclining on the plush sofa in the dimly Lit room, Hannah gazed out the window, clutching a pillow to her chest. For an instant, she felt as though she might be falling for Bryson. But rity washed over her. What Bryson couldn¡¯t escape was an arranged marriage, creating an insurmountable distance between them. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ALL of a sudden¡­ Ding! Drowsy, Hannah was startled awake by the sound of the doorbell. Rubbing her eyes, she checked her phone for the time. It was already 11 PM. Had she imagined the doorbell ringing? As she sat there, puzzled, the doorbell chimed again. So it wasn¡¯t a dream? Barefoot, Hannah dashed to the door, only to freeze in disbelief at the sight of the man on her doorstep. Before her brain could catch up, her hands instinctively unlocked the door. She gazed at the suited man and murmured, ¡°Mr. Mitchell?¡± Not long after leaving the banquet, there stood Bryson, still in his formal attire. Surveying Hannah, who stood barefoot in her living room, Bryson seemed to rx a bit. Chapter 231 ¡°I¡¯m d to see you¡¯re alright. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah was baffled. ¡°I texted you and called you multiple times and you didn¡¯t reply. Concerned something had happened, I had the chauffeur bring me here. ¡± Lowering her gaze to her phone, Hannah noticed it was on silent mode. She had missed two calls from Bryson. ¡°My phone was on silent. I apologize for worrying you,¡± she said.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org . ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay. ¡± Bryson carried a subtle scent of mint mixed with alcohol. As he stood in the moonlight just outside the door, he appeared unusually lonely. Once he was sure that Hannah was unharmed, Bryson wished her a restful night and began to walk away. Hannah called out, ¡°Mr. Mitchell! Would you Like toe inside for a bit? I can cook some soup to help you sober up. ¡± The moment the words left her mouth, Hannah felt a wave of regret wash over her. Her fist tightened. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ If Bryson said no, she¡¯d feel humiliated. Bryson pivoted, the glint in his typically impassive eyes visible. ¡°If you¡¯re fine with it, then I¡¯d be d to ept your hospitality, Miss Moore. ¡± He stepped into the doorway. Hannah switched on the living room lights and fetched a pair of slippers from beside the cab. Announcing she needed to change, Hannah dashed into the bedroom and shut the door behind her. With a knowing smile, Bryson moved toward the kitchen. When she reappeared, now in casual attire, Hannah found Bryson in the kitchen. His coat was dr@ped over a dining chair, his shirt sleeves rolled up. He was gently stirring a pot of aromatic soup. ¡°Let me handle that, Mr. Mitchell!¡± Hannah¡¯s cheeks flushed. Chapter 232 She was the one who had invited him to stay, yet here he was, taking the lead in her kitchen. ¡°The soup will be ready in a moment. Please, take a seat. ¡± With a thoughtful expression, Bryson focused his attention on the pot of soup, his long eyshes veiling his intent gaze. Hannah nodded awkwardly and retreated to the living room, her fingers fidgeting as she wondered what to do next. ¡°Try the tomato soup. ¡± At the sound of his voice, Hannah looked up just in time to see Bryson, now in an apron, setting a steaming bowl of soup before her. Her heart skipped a beat. Lately, Bryson seemed to have a mysterious influence on her emotions, leaving her puzzled. Turning slightly, she nodded and reached for the spoon to taste the soup. Bryson caught her wrist, cautioning, ¡°Easy now. It¡¯s still quite hot. Sip it slowly. ¡± He removed his apron and took a seat across from Hannah, gazing at her with a gentle smile. ¡°Aren¡¯t you having any, Mr. Mitchell?¡± Hannah bowed her head, avoiding Bryson¡¯s gaze. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Go ahead, take a sip,¡± Bryson suggested casually. The living room was steeped in an odd tension. As Hannah sipped her soup, Bryson observed her in silence. Neither of them spoke. Finishing her soup, Hannah hurried into the kitchen, clutching her bowl. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll do the dishes!¡± she announced. Watching her, Bryson, seated at the dining table, couldn¡¯t help but smile. She reminded him of a mimosa nt, shrinking at the slightest touch.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. After cleaning up, Hannah returned to the Living room to find the TV on and Bryson engrossed in a show. She wanted to usher him out, but words failed to form on her lips. Taking a seat at the opposite end of the sofa, she ventured, ¡°There¡¯s still some soup left in the pot. Don¡¯t you want any, Mr. Mitchell?¡± Bryson turned to her. ¡°Feeling tired? I can leave. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I can stay and watch TV with you, Hannah offered, rather formally. Chapter 233 After contemting for a moment, Bryson smiled, ¡°Sure. ¡± What? She¡¯d only been trying to be courteous. Why did he take her literally? Hannah was at a loss for words. This was all her fault! ¡®s BunnyBookery As the TV yed on, she fell into a trance, feeling more and more sleepy. Eventually, Hannah dozed off, slumping against the sofa. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Someone answered the phone in hushed tones. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt like lead. She rolled over and remained asleep. ¡°What is it?¡± Bryson grabbed the phone, noticing Hannah was about to topple off the sofa. Swiftly, he steadied her. On the other end of the line, Brayden sounded as if he was outside. ¡°Someone from Muvrand visited tonight. They said¡­ they¡¯d offer us a five percent share of the profits. All negotiable, of course. They also warned that if either side made thingsplex, doing business would be challenging. Especially if we nned on entering Muvrand¡¯s market. ¡± Bryson smirked, lowering his tone. ¡°If intimidation were effective, the Mitchell family wouldn¡¯t be where they are now. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Grinning, Brayden replied over the phone, ¡°I anticipated that, so I assured them we¡¯re legitimate business partners. They owe us a 10 percent cut of the profits. They¡¯re on board, but they have a condition. They want a 30% stake in the eastern Valmere Land.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. What do you think?¡± That eastern Valmere plot was earmarked for future urban development. It was spected that key governmental offices might relocate there. The Mitchell family had acquired thatnd, and they were in talks with other potential stakeholders for its development. ¡°The Muvrand folks are trying to stick their noses in. They¡¯re Likely up to no good. Tell them they can have a 20% stake, max. If we¡¯re on the same page, the contract gets signed tomorrow. ¡± Brayden didn¡¯t question Bryson¡¯s judgment and simply agreed. ¡°And what¡¯s the n for dealing with the Edwards family?¡± Hannah, resting her head on Bryson¡¯sp, shifted ufortably. Gazing down at Hannah¡¯s slumbering face, Bryson said icily, ¡°Teach them a lesson. ¡± Chapter 234 ¡°Understood,¡± Brayden replied. Ending the call, Bryson gently lifted Hannah¡¯s head and carried her to the bedroom. Once on the plush bed, Hannah continued to sleep peacefully, her head against the pillow. Bryson dimmed the bedside light, leaned in to lightly caress her cheek in the dark, and covered her before exiting the room. The next morning, Hannah slept through her rm. She stirred, eyes half-open. The daylight was bright, and the trees outside were still. It appeared that the temperature outside was soaring. Wait!This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. With her hair in disarray, Hannah sat bolt upright. Was she¡­ was she in the living room before? How had she ended up in her bed? Tossing the covers aside, Hannah dashed barefoot into the empty living room. Bryson was gone. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She smacked her forehead, struggling to recall how she had ended up back in her bedroom the previous night. Rushing back into her bedroom, Hannah flopped onto her bed, her face a rosy hue from the warmth of her covers. She grabbed her phone and called her friend. After several rings, a sleepy voice answered, ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ well¡­¡± Hannah hesitated, finally finding her words. ¡°It¡¯s summer break and there¡¯s a car race happening at Rochgan Hill. I got the invite a couple days back. Thest day to sign up is tomorrow, and I want to join. ¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Lydia¡¯s voice held a note of caution. ¡°Rochgan¡¯s terrains are treacherous, filled with steep slopes and sharp turns. It¡¯s a risky endeavor. Don¡¯t you remember the ident your mentor had there five years ago? It¡¯s the reason you stopped racing. I can¡¯t let you put yourself in that kind of danger again. ¡± Holding her head as if images of her former mentor flooded her thoughts, Hannah¡¯s voice wavered. ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten him. But Cyril Holmes is racing too. I have to be there. ¡± From the other end came a surprising tter, as if something had toppled over with a loud crash. ¡°Even more reason to steer clear! That guy¡¯s notorious for his dirty tricks. He¡¯s put multiple racers out ofmission! I¡¯m aware¡­ Chapter 235 Cyril was involved in my mentor¡¯s death, but he was only a small part of it. Beating him won¡¯t change the past. ¡± Lydia sensed the stillness in Hannah¡¯s end of the call, and rm bells went off in her head. ¡°Hannah, hear me out! Since you got married¡­ I did some digging on Cyril. Every race he¡¯s in, someone ends up injured! He¡¯s ruined careers! He¡¯s been on a tear these past years, monopolizing every significant race and making it impossible for anyone else to win! He¡¯s raking in cash for whoever¡¯s behind him. I couldn¡¯t determine who it is, but you absolutely must avoid getting tangled up with this guy!¡± Lydia¡¯s voice grew increasingly urgent. ¡°I know you¡¯ve never stopped obsessing over this, even after your marriage. So I didn¡¯t dare share it with you. Hannah, for once, please take my advice!¡± Hannah pressed the phone against her ear, quietly absorbing her best friend Lydia¡¯s endless talk. ¡°If I erase this from my memory, who else will bear witness to the true cause of my mentor¡¯s death?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery This statement, tranquil in its delivery, abruptly stilled Lydia on the opposite end. After a moment, Lydia¡¯s voice quivered. ¡°We couldn¡¯t even find your mentor¡¯s body back then¡­ The conclusion was it was a racing ident. Everyone had already agreed to the terms before the event. It was deemed unavoidable. Listen, Hannah. Your mentor wouldn¡¯t want you to endanger yourself for his sake. So many years have gone by, can¡¯t you¡­¡± Mid-sentence, Lydia stopped, aware that one reason Hannah had married was to flee from her past. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Armed with her new knowledge about Cyril, Lydia knew Hannah wouldn¡¯t stay put. ¡°I¡¯ming with you as your co-driver!¡± Hannah broke into a smile, lifting the somber mood. ¡°Sorry, but I can¡¯t have you as my co-driver. ¡± Hannah continued, her voice tinged with humor, ¡°If you were in the seat next to me, I¡¯m not so sure we¡¯d cross the finish line first. ¡± ¡°Damn it, Hannah!¡± Lydia gripped her phone, unable to muster a grin. ¡°I get it. you¡¯re scared I¡¯ll be endangered if something happens to you! Let¡¯s keep things serious. No need for joking. ¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. The corners of Hannah¡¯s smiling mouth drooped. ¡°Lydia, it¡¯s too risky to bring you along on this adventure. I know it¡¯s selfish. When the registration text hit my phone, I faltered¡­ It took me until today to summon the courage to tell you. I was afraid you¡¯d hold it against me if I didn¡¯t. ¡± Lydia paused, then asked, ¡°Then¡­ Have you told Bryson about this?¡± Chapter 236 ¡°No. ¡± Hannah clutched her nket nervously, saying, ¡°I intend to ask Mr. Campbell to treat Grace. The medication I¡¯ve recently administered should slow down the advancement of her condition. Today, I¡¯ll hand off the medication to Mr. Campbell. If anything happens to me, he can carry on with Grace¡¯s treatment. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk like that!¡± Lydia quickly chastised her from the other end of the phone line. ¡°Hannah, are you leaving ast will or something? You can¡¯t get hurt, you hear me? In dramas, they always say talking Like that brings bad Luck!¡± Hannah chuckled softly on her end of the line, responding earnestly, ¡°We¡¯re talking real life, not a TV show. Besides, I¡¯m not nning on losing. I trust my driving skills. ¡± Lydia understood her friend¡¯s determined nature. Once Hannah made up her mind, it was unshakeable. ¡°Did you pick a co-driver?¡± ¡°I trust no one else for this trip to Rochgan Hill, so I¡¯m going alone. ¡± ¡°Are you insane? Do you really intend to tackle the treacherous roads of Rochgan Hill by yourself?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Anticipating her friend¡¯s reaction, Hannah pulled the phone slightly away from her ear. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss thister. I have to see Mr. Campbell now.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. I¡¯ll call you back this afternoon. ¡± After hanging up, Lydia hesitated briefly before dialing Brayden¡¯s number. After preparing herself, Hannah gged down a taxi to Saul¡¯s research facility. Shepiled an exhaustive report on Grace¡¯s treatment and the medication administered, handing it to Saul. ¡°Mr. Campbell, the toxins in Miss Mitchell¡¯s system are spreading unusually fast. The current meds should control it. I think a specific mold may be at y. I urge you to look into this, Mr. Campbell. I¡¯ve also included a report on Miss Mitchell¡¯s health for your review. ¡± Impressed, Saul nodded and said, ¡°You¡¯re indeed my star pupil, always thorough. However. . Adjusting his sses, he inquired, ¡°You¡¯ve been managing Miss Mitchell¡¯s treatment and medications, why pass it to me now?¡± ¡°Actually¡­¡± Hannah then disclosed her true intent. ¡°I have a request to make of you, Mr. Campbell. I don¡¯t mean to keep secrets. I¡¯m entering a high-stakespetition soon, and I¡¯m concerned¡­¡± Saul¡¯s face, already lined with age, seemed to age even more as worry creased his features. ¡°Hannah, no contest is worth risking your life for. However, I understand you must have strong motivations. I¡¯ll work on the medication, awaiting your safe return. ¡± Chapter 237 Hannah¡¯s lips tightened, as if to say thank you, but words eluded her. ¡°I get it, Mr. Campbell,¡± she murmured. Leaving behind the medicine and data, she stepped out of the research institute. Once she was outside, she nced at her phone and noticed a bunch of unread messages. Several came from the DarkLink app. [Odds for tomorrow¡¯s big event just dropped. The duo is at 26:1. Group odds are even steeper, 40:1. This Cyril Holmes guy is a juggernaut.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. He hasn¡¯t lost recently. ] Swiftly, Hannah typed her reply. [Put me in Cyril¡¯s group and bet 100 million on me winning. Do it under your name. Also, set up a car for me. Needs to have a spoiler and be drift-friendly. Keep it light. ] A ok emoji was quickly sent in reply. ¡®s BunnyBookery [You sure you¡¯ll win, boss? If you¡¯re that certain, I might bet too. Could win 2 billion with those odds!] A slight grin crept onto Hannah¡¯s face as she texted back. [If you¡¯re not scared of losing your initial investment, go ahead and ce your bet. ] Feeling upbeat, she logged off from the DarkLink app. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The remaining unread messages were merely notifications about the uingpetition, its venue, and its schedule. Upon opening WhatsApp, she saw a recent message from Bryson. A high-end jewelry brand is debuting its new collection on a ferry at month¡¯s end. Bryson¡¯s text was an invitation for her to apany him. Hannah¡¯s fingers lingered above her phone¡¯s screen. After a moment¡¯s pause, she opted not to respond to Bryson and slid her phone back into her pocket. She roamed around for the rest of the day, not heading back to hermunity until the sky had turned entirely dark. Rummaging through her bag for themunity ess card, Hannah was interrupted by a sudden appearance in front of her. Without thinking, she stepped back and looked up, finding Bryson in her view, which made her momentarily stiffen. Bryson sported a ck T-shirt instead of his usual tailored suit, his unkempt bangs framing his face, giving him an air of detachment under the moonlit sky. ¡°You¡¯re out prettyte,¡± he said, his voice tinged with iciness. Chapter 238 Caught off guard, Hannah backpedaled a bit. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what are you doing here?¡± Holding her gaze with his prating eyes, Bryson said, ¡°I tried reaching you, but you didn¡¯t answer your phone or respond to my messages. I got concerned. ¡± ¡°Calls?¡± Fumbling in her bag, Hannah pulled out her phone, only to find it had shut down due to a depleted battery. She held it up, somewhat apologetically. ¡°Sorry, my phone ran out of battery. I didn¡¯t catch your calls. ¡± ¡°And what about the messages?¡± She had seen them but had chosen not to respond. Her face distorted with slight difort. ¡°I¡­ was tied up today. So I forgot to get back to you. ¡± Bryson, noticing her difficulty in formting a lie, narrowed his eyes but decided not to press the matter.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°Fine, you should go home now. ¡± As Hannah¡¯s hand grazed the entry gate, she turned and saw Bryson, framed by moonlight, silently observing her. She parted her lips, but ultimately, the words she had in mind remained unspoken. ¡°I¡¯ll head in now, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A gate now divided the space between them. ¡°Hannah. ¡± She heard him say, halting her steps. She turned around, peering at Bryson who stood beyond the gate. His expression was unclear from her perspective. ¡°If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to reach out. ¡± Waving his hand as a goodbye, Bryson turned and slid into his car. The vehicle pulled away, leaving Hannah rooted to the spot, her eyes tracking the disappearing car. It took her a considerable time before she finally retreated into her residential area. Morning broke with an unexpected start. Violent knocking nearly splintered Hannah¡¯s front door, and the doorbell rang incessantly. Chapter 239 ¡°On my way! On my way!¡± Stretching with a yawn, Hannah swung the door open and watched as Lydia strode in, arms full of various items. ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡± ¡°You¡¯re asking? I picked up these charms for you from a churchst night. They¡¯re for your protection and well-being. Oh, and these bracelets are for you too. ¡± Hannah sat, slightly dumbfounded, as she observed Lydia unload an assortment of seemingly pointless objects, a growing headache imminent. ¡°So, you disappeared all day yesterday. Was it to gather all this stuff?¡± ¡°It¡¯s important!¡± Lydia seized Hannah¡¯s wrist, eager to adorn her with the items. ¡°You attended the race without inviting me. How could I not worry? The stakes are high in this contest. It¡¯s unnerving!¡± A smallugh escaped Hannah; she yfully pinched Lydia¡¯s cheek. ¡°And here I was, thinking you were scared of nothing. ¡± ¡°The only thing that scares me is something happening to you,¡± Lydia dered, her usual yful demeanor turning serious for a moment. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯m going all-in on you. You can¡¯t afford to lose. ¡± Hannah expected a serious revtion, but it was still typical Lydia, cheerful even when earnest. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s get to the real talk. I did some digging yesterday.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Rochgan Hill is hosting the event, and it¡¯s attracting nobles from Valmere as spectators. Cyril is the odds-on favorite! Some have even started illegal betting pools, and the odds are doubled!¡± Lydia¡¯s lips tightened. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s the clear winner. His sponsor must be making a killing using underhanded methods. How can they not feel ashamed?¡± Hannah nodded in agreement. ¡°This event will likely draw the attention of many under-the-table dealers. Maybe we can finally catch the person who hurt my mentor. ¡± ¡°But with so many shady characters around, finding Cyril¡¯s puppet master won¡¯t be easy. ¡± ¡°If I win, things might change. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°With 40:1 odds against me, if I beat him, his backers will have no choice but to reveal themselves. ¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°You¡¯re nning to¡­ It¡¯s risky! I¡¯ve heard that even the big boss from Muvrand, a city steeped in crime, is involved. They mighte after you if you beat Cyril!¡± Chapter 240 Hannah tilted her head and winked. ¡°Hold on, how¡¯d you get wind of such confidential information? Who¡¯s your source?¡± Feeling a sudden shiver, Lydia straightened up and gave a stiff grin. ¡°Uh¡­ someone did the groundwork for me. ¡± Who?¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Brayden did the investigating¡­¡± Hannah scowled. ¡°Brayden¡¯s buddies with Bryson. By asking him for help, aren¡¯t you basically tipping off Bryson?¡± ¡°No, no, no!¡± Lydia instantly gestured a denial with her hands. ¡°I¡¯ve already cautioned Brayden against mentioning this to Bryson. He¡¯ll keep quiet. ¡± Yet recalling Bryson¡¯s demeanor the previous night, a twinge of apprehension surged through Hannah, nting a seed of doubt in her mind. But even if Bryson did find out, what would change? She was simply Miss Mitchell¡¯s personal doctor, and Bryson had just happened to save her life twice. That was the extent of it. ¡°Hannah, you seem preupied. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Lydia scrutinized Hannah¡¯s face, misinterpreting her look as one of irritation. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It wasn¡¯t deliberate, you know. Brayden was the only dependable source for this information. It¡¯s not like I could¡¯ve asked Alick, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m mulling over,¡± Hannah said, shaking off her earlier thoughts. ¡°Let¡¯s change the subject. Tonight¡¯spetition begins at 7. I may need to head out this afternoon to fetch the car from the city outskirts. The race tonight¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be there,¡± Lydia asserted. ¡°Even if I can¡¯t serve as your co- driver, I can at least be a spectator, can¡¯t I?¡± Hannah grabbed the amulet that Lydia had left on the table for her and gave it a gentle swing. ¡°With this charm by my side, victory is practically guaranteed. ¡± At the Mitchell Group Headquarters, Brayden reclined on the couch in Bryson¡¯s office, ending a phone call. Chapter 241 ¡°The roster for Rochgan Hill is finalized. Miss Moore has signed up for both the doubles and the group events. I¡¯ve had someone investigate the doubles match-ups. Miss Moore will be facing Cyril Holmes. Cyril Holmes is someone I¡¯m familiar with. He¡­¡± ¡°Will do whatever it takes to win,¡± Bryson cut in, his eyes icy and his demeanor stern. ¡°I¡¯ve encountered him at a few international events but never directly faced off with him. ¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± Brayden exhaled, turning to Bryson.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°Why did Miss Moore get grouped with someone like him?¡± ¡°Arrange for the groups to be changed. ¡± ¡°I thought you might say that. ¡± Brayden shook his head, adopting a cryptic tone. ¡°Someone¡¯s been pulling strings behind the scenes, deliberately shuffling Miss Moore into this group. It¡¯s toote to change it now. ¡± Bryson¡¯s presence became suddenly intense, as if emanating a chilling energy. ¡°Have we secured seats for tonight¡¯s event?¡± ¡°Anticipating you¡¯d attend, I¡¯ve already reserved a spot for you. ¡± Brayden¡¯s rxed air shifted, bing noticeably more earnest. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Word has it that the big yers from Muvrand will be there tonight, likely folks from Enchantment Casino. We haven¡¯t finalized our contract; best to tread carefully. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± As Hannah reached the base of Rochgan Hill, twilight was settling in. [Where¡¯s the car?] She nced down and texted a quick message. She got an immediate response. [Garage five at the venue. All is set, boss. Just give it a test drive when you arrive. ] After reading the reply, Hannah presented her registration details to the adjacent staff member, collected her ID badge, and proceeded into the venue. Entering the garage, she was momentarily speechless. The car was a wine-red custom sports car, its body looking almost like red velvet under the Lighting. To put it inly, it was pretty to look at, useless to use. Chapter 242 Feeling the onset of a headache, Hannah tapped the car¡¯s hood just as a message shed on her phone. [What do you think, boss? The car¡¯s awesome, isn¡¯t it!] [We¡¯ll discuss this when I return!] Hannah nearly stabbed her phone screen as she rapidly typed her response, then settled into the driver¡¯s seat. The exterior might have been all show, but the interior was genuinely high-end,plete with a retractable spoiler at her fingertips. After assessing the car¡¯s amenities, Hannah exited, and went to change into her racing gear in the garage¡¯s changing room. Her red and white racing attire seemed to perfectlyplement her car. For ease of movement, she had twisted her long hair into a braid, slung over one shoulder, adding to her energetic aura. She tossed her helmet into the car and checked the time. Registrationmenced at 8:40, with the race kicking off at 9:00. Plenty of time remained to survey the track and get her bearings. Near the bleachers, a digital topographical map of the entire mountain and its keyndmarks was disyed, each monitored by high speed cameras to capture every twist and turn of the race. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Just as Hannah was about to pinpoint a location on the map, a piercing voice grabbed her attention. ¡°Hannah Moore?! What are you doing here? It¡¯s like you¡¯re some kind of curse that keeps finding me!¡± A sharp voice drew numerous nces throughout the hall, directing attention to therge disy. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°That¡¯s the Edwards family¡¯s daughter, right? I couldn¡¯t attend the Mitchell family¡¯s banquetst time, but I¡¯ve heard she caused quite amotion there, didn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°She shed with her new sister-inw at the event. I witnessed it; it was truly an unparalleled spectacle. ¡±This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°Seems I missed quite the spectacle the other time. ¡± Their animated chatter echoed clearly in the venue¡¯s semi-open seating, with only the VIP sections remaining unaffected. Sadie unmistakably overheard every word. Her existing animosity towards Hannah was further ignited upon seeing her. ¡°Why are you evenpeting in this race? Has thepetition dwindled so much that they¡¯re letting anyone join?¡± Den, observing from behind, stared at Hannah donned in her racing attire, his expression unreadable. His realization of her racing prowess after their separation had left him taken aback. Witnessing Hannah now, radiant and full of life, evoked certain emotions in him. Eliana¡¯s remark pulled Den¡¯s attention. Chapter 243 ¡°Miss Moore is truly impressive. With Mr. Mitchell backing her, it¡¯s no surprise she¡¯s part of such a prestigious event. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s merely unting herself! You got lucky once, but be cautious now, especially in such a serious race. One misstep could cost you!¡± Sadie remarked spitefully. ¡°Hoping to catch a wealthy suitor here? Don¡¯t bother. Mr. Mitchell won¡¯t be gracing this event!¡± Hannah retorted with a sarcasticugh, ¡°Why? Did you and your sister -inw bond over mutual disdain? You didn¡¯t hold back at the banquet. Have things smoothed over already?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery She then cast a brief look at Eliana. ¡°Thankfully, Ms. Patel¡¯s features appear intact. ¡± Eliana¡¯s expression tightened. As Hannah¡¯s taunting words washed over her, she looked on the brink of tears and sought refuge behind Den, murmuring, ¡°Den. ¡± On this asion, Den didn¡¯t direct his irritation at Hannah, but rather red at Sadie. ¡°Didn¡¯t your antics cause enough issues previously? The firm took a hit because of you! Enough with the drama. Let¡¯s leave now. ¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes zed with fury. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Why am I the one who has to go? Last time, she was obviously the culprit! How can you take her side, Den?¡± ¡°Did 1?¡± Hannah shot Sadie a sly smile. ¡°Need I remind you how you knocked over the wine at the banquet and stained my dress? It¡¯s been barely two days. Are you already struggling to remember, Miss Edwards? Seems like a lot of people are forgetting, just like they¡¯re forgetting to invest in Edwards Group. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze shifted to Den.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°Remember, I own 20% of Edwards Group. If I decide to sell, you know the fallout. ¡± ¡°Damn it, Hannah!¡± The mere mention ofpany shares immediately soured Den¡¯s face. ¡°Thepany is Grandma and Grandpa¡¯s effort. Do you really want to upset Grandma?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes grew cold. ¡°I restrain myself solely for Allison. So if you can¡¯t rein in Miss Edwards here, don¡¯t me me for losing my manners. ¡± Chapter 244 Having had the final word, she quickly saved her phone¡¯s digital map, turned around, and walked away. As she walked away, Sadie¡¯sints filled the air, apanied by Den¡¯s audible impatience. Exiting the conference room, Hannah headed for the garage, her mood further dampened by the recent encounter.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. To her astonishment, the garage door had been forcibly pushed open during her short absence! A soft glow came from inside. Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed as she hastened inside. Contrary to her expectations, only a stranger was there, sitting next to her race car, a small scratch marking his cheek. Stopping short, Hannah looked at him incredulously. ¡°You. . Who are you?¡± The young man leaped to his feet, his face disyingplete innocence upon seeing Hannah in her racing attire. ¡°This is your car, isn¡¯t it?¡± Pierson Miller ruffled his disheveled hair, appearing somewhat embarrassed. ¡°I wasing back to my own garage and saw someone trying to break into yours, with ns to vandalize your car. I scared them off!¡± Taking a step back, Pierson allowed Hannah to see her untouched car. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Your car¡¯s in perfect condition. They didn¡¯t get a chance to touch it. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah cast her eyes over her immacte car, then offered Pierson a small smile. ¡°Thanks. If it weren¡¯t for you, I might¡¯ve missed today¡¯s race. ¡± ¡°It was no big deal. ¡± Pierson gestured vaguely, as if brushing the matter aside. Before walking away, he paused, offering some advice. ¡°Look, you appear to be a neer. Haven¡¯t seen you racetely. That guy who tried to mess with your car earlier? He¡¯s bad news in the racing world. Be careful. ¡± Without waiting for a response, he hurried off, leaving Hannah without a chance to ask for his name. Hannah shook her head at his hasty departure when her phone, nestled in her pocket, began to ring. It was Bryson. Grasping the phone, she hesitated to pick up. While she pondered, the call ended. Just as she let out a sigh, the phone rang once more. ¡°Hello? Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Chapter 245 Sitting in a car parked outside the venue, Bryson gazed at the brightly lit building at the base of a nearby mountain. His voice, steady and inscrutable, conveyed no emotion. ¡°I learnt that you¡¯ve updated Professor Campbell on Grace¡¯s health status and treatment progress. ¡± Pausing briefly, Bryson continued, ¡°It seems you¡¯re not honoring our deal. ¡± Gripping the phone tightly, Hannah stammered, have other priorities right now. Can we discuss this tomorrow?N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Silence stretched on the line, long enough for Hannah to think Bryson had disconnected. Just as she was about to put her phone down, she heard him say, ¡°Fine. ¡± The line went dead, and Hannah¡¯s hand dropped, still clutching the phone. After hesitating multiple times, she finally switched it off. Racers were expected to arrive thirty minutes before the race to set up, and Hannah was no exception. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She swung open the car door, strapped on her helmet, ensured everything was in ce, and navigated her race car from the garage to the track at the mountain¡¯s base. At another corner of the venue,petitors making their entrance were instantly projected onto therge screen. Lydia and Brayden arrived a bitte but joined in just as the racers were being introduced. Spotting Hannah stepping out of her car and removing her helmet beside her vehicle, Lydia excitedly nudged Brayden. ¡°Hannah! It¡¯s Hannah!¡± ¡°Yeah, I see her. What¡¯s got you so worked up?¡± Brayden ncedzily at the screen but then did a double take. ¡°Wait, aren¡¯t racers supposed to have co-drivers? Why is she alone?¡± Lydia¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Oh no! Hannah said she¡¯d find a recement for me, but she hasn¡¯t! Is she going to race alone?¡± ¡°Why would she do that?!¡± Brayden¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°Rochgan Hill is treacherous, and it¡¯s even harder to navigate at night! What is she thinking?¡± ¡°Impossible! Lydia sprang to her feet and bolted from the box. ¡°I need to get some answers from her!¡± ¡°Wait up!¡± Brayden leapt up to chase after Lydia, slyly shooting off a text to Bryson as he did. Chapter 246 Once they left, turmoil erupted within the venue. People noticed Hannah sitting solo; her co-driver¡¯s seat was empty. ¡°Is she asking for trouble? Driving on Rochgan Hill¡¯s winding roads at night without a co-driver? That¡¯s like asking to crash! What¡¯s going through her mind?¡± ¡°Who is she anyway? A female driver? Ever heard of a well-known one?¡± ¡°You out of the loop or what? Weren¡¯t you at the Valmere race? She¡¯s the ex-wife of the Edwards family¡¯s young master, also known as the elusive Tequ!¡± The infield was buzzing with excitement! ¡°Tequ? The faceless racing goddess?¡± ¡°How did that guy from the Edwards family manage to marry her, only to cheat on her?¡± ¡°Guess the grass really is greener, huh? Everyone here has some escapades, except the saintly Bryson Mitchell, of course, hahaha. ¡± Several young elites joined in the mockery. Upon hearing this, Den¡¯s fists tightened, filled with a pang of regret as he focused on the remarkable woman disyed on the screen. Eliana tugged on Den¡¯s arm. ¡°Den, what do those numbers above mean?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ncing upward, Den noted the fluctuating, multicolored numbers on the screen and rified for Eliana in a more tender tone. ¡°Those are betting odds for the big race. The best odds are on the green one, Cyril Holmes. He¡¯s been practically unbeatable in recent years. ¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s put our money on him, seems like a guaranteed win. What do you think, Den?¡± Den stared at Hannah¡¯s name on the distant screen, saying nothing. Eliana nced at the electronic disy and her smile vanished as she spotted Hannah¡¯s name. ¡°Den, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to back Miss Moore. It¡¯s that the odds are really stacked against her. I don¡¯t want you to throw away money. After all, the minimum bet will be a million.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°Den, what¡¯s on your mind? You should be betting on that other guy. Who in their right mind would bet on Hannah, the jinx?¡± Upon seeing Hannah¡¯s name on the screen, Sadie couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes. ¡°I wonder who the high roller is that bet a hundred million on her. Aren¡¯t they scared of losing big?¡± Suddenly, fireworks erupted on the screen, and only Hannah¡¯s name appeared in bold. The bettor was anonymous, but the wager was a staggering five hundred million dors! Hannah¡¯s name also rocketed to the top of the disy. Five hundred million was no small sum! Chapter 247 The bets from the attendees, and even the hidden VIP schemer, paled inparison. Many spected that Tequ¡¯s sudden rise had something to do with her sugar daddy. ¡°Someone actually bet half a billion on Hannah? Is that even possible¡¯ Sadie shouted. ¡°Who¡¯s insane enough to bet that much on a sure loser?¡± Her point seemed valid. The crowd echoed her sentiment. ¡°Exactly. Who¡¯s the big spender behind Tequ? Seems like they¡¯re here to grab attention. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s half a billion dors. Whoever¡¯s backing her must be wealthy enough to capture plenty of attention. ¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not forget, if she loses, that bet doubles to a billion. Who would gamble with that kind of money?¡± As the chatter buzzed, the camera, along with Cyril, shifted focus toward Hannah. After exiting his race car, Cyril approached Hannah¡¯s vehicle, lifted his arm, and tapped on her car¡¯s roof. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Tequ, it¡¯s been ages. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Last time we crossed paths was what? Years ago, right?¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. With a sly smile curling his lips, Cyril nced at Hannah. ¡°I assumed you¡¯d been avoiding me all these years because you were scared. ¡± He sneered at her, ¡°I can¡¯t believe you haven¡¯t improved at all over the years. You can¡¯t even afford a co-driver now?¡± Just as Lydia was about to sprint onto the track, Brayden caught up and halted her. ¡°Calm down!¡± ¡°My friend¡¯s getting picked on in there! You want me to calm down? Are you joking?¡± Lydia attempted to shake off Brayden¡¯s grip. Realizing he couldn¡¯t restrain her, Brayden swiftly hoisted her onto his shoulder. ¡°Brayden!! What are you doing?! Put me down!¡± The moment she was lifted, Lydia let out a shriek. Chapter 248 ¡°Don¡¯t stress. Miss Moore is fine. She won¡¯t be pushed around,¡± Brayden assured her as he carried her back. ¡°Brayden! Put me down!!! Do you hear me!¡± Meanwhile, Cyril also caught wind of themotion outside. He red menacingly at Hannah. ¡°If you¡¯re eager to meet your maker, I won¡¯t stand in your way. Your co-driver¡¯s already a casualty. I¡¯d hate for you to join him. ¡± Cyril then broke into a derisiveugh. ¡°Let¡¯s be real. That was all on you, wasn¡¯t it? You¡¯d be the one six feet under if he hadn¡¯t stepped inst-minute. So, in a way, you killed him, didn¡¯t you?¡± Memories of the past washed over Hannah, making her grip her fists tightly. She felt chilled to the bone, her breathsing more rapidly. Summoning her calm, she looked Cyril evenly. ¡°You broke into my garage to sabotage my car, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Cyril raised an eyebrow, grinning. ¡°Prove it. Otherwise, I¡®Il have mywyers p you with a defamation suit. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re sabotaging me because you¡¯re not confident you can beat me, right?¡± Hannah retorted, her eyes piercing. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Cyril¡¯s grin vanished, reced by a sinister look. ¡°What was that? You think I can¡¯t beat you?¡± Just then, a track official approached the two racers. ¡°Miss Moore, permittee regtions, you can¡¯t race without a co- driver. ¡± At that instant, Cyril gave a sarcastic whistle. ¡°Tough break, Tequ. Guess you¡¯re benched this round. ¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Hannah frowned at the official. ¡°Your contract never stipted that I had to have a co-driver. ¡± ¡°I apologize, Miss Moore. Given the hazardous mountain terrain, especially at night, we¡¯ve prioritized driver safety,¡± the official exined. The news reverberated throughout the venue via live broadcast, leaving the crowd in a state of disbelief. Chapter 249 Tequ was on the brink of disqualification forcking a co-driver? The news sent shockwaves through the crowd. Sadie crossed her arms and scoffed, ¡°She¡¯s just here for the spotlight. Showing up without a co-driver? She¡¯s yed herself. She had iting!¡± ¡°Den, do you think it¡¯s a problem if Miss Moore can¡¯tpete?¡± Eliana appeared somewhat disappointed. ¡°Miss Moore doesn¡¯t need to gamble her life on a race. It¡¯s probably for the best that she didn¡¯t bring a co-driver, so she can exit thepetition. ¡±This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°Humph!¡± Sadie huffed. ¡°I bet she intentionally skipped on bringing a co-driver, just to have an easy out after her little show!¡± Den¡¯s gaze was locked onto Hannah¡¯s image on the screen. Witnessing the determination in her expression, he sensed that Hannah wasn¡¯t what others imed her to be. If she could, she would race alone. As this thought crossed his mind, an inexplicable sense of sadness enveloped him. The audience burst into a chorus of jeers and mockery, amused by Hannah¡¯s audacity. ¡°I thought she was a dark horse, but it turns out she¡¯s just a clown. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She¡¯s out before the race even starts. How boring!¡± ¡°Whoever bet half a billion on her must be devastated. She didn¡¯t even kick off the race, and now they¡¯re down a billion!¡± ¡°What a waste! Had that person bet on a promising rookie, there might be a chance that they could rake it in. Now they¡¯re not only broke but also look like aplete idiot. ¡± ¡°Exactly. I¡¯d love to find out who was foolish enough to stake 500 million on her. ¡± At that moment, tension permeated the atmosphere of the race. Simultaneously, Cyril smacked his lips and sneered at Hannah, ¡°Getting disqualified might be a blessing in disguise for you. At least you¡¯ll live to see another day!¡± ¡°After years of being away, your sudden return delighted me, only to learn you might bow out before the race even begins. ¡± Cyril knocked his knuckles on the roof of Hannah¡¯s car and quipped, ¡°So, you chickened out and decided not to bring a co-driver, did you?¡± Hannah nced at the official beside her. ¡°Is there no alternative? Can I pick someone who¡¯s only signed up for doubles to be my co- driver?¡± Chapter 250 ¡°I¡¯m afraid not, Miss Moore,¡± the official replied courteously. ¡°You can¡¯t have another contestant as your co-driver. Sorry, but you have only twenty minutes before the race starts. If you can¡¯t find someone, you¡¯ll be disqualified. ¡± ¡°Too bad, Miss Moore,¡± Cyril scoffed, relishing her dilemma. ¡°Looks like there¡¯s no one here fit to be your co-driver. Maybe you shouldn¡¯t overextend yourself. ¡± ¡°Who says there isn¡¯t anyone qualified?¡± A spotlight lit up the distance, revealing Bryson in a sleek ck- and-white racing outfit, helmet in hand. The evening wind ruffled his hair as he strode into the racetrack, silhouetted by the moonlight. The gusts momentarily blurred Hannah¡¯s vision; she blinked to focus on the man walking toward her, momentarily paralyzed. Why was he here? In a split second, the previously subdued racetrack and crowd came to life!This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. When Bryson¡¯s face shed on the screen, recognition spread; his presence was thest thing anyone had expected. ¡°Bryson Mitchell?! What¡¯s he doing here, stepping in as Hannah Moore¡¯s co-driver?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Oh my God! Why didn¡¯t anyone tell me Bryson would be here tonight?¡± ¡°Bryson, serving as a co-driver for a woman? Just how remarkable is she? Is he the one backing her?¡± Eliana¡¯s eyes were glued to the screen, watching Bryson stand next to Hannah. Her fingers tensed up without her realizing it. Why does Hannah always get assistance, and why would someone as remarkable as Bryson give her the time of day? If only a man of Bryson¡¯s caliber were by her side. . Her eyes sparkled with unspoken ambition as she gazed resentfully at the screen. ¡°What¡¯s so special about this bitch that Mr. Mitchell keeps helping her?¡± Sadie mmed her hand on the chair in frustration, staring at Bryson¡¯s suave appearance and feeling a twinge of jealousy. ¡°She¡¯s just using Mr. Mitchell as her support!¡± Meanwhile, Den, seeing Bryson next to Hannah and how well they seemed to fit together, felt his fists tighten involuntarily; his expression darkened gradually. On the racetrack, murmurs erupted among the racers. ¡°Bryson Mitchell! A man of many awards, both nationally and internationally! I thought he wasn¡¯t racing this time since he wasn¡¯t on the list. Is he co-driving?¡± Chapter 251 ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s ever co-driven before. It must be Hannah¡¯s influence. She actually got a top racer as her co-driver!¡± ¡°This race is full of surprises. It¡¯s anyone¡¯s guess who will lose!¡± Cyril¡¯s face had already soured at the sight of Bryson. When he heard the murmurs around him, his expression turned even darker as he red at Hannah. How did she pull this off? How did she manage to get Bryson in her corner? ¡°Mr. Mitchell, there¡¯s really no need for you to take part in this race just for her,¡± Cyril said, his tone unusually submissive. ¡°If you race, I¡¯ll simply forfeit. How could I possiblypete with you?¡± Cyril was fully aware that upsetting the man before him might put him in trouble, even with his own boss backing him. ¡°Isn¡¯t this just a smallpetition? Wouldn¡¯t it look bad if I beat you, Mr. Mitchell? If you¡¯re so keen on winning, I¡¯ll just withdraw. ¡± Bryson looked at Cyril impassively. ¡°I¡¯m confident I¡¯ll win, because I have believe in Hannah. ¡± Hannah looked up at Bryson, taken aback for a moment. ¡°She¡¯s a jinx that could endanger her team, maybe even put Mr. Mitchell at risk!¡± Cyril scoffed at Hannah, ¡°You haven¡¯t raced in ages, probably because of that old incident¡­¡± Hannah shot back with an icy grin, ¡°If you¡¯re scared to race, Cyril, just admit it. Are you dredging up history because you¡¯re actually afraid to lose?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery The taunt Cyril had just made was promptly thrown back at him. Just as Cyril was about to respond, a voice crackled through his headphones. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Proceed with the race. Use either of the two uing events to eliminate them. Ensure Bryson doesn¡¯t make it. ¡± Cyril¡¯s expression shifted. He didn¡¯t want to cross Bryson, but neither could he afford to offend the person giving orders, someone who could squash him like a bug. Teeth clenched and eyes ring at Hannah, he dered, ¡°Fine, let¡¯s race. And if you lose, don¡¯t im I had an unfair advantage!¡± He swung around and climbed into his car, followed by the other racers getting into their vehicles. Sitting in her car, Hannah felt her heart race. Next to her in the passenger seat was Bryson, and a soft scent of mint filled the air, doing little to ease her already frazzled nerves. ¡°Bryson Mitchell!¡± Hannah gripped the steering wheel tightly, her gaze electric as she turned toward him. ¡°You knew I¡¯d race today. You also knew I¡¯de alone, so you finalized the agreement ahead of time, didn¡¯t you?¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Chapter 252 Amidst the shadowy interior, Bryson met her eyes and simply said, ¡°Yes. ¡± ¡°hy?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes grew moist, her voice wavering. ¡°Before I answer, I have a question for you,¡± Bryson replied, his voice icy in the enclosed space. ¡°You left Grace¡¯s situation to Mr. Campbell, you declined Lydia as your co-driver, and you entered this race alone. Are you ready for the worst-case scenario, intending to handle this on your own?¡± Hannah¡¯s hands trembled subtly as she averted her gaze from Bryson¡¯s. ¡°This is my fight. I didn¡¯t want to drag anyone else into it. ¡± ¡°I believe you¡¯ll win,¡± Bryson said. Those words again. Unable to contain herself, Hannah turned to find Bryson softly smiling in the darkness. ¡°I¡¯ve staked my life on you winning. It¡¯s the biggest gamble I¡¯ve ever taken. You won¡¯t disappoint me, will you?¡± After a moment of silence, Hannah¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile, her eyes locking onto the mountains in the distance as her grip tightened on the wheel. ¡°With stakes this high, I have no choice but to win. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With just five minutes to go, tension in the venue was at an all- time high! Bryson¡¯s unexpected arrival had left everyone stunned! Though he was only serving as a co-driver, Hannah was quitepetent. Their alliance had the potential to shake up the whole race. Those who had put money on Cyril were visibly annoyed.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. They grumbled loudly, ¡°Didn¡¯t they say no more partnerships after the race begins? Is Bryson getting special treatment now because of his reputation?¡± As skepticism rippled through the crowd, more people started to question the situation! Brayden, who was there with Lydia, heard the discontent and sneered, ¡°You think Bryson is as short-sighted as you? Always waiting forst -minute miracles? The agreement was signed well before the race. If you have issues, take them up with the organizers, instead of whining here!¡± Sensing the crowd quiet down, Brayden escorted Lydia to their seats. Lydia sat, still puzzled, and said, ¡°How did Bryson know to sign a partnership ahead of time? How did he know Hannah would be here today¡­¡± In the middle of her thought, she caught a somewhat sheepish expression on Brayden¡¯s face. It suddenly dawned on her that he was the insider! ¡°Brayden! I thought I could trust you! You were the informant?¡± Chapter 253 Brayden let hernd a yful punch on him, quickly soothing her. ¡°Reconsider it.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. This could actually be a good thing. Without it, Miss Moore might not have even been in the race today. ¡± ¡°Humph!¡± Lydia turned her face away, uninterested in further discussion. The screen started the race countdown! Seizing the moment, Brayden said, ¡°Don¡¯t rush into anger too quickly. The race is starting!¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes shifted to the big screen, and immediately, all her focus turned to her friend. Though the cars hadn¡¯t moved yet, her palms were already tightly clenched in anticipation! Inside the racetrack¡­ The roar of the engines was relentless! Only when the race queen at the front swung the yellow gs in a cross motion and leaned over did the cars take off, like arrows shot from their bows! Thendscape near the mountain¡¯s base was rtively t, allowing several cars to jockey for position, nearly side-by-side at the front. Yet, it was Hannah¡¯s car that truly stole the show. While the lead cars seemed neck and neck, hers was just a notch behind, hot on the heels of the frontrunners. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Damn it! I really thought she¡¯d be the dark horse. Had me scared for a second! Guess this is all she¡¯s got!¡± Within a box, tension gave way to relief among several spectators as they watched Hannah¡¯s performance. Ang¡¯s Library ¡°Good thing I didn¡¯t change my bet to her, or I would have been out a lot of money!¡± Eliana noticed Hannahgging and felt a sense of relief wash over her. ¡°Looks like we backed the right horse. The winner will Likely still be the racer who ledst time. ¡± Onscreen, as the cars navigated the curving mountain roads, some clearly struggled, falling increasingly behind. But Hannah¡¯s car began to reveal its strengths. Although she started slow, she remained undeterred and stuck close to the leader. Bryson, consulting the road ahead, coordinated wlessly with her. ¡°Ease up on the gas at the uing mini S-curve, then pass the lead car on the outerne at the next major S-curve. Keep it steady. If you can¡¯t make the pass here, there¡¯s another opportunity at the third S-curve during the second stage. If we miss both, it¡¯s going to be tough. ¡± Withposure, Bryson nced at the tablet disying the race map. Chapter 254 ¡°Watch out. The other driver is ying hardball. ¡± Acknowledging Bryson¡¯s advice, Hannah eased her speed at the minor S$ -curve. This move immediately widened the gap between hers and Cyril¡¯s vehicles. The trailing cars opted to elerate, aiming to overtake Hannah. Miscalcting the tricky curve, they bumped and swerved towards the mountain¡¯s edge. With no options, they had to decelerate. In contrast, Hannah, having negotiated the minor S-curve with finesse, hit the gas. She surged ahead, substantially widening her lead over the pack. The distance she needed to close was vanishing fast. Taking a daring move, Hannah swung left, passing at zing speed. The left side was a steep, treacherous mountain path. Yet, she managed to skim alongside Cyril¡¯s car. A collective gasp reverberated throughout the venue.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Spotting Hannah¡¯s audacious move, Cyril quickly veered his wheel to the left. He closed in on Hannah, aiming to force her to slow down through spatial intimidation. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The cars were dangerously close. A collision seemed inevitable if Hannah didn¡¯t relent. Everyone anticipated her retreat, but astonishingly, her speed didn¡¯t drop, it doubled! Hannah coldly lifted the spoiler of her car. As she neared the riskiest curve on the track, she floored the elerator, effortlessly passing Cyril and sliding into the lead. ¡°Unbelievable!¡± An astonished cry rippled through the crowd; nobody had expected Hannah to attempt a drift on such a perilous curve. To them, it looked as if her car was moments away from flying off the cliffside. ¡°I couldn¡¯t even breathe! She¡¯s relentless!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be foolish. That¡¯s Tequ, a champion in international events. Chapter 255 You think she came here for fun?¡± ¡°I¡¯m done for. I bet 2 million on Cyril! Am I going to lose it all?¡± As Hannah seized the lead, Eliana¡¯splexion drained of color while she watched the screen. How could Hannah be so skilled? It had to be Mr. Mitchell¡¯s doing! Gripping her skirt¡¯s hem tightly, Eliana remembered the rumors that Cyril was a sure win for the day¡¯s race. She had staked 5 million on it! The loss of that 5 million¡­ She couldn¡¯t bear to contemte the repercussions, her eyes glued to Hannah on the screen. She thought to herself, ¡°Why won¡¯t you just die, Hannah? Why are you still alive?¡± Hannah¡¯s audacious pass on the S-turn had certainly ignited chatter. Back in his car, Cyril mmed his foot down on the elerator, his eyes tinged with a fierce red, fixated on the vehicle in front of him, determined to overtake it immediately. His co-driver, clutching a tablet, warned him, ¡°The uing turns are unpredictable. Your only chance to pass is at the third S-curve during the second stage. ¡± Ang¡¯s Library ¡°Not fast enough!¡± Cyril, almost frenzied, shouted, eyes locked on the road ahead, ¡°If we dy, she¡¯ll widen the gap and we won¡¯t catch her! Think you can outdo me, Tequ?¡± With that, Cyril hit the gas, closing in on Hannah¡¯s car. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson nced at the car¡¯s rearview mirror.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°Pull in the spoiler first. If it takes a hit, it¡¯ll mess up the car¡¯s handlingter in the race. ¡± Quick as a sh, Hannah retracted the spoiler but maintained her speed. ¡°The curve up ahead is a wildcard. Slowing down might be wise. ¡± His eyes shifted from the screen to the road in front of them. ¡°You¡¯re a seasoned racer. The call on whether to slow down is yours. ¡± Though the world outside raced by, Hannah had no ns to decelerate. She flicked her icy eyes to the rearview mirror. Cyril was right on her tail. If she let up even for a moment, he¡¯d pass her. In the end, she charged through the uing S-curve without slowing down, straight into the second leg of the race! The two cars were practically side by side. It made the otherpetitors seem almost irrelevant. The lead pair had already surged nearly 500 meters ahead, leaving little hope for the rest unless something unforeseen urred. Chapter 256 Cameras clung to them, transforming the group event into a one-on-one showdown. ¡°Ease into the first S-curve, no need to rush,¡± Bryson murmured. Crossing into the second leg, Hannah clutched the steering wheel, her heart pounding faster as they ascended. Her fingertips turned icy. Her sight grew hazy. The road ahead reminded her of an old mountain route, and ambient sounds wavered in and out.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Her car tore through the track, leaving nearly a streak of after- images on the live broadcast. As they reached the hill¡¯s midpoint, an unexpected rain began to drizzle, catching everyone off guard. This rain would make the road a slippery hazard. Event organizers had checked the day¡¯s weather, and rain hadn¡¯t been on the forecast. ¡®s BunnyBookery The sudden downpour sent the crew into a flurry, scrambling to reach mountain staff to halt the race. But a single phone call halted their efforts. The influential backers insisted the race go on. ¡°Why are we still racing? Who¡¯s going to take the fall if something goes wrong?¡± Upon hearing the race would continue, Lydia grew impassioned. ¡°Rochgan Hill¡¯s roads are already treacherous. Adding rain to the mix? Are we gambling with lives for the sake of the race?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Sadie shot back sarcastically, ¡°Miss Phillips, they all signed waivers. The organizers aren¡¯t liable for whatever happens. Would it be fair to halt the race just because of a little rain?¡± Lydia shook her head, her gaze fixed on the screen where Hannah, resplendent in her red racing suit against the night sky, was intently focused on the road. ¡°So, the financial gain trumps human life, does it?¡± Brayden softly gripped Lydia¡¯s arm and whispered, ¡°The stakes are too high for the dealers to call it off. ¡± His gaze shifted to therge screen. ¡°I have faith that Miss Moore and Bryson will make it through. ¡± The co-driver beside Cyril began to tremble, sensing that today Cyril was driving like a lunatic! He kept navigating treacherous S-curves while ramping up the speed. Despite the onset of rain, Cyril remained fiercelypetitive with Hannah. As they approached the third S-curve, Cyril mmed the gas pedal, aiming to pass Hannah at this crucial moment. However, to his surprise, Hannah strategically took the outerne under these precarious conditions. Cyril¡¯s eyes darkened as he hissed, ¡°She has to go down today!¡± Chapter 257 Fueled by manic energy, he stomped on the elerator and veered into the innerne, charging at Hannah¡¯s vehicle. In a race of this velocity, a collision would surely send a car hurtling off course. The crowd collectively held their breath. ¡°Has Cyril Holmes lost his mind? He¡¯s ying fast and loose with people¡¯s lives!¡± ¡°Is he actually aiming to knock Tequ¡¯s car off the cliff?¡± What everyone had first assumed was merely an exciting race had turned into a life-threatening ordeal, thanks to Cyril¡¯s murderous intent on screen. ¡°Someone, tell the officials to halt the race!¡± No one could identify the shouter, but chaos erupted among the spectators. A staff member appeared visibly shaken. ¡°The drivers have cleared the third stage, and they¡¯re nearing the summit in stage four.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. We can¡¯t stop the race now!¡± An eerie quiet descended upon the crowd, faces taut with apprehension. No one could peel their eyes away from the big screen. Some even readied their phones to capture the heart-stopping instant. All of a sudden, Lydia rose to her feet, eyes fixed on therge screen, and muttered, ¡°Something¡¯s not right with Hannah¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Her voice resonated. Those nearby heard and shifted their attention toward her. ¡®s BunnyBookery Brayden also stood, casting a puzzled look at Lydia. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Hannah hasn¡¯t decelerated since stage three. Normally, anyone would ease off the throttle a bit when the road conditions are uncertain¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s gaze remained locked on the screen. ¡°Since a moment ago, even with Cyril tailgating her in such risky circumstances, she opted for the most dangerous route to clear stage three. I fear something bad is going to happen!¡± Outside the screen¡­ The car hurtled through the third stage, its performance already maxed out by Hannah! Bryson sensed that something was off with Hannah but held off on warning her. He said calmly, ¡°The rain has let up, and the road ahead seems fine. You don¡¯t have to worry about road conditions. Watch out for Cyril. Chapter 258 Keep his car at a distance. If you can¡¯t, don¡¯t fight him for first ce. Just yield. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes grew icy, catching sight of the relentless car behind her as her fingers clenched the steering wheel. Was this the same tactic he used to cause Jaxton¡¯s deadly ident? Hannah tightened her grip, deployed the car¡¯s rear wing, and engaged high-speed mode, propelling her race car to even greater velocities! ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Has she lost her mind?¡± ¡°We¡¯re nearing the end! Just two more S-curves and it¡¯s the finish line! Right now, she¡¯s darting forward at top speed, vying to secure the lead.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Can she even stop if she gets there first?¡± ¡°Is she really willing to gamble her life like this? Is the oue of this race so crucial?¡± ¡°If she loses, her sponsor will be out a billion! How can that not matter?¡± ¡°Judging by her actions, it looks like she couldn¡¯t care less about the billion. She¡¯s putting her life on the Line!¡± Cyril was stunned that Hannah would actually risk her life to elerate in the final stage. His eyes followed the dangerously close car as he clenched his teeth in rage! He also hastily increased his speed, chasing Hannah¡¯s car! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What is this, a death wish?¡± his co-driver shrieked next to him. ¡°If we can¡¯t brake after crossing the finish line, we¡¯re all doomed!¡± In Cyril¡¯s gaze, desperation and cruelty had taken over. ¡°If we can¡¯t settle this, we should all be dead!¡± To the astonishment of the crowd, Hannah appeared unshaken, driving Cyril to greater madness. He stomped on the elerator of his sports car, pursuing Hannah with unyielding tenacity. The final S-turn loomed ahead! Cyril calcted the moment, flooring the gas pedal. Both cars appeared on a collision course! The air was punctuated with shrieks! ¡°No, no, no!¡± A handful of women shielded their eyes, unwilling to see the cars plummet off the cliff. Just as Cyril was about to smirk in victory, the car in front swerved unpredictably. Their cars now facing each other, Hannah locked eyes with Cyril through the ss. Nonchntly, she flipped him off, her smile icy. Chapter 259 Executing a reverse at such high speed uphill was no small feat, especially with both cars racing so recklessly! Cyril, his face flushed with rage, gunned the elerator, intending to crash head-on into Hannah¡¯s car and send both vehicles spiraling down the mountain. Everyone held their collective breath. The atmosphere was so tense, the faintest sound would reverberate. No one dared to utter a word. Fists clenched, eyes riveted to the screen. Ang¡¯s Library Just as the fronts of the two cars were inches from impact, Hannah jerked the steering wheel. Cyril, missing his mark due to momentum, careened towards the mountain¡¯s edge. With split-second reflexes, he mmed on the brakes and twisted the steering wheel.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. In that heartbeat, a red blur shed past him, sprinting to the finish Line. Hannah crossed the finish line and hit the brakes, whipping the steering wheel around. She halted precariously at the mountain¡¯s edge. The crowd seemed to exhale as one, each person drawing a deep, relieved breath. ¡°Holy shit. ¡± Some stood agape, voicing their awe, while others were virtually mute, their eyes still fixated on the red race car at the summit. ¡°What in the world just happened? That was nothing short of miraculous! Snatched from the jaws of death. . ¡± ¡°Is this the prowess that clinched five straight championships? It¡¯s spine-chilling. . ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got chills! That was out of this world! Tequ is amazing!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Amidst the venue¡¯s electric atmosphere, nobody seemed concerned about any financial losses. Instead, the crowd was alive with cheers and shouts. Lydia sank into her chair, letting out a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank goodness. Nothing went wrong. Everything¡¯s okay now. ¡± At the finish line Hannah exited the race car and took off her helmet. Wet strands of hair clung to her forehead, and the night¡¯s darkness lent her an enigmatic allure. Rain fell, but she was unbothered. She made her way to the cliff¡¯s edge and stood there, deep in thought. A ck jacket appeared above her head. She nced up, locking eyes with Bryson, who was staring at the same spot. He held the jacket over her, standing beside her in silence. Chapter 260 Hannah looked away, her voice quivering. ¡°I¡¯m a lousy racer. I let my emotions get the best of me this time. Lost control more than once. I¡¯m thinking of giving up racing. ¡± ¡°Maybe you¡¯re not the ideal racer,¡± Bryson said, his voice rich and maic. ¡°But you¡¯re an amazing friend. And he will see that. ¡± Years of bottled-up guilt shattered at Bryson¡¯s words. Hannah¡¯s eyes welled up, her voice breaking as she said, ¡°He¡­ he won¡¯t ever see that again. ¡± Bryson gazed at her, his eyes softening withpassion. Finally, he pulled her into a hug. ¡°This rain¡­ it¡¯s his way of saying he¡¯s seen it.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡± Inside the venue Lydia clutched her face, her tears flowing even more freely than Hannah¡¯s. Brayden hastily dabbed at her eyes. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Why are you crying?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get it!¡± Lydia shoved Brayden¡¯s hand away, sobbing uncontrobly. ¡°I¡¯m just so overwhelmed!¡± On the track, cars were still crossing the finish line. Yet, officials hadn¡¯t seen Cyril¡¯s care through. Inquiring with other drivers, they learned his car had stalled at the S-curve. Just as post-race interviews were about tomence, the roar of an engine echoed from afar. All eyes turned toward the track¡¯s end. Cyril gunned the engine, barreling toward Hannah at an rming speed. ¡°Look out!¡± ¡°Watch yourself!¡± ¡°Get out of the way!!¡± The crowd erupted in terrified screams! Chapter 261 Cyril¡¯s shout echoed in the car. ¡°Hannah Moore, go to hell!! All of you, straight to hell!¡± Quick on his feet, Bryson enveloped Hannah in his arms and veered to the side, safeguarding her as they tumbled away. A cacophony of enraged yells and terrified screams filled the air. Lifting his head while still shielding Hannah, Bryson caught sight of Cyril¡¯s car as it soared off the cliff. The car sketched an arc in the air before plummeting down the mountainside. The scene was chaotic! The staff hastily cut the live feed and dialed the police. The otherpetitors were ushered down the mountain first. Bryson shielded Hannah¡¯s eyes, making sure she didn¡¯t witness the car¡¯s descent. ¡®s BunnyBookery As they made their way down, they found Lydia already waiting. Seeing her friend, she hurried over. ¡°Are you alright? Let me see!¡± ¡°I¡¯m okay. Thanks to Mr. Mitchell here, I¡¯m unharmed. ¡± Lydia still trembled. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°When I saw that caring at you, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest! Mr. Mitchell, thank you for keeping Hannah safe. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze was soft as it settled on Hannah, his tone mellow. ¡°It was my responsibility. ¡± Due to the unfortunate event, no one was permitted to leave the venue. They all stayed put. Those in the VIP room had remained there since the start. Upon seeing Bryson, Brayden muttered, ¡°We¡¯ve checked.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. The guy in the VIP room isn¡¯t the one. He was most likely a useless proxy. Still, he¡¯s down 6 hundred million tonight. He¡¯ll definitelye after you. Watch your back. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes turned icy. ¡°He¡¯s concerned about troubling me when I haven¡¯t even begun to cause him trouble?¡± Brayden lowered his voice further. ¡°They don¡¯t realize you¡¯re doing this for Hannah. Given their lost shares and the money, they won¡¯t just walk away. They might target Hannah next. ¡± ¡°Let them try if they dare. ¡± Chapter 262 Bryson¡¯s dark eyes settled on Hannah, who was conversing with Lydia a short distance away.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°If they think they cany a hand on her, they¡¯d better reassess their own capabilities. ¡± ¡°Got it. Yosef will keep tabs on Valmere, and I¡¯ll take care of the Muvrand talks. No need to worry,¡± Brayden assured. As they conversed,w enforcement promptly descended on the location to collect evidence. After viewing the live footage and the ensuing drama at the racetrack, Hannah quickly became the focal point of their investigation. Twitter was aze with trending hashtags! #Tequ Clinches First In Epic Race #Renowned Racer Cyril Holmes Falls To His Death #Is Tequ Actually Her?! ¡®s BunnyBookery In the meantime, Hannah¡¯s previously uneventful tweets were suddenly inundated withments. ¡°Do you have even more secrets? You¡¯re the elusive Tequ? I can¡¯t believe this!¡± ¡°You return and im victory? Unbelievable and amazing! You¡¯re definitely my hero!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ But then, the narrative flipped unexpectedly! A scandalous hashtag began to lead the trending charts. ¡°Shameful! Tequ will do anything for the win, even if it leads to another racer¡¯s horrific cliff fall. #JusticeForTheRacer #Fouly¡± Beneath this hashtag, wild conspiracy theories erupted. ¡°Why the sudden reemergence after years away? Doesn¡¯t it seem odd?¡± ¡°I had heard the rumors. She¡¯s the reason her friend died on this mountain, forcing her to exit racing. You all were in the dark?¡± This post garnered numerous responses and Likes. ¡°I heard that too. It was big news back in the day, but it faded. How dare she return?¡± ¡°Wait, she¡¯s responsible for her friend¡¯s death? This is absolutely horrifying. The mood online started to shift in an unsettling direction, with many usersshing out at Hannah, berating her without restraint. Unaware that her online reputation had taken a nosedive, Hannah was in the midst of answering police questions at the event location. Chapter 263 Lydia, rmed by what she saw on social media, quickly told Brayden, ¡°The inte¡¯s buzzing with fake news. Someone¡¯s posted edited clips from the livestream. People are using Hannah of deliberate murder!¡± Upon checking his phone, Brayden found that the web was indeed awash with skewed conspiracy theories, suggesting Hannah had sabotaged her fellowpetitors. Clearly, someone was pulling strings from the shadows. ¡°Should we remove this trending topic?¡± Presenting Bryson with the online chatter and biased public opinion, Brayden said, ¡°It seems like there¡¯s an instigator fanning the mes here. ¡± After scrolling through his phone, Bryson responded, ¡°No, let¡¯s not kill the trending topic. We should have the event organizers release the full livestream. That should be sufficient. ¡± ¡°Got it! I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s done. ¡± Bryson handed his phone back to Brayden and walked over to Hannah.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. The investigator on the scene recognized Bryson and courteously asked, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you were also a witness. Any insights?¡± Without a word, Bryson subtly positioned Hannah behind him, protecting her. Bryson then briefly recounted the incident to the investigators. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Upon cross-referencing the eyewitness ounts with the Livestream, the investigators found no anomalies and simply took down Hannah¡¯s contact details for possible future inquiries. Watching a few people exit the VIP room, Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed. These weren¡¯t the people from Muvrand. After taking statements, the police left with the individuals. The venue manager came up to Bryson. ¡°Sir, you have an internal call from Muvrand. ¡± Knowing who was on the other end, Bryson instructed Brayden to look after Hannah while he took the call. Having been through the interrogation, Hannah stayed silent, uttering no words. ¡°Come, let¡¯s sit down for a bit,¡± Lydia suggested, concern etched on her face as she supported Hannah¡¯s shoulder. Hannah nodded softly and followed her friend to a nearby sofa. Out of nowhere, a hand appeared, offering Hannah a bottle of water. Looking up, she saw it was Den. Her face turned frosty, and she refused the water. ¡°Den, why even bother with her? She¡¯s clearly ungrateful!¡± Chapter 264 Sadie shot Hannah a disdainful nce. ¡°Just because she won some game, she¡¯s acting all high and mighty. ¡± Standing off to the side, Eliana softly said, ¡°Miss Moore, Den¡¯s only concerned. The death was mysterious, and there¡¯s a risk you could get dragged into this. ¡± Hannah shot back, ¡°Didn¡¯t you see the livestream? He tried to ram me with his car but ended up driving off the cliff. What¡¯s that got to do with me? Besides, is your boyfriend caring for me something to show off about?¡± Hannah rolled her eyes as she looked at Eliana. ¡°Rather than feigning concern here, maybe focus on your own people. Haven¡¯t you had enough humiliation, Ms. Patel? What else do you want to be shamed for?¡± Eliana, stung by Hannah¡¯s cutting words, went ashen-faced and shot a pleading look at Den. However, Den¡¯s attention was solely on Hannah. He didn¡¯t even nce Eliana¡¯s way, which made her seethe with anger. Den¡¯s eyes softened a bit. ¡°Hannah, may we have a private word?¡± No. ¡± Hannah met Den¡¯s gaze icily. ¡°There¡¯s nothing left for us to discuss. ¡± ¡°I didn¡¯te to fight or inconvenience you. I simply have some things I¡¯d like to say. Would you give me a moment for Grandma¡¯s sake?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Stay away from him, Hannah!¡± Lydia shot Den a warning look. ¡°Who knows what he¡¯s nning!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Lydia. Wait for me outside. ¡± Though Lydia felt a twinge of apprehension, she departed, ncing back multiple times. Den signaled to the two behind him to leave, then stayed and set a bottle of water next to Hannah. ¡°I can imagine it must have been unsettling after the contest. If you need anything, just say the word. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed as she looked up at Den. ¡°If that¡¯s all you¡¯ve got, you can go now. ¡± ¡°No!¡± Den blurted out, ¡°I truly worry about you. Seeing you almost get hurt filled me with concern. ¡± To Hannah, it sounded Like a cruel joke. She sneered, ¡°Den Edwards, we have no connection now. Stop this charade of caring. Why not turn your concern toward your fiancee instead?¡±Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 265 Hannah started to rise, intending to leave, but Den seized her wrist! ¡°Den Edwards! What are you trying to do?!¡± Hannah scowled, struggling to free her wrist from his grasp. Several onlookers lingered, watching with interest. Den caught himself, rxing his posture. ¡°I apologize for making you uneasy. Grandma has been feeling lonely in the vi. She¡¯d appreciate yourpany. Will you go?¡± With a detached air, Hannah stepped back. ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll go. ¡± She turned and walked away decisively. Den watched her retreating form, his emotions a tangled mess. As Hannah approached Lydia, a young man in racing attire hailed her. ¡°Tequ! I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re an ace on the racetrack. Today¡¯s race was eye-opening!¡± Realizing he was the one who hade to her aid, Hannah offered a smile. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Just call me Hannah. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m Pierson Miller!¡± Pierson beamed, extending his hand for a shake. Before Hannah could respond, Lydia intercepted Pierson¡¯s hand.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°So you¡¯re the rising star, Pierson? I¡¯ve caught a few of your TV roles. You¡¯re quite the actor. And a racing enthusiast too!¡± Visibly flustered, Pierson pulled back his hand. ¡°I joined the race on the down-low, so I¡¯d appreciate your discretion. ¡± ¡°Your secret¡¯s safe! You kept your helmet on during the livestream to avoid recognition, didn¡¯t you?¡± Lydia said, her eyes shining with admiration. ¡°Correct. ¡± Pierson looked toward Hannah and brandished his phone. ¡°Could I get your WhatsApp?¡± Noticing Hannah¡¯s hesitation, Lydia nudged her. ¡°Come on!¡± Chapter 266 ¡°Well¡­¡± Pierson presented his phone with earnestness.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Please, input your number. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Feeling awkward but obliging, Hannah typed her phone number. ted, Pierson waved. ¡°I should head out before the crowd disperses. Until next time!¡± Pierson wore his hat and darted off. Lydia shook Hannah vigorously. ¡°Give me his number! I. . Ah!! What are you doing?¡± Before she could finish, her cor was grasped by Brayden. ¡°We still have a contract. nning to add another man on WhatsApp?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯m just being proactive!¡± Lydia gestured enthusiastically, entangled in conversation with Brayden. Meanwhile, Hannah was somewhat disengaged. The moment she set her phone aside, she noticed Bryson approaching her. ¡°I¡¯ll take you home,¡± Bryson offered as he reached her. Brayden called out, ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll get Lydia home. ¡± Exiting the hall, they found the Mitchell family¡¯s staff already lined up outside, who promptly opened the car doors for them. ¡°Sir, ma¡¯am, please enter the car. ¡± Hannah and Bryson took their seats in the rear, separated from the driver by a lowered partition. A heavy silence settled between them. Staring out the window, Hannah¡¯s thoughts were a muddle. Every time the events on the mountain crossed her mind, she found herself at a loss for words. ¡°Take a few days off. I¡¯ll manage everything else,¡± Bryson unexpectedly broke the silence. Startled, Hannah turned to him. ¡°What?¡± Meeting her gaze, Bryson borated, ¡°I¡¯ll arrange some days off for you. You need to recuperate. ¡± ¡°But I¡¯m fine, I. Hannah began, only for Bryson to cut her off. Chapter 267 ¡°You need the rest. Dropping her eyes, Hannah fell into silence.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Bryson, too, shifted his gaze to the window, and an unspoken agreement to discontinue the conversation fell between them. The car eventually stopped at the entrance of Hannah¡¯s residential area. As Hannah stepped out, she tapped on Bryson¡¯s window. Rolling it down, Bryson locked eyes with her. ¡°I owe you one for today. ¡± Raindrops pattered against Hannah¡¯s umbre. She offered Bryson a faint smile. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Thanks for believing in me Bryson gave her a subtle nod. ¡°Go on, it¡¯s going to pour. ¡± Once he saw Hannah disappear into themunity, Bryson rolled up the window and told the driver, ¡°Head to Waden Community. ¡± ¡°Understood, sir. ¡± Upon reaching home, Hannah finally found sce in sleep. Yet, her phone¡¯s incessant ringing shattered her peaceful morning. Disoriented, Hannah answered her phone. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Is this Miss Moore? We need to discuss yesterday¡¯s events. ¡± Confused, Hannah ended the call. Who would prank call her so early? Before she could drift back to sleep, her phone buzzed again. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°We have questions about the contestant who fell off the cliff yesterday. You were the first on the scene. Can you tell us¡­¡± She abruptly hung up, sitting up as reality sank in. This was her second call of the morning, and her phone showed over ten missed calls. As the calls kept flooding in, Hannah switched off her phone and opened Facebook on her tablet. When she saw the trending topic, she was taken aback. Chapter 268 The derogatory headlines fromst night were reced with a new narrative. ¡°Cyril intended to sabotage his rival but ended up falling off the cliff! The true puppeteer has faced retribution!¡± Thements overwhelmingly sided with Hannah. ¡°Holy shit!! What a turn of events! She showcased her determination and won the contest! And she¡¯s absolutely gorgeous as well!¡± ¡°He tried to unnerve her before thepetition. He intentionally unsettled others¡¯ emotions prior to thepetition. What a despicable move!¡± ¡°Rumor has it that his sponsor had a huge bet on him. Did he face lethal consequences for losing?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen stories like this before; hard to say if they¡¯re true. But the footage makes it pretty clear. He was aiming for her! He¡¯s remarkably devious!¡± ¡°I learned about that incident years ago. Tequ couldn¡¯tpete, so her friend stepped in for her. That same person was responsible for her friend¡¯s fatal fall off the mountain!¡± Online outrage erupted. ¡°It¡¯s obvious Tequ aimed to honor her friend by winning the contest. Someone¡¯s clearly manipting public sentiment. There must be puppet masters pulling the strings of public opinion!¡± But some people had taken issue with her aggressive driving, berating her through social media for ignoring all advice from her co-driver. Theybeled her as reckless. Many insisted her survival was mere luck, iming anyone else would have met their doom ages ago. Once word spread that her co-driver was none other than Bryson Mitchell, the criticism intensified. People used her of endangering Bryson as well. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson, a young, wealthy heartthrob, was frequently in the limelight, even though he barely used Twitter. Still, he had garnered a loyal fanbase whose online critiques of her were not to be taken Lightly.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. It dawned on her why Bryson had suggested she take a break for a few days. Hannah looked at her phone, contemting for a moment before sending out a tweet. ¡°My decision to race had personal reasons, which I¡¯d rather not delve into here. I owe my co-driver an apology. I was on edge yesterday and too set on winning,promising our safety. I will no longerpete in official races. Thanks for your concerns. ¡± Shortly after she tweeted, her mentions were inundated withments. ¡°Keep pushing!¡± ¡°Why risk others if you want to risk yourself? What if something went wrong? Would you be ountable?¡± ¡°So you¡¯re sorry now? Think a tweet will cut it?¡± ¡°She won, didn¡¯t she? Why are people so hostile?¡± Chapter 269 ¡°She might have orchestrated Cyril¡¯s death. It could all be a scheme!¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. The tension andments on Hannah¡¯s tweet soared to 100, 000! Suddenly, Pierson chimed in, referencing Hannah¡¯s tweet. ¡°¡°@Hannah Moore is my idol. I was also inst night¡¯s race and saw her in action. What you see in the video is what happened. Before the race, someone tried to break into her garage; I caught them. If necessary, I¡¯ve got the footage. Let¡¯s not twist the facts. ¡± Alongside his words, Pierson included a selfie of himself holding a racing helmet from the previous night. ¡°Pierson!! My god! They¡¯re acquainted! Is this real?¡± Pierson¡¯s manager was stunned at his tweet. ¡°Pierson¡¯s at it again, unting things recklessly. Someone catch him!¡± ¡°The evidence is there! Pierson¡¯s a racer, and Hannah Moore is talented. It makes sense he looks up to her. ¡± ¡°Did Pierson got an autograph from his idol? I need to know!¡± Remarkably, Pierson even responded to this query. ¡°I didn¡¯t get her signature, but I got her WhatsApp!¡± He included a cute emoji for good measure. ¡°Look at this joyful dude!¡± ¡°Where¡¯s his manager?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°How¡¯d you get her WhatsApp? Share yours! I want to add my idol too!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Though Pierson hade to Hannah¡¯s defense, the tide of online hostility receded only slightly. A few stubborn critics still seized on her impulsivity. They persisted inunching verbal salvos at Hannah under hertest tweet, their words dripping with malice! Fed up, Hannah tossed her phone to the side, intending to spend her day cocooned in bed. Yet her phone wouldn¡¯t stop buzzing with WhatsApp messages from Lydia! [Check Twitter now!! Ah ah ah!] [Why haven¡¯t you replied? Did you see Twitter??] [Hurry up and look now!!] The incessant vibration finally broke Hannah¡¯s resolve. Picking up the phone, she found a barrage of messages from Lydia. [I get it, I get it. It¡¯s about that tweet from your idol. I saw it. ] Chapter 270 [No, it¡¯s not Pierson. It¡¯s Bryson!! Hispany sent out a Legal notice! You need to see it, like, right now!] Confused, Hannah reopened her Twitter feed, only to discover that the spotlight had suddenly shifted to Bryson. #Mitchell Group Issues Legal Notice She clicked the first link, a recent post from the official Mitchell Group ount. It was a legal notice aimed at silencing the online haters, stirring up even more controversy! ¡°Do they seriously think a legal notice is going to intimidate people?¡± ¡°Why would the Mitchell Group even bother sending a legal notice if people are just attacking Hannah?¡± ¡°Great question! Is this Bryson¡¯s way of grandstanding while shielding hisdy? I¡¯m totally shipping them!¡± ¡°Count me in on that ship, gotta have some variety to keep my life bnced!¡± Confronted with questi ons, the Mitchell Group promptly responded by posting a police report and court summons. ¡°Wow, they moved fast!! The case is already filed. There¡¯s no running away now¡­¡± ¡°As always, Bryson makes quick, decisive moves!¡± ¡°So where are all those keyboard warriors now?! Mind your own business, you bunch of trash!¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Out of nowhere, ament burst onto the scene. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Bryson¡¯s got a secret Twitter ount! He¡¯s tweeted something! Everyone, go check it out!¡± Intrigued, Hannah left the current thread to see another message. ¡°Bryson takes charge, pping back at inte trolls. All for love! Now that¡¯s a real man!¡± Could it be? Hesitant, Hannah eyed the trending topic that just appeared on Twitter. After much contemtion, she clicked on it. What sort of absurdity is this? She located Bryson¡¯s freshly minted Twitter ount and found a single, pinned tweet at the top. ¡°Miss Moore chose to race alone. I offered to be her co-driver, putting my life in her hands because I trust her. ¡± In no time at all, the tweet had garnered over a million retweets, and thement section was exploding! Chapter 271 ¡°Oh my gosh! Is this a love confession? A dashing guy and a stunningdy. I¡¯ve got to root for them!¡± ¡°He has faith in her! Those words carry weight. Even as a casual follower, I¡¯m tempted to cheer them on!¡± ¡°Tequ initially chose to race alone, embracing the risk, and she didn¡¯t rify on Twitter either. She¡¯s incredible¡­ I¡¯m getting emotional¡­¡± ¡°How does one even form a connection that deep, to willingly trust another with their life? It¡¯s heartwarming! Why aren¡¯t they in showbiz yet? I want to ship them!¡± ¡°Hold on, let¡¯s remember who they are. One¡¯s Mr. Mitchell, and the other is Mr. Campbell¡¯s youngest pupil, an academic clinician. Better they stay clear of the entertainment world. ¡± ¡°True, diving into the entertainment sphere could just end in scandal. ¡± Conflicted, Hannah silently read Bryson¡¯s tweet. Just as she was grappling with her emotions, a new WhatsApp message shed onto her screen! [Hannah, it looks like Bryson is going above and beyond to have your back. What¡¯s on your mind?] Hannah gazed at the WhatsApp messages, taking her time before her fingers finally started to move.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. [I¡¯m unsure. ] Confused about her own feelings, she was even more reluctant to guess what Bryson might be thinking. Bryson¡¯s chat was right there, yet shecked the guts to open it. What should she inquire? And how should she express her gratitude? Opting to set it aside for now, Hannah flung her phone away andy on her bed. ¡®s BunnyBookery Sitting in his office, Bryson¡¯s eyes were fixed on his inactive phone, devoid of any new messages from her all day. Sensing Bryson¡¯s gloom, Yosef promptlymented, ¡°Public opinion has shifted. No one¡¯s talking about Miss Moore anymore. Sir, maybe you should make a phone call to her and inform her of the situation?¡± ¡°No, step out for now. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± As Yosef moved to exit, Bryson added, ¡°Dig deeper into that dealer in Valmere. ¡± ¡°No worries, sir, those guys won¡¯t be making aeback. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Twitter buzz had been waning for days now. And still, Hannah hadn¡¯t reached out to Bryson, who also seemed to be maintaining his distance, not reaching out to her either. One week before school resumed, Den contacted her, suggesting she visit Allison at the ancestral home. Even though her thesis wasn¡¯tplete, Hannah consented to Den¡¯s suggestion and nned to head to the vi that evening. Chapter 272 As the sky outside began to dim, Hannah nced at herputer clock. It was nearing 7 p. m. She shut herptop, switched her outfit, and got ready to leave her apartment to hail a taxi to the vi. ¡°Hannah!¡± Exiting hermunity gate, she noticed Den¡¯s car parked nearby. He approached her briskly as he saw her. ¡°What brings you here?¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows slightly. ¡°I knew you were headed to the vi tonight. I was passing by, so I figured I¡¯d offer you a ride to Grandma¡¯s. ¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t keen on riding with Den and dismissed the offer. ¡°I can just catch a taxi. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s convenient for me to give you a ride. No need to bother with a taxi,¡± Den countered, opening the passenger door for her. ¡°Come on. ¡± Hannah looked at the passenger seat, then announced, ¡°I¡¯ll sit in the back. ¡± ¡°The backseat¡¯s cluttered with gifts for Grandma. You¡¯ll have to sit up front. ¡± Peering through the car window, Hannah noticed the array of presents in the back. After a brief hesitation, she climbed into the front seat. Den shut the car door, returned to his driving position, and set the car in motion. As they drove off, a Porsche Cayenne became visible, parked on the opposite side of themunity. ¡°Sir, she¡¯s gone. Should we tail them?¡± Observing Hannah get into Den¡¯s car, a chill seemed to settle in Bryson¡¯s eyes, making his voice equally icy. ¡°Follow them. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ On the way, Den attempted to reminisce about old times with Hannah, but she remained aloof and unresponsive. Upon reaching the vi, Den stopped the car.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. Hannah promptly got out. Donna, the housekeeper, weed Hannah with a beaming face. ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s wonderful to see you. The madam mentions you all the time. She¡¯s been so excited for your visit. ¡± ¡°Donna. ¡± Hannah returned the smile. Chapter 273 ¡°How¡¯s she doing these days?¡± Donna let out a sigh. ¡°Madam¡¯s health is not great. Seasonal changes have been hard on her. She¡¯s been coughing a lot. Hearing this, concern etched onto Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ll go and see her right away.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡± Entering the vi, Allison sat in the Living room, her face Lighting up upon seeing Hannah. ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re here! Come, sit down, cough, cough. How long has it been? Forgot about me since you left my no-good grandson?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the case, Allison. I¡¯ve just been tied up with some stuff, so I couldn¡¯t visit. Please don¡¯t be upset. ¡± Allison affectionately pinched Hannah¡¯s nose. ¡°I¡¯m not upset, dear. I know you¡¯re swamped, so I haven¡¯t¡­ Cough, cough¡­ bothered you. ¡± ¡°Allison, you¡¯re coughing a lot. I¡¯ll examine youter. I worry that this chronic cough could be hard on your lungs. ¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Allison nodded, her face wreathed in smiles. Den entered, his armsden with gift boxes. ¡°Grandma. ¡± Allison shot him a disapproving look and scoffed, ¡°Ah, so you finally remembered your grandmother. I assumed you¡¯d forget me after the divorce. ¡± ¡°Grandma. ¡± With a hint of resignation, Den set the gifts down and nced toward Hannah. ¡°Work¡¯s been hectic, but I never miss a chance to visit you. I even brought Hannah to lift your spirits this time. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Unimpressed, Allison brushed him off. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯ve been working on andscape painting featuring a mountain and some birds, but my creative flow stalled halfway. Donna, would you bring it here? Hannah, could you give me your opinion?¡± ¡°Of course. ¡± Hannah grinned. ¡°LL be happy to, Allison, provided you don¡¯t find my art skills too ordinary. ¡± Allison¡¯s smile widened with pride. Chapter 274 ¡°Nonsense, you¡¯re the most gifted young woman I¡¯ve ever met. Who could outdo you?¡± Den chimed in, ¡°I¡¯ll leave you two to your discussion. I¡¯ll go prepare some fruit. ¡± Rolling up his sleeves, he made his way to the kitchen. Donna then carried in Allison¡¯s unfinished mountain-and-bird painting, along with a set of brushes and paints, and set them up in the living room.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Upon examining the half-done artwork, Hannah offered, ¡°Allison, it looks like you¡¯re blending two different styles here. That might make the piece feel disjointed. I¡¯d suggest opting for a more detailed style to better capture both the majesty of the mountains and the subtlety of the birds. ¡± Overhearing the conversation as he returned with a fruit tter, Den looked at Hannah in surprise. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I had no idea you were into art. ¡± Allison scowled at her grandson. ¡°You¡¯d been married for years and didn¡¯t know your own wife enjoyed painting? What had you been doing all that time?¡± His posture stiffened at his grandmother¡¯s pointed words. Throughout their marriage, Den had rarely been home due to his stubborn nature, and had always viewed Hannah as a homemaker. He had never really understood her or gotten close. As Den looked on, he was captivated by Hannah¡¯s graceful brushstrokes and the elegant lines of her neck and profile. Just then, outside the vi Eliana parked her car and made her way into the house, bag in hand. The butler¡¯s expression shifted as he saw her. ¡°Miss Patel, what brings you here?¡± Eliana offered a mild smile. ¡°I stopped by Den¡¯s office and was told he was visiting Allison. I thought I¡¯de and pay her a visit, too. ¡± As Eliana was about to take a step in, the butler intercepted, eximing, ¡°Hold on a moment, Miss Patel! Madam must be informed first. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Racing towards the hall, the butler had his sights set on Allison, but was abruptly halted by Den¡¯s presence. Spotting an unusual look on the butler¡¯s face, Den motioned him closer, inquiring, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Sir, Miss Patel has arrived, and she wishes to converse with Madam. ¡± A hint of a frown creased Den¡¯s forehead as he directed the butler, ¡°Got it. Ask her to remain outside; I¡¯ll join her soon. ¡± Having given his instructions, Den cast a brief, loaded nce toward Hannah before making his exit from the hall. ¡°Why have youe?¡± Chapter 275 There was a pressing urgency in Den¡¯s voice, mixed with a touch of annoyance. Oblivious to his annoyance, Eliana yfullytched onto his arm, chiming, ¡°I stopped by your office, and they mentioned you were here with Allison. I figured, being her soon-to-be granddaughter-inw, I ought to pay a visit too. I¡¯ve also heard about Allison¡¯s troubling cough. So, I took the initiative to obtain some potent medicine for her. ¡± A touch of concern yed on Den¡¯s features; he was keen to avoid a meeting between Hannah and Eliana. ¡°Hand them over. I¡¯ll ensure Grandma gets them. ¡± Catching Den¡¯s distant expression, Eliana felt a pang of unease, questioning, ¡°Is something amiss, Den? I¡¯m here, and wouldn¡¯t it be a tad rude not to meet Allison? And, think about our impending nuptials. We¡¯ll surely want Allison¡¯s blessings. It¡¯s only right for me to bond with her now. ¡± Gripping Den¡¯s arm, Eliana confidently reassured, ¡°Trust me, I¡¯ll surely win Allison¡¯s heart. ¡± With that, clutching Den¡¯s arm, she breezily strolled into the hall, announcing cheerfully, ¡°Allison, it¡¯s me, Eliana!¡± Why on earth was Hannah present?! Eliana¡¯s gazended on Hannah, engrossed in her painting, sending a cold shiver down her spine. Her faltering smile betrayed her surprise. ¡°Oh, so Miss Moore graces us with her presence today. ¡± Completing her enhancements, Hannah set her brush aside, met Eliana¡¯s gaze, and then disyed the painting to Allison. ¡°How do you feel about my enhancements, Allison?¡± ¡°Splendid work! The modifications are top-notch! I must say, there¡¯s a hint of the legendary Master Moke in your strokes. ¡± Allison beamed with pride, proiming, ¡°The painting is truly in the right hands with you; it eases my heart immensely!¡± Sensing she was sidelined, Eliana¡¯s smile strained. Determined, she approached, extracting the sought-after medicine from her purse. ¡°Dear Allison, I¡¯ve heard about your persistent cough. I procured this renowned overseas medicine for you. It¡¯s said to work wonders!¡± Feeling the weight of both Hannah¡¯s and Allison¡¯s gazes, Den discreetly slipped his arm away from Eliana¡¯s hold. Hannah briefly examined the medicine, shaking her head in disapproval. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°This isn¡¯t the precise medicine for Allison¡¯s ailment. It¡¯s not going to help; you¡¯ve procured the incorrect version. ¡± Feeling undermined by Hannah¡¯s words, tears pooled in Eliana¡¯s eyes, leading her to break down.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content. ¡°Miss Moore, this medication was rmended by a distinguished overseas doctor. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to dismiss its potential purely out of spite for me, would it?¡± Once more, that woeful demeanor, so aptly crafted to pull at one¡¯s heartstrings. Hannah, reluctant to indulge Eliana further, retorted, ¡°While this medicine might address general coughs, Allison¡¯s is rooted in a Lung issue. What you¡¯ve brought merely masks the symptoms; it doesn¡¯t offer a genuine solution. ¡± ¡°I had no idea. I only aimed to ease Allison¡¯s pain. ¡± Chapter 276 With watery eyes, Eliana gently pulled at Den¡¯s arm. ¡°Den, my only aim was to assist. You do believe my heart was in the right ce, don¡¯t you?¡± Observing Eliana¡¯s forlorn look, Den¡¯s heart pinched with sympathy. ¡°Yes, Eliana isn¡¯t well-versed in medical affairs. She scoured ces to fetch this medicine. Grandma, her intentions are pure. ¡± Allison kept her gaze fixed on the amended painting. ¡°If it¡¯s from the heart, then ce the medicine down here. ¡± ¡°Alright, Allison. ¡± Eliana approached,ying the medicine down, her movementsced with subtle hurt. She nced up, catching sight of the artwork cradled in Allison¡¯s grasp. Recollecting Hannah¡¯s recent handiwork, she eximed, ¡°This art piece¡­¡± As Eliana¡¯s voice reached Allison¡¯s ears, she sought Eliana¡¯s eyes. ¡°What¡¯s your thought on this painting?¡± Eliana ced a gentle hand over her mouth, as if treading on delicate territory. She faltered, ¡°I¡­ perhaps I¡¯m not in a position to critique. This masterpiece belongs to Miss Moore; I shouldn¡¯t overstep. ¡± Allison met her gaze. ¡°Speak your mind, Eliana. Don¡¯t hold back on your thoughts. ¡±C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°It¡¯s a minor observation. ¡± Eliana assessed the painting with a slight tilt of her head. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°This artwork seems to juggle numerous styles, missing a centered theme and equilibrium. Introducing more avian figures in the voids might enhance its overall harmony. ¡± As Eliana voiced her thoughts, Hannah silently took a sip from her coffee cup, letting the silence fill the air. Sensing her critique might have struck a chord, Eliana remarked with a tinge of pride, ¡°Yet, I mustmend Miss Moore. Her artistic prowess ismendable. With persistent honing, it can reach certain heights. ¡± The hall echoed with Eliana¡¯s words, leaving even Allison wrapped in silence. Eliana¡¯s confidence wavered as she gripped Den¡¯s arm tighter, seeking his eyes. ¡°Den, did I unintentionally upset Miss Moore with my words?¡± Den¡¯s gaze settled on Hannah. Refraining from critiquing the artwork, he offered gently, ¡°What truly matters is if Grandma cherishes it. The technicalities of the painting take a backseat. ¡± With a softugh, Hannah met Eliana¡¯s eyes. ¡°It seems Miss Patel possesses a profound appreciation for art, doesn¡¯t she?¡± Chapter 277 ¡°Perhaps not deep, but during my overseas ventures, I¡¯ve been quite captivated by global artistic maestros. Their works enlightened me a bit about the art world. ¡± ¡°I see,¡± Hannah responded, casting her gaze down and choosing to remain silent. Eliana remarked with a yful chuckle, ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t let your spirits dwindle. Gaining a foothold in international art showcases is tough, but I could potentially make arrangements for you if desired. ¡± Out of the blue, a cold derisive sound emanated from Allison. ¡°Feigning the knowledge that youck? Is this how Miss Patel was raised?¡± Eliana¡¯s cheerful facade shattered as she found herself tongue-tied, staring at Allison. ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you see? This is a distinct artistic style, unlike the international ones. Art demands the right utilization of emptiness. Such a basic principle, yet it eludes you? And you continue this charade here?¡± Reprimanded by Allison¡¯s words, Eliana¡¯s face nched, and with her cheeks flushed in mortification, she stuttered, ¡°Allison, I was only¡­¡± ¡°Are you acquainted with the art of painting? Do you grasp its essence? I was under the impression you had valuable insights, but it appears you¡¯re merely putting on a show!¡± With a frosty gaze, Allison said to Den, ¡°Tell her to stay under the radar. Don¡¯t let her tarnish your name out there!¡± As Allison¡¯s words hit her, Eliana stumbled backward, shock evident in her posture. She red at Hannah, who was sipping her coffee serenely, resentment bubbling up within her. Hannah was surely in on this! The wench probably relished her embarrassment. What was Hannah doing here, anyway? And why was Allison so soft on Hannah? Why was Allison acting so cruelly towards her?! Eliana lifted her gaze to meet Den¡¯s.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. He looked lost, especially afterying eyes on Hannah today! While Allison berated her, Den didn¡¯t utter a word in her defense. Struggling to keep her poise, Eliana burst out, ¡°Why are you attacking me for someone who¡¯s no longer relevant? I¡¯m the one engaged to Den! I¡¯ll be in your family soon. She¡¯s his ex, and I¡¯m his present!¡± A frown formed on Den¡¯s face. Seizing Eliana¡¯s arm, he admonished, ¡°Eliana! You can¡¯t speak to my grandma in such a tone!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Den!¡± Eliana clung to his arm, her voice desperate. ¡°I care about our Edwards family too. We should stand united. I chose to marry you, and we¡¯ll be family! Her words¡­ they just shattered my heart. ¡± Allison¡¯s disdain for Eliana¡¯s pitiful expression was palpable. She motioned for someone to put away the painting and icily retorted, ¡°Did I invite you here? You barge in, bossing people around. Honestly, you¡¯re thest face I hoped to see!¡± Allison¡¯s gaze shifted to Den, her annoyance growing. Chapter 278 ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention having a business to attend to? Get her out of here. I¡¯ve had enough of both of you for one day!¡± Den yearned to defend Eliana, but one look at his grandmother¡¯s livid expression told him it was best to hold his tongue. His gaze involuntarily drifted towards Hannah, finding her untouched by the drama, calmly sipping her coffee. For a moment, Den looked lost. Then, without a word, he pivoted and exited. Watching Den¡¯s retreating figure, Eliana quickly gave chase, pleading, ¡°Wait, Den!¡± Together, they disappeared from the vi. A touch of anger crept into Den¡¯s voice. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Why did youe? I didn¡¯t invite you to the vi. ¡± Tears welled up in Eliana¡¯s eyes. ¡°I only wanted to show I care about your grandma. I hoped she might warm up to me, especially with the medicine. But today just spiraled out of control. I got carried away¡­ Den, I just¡­ I love you so deeply. I¡¯m truly sorry for messing up. ¡± As he watched Eliana, her tears tugging at his heartstrings, his irritation ebbed. He recalled the poised and tender woman she usually was, understanding that today¡¯s outburst was just a momentarypse.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. He whispered to Eliana, ¡°Remember, I was swamped with work the past few years. Hannah was the one who was there for Grandma, and that¡¯s why she has a special ce in Grandma¡¯s heart. We¡¯re not together anymore. Now, you¡¯re my soon-to-be wife. Trust me, Grandma will warm up to you in time. Just give it a little patience. ¡± Nestling into Den, Eliana expressed, ¡°Den, it¡¯s clear to see. My heart beats loudest for you. Whatever troubles me fades when I think of always being with you. I fear nothing then!¡± Den gently caressed Eliana¡¯s hair, reassuring her. ¡°Fear not, love. I won¡¯t keep you waiting for eternity. ¡± Within the grand vi As Hannah and Allison were still sipping on their coffees, the melodic ring of Hannah¡¯s phone broke the silence. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she caught sight of the caller ID on her screen. Bryson? It had been a fortnight since theirst interaction. ¡°Is that you, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°Where might you be?¡± Detecting a chill in his tone, Hannah softly replied, ¡°I¡¯m at Allison¡¯s ce. Is everything alright with Miss Mitchell?¡± Chapter 279 ¡°ALL¡¯s well. ¡± From within his car, Bryson rhythmically drummed his fingers on his knee, his gaze fixed on Allison¡¯s majestic vi. ¡°There¡¯s something pressing I need to discuss.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡± ncing at the time, Hannah realized it was gettingte. ¡°Alright, just tell me where you are, and I¡¯lle by shortly. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m right here, waiting outside. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± In disbelief, Hannah blinked rapidly. Could Bryson really be outside Allison¡¯s vi? Still, in a haze, she mumbled an acknowledgment. After ending the call, she swiftly grabbed her bag. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Allison, don¡¯t forget your medications. A friend¡¯s here for me. Promise, I¡¯ll visit you again soon. ¡± Noticing Hannah¡¯s perturbed expression, Allison gave aforting nod. ¡°Alright. Swing by whenever. And don¡¯t fret over that young fool. Remember, my doors are always open for you. ¡± ¡°I appreciate that. ¡± Bag in tow, Hannah gave a fleeting wave to Allison and made her hurried exit. Allison¡¯s eyes lingered on the paint stains on the table as she let out a mncholic sigh to Donna. ¡°She¡¯s a gem. Den really missed out¡­¡± Clutching her bag, Hannah hastened out of the vi. She soon noticed Den and Eliana, who were yet to depart, watching her approach. As Hannah emerged, a concerned Den inquired, ¡°Are you heading out? Let me offer you a lift home. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Indeed, hailing a cab around here is quite the task. Allow Den to be your chauffeur for the evening,¡± Eliana said, gracing Hannah with a poised smile. ¡°I¡¯ll pass, but thanks. ¡± Hannah scanned the vicinity but Bryson¡¯s car was nowhere in sight. As she prepared to text him, like a scene from a movie, his car slid into position right in front of the vi. Bryson swung open the car door and stepped out, calling out, ¡°Hannah. ¡± Meeting Bryson¡¯s gaze, Hannah sidestepped Den and Eliana, querying, ¡°Why the urgency?¡± Chapter 280 Ignoring her question, Bryson motioned to the car¡¯s open door. ¡°Step inside; we¡¯ll chat there. ¡± Watching Hannah poised to enter Bryson¡¯s vehicle, an uneasy sensation overtook Den. He blurted out, ¡°Hannah! Why are you getting in his car? What¡¯s the nature of your bond with him? Why this continual dance of closeness?¡± With an amused, almost incredulous look, Hannah retorted to Den, ¡°Last I checked, we parted ways ages ago! Whoever¡¯s car I choose to enter, who I associate with, is no concern of yours!¡± Eliana, with a hint of mischief, advised, ¡°Miss Moore, perhaps Limit your visits here? We wouldn¡¯t want Mr. Mitchell to misconstrue and think you¡¯re still pining for Den. ¡± Hannah shot a frosty nce towards Eliana. Bryson chimed in, ¡°She¡¯s not in Den¡¯s league. She isn¡¯t one for ying both sides. Avoid gauging others by your own grand gestures and actions. Not everyone dances to the same tune as you. ¡± Eliana, feeling like a mouse caught under the unrelenting gaze of an eagle, darted behind Den, unwilling to face Bryson¡¯s intense eyes. Bryson¡¯s icy gaze fixed on Den, a meticulous assessment preceding his gentlemand to Hannah, ¡°Hop into the car. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Bryson shifted his focus and joined Hannah as they got into the car. As the sports car roared away, Den, damp with nervous perspiration, stared after it, his heart pounding like wild drums, taking moments to catch his breath.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Eliana nibbled her lip, pivoting toward Den. ¡°Den, do you still harbor emotions for Miss Moore?¡± ¡°How could that be possible?! That¡¯s absolutely absurd!¡± Den vehemently rejected the notion. ¡°I¡¯m simply disgusted that she abandoned me totch onto a wealthy man!¡± Eliana borated, ¡°Maybe Miss Moore has grown ustomed to a life of luxury and is reluctant to revert to her previous existence. It¡¯s somewhatprehensible. ¡± ustomed to a luxurious life? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Den¡¯s fist clenched in frustration. Hadn¡¯t he offered her 20% of thepany shares? What more did she desire?! Couldn¡¯t she be content! Inside the racing car, Hannah swiveled her head to face Bryson. ¡°What¡¯s so urgent that you had to find me?¡± ¡°Am I not allowed to seek you out even when it¡¯s not an emergency?¡± Hannah gazed at Bryson with a faint furrow in her brow. ¡°You can, However. Didn¡¯t you mention you were searching for me due to an urgency? Wait. ¡± Chapter 281 Hannah had a sudden recollection, her gaze fixed on Bryson. ¡°How did you know that I was at Allison¡¯s ce? Were you tailing me?¡± Bryson shifted his gaze, his bright eyes locked onto Hannah. Hannah blinked. ¡°The formidable CEO of the Mitchell Group, you didn¡¯t actually resort to stalking, did you?¡± ¡°No, not at all. ¡± Bryson shifted his eyes away, his gaze dropping. ¡°I stumbled upon you entering Den¡¯s car when I set out to find you, so I decided to follow. ¡± ¡°I see. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Okay, what¡¯s the specific reason you¡¯re seeking me?¡± The car fell into silence briefly. Bryson spoke with a touch of awkwardness. ¡°Not much, really. ¡±Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah actually let out augh. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s gettingte. Since you don¡¯t have much in particr, you can give me a ride home. ¡± The car swiftly arrived at the residential neighborhood where Hannah resided. Hannah exited the car, and Bryson lowered the window, observing her departure with a gentle expression. But halfway there, Hannah abruptly pivoted back. She strolled to the car, her hands resting on the window frame, peering at the person seated within. ¡°How about we grab dinner? I¡¯m feeling a bit hungry. ¡± Bryson was taken aback for a moment, then nodded with approval. ¡°What would you like to eat? I¡¯ll take you there. ¡± Hannah Lightly tapped the car door. ¡°Step out, and I¡¯ll be your guide. ¡± Bryson exited the car, allowing the chauffeur to take it away momentarily, and they strolled toward Hannah¡¯s residential building. Chapter 282 As they walked down the street, Hannah stole a nce at Bryson¡¯s impably attired figure and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Did you rush to find me immediately upon leaving the office?¡± ¡°Mm,¡± Bryson responded, ¡°I happened to be in the area. ¡± ¡°Great. There¡¯s a ce that I like nearby, let me take you to try it Slightly past 10 in the evening, the shops beneath Hannah¡¯s apartment were buzzing with life. Hannah secured an outdoor table and took her seat. ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯ll have the clear soup hot pot, please. ¡± ¡°You brought me here for hot pot?¡± Bryson nced at the set of bowls and chopsticks before him, appearing mildly taken aback. Hannah efficiently arranged Bryson¡¯s ce setting with the bowls and chopsticks. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Don¡¯t you like it here?¡± ¡°I do. ¡± Bryson curled the corner of his lips and exined, ¡°Previously, I used to dine around Red Origin Road. ¡± Hannah regarded Bryson with amazement. ¡°Red Origin Road? Many ces there are humble food stalls.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. I assumed someone of your stature wouldn¡¯t dine in such spots. ¡± ¡°I used to live there with my mother. ¡± Hannah paused, chopsticks in hand, and turned to regard Bryson, a chapter of his life previously undisclosed to her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°This was prior to high school. After I rejoined the Mitchell family, it was a topic nobody mentioned again, so it¡¯s understandable you weren¡¯t aware. ¡± ¡°The clear soup hot pot has arrived!¡± The proprietor ced the pot on the table, ignited the burner, and organized the apanying dishes. ¡°Bon appetit! Don¡¯t hesitate to call if you require any extras!¡± Hannah added a te of meat into the simmering pot, observing it as it sizzled and cooked. Then she addressed Bryson. ¡°Regarding the recent incident, I want to express my gratitude. Without your intervention, I might still be facing an online bacsh. ¡± ¡°It was the right thing to do. ¡± ¡°Could it be that your time away from the Mitchell family influenced how you interact with your grandfather?¡± Hannah inquired abruptly. Bryson didn¡¯t keep any secrets from Hannah. His eyes took on a touch of shadow, and he admitted, ¡°Not particrly. When the Mitchell family brought me back, my mother had already passed away. At the time, Grace was a child, and she was my sole focus. The year she was poisoned, I was overseas and couldn¡¯t rush back because he ordered me to set up my own international business. If I didn¡¯t seed, I¡¯d never be allowed to return. Because of this, I couldn¡¯t make it back in time when Grace was poisoned. She came perilously close to not making it. ¡± Hearing Bryson discuss his history for the first time, Hannah silently absorbed the words, watching his demeanor transform from the guarded man she knew. Chapter 283 It appeared that no one had ever made an effort toprehend Bryson. He was viewed as an imprable fortress. Yet, in her perspective, this man was undeniably human, a well of emotions concealed beneath a stoic facade, eternally a solitary soul. Bryson¡¯s deep gaze locked onto Hannah¡¯s, and he released a soft chuckle. ¡°After hearing all of this, you don¡¯t consider me a miserable man, do you?¡± No. ¡± Hannah offered a faint smile, saying, ¡°I can¡¯t help but think that if I were in your shoes, unable to save a loved one in time, I might not have coped as admirably as you did. ¡± ¡°How about you?¡± Bryson inquired, his gaze fixed on Hannah. Bryson fixed his gaze on Hannah as he remarked, ¡°I¡¯ve never heard you speak about your parents. ¡± ¡°They?¡±C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Hannah¡¯s memories appeared to awaken, and she offered a wistful smile as she spoke. ¡°They have their own children. I¡¯m just the one who was discarded. ¡± Bryson regarded Hannah with a hint of jest. ¡°It seems, you have more secrets than I do. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I don¡¯t have many secrets,¡± Hannah smiled and gently shook her head. ¡°Being abandoned is no different from being an orphan. It¡¯s hardly a well-guarded secret. ¡± Understanding that Hannah preferred not to delve into the past, Bryson offered a gentle smile and didn¡¯t push the matter. After concluding their hot pot meal, they exited the eatery. The night breeze gradually carried a chill, and Bryson escorted Hannah to the base of her residential building before stopping. ¡°It¡¯s 11 o¡¯clock. Aren¡¯t you supposed to call your chauffeur?¡± ¡°You go on ahead; don¡¯t worry about me. ¡± Hannah adjusted her cor against the chill and waved to Bryson. ¡°I¡¯ll head upstairs now. Goodbye. ¡± Upon returning home, an inexplicable urge nudged Hannah to peer downstairs. When she did, there stood Bryson, a steadfast figure in themunity area beneath her. Chapter 284 The wind theatrically rustled his suit jacket while he held a solemn stance, engrossed in a phone conversation. Eventually, Bryson tucked away his phone and, raising his head, noticed the illuminated room of Hannah. There she was, by her window, sending him a friendly wave. With the glint of a budding smile, Bryson returned her gesture with a slight hand raise before heading off. The Summer break breezed by in a sh. To Hannah, it seemed like mere moments before the onset of the new academic term. On school¡¯s inaugural day, with no morning lessons, she sauntered in slightly behind schedule. In the office was Zayn, her co-worker, eyes shining with excitement. ¡°Hannah! I was oblivious to your racing prowess! The tales of your driving feats are mind-blowing!¡± Hannah hesitated to delve into the topic, feeling cornered. The episode had ignited a buzz on the Inte. Recognition greeted her in almost any gathering, no matter how modest. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since I raced. That might just be my curtain call. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery However, Zayn thrust a notebook toward Hannah, demanding, ¡°Hannah, I simply must have your autograph!¡± Deeming the autograph trivial, Hannah obliged. But the ensuing events wiped the smile off her face. Perhaps the post-lunch ss schedule contributed, but soon, a serpentine queue took shape right outside Hannah¡¯s office! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Each student had arrived, starry-eyed, seeking an autograph from their newfound hero! Hannah felt uneasy turning them down. So, she had them queue orderly, and before she realized it, her office turned into an autograph session. This spectacle even drew curious bystanders, clueless about the unfolding drama. Post her ss, Grace skipped into Hannah¡¯s office, eyes wide at the lengthy line. ¡°What¡¯s causing this marathon? Why¡¯s there a horde outside?¡± Spotting Grace felt like a breath of fresh air to Hannah. ¡°Grace! The swarm of students is overwhelming. I fear it might spark school- wide chatter.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡± Grace¡¯s eyes twinkled mischievously, an ingenious n forming. Grinning cheekily, she dered, ¡°Hannah, entrust this to me!¡± True to her word, in merely thirty minutes under Grace¡¯smand, the queue dissipated, leaving Hannah with just one final signature to pen. Chapter 285 Exhausted, she sank into her chair, nursing her aching wrist.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Hannah reflected, ¡°I thought I could dodge such whirlwinds at the campus. This was unforeseen. ¡± Bursting into the office, Grace excitedly shook Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°How¡¯d I do, Hannah? Pretty spectacr, right?¡± ¡°You¡¯re indeed phenomenal, top-notch! What magic did you wield to scatter them?¡± Leaning in, Grace chuckled heartily, sharing her strategy. ¡°I promised them a daily half-hour autograph session for a week. That got them moving!¡± With a bemused smile, Hannah quipped, ¡°Grace, you¡¯re truly a master of time management. ¡± ¡°Hannah, you might be unaware, but the school forum¡¯s buzzing with your fame. There¡¯s chatter everywhere, even a threaduding your sensational escapades!¡± Gently ruffling Grace¡¯s hair, Hannah expressed her concern. ¡°Stay clear of such distractions. How have you been health-wise ofte?¡± ¡°All¡¯s well. I¡¯ve been religiously following the medication you concocted and keeping up with the essential injections. A month¡¯s gone by without a setback. ¡± Hannah acknowledged, ¡°That¡¯s a sign of improvement. Soon, I¡¯ll confer with Mr. Campbell and explore the possibility of refining the medication for your ailment. ¡± ¡°I always knew it! Hannah, you¡¯ve got my back like no other! However, there¡¯s another thing that concerns me¡­¡± Grace whispered with a hint of worry, ¡°Lately, there¡¯s been a change in my brother¡¯s demeanor. No matter what I do at home, his spirits don¡¯t lift. I¡¯m so puzzled. Hannah, have you caught wind of any changes with my brothertely?¡± Memories from the previous night danced across Hannah¡¯s thoughts, and she replied with a hint of uncertainty, ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure, but maybe it¡¯s the crushing weight of his work responsibilities. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Could be. He¡¯s been clocking in early anding back home way toote because of work. My uncle has stirred up some storms at the office, but thankfully, Grandpa always calms the chaos. ¡± Hannah¡¯s ears perked up at Grace¡¯s revtion. ¡°Your uncle was the one wreaking havoc at the office?¡± ¡°Absolutely. Apparently, it stemmed from your racing event. He poured a mountain of money on another racer, probably over 5 million! But s, it all went down the drain. He believed my brother withheld some vital intel, which led him to lose that 5 million. And that¡¯s what ignited his fiery rampage at the office. Rumor has it, he didn¡¯t spare the furniture and let loose a storm of harsh words!¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°He chose to back another racer, why drag Mr. Mitchell into this? Betting is always a game of chance. What gave him the right to point fingers at Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°So, Grandpa rained down a torrent of reprimands on Uncle, pressing him to settle the debt pronto. If not, he¡¯d have to forfeit his throne as the General Manager!¡± Chapter 286 Hannah took a brief moment, then cautiously inquired, ¡°He didn¡¯t dip into thepany¡¯s coffers for this gambling spree, did he?¡± Grace sighed, her face contorted in disbelief. ¡°Exactly. And then, my uncle shamelessly sought my brother¡¯s mercy. He pleaded with me to intervene, trivializing the 5 million byparing it to my brother¡¯s vast earnings. ¡± What audacity! A smirk slid across Hannah¡¯s face as she pondered, ¡°That exins Bryson¡¯s recent change in demeanor. It was such a tumultuous event, and he kept mum about it.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡± ¡°In that race, only my brother and some enigmatic individual had faith in your win. The rest faced hefty losses. With so many eyes now set on the Mitchell Group, it¡¯s clear why my brother¡¯s spirits are dampened. ¡± Grace gave a pleading look, gently tugging at Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°Hannah, would you consider joining us for dinner this weekend? My brother would be over the moon to see you. ¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Hannah replied with a radiant smile. ¡°So, this weekend tooo¡± ¡°I¡¯ll swing by to get you then!¡± Grace chimed in enthusiastically. ¡°It¡¯s a date! I¡¯ve got to dash to ss now!¡± As she saw Grace disappear into the distance, Hannah pulled out her phone, contemting a message to Bryson on WhatsApp. She had drafted the message, yet hesitated to hit send. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Given that Bryson had kept silent on the issue, he likely preferred her in the dark. She decided to let it be and act as if this conversation never happened. Meanwhile, in a secluded room of the Summer Vista Restaurant Eliana¡¯s anxiety was palpable as she faced the group of men before her. ¡°Where on earth would I find 10 million? Our initial bet only set us back 2 million!¡± ¡°2 million?¡± the man opposite her scoffed. ¡°Wasn¡¯t that sum settled by your dear boyfriend? And didn¡¯t you sneakily wager another 4 million? Miss Patel, are you having a memorypse? You don¡¯t have any cash? No problem. ¡± The man, his yellowed teeth on full disy,ughed, ¡°Isn¡¯t your lover the big-shot CEO of the Edwards Group? A mere 10 million should be pocket change for him! If he can¡¯t cough it up, maybe you couldpensate in other ways. ¡± Fear drained the color from Eliana¡¯s face. She cursed her decision to borrow 4 million for that doomed bet on Cyril. Now, she had nothing left! Every bit of this mess, in Eliana¡¯s mind, was Hannah¡¯s fault! If not for Hannah, she wouldn¡¯t be at the mercy of these loan sharks! With vengeance simmering inside, Eliana¡¯s gaze grew icy. Chapter 287 ¡°You¡¯re after the cash, aren¡¯t you? I know just the person who¡¯s swimming in it. ¡± The man aggressively gnashed his teeth, shooting Eliana a menacing look. ¡°Cross your heart; you¡¯re not feeding us lies, or Den will hear your darkest tales!¡± ¡°I swear on my word, I¡¯m not deceiving you!¡± Eliana¡¯s hands tightened into balls of rage. ¡°Back then, when Den left Hannah; he handed her a fifth of the Edwards Group¡¯s shares! Imagine, she¡¯s swimming in an ocean of gold! Take her, and you¡¯ll be drowning in riches. ¡± The man disdainfully spat, ¡°st it! We¡¯re money lenders, not mobsters. Kidnapping? That¡¯s betting our lives on a dice roll! You think we¡¯re thirsty for a prison cell?¡± ¡°Heavens, no!¡± Eliana¡¯s hands danced in desperation as she rattled off, ¡°She¡¯s with the head honcho of Mitchell Group now. Snatch her, click a fewpromising shots, and you can demand mountains of gold. She¡¯ll be too terrified to go to the police. And if you¡¯re worried about the Mitchell family, they won¡¯t make a peep either. Bryson treasures Hannah like a gem. Trust me, you¡¯ll strike it rich!¡± The leader gazed at Eliana, his eyes tracing her silhouette, before chuckling, ¡°Why not switch the game? We grab you, snap a few spicy shots, and shake down Den for some change.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡± Eliana¡¯s face lost its color. A past memory shed in her mind, and she sobbed out, ¡°Truth be told, Den¡¯s heart still beats for Hannah. After their split, she haunted his dreams. Snatch me, and Den won¡¯t toss a dime. Take Hannah, and you¡¯ll have both the Mitchell and Edwards family throwing fortunes at you!¡± This revtion sure perked up the ears of the men lurking in the shadows. The leader waved her off with a flick. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Scuttle off now. And don¡¯t forget to clear your tab!¡± Sensing her fleeting safety, Eliana nodded hastily, flung open the door, and dashed out like a scared deer. Every heartbeat screamed she¡¯d be dragged back! She raced to the cashier¡¯s desk, winded, settled her dues, and spun to exit, but something made her pivot. Eliana pulled out a thick bundle of bills, offering it with a flourish to the receptionist. ¡°A Little something for your pocket. ¡± The receptionist¡¯s eyes sparkled like stars. ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Miss!¡± ¡°Mind erasing a slice of the tape from your cameras?¡± Even with Grace¡¯s clever tricks, Hannah¡¯s signature graced papers from Monday to Friday. Post sses, Grace nudged Hannah. ¡°Remember our dinner date at my house tomorrow, okay?¡± Chapter 288 Hannah nodded in agreement. Post thesis writing, she sank into her bed, the weight of the world off her shoulders. Dawn¡¯s call, Hannah¡¯s rm clock, roused her, pushing her to prepare for the day. Just as she slipped into her cozy wear, the doorbell chimed its tune. Peeping through the spyhole, Hannah glimpsed a trio of dapper gents awaiting her. ¡°Who might you be?¡± One gentleman, shing a polished grin, said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡¯s car awaits below. We¡¯re your escort. ¡± Already? The thought whizzed through Hannah¡¯s mind, but suspicion didn¡¯t linger. She slid into her kicks, shouldered her bag, and headed out. She descended to themunity¡¯s exit with the trio in tow. Spotting the Mercedes, her feet froze. Bryson never mentioned owning such a car, and that license te was something she had never seen. The gents shadowing her noticed her hesitation their hands sneaking to their sides. ¡°Miss Moore, your ride awaits Sensing the air thickening with tension, Hannah clutched her bag closer. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I should give Miss Mitchell a quick ring. ¡± Her muscles tensed, poised for flight! But two new yers emerged, barricading her way!Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. The trio¡¯s facade crumbled. Closing in on Hannah, cold steel pricked her waist. ¡°If you fancy breathing a tad longer¡­ Into the car you go. Hand over the phone. ¡± Hannah exhaled, surrendering her phone. She slid into the car, nked by her captors. Once the gang was all aboard, the vehicle roared, gunning for the city outskirts! Nestled in the car, Hannah posed, voice steady, ¡°What¡¯s the game here?¡± The upants of the vehicle were eerily quiet. Hannah repeated, ¡°You¡¯re after cash, right? I can provide. ¡± The guy in the shotgun seat eximed, ¡°We don¡¯t need a pittance of tens of millions. We¡¯re aiming higher! y nice, and you won¡¯t get hurt. But any games, and you might just lose more than you bargained for!¡± Hannah was dragged to a deste auto repair shop in the vicinity. The moment they entered the shop, they promptly bound Hannah to a chair. Chapter 289 Next, they essed Hannah¡¯s phone and rang up Bryson. ¡°Hello?¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed with concern as she recognized Bryson¡¯s unmistakable voice on the line. ¡°Speak up,¡± demanded the kidnapper. Bryson¡¯s senses heightened when he realized it wasn¡¯t Hannah¡¯s voice. ¡°Identify yourself!¡± Annoyed, the kidnapper grasped Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°I said, TALK!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery With a slow, reluctant tone, Hannah managed, ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± Grabbing the phone, the kidnapper interjected, ¡°Apologies, Mr. Mitchell. It¡¯s simple, really. We want cash. As long as we get 200 million in the next hour, Miss Moore will be unharmed.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. If not, well¡­ Let¡¯s just say you wouldn¡¯t want her secrets spilled online or on the streets. ¡± Bryson¡¯s grip on his phone tightened, eyes chilling to ice, veins standing out, but maintaining an eerie calm in his tone. ¡°Fine, one hour. Name the rendezvous point. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°The exchange point, you ask? East River Shipyard. Have your people drop the money on Ship No. 588. Once we have the cash, Miss Moore is yours. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± As Bryson disconnected the call, his thoughts whirled in turmoil, logic teetering on the edge. Being away from his office, Bryson dialed Brayden without hesitation. ¡°I need 200 million in cash, pronto. Get it to Ship No. 588 at the East River Shipyard. ¡± Brayden, taken aback, responded, ¡°200 million? What¡¯s the emergency?¡± ¡°I need that money there. One hour!¡± Brayden, sensing Bryson¡¯s icy tone, acquiesced. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m on it. ¡± Observing the kidnapper¡¯s intent to call Den, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°He won¡¯t pay. Dialing him would prove futile. ¡± Chapter 290 The kidnapper retorted with a smirk, ¡°You think so? We¡¯ve been tipped off. Despite the divorce, you¡¯re still his weak spot. Why wouldn¡¯t he pay? Piecing the words together, Hannah surmised a familiar face was orchestrating this kidnapping. The kidnapper initiated a call to Den, while Hannah remained silent, observing. Sticking to his rehearsed lines, the kidnapper set the ransom to a cool hundred million. News of Hannah¡¯s kidnapping rattled Den, but the staggering ransom sum made him waver. Met with silence, the kidnapper seethed internally. Losing patience, he snapped, ¡°Make a choice! Cash or the Lady? Decide and get the money to Ship No. 559 at the East River Shipyard. The clock¡¯s ticking!¡± The call abruptly ended. Den¡¯s instinct was to assemble the ransom, but Eliana, gripping his hand in concern, chimed in, ¡°The Edwards Group¡¯s funds aren¡¯t that liquid, right? Should we involve the police?¡± ¡°However¡­ Den paused, his voice quivering. ¡°If I don¡¯t follow his demands, I fear¡­¡± Eliana squeezed Den¡¯s hand gently. ¡°I share your concern for Miss Moore, but what if they don¡¯t release her even after the payment? We should notify the authorities first. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After all, one hundred million was an astronomical figure. After a moment of internal debate, Den conceded, ¡°You have a point. Alerting the police is our best move!¡± Barely thirty minutester, the kidnapper¡¯s phone rang with Bryson on the other end. ¡°I¡¯ve dispatched what you demanded to the shipyard. Now, when will she be freed?¡± The man smirked, his eyebrows arching. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you never cease to surprise. Once the money¡¯s in our hands, she¡¯s free to go. ¡± Swiftly ending the call, the kidnapper unted his phone to Hannah. ¡°Your assistance is once again appreciated. ¡± With an unflinching gaze, Hannah told the man, ¡°Capture is inevitable, and when it happens, you¡¯ll face a lengthy prison sentence for kidnapping and extortion. ¡± In a burst of rage, the man shattered Hannah¡¯s phone on the spot!Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 291 With a menacing stride, he grabbed Hannah¡¯s chin forcefully. ¡°Test me, and it¡¯ll be the end of you!¡± ¡°Do you loan sharks truly believe murdering for money is a fair trade?¡± The man¡¯s face disyed pure shock. He scanned Hannah from head to toe, demanding, ¡°How on earth do you recognize us as loan sharks? ¡®s BunnyBookery Speak!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t strike me as seasoned kidnappers. With all those security cameras around my ce, the moment they review the footage, you¡¯ll be pinned down. And the reason for why I can identify you lot?¡± Hannah grinned slyly. ¡°From my casino days. I¡¯vee across plenty of your kind and learned to spot you. I¡¯ve never borrowed externally. You sharks were clearly directed to snatch me. Surrender now, or you¡¯llment in a cell. ¡± The man¡¯s face creased with skepticism. ¡°You? At a casino?¡± ¡°The name Franklyn Vargas should ring a bell, shouldn¡¯t it?¡± Franklyn, the notorious kingpin of the underworld casinos spanning from Valmere to Crakholis. While some whispered of a puppet master, he remained the undisputed ruler for years.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. With a scowl deepening on his face, the man red at Hannah. ¡°Don¡¯t try and convince me you¡¯re acquainted with Mr. Vargas. Do you take me for a fool? Really, you know him?¡± ¡°Why not dial him up and verify? If you¡¯recking his contact,¡± Hannah offered with a serene demeanor, ¡°I can dly provide it. ¡± ¡°Boss, she¡¯s bluffing!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The man¡¯s underling bravely advanced, eximing, ¡°I can¡¯t fathom her scheming mind! Don¡¯t be swayed by her words. Let¡¯s undress her! Snap some pictures, and let¡¯s see if she still has the nerve to spread tales!¡± The man locked eyes with Hannah¡¯s serene gaze, and a wave of unease washed over him. Could this woman truly have connections with Franklyn? No, it couldn¡¯t be! How on earth would Franklyn be acquainted with someone like her?! The man felt he¡¯d been duped. Clenching his jaw, he barked at hispanion, ¡°Untie the binds on her wrists! Remove her clothes! And do it fast!¡± ¡°Right away!¡± Chapter 292 Upon hearing the whispers about photographing Hannah in her vulnerable state, the trio in the parking area were instantly intrigued. They circled around her, ready to take advantage. ¡°Boss! We¡¯ve never been with someone as lovely as her. Could you allow. . ¡°Damn! Silence! Why are you bothering with women now?¡± The man leading the pack, seething with rage, hurled his phone towards his henchmen. ¡°Snap a photo of her, now!¡± Hesitant to defy their leader¡¯smand, the henchmen hastily untied Hannah¡¯s bindings. Foreseeing their move, as soon as the rope ckened, Hannah delivered a powerful kick to the gut of the nearest man, sending him crashing to the ground! With adrenaline pumping through her veins, she grabbed the nearby chair and mmed it onto the head of another assant! ¡°st it! Catch her! She mustn¡¯t escape!¡± ¡°Grab her!¡± The once silent, forsaken auto repair shop erupted in chaos within seconds! With her newfound freedom, Hannah sprinted out of the shop without l ooking back! Yet, once outside, she was ambushed by a group of men, those who had retrieved their money, and they closed in on her from all sides! The gang leader, knife gleaming menacingly in his hand, charged out from the shop, yelling, ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going? Tempting fate, are we?¡± With each word, he advanced towards Hannah, his eyes wild with anticipation, poised to strike her with his de! Encircled and outnumbered, Hannah found herself trapped with nowhere to retreat. In a desperate bid, she threw up her hand to deflect the impending sh of the knife. Out of the blue, an overpowering grip enveloped her! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ In the briefest of moments, Hannah realized the man shielding her was none other than Bryson! Bryson¡¯s swift kick sent the lead man tumbling, who then yelled for his gang to charge! Every man toting those conspicuous money bags, Brayden included, doffed their hats in unison. It was Bryson who had orchestrated their presence. Shielding Hannah, Bryson made a grand stand. He removed his dark hat, casting an icy stare at the would-be abductors. ¡°Seize them now. ¡± With haste, Bryson¡¯s squad advanced. Outssed and overwhelmed, the kidnappers quickly found themselves restrained!All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Did they harm you?¡± Chapter 293 Once he was sure the threat was neutralized, Bryson turned his attention to Hannah. Hannah swiftly covered her wrist, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯m unharmed. But how did you know I was bound here?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I went along when we handed over the ransom. Quickly noticing their amateurish ways, I had them detained and extracted your location from them. Here I am, money in tow and under a guise. ¡± Grasping Hannah¡¯s hand gently, Bryson proposed ¡°We shouldn¡¯t Linger here. We¡¯ll discuss everything once we¡¯re safe. ¡± At the police headquarters, Hannah provided her ount. A flustered Den, with Eliana in tow, entered. Catching sight of a seemingly unharmed Hannah, he eximed, ¡°Hannah, are you alright? Did theyy a finger on you?¡± With a frosty gaze, Hannah responded, ¡°What might they have done? Had they truly harmed me, I wouldn¡¯t be here narrating the tale.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Thank heavens I alerted the authorities! Who knows what might have befallen you otherwise!¡± With a smirk, Hannah retorted, ¡°Mr. Mitchell was my savior. Your role in this is close to nothing. ¡± ¡°You mustn¡¯t be so harsh, Miss Moore. Den genuinely fretted over you upon hearing from those kidnappers¡­¡± ¡°His concern was perhaps that I¡¯m not dying any time soon, right?¡± Hannah, far from grateful, countered. ¡°Mr. Mitchell braved the odds for me today. So spare me the theatrics. Those culprits? They¡¯re singing like canaries now. And I¡¯ve heard a puppet master is pulling their strings and influencing their actions¡­¡± Eliana¡¯s demeanor shifted abruptly, a mix of difort and apprehension. Her eyes darted, and her lower lip found itself caught between her teeth! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Observing Eliana in such a state, a knowing grin painted Hannah¡¯s face, sensing the unfolding drama. ¡°Miss Patel, there¡¯s a hint of panic in your eyes. What¡¯s amiss? You¡¯re the one who ordered them to whisk me away, didn¡¯t you?¡± Eliana¡¯s eyes opened wide, shimmering pools of tears. ¡°Miss Moore, how can you tarnish my reputation like this? The moment news of your rescue reached me, Den and I hastened to find you. How can you even think. ¡° ¡°Hannah, Eliana has good intentions. Why this standoff?¡± Chapter 294 With her brows furrowed, Hannah gave Den the cold shoulder, deliberately ignoring him. ¡°Mr. Mitchell!¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell has arrived!¡± As the dual chorus heralded from the entrance, Hannah was momentarily captivated, her gaze darting towards the doorway. As Bryson made his grand entrance, Brayden and the awaiting attorneys rose in respect. Upon spotting Bryson, Den retreated, holding his peace. Approaching Hannah, Bryson began, ¡°I¡¯ve settled thepany affairs. Are the statements done? I¡¯m here to escort you home. ¡± ¡°Nearly there. If there¡¯s pressing business, don¡¯t Let me keep you. ¡± Casting a quick look at his wristwatch, Bryson said, ¡°There are some unresolved issues back at thepany. I¡¯ll have Brayden stay with you. Give me a ring once you¡¯re home. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Hannah nodded, showing her agreement. Bryson shifted his attention to Brayden. With a confident thump on his chest, Brayden dered, ¡°You have my word, Miss Moore will reach home under my watch!¡± Once Bryson was gone, Den¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Is it all about his deep pockets and the ransom? Let¡¯s not forget the gravity back then. Had I not rung the cops, would the abductors be behind bars this swiftly? It seems it¡¯s all about the greenbacks for you! Hannah Moore, you¡¯re not the same! This wasn¡¯t you. When did you be so obsessed with wealth?¡± In response to Den¡¯s pointed remarks, Hannah chuckled, ¡°When one¡¯s vision is tainted, all they perceive is tainted too. Believe what you wish; your views about me hold no weight. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The officer seated opposite gestured towards the record. ¡°Simply put your signature here, and you¡¯re free to go. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Hannah bent down to append her signature. An officer darted out from the interrogation room, murmuring to a colleague. The officer before Hannah abruptly pressed down on the document. ¡°Apologies, Miss Moore. The culprits we nabbed im to be moneylenders. They allege you owe them a debt, which led them to you. You need to stay put and cooperate until this is sorted out. ¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Chapter 295 Brayden intervened with a scowl. ¡°Miss Moore isn¡¯t one to fall into such a debt trap. Are those men spewing tales?¡± ¡°Further inquiry is necessary to unearth the real story. ¡± Eliana¡¯s hand flew to her mouth in shock. ¡°Miss Moore, did you really get entangled with these loan sharks?¡± Seemingly catching herself misspeaking, Eliana quickly added with a twinge of guilt, ¡°In truth, if Miss Moore finds herself strapped for cash, we¡¯re here to extend a helping hand. Why ever might you need to¡­¡± Den¡¯s eyebrows knitted together. ¡°If money was the issue, why keep it from me? What¡¯s the sum you borrowed? Let me settle it for you. ¡± In a wave of shock, Eliana¡¯s teeth found her lip, a tremor racing through her as she stood next to Den, utterly bbergasted! Den¡¯s proposal to clear Hannah¡¯s dues was unexpected! This woman surely knew how to stir the pot! With an impatient side-eye, Hannah snapped at Den, ¡°I didn¡¯t get tangled in any predatory loans, and your financial assistance isn¡¯t required. ¡± Gripping Den¡¯s arm reassuringly, Eliana soothed, ¡°Miss Moore, let¡¯s drop the pretense. Cash hups in business are as regr as rain in monsoons. ¡± She swiveled her head, directing her question to the officer. ¡°To whom does Miss Moore owe this sum? Perhaps we could lend a hand. ¡±All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. The officer sifted through the paperwork, noting, ¡°Thisdy¡¯s debts are the oue of her gamble escapade. ¡± Eliana¡¯s hand flew to her mouth, eyes darting to Hannah in sheer disbelief as she subtly pulled at Den¡¯s attire, seeking some semnce of grounding. ¡°You never cease to amaze. So, after our paths diverged, gambling became your new hobby?¡± Den exhaled slowly, then turned his gaze to the officer, his voice steady yetced with concern. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What¡¯s the damage? I¡¯ll cover the cost. ¡± The officer responded, ¡°From the records here, the tally stands at a whopping 100 million. ¡± ¡°100 million? You¡¯re joking!¡± Den¡¯s eyes bulged in shock, and as he swiveled to face Hannah, there was a hint of hysteria. ¡°How on earth did you rack up a debt of 100 million? What were you even betting on?¡± With a smirk ying on her lips, Hannah met Den¡¯s gaze and chuckled, ¡°You were so eager to foot the bill earlier. Time to put your money where your mouth is. ¡± Chapter 296 A shadow of disbelief crossed Den¡¯s face. ¡°Hannah Moore! You¡¯ve truly outdone yourself this time! Wasn¡¯t your penchant for mingling with men enough? Now this gambling mess too?¡± ¡°Mind yournguage!¡± With icy eyes, Hannah stared Den down. ¡°Remember, we¡¯re in a police station. I can p you with a defamation suit in a heartbeat! Earlier, weren¡¯t you all high and mighty about settling my debts? What happened now? Has the figure of 10@ million rattled your once sturdy confidence? The grand and esteemed CEO of Edwards Group doesn¡¯t have a measly 100 million to spare?¡± Hannah smirked, her eyes narrowing yfully. ¡°If it¡¯s too rich for your blood, then quit the charade. But hey, if you think your words are that pricey, be my guest. ¡± Den¡¯s expression grew stormy. ¡°Hannah Moore, stop ying with words. You¡¯re in the hole for 100 million from gambling. Who else but me would bail you out?¡± ¡°Jumping to conclusions, are we? So, you¡¯re certain I¡¯m buried in 100 million of gambling debt?¡± Hannah sneered. Eliana chimed in provocatively, ¡°Miss Moore, if you hadn¡¯t taken any money¡­ surely no one would point fingers unjustly. But rx, Den¡¯s got your back.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah confidently pulled her bank card and ID from her bag. ¡°Here¡¯s my proof of identity and finances. The authorities can check anytime to see if I¡¯ve been in debt. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With a knowing look, her gazended on Eliana. ¡°I have a hunch someone¡¯s setting me up, and all fingers point to Miss Patel. I¡¯m ready to support my debt-free status. Does Miss Patel have the guts to do the same?¡± Eliana¡¯splexion lost its color, gripping Den as if he were her lifeline. ¡°What¡¯s this about? Keep me out of your mess. You¡¯re slinging mud without cause!¡± Hannah tilted her head innocently. ¡°If you¡¯ve stayed away from shady loans, why the fear? It¡¯s a simple check. Isn¡¯t Miss Patel known to be transparent, kind-hearted, and magnanimous?¡± ¡°Den¡­¡± Eliana clutched at his attire, her voice frail and filled with distress. ¡°I haven¡¯t¡­ I don¡¯t want this undeserved me¡­¡± Den¡¯s brows knitted in concern, eyes on Hannah. Chapter 297 ¡°Why drag Eliana into this? Keep her out of your tangled web. ¡± ¡°But if she¡¯s truly innocent, wouldn¡¯t a simple check clear her name?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice grew tender, her gaze meeting Den¡¯s with a glint of vulnerability. ¡°I don¡¯t want you believing I¡¯m mired in sketchy debts, nor do I wish to falsely use Miss Patel. Our best shot is to review the financial activity under our names. It¡¯s all about proving who¡¯s clean and who¡¯s not. What are your thoughts, Den?¡± Den appeared somewhat uncertain, taken aback by Hannah¡¯s unexpected change in tone. Observing his hesitation, Eliana hastily grasped his hand. ¡°Den¡­¡± She was about to express herself but got swiftly interrupted by Hannah. ¡°If I¡¯ve made a baseless assumption and spoken wrongly, I¡¯m ready to offer a formal apology to Miss Patel, alright?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Den was swayed by Hannah¡¯s words and directed his gaze at Eliana. ¡°She¡¯s right. Since you¡¯ve done nothing wrong, there¡¯s nothing to fear. You should be fine with her checking your bank transactions. ¡± Eliana was thoroughly flustered. ¡°But I¡­¡± ¡°Miss Patel, are you scared?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°Didn¡¯t you im you¡¯re innocent? This is your chance to liberate yourself, isn¡¯t it?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Tensions escted as both sides refused to back down! Through the entrance, a neer arrived, apanied by several individuals.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. At the forefront was Clive Wainwright, trailed by a dozen associates, wearing a smile. ¡°Pardon the intrusion, officers, but I¡¯m seeking Miss Moore. Is she present?¡± ¡°Why are you here?!¡± One of the police officers seemed quite familiar with Clive. ¡°Who¡¯s your bail candidate today? Don¡¯t you see we¡¯re busy right now? Return tomorrow if you¡¯ve got business!¡± ¡°Well, Officer Carter, I do apologize, but my business today is exceedingly urgent and can¡¯t wait until tomorrow. I¡¯ve heard that there¡¯s a Miss Moore here giving a statement, and I¡¯vee to find her. Is she still here?¡± ALL eyes instinctively turned toward Hannah. Chapter 298 Clive noticed this as well and maneuvered through the gathering to approach Hannah. ¡°You must be Miss Moore, right?¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°And you are?¡± ¡°Oh, Mr. Vargas sent me,¡± Clive stated with a smile, proffering his business card to Hannah. ¡°I hold the position of General Manager at FortuneFrontier Group. ¡± At the mention of thepany, Den¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°FortuneFrontier is involved in many gambling-rted ventures. Hannah, why would someone like him seek you out?¡± Clive, sporting a mocking grin with hands in his pockets, remarked, ¡°Your Edwards family operateswful enterprises, but the market value falls short inparison to what Miss Moore raked in overnight at the casino. Continuing along this path, I¡¯m concerned that the prominent Valmere families might distance themselves from the Edwards family. ¡± As Den¡¯s expression stiffened, Clive carried on with a smile. ¡°The majority of Valmere¡¯s entertainment establishments are under our boss¡¯s purview. It appears Mr. Edwards is a frequent patron. Would you like me to review the records and report?¡± Den retorted indignantly, ¡°You¡¯re infringing upon personal privacy. I reserve the right to take legal action!¡± Clive raised his hands disarmingly. ¡°Mr. Edwards is quite impressive. I¡¯m not here to cause you any inconvenience today; I am here for Miss Moore. ¡±All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. ¡°Have youe because Miss Moore has outstanding debts at the casino?¡± Eliana, positioned behind Den, clutching his sleeve, appeared anxious. ¡°How much does Miss Moore owe? We¡¯re willing to assist. ¡± Clive¡¯s gaze briefly swept over Eliana before he handed a document to Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Miss Moore, my boss requested me to deliver this to you. As he¡¯s currently in Sracido and unable to return, he tasked me with this delivery. He mentioned that if Miss Moore finds herself in any trouble, he will return without dy. ¡± Den looked at Hannah in astonishment. How could she know the owner of the famous underground casino, and why did they appear so familiar?! He held a conviction that Hannah had been a regr at the casino, which exined her acquaintance with the owner. ¡°Hannah, what else have you kept from me? When did you learn gambling skills, and how did you get so close to the owner?! Gambling with such staggering sums. How audacious!¡± Chapter 299 ¡°Well. ¡± Clive regarded Den with disdain as he conveyed, ¡°Should Miss Moore wish to y in our ce, our boss has made it clear: her losses will be on our boss, and her winnings are hers to keep. After all this, do you still believe that there is a need for Miss Moore to resort to loan sharks? She can y as she pleases, and our boss will cover the losses. Be it 100 million or even a billion, our boss can bear the financial burden. ¡± Clive maintained a smug smile, directing his gaze toward the visibly flustered Eliana standing behind Den. ¡°However, certain individuals find themselves in quite a distressing situation, hounded by loan sharks over a ten-million debt. ¡± Hannah opened the folder, and upon reviewing its contents, she passed over all the documentation to the police, asserting, ¡°This folder contains all the evidence required. ¡± The police¡¯s countenance swiftly shifted as they examined the information.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. With a grave demeanor, they presented the documents to Eliana, inquiring, ¡°Miss Patel, could you rify the circumstances outlined here?¡± The contents of the fileprised I0Us bearing Eliana¡¯s signature, along with records of a five-million investment in a car race! Every document was an original, featuring Eliana¡¯s distinctive red fingerprints beneath her signature! Eliana¡¯s face lost color as she protested, It wasn¡¯t me!¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t you?¡± Hannah seemed to find it intrig uing and remarked, ¡°The evidence is quite clear; your fingerprints are right there. Were you forced?¡± Eliana clung to Hannah¡¯s mention of force and vigorously nodded. ¡°Someone did force me!¡± She clutched Den¡¯s sleeve, pleading, ¡°Den, do you believe me? I never intended to borrow from those loan sharks. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to tell you. I did not want to burden you with worry! It was my brother¡­ My brother is addicted to gambling. He gambled away all his fortune, and he had no option but to approach me for a loan¡­ I was too afraid to inform you. As she spoke, Eliana broke into tears, articting her distress and helplessness with every word. ¡°He¡¯s my brother! How could I abandon him? I borrowed money from the loan sharks, initially believing I could cover some of it by selling my bag¡­¡± Eliana gazed up at Hannah with teary, reddened eyes. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°But I never anticipated¡­ that they¡¯d contact Miss Moore. I¡­ I was momentarily puzzled, afraid to confess the truth¡­¡± Hannah observed her coldly as she recounted, ¡°Very well, if you im this money was borrowed for your brother, bring him here, and let¡¯s confront him directly. After all, considering the fact that your brother pressured you into borrowing, I¡¯m confident the police will treat you fairly. ¡± Eliana vigorously shook her head, her distress apparent. ¡°It¡¯s not feasible; my parents are deeply fond of my brother; they won¡¯t allow him toe to the police station! I beg you, Miss Moore. I had no idea they¡¯d approach you. Maybe they weren¡¯t aware of your divorce from Den¡­ It was an ident! Yet, it¡¯s all linked to me! If you cannot find it in your heart to forgive me, I am prepared to kneel before you!¡± Eliana was on the verge of kneeling before Hannah, her legs beginning to bend! Chapter 300 Den, standing by her side, extended his support, casting aplex nce at Hannah. ¡°Eliana¡¯s brother is certainly irresponsible, but she shouldn¡¯t be held responsible for his actions. Please don¡¯t make it difficult for her. ¡± Hannah sneered and cast a cold look toward Den. ¡°It¡¯s quite amusing, isn¡¯t it? Who¡¯s truly causing trouble for whom? You both walked in here with the firm belief that I was indebted to loan sharks. And now that the debtor appears to be her, you suddenly forgot her previous words and adopt the role of the good peacemaker now?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. With a chill in her voice, Hannah dered, ¡°This isn¡¯t something I can just overlook. ¡± Out of the blue, Eliana dropped to her knees before Hannah, pleading, ¡°Miss Moore, you have to spare my brother! He can¡¯t afford to end up in prison!¡± Tears flowed freely as she whirled around to clutch at Den¡¯s pants. ¡°Den, I can¡¯t let anything happen to him!¡± Moved by Eliana¡¯s distress, Den lifted her up. ¡°Hannah, Eliana has already humbled herself before you. How can you remain so indifferent?¡± ¡°Why involvew enforcement if a simple apology would suffice?¡± Eyes narrowing, Hannah shed a thin smile. ¡°Be that as it may, I¡¯m not letting this go. Brayden, get our attorneys on it. ¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Realizing that Hannah wasn¡¯t budging, Den stepped in to intercept her. ¡°What if we paid you off? Name your price. ¡± Hannah observed the sobbing Eliana in his arms and grinned. ¡°Well then, how much do you think she¡¯s worth? Why don¡¯t you enlighten me? If the offer makes sense, I might think about it. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Caught off guard, Den hesitated, gazing at Eliana and contemting the ten million dors he owed on her behalf. ¡°We acknowledge her mistake, and we¡¯re prepared to offer you 100, 000 for the emotional toll. Before anyone could process it, Clive burst intoughter. ¡°A measly hundred thousand? That won¡¯t even cover our basic initiation fee. Why so frugal, Mr. Edwards? Weren¡¯t you just pledging to shoulder a debt of a hundred million for Miss Moore? So why only a hundred thousand now? Ah, I see. ¡± Nodding, Clive continued, ¡°So, a hundred million is just lip service, but a hundred thousand hits close to home. You¡¯d probably regret even that paltry amount, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± Den¡¯s face clouded over, at a loss for a retort to Clive¡¯s jab. Chapter 301 Hannah erupted intoughter, peering at Eliana with a grin. ¡°So, in his eyes, you¡¯re only worth a mere 100 thousand!¡± Eliana¡¯s eyes filled with tears. She opened her mouth to object, but Hannah lifted a hand to silence her. ¡°I¡¯m not one to put a price tag on women. ¡± Hannah gave her an icy look. ¡°However, Miss Patel, this time I didn¡¯t have to.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. You seem to relish it. To each her own, I suppose. ¡± Swinging her purse over her shoulder, she beamed at Den and Eliana. ¡°Expect a summons. I won¡¯t be settling. ¡± As she walked away, Hannah heard Eliana¡¯s muffled sobs and Den¡¯s restless voice echoing through the police station. ¡°Miss Moore. ¡± Outside the station, Clive intercepted Hannah, offering her a ck card. ¡°Franklyn instructed me to hand this to you personally. ¡± Hannah looked at the card, shaking her head. ¡°No need. I won¡¯t be returning anytime soon, so I won¡¯t be needing that. ¡± ¡°Franklyn insists you take it, Miss Moore! Otherwise, what am I to say to him?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ In a voice barely above a whisper, Clive added, ¡°Also, the Moore family in Aldgate is searching for you. They seem to¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s expression tightened, cutting him off. ¡°Tell Franklyn to keep that under wraps for now. I don¡¯t want them knowing about my time in Valmere. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Moore. Franklyn already told me to be cautious. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± Inside Brayden¡¯s car, Hannah idly flipped the ck card between her fingers, lost in thought. Reflecting on Clive¡¯s words, her mind was a maze of confusion. ¡°Brayden, can you take me to the Haywood Racing Car Agency?¡± Brayden sensed her unease. At her request, he simply nodded. Chapter 302 ¡°Of course, we¡¯ll head there now. ¡± The Haywood Racing Car Agency had been the first in Valmere to capitalize on the lucrative car-racing market. Known for exceptional modifications, they no longer served the public and had be an exclusive workshop. As Brayden drove, he ventured, ¡°Haywood Racing isn¡¯t open to the public anymore. What kind of modification are you looking for? Maybe I can assist. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not there for a car modification. I¡¯m meeting an old friend,¡± Hannah said, cutting off further inquiry. Brayden sensed her reluctance to borate and simply nodded, saying no more. Located in the city¡¯s luxurious vi district, the Haywood estate sprawled over a vast area. The ride there was solitary. They encountered no other vehicles. Finally, as they pulled up to the manor¡¯s front gate, Hannah turned to Brayden. ¡°I¡¯ll manage on my own from here. You don¡¯t need to take me back. Thank you. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Originally, Brayden had intended to suggest waiting outside to give Hannah a lift home. Just then, his phone buzzed. Answering it, he scowled and turned to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Moore, but you¡¯ll have to find your own way back. Something¡¯se up that I need to handle. ¡± ¡°No worries,¡± Hannah replied, shing him a smile before ringing the doorbell. As Brayden ignited the car¡¯s engine and prepared to drive off, his eyes involuntarily drifted towards the vi¡¯s gate. Suddenly, an old woman greeted Hannah and ushered her inside the estate. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Could Hannah be connected to Haywood Racing Car Agency? The question darted across Brayden¡¯s mind as he floored the elerator and zoomed off toward Bryson¡¯s office. Once inside the vi, Hannah hesitantly inquired of the old woman, ¡°J, how¡¯s Ro doing?¡± J shook her head somberly. ¡°Not well. He was recently diagnosed with bipr disorder. Mrs. Haywood passed away two years back, and Mr. Haywood is overseas. As for you, Miss Moore you haven¡¯t visited in years. I worry what that¡¯s doing to him. ¡°I know, it¡¯s my fault,¡± Hannah admitted, her face tinged with sadness. ¡°Since my marriage, I¡¯ve been confined to the Edwards family estate and haven¡¯t been able to participate in racing. It¡¯s my fault I haven¡¯t visited. May I see him?¡± Chapter 303 J nodded emphatically. ¡°Of course, Miss Moore. Let¡¯s go upstairs right away. ¡± From the second floor, strains of sorrowful violin music filled the air. Reaching the upstairs room, J knocked gently and greeted, ¡°Ro. ¡± Abruptly, the violin ceased, and the sound of something breaking emanated from within. J looked flustered. ¡°It seems Ro prefers not to be disturbed, so, Miss Moore¡­¡± Ignoring the warning, Hannah clenched the doorknob and pushed her way into the room. ¡°Oh my God! Miss Moore!¡± Ro¡¯s icy eyes met Hannah¡¯s, showing a flicker of emotion, yet his tone remained frosty. ¡°Did youe to check if I¡¯m still breathing?¡± J opened her mouth and tried to speak up for Hannah. ¡°¡°Ro¡ª¡± Crash! Ro had smashed the cup and books to the floor. ¡°She doesn¡¯t have to bother with me anymore!¡± he exploded. ¡°Send her away! I don¡¯t want to see her!¡± ¡°Miss Moore,¡± J said frantically. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It would be best if you head home for today. Ro is a little unstable, you should return another day¡­¡± ¡°You can go ahead and get back to what you¡¯re doing,¡± Hannah replied kindly. ¡°I¡¯d like to have a word with Ro in private. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± J began to protest, but eventually relented when she saw the determined set to Hannah¡¯s eyes. She quietly walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. Hannah swept a nce over the mess scattered all over the floor and sighed. She crouched and began to pick up the pieces of shattered ss. ¡°I know that I¡¯m thest person you want to see right now,¡± she said as she set the books back on the desk. ¡°Believe me, I¡¯m not trying to upset you on purpose. ¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 304 She took out the ck card she had acquired and handed it to Ro. ¡°I shall leave this with you. If you run out of funds, just ask J to give me a call. My line is open for you any time of the day. ¡± Ro did not reply, nor did he make a move to ept the card. Hannah turned back toward the desk and ced it beside the stack of books. ¡°That¡¯s all I came here for. I¡¯m leaving now. ¡± Hannah had already stepped toward the door when she heard Ro¡¯s sulking voice. ¡°I don¡¯t want your money! Who the hell do you think you are?! You can¡¯t juste and go as you like! Since you¡¯ve been away for years, you should just never show up again. You just keep building up my hopes, even though they never go anywhere. What on earth do you want from me?! Tell me!¡± Hannah stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the boy slumped in the wheelchair. Scenes of the incident a few years back shed in her mind. Ro was still in primary school at the time, and Beuford Haywood, his father, was making a fortune with the Haywood Racing Car Agency, coupled with Hannah¡¯s impable racing skills. But then Beuford got into gambling, and ultimately fell into a financial trap. He lost all of his family¡¯s assets within a matter of days, and even had to pawn his ownpany. With the loan sharks in hot pursuit, the man somehow thought that the best solution-his only escape-was to murder his wife and child, thenmit suicide. Beuford had gone so far as to render mother and child faint, but as he was about to hang himself, a crippling fear washed over him. He realized then that he didn¡¯t want to die, after all. Twenty minutes after he had first enacted his n, he called the emergency hotline. While his attempt at murder imed no lives, it unfortunately caused permanent damages to mother and child. Beuford¡¯s wife suffered a lifelong paralysis, while Ro had to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Beuford was apprehended by the police, though there really wasn¡¯t much justice to be served at that point. Once Hannah caught wind of the situation, she bought Haywood Racing Car Agency at a high price and arranged for medical experts to take care of Ro¡¯s rehabilitation. When Beuford was released from prison, however, he took all the money his family had left, then fled abroad. He had never set foot back home since. ¡°I know that it¡¯s useless to apologize now. ¡± Hannah¡¯s clear voice cut into the room. ¡°I honestly thought I¡¯ve taken care of every loose end back then. I never imagined that things would turn out this way. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ I didn¡¯t have the guts toe and see you after I left the Edwards family. I was worried that those people would find out about you and try to use you against me. ¡± Hannah mustered a smile, though there was an unmistakable sadness in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll leave a phone number with J. If you encounter any problems in the future, just give it a call. Anytime, anywhere. Someone wille and help you. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of anything!¡± The pale boy in the wheelchair glowered like an agitated cub. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of those people! Let theme at me if they want to!¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 305 Realizing that Ro was on the brink of having a manic episode, Hannah rushed over and crouched in front of him. ¡°Listen to me, Ro,¡± she pleaded, taking his hands and squeezing them between hers. ¡°I can¡¯t let anything bad happen to you. Mr. Campbell is already finalizing the results of the research he has been working on these past few years. There is still hope for your legs to get better. ¡± Ro was quiet for a moment. When he finally spoke, he stared into Hannah¡¯s eyes and asked, ¡°You¡¯re not lying to me, are you?¡± ¡°I was going to ask the scientists at Mr. Campbell¡¯s Institute to tell you themselves, but¡­¡± Hannah paused and inhaled sharply. ¡°Look, Ro. I already told J that you should move to the Intercontinental Vi District, at least for a short period. They have excellent security there. It would also help with your recovery. ¡± A look of stubbornness passed over the boy¡¯s eyes. ¡°No, I¡¯m not going!¡± Another moment of silence fell in the room, this timeden with tension. Ro spoke first. ¡°Those people you mentioned earlier, the one who might want to use me¡­ Were you talking about the Moore family? You were, weren¡¯t you? Why else would you havee here yourself?¡± Hannah stood up, her hands balled into fists. ¡°They are not the type to skimp on their resources. If they really decide toe to Valmere, I won¡¯t be able to hide from them for long. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Then, I¡¯ll go. ¡± Hannah jolted slightly. ¡°What did you say?¡± Ro shifted the violin in his arms. ¡°I¡¯ve decided to trust you again.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. I¡¯ll go and stay at that district you spoke of. But that doesn¡¯t mean that I forgive you!¡± The boy looked away, his brows furrowed in a sullen frown. ¡°I still don¡¯t want to see you. Not if I can help it, anyway!¡± Hannah just smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t bother you again, unless you ask for me. I¡¯ll go and tell J to pack up. Someone wille and take you there tonight. ¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Ro maneuvered his wheelchair to the desk and rummaged inside one of the drawers. After a while, he fished something out and pushed himself toward Hannah. Chapter 306 ¡°This is yours. I¡¯m returning it to you. ¡± It was a car key. Stunned, Hannah could do nothing more than stare at the fob in the middle of her palm. This was the key to the car she had used when she won a race for the first time. She raised her eyes to look at Ro, still unable to find the words to say. Feeling a little awkward himself, Ro averted his gaze. ¡°Your car has incredible performance, but the engine was too old, so I had it changed. I¡¯ve also fixed the dented parts. The model Ferrari 250GTO was already discontinued, and people said that your car can never be repaired. ¡± A sneer marred the boy¡¯s young face. ¡°It turns out they¡¯re just rubbish at their jobs. ¡± Hannah c@@ked her head to the side in surprise. ¡°Have you been studying cars all these years?¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± Ro scoffed. ¡°I had the employees fix your car, and I would watch them work. I learned stuff along the way. ¡± He huffed and impatiently waved Hannah to the door. ¡°Now hurry to your car and drive it away. ¡± Hannah closed her palm around the key fob and thanked him in a low voice before leaving the room. Left alone now, Ro pushed himself back to the desk. He picked up the flipped-over photo frame. Hannah was beaming in the picture. The coldness in his eyes gradually softened. At the garage below Hannah immediately spotted her old Ferrari, as if she was drawn to it. Sure enough, it looked well-maintained, almost brand new. In fact, it barely resembled its old style, and was more simr to the current trends of recent race car models. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She walked around to the passenger side. What used to be a crumpled heap of metal was now a brand-new car door, with the word ¡°Tequ¡± spray-painted in bright colors. The entire car was repainted in dazzling purple color, and most of the essories had been upgraded with top-grade materials. ¡°Ro takes good care of your car, Miss Moore. Hees down every day to check on it. ¡± J heaved a wistful sigh behind Hannah. ¡°You know how that boy is, Miss Moore. He is often too stubborn for his own good. He would never admit that he misses you. ¡± ¡°I know. ¡± Hannah ran her fingertips along the roof of the car. ¡°You¡¯ve been looking after Ro all this time, J. I have something to ask you to help me with. ¡± ¡°Certainly, you¡¯re most wee, Miss Moore. In Valmere, I stand alone. I¡¯ve embraced him as my own grandson. His affairs are intertwined with mine.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Chapter 307 ¡°Tonight, you must relocate to the Intercontinental Vi District. There will be someone to ensure your well-being. You must act as though you don¡¯t recognize me. If you require anything, simply dial the number I¡¯1L provide. He will reach out to me. ¡± J responded with a solemn nod, ¡°Do not fret, Miss Moore. I will follow your instructions!¡± Behind the wheel of the Ferrari, Hannah departed from the Haywood family¡¯s estate, drawing the gaze of numerous onlookers. This automobile was bound to turn heads wherever it went! Upon stowing the car in the subterranean garage, Hannah harbored no intention of driving the conspicuous vehicle for the foreseeable future. ¡®s BunnyBookery Moments after emerging from the underground sanctuary, Bryson reached out to her. ¡°I¡¯ve just returned home. ¡± Hannah answered the call and conveyed to Bryson, ¡°I apologize for the dy but I had some personal matters to attend to. ¡± On the other end of the line, Bryson offered a faint smile without prying into her whereabouts. ¡°This afternoon, thewyer disclosed that the Edwards Group bailed her out with $200, 00@ and their representative expressed a desire to settle the matter for $1 million. I tactfully declined. ¡± She was taken aback. Upon hearing Bryson¡¯s words, Hannah stammered, ¡°What?¡± ¡°I mentioned that discussing anything less than a 2-million offer was futile. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t contain her mirth and quipped, ¡°Since when did you acquire such a talent for humor?¡± ¡°This has always been my nature. ¡± Bryson, holding the phone, shared a chuckle and proposed, ¡°There¡¯s an uing g hosted by a jewelrypany called Mia Diamond. Let¡¯s attend together. ¡± ¡°Mia¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s grip on the phone tightened. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Bryson inquired, sensing an unusual tone in Hannah¡¯s voice. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing¡­ I simply haven¡¯te across the name Mia Diamond before,¡± Hannah replied. Bryson reassured her. ¡°That¡¯s quite normal.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Mia Diamond is a renowned luxury brand in Aldgate. The event is primarily to auction a very unique crystal ne called ¡®Love of Mona. ¡¯ Most prospective buyers are attending for that ne. ¡± Suddenly¡­ Hannah¡¯s handbag slipped from her grasp,nding on the floor and she struggled to maintain her bnce. Chapter 308 An abrupt dizziness had suddenly ovee her. She hurriedly clung to the wall for support, focusing on steady breathing. Hannah¡¯s body trembled with a chill, her eyes inmed with emotion. ¡°Love of Mona¡­¡± Bryson sensed something was seriously amiss with Hannah.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. His brow furrowed and he asked, ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re alright?¡± Hannah shielded her forehead with her hand and feignedposure. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. When does this jewelry eventmence? I¡¯d like to attend. ¡± ¡°In a week, I¡¯ll arrange an invitation for you. ¡± Hannah swiftly terminated the call, her bare feet silently carrying her to the French window in the bedroom. Her gaze was fixed on the night sky but her racing thoughts refused to find tranquility. The glow from Bryson¡¯s office persisted. Seated on a plush sofa within that chamber, Brayden maintained silence until his friend¡¯s conversation had concluded. ¡°And what did she say?¡± ¡°She¡¯s exceedingly keen on this exposition. ¡± Bryson, his countenance unperturbed, studied his mobile phone screen. Brayden snapped his fingers in recognition. ¡°I had a feeling she¡¯d take an interest in that jewelry exhibit. I witnessed her visiting the Haywood Racing Car Agency today and the staff there extended a cordial invitation. Her status isn¡¯t as straightforward as it seems. Furthermore, her close ties to Franklyn Vargas, the underworld¡¯s bigwig, continue to pique my suspicions. There¡¯s something about her¡­¡± Brayden lightly drummed his fingertips against the sofa and Lifted his gaze to Bryson. ¡°Should I discreetly approach Lydia for some inquiries? She might possess valuable insights. ¡± His analytical train of thought hit a sudden roadblock. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Bryson, do you think¡­ Could she be the individual the Moore Group has been searching for?¡± Yet Brayden shook his head. ¡°No, if she truly were the Moore Group¡¯s target, she¡¯d have been apprehended long ago. How could she have maintained her presence in Valmere unscathed?¡± With a decisive air, Bryson closed theptop before him. Then he stated, ¡°Let¡¯s cease this discussion. Pretend you haven¡¯t noticed her whereabouts. She isn¡¯t my adversary and there¡¯s no need for me to delve deeply into her identity. ¡± ¡°But regarding the Moore Group¡­¡± Brayden initially contemted saying more but quickly adjusted, cautioning, ¡°The Enchantment Casino proprietor in Muvrand suffered substantial losses due to your actions. I¡¯m uncertain if he¡¯ll pose problems for you while you¡¯re on the ship. ¡± Chapter 309 Bryson responded with indifference, ¡°The ship won¡¯t be navigated to Muvrand and theyck the audacity to take any action on board. ¡± ¡°Nheless, should they act under the ship, it could still inflict losses upon us. Even though the vessel won¡¯t venture into international waters, it¡¯ll no longer be within our sphere of influence. We ought to exercise vignce. ¡± ¡°I know. ¡± Hannah had a restless night, with sleep eluding her until dawn broke. Upon awakening, she found an array of missed calls from Lydia. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Hannah answered the phone, her voice thick with drowsiness. ¡°Hannah! Why are you answering sote? Is everything alright?¡± Startled by her friend¡¯s urgent tone, Hannah began to regain herposure. ¡°What happened? Is the world ending?¡± ¡°No, but the Haywood Racing Car Agency was engulfed in messt night and the vi was nearly reduced to ashes!¡± ¡°What? Really?!¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Hannah bolted upright. ¡°Hold on!¡± She hastily ended the call and dialed the number she had acquired from J the previous day. After a brief pause, the call was picked up. ¡°Hello. ¡± J¡¯s voice emanated from the other end of the line. With a sense of relief, Hannah inquired, ¡°J, there was a fire at the Haywood Racing Car Agency Last night! Are you and Ro unharmed?¡± J had yet to utter a word when Ro¡¯s icy voice emanated from the other end of the phone. ¡°Is it her calling? Allow me to take it. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Very well. ¡± Bringing the phone closer to his ear, Ro assured, ¡°We are currently in the Intercontinental Vi District. No need for concern. ¡± ¡°What transpired yesterday?! Was there any threat to your safety? Tell me!¡± Hannah¡¯s anxiety over this incident was palpable. Merely hours had passed since she¡¯d set foot on the racing car agency, and now ity in ashes. It was difficult for Hannah not to suspect that certain individuals were behind this devastation! Chapter 310 ¡°I have no answers. But it¡¯s good news that it went up in mes,¡± Ro remarked dispassionately. Hannah was taken aback. ¡°What are you saying?¡± ¡°At the very least, it signifies they are unaware of my whereabouts,¡± Ro stated coolly. ¡°With no leads from me, they won¡¯t be able to locate you either. ¡± A disquieting thought flickered through Hannah¡¯s mind. She was reluctant to ept it. ¡°Did you start the fire?¡± A hush descended on the other end of the Line. Ro replied, ¡°It seems that, in your eyes, I am an arsonist. ¡± ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean that¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s thoughts were in turmoil. Suddenly, Ro burst intoughter from his end of the phone. ¡°Though I must confess, the notion did cross my mind. ¡± ¡°Ro!¡± ¡°Even if I were to set my own home aze, such an act would still remain on the wrong side of thew. Do not worry. I have no intentions of engaging in any uwful deeds,¡± dered Ro reassuringly. Ro, speaking over the telephone, calmly articted, ¡°I am well aware of the boundaries of my actions and their legality. Upon concluding the call, Hannah ran her fingers through her cascading hair. That brat! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ What transformation he had undergone over the years! A future intervention to rectify this change was clearly in order, she thought to herself. Hannah, with an air of anticipation, unlocked herputer, ready to atstplete the long-pending paper she had been toiling on.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Subsequently, after a consultation with Zayn, she dispatched her paper to a seasoned senior professor at the institution. After sending her work, a notification blinked on her WhatsApp. Chapter 311 [Are you free today, Hannah?] The message was from Pierson. Without waiting for her response, another message swiftly followed. [Hannah, I am hosting a birthday celebration on the film set today. Would you consider gracing us with your presence?] Just as Hannah was on the brink of declining, she couldn¡¯t help but recall the infatuated expression her friend had worn recently. [Can I bring along a friend?] A swift response soon arrived. [Indeed, you¡¯re wee to bring as many friends as you wish. ] Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Pierson promptly furnished Hannah with the location. [Post 7 o¡¯clock, kindly alert me upon your arrival and I shall arrange for someone to greet you outside. ] [Thank you. ] Subsequent to her conversation with Pierson, Hannah reached out to Lydia. ¡°My dearest Hannah! You are indeed a true gem, always considering me when something wonderful unfolds!¡± ¡°Cease with the ttery. It just so happens you cane over tonight. I¡¯ll drive us. ¡± ¡°Drive?¡± Lydia, picking up on a clue in Hannah¡¯s words, inquired, ¡°When did you acquire a vehicle? Why didn¡¯t you allow me to apany you when you purchased it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a vintage race car that underwent extensive modifications ages ago. It had been incapacitated for quite some time but was recently restored. Would you like to take it for a spin?¡± ¡°Absolutely! I¡¯ll be over tonight!¡± As the sun began to set, Lydia made her way to Hannah¡¯s garage, her fingers delicately caressing the sleek curves of the vintage automobile. ¡°Is this truly a Ferrari 250 GTO? It doesn¡¯t appear a day older than me! Who possesses the skill to restore this car to such a remarkable state?¡± Lydia marveled. Hannah held a deep affection for the car, her gaze softening as her hand gently traversed the vehicle¡¯s body. ¡°Indeed, he managed to preserve it impably. ¡± ¡°I recall this Ferrari wasn¡¯t exactly a bargain back in the day, was it?¡± Lydia inquired, reaching out to touch the rearview mirror.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°It certainly wasn¡¯t cheap. I acquired it for 48 million,¡± replied Hannah. Chapter 312 Lydia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°48 million!¡± Hannah looked at her with a faint smile.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Miss Phillips, you are, after all, a true scion of the prestigious Phillips family from Valmere. Are you genuinely astounded by 48 million?¡± Lydia yfully pouted, leaning against the car door. ¡°I am. Since I started apanying you to the races, I¡¯ve never seen you drive such an expensive car. ¡± Both of them settled into the Luxurious interior of the vehicle. As Hannah securely fastened her seatbelt, she remarked, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to face a 48-million loss every time a car met its end; it would be a painful blow to my heart. Furthermore, in subsequent races, I found that cars of moderate value, when properly modified, yielded nearly identical performance, which had no bearing on my sess rate. ¡± Lydia fastened her seatbelt, her eyes yfully rolling skyward. ¡°Help! Who will Liberate me from this mboyant diva!¡± Hannah skillfully navigated the bustling streets of Valmere until they reached a locale reminiscent of a film city. Upon arrival, the clock disyed only six-thirty and daylight still embraced the surroundings. Along the avenue lined with movie props, numerous film crews remained engrossed in their shoots. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Lydia cast a curious nce about, remarking, ¡°I¡¯ve never had the chance to witness stars in action on set. ¡± ¡°With your family¡¯s standing, I¡¯m sure funding a film wouldn¡¯t pose any difficulties, right?¡± Hannahmented. ¡°Sweetheart, you don¡¯t quite grasp it. Sometimes, stars are best admired from a distance, not scrutinized up close,¡± Lydia imparted sagely. Lydia further educated Hannah with a smile. ¡°Getting too close to the stars might shatter the illusion, you know?¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, teasingly regarding Lydia. ¡°How about we head back today, then? We wouldn¡¯t want your infatuation with your handsome idol to burst Like a soap bubble. ¡± Lydia promptly objected, ¡°No, no!¡± With a coy sway, Lydia clung to Hannah¡¯s arm, dering, ¡°We¡¯re already here and, if we don¡¯t meet him, I might just suffocate!¡± ¡°Clear the path, clear the path!¡± echoed the fervent voices of the prop team as they hustled about. Hannah, leading Lydia, positioned themselves by the roadside. She messaged Pierson. Chapter 313 [We¡¯ve arrived, waiting on the long street. ] Hannah snapped a photograph and shared it with Pierson. After a brief interval, Pierson responded to Hannah. [Hannah, I¡¯m preparing for the next scene. You can wait outside the Prince¡¯s Mansion set; my manager wille to fetch you. ] [Got it. ] ¡°Let¡¯s proceed; his manager awaits our arrival up ahead. ¡± They arrived at the ornate facade of the meticulously crafted Prince¡¯s Mansion set. As Hannah and Lydia approached, a crisply attired, short-haired woman emerged from within. The woman appraised Hannah and Lydia, a hint of disdain flickering across her features as she emitted a light snort. ¡°Follow me,¡± she instructed. Leading the way into theplex, she spoke in a measured tone. ¡°Ordinarily, we don¡¯t entertain unannounced visits during filming but Pierson mentioned that you¡¯re friends. I suppose a brief visit should be eptable. However, I must insist that you not linger too long. If the paparazzi catch wind of your presence, they¡¯ll undoubtedly concoct false narratives. ¡± Lydia, trailing behind, rolled her eyes and whispered to Hannah, ¡°See, this is precisely why I prefer not to get involved. Sometimes it¡¯s not the stars themselves who are problematic but the entourage around them. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Hannah brushed off the manager¡¯s words and shed a serene smile at Lydia. ¡°Let it be. In the end, meeting your idol is the main focus here; her demeanor isn¡¯t of great consequence. ¡± With those words, the trio ventured further into the bustling filming area. As they neared the designated set, the director¡¯s voice echoed in an enraged tirade. ¡°cut, cut, cut! Where on earth did you dig up this actress? This scene is brief but this role is pivotal! If you can act, then act; if not, kindly get the hell out of here!¡± ¡°Director, Director, please, let¡¯s calm down!¡± the assistant director swiftly intervened. ¡°Everyone, take a breather. We¡¯ll revisit this scer!¡± Upon hearing the assistant director¡¯s directive, the actors took a respite. The chastised actress, clutching her script with a hint of vexation, headed toward the exit and collided abruptly with Hannah¡¯s shoulder. Before Hannah could utter a word, the actress pivoted and leveled a fierce re at her. Chapter 314 ¡°Are you blind?!¡± ¡°Your irrationality knows no bounds! It was unequivocally you who struck her!¡± Lydia, her voiceced with exasperation,shed out at the actress. ¡°Are you blind?!¡± Before the actress could muster a response, her dutiful assistant, hands nted firmly on her hips, interjected assertively, ¡°How dare you address Miss Diaz in such a manner! Are you oblivious to her immense online acim?¡± Nonchntly, Lydia retorted, ¡°I remain blissfully ignorant of such matters. There¡¯s no need for grandstanding in my presence. ¡± Hannah, fixing a quizzical gaze upon the approaching assistant, inquired, ¡°If she¡¯s that great, why did she not vent her anger on the director himself but instead on a passerby?¡± Elia Diaz, her stare an amalgamation of humiliation and irritation, shot back, ¡°What are you insinuating? It¡¯s amentable reality that virtually anyone can infiltrate the film set nowadays!¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Affirming Elia¡¯s assertion, Hannah looked her up and down before continuing, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s a sad truth that virtually anyone can infiltrate the film set. ¡± Just as Elia teetered on the brink of losing her temper, a harried member of the film crew emerged from the set, delivering the disconcerting news. ¡°Miss Diaz, we require a reshoot of that scene. The director deems it unsatisfactory. ¡± Brushing aside the request with an air of haughtiness, Elia raised her head disdainfully and addressed the employee. ¡°I¡¯m busy. I cannot act any further today. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With an air of unapologetic arrogance, she fixed a contemptuous gaze upon the employee and continued, ¡°In fact, I won¡¯t be avable tomorrow either. There are only a limited number of scenes to shoot and I¡¯m baffled as to why Director Fowler deems my performance subpar. ¡± Fidgeting nervously, the employee implored, ¡°The director has emphasized the pivotal nature of this scene, as it directly influences the narrative¡¯s trajectory. Miss Diaz, we implore you to reconsider. ¡± Unperturbed by the plea, Elia remained resolute, her tone frosty as she dered, ¡°The director¡¯s exacting standards are beyond my reach. I attempted to negotiate for more scenes but my entreaties fell on deaf ears. I shall resort to involving Mr. Nn to remove investment. ¡± ¡°Miss Diaz, Miss Diaz¡­¡± ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re here. Why don¡¯t you step inside?¡± Pierson, adorned in an unadorned white ensemble befitting a regal crown prince, emerged. His bearing exuded the quintessence of a true gentleman. Casting a look towards Elia, who stood on the periphery, he cordially invited Hannah.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°Shall we proceed indoors?¡± Elia, swift to seize the opportunity, inched closer to Pierson and implored, ¡°Pierson, let¡¯s rehearse the forting scene for a while. ¡± Pierson turned to Elia, his countenance etched with perplexity. Chapter 315 ¡°I overheard your intention to depart earlier due to pressing matters. Are you now at Liberty?¡± Elia, her smile carrying a hint of awkwardness, replied, ¡°Well, I¡¯m free now. ¡± Unperturbed by Elia¡¯s response, Pierson pivoted and led Hannah and Lydia into the premises. ¡°These delectable pastries have been meticulously prepared, exclusively for your enjoyment. ¡± Pierson¡¯s countenance radiated warmth as he gestured. ¡°Feel free to take a seat here. Once our performance concludes, you¡¯re cordially invited to join us for a midnight repast tonight. ¡± As she observed Pierson¡¯s acting prowess from close quarters, Lydia couldn¡¯t suppress an admiring sigh. ¡°Pierson is truly a master of his craft. What¡¯s even more remarkable is his authenticity offstage. My idtry remains well-ced. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Seated nearby, engrossed in savoring the confections, Hannah remained oblivious to the ongoings on the film set. ¡°That Elia, she¡¯s utterly inept in her portrayal! Not a single tear, even after multiple retakes. ¡± Upon hearing herpanion¡¯s critique, Hannah raised her head, but before she could say anything, the director¡¯s temper red once again. ¡°Goodness! If this performance persists, we might as well forgo this coboration. Are you taking your role and the filming seriously?¡± Director Fowler, in an explosive outburst, hurled his headphones to the ground, rose from his seat and leveled a vehement usatory tirade in Elia¡¯s direction. Elia, unustomed to such a severe reprimand, chose to depart abruptly, dering, ¡°Just you wait and see! Do you believe being a director is all grandeur? Without the producer¡¯s investment, what would you have to shoot?¡± With Elia¡¯s exit, the director sank back into his chair, seething with frustration as he flung his notebook to the ground.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. The assistant director offered a conciliatory perspective. ¡°Sir, if Mr. Nn decides to withdraw funding, we may find it challenging to proceed¡­ Her role, after all, is rather peripheral. We can navigate through this without causing an irreparable fuss, allowing us to continue with the production. ¡± The director, silent and resolute, lit a cigarette, refusing to yield. ¡°The director is quite the character,¡± remarked Hannah. Lydia, well-versed in the intricacies of the entertainment industry, shared her insight. ¡°Pierre Fowler is known for his penchant for high quality filmmaking but¡­ he can be excessively obstinate. At times, a project simply calls for influencers with substantial online followings, a somewhat inescapable predicament. ¡± ¡°Hey, where are you off to, Hannah?¡± inquired Lydia as she picked up a piece of cake, trailing Hannah¡¯s path toward the director¡¯s location. ¡°Greetings, Mr. Pierre Fowler,¡± Hannah greeted with a polite and respectful tone. Chapter 316 Director Fowler indulged in a contemtive drag of his cigarette. As he lifted his head to behold Hannah, his eyes ignited with curiosity and anticipation. ¡°Let her have a try in the film. ¡± ¡°How much investment do you need to make this movie?¡± They spoke in unison, their harmonized voices creating a momentary bewilderment. Director Fowler subjected Hannah to a scrutinizing gaze, his formerly rxed countenance giving way to an icy demeanor. A sardonic smile curved his lips as he inquired, ¡°And what character do you aspire to portray in my cinematic creation, following your investment?¡± Regretfully, Hannah responded with a reassuring smile, ¡°My apologies, Director Fowler, for any misinterpretation. I¡¯m neither a seasoned actor nor inclined to pursue an acting career. I merely wished to inquire if you were in need of investment. ¡± Director Fowler, now somewhat perplexed, cast a spective nce upon the young woman standing before him, pondering from which affluent family she might hail, harboring a keen interest in film production. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Director Fowler, she¡¯s a dear friend of mine and I extended the invitation for my uing birthday celebration,¡± Pierson rified. Leaning closer to the camera, Pierson yfully mused, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s fate at work!¡± Director Fowler cleared his throat, rose from his seat, andmenced a circumspect perambtion around Hannah. ¡°Let¡¯s temporarily set the topic of investment aside. I require your friend¡¯s assistance,¡± he proposed. ¡°Perhaps she can undertake the role of Martina Reed. Her appearance and demeanor align admirably with the character as described in the script. ¡± Pierson, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, directed his gaze towards Hannah and inquired, ¡°Hannah, would you be interested in trying your hand at acting?¡± Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Hannah gently but firmly shook her head and declined. ¡°Ick the know-how for acting and Director Fowler¡¯s standards are impably high. I harbor doubts about my ability to execute the role proficiently. ¡± Undeterred, Director Fowler persisted with unwavering determination, ¡°You can learn. ¡± Undoubtedly resolved, he added, ¡°Given the current absence of an actress for the role, arrange for a makeup artist to transform her appearance. ¡± The assistant director swiftly interjected, seeking to dissuade Pierre. ¡°Pierre, we ought to make an earnest attempt to coax Miss Diaz back. Should we rece her with another artist, Mr. Nn will unquestionably withdraw his investment.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± Director Fowler¡¯s eyes widened in a show of unyielding resolve. ¡°And what of it! Today, I shall vindicate my stance! Even if we enlist an unseasoned actress, she may still surpass Elia Diaz¡¯s performance. ¡± Hannah, an unwitting participant in this unfolding drama, stood by in mute disbelief. Fate had thrust upon her the role of a substitute. Pierson, with empathy etched across his countenance, implored Hannah, ¡°Hannah, for the sake of our director¡¯s predicament, could you consider giving it a try?¡± Lydia, her gazeden with anticipation, joined the chorus of persuasion, urging, ¡°Hannah, have a try! The role in the film is rather modest. Just think of it as a delightful diversion. ¡± Chapter 317 Besieged by their collective entreaties, Hannah relented, conceding, ¡°I suppose I can attempt it. ¡± Observing Hannah¡¯s consenting nod, Director Fowler hastily summoned the makeup and costume crews, instructing them to escort her backstage for the preparatory rituals. Emerging from the cosmetics sanctuary, Hannah, cloaked in a nocturnal ensemble, unting a vivacious ponytail coiled at the nape of her neck, sauntered into view. Pierson, as his gaze fell upon Hannah, momentarily halted before grinning swiftly. ¡°Now Iprehend why Director Fowler was insistent about you taking on Martina¡¯s role; itplements your appearance splendidly. ¡± ¡°Oh, simply divine!¡± Lydia pirouetted Hannah and remarked, ¡°With your countenance and allure, the entertainment realm would readily embrace you. ¡± Dismissing the notion with a gentle pinch to her friend¡¯s cheek, Hannah countered, ¡°Nonsense! The entertainment world brims with stunning women. Amidst their radiance, I¡¯d merely be an amateur silhouette. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Pierson, offering his assistance from the sidelines, persisted, ¡°Not at all, should you decide to tread the path of showbiz, consider me your guide. ¡± Hannah, declining graciously, stated, ¡°I¡¯d prefer to ponder opening my entertainment enterprise and assume the mantle of the captain. ¡± ¡°Brilliant idea!¡± Pierson beamed at Hannah, affirming, ¡°When that day dawns, you must summon me; I¡¯ll dly pen an agreement with your establishment. ¡± While they conversed, an eager crew member dashed forth. ¡°Mr. Miller, Miss Moore, the director beckons you to inspect the positions; we are on the cusp ofmencing shooting!¡± ¡°Understood, we shall be there shortly. ¡± Director Fowler, captivated by Hannah¡¯s appearance, couldn¡¯t refrain from nodding incessantly, musing, ¡°This is precisely the desired effect-a unique, frosty killer allure! The role you¡¯re about to undertake may be sinct, with minimal lines but this scene holds profound significance. ¡± Director Fowler proceeded to immerse Hannah in the intricacies of the impending scene. ¡°The character Martina embodies a rather forlorn and expendable archetype. From the earliest days of her youth, she bore the heavy burden of orphanhood, nurtured to be a vignt sentinel at the side of the crown prince. This role she dutifully assumed for more than a decade, only toter be an undercover operative beside a rival prince who opposed the very crown prince she had safeguarded.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Her ultimate mission now looms before her, a mission as perilous as it is poignant: to extinguish the life of the crown prince. Tonight, Martina has arrived fully prepared to embrace her own demise, all to ensure the sess of the crown prince¡¯s ndestine stratagems. Even though this may be Martina¡¯s inaugural and concluding appearance, I beseech you to infuse it with a profound sense of destiny, for, after all, she has remained by the crown prince¡¯s side since her infancy, serving as his most loyal shadow. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze descended to the script and it became apparent that her lines were scarce, primarily entailing physical interactions that culminated in the poignant scene of Martina¡¯s demise. With a gesture towards the courtyard wall as delineated in the script, Director Fowler instructed, ¡°Here, you shall be positioned, suspended by wires, perched upon that wall. The very moment he detects your presence, you must spring into action, brandish the dagger and surge toward the crown prince¡¯s direction. ¡± Affirming herprehension, Hannah nodded and said, ¡°Got it. ¡± ¡°Excellent, then let the rehearsalmence. ¡± Regrettably, the rehearsal encountered numerous stumbling blocks. Hannah, a novice in the realm of acting, grappled with the intricacies of wire work, necessitating several interruptions on Director Fowler¡¯s part. Chapter 318 In the background, the assistant director and select crew members engaged in whispered conversations, their impatience palpable. ¡°I must say, I¡¯m befuddled by our director¡¯s choice to forsake seasoned stars in favor of an unseasoned actress. ¡± ¡°Our director¡¯s obsession with perfection is irksome. This actress can¡¯t even master the basics of wire work. She pales inparison to Elia, who, despite her acting shorings, at least exhibits a modicum of professionalism. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re right; we¡¯ve had to stop the scene four or five times already, primarily due to her struggles with the wire work sequences. ¡± A discreet nudge stirred the assistant director¡¯s contemtion. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s worth discussing with the director. After all, if our well-funded star, Elia, departs, this entire film may teeter on the brink of copse. ¡± The assistant director nonchntly flicked his cigarette butt to the ground before closing the distance to Pierre.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡°Pierre, it appears she¡¯s struggling to meet our expectations. Should we consider bringing Elia back into the fold?¡± Pierre Fowler hesitated, his gaze fixed on the imposing wall. ¡°Let¡¯s give it one more try, my apologies for any inconvenience. ¡± After another unsessful attempt, Hannah extended her apologies to the surrounding crew. Resilience was her essence; she embodied unwavering determination to conquer any endeavor she set her sights upon. This time around, Hannah limated herself to the nuances of the wire¡¯s force. Swiftly ascending with grace, her nimble feet alighted on the courtyard wall, and propelled by the wire¡¯s assistance, she glided toward Pierson¡¯s position! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Following the rehearsal, Hannahnded securely, eliciting astonishment from Pierson, who marveled at her rapid mastery of the wire¡¯s dynamics. ¡°Incredible, you¡¯ve harnessed the intricacies of the wires in just a few attempts. When I started, I endured the director¡¯s reprimands numerous times before finding my footing. ¡± In the midst of Pierson¡¯splimentary words, Hannah was on the cusp of responding when Director Fowler¡¯s voice intervened from a distance. ¡°Just like that, identical to your previous attempt! Let¡¯smence our official shooting, as a trial!¡± With an imperious gesture, Director Fowler smacked his thigh upon witnessing Hannah¡¯s elegant leap toward Pierson. Unperturbed by the whispered counsel of his assistant director, he promptly instructed the crew to set the stage for the actors to perform. The set sprang to life in an instant. Hannah retraced her steps to the base of the wall, where a meticulous makeup artist applied a fleeting touch-up. As she poised herself on the wall¡¯s precipice, the resonant click of the pperboard ushered in the moment and Hannah seamlessly immersed herself in the character. Beneath the eaves, Pierson, embodying the character of Brian Gallegos, donned immacte white robes. His distant gaze remained unwavering, affixed upon the wall. In that poignant moment, Hannah metamorphosed into the ndestine guardian, Martina, clutching a dagger. Her eyes emitted an icy and resolute glint, all directed at Brian. With a deliberate, graceful ascent, she rose, her sleeves billowing in the unrelenting wind, her silhouette merging with the dim evening Light. Chapter 319 In the very next heartbeat, she surged forward, propelled by a lethal intent, closing the gap between herself and Brian. Just as the dagger¡¯s deadly arc threatened to slice across Brian¡¯s neck, Martina¡¯s hand manipted a subtle twist, redirecting the de toward her own chest. A swift, silencing swish! The dagger pierced her nocturnal attire, releasing an instant crimson torrent. Martina descended from the skies, caught mid-fall by Pierson¡¯s embracing arms.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Her head rested upon Brian¡¯s chest, her feeble hands clutching his garments. ¡°Your Highness. . I have discharged my duty faithfully, delivering¡­ all the gathered intelligence. ¡± She lifted her gaze, mustering a valiant effort to peer into the eyes before her, teardrops cascading from the corners. ¡°Your Highness¡­ I bear no regrets¡­ None at all¡­¡± Before she could conclude, Martina¡¯¡¯s arm helplessly fell, her eyes gently closed, and she passed away, ensconced in Brian¡¯s embrace. Director Fowler was poised to signal ¡®cut, but the scene ying¡¯ out on the monitor transcended the scripted narrative. Brian¡¯s trembling hands, sping Martina, bore witness to a profound transformation. His pristine white robes bore the telltale stains of her sacrifice, and his previously stoic countenance gave way to a maelstrom of genuine emotion. ¡°I deeply regret¡­ truly, I regret, Martina!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The prince, a paragon of poise and stoicism, now within the confines of his mansion, cradled the lifeless form of the woman in his arms, sumbing to the weight of suppressed sobs. A hushed reverence fell upon the entire set and those with a penchant for emotional sensitivity found themselves discreetly dabbing at their tears. The collision of these two performers ignited an unexpected and profound emotional resonance, leaving everyone spellbound. Director Fowler, perched in the director¡¯s chair, experienced a momentary stupefaction before he removed his sses, his eyes reddened from the intensity of the scene. With a husky voice, hemanded, ¡°Cut!¡± ¡°Bryson, who could have anticipated that during your infrequent set visit, you¡¯d be graced by the breathtaking artistry of Miss Moore¡¯s performance. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze attentively traced Hannah¡¯s graceful movements, a smile of pure spontaneity illuminating his countenance. Melina, upon observing Bryson¡¯s visage, discreetly clenched her teeth, determinedly quelling the impulse to utter another word. The stage unexpectedly ignited with fervent apuse, an eruption of unrestrained admiration! ¡°That was absolutely phenomenal! Has she never received formal acting training?¡± ¡°Incredible! How can she perform with such finesse? Standing toe-to- toe with Mr. Miller in their shared scenes without missing a beat! Chapter 320 She wlessly carried her role and it¡¯s almost as if she exceeded all expectations!¡± ¡°Allow me to whisper this secret: her performance outshone Elia Diaz¡¯s!¡± ¡°They don¡¯t even belong in the same league. What was Elia Diaz even attempting¡­ Near lifeless, yet continuing to feign affection before Mr. Miller, I¡¯m left utterly speechless!¡± Upon hearing the director¡¯s call for a cut, Hannah promptly rose and gracefully acknowledged the crew, stating, ¡°I apologize for the inconvenience, everyone. ¡± Pierson seemed transfixed by the scene, his gaze Lingering on Hannah¡¯s radiant profile. ¡°Why are you hesitating? The director is beckoning us. ¡± It was only when Hannah addressed him that Pierson snapped back to reality, hastening to follow her. ¡°You imed to have no prior acting experience but it¡¯s truly hard to believe!¡± Director Fowler regarded Hannah with a pleasantly surprised expression, inquiring, ¡°You¡¯ve genuinely never received formal acting training?¡± Hannah shook her head with an infectious smile, replying, ¡°I genuinely haven¡¯t. My educational background is in clinical medicine. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s an undiscovered jewel!¡± Director Fowler was suddenly imbued with a fervor to introduce Hannah to the industry, eximing, ¡°I believe you possess a natural aptitude for acting. Fortuitously, I have a well-connected investor in mind; I¡¯ll make the introduction. ¡± ¡°No¡­ There¡¯s no need, Director Fowler. I¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah stood on the precipice of articting her disinterest in venturing into the entertainment realm when an unmistakable voice punctuated her thoughts. ¡°Hannah.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡± Turning to the source, Hannah met Bryson¡¯s gaze with a modicum of astonishment. ¡°Mr. Mitchell? What brings you here?¡± Director Fowler, momentarily confounded, surveyed the two of them. ¡°You¡¯re acquainted?¡± Bryson nonchntly affirmed, ¡°She¡¯s a friend of mine. ¡± ¡°What an unforeseen coincidence!¡± Director Fowler, with an amiable grin, redirected his attention to Hannah. ¡°This is the investor I alluded to, with whom I¡¯ve had the privilege of coborating. Mr. Mitchell, your friend here is nothing short of extraordinary. She¡¯s done me an immense service! Without any formal acting training, her performance was nothing short of remarkable-a true serendipity!¡± Bryson, regarding Hannah with an affectionate smile, concurred, ¡°She excels in every aspect. ¡± Chapter 321 Caught off guard by Bryson¡¯s unexpected praise, Hannah¡¯s countenance momentarily stilled, a subtle blush gracing her cheeks. ¡°Indeed, Miss Moore¡¯s acting skills are undeniably impressive,¡± Melina remarked with a congenial smile. ¡°But has Miss Moore encountered financial straits ofte? Ordinarily a teacher, yet moonlighting as an extra when not in the ssroom?¡± Hannah offered Melina a fleeting nce. ¡°I¡¯m here to meet a friend of mine today, just assisting the director temporarily. ¡± ¡°In that case, Director Fowler, you ought to bestow a bonus upon Miss Moore today, especially considering her association with Bryson and me. ¡± Hannah interjected, her tone swift, ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. ¡± She continued, ¡°It was just a few lines, a modest contribution. Given that the director has secured an investor, I¡¯ll take my leave now; my friend is still waiting for me. ¡± ¡°Very well, then. ¡± Director Fowler addressed Bryson. ¡°Once we conclude this, let¡¯s delve deeper into the investment. I must attend to the final scene first. Mr. Mitchell, please peruse our script in the interim. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Once the director had departed, Melina, with a measure of jest, quipped to Bryson, ¡°Could it be that Miss Moore is facing financial constraints and covertly working as an extra, too embarrassed to confide in us?¡± ¡°Beware, Melina, don¡¯t think the implication of your words goes unseen. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson¡¯s inky eyes bore into Melina, his tone cold as ice. ¡°Guard your tongue. If you speak recklessly again, I¡¯ll have to reassess the ties between the Mitchell and Glyn families. Consider yourself forewarned. ¡± Melina¡¯s countenance felt the sting of a p, her cheeks ame with humiliation. She regarded Bryson with disbelief. ¡°Bryson, would you really let such a trivial matter jeopardize the rtionship between our families? My grandfather, he¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s solely thanks to Mr. Glyn that you stand here now. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze remained unfeeling. ¡°I¡¯d rather not repeat what was already emphasized. ¡± A shiver ran down Melina¡¯s spine as Bryson¡¯s unyielding stare bore into her. She nodded, her expression wounded.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I understand. ¡± Chapter 322 Observing Bryson¡¯s departure as he made his way toward Hannah, Melina couldn¡¯t help but clench her fists. What was so special about that destitute woman? Why did Bryson speak to her in such a manner all because of that wench?! Melina¡¯s envious gaze settled on Hannah in the distance, who wore a radiant smile. ¡°Enjoy your time, for it shall be short-lived¡±, Melina mumbled to herself. ¡°Hannah, please join us for somete-night refreshments. ¡± Pierson, already donned in casual attire, continued, ¡°Then we can all unwind at the KTV. ¡± Lydia nodded animatedly, reminiscent of a pecking chick. ¡°Yes, yes, let¡¯s have some fun!¡± ¡°ALL you ever think about is having a good time. ¡± Hannah affectionately pinched her friend¡¯s cheek. ¡°You guys go ahead,¡± ¡°The hour is growingte; I¡¯ll see you safely home. ¡± Bryson positioned himself just behind Hannah, his gaze initially cool as it swept over Pierson but soon softened as it settled upon Hannah. ¡°Shall we?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Casting her eyes beyond Bryson, Hannah discerned Melina standing some distance behind him. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, don¡¯t you need to provide Miss Glyn with a ride home? I drove here; I can manage my own return. ¡± ¡°That suits me. ¡± Bryson directed his attention back to Hannah.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°I didn¡¯t drive here. How about Miss Moore gives me a lift instead?¡± Was he being serious? Bryson¡¯s yful words nearly evokedughter from Hannah. He, without a car? Pierson, not known for his finesse, interjected, ¡°If you¡¯re without a vehicle, you¡¯re wee to use mine parked just outside the set. ¡± Chapter 323 Bryson shot Pierson a brief, icy nce. ¡°Let¡¯s not tarry any longer, shall we? Weren¡¯t we bound for ate- night repast? My stomach is already voicing itsints!¡± Lydia, perceptive as ever, guided Pierson out. ¡°It seems Hannah won¡¯t be avable tonight. Let¡¯s proceed, just the two of us!¡± Being led away by Lydia, the reluctant Pierson left the set. Hannah, still d in her theatrical attire, tilted her chin ever so slightly while regarding Bryson. ¡°Do you mind waiting for me while I change out of these garments?¡± ¡°I shall patiently await your return. ¡± Emerging after a swift costume change, Hannah discovered that the majority of the cast and crew had already departed the set, leaving only Bryson, who stood waiting beneath the sheltering boughs of a tree. ¡°Where is Miss Glyn?¡± ¡°She departed early, owing to some pressing matters. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice bore a casual, indifferent tone. ¡°May I have the car keys? I¡¯ll take the wheel. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Upon spotting Hannah¡¯s sleek Ferrari parked nearby, Bryson¡¯s response was anything but astonished. He inquired, ¡°Is this your car? It¡¯s quite exquisite. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s an oldpanion of mine; fortunately, it has undergone meticulous restoration. ¡± Both of them entered the vehicle and Bryson initiated the engine. ¡°Lately, ourpanies have been engaged in a joint project, marking a coboration between the Mitchell and Glyn families. Hence, our presence here. ¡± Hannah cast an inquisitive nce Bryson¡¯s way. ¡°Is the Mitchell family also intertwined with the entertainment industry?¡± ¡°My family dabbles in a multitude of industries, though seldom do we venture into the realm of entertainment. I had a connection with that director and agreed to lend him assistance,¡± he mentioned. Hannah offered an acknowledging nod and remarked, ¡°I see¡± ¡°And please, pay no heed to Melina¡¯s utterances today. ¡± The mention of Melina caught Hannah by surprise, as Bryson voluntarily broached the topic.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. She responded with a warm smile, saying, ¡°She¡¯s your friend; I won¡¯t be swayed by her words. ¡± ¡°You need not be overly courteous to her for my sake. ¡± Chapter 324 Bryson elerated, propelling the car down the road. ¡°Our families share nothing more than a business partnership. My interactions with her are strictly professional,¡± he elucidated. At this exnation, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but turn and fix her gaze upon him. The car came to a halt at a red traffic light. Bryson gripped the steering wheel, swiveling his head to meet her gaze. However, Hannah¡¯s reaction resembled that of a scolded child and she quickly averted her eyes, allowing them to wander aimlessly outside. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, there¡¯s no need to borate on these matters,¡± she expressed. As she gazed at the foliage outside the window, Bryson¡¯s voice resonated softly. ¡°No, I must. ¡± She turned back just as the carmenced moving again. In the moonlight, Bryson appeared remarkably gentle. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to mistakenly regard her as my fiancee, as some others might. ¡± Hannah pursed her lips, rendered momentarily speechless. Every encounter with Bryson seemed to elicit in her an incremental measure of caution and hesitation. As the car eventually came to a halt, she unclipped her seatbelt and voiced her thoughts out of the blue. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I never once thought that Miss Glyn was your fiancee. ¡± Exiting the vehicle alongside Bryson, Hannah relieved him of the car key and inquired, ¡°How do you n to return, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°My chauffeur will be here shortly. You should head upstairs first. ¡± Upon arriving home and having freshend up, Hannah reclined on her plush bed, retrieving her phone to peruse her WhatsApp messages. Just ten minutes prior, Bryson had sent her two messages. [Safely back home. Make sure to get a good night¡¯s rest. ]N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. [I witnessed your performance today. Your talent is undeniable. ] Hannah clutched her phone, rolling around on her bed, her heart galloping beyond control as sheboriously typed out a reply. [Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. Good night!] Chapter 325 With the message dispatched, she rested her phone on the bed and hastily pulled the quilt over her face, her cheeks aze. The following morning, Hannah was scheduled for sses and arrived at school early. After her morning lecture, upon returning to her office, Zayn informed her that the dean had requested her presence in his office. Hannah gently set her book aside, ascended to the third floor and rapped lightly on the door to the dean¡¯s office. ¡°Enter. ¡± Hannah, with a gentle push, ushered the door open and inquired, ¡°Mr. Dup, how may I be of service to you today?¡± The dean appeared to be a man hovering around the age of forty, sporting a smattering of hair atop his head. As heid eyes on Hannah, he adjusted his sses, assuming a somewhat solemn demeanor. ¡°Miss Moore, I am aware that you were rmended to join our teaching staff. I have diligently perused your credentials and it hase to my attention that you have yet to obtain your official graduation certificate. Now, I gather you wish to present your thesis and secure said certificate, correct?¡± Hannah nodded, her voice poised. ¡°Yes, I delivered my thesis to Professor Baker just yesterday.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. I was hoping to¡­¡± Before she couldplete her sentence, the dean interjected, his tone grave, ¡°Iprehend your eagerness but we must address a grave concern. giarism is a serious matter. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah stood in disbelief. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°giarism? What are you talking about The dean waved his hand, suspecting Hannah of feigning ignorance. ¡°I realize your urgency in attaining your graduation certificate but giarism remains a grave offense. Regardless of who rmended you, I cannot simply overlook this matter. ¡± Hannah found it rather amusing. ¡°Iposed my thesis entirely on my own. I meticulously reviewed it before submitting it to Professor Baker and there were no issues. Yet now you are using me of giarism? Mr. Dup, if you assert that I¡¯ve giarized, you should present evidence to convince me, shouldn¡¯t you?¡± As the dean observed Hannah¡¯s demeanor, his countenance grew even colder. ¡°Miss Moore, whether or not you engaged in giarism is not the core issue here. You have the option to acknowledge any error and make necessary amendments to your thesis. However, your attitude does not seem to reflect remorse. ¡± He then located a document on hisputer and presented the screen to Hannah. ¡°Professor Baker has conveyed that your thesis bears an uncanny resemnce to that submitted by a senior student named Minnie Glyn, boasting a remarkable 100% simrity score. ¡± After scrutinizing Minnie¡¯s purported thesis, Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed. Undeniably, it mirrored the very work she had submitted. Not a solitary word was distinct. ¡°This is my thesis. ¡± Chapter 326 Hannah gently pushed theputer away. ¡°There exists a date marking the creation of the document on myputer. I can fetch it to confront this student in person. ¡± Evidently, the dean harbored doubts about her assertion. ¡°Miss Moore, let us not prolong this debate. My intention in summoning you today was not to cause trouble for you. I am aware of the individual who rmended you from the Mitchell family and that your mentor is Mr. Campbell. In truth, this matter is not of significant consequence. I am merely advising you to exercise caution. ¡± Though it seemed as if he were advocating on Hannah¡¯s behalf, his words, in reality, aimed to verify her potential giarism. Hannah¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°In addition to the insights I offered in my thesis, I referenced a plethora of academic literature. Mr. Dup, kindly summon Professor Baker and this student to engage in a transparent discussion with me. I wish to avoid being unjustly used of giarism. ¡± As the dean observed Hannah¡¯s unwavering resolve, suspicion simmered within him. He proceeded to dial Professor Baker¡¯s office number, instructing Professor Baker to escort Minnie to his office. Inside the dean¡¯s office, the showdownmenced. Professor Baker, with a subtle adjustment of his sses, cast a sidelong nce at Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore did indeed replicate Minnie¡¯s thesis. Minnie is under my tutge and presented her thesis to me before anyone else. There¡¯s no room for doubt in this regard. ¡± With an air of condescension, Minnie directed her gaze downward, idly manipting her mobile phone. ¡°Miss Moore, you hold the role of an educator, yet you¡¯ve giarized a student¡¯s work. If I were to report this transgression, our institution would undoubtedly terminate your employment, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°You assert authorship of this thesis, so may I inquire as to the sources of your reference materials and the methodology employed to derive the conclusions from the specific experiments?¡± Minnie ceased her phone-induced distraction and regarded Hannah impatiently. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Why do you vex yourself so? Why should I disclose the origins of the references utilized in my thesis to you?¡± Hannah responded with a scornful demeanor, her gaze fixed upon Minnie, ¡°Your inability to provide an exnation implies that you¡¯ve never delved into those references or possess any understanding of the experiments delineated in the thesis. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t push the boundaries!¡± In a fit of rage, Minnie rose from her seat, her usatory finger pointed squarely at Hannah. ¡°How can you purport this thesis as your own? Professor Baker can easily vouch for me. Do you have any evidence to corroborate your im?¡± Professor Baker adjusted his sses calmly and offered his input. ¡°Miss Moore, when ites to thesis submissions, the crux of the matter Lies in the sequence of presentation.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. The issue of your thesis bearing resemnce to another¡¯s work shall remain confined to this forum. You needn¡¯t concern yourself with the prospect of it bing public knowledge. ¡± It was the first Hannah¡¯d heard of the fact that, in order to present a thesis, one had to queue up. Hannah, herughterced with anger, retorted, ¡°Someone here seems to have spent an eternity in school. How audacious of him to assume the airs of a seasoned expert,pletely indifferent to his reputation!¡± Chapter 327 Professor Baker had not anticipated such a biting response from Hannah, and his countenance instantly darkened as he responded, ¡°Miss Moore! You are, after all, an educator. How could you utter such acerbic words?¡± Hannah countered, ¡°Have I really spoken so harshly when you¡¯vemitted such an audacious act?¡± The dean intervened, seeking to mediate the dispute, ¡°Come now, all of you are colleagues within the same institution. There¡¯s no need for discord. Miss Moore, Professor Baker is a professor distinguished in our institution. He wouldn¡¯t use unjustly you With a cold, disdainful look, Hannah interjected, ¡°So, is he using me with justification? I¡¯m bewildered as to why I¡¯ve provoked Professor Baker into such action. ¡± Professor Baker, who hadn¡¯t been this infuriated in years, retorted, ¡°Miss Moore, why don¡¯t you admit that your act of giarism has been exposed? Are you fuming from the shame, perhaps? Humph!¡± Hannah responded in a nonchnt tone, ¡°I believe it¡¯s you who¡¯s on the brink of losing yourposure due to my words, Professor Baker. ¡± She was not going to be ensnared in their verbal trap.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°It¡¯s rather simple to establish the authorship of the thesis. I don¡¯t even need to present evidence,¡± Hannah asserted calmly. ¡°Professor Baker, I suspect you¡¯ve perused my thesis before but you¡¯ve yet to delve into itstter portions, am I right?¡± she inquired. Professor Baker¡¯s heart skipped a beat, yet he managed to maintain hisposure. ¡°How do you know that I haven¡¯t read it? Cease these baseless ims! ¡°Very well. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve perused it in its entirety, you must be aware that I¡¯ve penned aprehensive discussion on the clinical trials? This experiment was a joint effort between me and Mr. Campbell. I recall¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah paused, casting a knowing smile at Minnie. ¡°This student wasn¡¯t present. How did shee to know of an experiment conducted solely by the two of us?¡± A hushed stillness descended upon the office. Minnie¡¯s countenance darkened and she turned to Professor Baker, her wordsced with bitterness. ¡°I¡¯ve provided you with substantial funds! Is it too much to ask for you to craft a thesis for me? How could you haphazardly furnish me with someone else¡¯s work, thrusting me into this ufortable predicament?¡± ¡°Minnie!¡± Professor Baker interjected, attempting to stop her. Yet at this moment, Minnie¡¯s haughty and domineering nature emerged. ¡°The Glyn family has poured a considerable amount of money into your hands. Is this the standard of service you deliver to us? Tell me!¡± The dean, realizing his misunderstanding of Hannah, felt a tinge of embarrassment and stammered, ¡°Well¡­ Given that this has clearly been a misunderstanding, Miss Moore, you can depart for now. I¡¯l handle it. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not merely a misunderstanding. You mentioned that giarism is a grave offense. How do you intend to address it?¡± Hannah sneered. ¡°Well¡­¡± Chapter 328 Before the dean could interject, Minnie fixed her gaze on Hannah and proposed, ¡°How much are you seeking? I¡¯ll purchase your thesis. The Glyn family is not short on resources. ¡± ¡°I am notcking in resources either. ¡± Hannah¡¯s response was resolute. ¡°I shall not sell my thesis. ¡± Minnie, brimming with indignation, threatened, ¡°Isn¡¯t it splendid to be a teacher? Believe it or not, I¡¯ll ensure you can¡¯t remain at this institution!¡± As Minnie¡¯s temper red, she dialed a number promptly, dering, ¡°Melina! There¡¯s someone at the school causing me trouble. Bring assistance here immediately!¡± Hannah¡¯s insight into this matter was undeniably urate and the dean couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes. His primary concern was avoiding any incidents that might sour the rtionship between the Glyn and Mitchell families, so he discreetly dispatched a message to an individual. In a remarkably short span of time, Melina arrived at the school as the initial responder. She exuded an air of elegance and nobility, even in her casual attire. Upon entering the room, she swiftly made her way to Minnie and inquired, ¡°Minnie, what transpired? Who has mistreated you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s this teacher! She has refused to sell her wretched thesis to me! Even if I were to publish it, what could she possibly do?¡± Only then did Melina¡¯s gaze shift to the presence of Hannah in the office. Her countenance registered shock, as it appeared she had not anticipated that the source of themotion would be none other than Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°You know her?¡± Minnie scrutinized Hannah with suspicion. ¡°She¡¯s just a teacher. How is she connected to you?¡± Melina responded with a gracious smile, ¡°She¡¯s a friend of Bryson¡¯s. We¡¯ve met on several asions. ¡± Observing that they were all acquainted with one another, the dean approached with a genial smile, remarking, ¡°Well, given your shared acquaintanceship, let¡¯s chalk this up to a misunderstanding. It¡¯s not befitting for friends to be at odds. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, I must extend my sincerest apologies. My sister has been rather indulged by our family since childhood and her manners may becking. I hope you can find it in your heart to overlook this incident. ¡± Melina approached Hannah, speaking in a tone that suggested familiarity. ¡°You see, some time ago, I engaged her tutor to help her choose a topic for her thesis. I never anticipated that she would procure a thesis from an external source without informing us. I share some responsibility for this situation as well. Please ept my apologies on her behalf, Miss Moore. ¡± Minnie hadn¡¯t expected her sister to offer an apology to this teacher and she hesitated before rising to her feet. Chapter 329 ¡°Why should you apologize to her? I¡¯ve invested a substantial sum of money! Moreover, I¡¯ve already published the thesis; it¡¯s irrevocable now! What can I possibly do?¡± ¡°Minnie!¡± Melina¡¯s voice grew more forceful. ¡°You¡¯ve truly been coddled by our family! Can you kindly refrain from interrupting? Be quiet!¡± Witnessing her sister¡¯s genuine anger, Minnie became apprehensive and ducked her head, refraining from making any further utterances. Melina turned her gaze to Hannah, shing a warm smile. ¡°I¡¯1L certainly teach her a lesson when we return. As for the thesis¡­¡± She abruptly changed the subject. ¡°Miss Moore, would you be willing to relinquish this thesis to me?¡± ReLinquish? Hannah was perplexed by the request and furrowed her brow as she gazed at Melina. With an air ofposure, Melina retrieved a bank card from her handbag, approached Hannah, and extended it to her. ¡°Miss Moore, there¡¯s 50@ thousand on this card. I believe it should be more than sufficient for me to purchase your thesis, correct? In reality, I¡¯m aware that you are in need of financial assistance. Considering your connection to Bryson, there¡¯s no need for formality between us, Miss Moore. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As Hannah cast her gaze upon the bank card before her, a sudden smile graced her lips, and she uttered, ¡°Miss Glyn, not everything in life can be procured with money. ¡± The smile on Melina¡¯s visage began to wane. ¡°Miss Moore, if you find the sum insufficient, I can provide more. The Glyn family is more than capable of acquiring your thesis. ¡± Implicit in her words was a veiled threat. If Hannah persisted in implicating Minnie, she would need to contemte the Glyn family¡¯s stature within Valmere. Hannah regarded the woman before her with an icy stare. Just as she was preparing to respond, the door to the dean¡¯s office swung open from the outside! ¡°Is that so? Your Glyn family possesses quite the influence. Now, it seems, you¡¯ve expanded your endeavors into the realm of academia!¡± The smile on Melina¡¯s countenance froze in ce! She pivoted to behold Bryson¡¯s entrance into the dean¡¯s office, his demeanor chillingly stern. Bryson stood next to Hannah, his gaze cutting through the room until itnded on the dean. He inquired with a frigid tone, ¡°Does this represent the ethos of your institution? The Mitchell Group should perhaps contemte whether it¡¯s fitting for us to sustain our annual investment. ¡± The dean¡¯s countenance underwent an abrupt transformation, and he hurriedly interjected, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, this matter isn¡¯t as grave as it may seem! We can still engage in a conversation about it¡­¡± ¡°A conversation?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Chapter 330 Bryson¡¯s icy stare deepened. ¡°How, precisely, would you like to conduct this conversation?¡± A shiver ran down the dean¡¯s spine, and he stammered ¡°No, I didn¡¯t mean it that way¡­ Mr. Mitchell, I meant no offense. ¡°Bryson. ¡± Melina drew near Bryson, making an attempt to sp his arm. ¡°This issue isn¡¯t as dire as it appears; it was indeed a misunderstanding. Minnie genuinely had no knowledge that it was Ms. Moore¡¯s paper Bryson avoided Melina¡¯s outreached hand, his gaze unyielding. ¡°She ought to know better by now. ¡± Melina¡¯s extended hand missed its target and her expression froze as Minnie intervened before she could speak. ¡°Bryson, why are you siding with her and not supporting my sister?¡± Minnie voiced her discontent to Bryson. ¡°After all, you are engaged to my sister. How can you ally with an outsider?¡± ¡°Melina is not my fiancee.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± Bryson¡¯s frosty eyes remained resolute as he continued, ¡°And Hannah is no outsider!¡± Bryson¡¯s unexpected deration stirred emotions within Hannah, who stood silently by his side. ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Melina¡¯s face paled and she implored, ¡°Bryson, you should also take into ount the Glyn family¡¯s reputation¡­¡± Bryson cast his gaze downward, his expression devoid of emotion as he locked eyes with Melina, ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯ve been excessively considerate of the Glyn family¡¯s reputation that rumors have gained undue momentum. ¡± ¡°Bryson! My sister. ¡± Smack! Melina swiftly turned, delivering a resolute p across Minnie¡¯s cheek. ¡°Sis?!¡± Minnie¡¯s face recoiled in astonishment, her voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°You struck me?!¡± ¡°You must offer your immediate apologies to Miss Moore,¡± Melina asserted firmly. Melina, visibly perturbed and trembling, endeavored to maintain the grace of ady as she continued, ¡°I shall certainly report this incident to Grandpa! If you wish to evade retribution at home, extend your apology this instant!¡± Chapter 331 Confronted with the prospect of familial discipline, Minnie¡¯s countenance shifted and her earlier arrogance waned. ¡°I¡¯m. I apologize, Miss Moore. Purchasing the paper was my error¡­ I only realized it toote, causing you undue inconvenience.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡± Tears welled up in Minnie¡¯s eyes as she convey her apologies to Hannah. ¡°I genuinely understand my mistake now and I pledge it won¡¯t be repeated. Please, Miss Moore, grant me your forgiveness this time. ¡± Sensing the evolving atmosphere, the dean tactfully stepped forward, suggesting, ¡°If Miss Moore remains dissatisfied, our institution could still issue a formal reprimand. How do you feel about that?¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Hannah responded, mindful of Minnie¡¯s student status. She softened her stance. ¡°Given that she¡¯s still a student, a formal reprimand might not be in her best interest. ¡± The dean breathed a sigh of relief, only to have Bryson¡¯s voice resound once more. ¡°As a senior faculty member within the institution, partaking in giarizing, I am curious about the institution¡¯s intended course of action in this matter. ¡± The dean, attempting to deflect the situation, found himself taken aback by Bryson¡¯s unwavering resolve. With deep respect, he assured Bryson, ¡°Rest assured, our institution will address this issue with the utmost equity and gravity. You and Miss Moore shall receive a thoroughly satisfactory resolution. ¡± As they exited the dean¡¯s office, Melina¡¯s tone held an uncharacteristic gentleness as she addressed Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Miss Moore, I want to express my profound gratitude for your understanding in this matter. I had no inkling that Minnie would engage in such behavior at school. My words were somewhat rash. ¡± Melina appeared remorseful. ¡°I owe you a heartfelt apology for this situation and I genuinely hope it won¡¯t strain our rtionship. ¡± Ultimately, Melina chose to maintain a low profile. Hannah, not one to holdsting grudges, responded, ¡°It¡¯s quite alright. She is still young. It¡¯s just a matter of offering her guidance. ¡± ¡°Ipletelyprehend. When I return home, I¡¯ll be sure to rify this to my parents,¡± Melina promised. Melina then turned her gaze to Bryson, who stood beside Hannah, and implored, ¡°Bryson, I hope today¡¯s incident won¡¯t cast a shadow on the rtionship between our two families. Miss Moore, as a gesture of my apology, may I extend an invitation to you and Bryson to dine at the Mellow Beehive?¡± Hannah contemted declining but Bryson spoke first. ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary and would be inconvenient. ¡± With that, Bryson turned away, leading Hannah with him. Melina lingered behind, her LV bag bearing the indentations of her clenched nails, her eyes growing noticeably colder. Chapter 332 Descending the staircase, Hannah¡¯s curiosity got the better of her as she inquired, ¡°How did youe to know about this?¡± ¡°The dean sent a message to my assistant. ¡± Considering the dean¡¯s reluctance to offend the Mitchell family, Hannah expressed her disdain with a contemptuous sneer. ¡°It appears that if you hadn¡¯t appeared today, he wouldn¡¯t have dealt with this matter so promptly. ¡± Observing Hannah¡¯s displeasure, Bryson offered a faint smile. ¡°Such individuals abound. Only from a lofty vantage point can you rightfully look down upon them. ¡± Encouraged by Bryson¡¯s wisdom, Hannah chuckled, turning to regard him, ¡°Blunt words, yet astute reasoning. I need not dwell on these vexing matters. ¡± Before parting ways with Hannah in her office, Bryson paused, fixing his gaze upon her. ¡°Shall we share a dinner this evening?¡± ¡°Not tonight, I have priormitments. Perhaps another time, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Despite the refusal, Bryson¡¯s countenance remainedposed. ¡°Very well, another time, then. ¡± Over the subsequent days, Hannah¡¯s schedule became increasingly hectic, as she worked to resolve the matter of her thesis. The aging professor faced dismissal but the issue didn¡¯t escte and was only briefly discussed on the campus forum,cking fervor. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Following a triumphant thesis defense, Hannah finally felt the weight on her chest dissipate and a sense of relief washed over her. Saturday was a day off.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Hannah had nned to indulge in some shopping with her friends but her ns were abruptly halted by an unexpected phone call. ¡°Excuse me, is this Miss Moore?¡± The unfamiliar voice on the other end left Hannah somewhat puzzled. ¡°Speaking. May I inquire as to who¡¯s calling?¡± ¡°Good day, Miss Moore. I am the butler of the Mitchell estate. Mr. Franco Mitchell cordially invites you toe over to the estate for a chat at 7 o¡¯clock tonight. Might I inquire whether you could honor us with your presence?¡± Bryson¡¯s grandfather was inquiring for her? Various thoughts raced through Hannah¡¯s mind and, after a brief moment of contemtion, she inquired of the butler, ¡°Pardon me, but does Mr. Bryson Mitchell know of this arrangement?¡± The butler¡¯s voice, undisturbed, responded through the telephone, ¡°He has been apprised and he shall be in attendance this evening. ¡± Chapter 333 ¡°Very well, I see. I shall be punctual. ¡± Upon ending the call, Hannah paused, pondering the reason behind Bryson¡¯s grandfather¡¯s interest in her. Could it be rted to Grace¡¯s recent recovery? Hannah shook her head and proceeded to dial her friend¡¯s number. ¡°Lydia, what attire would be suitable for a meeting with the elders?¡± ¡°hat?! You¡¯re already meeting the grandparents-inw?!¡± Hannah didn¡¯t know what to say to that. ¡°What are you talking about? Enough with the nonsense and let¡¯s get down to business!¡± On the other side, Lydia was in the middle of putting her clothes on. ¡°What? Meeting your future inws is an important business, too. Hasn¡¯t Bryson already dered his affections for you?¡± ¡°ALL right, that¡¯s it. Bye. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes and decided to just hang up the phone. ¡°No, no, don¡¯t hang up!¡± Lydia cried out in a rush. ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t tease you anymore. Let¡¯s drop by Givenchyter and see if they have any recent custom-made dresses that suit you. ¡± ¡°Great. I¡¯ll see you at the store in twenty minutes. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah ended the call, then put on some light makeup before driving out. She spotted Lydia as soon as she arrived at the Givenchy store, already sipping coffee in the lounge. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re notte this time. ¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org. Lydia scoffed and nudged Hannah¡¯s shoulder. ¡°This is a huge deal for you. How can I bete?¡± Hannah pressed her Lips into a tight Line and lightly pinched Lydia¡¯s ear. ¡°I dare you to say that again!¡± ¡°ALL right, all right, I take it back! What kind of clothes are you thinking to buy, anyway? It will be my treat today!¡± Chapter 334 Hannah smirked. ¡°You¡¯d better not go back on your word. Come on, let¡¯s go and have a look at their newest selection. ¡± The shopping assistant who attended to them was very efficient, so much so that the two women lost count of the clothes they had been presented with. Lydia shook her head, one hand cupping her chin. ¡°These are too shy. Don¡¯t you have anything more subtle?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Yes, of course. ¡± The shopping assistant smiled. ¡°Pleasee with me to the VIP room and pick out whatever you like. We have professionals in the house who can model the clothes at your leisure. ¡± She was already leading them toward the VIP room as she spoke. They stepped inside to find five models standing in a row to one side. ¡°Here we have thetest line of the season,¡± the shopping assistant exined. ¡°Oh, this one looks good. ¡± Lydia pointed at an elegant cheongsam. ¡°ck shouldn¡¯t be too eye-catching. And the details on this are very elegant. You¡¯d look gorgeous in this, Hannah!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try and put it on, then. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah also quite liked the cheongsam. When she emerged from the fitting room a few momentster, both Lydia and the shopping assistant heaved a long, dreamy sigh. ¡°It¡¯s like the dress was tailor-made for you, Miss!¡± the shopping assistant eximed. The cheongsam was very chic. Its slit only ran up to the calf, making Hannah look ssy and sophisticated. She turned around and studied herself in the mirror. It had been a while since she hadst worn something so elegant. She couldn¡¯t deny how good it felt. ¡°I¡¯ll take this one.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡± Hannah handed a card to the shopping assistant and added, ¡°I¡¯d like to have my hair done as well. ¡± ¡°Yes, of course,¡± the other woman replied eagerly. ¡°I¡¯ll have someone take care of that right away. ¡± Lydia walked over, her lips pursed in a sullen pout. ¡°I thought we agreed that I would pay for your dress?¡± Hannah chuckled and pinched her friend¡¯s cheek. ¡°How can I possibly let you buy my clothes?¡± Chapter 335 A whileter, as both of them were having their hair done, Lydia breached the subject of Hannah¡¯s meeting with the elders. ¡°Bryson¡¯s grandfather has already met you once, right? Why would he ask you to go to the Mitchell residence all by yourself? I mean, it¡¯s their ancestral home. As far as I know, only the members of the Mitchell family are allowed to step on its grounds. ¡± Hannah pondered it for a few seconds and came up with a usible reason. ¡°It probably has something to do with Grace. ¡± Lydia immediately shook her head and cast her friend a sharp nce. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that simple at all. In any case, send me your location once you get there. If anything goes wrong, I¡¯lle and pick you up right away!¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help butugh at Lydia¡¯s zeal. ¡°The Mitchell residence can¡¯t be that dangerous. What could possibly happen to me there?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying, who knows what could happen? What if they deliberately give you a hard time? We have no way of knowing what they¡¯re up to!¡± Hannah did harbor some suspicions herself, but she thought it would be best not to share her thoughts with Lydia. She didn¡¯t want thetter to worry over something that was, by all rights, a trifle. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A few hourster, Hannah was driving in the direction of the Mitchell ancestral home. After hearing her name, the bodyguards stationed outside instantly opened the gates and gave her clearance. Hannah cruised down the driveway and parked her car, then made her way to the front door of the mansion.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. She was ushered inside, and the first thing she noticed was the numerous servants bustling around and setting the long dining table. It looked Like the family was holding a banquet this evening. Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for intruding,¡± she said to the servant beside her. ¡°But Mr. Franco Mitchell invited me over. May I see him?¡± ¡°The master is currently upstairs, Miss Moore. Please make yourselffortable in the living room and wait for him. He won¡¯t being down until everyone is here. ¡± ¡°But I¡­¡± Hannah started to protest, but the servant had already turned away, ignoring her as he helped the others with their tasks. Hannah was left standing in the living room. If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, the Mitchell family was likely holding a family dinner tonight. Why had Franco called her over? A ball of unease settled in the pit of her stomach. After deliberating for a moment, she decided to leave. She stood up and made for the door when she heard someone call her name from the stairs. Chapter 336 ¡°Hannah? You really are something else, aren¡¯t you? How dare you sneak into our family home at just the opportune time?¡± Hannah whirled around to find Tyshawn sauntering down the stairs. His eyes shed with sinister excitement as he looked her up and down. The woman before him was certainly different from the shrew he remembered. She looked like a respectable socialite, and Tyshawn had to admit that he felt a little tempted to sample a taste. He walked over to her and said, ¡°If you¡¯re that desperate to marry into our family, why don¡¯t you consider me? I can give you the title you want, but that bastard can¡¯t. ¡± He was already reaching for her as he spoke, nning to put his arm around her shoulders. A glint of danger appeared in Hannah¡¯s eyes. ¡°I advise you to stop what you¡¯re doing if you still value that arm of yours. ¡± Her voice was light, almost yful, even. But the threat in her words was unmistakable, and Tyshawn¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Humph I¡± Tyshawn changed direction and plopped down on the sofa and sneered up at her. ¡°Do you think you¡¯re some rich youngdy or something?¡± he goaded. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You¡¯re just used goods that someone else has dumped. You have some nerve showing up here, aren¡¯t you afraid of dirtying the floor of our family¡¯s house? If you have any ounce of self-awareness in you, you¡¯d better get out of here immediately!¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah drawled, totally unfazed. ¡°Your grandfather asked me to be here today, though. I don¡¯t recall you bing the head of the Mitchell family, so what gives you the right to drive me away? Besides, I heard that you spend your days rolling around with different women from all the nightclubs littered in the city. Between the two of us, whom do you think is dirtier?¡± ¡°You f@cking bitch! Let me remind you of your ce! Tyshawn jumped to his feet, his hand already raised and aimed to p her across the face. ¡°Tyshawn!¡± A firm, yet steady voice boomed. A man in a ck suit slowly descended the stairs, his eyes deep, his brows set. ¡°She is Grandpa¡¯s guest. You would do well to show her some respect!¡± Tyshawn¡¯s eyes filled with fear at the sight of Braeden Mitchell, his cousin, and he instantly lowered his hand. ¡°I¡­ I just wanted to teach her a lesson, Braeden.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. It was her fault for being so rude¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re not in a position to lecture her!¡± Chapter 337 Braeden, a rugged man with an impassive expression, approached them.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. He shot a look at Tyshawn and said, ¡°Focus on your own duties!¡± ¡°Understood, Braeden. ¡± Tyshawn appeared a bit cowed by the imposing figure before him and quickly retreated. However, Braeden¡¯s demeanor shifted to cordial when he spoke to Hannah. ¡°Grandpa¡¯s aware you¡¯re here. He said to rx. Dinner will start when everyone¡¯s present. ¡± ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯m mot here for dinner. Franco summoned me for something important. I¡¯ll leave as soon as we¡¯ve talked it out. ¡± Braeden simply offered a polite smile. ¡°Even if we¡¯re getting down to business, Miss Moore, you should eat something. ¡± Makenna Mitchell and Kelli Mitchell descended from upstairs, reaching the dining table. Upon seeing Hannah, their faces tightened. Shortly after, Makenna began to murmur to Kelli, their eyes darting periodically at Hannah. It was clear they were discussing her. Hannah kept herposure, mindful of her surroundings in the Mitchell mansion, and remained quietly seated. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Braeden introduced them to her. ¡°This is Bryson¡¯s other aunt. You might recall her from ourst gathering. And that one is yet another of Bryson¡¯s aunts. ¡± Kelli approached warmly, sping Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°Just look at you, delicate as a porcin figure. No wonder Bryson¡¯s so taken, even setting Melina aside. ¡± Makenna followed up with a teasing giggle. ¡°Watch your tongue, Melina¡¯s the one we¡¯ve picked for Bryson¡¯s wife!¡± ¡°Oh, my careless chatter!¡± Kelliughed, then turned to Hannah. ¡°Just kidding, don¡¯t read too much into it. ¡± Hannah offered a subtle smile. ¡°Why¡¯s everyone here so fond of jesting with neers?¡± The mood at the dining table grew noticeably frosty after Hannah¡¯sment. Seemingly unaware, she swiveled back to her phone. Kelli itched to retort but remembered that Hannah was a guest of Franco himself. She held her tongue and briskly returned to her seat. Chapter 338 Roughly 20 minutester, the room was nearly full. Franco and Alexandra descended and assumed their positions at the head of the table. The earlier chatter abruptly ceased. Franco¡¯s eyes found Hannah, seated not far from him, and then swiftly surveyed everyone else. Abruptly, his eyebrows knitted together. ¡°Where¡¯s Bryson?¡± A man beside him, his face somewhat ashen, replied with a faint smile, ¡°Maybe he¡¯s swamped, too tied up even for family. ¡± ¡°Hurst!¡± Seated across from him, Braeden scowled. ¡®s BunnyBookeryN?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°As an elder cousin, choose your words carefully. ¡± Hurst casually lifted his hands in surrender. ¡°My apologies for the slip of the tongue. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Franco mmed his palm onto the table, his eyes dark and icy. ¡°Everyone, be quiet!¡± The room instantly hushed. Forks and knives froze in their tracks. No one dared to continue eating. Except for Hannah. She gracefully continued to slice her steak. Tyshawn, sitting across from her, couldn¡¯t hide his irritation. ¡°Ever been to a formal dinner? Know anything about etiquette?¡± Hannah looked up, took a bite of her rare steak, and began to chew, utterly unfazed. ¡°You!¡± ¡°I told you to shut up. Why are you raising your voice?¡± Franco¡¯s stern eyes locked onto Tyshawn. Tyshawn immediately shrank back, avoiding Franco¡¯s gaze. Chapter 339 ¡°It¡¯s her¡­ this woman¡­¡± ALL attention at the table shifted to Hannah. Makenna said, her voice tinged with indignation, ¡°Miss Moore clearly doesn¡¯t understand this family¡¯s protocols. When the elders put down their utensils, you stop eating. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a Mitchell,¡± Hannah responded, dabbing her mouth delicately before setting her utensils down. ¡°Why would your family rules concern me?¡± ¡°And you. ¡± Her piercing gaze turned to Tyshawn. ¡°Shouting at a dinner table in front of the elders. Is that another Mitchell family custom?¡± Makenna longed to speak up, but Franco¡¯s harsh rebuke silenced her. ¡°This is a meeting for the younger generation! Why are you and Kelli here? Is your son still so dependent that he can¡¯t be left alone?¡± Makenna¡¯splexion drained of color, not daring to utter another word. Equally implicated, Kelli¡¯s face clouded with visible displeasure, yet she remained silent. Hurst cast a brief look at Hannah, who appeared uninvolved, and said evenly, ¡°I¡¯ll give Bryson a call. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Franco interrupted, casting a meaningful gaze at Hannah. ¡°Let¡¯s eat first. ¡± The table was steeped in silence, punctuated only by the soft tter of cutlery. ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Contrary to the restrained atmosphere, Hannah ate with ease, disying no hint of her previous difort. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ve heard that you¡¯ve managed to control Grace¡¯s condition quite effectively,¡± Franco remarked, setting down his fork and knife. ¡°I¡¯ve adjusted Miss Mitchell¡¯s treatment n, and it¡¯s showing promising results. Her health is indeed improving,¡± Hannah replied. Franco gave a nod of approval. Hurst¡¯s voice dripped with irony as he said, ¡°It¡¯s no surprise Bryson holds you in such high regard. You even know how to treat Grace¡¯s condition. ¡± ¡°She excels at seducing men. Shortly after her divorce from the Edward family, she used her charms to hook up with Bryson, who¡¯s usually wary of women. ¡± Tyshawn red at Hannah, as if wanting to grind her into the dirt. ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t let her innocent facade fool you. A quick investigation into her reputation would reveal its true nature. ¡± Makenna feigned scolding Tyshawn. ¡°Stop spouting such nonsense in front of your grandpa! Miss Moore is merely our guest, not Bryson¡¯s fiancee. Her private life is her own concern, not the Mitchell family¡¯s Hurst chuckled, ¡°Exactly, you¡¯re right. We have no business prying into her personal affairs. As long as she can heal Grace, nothing else matters.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡± Chapter 340 With just a few sentences, they effectively cast her as a woman of loose morals. Seizing upon her reluctance to make a scene in front of Franco, they brazenly ridiculed her. Alexandra brow furrowed, about to speak, but her eyes caught sight of Hannah lifting a wine ss.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Ssh! ! Hannah flung the red wine from her ss straight into Tyshawn¡¯s face! ¡°What are you up to?¡± ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± ¡°My goodness! What¡¯s going on?¡± Shouts erupted from the women and men surrounding the table as the wine in Hannah¡¯s ss thrown over Tyshawn¡¯s face. Makenna swiftly snatched a napkin to clean Tyshawn¡¯s face and attire, while chastising Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, do you really believe you can act as you please here?¡± With a face flushed in anger, Tyshawn tightened his grip on his steak knife, appearing ready to engage Hannah physically. ¡°This Miss Moore sure has a fiery temperament. ¡± Hurst¡¯s eyes narrowed as they settled on Hannah. ¡°Not yet thedy of the house, but certainly acting as if she were. ¡± ¡°Are you living in a costume drama or something?¡± Hannah rose to her feet, mmed the ss on the table, and turned a chilly gaze toward Hurst. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Lady of the house? Your family is so out of touch. You¡¯ve built a feudal estate and now you expect multiple wives to serve you simultaneously? You think being called young masters here gives you some kind of prestige? Step outside this mansion, and there¡¯s no guarantee anyone will even notice you. ¡± Hurst¡¯s expression turned grim. Ignoring him, Hannah continued, ¡°I came here today because Mr. Franco¡± Mitchell extended an invitation. I thought he had something significant to discuss. Don¡¯t tter yourselves. I have no interest in your family¡¯s wealth. ¡± Tyshawn, unable to contain his fury, tossed the napkin onto the table and stood up. ¡°Don¡¯t act so self-righteous! After your divorce from the Edwards family, you walked away with 20% of their stock!¡± ¡°Why not take up a career in tabloid journalism? You seem to have a knack for it,¡± Hannah retorted. ¡°If you¡¯re envious, go marry into some wealthy Valmere family. If you¡¯re skilled enough, maybe you can take 20% of their shares too. ¡± Chapter 341 Enraged by Hannah¡¯s biting remarks, Tyshawn strode over and pped her. ¡°Don¡¯t delude yourself. You¡¯re here to win over my grandfather, so you can marry Bryson!¡± Hannah took the p without flinching. Tyshawn¡¯s blownded so forcefully on Hannah¡¯s cheek that it immediately flushed a deep red. ¡°Tyshawn! What the hell are you doing!¡± Braeden leapt to his feet, attempting to intervene. Yet before he could act, two distinct red marks appeared on Tyshawn¡¯s face. With a pair of resounding ps, Hannah had hit Tyshawn back, making him stagger a few paces in retreat. The sound of skin meeting skin reverberated throughout the room. A hushed silence descended. Had she actually retaliated? Unperturbed, Hannah flexed her hand. ¡°I don¡¯t strike first, but if you p me, expect no courtesy in return. ¡± Tyshawn stood there, dumbfounded. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Rushing in to shield her son, Makenna yelled, ¡°How ill-mannered! How dare you p Tyshawn?¡± With a sidelong nce, Hannah retorted, ¡°Did I forget to p you as well?¡± Makenna burst into tears, now that Franco was there to witness it. ¡°Franco, see for yourself. I told you Miss Glyn would be a far better match for Bryson than this woman!¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes. She had zero interest in bing Bryson¡¯s wife now. Grabbing her purse, she shot Makenna a final look. ¡°If you¡¯re fond of theatrics, enjoy your own show. I have better things to do. ¡± As she turned to go, Franco spoke. ¡°Miss Moore, I invited you here to join us, not create mayhem. It appears I was mistaken about you. ¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Pausing, Hannah let her gaze fall before smirking. Just as she was about to retort, a voice echoed from the doorway. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one who misjudged. ¡± Chapter 342 Bryson, dashing in his Givenchy ck suit adorned with a silver chain, emanated amanding presence. His single sentence silenced the room, leaving only Franco to speak. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Franco demanded.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Approaching Hannah, Bryson noticed her reddened cheek. Lifting his hand, he inquired, ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. ¡± Hannah averted her face, avoiding his touch, and added, ¡°I appreciate the concern, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± A shadow passed over Bryson¡¯s eyes. Tyshawn couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. ¡°Bryson, look! She pped. Before he could finish, Bryson whirled around and delivered a kick that sent Tyshawn sprawling across the dining table. sses toppled and food scattered, some evennding on Tyshawn himself. Bryson adjusted his sleeves, slid out the adjacent chair, and took a seat. His gaze fell on the man awkwardly sprawled on the floor. Though his eyes radiated an icy detachment, his tone hinted at genuine curiosity. ¡°So, I was absent a moment ago. Mind filling me in on what you told her?¡± ¡°Bryson¡­¡± Before Makenna could vouch for Tyshawn, Bryson lifted his gaze, silencing her mid-sentence. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡®s BunnyBookery With a subtle grin, he scanned the room and dered, ¡°If he¡¯s reluctant to share, perhaps one of you could speak on his behalf. ¡± The dining hallpsed into quietude. ¡°Speak up!¡± The chill in Bryson¡¯s demand made Kelli jump. Her fork ttered to the floor as she quivered. ¡°Bryson, let¡¯s not rush to condemn Tyshawn. Grandpa invited Miss Moore as a courtesy. You¡¯re making everyone ufortable. ¡± ¡°Ufortable? Really?¡± Bryson gazed at Hurst, his grin sardonic. ¡°Says the man who just squandered six hundred million dors on a bad investment?¡± Hurst¡¯s expression tightened, though he held back any retort. ¡°So you don¡¯t need the Mitchell fortune to dig yourself out of this mess, huh?¡± Hurst went silent, his face a storm of emotions. Chapter 343 ¡°Have you assumed that my recent good mood means I¡¯ve been oblivious to your secret dealings?¡± Hannah watched Bryson, taken aback. This was her first real glimpse of the man others had described as cold and detached, sending shivers down one¡¯s spine. Franco, his face unreadable, finally intervened. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Bryson. No need for confrontations the minute you¡¯re back. ¡± ¡°Well, maybe if you hadn¡¯t invited Hannah without informing me, I¡¯d be more civil. ¡± This jab struck a chord with Franco. His face finally cracked with emotion as he mmed his hand on the table. ¡°So you¡¯ve matured, have you? What? Now I need your blessing to invite guests?¡± ¡°You¡¯re free to invite or insult anyone you like, but she¡¯s off- limits!¡± The chill in Bryson¡¯s voice filled the dining space. ¡°Bryson, show some respect to Grandpa!¡± Braeden, as the eldest, rose to his feet and voiced his displeasure. ¡°Sure, Tyshawn messed up, but don¡¯t take it out on Grandpa!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Let me be perfectly clear. ¡± Bryson¡¯s tone grew icier as he spoke. ¡°She¡¯s not to be harmed. If there¡¯s a next time¡­¡± Bryson lifted the silver knife from the table, aiming it at Tyshawn, who was sprawled on the floor. Makenna let out a terrified scream. ¡°Bryson, please, don¡¯t!¡± The iciness of Bryson¡¯s smile caused Tyshawn to recoil further into himself on the floor.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°Touch her, and your hands are gone. ¡± Bang! The knife ttering to the floor made everyone instinctively flinch. Staring at the fallen knife, Tyshawn pleaded, ¡°I get it. I messed up! Please, just forgive me!¡± Chapter 344 Getting to his feet, Bryson took hold of Hannah¡¯s arm, leading her out. Franco interjected, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, the Mitchell family have obligations to the Glyn family. Melina is supposed to be your fiancee. ¡± ¡°Fiancee?¡± Bryson scoffed. ¡°Never acknowledged that. ¡± The door of the Mitchell mansion closed shut. The dining room stayed quiet for a long time¡­ Finally, Franco stood, surveyed the room without a word, and led Alexandra upstairs. He left them to sort out their own mess. ¡°Hannah!¡± Grace noticed Hannah exiting with her brother and immediately stepped out of the car. ¡°Hannah, who did this to you? Who hit you in the face? Tell me!¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s bruised face, Grace was both angry and sympathetic as she gently touched the injury. ¡°How could they go to such extremes? If my brother hadn¡¯t shown up, who knows what they would have done next!¡± Offering Grace a reassuring smile, Hannah said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I got my own back. ¡± Bryson interjected, ¡°Let¡¯s get in the car. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The three of them entered the car and headed toward downtown. Bryson remained silent in the front seat, while Grace fussed over Hannah in the back. ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re alright, Hannah. Bryson wasn¡¯t nning oning back, but when he heard you were at that mansion, he didn¡¯t hesitate! Please, Hannah, avoid that mansion in the future. Few there have good intentions. ¡± Catching the concern on Grace¡¯s face, Hannah gently patted the girl¡¯s head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t go back. I was invited by your grandfather, assuming he wanted to discuss your business affairs. Had I known this would happen, I would¡¯ve alerted Mr. Mitchell to avoid the misunderstanding. ¡± Grace applied an ice pack to Hannah¡¯s face and sneakily nced at Bryson.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡°You should have seen my brother¡¯s face when he learned you were there. ¡± ¡°Grace. ¡± At Bryson¡¯s utterance, Grace fell silent, offering Hannah a cheeky wink. Chapter 345 The driver first dropped off Grace at their home. Bryson then instructed the driver to head to Golden Bay, where they both got off. The salty sea breeze seemed to lighten the mood. As they strolled on the shoreline, Hannah¡¯s spirits lifted, but neither spoke. ¡°About today¡­¡± Hannah climbed to a raised tform and looked down at Bryson, hands sped behind her back. ¡°Your grandfather wasn¡¯t intentionally going after me. He just invited me for dinner. If he¡¯d reprimanded those people on my behalf, it might¡¯ve caused issues with the ones we haven¡¯t yet met. ¡± Bryson looked up, locking eyes with a softly smiling Hannah. ¡°You don¡¯t need to make excuses for him. No one in the Mitchell family is trustworthy. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not entirely true. ¡± Hannah¡¯s face lit up as the cool sea breeze caressed her.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°You¡¯re a decent man, Bryson. Grace is a good soul, and so is Franco, even if he is a bit stubborn. I¡¯m not one to let myself get pushed around. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Even if you hadn¡¯t shown up, I would have handled myself. ¡± Turning her gaze to the tranquil sea, its waves gentlypping the shore, Hannah felt a moment of serenity. ¡°But I get it. They targeted me because they misunderstood our rtionship. ¡± ¡°And what is our rtionship?¡± Bryson¡¯s voice deepened. Hannah turned around, dering, ¡°We¡¯re just friends. ¡± Bryson halted his steps, locking eyes with her. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be just friends, Hannah. I wish to be¡­¡± Elevated on the tform, Hannah caught the emotion in Bryson¡¯s eyes. Shocked by his unexpected words, she involuntarily stepped back, nearly losing her bnce. ¡°ARI¡± Swiftly, Bryson extended his arms to catch her. Still in disbelief, Hannah realized she was enveloped in Bryson¡¯s arms. She hastily broke away, stammering, ¡°I¡­I just lost my footing. Chapter 346 It¡¯s getting chilly. Should we head back? Sensing Hannah¡¯s unease, Bryson chose not to finish his earlier statement, keeping his true feelings hidden deep within. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll take you home. ¡± He drove her back to her ce. Hannah barely mustered the courage to look back. She gave him a quick wave and sprinted upstairs. Door shut behind her! Leaning against it, her heart pounded uncontrobly.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. His unfinished deration, and the warmth from his touch, were unsettling. She had always believed that Bryson¡¯s kindness was for the sake of his sister. However, after seeing that particr look he gave her today, and hearing what he said earlier, Hannah found herself confronting her own emotions. She made her way to the window. Peering down, she saw Bryson still standing there, just like before. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ He wasn¡¯t ncing upward, but his tall silhouette stood out against the dark night. Conflicted, Hannah questioned her worthiness to stand beside him. Unable to hold back any longer, she grabbed her phone and dialed a number. The man below picked up almost instantly. The sound of wind rustled through the line, and his voice was muted. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you seem fond of that spot, don¡¯t you?¡± He let out a soft chuckle. ¡°Because standing here means you can see me. ¡± Hannah¡¯s heart, which had just found some calm, started pounding again as Bryson spoke. ¡°You came to the window to see if I was still here, didn¡¯t you? And you knew I would be. ¡± Lifting his gaze from his phone, Bryson appeared to lock eyes with someone in a high-up window. ¡°I was only specting if you¡¯d be keeping an eye on me. ¡± Puffing out her cheeks, Hannah continued, ¡°Well, I see you. You better head back. It¡¯s gettingte. ¡± Chapter 347 ¡°Sure, make sure you get some sleep too. ¡± ¡°WiLL do. ¡± Hanging up, Hannah tossed and turned on her spacious bed, resolving not to overanalyze and just let things unfold. She slept well that night. Come morning, Hannah woke up in high spirits and brewed herself a cup of coffee. But the moment she settled on the couch with her coffee, her phone showed Twitter had gone wild. It wasn¡¯t just Twitter that was a buzz. Her own ount was tied to a trending post! Stunned, Hannah tapped on the trending subject, discovering that the uproar was about the movie she had worked on recentlying under severe criticism. The reason was some leaked behind-the-scenes footage. The role of Martina Reed was supposed to be portrayed by a rtively well-known neer in the acting scene, with a small but dedicated fan base. As a result, sharp-eyedizens noticed the change in Martina¡¯s role. Even though it was a minor part, it garnered significant focus. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Holy crap! Who does she think she is, recing Elia Diaz so easily? How influential can she be?¡± ¡°Boycott Cloud Voyager Saga!¡± ¡°So, they¡¯re casting sponsors now, are they? I thought Pierre Fowler had some integrity, but it seems he¡¯s fine with casting people who buy their roles!¡± ¡°When will she quit self-promotion? Her Twitter follower count skyrocketed recently, obviously aiming for showbiz. Is she even qualified? Has she had any training?¡± ¡°He ousted our Elia for this opportunist? Disgusting. This is a big-screen movie! That¡¯s how they respect their audience?¡± ¡°Boycott, boycott!! I won¡¯t pay to see such a lousy movie, even if Pierre Fowler directed it!¡± ¡°Pierson, what¡¯s going on? You defended her before, and now you¡¯ve directly added her to the team. Please, enough with the generosity!¡± ¡°Is there something going on between her and Pierson? Hahaha!¡± Online, the debate raged on. Engrossed in her thoughts, Hannah was interrupted when her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp call from Lydia. She answered the call absentmindedly. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Chapter 348 ¡°Come on, Hannah, you haven¡¯t missed today¡¯s Twitter frenzy, have you? You¡¯re like a natural-born star. Even without stepping into showbiz, you manage to stir the pot there,¡± Lydia remarked. Scrolling through the trending topics on her tablet, Hannah Laughed, ¡°Being a star is not in my cards. I don¡¯t want to live under the constant scrutiny thates with fame. ¡± ¡°So, with all this online uproar, you¡¯re not nning to make any statement?¡± ¡°Why bother? An exnation from me now wouldck any credibility. ¡± True to Hannah¡¯s words, her Twitter was flooded with people demanding answers. For the time being, the movie¡¯s directors and cast chose to remain quiet. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Out of nowhere, Elia tweeted an overly apologetic message. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry for letting everyone down. I gave my all for this minor role but fell short in the end. I invested endless nights trying to connect with the script, but life is unpredictable. I apologize once more for disappointing my fans and the viewers. Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions based on someone else¡¯s Twitter.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. I trust that everything unfolded as it was meant to. Special thanks to the director for the audition and to my fellow actors. Let¡¯s put this issue to rest and not harm others. Thank you again! This tweet seemed to point fingers not only at Hannah but also threw shade at the entire team involved in the film. Thements section under Elia¡¯s tweet quickly filled with harsh criticisms targeting both Hannah and the film crew, interspersed with words of sympathy for Elia. ¡°Is the director even a decent human being? She¡¯s talented and so kind. Is she being neglected because she doesn¡¯t have influential connections?¡± ¡°She¡¯s truly generous, and she took the time to issue a statement to represent their side of the story! We need to boycott Cloud Voyager Saga. This film doesn¡¯t deserve our attention!¡± ¡°What does that favored actress offer other than good looks? Talent? The industry has enough eye candy as it is. Beauty alone won¡¯t get you far!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t just me the women. Are your darling male actors totally meless?¡± ¡°Why drag Pierson into this? He¡¯s merely an actor. He can¡¯t dictate who gets cast. Let¡¯s not go overboard, people!¡± Suddenly, the online narrative shifted, targeting Hannah even more vehemently. ¡°Big news, everyone! Evidence shows Hannah giarized her graduation thesis! Everyone, this blogger has the receipts!¡± Immediately, a swarm of users flooded thement section of the blogger¡¯s post, eager to witness the unfolding scandal. ¡°Can you believe her? Copying a student¡¯s thesis, that¡¯s just shameless!¡± ¡°Thinking she can break into showbiz? She¡¯s barely on the doorstep and already risks getting kicked out. ¡± As Hannah ate her lunch, she noted the escting Twitter frenzy, akin to a raging storm, but her emotions remained steady. The WhatsApp call remained active. Chapter 349 Lydia¡¯s irate voice pierced through. ¡°When did you ever giarize? It¡¯s obvious the other way around. Why are they dragging you into this? Unbelievable! I¡¯m turning into a Twitter crusader and jumping into this verbal fray!¡± Sensing the ire in her friend¡¯s tone, Hannah took a bite of her sandwich. ¡°Ignore them, Lydia. They¡¯re just paid trolls out to create chaos. Reacting to them means ying into their hands. ¡± ¡°But there¡¯s another wave ofmotion on Twitter.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. The video with Mr. Mitchell meeting you is also making the rounds. They im you sabotaged the alliance between the Glyn and Mitchell families. It¡¯s absolute nonsense and scare tactics!¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed briefly as she skimmed thetest Twitter activity, seeing that indeed, the spotlight was shifting toward her personal life. She felt a tinge of annoyance. ¡°Why drag unrted people into their narrative about me?¡± ¡°Rest assured, the Twitterments will be addressed. There¡¯s no need for concern. ¡± Bryson¡¯s unexpected remark took Hannah by surprise. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She nced at her phone screen and realized, to her astonishment, that Lydia, Bryson, Grace, and even Brayden were all part of the voice chat. ¡°Lydia, did you actually set up a group call?¡± A brief pause filled the air during the voice call, then Lydia¡¯s persuasive tone broke the silence. ¡°I¡¯m considering forming a group to dissect this incident collectively. ¡± Hannah remained quiet, her eyes fixed on Bryson¡¯s icon within the group call, uncertain how much he had caught. ¡°Don¡¯t stress over it; rity won¡¯t sway some skeptics, they¡¯ll deem it fake regardless. ¡± Her phone gave a subtle buzz. ncing down, Hannah noticed the file had been sessfully transferred and arched an eyebrow. ¡°Still, some matters have to beid bare. Otherwise, our school could face repercussions. ¡± Online, the crisis on Twitter spiraled out of control, reaching a point where someone used Hannah Moore of academic dishonesty at Halliday University! Yet, before Hannah could finalize her rifying tweet, Halliday University had already made a public statement. First, it disclosed the issue of a professor illicitly selling academic papers, then tagged Hannah¡¯s Twitter, confirming that her paper had been reimed and the guilty professor adequately disciplined, urging uninformedizens to halt the spread of misinformation. Public attention hadn¡¯t fully processed this revtion when another bombshell dropped! Chapter 350 The official film Twitter ount first uploaded a legal notice, targeting several high-profile users and troll armies that were perpetuating negativity. Then, aprehensive behind-the-scenes video was released. Director Fowler was quick to retweet andment. ¡°That actress was holding back our project. I was forced to resort to enlisting someone else right on the spot, and I haven¡¯t even finalized the group¡¯spensation. Where are these rumors of Miss Moore¡¯s financial backinging from?¡± Still simmering, Director Fowler didn¡¯t stop there, making further implications in subsequentments. ¡°That actress demanded more scenes but didn¡¯t get them, then offered ackluster performance. After the crew¡¯s failed attempts at correction, she abandoned the set, forcing a loss of funding and leaving me to seek past investors for new support. ¡± ¡°Martina Reed¡¯s role was minimal. It didn¡¯t require perpetual script study, yet it¡¯s impactful. I¡¯m grateful Miss Moore agreed to step in. She¡¯s the Martina I envisioned. ¡± Under Director Fowler¡¯s ardent backing, the tone of subsequentments shifted dramatically. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ And many Twitter users went wild after watching the behind-the-scenes video. ¡°Wow, paparazzi often reveal stars losing it, but seeing the crew expose it is next level. Kudos to Director Fowler!¡± ¡°Elia¡¯s tweet looked like a virtuous victim card, iming the crew excluded her. Turns out, she was the diva on set disrupting everything!¡± ¡°Her angry face is a far cry from the persona she usually disys on Twitter.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. What a change of character!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve misjudged Miss Moore. It¡¯s sad how she faces criticism every time she trends, despite her good intentions. How unfortunate. ¡± Within less than thirty minutes, trollments were drowned out by a wave of spectator reactions. Sitting in a lounge, Elia scanned thements and lost her cool. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Why are members of their team backing a nobody against me? Has Mr. Nn returned my call yet Her agent, who was also handling PR, replied, ¡°Nn can¡¯t be reached at the moment. I¡¯ll get some influencers to vouch for you, generate some public support. Stay off Twitter for now. ¡± ¡°I get it, I get it! So annoying!¡± With a look of impatience, Elia said, ¡°She¡¯s just a nobody. Hire some inte trolls to sabotage her Twitter, then distract with other topics. Haven¡¯t we done this with lesser-known celebrities before?¡± The agent rolled her eyes, though only inwardly. If only it were that simple! After sending out her revised tweet, Hannah noticed another sensational headline in the entertainment news. Pierson also tweeted, ¡°It was my birthday that day. Invited some close friends to the set. Never thought I¡¯d be helping the director, much less causing trouble for my friend. Apologies to my friend. ¡± Hannah was mentioned in this too. The tide of inte opinion seemed to strongly favor Hannah now, overshadowing the initial ridicule aimed at her. Bryson even tweeted directly. Chapter 351 ¡°I never have a fiancee. But I do have someone that I cherish. ¡± People swarmed Bryson¡¯s Twitter feed in excitement. Though Bryson¡¯s tweet didn¡¯t name names, the online crowd seemed to imply it was about Hannah. ¡°Could it be that the woman Mr. Mitchell is smitten with is you?¡± ¡°If Mr. Mitchell is expressing feelings for Miss Moore, it¡¯s unorthodox, but I¡¯m here for it. ¡± ¡°Ignore the negativement above, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell is a boss! Are they really a couple? I¡¯m loving it!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryContent ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡°Mr. Mitchell made a Twitter just for Miss Moore! Both his tweets are about her. This is too romantic. I can¡¯t even!¡± And so, the mood of the Twitterments began to shift once more. Hannah¡¯s tweet rapidly climbed to the trending charts. ¡°I appreciate everyone¡¯s concern. I didn¡¯t study at a formal acting school, nor do I have ns to enter show business. For those questioning my academic background, I¡¯ve detailed my thesis below. ¡± Hannah promptly shared her thesis for her bachelor¡¯s degree at Deton University on Twitter. It didn¡¯t take long for someone to notice that her thesis had been published in a prestigious SCI journal. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Oh my God, this amazing woman is actually a senior in my field! The example paper my professor used was hers, and I had no clue!¡± ¡°This woman is incredibly gifted. She¡¯s not just versed in clinical medicine; her thesis is rock-solid in both medical understanding and research discussion. She¡¯s a total genius in school, and it¡¯s driving me crazy!¡± ¡°I am absolutely smitten by her! She¡¯s the embodiment of my dreams!¡± ¡°If she doesn¡¯t join the entertainment world, it¡¯s their loss!¡± Opinion in the entertainment industry was almost entirely one-sided. Even young stars with a hint of fame were hesitant to publicly support Elia in her bid to regain her standing. Given the situation, anyone speaking up faced potential bacsh. After losing two sponsorships and a chunk of her following, Elia had no choice but to issue a clear apology. Elia deleted her previous misleading tweet, leaving only a heartfelt apology aimed at Hannah. Even so, her tweet was flooded with thousands of criticalments. Hannah shut herptop, inhaled deeply, and nced at Bryson¡¯s tweet, a subtle smile gracing her face. Chapter 352 Inside the CEO¡¯s office of the Mitchell Group¡­ Yosef held a tablet as he briefed Bryson. ¡°Sir, ourpetitors have fanned the mes on this trending topic. Our PR team is already on it. Also¡­¡± He adjusted his sses before continuing, ¡°Also, Miss Glyn has requested an appointment with you. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not interested,¡± Bryson said. Just as he finished his sentence, his phone suddenly buzzed. The phone buzzed relentlessly until Bryson picked it up. ¡°Is this a bad time, Bryson?¡± Melina¡¯s voice had a hint of hesitation. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the online drama. Do you need help clearing Miss Moore¡¯s reputation? After all, the prior incident involved my sister as well. I¡¯ve already told my parents to discipline my sister when I got home. You¡¯re not holding a grudge, are you?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson¡¯s voice was neutral. ¡°Hannah wants to keep things low-key, so let¡¯s just leave it be for now. ¡± Melina hesitated, her voice tinged with guilt. ¡°I never thought that Twitter fiasco would get Linked to the earlier thesis scandal. Should I make another call to apologize to Miss Moore?¡± Bryson drummed his fingers on the desk, deep in thought. ¡°It¡¯s quite the coincidence, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°As soon as the trolls targeted Hannah on Twitter, the academic thesis issue resurfaced. ¡± Melina¡¯s expression shifted subtly on the other end. ¡°Are you suggesting that I orchestrated this whole thing against Miss Moore?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t make assumptions. I only trust what¡¯s in front of me. ¡± The call disconnected.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Minnie nced at Melina cautiously. Chapter 353 ¡°What did Bryson say?¡± ¡°This is all your fault!¡± Melina shot Minnie an icy re. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t been so high-profile at school, Bryson wouldn¡¯t have publicly distanced himself from the Glyn family online!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t pin this entirely on me!¡± Minnie felt wronged as well. ¡°How could I have known the thesis was hers? I wasn¡¯t aware she was so close to Bryson. Besides, I¡¯ve already apologized. What more do they want from me? And Bryson denying being your fiance wasn¡¯t solely because of this incident. ¡± Melina¡¯s eyes grew darker, her fists clenched. ¡°So she wants the spotlight, does she? Well, if it¡¯s attention she seeks, she¡¯ll get more than she bargained for. ¡± Hannah had hoped resolving the online turmoil would offer her some respite. However, by evening, she received an unexpected call. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ An unknown number shed on her screen, and she answered reflexively. ¡°Hello?¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°Hannah Moore! You¡¯ve be quite audacious, blocking your father¡¯s number!¡± Wyatt Moore¡¯s voice oozed indignant anger. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t be a trending topic, I would¡¯ve remained blissfully ignorant of your easy -going life!¡± Hannah chuckled sarcastically, ¡°I assumed you¡¯d all vanished, given the years of silence. ¡± ¡°Maybe because you blocked me!¡± Wyatt retorted. ¡°Get your ass to Hoijery and meet me at the Moore residence. Don¡¯t make me send someone to drag you here!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hannah replied, ice in her tone. ¡°Haven¡¯t you already dispatched people to track me down? After striking out with the Edwards n, you¡¯re now trying to see how much you can milk from me? Listen up, Wyatt. Don¡¯t count on another dime from me!¡± ¡°I¡¯m your father! You¡¯re my child! Your money is mine too. What¡¯s wrong with me using your money?¡± Wyatt¡¯s voice escted over the phone. Chapter 354 ¡°Don¡¯t pretend. I know you and Den are done, and you¡¯ve walked away with a good chunk of his wealth. ALL I¡¯m asking is a measly 50 million!¡± ¡°Shameless, Hannah shot back, not willing to mince words. ¡°You can keep dreaming about that 50 million. ¡± Without waiting for any reply, she hung up and immediately blocked his number. Hannah dialed Ro¡¯s number. ¡°The Moore family has located me. Stay put at the vi. I¡¯lle to get you after I handle this. ¡± Silence filled the other end. The boy¡¯s young yetposed voice chimed in, ¡°He won¡¯t harm you, will he?¡± ¡°No chance. They¡¯re after money, not my life. But if they can¡¯t squeeze it out of me, they might hassle you. So keep your location secret. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± the boy responded softly. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Look out for yourself first. I¡¯m safe, very safe. ¡± Hearing his detached tone, Hannah just smiled. ¡°Okay, stay safe. ¡± As she was about to end the call, a quick sentence from the boy caught her ear. ¡°Reach out immediately if somethinges up. ¡± Pausing momentarily, Hannah grinned. ¡°Alright, understood.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡± Having submitted her academic paper, Hannah had initially nned to take some time off school to travel abroad and collect some old documents and graduation certificates at Deton University. But then an invite from Mia Jewelry Company arrived. She examined the invitation, her fingers tightly gripping the paper. It showcased a photo of the ¡®Love of Mona¡¯ ne. Her overseas ns could wait. This jewelry exhibit was a must-attend. Snapping back to reality, Hannah dialed Bryson¡¯s number. Chapter 355 ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯ve received Mia¡¯s invite. ¡± ¡°The event spans four or five days and is taking ce on a ferry. Pack multiple outfits and essentials. I¡¯ll have the chauffeur pick you up tomorrow,¡± Bryson instructed. Hannah graciously declined Bryson¡¯s offer. ¡°I¡¯ve got my own car now, so I¡¯m good. Shall we meet by the ferry then?¡± ¡°Sure, give me a call when you get there. ¡± ¡°WELL do. ¡± The next day¡­ To make boarding easier, Hannah chose for a ssic Dior little ck dress,plemented by a subtle diamond ne. After parking her car in the ferry¡¯s lot, she called Bryson. ¡°I¡¯m up front by the ferry. Come on over,¡± Bryson told her. Locking her car, Hannah pulled a small suitcase as she made her way towards the ship. ¡°Hannah, right here!¡± Grace greeted her with enthusiastic waves. Returning the greeting, Hannah continued to pull her suitcase. ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t keep you waiting. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°No worries, my brother and I just got here. ¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Bryson took the suitcase from her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go. The ship¡¯s waiting. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Upon presenting their invitations to a nearby security guard, the three of them were granted easy entry. A woman garishly dressed in stilettos rushed over, only to be halted by the security guard. ¡°Invitation, please?¡± ¡°My boyfriend has it!¡± Peering past the security guards, Valery Moore squinted to get a better look at Hannah. Could it really be her loathed half-sister? Chapter 356 Hadn¡¯t she just divorced Den? And who was this new man beside her? Straining to get a good look at Bryson, Valery concluded from his dress sense that he was undoubtedly a man of high standing. ¡°What on Earth are you doing, making a scene like this?¡± A man stepped up, hastily handing over their invitation while casting a disdainful nce at Valery. He¡¯d thought bringing such a stunning woman would be an asset. Little did he know she¡¯d be so ill-suited for this! Quickly turning around, Valery clung to the man¡¯s plump arm. ¡°Darling, I was just wondering what this fancy ferry party is all about!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Aren¡¯t you a spectacle!¡± the man snapped. As the man prepared to step onto the ferry, Valery found her way blocked by a pair of security guards. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? Step aside! I need to be with my boyfriend,¡± Valery dered, her eyebrows arching in disdain. The bodyguard said without a trace of emotion, ¡°Apologies, but ess is restricted to guests personally invited by Mia. We can¡¯t allow escorts to enter. ¡± The color in Valery¡¯s cheeks deepened in fury. ¡°How dare you? What are you insinuating?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A wave of discouragement washed over her. Wyatt, after all, was just a small-time boss in Hoijery, who had initially counted on Hannah¡¯s dowry to keep the business afloat. For the past few years, the Moore family¡¯s enterprise had been on shaky ground. Valery, avish spender, had little choice but to seek wealthy men willing to fund her lifestyle.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Darling!¡± Valery called out seductively, reaching out toward her leaving boyfriend. But the man merely waved her off. ¡°If that¡¯s how it is, then you should head home. ¡± ¡°Darling?¡± A stunned Valery watched as the man continued on without her. Had he truly just left her behind? With the bodyguards still obstructing her, Valery¡¯s earlier bravado evaporated. Feeling humiliated, she covered her face with her hands and fled. As Hannah boarded, a steward took her Luggage. The ferry had three exclusive levels, each reserved for special guests. Below, the entire floor was dedicated to Mia Jewelry Company¡¯s exhibition, and even further down were rooms for leisure activities. Chapter 357 Most of the faces Hannah recognized were from Valmere¡¯s upper ss.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. She initially thought to peruse the exhibition, but a steward informed her that it would officially begin the following day, after tonight¡¯s opening c@@ktail party. Currently, the jewels were under strict watch, off-limits for viewing. ¡°Hannah, could you please watch Grace for me?¡± Bryson whispered, as he was called away. ¡°Of course. Grace seems a bit worn out from the journey. I¡¯ll take her back to the cabin,¡± Hannah assured him. ¡°Thank you. ¡± Once aboard, Grace appeared notably sluggish. Hannah stayed by her side until she had drifted off to sleep. When she returned to her own cabin, Hannah picked up her phone and noticed a message from Ro. ¡°llyatt had somehow gotten hold of the vi¡¯s security information. He coulde searching for me. ¡± As Hannah skimmed through the text, a new message from Ro appeared. ¡°Would you like me to handle this guy for you?¡± Upon seeing the message, Hannah envisioned Ro¡¯s impassive face on the other side of the phone. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Wyatt won¡¯t be able to enter the Intercontinental Vi District. Don¡¯t make any rash moves. ¡± After she sent her reply, Ro went silent. Knock, knock, knock. The moment Hannah set down her phone, a knock resounded on the cabin door. Assuming it was Bryson, she rose to open it. ¡°Grace is already in bed, so¡­¡± Catching sight of the person outside, Hannah¡¯s expression abruptly chilled. Her hand shot up to close the door. Bang! Den braced the door Hannah was attempting to shut. He stared at her, somber-faced. ¡°What? Disappointed I¡¯m not Bryson Mitchell?¡± Chapter 358 ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Hannah strained against the door. ¡°You¡¯re not wanted here. Leave at once!¡± Den¡¯s arms were sturdy and imposing. Once inside, he closed the door behind him. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? We¡¯ve shared a bed before. Why the sudden piety Hannah grimaced at Den¡¯s remarks. ¡°Den Edwards! Get the f@ck out!¡± ¡°Heh.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± A cold sneer escaped Den as he pulled out his phone to disy it to Hannah. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Your dad dared to ask me for 5 million. ¡± Spotting Wyatt¡¯s calls and texts, Hannah¡¯s frown deepened. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°His actions are not my responsibility. Report him to the authorities if he bothers you again. ¡± ¡°Oh, really? When we married, the Edwards family put up 200 million for your dowry. Why omit that?¡± Den assessed Hannah. ¡°That¡¯s considered pre-marital assets. I have a right to reim it. ¡± This man had no shame. ¡°So, do you want me to retrieve it from your dad, or will you give it back?¡± Unfazed, Hannah stared at the man before her. ¡°Debts are owed by debtors. Go ask him. The money¡¯s not here with me. ¡± ¡°Like father, Like daughter. Both of you are nothing but greedy and shameless!¡± Den¡¯s icy eyes examined Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ve juste to realize that the Moore family are allcking in any sense of decency. ¡± Hannah reached for the doorknob, saying, ¡°So what if we have no shame? What can you do about it?¡± As her fingers made contact with the door, Den seized her arm. ¡°Alright then, show me just how audacious you can be!¡± Chapter 359 Pulling her toward him, he pressed her against the wall and leaned in for a ki*s. ¡°Back off!¡± With swift precision, Hannah aimed a kick straight at Den¡¯s groin. Wincing, he loosened his grip and sank to his knees with a muffled groan. ¡°You! You. ¡± With a stone-faced look, Hannah stepped over his crumpled form and opened the door. Bryson was poised to knock when he noticed Hannah. He was initially puzzled, then he saw Den, kneeling and grimacing in pain. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Hearing Bryson¡¯s inquiry, Den winced and attempted to rise, but his agony kept him down. ¡°He¡¯s down on his knees, rethinking his life choices,¡± Hannah coldly stated. ¡°Touched by his emotional epiphany, I thought I¡¯d open the door for him to exit first. ¡± Frustrated, Den wanted to shout that Bryson shouldn¡¯t believe her, but the searing pain left him mute, focused solely on his torment. ¡°In that case, you¡¯re free to go, Mr. Edwards,¡± Bryson said, looking disdainfully at the still-kneeling Den. ¡°Fine! I¡¯m leaving right now!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Grimacing through clenched teeth, Den awkwardly dashed out of the room, eager to put distance between them. Hannah watched him retreat into a nearby cabin. Gripping the doorknob, she turned to Bryson with a yful smile. Meeting her gaze, Bryson¡¯s eyes softened.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡°What¡¯s got you smiling¡± ¡°I find his cowardice amusing. In your presence, he¡¯s like a timid mouse before a cat. ¡± Unfazed by her exnation, Bryson then queried, ¡°What brought him here to you?¡± Hannah considered mentioning her father but decided against involving Bryson. She shook her head. ¡°He¡¯s here to stir up chaos. It¡¯s not the first time you¡¯ve witnessed his insanity. ¡± Chapter 360 Reading the hesitation in her eyes, Bryson chose not to pry any further. ¡°Grace isn¡¯t well. Why don¡¯t you rx in your room? I¡¯ll stop byter to remind you about tonight¡¯s banquet,¡± he suggested. ¡°Thanks, appreciate it. ¡± The door to the cabin shut, and Hannah stretched out on the bed, texting Lydia. Almost instantly, her phone buzzed with a return call. ¡°Which room are you in?! Why didn¡¯t you inform me as soon as you got here? I¡¯ve beenpletely in the dar! Confused, Hannah asked, ¡°I thought you were swamped with taking over your dad¡¯s business. How¡¯d you manage to attend the jewelry show?¡± The sounds of hastily putting on shoes filled the background. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I jokingly said Brayden was my boyfriend just to irritate some people, and now they¡¯re pushing for us to get married as soon as possible! Since they knew Brayden was also going to be on this ferry, they manipted an invite and pressured me intoing!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Lydia questioned as she swung open the cabin door, ¡°What floor are you on? I need to find you!¡± ¡°I¡¯m in the second roo m on the top floor. ¡± ¡°Got it, I¡¯ll be right there!¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Lydia soon joined Hannah in the cabin, and they dove into a lively chatter. ¡°I thought you were heading overseas to sort out your diploma and thesis? You¡¯ve never been a fan of these jewelry events. Did youe because of Bryson?¡± ¡°Enough already! Men aren¡¯t the only things I see!¡± Pausing briefly, Lydia nodded earnestly and said, ¡°You¡¯ve scarred me for life. You were so set on joining the Edwards family¡­¡± ¡°That topic is off-limits!¡± Hannah yfully tickled Lydia. ¡°Keep going and you¡¯ll see!¡± ¡°I quit, I quit!¡± Lydia instantly surrendered with a cheeky smile. Hannah then unveiled an invitation. ¡°This is the reason. ¡± Unimpressed, Lydia nced at the ne featured on the invite. ¡°Ah yes, the ¡®Love of Mona. ¡¯ What¡¯s so special about this piece that everyone¡¯s so captivated? Also¡­¡± Chapter 361 Lydia examined the ne once more, murmuring, ¡°Why does this ne seem so familiar? Yet I can¡¯t ce where I¡¯ve seen it before. ¡± Hannah pulled up an image on her phone, showing it to Lydia. ¡°Perhaps you¡¯ve seen it here. ¡± Staring at the photo in Hannah¡¯s possession, Lydia went from shocked to emotional. ¡°My goodness! That¡¯s your mom¡¯s ne! What¡¯s it doing at Mia Jewelry?!¡± Taken aback, Lydia paused to gather her thoughts. ¡°Wyatt has a death wish, selling off your mother¡¯s prized heirloom Like that!¡± Fuming, Lydia sprang to her feet and began to pace the cabin. ¡°Wyatt confiscated your dowry when you first joined the Edwards family, and he didn¡¯t even return your mother¡¯s keepsake! He imed he was holding onto it in memory of your mother. What a piece of garbage! Who knows how many of your mother¡¯s belongings they¡¯ve cashed in on over the years!¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze turned icy, her tone both tranquil and authoritative. ¡°That¡¯s why, once I leave this ship, I¡¯m heading straight to the Moore family to reim what¡¯s rightfully mine. ¡± Lydia sat back down and clutched Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°Then you have to take me with you. That old man won¡¯t easily part with your belongings. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°No, he won¡¯t,¡± Hannah replied with a frigid smile. ¡°Especially after the recent Twitter scandal. He somehow got a hold of my number and had the audacity to call and ask for money. ¡± ¡°Is he utterlycking in self-respect?¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°The Moore family didn¡¯t contribute a dime to your dowry when you married into the Edwards family! It was Mrs. Allison Edwards who fronted the 200 million to save face for you. The Moore family didn¡¯t even bother to inquire if there was a respectable family that let the groom¡¯s side cover the cost of the dowry and wedding gifts! And he still had the audacity to ask you for money? Unbelievable¡± Holding the ne-adorned invitation in her hand, Hannah¡¯s eyes became steely. ¡°Rest assured, they won¡¯t see a cent from me. If they dare tamper with my mother¡¯s belongings, they¡¯ll regret the day. ¡± Lydia found herself momentarily lost, seeing a glimpse of the Hannah she first knew years ago. That Hannah she knew was a woman with a cial, unyielding demeanor that warded people off. She rushed over to envelop her friend in a hug. ¡°Hannah, remember, you¡¯re not in this alone. Whateveres, count me in. ¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Chapter 362 The once tense atmosphere in the cabin melted away with Lydia¡¯s warm embrace. Hannah¡¯s face found refuge in Lydia¡¯s chest, even as she yfully patted Lydia¡¯s arm. ¡°Enough, enough! You¡¯re smothering me!¡± After freeing herself from Lydia¡¯s hug, Hannah inhaled deeply and said, ¡°Lydia, a refined woman speaks with words, not her body. Don¡¯t do that again, please. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryN?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡°I¡¯m anything but refined!¡± They spent the entire afternoon chattering, neglecting their usual noon break. Eventually, they opted to check in on Grace. Ever since boarding the ship, Grace had seemed a bit down. When she opened the door, Grace rubbed her eyes and greeted them. ¡°Hannah, Lydia. ¡± Examining her closely, Hannah asked with concern, ¡°Is something wrong? Are you still not feeling well?¡± ¡°No, I just can¡¯t seem to fully wake up. ¡± Grace perched on her bed, yawning, her eyes moist. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯m just feeling so weary. ¡± ¡°Could this be some form of seasickness?¡± Lydia leaned in to touch Grace¡¯s forehead and then looked at Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that seasickness affects people this way. ¡± ¡°Grace has always been frail. It¡¯s to be expected. ¡± Hannah suggested that Grace take her meds. ¡°If you¡¯re not up to it, miss the party and get some rest. You¡¯ll want to be well for the jewelry exhibition tomorrow. ¡± ¡°I get it. ¡± Grace nodded, somewhat dejected. ¡°I¡¯ve been taking the medicine you gave me, but I¡¯m just too drained to get up. I¡¯ll probably skip the party. ¡± Seeing Grace¡¯s glum expression, Hannah tenderly stroked her hair. Chapter 363 ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the main event is the jewelry exhibition tomorrow. ¡± As evening descended, the sky grew darker. The ferry was now halfway across the ocean.N?velDrama.Org content rights. It was cruising at a leisurely pace, and the evening wind on her face gave Hannah a sense of relief after a long day indoors. The rhythmic sound of waves hitting the hull and the vast ocean melding into the twilight sky caused Hannah¡¯s mind to drift. ¡°The party is about to begin. ¡± Spotting Hannah alone on the deck, Bryson approached andid his jacket over her shoulders. ¡°Be careful not to catch a cold. ¡± Feeling the warmth of the jacket, Hannah looked at Bryson. ¡°Did you see how Grace is doing?¡± ¡°Yes, she¡¯s still not great, but I had some food sent to her room. ¡± As the wind tussled strands of her hair, Bryson grabbed her wrist. ¡°It¡¯s getting windy. Let¡¯s go inside. ¡± Hannah and Bryson stepped into the cabin where the party was taking ce, instantly drawing the gaze of many attendees. Upon noticing Hannah beside Bryson, murmurs spread through the crowd. ¡°Wow, Hannah¡¯s quite the catch, staying in Mr. Mitchell¡¯s good graces for this long. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°He even disregarded the Glyn family just to be with her. She must be something special. ¡± ¡°Who knew a divorcee could capture Mr. Mitchell¡¯s heart? She must know a thing or two about charming men. ¡± Alick, standing with a woman by his side, overheard the conversation and cast a meaningful nce at Hannah. ¡°Mr. Shaw, if you¡¯re interested in Miss Moore, I could introduce you. ¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Alick slightly lifted his eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯ve met her before. ¡± As the evening wore on, guests mingled and feasted on the delicious spreadid out on the long table. Clusters of young heirs and heiresses from long-standing families gathered, while their dates engaged in lively chatter. Chapter 364 After entering arm in arm with Bryson, Hannah found them swamped by people who came to meet Bryson. She released his arm, saying, ¡°Business first. I¡¯m going to grab a bite. Lydia will be here any moment; I¡¯ll be fine. ¡± Once Bryson had left, Hannah picked up a small cake and took a bite. ¡°You¡¯re really enjoying that, aren¡¯t you, Miss Moore?¡± Holding the cake, Hannah turned around to find Alick. She coldly turned her back on him. Undeterred, Alick continued to smile, saying, ¡°Miss Moore, one should be pragmatic. The Mitchell family holds great sway, and their patriarch would never settle for a bride without high standing. ¡± Alick suggested that Hannah could never be Bryson¡¯s wife, even if she remained with him. ¡°If you stick around with Bryson, you¡¯ll never be anything more than his mistress. How sad is that?¡± Hannah shot Alick a nce. ¡°I always thought gossip was a woman¡¯s game, but apparently men like to y it too. You¡¯re no better than those chatterbox women. I don¡¯t even know you well. My rtionship choices are none of your business. ¡± She was about to walk away when Alick said in an arrogant tone, ¡°You act like the title doesn¡¯t matter to you. But deep down, you want to be his wife. The Shaw family is highly respected in Valmere. Marry me, and we can be married right away. ¡± ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Hannah halted, turned around, and looked at Alick scornfully. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Am I a naive and simple-minded woman in your eyes? You think you can manipte me with a few slick words?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Before Alick could respond, Hannah felt her arm being grabbed. ¡°Alick, back off! Our engagement is over, why are you still harassing Hannah?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Lydia stood next to Hannah, ring at Alick, with Brayden looming behind her. Seeing Brayden, Alick scoffed and addressed Lydia. ¡°The Shaw family decided you should marry me, not me. You¡¯re just trying totch onto the Davies family. But I¡¯m afraid the prospect may be leak. ¡± Alick then turned to Hannah and said, ¡°Miss Moore, sometimes those on the inside can¡¯t see as clearly. Ponder my proposal. It could affect your future. ¡± Once Alick had left, Lydia stared at his retreating back, as if looking at an idiot. ¡°What was he proposing?¡± Hannah chose not to upset Lydia with the details. ¡°It¡¯s nothing important. Don¡¯t waste your energy on him. ¡± Chapter 365 She then picked up a piece of cake and ced it in Lydia¡¯s hand. Smiling, she said, ¡°Try this cake, it¡¯s delicious. ¡± The diversion worked. Lydia bit into the cake. ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s really good. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore?¡± With her silk-like skin and an emerald ne gracing her corbone, Melina exuded elegance and sophistication. Seeing Hannah, she seemed rather surprised. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re here too? How wonderful! I had actually considered inviting you to this jewelry exhibition earlier, but unfortunately, I could only bring one family member. ¡± Melina wore a regretful expression as she said, ¡°Thankfully, Miss Moore is also present. ¡± Lydia couldn¡¯t stand Melina¡¯s smug demeanor. ¡°Is it hard toe by the invitation? Hannah¡¯s name has always been on the guest lists at these gatherings. She doesn¡¯t require any charity from Miss Glyn. ¡± Melina, taken aback by the direct rebuttal, regained herposure. She smiled anew and said, ¡°It¡¯s not a handout. I believe you misunderstand, Miss Phillips. Miss Moore is a friend of Bryson¡¯s. Naturally, I¡¯d like her to frequent such events more often. ¡± Her intent was to subtly belittle Hannah for herck of appearances at refined events. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Feeling a surge of anger, Lydia almostshed out at Melina. But Hannah¡¯s hand gently halted her. Smiling at Melina, Hannah remarked, ¡°You have a point, Miss Glyn. I¡¯d love to attend more events like this. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Bryson¡¯s pleasant voice floated into Hannah¡¯s hearing range. Turning to him, she grinned and said, ¡°Miss Glyn and I were just discussing jewelry.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± Melina shot Bryson a pleasant smile. ¡°Indeed. Since Miss Moore is somewhat new to these kinds of social circles, I worry she might feel out of ce. ¡± ¡°Qut of ce? Not while I¡¯m here,¡± Bryson responded, casting a chilly gaze at Melina. ¡°Oh, you needn¡¯t worry about that,¡± Hannah interjected, smiling. ¡°Miss Glyn has a point. If ever I¡¯m confused and you¡¯re not around, I could always turn to her for advice. ¡± Chapter 366 Melina¡¯splexion grew somber. Forcing a smile, she nodded. ¡°Excuse me, I need to use the restroom,¡± Hannah announced.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°You carry on. ¡± Ssh. Hannah focused on washing her hands at the sink. Just then, the click of high heels signaled Melina¡¯s entrance. As Melina approached, she began washing her hands. ¡°You really know how to put on a show for Bryson. ¡± Finishing up, Hannah flicked her hands, sttering water onto Melina¡¯s gown. ¡°Well, I had a good teacher, didn¡¯t I?¡± Spotting the water stains on her dress, Melina erupted ¡°Hannah Moore! Who do you think you are? Worthy of Bryson¡¯spany?¡± Hannah clicked her tongue dismissively. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She shot Melina a disdainful look and retorted, ¡°Running low on elegance, are we?¡± Irritated by Hannah¡¯s contempt, Melina abandoned her refined demeanor. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Listen up, Hannah Moore! Just because Bryson is showing you some kindness doesn¡¯t give you the right to act so high and mighty! Let me remind you, the Glyn and Mitchell families have a history. So forget any silly ideas about marrying into the Mitchells!¡± ¡°What¡¯s so remarkable about the Mitchells that I¡¯d want to marry into them anyway?¡± Hannah replied. She stood off to the side, leisurely wiping each of her fingers with a tissue, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she Looked at Melina. ¡°I should have known, Miss Glyn aims for the title of Mrs. Mitchell. My goals clearly aren¡¯t as lofty as yours. ¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± Melina¡¯s hand flew up, poised to p Hannah. In a swift motion, Hannah intercepted Melina¡¯s wrist and pped her instead. ¡°~AhE¡± Melina stumbled back against the sink, shocked that Hannah had the audacity to hit her. She was almost beside herself. ¡°Hannah Moore! Chapter 367 You dare to p me?¡± Hannah remained silent, gripping Melina¡¯s hair and forcing her to face her own reflection. ¡°See how worked up you are, a far cry from theposure of ady with a distinguished family background. I¡¯ve put up with you because you¡¯re Mr. Mitchell¡¯s friend. But don¡¯t think for a second I haven¡¯t caught on to your insinuations. ¡± As Melina squirmed, feeling the painful yank on her scalp, she wanted to scream, but Hannah cut her off with a scoff. ¡°Go ahead, scream for help. Let¡¯s see who ends up more embarrassed when people find you like this. Will it be me or you?¡± Rxing her hold, Hannah left Melina leaning against the sink. ¡°Miss Glyn, a word of advice. Don¡¯t push me. My patience has its limits, and it¡¯s hard to restrain myself from hitting you again. ¡± After she spoke, Hannah shook loose any stray hairs clinging to her hand and calmly exited the restroom. Left alone, Melina stared into the mirror, her fingers clenched and her eyes clouded with rage. Returning to the banquet, Lydia questioned Hannah, ¡°What took you so long? It was just a restroom break. ¡± ¡°My dress had a minor stain. Took me a bit to clean it up. ¡± Upon hearing this, Bryson cast a quick look at the hem of Hannah¡¯s dress. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Would you like to return and change outfits?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah offered a smile. ¡°No worries, I¡¯ve already handled it. ¡± Just then, Melina stepped out of the restroom, a faint red mark marring her face. ¡°Did something happen to Miss Glyn? Why does her face look somewhat flushed?¡± Catching sight of the mark, Lydia sarcastically remarked, ¡°That wasn¡¯t there before she entered the restroom. Did she identally collide with something?¡± Melina¡¯s eyes seemed to radiate murderous intent! Carefullyposing herself, she spun around and offered a restrained smile. Her shadowy eyes fixed on Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, likely a minor allergic reaction. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Hannah responded with a gentle smile, ¡°Is that so? Miss Glyn, be cautious next time. Allergies have a way ofing back. ¡± ¡°Your caution is appreciated, Miss Moore,¡± Melina said, her fist tightening. ¡°I have other matters to see to, so I¡¯ll cut this conversation short. ¡± Chapter 368 Bryson¡¯s eyes met Hannah¡¯s, a subtle smile forming on his Lips. He chose not to unveil the simmering tension. Abruptly, the hall¡¯s Lighting faded. A spotlight focused on the stage ahead. ¡°Good evening, everyone! Wee to the Mia Jewelry Exhibition. Please, let¡¯s wee the chairwoman of Mia Jewelry for some opening remarks. ¡± With a joyful expression, the host passed the microphone to a middle aged woman standing behind her. Dr@ped in an elegant gown, the woman radiated both grace and authority. She took the microphone and began with a weing smile, ¡°We hope for nothing but sess for this jewelry exhibition. In addition, this is an asion of double joy. Not only are we celebrating Mia Jewelry Company¡¯s 20th anniversary, but we also extend our best wishes to Mr. Den Edwards, CEO of Edwards Group in Valmere, for a prosperous marriage proposal. ¡± As the chairwoman of Mia Jewelry delivered her statement, a low murmur of whispers surged through the banquet hall. ¡°Den Edwards is popping the question? Wasn¡¯t he previously married?¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s ancient history! Haven¡¯t you heard? He¡¯s divorced now. Thedy with him tonight is his newest partner. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re kidding! Didn¡¯t his former wifee aboard this ship with him?¡± ¡°She actually arrived with Mr. Bryson Mitchell. It appears that Bryson is currently¡­¡± Chatter and spection swirled throughout the room. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Listening to the buzz about Den Edwards remarrying, Eliana fought to keep her facial expression steady. ¡°Den. ¡± She gave a soft tug on Den¡¯s sleeve. Yet Den appeared to be in a world of his own, his eyes locked on Hannah, who was engrossed in lively conversation with Bryson. Whatever Bryson had said had clearly made Hannah beam with joy, seemingly untroubled by the onstage announcement. Suddenly, a spotlight hit Eliana and Den, as the chairwoman¡¯s voice resonated from the tform.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡°May I ask Mr. Edwards to join us on stage and say a few words for this special asion?¡± This seemed to snap Den back to reality, and he ascended the stage with a calm presence. ¡°It¡¯s been a long road for Eliana and me. I¡¯ve adored her for over ten years. Life took us on many detours, but she¡¯s finally back with me. My affection for her knows no bounds. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll bid on Mia¡¯s treasure, ¡®Love of Mona, ¡® to reveal my true emotions for her. ¡± Hannah seemed disinterested in Den¡¯s onstage ramblings. But the moment he mentioned ¡®Love of Mona¡¯, her expression subtly shifted, and her gaze lifted to the stage. Chapter 369 From his elevated position, Den noticed the slight change in Hannah¡¯s demeanor amidst the dim lighting. A sense of unspoken satisfaction washed over him. Hannah, it appeared, still had lingering feelings for him, despite her outward indifference! Standing at the base of the stage, Eliana touched her lips with her hand, visibly moved, and tears began to fall. Mia Jewelry¡¯s chairwoman smiled beside Den. ¡°Our pieces truly shine best when illuminated by genuine love. Let¡¯s eagerly anticipate tomorrow¡¯s auction!¡± The banquet hall¡¯s lights brightened once more. Taking the initiative, Mia Jewelry¡¯s chairwoman approached Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, we have some business details to sort out. Shall we?¡± Bryson nced at Hannah. The chairwoman¡¯s smile deepened as she turned to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, may I borrow Mr. Mitchell for a bit?¡± A wave of pink colored Hannah¡¯s cheeks. Feeling a little awkward being the center of attention, she responded, ¡°Of course, go ahead. The business you two have is important. ¡± ¡°Hannah, hang on a moment. Brayden wants to introduce me to a potential partner. I¡¯ll return shortly,¡± Lydia said. Understanding the importance of mingling, Hannah nodded in approval. ¡°Sure, go ahead. I¡¯ll keep myself upied with some food over there. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The idea of a quiet, peaceful meal seemed like an unreachable dream.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. After her friends had departed, Hannah sought refuge in a secluded corner, aiming to relish the banquet spread alone. But her solitude was shattered after only a few bites; a figure suddenly cast its shadow over her. When she instinctively looked up, Eliana stood there, her face beaming with a disarming smile. Could a peaceful meal really be this hard to achieve? ¡°Hannah, Den and I are tying the knot soon. I¡¯d love for you to wish us well,¡± Eliana announced. Hannah nced at Eliana critically. ¡°I¡¯m no deity. What good would my well-wishes do you?¡± Chapter 370 Eliana was rendered dumb. As Hannah resumed eating, Eliana experienced a twinge of unease. ¡°Even with our past differences, I¡¯d like our marriage to have everyone¡¯s good graces. ¡± Hannah set her fork aside, looked up, and scrutinized Eliana. ¡°From time to time, I can¡¯t help but question if there¡¯s something wrong with you. Why do you keep putting yourself in my line of sight? Do you think you¡¯re so mesmerizing that everyone must adore you?¡± Hannah tilted her head, pointing to her temple. ¡°If you think there¡¯s a screw loose up here, I can rmend an exceptional neurologist. ¡± Stunned by Hannah¡¯s blunt retort, Eliana found herself at a loss. Her face paled. ¡°I only wanted to clear the air. I didn¡¯t mean to impose. ¡± ¡°Then give me my space and quit hovering around like a persistent ghost,¡± Hannah responded. ¡®s BunnyBookery Curiosity sparked in Hannah¡¯s eyes as she observed Eliana. ¡°You act like your rtionship is hanging by a thread. Once you¡¯ve spat out a piece of gum, who¡¯d want to chew it again?¡± Flustered by Hannah¡¯s biting words, Eliana¡¯s face flushed a blend of red and blue. Her eyes fixated on Hannah¡¯s wine ss.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She took a step closer, her voice droppin ¡°I¡¯m the one marrying Den, and I won¡¯t let you jeopardize that!¡± ¡°What role could I possibly¡­¡± Before Hannah couldplete her thought, Eliana snatched the wine ss and doused herself. The ss plummeted to the ground, shattering in a high-pitched tter. Crack! ¡°Abh!¡± A piercing scream caught the attention of nearby onlookers. Red wine trickled down Eliana¡¯s hair. Her pitiful eyes locked with Hannah¡¯s, as if to imply that Hannah had been the one to spill the wine. ¡°Ah, Hannah couldn¡¯t resist causing a scene. I knew Den¡¯s ex-wife would bring the drama. ¡± ¡°Just imagine, respectable folks stirring up trouble over a man. Chapter 371 Shameful!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong. A man who has multiple women fussing over him is seen as something of a catch!¡± Eliana¡¯s shrill cry swiftly drew Den¡¯s attention. Spotting the wine-soaked Eliana, he shot Hannah a disapproving nce. ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± Eliana wrapped her arm around Den¡¯s, feigning grievance. ¡°Den, don¡¯t me Miss Moore. It was surely an ident I¡¯l go change. ¡± ¡°Hannah! If you have problems regarding me, don¡¯t hold back. Come to me directly! Is it enjoyable for you to torment Eliana?¡± Amidst the inquisitive stares of the crowd, Hannah rose to her feet, nonchntly holding a slice of cake. ¡°Indeed, I have plenty of problems with you both, a deceitful man and a malicious woman. ¡± Holding the cake, she walked toward them. ¡°Miss Patel, I¡¯ve never approached Mr. Edwards on my own initiative, yet you¡¯re always itching for a showdown. Are you infatuated with me? After all, he and I are no longer tied by marriage, but you never seem to tire of making a disy in front of me. ¡± Eliana turned to Den, putting a mask of fragility. ¡°ALL I want is to clear any misunderstandings between us¡­¡± ¡°Was it truly necessary to douse her with red wine, turning her into a spectacle?¡± Den questioned. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s face betrayed no emotion at the false usations. Instead, she observed them both with unflinchingposure. ¡°She held the ss. She sshed the wine on herself. What does that have to do with me?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°How could Eliana possibly douse herself in wine?¡± Den stared at Hannah as if she were a skilled liar. ¡°Quit justifying your actions!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to take my word for it. ¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow slightly. ¡°If I were the one acting, why would I merely ssh her with wine?¡± Smack! Chapter 372 The onlookers, who had been enjoying the drama from afar, barely had time to register Hannah¡¯s swift movement before the slice of cake she¡¯d been holding found its target. It was Eliana¡¯s face! Hannah, te in hand, yfully smeared the cake onto Eliana¡¯s face. Eliana¡¯s delicate makeup became a mess as the cream and cake basebination slowly ran down her face. The frosting matted her hair, forming a vibrant, disheveled mask that veiled her eyes and sttered her dress. The room plunged into stunned silence, all eyes focused on Hannah¡¯s audacious act. Even Den, standing beside Eliana, was so taken aback he was rendered motionless. ¡°This time I did it. You all saw it,¡± Hannah dered, discarding the te. ¡°Miss Patel, I don¡¯t deal with rubbish. Keep your Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ distance and stop parading your undesirable trash before me. ¡± Humiliated in the presence of Valmere¡¯s elite, Eliana bit her tongue, afraid to amplify her embarrassment. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Bryson¡¯s resonant voice broke the quiet as he walked up. Noticing the cream on Hannah¡¯s hand, he remarked, ¡°You seem rather careless today. ¡± As if Eliana¡¯s humiliation was invisible to him, Bryson focused on cleaning Hannah¡¯s fingers with a tissue from the table. ¡°How did you manage to get cake on yourself?¡± Den interjected, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, control your people. She humiliated my fiancee in public. This is uneptable. ¡± Still focused on cleaning Hannah¡¯s hand, Bryson didn¡¯t even nce up. ¡°Hannah isn¡¯t the type to create trouble, unless provoked. ¡± Tossing the tissue away, Bryson shot a frosty look at Den. ¡°Is a slice of cake really worth all this drama?¡± Bryson turned, leading Hannah away from the scene. ¡°Talk to my assistant about the dress.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± Yosef stepped forward, grinning at the disgraced couple. ¡°Mr. Edwards, let¡¯s discuss the dresspensation. ¡± Feeling utterly humiliated, Den quickly ushered Eliana away. ¡°Go to the restroom and wash your face, now!¡± Chapter 373 Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Den excused himself from Eliana and headed back to mingle with the guests. Eliana came out of the restroom still looking a bit disheveled, despite her efforts to freshen up. Suddenly, a tissue appeared in front of her. She lifted her gaze and was momentarily taken aback by the individual before her. ¡°Mr.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Shaw?¡± Wearing a smile, Alick tenderly wiped her face and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s got you so rattled?¡± Feeling a bit self-conscious, Eliana grabbed the tissue, murmured her thanks, and was about to hurriedly leave when he spoke again. ¡°Would you like to avoid futureplications?¡± His words caused Eliana to halt in her tracks. She turned around and queried, ¡°What are you suggesting, Mr. Shaw?¡± Alick moved closer, offering her a small vial. ¡°It¡¯s a powerful substance. When the moment is right, use it and lead her to my room. Everything else will be taken care of. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana hesitated but finally epted the vial from Alick. ¡°Here¡¯s the key card to my room. ¡± As Eliana took the substance, Alick grinned and pressed the room key into her hand, saying, ¡°Good luck. ¡± She watched him walk away, clutching the room key tightly, already plotting her next moves. Bryson and Hannah emerged from the cabin, standing side by side in the open air. ¡°The breeze out here feels so much better. ¡± Hannah nced at Bryson andmented, ¡°You looked a bit down after talking to Mia Jewelry¡¯s chairwoman. What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°They proposed a partnership and also mentioned your name. ¡± ¡°Me?¡± Intrigued, Hannah asked Bryson, ¡°What does their potential coboration with the Mitchell family have to do with me?¡± ¡°Mia Jewelry wants to team up with the Mitchell Group. ¡± ¡°That sounds like a positive development. So, how does this involve me?¡± Bryson stared at Hannah and said, ¡°Due to the current buzz about you online, Mia Group suggested that we create an online power couple to ignite further discussions. ¡± Hannah, familiar with marketing tactics, wasn¡¯t taken aback by the proposition from Mia Group. Chapter 374 ¡°Using branding strategies to attract more attention isn¡¯t umon. ¡± Unfazed, Hannah told Bryson, ¡°If Mr. Mitchell requires my participation, I¡¯m on board. ¡± ¡°I said no. ¡± Stunned, Hannah said, ¡°An opportunity with Mia is umon. I think it¡¯s just minor publicity, nothing substantial. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want our rtionship to be trivialized. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson looked earnest. ¡°Mia wanted a word with you. I intervened. ¡± Her emotions surged, as if fanned by a sudden breeze, and grew intense. Hannah faced the subdued coastline and subtly smiled, ¡°They should¡¯ve approached me directly. A little performance fee might just make me act convincingly. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes settled on the dark, looming ocean. ¡°Had I known, I wouldn¡¯t have interfered on your behalf. ¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Sharing a mutual understanding, they both broke intoughter. After standing outside a bit, Bryson¡¯s phone rang. ¡°Grace isn¡¯t feeling well. I¡¯m going to see her. ¡± ¡°Allow me to go instead. ¡± Upon learning Grace felt unwell, Hannah instantly became concerned. ¡°Don¡¯t waste any time. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She ims she¡¯s feeling nauseous because she¡¯s hungry, but shecks the energy to step out of her room. ¡± Bryson sighed. ¡°She dislikes the banquet food and wants me to fetch her a snack. ¡± Relieved by Bryson¡¯s words, Hannah said, ¡°If anything happens to Grace, call me right away. I¡¯lle back. ¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± After Bryson departed, Hannah headed back to the party and coincidentally crossed paths with Eliana, who had just changed. ¡°Miss Moore!¡± Hannah turned around, visibly annoyed. Chapter 375 ¡°Have you forgotten, or did thatst piece of cake not enough?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­¡± Eliana offered two wine sses, extending one to Hannah. ¡°Let¡¯s bury the hatchet with this toast. I promise not to pester you again. ¡± For some unclear reason, Eliana wore a determined look.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Growing weary of Eliana¡¯s constant meddling, Hannah grabbed the ss downed its contents, and mmed it on the table. ¡°Leave me alone Eliana watched Hannah depart, then slowly lifted her own ss and sipped the wine, casting a distant gaze. Spotting Alick observing from a distance, Eliana nodded subtly to him before setting down her ss and stepping away. Concerned for Grace, Hannah made a swift exit before the party came to a close. ¡®s BunnyBookery Earlier, Eliana had also covertly slipped into Alick¡¯s room. The next morning¡­ Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The room enveloped in shadows, Alick, shirtless, curled his arms around the individual next to him. Awakening in the dim light and remembering the passionate antics of the woman from the previous night, he grinned contentedly, his hands gently exploring her figure. Sensing the person beside him shiver, Alick shed a smile. ¡°Fear not. I¡¯m not one to break my promises. I assured you a ce in my life, and I intend to keep it. ¡± ¡°Mr. Mr. Shaw. ¡± Alick paused. He quickly realized the voice didn¡¯t belong to Hannah! Tapping the touchscreen next to his bed, the curtains drew back. To his astonishment, he saw Eliana lying beside him?! ¡°How did you end up here?¡± Alick demanded sharply. ¡°Wasn¡¯t your task to bring Hannah?¡± Eliana, resembling a devastated flower, wrapped herself in the nket, her eyes welling up with tears. The traces of ki*ses were evident on her neck, her hair disheveled, and her eyes tinged with red. ¡°She outsmarted me. Everything was fine, but then, somehow, the spiked drink ended up with me! I don¡¯t even know how I got here!¡± Frustrated, Alick ran his fingers through his hair, red at Eliana, scooped up some clothes from the floor, and threw them at her. Chapter 376 ¡°Leave, while it¡¯s still early. ¡± Eliana, gripping the tossed clothes, hesitantly left the bed, nearly copsing as she tried to stand. Alick couldn¡¯t help but reach out to steady her, his hand brushing her skin, the memories ofst night making it difficult to maintain hisposure. Taking Eliana¡¯s hand, he guided her into the bathroom, where the intimate moans enveloped the room. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As they left the bathroom, Alick had already put on his clothes, resuming his polished, gentleman-like manner. Luckily, Eliana had chosen to wear a high-cored dress the previous day, effectively hiding any love bites on her neck.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. She emerged from the bathroom timidly, avoiding any eye contact with Alick. ¡°Mr. Shaw¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware that you belong to Den. I¡¯m not one to poach what¡¯s not mine, so consider our affair over,¡± he stated. ¡®s BunnyBookery The color drained from Eliana¡¯s face, her voice tinged with a soft allure. ¡°How can I possibly stand by Den now, given the circumstances?¡± Alick quirked an eyebrow, toying with the lighter he held. ¡°So you want to trap me into being with you?¡± ¡°Absolutely not! I didn¡¯t mean that!¡± Eliana vehemently denied, shaking her head. ¡°What happened between us was unnned, Mr. Shaw. Rest assured, our secret stays with us. ¡± Her demeanor was vulnerable, submissive, and it was clear she knew how to y into men¡¯s desires. Alick wasn¡¯t immune. She was attractive and seemedpliant, qualities he thought would make for an agreeable long-term fling. As Eliana turned to go, Alick stopped her. A fleeting smile of satisfaction crossed her face. When Alick neared, she faced him again, her eyes brimming with fake vulnerability. ¡°Here¡¯s my room key and phone number. If things go south for you, know that my door is always open. ¡± Alick was effectively offering her a position as his mistress. Feigning reluctance, Eliana slowly epted the key. ¡°You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Shaw. I won¡¯tplicate your life. ¡± Chapter 377 Ensuring no one was outside, Eliana straightened her attire and stealthily retreated to her room. Lydia rose early, knocked on Hannah¡¯s door, and, hearing no answer, prepared to grab breakfast at the ferry. As she walked by Melina¡¯s door, it swung open. A silent exchange of nces passed between them. Lydia headed toward the breakfast area, while Melina chose a different route. After eating, Lydia returned and knocked again on Hannah¡¯s door, which eventually opened. Hannah¡¯s face was damp from washing. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Why are you up so early?¡± ¡°I skipped dinner and woke up hungry, so I wanted some breakfast,¡± Lydia replied. Swinging a bag of breakfast items, she added, ¡°I got you some breakfast. Eat it while it¡¯s warm. ¡± ¡°Look at you, being thoughtful even when you have a boyfriend. ¡± ¡°Come on, Hannah. You¡¯re irreceable to me. The guy¡¯s just a contractual boyfriend, anyway!¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Their chat was interrupted by amotion outside. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What¡¯s going on? Sounds like an argument,¡± Hannah remarked. Always one for drama, Lydia rushed to the cabin door to listen in. ¡°Seems Like someone lost something. Not our concern, though. ¡± After their meal, Hannah dressed and exited her room. Doors to several cabins stood open, and bodyguards were inspecting each one. Lydia looked puzzled. ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± When the steward noticed Hannah¡¯s door open, he approached. ¡°Miss Moore, apologies for the inconvenience. We need to inspect your cabin and your friend¡¯s, per regtions. ¡± Hannah nced at the steward and questioned, ¡°What¡¯s the real reason here? You¡¯re not just inspecting, you¡¯re searching for something specific, aren¡¯t you?¡± The steward responded, his tone tinged with regret, ¡°I apologize for the inconvenience, Miss Moore. Miss Glyn¡¯s valuable ne has gone missing. Despite searching all public areas, it remains lost. Ourst option is to check the cabins. ¡± Lydia fired back instantly, ¡°So she misced her ne. Why make it our problem? Who would even want to snatch such a worthless item?¡± Chapter 378 ¡°The ne is valued at over three hundred million, making Miss Glyn understandably frantic. We¡¯ve scoured the ship top to bottom, but to no avail. So we¡¯d like to search the cabins to see if it might be there. ¡± Although he spoke courteously, it was clear that Melina suspected theft. Lydia huffed, tossing her room card to the steward. ¡°Fine, search away. But don¡¯t turn my room into a mess. ¡± ¡°Of course, Miss Phillips. ¡± Turning to Hannah with a smile, the steward inquired, ¡°And you, Miss Moore?¡± Not wanting to put the steward in an awkward position, Hannah handed over her room card. ¡°Thank you both for your cooperation. ¡± Lydia gestured impatiently. ¡°Move it along. Hannah, let¡¯s head down to the lounge for some coffee. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Shortly after they settled into the lounge, Grace and Bryson appeared. ¡°Hannah!¡± Rejuvenated after days of fatigue, Grace lit up. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°You¡¯re here too!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As Hannah moved closer, she patted Grace¡¯s head. ¡°You seem to be doing well. You¡¯re quite Lively. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing okay. My mood brightened when I woke up this morning!¡± Summoning another server, Hannah ordered, ¡°Coconut milk for us, please. And for you, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°Atte will do. ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Alright then. ¡± Once the server had departed, Grace inquired, ¡°I noticed a crowd in your room as I wasing down. What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t your rooms inspected too?¡± Lydia queried, eyeing Grace. Clearly puzzled, Grace widened her eyes. Chapter 379 ¡°What are you talking about? What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°The ne belonging to Miss Glyn has vanished. It¡¯s worth three hundred million, and they¡¯re searching the entire ship. Didn¡¯t they ask you to unlock your door?¡± Grace turned to Bryson and shook her head. ¡°No. Nobody informed us when we were heading down. ¡± Frustrated, Lydia elbowed Hannah and fumed, ¡°They excel at pushing around the weak. They only have the nerve to search us!¡± Catching Lydia¡¯s drift, Bryson furrowed his brow. ¡°Did they go through your room?¡± Seeking to avoid a confrontation, Hannah responded, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. These folks are just trying to earn a living. Just as Hannah wrapped up her sentence, Melina guided a few of the ship¡¯s crew members in her direction. The man behind her took one look at Lydia and pointed.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°That¡¯s her. She¡¯s the one!¡± Before Lydia could respond the man bellowed, ¡°She¡¯s the one who stole Miss Glyn¡¯s ne¡± Stunned and enraged, Lydia mmed the table and stood up. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What are you saying? Who stole what? Are you spouting nonsense?¡± ¡°I saw you slip into Miss Glyn¡¯s room when I was leaving. I saw it myself!¡± Feeling unjustly used, Lydia shot back, ¡°That¡¯s a lie! I never went into her room. Why would I steal some useless ne?¡± Melina said in a soothing manner, ¡°Take it easy, Miss Phillips. Perhaps he confused you with someone else. No need to get so worked up. ¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t I show my anger?¡± Lydia was visibly furious, tossing aside any pretense of manners. ¡°You use me of theft, yet you tell me I have no right to be mad? What if you¡¯re merely stealing from yourself, ying the victim?¡± Melina maintained her cool demeanor, seemingly unfazed by Lydia¡¯s outburst. ¡°Miss Phillips, he might have simply misidentified you. Try not to get overly emotional. ¡± Chapter 380 Even this early in the morning, the lounge was upied by some of Valmere¡¯s most respected individuals. Many were tuned in, their ears pricked for gossip. Those who had been previously unaware now shifted their focus to the unfolding drama. At that point, the staff who had been upstairs searching the rooms returned. ¡°Miss Glyn, no sign of your ne was found in Miss Phillips¡¯ room. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery With an icy snort, Lydia demanded, ¡°Well then, what¡¯s your exnation now?¡± However, the man remained stubborn.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Not finding it in her room doesn¡¯t absolve her! She could still be hiding it on her person! What if we search you?¡± A disbelievingugh escaped Lydia. ¡°Why would I let you? Believe me or don¡¯t, but I didn¡¯t steal anything. ¡± ¡°Fearful of a search? Think we might find it on you?¡± ¡°Someone of the Phillips family has no reason to steal such ne. ¡± ¡°But what if they do? That ne is worth 300 million. Who¡¯s to say she isn¡¯t tempted?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The crowd became increasingly vocal, prompting Brayden to speak up. ¡°Lydia has no need to steal. If she desired a 300-million ne, the Davies family could easily afford it. ¡± Hailing from prominent families like the Davies and the Mitchells, Brayden¡¯s words effectively muted the crowd. Seizing the opportunity to appear reasonable, Melina then chimed in, ¡°Can you confirm the usation, or is this mere conjecture?¡± ¡°I saw her do it! She¡¯s the thief!¡± As the crowd¡¯s interest waned, some began to stir the pot. ¡°Just consent to a search and clear your name. ¡± ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s the harm in a simple search?¡± It was then that Hannah set her coffee aside and rose, her eyes icy cold. ¡°If it¡¯s proof of innocence we¡¯re after, why not have everyone searched? Let¡¯s all establish our innocence together. ¡± When the topic of a search came up, several people grew instantly agitated. Chapter 381 ¡°Why are we being searched? We¡¯re not suspects, so why the scrutiny?¡± Hannah, bristling with anger, sent a chair skidding across the room. ¡°The theft happened on this ship! You can¡¯t just single out one person! You were for searches when you weren¡¯t the one being scrutinized. Now that it¡¯s your turn, you object. Weren¡¯t you the one saying it was no big deal? Enough of your high and mighty talk. It has no bearing on the situation. Stick to your own affairs!¡± Hannah¡¯s outburst had a chilling effect. The room fell silent. Melina, observing Hannah¡¯s fiery demeanor, said softly, ¡°I understand Miss Phillips is a friend of Miss Moore. Bryson is my friend too. We¡¯re all friends here. Let¡¯s just let this go. That ne isn¡¯t worth the fuss. Let¡¯s stop the search. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze shifted to Melina. ¡°We can¡¯t just give up. A ne that pricey isn¡¯t something you just carry around. Miss Glyn, you should make sure it¡¯s found. So no one can point fingers at Lydia. ¡± Melina started to respond but was interrupted by the ¡°witness¡±. ¡°Enough from you! I stand by what I saw! Are you trying to shut me up?¡± Just as tensions were about to boil over, the ship¡¯s manager arrived with some staff. ¡°Miss Glyn, could this be your ne?¡± Melina looked surprised when she saw her ne resting in a red velvet box. ¡°Yes, this is mine, but. . Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hold on a moment,¡± Hannah interjected, picking up the ne. ¡°Where exactly was this found, manager?¡± The manager seemed apologetic. ¡°Our cleaning staff found it in the restroom, left on the counter. ¡± ¡°So, are we saying someone stole the ne and then carelessly left it in the restroom?¡± Hannah put heavy emphasis on the word ¡®stole¡¯, her eyes locking onto Melina¡¯s. ¡°What kind of stupid thief leaves a 30@-million-dor ne in a bathroom?¡± Melina shifted her gaze to the man next to her, equally surprised by the ne¡¯s unexpected return. He blurted out hastily, ¡°She must be the thief! She probably got scared and ditched it in the bathroom!¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Gracefully, Melina tried to defuse the tension. Chapter 382 ¡°The ne is back, so let¡¯s just drop the matter.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡± As she extended her hand to reim the ne, she noticed Hannah clutching it. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you offer Lydia an apology, given the mix-up, Miss Glyn?¡± Melina shot a quick nce at Bryson, noting he wasn¡¯t looking her way. ¡°I¡¯m not the one at fault. Let him apologize to your friend. ¡± The man beside her quickly conceded, offering an apology. ¡°I was wrong. I¡¯m sorry. ¡± Lydia, keeping her distance, was bothered by the half-hearted gesture. ¡°I wasn¡¯t seeking his apology. It¡¯s you who should apologize. ¡± Holding the ne, Hannah turned to Melina and grinned. ¡°My friend was falsely used because of your ne, after all. ¡± Melina offered Hannah a polite smile in return. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t think I did anything wrong, so there¡¯s no reason to apologize to your friend. ¡± ¡°Is that so? Then, I don¡¯t mind paying for an apology from you. ¡± Before Melina could grasp what Hannah meant, Hannah nonchntly flung the ne to the floor! The emerald ne splintered into fragments! Everyone stared at Hannah, incredulous, thinking she had lost her mind. ¡°Miss Moore, what¡¯s gotten into you?¡± Maintaining herposure was a battle for Melina as she gazed at the shattered ne. ¡°Being angry doesn¡¯t justify breaking things. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s only 300 million. I can cover the cost. ¡± Hannah met Melina¡¯s eyes casually. ¡°All I want is for you to apologize to her. ¡± Whispers of disapproval circted. Chapter 383 ¡°This is going overboard!¡± ¡°Yes, why continue to pressure Miss Glyn for an apology?¡± Hannah shot the crowd a dismissive look. ¡°Then why keep insisting on searching Lydia? We¡¯re all respectable individuals here. I just want an apology, nothing more. ¡± Melina lightly bit her lip and softly said, ¡°Bryson¡­¡± Atst, Bryson weighed in, not taking her side. ¡°Hannah¡¯s correct. You should apologize. ¡± Melina never thought Bryson would actually force her to say sorry. Keeping her cool was a challenge. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Finally, defeated by a mere utterance from Bryson, she gritted her teeth and addressed Lydia. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Phillips. I must have misjudged you. ¡± Bryson rose to his feet and walked over to Hannah. He stooped to collect the shattered emerald on the floor. Observing his actions, Hannah mentioned, ¡°Miss Glyn, as for the 300 million for the ne, I¡¯ll wire it to you after we get off. ¡± ¡°No need,¡± Bryson curtly said, handing the shattered emerald shards to the manager. He cast Melina an icy nce. ¡°All this drama over a counterfeit piece.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± ¡°A counterfeit?¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± The bystanders couldn¡¯t contain their surprise. Summoning an expert from the Mia Group proficient in jewelry evaluation, Bryson watched as Melina flushed with embarrassment. The evaluator examined the piece and shook their heads. ¡°This is a fake emerald. Though well-crafted, it¡¯s certainly not genuine. ¡± The crowd erupted in whispers and gasps. Melina¡¯s 300-million ne was a fake? Hannah queried the expert, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, even though it¡¯s a fake, it must have some worth, correct?¡± Chapter 384 ¡°Well¡­¡± The expert hesitated. ¡°The craftsmanship is fine, but I¡¯d say it¡¯s valued at no more than 2000. ¡± The ne¡¯s value took a rapid nosedive, going from 300 million down to 2000. Hannah shifted her eyes to Melina. ¡°Miss Glyn, did someone switch your ne, or did you really drop 300 million on a fake? A sum like 300 million is significant. You¡¯ll need to investigate this when you get back. ¡± ¡°I appreciate your concern, Miss Moore. I¡¯ll look into it,¡± Melina replied, struggling to suppress her rage with Bryson around, and pivoted to leave with her group. Hannah interrupted her exit. ¡°Wait, Miss Glyn. Even if it¡¯s only worth 2000, I broke it. Would a WhatsApp transfer suffice?¡± epting would be equivalent to admitting her ne was a counterfeit. Melina inhaled deeply, turned toward Hannah, and offered a smile. ¡°No need, Miss Moore. Since it¡¯s a fake, it couldn¡¯t have been mine. ¡®s BunnyBookery Either I made a mistake, or I haven¡¯t found the right one. I owe you and your friends an apology for today¡¯s mix-up. ¡± Hannah offered a small smile and said with grace, ¡°The important thing is that the confusion is resolved. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. The contrast between her demeanor now and when she¡¯d shattered the emerald earlier was striking, yet no one in the roommented on it. It wasn¡¯t until Melina had exited and the gathering gradually thinned out that Lydia turned to Hannah, eximing, ¡°You and Mr. Mitchell are truly a formidable pair! You even figured out the emerald was a fake!¡± Once seated, Hannah beamed and responded, ¡°Actually, you should be thanking Mr. Mitchell. Without him, I could have owed 300 million. ¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, your coffee is on me today!¡± Hannah cast a teasing nce at Lydia. ¡°So, saving you 300 million is worth just a cup of coffee?¡± Lydia quipped back, ¡°Oh, now that Mr. Mitchell is in the picture, have you forgotten about your old friend here? Should I throw in a few million as a thank-you gift?¡± Watching the two women share a light-hearted moment, a subtle smile crossed Bryson¡¯s face. Inside the cabin, Melina pulled out the untouched ne and red coldly at the man standing nearby. ¡°You messed up a simple job. How can the Glyn family even consider partnering with a subparpany like yours?¡± Chapter 385 The man remained silent, not daring to speak. ¡°Wasn¡¯t that ne supposed to stay in her room? Why was it in the restroom?¡± He hastily defended himself. ¡°I did put it in her room, but for some reason¡­ I can¡¯t exin how¡­ it ended up in the restroom! Truly strange!¡± Melina sized him up, her eyes narrowing. ¡°You weren¡¯t seen when you nted the ne, were you?¡± ¡°Absolutely not! I checked the corridor thoroughly before using the card to enter. ¡± Would Lydia have moved the ne? Or had Hannah already discovered it? A wave of annoyance swept over Melina. She couldn¡¯t forget the p Hannah had given her in the restroom.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. She was determined to get her revenge. ¡°Now go, and make sure you aren¡¯t seen exiting this ce!¡± ¡°Yes, yes, right away!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The dinner was set for the evening, concluding the events of the afternoon. As the sun dipped, guests swarmed into the jewelry exhibit hall, each wearingvish attire. Hannah and Bryson, arm in arm, were led by staff to their front-row seats. Den had already taken his seat when Eliana walked inte, her fingers instinctively grazing her cor. ¡°Den,¡± she greeted, settling beside him. Den sensed herteness and was mildly annoyed, though he hid it well. ¡°Why are youte?¡± he asked, his tone detached. Eliana touched her cor once more. ¡°I had trouble deciding on a dress. ¡± Observing her action Den¡¯s eyes shifted to her neck. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your neck¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really! Chapter 386 Eliana quickly covered her neck, coughing awkwardly. ¡°Just a cold from yesterday. Nothing to worry about. ¡± Den chose not to probe further. He simply nodded and looked away. Eliana sat next to him, her hand cautiously retreating, her eyes inadvertently drifting to Alick. Den too turned his gaze to the front row. And so, the banquet began. The room¡¯s lights dimmed, casting the auction stage in a bright glow. Mia Jewelry¡¯s chairperson was deeply involved, personally detailing each showcased piece. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Though Hannah looked unimpressed, clearly disengaged from the exhibit. Noticing her disinterest, Bryson leaned in and whispered, ¡°Should we leave early if you¡¯re not feeling well?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Hannah dismissed him with a head shake. Despite her indifference to the other pieces, she had her sights set on one particr item. It was the ¡®Love of Mona¡¯. ¡°Finally, we present thest ne, the ¡®Love of Mona¡¯, a symbol of evesting love! Comprising 108 D-ss white diamonds, each of identical grade and cut! Centered by a grand ruby, representing love, known as Mona¡¯s Tear! Bidding starts at 80 million!¡± The opening price was set, and a cacophony of bids immediately filled the hall. ¡°100 million!¡± ¡°102 million!¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°105 million!¡± From the back of the room, Den lifted his paddle with an air of confidence. ¡°110 million!¡± The bidding escted, showing no sign of slowing. That was, until a voice from the front called out, ¡°200 million!¡± Den looked conflicted, hesitating with his paddle for a ne with a 200 million price tag. Having made a public disy of affection the day before, he couldn¡¯t back down without losing face. With a strained look, Den hoisted his paddle. ¡°201 million. ¡± Chapter 387 He¡¯d thought he was in the clear, only to spot a paddle being raised at the front of the room. ¡°220 million. ¡± It was Bryson, not Hannah? Hannah turned her head in astonishment toward Bryson. She¡¯d been about to bid herself when, unexpectedly, he beat her to it. Puzzled but unable to question him with all eyes on them, she could only sit and fidget, her fingers clenched. Just as Den was about to bid again, Eliana quickly gestured to him, lightly touching his arm. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Den, weren¡¯t you trying to win this as a symbol of our uing wedding?¡± Visibly irked, Den pretended to adjust his suit and withdrew his hand. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Why was Bryson bidding? Was he after the jewelry too?N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°220 million, going once!¡± called the auctioneer. Without missing a beat, Den shot back, ¡°230 million!¡± Before he could even brace himself mentally, Bryson¡¯sposed voice rang out from the front. ¡°250 million. ¡± The room erupted in murmurs. ¡°Isn¡¯t Bryson usually disinterested in such items? Why bid on this?¡± ¡°Most of us are here for the ¡®Love of Mona¡¯ ne. Maybe he¡¯s after the same thing. ¡± ¡°This is getting intense. Den wants it for his wedding, but he might not get it if Bryson¡¯s in the game. ¡± ¡°Do you think Bryson¡¯s buying it for someone special? Likely Miss Moore, considering all the rumors around the Glyn family. ¡± Seated to the side, Melina quivered with fury, yet she held back her emotions. If it was out of her reach, she¡¯d make sure it was beyond anyone else¡¯s too! Suddenly, she shot her paddle into the air. ¡°300 million. ¡± ¡°Wow!¡± ¡°Oh my God!¡± Chapter 388 Melina¡¯s entry had further disrupted the scene. Hannah¡¯s fingers tightened, a sudden wave of unease washing over her. Den had not foreseen such fiercepetition, pushing the bidding to a staggering 300 million. Despite Eliana¡¯s subtle cues, he remained resolute, unwilling to up the ante. Amid the chaos, Alick saw an opportunity to stoke the mes. With a disinterested wave, he lifted his bidding paddle. ¡°500 million. ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. The room descended into speechless shock, everyone too stunned to utter a word. Was ¡®Love of Mona¡¯ really worth it? A 50@-million bid was unheard of in the history of auctions! Before anyone could regain theirposure, Bryson, seated in the front row, raised his bidding paddle and calmly dered, ¡°Double. ¡± ¡°One billion?! For just a ne?¡± A cacophony engulfed the room as Den remained frozen, utterly speechless. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After Bryson¡¯s earth-shattering bid, not a single hand dared rise. Matching Bryson¡¯s financial clout was out of the question for anyone present. A reckless bid could leave them burdened with an unaffordable ne! Melina gripped her purse tightly, her eyes betraying her inner struggle. Shocked that Bryson had gone to such lengths for the ¡®Love of Mona¡¯, Hannah eyed him, a mix of bewilderment and panic clouding her gaze. The room held its collective breath. It was a one-billion moment. Everyone awaited a higher bid that never came. ¡°One billion, going once!¡± Den¡¯s gaze was steely, akin to that of an assassin. ¡°One billion, going twice!¡± The room was thick with anticipation as everyone waited for the gavel¡¯s final sound. Bang bang bang! The hammer mmed down decisively. The auctioneer, his voice tinged with excitement, announced, ¡°One billion, sold! Congrattions, Mr. Mitchell of the Mitchell Group, for acquiring the auction¡¯s crown jewel!¡± The head of Mia Jewelry personally handed the ne to Bryson, saying, ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Mitchell. This ¡®Love of Mona¡¯ ne, a symbol of deep love, is now yours. ¡± Chapter 389 Lifting the ne from the tray, Bryson turned to Hannah and said pleasantly, ¡°Let me put this on you. ¡± Once again, the room erupted in disbelief. Bryson had splurged one billion, and it was all for Hannah? Hannah met Bryson¡¯s gaze, her hands slightly quivering. Her mother¡¯s ne was right there, yet the earnest intensity in his eyes almost set her aze. Beaming widely, the chairwoman of Mia Jewelry queried, ¡°The ¡®Love of Mona¡¯ signifies deep love. Since you¡¯re giving this ne to Miss Moore, might we assume she is your deep love, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery In that instant, all other sounds faded away, leaving only the thud of Hannah¡¯s own heart. She felt an overwhelming urge to flee, yet under Bryson¡¯s stare, she felt as if she were anchored to her seat, paralyzed. As Bryson locked eyes with her, his gaze was gentle and caring, devoid of the domineering quality often seen in influential people. ¡°The ne was always hers. I¡¯m merely giving it back to its true owner. ¡± A wave of tangled emotions washed over Hannah. She blinked in disbelief, not having anticipated Bryson¡¯s grasp of the ne¡¯s importance to her. Murmurs of surprise echoed through the hall as onlookers interpreted this as Bryson¡¯s romantic gesture toward Hannah.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson¡¯s unexpected ¡°deration¡± sent shockwaves through their socialwork. Choosing Hannah meant that she was now embraced by the Mitchell Group¡¯s shelter and recognized as part of the Mitchell household. This act seemed to debunk all gossip regarding a merger between the Glyn and Mitchell families. Could Valmere really be on the brink of such a seismic shift? The room buzzed with spection, all eyes honed in on Hannah, eager to gauge her response. Leaning forward gracefully, Hannah let Bryson sp the ne around her neck before rising and taking the microphone from the chairwoman of Mia Jewelry. ¡°This ne is more than just a piece of jewelry to me. ¡± She felt a strong need, right then, to convey the true meaning of the ne. ¡°Once my mother¡¯s, it had been lost, drifting through different hands¡­ It¡¯s my most treasured possession. Contrary to popr belief, the ¡®Love of Mona¡¯ isn¡¯t a symbol of romantic love. It embodies my mother¡¯s enduring love for me, her attachment and reluctance to part. ¡± A rich young woman nearby interjected, ¡°You¡¯re iming the creator of ¡®Love of Mona¡¯ is your mother? The artist behind that piece is none other than the renowned Garza family heiress from Muvrand! She died from an illness more than ten years ago, and I¡¯ve never heard mention of a daughter. ¡± With a condescending gaze, the young woman scrutinized Hannah. ¡°Don¡¯t think you can fabricate stories just because she¡¯s not present to speak for herself. The Garza family is far from extinct. Be cautious, lest you bite off more than you can chew by feigning connections!¡± Chapter 390 Herments set off murmurs in the crowd. ¡°Asserting a family Link now does appear rather convenient. ¡± ¡°What standing does she have to im the Garza heiress was her mother? Why hasn¡¯t the Garza family acknowledged her?¡± ¡°Regardless of what she concocts, the Garza family in Muvrand will remain oblivious. She can inte her own worth, aligning herself more suitably with the Mitchell family. ¡± The crowd¡¯s affirmation bolstered the young woman¡¯s arrogance. ¡°Well, speechless now? Spare yourself the humiliation. ¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Hannah smiled at the young woman. ¡°I don¡¯t need to justify myself to you. I just want to rify that this ne isn¡¯t a symbol of romantic love. It was designed by my mother when I was just five. Originally, the design didn¡¯t feature this ruby. The gem was included because my youthful curiosity led me to add a red stroke to the draft in my mother¡¯s studio. She opted to incorporate it into the final design. That¡¯s the true origin of ¡®Love of Mona¡¯. It¡¯s less about romantic fervor, and more about familial bonds. ¡± With her serene and gentle words, Hannah managed to calm the increasingly restless hall. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson looked up, his gaze meeting Hannah¡¯s luminous presence, and he found himself reevaluating her. Softly caressing her ne, Hannah continued, ¡°My mother once told me that the red symbolizes her eternal love for me. ¡± Unable to contain herself, Grace burst into apuse, tears streaking her face. Lydia also joined in, her eyes welling up as she pped passionately. Their response catalyzed a wave of apuse that filled the hall, effectively quelling any further baseless chatter. ¡°I¡¯d Like to express my gratitude to Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Hannah directed her eyes toward Bryson. ¡°Thank you for purchasing this ne for me. ¡± Bryson returned her gaze, his smile gentle yet alluring. ¡°If it holds significance for you, then it¡¯s worth every penny. ¡± The chairwoman of Mia Jewelry was visibly captivated by the evening¡¯s unforeseen developments, particrly keen on a partnership with the Mitchell family. She took it upon herself to seek out Hannah after the banquet. ¡°Miss Moore, our philosophy at Mia Jewelry is that every ne tells a story. You were the showstopper tonight. Actually, I¡¯m quite taken with Miss Garza¡¯s work. We went to great lengths to acquire this piece from a collector. It¡¯s gratifying to see it returned to its rightful owner today. I look forward to a future coboration with you, Miss Moore. ¡± The chairwoman of Mia Jewelry extended her hand toward Hannah. ¡°Would you consider a partnership with us?¡± Chapter 391 Gripping the chairwoman¡¯s hand firmly, Hannah replied, ¡°I respect yourpany¡¯s philosophy and hope we find an opportunity to work together. ¡± Exiting the cabin after the event, Hannah found Den waiting. She nced in his direction but kept moving toward the guest cabin stairs. ¡°Do you really need to humiliate me in public?¡± Den¡¯s voice carried a questioning inflection. Ignoring him, Hannah continued walking. Raising his voice, Den shouted, ¡°Are you trying to humiliate me intentionally? To get back at me for divorcing you?¡± Hannah stopped and turned around, confronting the agitated man behind her. ¡°When did the divorce happen? Do you have to keep bringing it up? This ne was my mother¡¯s. I¡¯d have imed it back, with or without you. If you wanted it, you should¡¯ve bid higher. ¡± Tilting her head and shing a sarcastic grin, Hannah said, ¡°Den, if you can¡¯t deal with it, don¡¯t point fingers. I recognize that¡¯s your usual style. Maybe focus on self-improvement rather than ming me¡± Turning her back, Hannah descended the stairs, leaving Den fuming alone on the deck. The auction came to a close, and the ferry was scheduled to return to Valmere the next day. Back in her cabin, Hannah slipped into morefortable attire and knocked on Bryson¡¯s door. Shortly, Bryson opened up, appearing somewhat surprised. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°What brings you here sote?¡± ¡°There were a lot of unsaid things during the auction. I¡¯d like to discuss them with you privately. ¡± Hannah wore a gentle smile as she took a peek inside Bryson¡¯s room and inquired, ¡°If it¡¯s not too much trouble, may Ie in for a chat?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Bryson quickly turned to invite Hannah inside. ¡°I¡¯ll transfer the money to your ount once we¡¯re off the ship,¡± Hannah said. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°No need,¡± Bryson replied with a warm smile. ¡°I agreed to attend the jewelry exhibition because I want to buy this ne for you. ¡± Hannah gazed up at Bryson, her eyes filled with concern. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, one billion is no small sum. Although you im it¡¯s a gift for me, I don¡¯t think I should ept such a valuable present. ¡± Chapter 392 ¡°Sometimes, the value of a gift doesn¡¯t lie in its price but in the sentiment behind it. ¡± Hannah was thunderstruck. ¡°Miss Moore, can you give me a chance?¡± Hannah blinked, trying toprehend what Bryson meant. Bryson stepped closer to Hannah, his gaze locked onto her. ¡°Can we explore a deeper connection between us?¡± Hannah felt like a gust of wind was rushing through her ears. Her thoughts became a jumble, and her heart seemed ready to burst from her chest. She didn¡¯t remember how she managed to leave Bryson¡¯s room. It wasn¡¯t until she returned to her cabin and copsed onto her soft bed that reality hit her. What had she just agreed to? Was she out of her mind? What if she returned to Bryson¡¯s cabin and told him that she didn¡¯t mean what she said? That her mind had been in an absolute mess just now and that she didn¡¯t realize what she had agreed to? Hannah buried her face in her pillow and groaned. She must have lost her mindpletely to have entertained such a reckless idea. Hannah had tossed and turned all night, struggling to find sleep. When she finally felt drowsy in the early morning, a persistent knock on the door interrupted her rest. She groggily got out of bed and opened the door to find Lydia with a tray of breakfast in hand. ¡°The ship is docking in an hour. Why are you still in bed?¡± Hannah, still trying to shake off her sleepiness, exined, ¡°I had a hard time falling asleepst night. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She took the offered breakfast and started nibbling on it. ¡°Wow, what time did you go to bedst night? You look half-dead, honestly.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah hesitated, wanting to share what had transpired the previous night, but she struggled finding the right words to say. She was about to speak, but the words stuck in her throat, leaving her with a simple excuse. ¡°I think it¡¯s just a case of insomnia. I¡¯ll be fine once we¡¯re off the ship. ¡± Chapter 393 Changing the subject, Lydia brought up the unexpected events of the previous night. ¡°Oh, by the way, Bryson made a rather passionate confession to youst night. It caught a lot of people off guard. Is there something going on between you two that you¡¯re not telling me?¡± Hannah¡¯s face flushed with surprise and a tinge of guilt. She responded with an indignant tone, ¡°What? No way, Lydia! That¡¯s not possible. ¡± Lydia was startled with Hannah¡¯s reaction. ¡°What the hell? You scared me! If it¡¯s impossible, then it¡¯s impossible. No need to shout,¡± she chided. Realizing her own overreaction, Hannah cleared her throat and offered a feeble excuse. I just didn¡¯t sleep wellst night. Don¡¯t read too much into it. Go back and get ready to get off the ship. ¡± ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll head back first. You should pack up your things too. ¡± As they prepared to leave the ship, Hannah hoisted her small suitcase and spotted Bryson waiting outside. Suddenly, uncertainty washed over her, leaving her unsure whether to approach him or not. Then, Grace grabbed her arm and suggested, ¡°Hannah, let¡¯s get off the ship together!¡± As they strolled past Bryson, he naturally took Hannah¡¯s suitcase from her hand and slowed his pace to walk alongside her. Hannah was usuallyposed, but she immediately got flustered when she walked next to Bryson. Lydia trailed behind them, and she handed her suitcase to Brayden. She fixed her gaze on Hannah¡¯s back, her eyes unwavering. ¡°Why does it feel like something¡¯s off with Hannah?¡± Brayden grumbled, struggling with Lydia¡¯s suitcase. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Don¡¯t be so suspicious. And what on earth did you pack in your suitcase? It¡¯s heavier now than when we first boarded the ship. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re a man; you can¡¯t even carry a suitcase?¡± Lydia snatched her suitcase from Brayden and remarked, ¡°I can handle it myself!¡± The two of them began to bicker, oblivious to Melina, who was trailing behind them. After disembarking from the ship, Melina observed Bryson escorting Hannah to a waiting car while making a cold, enigmatic phone call. Once she¡¯d parted ways with Bryson, Hannah drove to her apartment.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Chapter 394 While on the way, her phone rang, and it was Wyatt on the line. This time, his tone was significantly more humble. ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s been so many years since you¡¯ve been home. Your mother and I miss you. ¡± Hannah, her fingers gripping the steering wheel, couldn¡¯t help but let out a sarcasticugh. ¡°My mother passed away long ago. Does she miss me from six feet under?¡± ¡°Julissa is also your mother!¡± Wyatt¡¯s voice took on a sharper edge. ¡°You¡¯re so stubborn! You just say whatever you want now!¡± Hannah retorted, her voice dripping with cynicism, ¡°Yes, we haven¡¯t seen each other for years. I thought you were gone. I never expected you to suddenly rise from the dead. How embarrassing. ¡± Wyatt¡¯s irritation red on the other end of the line. ¡°Hannah! I am ordering you toe back. You better return immediately.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. This is for your own good. Don¡¯t f@cking wait for me to reach drastic measures!¡± In the background, Julissa intervened, her voice softer, ¡°Wyatt, be more gentle when speaking to Hannah. I know you have a sharp tongue and a soft heart, but it upsets Hannah. Give me the phone. ¡± Taking the phone, Julissa adopted a gentler tone. ¡°Hannah, please don¡¯t mind your dad. Come to Muvrand this weekend for dinner with us, and then we can all return to Hoijery together. We miss you so much. You haven¡¯t been back once in all these years, and we couldn¡¯t even reach you. ¡± Hannah replied defiantly, ¡°If you want to get in touch with me, you can. If you don¡¯t, you won¡¯t. Why suddenly remember me now? So you decided to call me. It¡¯s not because you want something, is it? I suggest you don¡¯t waste your time. I won¡¯te back. Tell Wyatt that if he resorts to so-called ¡®drastic measures¡¯, I won¡¯t spare him. ¡± With that, she promptly hung up the phone. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Wyatt fumed, ¡°That ungrateful brat! Our family raised her for years, and now look at her-hanging up on me like that!¡± Julissa, her voice calmer, tried to soothe Wyatt. ¡°Calm down, Wyatt. We haven¡¯t been in touch with Hannah for so Long. Perhaps something¡¯s bothering her. We should n a trip to Valmere and talk things out with her. ¡± She continued to console Wyatt, saying, ¡°You know Hannah is tender- hearted. If we approach her with kindness, she won¡¯t hold a grudge. ¡± Wyatt¡¯s brow furrowed, his patience waning. ¡°Our family is facing financial difficulties now, and she¡¯s just been through a divorce. Chapter 395 She must have money to spare. This time, when we go to Valmere, we should make sure to get our share from her. ¡± A gleam sparkled in Julissa¡¯s eyes as she maintained her gentle demeanor. ¡°Rest assured, Wyatt. Hannah is a sensible girl. She won¡¯t disregard her own family¡¯s predicament. ¡± Upon arriving at her apartment, Hannah¡¯s phone rang. It was Ro on the line. ¡°Is something wrong? Have the Moore family been sniffing around for youtely?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m just thinking about heading back to the city,¡± Ro replied, his voice tinged with nonchnce. Hannah pushed her hair behind her ear and settled onto the couch. ¡°The Moore family hasn¡¯t stopped searching for me. It¡¯s risky for you toe here. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware you¡¯re staying in Autumngami Cove,¡± Ro said, gripping his phoneposedly. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I had J secure the apartment right beneath yours. ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Ro, what have you done?¡± Ro¡¯s voice remained impassive. ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t approve, so I chose to act first and tell you afterward. ¡± Frustrated yet resigned, Hannah knew there was little she could do about Ro¡¯s ingrained stubbornness. Her best course of action was to slowly help him adapt to society. Maybe his move wasn¡¯t entirely a bad thing. Choosing to see the silver lining, Hannah nodded. ¡°I¡¯lle get you. ¡± ¡°No need. J and I will move quietly. You being seen could cause issues. ¡± ¡°Fine, just be cautious. ¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah then weighed her remaining vacation days. The time allotted by the school fell short of what she¡¯d need to travel overseas for her thesis and graduation certificate. She chose for international express delivery instead. When she resumed teaching, her students showered her with small tokens of appreciation. Back in her office, she discovered her thesis had already been published on the school¡¯s website. Grace had even advocated for her on the school forum, making her an overnight sensation among the staff and students. Hannah was baffled. She¡¯d only been away for a few days and had no clue how the rumor had spiraled so quickly. Chapter 396 She called Grace. ¡°Listen, Grace, you don¡¯t need to care about the thing about me in the forum, but I appreciate you doing so. ¡± ¡°Are you kidding, Hannah? We needed to set the record straight. Otherwise, people might im your thesis is fraudulent. Consider this a preventative measure. ¡± Grace¡¯s upbeat voice crackled through the phone. Hannah chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s been ages since you¡¯ve been over for dinner. How about I cook for you soon?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Grace eximed. ¡°I¡¯ll bring Bryson along. What do you say to this weekend?¡± Always fond of Grace, Hannah agreed without hesitation. ¡°Sounds good. I¡¯ll use the visit to review your health situation. We might need to adjust your medication. ¡± ¡°Understood, Hannah!¡± After ending the call, Hannah was immersed in drafting her lesson ns for the following day when a group of anxious students burst into her office. ¡°Mr. ke!¡± ¡°Where is Mr. ke? Where could he be?¡± Hannah looked up and recognized the girl standing before her. ¡°Trinity? What¡¯s going on? Mr. ke is out on business. He won¡¯t be back today. ¡± Upon seeing Hannah, tears flowed down Trinity¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Miss Moore! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ We have to save Eva!¡± ¡°What happened? Calm down and exin!¡± Sensing something amiss, Hannah immediately urged the girls to borate on the situation. The whole ordeal started with their friend, Eva Holden. She had caught the attention of some outsiders iming they could turn her into a star because of her beauty. Entranced by another attractive girl in the group, Eva took their promises to heart and had been spending time with them for the past week.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Chapter 397 Her friends, skeptical of these individuals, had tried to dissuade her numerous times, but to no avail. rm bells only rang for them when Eva failed toe back to the dormitory the previous night, prompting them to seek help from a teacher. The situation bore the hallmarks of schemes aimed at luring young girls into illegal activities. ¡°Have you contacted the police?¡± Hannah immediately inquired. ¡°Yes, we called them, but we could still reach Evast night. They said it takes 24 hours to file a case. But we tried countless times this morning, there was no answer!¡± Hannah offered aforting pat on their shoulders. ¡°Rx. Do you know her whereaboutsst night?¡± Trinity quickly nodded. ¡°Yes, we do! She mentioned she¡¯d be at Moonlight Bar. None of us had the courage to follow her, so we¡¯re seeking your help. ¡± Moonlight Bar. Hannahmitted the name to memory and told the students, ¡°Head back to your sses for now. I¡¯ll take it from here. Trinity, send me a picture of Eva. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± ¡°We¡¯reing with you, Miss Moore!¡± The girls were adamant about finding their lost friend, but Hannah halted them. ¡°It¡¯s best if you return to your sses. Should something happen while you¡¯re with me, it¡¯ll onlyplicate matters. Head back. I¡¯ve got this covered. ¡± Trinity and her friends exchanged nces before turning to Hannah with a grave expression. ¡°Miss Moore, we need your help to find Eva!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t stress, I¡¯ll do everything I can. Now head back to your sses. ¡± After reassuring the girls, Hannah nced at her timetable. Realizing her afternoon was free, she quickly snatched her car keys and made her way to the Moonlight Bar. Given it was still morning, the area outside the bar was deserted. Pushing the door open, Hannah encountered a yawning waiter Leaning against the frame. ¡°We¡¯re closed right now, Miss. Come backter. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m here looking for someone. ¡± Upon hearing that, Hannah proceeded into the bar.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Chapter 398 The waiter quickly moved to block her path. ¡°Who are you searching for? We¡¯re still closed. Please returnter. ¡± Hannah paused, looked at the waiter, and then showed him a photo on her phone. ¡°Have you seen this girl herest night?¡± The waiter nced at the photo. ¡°Can¡¯t say that I have. I wasn¡¯t on shiftst night. Maybe trying backter. ¡± Regrs at bars like these often proved elusive when it came to extracting valuable information. Hannah cut to the chase. ¡°A 1000 dors for one question. If you¡¯re not interested, I¡¯ll find someone who is The waiter¡¯s demeanor shifted instantly. ¡°Ask away, I¡¯ll tell you whatever I know.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± ¡°Who was workingst night¡¯s shift?¡± ¡°Cornelius. He¡¯s off resting in the dorm after his shift, and now I¡¯m in charge. ¡± ¡°And what time did you relieve him¡± ¡°At 9 o¡¯clock this morning. ¡± ¡°Did you happen to see the girl in the photo leave this ce?¡± The waiter shook his head and said, ¡°No, haven¡¯t seen her. She¡¯s young. I¡¯d remember her if she¡¯d been here. ¡± Satisfied, Hannah transferred 5000 dors to the waiter¡¯s ount. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Seeing the moneynd, the waiter¡¯s expression turned even more respectful. ¡°Miss, that¡¯s $5@0@ you sent. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware. Now, could you please contact the guy who workedst night and ask him toe in? I hope that¡¯s not too much trouble for you. ¡± ¡°Absolutely not!¡± The waiter¡¯s face lit up with a smile. ¡°Have a seat right here. I¡¯ll fetch the person you¡¯re looking for immediately!¡± Within moments, the waiter came back, bringing along a man with sleep -deprived, weary eyes. ¡°Meet Cornelius Rivera. He worked the night shift yesterday Chapter 399 Cornelius let out a yawn and nced at Hannah, somewhat irritated. ¡°What do you want?¡± Hannah presented her phone to him, disying a girl¡¯s picture. ¡°Did this girl happen to be at the barst night?¡± ¡°Nope, didn¡¯t see her. The ce is swarming with folks at night. How am I supposed to keep track of everyone?¡± Retrieving her phone, Hannah rose to her feet. ¡°If you can¡¯t recall, then never mind. ¡± As Hannah began to make her way out, Cornelius said, ¡°You asked a few questions to him, and he walks away richer. Why should I get nothing for my trouble?¡± Hannah paused, turning back to face him. ¡°If you can tell me where she is, you¡¯ll get 5@ thousand dors. Know something relevant? That¡¯s 10 thousand dors. The more you can provide, the more you¡¯ll earn. ¡± Realizing Hannah had deep pockets, Cornelius¡¯s demeanor shifted instantly. ¡°I know where she is. How much will you pay me?¡± Facing him icily, Hannah inquired, ¡°What¡¯s your price?¡± Cornelius shed an open hand, then closed it into a fist. ¡°A hundred grand!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Locate her and ensure her safe return, and you¡¯ll get 200 thousand dors,¡± Hannah offered unflinchingly. Two hundred thousand dors? The offer was too alluring to resist.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Cornelius quickly agreed, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go right now!¡± As they left the bar, Cornelius became chatty, possibly due to Hannah¡¯s evident generosity. He talked as though ustomed to students frequenting their bar seeking ¡°employment opportunities. ¡± ¡°Sometimes, female students find alternative ways to earn extra cash. I distinctly remember the girl you¡¯re asking about. She left the bar with a man and another woman, likely heading to a nearby hotel. I can certainly help you locate her. ¡± Beside the bar stood avishly appointed hotel. Entering, Cornelius courteously greeted the receptionist. Chapter 400 Using Hannah¡¯s phone, he disyed the girl¡¯s picture to the receptionist. ¡°Did this youngdy happen to stay herest night?¡± The receptionist examined the photo, then nodded affirmatively. ¡°Yes, she did. She was with a man and another woman. After heading upstairs, the other woman left, but the man stayed with her. They haven¡¯t checked out yet. ¡± Cornelius gestured to the receptionist and said, ¡°Hand over the key card for that room. ¡± ¡°Can¡¯t do it. ¡± The receptionist nced at Hannah standing beside Cornelius and asserted, ¡°Our hotel policy forbids us from giving out room keys if the room is upied. ¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to give me the key. Just let me know the room number,¡± Hannah replied, unfazed. ¡°Well¡­¡± Cornelius pulled out 50@ dors in cash and slid it across the counter. ¡°We don¡¯t need the key, just the room number. Make an exception for us. ¡± The receptionist hesitated but eventually pocketed the money, stating, ¡°As per hotel rules, we can¡¯t disclose guest information. ¡± Despite her words, she discreetly wrote down a number on a notepad for Hannah to see. 604. After noting the number, Hannah headed for the elevator with Cornelius trailing behind. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°If you n on acting on this, you owe me more money afterward,¡± Cornelius dered. Hannah shot him a brief look. As the elevator doors parted, she stepped out, saying icily, ¡°We¡¯ll discuss that if we find her.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± They located room 604 on the sixth floor. Hannah knocked. Shortly after, the door creaked open to reveal a man in hotel pajamas. ¡°You¡­¡± Before he couldplete his sentence, Hannah shoved him aside and burst into the room. A shrill scream erupted from within. A woman huddled on the bed was frantically clutching the quilt around her. Chapter 401 ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Regaining hisposure, the man stormed toward Hannah, bellowing, ¡°Who gave you permission to enter? You have no right!¡± Seeing the woman on the bed wasn¡¯t a student, Hannah turned her gaze to the man. ¡°Did you bring a student herest night?¡± The man¡¯s eyes darted nervously. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about!¡± ¡°Fine, I¡¯m calling the police. ¡± The man¡¯s eyes widened in panic as Hannah reached for her phone. ¡°Wait, why call the police?¡± Cornelius quickly positioned himself in front of Hannah and dered, ¡°Listen, pal, stay calm. You brought a youngdy herest night, didn¡¯t you? Tell us where she went. We¡¯re not looking for trouble. ¡± The man seemed stunned. Pointing at Hannah, he eximed, ¡°Aha! So you¡¯re trying to scam me, huh? I was wondering why that student took off so quicklyst night! So she¡¯s working with you! You¡¯re trying to swindle me, aren¡¯t you? Damn it!¡± Prompted by the mention of a fleeing student, Hannah immediately pressed the man, ¡°What exactly happenedst night? Speak up or I¡¯ll have the police question you instead!¡± Noticing her reaching for her phone, the man panicked and yelled, ¡°Don¡¯t call the polic e! Please, don¡¯t! I paid 20 thousand dors for a supposed virgin student yesterday. She bolted the moment we entered the room. I¡¯ve lost twenty thousand for nothing!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Turning around, Hannah exited the room. Since Eva had made her escape the previous night and had neither contacted her friends nor been seen leaving by the hotel staff, Hannah deduced she must still be in the hotel. Once outside, Hannah asked Cornelius to assist her in the search while she checked the stairwells for any hints. After scouring multiple floors anding up empty, Hannah was about to abandon hope when she noticed the door to the rooftop was open. Venturing through the unlocked door, Hannah cautiously stepped out into the sunlight, surveying the various objects scattered about. As her gazended on a secluded corner, Hannah discovered the missing student curled up beside a cardboard box. ¡°Is your name Eva?¡± Hannah¡¯s abrupt inquiry startled the student, who was huddled on the ledge. Jumping to her feet, the student gripped the rooftop railing, poised for a leap. ¡°Back off!¡±Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Maintaining a safe distance to avoid agitating her further, Hannah said, ¡°I¡¯m a teacher at Halliday University. Your friend Trinity alerted me that you were missing. I¡¯m here to take you back. ¡± Visibly unnerved, Eva swiveled around, looking at Hannah with tear- stained eyes. Chapter 402 ¡°You¡¯re a teacher?¡± Gently approaching Eva, Hannah extended her hand and said, ¡°Exactly. I¡¯m here to bring you back to campus. Why don¡¯t you step away from the edge?¡± The girl vehemently shook her head, her face a mask of terror and apprehension. ¡°I¡¯m not going! Are you trying to trick me? Is that your purpose for being here?¡± Moving closer, Hannah tried to calm the girl. ¡°I¡¯m the teacher who had her thesis stolen and talked about on the school forum, Miss Moore. Do you recognize me?¡± Hearing the name ¡°Miss Moore,¡± Eva seemed to snap back to reality and nced at the figure standing near her. ¡°Miss Moore?¡± Hannah quickly nodded and cautiously advanced towards Eva. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me. Let¡¯s get you off, and then we can talk. ¡± Realizing a school teacher hade to find her, Eva¡¯s resistance crumbled. She sat down on the rooftop¡¯s edge and started to cry. Finally reaching a position close to Eva, Hannah extended her hand. ¡°This ce is too dangerous. Let¡¯s get you down.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Wiping away her tears, Eva reached for Hannah¡¯s extended hand, ready to descend. But as she turned, her ankle snagged on some wires, causing her to stagger back dangerously, almost plunging over the side! ¡°ARLE¡± Eva let out an immediate shriek. Hannah lunged forward, gripping Eva¡¯s hand firmly. ¡°Hang on, don¡¯t let go!¡± ¡°Miss Moore. I¡¯m scared!¡± Eva sobbed uncontrobly. Below them, the busy main street buzzed. A fall from the 20th floor would mean certain death! ¡°Just hold on¡­ No matter what happens, don¡¯t let go!¡± Chapter 403 Summoning all her strength, Hannah strained to pull Eva back from the rooftop¡¯s brink. Yet Eva was so panicked that, despite clutching Hannah¡¯s hand, she continued to slide, slipping further and further down! Then, the wire wrapped around Eva¡¯s foot suddenly snapped, causing her body to tilt perilously outward.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Eva, hold on!¡± Bang! Hannah¡¯s body scr@ped against the rooftop¡¯s edge as she was pulled along. ¡°Miss Moore, save me!¡± Both women were on the brink of copse; if this went on, Eva would surely plummet to her death. Hannah¡¯s wrist was raw from scraping against the wall, blood oozing out, but she clenched Eva¡¯s hand, unwilling to let go. Out of nowhere, another hand grasped Eva¡¯s shoulder from behind. Hannah nced back to see Cornelius, his face drained but determined, as he aided in hoisting Eva to safety. Once rescued, Eva slumped on the ground, too weak to stand. Leaning on the wall, Hannah finally eased her tense nerves. ¡°Thank you, Cornelius. I¡¯ll wire you the full amount. ¡± Having saved Eva, Cornelius was also emotionally spent. He plopped down beside her, panting, and muttered, ¡°Sure. ¡± On the way to the hospital, Eva finally broke down her story. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Strapped for cash, she had initially considered part-time work. When someone offered her a bar job iming she could make 2000 in a single night, she was skeptical. She initially refused, suspecting illegal activities, but the promise of selling beer formissions swayed her. The first couple of nights involved just selling beer. Although she didn¡¯t make 2000, she pulled in around 900. Then, a seemingly affluent young woman approached her, iming she could help her earn even more. Eva said, trembling, ¡°I didn¡¯t know the job was about more than just serving drinks. I made a run for it when he was in the bathroom. I was scared that the whole hotel was in on it, so I hid on the roof until you showed up. ¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry now. They won¡¯t get away with this; we have to go to the police. ¡± Hannah reassured Eva. She then turned her gaze to Cornelius, who sat nearby. ¡°Your bar and those involved, you¡¯re all in some sort of financial agreement, aren¡¯t you?¡± Chapter 404 ¡°We¡¯re an upscale establishment,¡± Cornelius replied, fidgeting nervously. ¡°It¡¯s all consensual. We can¡¯t fully control what happens. Sometimes, under-the-table deals are made. The bar merely employs them as waitresses. ¡± ¡°Do you recognize the woman she¡¯s talking about?¡± Hannah pressed. ¡°Yes, Valery has a longstanding rtionship with our bar. She even owns shares,¡± Cornelius admitted. ¡°Can you show me a picture of her?¡± ¡°Of course, of course!¡± He eagerly took out his phone and disyed the picture for Hannah. The photo was a sly capture in dim light, and Cornelius zoomed in with two fingers, stating, ¡°I got this secretly. It¡¯s pretty clear,¡± he exined. The moment Hannah saw the image on the screen, she was taken aback. Valery Moore?! How could it be her? After double-checking the photo on his phone, Hannah handed it back to Cornelius. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Are you certain this individual is an investor in your business?¡± ¡°Yes, Valery frequently brings in affluent guests. She¡¯s well-known to us. ¡± This information caused Hannah to rethink her initial impulse to contact the police. Alerting the authorities now would only give Valery an easy way to dodge legal repercussions. ¡°Is your establishment currently hiring?¡± Cornelius nodded.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°We¡¯re always in need of waitresses. The turnover rate is high. ¡± Hannah gave a slight nod. ¡°Can you introduce me?¡± ¡°What ?¡± Cornelius appeared taken aback, needing a moment to regain hisposure. Eva hastily seized Hannah¡¯s arm. Chapter 405 ¡°Miss Moore! You can¡¯t possibly consider this! Even if the money is good, you shouldn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t actually n to work there. I want to collect evidence to help bring down the criminals. ¡± Hannah turned to Cornelius. If you introduce me, do I stand a chance of getting hired?¡± ¡°Given your Looks, you¡¯ll certainly get the job. ¡± Cornelius moistened his dry lips. ¡°But¡­ you should be aware that our bar has diverse customers, and I can¡¯t guarantee your safety. ¡± ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about that. Just get me in, and I¡¯ll take care of gathering evidence. ¡± After pondering briefly, Cornelius nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll contact you when we¡¯re hiring. You cane in when Valery is around. ¡± ¡°Excellent. ¡± Following a hospital visit for some bandages, Hannah reassured Eva, took her back to school, and then drove herself home. As she approached her apartment building, just about to drive in, she noticed Bryson waiting near the entrance. Pulling over, she got out of the car and gestured to Bryson. ¡°What brings you here?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Upon seeing her smile, Bryson handed her a bag. ¡°I picked up your favorite dessert from that ce you Like. ¡± Recognizing the dessert she had once praised, Hannah picked it up and suggested, ¡°How about we head upstairs and rx for a bit?¡± Although now officially a couple, Bryson still felt a tinge of unease at Hannah¡¯s proposition. Just as Bryson was about to reply, he spotted the bandage encircling Hannah¡¯s arm. His expression darkening slightly, he gently held her wrist and looked at the wound, asking, ¡°What happened?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Hannah, keen on sparing Bryson any concern, fabricated a story, fumbled with something during ss and ended up scratching my arm. I got it treated at the hospital, so there¡¯s no need to worry. ¡± Bryson was about to examine the arm more closely when his phone buzzed. Picking up, the conversation caused his brow to furrow. He muttered a response before disconnecting the call. ¡°Would you like to join me for an event tonight?¡± he asked. Chapter 406 Shaking her head and smiling, Hannah responded, ¡°I won¡¯t interfere with your workmitments. I have to prep for tomorrow¡¯s ss anyway. Try not to drink too much tonight. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice took on a grave tone. ¡°You should head up first. ¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± Back in the apartment, Hannah watched him leave from her window before pulling out her phone. She saw an unread message. [Be at Moonlight Bar by 10 pm. Valery will be there. Come an hour early for a tour. ] [Okay. ] At 9 pm sharp, Hannah stood outside the entrance of Moonlight Bar. Upon seeing her, Cornelius¡¯s jaw dropped in astonishment. But given the hustle and bustle at the bar¡¯s entry, he quickly ushered her to a secluded corner. ¡°I could hardly believe you¡¯re a teacher¡­ You look like a college girl!¡± Sporting a high ponytail and minimal makeup with just a touch of lipstick, and dressed in a white frock with a shoulder bag, Hannah did resemble the quintessential girl-next-door in college. Her skin was so smooth, even without makeup, that mistaking her for a college student wasn¡¯t a stretch.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. However, Hannah¡¯s eyes remained impassive. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Is this look alright?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more than alright. It¡¯s perfect! You won¡¯t draw any unwanted attention. Follow me through the back. I¡¯ll introduce you to our manager. ¡± Hannah trailed Cornelius into the bar through a rear entrance. As they moved upstairs via the staff corridor, the pulsating music subtly grew louder. Along the way, Cornelius inquired about Hannah¡¯s name before they stepped into the manager¡¯s office. ¡°Mr. Turner, meet my friend here. She¡¯s interested in a high-paying part-time gig at our establishment. ¡± Mr. Turner, a man in his early forties, was initially smoking. However, upon lifting his eyes and spotting Hannah, he put out his cigarette. Staring at Hannah, he questioned, ¡°A student, I presume? Underage?¡± Feigning nervousness, Hannah subtly dropped her gaze and fidgeted with her bag¡¯s strap. Chapter 407 ¡°I¡¯m in college, actually. Nearing graduation. ¡± At the mention of college, Mr. Turner gave a satisfied nod. ¡°You appear rather young. Ever work at a bar before?¡± Shaking her head, Hannah stole a fleeting nce toward Cornelius. ¡°Cornelius mentioned the pay here was good, so I thought I¡¯d try. ¡± ¡°Seems like a good fit,¡± Mr. Turnermented. He rose, walked over to Cornelius, and pped him on the shoulder. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°You¡¯ve brought in a promising one this time. Let¡¯s get her up to the third floor. We¡¯re understaffed there. She can start her shift at 10 tonight. ¡± Without waiting for a response, he then briefly turned to Hannah. ¡°Can you start today? We¡¯re in a bit of a bind. ¡± Eagerly, Hannah nodded. ¡°Yes, what¡¯s the daily pay?¡± Mr. Turner looked her over and grinned slyly. ¡°Follow the rules, and with your educational background, making a grand in one night is not out of the question. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Thank you, Mr. Turner. Much appreciated. ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. After their chat with Mr. Turner, Cornelius quickly ushered Hannah out of the office. He¡¯d barely let out a sigh of relief when he collided with Valery, who was sporting a daring ck mini skirt! Spotting Valery in the dim light, Hannah instantly lowered her gaze and walked beside Cornelius. As they passed by, Valery suddenly called out to halt them. ¡°Cornelius?¡± Sweating bullets, Cornelius whirled around, forcing a smile. ¡°Ah! Valery, you¡¯re absolutely radiant today. Didn¡¯t recognize you for a second. ¡± Pushing her hair back, Valery nced at Hannah¡¯s stylish figure in a white dress. Chapter 408 ¡°And who might this be?¡± ¡°A friend. She¡¯s a college student looking for part-time work, so she reached out to me. I¡¯m taking her for training,¡± Cornelius exined. Casting a yful look at Hannah¡¯s back, Valerymented, ¡°Cornelius, you¡¯ve improved. Are you now even getting college students?¡± ¡°Oh, Valery, spare me your teasing, please. ¡± Cornelius pped his hands together, saying, ¡°Why not make some cash and lend a friend a hand in the process?¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Valery replied, indifferent, her eyes fixed on Hannah. ¡°Turn around. Let me get a good look at you. ¡± At Valery¡¯s request, Hannah¡¯s grip on her bag¡¯s strap tightened. Turning around could blow her cover; all her hard work would go to waste. ¡°What¡¯s the holdup? Turn around, I said!¡± Valery¡¯s voice edged toward irritation. Cornelius surveyed the tension, contemting a change of subject. Just then, the manager¡¯s office door swung open. Mr. Turner emerged, spotted Valery, and said, ¡°Valery, good to see you. Come on in. ¡± ncing at Cornelius and Hannah, Mr. Turner gestured impatiently. ¡°Aren¡¯t you two headed for training? Get moving. ¡± Eager to defuse the situation, Cornelius chimed in, ¡°Valery wanted to meet the new recruit. ¡± ¡°Never mind that. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Valery flicked her hair back with disdain. ¡°Prioritize the customers. Take her up first. ¡± ¡°Understood.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡± Seizing the moment, Cornelius turned around and guided Hannah upstairs. Once inside the office, the manager got straight to the point. ¡°We have an important guest arriving at 10 tonight. ¡± ¡°Who?¡± Chapter 409 Valery lounged on the sofa, gazing disinterestedly at her freshly manicured nails. ¡°Trust-fund kids? They¡¯re all kes. ¡± ¡°The guest is Bryson Mitchell, heir to the Mitchell Group!¡± At the mention of Bryson Mitchell, Valery¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Bryson Mitchell? What¡¯s he doinging to this bar?¡± Mr. Turner arched an eyebrow and grinned. ¡°Richie Finch from Muvrand is meeting with him, and they picked our venue. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s Like hitting the jackpot!¡± Valery tossed her hair back, her eyes twinkling enticingly. ¡°I can¡¯t afford to miss this chance!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Valery couldn¡¯t wait to see Bryson. ¡°I¡¯ve secured an opportunity for you. The women upstairs are nothing special. Once you enter the room, your dazzling beauty will steal the show. ¡± Lifting her striking eyes to Mr. Turner, Valery remarked, ¡°Mr. Turner, I can¡¯t thank you enough. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. This is a win-win for both of us!¡± Cornelius escorted Hannah to the upper floor and murmured, ¡°Keep your words to a minimum, just snap more photos for evidence. Text me when you¡¯re done, and I¡¯ll find a way to get you out. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Hannah slipped on her Bluetooth earpiece, allowing a few strands of hair to fall over her ears for cover. The pair made their way to the dressing room. Upon opening the door, Cornelius observed women dressed in provocative attire. The women nced at the neers but quickly resumed their makeup application. An older woman emerged and scrutinized Hannah, then turned to Cornelius. ¡°Ah, she looks promising. Follow me. ¡± Cornelius advised Hannah, ¡°Listen to Rosanna and give it your best shot!¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± Hannah nodded submissively.N?velDrama.Org content rights. She tailed the woman known as Rosanna into the dressing area. Rosanna led her to a vanity and assessed her from head to toe. Chapter 410 ¡°A college student? Working part-time for some extra cash?¡± Clutching her bag, Hannah gave a nod. Rosanna tilted her head and said, ¡°You¡¯re quite a looker. Seems a waste to be doing part-time work. ¡± Just then, a woman applying her makeup sneered, ¡°She¡¯s a college girl, so of course she¡¯s here for some easy money.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Rosanna, don¡¯t actually let her stay. ¡± Upon hearing this, the other women erupted inughter. ¡°f@ck off! Get back to your makeup, all of you!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Rosanna nced at Hannah, smiling. ¡°Yourplexion is naturally radiant; you don¡¯t need makeup. Those young men upstairs are all wealthy thrill-seekers. Your earnings depend on how much wine you can sell. ¡± Hannah nodded, visibly anxious, and stuttered when she spoke to Rosanna, ¡°So¡­ How much could I potentially make?¡± Rosanna grinned as she gave Hannah a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°The pricier the wine, the bigger your cut. A grand or more gets you 30%, and if it¡¯s over 10 grand, you¡¯ll earn half themission. ¡± In a single evening of selling wine, one could make up to $5, 000. It was no surprise that students found the job appealing. Though inwardly skeptical, Hannah nodded with apparent sincerity. ¡°Got it, Rosanna. I¡¯ll give it my all. ¡± Pleased by Hannah¡¯spliance, Rosanna caressed her cheek. ¡°That¡¯s my girl. Stick to the n and you¡¯ll rake in the cash. ¡± After Hannah Lounged in the dressing room for roughly 20 minutes, Rosanna burst in, pping her hands. ¡°Alright, follow me. ¡± As they approached the doorway, Rosanna issued anothermand. ¡°We¡¯ve got VIPs tonight. Don¡¯t embarrass me. Be professional. ¡± ¡°Understood, Rosanna!¡± chorused the group. Rosanna then gave Hannah a supportive pat on the back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Just go with the flow. Keep your mouth shut and your work ethic strong. The money will follow. ¡± Hannah dipped her head in acknowledgement, saying softly, ¡°Yes, understood. ¡± Chapter 411 Leading the way, Rosanna ushered them into the venue. Avish private room awaited them upstairs. The moment the door swung open, a rush of cool air greeted them. The pulsing music came to an abrupt halt, and the room fell silent. Rosanna strutted in on her high heels, under the shing neon Lights, and cheerily announced, ¡°Gentlemen, enjoy yourselves. ¡± She turned around and gestured to the women following her. ¡°Here are our most exquisite offerings. Ladies, lift your heads for the gentlemen. ¡± Last to look up, Hannah took the moment to quietly scan the room¡¯s upants. Her eyes suddenly Locked with someone sitting not too far off. Bryson? What was he doing here? Stunned and unnerved, Hannah quickly lowered her gaze. She had kept her head down upon entering, and her attire was different from her usual look.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. However, Bryson had already noticed Hannah at the back, her head bowed. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As she finally lifted her face, their eyes met. Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed at her swift lowering of her head. Richie Finch lifted his ss, clinking it against the one in front of Bryson. He grinned and said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, would you like to make the first pick?¡± Bryson¡¯s gazended on Hannah. Richie followed his eyes and grinned. ¡°Mr, Mitchell, seems like she¡¯s caught your attention. ¡± ¡°Join us. ¡± Richie gestured toward Hannah, beckoning her over. Rosanna nudged Hannah with her elbow. ¡°The boss is calling you over. Still interested in making some cash?¡± Suppressing a grimace, Hannah lifted her chin and walked toward Richie. Upon seeing Hannah up close, Richie¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re stunning. No surprise Mr. Mitchell is smitten. ¡± Chapter 412 Before this moment, Hannah had suspected that something unexpected might happen, but never had she thought it would be this kind of surprise! They had just parted ways outside her apartment earlier that day, and now they were crossing paths in a bar? Hadn¡¯t Bryson mentioned he was attending an event tonight? Why was he here? Before she could formte an answer, Richie said, ¡°Sit next to Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Hannah whispered, ¡°I came to sell wine. I can¡¯t sit. ¡± Overhearing her, Rosanna almost lost her temper. She quickly approached and interjected, ¡°Mr. Finch, the newbie doesn¡¯t know any better. Hannah, apologize to Mr. Finch this instant!¡± Hannah lifted her eyes to meet Richie¡¯s. ¡°I apologize, Mr. Finch. ¡± Just then, her wrist was seized by the man before her. Bryson pulled her toward him, causing her to stumble into the seat beside him. Bryson¡¯s fingers were slightly cold. He nced at her impassively. ¡°Just sit. Anything you aim to sell tonight is on me. ¡± Why was Bryson acting this way? Rosanna couldn¡¯t contain her tion. She shot Hannah a wink. ¡°Make sure to treat this customer right.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± Richie observed the pair, his curiosity piqued. Bryson had been mostly quiet the entire evening, appearing uninterested in anything. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ It had been a struggle to even get Bryson toe to the bar for business discussions. Richie had assumed he was indifferent to women, but clearly, he was just a different kind of man. Bryson was indifferent to others¡¯ opinions of him. He leaned in close to Hannah and muttered softly, audible only to the two of them. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Hannah leaned toward Bryson. ¡°It¡¯splicated. I¡¯ll fill you in once I sort it out. ¡± The room was crowded, so Bryson kept his inquiries to a minimum. Richie signaled for a few more women to join them and gestured for Rosanna to escort the rest out. Rosanna faced Richie and swayed her hips. ¡°Mr. Finch, we have an exceptionally beautiful woman we¡¯d like you to meet. ¡± Chapter 413 Richie arched an eyebrow. ¡°Bring her in. ¡± Satisfied, Rosanna exited. Momentster, Valery entered, radiating grace and beauty, truly a first-rate stunner. But since Richie had recentlyid eyes on Hannah, Valery didn¡¯t pique his interest, though he let her stay. Upon entering, Valery¡¯s gaze locked onto Bryson.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. She took a seat beside Richie and subtly angled herself toward Bryson. Unmoved, Bryson wrapped an arm around Hannah¡¯s waist and distanced himself from Valery. When Valery had entered, Hannah had quickly lowered her head. Luckily, Valery was too focused on Bryson to notice her. Seated beside Richie, Valery lifted her ss towards Bryson. ¡°You don¡¯t appear to be a local. Are you here on business?¡± Richie pulled Valery closer and replied, ¡°Indeed, we¡¯re here on business. We heard this ce offers exceptional beauty, so we came to discuss just that. ¡± ¡°ALL the women here are top-notch. ¡± Nestled against Richie, Valery couldn¡¯t resist ncing at Bryson. Seeing him wrapped around the young student, her eyes shifted. Having shielded Hannah the whole time, Bryson had prevented Valery from seeing Hannah¡¯s face. Unable to resist, Valery pushed, ¡°Even though you¡¯re only part-time, you should at least toast him, especially after he¡¯s bought such pricey wine. Stand up and do the honors!¡± Internally scoffing, Hannah prepared to rise, but Bryson gripped her arm. Bryson shot Valery a cold look. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to toast. Keep your nose out of it. ¡± Taken aback, Valery nced at Richie, who grinned. ¡°I never thought you¡¯d be so considerate, Mr. Mitchell. Since you¡¯re not keen on toasts, they can toast me instead. ¡± Before entering the room, Hannah had activated the hidden camera in her pendant, capturing their conversation. As talk shifted toward moving to another venue, Bryson declined, opting to depart with Hannah instead. ncing at Hannah, Richie nodded knowingly. ¡°If you¡¯re pressed for time, Mr. Mitchell, I won¡¯t keep you Chapter 414 ¡°Okay. Bryson announced, ¡°Tonight¡¯s tab is on The Mitchell Group. Have a great time, Mr. Finch. ¡± ¡°Here¡¯s to a fruitful partnership, Mr. Mitchell!¡± As Bryson exited with Hannah, Valery couldn¡¯t help but feel disheartened. ¡°I can¡¯t grasp why Mr. Mitchell would be interested in a woman like that. ¡± Richie, holding Valery close, chuckled and remarked, ¡°You might be here with me, but it seems your mind is still on Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Sporting a charming grin, Valery responded, ¡°Oh,e now, Mr. Finch. You¡¯re the only one who holds my heart. ¡± Hannah stepped into Bryson¡¯s car. An awkward silence enveloped them, as if neither knew what to say next. As the car reached Hannah¡¯s apartment building, Bryson parked it and switched off the engine. However, the two individuals inside didn¡¯t make a move to leave. Inside the car, Hannah cleared her throat. ¡°I had a student who got scammed at that bar, so I wanted to investigate¡­¡± ¡°You were seeking evidence?¡± Bryson unbuckled his seatbelt and turned toward Hannah. ¡°If you sensed something was off, you should¡¯ve contacted the authorities rather than put yourself in harm¡¯s way!¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°I understand that I should¡¯ve called the police!¡± Sensing Bryson¡¯s escting anger, Hannah faced him and borated, ¡°But¡­ there was someone I know involved. Given her influence, she could easily tamper with evidence if I¡¯d gone to the police. I didn¡¯t mean to keep this from you. It¡¯s not a big issue, so¡­ I apologize. ¡± Feeling remorseful, Hannah felt obligated to express her regret. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I clearly didn¡¯t think this through. It won¡¯t happen again. ¡± Bryson, too, found hisposure. When it came to Hannah, he often lost his sense of manners. ¡°My apologies as well,¡± he said. For once, Bryson shed his typically reserved demeanor, revealing his true self to Hannah, liberated from his role as the CEO of the Mitchell Group. His expression mellowed, his tone softened. ¡°ces like that can be unpredictable. Chapter 415 ¡°Understood. ¡± ¡°I had nned on attending a wine event today. ¡± Bryson recounted the day¡¯s events to Hannah. ¡°The associate insisted on meeting at a Valmere bar. I wasn¡¯t keen on the idea, but the Mitchell Group had been discussing the project with him for ages, so I gave in and went. ¡± Hannah offered a reassuring smile. ¡°I know you¡¯re not fond of loud venues. This was clearly for work, so there¡¯s no room for misunderstanding. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. You should head home. ¡± Hannah exited the car, offering Bryson a wave as he sat inside. She then pivoted and quickly made her way into her apartment building. Ever since Hannah agreed to date Bryson, she sensed an odd tension between them. Once inside, she reviewed the footage. Luckily, Valery¡¯s actions and words were captured on camera. Hannah cut out the important parts, saved them as evidence, and turned them over to the authorities. After some coaxing from Hannah, Eva consented to serve as a witness. Together, they visited the police station to provide their statements. Soon after, Valery was called in. Seeing Hannah at the station, her expression darkened noticeably. ¡°Hannah? What are you doing here?¡± Two officers trailing Valery sternly warned her to keep her voice down. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Upon viewing the footage, Valery lost herposure. ¡°It was you that night! No wonder you avoided me! You¡¯re framing me!¡± Seated nearby, Hannah regarded her coolly as she was restrained by two policewomen. ¡°If you¡¯re innocent, what¡¯s there to fear from an investigation?¡± ¡°You¡¯re setting me up! This goes back to something more than a decade old! I¡¯m calling my father! Right this moment!¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°Call whomever you¡¯d like.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Eva¡¯s testimony proves you coerced her into an illegal transaction. If you have a defense, share it with the police. ¡± ¡°Hannah! You¡¯re framing me! I need my father here! I need a Lawyer!¡± Exiting the station, Hannah exhaled deeply. Just then, her phone buzzed. ¡°Lydia? What¡¯s going on?¡± Chapter 416 ¡°Your father tried to contact you but couldn¡¯t, so he reached out to me instead. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Did he make you ufortable?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Lydia sounded defeated over the phone. ¡°He was hell-bent on having dinner with me and seeing you tonight. I declined! He even contemted visiting me at Phillips Group. So I ran away quickly!¡± Hannah hopped into her car and started it. ¡°Where are you? I¡¯lle get you. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve taken refuge at Brayden¡¯s office. Don¡¯t bother picking me up. Wyatt is likely in Valmere by now. I fear he¡¯ll discover your home and be a nuisance. The Moore family has been searching for you for ages. Now that he¡¯s got wind of your whereabouts, he won¡¯t Leave you alone. ¡± Gripping the steering wheel, Hannah spoke in a frosty tone. ¡°I doubt he¡¯ll have time to search for me anytime soon. I just had his daughter arrested. ¡± ¡°You did what?¡± Lydia sounded incredulous. ¡°Fill me in. What did I miss?¡± Hannah ryed the full story to Lydia, who remained silent for a considerable time. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Why on Earth would Valery resort to such behavior, especially when the Moore family is loaded? Has she lost her mind?¡± ¡°I suspect the Moore family has been strugglingtely, hence their visit. Valery has been splurging. Probably their family funds are running low. ¡± After a pause, Lydia said, ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll get Brayden to dig up some info on the Moore family. Be cautious, they might retaliate. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware. No need to worry. ¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. For the next few days, all appeared well; the Moore family didn¡¯t locate Hannah. One afternoon, returning to her office post-ss, Hannah found Bryson awaiting her. ¡°What brings you here, Bryson?¡± Setting down her book, Hannah nced at her watch. Chapter 417 ¡°Are you here for Grace?¡± ¡°I¡¯m actually here for you. Grace wanted to dine at a local restaurant. I made a reservation for us.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Shall we?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Hannah strode over to the desk, grabbing her coat. ¡°Time to fetch Grace. ¡± The moment she arrived at the school gates, her phone buzzed. Seeing an unknown caller ID, she hesitated but answered. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°It¡¯s taken me a lot to ask this, Hannah, but would you join me for dinner tonight? I¡¯ll text you the location. ¡± Wyatt¡¯s voice came through, and Hannah was on the verge of ending the call. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t disconnect. Someone you know will be joining us. Let him speak. ¡± After a noticeable pause, another voice finally spoke. ¡°Don¡¯te here. ¡± It was from Ro. Hannah¡¯s expression hardened, her grip tightening on the phone. ¡°What do you want? Don¡¯t do anything reckless!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Wyatt said, ¡°I just want us to share a family meal. Come now. ¡± ¡°Fine. ¡± Hannah disconnected the call, clutching her phone in her hand. Noticing her demeanor, Bryson sensed something was amiss. ¡°Everything alright? What happened?¡± Hannah almost said she was fine but caught herself. She knew she couldn¡¯t keep it from Bryson. ¡°The Moore family invited me for dinner. I won¡¯t be able to apany you tonight. ¡± Aware of the Moore family¡¯s reputation, Bryson frowned, ¡°You can always say no, you know. ¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°They¡¯vee all the way from Hoijery. I have to go. ¡± Chapter 418 ¡°Alright. ¡± Bryson reached for his phone. ¡°Text me the restaurant¡¯s address. Once you¡¯re done, message me and I¡¯lle get you. ¡± ¡°No need. I¡¯ll drive myself. I can handle¡­¡± Bryson cut her off, lifting his eyes to meet hers. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Better safe than sorry. I¡¯lle pick you up. ¡° Unable to sway Bryson¡¯s decision, Hannah texted him the address and sped off. The eatery Wyatt had selected was a well-known establishment in Valmere. Once secluded in its ambiance, Hannah gave their reservation details to the waitress, who then led her to a private room within the restaurant.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Ma¡¯am, right this way. ¡± As the door swung open, Hannah found Ro directly in her line of sight, seated in a wheelchair and regarding her with a chilling gaze. A jolt of emotion seized Hannah upon seeing Ro, and she quickly noted Wyatt and Julissa nking him on either side. Unexpectedly, Valery was also seated at the table. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The private room¡¯s door closed behind her. Wyatt greeted her with his unchanged smile. ¡°Hannah, long time no see. Please, sit. Let¡¯s share a meal. ¡± ¡°Given that this is a family dinner, why include Ro?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze was icy as she sat down opposite Wyatt. ¡°You once considered him a brother, didn¡¯t you? I went to great lengths to find him. Sharing a meal isn¡¯t too much to ask, is it?¡± ¡°Why would she consider us family? She¡¯s avoided you for years,¡± Valery spat out, clearly unhappy with Hannah¡¯s presence. ¡°Do I really want to call someone who lured female students into prostitution family?¡± Hannah retorted. ¡°Eager to return to prison, are we?¡± Chapter 419 ¡°You!¡± Valery¡¯s face flushed with anger. ¡°Valery! How could you speak to your sister in that manner?¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. Wyatt¡¯s expression soured. He turned towards Hannah and attempted to downy the situation. ¡°Your sister made a mistake, but we¡¯ve set her straight. Let¡¯s not bring it up again. ¡± Julissa chimed in with aforting grin, ¡°Yes, your sister was naive and fell into a bad deal. We¡¯ve corrected her. She won¡¯t make that mistake again. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t buy a word they said. She turned her gaze to Ro, who remained silent across the table, his eyes locked onto hers. Ro averted his gaze when he noticed her looking. Not missing a beat, Wyatt cut to the chase. ¡°Since you¡¯ve divorced Den, you¡¯re free to leave Valmere. Return to Hoijery with me and join my business. ¡± ¡°Your business?¡± A smirk tugging at her lips, Hannah gazed at Wyatt and asked, ¡°I¡¯ve heard your business is struggling with finances. Would you even be able to pay me if I joined?¡± At her words, Wyatt¡¯s expression shifted. Julissa quickly grasped his hand and reassured Hannah, smiling, ¡°Dear Hannah, don¡¯t believe the rumors. Ourpany is thriving. It¡¯s just cutthroatpetition out there. ¡± ¡°Why do you think you can address me as dear Hannah? Are we that close?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice turned icy as she continued, ¡°The only reason I¡¯m at this event is to get Ro back. Stop harboring any illusions about me. I have no intention of returning with you!¡± Wyatt¡¯s hand crashed down on the table as he shot up, his voice tinged with anger. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You still haven¡¯t exined why you sent your sister to the police! You can¡¯t dodge this arrangement!¡± ¡°So you think I have no say in this?¡± Hannah also stood up, locking eyes with hyatt. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, Ro is leaving with me today. Dare to stop me, and see what happens Come on, Ro. ¡± Ro began wheeling himself in Hannah¡¯s direction, only for Wyatt to seize him abruptly. ¡°Hannah! Don¡¯t get too confident! The Moore family isn¡¯t powerless against you. Remember, your grandfather still resides in Hoijery. Don¡¯t you want to visit him?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare use my grandfather as a pawn!¡± Chapter 420 Hannah¡¯s eyes were icy, her tone equally chilling. ¡°Dream on if you think you can approach my grandfather with your current status. ¡± ¡°Hmph¡± Wyatt settled into his seat, appearing to understand Hannah¡¯s vulnerability with ease. ¡°You¡¯re not aware of your mother¡¯s oldest brother¡¯s passing, are you? The White family¡¯s in turmoil. Stocks have plummeted, and their foothold in Hoijery is shaky. How would they manage without the Moore family¡¯s backing?¡± Hannah responded with a disdainful smile, ¡°A lion¡¯s worst day is still better than a fox¡¯s best day. Even if youbined all the Moore family¡¯s assets, you¡¯d be a mere drop in the oceanpared to the White family. Who do you think you are to worry about the White family? Can the Moore family even save themselves at this point? Do you forget that without my grandfather, you wouldn¡¯t even be listed on the stock market? Spare me your CEO performance. ¡± Stung by Hannah¡¯s counter, Wyatt snapped back, ¡°You¡¯re part of the Moore family too, you know. Can you really just stand idly by?¡± ¡°I have no interest in being entangled with any of you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze shifted to Ro¡¯s wheelchair. ¡°Let him go, or I won¡¯t hesitate to involve the police for holding him against his will. ¡± Julissa quickly stepped in as peacemaker. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s been ages since your dadst saw you. He¡¯s emotional. No one will force you to go back to Hoijery if you don¡¯t want to. Today¡¯s meal together is already rare for us as a family. Let¡¯s not turn it into a showdown. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m saying this only once. Let us leave now. ¡± Grasping Wyatt¡¯s hand, Julissa advised, ¡°Hannah clearly has her reservations about us. If she wants to go, we shouldn¡¯t make it difficult for her to stay. Doing so will only strain your rtionship. Let¡¯s have a meal together next time. ¡± Julissa smilingly cleared the path for Ro to follow Hannah out. When Hannah and Ro exited the private room, Wyatt finally lost his cool. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop her? Do you realize what¡¯s at stake if she doesn¡¯te back with us?¡± ¡°Wyatt, rx. She knows about the White family¡¯s predicament now. She won¡¯t turn a blind eye. As soon as she¡¯s back in Hoijery, we¡¯ll find a way to mend fences with her.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± Unable to contain his frustration, Wyattshed out at Valery. ¡°So my choice of a marriage partner for you wasn¡¯t up to snuff, and now you¡¯re here, chasing wealthy heirs? Didn¡¯t the Moore family provide for you? And now you give Hannah ammunition against you?¡± Valery fired back, feeling equally aggrieved, ¡°How was I supposed to know I¡¯d run into her? She¡¯s the one meddling, not me. ¡± ¡°Valery, shut up!¡± Julissa cut Valery off. ¡°Your father is already seething. Don¡¯t provoke him more!¡± Chapter 421 As they left the private room, Hannah¡¯s tone softened. ¡°How did Wyatt locate you?¡± ¡°I wanted him to find me. ¡± Ro looked up at Hannah earnestly. ¡°I needed to know his true intentions and how he ns to deal with you. ¡± ¡°Ro! Don¡¯t meddle in adult affairs Do you understand how risky that is? Promise not to do it again¡± ¡°I¡¯m 16, hardly a kid. ¡± Ro¡¯s eyes grew somber. ¡°He¡¯d find me eventually, trying to find you. It¡¯s better that I chose to let him. The Moore family has been in a financial slumptely. Wyatt wasn¡¯t lying about the head of the White family being seriously ill. With your eldest uncle gone and his son ill-equipped to take over, things are messy. Don¡¯t you think you should head back and see what¡¯s going on?¡± Hannah looked away, her mind made up. ¡°I owe the White family nothing. My mom passed away and they never showed up. Why should I return?¡± ¡°So you wouldn¡¯t even visit your critically ill grandfather onest time?¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s silence, Ro sensed her hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to guilt you. Even if I hadn¡¯t brought it up, you¡¯d have eventually found a reason to go back, right?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Although touched by Ro¡¯s words, Hannah offered a resigned smile and lightly tapped his head.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°If you ever go rogue like this again, you¡¯ll see me get really mad!¡± Just as Hannah prepared to drive Ro off, a ck Bentley pulled up nearby. Bryson emerged from the vehicle. Spotting him, Hannah halted, nudging Ro¡¯s wheelchair. ¡°What brings you here, Bryson?¡± ¡°I texted you and got no response, so I decided to drop by. ¡± Hannah quickly checked her phone and saw several unread texts. ¡°Ah, I neglected my messages. Sorry to troubling you. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s no trouble whatsoever. ¡± Bryson strolled over, his gaze falling on Ro, who sat in the wheelchair. Chapter 422 Ro met Bryson¡¯s eyes with a frosty stare, quickly averting his gaze. ¡°Allow me to introduce you. This is the son of a friend, who¡¯s like a little brother to me. He¡¯s wheelchair-bound while his legs heal. ¡± ¡°Ro, this is. . ¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware,¡± Ro interjected, his voice icy. ¡°Bryson Mitchell, youngest CEO of the Mitchell Group and head of the Mitchell family. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows knitted together subtly, recognizing that Ro had evidently done his homework on Bryson. Unfazed by Ro¡¯s brusque manner, Bryson extended his hand toward the young man in the wheelchair. ¡°Hello. ¡± Ro raised his somber eyes to meet Bryson¡¯s but made no move to shake his hand. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Hannah, we should get going. ¡± Bryson simply retracted his hand and turned to Hannah. ¡°Allow me to drive. ¡± Hannah hesitated, ncing behind him. ¡°What about your car?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°My chauffeur will take care of it. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Very well. ¡± Handing her car key to Bryson, Hannah began pushing Ro toward where she¡¯d parked. Ro¡¯s hands clenched on the arms of his wheelchair. Waiting until Bryson was out of earshot, his voice rang out, cold and sharp. ¡°What exactly is he to you?¡± Hannah nced down at the boy and gently ruffled his hair. ¡°Why do you always ask so many questions, Ro?¡± ¡°You¡¯re with him now,¡± he stated matter-of-factly. ¡°Howe you¡¯re suddenly concerned about my affairs?¡± Hannah gently nudged him forward, her voice softening as she added, ¡°Ro, there are just some things¡ª¡± She was cut off by the sound of a car door opening a few feet away. Bryson craned his neck and called out, ¡°Get in. ¡± Chapter 423 Hannah lowered her eyes and swallowed the rest of her words. As they eased into the streets, the atmosphere inside the car was unusually calm, almost harmonious, even. Bryson didn¡¯t ask anything and just simply said, ¡°Grace told me that she misses you. She was a bit upset that you didn¡¯te over tonight. ¡± Hannah mustered an apologetic smile, hating that she had disappointed the young girl. ¡°Please apologize to her on my behalf. I had something to take care of. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s all right, she¡¯s not mad at you or anything. She¡¯s just having a little tantrum. ¡± Hannah cleared her throat and decided to change the subject. ¡°I might need to go to Hoijery soon. I¡¯ll be away for about two weeks at least. ¡± ¡°Hoijery?¡± Bryson repeated, though he didn¡¯t pry any further. ¡°I see. Send me your travel details, and I¡¯ll send you off at the airport. ¡± ¡°It will probably be in the next couple of days or so. I¡¯ve already received my academic certificate, and I¡¯ll have to assume office at my mentor¡¯s hospital in the near future. I gave it some thought, and I think it would be better to resign from the school now. Otherwise, I would have to go through a bunch ofplicated procedures once I return from Hoijery. ¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about any of that,¡± Bryson said almost immediately. ¡°I¡¯ll have someone handle these matters for you. You can go to Hoijery and take care of your business with ease. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Warmth blossomed in Hannah¡¯s heart. Bryson had always been supportive of her decisions and endeavors, no matter how random or troublesome her situation got. They pulled into the garage of her home, and Bryson got out to help Ro off the car. ¡°I¡¯ll take you upstairs,¡± he offered courteously. Before Hannah could say anything, Ro interjected with, ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. We can manage by ourselves.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡± ¡°Ro!¡± Hannah chided, appalled by his response. Thankfully, Bryson didn¡¯t seem fazed by the boy¡¯s tant rejection. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll head back now. ¡± ¡°Drive safely. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± They parted ways, and the pair silently went inside and entered the elevator. Chapter 424 It wasn¡¯t until the elevator doors closed that Ro finally spoke. ¡°What do you like about that man, anyway?¡± Hannah turned to peer at him and countered his question with one of hers. ¡°What do you dislike about him?¡± The boy was silent for a moment before muttering, ¡°I don¡¯t dislike him. ¡± ¡°Then why are you acting like this?¡± He couldn¡¯t fool Hannah. She knew him well enough to figure out what he was thinking. ¡°I already told you that I¡¯ll take care of you, didn¡¯t I? I will never abandon you. Even if. Even if I fail in curing your legs, I will never give you up in this lifetime. Even with Bryson in the picture, my resolve will never change. ¡± Ro was a precocious child, and he was obviously worried that Bryson would take all of Hannah¡¯s attention away. She knew this. She understood him that well. Hannah reached out to ruffle the boy¡¯s hair again. ¡°You will always be my brother. That is the one thing that will never change. ¡± She helped Ro to his apartment. ¡°Don¡¯t do such things again in the future,¡± she reminded him. ¡°It isn¡¯t worth the risk, the Moore family is more ruthless than you can imagine. ¡± ¡°I know already,¡± Ro mumbled. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah. ¡± She froze in her steps, stunned that he had finally called her by name again. Ro quickly turned his wheelchair away, his ears tinged with red as he all but snapped, ¡°Good night!¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but chuckle under her breath. ¡°Good night. ¡± Hannah was in such a rush to leave school that she barely had time to say goodbye to her students. After turning over her work to the administration office, she went straight to her apartment to pack for her trip the next day. She called Lydia as she puttered around, saying, ¡°I¡¯m heading to Hoijery tomorrow. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be back for a while. Let¡¯s keep in touch, though. Let me know if anythinges up. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to Hoijery?!¡± Lydia blurted out in surprise.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Are you kidding me? Did they force you to return?¡± Chapter 425 Don¡¯t worry, no one forced me to do anything. ¡± Hannah turned the speaker mode on and ced the phone on her bed while she folded her clothes. ¡°My grandfather is seriously ill at the moment. I need to go and see him. ¡± ¡°Are you really going back to the White family? Those bastards will likely give you a hard time while you¡¯re there.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± It had been years since Hannah had seen those people. There was no way of telling how they felt about her now, not that she would let anything stop her from going. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be fine. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m pitching myself into a lion¡¯s den. I¡¯ll call you if anything happens. ¡± Lydia sighed, clearly displeased. ¡°I just want to say that I do not approve of this, but it is ultimately your decision. Be sure to call me, okay?¡± ¡°Yes, yes. I got it. ¡± ¡°Oh, by the way!¡± Lydia suddenly eximed. ¡°Have you told Bryson about this? Is he aware that you¡¯re leaving for Hoijery?¡± ¡°Yes, and he¡¯s taking me to the airport tomorrow. ¡± Lydia breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°That¡¯s good, then. Rest early, and call me as soon as yound in Hoijery. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± When Hannah went downstairs the next morning, Bryson¡¯s car was already waiting outside the apartment building Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ . He met her halfway and took her suitcase, then opened the car door for her before depositing her luggage in the trunk. ¡°I bought you breakfast,¡± Bryson said as he started the engine. ¡°You should eat. ¡± It was simple enough-a box of milk and a breakfast sandwich. Hannah ate in silence as Bryson drove and peeked nces at her. He noticed that she was taking small bites. ¡°I wanted to get you something more filling, but since you¡¯re getting on a ne, I thought a light breakfast would be better. ¡± ¡°I actually wasn¡¯t nning on eating breakfast at all,¡± Hannah said, turning to face him. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting you to bring me something. ¡± Chapter 426 She had to admit that she felt much better after her small meal, though. She finished just as they entered the airport parking lot. Bryson took out her Luggage. ¡°You may go through the VIP passage. I¡¯ve upgraded your ticket to first ss. ¡± Hannah blinked up at him. ¡°The flight is only five hours. You didn¡¯t have to go through all the trouble. ¡± Bryson stroked her hair and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all. Go ahead, you might miss your flight. ¡± Hannah took her suitcase and made her way to the airport entrance. She had only taken a few steps when she felt the urge to look back. Bryson was still standing by his car, looking all dapper in his business suit. Their eyes met, and he raised his hand to give her a wave. A strange and unfamiliar feeling surged in Hannah¡¯s chest. Before she knew what she was doing, she had let go of her luggage and was running back to him.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. As dumbfounded as he was, Bryson instinctively opened his arms wide as Hannah crashed into them in a warm embrace. He stood there, surrounded by her faint yet delectable scent, unsure of how to react. Hannah held him tightly. ¡°Goodbye,¡± she whispered. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah looked at the man before her, her lips tightly pressed together, and uttered, ¡°Look after yourself. ¡± She turned around to depart when Bryson grasped her arm, cautioning, ¡°Stay safe. Reach out if anythinges up. ¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± Once she boarded the ne, Hannah activated airne mode on her phone and took a short nap. She disembarked at 6 in the evening. Though it was only 6 p. m. , Hannah hailed a taxi and headed to a nearby three-star hotel. Once settled, she texted Bryson. [Made it here safely. No worries. ] Just as she set her phone down, a call from Lydia came through. Picking up, Hannah said, ¡°I was about to dial you as soon as I¡¯m unpacked. ¡± Chapter 427 ¡°Did you make it?¡± ¡°Yes, I justnded and got to the hotel. I¡¯m currently unpacking. ¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t been to Hoijery in a while. I¡¯m concerned they¡¯ll give you a hard time,¡± Lydia expressed anxiously. Hannah reassured her. ¡°No need to worry. I¡¯m staying off-site. I¡¯m only visiting the hospital to see my grandfather. I won¡¯t be hassled. ¡± ¡°I hope that¡¯s the case. ¡± Lydia exhaled. ¡°Reach out if anything happens. I¡¯lle immediately. ¡± ¡°Alright. Don¡¯t worry about me. ¡± The next morning, Hannah confirmed the hospital¡¯s address and headed to the sanatorium. In Hoijery, the most prestigious sanatorium was a private institution, established by the White family in the western district. It catered to Hoijery¡¯s wealthiest. After making inquiries, Hannah found out her grandfather was in a ward on the 9th floor, exclusively for the White family. Upon arrival, a nurse barred her way, stating, ¡°Apologies, Miss Moore. You¡¯re not on the visitor¡¯s list. You¡¯ll need to speak with Mr. White. ¡± ¡°Understood, thank you. ¡± Seated in the hospital¡¯s lobby, Hannah took out her phone. She had her cousin¡¯s number saved, but refrained from calling. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ What role was she assuming in visiting her grandfather? Even after years had passed, certain emotional walls remained unbroken. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Hannah left the hospital and returned to her hotel. Shortly after her return, Wyatt called her, seemingly informed of her movements. ¡°Why stay elsewhere when you¡¯re back? We¡¯ve set aside a room for you. Come live at the Moore family estate. ¡± ¡°I didn¡¯te to visit you.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Why should I?¡± Wyatt retorted, ¡°I¡¯m aware you¡¯re here for your grandfather. You were turned away today, weren¡¯t you?¡± He scoffed, ¡°Come to the Moore estate, and you¡¯ll have your visit. Justply, and I can make it all happen. ¡± Chapter 428 With a disdainful expression, Hannah listened to Wyatt¡¯s maniptive words, the same ones that had controlled her for years. Did he honestly believe she was still the naive girl easily influenced by others? ¡°Fine,¡± Hannah answered, her voice tinged with resignation. ¡°When will I get to see Grandpa?¡± When Wyatt heard that Hannah had agreed, he dropped his act and announced, ¡°I¡¯ll be your ride to the hospital this weekend. You head back home first today. ¡± After settling her hotel bill, Hannah took a taxi to the Moore family estate. The grand vi had been part of her mother¡¯s dowry, a gift from her grandfather. Dragging her luggage behind her, Hannah traversed the transformed garden. Gone were the blooming flowers that had once captured her mother¡¯s affection, reced now by a pool and entertainment area. Gazing at the house that was at once foreign and familiar, a swirl of emotions enveloped her. ¡°Miss, the master awaits you in the living room. May I take your Luggage?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Inside the living room, Hannah found Wyatt and Julissa engrossed in conversation, a pile of items lying before them. Upon spotting Hannah, Julissa beamed, ¡°Hannah,e have a look. ¡± Approaching, Hannah was handed a stack of photos by Julissa. ¡°Your father and I handpicked these gentlemen. Do any catch your eye?¡± ncing at the photos, Hannah¡¯s lips curled into a sneer. ¡°nning my next arranged marriage already, are we? Who¡¯s the Lucky buyer this time? How much are you hoping to profit off of me?¡± Wyatt¡¯s expression darkened instantly. ¡°Hannah! I¡¯m your father! How dare you speak to me in such a tone?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah just got back. Let¡¯s all calm down,¡± Julissa interjected, her voice soothing. ¡°Your father might have a rough exterior, but he¡¯s only concerned for you. You¡¯re divorced now. He wants to ensure someone is there for you. ¡± ¡°I can live alone well,¡± Hannah retorted, grabbing the stack of photographs. ring at the photo of a fat old man, she added, ¡°These men are your future business partners, aren¡¯t they? So the n is to auction off your daughter to save thepany? Maybe yourpany deserves to fail!¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. With that, Hannah stood and threw the photos across the room. ring at Wyatt, she dered, ¡°I¡¯ve grown up, Wyatt. Don¡¯t think you can manipte me Like you used to! You think you can marry me off to consolidate alliances? Think again. ¡± Chapter 429 Infuriated, Wyatt lifted his hand, aiming for Hannah¡¯s face. But Hannah caught his wrist, gripping it tightly. Numbness spread through Wyatt¡¯s hand as it went limp. ¡°Hannah, you disrespectful child! How dare you strike back at your own father?¡± Grimacing in pain, Wyatt stood in the living room. Julissa swiftly rose to her feet, intervening, ¡°Enough, both of you! Hannah, release your father this instant!¡± Hannah let go of Wyatt¡¯s wrist, warning, ¡°If you ever entertain such ideas again, I won¡¯t hesitate to break your hand, regardless of who you are. ¡± Snatching her purse, she turned around and strode out of the house. Muttering curses, Wyatt eximed, ¡°I raised her all these years. Doesn¡¯t she owe something to the Moore family? This is absurd!¡± His ranting faded as she left, and the moment Hannah stepped outside the vi, she found the air refreshingly clear. She hailed a taxi and directed it to Quin Bar. Quin Bar was a well-known spot in Hoijery, unchanged despite the years. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As she exited the taxi, the bar¡¯s signage remained the same dark wood. Entering the establishment, a waiter greeted her, smiling. ¡°How many in your party, Miss?¡± ¡°Just me. Take me to the fifth floor. ¡± The waiter looked puzzled. ¡°I apologize, Miss, but we don¡¯t have a fifth floor. ¡± ¡°Then go inform your boss that Hannah is here to see him. ¡± Understanding Hannah¡¯s request to speak with the boss, the waiter quicklyplied.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Hold on a moment. I¡¯ll inform the boss right away. ¡± Soon after, Clive emerged nonchntly. Chapter 430 ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d return to Hoijery. ¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Franklyn?¡± Shaking his head, Clive replied, ¡°He¡¯s not around. Anything you need to discuss, you can tell me. What brings you here?¡± ¡°Nothing much. I¡¯ve been away for a while, so I just wanted to check the ce out. ¡± ¡°In that case, let¡¯s head to the fifth floor. ¡± Clive led Hannah forward. When they entered the elevator, the only option was a button Labeled ¡®negative floor 5¡®. Upon descending, they found themselves in a grand recreational area. The space was opulent, frequented by people dressed in high-end fashion. Noticing Hannah¡¯s puzzled expression, Clive promptly rified. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This isn¡¯t a casino. Aside from a questionable location in Muvrand near the border, our operations here are legitimate. We only use chips here; no cash involved. ¡± Hannah shot Clive a quick nce, asking, ¡°What sort of chips could possibly draw this crowd?¡± Hesitating briefly, Clive said, ¡°You probably know the entertainment industry better than I do. ¡± She spotted a few familiar faces almost instantly. Dropping her gaze, Hannah said, ¡°Since Franklyn¡¯s not here, I¡¯ll take my leave. ¡± ¡°Hold on. Since you rarelye here, why not stay and y? We¡¯ll cover the cost of the chips. You won¡¯t find another ce like this in Valmere. ¡± Clive instructed a waiter to bring over a te with a stack of chips on it. On each chip were written titles to cars and homes. Frowning, Hannah inquired, ¡°So these are your so-called chips?¡± ¡°Rest assured. These are just gifts from others. Completely legal. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Pushing the te away, Hannah said, ¡°No thanks. I¡¯m just browsing. You don¡¯t need to apany me. ¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Fine. Should you wish to y, just call them over. They¡¯ll provide you with chips. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± The primary distinction between this venue and typical casinos was its opulence, rivaling that of luxury establishments. Franklyn¡¯s previous strategy had essentially been to repackage the old as new. Hannah took a seat on the couch and surveyed the room. Many of the attendees seemed to be part of the entertainment industry, rather than mere gamblers. Just when Hannah was contemting leaving out of boredom, she heard the sound of sobbing from another room Chapter 431 A distressed woman burst through the door, crying out, ¡°Help! Help!¡± The regrs in the hall appeared unfazed, as if this were a routine urrence. The man trailing behind the woman grabbed her, shouting, ¡°Why are you running away? You lost the bet! Do you think I¡¯ll eat you? Come back!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t make any bets¡­ He¡¯s the one who owes you¡­ I¡¯m not involved!¡± the woman retorted. ¡°Isn¡¯t he your boyfriend? Aren¡¯t you responsible for his debts?¡± The man yanked her hair, attempting to drag her back into the room. Hannah approached and gently took the woman¡¯s hand, saying, ¡°Wait. ¡± Suddenly, all eyes in the hall were on Hannah, a stranger in their midst. The man sneered at Hannah, ¡°Stay out of this!¡± But the woman clung to Hannah, weeping uncontrobly. ¡°Please, help me! Please!¡± ¡°What does she owe you?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze was icy. Growing impatient, the man replied, ¡°Her boyfriend lost everything to me, so he¡¯s given her as payment. What do you think she owes?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about her boyfriend¡¯s losses. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah shielded the woman beside her and dered, ¡°You¡¯re risking awsuit for uwful detention!¡± At her words, the man erupted intoughter. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What¡¯s going on? Anyone can walk in here these days? Sweetheart, who fooled you into showing up?¡± The crowd around them joined in theughter, emboldening the man. ¡°Look, you¡¯re gorgeous. I don¡¯t want to make this hard for you. Hand her over, and I¡¯ll let you go. ¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow and grinned.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Is that so? What if I decline?¡± ¡°You!¡± The man¡¯s hand shot up, poised for a p, but Hannah seized his wrist and twisted it expertly. ¡°Ahhh! f@ck you!¡± Chapter 432 His hand contorted unnaturally as he clutched it, howling in pain. ¡°My hand! My hand! Damn it! Someone get Mr. Morrison, now! What are you waiting for?¡± One of the man¡¯s underlings dashed off to find reinforcements. Unfazed, Hannah turned her attention back to leaving with the woman in tow. But just then, a group of people blocked her path. Running out of patience, Hannah yelled, ¡°Get out of my way!¡± ¡°Your stubbornness is quite remarkable. ¡± Azy voice emerged from behind her. She turned around to see a new figure. The man she had just subdued was now standing beside another man. Dressed in a crisp white suit that entuated his physique, he wore a slight smile and exuded an air of casual arrogance. His gaze met hers. Omar Morrison, eyes twinkling with a cold smile, said, ¡°You think you can just walk away after injuring my guy?¡± Hannah shielded the woman and nced at Omar. ¡°He was the one who attacked first. I was merely defending myself.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡± Omar surveyed the man beside him, who promptly lowered his gaze, unwilling to utter a word. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You¡¯re free to go, but the woman with you has to stay. ¡± Gripping Hannah¡¯s clothing, the woman implored earnestly, ¡°Please, save me! Save me!¡± Unyielding, Hannah gazed directly into Omar¡¯s eyes. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What¡¯s her price? How much do you want?¡± Appearing somewhat entertained, Omar replied, ¡°I¡¯m not short on cash, nor do I want any. But she¡¯sing with us. ¡± Before Hannah could protest, Omar lifted his hand, signaling his men to take the woman. Whipping out her phone, Hannah faced them and warned, ¡°Take another step and I¡¯m calling the police!¡± The man standing behind Omar hurled an insult at Hannah. ¡°You dimwit! Chapter 433 Who invited you?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Hey!¡± Omar interjected, his brow furrowed. ¡°Mind your manners, will you?¡± Hannah turned around, prepared to exit with the woman. Just as Omar¡¯s men moved to pursue, he halted them. ¡°Let them leave. ¡± They ascended in the elevator. Exiting, Hannah held the woman¡¯s hand and told Clive, ¡°I¡¯m out of here. ¡± Clive sensed something familiar about the woman behind Hannah. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Before he could inquire further, Hannah had already departed the bar, taking the woman with her. As Clive was about to dial Hannah, the elevator rose again, revealing Omar and his crew. ¡°Clive. ¡± ¡°Hey?¡± Turning, Clive saw Omar and pocketed his phone. ¡°Mr. Morrison, you¡¯re early. Finished your business?¡± Smiling, Omar responded, ¡°A woman caused quite a disruption in today¡¯s business. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Really?¡± Clive chuckled. ¡°What sort of woman could disrupt you?¡± Mulling over Hannah¡¯s demeanor, Omar became intrigued. ¡°Find someone for me. ¡± Omar signaled to his associate, who then disyed a photo of Hannah to Clive. ¡°I need to find her. ¡± Clive almost dropped the phone in shock upon seeing the woman¡¯s image. Omar examined Clive¡¯s reaction. ¡°Something wrong? Do you recognize her?¡± Caught off guard, Clive denied. Chapter 434 ¡°No¡­ So, she¡¯s the one who ruined your ns?¡± ¡°Exactly. ¡± Omar stared at Clive and inquired, ¡°Digging up information on her shouldn¡¯t be too tough, should it?¡± Revealing Hannah¡¯s true identity to Omar was a gamble. His boss would have his head when he returned! However, Omar was no easy mark in Hoijery either. After scrolling through his phone for a bit, Clive handed it back to the man before him, ¡°I can¡¯t seem to recognize this woman. Investigating her is going to take a while. ¡± Lucky for him, Omar didn¡¯t seem suspicious. ¡°Fine, keep me updated. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Once Omar had left, Clive promptly rang up Hannah. ¡°What did you do to get on Omar Morrison¡¯s bad side?¡± Rubbing his forehead in stress, Clive thought about his boss. ¡°Omar is resolute in his ways. What did you do?¡± Seated in a cab next to the woman she had rescued, Hannah replied, ¡°Just tell him the truth. I¡¯m not concerned about any troubles. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re not? If the boss gets wind that you shed with Omar at the Quin Bar, I¡¯ll be the one in trouble!¡± Hannah paused. ¡°They were mistreating a woman. I couldn¡¯t let it go, so I took her with me. ¡± ¡°That woman. . It finally dawned on Clive that the woman Hannah had removed from the scene was involved with Omar.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Damn it! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Unable to rify the situation to Hannah, he merely cautioned, ¡°Things might not be as straightforward as they seem. Well¡­ I can¡¯t delve into it right now. Just steer clear of that woman. ¡± Clutching her phone, Hannah looked questioningly at the silent woman beside her. ¡°Alright, got it. ¡± After ending the call, the woman sitting next to her looked gratefully at Hannah. ¡°I can¡¯t thank you enough for helping me today. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s mo big deal. I would have done it for anyone. Where do you live? I can give you a ride. ¡± The woman lowered her gaze and shook her head. Chapter 435 ¡°I don¡¯t have a home anymore. My boyfriend sold me. Going back isn¡¯t an option. I¡¯ll just be sold again! I¡¯ve lost my job and all the documents that prove who I am are at my boyfriend¡¯s ce¡­¡± Hannah remained quiet for a moment before picking up her phone again. ¡°What¡¯s your name and bank ount number?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother! You don¡¯t need to send me money!¡± The woman frantically gestured with her hands. ¡°If you don¡¯t apply for a new ID, how will you get out of this situation? How will you secure employment?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s inquiry, Gwendolyn modestly lowered her gaze and replied, ¡°I¡¯m Gwendolyn Myers, and I¡¯ve got a debit card. ¡± After sharing her card details with Hannah, a notification of a money transfer popped up on her phone. Thirty thousand?! She had just given away thirty thousand dors to someone she hardly knew. Gwendolyn expressed her gratitude profusely to Hannah as she exited the car at a hotel, continually bowing to Hannah from the curb. Once the car pulled away, Gwendolyn nced at her phone¡¯s screen and scoffed, ¡°Women are so gullible!¡± She promptly dialed a number and dered, ¡°I owe you twenty thousand. Consider it settled. Don¡¯t bother me anymore!¡± A male voice answered from the other end, ¡°How¡¯d youe by the money?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not your concern. Just know that I can pay you back now, so you¡¯ve got no hold on me!¡± The man chuckled, ¡°No hold on you? You¡¯re in this mess because Omar rejected you and you turned down Enzo! Don¡¯t assume you¡¯re off the hook just because you¡¯re leaving with that woman. If the Morrison family catches you, you¡¯re a goner!¡± Gwendolyn clenched her phone and retorted, ¡°You assured me I¡¯d get with Omar! This is on you, not me! The Morrison family won¡¯t touch me!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°The Morrison family have people out searching for you, and for her. You¡¯re both doomed. ¡± Just as he was about to end the call, Gwendolyn interjected urgently, ¡°Wait! I don¡¯t want to die. I¡¯ve just escaped. It was all thanks to that woman. ¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, Gwendolyn proposed, ¡°If I help you locate her, will you spare me?¡± A brief hush lingered on the other side of the line before the man finally said, ¡°If you manage to locate her, perhaps Mr. Morrison will let you off the hook. ¡± A dark idea started to take shape in Gwendolyn¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Fine, understood. Wait for my update. ¡± Chapter 436 Upon her return to the Moore estate, a servant led her to the guest room. ¡°Miss, we¡¯ve set up your room and luggage. The master requests your presence at the hospital early tomorrow. ¡± Feeling somewhat drained, Hannah replied, ¡°Got it. ¡± After the servant departed, Hannah unlocked the guest room door. Just as she tried to close it, resistance came from the other side.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Valery burst in, her face stern as she examined Hannah before stepping inside. ¡°Forget about past grievances, Hannah,¡± Valery dered, leaning against a bookshelf in the room. ¡°This ce, Hoijery, is under my control. Cross me, and I can¡¯t guarantee your safety. ¡± Hannah sat down on the bed, her lips curling into an icy smile, as if she hadn¡¯t heard a word Valery had said. Annoyed by Hannah¡¯s indifference, Valery stepped closer and spat out, ¡°Who do you think you are? Your mother died. This is not the old Moore family you once knew¡­¡± Before Valery couldplete her sentence, she felt a sharp tug at her hair. Before she knew it, her face was smashed against the room¡¯s desk! Holding a fistful of Valery¡¯s hair, Hannah¡¯s eyes were cial. ¡°You don¡¯t have the right to speak of my mother!¡± A surge of fear swept over Valery. She had misjudged Hannah, thinking thetter was still the vulnerable girl of years past, but she was wrong¡­ Valery fought back, her face buried in the desk. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°How dare you treat me this way? I¡¯m going to tell my parents!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Pinning Valery¡¯s face to the desk, Hannah tightened her grip and forced the woman to look her in the eyes. ¡°Go on, tell your parents! Let¡¯s see if they would kick me out. ¡± Releasing her hold, Hannah gazed nonchntly at a disheveled Valery. ¡°As it stands, I¡¯m more useful to them than their own daughter. Otherwise, why would I be here? You get it, don¡¯t you?¡± Valery¡¯splexion paled as she retreated. ¡°So what? You¡¯re just a pawn in their game. What¡¯s there to be proud of?¡± Hannah flicked her wrist and shot Valery a teasing grin. Chapter 437 ¡°Really, there¡¯s nothing to brag about here. But mark my words, if you dare to cross me again, your fate will be far grimmer than today¡¯s.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± Hannah¡¯s menacing gaze caused Valery to tremble intensely. Wordless, she turned and made a hasty exit. The door to the room mmed shut with a resounding thud. Hannah withdrew her eyes, tidied up, and then called Bryson. The phone barely rang twice when a notably deep voice answered, ¡°You¡¯re upte. I assumed you¡¯d be asleep by now. ¡± ¡°Still awake. Did I interrupt anything?¡± Sensing the quiet ambience on Bryson¡¯s end, Hannah inquired, ¡°Did I disturb your sleep?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been workingte into the night on a group project at work. Just wrapped up the proposal for review. Don¡¯t fret about waking me. I was more concerned about waking you. ¡± Caught off guard, Hannah shifted in her bed, momentarily at a loss for what to say. Noticing the silence, Bryson, his eyes lowered, broke it first. ¡°How are things in Hoijery? Have you seen your grandfather yet?¡± ¡°Not yet. ¡± Even through the phone, Bryson sensed a touch of sadness in Hannah¡¯s voice. ¡°I¡¯m not authorized to visit the hospital yet Wyatt ns to take me tomorrow. I should see my grandfather then. ¡± ¡°You should get some rest. ¡± Gently, Bryson added, ¡°I have some work to wrap up. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Unwilling to hold him up, Hannah acknowledged and ended the call. She set an rm beforeying her phone aside and drifting off to sleep. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Meanwhile, inside a private car heading from Valmere to Hoijery. After the call concluded, Yosef chimed in, ¡°Sir, why didn¡¯t you inform Miss Moore that you¡¯re also heading to Hoijery? Isn¡¯t the entire business venture there about her?¡± Bryson shot Yosef a nce. Feeling a chill down his spine, Yosef instantly knew he¡¯d said too much and quickly turned away, shutting up. In a subdued tone, Bryson said, ¡°Find out which hospital Mr. White is admitted to. ¡± ¡°Absolutely, I¡¯ll get on it immediately!¡± Chapter 438 The next morning, Hannah descended the stairs to find her ¡°family¡± at breakfast. Upon spotting Hannah, Valery acted like a mouse who had just seen a cat. She hastily grabbed her purse, muttered an excuse about being busy, and made her exit. Wyatt set his phone aside and looked up to see Hannahing down the stairs. ¡°Join us for breakfast once you¡¯re ready. ¡± At the dining table, Julissa offered a warm smile. ¡°Ellie, could you please prepare breakfast for Hannah?¡± ¡°Certainly, ma¡¯am,¡± Ellie responded. Hannah cast Wyatt a chilly nce. ¡°When are we leaving for the hospital?¡± ¡°No rush,¡± Wyatt replied, taking a leisurely sip of his coffee. ¡°The driver is already waiting outside. We¡¯ll head there after breakfast. ¡± ¡°Fine. ¡± Ellie brought out the breakfast, and Hannah ate in silence. In the family car, Hannah stared out the window, her emotions a tangled web. How could she face her grandfather? Wyatt, sitting in the front, began to prattle. ¡°Your mom was also from the White family. You also own part of the White family business. Sooner orter, you¡¯ll have to stand your ground. ¡± Hannah turned a frosty gaze toward him. ¡°When?¡± ¡°When. . ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Wyatt opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated, reading Hannah¡¯s expression. ¡°Just try to be diplomatic with your grandfather. The White family isn¡¯t really Looking to cut you off. ¡± The incessant chatter was grating on her nerves.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Irritated, Hannah looked down and sent Bryson a quick text. [I¡¯m on my way to the hospital now. ] Receiving no response, she switched off her phone and lost herself in the passingndscape. Chapter 439 When they arrived at the hospital, they were quickly directed to the floor where elder Mr. White was staying. After verifying their names on the visitor list, a nurse guided them down the corridor. Given that this floor was reserved for the White family, the hallway was eerily quiet. Stopping in front of a door, the nurse knocked gently. ¡°Mr. White, you have visitors. ¡± As the door swung open, Hannah locked eyes with her long-lost older cousins. The sight of her sick grandfather left her struggling to contain her emotions. Jalen White, seeing his cousin, appeared surprised, as if he had not anticipated her presence. Just as he started to rise, a voice from beside him preemptivelymanded the nurse to exit. Christy, Jalen¡¯s wife, sneered at Hannah,cking any semnce of politeness. ¡°So you show up now, just when Jalen is taking control? Are you here to stake a im on the inheritance?¡± Christy was a woman who spoke her mind, often bluntly, even harshly at times. Jalen emerged from the hospital room, cutting Christy off. ¡°Shut up!¡± ¡°What¡¯s your point?¡± Wyatt interjected, visibly annoyed. ¡°She¡¯s a granddaughter of the White family, isn¡¯t she? What right do you have, as her cousin-inw, to say anything?¡± Christy crossed her arms and huffed, ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The White family have done plenty for the Moore family over the years, haven¡¯t they?¡± Hannah wanted to speak, but Wyatt cut her off. ¡°Forget about favors. Now that Hannah¡¯s back, when will you give her the shares her mother left her?¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Jalen¡¯s eyes dimmed upon hearing Hannah¡¯s reasons for returning were tied to family assets. Christy wasn¡¯t willing to back down. ¡°Please! She¡¯s been absent all these years, not even visiting her own grandfather. And now she wants shares and property? What a disgrace!¡± Hannah overheard the heated exchanges and insults. Chapter 440 She could stand up to strangers, but found it hard to confront her own family. After years of estrangement from the Whites, she wondered if her grandfather would even want to see her. She gazed at her ailing grandfather, questioning her own motives for visiting. ¡°Christy,¡± Jalen suddenly intervened. ¡°Like it or not, she¡¯s a member of the White family. The fourth daughter¡¯s shares were meant for Hannah. ¡± Christy looked shocked. ¡°Jalen, she¡¯s nothing but an ingrate. Why should she get anything for nothing?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want the shares,¡± Hannah interjected, her eyes meeting Jalen¡¯s and Christy¡¯s impassively. ¡°I came to see if there¡¯s any hope for Grandpa¡¯s recovery. ¡± ¡°Ha ha,¡± Christy scoffed. ¡°Hope for a cure? What nonsense! You¡¯re clearly here for the assets. ¡± ¡°I mean what I say,¡± Hannah replied calmly. ¡°I want to know if Grandpa has a chance to recover. ¡± ¡°And you show up now, of all times? How absurd to im you can heal Byrum!¡± Wagging a finger at Hannah¡¯s nose, Christy chastised, ¡°So, your cousin runs thepany and you think you can reap the rewards?¡± Hannah felt her Lips part but swallowed the words she¡¯d wanted to say. Tears slipped from her eyes. Oddly, the woman who rarely felt aggrieved found herself weeping. Observing his cousin¡¯s tears, Jalen couldn¡¯t bear it. ¡°Would you quit it? We¡¯re in Grandpa¡¯s hospital room. It¡¯s loud enough!¡± ¡°Am I not telling the truth? Humph!¡± Christy continued her tirade against Hannah.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°The White family gave a three-hundred-million-dor dowry when she married, and she epted it without a word! She¡¯s been out of touch for years. Why shouldn¡¯t I scold her? Does she even consider herself a member of the White family?¡± Hannah felt as though she¡¯d been hit by a bolt of lightning. She¡¯d gotten a three-hundred-million-dor dowry? She slowly turned, noticing Wyatt had already slinked away guiltily as Christy ranted. Hannah chuckled bitterly, ¡°I¡¯ll give the three hundred million back to the White family. At that time¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Chapter 441 ¡°Quit with the pitiable expression, trying to gain our sympathy!¡± Christy sneered. ¡°Your cousin might be soft-hearted, but I¡¯m not. ¡± Bainbridge White opened the door and stepped out. He stared Hannah coldly. ¡°You never considered us family. Leave now. Grandpa doesn¡¯t want to see you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s hands shook involuntarily. She nodded, her voice strained. ¡°Fine¡­ I¡¯ll go. ¡± As she turned to leave, she collided with someone. Looking up to apologize, she found herself face-to-face with Bryson! Bryson observed the shock in Hannah¡¯s eyes and raised his hand to console her before approaching the White family members. Jalen recognized Bryson. During his grandfather¡¯s absence, he¡¯d been in contact with the Mitchell family as a strategic alliance to maintain the White family¡¯s standing. Both families had ns to coborate, but Jalen hadn¡¯t expected to see Bryson at the hospital. ¡°Mr. Mitchell?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Casting a frigid nce at Christy, Bryson¡¯s expression signaled his displeasure. Bainbridge, ever the simpleton, looked puzzled. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, weren¡¯t we set to discuss business matters tomorrow?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here to take Hannah away,¡± Bryson stated. Bryson took Hannah¡¯s hand, directing all eyes toward her. ¡°You¡­ You¡­¡± Jalen couldn¡¯t believe his eyes as he nced at the pair. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Before he could speak, Christy blurted out, pointing an using finger at Hannah, ¡°Did you betray your husband? Oh my God!¡± Hannah opened her mouth to rify, but Bryson pulled her back. ¡°Are you not aware she¡¯s divorced?¡± Bryson¡¯s resonant voice silenced the Whites gathered at the hospital room¡¯s entrance. Reading their faces, Bryson continued, ¡°And did you know that the three hundred million the White family provided never actually Landed in her hands?¡± Chapter 442 A heavy hush fell outside the room. All three seemed dumbfounded, at a loss for words. Christy broke the silence. ¡°How¡­ How is that even possible? We¡­¡± ¡°If you considered her family, where were you when she got married? It wouldn¡¯t take much for the White family to discover that the three hundred million remained with the Moore family. Hannah¡¯s dowry when she moved to Valmere came from her husband¡¯s grandmother in the Edwards family. She¡¯s struggled for years within the Edwards household. That¡¯s also not hard for you to verify,¡± Bryson said. Standing behind Bryson, Hannah looked on with misty eyes as he articted her past hardships and solitude. Grasping Bryson¡¯s hand more tightly, she was overwhelmed with emotion. She¡¯d thought she¡¯d put the past behind her, but the memories still pained her. ¡°Do you honestly view her as family? You knew the dangers of the Moore household, yet you never brought her into the White family.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Is that also what your grandfather intended?¡± Bryson probed. Stammering, Bainbridge tried to defend his family. ¡°Grandpa never meant that! He really loves her¡­¡± Struggling to find the right words, Bainbridge was conflicted. Did his grandfather truly love Hannah? His actions said otherwise. All he did was secretly send money, money that the Moore family pocketed while the White family remained oblivious. Bryson nced at them with icy detachment. ¡°What¡¯s her fault, then?¡± Christy protested, ¡°Why were we kept in the dark? Why didn¡¯t she share any of this with us?¡± Bryson replied with a soft, mocking tone, ¡°Isn¡¯t it easy for a family as distinguished as ours to manipte their children?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Jalen, visibly weary, leaned on the doorframe of the hospital room. ¡°I¡¯ve observed Hannah at events, always assuming she lived a carefree, mboyant life. ¡± ¡°In the eyes of the Moore family, she was merely a valuable asset for marriage. To you, she was an ingrate. Did anyone actually consider her feelings?¡± Hannah grasped Bryson¡¯s hand. ¡°Enough talk. Let¡¯s go. ¡± As Hannah moved to leave, Jalen quickly advanced a couple of steps. ¡°Hannah! We were unaware of all this. Can we discuss what has happened over the years?¡± Chapter 443 Sighing deeply, Hannah turned back to Jalen. ¡°What¡¯s done is done. Rehashing it only brings more pain. Look after Grandpa. I¡¯m leaving for today. ¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Jalen looked sad. Bryson gripped Hannah¡¯s hand and led her away, making sure she didn¡¯t nce back. As they walked side by side, Hannah lifted her eyes to Bryson. A decade ago, she had plunged into the ocean, where a flicker of light briefly pierced the all-epassing darkness below. That light seemed to reappear now. Only when they had exited the hospital did Hannah feel as if she could finally breathe. Gently holding her hand, Bryson nced at her. ¡°Hungry? How about we grab something to eat?¡± Just as Hannah was about to ept with a grin. Wyatt abruptly appeared before them. ¡°Hannah, who is this gentleman?¡± Though questioning, Wyatt¡¯s eyes sparkled with recognition. He had seen articles about the Mitchell family online. This man was the influential Bryson Mitchell! A wave of animosity surged within Hannah, causing her eyes to turn icy. Stepping protectively in front of her, Bryson wore a_ chilly expression.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Bryson Mitchell. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Wyatt¡¯s eyes instantly widened as he sized Bryson up. ¡°Ah! You must be the CEO of the Mitchell Group from Valmere! I¡¯ve heard so much about your distinguished reputation!¡± Wyatt extended his hand, intending to shake Bryson¡¯s, but Hannah brushed it away. ¡°Hannah, what are you doing?¡± Hannah regarded him with an icy stare. ¡°I expect a full ount of the 300 million the White family contributed!¡± Caught off guard, Wyatt quicklyposed himself. ¡°I¡¯m your father! Chapter 444 There are things that the younger generation need not concern themselves with. ¡± Despite his attempt to maintain an air of paternal authority, Hannah¡¯s heart grew colder. Wyatt turned his attention to Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you must be here from Valmere for some business discussions. ¡± To Bryson, Wyatt adopted a different demeanor. ¡°Well, our Moore family also has considerable business interests. . ¡°I¡¯m here for Hannah,¡± Bryson stated tly, squeezing Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°Not for any business. ¡± Catching sight of the intertwined hands of Hannah and Bryson, Wyatt¡¯s cunning eyes twinkled. ¡°In that case, Hannah, please make sure Mr. Mitchell feels wee. I won¡¯t interfere. Hannah, take your timeing home tonight. The staff at the vi will wait up for you. ¡± As she caught Wyatt¡¯s calcting gaze, Hannah felt revulsion surge through her. ¡°Let¡¯s leave,¡± Bryson softly murmured. Though Hannah hadn¡¯t been to Hoijery in many years, her favorite restaurant still stood in a lovely corner of the city. She led Bryson to the charming, mid-sized eatery, a rare gem along the street.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Upstairs, Hannah ordered a variety of dishes. ¡°I¡¯ve chosen some local Hoijery favorites. I used to dine here often; I wonder if the vors have changed. ¡± ¡°So, what brings you to Hoijery? How did you even acquire ess to the hospital?¡± she inquired. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson remained unruffled. ¡°I had some dealings with the White family and initially nned to visit Mr. Byrum White in the hospital. I never anticipated you¡¯d receive such treatment. ¡± Hannah offered a faint smile, concealing her emotions behind a subdued whisper. ¡°Let it go. As I¡¯ve said, it¡¯s been years, and the lines between right and wrong have faded. ¡± ¡°Why should you bear the guilt of the older generation?¡± Bryson¡¯s prating gaze met Hannah¡¯s. ¡°You were just a child back then. It¡¯s unfair to burden you with their mistakes. ¡± Chapter 445 Hannah felt a subtle stir in her heart at Bryson¡¯s words. ¡°I appreciate your intent to console me. That incident in the hospital won¡¯t alter my peace of mind. ¡± As their meal arrived, Hannah shifted the conversation. ¡°Give this a try. ¡± Bryson tasted it andmented, ¡°Truly delightful. Definitely not something you¡¯d find in Valmere. ¡± Upon hearing Bryson¡¯spliment, Hannah¡¯s eyes met the floor as she smiled faintly. ¡°What¡¯s next on the agenda after dinner?¡± ¡°Do you have a ce in mind you¡¯d like to go?¡± Pondering briefly, Hannah shook her head. She hadn¡¯t been back in Hoijery for quite some time, and aside from her mother, there was little else she yearned for. Sensing Hannah¡¯s subdued mood, Bryson offered, ¡°Let me take you home, then. I have to review some partnership agreements back at my ce anyway. ¡± ¡°Sounds good.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡± As twilight gave way to darkness, Bryson¡¯s car halted in front of the Moore estate. Hannah exited the vehicle, leaning a bit to wave farewell. After Bryson drove away, Hannah noticed Wyatt and Julissa waiting at the entrance of the estate. She cast a disinterested nce their way before making her way inside. ¡°Hannah! Are you acquainted with Mr. Mitchell from Valmere? What¡¯s the deal between you two?¡± Wyatt bombarded her with inquiries. Trailing behind was Julissa, who couldn¡¯t hide her jealousy. How was it that Hannah, even post-divorce, could still mingle with the upper ss? Ignoring the volley of questions, Hannah¡¯s n was to head upstairs, pack her essentials, and depart the Moore residence. Surprisingly, Wyatt closed the gap with quick strides. ¡°You¡¯ve been taken care of by the Moore family all these years. You can¡¯t just be ungrateful¡± ¡°Ungrateful?¡± Hannah chuckled sardonically at the man before her, who prioritized wealth over honor. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°300 million from the White family and dowries from the Edwards. None of it stayed with me. Didn¡¯t the Moore family amass nearly one billion?¡± She looked at Wyatt disdainfully. ¡°That is one billion! Even a pig could livevishly with that kind of money, wouldn¡¯t you agree? And yet, in just a handful of years, the Moore family¡¯s fortunes have plummeted. Did you manage our assets with the brains of a mule, spiraling our family downward?¡± Stung by his daughter¡¯s biting criticism, Wyatt¡¯splexion turned stormy. Chapter 446 ¡°How dare you speak to me like this!¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Overhearing their heated exchange from the living room, Valery couldn¡¯t resist fanning the mes. ¡°Sis, how could you talk to Dad like that? He¡¯s made sacrifices for this family too!¡± A sarcastic grin tugged at Hannah¡¯s lips. ¡°Squandering hundreds of millions in just a few years is a remarkable feat of ipetence. Thankfully, I inherited my mother¡¯s wits. Otherwise, if I ended up as clueless as you, Valery, I¡¯d prefer to be dead. ¡± Valery¡¯s expression darkened at Hannah¡¯s sarcastic words. ¡°Dad, do you see this? You told me to be nice to her, and listen to what she¡¯s saying!¡± Furious, Wyatt lifted his hand as if to strike Hannah. ¡°Disrespectful! We¡¯ve taken care of you all these years, and this is how you repay us?¡± Hannah caught Wyatt¡¯s wrist and pushed him away. ¡°And what about your own ingratitude? Grandpa has supported you for ages. Need I remind you how you betrayed my mother while she was still alive? The White family has been funding you, not the other way around. Have you ever spent a cent of that three hundred million on me?¡± Wyatt¡¯s face flushed crimson at Hannah¡¯s retort. Julissa stepped in, trying to mediate. ¡°Your father didn¡¯t use that money just for himself. The Moore family needed it for the business. He always intended to give it to you once things stabilized. ¡± ¡°Stabilized?¡± Hannah scoffed. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°The way he runs Moore Group, even another billion wouldn¡¯tst. You sure know how to make excuses for him. ¡± With that, Hannah ascended the stairs, swiftly packed her belongings, and returned downstairs. Wyatt, sitting in the living room, saw her heading for the door and yelled, ¡°If you walk out now, don¡¯t ever think ofing back! You are no longer my daughter of the Moore family!¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± Hannah retorted. ¡°I¡¯ve always been ashamed to call you my father. Let¡¯s make it official and sever all ties. ¡± Hannah checked into a hotel, suitcase in tow. No sooner had she set her luggage down than her phone buzzed. An unfamiliar number shed on the screen. Chapter 447 ¡°Hello, who¡¯s this?¡± she inquired. ¡°Hannah. ¡° Hearing the voice, Hannah paused, momentarily speechless. Growing anxious at her silence, Jalen continued, ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t take what Christy said to heart. She¡¯s just¡­ she¡¯s blunt, and she listens to gossip. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Hannah responded. ¡°I¡¯ve been away for so long, it¡¯s only natural she dislikes me. ¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Jalen hesitated. ¡°In the years you¡¯ve spent with the Edwards family, have you¡­¡± He wanted to ask if she had been happy, but who was he to inquire about her well-being? Hannah¡¯s divorce signaled the downfall of their marriage, didn¡¯t it? Finally, Jalen spoke again, asking, ¡°Did you go through a lot?¡± Instead of answering directly, Hannah justughed lightly and said, ¡°Let¡¯s leave the past in the past. ¡± ¡°Agreed. There¡¯s no point in revisiting old wounds. The White family is hosting an eco-friendly charity event in Hoijery tomorrow. I¡¯d like to invite you on behalf of my family. ¡± Hannah hesitated briefly. ¡°Um¡­¡± She was leaning towards declining, but Jalen cut her off.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Mr. Mitchell is correct. It¡¯s unfair to hold you ountable for past generational conflicts. This could be a chance for you to clear up any misunderstandings with the family. If you decide not to attend, I¡¯ll still make a 5-million-dor donation in your name. ¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll be there. ¡± Jalen¡¯s voice perked up. ¡°Really? Should I extend the invitation to the Moore family as well? ¡°No, I¡¯m staying at a hotel. I don¡¯t live with the Moore family anymore. ¡± Jalen hesitated for a moment. ¡°Did the Moore family ask you to leave? Chapter 448 What hotel are you at? I coulde get you. We have extra rooms in the White family mansion if you need a ce to stay. ¡± Hearing hurried footsteps on the other end, Hannah responded tly, ¡°No need, I chose to move out. I¡¯ve been on my own for a while, and I prefer it that way. ¡± Abruptly, Jalen halted and said softly, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll arrange for the invitation to be sent to you tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Hannah hung up and just as she was about to start unpacking, her phone rang again. It was Gwendolyn. Wondering about the timing, Hannah picked up. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Miss Moore, can we meet up tomorrow? I¡¯d like to talk. ¡± A sense of unease washed over Hannah. ¡°Is everything alright? Are those people bothering you again?¡± ¡°No, no, nothing like that! I just¡­ I¡¯d like to catch up over coffee. But if you¡¯re busy, I understand. ¡± ¡°I actually can¡¯t make it tomorrow,¡± Hannah replied. Gwendolyn¡¯s grip on her phone tightened and she said, ¡°No worries! Whenever you¡¯re free, Miss Moore, I¡¯ll arrange a date. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± After unpacking, Hannah checked her phone and found Gwendolyn¡¯s text. [Miss Moore, how does the day after tomorrow sound? Let¡¯s catch up at the cafe next to Quin Bar. ] Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed, puzzled by the choice o Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ f location near Quin Bar. [Could we pick a different spot?] [Sorry, I¡¯ll be running a bitte from work, so I thought it¡¯d be convenient to grab a coffee there, Miss Moore. ] Gwendolyn¡¯s exnation was riddled with errors.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Hannah sent her response. [Atright. 1 The following day, the White family not only dispatched an invitation but also provided a top-notch makeup artist and an elegant gown to escort Hannah to the charity banquet. Chapter 449 Stepping past the entrance, Hannah nced around the grand ballroom, which buzzed with chatter. Despite recent setbacks, the White family¡¯s business still stood as a prominent entity in Hoijery. Thanks to Hannah¡¯s grandfather¡¯s extensivework, everyone showed great respect for the White family. The attendees were sessful figures from various fields. ¡°Excuse me, what will you be donating to our auction today?¡± Another door stood beyond the first, where a hostess was stationed to check in donations. As Hannah approached, the hostess greeted her warmly. Hannah was taken aback. Jalen hadn¡¯t filled her in on this detail. She had assumed that the White family would provide all the auction items for this event. ¡°Miss?¡± Noticing Hannah¡¯s hesitancy and empty hands, the hostess became more skeptical and her demeanor cooled. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you can¡¯t proceed without a donation, ma¡¯am. ¡± Hannah sighed softly, reaching into her purse to retrieve a pen. ¡°Auction this. Starting bid is half a million. ¡± How pitiful! Here she was, adorned in a luxurious dress, yet her donation was a pen adorned with a fake diamond. The hostess didn¡¯t want to cause a scene, so with a forced smile, she epted the pen from Hannah and allowed her entrance. ¡°Please, go ahead, Miss. ¡± Once inside the banquet hall, Hannah initially went unnoticed. She walked down the long ss corridor, intending to meet Jalen in the eastern garden, where they¡¯d agreed to convene. However, the corridor wasbyrinthine, and she found herself in a different garden by mistake. As she turned to leave,ughter erupted from within the garden. ¡°Hannah Moore¡¯s return to Hoijery means nothing! The White family won¡¯t even acknowledge her!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ In the small garden, a group of elegantly dressed men and women conversed with gleefulughter. ¡°When did the White family even recognize someone like Hannah? She was practically disowned when her mother chose the Moore family. Why bring her up now?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the Whites have invited Hannah back. Perhaps they want her to reconnect with the family?¡± Laughter erupted once more in the garden. ¡°Reintroduce her to the family? Isn¡¯t that embarrassing for the White family?¡± ¡°Exactly. Remember her shy demeanor? So unlike Winona and others from esteemed families. Truly, the apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree. ¡± Chapter 450 ¡°How does she evenpare to Winona? Winona¡¯s from aristocracy. And Hannah? She¡¯s no more than a sewer rat. Do they truly believe restoring her name makes her any grander?¡± Overhearing, Hannah maintained herposure. Back then, these folks may not have been close but were civil on the surface. But she hadn¡¯t anticipated the depths of their disdain. ¡°The fault lies with her. She never seeks to reinforce her rtionship with the White family. She and herte mother are both disgraceful!¡± Smirks and snickers pervaded the air. A shadow crossed Hannah¡¯s eyes. She could overlook their prior insults, but hearing them malign her mother was intolerable. ¡°It appears you haven¡¯t changed, still gossiping behind people¡¯s backs like you used to. If you have any courage, say it to my face. I swear, one more word and I¡¯ll rip your tongues out. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze met thest speaker¡¯s. ¡°Considering you were born because your mother slept with a married man while she was his mistress, and you yourself snagged someone else¡¯s fiance to marry into wealth, doesn¡¯t that make you equally disgraceful?¡± Her voice was soft, but it sent a shiver through the crowd. d in a bespoke ck dress, Hannah radiated a chilling aura. As she stood in the sunlight, her captivating face left everyone in awe. Had Hannah truly transformed so much? When had she be this stunning and fierce? Hannah had just admonished Gemma Sampson, the heiress of the influential Sampson family in Hoijery.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Given Gemma¡¯s social standing, few dared question her, so Hannah¡¯s audacious remarks left them stunned. Gemma seemed on the brink of a meltdown. The crowd held its breath, anticipating drama. Unsurprisingly, Gemma erupted, ¡°Hannah! You¡¯ve crossed a Line!¡± Without missing a beat, Hannah sauntered over and seized a wine ss from a guest. Before anyone could react, she sshed its red contents across Gemma¡¯s face. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A hushed moment enveloped the garden, shattered only by a disbelieving scream. ¡°Ahhh!! How dare you!¡± The dark red wine trickled down Gemma¡¯s refined features, making her hair cling to her face in disarray. Her once-pink dress was now marked with wine stains. For a moment, she stood there, bewildered. Onlookers shrieked and scattered, terrified that their own dresses would suffer a simr fate. Chapter 451 ¡°If vulgarity is your style, I can amodate,¡± Hannah dered, turning her back and exiting the chaotic garden. Having never faced such humiliation, a seething Gemma wiped her wine -stained face and red at the retreating Hannah. Later, as if by fate, Hannah encountered Jalen and Bainbridge as they were leaving another garden. Upon seeing her, Jalen¡¯s mood visibly lifted. ¡°Hannah! I was just wondering why you hadn¡¯t show up. ¡± ¡°I got lost, causing the dy. My apologies,¡± Hannah replied. Bainbridge was less forgiving.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°If you¡¯rete, own up to it. No need for excuses. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t make excuses; I¡¯m just stating facts,¡± Hannah countered calmly. ¡°How can anyone be sure you¡¯re telling the truth?¡± Bainbridge had never been fond of Hannah; hisst impression of her was a timid girl who had returned to the White family, an image he disliked. ¡°Bainbridge, she¡¯s our cousin. Show some respect,¡± Jalen interjected. Somewhat reluctantly, Bainbridge conceded, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll drop it. ¡± Approaching Hannah with a grin, Jalen said, ¡°Come on, Hannah, let¡¯s head to the banquet hall. ¡± Just outside the hall, the emcee was showcasing the items donated by the attendees. ¡°Miss Winona Bailey has graciously gifted a piece of porcin valued at 3 million. ¡± ¡°Mr. Bryson Mitchell has contributed an antique vase from the royal collection, with an estimated value of 100 million!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Upon hearing Bryson¡¯s name, Hannah felt a jolt. She scanned the room instinctively but saw no sign of him. The emcee¡¯s voice rang out once more. ¡°Miss Hannah Moore has given us¡­¡± He paused, seemingly flustered, and then continued, ¡°A pen¡­ valued at 500 thousand. ¡± The room erupted into murmurs. What kind of pen could possibly be worth 500 thousand? ALL eyes shifted to the emcee on stage. ¡°Which pen could be valued at 500 thousand? Who brought this pen?¡± Chapter 452 ¡°Yes, why did someone contribute just a pen? What¡¯s going on?¡± Puzzled voices filled the air as the emcee began to sweat. ¡°We¡¯ll verify the details. Please, everyone, settle down!¡± Jalen looked at Hannah, visibly surprised. ¡°I told the staff outside that you could walk right in if you gave them your name. Why did they ask for a donation from you?¡± Before Hannah could reply, Bainbridge interjected scornfully, ¡°If you had nothing worthy to donate, you could¡¯ve at least avoided offering them a worthless pen and iming it¡¯s worth 500 thousand! Don¡¯t you understand how humiliating that is?¡± Already annoyed with Hannah, Bainbridge¡¯s disdain only grew. ¡°If you couldn¡¯t contribute something valuable, why didn¡¯t you inform Jalen? You¡¯ve brought shame upon the White family!¡±C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Jalen found himself at a loss for words but came to Hannah¡¯s defense. ¡°Ease up, Bainbridge. I don¡¯t think she intended for this to happen. ¡± ¡°I suppose she was trying to save face and never anticipated the emcee would announce her donation Like that. ¡± Growing more impatient, Bainbridge snapped, ¡°I knew we shouldn¡¯t have allowed her to attend. She¡¯s only tarnished the White family¡¯s reputation!¡± ¡°If I¡¯m such an embarrassment, why was I invited in the first ce?¡± Hannah retorted. She then nced at the pen in the emcee¡¯s hand and continued, ¡°Others may not know the significance of that pen, but surely you remember its origins, don¡¯t you, Jalen?¡± Jalen was briefly shocked, his eyes locked onto the diamond-studded pen that the host showcased on the stage. The pen had originally been a gift from Byrum White to Hannah Moore¡¯s mother, a treasure brought back from a far-off journey to Ennd. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Crafted from pure tinum, the pen was a dazzling masterpiece, encrusted with a mix of white and blue diamonds and emeralds. It boasted over 85@ diamonds, two of which wererger than 20 carats each. It had been a symbol of Byrum¡¯s deep love for his daughter. But after a cascade of unfortunate circumstances, the pen ended up with Hannah. Yearster, when Hannah left her family home, she could take very little with her. This pen, a keepsake from her mother, was one of the few items she managed to smuggle out. ¡°The pen is. ¡± Jalen appeared somewhat disoriented. He had a shback. He was just 11 when his grandfather had first shown him the pen. Bainbridge, observing Jalen¡¯s distracted expression, looked at the pen skeptically. Chapter 453 ¡°It¡¯s merely a pen. What¡¯s so special about it? Is there some mythical story attached to it?¡± ¡°This pen. was designed by leading craftsmen in Ennd and cost over 5 million dors. It was a birthday gift for our aunt from Grandpa. ¡± ¡°Five. Five million?¡± Bainbridge turned his head toward Hannah, incredulous. ¡°A pen worth five million, priced at just 500, 000? Have you lost your senses?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°To me, these days, money is just a cold sequence of numbers. It holds no meaning. ¡±C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Bainbridge scoffed, ¡°You put on quite the show, disregarding five million dors like that. Are you even worth 102 million yet?¡± Hannah offered Bainbridge a knowing smile. ¡°While it¡¯s true that money is essential, has it ever¡­ truly made you happy? I¡¯ve found the ¡®Love of Mona¡¯ that my mother left for me. As for this pen from Grandpa, consider it returned to the White family. ¡± Hearing Hannah¡¯s promation, it was clear she aimed to cut ties with the White n. Jalen promptly said, ¡°Hannah, I must apologize for not realizing this sooner. ¡± Yet Bainbridge remained indifferent. ¡°Apologize for what? If it¡¯s Grandpa¡¯s gift, what does it matter if she gives it back?¡± ¡°Bainbridge! Jalen¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Is that appropriate?¡± Hannah brushed off Jalen¡¯s concern. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯m not here to rejoin the White family. I came back because Grandpa is sick, and I thought there might be some special treatment avable. ¡± Jalen sighed and shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ve consulted with top-notch doctors globally. We¡¯ve nearly depleted all options, both here and abroad, with no sess. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not over until it¡¯s over. There¡¯s always hope,¡± Hannah replied lightly. After a brief exchange with Hannah, Jalen and Bainbridge returned to hosting the White family¡¯s banquet and mingling with other guests. Just as they departed, Hannah considered searching for Bryson but was interrupted when someone stepped in her way. Him again? Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the man holding a wine ss. Omar Morrison, his lips curved in a smile, walked toward Hannah. Chapter 454 ¡°Impressive, making your way into an event like this. ¡± Uninterested, Hannah attempted to walk away. ¡°Let me introduce myself. I¡¯m Omar Morrison, the crown prince of my family¡¯s business empire, the Prosperous Universe Group in Hoijery. ¡± Hannah threw him a contemptuous nce. ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less who you are. It¡¯s rather funny to call yourself a crown prince. ¡± ¡°You still owe me an exnation for taking my people,¡± Omar insisted. Hannah nced around. They had gone unnoticed. ¡°Well, why don¡¯t you just call the police then?¡± Omar appeared momentarily taken aback, then burst outughing. ¡°You¡¯re quite a character. How about bing my girlfriend?¡± ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Hannah rolled her eyes, incredulous. Just then, a woman adorned in ake-blue gown that trailed the floor, fixed her gaze on Hannah. ¡°Omar, what¡¯s going on here? Who is this. ¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Winona Bailey scrutinized Hannah and hesitated before asking, ¡°Are you Hannah Moore?¡± Omar arched an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? Do you two know each other?¡± Winona responded, ¡°Not exactly. ¡± Tucking a loose hair behind her ear, she said, ¡°She¡¯s the granddaughter of Byrum White, you know. But the White family has severed ties with her. Miss Moore, are you back to reconcile with the White family? I¡¯ve heard that Byrum White isn¡¯t doing well, and the family is in disarray. Are you back to im some of the inheritance?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah looked at her and replied, ¡°You have a knack for rumors, Miss Bailey. Why not be a paparazzi? What business is it of yours to be so curious about the White family? Do you expect a piece of the pie when the assets are distributed?¡± Winona¡¯splexion drained at Hannah¡¯s bluntness. In Hoijery¡¯s high society, public humiliation was typically avoided. Prestige was paramount. Caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s candidness, Winona bit her lip, hesitating to respond due to Omar¡¯s presence. ¡°Why so defensive, Miss Moore?¡± ¡°Do we share some close bond?¡± Hannah scrutinized Winona. ¡°The Bailey family is also well-regarded in Hoijery. Shouldn¡¯t you know better than to spread gossip?¡± Chapter 455 With a few choice words, Hannah disarmed Winona, who wanted to retort but found herself speechless as Hannah walked away. Arm in arm with Omar, Winona acted coquettishly. ¡°Omar, can you believe her? She¡¯s so out of touch. No wonder she¡¯s been ostracized by her family. ¡± Omar¡¯s eyes followed Hannah¡¯s departing figure, deep in contemtion. ¡°Omar?¡± Winona observed Omar¡¯s focused gaze on Hannah and bit her Lip. ¡°When are we getting engaged? My dad has been asking. ¡± Omar, sipping his wine, nced at her and smirked. ¡°You know I¡¯ve never been keen on maritalmitments. I¡¯m not nning on tying the knot anytime soon. ¡± ¡°But your grandfather mentioned.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Winona trailed off as she met Omar¡¯s mocking eyes, her face nching. Omar said enigmatically, ¡°Behave yourself, and you¡¯ll have no reason to worry about your ce by my side. ¡± In the banquet hall, Hannah failed to find Bryson but was approached by a suited man. ¡°Miss Moore, my employer wishes to speak with you. ¡± ¡°Your boss is¡­?¡± The man answered courteously, ¡°Bryan White, the second son of the White family. ¡± Wondering why her estranged uncle would summon her, Hannah suppressed her mixed feelings and said indifferently, ¡°Lead the way, please. ¡± Unseen by anyone, Hannah trailed the man from the bustling banquet hall to an upstairs private room. The man halted at the entrance, swung the door ajar with a gracious motion, then quietly stepped aside. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As Hannah widened the door and entered, she realized Bryan wasn¡¯t the room¡¯s only upant. Bryson? Why was he here? After a fleeting moment of astonishment, Hannah regained herposure and greeted, ¡°Uncle Bryan. ¡± With a smile, Bryan nodded at her. ¡°Hannah,e in. You¡¯ve grown and changed so much over the years. ¡± Unsure how to react, she offered a muted smile but said nothing. Chapter 456 Bryson, sitting to one side, nced indifferently at Hannah¡¯s face but remained silent. Before getting down to business, Bryan made casual conversation. ¡°Hannah, your grandfather is unwell, and since your eldest uncle is no longer with us, all the duties have fallen on Jalen.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. He¡¯s struggling with multiple failing projects, and board members are unhappy. There¡¯s a promising new venture from CloudTech, and I¡¯d like you to lead it. ¡± Hannah had expected Bryan to bring up his son, Bainbridge, but to her surprise, he focused on her instead. ¡®s BunnyBookery She hesitated before declining. ¡°I¡¯ve distanced myself from the White family. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s appropriate for me to engage in family affairs. ¡± ¡°Still holding a grudge against your cousins?¡± With a deep sigh, Bryan said, ¡°They, too, are in the dark about many things. Don¡¯t be too harsh on them, and don¡¯t dwell on what the family says. ¡± Indifferent now, Hannah responded, ¡°Uncle Bryan, the fact that I still call you uncle means I¡¯ve moved past that. I returned only because Grandpa is sick. The family business has enough hands, you and my cousins. It doesn¡¯t need me. ¡± Seeing that Hannah remained unmoved, Bryan cast his gaze toward Bryson, who sat nearby. He was aware of the dynamic between Hannah and Bryson and had hoped this might help the project with her leading it. Ever since Bryson assumed control, the Mitchell family had ascended to a formidable presence in Valmere. Their influence was tremendous. Various parts of the country were dotted with Mitchell industries, a fact not lost on Bryan. Though the White family had once been prestigious, a series of misfortunes had taken their toll. Bryan said, ¡°We¡¯re family. Let¡¯s be straightforward. I aim to shed light on the matter of your mother. My wish is for you to rejoin the White family and assume control of the business. Mr. Mitchell is contemting a partnership with the White family. I believe that you are the ideal candidate to take over this growing sector. ¡± The implication in Bryan¡¯s words didn¡¯t escape Hannah. He seemed to know her connection to Bryson and wanted to leverage that. However¡­ A frown crossed her face as she looked at Bryson, who appeared nonchnt. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Wasn¡¯t the original n to coborate with Jalen? Unwilling to capitalize on her rtionship, Hannah openly refused. ¡°Let¡¯s not, Uncle Bryan. Ick business acumen and have no desire to create conflict. ¡± Catching her refusal, Bryson lifted his gaze to meet hers and subtly smiled. ¡°Ah. ¡± Bryan sighed. ¡°Hold off on your refusal. Drop by the ancestral home this weekend. Your grandmother has been longing to see you. You should pay her a visit. ¡± Chapter 457 In the past, her grandmother had always been the one to treasure her during her visits to the White family. Collecting herself, Hannahplied, ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll pay a visit. ¡± After she left, Bryan shook his head in mild despair.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t have regard for my niece. I¡¯ve gained some understanding of her life in Valmere. She¡¯s genuinely ill-suited for managing the family¡¯s affairs. She studied medicine andter took up an academic position. Why, Mr. Mitchell, are you so adamant about her heading the coboration before signing the deal?¡± Pouring a cup of coffee for Bryson, Bryan leaned in. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, your acumen and resolve are renowned. You single-handedly stabilized the faltering Mitchell family. I¡¯ve heard tales of your character. I can¡¯t fathom a man of your stature risking a crucial partnership for the sake of romantic sentiment. You wouldn¡¯t leave such an undertaking in the hands of aplete novice, would you?¡± Bryson left his cup untouched. A weighty implication settled in his eyes, and in a measured voice, he replied, ¡°An alliance with the White family isn¡¯t a prerequisite for the Mitchell family. ¡± Bryan¡¯s face shifted almost imperceptibly as he absorbed Bryson¡¯s words. ¡°The Mitchell family wasn¡¯t initially keen on partnering with your White family venture. The core of our coboration hinges on Hannah and Mr. Byrum White. Mr. White, I¡¯d advise against muddling your focus. It¡¯s often wise to reserve judgment on someone¡¯spetence until you¡¯ve fully grasped who they are. ¡± Though Hannah¡¯s name was only uttered once, Bryan sensed that each of Bryson¡¯s statements aimed to defend her. A vague uncertainty took root in his mind. Just how proficient was Hannah, to warrant such advocacy from Bryson? ¡°Indeed. ¡± With a smile, Bryan replied, ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, Mr. Mitchell. I¡¯ll give the matter due consideration, rest assured. ¡± As Hannah descended the staircase, an intuitive premonition hinted at the situation unfolding in the private room. Bryson had personally taken action to back her. She was somewhat disheartened that Bryson had elevated her status without prior discussion. ¡°Ah, Miss Moore, you¡¯re here!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ An enchanting young woman appeared before her, seizing her wrist with excitement. ¡°We¡¯ve been searching for you for some time. ¡± Gently extracting her hand, Hannah¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. She didn¡¯t particrly enjoy unfamiliar hands on her. ¡°Have we met?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Tasha Natt. My family is in showbiz. ¡± Tasha greeted her with a radiant grin. ¡°A group of young folks are sitting over there. Care to join?¡± ¡°No need, I¡­¡± ¡°Come on, they¡¯re right there. Let me introduce you!¡± Chapter 458 Unable to counter Tasha¡¯s enthusiasm, Hannah relented and followed. ¡°Omar, look who I¡¯ve brought!¡± Tasha announced to Omar, warmly draping her arm around Hannah. Maintaining a neutral expression, Hannah nced at the man upying the table¡¯s central seat and freed her hand from Tasha¡¯s grip. ¡°This is your acquaintance?¡± Unaware of Hannah¡¯s unease, Tasha ushered her to an open chair. ¡°Meet my cousin, Omar Morrison. Beside him is my future cousin-inw, Winona. ¡± Winona¡¯s lips curled in a barely concealed sneer. ¡°Ah, we¡¯ve crossed paths before. Miss Moore, you¡¯re quite the go-getter, always eager to climb the socialdder. ¡± Tasha looked at Winona, eyes wide and innocent. ¡°Omar wanted me to extend an invitation to Miss Moore. Don¡¯t you like her, Winona?¡± Grinning slyly, Omar stayed silent, letting Hannah squirm in the ufortable silence. People from affluent families nearby shot Hannah disapproving nces. They had a vague idea of her past. Even without the details, it was clear she had been shunned by the White family. ¡°What a coincidence,¡± Winona said, her smile barely there. ¡°I bumped into Valery just now. I invited her to join us for some fun. She¡¯ll be here shortly. It could be a good opportunity for you sisters to catch up. ¡± Just as Winona¡¯s words hung in the air, a voice that was both sweet and grating sounded from a short distance away. ¡°Winona, there you all are! Oh, I¡¯m runningte. I should penalize myself with a drink!¡± Valery had barely settled into her seat and reached for a cup when Winona spoke, her smile mischievous. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hold off on that drink for a second, let me introduce you to someone you might recognize. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°What?¡± Valery¡¯s gaze followed Winona¡¯s pointed finger, and her expression shifted when she locked eyes with Hannah. ¡°What are you doing here? Do you even belong at this table?¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow ever so slightly. Chapter 459 ¡°If a mistress¡¯s daughter has a seat here, why shouldn¡¯t I? Are you suggesting that you¡¯re all illegitimate children so I don¡¯t belong here?¡± Someone nearby, caught in the crossfire, furrowed their brows and questioned Hannah. ¡°Why would you say something like that?¡± ¡°Seriously! Why bring up mistress all the time? Is that necessary?¡± ¡°Indeed, why the harsh words? Do you really have to insult people?¡± Hannah chuckled, ¡°If stating facts is now considered insulting, then isn¡¯t everyone here either a perpetual liar or an offender?¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You¡­¡± Valery went pale. ¡°Hannah Moore! Even if you don¡¯t like me, there¡¯s no need to be so harsh. ¡± ¡°You were the one who started the disgrace. Can¡¯t others simply state the facts?¡± ¡°Alright, enough!¡± Omar interrupted, his face showing a hint of impatience. ¡°Did we all gather here just to bicker?¡± Noticing Omar¡¯s growing irritation, Winona quickly interjected, ¡°Let¡¯s not argue. We¡¯re all here for the banquet, aren¡¯t we? Today, Miss Moore is a distinguished guest of the White family. Valery, show her some courtesy. ¡± Feeling slighted, Valery restrained her frustration. ¡°As if I would be discourteous. I can¡¯t evenpare to her status. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery In the far-off banquet hall, the buzz of an auction filled the air. It was Hannah¡¯s pen now on the auction block, and a hushed silence descended over the room. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Valery couldn¡¯t resist taking a jab at Hannah. ¡°A 500, 000 price tag on this pen, Hannah? Are you joking? We¡¯re not idiots, you know. ¡± Hannah turned her eyes toward the auctioneer without a word. Suddenly, someone approached the stage, whispered to the auctioneer, who then excitedly dered, ¡°The White family has privately bid 10 million for this pen, effectively taking it off the auction!¡± The room erupted in disbelief. Nobody had anticipated the White family would spend on a mysterious pen. Grinning, Hannah faced Valery. ¡°Well, it looks like the White family doesn¡¯t mind ying the fool, so you can rx. ¡± Chapter 460 Winona let out a derisiveugh. ¡°The White family is certainly pulling out all the stops to get you back. No wonder Miss Moore acts so audacious. She knew she had powerful support. ¡± ¡°Actually, Miss Moore didn¡¯t intend to offend anyone,¡± Tasha said, confused by the unfolding drama but sensing Hannah wasn¡¯t a viin. Though unsophisticated, she had a sense of Valery¡¯s character and didn¡¯t think highly of her. Winona frowned, ¡°You¡¯re Omar¡¯s cousin. Why are you defending Hannah?¡± ¡°I just¡­¡± Tasha felt unfairly judged. Omar shot Winona a look. ¡°So what if she¡¯s my cousin? Must she align with me?¡± Rising, Hannah addressed the table dispassionately. ¡°If you¡¯ll excuse me, I¡¯ll be leaving now. ¡± After Hannah¡¯s exit, Winona flirted with Omar, feigning hurt feelings. ¡°Omar, what was that? You need to make it up to me, or I¡¯ll be mad!¡± The room watched the spectacle unfold, aware that Omar usually indulged Winona. Lifting his ss, Omar¡¯s lips curled into a half-smile.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°Go ahead, use my card to buy whatever you want. ¡± But as Winona¡¯s face lit up, Omar leaned in, his smile vanishing, and whispered a private caution. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Try threatening me again, and you¡¯re out. ¡± Winona¡¯s expression shifted, her fingers quivering as they clutched the ss. Spectators around them were turning it into a show. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Miss Bailey seems perturbed. What whispered words are we missing out on?¡± ¡°Curious about the secret exchange between Mr. Morrison and Miss Bailey, are we? Brave of you. ¡± ¡°Hahahaha. ¡± Laughter filled the air as Winona, striving for poise, managed a forced grin. Hannah had nned to leave the banquet at the end, hoping to discuss the day¡¯s events with Bryson. Chapter 461 However, as she entered the small garden, her phone buzzed with a message from Bryson. [I¡¯ve got something tonight that might runte. I can¡¯t drive you back, so I¡¯ll arrange for a driver. ] Reading the message, Hannah nodded to herself and began to type her response while walking away. [No worries, I¡¯ll find my own way back. ] After saying goodbye to Jalen and exiting the banquet, she hailed a taxi to her hotel. As she rode the elevator in her hotel, her phone buzzed with an iing call. ¡°Is this Gwendolyn Myers speaking?¡± ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re free tomorrow, aren¡¯t you?¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed at Gwendolyn¡¯s odd tone. ¡°Is something wrong? Have those people been bothering you?¡± ¡°No, not at all!¡± Gwendolyn hastily assured her. ¡°I just wanted to chat. I don¡¯t know anyone in Hoijery¡­ I was scared you¡¯d say no. ¡± ¡°Rest easy, I¡¯ll meet you on time. ¡± Gwendolyn¡¯s voice perked up immediately.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Great, let¡¯s meet at the coffee shop!¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After ending the call, Gwendolyn cast an anxious nce at the man next to her. ¡°You heard her, didn¡¯t you? I¡¯ve kept my end of the deal. She¡¯lle. ¡± The man nodded andid something from his pocket onto the table. ¡°Fine, just make sure she drinks this, and you¡¯ll be off the hook. ¡± Gwendolyn gave a swift nod. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s easy to fool! This n is foolproof!¡± The day after the banquet, Hannah heard nothing from anyone in the White family. Chapter 462 Bryson, on the other hand, flooded her inbox with texts, suggesting he¡¯d swing by after wrapping up his work for the day. Recalling her evening ns, Hannah texted Bryson back. [Meet me at Cafe 92 after 9 p. m. tonight. Got another invite there. Swing by when you¡¯re free. ] Just as she hit send, her phone rang. It was Lydia. The moment Hannah picked up, Lydia¡¯s teasingly sweet voice filled the air. ¡°Oh, Hannah, barely a few days in Hoijery and you¡¯ve already ghosted me. You called once and didn¡¯t contact me afterwards. What¡¯s up with that?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just been swampedtely. Sorry I haven¡¯t kept in touch. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, you¡¯re forgiven,¡± Lydia said, switching topics. ¡°When are youing back?¡± Hannah cast her eyes downward. ¡°My grandfather is sick, and I can¡¯t even visit him in his room. I¡¯m not sure what he¡¯s dealing with exactly, but I want to stay put until I know more, then I¡¯ll discuss things with Mr. Campbell and decide what to do. ¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Lydia¡¯s tone softened. ¡°Is it serious, your grandfather¡¯s condition?¡±C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°He¡¯s been unconscious for quite some time. ¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll head to Hoijery soon to see if I can assist you in any way,¡± Lydia offered. A slight smile tinged Hannah¡¯s voice. ¡°No need. If youe to Hoijery, who knows what marriage schemes the Phillips family might concoct. ¡± ¡°They can dream on! My folks can¡¯t boss me around in Valmere. Rtives meddling in my love life? Not happening!¡± ¡°Great. Seriously, I¡¯ll rush back to be with you as soon as I can. Just make sure Brayden treats you right while I am away. ¡± Lydia¡¯s cheeks flushed. ¡°Who says I need him around!¡± Chapter 463 Before the clock struck nine, Hannah was already at Cafe 92, the ce Gwendolyn had arranged to meet her. She sent her location over to Bryson, who texted back promptly, [I¡¯m close by. Wrapping up a business talk at 9:30, then we can grab dinner. ] A smile touched Hannah¡¯s lips as she read Bryson¡¯s message. ¡°Ah, Miss Moore, you¡¯re quite early, aren¡¯t you?¡± Gwendolyn, gripping her purse, slid into the seat across from Hannah and told the waiter, ¡°Two sses of milk, please. ¡± Catching the waiter¡¯s eye, Gwendolyn¡¯s gaze wavered for a moment. Hannah noticed the bruise on Gwendolyn¡¯s face and narrowed her eyes. ¡°What happened to your face?¡± Lightly touching her cheek, Gwendolyn offered a forced grin. ¡°0h, it¡¯s nothing. I just ran into something, that¡¯s all. ¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. It was obviously the result of someone striking her. Hannah was skeptical of Gwendolyn¡¯s evasion and pressed on, ¡°Are you in some sort of bind? Financial troubles, maybe? Or have they caught up to you again?¡± ¡°Absolutely not! Really!¡± Gwendolyn¡¯s reaction was intense, just as the waiter set down two cups of milk on their table. ¡°Miss Moore, let¡¯s have a drink and talk things over. ¡± With shaky hands, Gwendolyn lifted her milk cup, took a small sip, and nodded towards Hannah. ¡°Have a taste, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah picked up her own cup, and as she raised it to her lips, she saw the nervous look on Gwendolyn¡¯s face. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A dark suspicion formed in her mind. Pretending to drink, she watched as Gwendolyn averted her eyes guiltily. Taking advantage of the moment, Hannah discreetly spat the milk into a napkin. ¡°Miss Moore, I know you¡¯re generous. The truth is, I invited you here because I need your assistance with something else. ¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was detached. Gwendolyn slowly touched her bruised face. ¡°In fact, someone did hit me. I had no option but to turn to you for aid again. ¡± Hannah let out a mockingugh. Chapter 464 ¡°So, you need my help just to betray me?¡± Gwendolyn¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. ¡± Sliding the cup towards Gwendolyn, Hannah locked eyes with her. ¡°The milk is spiked, isn¡¯t it? Who are you really, and what do you want to do?¡± As Hannah finished her sentence, she felt other people close by. She promptly rose to her feet, nning her exit. A man appeared behind her. It was the same one she¡¯d seen with Omar days before. ¡°You?¡± Suddenly, Gwendolyn¡¯s hand mped down on Hannah¡¯s arm. As Hannah turned to look, she saw desperation in Gwendolyn¡¯s eyes. ¡°I had no other choice, Miss Moore, I¡¯m sorry!¡± Hannah felt a sudden jolt of pain! She shook off Gwendolyn¡¯s grip and noticed a needle puncture on her arm. Before she could do anything, her vision clouded and she lost consciousness. As Hannah copsed, Gwendolyn took a step back, trembling. ¡°Can¡­ Can you let me go now?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°No rush. The boss is fully aware of your actions. He wants a word with you. ¡± Gwendolyn¡¯s eyes grew wide. ¡°You promised to release me if I brought her, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°In your dreams! Take them both away!¡± Precisely at nine-thirty, Bryson showed up, but Hannah was nowhere in sight. He dialed her number from within the coffee shop. ¡°The number you¡¯re trying to reach is currently unavable. . A frown crossed Bryson¡¯s face.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. It wasn¡¯t like Hannah to skip a meeting without notice. Chapter 465 He approached the cashier¡¯s desk, showing her a photo. ¡°Has this woman been here tonight?¡± The cashier nced at Hannah¡¯s picture, hesitating briefly as she clenched her fists. ¡°No¡­ I haven¡¯t seen her. ¡± Bryson detected the lie instantly, gave a slight nod, and stated tly, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll contact the police. ¡± The mention of the police threw the cashier into a frenzy. ¡°Please, don¡¯t call the cops! Trey took her! Our cafe had nothing to do with iti¡± ¡°What exactly happened!¡± Losing his patience, concerncing his icy tone, Bryson demanded an exnation. The cashier filled him in. ¡°We often get people here who are in debt. Trey usually handles them. We assumed she was another debtor. ¡± ¡°Do you know where they¡¯ve taken her?¡± She shook her head vigorously. ¡°I have no idea. We never dare to ask. ¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got to at least know the car¡¯s license te!¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s Trey¡¯s usual vehicle. The license te is H3356. ¡± Without wasting a moment, Bryson called Yosef. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Alert the White family. Ask them about a Trey in Hoijery and find a white Cadic with the license te H3356, immediately!¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll send teams right away. ¡± ¡°Update me in ten minutes!¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± Hannah began to wake up, feeling disoriented. The room was poorly lit. She squinted, scanning her environment as she shifted. Attempting to sit up, she felt resistance when she moved her hands. Chapter 466 A metallic sound rang out. Her wrists were cuffed to the bed! Hannah yanked at her wrists, only to find them shackled to the bed¡¯s headboard. She managed to turn her head just enough to scan the room. To her immediate right, a TV sat on a stand.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. The room was enveloped in gloom, but it had the semnce of a bedroom. Crack! Crack! Hannah gave her wrists another feeble tug. The bed¡¯s frame was unyielding. Escape seemed like a futile effort given her limited strength. ¡°Is anybody out there?¡± ¡°Why am I restrained like this? Anyone there?¡± Her shouts echoed in the vacant room, unanswered. With a tightening of her lips, the sound of her handcuffs echoed subtly. ¡°Who¡¯s there? What do you want?¡± Her eyes darted to her cellphone on a nearby table. She strained to reach it. However, the handcuffs restricted her movement. Despite her best efforts, the phone remained out of reach. Click! The sound of the door unlocking caught her attention! Hannah¡¯s attention turned to the entrance. The door creaked open, and a form emerged in contrast to the light. ¡°Who is it!¡± A man approached her, his eyes lowered. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hello. ¡± As her eyes adjusted to the dim light streaming in, Hannah recognized the man in front of her. Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Omar Morrison!¡± With a renewed sense of urgency, Hannah yanked at her restraints. ¡°What are you trying to do?! Release me!¡± Chapter 467 Omar appeared to disregard her plea, taking a seat beside her bed. ¡°I heard they¡¯d captured you. I couldn¡¯t believe it. Who would¡¯ve thought Miss Moore could be so negligent?¡± ¡°Omar Morrison! You better free me this instant!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not reluctant to setting you free. But now that you¡¯re here, allow me to show you something rather intriguing. ¡± Omar grabbed a nearby remote and switched on the TV. As the screen flickered to life, the sound of a woman sobbing filled the room. Hannah nced at the screen and saw Gwendolyn¡¯s face, momentarily taken aback. In the footage, Gwendolyn knelt on the floor, her clothes nearly torn off, pleading for mercy. ¡°omar, do you get a kick out of demeaning people Like this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s amusing,¡± Omar replied, grinning as he looked at Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m giving you a reality check. Sometimes,passion is your worst enemy. ¡± Their conversation was suddenly cut short by a scream. On the TV, someone brandished an electric baton and ropes. Gwendolyn let out a piercing cry. ¡°Speak up, and these won¡¯t touch you,¡± the man ordered. Desperate, Gwendolyn stammered, ¡°You promised to release me if I lured Hannah here. Why break your word?¡± ¡°We spoke of 8 million dors you¡¯d repay, and yet, you¡¯ve repaid nothing. Consider it a favor that we¡¯ve left you unscathed. ¡± Cornered, Gwendolyn replied, ¡°That debt belongs to my boyfriend¡­This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Why involve me?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You owe 8 million. He owes one million. Want me to jog your memory a bit?¡± The man then nodded to his associates. ¡°Go on, begin. ¡± Anticipating what wasing, Gwendolyn cried out, ¡°I¡¯ll spill! I¡¯1L confess everything! I betrayed my best friend for 300 thousand dors and conned multiple men for gambling money¡­¡± Her voice increasingly shaky. ¡°I never wanted to gamble in the first ce. I thought if I could just win it all back, that would solve everything. I kept losing but always thought there¡¯d be another chance. I approached Mr. Morrison for a loan, thinking I might get lucky. Everyone knows Mr. Morrison has a soft spot for women. ¡± A man nearby scoffed, ¡°Even if our boss likes women, he¡¯d never pick someone like you. ¡± Chapter 468 Gwendolyn trembled as she said, ¡°I was t broke that night, so I said things without thinking. I thought maybe Hannah woulde through for me. I never imagined she¡¯d actually do it. She lent me a substantial amount. I knew I was pushing it, but if she gets returned to this ce, you promised to let me walk away! I was desperate!¡± The video call terminated abruptly at that point. Omar turned toward Hannah and said, ¡°Now you understand the real story of that day, don¡¯t you?¡± Hannah gave a sarcastic smile before turning to Omar. ¡°So you lured me here just to show me that footage?¡± ¡°Not entirely. I had no idea they would actually bring you here. ¡± Hannah tugged at her wrists. ¡°Release me. ¡± ¡°Not so fast. ¡± Staring directly into Omar¡¯s eyes, Hannah said in an even tone, ¡°Do you realize that you¡¯remitting a crime?¡± Omar shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Are you aware that calling someone a criminal while you¡¯re their captive is essentially an invitation for trouble?¡± Angrily yanking her arm, Hannah snapped, ¡°What the hell do you want!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so anxious. ¡± Omar produced the keys to the handcuffs, dangled them in front of Hannah, and then set them down next to the bed. ¡°I need something from you.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Agree, and these keys are yours. ¡± Had he lost his mind? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Though the thought crossed Hannah¡¯s mind, she exhaled deeply and asked, ¡°What do you want from me?¡± All of a sudden, a knock echoed from the door. A servant outside spoke, loud enough for Hannah to hear. ¡°Sir, someone is awaiting you outside the vi. ¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± The servant answered, ¡°A gentleman. ¡± We¡¯ll chat about that favor when Omar grinned at Hannah and said, I get back. ¡± Chapter 469 After he¡¯d left, Hannah quickly used her foot to slide the keys toward her. Outside the residence, Omar was surprised to see Bryson. He identified thetter as the CEO of Mitchell Group. ¡°Mr. Mitchell? What brings you here?¡± Before Omar couldplete his sentence, Bryson shot him a frosty gaze. ¡°Where¡¯s Hannah?¡± ¡°What?¡± Omar was bewildered. ¡°You¡¯re acquainted with Hannah?¡± Bryson had no time for small talk. ¡°Where is she? My team traced a car that dropped her off here. ¡± As Omar stood there, puzzled, an unexpected force yanked him back. Click! Hannah had him cuffed by one arm to the gate. She brushed off her hands. ¡°Stay put. ¡± Upon seeing Hannah, worry filled Bryson¡¯s eyes. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m good. ¡± Hannah shot a brief nce at Omar. ¡°Just bumped into a crazy person. Let¡¯s go. ¡± Even handcuffed, Omar said cheerfully, ¡°So, Hannah, about that favor?¡± As she led the way, Hannah sarcastically gestured at him without looking back. ¡°Help yourself!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ They entered Bryson¡¯s car and drove toward downtown. After a while, Hannah inquired, ¡°How did you figure out I was here?¡± ¡°When you weren¡¯t at the cafe, the shop assistant acted strangely, which made me suspicious. Yosef helped locate the car that brought you here. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. As he drove, Bryson cast a nce at Hannah and said, ¡°What¡¯s your tie to the Morrison family?¡± Chapter 470 ¡°Purely idental. I had no clue he was from the Morrison family. I prevented him from harming someone, and now I¡¯m roped into this chaos. ¡± Hannah looked somewhat uneasy. ¡°About the partnership with the White family, why did you insist on me leading it?¡± ¡°You¡¯re extremely capable. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°I get that you want me to establish a presence within the White family, but it¡¯s a lost cause. The family elders won¡¯t ept me. ¡± ¡°With me in the picture, they wouldn¡¯t dare to openly humiliate you. But let¡¯s put that aside. Your well-being is what¡¯s important right now. ¡± Hannah paused, searching for the right words, before saying, ¡°Thank you. ¡± ¡°No need for formalities. ¡± Silence enveloped them until Bryson pulled the car to a stop in front of a sprawling vi.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. That was when Hannah grasped their location. ¡°We are?¡± After securing the car, Bryson revealed, ¡°This is my Hoijery residence. You¡¯ll be staying here for a while. I¡¯m frequently away for work. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± she softly agreed. Looking around, Hannah was struck by the property¡¯s sheer size. The vi¡¯s architecture had a distinctive European ir without feeling overly opulent. Bryson led her upstairs, giving her a chance to explore the home. ¡°How do you feel about the ce?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I like it,¡± Hannah admitted without hesitation. ¡°Me too. ¡± Closing the distance, Bryson embraced Hannah. ¡°From this moment on, I won¡¯t let anything harm you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s heart pounded at his words. ¡°First, let go of me. ¡± Chapter 471 ¡°No,¡± Bryson insisted, shaking his head. ¡°Just allow me this moment.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡± His grip was unyielding, almost as if he feared she would disappear if he loosened it. Unable to pull away, Hannah allowed herself to be held. The warmth of Bryson¡¯s embrace left her somewhat disoriented. Eventually, he pulled away. But the instant he did, Hannah seized his shirt and ki*sed him passionately. Caught off guard, he reciprocated, losing himself in the ki*s for several moments. Finally, when both were nearly breathless, Bryson pulled away. ¡°Hannah. . . ¡± Her heart still racing, Hannah¡¯s ears flushed a deep shade of red. She lowered her gaze, her voice softening to a murmur. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯m exhausted. I need to sleep. ¡± She turned and walked away, leaving Bryson to watch her retreating figure with a smile on his Lips. The next morning, when Hannah woke up, Bryson was already gone, attending to business matters. Her phone rang. It was the hospital. ¡°You¡¯ve been granted permission to visit Mr. Byrum White,¡± the nurse informed her. Without hesitation, Hannah agreed. She swiftly ate, wore a white shirt and jeans, and sped off to the hospital. Upon arrival, she noticed Jalen waiting for her in the corridor. He stood as she approached. ¡°Hannah. ¡± ¡°How¡¯s Grandpa doing?¡± she inquired. Jalen shook his head. ¡°Our grandfather¡¯s still in aa. Uncle Bryan mentioned that you might have a way to rouse him. The family talked it over after Last night¡¯s dinner and agreed to let you give it a shot. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Chapter 472 ¡°Come with me. I¡¯ll lead you to Grandpa. ¡± Once inside Byrum¡¯s room and seeing him breathe steadily on the bed, a wave of relief washed over Hannah. ¡°Hannah, I heard you had some difficultiesst night. Everything alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m okay. I appreciate your worry, Jalen. ¡± ¡°Is thanks really necessary?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Hannah faltered, and Jalen caught her hesitation. ¡°Anything you¡¯d like to share?¡± he asked, grinning. ¡®s BunnyBookery Pausing briefly, Hannah nodded. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a favor I need from you, Jalen.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Speak freely. ¡± ¡°I¡¯d like you to keep it confidential if I manage to heal Grandpa. ¡± ¡°You can count on me. ¡± With a soft, grateful tone, Hannah said, ¡°I appreciate it. ¡± ¡°We¡¯re family. No need for formalities. ¡± ¡°Would you like to grab some coffee downstairs, Jalen?¡± ¡°Absolutely. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As they walked down the staircase, Bryan looked around cautiously before whispering, ¡°Have you encountered any issues, Hannah?¡± ¡°No worries. It¡¯s just about a contract Bryson wants me to finalize. Everything¡¯s almost settled, so there¡¯s no need for concern. ¡± Hannah chose not to mention that the contract involved the White family. ¡°Rx, then, You¡¯ll always have my support, no matter what. ¡± Hannah offered a grateful smile and nod. Hannah devoted her entire day to Byrum at the hospital, while Bryson was swamped with work back at the office. Returning homete, a worn-out Bryson was greeted by the inviting smell of freshly cooked food. Chapter 473 In the kitchen, he found Hannah engrossed in cooking. Spotting the three dishes and a bowl of soup featuring fish, meat, a broth, and a veggie sd on the dining table, Bryson was curious. ¡°Did you cook all this?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Yep, you said you were exhausted, didn¡¯t you?¡± Without even turning to face him, Hannah advised, ¡°Go wash up, then we can eat. ¡± ¡°I paid Grandpa a visit today,¡± Hannah said, seated at the dining table. ¡°His health is deteriorating. I¡¯m considering taking him back to Valmere. ¡± Bryson wasn¡¯t surprised by Hannah¡¯s words. ¡°If you decide that¡¯s what¡¯s best, I can coordinate the arrangements for you. ¡± Shaking her head, Hannah responded, ¡°Not yet. I want to consult Mr. Campbell about treating Grandpa. Despite my confidence, I need to weigh this decision carefully. ¡± As he continued eating, Bryson gave a nod. ¡°Let me know if you need my assistance. About the contract we discussed, I¡¯ve reached out to the White family. You should hear from them tomorrow. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Already mentally braced, Hannah replied, ¡°Yes, I understand. It seems I can¡¯t escape a visit to the White mansion. ¡± The night passed peacefully. As expected, Hannah¡¯s phone rang early the next morning. It was Bryan. ¡°Hannah, you¡¯ve been back in Hoijery and haven¡¯t visited your grandma, have you? She¡¯s been feeling better. How abouting over to the ancestral home today?¡± ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll get ready and head over,¡± Hannah conceded without argument. The White family held considerable sway, owning the entire viplex in the Crimson Woods District. As Hannah arrived, she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The butler, standing by the entrance, promptly escorted her inside. ¡°The madam has been awaiting your arrival. Please follow me. ¡± Walking into the living room, Hannah felt the weight of many hostile gazes upon her. It wasn¡¯t until she went upstairs that someone broke the silence with a tauntingment. ¡°Ah, she¡¯s back to reim her shares, it seems. How audacious of her to show up now. ¡± Christy chimed in, ¡°Why should she get any shares of the White family? Her mother chose to leave us initially. Coming back to capitalize on us now. What a joke!¡± Throughout, Bainbridge remained silent. ¡°Bainbridge, you¡¯re not fond of her either, right? Why so quiet today?¡± Chapter 474 Johanna queried. ¡°Perhaps¡­ she¡¯s not the person we all assume her to be. ¡± Johanna¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Bainbridge! Have you been swayed by her? Changing your stance so quickly, aiding her cause?¡± ¡°I simply believe she may not be the viin you all make her out to be,¡± Bainbridge calmly concluded. Johanna tugged on Christy¡¯s sleeve, saying, ¡°Check out Bainbridge. That woman¡¯s got himpletely fooled!¡± ¡°She¡¯s putting on an act. Jalen¡¯s fallen for her charade, too! I won¡¯t fall for her sweet words,¡± Christy remarked. Unaware of the conversation below, Hannah reached the corridor outside her grandmother, Tinsley¡¯s room. The butler was at the entrance, and he stepped aside to let her in. Hannah knocked, and an aged voice responded, ¡°Come in. ¡± Upon opening the door, she saw the grandmother she remembered, who now looked older but was still full of life.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Tinsley¡¯s eyes brightened at the sight of Hannah. ¡°Please, sit down. I¡¯m aware you¡¯re here because of your grandpa¡¯s health, not for any stake in the family business. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Nodding, Hannah said, ¡°Exactly. I couldn¡¯t care less about the White family¡¯s shares. I¡¯m just concerned about Grandpa¡¯s well-being. ¡± ¡°That guy from the Mitchell family sealed deals worth hundreds of millions just to help you earn the White family¡¯s respect,¡± Tinsley noted. With a nod and a smile, she added, ¡°He¡¯s a decent fellow. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandma. I¡¯ve no ns to be part of the White Group,¡± Hannah said firmly. Reaching behind her, Tinsley brought out a wooden box along with a bunch of keys and handed them to Hannah. ¡°You should have had these long ago. They¡¯re yours now. ¡± Confused, Hannah inquired, ¡°Grandma, what are these?¡± ¡°These are the documents transferring your mother¡¯s 10% shares, and my own 15% stake, all to you. Just sign on the dotted Line. ¡± Hannah was taken aback, on the verge of declining, when her grandmother continued, ¡°These keys open your mother¡¯s old vi. Your grandpa couldn¡¯t bring himself to get rid of her possessions. Everything is as she left it. ¡± Chapter 475 Seeing Hannah¡¯s wistful face, Tinsley sighed, ¡°You¡¯re a good soul. Your grandfather has always regretted his treatment of your mother, and he¡¯s been remorseful since her passing. As it stands, you now own 25% of thepany¡¯s shares, 2% more than Jalen. You¡¯re the White family¡¯s biggest shareholder now. ¡± Though touched, Hannah shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t ept the shares, Grandma. ¡± ¡°I know, dear, that you¡¯ve always been much morepetent than the rest. There¡¯s one thing I wish to ask of you,¡± Tinsley said. ¡°Grandma, you don¡¯t have to ask. Whatever you need, just let me know. I won¡¯t turn you down,¡± Hannah assured her. ¡°Your cousin Edwin is so unruly that even I find myself at a loss for how to handle him,¡± Tinsley sighed, shaking her head. ¡°His parents have been busy building their careers abroad all these years, leaving him behind. He¡¯s been with me ever since. I¡¯ve raised him, but he never misses an opportunity to gripe about the White family. My leniency has turned him into a tyrant. ¡± Sliding the share transfer papers across the table to Hannah, Tinsley added, ¡°I¡¯m hoping you¡¯ll ept these shares and look after Edwin for me. ¡± Confused by the document in front of her, Hannah questioned, ¡°Grandma, if this is just about my cousin, why would you transfer all the shares to me?¡± With a smile, Tinsley responded, ¡°The White family is in a precarious situation right now. Jalen can only hold things together for so long. You¡¯re incredibly capable, and I know this decision puts a heavy burden on you,¡± Tinsley admitted, her eyes filled with regret as she looked at Hannah. ¡°Please, don¡¯t hold it against me. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah offered a bitter smile. Since her decision to return to Hoijery, she was prepared for whatevery ahead.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Grandma, rest assured. I¡¯ll take care of Edwin as you¡¯ve requested. ¡± Tinsley nodded approvingly. ¡°As for the White family¡¯s future, don¡¯t fret over what others may say. You¡¯re now in control of the White Group, and the decisions are yours to make. ¡± Though unsure why her grandmother had chosen her, Hannah obediently nodded. ¡°Understood, Grandma. ¡± As she descended the stairs, Hannah overheard Johanna¡¯s snide remarks echoing from the living room. ¡°Why on earth did Grandma summon her? This is the White family¡¯s vi!¡± Hannah held her tongue and continued toward the exit. Chapter 476 Christy abruptly rose from her seat, inquiring, ¡°Hannah, what were you and Tinsley discussing upstairs?¡± ¡°Why should you know?¡± Hannah paused, casting a chilly nce at Christy and Johanna. ¡°It¡¯s none of your concern. ¡± Johanna¡¯s temper red.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Used to being the center of attention, she couldn¡¯t handle the retort. She abruptly stood, snapping, ¡°You¡¯re here to stake your im on the inheritance, aren¡¯t you? If you won¡¯t admit it, I¡¯ll say it for you!¡± ¡°Inheritance?¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°I n on curing Grandpa. There will be no inheritance to fight over. You can dismiss that notion right now. As long as I¡¯m breathing, Grandpa will be too. ¡± After Hannah exited, Johanna sank back into the couch, bewildered. ¡°What did she mean by that?¡± Though Christy had her doubts about Hannah, her certainty wavered. ¡°Could she really have a way to heal Byrum?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be fooled!¡± Johanna quickly grabbed Christy¡¯s arm and eximed, ¡°She¡¯s just trying to deceive us into a false sense of security Yet Bainbridge trusted Hannah. ¡°If she can actually heal Grandpa, that¡¯s all that matters to me. I don¡¯t care who does it. ¡± Johanna stared at Bainbridge, incredulous. ¡°You don¡¯t know what that woman is capable of. You can¡¯t trust her, you know!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ This time, Bainbridge chose to remain silent. Back at Bryson¡¯s vi, Hannah examined the agreement in her hands, her emotions a jumble. She dialed Bryson¡¯s number. ¡°My grandmother just transferred her White Group shares to me. I now own a 25% stake. I¡¯m the biggest shareholder now. ¡± Bryson, seemingly unfazed, flipped a page in his document and inquired, ¡°How do you feel about that?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± Things had spiraled beyond her initial expectations. When she first arrived in Hoijery, her sole intent was to heal her grandfather. She never anticipated bing embroiled in White Group¡¯s internal conflicts. Bryson chuckled, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got your back. Maybe you should start showing up at thepany. You are a board member now, after all. ¡± ¡°Yes, but I have more pressing matters at the moment. ¡± Chapter 477 Setting the agreement on the table, Hannah added, ¡°I need to meet with my cousin, Edwin White. He¡¯s myte youngest uncle¡¯s son.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡± ¡°Alright, take care. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah dialed another number. The man who answered was clearly not yet fully awake and sounded irritated. ¡°Who is this?¡± ¡°Edwin, where are you?¡± Hearing an unfamiliar female voice say his name didn¡¯t faze Edwin. ¡°Why should you care?¡± ¡°Who¡¯s that, Edwin?¡± Azy female voice echoed through the phone. Edwin shifted his weight, pinning the woman beneath him, and casually tossed the phone aside. ¡°Nobody. ¡± ¡°Ah, go easy on me¡­¡± Hannah ended the call with a stoic expression, confirming that Edwin was even more insufferable than her grandmother had let on. She dialed a new number, gave a set of directives, and instructed the person at the other end, ¡°If he reaches out to you, tell him to call me. ¡± ¡°Understood, Miss. ¡± At 7 p. m. , the phone on Hannah¡¯s desk started to ring. She picked up nonchntly, only to be met with an incensed male voice. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Who the hell are you?! Why did you freeze my cards? Why did you sell my cars? Why did you fire my driver!¡± Keeping herposure, Hannah retorted, ¡°As of now, all cards issued by the White family are off-limits to you. The cars were gifts from the White family, and I have the right to take them back. ¡± ¡°And who do you think you are? By what authority do you get to dictate my life?¡± With a faint smile, Hannah replied, ¡°I¡¯m the person who can deactivate your cards. Best of luck. ¡± She disconnected. The phone buzzed again immediately, aze with shouts and obscenities. She cut it off once more. After several cycles of this, Edwin finally called back, his tone marginally more respectful but still tinged with suppressed anger. ¡°Who are you, really? What is it that you want?¡± Chapter 478 BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com BunnyBookery BunnyBookery daudjutt1262@gmail. com ¡°If you can¡¯t converse respectfully, I have no reason to continue this call. ¡± ¡°Hold on! Edwin inhaled deeply. ¡°I apologize for my earlier outbursts. Adorned in formal attire and marooned in a hotel lobby, Edwin realized he was t broke and couldn¡¯t pay for his room. His face was a portrait of humiliation and seething anger. BunnyBookery He swore in his heart, ¡°If I figure out who this woman is, I¡¯ll make things tough for her. ¡± Hannah, the target of Edwin¡¯s fury, chuckled softly on the other end of the line. ¡°Your apology is epted. ¡± Grimacing, Edwin demanded, ¡°So, can you turn my cards back on now?¡± ¡°Absolutely not,¡± Hannah dered. ¡°I¡¯m overseeing your spending by Grandma¡¯s request.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. You didn¡¯t earn the White family fortune, and you won¡¯t waste it. You¡¯re cut off from here on out. ¡± ¡°You f@cking¡­ ¡° Before Edwin couldplete his sentence, Hannah ended the call. When he attempted to call back, he realized he was blocked. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ That bitch!!! With no other option, Edwin begrudgingly phoned a friend to borrow 2000 dors. As he left the hotel, he dialed the White family residence, where the call was picked up by the housekeeper. ¡°Where¡¯s my grandma?¡± ¡°Madam is already in bed,¡± the housekeeper said solemnly, adhering to prior instructions. ¡°She made it clear that your financial restriction is final for the time being. ¡± Fuming, Edwinshed out, kicking a nearby trash can. ¡°Why is all this happening? Grandma usually favors me!¡± ¡°The madam stated that Miss Moore will manage all your affairs. If you have any questions, consult her,¡± the housekeeper exined before hanging up. A sense of unreality washed over Edwin. Could the woman he had spoken to earlier be Hannah Moore? He knew of her as the daughter of his father¡¯s sister, estranged from the White family for years, and who had only recently returned because of his grandfather¡¯s illness. Chapter 479 Edwin was convinced that Hannah was the cause of all this upheaval, and resentment boiled within him. ¡°Why have youe back to wreak havoc on the White family? Why am I your target? This is insane!¡± Frustrated, Edwin took out his phone and dialed a number. ¡°Listen, find out where Hannah Moore is staying, and don¡¯t ask why. I need to confront her today!¡± When Bryson walked back into the vi, he noticed a collection of car keys and property deeds spread out on Hannah¡¯s table. ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡± Leaning her chin on her hand, Hannah said, ¡°These are repossessed deeds and car keys. Grandma wanted me to handle it. ¡± Bryson untied his tie, looking somewhat confused. After Hannah rified the situation, a smile broke out on Bryson¡¯s face. ¡°Your grandmother really thought this through, huh?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. With a sigh, Hannah replied, ¡°Sadly, the burden of this whole affair rests on my shoulders. ¡± Before their conversation could conclude, a loud knocking resounded from the front door. Bang bang! Hannah furrowed her brow and rose to her feet, heading for the door. ¡°Who could it be at thiste hour?¡± Still clutching his coat, Bryson trailed behind Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll answer it. ¡± As soon as the door swung open, Edwin¡¯s fury red. But upon seeing a man at the doorway, he hesitated. Without a hint of emotion, Bryson eyed him, which significantly dampened Edwin¡¯s anger. ¡°You are¡­?¡± He identified Bryson, the head of the Mitchell family. He couldn¡¯t risk displeasing him. Hannah, standing next to Bryson, recognized Edwin as her youngest uncle¡¯s son. ¡°Edwin, it¡¯ste. What brings you here?¡± The sight of Hannah reignited Edwin¡¯s emotions. He pointed at her usingly. Chapter 480 ¡°What authority do you have over the White family¡¯s matters? Give me back my cards and my cars!¡± Hannah responded with aposed smile, ¡°Not only will I keep the cards, but the cars stay as well.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Just a heads-up, all the properties under your name were bought by the White family. I¡¯ve left you the smallest one. ¡± ¡°You! Who do you think you are, doing all this? What gives you the right?¡± Edwin fumed. ¡°Because I currently own 25% of the White family¡¯s shares, more than any of you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes turned icy. ¡°I can have you removed from the White family, and no one can stop me. If you don¡¯t value this remaining property, I can repossess it too. How does that sound?¡± Edwin waspletely taken aback, never having imagined Hannah would confront him like that. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. Noticing his silence, Hannah began to shut the door. Edwin blocked it, demanding, ¡°What¡¯s this nonsense, Hannah? What¡¯s happening to the 25% of shares? Make it clear. ¡± ¡°In short, Grandma has transferred your guardianship to me. So, from now on, you¡¯ll need my approval for anything you want to do. ¡± Edwin¡¯s face flushed with anger at Hannah¡¯s smug expression. ¡°I¡¯m already an adult! What¡¯s this rubbish about guardianship?¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Since you¡¯re of age, the White family is under no obligation to financially support you. Going forward, you¡¯ll only receive your monthly school expenses, nothing more. ¡± Just as Edwin was about tosh out, Hannah grinned slightly. ¡°Feel free to test my resolve. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bang! With that, she forcefully mmed the door shut. Caught off bnce, Edwin staggered back a few steps and then thumped the door in frustration. ¡°Mark my words, Hannah! Don¡¯t assume your ties with the Mitchell family make you invincible here in Hoijery! You¡¯ll see!¡± Once the sounds behind the door faded, Bryson asked Hannah, ¡°Should I arrange for someone to set him straight?¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Hannah shrugged, unperturbed by Edwin¡¯s tirade. ¡°Leave him be. Deprived of his money, life will school him on proper behavior soon enough. ¡± During dinner that evening, Hannah shifted the conversation to work- rted topics. ¡°I might be staying in Hoijery for some time. Grandma wants me to have a presence in thepany. ¡± Bryson grasped the underlying motive of Hannah¡¯s grandmother. Chapter 481 ¡°Our deal with the White family isn¡¯t going anywhere fast. I don¡¯t need to leave immediately. ¡± Sensing Bryson¡¯s sincere concern, Hannah offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Rx, there¡¯s no storm I can¡¯t handle. No need to worry over it. ¡± The following morning, word got out that Hannah now owned a 25% stake in thepany, causing her phone to buzz incessantly from dawn. Answering a call, she heard Jalen¡¯s voice on the other end. ¡°Hannah, when are you nning to visit the office? We need to talk about thepany¡¯s future development. ¡± Jalen¡¯s tone wasposed, a clear indication that he had been aware of this development for a while. Hannah responded just as calmly, ¡°I¡¯ll be there shortly. I need to get acquainted with White Group¡¯s operations and organizational framework first. ¡± A brief pause filled the line before Jalen resumed, ¡°About Edwin¡­ He approached me to discuss your recent actions. ¡± ¡°Do you intend to hold that against me?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Not in the slightest,¡± Jalen assured her. ¡°I understand you¡¯re just following Grandma¡¯s wishes. Furthermore, Edwin really is a cker, squandering his life on food, drink, and leisure, all funded by Grandma. Your actions were justified. I didn¡¯t give him any money either. ¡± To Hannah¡¯s surprise, Jalen was actually taking her side. She allowed a small smile to touch her lips. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°If he couldn¡¯t get any money from you, he¡¯ll probably try elsewhere. ¡°No need to worry about that. I¡¯ll speak to the rest of the White family. He won¡¯t get a cent. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± Jalen seemed momentarily at a loss for words, holding the phone. ¡°It¡¯s just what should be done¡­ after all, Grandma chose you. ¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. After ending the call, Christy asked Jalen, ¡°What did she say?¡± ¡°She¡¯ll being to the officeter,¡± Jalen responded. Christy¡¯s brow furrowed as she recalled something Johanna had mentioned. ¡°Now that she owns more shares than you, who knows what she¡¯ll do once she¡¯s in the office!¡± Jalen shook his head. ¡°She¡¯s not the type you¡¯re making her out to be. If she had wanted the shares, she could¡¯ve returned when Grandpa was still conscious. She¡¯s not as scheming as you imagine. Besides, it¡¯s only fair that she reims those shares. ¡± Chapter 482 Christy was still puzzled and confronted her husband. ¡°Why does she deserve the shares just because she shows up out of nowhere? She¡¯s now the biggest shareholder in the White family!¡± ¡°Christy!¡± Jalen¡¯s face clouded over. ¡°You may not Like her due to past incidents, but you¡¯re missing the full picture! Don¡¯t swallow everything Johanna tells you!¡± Caught off guard by Jalen¡¯s outburst, Christy toned down her own fervor, sensing she might have overreacted. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Alright, if she¡¯s genuinely good-hearted, then I¡¯ll drop it. ¡± Days rolled by peacefully until Hannah received a call from her undercover informant. The tip-off was that Edwin was at the White family¡¯svish club, fooling around with a woman. This woman, a minor inte celebrity, had apparently been financially backing Edwin, who had skipped school for days. ¡°Understood, what¡¯s the room number? I¡¯ll be there shortly. ¡± Hannah wasted no time getting there. As she entered, she caught Edwin in the act, poised to ki*s the inte celebrity amid a chorus of cheers. Without a hint of emotion, Hannah grabbed a wine ss from a table and flung its contents directly onto Edwin¡¯s face. The inte celebrity was also caught in the ssh and shrieked in surprise. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The spectators, Edwin¡¯s pals gathered for the drama, jumped to their feet. ¡°Who the hell are you? What¡¯s the meaning of this!¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Drenched in wine, Edwin was livid at the sight of Hannah. ¡°Damn it! Have you lost your mind, Hannah!¡± With a steely gaze, Hannah scanned the room. ¡°Everyone, get out. Now. Uncertain of Hannah¡¯s identity but noting Edwin¡¯s grim expression, the crowd hastily found reasons to exit. The inte celebrity, assessing Hannah¡¯s stunning appearance, assumed she was there topete for Edwin. Clinging to his arm, she asked, ¡°We were having a party. Why are you causing a scene? Desperation isn¡¯t attractive. It only pushes him further away. ¡± Hannah sneered, never breaking eye contact with Edwin. She stated, ¡°You have two choices. Leave with me now or I¡¯ll have you banned from all White family establishments. ¡± Edwin dabbed at the wine soaking his hair. Enraged by Hannah¡¯s words, he threw his towel aside. Chapter 483 ¡°Do you honestly believe I wouldn¡¯t dare hurt you, Hannah?¡± Hannah looked at Edwin, her eyes brimming with disdain. ¡°Make your move if you think you can. ¡± Just then, the inte celebrity jumped in, adding more tension to the atmosphere. ¡°Edwin, you wouldn¡¯t really strike a woman, would you? Maybe we should defuse this situation. Although she is a bit over the top. ¡± She cast a cunning grin at Hannah. ¡°No need to put on a show. If things turn violent, Edwin will bear the me. ¡± Edwin snorted in contempt. ¡°And what if I did decide to hit her?¡± With those words, he inched closer to Hannah, his fist clenched and ready to strike. His hand rose, targeted at Hannah¡¯s face. In an instant, Hannah¡¯s eyes turned icy as she grabbed Edwin¡¯s raised hand with decisive precision. To Edwin¡¯s astonishment, Hannah seized his wrist effortlessly and yanked it downward. Crack! Edwin¡¯s arm was abruptly dislocated by Hannah¡¯s action. ¡°Ahhh!¡± As a spoiled young man, Edwin couldn¡¯t endure such excruciating pain. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ He staggered back, copsing into a chair and clutching his arm while howling in distress. The inte celebrity beside him, petrified, immediately rushed to his aid, propping up his arm and ring at Hannah. ¡°You¡­ You! I¡¯m calling the police!¡± ¡°He initiated it. I was merely protecting myself. ¡± Hannah gestured toward the ceiling.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°Cameras are watching. Do you really want to make this worse for him?¡± The inte celebrity recoiled, assisting a sweaty Edwin without venturing another word. ¡°Leave. I need to have a private word with him. ¡± Cowed, the inte celebrity quickly exited without making eye contact with Hannah, leaving Edwin alone. Chapter 484 Now, only the two of them remained in the room. Too pained to speak, Edwin winced as Hannah drew nearer. ¡°Why are you dodging me? Weren¡¯t you all strong and set to confront me just a while ago?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°I. I was just trying to intimidate you! Who knew¡­ You¡¯d actually go as far as to do it!¡± Hannah sat next to him, her demeanorposed. ¡°Why have you been skipping schooltely?¡± ¡°What¡¯s it to you if I go to school or not?¡± Edwin retorted, his defiance undiminished despite his difort. ¡®s BunnyBookery Unfazed, Hannah responded, ¡°You¡¯re free to skip school, but it¡¯s high time you started working. Jalen has already spread the word in the White family. No more money for you. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re so cold-hearted!¡± Edwin clenched his teeth. ¡°Grandma even left you all her shares. I really misjudged you!¡± With a casual grin, Hannah shot back, ¡°So she should have left everything to you to squander? Is that your idea of not being misjudged?¡± His face drained of color at her taunting words, Edwin snapped, ¡°You!¡± ¡°Here are your options. Either return to school like a good boy or drop out, sever these rtionships, and fend for yourself. ¡± Grimacing in pain, Edwin shot back, ¡°Elin has been nothing but kind to me. Even when she knows I¡¯m broke, she supports me. I won¡¯t abandon her. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannahughed lightly. ¡°What a charming notion of love you have in this modern age. Alright then. ¡± She continued, nodding, ¡°Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t give you a chance. If your love is genuine, I¡¯ll keep my hands off. But if she¡¯s after your money, you¡¯d better redirect your attention to your education. ¡± Seizing the moment, Edwin countered, ¡°If our love is real, then give me back all my money and cards!¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah agreed. ¡°Stay with her, but make it clear that the White family finances are under my control now, and you¡¯re cut off. ¡± Edwin gritted his teeth but relented. ¡°Fine! Elin isn¡¯t after my money!¡± ¡°Good,¡± Hannah said, pressing firmly on Edwin¡¯s shoulder. Caught off guard, Edwin yelled, ¡°What are you doing? Ahhhh!¡± Chapter 485 Before he could finish, Hannah expertly popped Edwin¡¯s dislocated arm back into ce. ¡°Quit your whining. Your arm is alright now,¡± she said as Edwin tested his arm, finding it indeed okay. Internally, Edwin marveled at Hannah¡¯s expertise, but he didn¡¯t let her off the hook. ¡°Wow, medical school must be really something, huh? Casually fixing dislocated arms. ¡± With a slight smile, Hannah retorted, ¡°I just want you to understand that not every woman is as easy to intimidate as you might think. And if you ever think aboutying a hand on a woman again, remember this moment. Next time, I won¡¯t be so gentle. ¡± Edwin felt a chill run down his spine as he stared at Hannah, incredulous. ¡°Who are you, really? Casually talking about breaking arms and legs?¡± Hannah returned his gaze with a grin. ¡°Officially, I¡¯m your cousin. But given that I¡¯m covering your bills, think of me as your boss. ¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Stifling his words, Edwin rose to his feet, his teeth clenched. ¡°I¡¯L show you that I made the right decision!¡± After Edwin had stormed out, Hannah directed someone to contact the manager of the club. Uponying eyes on Hannah, the manager bowed instantly. ¡°Miss Moore, your grandma has instructed that you¡¯ll be running this ce from now on. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Inform all neighboring entertainment venues. If they dare to receive Edwin, they should close up shop. ¡± Intimidated by Hannah¡¯smanding presence, the manager nodded repeatedly. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure the message is clear. Edwin won¡¯t be weed¡± ¡°Excellent. ¡± Hannah finally rose from her seat. ¡°Compile the financial reports forst year and the first half of this year, and send them to the White Group by Monday. ¡± ¡°Of course, Miss Moore!¡± Once Hannah had exited, the manager exhaled deeply. A nearby attendant asked curiously, ¡°Who is she, tomand such extraordinary authority?¡± Chapter 486 ¡°Don¡¯t question it. The youngdy has connections, and she¡¯s not to be trifled with. Go, go, go, hurry up and leave!¡± Stepping outside, Hannah inhaled deeply, enjoying the fresh air. She dialed Bryson, who answered in a soft, soothing voice. ¡°All done?¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°To be honest, managing Edwin is no simple task. If I¡¯d known, I might have reconsidered. ¡± Bryson¡¯sughter echoed on the other end. ¡°Edwin is a handful. It makes sense that your grandmother handed him over to you. He¡¯s spoiled by everyone in that house. ¡± Hannah sighed, ¡°He¡¯s stubborn, but I¡¯ve figured out how to handle him. He won¡¯tst long. ¡± The voice on the phone turned into a chuckle. ¡°Take a look across the street. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Phone in hand, Hannah lifted her gaze and saw a ck Bentley parked on the opposite side. The rear window lowered, revealing Bryson¡¯s smiling face. A little startled, Hannah ended the call and rushed over, leaning down to peer into the car. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I worry you can¡¯t manage this solo, so I¡¯m here to give you a lift,¡± said Bryson, nodding toward the car. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hop in. ¡± Hannah made her way to the passenger side and settled in next to him. ¡°How¡¯s the contracting along?¡± ¡°We¡¯re almost there. A few projects await your input at the office. ¡± Hannah was always earnest when it came to work. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll go through everything as soon as I arrive. ¡± The White family¡¯s club was quite a distance from their vi. Gradually, Hannah began to doze off, her head resting on Bryson¡¯s shoulder. ncing at her, Bryson quietly told the driver, ¡°Take it easy. No need to rush. ¡± Chapter 487 ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± Hannah shifted in her sleep and the unexpected sensation of lying in bed awakened her. Sitting upright, she realized she was in her own bedroom, daylight streaming through the windows. She recalled falling asleep in the car and had a hazy memory of Bryson being the one who brought her back. Walking into the living room, she noticed a note Bryson had left on the table. ¡°Breakfast awaits in the kitchen. I had to go to Valmere. Grace ran into some issues. ¡± Seeing Grace¡¯s name, Hannah immediately dialed Bryson¡¯s number. ¡°Hello?¡± Gently massaging his temples, Bryson said, ¡°Ah, you¡¯re up. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter? What happened with Grace? Is she ill again?¡± Bryson had just exited his car and sounded a bit worn out. ¡°Rx, her health¡¯s fine. It¡¯s a school issue. I¡¯ll be back in Hoijery in a couple of days. ¡± Hannah exhaled in relief.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. We can sort things out when you¡¯re back. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. ¡± No sooner had Hannah ended the call than her phone buzzed with an iing call from an unknown number. After a brief pause, she answered. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Is this Hannah? I¡¯m Johanna, Urs White¡¯s daughter. I¡¯m having a birthday party tonight at Quin Bar. Will you be there?¡± Johanna White? Hannah had a faint memory of her. ¡°Johanna? I know you. But tonight¡¯s your birthday celebration, right? I¡¯d probably ruin the mood for everyone if I show up, considering you¡¯re not exactly my biggest fan. ¡± An awkward silence stretched on the other side of the line. Johanna was caught off guard. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Hannah being so blunt. ¡°Look, Hannah, what happened between us was a big misunderstanding. I think we can clear it all up if we just talk it out. Since tonight is my birthday and everyone¡¯s going to be there, it might be the perfect opportunity to make amends. ¡± Chapter 488 Before Hannah could say no, Johanna pressed on, ¡°We¡¯ll have a care get you tonight. How about it?¡± ¡°No need, I¡¯m familiar with Quin Bar. What time does everything start? I¡¯ll be there. ¡± ¡°Be there by 8, Hannah. Don¡¯t bete. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± The call ended shortly thereafter. A friend approached Johanna, asking, ¡°So, did she take the bait?¡± ¡°Of course, she did! I personally invited her.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. How could she resist?¡± A sly grin crept over Johanna¡¯s face. ¡°That ssless woman has no business being part of our family. We need to make sure she learns her lesson tonight. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯ll regret ever getting involved with us. ¡± In the vi, Hannah had already gone through the data on the White family¡¯spany. Its ongoing crisis was rooted in past negligence of quality control, leading to a shipment of wed machines. This posed a serious issue; insufficient funds were affecting the progress of several projects. Unless they managed to offload this defective stock, financial bleeding was inevitable. Hannah nced over a spreadsheet she¡¯d created. She felt grateful that Bryson was managing this partnership. Otherwise, the White family would be facing steep losses, if not bankruptcy, in no time. It was only after wrapping up her work that Hannah realized she¡¯d neglected to call Lydia for several days. She grabbed her phone and dialed Lydia¡¯s number. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Wow, you actually remembered me. It¡¯s been ages since we talked, hasn¡¯t it?¡± Lydia interrupted Hannah¡¯s attempted exnation. ¡°Let me guess, You¡¯ve been busy? Well, I¡¯ve also been tied up with work, and I¡¯m heading to Hoijery soon. Want me to bring you anything back from Valmere?¡± ¡°Not really. ¡± Hannah chuckled and said, ¡°Just having you visit is enough for me. I¡¯ve missed you. ¡± Lydia made a mock frown. ¡°You say you miss me, yet you can¡¯t even be bothered to call. ¡± ¡°Come on, I¡¯m calling you now, aren¡¯t I?¡± After their lighthearted banter, Lydia turned earnest. ¡°So, how¡¯s life with the White family? Did they give you a hard time?¡± ¡°Actually, they backed off. My grandmother gave me her shares as well as my mom¡¯s. So now, I hold 25% of the White Group shares. ¡± Chapter 489 ¡°My goodness! That¡¯s a lot!¡± Lydia eximed, taken aback. ¡°And why would your grandmother do that all of a sudden?¡± Hannah was uncertain about her grandmother¡¯s motives but trusted her implicitly. ¡°I have no idea. Tomorrow, I start my role at thepany. It¡¯s a busy schedule ahead, not to mention a few rogues lingering about. It¡¯s hardly lessplicated than being a teacher in Valmere. ¡± Lydia chuckled and teased, ¡°With your wits, you¡¯ll outsmart them all. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t count on it. The White family is a pit of vipers. Things aren¡¯t as straightforward. ¡± ¡°Be cautious, then. I¡¯ll visit you in a few days. You¡¯ll have to give me the grand tour of Hoijery. ¡± Hannah grinned.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll be expecting you. ¡± That afternoon, Hannah visited a jewelry shop to purchase a pink diamond as a gift. She didn¡¯t make it by 8 p. m. , instead showing up at Quin Bar around 9. As soon as he spotted Hannah, Clive hurried over. ¡°Miss Moore, the boss is back. When are you meeting him?¡± ¡°No rush, I¡¯ve got things to handle,¡± Hannah responded nonchntly. Clive awkwardly scratched his nose, recalling theirst encounter. ¡°Aboutst time, I¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Let it go. That¡¯s water under the bridge. I¡¯m here for Johanna White¡¯s birthday. Her party¡¯s here, isn¡¯t it? Lead the way. ¡± ¡°The party¡¯s on the third floor. The White family have it all to themselves. ¡± Clive guided Hannah upstairs. They found a lively crowd gathered outside the closed door of the private room. Clive opened the door for Hannah, who was holding a bag from the jewelry store. Under the glowing lights, she looked stunning. Johanna¡¯s friends were in awe. ¡°Is this the country bumpkin you mentioned? She sure doesn¡¯t look like it. Amazing, her aura¡­¡± ¡°Hannah?¡± Johanna rose to wee Hannah and, hearing the praises sung behind her back, worked hard to keep herposure. ¡°Why the dy? We¡¯ve been waiting ages for you!¡± ¡°I apologize. I was caught up in something. ¡± Hannah presented the gift to Johanna, saying, ¡°This one¡¯s for you. ¡± Chapter 490 ¡°Thanks, Hannah. Have a seat right here. ¡± Johanna guided Hannah to a chair. Upon unwrapping the gift and discovering the pink diamond, roughly the size of a dove¡¯s egg, Johanna looked momentarily shocked. Someone beside her eximed, ¡°That pink diamond looks exquisite. Johanna, you¡¯re really lucky!¡± That was far from the truth. That woman was merely putting on a facade. Struggling to conceal her real feelings, Johanna stared at the pink diamond, less than thrilled. She tucked the gift box aside and said, ¡°Hannah, I appreciate it. ¡± A voice dripping with scornmented, ¡°A pink diamond of that size must¡¯ve cost a fortune. Is it a knock-off?¡± ¡°I heard she once brought a worthless pen to the White family¡¯s charity event, and it fetched a high bid. ¡± ¡°If she¡¯s actually broke, why not just bring a heartfelt gift instead of pretending to be affluent?¡± Hearing the snide remarks, Johanna responded with a grin, ¡°Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Hannah¡¯s given me a gift, real or not, it¡¯s the thought that counts. ¡± Though she sounded like she was defending Hannah, she quietly epted the idea that the pink diamond was a fake. ¡°Don¡¯t cover for her, Johanna. You even invited her to your birthday party, knowing she could bring something fake!¡± ¡°That¡¯s truly disgraceful!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Setting the gift box aside, Johanna smiled and said, ¡°We¡¯re all here to celebrate my birthday, so let¡¯s not argue, shall we?¡± Unexpectedly, Bainbridge grabbed the gift box and opened it. ¡°Bainbridge?¡± Caught off guard, Johanna rose from her seat, aiming to snatch the box back. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Bainbridge let go of the box, eyed Hannah, and then asked Johanna, ¡°Is this her gift to you?¡± Before Johanna could reply, a friend blurted out, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a fake! Johanna¡¯s too polite to admit it. ¡± ¡°Take your fake gift back!¡± Bainbridge, now convinced of Hannah¡¯s insincerity, immediately lost his favorable view of her, shooting her a frosty nce. The pink diamond was thrown back! Hannah collected the gift box and stood, wearing a resigned smile. Chapter 491 ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Hannah. Bainbridge can be rather blunt. I¡¯ll have a word with himter. ¡± Johanna seized Bainbridge¡¯s arm, dering, ¡°Even if it¡¯s a fake, Bainbridge, we should still appreciate Hannah¡¯s gesture!¡± Simultaneously, Hannah Lifted the gift box and examined it. ¡°If you say this diamond is a fake, what do you consider real?¡± Someone chimed in, ¡°You can¡¯t deceive us with a mere box. Anyone could tell it¡¯s a fake just by looking at it. ¡± Feeling pressed to validate herself, Hannah decided not to entertain them further. She turned on her phone¡¯s camera to record a video. ¡°Are you certain it¡¯s not authentic?¡± Noticing that Hannah was filming, a few people fell silent, their courage waning. Yet some remained defiant. ¡°Absolutely it¡¯s fake! How could someone like you afford the real deal? Deceiving Johanna with a knockoff worth only a few hundred bucks? How ungrateful! ¡° ¡°Who gave you permission to record? You¡¯re viting our privacy!¡± After capturing the evidence she needed, Hannah ceased recording. ¡°Rx, I just want a record proving that I allegedly bought a fake. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Johanna subtly approached Hannah, whispering, ¡°Hannah, let it go. They¡¯re just being blunt. ¡± ¡°No, this three-million-dor pink diamond is beingbeled a fake. I need to uncover the truth. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Hannah then proceeded to make a phone call. ¡°Don¡¯t be upset, Hannah. I¡¯m sorry,¡± Johanna interjected hastily. Sensing that things were turning sour, some people scurried over to Edwin, hoping he¡¯d set Hannah straight. Initially, Edwin stormed over, thinking Johanna was the victim. Yet his demeanor softened the moment heid eyes on Hannah. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with them?¡± ¡°Johanna invited her, and she tried to trick Johanna with a fake diamond. She won¡¯t even admit it! Go help Johanna out!¡± By the time Edwin reached Hannah, she had already ended her call and was eyeing the young man before her. Chapter 492 ¡°You¡­ Did you actually purchase a fake diamond?¡± Edwin asked, puzzled. Johanna interjected, standing between them, ¡°No, no, there¡¯s clearly some confusion here. ¡± Edwin nced at the gift box in Hannah¡¯s grasp. ¡°May I take a look?¡± Finding no reason to refuse, Hannah tossed him the gift box nonchntly. Upon inspecting the diamond, Edwin¡¯s expression shifted instantly. As someone well-versed in luxury, he knew a genuine diamond when he saw one. Observing Edwin¡¯s changed expression, Johanna assumed the worst. ¡°Never mind, Edwin. It¡¯s unimportant if it¡¯s a fake. We¡­¡± Edwin cut her off, ¡°This diamond is not fake.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. It¡¯s real. ¡± The moment Edwin spoke, the room fell into hushed quiet. ¡°Edwin, are you sure you saw that correctly?¡± Johanna was the first to break the silence. Realizing she may have been too forward, she hastily added, ¡°The pink diamond isn¡¯t exactly small. Are you certain it¡¯s real?¡± Edwin¡¯s brow furrowed. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°The hue, cut, and purity of this diamonde from ME store. I can¡¯t be mistaken. ¡± Just then, a figure rushed into the birthday gathering. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve arrived!¡± The neer immediately drew the crowd¡¯s attention. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Mary, the design director from ME?¡± ¡°Did you catch what Mary just called that woman? Boss!¡± ¡°How could that be? She¡¯s the boss of ME?¡± Hannah retrieved the pink diamond from Edwin and handed it to Mary. ¡°Some here suspect that the pink diamond is fake. As far as I recall, you only crafted five such diamonds, and this is thest one. Can you confirm its authenticity? Mary inspected the diamond closely after opening the gift box. Her face tensed as she dered, ¡°Absolutely not! This pink diamond is real!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Chapter 493 Hannah quirked an eyebrow, then nced at the person who had earlier insisted the diamond was a fake. ¡°Yet she imed it was fake and even said she could vouch for it. I¡¯ve got her statement on video. ¡± The young girl retreated in fear next to Johanna. ¡°Johanna, I¡­ I may have been wrong! I didn¡¯t intend any harm! Why is she making such a big deal out of it?¡± Offering a sympathetic gaze toward Hannah, Johanna said, ¡°Hannah, she¡¯s young. Could we not make a fuss over a trivial matter?¡± ¡°Actually, no. ¡± Hannah offered a sly smile. ¡°I¡¯m getting older, and I¡¯ve grown fond of debating with the younger crowd. ¡± Bainbridge spotted Mary Sloan and identified her as an ME employee. His face altered, regretting how he had hastily judged Hannah before. The party was bustling with guests. Desperate not to lose face, Johanna tried to appease Hannah.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah, I¡¯ll get her to apologize. Don¡¯t let this upset you. She is also a student of our university. Bad news could affect her too. ¡± Unfazed, Hannah replied, ¡°What about the impact on ME? She imed ME sold fake jewelry. Do you realize the implications?¡± She then turned to the rumor-spreading girl. ¡°How much can you pay ifpensation is required?¡± The girl hid behind Johanna, herplexion ashen and her voice absent. Passing the pink diamond to Mary, Hannah said, ¡°It¡¯s clear I¡¯m not wee here. Enjoy the party. I won¡¯t be a bother. ¡± Hannah turned around and exited alongside Mary, with Edwin and Bainbridge trailing behind her. ¡°Hannah!¡± Bainbridge intervened. ¡°I messed up today. I judged you too quickly. But Johanna had good intentions inviting you. No need to hold her responsible for my mistakes. ¡± Hannah zoned in on the point of his statement. ¡°So, are you ming me or apologizing?¡± Chapter 494 ¡°I¡­¡± Caught off guard, Bainbridge hesitated. He assumed his previous words sufficed as an apology. Edwin, who had stayed quiet, decided not to intervene. He knew better than to tangle with the formidable Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m trying to apologize,¡± Bainbridge finally said. ¡°Alright. Anything else? If not, I¡¯ll be on my way,¡± Hannah retorted. Frustrated with herckluster response, Bainbridge snapped, ¡°Our family has epted you. What more do you want? We owe you nothing!¡± ¡°And I owe nothing to your family,¡± Hannah shot back, staring him icily. ¡°The true history is known only to my mother and those involved. What proof do you have for the rumors you¡¯ve heard? I¡¯ve refrained from contacting my attorney, sparing all of you some embarrassment. If something like this happens again, don¡¯t think your status as a member of the White family will protect you. ¡± As Mary pulled up in her car, Hannah climbed in. Edwin and Bainbridge could only stand there, watching the vehicle pull away. ¡°What ack of manners!¡± Bainbridge couldn¡¯t restrain himself from criticizing. Edwin¡¯s brows furrowed. For reasons he couldn¡¯t exin, Bainbridge¡¯s words stirred up a sense of indignation on Hannah¡¯s behalf. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°If it were Johanna falsely used of giving a counterfeit gift, would you have just let the culprit off with an apology? Furthermore, at a gathering with so many people, you didn¡¯t even defend Hannah, but assumed her gift was fake like everyone else. If I were her, I wouldn¡¯t treat you kindly either. ¡± Bainbridge squinted at Edwin. ¡°Have you lost your mind? Why are you suddenly taking her side?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not taking her side,¡± Edwin said, deflecting any attempts to bait him. ¡°I simply align myself with what¡¯s right. ¡± Bainbridge scoffed disdainfully, ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re defending her because she has control of your finances now?¡± ¡°If I wanted money, I wouldn¡¯t need her to get it,¡± Edwin countered with a sneer. ¡°She¡¯s got more courage than you do. If you can¡¯t even admit your own wrongs, what grounds do you have to judge me?¡± ¡°You!¡± ¡°Listen¡­¡± Bainbridge started, but Edwin interrupted him by heading into Quin Bar. ¡°I¡¯m done talking to you. ¡± Upon Edwin¡¯s reentry into the birthday party, Johanna immediately approached him. ¡°Is Hannah really upset with me?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°I couldn¡¯t say,¡± Edwin replied nonchntly, continuing his walk inside. Chapter 495 ¡°She¡¯s left, and Bainbridge has certainly offended her. ¡± Johanna bit her lower lip and queried, ¡°Where¡¯s Bainbridge?¡± ¡°Taking a breather outside, Edwin said as he picked up his belongings, preparing to leave. Johanna stopped him. ¡°We haven¡¯t even cut the cake yet. Are you leaving?¡± ncing at Johanna, Edwin said, ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of cake. ¡± The next morning at 8 a. m. , Hannah arrived punctually at the entrance of the White Group building. As she walked into the lobby, she immediately caught the receptionist¡¯s eye. Just as she was about to swipe her ess card, the receptionist hurried over to intercept her. ¡°You¡¯re Miss Moore, correct? Please,e with me. ¡± Hannah looked toward the receptionist and inquired, ¡°Is something wrong?¡± ¡°My apologies, Miss Moore.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Your ess card, if you please. ¡± The receptionist had received instructions that morning, explicitly stating that Hannah should be barred from thepany¡¯s internal board meeting today. Additionally, the receptionist had overheard gossip about Hannah, dismissing her as an illegitimate child who knew nothing. She Looked down on Hannah, judging her severely. Noticing Hannah¡¯s reluctance to hand over her card, she said with a chilly tone, ¡°Give it up now. Don¡¯t force me to frisk you. That wouldn¡¯t reflect well on either of us. ¡± ¡°What authority do you have to search me? Are youw enforcement?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah stepped back, scrutinizing the receptionist. ¡°You¡¯re working for a major corporation and you¡¯re not aware that it¡¯s illegal for anyone other than police to search someone?¡± The receptionist rolled her eyes dismissively. ¡°Regardless, you need to surrender your ess card today. You¡¯re in White Group¡¯s territory. You follow White Group¡¯s rules!¡± Quickly, Hannah dialed a number, stating, ¡°The meeting starts in thirty minutes. The receptionist here. . She nced at the name tag and went on, ¡°Her name was Amya Rojas. She wants my ess card confiscated. Send someone to address this immediately. ¡± Even after hearing Hannah¡¯s call, the receptionist remained disdainful. ¡°Calling for help won¡¯t change anything. The directive came from the general manager himself. You should just leave before you embarrass yourself. ¡± ¡°Embarrass herself?¡± Chapter 496 The receptionist¡¯s curt remarks had reached the ears of Jalen and his secretary as they entered the lobby. Amya¡¯s demeanor changed the moment she saw Jalen. ¡°Mr. White¡­ I¡­ The general manager instructed that the board meeting today is off- limits to unrted personnel. ¡± Jalen, expression icy, signaled to his secretary behind him.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Contact Duncan. Tell him toe down here immediately. ¡± Without missing a beat, the secretary dialed the number and stepped away. ¡°Hannah, head upstairs. I¡¯ll deal with this. ¡± To their surprise, Duncan was quick to act, appearing from the elevator almost instantly after receiving the call. ¡°Mr. White, you asked for me?¡± Jalen fixed him with a frosty stare. ¡°Did you instruct the receptionist to keep Hannah from going upstairs?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Duncan turned toward Hannah and then said to Jalen with a grin, ¡°Boss, here¡¯s the situation. We have a board meeting today, and there¡¯s a situation with Miss Moore¡¯s stock holdings. I took some precautions, thinking she might sway thepany¡¯s course of action. ¡± ¡°Does the White family¡¯s business now fall under your jurisdiction?¡± Jalen questioned, eyes narrowing. ¡°Would you actually interfere with a major shareholder in the White family business?¡± Duncan, a trusted advisor to the White Group¡¯s second-inmand, held considerable resentment toward this newly appeared shareholder but kept his feelings well hidden. ¡°Sir, the thing is, it¡¯s Miss Moore¡¯s debut. She doesn¡¯t know our procedures yet. The other shareholders seem to think it¡¯s best if she stays out of corporate matters. ¡± Jalen¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°This is a White family business. Right now, all decisions rest with us. She owns 25% of the shares, so she¡¯s a significant shareholder. Who¡¯s barring her from the board meeting?¡± ¡°Well¡­ Duncan hesitated, careful not to irritate Jalen. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s include Miss Moore then. She¡¯ll be involved in future decisions anyhow. ¡± Hannah stayed mostly silent, not seeing the need to interfere in matters Jalen could handle. By the time they made it to the upstairs conference room, everyone except Jalen and Hannah had already arrived. Chapter 497 Uponying eyes on Hannah, Bainbridge reflexively touched his nose, memories fromst night flooding back. Dexter Schneider scoffed at Hannah¡¯s arrival. ¡°Our prestigious White Group must be scraping the bottom of the barrel, letting a neer own 25% of the shares and sit alongside us veterans. ¡± Being the nextrgest shareholder after the White family, Dexter¡¯s opinion carried substantial weight. Other board members joined the fray. ¡°Switching up shareholders amidst ongoing issues like Mr. Byrum White¡¯s situation and the wed product line could really tank our stock, couldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Exactly, we¡¯re already strapped for cash, dealing with faulty equipment, and now shares are transferring to an outsider? How is that logical?¡± Jalen, losing patience, mmed his hand on the table. ¡°The point of this meeting is to address the recent machinery issues, not to scrutinize shareholders. This concerns the White family directly!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just your family¡¯s problem. We¡¯re all shareholders here. If the stock tanks, we all suffer. ¡± A few seemed to have coordinated their criticisms of Hannah. ¡°Why introduce this neer? Is she going to make up for our losses?¡± ¡°Yeah! Besides, had it not been for your decisions, would we even be in this mess, buying a load of defective goods that¡¯s straining our finances?¡± The older board members exchanged sharpments, Leaving Jalen momentarily at a loss for words. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ At that moment, Bainbridge was restless, seeing Hannah not only as a bad omen but also as someone whoplicated things with Jalen. ncing at his wristwatch, he pondered his unreliable dad who had skipped the meeting, forcing him to fill in. Surely, his father had foreseen the day¡¯s chaos! Since the meeting started, Hannah had been leafing through her papers, biding her time. Finally, she broke her silence. ¡°Your ineptitude is the reason I had to step up and manage thepany. ¡± The room went quiet, nobody had anticipated this verbal jab from Hannah. Without waiting for a response, Hannah went on, ¡°Yes, his choices were questionable, but were yours any better? You all have had your fair share of fun with White¡¯s Group¡¯s entertainment assets. Each visit was a million-dor affair. ¡±C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. mming her documents down on the table, Hannah demanded, ¡°Exactly what kind of deals have you all been striking? Do they even pay for themselves? Last month, Mr. Finch¡¯s niece embezzled three million. ¡± Flinging a document towards Mr. Finch, Hannah queried, ¡°Has that money been recovered? Just because my grandfather is incapacitated in the hospital doesn¡¯t mean you can exploit the situation with impunity. ¡± Hannah looked up, shing a seemingly yful grin at Dexter. ¡°Mr. Schneider, you¡¯re no stranger to bribes, are you? What makes you think you have the moral high ground to criticize the White family?¡± Chapter 498 Unexpectedly, this neer had dug up quite a bit of dirt, causing the shareholders to drop their gaze in shame. Every individual in that room had their own agendas and personal ws. No one had expected Hannah to air all their dirtyundry today. Bainbridge stared at Hannah, astonished that she could reveal so much on her first day at thepany. So much was exposed that even Jalen was left in the dark. He gazed at Hannah, his eyes ame, his thoughts unreadable. Seeing his secrets unveiled by Hannah, Dexter reacted with heated embarrassment. ¡°Even if you discover these, so what? Those defective goods are the very reason the White Group made a wrong call this time! Unless we address these defective goods, the White Group will bleed money daily! This, right here, is the real problem!¡± He shot a disdainful re at Hannah. ¡°Don¡¯t divert attention. ALL these things we did are inconsequential. The main concern is this!¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. ¡± Hannah grinned, a clear taunt in her gaze. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll handle this situation. If we can¡¯t secure partners, I¡¯ll personally offset the damages. ¡± Dexter believed Hannah was just showing off. ¡°You¡¯re talking about a project valued at hundreds of millions, and you im you¡¯ll cover the cost? Just because you own 25% doesn¡¯t mean you can show off here!¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if I¡¯m showing off. I¡¯ll shoulder the White Group¡¯s predicament. If anyone raises thister, they can¡¯t me me for my stern actions.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Hannah rose, casting a scornful look around. ¡°Would you all even be here, misusing funds, without my grandfather? I¡¯ve spoken to an attorney. None of you will get off easily. ¡± As Hannah exited the conference room, turmoil erupted within. ¡°Is she threatening us? Jalen, your grandfather, even in his time, always treated us with respect! She¡¯s nothing but a neer¡­¡± Jalen, ignoring them, immediately pursued Hannah. ¡°Hannah!¡± He reached her. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯ll address the defective equipment issue. You need not put on a brave front. I share this blunder too. ¡± Hannah paused, looked at Jalen, and sighed, ¡°Apany leader needs a strong mindset. How can you lead if you waver? In due time, I¡¯ll negotiate a deal. If it falls through, a few hundred million is manageable for me. ¡± Chapter 499 ¡°We¡¯re talking hundreds of millions here, not a small amount! You shouldn¡¯t have shouldered this burden. I¡¯m the one who put you at odds with the other directors,¡± Jalen said, his brow furrowed in concern. ¡°Don¡¯t you get it?¡± Hannah turned to Jalen and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t it clear? Someone doesn¡¯t want me involved in the directorship or meddling in White Group affairs. Any idea why?¡± While Jalen had some business acumen, it wasrgely because his father had previously been deeply involved in thepany. Now that he¡¯d taken the reins, things were chaotic. Plus, his moralpass made it hard for him to understand the situation. Seeing his confusion, Hannah sighed a bit. ¡°Your dad was a business genius, you know. Perhaps business just isn¡¯t your calling. ¡± Even though Hannah¡¯s words were less than ttering, Jalen remainedposed. ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re right. With Dad gone and Grandpa in the hospital, I wouldn¡¯t have rejoined the family business if not for these circumstances. ¡± Jalen studied Hannah intently before saying, ¡°Grandma might be onto something.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. You are the mostpetent grandchild of theirs. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows knitted together. ¡°What did Grandma say?¡± ¡°Never mind. ¡± Jalen shook his head and said, ¡°Whatever you choose to do, Hannah, know that you have my full support. ¡± Recognizing his reluctance to borate, Hannah let it go. ¡°I¡¯m off to visit Grandpa. Carry on with your work. ¡± Upon reaching the hospital, Hannah found Bryan standing by the bedside. He had skipped the board meeting to stay at the hospital instead. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Good to see you, Hannah. ¡± As Hannah approached, Bryan stood and said, ¡°The doctor mentioned the medicine you sent from Valmere is working wonders. Your grandpa¡¯s condition has improved substantially. ¡± Approaching her grandfather¡¯s bedside, Hannah saw he looked better. ¡°Once Grandpa is a bit stronger, I want to take him back to Valmere. The healthcare there is superior. ¡± Bryan¡¯s expression remained neutral. ¡°I heard you stirred the pot at today¡¯s shareholder meeting, iming you could tackle the issue of the wed machines. How do you n on fixing that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a matter that money alone can resolve. ¡± Hannah nced at Bryan and remarked, ¡°You skipped the shareholders ¡®meeting today to avoid getting entangled in the White Group¡¯s issues, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. The mess was mainly caused by Jalen. Should we also be med for it?¡± Chapter 500 Hannah, grasping the cutthroat nature of business, responded, ¡°I¡¯ll take over from here. Whatever I decide to do next, I don¡¯t want anyone meddling. ¡± Bryan nodded. ¡°Makes sense. No wonder Mr. Mitchell thinks you¡¯re the one to lead. You¡¯re truly exceptional. ¡± The White Group had be a disorganized bunch. Regardless of the size of their enterprise, withoutpetent leadership, it was likely to crumble within years. Hannah got it. As she left the hospital and looked at the evening sky, she felt a chill in the air. A car pulled up in front of her at the hospital¡¯s entrance. The window lowered, revealing Bryson¡¯s striking face.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hop in. ¡± Securing her seatbelt, Hannah heard Bryson say, ¡°I heard that you scolded those people on the board of directors, right?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s out in the open now, isn¡¯t it?¡± With her chin rested on her hand, Hannah nced at Bryson as he drove. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°They¡¯re all schemers looking to slice thepany fortune at the earliest. So I simply¡­¡± ¡°Took on that defective machines project all by yourself. ¡± Brysonpleted her sentence. Hannah shrugged. ¡°You read me like an open book. I had no other option. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stress. There¡¯s a car racing event tomorrow and the elite of Hoijery will be there. You shoulde with me. ¡± Catching Bryson¡¯s drift, Hannah asked, ¡°You¡¯re suggesting I discuss the project with those folks at the event?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a goodworking opportunity, especially with the uing wine party. Also, the Perry family will be there. They might be interested in the project. ¡± ¡°Sounds like a n. I¡¯ll join you first thing tomorrow. ¡± The car racing event was scheduled for ten in the morning. Dressed casually, Hannah apanied Bryson to the racetrack. Sure enough, a crowd had already gathered in the open area outside the venue. Upon spotting a member of the Perry family, Bryson guided Hannah toward him and greeted, ¡°Mr. Perry. ¡± Uponying eyes on Bryson, Brewster Perry¡¯s face immediately broke into a grin. He grasped Bryson¡¯s hand warmly, saying, ¡°I heard you were in Hoijery on business. What a pleasant surprise to run into you today. ¡± His eyes then shifted to Hannah, who was elegantly casual and stunning, standing beside Bryson. ¡°And who is this?¡± Chapter 501 ¡°The newly appointed director of the White Group, Hannah Moore. You may refer to her as Miss Moore. ¡± It was clear Brewster was already in the loop.C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. He extended a gracious hand toward Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, your reputation precedes you. Meeting you today confirms all I¡¯ve heard. ¡± As they conversed, Johanna joined them, saying, ¡°Ah, Hannah, so you¡¯re here today! Excellent, I can show you something new. I bet you¡¯ve never experienced a car race. I¡¯ll have Bainbridge take uster. ¡± Following Johanna, Winona gave Hannah a cold stare. ¡°Why bother exposing a country bumpkin to something she won¡¯t understand?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not be harsh, Winona. Hannah is one of us now, so it¡¯s our duty to help her,¡± Johanna replied. Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the two women, Brewster steered the conversation to racing. ¡°Several professional racers are here today, along with young men from wealthy Hoijery families who enjoy the sport. You¡¯re wee to join, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°I doubt she¡¯dprehend what¡¯s happening even if she were just spectating,¡± Winona scoffed. ¡°From your tone, it sounds like you¡¯re an expert driver?¡± Hannah questioned, eyeing Winona. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Emboldened by her recent foray into racing, Winona couldn¡¯t resist unting her new skill. ¡°Oh, I can definitely handle a race car. ¡± ¡°Why not make it interesting, then? Let¡¯s have a race to see who¡¯s better,¡± Hannah proposed. Johanna covered her mouth, feigning astonishment. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t be reckless. If you don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing, you could get hurt!¡± Hannah nodded and said, ¡°Exactly, which is why you should keep an eye on your friend here. It¡¯d be unfortunate if her overconfidence led to an ident. ¡± Irritated by Hannah¡¯s remark, Winona clenched her teeth and retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t mistake boasting for skill. I¡¯ll see you on the track!¡± ¡°Fine, meet you at the track. Whoever chickens out is a coward. ¡± Caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s blunt deration, a wave of red swept over Winona¡¯s face. By now, the crowd had thickened. Edwin, Omar, and a few familiar faces gradually joined the gathering. Spotting Omar, Winona immediately moved towards him, grasping his arm. ¡°Omar!¡± Noticing the crowd swelling, Johanna quickly stepped in to mediate. Chapter 502 ¡°Let¡¯s drop it, Hannah. If something goes awry during the race, it¡¯ll be a mess to handle. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Hannah fixed her gaze on Winona. ¡°Scared, are you?¡± Annoyed, Winona shot back, her eyes meeting Hannah¡¯s, ¡°Scared? Hardly. If you get hurt, don¡¯t point fingers at me!¡± Omar, hearing talk of a race, nced at Hannah and then averted his eyes. Edwin, concerned upon hearing about Hannah¡¯s intent to race, walked up to her, his brow furrowed. ¡°Are you sure you can handle a sports car? Even if it¡¯s a friendly race, the risks are still there. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Caught by surprise that Edwin showed concern, Hannah retorted, ¡°No need to worry. I¡¯ll be fine. Your money¡¯s safe, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about. ¡± ¡°Hey! I¡¯m concerned about you, not my finances!¡± Irritated, Edwin clenched his fists, his face resembling that of a frustrated teenager. Seizing the moment, Johanna approached Edwin and said, ¡°Edwin, try to talk some sense into Hannah. We don¡¯t want her making a fool of herself. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hearing Johanna¡¯s words, Edwin bristled. He surveyed those around him and countered, ¡°Who says she¡¯ll make a fool of herself? What if she¡¯s a skilled racer?¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who just questioned her racing skills?¡± With assurance, Edwin dered, ¡°I had concerns about her, but I never imed she was incapable. ¡± Johanna found it puzzling that Edwin, who initially disliked Hannah, appeared increasingly partial toward her. Hannah turned toward Brewster and stated, ¡°Mr. Perry, you might have been aware that the White family has previously invested in defective electronic machines. We¡¯re currently scouting for apany for partnership. Yourpany¡¯s focus on environmental sustainability aligns well with us. Are you interested in coborating with the White Group?¡± ¡°Well¡­ Actually, multiple potential partners have reached out to me, and I¡¯m still weighing my options. So, it¡¯s premature for me tomit to anything, Miss Moore,¡± said Brewster, somewhat hesitantly. Hannah responded, ¡°I believe our organizations would be highlypatible. I have no intention of profiting from repurposing the wed machines. I merely suggest that you purchase them at a reduced rate and refurbish them. ¡± Caught off guard by her unusual proposal, Brewster took a moment to reassess Hannah¡¯s proposition. ¡°Miss Moore, your suggestion is intriguing and merits consideration. ¡±C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Just then, a gentle voice interjected, ¡°Hannah, even though these are defective machines, selling them for such a low price under the banner of environmentalism will cause significant financial loss to thepany. ¡± Johanna stepped closer, as if mulling over the business implications. ¡°Are you trying to have Jalen make up for this mary gap of millions?¡± Christy, who had been silent, spoke up at the mention of her husband. Chapter 503 She frowned and said, ¡°If you¡¯re determined to destabilize thepany, could you at least avoid dragging Jalen into your mess? It¡¯smon knowledge that neers like you aim to prove your capabilities. Should things take a turn for the worse, Jalen will have to manage the situation!¡± Nodding, Johanna added, ¡°Exactly. Selling at such low prices would lead to cash-flow issues, and that would be something you couldn¡¯t handle, Hannah. ¡± Before Bryson could interject, Hannah silenced him with a nce. Turning to Johanna, she said, devoid of any deference, ¡°Are you even a part of the White family? You im to act in the family¡¯s interest but live off them while secretly aiding outsiders. ¡± Johanna¡¯splexion flushed red. ¡°Hannah, what are you implying? How could I ever do such a thing?¡± ¡°If that¡¯s not your intention, then you¡¯re just foolish. So foolish, you¡¯re basically worthless,¡± Hannah retorted. Hearing the sharp rebuke, Christy stepped up to defend Johanna. ¡°Hannah, is such severe criticism really necessary?¡± ¡°Absolutely. She mayck insight, but are you equally senseless?¡± Hannah shot back. Hannah nced at Christy, remarking, ¡°Do I need to spell it out for you? Jalen¡¯s poor choices could cost the White family anywhere from hundreds of millions to billions. Maybe then you¡¯ll think twice before speaking out of turn. Losing tens of millions, by contrast, is pocket change for us, and this partnership is to our benefit. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She smirked, her patience for the pair running thin.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°If you two are such business prodigies, why aren¡¯t you directors? You criticize me, shift the me onto me, hinder the business cooperation out of spite rather than careful consideration, and yet you im to be part of the White family? Isn¡¯t it ironic?¡± Christy¡¯s face drained of color. Hannah¡¯s words stung, but they made her grasp the White Group¡¯s precarious position. On the other side, Johanna, publicly humiliated, broke into tears. A sympathetic man spoke up on her behalf. ¡°Johanna¡¯s just inexperienced. Isn¡¯t this woman being overly harsh?¡± ¡°Seriously, public shaming just because she¡¯s not skilled in business?¡± ¡°How can she publicly degrade another woman?¡± Just then, Bryson chimed in dismissively, ¡°Since when do fools have a say in business matters?¡± Hisment left the crowd speechless. Bryson¡¯s words carried a sharp sting, making those who had defended Johanna feel like they¡¯d been hit hard. ¡°If ignorance is her defense, then why open her mouth at all? Chapter 504 Business isn¡¯t a sob story. If it were, the Mitchell Group would simply hire a group of criers and we¡¯d thrive. ¡± The room went mute. Anyone who spoke now would bebeled the fool. Johanna sobbed, wishing she could disappear into the floor. Omar, a smirk curling his lips, posed a question. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, are you saying people should keep their mouths shut to avoid ridicule?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed. He regarded Omar and responded, ¡°It¡¯s better to keep quiet than to spout nonsense and be the joke of the room. ¡± Omar¡¯s expression soured upon hearing Bryson¡¯s sarcastic ridicule. Seeking to defend Omar, Winona interjected, ¡°Lots of people begin with zero knowledge of the business world. ¡± ¡°Sure, but that¡¯s assuming they have the talent to begin with. Otherwise, the whole idea of a self-made sess bes a joke, and they might as well wait for bankruptcy,¡± Hannah retorted with a half smile. ¡°I¡¯m trying to talk business here, while they¡¯re busy undermining it. The White Group could go under at any moment. What will you do then, Miss White? Take up street sweeping or dishwashing?¡± Turning her gaze to Johanna, Hannah continued, ¡°Your family sent you overseas for an education, and youe back like this? Maybe you should get your head examined. ¡± Caught off guard, Johanna had no reply. She fled the scene, tears streaming down her face. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Christy, visibly ufortable, spoke to Hannah with a tinge of usation.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°Granted, we¡¯re at fault here, but she¡¯s still your cousin. ¡± ¡°We share nothing more than a business interest. You have no right to Lecture me,¡± Hannah replied icily. Christy was taken aback. Hannah was not the same amodating person she had first met. Standing off to the side, Brewster nudged Bryson and remarked, ¡°Your girlfriend¡¯s got some fire in her. She¡¯ll be a valuable asset to you. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Bryson said, gazing at Hannah. ¡°But I also want her to pursue her own passions. I hope you¡¯ll support the White Group¡¯s project, Mr. Perry. ¡± Smiling, Brewster responded, ¡°Miss Moore¡¯s pitch was excellent. The best I¡¯ve seen, in fact. I would have reached out to her even if you hadn¡¯t brought it up. ¡± Noticing Hannah was a force to be reckoned with, Winona began to turn away, only to be stopped by Hannah. ¡°What? Leaving so soon, Miss Vargas? Are you considering giving up?¡± Annoyed, Winona spun around to face Hannah. Chapter 505 ¡°Who said anything about giving up? I won¡¯t lose to you!¡± ¡°ALL right then,¡± Hannah sneered, arching an eyebrow at Winona. ¡°Let¡¯s settle this with a match, just you and I. ¡± ¡°Deal! You¡¯re going to regret your arrogance!¡± Winona fired back. Grasping Omar¡¯s arm, Winona turned around and walked away. Hannah turned around to see Bryson engrossed in a conversation with Brewster. She gave him a signal. Bryson caught her eye and gestured toward his phone. As Hannah stepped outside, she checked her phone and found a text from Bryson. He had arranged a race car for her in Garage 26 and asked her to gear up. The uing race was very simple. It was far from a challenging mountain course. Contestants merely had top the track three times, and the first one to cross the finish line would be dered the winner. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Before her individual race, Hannah lounged in her car, the roar of the crowd filling the air. Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message. Unexpectedly, it was from Edwin. Given the involvement of Winona and Hannah, the event had taken on a secret gambling aspect among the wealthy youth, most of whom were betting on Winona. ncing at the steep odds in the photograph, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but smile and texted Edwin a reply. [Look at those odds. I¡¯m tempted to bet myself. ] When Edwin read her text, he rolled his eyes, puzzled by Hannah¡¯s preupation with money at such a time. [I¡¯ve bet 100, @0@ on you taking the win! Aren¡¯t you going to acknowledge that?!] Hannah responded nonchntly, [ALl your money is with me, right? So where did you get 100, 0007] Frustrated, Edwin texted back, [Shouldn¡¯t you be focusing on the race? I¡¯ve bet myst 100, 000 of pocket money on you!]N?velDrama.Org owns this. Hannah swiftly handed Edwin her bank card information and password. [In this ount is 10 million. Bet it on me, would you?] At first, Edwin thought Hannah was kidding. With a mix of hesitance and disbelief, he ced the bet, his eyes growing wide at the amount now disyed on the screen. Shaken, he texted Hannah, [You¡¯re really putting 10 million on the line? God! You¡¯re crazy!] Upon hearing the closing horn of the group race, Hannah grinned. After texting, she set her phone aside. Chapter 506 [An easy win is in the bag for me, so why not make a quick buck?]This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Edwin was shocked by Hannah¡¯s audacity. Holding his phone, he stared at the screen, dumbfounded. Just then, his friend came over. Spotting the bet, the friend¡¯s eyes bulged. ¡°Damn it! Finally taking charge of your finances? Ten million is a pretty hefty bet. ¡± With a frosty expression, Edwin shrugged. ¡°Cut the crap. I¡¯m cing this bet for someone else. ¡± ¡°Oh,e on. Who would gamble 10 million on a woman who can¡¯t even race?¡± Edwin was visibly annoyed by thement. He shot his friend a piercing look. ¡°If she couldn¡¯t race, she wouldn¡¯t be in thepetition, What makes you think she can¡¯t?¡± Turning around, Edwin walked away, leaving his friend rooted to the spot. ¡°My God, his mood¡¯s spiraling downhill. ¡± Johanna had been observing from a distance. Catching up to Edwin, she pressed, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Why are you suddenly so invested in Hannah, to the point of betting 1@ million on her?¡± Edwin couldn¡¯t fathom Johanna¡¯s sudden animosity towards Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Why the disdain for her?¡± ¡°I, uh¡­¡± Johanna hesitated, then quickly shifted the topic. ¡°Is it because she¡¯s ckmailing you? Saying she won¡¯t provide for you if you don¡¯t defend her?¡± ¡°This has nothing to do with that!¡± The mention of living expenses seemed to hit a nerve for Edwin. He turned to Johanna sharply. ¡°Has she wronged us in any way?¡± Noticing Edwin¡¯s impatient re, Johanna wavered. As Edwin was about to walk away, Johanna grabbed his arm. ¡°Edwin, she¡¯s here for the shares. Once she¡¯s got them, she won¡¯t give a damn about us!¡± He paused, turning to look at Johanna. ¡°Even though I¡¯m not her biggest fan, she¡¯s not the viin you¡¯re painting her to be. If she were, Grandma wouldn¡¯t have handed over all her shares to her. ¡± Chapter 507 Edwin had been raised by Tinsley, whom he deeply respected. Despite his reservations, he had begrudgingly started to ept Hannah. Before walking away, he told Johanna, ¡°She¡¯s not the monster you think she is. You could stand to be a bit less judgmental. ¡± Noticing Edwin¡¯s swift departure, Johanna clenched her teeth, turned around, and walked away. Meanwhile, oblivious to the cousins¡¯ bickering, Hannah zoomed her race car toward the event site. Winona had parked right beside her. As Winona exited her vehicle, Omar, who had been sitting in the passenger seat, followed suit. Catching sight of Hannah¡¯s race car, Winona snorted. Eyeing the figure emerging from the vehicle, Winona dismissively remarked, ¡°Trying to act all high and mighty, are you?¡± Disregarding Winona¡¯s taunt, Hannah didn¡¯t even nce her way. It wasn¡¯t until cheers erupted from the racetrack that she turned around. Dressed in a sleek racing suit, Bryson approached her, helmet in hand. Even Winona paused to admire him. He was undeniably good-looking. How could Hannah possibly be worthy of such an outstanding man? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Winona red at her, consumed with jealousy. Hannah was slightly taken aback to see Bryson there. ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to be in a business meeting? This is just a minor exhibition race. I don¡¯t need a co-driver. ¡± ¡°Business can wait. You¡¯re my priority,¡± Bryson responded indifferently. Seeing the countdownmence, he nodded at Hannah, instructing, ¡°Get in. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Winona silently judged Hannah, convinced she was aplete novice. How could she possibly handle a sports car? The training Winona had undergone in recent months would surely outmatch her. Strapping herself in and conducting a quick check, Hannah focused her gaze straight ahead, her face a picture of calm. She was so at ease, she felt she could make it to the finish line even with her eyes closed. As the countdown concluded, a piercing noise filled the air! The cars roared off the starting line. Just as Winona picked up speed, Hannah had already surged ahead early in the race. Winona was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Hannah¡¯s prowess in sports car racing. Competitors showed no mercy, abandoning any semnce of courtesy. Even though her rivals had fallen far behind, Hannah kept her foot on the gas.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Chapter 508 By the race¡¯s conclusion, Hannah had secured afortable lead, two fullps ahead of Winona.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Not only that, she shattered the existing race record. Her name shed on the giant screen as she crossed the finish line, a good dozen seconds ahead of the runner-up. ¡°Incredible! I¡¯m speechless!¡± ¡°Wow! I don¡¯t even know what to say!¡± ¡°Damn it! She¡¯s something else! I totally underestimated her!¡± The crowd erupted into cheers and apuse. The moment Hannah climbed out of her car and removed her helmet was captured on the big screen. Her fierce and c@@ky grin left the audience awestruck. Staring at the screen, Edwin was dumbfounded. He never expected his cousin, who didn¡¯t share hisst name, to be so formidable. Suddenly snapping back to reality, he checked the betting odds and his winnings. ncing at his bank statement, Edwin noticed some unexpected zeroes. His hundred-thousand-dor bnce had ballooned to a million. And the ten million Hannah had given him? That had skyrocketed to a staggering one hundred million! In a trance, Edwin sent the money to Hannah¡¯s ount. [Your hundred million is untouched, and I¡¯ve added my million to it as well] Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah and Bryson were heading home and burst intoughter when they read the update. [Why are you giving me your million? Just keep it. ] [We made a bet, didn¡¯t we? I can¡¯t keep the money for now. [You¡¯re brave. I¡¯ll give you that. ] After reading the text, Hannah nced at Bryson. ¡°Edwin¡¯s still got some morals. My grandmother didn¡¯t raise him for nothing. ¡± ¡°At his age, boys like to test boundaries. Proper guidance will keep them on track,¡± Bryson noted. On one hand, Hannah found herself agreeing with Bryson. Yet, recalling Edwin¡¯s mboyant demeanor, she remarked, ¡°I¡¯ll need to watch him a bit more closely. He¡¯s smooth with his words, but that¡¯s not enough. ¡± The decision to attend the racing event proved advantageous. As they left, several young entrepreneurs approached her, interested in coborating with the White Group. ncing at a message from her assistant, Hannah smiled at Bryson, who was behind the wheel. Chapter 509 ¡°You¡¯ve been a great help, you know? Without you, I doubt I¡¯d have so many potential connections. ¡± ¡°Your own merit draws people in,¡± Bryson said humbly. ¡°Introductions can only go so far. You have to bepetent to keep them around. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes twinkled as she smiled, ¡°Speaking of which, you mentioned a few days back that something had happened to Grace. How is she now?¡± ¡°She¡¯s calmed down and the matter had been settled,¡± Bryson said, his brow furrowing. ¡°But I do need to find a time to go back. ¡± ¡°I think you should head back soon. Grace¡¯s situation is delicate. If anything happens, just call me. I¡¯ll catch the first flight back to Valmere,¡± Hannah offered. Bryson shook his head and said, ¡°Once I wrap things up in Valmere, I might just bring Grace here with me. ¡± ¡°I know Hoijery like the back of my hand now. If Gracees to visit, I¡¯ll show her a good time,¡± Hannah said. ¡°Sounds good,¡± Bryson replied. The following morning, just before Hannah could fully awaken, her phone rang. ¡°Hello?¡± Groggily, she picked up the phone, and Edwin¡¯s voice came through on the other end. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Hey¡­ um, are you avable today?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ He seemed hesitant, maybe because someone was with him, and his voice was soft. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Shaking off her sleepiness, Hannah rubbed her forehead. ¡°Spit it out. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m stuck at Penkleris Hotel. I¡­ I can¡¯t pay the bill, and they won¡¯t let me leave. ¡± Upon hearing that Edwin was financially stranded at Penkleris Hotel, Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Why on earth would you go to Penkleris Hotel without enough money?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯te get me, the police will. Then you¡¯ll have to pick me up from the station. ¡± Edwin sounded utterly defeated.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. On her end, Hannah was equally exasperated. ¡°Tell them to hold on for twenty minutes. I¡¯ll be right there. ¡± Chapter 510 Hannah quickly gathered her belongings and made her way to Penkleris Hotel. The hotel was a luxury venue, not owned by the White family, but under Omar¡¯s name in Hoijery. This unsettled Hannah. She didn¡¯t want any involvement with Omar. Yet here she was, because of Edwin. Taking a deep breath for courage, Hannah pushed open the door to the private room and entered. As she¡¯d expected, Omar and several of Edwin¡¯s friends were there. A young girl was weeping in the room. It was Elin, the same girl Hannah had encountered before. Upon seeing Hannah, Omar arched an eyebrow. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s you. Here to fix this mess?¡± Ignoring him, Hannah walked directly to Edwin. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± Edwin scratched his neck. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I had too much to drinkst night¡­ and I can¡¯t remember a thing.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. When I woke up, she¡­¡± Elin sobbed, ¡°You asked for mypanyst night, and now¡­ I can¡¯t believe this is happening. ¡± Edwin¡¯s friends who were present chimed in, ¡°Well, he was pretty wasted. It¡¯s not entirely his fault, you know. ¡± Hannah looked at their feigned innocence with contempt. ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is, he coerced herst night? Why haven¡¯t you involved the police then?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery The crowd was taken aback, not anticipating Hannah¡¯s blunt question. One of them quickly retorted, ¡°We¡¯re trying to resolve things peacefully, no need for police intervention. ¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Hannah said, turning to the teary-eyed Elin. ¡°What¡¯s your solution?¡± Elin dabbed at her eyes and timidly nced at Edwin. ¡°I still have feelings for Edwin. If he agrees to marry me, we can consider the matter closed. ¡± So, her aim was to secure a ce in a well-off family. Hannah thought, how ambitious. With a smirk she kept to herself, Hannah reached into her handbag and pulled out her phone. ¡°I think involvingw enforcement is the best course of action. ¡± Chapter 511 Edwin¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Don¡¯t call the police! I¡­¡± Before he could finish, Hannah¡¯s hand met his face with a resounding p. p! The sound reverberated, leaving Edwin and the crowd momentarily stunned. Another step back was what a frightened Elin managed to take. With a stoic face, Hannah said, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to keep goodpany and focus on your studies? What day is today?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Edwin, hand on his pped cheek, stuttered, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ Wednesday. ¡± p! Another p struck Edwin. ¡°You skipped sses on Tuesday and partied into the night. You think being a student absolves you of legal consequences?¡± The second p ensured the silence of those who remained. Hannah sternly inquired, ¡°Why weren¡¯t you in ss? What had you promised me?¡± Humiliated but defiant, Edwin responded, ¡°I did go to ss yesterday. I came here afterwards to say that I wouldn¡¯t hang out like this anymore. Then I drank more than I should have¡­ Call the police. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ I¡¯ll face the consequences. I¡¯m willing to go to jail. ¡± Elin hadn¡¯t anticipated that Edwin would be willing to face jail time. Anxiety washed over her. ¡°No¡­ I never wanted Edwin to end up behind bars!¡± Hannah turned towards Omar and asked, ¡°Is this room under surveince?¡± ¡°This is a private space, and everyone whoes here is a respected guest. There are no cameras installed. ¡± Even if there had been cameras, Omar had no intention of sharing the footage. Hannah appeared unsurprised. She nodded indifferently, saying, ¡°Then let¡¯s leave it to the police to sort out. If you im he assaulted you, this is an opportunity to inform the authorities and gather evidence. Ensure everyone stays put. It¡¯ll make the investigation smoother with witnesses. ¡± Pretending to dial the police, Hannah elicited another panicked response from Elin. ¡°Hold on!¡± Chapter 512 ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Hannah asked. Grimacing, Elin nced at Omar before admitting, ¡°Edwin is innocent! It¡¯s me who¡¯s at fault. I plotted this to secure a marriage into the White family. ¡± Edwin, who had been shielding his face, looked up in disbelief. ¡°Haven¡¯t I treated you well?¡± ¡°You never promised to marry me!¡± Elin retorted. Biting her lip, she added, ¡°I have to secure my future¡­ Ever since she came into your life, you¡¯ve barely evene to meet me! I¡­ I felt cornered!¡± Hannah, uninterested in their melodrama, waved her phone dismissively. ¡°Anyone else still willing to corroborate her im that Edwin abused her?¡± Edwin¡¯s friends fell silent, their heads drooping. ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll take him with me,¡± Hannah said, ncing at Edwin and gesturing for him to follow. ¡°And we¡¯ll splitst night¡¯s bill. I won¡¯t make an issue of your deceit this time, but if you try anything like this again, there will be consequences. ¡± As they exited the room, Omar hurried after them. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re quite adept. Managing such a tricky situation wlessly. It¡¯s clear why you¡¯re the new biggest shareholder of the White Group. ¡± Hannah remained silent, continuing to walk alongside Edwin. ¡°Truth be told, if you hadn¡¯t resolved the issue, I would¡¯ve stepped in. ¡± Hannah paused and turned around to face Omar, her expression dripping with disdain. ¡°You would¡¯ve stepped in? What would you want in exchange? Mr. Morrison, you are quite well-off. Can you stop being against me? I have no desire to have a conflict with your precious Miss Bailey. Let¡¯s just put the past behind us and stay out of each other¡¯s lives. ¡± Omar¡¯s brows furrowed upon hearing Hannah¡¯sck of concern for Winona and his rtionship. ¡°It¡¯s true that our family has been tied to Winona¡¯s family for generations. But I consider her just an acquaintance. ¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°Mr.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Morrison, you¡¯ve got me all wrong. Whether you two are close is irrelevant to me. I¡¯m out of here. ¡± Chapter 513 With that, she slid into the car alongside Edwin. The ride was permeated with silence. Edwin, despite having been pped twice, harbored no ill feelings toward Hannah. His fear of her silenced him. Midway, Edwin realized they were headed toward the White family mansion. A surge of anxiety washed over him. ¡°Why are we going to the mansion?¡± Hannah remained mute, continuing to drive in silence. Upon arriving at the ancient estate, Hannah¡¯s voice was icy as she turned to Edwin. ¡°Get out. ¡± The butler, who had been waiting outside the door, saw them and immediately offered a bow. ¡°A pleasure to see you. ¡± ¡°Is my grandma around?¡± ¡°She¡¯s in the garden, tending to the flowers. Please make yourselffortable in the living room. I¡¯ll fetch her for you. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°Alright. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Upon reentering the living room with Edwin, they encountered Bainbridge and Jalen. Jalen¡¯s eyes widened, then raked over Edwin. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you in school, Edwin? And your face. What happened?¡± Noticing Edwin¡¯s puffy cheeks and realizing he was in Hannah¡¯spany, Bainbridge¡¯s brow furrowed. He jumped to a malicious conclusion. ¡°Did she do this to you?¡± Trapped between honesty and deceit, Edwin simply nodded and muttered, ¡°Yes. ¡± Enraged, Bainbridge shot to his feet, pointing an using finger at Hannah. ¡°Why would youy a hand on him? Have you no manners? Is this the kind of upbringing your mother gave you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I¡¯m the one who misjudged someone. She trapped me without me even realizing it. ¡± Ignoring Edwin, Bainbridge shot back, ¡°You call this taking care of him, as Grandma instructed? You take his money and confine him, leaving him looking pitiful!¡± ¡°Edwin!¡± Frustrated, Bainbridge turned toward Edwin. Chapter 514 ¡°If you¡¯re begging her for cash, at least maintain some dignity! You¡¯re barely recognizable as a White family member!¡± At this, Hannah chuckled but held her tongue. She had no interest in engaging with someone as idiotic as Bainbridge. Jalen tried to reason with Bainbridge, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking things. Hannah isn¡¯t like that. ¡± ¡°Overthinking?¡± Bainbridge retorted, ¡°I believe she¡¯s manipted both of you into madness!¡± ¡°You¡¯re the insane one here,¡± Hannah countered calmly. ¡°You lost your mind the moment I returned. What¡¯s wrong? What triggered you? Why not question him about his actions and thepany he keeps, instead of ming me?¡± Narrowing her striking eyes, Hannah continued, ¡°I wonder if any of you ¡®family¡¯ truly care for him. You im it¡¯s for his well-being, yet he¡¯s been brawling and skipping school for years, hanging out with rich wastrels, and you turn a blind eye. Is that your idea of his ¡®good¡¯?¡± Caught off guard, Bainbridge stammered, ¡°Well, that¡¯s men¡¯s business, you see¡­ You¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t use men as excuses,¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°If I were as weak as you, I¡¯d be long gone by now. Losers have no right to exist. ¡± Bainbridge paled and said, ¡°Hannah, how could you say such things? It¡¯s so offensive!¡± Hannah shed a sly grin. ¡°Offensive? Didn¡¯t you start this by saying something even more insulting?¡± ¡°Why are you even arguing?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Tinsley and the White family¡¯s butler entered to find the pair arguing in the living room. ¡°Why can¡¯t you keep it down whenever you¡¯re here!¡± ¡°Grandma, it¡¯s her fault! Just look at what she¡¯s done to Edwin.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± Tinsley¡¯s gaze shifted to Edwin, her expression turning grave. ¡°Exin yourself. ¡± Fearing his grandmother more than anyone else in the White family, Edwin went over the day¡¯s events in thorough detail. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for her, I¡¯d probably be at the police station right now. ¡± Irritated yet amused, Tinsley pointed at Edwin and shook her head. Chapter 515 ¡°You! I really don¡¯t know what to say! How many times have I warned you about keeping badpany? You never listen!¡± Chastened, Edwin stood silently beside her, absorbing her tirade. Turning to Bainbridge, Tinsley continued, ¡°And you, falsely using Hannah? You¡¯re clearly prejudiced against her. I think she¡¯s in the right here. ¡± Knowing he was in the wrong, Bainbridge stayed silent. Dismissing them, Tinsley gestured. ¡°Enough. You two stay down here and think about what you¡¯ve done. Jalen, Hannah,e upstairs with me. Grasping Tinsley¡¯s arm, Hannah offered, ¡°Grandma, let me assist you. ¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Upon reaching the upstairs, Tinsley handed over Byrum¡¯s will to Hannah and Jalen. ¡°I can¡¯t predict when your grandfathers will regain consciousness. This is Byrum¡¯s will. He wanted half of the estate to go to your mother, meaning you, Hannah. He even had it privately notarized, anticipating controversy. Take these documents. ¡± Tinsley then looked at Jalen. ¡°You¡¯re good-hearted and clever, but you¡¯re too soft. That won¡¯t do for running thepany. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Acknowledging his grandma¡¯s words, Jalen offered a sheepish smile. ¡°Grandma, I¡¯ve always known business isn¡¯t for me. Hannah is more capable of leading the White family enterprises. I¡¯d rather focus on my art exhibitions. ¡± Tinsley wasn¡¯t shocked by Jalen¡¯s admission. She finally relented. ¡°If your grandfather wakes up, you can talk it over with him. But the White Group is in dire straits. You both need to work on turning things around. ¡± Wrapping up, Tinsley turned to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ve heard Brewster from the Perry family is interested in partnering with us. Is that correct?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. The Perry Group is open to buying the wed machines the White Group had initially gotten. It¡¯s a cost-effective and eco- friendly solution. ¡± Tinsley nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s a brilliant n, Hannah. You remind me of your grandfather when you handle business matters. ¡± Hannah considered refuting theparison but held back to keep Tinsley content. She merely offered a quiet smile. ¡°Hannah¡¯s knack for business shone at the board meeting. Despite the pushback, she won everyone over.N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡± Chapter 516 Tinsley beamed, saying, ¡°Hannah, your capabilities have never been in question for me. If not for that stupid decision your mom. Before she could continue, Tinsley shook her head. ¡°There¡¯s no point dredging up the past. Hannah, I realize managing Edwin is no small task, and I apologize for the burden. ¡± Hannah gave a subdued smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Grandma. Edwin is a good kid. He just needs some guidance. ¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Alright, off you go, you two. ¡± When they went downstairs, Edwin immediately got to his feet and obediently followed Hannah. It was the first time he addressed her with such respect. ¡°Hannah. ¡± Hannah nced back and said, ¡°Don¡¯t think this will make me give you allowance. ¡± Edwin flushed slightly. ¡°Uh¡­ I wasn¡¯t after money. I just wanted to apologize. I was wrong before. I promise to focus on my studies and not repeat my past mistakes. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah stared Edwin, who still bore the marks of two ps, then relented. ¡°Promises are easy. Let¡¯s revisit this when you¡¯re actually back in school. ¡± Seated some distance away, Bainbridge looked uneasy. When he tried to catch Hannah¡¯s eye, she avoided his gaze and led Edwin straight out of the vi. After she left, Bainbridge began toin to Jalen, ¡°Why does she have to be so confrontational, leading people to misunderstand her?¡± Jalen¡¯s expression remained frosty. ¡°It¡¯s hardly the first time you¡¯ve misjudged her. You¡¯ve never given her the benefit of the doubt. What¡¯s the use of exining if you¡¯re not going to believe her?¡± Jalen patted Bainbridge on the back and continued, ¡°You¡¯re too biased against her. ¡± Still puzzled, Bainbridge said, ¡°Everyone seems to be on her side. Has she put a spell on you all?¡± Jalen sighed and said, ¡°If you¡¯re not willing to trust her, then anything we say is futile. ¡± In front of the White family¡¯s mansion, Hannah was giving Edwin a ride back to his school. ¡°I¡¯ve got something else to ask¡­ Not sure if you¡¯d be willing to help,¡± Edwin muttered, a bit awkward. Chapter 517 While driving, Hannah responded nonchntly, ¡°If you¡¯re asking for your cards and cash back, forget it. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about the money!¡± Edwin insisted. ¡°I messed upst time. From now on, I¡¯ll follow your advice and quit messing around with those guys. ¡± ¡°Good, keep that in mind. So what did you want to ask?¡± Hesitantly, Edwin posed his question. ¡°There¡¯s a senior prom at my school. Would you be my date?¡± ¡°What ?¡± Hannah was caught off guard by Edwin¡¯s unexpected request. ¡°Don¡¯t you have someone at school you could ask?¡± ¡°That¡¯s beside the point! Just tell me, yes or no?¡± Seeing it was just a dance, Hannah conceded, ¡°Alright, let me know when it is. ¡± ¡°Great!¡± Edwin¡¯s face lit up with a sort of happiness, as if he truly considered her like a cousin. ¡°Make sure you dress nicely. ¡± Hannah looked at him with a puzzled expression. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Sure, I won¡¯t let you down. ¡± Meanwhile, Bryson had just reached Valmere. He arrived at the Mitchell estate ratherte into the night. As soon as Grace spotted Bryson, she lunged into his arms, eximing, ¡°Bryson!¡± ¡°I¡¯m back,¡± he said simply. The entire Mitchell n was present, but Bryson barely gave them a nce. Grasping Grace¡¯s hand, he started to walk away. Franco said in an icy tone, ¡°Bryson, what¡¯s the meaning of this? Leaving without even saying hello to grandpa? Your behavior is getting out of hand. We looked after Grace while you were away in Hoijery. Even if you are the future head of the Mitchell family, you can¡¯t act so high and mighty! You¡¯ve been acting recklesslytely!N?velDrama.Org owns this. You allowed a marriage alliance to fall apart. What are you doing? Uniting with a noble family through marriage is important for the Mitchell family¡¯s standing in Valmere. ¡± Chapter 518 Bryson¡¯s mood took a sudden icy turn. He turned around and cast his gaze upon the upants in the living room. ¡°It¡¯s better to hand over the Mitchell Group to others, then. ¡± Tyshawn shouted, ¡°What nonsense is this? Marriage alliances have always been our strategy for stabilizing thepany. We¡¯re doing it for the Mitchell family¡¯s sake!¡± ¡°If you think marrying into nobility is the way to go, fine. But harm my sister, and the Mitchell Group will face the consequences,¡± Bryson warned. ¡®s BunnyBookery Braeden murmured gloomily, ¡°The Mitchell Group isn¡¯t just our family¡¯s property. Grandfather must be disappointed to hear you say that. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget, if you try to exploit her, you¡¯d better measure your own worth first,¡± Bryson cautioned before taking Grace away from the vi. Once they were in the car, Grace fell silent for a moment. Finally, after letting out a few more sobs, Grace shifted her thoughts to Hannah. ¡°Bryson, how is Hannah doing in Hoijery?¡± she inquired gently. ¡°She¡¯s well. Once I wrap up your school matters, we can visit her for a bit,¡± Bryson assured her. Grace¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Fantastic! Then I can spend every day with Hannah. ¡± ¡°Maybe not every day.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. She¡¯s got her ownmitments. She might only take you out asionally,¡± he rified. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Grace shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s fine. As long as I can be with Hannah, I¡¯m happy. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s something else. Ruby has returned recently¡­¡± Grace said cautiously, studying Bryson¡¯s face. ¡°She¡¯s been trying to get in touch with you, calling me frequently. I told her you were in Hoijery, tied up with work, and would let her know when you¡¯re back. ¡± Bryson¡¯s face remained impassive. ¡°We¡¯ve been apart for too long. There¡¯s no point in reconnecting. We wouldn¡¯t even know what to say to each other. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not feeling sorry for her,¡± Grace dered, lifting her hand as though taking an oath. ¡°I¡¯ve been concerned about Hannah all this while, but Ruby has her own challenges. Her move abroad forced her to leave you; it was a family decision. ¡± Grace¡¯s face creased with emotion. ¡°Her family¡¯s back now, building their business here. She wants to make amends, Bryson. ¡± Chapter 519 After a drawn-out silence in the car, Bryson said deliberately, ¡°Moving abroad wasn¡¯t the breaking point for us. We came from different family backgrounds, yes, but nobody made her leave me. She could have stayed in touch, but she chose to vanish the moment she left. ¡± Stopping the car at a red light, Bryson turned to Grace, his voice steady. ¡°It¡¯s not about the hurdles, Grace. It¡¯s about whether you¡¯re willing to ovee them.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. You¡¯re still young. There¡¯s a lot you don¡¯t get. ¡± Thoughts of Hannah crossing his mind, Bryson offered a smile. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need my forgiveness; I¡¯ve never truly resented her. ¡± Confused, Grace looked at her brother, as if seeing the real him for the first time. ¡°Understood. ¡± She nodded resolutely. ¡°I¡¯ll pass this on to Ruby. ¡± Word quickly spread that Bryson was back in Valmere. Brayden, seizing the opportunity, called him up. ¡°Dinner tonight, you in?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m here to take Grace to Hoijery. Work¡¯s keeping me busy for the next couple of days. ¡± ¡°Come on, you can make time for dinner, can¡¯t you? It¡¯s been ages, and it¡¯ll just be Lydia and me,¡± Brayden uttered with a hint of nonchnce. Massaging the bridge of his nose, Bryson agreed, ¡°Alright, send me the detailster. ¡± ¡°Will do!¡± After hanging up, Brayden found Lydia tugging at his sleeve. ¡°So, he¡¯sing?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Yes, yes, he is. What¡¯s your interest in Bryson anyway?¡± Brayden scrutinized Lydia up and down, teasing, ¡°You got a crush on him or something?¡± ¡°Bah!¡± Lydia yfully tugged on Brayden¡¯s ear, dering, ¡°I¡¯ve got to keep tabs on my best friend¡¯s guy, got it? He can¡¯t meet Melina!¡± Brayden looked at her, then said, ¡°Just so you know, the Glyn family isn¡¯t the only one eyeing Bryson. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Lydia, narrowing her eyes, pinched Brayden¡¯s side and pressed, ¡°spill it. What else are you hiding?¡± Feeling cornered, Brayden sighed, ¡°Okay, okay. I was nning to tell you anyway. Remember the Green family from like five years ago?¡± After a thoughtful pause, Lydia nodded. ¡°Yeah, I remember them. Chapter 520 Didn¡¯t they go bankrupt and move abroad? ¡°Exactly, but they¡¯re back now, and it looks Like they¡¯re nning aeback.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡± Curiosity somewhatcking, Lydia picked up her ss and questioned, ¡°And what¡¯s this got to do with Bryson?¡± ¡°He and the Green family¡¯s daughter used to date. ¡± ¡°What!¡± Lydia spat out her water in surprise, eyes wide as she looked at Brayden. ¡°Are you serious?¡± Quick to dodge the spray, Brayden continued, ¡°Yes, it was years ago, right after Bryson graduated. It wasn¡¯t well-known. ¡°So, let me get this straight. She wants to rekindle things with Bryson?¡± Brayden nodded, confirming, ¡°Seems like it She¡¯s been asking about him, I think she still wants to reconnect. ¡± In that instant, Lydia seized Brayden¡¯s cor, demanding, ¡°And what did you tell her?¡± ¡°Whoa, easy!¡± Brayden caught Lydia¡¯s hand, reassuring her. ¡°I told her Bryson was taken and that she should leave him be. She hasn¡¯t contacted me since. ¡± Relieved, Lydia released her grip and told Brayden, ¡°Well done. But know this. If you ever let her meet Bryson, we¡¯re through. Got it Witnessing his girlfriend¡¯s intense reaction, Brayden quipped, ¡°You¡¯re not siding against me just to defend Hannah, are you?¡± ¡°It depends on how you act. Betray my friend, and I¡¯ll be your first enemy,¡± she shot back. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ That evening, they¡¯d arranged to meet at a restaurant. Bryson arrived with Grace. Upon spotting Lydia, Grace and she embraced warmly. ¡°So, you¡¯re off to Hoijery as well? Fantastic! Let¡¯s travel together and surprise Hannah!¡± Beaming, Grace took Lydia¡¯s arm. ¡°Absolutely, I¡¯ve even got a present for her!¡± The women conversed animatedly while Brayden and Bryson discussed Valmere¡¯s businessndscape and the matrimonial schemes of the Mitchell family. ¡°The Mitchell family are insatiable. Even in their current prime position in Valmere, they¡¯re not content. They even want Grace to marry into another family!¡± Annoyed, Brayden added, ¡°Good thing I found out in time and thwarted that arrangement. Anger would have been pointless otherwise. ¡± sses clinking, Bryson said with icy resolve, ¡°They¡¯re spoiled by their sess. If they dare repeat it, I¡¯ll show no mercy. ¡± Chapter 521 ¡°Bryson, fancy meeting you here!¡± A woman¡¯s voice rang out, melodious and warm. Both men turned toward her in unison. Ruby Green stood there in a chocte-colored dress, clutching a petite, elegant handbag. Her makeup was wlessly applied, and she wore a radiant smile, reminiscent of a carefree young girl. ¡°Brayden, you¡¯re here too? What a coincidence!¡± Ruby waved cheerily at Grace, saying, ¡°Grace, it¡¯s been ages! You¡¯re looking more stunning than ever. ¡± Grace offered a strained smile, lifting her hand in a somewhat rigid greeting. ¡°Hi, Ruby. ¡± Just after she mentioned Ruby to her brother, Ruby unexpectedly showed up today. Talk about timing! ¡°Uh¡­¡± Brayden seemed a bit uneasy. He eyed his friend cautiously and said, ¡°Quite the coincidence, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°I decided to grab dinner here with a friend. I haven¡¯t been in town for ages, and everything¡¯s so different now. My friend couldn¡¯t stop praising the food here, so we had to try it. ¡± Ruby then shifted her focus to Bryson, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve been hoping to catch up since I got back. Grace mentioned you were away for work. Maybe we can arrange a meetup soon?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson didn¡¯t even spare her a nce. ¡°I¡¯m booked. And to be honest, Miss Green, you and I aren¡¯t exactly close. There¡¯s nothing to discuss. ¡± Ruby¡¯s heart sank. She hadn¡¯t anticipated such a cold response from Bryson. Her eyes misted over, tears spilling down her cheeks. ¡°Bryson, are you still holding a grudge for what happened years ago?¡± ¡°Excuse me, Miss. Can¡¯t you see that he isn¡¯t interested in speaking with you? I advise you to stop pestering him, for everyone¡¯s sake. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Lydia couldn¡¯t be bothered with basic courtesy and added bluntly, ¡°We¡¯re obviously in the middle of a meal. Please leave. ¡± Ruby blinked at Lydia, thinking that she was Bryson¡¯s current girlfriend. She made a point of wiping a stray tear that escaped her eye. ¡°I apologize. Are you Bryson¡¯s girlfriend? I believe there¡¯s been a misunderstanding.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. I simply wanted to catch up with an old friend, nothing more. ¡± Lydia scoffed and c@@ked her head to the side. ¡°Sorry to disappoint you, but I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not his girlfriend. I am, however, a very good friend of hers. So, I would appreciate it if you could keep your distance from my friend¡¯s man!¡± Ruby bit her lower lip, looking hurt and upset. She turned to Bryson and said, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I never meant to interfere in your new rtionship. I know our issues are in the past, but I¡­ I just wanted to have a little chat with you, that¡¯s all. ¡± That earned her a scowl. Bryson nced at her, his eyes cold and ruthless. Chapter 522 ¡°There¡¯s no need for any of that. We settled everything between us years ago. We have nothing more to discuss. Now, just as thedy said, we are in the middle of a meal.N?velDrama.Org owns this. Can you please stop bothering us and leave?¡± Ruby took a step back, looking stricken. Clearly, she wasn¡¯t expecting this response from Bryson. Utterly humiliated, Ruby lowered her head and hurried away. Lydia shook her head in disdain as she watched the woman go. ¡°Some people can be so shameless these days,¡± she muttered. Brayden nudged her under the table and gave her a pointed look, silently telling her to stop talking. To her credit, Lydia heeded his warning and quietly resumed her meal. Meanwhile, over in Hoijery, Hannah had been keeping busy. After signing in on a coboration with the Mitchell and Archer Groups, she had her hands full, implementing every step of the agreed upon n and making sure that everything waspliant with the contract. Her office was located on the 12th floor, which amodated the core department. Thanks to her sudden and unexpected assignment, she had to temporarilymandeer the General Manager¡¯s Office. Naturally, the general manager, Duncan Hanson, was anything but pleased with this arrangement. The tension did not escape the employees¡¯ notice, and they made an effort to curry favor with Duncan during lunchtime. ¡°Duncan has been here much longer. She¡¯s only here because of her grandmother. How can a neer, and a woman at that, be more capable than our general manager?¡± ¡°Exactly! Duncan has been with Mr. Schneider from since the beginning, and has seen thispany prosper over the years. What about that woman? She hasn¡¯t even aplished anything of significance since her arrival. All she does is give speeches and spout those ridiculous slogans!¡± ¡°I know, right? Very typical of a parachuted individual, acting all high and mighty and ordering everyone around. At the end of the day, they¡¯re all ipetent. Just wait. Soon, she¡¯ll be relying on us to get things done around here. ¡± As expected, Duncan was mollified by their words, though he pretended to disagree with them and keep up appearances. ¡°Now, now, that¡¯s a little unfair. She might actually know what she¡¯s doing. She does hold arge chunk of shares, after all. I heard that she has even more shares than Mr. Jalen White, the eldest grandson of the White family. ¡± This particr piece of gossip quickly caught the attention of the other employees at the next table. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Really? How could someone who just appeared from out of nowhere suddenly hold so much power over thepany? Do you think it¡¯s possible that she¡­¡± ¡°Oh, please! She couldn¡¯t have slept her way up, that would be absurd. With so much at stake, I¡¯m sure there¡¯s more to the story than it seems. ¡± Duncan hummed, a smug glint entering his eyes. ¡°You guys have no idea. I heard some insider information myself. Apparently, she¡¯s an heir to the White family, too, and has returned to im her birthright. If you ask me, she seems somewhat capable. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s well and good, but she still hasn¡¯t proven herself yet! She¡¯s practically useless around here. I can¡¯t even begin to understand what the higher-ups were thinking when they pulled her into our department!¡± ¡°Hey, someone from the finance department let it slip that the White Group is currently facing a financial crisis. Do you think they wouldy people off?¡± Chapter 523 ¡°No way! Ourpany is stable and robust. Even if we are having issues, I¡¯m sure it wouldn¡¯t be so bad that they would let employees go. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be toocent,¡± Duncan remarked in a warning tone. ¡°This new shareholder that you¡¯re badmouthing has the power to make decisions on behalf of thepany. I advise you to stay on your toes and tread carefully. ¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Huh? What do you mean by that? She wouldn¡¯ty us off, would she?¡± Duncan shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will definitely have your back if something happens. But who¡¯s to say that the same is true for her?¡± Later, as the lunch break ended, Hannah entered the staff office with some documents in hand. ¡°Who is in charge of this environmental project n?¡± she asked, holding up a folder. ¡°It¡¯s me. ¡± Mya Smith stood up. ¡°That is my team¡¯s project. ¡± Hannah nced at her briefly and nodded. ¡°Bring your team members to my office. ¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± The other teams watched with spiteful eyes as Mya herded her teammates after Hannah. Hannah sat behind her desk and pushed the folder forward. ¡°So, you guys came up with this proposal? I was told that you were given half month to finalize everything, and this is all you managed? Is this the extent of your capabilities?¡± Mya bristled at Hannah¡¯s questioning. She lifted her chin in defiance and said, ¡°This is the product of my team¡¯s hard work. Do you even understand the n? Don¡¯t go criticizing us with what paltry knowledge you have of our operations. ¡± Taking their cue from her, the rest of the team also muttered their dissent. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ To their surprise, Hannah merelyughed, ¡°If you submit this shitty proposal at every turn, then we might as well close up shop. We¡¯d be better off running a charity instead. Do you think any businessman worth his salt would sign a contract with us if you pitch this garbage to them? These ideas, the designs, even the projected expenditures and revenue are aplete mess. ¡± Hannah leaned over her desk and rapped her knuckles against its surface. She looked Mya dead in the eye and said, ¡°This is the White Group¡¯s so-called core department, isn¡¯t it? Are you trying to dupe me by submitting this drivel for approval?¡± She picked up the proposal and slowly walked around her desk until she was standing right in front of Mya. ¡°I may have just started working in thispany, but it certainly isn¡¯t my first day dealing with this kind of nonsense! If you¡¯re going to muddle through your job, then I suggest you head over to HR, tender your resignation, and take your severance pay! This is no ce for people who indulge in their ineptitude!¡± Mya was trembling all over in the face of Hannah¡¯s rebuke. She couldn¡¯t even open her mouth to retort. ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed your team¡¯s performance in thest year,¡± Hannah added. Chapter 524 ¡°In this proposal, you stipted a monthly sry for the team leader, amounting to fifty thousand. In Light of your track record, even five thousand would be too much. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore! Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being too harsh? Although we are mere employees, we are also human!¡± Mya recalled the gossip earlier and was even more infuriated. Takingfort in her rtionship with Duncan, she didn¡¯t hold herself back from snapping at Hannah. ¡°Why are you disparaging our proposal so vehemently? Are you trying to abuse your authority to show off or something?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this. Hannah was too clever to fall for Mya¡¯s bait, however. ¡°I¡¯ll say it again-if you don¡¯t intend to do your job properly, then you should get lost. Thepany doesn¡¯t need someone Like you. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Outside, the other employees were craning their neck to sneak a peek at Hannah¡¯s office. They couldn¡¯t hear what was being said, but they could see through ss and noticed the grimace that Mya and her teammates were sporting. The door flew open a momentter, and Mya stormed out of the office, crying. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why is Mya crying?¡± ¡°Did that woman say something again?¡± Mya¡¯s teammates left the office after her, each wearing a grim expression. While the other employees were gossiping quietly outside, Hannah emerged from her office. ¡°Cleopatra Szar, please step into my office. ¡± Seated farthest from the door, a woman sprang up and hurried into Hannah¡¯s office as soon as she heard her name. Once the door closed behind her, Cleopatra felt disoriented. She¡¯d never been personally summoned by superiors, which made her uneasy. ¡°You¡¯ve had a hand in these contracts, haven¡¯t you?¡± Hannah slid a pile of former contracts across the desk towards Cleopatra. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Cleopatra moistened her lips nervously, her eyes darting to the contracts before her. She hesitated, unable to find her voice. ¡°I¡¯m aware you contributed to these, yet Mya¡¯s team imed the bonus, correct?¡± Adjusting her sses, Cleopatra nodded slowly. ¡°I merely assisted them, and since I¡¯m not an official part of their team, they didn¡¯tpensate me when the contracts were finalized. ¡± ¡°Why do you continually aid them? Each team has its own responsibilities. ¡± Pausing briefly, Cleopatra chose to be honest with Hannah. ¡°Whenever she needs help, she buys me bubble tea. She ims to be tied up with something else, so I end up assisting with the contracts. It¡¯s hard for me to say no. ¡± Chapter 525 ¡°Considering you orchestrated most of these contracts, why didn¡¯t you inform your own boss?¡± Cleopatra¡¯s face clouded over. ¡°Duncan¡­ always favors them. No matter the situation, he leans their way. Telling him would make no difference. ¡± Hannah nodded thoughtfully. ¡°And why didn¡¯t you work on the recent project?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Cleopatra anxiouslybed her fingers through her hair. ¡°I was tied up with client meetings for Duncan while they were focused on this project. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t quite understand her motivations. ¡°You¡¯re essentially offering them free help. Don¡¯t you have responsibilities of your own?¡± ¡°Yes, I do. ¡± In a rushed tone, Cleopatra said, ¡°Usually, I handle some contracts, but it¡¯s not always easy, especially with those clients. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t have to ponder long to realize that Mya¡¯s team cherry- picked simple projects, leaving the challenging ones for Cleopatra, who was easy to push around. Though considered low-tier help, Cleopatra was anything but, evident by her skillfully drafted and meticulous contracts. ¡°You¡¯re going to be my assistant now. In this office, focus on doing your job well. The only person you need to listen to is me. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Cleopatra Looked up, bewildered. ¡°But¡­ I¡­¡± Cutting her off, Hannah said, ¡°I know you make 5000 a month, maybe 7000 withmission.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. As my assistant, you¡¯ll start with 20, @0@ your first month. Perform well, and there¡¯s a 20%mission on top. ¡± Caught off guard by the offer, Cleopatra was petrified. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah went on, ¡°Be warned, the office vibe is sour. They¡¯re not happy with their new boss, which is me. If you choose to follow me, expect resistance. Think it over. ¡± ¡°No need,¡± Cleopatra interjected quickly. ¡°I never got along with them anyway. I¡¯m all in, Miss Moore. Just say the word, and I¡¯ll do bio Eyebrows raised, Hannah took a moment to absorb Cleopatra¡¯s enthusiasm before smiling, ¡°Very well, starting today, you¡¯re my assistant. ¡± ¡°Understood!¡± After leaving Hannah¡¯s office, Cleopatra seemed transformed. She returned to her desk and diligently started revising the business proposal. Just then, Mya, who¡¯d been cated, tossed the rejected business proposal onto Cleopatra¡¯s desk. Chapter 526 ¡°Redo this and get it to that hag! I can¡¯t even look at her. ¡± Cleopatra paused her typing. A chill passed over her eyes, visible even behind her sses. ¡°I¡¯ve taken over the project. No need for you to worry. ¡± Silence filled the room, leaving Mya dumbfounded. ¡°What?! You¡¯re hijacking my project? Since when do you defy me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s you who drove me to this,¡± Cleopatra dered coldly. ¡°I¡¯m set to be Miss Moore¡¯s right hand. I¡¯ll only heed hermands. Nothing more!¡± Cleopatra¡¯s gaze fixed on Mya. ¡°She¡¯s our superior.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. You disrespected her just moments ago. I won¡¯t hesitate to inform her!¡± ¡°You dare!¡± Mya seethed with anger, taken aback that the typically demure Cleopatra would challenge her now. Her peers and team tried to console her. ¡°Let it go. Cleopatra¡¯s just be Moore¡¯s puppet. Look how smug she looks!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath on her. She¡¯ll likely be the first one let go when cuts are made!¡± ¡°After all, Duncan¡¯s word is final here. Hannah¡¯s just an inexperienced neer. She¡¯s merely trying to create discord. ¡± Taking in their remarks, Mya inhaled deeply, shooting Cleopatra a menacing look. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this! Mark my words!¡± Later that afternoon, Duncan returned to the office after a leisurely meal and movie, under the guise of a business outing. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Upon his entrance, Mya rushed to him, tears streaming down. Sympathy arose for Cleopatra among some colleagues, while others barely concealed their satisfaction at her impending misfortune. Yet, Cleopatra remained unfazed, diligently reviewing a business n. ¡°Cleopatra¡¯s now siding with the new boss. She didn¡¯t even heed mymand! She needs to be taught a lesson!¡± Duncan sighed, pondering for a moment. He pulled Mya close, nting a gentle ki*s on her cheek. ¡°Hannah¡¯s trying to prove herself as the fresh leader. If I oppose her now, I might be her target. Then how will I aid you in letting off steam in the future?¡± Mya sulked, questioning, ¡°So, how much longer must I endure?¡± Duncan reassured her. Chapter 527 ¡°Fear not. Mr. Schneider isn¡¯t fond of Hannah. He won¡¯t let her seed in this project! I just need a small favor from you to ensure she¡¯s shown the door. ¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Mya asked. Duncan murmured something into Mya¡¯s ear as he held her close. Mya¡¯s expression shifted at his query. ¡°If thises to light, I¡¯ll lose my job. ¡± ¡°But on the flip side, if it works out, you¡¯ll share a joyful life with me! Risks can lead to rewards, don¡¯t you agree?¡± After pondering for a moment, Mya nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery At nine in the evening, Hannah got Cleopatra¡¯s amended business proposal through an email. After reviewing it, she nodded to herself in front of herputer screen. Her judgment had been correct. She replied to the email, ¡°Follow the edits I¡¯ve marked. You can finish it at the office tomorrow. No rush. ¡± Just then, Lydia called her. Hannah picked up. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Hannah, you won¡¯t believe the bombshell I have for you!¡± Lydia¡¯s volume was so high that Hannah moved the phone away from her ear, asking, ¡°What¡¯s so shocking that you had to call me thiste?¡± ¡°Did you know Bryson is back in Valmere?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As she skimmed through some data on her screen, Hannah responded absentmindedly, ¡°Yeah, he told me before he returned to Valmere. Is that your big news?¡± ¡°No! It¡¯s about his first love! She¡¯s back and wanted to have a talk with him privately. I sent her packing!¡± ¡°What?¡± Distracted by a contract she had been reading, Hannah was puzzled by Lydia¡¯s revtion. ¡°What first love are you talking about?¡± ¡°Listen, Bryson had this first love named Ruby Green. She left the country after her family went broke. They lost touch, but now Ruby¡¯s back, and it looks like she wants to rekindle things with Bryson. ¡± Hannah shut herptop quietly, pausing for a moment while still on the phone. Lydia, picking up on the silence, quickly chimed in, ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t stress. I¡¯ll keep an eye on Bryson for you.N?velDrama.Org owns this. He won¡¯t even get near her!¡± Chapter 528 Hannah responded with a softugh, ¡°I have faith in Bryson. If they reunite that easily, then they have my blessings. ¡± ¡°Have you lost your mind, Hannah?¡± Rising from her seat, Hannah walked back to her bedroom. She reclined on her bed and shifted the topic. ¡°Enough about that. You mentioned visiting Hoijery. When are you nning to do so?¡± ¡°Well, Grace wants to visit too, so maybe we can make it a joint trip. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. Let me know when, so I can arrange your hotel stay. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re the best, Hannah! It¡¯s gettingte. You should get some rest. ¡± Hannah ended the call and nced at her chat history with Bryson on WhatsApp. The conversation had ceased two days prior. Recalling the woman Lydia had mentioned, Hannah massaged her temples, opting to set her doubts aside. She trusted Bryson, after all. The following morning, Cleopatra was finalizing the business proposal, intending to send it to Hannah. Just then, Mya walked by her. And identally knocked her water cup onto Cleopatra¡¯sptop! Water sshed all over the keyboard. The cup tumbled down, shattering upon impact. Mya let out a startled cry. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Oh my God!¡± ¡°Seriously? Myptop!¡± Cleopatra¡¯s expression darkened instantly. She frantically grabbed her Laptop! But the screen had already cked out, unresponsive to her desperate attempts to revive it. Frustrated, Cleopatra red at Mya. ¡°I had a deadline today, and you just ruined myptop.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. What on earth were you thinking?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean for that to happen. I¡¯m as stunned as you are!¡± Mya looked at Cleopatra¡¯s dysfunctionalptop with a hint of guilt. ¡°I¡¯ll just get you another one. What¡¯s the fuss? Being managed by Hannah doesn¡¯t make you special. ¡± Chapter 529 ¡°What¡¯s actually happening here?¡± Emerging from his office, Duncan shot Cleopatra a displeased look. ¡°Why are you arguing with Mya again?¡± Cleopatra held up her damagedptop for Duncan to see. ¡°Mya ruined myptop, and I have a business proposal due today!¡± Duncan shrugged it off. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. Get it repaired.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. No need to bicker with your coworker. ¡± Hisck of concern only emboldened Mya further. ¡°Exactly. Just get it fixed. Your proposal¡¯s still saved on there, isn¡¯t it?¡± Usually even-tempered, Cleopatra found herself in a heated exchange with Duncan and Mya, catching Hannah¡¯s attention in the process. When Hannah swung the door open and saw themotion, she inquired, ¡°Cleopatra, what¡¯s going on?¡± Cleopatra quickly filled her in. ¡°Boss, myptop is broken now. I don¡¯t think I can submit the proposal on time. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine, I can reschedule with Mr. Perry,¡± Hannah said. She nced casually at Duncan and Mya, adding, ¡°This project is crucial to ourpany. If someonecks the skills but wants to stay, they can start from the bottom. But if they¡¯re not only inept but also sabotaging our work, firing them is not out of the question. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Sensing that things were getting tense, Duncan tried to defuse the situation. ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s really not a major issue. I know a tech expert who could probably fix Cleopatra¡¯sptop in no time. ¡± Hannah replied nonchntly, ¡°No worries. I¡¯ve got a bunch of tech experts in my circle. Still, I appreciate the offer. ¡± She turned to Mya and warned, ¡°This is your second blunder. One more and you¡¯re out. ¡± Mya nodded vigorously, visibly shaken. ¡°Understood. ¡± Hannah then looked at Cleopatra. ¡°Take the rest of the day off. I¡¯ll send you the address of a repair shop. Yourptop should be fixed swiftly. ¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Cleopatra replied, picking up herptop. Chapter 530 ¡°I¡¯ll head there now. ¡± Hannah retreated to her office. After wrapping up a call with Brewster, her phone rang again. It was Edwin. As she answered, Edwin¡¯s frustrated voice came through. ¡°Haven¡¯t forgotten what today is, have you?¡± ¡°What day?¡± Hannah was clueless. Exasperated, Edwin rified, ¡°Hannah, my graduation party is tonight. Please don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t prepared or aren¡¯t nning to attend!¡± In an instant, a revtion struck Hannah, and she cast a quick look at the calendar before massaging her forehead. ¡°I apologize. I¡¯ve been swampedtely, and this slipped my mind. ¡ã The voice on the other end of the line hesitated briefly. ¡°So, are youing over tonight?¡± Edwin managed to ask. ¡°Absolutely, I¡¯ll be there. I gave you my word, didn¡¯t I? How could I go back on it?¡± Hannah reassured. Checking her watch, she noted it was nearly 10 o¡¯clock.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡°Great. It so happened that I had to push back today¡¯smitments, but this gives me time to pick up your graduation present. ¡± Unable to hide his grin, Edwin responded, ¡°Well, at least you do not intend to go back on your word! I¡¯ll be waiting. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± ncing the map on her smartphone, Hannah saw that Wealth za was the closest destination. She wasted no time, driving straight to the mall. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Luckily, she¡¯d known beforehand that Edwin had a soft spot for WiseTech¡¯stest gaming innovations. The entire third floor of Wealth za was a shrine to all things WiseTech. Upon reaching the third floor via the elevator, Hannah was greeted by an array of WiseTech gadgets. ¡°Good evening, ma¡¯am. May I assist you in finding something particr? Allow me to show you some options. ¡± ¡°Got any of the newest AI games released this year?¡± The sales clerk¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Indeed, we have one final unit avable. It¡¯s part of a limited 100-piece release. Allow me to guide you to it. ¡± The WiseTech humanoid game was promoted as having human-Like cognitive functions, a digitalpanion who could apany you for a lifetime on yourputer. Chapter 531 Only a hundred units were in existence, each with a jaw-dropping price tag of 6 million! ¡°Here¡¯s the 100th AI gaming humanoid,¡± the sales assistant said, donning gloves to lift a slim chip from the table. ¡°Just plug this into aputer, and you¡¯re good to go. It even links up with your phone. Just a quick scan, and it¡¯ll settle into your phone, keeping its ownerpany. ¡± Hannah nodded her approval. While she had no special interest in gaming, she wouldn¡¯t be stingy when it came to Edwin. ¡°By card. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that gaming humanoid!¡± As she was finalizing her purchase, Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed. She turned to see a face she recognized. Valery, parading around with an older man on her arm, shot Hannah a smug nce. ¡°Well, well, look who¡¯s here!¡± Hannah shot back, her voice dripping with irony, ¡°Switched out your partner, have you?¡± Just as predicted, Valery¡¯s face soured. In her high heels, she marched up to the sales assistant and shed a ck credit card. ¡°I want thest gaming android, and I¡¯ll give you 7 million for it¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t an auction house. Who do you think you are, making bids?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows twitched in annoyance. Recently attached to a prosperous businessman, Valery sneered at Hannah, ¡°Money talks. Can you top my offer? That gaming humanoid is as good as mine. No one can take it away from me!¡± Layne Cartwright, on his rounds to check the staff, noticed themotion. With a frown, he beckoned a staff member over. ¡°What¡¯s going on there?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°A customer is causing a scene. The final gaming humanoid was already reserved by that woman, but this other customer wants to pay an extra million to snatch it. ¡± Layne nced at Hannah, who was garbed in a ck dress, radiating charm. He signaled for the staff to back off and approached the arguing pair. Choosing to ignore Valery, Hannah turned to the sales assistant. ¡°I apologize for the unpleasantness. Let¡¯s wrap this up. I¡¯ll pay now. ¡±This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Valery¡¯s voice scaled up in agitation. ¡°Are you deaf? I said I want it! Listen to me, sales assistant. If you don¡¯t sell it to me, your job¡¯s on the line the second I leave this store!¡± The sales assistant¡¯s face paled, clearly torn and on the brink of tears. Chapter 532 Just as Hannah was about to back down, another voice cut through the tension. ¡°I find this gaming humanoid rather intriguing myself. You both seem eager to have it. What¡¯s so special about it, ording to you?¡± Valery scoffed dismissively, ¡°It¡¯s a mere toy for the rich. But I can easily drop 7 million on it! And even if I decide to smash it or throw it away, you¡¯re not getting your hands on it!¡± Valery shot Hannah a venomous Look. Hannah teased, ¡°You¡¯re pulling out all the stops,peting with me for something you have no interest in, huh?¡± She cast her eyes toward the chip on the table. ¡°To be frank, I¡¯m no expert on this stuff. It¡¯s a graduation gift for my cousin. He¡¯s a big fan of WiseTech. He¡¯s mentioned wanting to create his own games. I¡¯m just trying to back his dreams. ¡± Valery scoffed, ¡°Enough with the act. It¡¯s public knowledge that the White family doesn¡¯t exactly roll out the red carpet for you. Do you actually believe sucking up to their young heir will elevate you?¡± With a stern expression, she ordered the sales assistant, ¡°Wrap that up for me, now. And enough chatter!¡± As the sales assistant reached for the chip, Layne intervened, ¡°I¡¯m afraid WiseTech doesn¡¯t sell to those who don¡¯t appreciate the technology. ¡± Valery shot Layne a piercing look. ¡°And who are you to speak on behalf of WiseTech? Oh! Are you and Hannah staging this whole scene just to mess with me?¡± Valery rolled her eyes dismissively. ¡°Impoverished nobodies ying wealthy. If you can¡¯t afford it, just scram!¡± Just then, the older man standing next to Valery shoved her aside. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You must be Mr. Layne Cartwright, the son of WiseTech¡¯s owner!¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this. The old man extended a business card. ¡°My apologies for not recognizing you earlier. I look forward to future partnerships!¡± Layne ignored the card and told the sales assistant, ¡°Kindly pack this for the youngdy. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± The sales assistant promptly set to work. Layne smiled at Hannah and said, ¡°Seems like this final game character was meant for you. Consider it a gift from ourpany. ¡± Handing over something valued at 6 million was truly befitting a young tycoon. Hannah¡¯s eyes sparkled, sensing an opportunity for coboration. She presented her own business card. ¡°I¡¯m with the White Group. If circumstances allow, I¡¯d love to partner up, Mr. Cartwright. ¡± Chapter 533 This time, Layne epted the card, his eyebrows Lifting slightly as he read Hannah¡¯s name. ¡°Miss Moore?¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. He regarded Hannah and remarked, ¡°As far as I¡¯m aware, the White Group hasn¡¯t ventured into electronics just yet. ¡± Hannah agreed, ¡°That¡¯s true. The White family is currently not involved in the electronics industry. However. With a grin, Hannah added, ¡°That doesn¡¯t rule out a future entry into that industry. I¡¯m hopeful that we could coborate someday, Mr. Cartwright. ¡± Her smile punctuated the statement. Layne admired Hannah¡¯s forward-thinking nature. epting her business card, he replied, ¡°I eagerly await the day we can work together, Miss Moore. ¡± Valery interrupted, clearly annoyed, ¡°Are you out of your mind, disregarding the chance of making a profit? Why not sell to me?¡± The man beside her, whom she called honey, pointed a finger at her and yelled, ¡°Shut up!! Do you even know who you¡¯re talking to? Don¡¯t embarrass yourself. Let¡¯s go!¡± Hannah settled the tab and departed, leaving themotion behind her. She checked her phone; her shopping had consumed too much time. She needed to head to the salon immediately. She had already scheduled an appointment with a beauty salon she knew well before heading out to purchase the gift. She drove there and, to her relief, arrived just in time. When makeup artist Margaret saw Hannah, her eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You¡¯re growing more gorgeous by the day. I almost didn¡¯t recognize you. ¡± Margaret ushered her to a chair. ¡°Thest time I saw you was on the day of your high school graduation. Why have you been away for all these years?¡± ¡°I only returned because there¡¯s something urgent I need to attend to,¡± Hannah replied with a smile. ¡°I have to get back to Valmere soon. ¡± Margaret sighed, a touch of regret in her voice, ¡°I thought you¡¯d be a star by now. I haven¡¯t seen you since your graduation. It¡¯s nice that you still remember me. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah chuckled, ¡°How could I forget? Your expertise saved me from embarrassment at the graduation party. ¡± As they chatted, Margaret deftly applied makeup to Hannah. Taking in Hannah¡¯s glossy, ck hair, she suggested, ¡°You¡¯d look stunning in thetest hairstyle, coupled with a white silk cheongsam. Why don¡¯t you go get changed, and I¡¯ll work on your hair after that. ¡± Margaret instructed her assistant, ¡°Fetch the newest white cheongsam of the season and help her get changed into it. ¡± ¡°Of course. Follow me, Miss Moore. ¡± Once Hannah had slipped into the new cheongsam, she descended from the second floor. Margaret was taken aback. ¡°Darling, you wear that dress better than anyone else ever could! You should seriously consider modeling for me. ¡± Chapter 534 Margaret surveyed Hannah with unmistakable admiration. After helping her with her hair, Margaret said, ¡°You¡¯re both charming and sophisticated. This look suits you perfectly. ¡± Gazing at her reflection, Hannah realized her usual style was more extravagant. Adopting a more subdued look for Edwin¡¯s graduation ceremony actually suited her well. ¡°Margaret, you always know what¡¯s best for me. ¡±Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Margaret grabbed a hairpin from the table and secured Hannah¡¯s hairstyle. ¡°It¡¯s not so much that I know you. It¡¯s that you effortlessly pull off these looks. If you stick around, I¡¯d love to take more photos of you. It would be great promotion for me. ¡± ¡°I¡¯d be happy to help out when I can. ¡± Realizing it was time to depart, Hannah, now fully styled, made her way to Hoijery¡¯s business school. Luxury cars like Maybachs and Bentleys lined the school¡¯s entrance. Stepping out of her own car, Hannah dialed Edwin¡¯s number. ¡°I¡¯m here. Where should I meet you?¡± From the other end of the line, sounds of chatter andmotion filled the air. Edwin seemed to be some distance from the entrance. ¡°I¡¯m in the main hall. Just wait by the gate. I¡¯lle get you. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah stood by the entrance for a short period. ¡®s BunnyBookery Edwin, d in a ck tuxedo with his hair impably styled, clearly took his appearance seriously for the day. Students frequently turned to steal nces at him as he walked. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Spotting Hannah from afar, her presence unmistakable, he quickened his pace. As he reached her, Edwin couldn¡¯t hide his surprise. ¡°You¡­¡± Reading his expression, Hannah looked down at her own dress and inquired, ¡°Is something the matter? Have I embarrassed you?¡± Edwin shook his head, awed. ¡°You¡¯ve changed, haven¡¯t you?¡± With raised eyebrows, Hannah responded, ¡°Well, I had to stand out somehow for your graduation ceremony, right?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s head in. Hold on a second¡­¡± As Edwin prepared to lead Hannah into the hall, he noticed the sticky notes in her hands. Chapter 535 ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡± ¡°Ah, right. ¡± Hannah nced at the notes, recalling the earlier encounter. ¡°Some guys wanted to connect with me on WhatsApp. I told them it wasn¡¯t a good time, so they gave me their numbers instead. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re kidding!¡± Snatching the notes from her, Edwin muttered, ¡°Don¡¯t trust them. They¡¯re just kids, and you¡¯ve got a boyfriend, remember?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t nning on talking to them. They just shoved the notes into my hands. What was I supposed to do, throw them away on the spot?¡± Hannah exined. ¡°So they¡¯re kids, but you¡¯re not?¡± she teased. Stung by her sarcasm, Edwin retorted, ¡°Just stay away from those guys at my school, okay?¡± Hannah lifted her arm to pat Edwin¡¯s shoulder, even though she couldn¡¯t quite reach his head. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. ¡± The pair stepped into the school¡¯s grand hall, bathed in brilliant light and adorned with opulent decor. Graduating students flocked together, their attire shy and expensive, conversing over wine sses. The setting resembled less a graduation party and more a business gathering, with older attendees discussing deals over toasts. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. The food tables on both sides wereden with exquisite dishes, showcasing the school¡¯s effort in organizing the event. Edwin guided Hannah towards the front, advising, ¡°Those people up ahead are my ssmates. Just smile and keep the talking to a minimum. ¡± ¡°What, are you embarrassed by me or something?¡± Edwin sneered, ¡°Given how outspoken you are, you¡¯ll probably just make people ufortable. ¡± As they strolled arm in arm, a young woman in a blue evening gown suddenlytched onto Edwin¡¯s other arm. ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for you, Edwin¡± Gently extracting his arm, Edwin said, ¡°Sorry for the dy. I went to fetch my cousin. ¡± The woman nced at Hannah and grinned. ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re his cousin? You¡¯re quite stunning. ¡± Chapter 536 Not wanting them to engage in further conversation, Edwin cut in, ¡°I¡¯ll find a seat for my cousin first. ¡± Once they had moved away, Hannah nudged Edwin with her elbow. ¡°Are you keeping something from me?¡± A shiver ran down Edwin¡¯s spine as he swiftly turned to Hannah. ¡°Why would 1?¡± Hannah scrutinized Edwin, her gaze piercing. ¡°So you¡¯re sure you¡¯re not hiding anything?¡± Feeling a pang of guilt, Edwin faltered, ¡°I swear, there¡¯s nothing I¡¯m hiding. What could there be?¡± ¡°And who was that girl just a minute ago?¡± ¡°Ah, that girl¡­¡± Casting a quick nce over his shoulder and realizing the girl had vanished, Edwin exined to Hannah, ¡°That¡¯s Miss Garza of the Garza family. She¡¯s not someone I can risk offending. ¡± ¡°The Garza family, you say?¡± Aware that Hannah was out of the loop regarding Hoijery¡¯s power dynamics, Edwin ushered her to a seat to fill her in. ¡°Her father¡¯s Hoffman Garza, a titan in Hoijery¡¯s seafood industry. Crossing paths with his daughter would be a bad move. She¡¯s got a reputation. Breaking up with her would be like ripping off a band-aid from a wound. ¡± Hannah burst into Laughter. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°That sounds perfect, actually. If you ended up with her, you¡¯d be too scared to cheat. ¡± Struck dumb, Edwin replied, ¡°You¡¯re not making this any easier. I¡¯m not looking to date right now, especially after that previous incident. So, where¡¯s my present?¡± Edwin extended his hand towards Hannah.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Why don¡¯t you show me my gift?¡± Hannah yfully swatted his hand away. ¡°The giftes after graduation, silly. What¡¯s the rush?¡± Eyeing Hannah with suspicion, Edwin pressed, ¡°I¡¯m starting to think you didn¡¯t even get me a gift!¡± ¡°If you want to think that, fine. No gift after graduation, either!¡± Chapter 537 Edwin wasted no time in admitting his fault, stating, ¡°Okay, okay, my bad. Please don¡¯t take the gift back¡­¡± As they chatted, an announcement boomed from the front-stage loudspeaker. ¡°Would Edwin White of ss 3 please make his way backstage. Thank you. ¡± Only then did it click for Edwin. He stood up and told Hannah, ¡°I have to deliver the graduation speech. We¡¯ll continue this when I return. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Once Edwin had gone, Hannah felt a tinge of boredom and decided to check her phone. She noticed a message from Bryson that had been sent about 10 minutes earlier. [We¡¯ve secured our flights for tomorrow evening. Expected tond by 7 PM. ] Without dy, Hannah sent a reply. [Great, let¡¯s n on dinner once you arrive. ] ¡°What a coincidence, you¡¯re here too. ¡± After hitting send, Hannah looked up to see Omar standing before her. She narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°Why does it feel as if you¡¯re a constant ghostly presence, showing up wherever I happen to be?¡± Omar burst intoughter and said, ¡°I swear I¡¯m not following you. I¡¯m here for my cousin Tasha¡¯s graduation. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery From the side, Tasha warmly greeted Hannah. ¡°Hi, Hannah!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Omar casually took a seat beside Hannah and signaled to Tasha. ¡°Go ahead, mingle. I¡¯ll be here if you need me. ¡± ¡°Got it!¡± As he watched Tasha move away, Omar turned to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m working on a joint venture and thought you might be interested.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡± Hannah nced at Omar skeptically. ¡°Are you actually invested in your family¡¯spany? I was under the impression you dabbled in shadier endeavors. Also, considering your fiancee and I don¡¯t exactly get along, if our families were to coborate and she got involved, it could get messy. So, let¡¯s just skip it. ¡± Chapter 538 Omar chuckled, ¡°Every business has its risks, but the opportunity I have in mind guarantees profits, zero losses!¡± As if anyone would buy that! Internally rolling her eyes, Hannah chose to disregard him, fueled by both skepticism and ack of interest. Omar added, ¡°The decision to partner with the White family is ours alone, and it¡¯s none of the Bailey family¡¯s concern. The entertainment sector is booming right now. Teaming up with us would be a gold mine. ¡± ¡°Why the White family, when they have no stakes in entertainment? The Bailey family, on the other hand, has multiple sessful ventures in the field,¡± Hannah questioned, her smile barely noticeable as she continued, ¡°Choosing between a neer and a seasoned yer is Like weighing a 50% risk against a 10% one. You should know which is wiser. ¡± Annoyed by the repeated mention of the Bailey family, Omar scowled, ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, this is strictly between our families. The Bailey family have no role here!¡± ¡°And what do you think the Bailey family would say? Considering you¡¯re their future son-inw and you¡¯re sidestepping them for the White family?¡± Hannah felt like she was talking to a wall and bluntly told Omar, ¡°I have zero interest in partnering with the Morrison family. The White family aren¡¯t even nning to join the entertainment industry. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re aware the White family is facing a financial crunch, aren¡¯t you? Are you deliberately avoiding an alliance that could save you hundreds of millions?¡± Omar arched an eyebrow, adding, ¡°I urge you to think this through. ¡± Why was he so annoying? Hannah was about to retort when another voice chimed in, ¡°The entertainment sector might be promising, but it¡¯s also risky for neers to invest heavily. ¡± Omar turned around, startled by the interruption. ¡°And who are you to offer this unsolicited advice? My family has been in this industry for years, and your theory is news to me. ¡± Hannah nced back, her eyes widening slightly in recognition. Layne Cartwright? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Layne caught her eye and offered a gentle smile. ¡°The entertainment market may be lucrative, but it¡¯s nearing saturation. Newpanies could just be paving the way for others. Like thedy said, veterans in the industry can easily overpower neers,¡± Layne said respectfully to Omar. ¡°Mr. Morrison, maybe you should explore alternative avenues for profit. ¡± Recognizing Layne, Omar sneered, ¡°Ah, the electronics mogul. Just because you¡¯veunched some hit products doesn¡¯t mean you can lecture me. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m merely stating facts,¡± Layne replied, his smile unchanging. ¡°You¡¯re free to venture into the entertainment world, but leave her out of it¡± ¡°Heh heh. ¡± Omar shot a forced grin at Layne.N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°So, you two are close? Close enough to cut into our conversation?¡± Hannah offered a slight smile. ¡°I find I have more inmon with him than with you, Mr. Morrison. ¡± With that, Hannah rose and moved to sit beside Layne and said, ¡°I¡¯d rather not engage with someone who can¡¯t hold a civil conversation. ¡± Chapter 539 ¡°Hannah Moore!¡±Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Omar tilted his head. ¡°You¡¯ve been consistently spurning my good intentions. You really are something!¡± Hannah scowled. ¡°Mr. Morrison, I sincerely believe we¡¯re not a good match for coboration. ¡± Hearing this, Omar abruptly turned and walked away without another word. ¡°So Miss Moore graces us with her presence at tonight¡¯s graduation celebration. ¡± Layne¡¯s voice eased Hannah¡¯s tension somewhat. She replied, ¡°Well, it¡¯s my cousin¡¯s big night. I ought to be here. ¡± Due to prior interactions, they felt more at ease with each other. Discussing the White family¡¯s enterprises, Layne noted, ¡°For generations, the White family have been invested in real estate and machinery. You¡¯re not confined to just entertainment. You have other options. In light of emerging media trends, you might consider branching out. Diversifying could be good for yourpany. ¡± Hearing Layne¡¯s advice, Hannah nodded and said, ¡°That¡¯s been on my mind too, but I¡¯m swamped with current projects. Other matters will have to wait. ¡± After a brief exchange, the stage lights intensified, and the host took to the stage, officially kicking off the graduation ball. Following the headmaster¡¯s speech, Edwin ascended the stage. His youthful energy was palpable. He spoke of his victory in theputer contest and reflected on his earlier aimless days, before meeting Hannah. Seated beneath the stage, Hannah¡¯s eyes locked onto Edwin¡¯s above. A gentle smile graced her lips as she pped with the crowd. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Then, melodious tunes filled the room, and attendees escorted their dance partners to the dance floor. Exiting the stage, Edwin headed straight for Hannah. ¡°Where¡¯s my present?¡± From her purse, Hannah took out a chip. ¡°Here¡¯s the AI character you¡¯ve been wanting. I got thest one avable. ¡± ¡°Did you actually get it for me?¡± Clutching the chip, Edwin dered, ¡°This was crafted by a designer I deeply admire. But mark my words, I¡¯ll outdo him someday!¡± His bold promation drew augh from Hannah. Chapter 540 ¡°Why are youughing? You think I¡¯m not serious? Trust me, I am!¡± Hannah shook her head and said, ¡°The designer you¡¯ve always admired is sitting right next to me, yet you¡¯re acting so bold. ¡± ¡°What ?¡± Edwin paused, bewildered. He nced at Layne with a vacant expression before finally realizing he was in the presence of the celebrated designer. ¡°My hero! You¡¯re my hero!¡± Eagerly, Edwin approached Layne and offered his hand. ¡°I¡¯m a huge fan! Your work has been the inspiration behind many of my own designs!¡± Layne offered a subtle smile as he shook Edwin¡¯s hand. ¡°You have a lot of potential. I¡¯m confident you¡¯ll surpass me someday. ¡± ¡°Ahem!¡± Embarrassed by his own earlier words, Edwin hesitated, ¡°I mean, I was just¡­ babbling. ¡± Layne shook his head in response.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Having the ambition to excel beyond your predecessors is the first step to actually doing it. I¡¯m here to help whenever you want to learn. ¡± Edwin¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Seriously?¡± ¡°Absolutely. ¡± Layne nodded, adding, ¡°Your cousin and I are friends, so consider yourself like a friend to me. ¡± Just then, Tess Cartwright, Layne¡¯s younger sister, swept into the scene, lifting her dress slightly. ¡°Layne, it¡¯s time to dance. Enough talking!¡± With a smile, Layne stood up and said, ¡°Until next time, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± As Layne departed, Edwin turned to Hannah with a look of sudden realization. ¡°How do you even know Layne Cartwright?¡± Hannah then recounted the day¡¯s events involving the purchase of the chip. Staring at Hannah in disbelief, Edwin asked, ¡°So you became friends just like that? He even told me I coulde to him for guidance anytime, and referred to me as his friend. Does he have a soft spot for you?¡± Chapter 541 Annoyed, Hannah smacked Edwin on the head. ¡°Stop assuming that anyone who talks to me is instantly charmed, okay? Meeting someone doesn¡¯t automatically mean they¡¯re interested in me!¡± Edwin shielded his head with his hands and mumbled, ¡°You¡¯re so remarkable that any guy would be a fool not to be captivated by you.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± ¡°Please!¡± Hannah shot him a sharp look. ¡°I¡¯m not one for ttery. ¡± When the evening feast concluded, Edwin¡¯s ssmates proposed extending the festivities at another venue, insisting that Edwin join them. Edwin, his enthusiasm dimmed, wished only to return home with Hannah. However, his ssmates rallied around him, insisting that the gathering wouldn¡¯t beplete without him. Jenny Garza, the young girl who was interested in Edwin, chimed in, ¡°Why don¡¯t we invite your cousin too?¡± The crowd collectively voiced their approval, urging Hannah toe along. Although hesitant, Hannah didn¡¯t want to spoil the mood and gave a reluctant nod under the watchful gaze of Edwin¡¯s ssmates. The group erupted in cheers, and Jenny gave Hannah a guileless grin. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Great, then Edwin and you can hop in my car, and we¡¯ll all head out together. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s agreement, Jenny¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Perfect, I¡¯ll tell the driver to ready the car. ¡± As the crowd dispersed, Edwin turned to Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re not a fan of social events like this, are you? If you want, we can step away. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Everyone¡¯s expecting you. It would kill the vibe if you don¡¯t show up. ¡± Hannah nced at her wristwatch. ¡°I can stay for an hour or two and then head out. ¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s willingness, Edwin felt a sense of relief. ¡°Alright, if you¡¯re ufortable at any point, just let me know and we can leave. ¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± Chapter 542 Both climbed into Jenny¡¯s car, which sped through the nighttime streets toward the city center Jenny turned around to engage Hannah in conversation. ¡°We hadn¡¯t heard of you before. Edwin never mentioned you. ¡± With a polite smile, Hannah replied, ¡°I¡¯ve only recently returned to Hoijery. ¡± ¡°Ah, I see. Well, don¡¯t hold back tonight. Enjoy yourself. Dreamy Rendezvous is our business. You¡¯ve got nothing to worry about. ¡± Hannah felt a twinge of confusion, unsure what Jenny meant by ¡°nothing to worry about. ¡± But before she could seek rification, the car pulled up in front of an opulent club. ¡°We¡¯re here! Time to get out!¡± Jenny, beaming, was the first to exit the car. Upon arrival, other students¡¯ cars were already parked there. It was then that Hannah noticed that it wasn¡¯t just Edwin¡¯s ssmates who hade; students from various other sses were present as well. ¡°So it¡¯s not just your ssmates?¡± Hannah queried Edwin. Overhearing her, Jenny approached and grabbed her arm. ¡°We invited a bunch of people, but don¡¯t stress. Our ss has its own private room, so it won¡¯t get too crowded. ¡± Hannah found Jenny¡¯s assuranceforting, genuinely believing the room wouldn¡¯t be overly packed.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Even though the private room spanned 30@ square meters and was fully furnished, with twenty to thirty people inside, it wasn¡¯t cramped, just too loud. Seated quietly to the side, Hannah checked her phone. It was nearing nine; she intended to leave in an hour. A short distance away, Edwin had been coaxed into downing quite a bit of alcohol. When he returned, his steps were faltering. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah¡­¡± She steadied him and helped him sit. ¡°How many did you have?¡± ¡°Uh, maybe 5 drinks?¡± Edwin squinted, seemingly unsure. ¡°Or maybe it was 7. ¡± Hannah sighed, slightly exasperated. ¡°Never mind. Let¡¯s get you home. ¡± Just as she was about to help Edwin up, Jenny appeared, a wine ss in hand. Chapter 543 ¡°Hannah, how about a drink for the two of us?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pass. I need to drive him home. ¡± Noticing Edwin¡¯s tipsy state, Jenny grinned. ¡°He¡¯s not that drunk. We cut him off after we saw he¡¯d had enough. Come, have a drink. I invited you to enjoy yourself. ¡± Jenny¡¯s words left Hannah feeling a bit uneasy, but she hesitantly epted the ss. After a short period of socializing, Hannah retreated from the crowd and slumped onto a sofa, feeling lightheaded. Drinking this much used to be a non-issue for her, but tonight, after just four or five sses, she felt off. Before she could fullyprehend the situation, she leaned back and dozed off. Unbeknownst to her, two figures hovered nearby as she slept. ¡°Are we sure about this? She¡¯s from the White family. What if we¡¯re found out, or worse, she contacts the police?¡± Jenny wore an expression of casual disdain. ¡°Who cares if she tries to involve the police? All the police around here are on our side. Besides, she has no proof.N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡± The person beside her appeared somewhat anxious. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t mess with the White family. Also, she might¡­¡± Jenny interrupted, ¡°Enough with the useless chatter! She¡¯s unconscious. She won¡¯t know it was us. Take her there, now!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Alright. ¡± In the enveloping darkness, Hannah felt her body being lifted. She strained to open her eyes, but it felt as though they were being held shut by an invisible force. Surrounding her was a cacophony of sounds. She sensed the outside world but was paralyzed, unable to move. Suddenly, a moan pierced through her ears, jolting her back to awareness. What was going on? Her eyes flew open, revealing the shocking scene before her. It was a room full of naked men and women engaged in s@x. Struggling to rise, Hannah found her body unresponsive and frail. Chapter 544 Other men and women, still clothed, embraced and ki*sed fervently around her. Nausea washed over Hannah, but just then, she felt a hand touch her shoulder from behind. Without a second thought, she grasped it tightly. The man behind her let out a lewd remark. In response, Hannah tightened her grip and drove her elbow into him, knocking him unconscious. ¡°Bang!¡± ncing down, Hannah noticed her clothes remained unaltered. She pushed herself up, leaning on a nearby table for support. Navigating cautiously past the crowd of reckless individuals, she found the back door and made her escape. Once outside, she took deep, ragged breaths, finally realizing where she was. ¡°Ah! Oh!¡± The door across from her was open as well, emitting anguished moans. Hannah cast a quick look inside and immediately knew it was a mirror image of the chaos she had just witnessed. Many of the faces were unfamiliar, people she¡¯d seen earlier at the graduation celebration. ¡°What in the world is happening?¡± As she leaned against the wall to steady herself, Hannah pieced together the evening¡¯s events. Hadn¡¯t she been at a graduation party? ALL of a sudden, Edwin crossed her mind! Frantically, she reached into her pocket. Her phone was thankfully still there. She dialed Edwin¡¯s number. But the call barely rang once before it was deliberately disconnected. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Damn it!¡± Sensing that something was off, she immediately called Clive. ¡°Hey, boss is around today. Youing?¡± Clive answered, his voice dripping with lethargy. ¡°I¡¯m in a bind at Dreamy Rendezvous. ¡± Clive¡¯s tone shifted instantly. ¡°What happened? Why are you at Dreamy Rendezvous? I¡¯ming to get you. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°I woke up to find a crowd of people engaging in some indescribable activity, and I can¡¯t find my younger cousin. This ce is like a maze. If I start searching room by room, it might be toote. ¡± Thinking on his feet, Clive offered a solution. ¡°Find a hiding spot for now. I¡¯ll Let my boss know and get some people over. We¡¯ll find your cousin in no time. Send me his picture, will you? It¡¯ll help us find him. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± Chapter 545 door with the faintest click. After forwarding Edwin¡¯s picture to Clive, she stayed hidden, ears straining for any sound from the corridor. ¡°Miss Garza reported the woman seems to have escaped. The club¡¯s entrance is sealed. We need to find her, and fast!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Jenny¡¯s men replied. Concealed in the storage closet, Hannah remained utterly silent. The intruders ignored the closet, choosing to search other rooms instead. Silence soon enveloped the area. Just as Hannah thought it safe to emerge, her phone buzzed! Footsteps returned. ¡°She¡¯s here!¡± Seeing it was a call from Edwin¡¯s phone aimed at pinpointing her location, Hannah acted swiftly. ¡®s BunnyBookery Before they could close in, she burst out of the closet door and sprinted in the opposite direction. ¡°There she is! Go and get her right now!¡± As she heard the closing footsteps behind her, Hannah wheeled around and delivered a solid punch to the man¡¯s chest. ¡°Ah! f@ck you!¡± Witnessing hisrade fall, the second man lunged at Hannah. But she took his coat and turned around. Struggling to escape his own coat, the man found himself entangled by Hannah¡¯s maneuver! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Yanking the coat¡¯s hem, she mmed his head into the wall. Swiftly releasing him, she bolted. Once inside the elevator, Hannah ascended to the top floor. When the doors slid open, the corridor aheady shrouded in darkness, seemingly stretching on forever. Just as the elevator began to close, she darted out, sidestepping into the corridor. Phone in hand, she activated the shlight and cautiously proceeded. The corridor was eerily empty. Downstairs, a bodyguard called Jenny. ¡°Miss Garza, she¡¯s made it to the seventh floor. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡°What?! How could you let her get that far?¡± ¡°Shall we dispatch someone to find her?¡± Chapter 546 Jenny¡¯s voice, tinged with irritation, echoed through the phone. ¡°Do you have a death wish, going up there? If she¡¯s seeking her own end, let her. Just monitor the elevator. The moment shees down, seize her. ¡± ¡°Affirmative!¡± Stumbling forward, Hannah finally reached a door. She pondered whether to go in and descend the stairs. On impulse, she pushed the door open and found a man in his early twenties sitting inside. Seeing him in a wheelchair, Hannah hesitated, unsure if she should pull her hand back from the doorknob. ¡°My apologies, wrong room,¡± she stammered. As she began to shut the door, the man paused his movie and turned his gaze to her. ¡°Are you being pursued?¡± he asked. Confused, Hannah simply nodded. Pointing to her arm, the man, Merlin Garza, observed, ¡°You¡¯re scr@ped. ¡± Jolted by hisment, Hannah looked down to find a red mark on her arm. ¡°I¡¯m okay, thanks. ¡± ¡°If you¡¯re being hunted by those folks, my room is a sanctuary.N?velDrama.Org owns this. They won¡¯t dare step in here,¡± Merlin assured her. About to exit, Hannah paused at Merlin¡¯s words and walked into his room instead. She knew she couldn¡¯t take on the crowd downstairs alone. She reasoned she could handle this man if it came to that. ¡°Have a seat,¡± Mer Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ lin said, returning to his movie. Opting to stand, Hannah lingered near the door. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If they don¡¯t clear out, I¡¯ll escort you downstairs. They won¡¯t mess with me. ¡± Still uncertain about Merlin¡¯s intentions but sensing no malice, Hannah expressed her gratitude. ¡°Thank you. ¡± Meanwhile, Clive¡¯s men had reached the ground floor, where they were confronted by Dreamy Rendezvous¡¯ security. ¡°We¡¯re here to settle a score with your boss. Step aside or else,¡± Chapter 547 Clive warned, grinning. Unfazed, the security guard retorted, ¡°Miss Garza has instructed that only Garza family may enter. Make trouble and we¡¯ll call the police. ¡± ¡°Go ahead, call them. My friends are being held against their will. We¡¯reing in,¡± Clive sneered. As his men surged forward, the security team moved to block them but were easily overwhelmed by the sheer numbers. Within moments, the mob flooded in, Clive leading them, demanding, ¡°Bring out the person in this picture, now!¡± Pandemonium erupted throughout Dreamy Rendezvous. Scrambling, guests threw on their clothes. ¡°Boss, found him,¡± one of Clive¡¯s men announced, hauling a handcuffed Edwin from the third floor. He appeared unconscious but otherwise unharmed. With a mere gesture, Clive ordered his men to escort Edwin out. He then attempted to contact Hannah. On the seventh floor¡­ Hannah¡¯s phone broke the silence. Answering, she recognized Clive¡¯s voice. ¡°I¡¯ve located your cousin. Where are you?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I¡¯ll be heading downstairs shortly. ¡± Rising to leave after ending the call, Hannah hesitated. ¡°Thank you for everything today. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Merlin halted the movie and wheeled himself towards the exit. ¡°I¡¯ll escort you to the elevator. Wouldn¡¯t want anyone outside to harm you. ¡± Hannah, taken aback by such kindness, expressed her gratitude with a nod. Below, tension filled the air as Jenny and Clive squared off. ¡°Who gave you the right to take him? Return him now!¡± ¡°Miss Garza, what¡¯s the nature of your gathering? Is it evenwful? Why lure them here?¡± Clive¡¯s smile didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°I protect the cousins. Previous ChapterBelonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Chapter 548 Harm Miss Moore, and you¡¯ll answer to Mr. Vargas. ¡± Jenny¡¯s eyes sharpened, clearly not anticipating Hannah¡¯s ties to Franklyn. ¡°Really, Clive? You¡¯re confronting the Garza family over a woman?¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Clive scoffed. ¡°Do you truly believe you represent the entire Garza family? Hand over Miss Moore or I¡¯ll ensure chaos reigns here tonight. ¡± Jenny, recalling her men positioned strategically, sneered, ¡°Even if I don¡¯t, what can you possibly do?¡± Amidst their standoff, Hannah and Merlin descended through the elevator. The bodyguards nearby exchanged nces, poised for the door¡¯s opening. Ding! With a chime, the doors slid apart. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The guards, initially ready to pounce, found themselves immobilized by what they saw. Hannah stared the momentarily fierce-looking men, then shifted her gaze to Merlin, sensing there was more to him than met the eye. Wearing a grin, Merlin inquired, ¡°Why the crowd by the elevator¡¯s entrance?¡± The guards¡¯ expressions shifted noticeably at the sight of Merlin, as they hastily retreated. ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Garza. ¡± Unfazed, Merlin grinned. ¡°I¡¯m stepping out with a friend. Make way, please.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± The men outside didn¡¯t dare obstruct him. They parted to let him through. Turning to Hannah, Merlin said, ¡°After you. ¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Hannah replied. Without dy, Hannah walked ahead, with Merlin trailing behind in his wheelchair. ¡°Clive!¡± Hearing Hannah¡¯s call, Clive immediately turned and his face brightened. ¡°Miss Moore, over here!¡± Jenny was bbergasted. How could the goons at the door fail to detain Hannah? Chapter 549 When she turned around to order her men to encircle Hannah, she noticed her older brother right behind her. Jenny went ashen. ¡°Merlin¡­¡± Maintaining his serene smile, Merlin escorted Hannah to the exit. ¡°My sister is young and impulsive. Please ept my apologies on her behalf. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery As Merlin¡¯s gaze met hers, Jenny¡¯s legs wobbled. She looked at Hannah and said, ¡°Hannah, it was just a joke. I meant no harm¡­¡± Clive cut her off with disdain, ¡°Joke? Is that why you ordered a gang to apprehend her? Is that why you dered she couldn¡¯t leave tonight?¡± Hannah had no interest in stirring up drama, especially since she was unfamiliar with Merlin¡¯s backstory. She didn¡¯t want to escte the situation. ¡°Clive, take Edwin and head home. ¡± ¡°Our boss awaits you at Quin Bar. Will you join himter?¡± Clive inquired, nodding his head. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss thatter. I need to drop Edwin off first,¡± Hannah answered. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll escort you. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± As the crowd dispersed from Dreamy Rendezvous, Jenny remained visibly shaken. Merlin lifted his gaze and regarded Jenny with indifference. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You seem quite adept, yet you couldn¡¯t keep tabs on her when you brought her here, allowing her to escape to my location. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this. The room was empty. Jenny sank to her knees, clutching the hem of Merlin¡¯s pants. ¡°I never thought she¡¯d actually go upstairs. ¡± ¡°Twentyshes from Jeff¡¯s whip, and don¡¯t stop until you bleed,¡± Merlin ordered. Jenny quivered at the sinister tone of his voice, but dared not object. ¡°Understood. ¡± Struggling to stand, Jenny made to leave. Just then, Merlin queried, ¡°Who was the woman who dashed upstairs earlier?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Jenny turned back to find Merlin eying her with a mischievous gaze. Startled, she blurted out, ¡°She¡¯s the heir to the White Group. ¡± Chapter 550 ¡°Ah. ¡± Maneuvering his wheelchair toward the elevator, Merlin muttered, ¡°Interesting. ¡± Meanwhile, Edwin, still unconscious, was transported back, and Hannah returned to Quin Bar with Clive. As Franklyn spotted Hannah, he dismissed everyone else, leaving only Clive. ¡°I wanted to watch your race before, but business kept me away. I¡¯ve just returned to Hoijery. ¡± ¡°Managing the businesses first. No need to go out of your way for me,¡± Hannah responded. Franklyn said, ¡°Why did you treat those clueless youths so kindly at Quin Bar? You could¡¯ve just thrown them out. ¡± Shaking her head, Hannah answered calmly, ¡°If I¡¯d done that, wouldn¡¯t it raise questions about my authority at Quin Bar? For now, my identity should remain a secret. You¡¯re the face of Quin Bar and that¡¯s how it should stay. ¡± Though it appeared Franklyn had built Quin Bar from the ground up in Hoijery, Hannah was the real mastermind. She was the one making the decisions that kept the business running. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your identity will stay under wraps as long as you¡¯re away,¡± Franklyn assured her. ¡°Okay. ¡± Shifting the topic, Franklyn cautioned, ¡°The Garza family could be trouble. We should steer clear of Jenny for now. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m here solely to help my grandfather, and I¡¯d prefer to keep a low profile,¡± Hannah rified, showing no intention of interfering with Jenny. ¡°Just leave them be. ¡± ¡°Very well, Miss Moore. But how did you cross paths with the Garza family in the first ce?¡± Franklyn questioned. ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± Hannah touched her forehead, her sentence half-plete when a memory of Edwin¡¯s evasiveness shed in her mind. ¡°Edwin may know something! I¡¯ll confront him about it tomorrow morning. ¡± ncing at her wristwatch, she announced, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I should head home. ¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have Clive take you back. ¡± The next morning, Hannah came to the ancestral home of the White family. Johanna descended the stairs for breakfast and noticed Hannah engrossed in her Laptop in the living room.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Rolling her eyes, Johanna plopped into a chair. ¡°What¡¯s the big show? Grandma already handed everything to you. What¡¯s left to unt?¡± Across the room, Hannah remained silent, acting as if Johanna¡¯s words had fallen on deaf ears. Chapter 551 Frustrated, Johanna took a sip of her drink just as Christy made her way downstairs. ¡°Christy, breakfast is ready. ¡± Christy was taken aback by Hannah¡¯s presence. ¡°What¡¯s she doing here?¡± ¡°Your guess is as good as mine. She showed up at the crack of dawn, probably putting on an act or something. ¡± Given recent events, Christy¡¯s perspective on Hannah had changed. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she inquired, ¡°Miss Moore, would you like to join us for breakfast?¡± Hannah paused her review of a business proposal to reply courteously, ¡°No thank you, I¡¯ve got work to handle this morning. ¡± ¡°Ha ha. ¡± Johanna let out a derisiveugh. ¡°Acting all high and mighty, isn¡¯t she?¡± Christy lowered her voice to caution Johanna, ¡°Watch what you say. She¡¯s basically holding up thepany now. Maybe we were wrong about her. ¡± ¡°Christy! Why are you defending her now?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Infuriated, Johanna stood up, dering, ¡°I¡¯ve lost my appetite. Enjoy your meal,¡± before storming off. An hourter, Edwin finally surfaced, rubbing his sleepy eyes as he made his way downstairs. Jalen, who was coborating with Hannah onpany matters in the living room, looked up to chide Edwin, ¡°Hurry and eat. Fresh out of college and you¡¯re already keepingzy hours. ¡± ¡°Jalen, my head¡¯s pounding. Had way too much to drinkst night¡­¡±This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Upon noticing Hannah, Edwin was puzzled. ¡°Hannah? What brings you here?¡± Without lifting her gaze from herptop, Hannah responded, ¡°Eat first. We need to have a private chatter. ¡± A sense of unease abruptly washed over Edwin. He quickly reviewed his recent actions, finding nothing amiss, and exhaled, saying, ¡°OK. ¡± Chapter 552 Following breakfast, Hannah invited Edwin to join her in the upstairs study. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± When Hannah shut the door, Edwin¡¯s suspicions grew. ¡°How did I get homest night? I can¡¯t recall anything. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Seated now, Hannah locked eyes with Edwin. ¡°Is there something you¡¯re not telling me? This is yourst chance to be honest. ¡± ¡°I swear, I¡¯ve got nothing to hide! I¡¯ve been focused on my studiestely, you know that!¡± Edwin protested, his voice rising. ¡°Listen, I¡¯ve changed. Why would I go out and create problems? Trust me! Who¡¯ve you been talking to? Don¡¯t listen to rumors! I¡¯ve been honest. I¡¯ve been studying at school recently!¡± Hannah studied Edwin¡¯s earnest face. He didn¡¯t appear to be lying. ¡°I trust you, which is why I¡¯m asking. What¡¯s the deal between you and Jenny?¡± Edwin¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Jenny? Why bring her up? I told you before, she¡¯s been chasing after me, but I have no interest in her!¡± Convinced he was sincere, Hannah sighed and said, ¡°Please, sit back down.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± Seeing her expression, Edwin grew anxious. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You keep mentioning Jenny. Did she say something to youst night?¡± Realizing she couldn¡¯t always protect Edwin, Hannah decided to tell him the truth. ¡°Jenny drugged both of us yesterday. I didn¡¯t drink much, so I woke up early. She had you taken to a room. If I hadn¡¯t found out in time, either you or she would be the one calling me today. ¡± Chilled to the bone, Edwin stammered, ¡°What¡­ What¡¯s wrong with Jenny? Why would she do that to me? This is insane!¡± ¡°You need to ask yourself,¡± Hannah said. ¡°Have you done anything to provoke her at school?¡± Edwin felt wronged. ¡°I¡¯ve done nothing wrong, yet she won¡¯t leave me alone. I¡¯ve told her repeatedly that we¡¯re not meant to be. ¡± Chapter 553 His gaze dropped as he ran his fingers through his hair, his eyes tinged with redness. ¡°How did you hold upst night?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about me. I¡¯m concerned she¡¯ll keep going after you,¡± Hannah replied, shaking her head. Frustration surged within Edwin,pelling him to pace around the room. ¡°Look, I¡¯ve graduated now. I¡¯ll steer clear of her if I see her. And sorry for dragging you into this mess yesterday. ¡± Relieved, Hannah said, ¡°It¡¯s good you didn¡¯t antagonize her further. Stay indoors for a while. You can go outter. ¡± ¡°I¡¯lly low for the next few days. I¡¯ll take your advice,¡± Edwin assured, fully intending to heed Hannah¡¯s words. ¡°Alright. ¡± Standing up, Hannah moved toward the door. Edwin was quick to follow. ¡°Let me walk you out, Hannah. ¡± Once they reached the building¡¯s ground floor, they encountered Jalen waiting by the entrance. ncing at his watch, he suggested, ¡°It¡¯s about time. Shall we head to the office together?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Just as Hannah and Jalen arrived at thepany¡¯s 12th floor, an executive assistant hurriedly approached them. ¡°Mr. White, Miss Moore, you need to intervene in the office right away. They are about to fight!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ At the assistant¡¯s urgent words, Hannah and Jalen exchanged a nce before swiftly entering the office. The office was abuzz with chatter and spectators, all eager to witness the unfolding drama. ¡°Get out of here! Don¡¯t you all have work to do?¡± Jalen¡¯s voice sliced through the noise, causing the crowd to disperse and clear a path. Only then did Hannah realize that Cleopatra had barred Duncan and Mya from entering her office. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Seeing Hannah, Duncan spoke in a sarcastic tone.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°I regret to inform you, Miss Moore, that a confidential document from ourpany was traced back to yourputer¡¯s IP address. We need to examine your machine, and she¡¯s obstructing us. ¡± Chapter 554 Cleopatra¡¯s face flushed with indignation. ¡°You¡¯re setting her up! Miss Moore wasn¡¯t even in the office when this supposedly happened!¡± Mya shot back, ¡°Well, you were here! Who¡¯s to say you didn¡¯t use herputer? And now you¡¯re blocking us. Sounds suspicious, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Enough,¡± Hannah said icily. ¡°Take theputer to the tech department for an inspection. Any issues, consult me. ¡± ¡°Since the boss approved, leave this ce!¡± Duncan swiftly sidestepped Cleopatra, went inside and retrieved theputer. As he emerged, he murmured, ¡°Get thisputer to the tech team. Make sure they scrutinize it thoroughly. No clue should go unnoticed!¡± After relocating theputer, Duncan surveyed the office before addressing Hannah. ¡°Given that theputer is under examination, Miss Moore, you won¡¯t be able to work today. You may return after the investigation is concluded in a couple of days. ¡± ¡°The environmental protection project is pressing us for time. We¡¯re working extra hours. What have you been up to?¡± Jalen inquired, clearly displeased. Duncan was unfazed by Jalen¡¯s attitude. ¡°We¡¯ve been managing other assignmentstely. Miss Moore relies solely on Cleopatra. We haven¡¯t documented the project yet. Plus, the leaked secrets aren¡¯t confined to Miss Moore¡¯sputer. I¡¯m concerned the project might be put on hold. I knew she couldn¡¯t handle it. Cleopatra must¡¯ve betrayed us, exploiting our boss¡¯s trust to leak information to the enemy!¡± Tears threatened to spill from Cleopatra¡¯s eyes as she said, ¡°I¡¯m innocent! I didn¡¯tpromise any information!¡± Mya seized the opportunity to nder her. ¡°You were the only one who left the office at 1st night. With no one around and no cameras, who knows what you were up to?¡±This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. She then turned to Jalen and added, ¡°Mr. White, you might not know that she was pretty useless before Miss Moore arrived. But once she did, Cleopatra cozied right up to her. That misjudgment gave her the opportunity to act!¡± Hannah lifted an eyebrow and smiled, ¡°Who told you there are no cameras in the office?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Mya¡¯s smugness evaporated instantly. She nced around and shot back, ¡°Cameras in our office? You¡¯re talking nonsense!¡± Hannah simply gestured towards her own office. ¡°I¡¯ve got cameras installed in there. ¡± ¡°I usually take certain precautions for my own safety, so my workspace has two security cameras installed,¡± Hannah said. Arching an eyebrow, she queried, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we consult the surveince footage to find out who stole the files from myputer that evening?¡± A hush fell over the room. Hannah instructed Cleopatra, ¡°Head to the security department and retrieve the footage. ¡± Chapter 555 ¡°Okay!¡± Just as Cleopatra was about to dash off, Duncan halted her. ¡°Why go through all that trouble? She was the only one who didn¡¯t clock out yesterday. The record speaks for itself. Do you intend to cover for her, Miss Moore?¡± Mya chimed in, ¡°Exactly, something¡¯s off if we still have to scrutinize what seems so obvious.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± ¡°Only a thorough investigation ensures fairness to everyone,¡± Hannah responded. She then turned to Jalen. ¡°What do you think?¡± Jalen, appearing quite serious,manded his secretary, ¡°Retrievest night¡¯s surveince footage. ¡± ¡°As you wish, Mr. White. ¡± The secretary returned promptly, a USB sh drive in hand. Duncan¡¯s and Mya¡¯s expressions shifted noticeably. The secretary plugged the sh drive into aputer. The monitor disyed someone entering Hannah¡¯s office after 10 PM, shrouded in darkness. The intruder booted up theputer and copied files. Upon exiting, her features were caught clearly by the infrared high-definition camera. ¡°She¡¯s trying to run away! Quick, grab her!¡± An employee behind Mya stopped her attempted flight. ALL eyes turned her way. Her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the floor. ¡°I didn¡¯t intend to copy the files. It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s¡­¡± She nced at Duncan¡¯s menacing face, fear silencing her. She finally hung her head and admitted, ¡°I despise Miss Moore and wanted to get back at her. ¡± ¡°Company secrets are at stake here! How could you jeopardize that over a petty grudge?¡± Jalen thundered. ¡°I simply wanted the satisfaction of revenge! Please, don¡¯t involve the authorities!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Without missing a beat, Hannah dered, ¡°You¡¯vepromised thepany¡¯s confidential information, causing us damage. We have no choice but to pursue legal action. You are fired. ¡± Though the culprit had been found out, Jalen felt uneasy. He walked into Hannah¡¯s office, pacing back and forth. ¡°Is there a fix for this? If our environmental project falls through, these machines are basically junk. ¡± Firing up herputer, Hannah skimmed through some documents before looking up. ¡°Rx. Our business strategy is safe. I was just pretending when I was with them. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Halting in his tracks, Jalen stared at her. Chapter 556 ¡°So, what they copied from theputer was¡­?¡± Grinning, Hannah replied, ¡°Myputer has a built-in virus. Unless they bypass myst softwareyer, they¡¯ll end up downloading a Trojan horse. Insert that sh drive into anyputer, and it¡¯ll get infected. ¡± Jalen was taken aback by Hannah¡¯s cunning. ¡°Will that really work?¡± ¡°They¡¯re the ones who stole the sh drive. Even if they try to incriminate me, they¡¯ll end up damaging their own files. It¡¯s killing two birds with one stone. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery After clearing her desk, Hannah stood. ¡°I won¡¯t be in the office for a few days. Please take care of thepany. ¡± ¡°What about the business proposal?¡± ¡°Cleopatra will handle it. All you need to do is sign the paperwork. ¡± ¡°So, where are you headed? When will you be back?¡± Jalen inquired, nodding. ncing at a text from Bryson, Hannah turned and said, ¡°I¡¯ve got ns. I¡¯ll return shortly. ¡± That evening, Hannah made her way to the airport to greet them. Upon seeing her, Lydia and Grace dropped their bags and enveloped her in a hug. ¡°Hannah! I¡¯ve missed you! You¡¯ve been away from Valmere for ages¡­ You¡¯reing back, right?¡± Patting her head, Hannah assured her, ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. I¡¯m just here to sort a few things out. I¡¯ll return soon. Let¡¯s not linger. I¡¯ve reserved a table at a local restaurant so you can try Hoijery¡¯s specialties. ¡± Lydia was thrilled. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Awesome! It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve been to Hoijery. It feels different now. ¡± Engrossed in their discussion, Hannah looked up just in time to see Bryson approaching her, d in a windbreaker. A knowing smile crossed their faces. Hannah moved closer, gracefully linked arms with him. ¡°Is the situation with Grace settled?¡± ¡°My brother gave them a stern warning,¡± Grace replied. The she pouted.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°The Mitchell family aren¡¯t backing down. If not for our grandparents, they wouldn¡¯t have let me go. ¡± Chapter 557 Aware of her role in joining families through matrimony, Hannah¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Stick around in Hoijery for a bit longer. When you return with me, let¡¯s see who dares toy a finger on you. ¡± Grinning, Grace clung to Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°I always knew you cared about me the most. To be honest, my brother doesn¡¯t deserve you!¡± Bryson threw Grace a helpless nce. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Don¡¯t downy me to boost Hannah¡¯s ego. ¡± ¡°Humph!¡± Grace stuck her tongue out at Bryson and tightened her grip on Hannah¡¯s arm. As the four of them chatted andughed, they reached the restaurant. Lydia turned to Hannah and sighed, ¡°The Phillips family is going through a lot. If I weren¡¯t with Brayden, I¡¯d be caught up in it, too. ¡± Feeling uneasy, Hannah asked, ¡°Both the Mitchell and Phillips families are facing issues. Is something big happening in Valmere?¡± Lydia dropped a bombshell. ¡°There¡¯s more you don¡¯t know. The Edwards family is facing financial difficulties. They¡¯re looking to refinance. ¡± Hannah turned to Bryson, who was seated beside her. ¡°Is Valmere going through a crisis? What¡¯s going on?¡± Bryson shrugged it off. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s not a crisis, just some poor business decisions. The Mitchell Group is mostly unaffected. Most troubled industries are linked to Muvrand. They might have their gangs, but they¡¯re not a threat to me, at least not for now. ¡± Noticing Hannah¡¯s concern, Bryson tenderly rubbed her hand. ¡°Just focus on your work in Hodjery. ¡± Grace nudged Lydia¡¯s shoulder, and they both giggled softly. ¡°What are you two gossiping about?¡± Hannah red at them from across the table. ¡°With those sly looks, you must be plotting something. ¡± Lydia arched an eyebrow at Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. We were just discussing when you and Mr. Mitchell might announce your engagement.N?velDrama.Org owns this. ¡± Chapter 558 Hannah was taken aback by the sudden shift in topic. Her cheeks turned rosy. ¡°Why bring that up?¡± She shot Lydia a piercing look, her heart racing. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to gauge Bryson¡¯s reaction. The hand that Bryson was holding felt like it was on fire. Sensing Hannah¡¯s difort, Bryson said casually, ¡°I honor her decision. She likes to go with the flow, and I have no intention of pushing her. ¡± Hannah felt a wave of relief wash over her. She turned her gaze to Bryson¡¯s striking face and reciprocated his handhold with a gentle smile. After they had eaten, Hannah got behind the wheel and said, ¡°The vi has plenty of rooms. Since Lydia is here, there¡¯s no need to stay elsewhere. Make yourself at home. ¡± ¡°Sounds good!¡± From the back seat, Grace chimed in, looking at Lydia, ¡°Brayden isn¡¯t here anyway, so you don¡¯t need to stay at a hotel. You can stay at the vi with us. ¡± Lydia readily agreed, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s all stay together. ¡± That night, Lydia was busy packing and insisted that Hannah join her. Sitting on the bed, Hannah propped her chin on her hand, fighting off sleep as she watched her energetic friend. ¡°Wake up a bit. ¡± As she packed, Lydia added, ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you here just to watch me pack. I also want to caution you about Ruby. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I get it, watch out for Bryson¡¯s ex-girlfriend,¡± Hannah responded, still resting her chin on her hand. ¡°It¡¯s ancient history now. And if there¡¯s no trust in a rtionship, it can¡¯t reallyst, can it?¡± Suddenly, Lydia set the suitcase aside and pped her hands, locking eyes with Hannah. ¡°Still, I find that woman cunning. Keep your guard up!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, she¡¯s not even in Hoijery right now. ¡± Hannah reassured her friend, shaking her head. ¡°Focus on getting ready for our trip tomorrow. I¡¯m taking you to the White family¡¯s resort for a few days. ¡± ¡°In that case, I¡¯d better pack lots of sunscreen!¡± Meanwhile, Bryson was engrossed in his work in the Living room. As Hannah descended the stairs, she noticed him leaning back on the sofa, rubbing his forehead. She turned around towards the kitchen, warmed up a ss of milk, and handed it to Bryson. ¡°Don¡¯t dive into work the minute you get here. If there are things you need to handle, I can entertain the others at the resort tomorrow while you work in the hotel. ¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 559 Cradling the warm ss of milk, Bryson met Hannah¡¯s loving gaze and nodded. ¡°Understood. ¡° He set the milk down, took Hannah¡¯s hand, and drew her into a warm embrace. The scent of mint emanating from Bryson calmed her nerves. Hannah nestled into the man beside her and offered, ¡°If a problem really exists, we¡¯ll tackle it together. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing major. It¡¯s just that not seeing you for a short while feels like an eternity. ¡± Nestled against Bryson, Hannah let out a chuckle. ¡°Are you always this overly romantic?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery In response, Bryson simply grinned and held Hannah tighter. Once he finished his milk, Bryson rose to his feet and headed to the kitchen to rinse the ss. Meanwhile, his phone on the table buzzed persistently. As Hannah was about to call out to Bryson, her eyes caught several iing messages on WhatsApp. [I¡¯ve been missing you so much, Bryson. ] [I realize it¡¯s inappropriate to message you like this now, but I genuinely miss you. ] [I know we faced numerous obstacles in the past, but I can¡¯t help but miss you. I don¡¯t intend to ruin what you have with her. I¡¯m sorry.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ] Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ [I just needed you to know, I¡¯m still in love with you. ] The messages caught her attention, reminding her of Lydia¡¯s warning about Ruby being cunning. Yet, reading those messages didn¡¯t incite anger or anxiety in Hannah. Choosing to overlook the text exchanges, she rose to her feet as Bryson returned. ¡°We¡¯re off to the resort tomorrow. Don¡¯t stay up toote. I¡¯m heading up to bed. ¡± ¡°Alright, sounds good. I¡¯ll go to sleep once I finish up with this paperwork. ¡± Bryson watched as Hannah ascended the staircase. Returning to hisptop, he discovered the messages from Ruby. With a frown, he shut the chat window and proceeded to block Ruby on his phone. In Valmere, Ruby awaited a message from Bryson but her phone remained silent, leaving her visibly distressed. Chapter 560 She dialed some numbers and said, ¡°Hello? You promised you¡¯d assist me. Now, I¡¯m in Valmere and Bryson has taken off to Hoijery. He¡¯s even blocked me on WhatsApp. What¡¯s our next move?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve located them in Hoijery. We¡¯ll fly out there together tomorrow. Trust me, I know how men think. How could he resist his first love? You said he adored you more than anyone, didn¡¯t you?¡± Clutching her phone, Ruby replied, ¡°You better not be wrong, otherwise all my hard work will have been for nothing!¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t stress. If we need to use the same trick twice, so be it. ¡± The following morning, Bryson was behind the wheel, while Hannah, Grace, and Lydia chatted andughed in the backseat. They reached the Red Sea Resort, an under-the-radar development by the White Group. Surrounded by trees, the serene environment boasted a unique seaside spot tinted pink by seaweed, attracting quite a few visitors despite its unofficial opening. ¡°You didn¡¯t bring us here just for fun, did you? You¡¯re here on business to inspect the resort, aren¡¯t you, Hannah?¡± Lydia inquired, sidling up to her friend. ¡°You¡¯re out for a good time. Why not make the most of it?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Casting her a knowing look, Hannah answered, ¡°You read me like a book. Even if the resort is yet to formally open and has seen its share of ups and downs, I want to evaluate it firsthand. ¡± As they hurried into the hotel, the manager greeted them ¡°Miss Moore, your rooms are all set. Let me assist you with check-in. ¡± The moment they entered the hotel lobby, a surprised voice echoed from a nearby sitting area. ¡°Bryson? What brings you here?¡± Adorned in a white dress, Ruby stood and approached them, a polite grin on her face. ¡°Vacationing as well, are you?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Lydia stepped forward, confronting her. ¡°Are you stalking us? Did you snoop around our itinerary?¡± Feigning innocence, Ruby said, ¡°I¡¯m here with a friend, I swear. I¡¯m not following you. ¡± Just then, Eliana, arm in arm with Den, walked over to Hannah, beaming. ¡°Well, look who it is! I never thought I¡¯d run into you here, Hannah. Are you on vacation?¡± Lydia was surprised to encounter Eliana at this location. Swiftly positioning herself in front of Hannah, Lydia eximed, ¡°Do you have eyes? Of course we¡¯re here for a vacation!¡± After a lengthy period apart, Den was astonished upon seeing Hannah again. He believed she had grown even more attractive, Leaving him with mixed feelings. Catching Den¡¯s surprised look, Eliana patted his shoulder and suggested, ¡°We do know each other, after all. What are the odds we¡¯d meet here? How about sharing a mealter?¡± Chapter 561 ¡°No, thanks. The mere sight of youter might make me nauseous,¡± Lydia replied. Ignoring them, she took Hannah¡¯s hand and directed, ¡°Let¡¯s go check in. ¡± Grace, dragging Bryson, strolled beside Hannah. ¡°Grace!¡± Ruby intercepted Grace and elegantly handed her a small, round container. ¡°The mosquitoes here are fierce. This repellent works wonders. ¡± ¡°Thanks, Ruby,¡± Grace responded, handing it back. ¡°But we¡¯ve got that covered. You keep it. ¡± Hannah had arranged for two presidential suites. One was for Bryson, and another was for the three of them. Once inside, they set down their bags. Staring at the limitless ocean and open-air pool beyond their room, Grace eximed, ¡°Wow, an outdoor pool! My brother has never let me stay somewhere Like this!¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Lydia inquired, ncing out the window at the bright sky. She then stretched, adding, ¡°This ce is truly amazing. ¡± Kneeling to unpack, Hannah rified, ¡°It¡¯s because Grace¡¯s health used to be fragile. An outdoor pool could make her sick, so Bryson never allowed it Teasingly, Lydia said to Grace, ¡°So now that you¡¯re here, why don¡¯t you put on your swimsuit and let¡¯s take a dip?¡± ¡°No way! I¡¯m just here to watch¡­¡± They both chuckled by the window for a bit. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Revisiting their earlier encounter, Lydia said, ¡°I find it hard to believe Eliana and Ruby just happened to be at the Skyline Hotel. ¡± ¡°Coincidence or not, who cares? We¡¯re here to rx, not to worry about other people.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± ¡°Not necessarily!¡± Grace abruptly turned toward Hannah, whispering, ¡°It¡¯s obvious Ruby has feelings for my brother. He was smitten with her once, too. Don¡¯t give her an opening!¡± ¡°She shattered his heart once. Now, he¡¯s yours and clearly fond of you. I can¡¯t bear to see her ruin what you two have. ¡± Pausing her packing, Hannah met Grace¡¯s earnest gaze. She gently pinched Grace¡¯s cheek. ¡°The tighter you try to hold onto sand, the faster it slips through your fingers. Get it?¡± Chapter 562 ¡°I don¡¯t get it. ¡± Grace shook her head and nced at Lydia. ¡°Lydia, do you get what she¡¯s saying?¡± Lydia, clearly grasping Hannah¡¯s point, offered a knowing smile. ¡°Understood. If you¡¯re aware of how to handle it, I¡¯ll say no more. ¡± ¡°What ?¡± Confused, Grace blinked at them. ¡°What just happened? Lydia, rify for me!¡± Outside, the sun shone brightly. Eliana and Ruby lounged beneath a parasol. ¡°Don¡¯t be so eager. Rushing to greet them only showed that we nned to wait for them here,¡± Eliana chided. Chewing her lip, Ruby looked at Eliana. ¡°Why are you helping me?¡± Eliana arched an eyebrow and said, ¡°Simple. Misery lovespany.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. We both lost our boyfriends when we went overseas. Now, I¡¯m with the one I want. What about you?¡± Seeing Ruby fall silent, Eliana grinned. ¡°Men often yearn for what used to be. Just follow my Lead. ¡± As the sun dipped low, evening arrived. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah led Grace and Lydia for a walk along the shoreline. Their feet sank into the soft sand, the ocean breeze caressing them. Grace was eager to snap pictures, with Lydia capturing her from multiple angles. ¡°Hannah, join us. Let¡¯s get a group photo!¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Hannah was about to step forward, her face softening into a subtle smile, when she heard Den calling her name. ¡°Hannah!¡± She turned around, her demeanor shifting as she spotted Den. Chapter 563 ¡°What is it?¡± Faced with Hannah¡¯s aloof expression, Den found himself at a loss for words. ¡°It¡¯s been a while¡­¡± ¡°Indeed. ¡± As Hannah moved to go, Den promptly halted her. ¡°Hold on!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Growing increasingly irritated, Hannah snapped, ¡°What now, Den?¡± ¡°Listen, it¡¯s been ages since all that drama. Can¡¯t we ease the tension between us?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not connected anymore, Den. You¡¯re engaged, and I don¡¯t want to create any misunderstandings. ¡± A hint of disappointment clouded Den¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯m considering expanding my business to Hoijery. ¡± Hannah squinted, puzzled by his words. Den had evolved, his gaze softening as he looked at her. ¡°Valmere¡¯s economy is struggling. I¡¯m thinking of relocating to a more promising city like Hoijery. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s none of my concern,¡± Hannah retorted, icy in her detachment. Prior to this meeting, Den had done his homework. Hannah had taken the reins of the White family business, and his mind swirled with possibilities. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Even if we¡¯re not a couple, I want you to flourish. Seeing you seed puts my mind at ease. ¡± Hannah wondered what he was getting at. His earnest words struck Hannah as somewhat absurd. Could he really believe a few kind sentiments would undo their past? ¡°If that¡¯s all, I¡¯ll be on my way. ¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Den blurted. ¡°You own a 20% stake in Edwards Group! If it tanks, you stand to lose as well!¡± Hannah turned around, a sardonic smile gracing her lips. ¡°Ah, so this is a business proposition. If that¡¯s the case, take it to White Group. Don¡¯t take advantage of our past feelings. ¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 564 As Den opened his mouth to respond, he was cut off by Hannah¡¯s icyeback. ¡°We were never in love to begin with. ¡± Meanwhile, the elevator dinged open at the presidential suites¡¯ level. Ruby stepped out, having recently acquired Bryson¡¯s room number from downstairs. She wanted to approach him when they were alone. Bang! Bang! Bang! Ruby¡¯s hand fell uneasily on the door. When it swung open, she mustered a polite grin.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡°Bryson, may we speak privately?¡± Yet, the moment Bryson caught sight of Ruby, his expression froze. ¡°What do you want?¡± Undeterred by Bryson¡¯s icy demeanor, Ruby aimed to enter his room. ¡°Can we talk inside?¡± Just as she was about to step in, he blocked her way. With a frosty nce, Bryson said, ¡°If you¡¯ve got something to say, say it here. Going inside isn¡¯t an option. ¡± Tears cascaded down Ruby¡¯s cheeks like falling pearls. ¡°Is it so hard for us to have an honest conversation?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Barricading the doorway, Bryson remained unyielding. ¡°We can talk right here. I have a girlfriend, so it¡¯s inappropriate for you to enter. ¡± Ruby looked up at him with pleading eyes. ¡°Is it Miss Moore? I realize I messed up. My conscience has been gnawing at me ever since I left you. ¡± Swiftly, she tiptoed and wrapped her arms around him. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to ruin your rtionship. I just miss you terribly!¡± In an instant, Bryson shoved Ruby away! What Bryson failed to observe was a subtle flicker of light in the distance. His face growing even darker, Brysonmanded, ¡°I don¡¯t want to humiliate you. Leave immediately!¡± Chapter 565 Ruby was stunned by Bryson¡¯s decisive action. Pushed back and off- bnce, she opened her mouth to speak, but he mmed the door shut! Never since their initial breakup had she felt so dismissed! She couldn¡¯t fathom that Bryson could truly erase her from his life! Seething with resentment toward Hannah, Ruby turned, hoisted her dress, and retreated stone-faced. ¡°Did you get the shot?¡± The man hoisted his camera, replying, ¡°Yes, do you want this in tomorrow¡¯s paper, or would you prefer to use it as leverage against his girlfriend?¡± Ruby¡¯s fists clenched at the thought of Hannah. ¡°Send the picture to me first. I have my ns. ¡± ¡°Since Eliana introduced us, I¡¯ll give you a 20% discount this time. ¡± Without a word, Ruby transferred the funds. The man checked his phone, his eyebrows lifting. ¡°If you need simr services in the future, let me know. I¡¯ll offer you a repeat customer discount. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Impatiently, she gestured for him to leave, unaware of the smug smile that crept onto his face. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ That evening, Hannah and two others returned to the hotel. Bryson joined them for dinner after wrapping up his work. ¡°By the way, how¡¯s your projecting along?¡± As Bryson talked about the project over dinner, Hannah gave him a reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve secured someone dependable for the task. All is well. ¡± Ding! Ding! Ding! Just then, Hannah¡¯s phone rang. She picked it up and swiped the screen to unlock it. A multimedia message appeared, sent from an unknown number. Who even sent MMS these days? Driven by curiosity, Hannah tapped on the message and a picture revealed itself. She was taken aback. The woman in the image was holding onto Bryson! Hannah knew her. It was Ruby, the same woman who had approached Bryson earlier. Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. Chapter 566 ¡°Is something the matter, Hannah?¡± Lydia, seated across from her, noticed the sudden shift in Hannah¡¯s expression. ¡°What did you just see?¡± Next to Hannah, Bryson also turned to her, inquiring, ¡°Is everything okay?¡± ¡°Nothing to worry about. ¡± With a calm demeanor, Hannah shut off her phone. ¡°It¡¯s just some spam. Let¡¯s get back to our meal. ¡± In a dimly lit corner, Ruby sat with Eliana, her eyes fixed on Hannah, brimming with jealousy. Eliana, elegantly slicing her steak, reassured her. ¡°Don¡¯t stress. I foresaw her reaction. She may be tough to handle, but even a hint of doubt can fracture her trust in Mr. Mitchell. Plus, we have that photo. If she dismisses it, we can always leak it to the press. It will tarnish both his reputation and their rtionship. ¡± Eliana patted Ruby¡¯s handfortingly. ¡°Patience, my dear. If she doesn¡¯t react by tonight, then we go to the media. ¡± Ruby clenched her jealousy and furiously cut into her steak. ¡°Bryson will be mine, sooner orter!¡± ¡°Absolutely. ¡± Eliana¡¯s voice dripped with allure.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You¡¯re every bit as remarkable as Hannah. Mr. Mitchell won¡¯t easily forget you. ¡± After the meal, everyone returned to their rooms. Lydia and Grace were already exhausted, and they called it a night after freshening up. Following her shower, Hannah stepped out of her room to handle some business matters. Out of the blue, she received a cooperation proposal on herptop,ing from Bryson. Hannah grabbed her phone and texted him. ¡°Still awake?¡± Reading her message, Bryson grinned before typing back. ¡°Aren¡¯t you up too? Get some sleep. Don¡¯t wear yourself out. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah responded. After exiting WhatsApp, she opened the photo in the received multimedia message. Chapter 567 Even if it was just a ploy by that woman, she couldn¡¯t deny the twinge of emotion it stirred within her. Gazing at the person in the image, she had full faith in Bryson. However, Ruby was clearly trying to agitate her. If Hannah took the bait, she¡¯d be walking right into a trap. With this realization, she deleted the photo, shut herptop, and retreated to her bedroom. ¡°Help¡± A muffled cry appeared to drift in from the outside. Without realizing it, Hannah gazed through the ss window. The clock had struck midnight, and darkness nketed the seaside. The moon cast a shimmering glow upon the ocean. At first, she brushed it off as noise from the next room. Then, it dawned on her. Bryson¡¯s room was adjacent to hers. How could such a sound emanate from there? ¡°Help¡­ Help! I¡¯m dying!¡± The cries persisted, pulling her back to reality. Recalling the day¡¯s photo, her heart began to race. She wanted to trust Bryson, but she couldn¡¯t be sure if the voice was male or female. Without a second thought, she stepped outside and headed toward Bryson¡¯s suite. She wanted rity, not confrontation. Bang! Bang! Bang! She tapped Lightly on the door. Soon, a voice emanated from behind it, asking tersely, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± ¡°I¡¯m still up. Can you open the door?¡± Noticing Bryson¡¯s hesitation, Hannah bit her lip and started to say, ¡°If you¡¯re busy, then I¡¯ll just¡­¡± Before she couldplete her sentence, Bryson¡¯s door swung open, revealing a soft yellow glow from within. v Seeing her standing there in her pajamas, Bryson ushered her inside, asking, ¡°Why are you out here in such light clothing? Aren¡¯t you cold?¡± Bryson inquired if Hannah felt chilly, draping his coat over her shoulders. ¡°Is something bothering you?¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Caught between the room¡¯s warm ambiance and Bryson¡¯s kindness, Hannah hesitated, unsure if she should bring up the minor issue. Noticing her uncertainty, Bryson gently guided her arm and led her to the sofa. ¡°Something on your mind?¡± Chapter 568 ¡°I got a multimedia message at the restaurant today,¡± Hannah began, retrieving the already-deleted photo on her phone. ¡°It was sent to me. ¡± Upon seeing the photo, Bryson¡¯s brows furrowed instantly. ¡°Yes, she did hug me, but I pushed her away immediately. ¡± ¡°I believe you. ¡± Hannah quickly reassured him. ¡°That¡¯s why I deleted the photo. But earlier, I heard cries for helping from your room¡­ That¡¯s why I feltpelled to check. ¡± Bryson appeared taken aback. ¡°You heard that too? I thought my ears were ying tricks on me. Ruby approached me today, wanting to speak privately in my room. I refused her entry, but she hugged me outside, and that¡¯s when the photo was taken. ¡± Clearly exasperated, Bryson removed his gold-rimmed sses, pinched the bridge of his nose, and confessed, ¡°I thought you were her when you knocked tonight, which is why I initially didn¡¯t answer the door. ¡± So that was what happened. Everything fell into ce, except for the mysterious voice. Hannah rose and walked toward the ss window in Bryson¡¯s room. Suddenly, she spotted two dark figures in the ocean. ¡°Bryson! Do you see that? Are there people out there in the ocean? Are they calling for help?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Without a second¡¯s dy, Bryson rushed to the window and joined Hannah. His eyes too caught sight of the two moving ck dots in the water. ¡°Could they be swimming?¡± Bryson scrutinized the scene. ¡°We are at a resort. Night swimming wouldn¡¯t be unusual. ¡± As Hannah watched the Light shimmer on the water¡¯s surface, a sinking feeling overwhelmed her. ¡°It looks like one person is floating, being pulled back by another!¡± ¡°Are you certain of what you¡¯re seeing?¡± Bryson quickly put on his sses and peered out the window. While the soft glow of the moon bathed the sea, it didn¡¯t appear as vivid to him as it did to Hannah. Noting that Hannah remained silent, consumed by her anxious gaze toward the ocean, Bryson grasped her hand. Chapter 569 ¡°Let¡¯s go check it out downstairs. We should bring the hotel¡¯s security team with us. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± They alerted the hotel¡¯s security personnel. Upon hearing about a potential drowning, the security team promptly joined Hannah and Bryson, rushing to the shoreline. But they found the sea empty. Three guards, all strong swimmers, ventured far into the water before returning empty-handed. The chief of security dashed up to Hannah, wiping his wet face. ¡°Mr. Moore, we found no one. We covered a great distance and saw no one in the water. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed. She wasn¡¯t the only one who¡¯d heard the cry for help; Bryson had heard it too. It was real. As Hannah ryed the mysterious call for help, the security guard looked puzzled. ¡°Could it have been from a TV show or a movie someone was watching?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. ¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°We¡¯re the only residents on that floor. No one was watching any shows or movies. ¡± Scratching his head, the security guard gazed out at the expansive sea. ¡°If someone had actually drowned, we should have spotted them during our swim¡­ Besides, the windows upstairs would reflect light. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Could you have been mistaken, Miss Moore?¡± It was a possibility, but Hannah couldn¡¯t shake her unease. Sensing Hannah¡¯s difort, Bryson took her hand. ¡°Are there any surveince cameras on the beach?¡± The security guard appeared somewhat embarrassed. ¡°The resort is newly opened. Even the hotel¡¯s cameras were just recently installed.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . There are none on the beach. Also, no one has ever drowned here; there are no sudden waves, and non-swimmers wouldn¡¯t venture that far out. ¡± In the end, their efforts yielded no answers. Bryson led Hannah back upstairs to the hotel. Instead of escorting her to her own room, he guided her to his. ¡°You can stay in my room tonight. I have work to do outside. Call me if you need anything. ¡± Chapter 570 After making sure Hannah wasfortable, Bryson gently touched her head. ¡°Get some sleep. ¡± Just as he was about to exit, Hannah suddenly grabbed his hand, her fingers icy cold. ¡°Could you stay¡­ and keep mepany?¡± Noticing Hannah¡¯s vulnerability, Bryson instantly agreed, ¡°Alright, Lie down. I¡¯ll be right back with myptop. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± With the soft bedside light on, Hannah felt a sense of relief seeing Bryson settle onto the sofa beside her bed. Gazing at the night sky through the French windows, Hannah let her eyes drift shut. The soft sound of keystrokes lulled her into a slumber. Engrossed in his work, Bryson nced up now and then, smiling each time he saw Hannah¡¯s peaceful face. Yet, Hannah¡¯s sleep was far from restful. Her mind took her back to her teenage years, to a moment when she had fallen into the ocean. The water was icy, its saltiness invading her mouth! Frantically, she fought, but it felt like a cage closed over her, leaving her gasping for air!! The urgency to surface overwhelmed her! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Help! Help!¡± ¡°Hannah! Hannah!¡± A forceful tug yanked her from her nightmarish dream back to reality. Her eyes flew open, her hand clutching her throat as she coughed uncontrobly, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°Hannah! Are you alright? What happened?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Seated at the edge of the bed, Bryson¡¯sposure shattered. He seized her shoulders, examining her intently. ¡°No¡­ Ahem! I¡¯m okay. ¡± Inhaling deeply, Hannah met Bryson¡¯s gaze. The sensation of suffocation she¡¯d felt in her dream seemed all too real. ¡°I dreamt I was drowning and couldn¡¯t breathe¡­¡± Chapter 571 ¡°You gave me quite the scare. ¡± Relieved to see Hannah was okay, Bryson¡¯s hand, clutching hers, trembled. ¡°You were grabbing at your throat!¡± Quickly, Hannah released her hand from her neck, her heart still racing. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since I had a dream like that. . Her mind returned to the dream, where it was Bryson who had saved her from the watery depths multiple times. She Looked at him intently and posed a question. ¡°Bryson, did you ever rescue someone from the ocean when you were younger?¡± Perched on the edge of Hannah¡¯s bed, Bryson offered her a cup of warm water. He pondered for a moment, then shook his head, dering, ¡°No. ¡± Piecing together Hannah¡¯s earlier words, Bryson realized she had been submerged in water. ¡°You ended up in the water when Grace was abducted in Muvrand. Have you ever nearly drowned before that day?¡± epting the cup from Bryson, Hannah didn¡¯t shy away from admitting her past drowning experience.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°It was a long time ago. I was just a kid. After being pulled out of the ocean, I developed a fear of it. ¡± ¡°Did today frighten you?¡± Rubbing her forehead, Hannah admitted, ¡°It¡¯s been years since I felt like this. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Drawing her into aforting embrace, Bryson assured her, ¡°I¡¯m right here. You won¡¯t suffer from any nightmares tonight. ¡± As she nestled closer to Bryson, Hannah found sce in his minty fragrance. Soon, she drifted off to sleep beside him. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ncing at Hannah¡¯s peaceful visage, Bryson gently caressed her cheek and whispered, ¡°The time isn¡¯t right for you to know what happened back then. ¡± Unaware of his words, Hannah remained in her tranquil slumber. Come early morning, the ringtone of her cellphone jolted Hannah awake. Groping blindly for the device, she answered the call, still half- asleep. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Hannah! Where are you? Grace and I can¡¯t find you. ¡± Startled awake by Lydia¡¯s urgent voice, Hannah rolled over, stifling a yawn as she responded, ¡°I¡¯m in Bryson¡¯s room. ¡± Pausing briefly, Lydia¡¯s tone mellowed. ¡°Did I interrupt something? Chapter 572 I¡¯ll hang up. ¡± ¡°No. ¡± Hannah sat upright and rified, ¡°I had a nightmare, so I spent the night in Bryson¡¯s room. Nothing happened between us.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Aware of Hannah¡¯s traumatic past, Lydia realized the significance of the nightmare. She inquired, ¡°Are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a doctor myself. It was just a nightmare. No need to worry over me. ¡± ¡°Alright then, get yourself ready. I¡¯ll take Grace to breakfast downstairs. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah freshened up in the bathroom. Emerging, she noticed Bryson engrossed in work outside. ¡°You¡¯re up?¡± Switching off hisputer, Bryson looked up at Hannah. ¡°Hungry? How about we grab some breakfast downstairs?¡± Hannah nodded in agreement. ¡°Sure. ¡± As Lydia and Grace entered the hotel¡¯s restaurant, they chanced upon Eliana and Ruby in what appeared to be a heated argument. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Intrigued, Lydia couldn¡¯t resist. Grasping Grace¡¯s hand, Lydia guided her closer. ¡°Follow me!¡± ¡°iihere are we going, Lydia?¡± Lydia brought Grace near Eliana and Ruby, cing a finger on her lips to signal silence. ¡°Let¡¯s eavesdrop on their conversation. ¡± Oblivious to their presence, Eliana and Ruby continued their dispute. Frustration etched Eliana¡¯s usuallyposed face. ¡°If you walk away now, all we¡¯ve done is for nothing. Don¡¯t you still have feelings for Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t focus on that right now. I just want to get back to Valmere!¡± Ruby¡¯s tone tinged with urgency. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it when Brysones back to Valmere. ¡± Confused by Ruby¡¯s sudden change of heart, Eliana challenged her. Chapter 573 ¡°If you¡¯re quitting so easily, why¡¯d you evene here? Why ask for my help? Go on then, leave. Mr. Mitchell and Hannah are getting closer by the day. Miss this opportunity and you can ki*s him goodbye. ¡± Scoffing at Ruby, Eliana added, ¡°nning on stepping in after they¡¯re married? If that¡¯s how you n, we¡¯ve got nothing more to discuss. ¡± Tired of the pointless argument, Eliana stood up to leave. Ruby quickly followed her out. Perplexed, Grace looked up at Lydia. ¡°They¡¯ve left. Should we follow them?¡± ¡°Ahem!¡± Lydia cleared her throat. If Hannah found out she wasn¡¯t setting a good example for Grace, she¡¯d catch hell. Quickly, she cautioned Grace, ¡°Don¡¯t let Hannah know we were snooping. If you do mention it to her, just say we overheard them. Got it?¡± Although still a bit puzzled, Grace nodded vigorously. ¡°Understood. I won¡¯t say we were eavesdropping. ¡± Upon hearing this, Lydia grinned, saying, ¡°Well done. How about we grab some breakfast?¡± They spent some time enjoying a meal in the ground-floor dining area before Hannah and Bryson finally made their appearance. With a wave of her hand, Lydia beckoned them to take seats next to her. Observing them both, she inquired, ¡°What¡¯s kept you two? Have you been¡­¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Watch it, or I¡¯ll poke your eyes out!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Waving her fork yfully, Hannah cut her off. ¡°Eat your breakfast, will you?¡± Midway through the meal, Bryson¡¯s phone buzzed with a video call. He excused himself to attend to work matters, leaving the trio behind. Shaking her head, Lydia let out a sigh. ¡°The guy¡¯s so busy. Even with Brayden back in Valmere lending a hand, he¡¯s still overwhelmed. ¡± Hannah simply smiled and took a leisurely sip of her milk. ¡°Speaking of which,¡± Lydia began, sharing what she overheard with Hannah. ¡°See? They showed up here intentionally. I told you so, didn¡¯t I? No way it¡¯s a coincidence that they¡¯re at the same resort as us. ¡± Chapter 574 ¡°It¡¯s no big deal if they did. I haveplete faith in Bryson,¡± Hannah assured her. Grace chimed in, supporting Hannah.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°If my brother ever does you wrong, know that I¡¯ll stand by you. But I can¡¯t believe how awful they are! Who would¡¯ve thought Ruby would turn out this way?¡± Gently patting Grace¡¯s head, Hannah remarked, ¡°That¡¯s not the main issue though. Last night, I discovered some safety concerns here at the resort. The beach areacks security cameras, and they haven¡¯t hired any professional lifeguards. I¡¯ll need to report this to the relevant staff at White Group. ¡± Resting her chin in her palm, Lydia sighed and turned to Grace. ¡°Looks like you and I are the only ones actually vacationing. These two are all business since they got here. ¡± Pinching Lydia¡¯s cheek, Hannah warned, ¡°No leading Grace down the wrong path, you hear?¡± After finishing their breakfast, the three of them headed back upstairs, all smiles andughter. However, they were stopped by the receptionist. ¡°Miss Moore, there¡¯s a fireworks disy by the sea tonight. Don¡¯t miss it. ¡± ¡°Fireworks disy?¡± Grace bubbled with enthusiasm. ¡°What time does it start?¡± Wearing a professional smile, the receptionist replied, ¡°The showmences promptly at 7:30 this evening. It¡¯s our first fireworks disy since the resort opened by the sea. The manager specifically wanted me to inform you, Miss Moore, in case you have any suggestions for improvement. ¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Hannah responded. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°We¡¯ll make sure to be there on time. ¡± The three of them retreated to their rooms. At the French window, Hannah gazed at the sea beyond. The night before, she had spotted two figures in the water. Today, however, the sea teemed with swimmers. Had anyone perished, their body would have surely been discovered by now. ¡°What are you staring at? Ready to head downstairs?¡± Lydia came over and gave Hannah a gentle pat on the shoulder. ¡°I saw an amusement park listed in the brochure. How about we go check it out?¡± Snapping back to reality, Hannah shouldered her backpack. ¡°Sounds good, let¡¯s go. ¡± Once they reached the amusement park, Hannah thought of jotting down some notes but couldn¡¯t locate her pen. Chapter 575 ¡°Why not just use your phone? Scribbling in a notebook is such a hassle. ¡±ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Sometimes I end up deleting work files. I¡¯d hate to identally erase my observations,¡± Hannah exined, tucking her notebook back into her bag. ¡°Can you help me keep track of things today? Share your thoughtster. ¡± The sprawling amusement park had clearly been well-constructed. Lydia and Grace stayed until sundown. ¡°I only urged you to try more rides so you could get the full experience,¡± Lydia said, munching on some bread. ¡°I¡¯m absolutely famished. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m amazed at you two, Hannah said. ¡°ying non-stop from noon till night. ¡± Lydia grinned, still relishing the experience. ¡°Though it¡¯s not packed with visitors, it¡¯s a charming spot. The vibe is fantastic too. I¡¯m confident it¡¯ll drawrger crowds down the line. ¡± Hannah nodded, then hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m just concerned about their fire safety measures. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°There you go again, all business,¡± Lydia joked, giving Hannah¡¯s shoulder a yful shake. ¡°Shall we draft you a formal report on our day of fun?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re keen on writing one, be my guest,¡± Hannah retorted. ¡°Oh no, Ipletely forgot!¡± Grace checked her phone, eyes widening in panic. ¡°It¡¯s already 7:10! We¡¯ll miss the fireworks if we don¡¯t hurry!¡± Hannah pulled out her phone and announced, ¡°I¡¯m going to call your brother and tell him to join us right away. ¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get moving!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll arrive in about ten minutes. ¡± The firework disy lured numerous tourists into the night Chapter 576 Though it was just seven twenty, a sizable crowd had already gathered around the seaside grandstand. Rather than joining those at the grandstand, Hannah and her friends chose to stand on the beach, like most of the tourists, to view the fireworks. By seven-thirty, the sky abruptly came to life! Bang! Bang! Bang!! The echoes of fireworks persisted, as radiant and vivid pyrotechnics soared and exploded in a coordinated dance above the sea. ¡°It¡¯s absolutely stunning! I love it!¡± Grace was particrly captivated by the firework disy, watching it intently. Certain fireworks even morphed into shapes and words, eliciting collective gasps of awe from the crowd. Engulfed in the spectacle, the atmosphere was punctuated by Laughter and cheers. A grin graced Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°Taking a leisurely walk like this isn¡¯t so bad,¡± Bryson noted. In response, Hannah nced at him. ¡°The times when I¡¯m busy with work don¡¯t reallypare to how rxed I feel now. ¡± ¡°Hannah!! Look up! See the panda?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Lifting her gaze, Hannah spotted a vibrant firework pattern of a panda munching on bamboo. The disy was indeed inventive. Just as everyone was engrossed in the spectacle, a scream cut through their joyful murmurs. ¡°Abhh!¡± ¡°What was that?¡± Screams of terror multiplied, until someone in the crowd yelled, ¡°A body! There¡¯s a body floating in the sea! Oh my god!¡± Instantly, the crowd that had been enjoying the fireworks scattered in all directions. Hannah turned her gaze to the sea just as the sky was aze with fireworks. Her eyes widened at the sight of a lifeless body bobbing with the iing tide.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Somebody¡¯s dead! This is bad!¡± ¡°A person has lost their life! How did this happen?¡± ¡°Run, everyone! Move quickly!¡± Panic surged through the crowd. People sprinted away, fearful of what was drifting ashore. Chapter 577 Lydia quickly seized Grace¡¯s hand, urging her to turn away and shield her eyes from the grim scene. Hannah instructed Lydia without missing a beat, ¡°Get Grace out of here and keep her safe!¡± ¡°Will do. You and Bryson watch yourselves!¡± The resort staff, who had been in charge of the fireworks, also dropped everything and raced toward themotion. The hotel manager arrived, panting and visibly shaken. Upon seeing the body, he went pale. ¡°What the hell is happening?¡± Hannah responded, unflinchingly, ¡°Contact the authorities.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . No one leaves or enters until they arrive. And keep everyone away from the body until then. ¡± Regaining hisposure, the manager nodded and quickly ordered someone to call the police. Law enforcement arrived promptly, bringing along forensic experts. The body was recovered from the water and examined right there on the beach. Hannah and Bryson were momentarily set aside for questioning by the police. After they had recounted their version of events and found their statements aligned with the hotel staff, they were allowed to return to the hotel. ¡®s BunnyBookery On seeing them, Lydia breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Are you two alright?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°We¡¯re only back temporarily. They¡¯ll continue questioning everyone here, likely until the morning. ¡± Hannah looked at Bryson and said, ¡°It appears I wasn¡¯t mistakenst night. There were both a living person and a corpse in the water. ¡± Bryson¡¯s brow knitted together. ¡°If someone went into the ocean for a rescue, they wouldn¡¯t have just abandoned the body there. ¡± A surge of dread washed over Hannah. This could not be happening. Their beach resort had just opened its doors. A murder case could ruin everything. Reading her apprehension, Bryson softly gripped her hand and reassured her. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Reach out to the White Group¡¯s public rtions team and have them prepare for what¡¯sing. ¡± Grasping his intent, Hannah nodded. ¡°If this does turn out to be a murder, I won¡¯t conceal the truth. My conscience won¡¯t allow it. ¡± Chapter 578 Suddenly, a knock resounded at the door. Bryson strode over and swung it open, revealing two uniformed officers.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Is Miss Moore present?¡± Hannah approached Bryson and replied, ¡°That would be me. Do you need a statement from me?¡± The officers nced at Hannah and confirmed, ¡°Indeed, we¡¯d like to discuss something privately with you. Would you mind joining us at the restaurant below?¡± ¡°Very well,¡± she agreed. Hannah descended the stairs alone, escorted by the officers. Two officers were already there, waiting. ¡°Before we proceed, there¡¯s something you need to see,¡± said one of the officers, handing her a faded parking receipt. ¡°Does this belong to you?¡± Examining the receipt, Hannah affirmed, ¡°Yes, we received this when we parked here. ¡± ¡°The receipt was found on the body. This gives us reason to believe you may be connected to the man¡¯s death. ¡± Hannah was taken aback, unprepared for this turn of events. ¡°Are you certain he was murdered?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Instead of answering directly, the other officer slid a photograph across the table. ¡°Recognize this man?¡± Hannah inspected the unfamiliar face and shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve neverid eyes on him. ¡± ¡°Does this picture look familiar?¡± The second officer presented another photograph. Hannah recognized this one. Pulling out her phone, she disyed a matching photo. ¡°I received this image from an unknown number. ¡± After a meticulousparison, the officer handed her phone back. ¡°This photograph was recovered from a camera found around the deceased man¡¯s neck. ¡± ¡°still, I have no idea who he is,¡± Hannah asserted, her tone detached. Chapter 579 ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him around. I don¡¯t even know how he got a photo of my boyfriend. I only got the picture that night, and it came without any text. ¡± ¡°We regret the inconvenience, Miss Moore, but we¡¯re dealing with a homicide. Please surrender your phone for the investigation and remain here until we¡¯ve uncovered the truth,¡± said the officer. ¡°I understand. ¡± Hannah nodded. Upon returning to her room, everyone gathered around her. ¡°What¡¯s the conclusion? Did he drown while swimming?¡± Bryson cast a concerned nce at Hannah. ¡°Why don¡¯t you give her some space? Head back to your room for now. ¡± Feeling reassured by Bryson¡¯s presence, Lydia agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll head back with Grace. ¡± Once the room fell silent, Bryson took a seat next to Hannah. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Any issues with the officers?¡± ¡°They found my parking lot receipt in his pocket, and¡­¡± Hannah hesitated, then met Bryson¡¯s eyes. ¡°They also discovered a camera and a photo of you. The deceased was the one who secretly snapped that picture of you. ¡± Bryson quickly grasped the implication. ¡°So, they¡¯re suspecting you?¡± ¡°He had the photo meant to ckmail you, and my parking receipt. Right now, I¡¯m their prime suspect. It¡¯s hard for them not to be. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Bryson picked up his phone, spoke briefly into it, and hung up. ¡°I¡¯ll have my team work with the police on this. If someone¡¯s trying to frame you, they won¡¯t get away with it. ¡± Simultaneously, a knock resounded on Ruby¡¯s door. Her heart pounding, Ruby took a moment to collect herself before opening the door. Eliana stood outside. Upon seeing Eliana, Ruby grew agitated. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Why not use this moment to make a move on Mr. Mitchell?¡± Eliana suggested. ¡°Is that all you can think of?¡± Chapter 580 Adrenaline surged through Ruby. Her thoughts scattered. She wanted nothing more than to leave. Eliana sensed Ruby¡¯s distress. ¡°Why are we here? Have you forgotten? Now¡¯s the time to win him over. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re insufferable. I can¡¯t stand you anymore!¡± In a burst of emotion, Ruby yelled at Eliana. ¡°This is all your fault! That¡¯s why I can¡¯t leave! Get out!¡± Caught off guard, Eliana grew anxious. ¡°What does this have to do with me? How could I know someone would die? I¡¯m trying to help you, Ruby!¡± Just as their argument escted, police officers appeared at their door. ¡°We apologize for the interruption,dies. Please cooperate with our investigation. ¡± Upon seeing the officers, both women immediately subdued their emotions and followed them downstairs. The officers began their routine questioning. However, Eliana¡¯s reaction to a photograph of the deceased aroused their suspicion. ¡°Do you recognize this man?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Almost reflexively, Eliana responded, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him before. ¡± Ruby, sitting beside Eliana, clenched her fists and shuddered subtly. ¡°Take a closer look. Are you sure you don¡¯t know him?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t met the guy!¡± Noticing the odd reactions, the officers exchanged nces before pressing on with their questioning.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You need to be honest with us about whether you know this man. Hiding the truth will result in you apanying us to the station. ¡± ¡°My goodness!¡± Eliana¡¯s expression shifted dramatically. Should Den discover this, her reputation would be tarnished. Feeling cornered, Eliana decided toe clean before Den found out. Chapter 581 I¡¯m acquainted with him. I introduced him to Ruby. ¡± Caught off guard, Ruby swiftly turned around and shot Eliana a hostile look. ¡°Look, like it or not, we have to clear the air. We can¡¯t risk getting hauled off to the station. Do you understand?¡± Addressing the officers, Eliana rified, ¡°The truth is, we do know him. He¡¯s a private investigator. We hired him to discreetly snap photos of someone at the hotel. I have no qualms about disclosing this. ¡± With no alternative, Ruby then shared the details of how Eliana had introduced her to the man. When it was over, Ruby grumbled at Eliana, ¡°I told you I didn¡¯t want toe, but you kept pushing me. Now look what¡¯s happened. ¡± The officers, realizing the situation didn¡¯t directly involve them and witnessing the ongoing bickering, decided to release the two women. As they headed back to their rooms, Eliana noted Ruby¡¯s distraction. ¡°If you¡¯re still pining for him, it¡¯s not toote, you know¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have the energy to discuss this with you right now. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryContent is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Concerned about the recent turn of events, Ruby tersely responded to Eliana, ¡°Considering what¡¯s just urred, how can you even think about that? I¡¯m not as calm as you!¡± Ruby pushed her door open and retreated to her room. Rolling her eyes, Eliana muttered, ¡°Who says I even care about what you think?¡± Approximately thirty minutester, the police arrived to request cooperation from Hannah and the others for their ongoing investigation. Officers from the city¡¯s police department were also present. Catching Bryson¡¯s nod, Hannah sensed what he meant. Silently, Hannah trailed after Bryson, awaiting resolution of the matter. The head of the city¡¯s police department, Alfredo Stevenson, summoned his team for the forensic expert¡¯s findings, then had Hannah and Bryson take seats outside. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Alfredo, well-acquainted with Bryson, scanned the report before turning to Hannah and remarking, ¡°Based on what we¡¯ve got, things don¡¯t look good for you. If I didn¡¯t know Bryson, I¡¯d think you were the culprit. ¡± ¡°Enough with the theatrics. Just tell me what happened,¡± Bryson retorted. Extinguishing his cigarette, Alfredo exhaled a dense cloud of smoke. ¡°ALL we found on him was a receipt with your name. The SD card from his camera is missing. Someone might have wanted to erase some photos. We¡¯ve done some digging, and it seems someone hired him to snap pictures of you. So, theoretically, Miss Moore, you might have had a motive to identally kill him. Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed, prompting Alfredo to lift a hand defensively. ¡°I¡¯m not using her. I¡¯m just speaking logically here. ¡± Chapter 582 At this, Hannah interjected, ¡°When did he die?¡± ¡°Last night, around 11 pm,¡± Alfredo replied. Hannah looked puzzled and turned her gaze to Bryson, who also appeared taken aback. ¡°That rules her out,¡± Bryson said, fixing an icy stare on Alfredo. ¡°We heard someone cry for help at that exact time. I initially thought Hannah was mistaken; we saw two figures in the water. But when we got security to check, nobody was there. ¡± Alfredo lit another cigarette and nced at the report. ¡°Security has corroborated your ount. But we can¡¯t dismiss the possibility of her motive. We¡¯ll do our best to solve this quickly. The crime scene will reopen in two days, and if we don¡¯t have a suspect by then, we¡¯re in a tight spot. ¡± Just then, Lydia, who was standing behind Hannah, blurted out, ¡°Check your phone, Hannah. The top trending news is that a major shareholder of the White Group is under suspicion for murder!¡± Upon checking, Hannah found that the news had indeed gone viral. Her brow creased in concern. This situation remained under investigation, and given that word had spread, it appears the White Group¡¯s PR department could have mishandled it or been derelict in their duty! She showed her phone to Alfredo, saying, ¡°The premature release of the resort murder case is damaging the White Group¡¯s reputation. I trust the police will issue a public statement to rify things. ¡± Lighting another cigarette, Alfredo responded, ¡°Issuing a statement is simple, but it¡¯s evident someone is trying to tarnish your image. Any rification we offer will likely be met with skepticism from the public. We¡¯ll only be able to clear your name once we crack this case. ¡± Feeling drained, Hannah rubbed her temples. Bryson gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll handle the PR fallout, don¡¯t worry about it. ¡± Just then, a policewoman sprinted towards them. ¡°Mr. Stevenson! We¡¯ve got a new lead. Our team pulled a cellphone from the water near where the body was discovered!¡± Alfredo extinguished his cigarette and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s go take a look. ¡± ¡°The dead man¡¯s phone has been waterlogged for over a day. It¡¯s basically useless now. We¡¯ll need our tech team to salvage anything from it. ¡± An officerid the damaged phone on the table, remarking, ¡°Saltwater¡¯s corroded it. Severalponents are damaged. I doubt we¡¯ll extract any clues from this.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah nced at the ruined phone and suddenly offered, ¡°Give me a chance, and some time. I might be able to restore it. ¡± Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s proposition, the police reacted as if she¡¯d spoken of magic. ¡°No. Outsiders can¡¯t interfere with an ongoing investigation. Besides, you¡¯re a suspect. ¡± Interrupting, Alfredo turned to Hannah, inquiring, ¡°You¡¯re confident you can repair this?¡± Chapter 583 ¡°I can¡¯t promise anything,¡± Hannah responded, lifting the phone for closer examination. ¡°But if you give me some time, there¡¯s a chance it can be fixed. In a subdued tone, an officer cautioned Alfredo, ¡°Mr. Stevenson, she¡¯s a suspect and that¡¯s evidence. Allowing her to touch it is a breach of protocol. ¡± ¡°Time¡¯s of the essence, and nobody else can fix it. Keep our tech people here to supervise her. She can¡¯t tamper with evidence under our watchful eyes,¡± Alfredo dered, signaling for them to proceed. ¡°Bryson, step outside with me for a moment. ¡± Bryson cast a final nce at Hannah, who was now holding the phone. After a fleeting eye contact, he followed Alfredo out of the room. In the hallway, Alfredo lit another cigarette and asked, ¡°Any progress on the matter with your mother?¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Bryson¡¯s face was veiled in shadows, obscuring his expression as he replied, ¡°No, not yet. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s been ages since that happened. Any evidence that might have existed is probably long gone,¡± Alfredo noted, taking a drag on his cigarette. He then looked at Bryson with a puzzled expression. ¡°So, you¡¯re settling down with her? I was starting to think you¡¯d remain a single forever. ¡± A chilly look from Bryson was his reply. Alfredo shrugged it off, saying, ¡°Just joking. But be careful. You can¡¯t leverage our rtionship to navigate this situation. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I have no intention of doing so,¡± Bryson stated softly. ¡°She was with me when it happened. She couldn¡¯t possibly be the murderer. ¡± Alfredo shrugged and went on, ¡°I¡¯ll keep digging. Your girlfriend won¡¯t be wrongly used. ¡± Meanwhile, back in the room, Hannah had disassembled the phone, cleaned itsponents, tested them, and methodically put it all back together. The observing officers were bbergasted. Even their tech experts were dumbfounded. Hannah then connected a USB cable from the repaired phone to aptop. A collective breath was held. If this worked, it would be miraculous! After an agonizing wait, the phone¡¯s screen flickered to life! Someone couldn¡¯t help but shout, ¡°It¡¯s a miracle! Absolutely incredible!¡± Hannah leisurely transferred all the phone¡¯s data to theptop. Setting the phone down, she used the mouse to open the photo gallery. In it were countless pictures, some covertly taken and others taken openly. Among them were also recent photos of Bryson. Chapter 584 As Hannah browsed through the images, the officers behind her scrutinized them as well. ¡°Stop right there!¡± a policewoman suddenly eximed. ¡°Scroll upwards a bit!¡± Hannah scrolled the photo upwards using the mouse. Pointing at theptop screen, the policewoman said, ¡°Notice the timestamp. This is a moonlit beach photo taken around 10 PM the night beforest. ¡± Upon closer inspection, Hannah found the policewoman was correct. The man had been alive at that point, confirming that she¡¯d heard his call for help afterward.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Finding no further significant clues in the photos, Hannah clicked open his WhatsApp. To everyone¡¯s dismay, there were no relevant messages. Just as disappointment filled the room, Hannah lifted a finger. ¡°I can attempt to recover the WhatsApp chat history. Just give me a moment. ¡± Minutes passed as Hannah focused intently on the Laptop, her fingers dancing across the keyboard, yet the chat history remained elusive. ¡°Having trouble?¡± ¡°Recovery might not be possible when phone apps are being managed viaputer, right?¡± Hannah quickly typed out a message in a new dialog box, sending the dead man¡¯s information to an unknown contact. ¡°Can you help me recover his WhatsApp conversations?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A swift reply appeared on the screen. ¡°Working on it now. ¡± In less than 20 minutes, a new message popped up on theptop. ¡°The chat history is back. Take a Look. ¡± Upon reading the message, Hannah reopened the dead man¡¯s WhatsApp. ¡°Something seems off about hisst conversation. ¡± Realizing the gravity of her discovery, she promptly stood up and announced, ¡°I¡¯ll leave this in your hands. ¡± The police tech officer quickly took a seat and began reviewing the chat logs of the dead man. ¡°If you fork over another 30@ grand, I¡¯ll let the matter rest and won¡¯t distribute the photo. ¡± ¡°You snap one photo and I¡¯ve already coughed up 100 grand! Enough is enough! You think you can gouge me like this? Chapter 585 ¡°Ma¡¯am, don¡¯t get worked up. This isn¡¯t price gouging. It¡¯s hush money. The chat abruptly ended there. The following day, a WhatsApp message came through in the evening. ¡°Avable tonight? Meet me at the beach at 10 p. m. I¡¯ll bring the check. ¡± The dead man responded without hesitation, ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be there on time!¡± Once they had ess to his WhatsApp, the police quickly verified Hannah¡¯s ount. It was clear she hadn¡¯t been the onemunicating with the dead man and had no secondary WhatsApp ount. Next, they asked everyone in the hotel to show their own WhatsApp ounts for verification. The moment Hannah exited the restaurant, Bryson approached her. ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡± ¡°It¡¯s under control. We¡¯ve recovered the WhatsApp conversations and identified the ount who was messaging himst night,¡± Hannah assured him, smiling. ¡°No need to worry about me. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Alfredo chimed in jokingly, ¡°You seem quite skilled. How about we exchange contact info? If our tech team hits a snag in the future, I¡¯ll know who to call. ¡± Hannah nced at Alfredo and retorted, ¡°Sorry, but if you want me to fix phones, it¡¯s going to cost you. ¡± Alfredo shook his head and said to Bryson, ¡°No wonder you¡¯re smitten with her. She¡¯s as challenging as you are. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Mr. Stevenson, we think we¡¯ve found the individual who was in contact with the dead man via WhatsApp!¡± A police officer called out. Tossing his cigarette aside, Alfredo said, ¡°Time to get to work. ¡± Just as he departed, Hannah¡¯s phone buzzed. It was a call from Jalen. As soon as she picked up, an enthusiastic voice came through. ¡°Hannah! Grandpa¡¯s awake!¡± Hannah was mildly stunned. ¡°Really? Get a medical evaluation done on him. I¡¯ll head back as soon as I can!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve had the doctor give Grandpa a thorough examination. He is recovering well now. ¡± The soft click of a closing door sounded from Jalen¡¯s end of the line. ¡°Grandpa just regained consciousness but he¡¯s still frail. He can¡¯t talk to us right now. ¡± Chapter 586 Jalen¡¯s voice wavered slightly as he added, ¡°I haven¡¯t informed Grandpa about youing back yet. I¡¯m concerned it might overwhelm him emotionally. I¡¯ll let him know in a few days. ¡± Hannah responded, ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll drop by when he¡¯s stronger. ¡± ¡°By the way, how are things on your end?¡± Jalen asked. ¡°Our PR department has managed to quiet down the trending issue. ¡± Hannah replied, ¡°The police have identified the suspect. We should be heading back soon. ¡± Initially anxious, Jalen sighed in relief after hearing Hannah¡¯s words, ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll discuss further when you return. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah turned to Bryson and said with a sigh, ¡°Looks like I can¡¯t go back to Valmere anytime soon. My grandfather¡¯s just woken up. ¡± ¡°I heard it just now. ¡± Bryson tried to soothe her. ¡°I have business in Hoijery for the next few days, so Grace and I will keep youpany. ¡± Hannahid her hand on Bryson¡¯s shoulder and grinned. ¡°You¡¯re the CEO of a major corporation. nning on marrying into my family to keep mepany?¡± Bryson, who had been stressed all day, chuckled at Hannah¡¯s Light- hearted remark. ¡°If you want me to marry into your family, that¡¯s fine for me. I don¡¯t mind being a househusband. ¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°In your dreams!¡± Hannah yfully jabbed at Bryson. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Later, they encountered the alleged culprit. Hannah was taken aback. Ruby? Everyone in the room seemed stunned, but Den appeared most shocked of all. He had recently taken Eliana and her so-called friend on a vacation. But who would have thought that Eliana¡¯s friend was capable of murder? With her hands bound in handcuffs, Ruby sat sullenly to one side, a far cry from her initial appearance of innocence. ¡°Damn it? Are you kidding me?¡± Lydia was incredulous upon seeing Ruby. ¡°Is it really her?¡± When Ruby looked up and locked eyes with Hannah, she mocked, ¡°Feeling satisfied?¡± Chapter 587 Perplexed, Hannah furrowed her brows but remained silent¡­ Alfredo stepped in to rify, ¡°She confessed to the murder when we showed her the evidence.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°It seems her aplice ckmailed her for more money, threatening to expose her to Bryson. Afraid and cash-strapped, Ruby Lured him to the coast and killed him. She took his phone but couldn¡¯t crack the password. So, she tossed it into the sea, thinking she had concealed her crime. ¡± Eliana was shocked that Ruby would go to such extremes over something so minor. However, her concern was that she¡¯d lost another ally against Hannah. With the perpetrator identified, police were set to escort Ruby away. Just then, she requested a private word with Hannah. Blocking her path, Bryson icily dered, ¡°Not happening. ¡± Ruby sneered, ¡°Oh, Mr. Mitchell, scared I¡¯ll spill your dirty little secrets? Or that I¡¯ll harm Miss Moore while handcuffed?¡± She then red at Hannah. ¡°So, you don¡¯t have the guts to speak with me one-on-one?¡± Hannah lightly squeezed Bryson¡¯s arm and reassured him. ¡°It¡¯s fine. We¡¯re not alone, and she¡¯s restrained. She can¡¯t harm me. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Outside on the sandy shore, Ruby kicked at the sand, utterly unfazed by her impending incarceration Hannah watched her, unimpressed. ¡°You imed you had something to say?¡± Ruby met Hannah¡¯s eyes and grinned. ¡°You really believe what¡¯s before you?¡± Noticing Hannah¡¯s silence, Ruby continued scuffing the sand. ¡°You think you know Bryson? Believe the Mitchell family is as straightforward as they seem? Has he opened up about his family, his mother¡¯s passing, his sister¡¯s incurable illness from poisoning, the whole Mitchell narrative?¡± Hannah calmly responded, ¡°He¡¯s told me all about it. ¡± Abruptly, Ruby burst into deranged Laughter, tears streaming down her face. ¡°He¡¯s fooled you! How could he ever tell you the truth? Even the Mitchell family¡¯s public narrative is a lie! Why, you ask? Because he¡¯s too cowardly to face his own sordid history. Think he¡¯s as innocent as he portrays? I¡¯ll have you know, if you stay with him, you¡¯re on a one-way trip to hell! Just Like me!¡± Ruby Locked eyes with Hannah. Chapter 588 Hannah grinned openly. ¡°I¡¯m already in one hell. What¡¯s another to fear? Ruby Green, if you¡¯re feigning madness to seek a pardon ormutation of your sentence, you¡¯re going about it all wrong. ¡± Smirking, Ruby said, ¡°Azalea Apartment, Room 6203. The key¡¯s under the carpet. You¡¯ll find something intriguing in there. ¡± With that, she sprinted toward the sea and leapt in. Hannah gasped and yelled for help. When the authorities fished Ruby out, she was unconscious and looked rather pathetic. Bryson nced anxiously at Hannah. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Hannah shook her head, her mind racing back to Ruby¡¯s cryptic words. Alfredo ordered his men to take Ruby away and turned to Hannah. ¡°What made her jump?¡± Casually, Hannah lied, ¡°She said she¡¯d rather die than get caught, so she jumped into the sea. ¡± ¡°Understood. The perimeter¡¯s clear. You can leave now. Bryson, I¡¯m off. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Still concerned, Bryson asked, ¡°Are you truly okay? Should we go to the hospital?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With a reassuring pat, Hannah said, ¡°I¡¯m good. No worries. Let¡¯s head back and pack. We need to move downtown. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Relieved that Hannah seemed fine, Bryson held her hand as they walked away. sping Bryson¡¯s warm hand, Hannah found herself ncing at his profile.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Sensing her silence, Bryson turned to her and asked, ¡°What did Ruby tell you? You seem lost in thought. ¡± ¡°Nothing much. She only mentioned that she had no desire to harm anyone and that I should be happy now,¡± Hannah said. ¡°Could it be that she was emotionally unstable or suffering from mental issues? Otherwise, why would she choose to leap into the ocean?¡± Bryson squeezed Hannah¡¯s hand reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself. Chapter 589 ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m okay,¡± Hannah replied. Once the police lifted the restrictions and departed, Hannah and the rest gathered their belongings and headed toward the city center. Upon reaching their urban vi, everyone dispersed to their rooms to unpack. Once in her room, Hannah locked the door and dialed Ro¡¯s number. After a couple of rings, the call connected. A subdued voice on the other end inquired, ¡°So you still care to call? Thought you¡¯d forgotten about me. ¡± ¡°I need to ask you for a favor,¡± Hannah responded. The boy on the other side of the call scoffed, ¡°Ah, so you remember me when you need something. ¡± ¡°Ro, my grandfather just regained consciousness. I can¡¯t return to Valmere right now, so I need your help. ¡± Swayed by Hannah¡¯s pleading tone, Ro softened. ¡°What do you need?¡± ¡°Visit this apartment and report back anything you find. ¡± Hannah ryed the address she had obtained from Ruby. Ro jotted down the address and cautioned, ¡°Be vignt in Hoijery. I¡¯ll update you as soon as I find something. ¡± ¡°Alright. Be careful when you go to her apartment. ¡± ¡°Okay, you look after yourself first,¡± Ro replied. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Descending to the dining area, Hannah noticed two people eating but saw no sign of Bryson. ¡°Where¡¯s Bryson?¡± she questioned as she pulled out a chair to sit. Grace, enjoying her cake, said sweetly, ¡°My brother had urgent business at thepany. He had an unexpected projecte up, so he left early.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Given his absence, Hannah turned to Grace and said, ¡°How much do you know about Ruby?¡± ¡°What ?¡± Grace looked puzzled by the question. She tilted her head and blinked. ¡°Why do you ask, Hannah?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just curious about Bryson¡¯s past. Didn¡¯t he mention that Ruby was his first love?¡± Chapter 590 Well¡­¡± Grace pondered for a moment before admitting, ¡°You know, people around my brother have always imed that Ruby was his first love. But my brother himself? He¡¯s never confirmed it. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. ¡°Wait a minute, didn¡¯t you assure me she was Mr.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Mitchell¡¯s ex-girlfriend? And that Bryson never refuted their past rtionship?¡± Grace scratched her head, visibly uneasy. ¡°Well, there are someplexities here¡­ Details I¡¯m not sure how to rify for you. ¡± Hannah scrutinized Grace¡¯s expression, reminded of something Ruby had mentioned before departing. ¡°Look, Grace, there are questions I¡¯d rather not put to Bryson. I don¡¯t want to jeopardize our trust. But rity is essential. I need to know the real story. ¡± Facing the earnest stares from both Hannah and Lydia, Grace finally relented. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the truth!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Nervously clutching the hem of her shirt, Grace said, ¡°When my brother was studying overseas, Ruby was always around him. They had an unspoken agreement about their rtionship. My brother graduated, returned to Valmere, and she followed him. Her family¡¯s reputation was pretty significant here at that time. But aftering back¡­¡± Grace hesitated before meeting Hannah¡¯s eyes. ¡°Things between them got weird. For a long time, he seemed ufortable around her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Despite that, he¡¯d bring her along to business functions. I¡¯d tag along too, and no one questioned that Ruby was his girlfriend. Bryson never corrected them. However, at ater point, the Green family faced an unexpected financial crisis,pelling Ruby and her family to relocate overseas. ¡± Grace cleared her throat and nced apologetically at Lydia. ¡°So, about misleading you earlier¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I made it sound like she moved abroad because Bryson didn¡¯t want to split up. The truth is, when he found out she was leaving, he didn¡¯t even bother to say goodbye. That was their abrupt end. ¡± Lydia gave Grace a gentle pat on the shoulder. ¡°You naughty girl! Why would you deceive us if it wasn¡¯t a big deal to talk about?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Grace tapped her nose and said hesitantly, ¡°My brother was right in the thick of it back then. He told me to just let the rumors spread, no matter what people believed. ¡± Her first love had been a fake¡­ Chapter 591 Hannah remained concerned, asking, ¡°So what was your brother like overseas?¡± Grace shrugged. ¡°I could only catch up with him over the phone now and then, so I can¡¯t really say what he was like while he was in school. ¡± Leaning her chin on her palm, Grace said, ¡°He was probably more light-hearted and sociable than he is these days. Definitely less reserved. ¡± After a pause, Grace looked at Hannah and joked, ¡°So, why the interrogation? nning to marry my brother?¡± Hannah¡¯s cheeks flushed. ¡°What? No, it¡¯s way too early for that. ¡± Lydia yfully nudged Hannah. ¡°Oh,e on, you¡¯re not fooling anyone! You¡¯re clearly into Bryson, acting all shy like that. ¡± ¡°Lydia! Stop teasing me!¡± The three of them erupted intoughter, momentarily setting aside the weighty discussion they¡¯d been having. The next morning, Hannah rushed down the stairs, heading for work. d in an apron, Grace emerged from the kitchen, te of poached egg in hand. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah, breakfast is ready!¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. As she hastily slipped on her shoes in the foyer, Hannah responded, ¡°Eat with Lydia, I¡¯ve got urgent business at the office. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Before Grace couldplete her sentence, Hannah was out the door. Left puzzled, Grace said, ¡°Why is she in such a rush?¡± The previous project had been a hit, and the faulty equipment stockpiled by the White family had been cleared out. Upon wrapping up the project, another board meeting was convened. Dexter drummed his fingers impatiently on the table, frequently ncing at his watch. ¡°Miss Moore has been a huge asset for us, so we must sit here waiting, huh? Humph!¡± Jalen, seated beside him in the conference room, offered a sidelong nce. ¡°Mr. Schneider, I¡¯ve only just notified Hannah about today¡¯s impromptu meeting. She¡¯s just ten minuteste. Ease up. ¡± Chapter 592 ¡°Ease up? Me?¡± Dexter scoffed loudly, ¡°I think she¡¯s the one disrespecting the board!¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Just then, the secretary opened the door to reveal Hannah. She shot Dexter an icy look, saying, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to be in this meeting, feel free to leave. ¡± Dexter retorted icily, ¡°I have shares in White Group too, you know. It¡¯s not your ce to tell me to leave!¡± Hannah settled into the head chair and calmly responded, ¡°Let¡¯s be clear, Mr. Schneider. I own over 20% of thispany. If I want you off the board, who¡¯s going to stop me?¡± She fixed him with a steely gaze. ¡°You¡¯re challenging me in my ownpany. Why not take your shares and wait at home for the dividends?¡± Her eyes narrowed menacingly. ¡°I¡¯d prefer you not to stir tensions among the shareholders. ¡± Sitting off to the side, Dexter wore an expression of stunned silence. Another shareholder stepped in, attempting to smooth things over. ¡°Look, we¡¯re all here for thepany¡¯s benefit. Mr. Schneider just has a direct way about him. No offense, Miss Moore. ¡± Jalen chimed in, ¡°Ourst project¡¯s sess wasrgely due to Hannah. Mr. Schneider, your people almostpromised our files. We¡¯re letting that slide. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Face flushed, Dexter snapped, ¡°What are you insinuating? You have no proof. Don¡¯t tarnish my reputation!¡± Ignoring him, Hannah addressed the rest of the room. ¡°We¡¯re looking to secure additional funds for expansion. What do you think of it?¡± ¡°I strongly disagree! What right do you have to propose this?¡± Dexter was quick to challenge her. ¡°Byrum never talked about raising capital when he led thepany. Why should we dilute our ownership?¡± Unfazed, Hannah continued, ¡°The Mitchell Group in Valmere is interested in coborating with us. ¡± The room erupted in surprised chatter. ¡°The Mitchell Group in Valmere? They¡¯re expanding their business to Hoijery too? So they¡¯re in talks with the White Group!¡± ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re amazing. You¡¯re actually in touch with the Mitchell Group. ¡± ¡°Unbelievable! The Mitchell Group are known for never investing in otherpanies!¡± Chapter 593 Hannah received widespread praise, much to Dexter¡¯s frustration. ¡°Why does she get all the attention? Just because she¡¯s a woman? That doesn¡¯t make herpetent!¡± Jalen rose to his feet, visibly annoyed. ¡°Mind your words. This is a business partnership. Gender has no ce in this discussion. ¡± Undeterred by Jalen, Dexter retorted, ¡°¡°Byrum had originally picked you to seed him.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. But now she¡¯s taken the reins while he¡¯sid up in the hospital. Don¡¯t you resent her for that?¡± He said with newfound audacity, ¡°So she swooped in, snatched shares, and took your directorial seat. Now we¡¯re supposed to heed her everymand? That was absurd!¡± Tensions in the conference room reached a fever pitch. Just then, the meeting room door swung open abruptly. ¡°So, are you all willing to hear me out or not? Humph!¡± ALL eyes turned toward the entrance. The secretary wheeled in Byrum, who was supposed to be confined to a hospital bed. Upon seeing Byrum, Jalen swiftly approached him and said, ¡°Grandfather! You¡¯re not fully recovered! Why did you leave the hospital?¡± Byrum cleared his throat and, despite his frail appearance, said in a measured tone, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t shown up, would you youngsters have been able to handle matters?¡± He nced at Hannah, his eyes softening but his voice icy. ¡°It looks like it¡¯s too soon to hand over thepany to you. ¡± Hannah stepped back, her head bowed in silence. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Dexter, upon seeing Byrum, suddenly lost his bravado. He shifted his eyes guiltily and sat down. Byrum fixed his gaze on Dexter. ¡°It seems you¡¯re unhappy with my granddaughter. If you have any grievances, air them now. If she¡¯s truly unfit, we can remove her as chairwoman. ¡± The room fell into an eerie quiet. Byrum¡¯sposed voice held everyone mute. Noting the silence, Byrum scoffed, ¡°You all seemed quite vocal before my arrival. I may be ill, but I¡¯m not dead. Speak up!¡± Suddenly raising his voice, Byrum continued, ¡°You dared to openly challenge the White Group¡¯s decisions. Are you hoping to dismantle thepany? Exin yourselves!¡± Grimacing, Dexter stood up cautiously. Chapter 594 ¡°Byrum, you know I didn¡¯t mean it that way. It¡¯s just this girl¡­¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Byrum cut him off, piercing him with his steely gaze. ¡°Has she made a mistake some way? Or did her choices somehow harm your personal interests? Tell me!¡± Dexter¡¯s expression shifted in an instant, yet he refrained from shing with Byrum. Instead, he quipped, ¡°What personal interests do us minor shareholders really have in all this?¡± Byrum¡¯s eyes moved frostily over everyone gathered, dering, ¡°Hannah Moore will officially take on the role of Chairman for White Group!¡± Caught off guard, Hannah stood next to him, momentarily at a loss for words. ¡°Anyone who challenges her authority in the future is challenging my judgment !¡± Byrum¡¯s icy tone filled the room, effectively muting all present. Even Dexter, with his sour demeanor, chose not to further contest the matter. The meeting wrapped up without a hitch. Jalen guided Byrum from the conference room. Walking quietly beside the two men was Hannah. Out of nowhere, Byrum said, ¡°I¡¯m aware of recent events. Make time to visit home. The younger generation of the White family has numerous misconceptions about you. I¡¯ll straighten things out. ¡± After a prolonged silence, Hannah finally said, ¡°Grandpa, as soon as your health improves, the Chairmanship should go to¡­¡± ¡°Unhappy with your role at White Group, are you?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Seated in his wheelchair, Byrum observed Hannah and said, ¡°The past is gone. Your mother is no longer with us. Do you still harbor resentment towards me?¡± ¡°Grandpa, if she truly resented you, why would she assist the White family during our darkest hour?¡± Jalen interjected on Hannah¡¯s behalf. ¡°Before Hannah¡¯s arrival, thepany was in disarray. Uncle Bryan¡­ well, he never took an interest in corporate affairs. I¡¯m not suited for it, as you know. ¡± Byrum lifted his hand. ¡°Fine, I get your point. ¡± Then, turning to Hannah, he added, ¡°You should consider moving back to the ancestral house. It¡¯s your home, after all. ¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah gave a gentle shake of her head. ¡°Thank you, Grandpa. But I¡¯ve made a home in Hoijery and I¡¯m used to my independent lifestyle. ¡± Though Byrum had been out ofmission for a while, he¡¯d learned from Jalen about her rtionship with Bryson upon regaining consciousness. Chapter 595 ¡°Who you choose to be with is not my concern,¡± Byrum stated gravely. ¡°The Mitchell family, particrly Franco Mitchell, didn¡¯t amass their wealth honorably. They¡¯re all shrewd and scheming. Watch your back. ¡± ¡°I understand, Grandpa. ¡± Hannah lightly pressed her lips together. ¡°I¡¯ve got it under control. ¡± After bidding farewell to Byrum and Jalen, Hannah headed to a nearby eatery, looking forward to a peaceful meal alone. Just then, her phone buzzed. ¡°Hello, who is this?¡± A voice responded, ¡°Miss Moore, this is Alfredo Stevenson, a friend of Bryson¡¯s Hannah identified Alfredo¡¯s voice and sounded taken aback. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Mr. Stevenson, is something wrong?¡± ¡°Just a bit of news to share. Alfredo hesitated before continuing, ¡°Ruby Green took her own life while in custody. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Shock coursed through Hannah. ¡°How did she¡­Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°In the detention cell, there were sheets. During the dark of night, she twisted one into a rope and hanged herself from the cell door. ¡± It sounded like Alfredo was lighting a cigarette. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I shouldn¡¯t really be disclosing this, but she used her own blood to write a message on the sheet that involves you. So, I thought it best to let you know. ¡± Collecting herself, Hannah finally said, ¡°What did she write?¡± ¡°Our officers found that she wrote your name, saying you¡¯re the next target. ¡± Alfredo quickly reassured her. ¡°But don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ve looked into her background overseas. Her connections are mostly with foreigners. There doesn¡¯t seem to be any other powerful influence. ¡± Hannah touched her forehead, feeling an unsettling sense that Ruby aimed to pull her into the chaos, even from beyond the grave. When Hannah didn¡¯t reply, Alfredo probed again, ¡°You haven¡¯t offended any dark forces, have you?¡± Memories of Muvrand crossed her mind¡­ Chapter 596 After contemting, Hannah decided to keep it hidden. ¡°Mr. Stevenson, you¡¯re free to investigate who I am. I was once with Den, considered his wife but essentially just a caretaker. Who could I possibly offend?¡± Alfredo¡¯s voice was muffled, as if he were speaking through a cigarette. ¡°Alright. If you ever find yourself in trouble while in Hoijery, don¡¯t hesitate to call me. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Stevenson. I will,¡± she said. The moment she ended the call, her expression darkened. Before she could even set down her phone, another call buzzed in. It was Ro.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Lifting the phone to her ear, Hannah inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the update? Any news?¡± ¡°Is it just you right now?¡± Ro asked from the other side of the call, his voice tinged with a chill. ¡°I¡¯ve got something to discuss. Is this a good time?¡± Pondering briefly, Hannah replied, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m alone, outdoors. Is this about Bryson?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Eyes narrowing on the table strewn with photos and documents, Ro held the phone tightly. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°The Mitchell family isn¡¯t what it appears to be. I visited that apartment you mentioned. Found a bunch of international articles and pictures, mostly featuring Bryson from his school years. These documents indicate that he¡¯d already been establishing enterprises for the Mitchell family overseas. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Unfazed, Hannah said, ¡°Bryson did mention to me that he had some overseas ventures even before rejoining the Mitchell family. ¡± ¡°So you know about the shady businesses he was entangled in overseas?¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah was caught off guard, momentarily speechless. Sensing her surprise, Ro concluded she didn¡¯t know. ¡°I can¡¯t send this stuff over the inte. It¡¯d be risky if Bryson found them on your digital devices. ¡± Hearing her silence, Ro suspected she was wavering. ¡°These documents might not be wholly urate, but I¡¯d strongly suggest you dig deeper into Bryson. This is a serious issue. ¡± Chapter 597 ¡°I get it. Just concentrate on your studies in Valmere. I¡¯ll return when I can. ¡± Taking a brief pause, Hannah added, ¡°Be sure to keep all that information secure and confidential. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Ro¡¯s face remained impassive. ¡°Enough with the warnings. Just be cautious around him. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery After disconnecting the call, Hannah was awash in conflicted emotions. She was torn between trusting Bryson and acknowledging that Ro wouldn¡¯t make false ims. Gripping her phone, she resolved to visit Muvrand at her earliest opportunity, aiming to unearth some of Bryson¡¯s history. Returning to the vi after a hectic day, she found it empty as Grace and Lydia were out. Seated in the living room, Hannah skimmed through recent corporate updates. Now that Byrum was back on his feet, he needed to catch up on thetest figures. Just then, the front door swung open, and in walked Bryson, looking a bit drained and carrying a takeout container. ¡°Hannah. ¡± Hannah lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Bryson¡¯s grin. ¡°I picked these up after our meeting. Spotted a noodles stand near the office that was still open and thought you might Like some. Did you have dinner already?¡± Hannah had lost her appetite earlier that day when she received a call from Ro. She had given her meal to a coworker and hadn¡¯t eaten since. Setting the bowl of hot noodles on the coffee table, Bryson shrugged off his jacket. ¡°Give it a try. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She closed herptop and popped open the container of food.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. The inviting scent filled the air, reminding her of how hungry she actually was. Grabbing a spoon and fork, she twirled a noodle around her utensil, taking a bite along with the savory beef broth. She nodded in approval. ¡°This is delicious. ¡± Bryson¡¯s smile warmed at hermendation. ¡°I¡¯m happy you enjoy it. ¡± As she continued to eat, Hannah¡¯s eyes rested on the bowl of noodles before her. ¡°By the way, Bryson, where did you go to college?¡± ¡°Why the sudden curiosity about my education?¡± Chapter 598 Hannah studied Bryson¡¯s face, attempting to read any hidden cues. Unfazed, Bryson simply looked back at her with a sincere gaze. Hannah concocted a quick excuse. ¡°I studied overseas too and realized I never asked where you graduated from. ¡± ¡°I went to the Woolwich University in Newfort. My grades weren¡¯t ster, so I opted for engineering. ¡± Woolwich University? A globally respected institution, and he thought his grades weren¡¯t up to par? Internally, Hannah arched an eyebrow. ¡°You must¡¯ve done fairly well. I finished medical school on a schrship, and it wasn¡¯t from a top -tier university. ¡± Bryson sensed that Hannah was acting unusually this evening. Her conversational choices seemed awkward. He acknowledged her words with a nomittal hum, choosing not to voice his reservations. Hannah switched topics. ¡°You¡¯ve mentioned owning businesses overseas. What did yourpany originally focus on?¡± ¡°We initially dealt with finance, butter expanded into medical equipment. The early returns have been promising,¡± Bryson replied. After speaking, he furrowed his brow and looked at Hannah, concern tingeing his eyes. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You seem off tonight. Why all these questions about the past?¡± Hannah took another bite of her noodles before speaking.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°The White Group is on the mend, but we¡¯re not back to our former glory. I¡¯m considering international ventures. Although partnering with the Mitchell Group is a good step, I¡¯m also contemting other opportunities, should they present themselves. ¡± Bryson took Hannah¡¯s words at face value, saying, ¡°If it helps, I can reach out to a few international firms for you. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Clearly pleased, Hannah nodded. ¡°Excellent. Jalen¡¯s been considering studying abroad, so this could be a great stepping stone for him. ¡± Seeing her enthusiasm, Bryson finally smiled, ¡°Work never stops, but it¡¯s gettingte. You should get some sleep. Taking his advice, Hannah closed herptop and nodded. Chapter 599 ¡°You should get some rest too. I¡¯ll go upstairs first. ¡± As she stood and walked past Bryson, her eyes met his for a moment, filled with a hint of uncertainty, before she headed upstairs. The next day, upon Hannah¡¯s arrival at the office, chaos reigned in Duncan¡¯s team. ¡°Since we¡¯re down a person, it¡¯s time to hire a new one, isn¡¯t it?¡± Patting the girl beside him on the shoulder, Duncan introduced her. ¡°This is Alvera O¡¯Brien, a recent graduate with a finance degree. She¡¯s now an official part of our team. ¡± The HR representative Looked incensed, practically fuming. ¡°Duncan! Did you even bother withpany protocol before making this hire?¡± Duncan, ever dismissive of HR, retorted, ¡°You handle recruitment, right? Well, I¡¯ve recruited. Just prepare the paperwork for her to sign. Why make it so difficult?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery The HR representative was so furious she nearly called him an idiot.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Just then, Hannah entered the scene, spotting the HR representative. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Relieved at seeing Hannah, the HR representative blurted, ¡°Miss Moore! ¡°You should get some rest too. I¡¯ll go upstairs first. ¡± As she stood and walked past Bryson, her eyes met his for a moment, filled with a hint of uncertainty, before she headed upstairs. The next day, upon Hannah¡¯s arrival at the office, chaos reigned in Duncan¡¯s team. ¡°Since we¡¯re down a person, it¡¯s time to hire a new one, isn¡¯t it?¡± Patting the girl beside him on the shoulder, Duncan introduced her. ¡°This is Alvera O¡¯Brien, a recent graduate with a finance degree. She¡¯s now an official part of our team. ¡± The HR representative Looked incensed, practically fuming. ¡°Duncan! Did you even bother withpany protocol before making this hire?¡± Duncan, ever dismissive of HR, retorted, ¡°You handle recruitment, right? Well, I¡¯ve recruited. Just prepare the paperwork for her to sign. Why make it so difficult?¡± BunnyBookery ¡®s BunnyBookery The HR representative was so furious she nearly called him an idiot. Just then, Hannah entered the scene, spotting the HR representative. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Relieved at seeing Hannah, the HR representative blurted, ¡°Miss Moore! Duncan has bypassed HR and wants to sign a contract without any approval. ¡± Hannah gave Duncan an icy stare. Before she could speak, Duncan quickly shifted gears. ¡°Miss Moore, we¡¯re understaffed this month. I thought she was promising, so I brought her in. ¡± The so-called ¡°promising¡± candidate that Duncan spoke of had been surveying the office with keen interest. Hannah eyed her briefly. ¡°What are your qualifications?¡± Alvera quickly replied, ¡°I hold a finance degree and have organized numerous campus events. I¡¯m here to apply for the Financial Director role. ¡± As soon as she finished, an uneasy silence filled the room. A recent finance grad, aiming to join the White Group as a Financial Director. Duncan has bypassed HR and wants to sign a contract without any approval. ¡± Hannah gave Duncan an icy stare. Before she could speak, Duncan quickly shifted gears. ¡°Miss Moore, we¡¯re understaffed this month. I thought she was promising, so I brought her in. ¡± The so-called ¡°promising¡± candidate that Duncan spoke of had been surveying the office with keen interest. Hannah eyed her briefly. ¡°What are your qualifications?¡± Alvera quickly replied, ¡°I hold a finance degree and have organized numerous campus events. I¡¯m here to apply for the Financial Director role. ¡± As soon as she finished, an uneasy silence filled the room. A recent finance grad, aiming to join the White Group as a Financial Director. Chapter 600 Everyone shared the same thought. Either she was delusional or they were. ¡°Financial Director?¡± With a sly arch of her brows, Hannah addressed Duncan. ¡°Mr. Hanson, you imed your department is understaffed. So why is she applying for Financial Director?¡± Cornered, Duncan discreetly tugged at Alvera¡¯s sleeve and murmured, ¡°Don¡¯t make a scene. ¡± He then beamed at Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, young people need more experience. A few years in our department could pave the way for her promotion. ¡± Sensing ulterior motives, Hannah chose not to press Duncan. Instead, she turned to the HR representative beside him. ¡°Rosy, would you mind outlining the starting sry and perks for a position in the project department to her?¡± Unmoved, Rosy dered, ¡°The starting sry for recent graduates is four thousand, with a 10% bonus perpleted project. The better the project¡¯s execution, therger the bonus. ¡± Alvera¡¯s brow furrowed. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I was told the starting sry was ten thousand, so why¡­¡± She was interrupted by a nudge from Duncan and hesitantly concluded, ¡°Isn¡¯t this sry a bit underwhelming?¡± With a dismissive smile, Hannah swept her gaze over Duncan. ¡°If you find it insufficient, you¡¯re wee to leave. Rosy, would you kindly escort them out?¡± Without another nce, Hannah retreated into her office. As she settled in, she noticed Duncan discreetly guiding Alvera to sign a contract. Her eyes darkened imperceptibly. Finally getting a breather after a hectic morning, Hannah leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes for a moment. Her phone buzzed. It was a call from Bryson. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°An uing construction site on the east side of Hoijery looks promising.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Interested in venturing in real estate?¡± Hannah offered a serene smile, eyes still closed. ¡°You know, the White Group isn¡¯t typically involved in such businesses. ¡± Chapter 601 Bryson¡¯s even-tempered voice responded, ¡°Even if real estate isn¡¯t your thing, thend is prime for building malls ormercial properties. ¡± ¡°Intriguing,¡± Hannah agreed. ¡°When should we check it out?¡± ¡°There¡¯s an auction soon, along with a banquet. You shoulde. ¡± ¡°Consider it done. ¡± After hanging up, Hannah drummed her fingers on her desk and massaged her temples, sensing a looming headache. Knock, knock, knock. Hannah nced up to see Jalen entering her office. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Hannah, Grandpa¡¯s feeling better these days. He wants you to join us for dinner tonight. ¡± ¡°Tonight?¡± Hannah peeked at her phone, her eyebrows knitting together slightly. Sensing her hesitation, Jalen queried, ¡°Do you have othermitments? Edwin¡¯s been eager to catch up with you. Should I ask Grandpa to reschedule dinner for tomorrow?¡± ¡°No, what¡¯s the time for tonight?¡± Hannah inquired. ¡°Six o¡¯clock this evening. I¡¯ll meet you at thepany entrance and escort you to the ancestral home,¡± Jalen responded. Hannah gave a nonchnt nod. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s go with your n. ¡±ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Once Jalen had departed, Hannah shot a text to Bryson, letting him know she¡¯d return to the viter due to a visit to the White family estate. That evening, Jalen sat in his parked car at thepany¡¯s front gate, a bit ahead of schedule. As he spotted Hannah emerging, he quickly lowered the window. ¡°Get in. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Hannah slid into the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. As they made their way to the ancestral home, Jalen couldn¡¯t help but talk on and on. ¡°If anyone says anything off-putting, just let it slide!¡± Chapter 602 Leaning against the window, Hannah¡¯sposed face revealed her detachment. ¡°We¡¯re all family here. They were in the dark about the real situation before. Grandpa¡¯s briefed them. No need for concern. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not concerned,¡± Hannah replied calmly, resting her head against the window. ¡°It¡¯s them who ought to be concerned. ¡± Jalen looked a touch perplexed but tried to reassure Hannah. ¡°Tonight, let¡¯s focus on keeping the peace. Even if it¡¯s an act, let¡¯s make it convincing. ¡± Hannah turned her gaze to Jalen, studying him for a moment before shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯re admirable in many respects, but you have one w. You¡¯re overly concerned with family dynamics. ¡± Though Jalen might appear unppable, those who knew him well recognized his underlying naivety.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a virtue to care about family?¡± Jalen queried, genuinely confused. Staring out the window, her eyes icy and far-off, Hannah responded, ¡°Yes, such a virtue that when they betray you, you won¡¯t even see iting. ¡± ¡°We¡¯re all one family. Even if tensions run high at home, we¡¯d never conspire against each other,¡± Jalen dered. Despite being groomed as the White family¡¯s sessor, he exhibited a surprising innocence. It was Jalen who had first weed her when she came to Hoijery. Hannah regarded him with a newfound sense of pity. Her grandmother had been correct. He wasn¡¯t cut out for the cutthroat world of business. Sensing Hannah¡¯s prolonged silence, Jalen shifted topics. ¡°With the environmental project taken care of, I¡¯ve been considering so Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ me time abroad. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard from Grandpa,¡± Hannah said, locking eyes with Jalen. ¡°Once you¡¯re overseas, I have a favor to ask. Could you investigate something for me? Also, look into potential business ventures. There are openings in the international market that could benefit the White Group. ¡± Shaking his head and smiling wistfully, Jalen responded, ¡°You really do take after Grandpa. What you just said mirrors his thoughts after his recent return. When I¡¯m abroad, I n to host an art exhibition, and I¡¯ll also scope out business expansion prospects for the White Group. ¡± As they conversed, the car pulled up to the ancestral home. ¡°Miss, wee home,¡± the butler eximed, visibly delighted. He promptly instructed the household staff to bring slippers. Once inside the living room, Hannah observed that even Bryan had shown up. ALL were seated on the living room sofas. Only Edwin rose to greet Hannah, eximing, ¡°Hannah!¡± Chapter 603 Upon seeing Hannah, Johanna dismissively diverted her attention to Christy, initiating a chatty conversation while snubbing Hannah. ¡°You are back. ¡± Byrum¡¯s voice came from the staircase as he descended with Tinsley. The room stood to wee them. Johanna eagerlytched onto Byrum¡¯s arm, saying, ¡°Grandpa, we¡¯ve all been waiting for you. ¡± Casting a nce at Hannah, who was visibly aloof, Byrum dered, ¡°Let¡¯s all take a seat and have dinner. ¡± Edwin chose to sit next to Hannah, and they settled into seats towards the rear of the room. Johanna took a seat next to Byrum and announced, ¡°Grandpa, in honor of your recovery, I¡¯ve prepared a special gift!¡± She revealed an intricate box from her bag, opening it to disy a white charm inscribed with wishes for Longevity. ¡°It¡¯s the finest charm I could locate in all of Hoijery, etched with heartfelt blessings. I hope you like it. ¡± Byrum cast a neutral gaze at the trinket, remarking, ¡°Nice. You¡¯ve put some thought into this. ¡± Johanna beamed, sharing a knowing look with Christy, who was seated not far away. Christy, previously beside Jalen, stood and offered her own gift. ¡°Byrum, this is a piece by your favorite artist.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. I tracked it down for you. ¡± Byrum studied the artwork, his expression unchanging, acknowledged it briefly, and then motioned for Christy to sit. Jalen looked perplexed and queried in a low voice, ¡°When did you acquire this painting? Why didn¡¯t you inform me?¡± ¡°It was a joint decision between Johanna and me. Byrum just got out of the hospital. It¡¯s only fitting to get him a celebratory gift. ¡± Christy faced Jalen and continued, ¡°If you overlook giving By Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ rum a present, it¡¯s on me to remember. ¡± Byrum had been out of the hospital for a few days, choosing this moment for the gift exchange. Anyone paying attention would know the gesture was intended for Hannah. Yet, Hannah remained impassive, quietly focusing on her meal, avoiding the White family drama. Bainbridge also chimed in with a gift. Bryan, perched near the head of the table, quipped, ¡°Since when did your forgetful mind remember to get your grandpa a celebratory gift?¡± ¡°Dad, after Grandpa¡¯s ordeal, I realized I can¡¯t keep being a child, forever sheltered by you,¡± Bainbridge earnestly replied. ¡°I¡¯d also like to contribute to the family business. ¡± Byrum, however, offered no reaction, leaving the room wrapped in momentary awkwardness. Tinsley remained upbeat, suggesting to Bryan, ¡°Great, let Bainbridge join your department. He can start as a junior employee under your guidance. ¡± Chapter 604 Hearing the term ¡®employee¡¯, Bainbridge¡¯s brow twitched, showing a trace of discontent with Tinsley¡¯s proposition. Before he could object, a subtle kick from Bryan silenced him. Tinsley noticed the interaction but her smile remained undiminished. ¡°Bryan, go ahead and eat.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Alright, Mom. ¡± Johanna, sensing Hannah¡¯s omission was being overlooked, couldn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Hannah, Grandpa is out of the hospital and invited you to dinner. Shouldn¡¯t you have brought a gift? Do we really need to spell out the etiquette?¡± Feeling the spotlight shift to her, Hannah was about to put down her utensils when Edwin preemptively mmed down his fork. He shot Johanna an icy stare, retorting, ¡°I didn¡¯t bring a gift either, does that mean I¡¯m ignorant of the so-called rules? Since when did family gatherings be a rule book? Does a gift signify understanding or its absence reflect ack of consideration? You just graduated this year, right? How much did your gift cost? Did you earn the money yourself?¡± Johanna nched under Edwin¡¯s mocking tone. ¡°I was merely stating an observation, why are you defending her so vehemently?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Am I really defending her, or are you needlessly stirring the pot? Ruining dinner on purpose?¡± Edwin retorted. Hannah intervened, fixing her gaze on Johanna. ¡°If you can¡¯t dine in peace, then leave. Johanna¡¯s eyes grew wide, incredulous that Hannah would actually tell her to leave. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You believe you have the authority to dismiss me?¡± She couldn¡¯t contain her outrage as she shouted at Hannah, ¡°This is the White family¡¯s estate, not the Moore family¡¯s!¡± Bryan interjected, aiming to diffuse the tension, ¡°We¡¯re all part of the White family. No need for squabbles. ¡± He grinned as he added, ¡°Hannah has been instrumental in resolving both thepany and hospital issues this time. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s only interested in the stocks. She has no altruistic motives!¡± Johanna retorted, her voice filled with disdain. ¡°I had her background checked a long time ago. She left the Edwards family only to take 20% of the shares! And then she swiftly moved on to the more affluent Mitchell family! Later she targeted us, the White family! ALL because we have deeper pockets!¡± Johanna, now agitated, turned toward Tinsley. Chapter 605 ¡°She¡¯s only returned to stake a im on the family fortune. Don¡¯t be deceived by her act, Grandma!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Byrum¡¯s fork nged onto the table, startling everyone into putting down their own utensils. Johanna opened her mouth to speak, but Byrum¡¯s abrupt and thunderous tone silenced her. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Byrum gave her a frosty stare. ¡°You believe I¡¯m ignorant of your actions? While I was unconscious in the hospital, you withdrew a hefty five million from our bank. Care to exin?¡± Johanna felt as if she¡¯d been struck by a bolt from the blue. She sat next to Byrum, ufortably aware of her predicament. ¡°I¡­ I was¡­¡± ¡°Hmph! Can¡¯t find your tongue now?¡± Byrum grunted deeply. ¡°Feeling a bit ashamed, are we?¡± Aware that her disgraceful behavior was on the brink of being revealed, Johanna turned a desperate gaze to Tinsley. ¡°Grandma, I¡­¡± Ignoring Johanna¡¯s desperate gaze, Tinsley sipped her coffee and said nothing. ¡°Five million?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Christy looked puzzled. While the sum was not earth-shattering for them, it was still an unexpected expense. ¡°Johanna, what on earth did you do with that money?¡± Johanna¡¯splexion fluctuated between shades of green and red. Byrummented icily, ¡°Not only could she not manage a minor celebrity, but she also got swindled out of five million by him.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± ¡°hat ?¡± Gasps filled the room. Other than Hannah, who kept her focus on her meal, everyone stared at Johanna, disbelief written on their faces. ¡°What kind of trouble have you stepped into?¡± Jalen, scowling at Johanna, said, ¡°How many times have I suggested you join the family business after college? What have you been up to?¡± Feeling the weight of all eyes on her, Johanna burst out, ¡°I wanted a career in showbiz, but you all wouldn¡¯t let me! It wasn¡¯t just about sponsoring some star¡­ I was genuinely in love!¡± Chapter 606 Hannah chuckled softly, ¡°In love, you say? If you were truly in love, why would there be a video of him ckmailing you sent to my phone?¡± Johanna stared at Hannah in disbelief. ¡°What are you even talking about?¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. Setting her utensils down elegantly, Hannah wiped her lips and Looked directly at Johanna. ¡°The video¡¯s still on my phone. Would you like to watch it and see?¡± ¡°AhITE¡± Johanna let out a piercing scream, lunging toward Hannah. ¡°How did you get that video? Did you set me up? Hannah Moore, I knew you were out to get me!¡± Edwin rose swiftly to intervene. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Johanna, have you lost your senses? Calm yourself!¡± ¡°So you¡¯re taking this bitch¡¯s side now? Are you a White or a Moore?¡± Upon hearing about the video, Johanna seemed to snap. She tried to lunge at Hannah again, ignoring Edwin¡¯s attempts to hold her back. ¡°You bitch! You bought my video! You had me pay five million just to embarrass me in front of our grandfather, didn¡¯t you?¡± Johanna lunged at Hannah, missing her target. She thrashed wildly against Edwin¡¯s grasp, shouting, ¡°Release me! I need to get rid of this bitch!¡± Hannah calmly rose to her feet, sidestepping Edwin. As Johanna charged toward her, Hannah¡¯s hand shot up. It was a resounding p. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Smack! ! Johanna¡¯s head whipped to the side from the impact. Before she could react, another p followed, leaving her momentarily speechless. With a casual flick of her wrist, Hannah locked eyes with her, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t have the luxury to set you up. Someone else does, though. You¡¯re naive if you think video footage can¡¯t be restored. You gave him 5 million, and he tried to squeeze another 10 million out of me. Were you aware?¡± Johanna¡¯s eyes narrowed, her hand clutching her stinging cheek, and her body teetering. ¡°How¡­ how is this possible?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re naive,¡± Hannah retorted icily. ¡°So naive that you¡¯ve been yed and didn¡¯t even realize it. So naive that your little protege was already nning to leave you and move on, and you were oblivious. ¡± Chapter 607 Johanna felt herself nearing copse. She had intended to resolve this situation quickly; she never anticipated such a twist. Byrum coughed in irritation, visibly annoyed. ¡°We¡¯re fortunate this information came to Hannah. Otherwise, the White family would again be under fire!¡± ¡°Grandpa. ¡± Ignoring her, Byrum continued, ¡°We¡¯re lucky all the videos have been deleted and the individual responsible is behind bars. Media has been dealt with. Otherwise, we¡¯d have no choice but to disown you!¡± Hearing this, Johanna¡¯s eyes widened in horror. She dashed to Byrum and fell to her knees, pleading, ¡°Grandpa, the fault is all mine! I understand now!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Growing tired of the spectacle, Hannah nced away, grabbed her bag from behind the chair, and made to exit. ¡°Hannah, hold on. Come upstairs. We need to talk further,¡± Byrum interjected. ¡°Of course, Grandpa,¡± Hannah replied, stopping in her tracks. Johanna, seeing her grandfather rise and pay her no mind, frantically grasped at the hem of his pants. ¡°Grandpa, I swear I¡¯ve learned my lesson! It won¡¯t happen again!¡± ¡°Get her off me!¡± Edwin, standing close by, immediatelyplied. Byrum¡¯s icy stare met Johanna¡¯s face. ¡°If you¡¯ve truly learned your lesson, then remain in the vi and stop wreaking havoc!¡± ¡°Understood, Grandpa,¡± Johanna said, nodding frantically. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Tapping his cane, Byrum shifted his gaze to Bryan and said, ¡°Bryan, you and Hannahe upstairs with me. ¡± Hannah and Bryan went upstairs, eventually reaching Byrum¡¯s study.Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Review this six-month financial summary, both of you,¡± Byrum said, handing them a report. Hannah skimmed through the document. She had already gone over the White Group¡¯s current financial situation. Though they weren¡¯t in the red, their performance paled inparison to rivalpanies. Upon examining the report, Bryan¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°Dad, even if we ount for Jalen¡¯s poor project choices, the numbers here are more than just troubling. Something doesn¡¯t add up. ¡± Byrum turned to Hannah. ¡°Your thoughts, Hannah?¡± Chapter 608 ¡°The economic model that the White family relies on is showing signs of weakening. I believe it¡¯s time to diversify and explore partnerships. Additionally, we need to scrutinize thepany¡¯s stakeholders. Misusingpany funds is a grave concern. ¡± Bryan, who seldom participated in thepany¡¯s daily affairs, wasn¡¯t shocked by Hannah¡¯s insight. ¡°I have a hunch that some of the old- timers, especially those loyal to Dexter, have been funneling money overseas. Their tracks are too well-covered for it to be anything else. ¡± Byrum nodded in agreement. ¡°Given both of your suspicions about the board and stakeholders, I¡¯m delegating this investigation to you. ¡± ¡°Since Hannah is already preupied with thepany¡¯s ongoing projects,¡± with a contemtive demeanor, Bryan said, ¡°I¡¯ll handle the shareholder investigation. ¡± Hannah offered no objections, which Byrum took as a silent agreement. Once they wrapped up their discussion, Byrum turned to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯d like you to stay at the family estate for now. You¡¯ll be representing the Whites at an uing Hoijery banquet alongside our younger members. ¡± Hannah was about to decline when Byrum cut in, ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯ve instructed the staff here. They¡¯ll follow your lead unless I say otherwise. ¡± Bryan was inwardly surprised that Byrum was willing to transfer such authority to Hannah but kept his emotions in check. Grinning at Hannah, he said, ¡°Seems like it¡¯s time for us old folks to step aside and make room for fresh blood. ¡± Upon hearing that Hannah would be taking charge at the family estate, Johanna went on a rampage in her room, throwing and breaking anything she could get her hands on. ¡°Stop this at once! If Byrum sees you behaving like this, who knows how severely he¡¯ll reprimand you!¡± Christy attempted to calm Johanna down.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°You¡¯re picking fights with her, even though you know Byrum¡¯s favoring her these days. Why are you still locking horns with her?¡± In a burst of emotion, Johanna hurled herptop to the floor, her face twisted in hatred. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Why did everything shift the moment Hannah showed up? She¡¯s taken all of Grandpa¡¯s love for me! Why would Grandma hand over her entire share to her? She¡¯s nothing but a stranger! Has Grandma lost her mind?¡± Hearing this, Christy quickly mped her hand over Johanna¡¯s mouth. ¡°Are you out of your mind? If Tinsley overhears you, it¡¯s not just you who¡¯ll be kicked out of the White family; your parents will be dragged into it too!¡± Gritting her teeth, Johanna took a deep breath to contain her anger. She gazed at Christy, her eyes filled with hurt. ¡°Christy, don¡¯t you see? I¡¯m the victim here. And it¡¯s not just unfair to me. It¡¯s unfair to Jalen, too! Before she arrived, Grandpa himself had designated Jalen as the chairman. Then she swoops in and steals his spot! How shameless!¡± Johanna¡¯s eyes narrowed as she continued, ¡°You know I like you the most in this household, Christy. I can¡¯t sit back and watch her seize control of the White family¡¯s assets andpanies. And you¡¯ve put in your fair share, too. Why should she reap all the benefits? Jalen was simply too soft-hearted, and she took advantage of him!¡± Chapter 609 Christy¡¯s face showed a glimmer of doubt. ¡°Well, actually¡­ Hannah did help thepany pull through a tough spot. ¡± ¡°Christy! Why put all our hopes on her? She¡¯s nothing more than Bryson Mitchell¡¯s girlfriend. I could also prosper by marrying into affluence!¡± Johanna squeezed Christy¡¯s hand firmly. ¡°Christy, you mustn¡¯t fall for her tricks. She deliberately distanced herself from the Moore family as soon as she came back to Hoijery, targeting our White family from the start!¡± Christy listened, and a wave of doubt clouded her mind.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. She was already predisposed to dislike Hannah, and now her brows knitted even more. ¡°But at the end of the day, she¡¯s Byrum¡¯s favorite. Our hands are tied. ¡± ¡°I know how to expose her, but right now, I¡¯m not in a position to make a move. I need your help, Christy. ¡± The pair whispered in hushed tones for a while. Christy¡¯s grip tightened, and herplexion turned a shade paler. Hesitation clouded her eyes. Seeing her like this, Johanna grasped her hand. ¡°Christy, you¡¯re the only one who can pull this off. If we let this opportunity slip, we won¡¯t get another one!¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not possible. ¡± Christy abruptly rose to her feet, shaking her head vehemently. ¡°This ispletely impossible! What if things go south?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Inwardly, Johannabeled Christy as timid, but her outward voice remained soothing. ¡°We¡¯ve got your back, Christy. What could possibly go wrong? Our goal is just to make her leave, not to harm anyone. ¡± ¡°But. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Pretending to exhale in disappointment, Johanna chimed in, ¡°If you¡¯re not on board, we¡¯ll drop it. But know this. We¡¯ll be letting her seize the White family¡¯s legacy. ¡± ¡°Wait. Christy paused. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go with your n. ¡± The butler had set up a room for Hannah on the second floor. Once she was back in her room, she called Bryson first. ¡°I¡¯L be staying at the White residence for a bit. Let Lydia and Grace know. I¡¯ll be back after the banquet. ¡± Bryson¡¯s lips curled ever so slightly upon hearing Hannah. ¡°Mr. Byrum White is already leaning on you, huh?¡± Chapter 610 From her end, Hannah held her forehead and chuckled, ¡°I wish he¡¯d just take back those shares. You have no idea how messy it¡¯s been here today. ¡± ¡°When I returned to the Mitchell n, it was even crazier. Just give it your all. ¡± Bryson reassured her while adjusting his gold- framed sses. ¡°I¡¯ll send you some documents about overseas partnershipster. There are some promising options. Take a look when you get a chance. ¡± ¡°Will do. See you at the banquet. ¡± ¡°sure. ¡± After hanging up, the twinkle in Bryson¡¯s eyes vanished. Hisputer screen still disyed an active call. The voice at the other end piped up once he¡¯d disconnected. ¡°So, what¡¯s your next move now that Ruby¡¯s gone? Going to keep it a secret forever?¡± A frigid, dispassionate smile graced Bryson¡¯s lips. ¡°I never nned to hide it. I couldn¡¯t care less. She won¡¯t find a shred of evidence, even if it doese out. ¡± The voice on the other line chuckled, ¡°If you genuinely didn¡¯t care, you¡¯d have been upfront with her. Why go through the trouble of hiding it for him? Or we could take care of her for you. ¡± Bryson¡¯s expression hardened, and his voice tinged with warning. ¡°This is my business. Stay out of it!¡± A yful tone resonated from the other end of the line. ¡°You didn¡¯t exactly show mercy to women before, did you? Ah, Ruby. ¡°Shut up, or I¡¯ll arrange for someone to remove your tongue,¡± Bryson retorted coldly. Unfazed, the man chuckled, ¡°Fine, fine. It benefits you to keep me alive anyway. I¡¯ll be in Newfort, waiting for you. Oh, another thing. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ You wanted intel on what¡¯s happening in Muvrand. Let¡¯s just say the big guy backing Enchantment Casino isn¡¯t too happy with you. He¡¯s out for blood because you let a woman break the deal. Despite living in aw-abiding society, Enchantment Casino is itching to make you pay. ¡± Resting a finger on his forehead, Bryson responded icily, ¡°I know. ¡± ¡°So, are you going to clean up his mess?¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Enough talk,¡± Bryson shot back. ¡°Alright, got to go. Other matters to attend to. ¡± With that, the man hung up. Bryson nced at his phone, which disyed a goodnight text and a string of emojis from Hannah. His expression remained enigmatic. For the past two days, Johanna had been unusually docile, avoiding causing any problems for Hannah, all thanks to Byrum¡¯s influence Chapter 611 However, that evening, as Hannah was about to ascend the stairs in the White family mansion, she was intercepted by Christy. ¡°Jalen, Bainbridge and Edwin aren¡¯t around today, and I sent the staff off. I prepared dinner.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Would you like to join me?¡± Christy, usually so distant, inquired. Hannah nced at the dining table where several dishes were spread out. ¡°Not right now, I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Hannah said, turning to leave. Christy quickly moved to grasp Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°Actually, there¡¯s something else I¡¯d like to discuss with you. For my sake, let¡¯s dine together, shall we?¡± Intrigued by Christy¡¯s newfound sincerity, Hannah agreed. She took a seat in the dining room and asked, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Christy graciously served Hannah and offered a warm smile. ¡°Please, try the food I¡¯ve prepared. ¡± ncing at the meal before her, Hannah took a bite with her fork. ¡°Speak your mind. You didn¡¯t need to go to the trouble of cooking just for me. ¡± ¡°Okay, listen. ¡± Letting out a resigned sigh, Christy met Hannah¡¯s gaze. ¡°Actually, this is about Johanna. I hope you won¡¯t make a big deal out of it with her. She¡¯s quite a bit younger than us and sometimescks maturity. She acted on impulse during your argument, but she regretted it afterward. ¡± Understanding that Christy was advocating for Johanna, Hannah set her fork down gently. ¡°I have no intention of making a big deal with her. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Maintaining aposed demeanor, Hannah continued, ¡°If I wanted to cause a scene with her, the ckmailer wouldn¡¯t find himself behind bars so soon. ¡± Visibly startled, Christy looked at Hannah, unease written all over her face. ¡°Yes, I understand you wouldn¡¯t make an issue out of it with such a young girl. ¡± ¡°A young girl only two years younger than me?¡± Raising an eyebrow, Hannah shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m done eating. I have work to do upstairs. ¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Christy attempted to speak but held her tongue, simply watching as Hannah went upstairs. Chapter 612 After some thought, Christy climbed the stairs carrying a bowl of steaming porridge and knocked on the door of Byrum¡¯s study. Byrum, engrossed in a book, nced up to see Christy. Removing his sses, he asked in a serious tone, ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Byrum, you haven¡¯t eaten much today. I thought I¡¯d bring you some oatmeal. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Pinching the bridge of his nose, Byrum waved Christy away. ¡°You may leave. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Christy¡¯s gaze shifted to a medicine bottle on Byrum¡¯s desk. After a pause, she set the bowl down, turned, and exited the room. Next, Christy paid a visit to Johanna¡¯s room and informed thetter that she refused to carry on their n. Upon hearing Christy¡¯s decision, Johanna¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re such a fool, Christy! If we don¡¯t push her out now, and she solidifies her ce in the White family, what standing will we have? By then, it won¡¯t just be me who¡¯s ousted.N?velDrama.Org content rights. You and Jalen will also be cast aside by this detestable woman!¡± Recalling Hannah¡¯s earlierments, Christy nervously twiddled her fingers and said, ¡°She¡¯s not as bad as you make her out to be. ¡± Johanna settled into her seat and gave Christy a nudge. ¡°Consider this. She¡¯s on her best behavior only because Grandpa is around. What do you think will happen if she gains full control of the White family? She¡¯ll kick us to the curb, won¡¯t she?¡± Christy felt torn and unsure. Seeing Christy¡¯s indecisive look, Johanna reassured her softly. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Christy. We¡¯re in this together. If I keep quiet, who¡¯s going to find out you were involved?¡± Confused and uncertain, Christy finally agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go along with it, but we can¡¯t endanger Byrum. ¡± ¡°My dear cousin-inw, I¡¯m not stupid. Why would I ever risk Grandpa¡¯s life?¡± Knock! Knock! Knock! As Hannah pondered her own scheme, she was interrupted by a knock at the door. She nced at herputer screen and called out, ¡°Come in. ¡± Edwin stepped in, cradling a cup of hot milk. ¡°Hannah, you Look exhausted. Here, have some milk. ¡± Hannah looked at Edwin before turning back to face her screen. ¡°So, what¡¯s the real reason for this visit?¡± Chapter 613 Confused, Edwin huffed, ¡°Is there a problem with me stopping by when I¡¯m not busy? You weren¡¯t grateful when I stopped Johanna from pping you a few days back, were you?¡± Hannah chuckled. She then gave Edwin a more serious look. ¡°Alright, my savior, you brought me milk. Anything else on your mind?¡± When it was his turn to speak, Edwin hesitated, ¡°Um, remember that time I got drugged and you saved me? Remember Jenny?¡± At the mention of Jenny, Hannah promptly shut down herputer. ¡°What happened? Is she causing you problems again?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Edwin shook his head, although his face betrayed a weird expression. ¡°She hasn¡¯t been harassing me or anything. Buttely, I feel Like I¡¯m being watched. Both outside and inside the house. It¡¯s unnerving!¡± Such an instinct couldn¡¯t be baseless. Furrowing her brow, Hannah made a quick decision. ¡°Stick with me for the next few days. Come to work and leave with me. Meanwhile, I¡¯1L have someone install pinhole cameras around the White family vi and in your bedroom, just to be safe. ¡± Maybe Hannah felt uneasy due to Jenny¡¯s previous actions. The following morning, she decided to bring Edwin into thepany. Seated in Hannah¡¯s office, Edwin seemed disengaged as he reviewed the list of avable positions at White Group, his legs swinging aimlessly.N?velDrama.Org content rights. When Hannah finally finished outlining the uing coborative project, she looked over to see Edwin, sitting on her couch, looking thoroughly bewildered. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t you find any of these roles appealing?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Sensing that Hannah had finally given him her attention that morning, Edwin replied with a half-smile, ¡°None of these seem like a good fit for me. ¡± ALL morning, Edwin found Hannah swamped with work. He listened to Hannah delegate responsibilities and talk through project details, thoroughly confused by the technical Language. Even though his field of study was finance, Edwin had often cked off during his academic years, barely managing to graduate. He had once looked down on Hannah¡¯s skills, but now he felt utterly clueless in her professional setting. ¡°You know, you were right to call me an idiot. I don¡¯t think I could handle any of these jobs, not even at an entry level. ¡± Upon hearing Edwin¡¯s disheartened tone, Hannah grinned. Chapter 614 ¡°Well, it¡¯s good that you¡¯re bing aware of your own limitations. ¡± ¡°Hey, no need to make fun of me,¡± Edwin retorted. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll need to find a job that actually suits me. ¡± ¡°Stop moping,¡± Hannah responded. ¡°I do have a role that could work for you, but it¡¯ll take a little time to set up. ¡± She went on, ¡°Layne Cartwright is a big name in the IT sector, and our group could really benefit from a partnership in that area. How would you like to coborate with him?¡± At this, Edwin¡¯s eyes sparkled and he sprang from the couch. ¡°Seriously? You¡¯re considering a partnership with Mr. Cartwright? Are you sure about this?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve saved his number. I just need to find the right moment to discuss possible coboration. ¡± Closing the distance between them, Edwin eximed, ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re my savior!¡± Gently pushing him away with a grin, Hannah quipped, ¡°Oh, why don¡¯t you go enjoy yourself elsewhere?¡± Hannah then sent a text to Layne. ¡°Mr. Cartwright, do you have any hidden pinhole cameras that are difficult to detect?¡± Shortly after, she received a reply. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°We¡¯ve recently developed some new micro-cameras in our R&D department. I¡¯ll have them sent over today and show you how to operate them. ¡± Hannah was surprised when her casual question led Layne to instruct his team to deliver the cameras directly to her office. She responded, ¡°There¡¯s no need to inconvenience yourself, Mr. Cartwright. I can buy them at your retail outlet. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s no inconvenience. These are ourtest prototypes, not yet avable to the public. Since you brought up a potential partnership¡± Miss Moore, it seemed like a perfect chance to delve deeper into that during our next meeting.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡± Just after Hannah discussed the prospect of coboration with Edwin, Layne extended an offer. Hannah pondered briefly before responding, ¡°I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Cartwright. I¡¯ll certainly give it some thought. ¡± Promptly that afternoon, a package arrived at Hannah¡¯s office, courtesy of Layne¡¯s efficient team. The pinhole cameras were as small as a fingertip and uniformly ck, making them difficult to spot. Layne had also included an instruction manual, and Hannah discovered that these cameras were simpler to operate than standard surveince Chapter 615 The package contained five pinhole cameras in total. After her workday, Hannah passed the box to Edwin. ¡°Install one in the living room and one in each hallway tonight, after everyone¡¯s gone to bed. Put one outside your room and another inside. Do it under the cover of darkness so you¡¯re not spotted. ¡± Edwin nodded, assuring her, ¡°I¡¯ve got it covered. ¡± After the cameras had been in ce for a couple of days, everything seemed to be running smoothly. Both Hannah and Edwin could ess the live footage on their phones. That Saturday, Edwin chose to stay home rather than apany Hannah to work, and the sensation of being watched crept over him again. As Hannah was lunching with Bryson, her phone was bombarded with notifications from Edwin. Ding Dong! Ding Dong! Ding Dong! Multiple messages shed across her screen. A puzzled Hannah nced at her phone. ¡°Is something amiss? Is it work-rted?¡± Bryson inquired, eyeing her phone. ¡°I don¡¯t believe so.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡± Hannah nced at her phone and her face tightened as she read Edwin¡¯s texts. Sensing Hannah¡¯s unease, Bryson inquired, ¡°Is everything alright?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Earlier, Edwin thought he was being watched, so he set up cameras around the house. He texted me saying he¡¯s uneasy again, but he¡¯s checked the footage and didn¡¯t see anything unusual. ¡± As she spoke, new messages and pictures from Edwin popped up on her phone. The images disyed nothing out of the ordinary, but it was clear that Edwin was nearing a breaking point. ¡°Mind if I take a look?¡± Bryson suddenly interjected. Hannah handed her phone to him without hesitation. ¡°The cameras didn¡¯t catch anything. Everything appears normal in both the Living room and the hallway. ¡± After scrutinizing the video footage, Bryson proposed, ¡°How about we review the camera records from the past couple of days?¡± Prompted by Bryson¡¯s suggestion, Hannah sat next to him and started scrolling through the archived footage. Chapter 616 Although they couldn¡¯t identify anyone stalking Edwin, their expressions grew increasingly solemn. Finally, Bryson paused the video and observed, ¡°Something seems off with her face. Zoom in on what she¡¯s holding. ¡± At his words, Hannah quickly erged the image on the screen, her eyes widening in disbelief. Christy was clutching her grandfather¡¯s medication! ¡°Where could she have gotten this unique foreign medicine? Where was she before this?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Hannah stared at the screen, her face somber. ¡°She was in my grandfather¡¯s study. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery The pair watched as Christy entered the living room, looked around to make sure she was alone, and then tossed the medicine bottle into the kitchen trash, covering it with other items. In that moment, Hannah felt as though her ears were ringing, overwhelmed by the loud pounding of her own heart. ¡°Hannah. ¡° Bryson grasped her icy hands and promptly saved the footage. ¡°Would you like me to go with you to confront the White family?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Hannah said, her eyes icy as they fixed on the person in the video. ¡°I can¡¯t drag you into this. I have to resolve this issue myself. ¡± But just as she was about to respond to Edwin¡¯stest text, an urgent call from him came through. Hannah picked up, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry for the moment, I¡¯ll be home tonight¡­¡± Before she couldplete her sentence, Edwin cut her off, his voice filled with urgency, ¡°Hannah, get back here now! Grandpa just copsed in his study! I¡¯ve called an ambnce! Come back! Hurry!¡± When Hannah hurried into the White family¡¯s home, medical personnel from both their personal doctor¡¯s team and a hospital¡¯s emergency unit filled the living room. ¡°Mr. Byrum White is stable now. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After a collective effort from the healthcare team, they had assessed and cared for Byrum. Thankfully, his condition wasn¡¯t severe. ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m so d you¡¯re all right! You scared me half to death!¡± Johanna flung herself near Byrum, tears streaming down her face, as shemented, ¡°I was petrified!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the situation with Grandpa?¡± Hannah approached the couch. Hearing Hannah¡¯s voice, Johanna erupted, pointing usingly, ¡°You switched Grandpa¡¯s medication! You bitch tried to kill him! I won¡¯t let you get away with this Chapter 617 ¡°What are you using me of?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze was icy. Bainbridge also regarded Hannah skeptically. ¡°Quit the act. You¡¯re the one who brought home all of Grandpa¡¯s medication. They were swapped for vitamins! Who else could it be?¡± Despite his confusion, Jalen interjected to prevent further arguments, ¡°Grandpa¡¯s still not fully recovered. Could we please stop fighting right now?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not the one who wants to argue! It¡¯s this bitch who tried to kill Grandpa! How can we let her stay in this house?¡± Johanna persisted, ¡°The doctors confirmed that Grandpa worsened because he was given vitamins instead of his real meds! How can you deny your involvement, Hannah?¡± Edwin stepped in front of Hannah, countering, ¡°What are you even saying? Quit the baseless usations! Hannah would never harm Grandpa!¡± ¡°Why are you st ill defending her? She¡¯s the one who brought the medication from the hospital and gave it to Grandpa! Who else could be responsible? A ghost?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Noticing that Hannah didn¡¯t object, Christy sighed softly, saying, ¡°I suspect there¡¯s been a mix-up. Hannah doesn¡¯t strike me as the type to do such a thing. ¡± Hannah scrutinized Christy¡¯s expression. Feeling the weight of Hannah¡¯s stare, Christy quickly averted her eyes, no longer daring to look directly at her. ¡°It¡¯s not a mix-up. It has to be her!¡± Bainbridge scoffed, addressing Hannah. ¡°I genuinely believed you were different. But it appears you were just biding your time to harm Grandpa! I was skeptical about what Johanna had said before, but now you¡¯ve proven you¡¯re truly malicious. Grandpa weed you into this home, and this is how you thank him?¡± Hannah found the whole spectacle before her dreadfully dull. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I have no desire to engage with a fool Like you. Speaking any more with you would surely drop my 1Q. ¡± Bainbridge¡¯s eyes widened, caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s retort. ¡°Hannah Moore!¡± Turning to the butler beside her, Hannah instructed, ¡°Please escort the medical staff out first, then clear the living room of any uninvolved parties. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Acting on Hannah¡¯smand, the butler promptly removed all the house staff from the living room. The room fell into silence. Johanna locked eyes with Hannah, coldly stating, ¡°You dismissed them because you¡¯re afraid they¡¯ll discover your misdeeds and ruin your reputation, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Byrum¡¯s condition had stabilized somewhat. He drew a long breath, supported by Tinsley, and managed to sit up. ¡°I trust Hannah,¡± he dered in a voice weaker than usual but still resolute.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°If she wished me harm, she has countless ways to do so without switching my medication. ¡± Chapter 618 ¡°Grandpa!¡± Johanna pressed close to Byrum, her eyes filled with concern. ¡°How can you be so certain about her intentions? You can¡¯t just blindly trust her!¡± Joining the conversation, Christy questioned, ¡°Hannah, while I believe there might be a misunderstanding, I did see you go into Byrum¡¯s studyte two nights ago. What were you up to?¡± Suddenly, all eyes shifted to Hannah. Quick to rify, Christy added, ¡°I¡¯m not casting suspicion on you. I¡¯m just curious why you¡¯d be in Byrum¡¯s study at such ate hour. ¡± Before Hannah could offer an exnation, Bainbridge burst out, ¡°Hannah! You went to Grandpa¡¯s study in the dead of night to tamper with his meds, didn¡¯t you? You never thought you¡¯d get caught, did you?¡± Tilting her head, Hannah eyed Bainbridge and questioned, ¡°You actually have a college degree? You can¡¯t seriously believe I would tamper with Grandpa¡¯s medication in his study?¡± With an icy re, Hannah scoffed and continued, ¡°I could switch the pills during my return t rip. Do you really think I¡¯d make it obvious? Or are you assuming I¡¯m as dim-witted as you and would bring the pills home for swapping? If you had a hint of intelligence, you¡¯d see this is all an attempt to frame me. ¡± Puzzled by her rebuke, Bainbridge stared, mouth agape, struggling for words. Johanna, visibly unnerved, blurted out, ¡°Stop evading the point! Christy saw you go into Grandpa¡¯s study. Why are we even debating this?¡± Calmly, Hannah turned to Christy. ¡°Are you certain you saw me in Grandpa¡¯s study at such ate hour?¡± Suddenly in the spotlight, Christy hesitated, nervously fidgeting with her fingers, but pushed on. ¡°I did¡­ I can¡¯t lie about it. ¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. With a smug look, Johanna turned to Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°So, what else do you want to say now?¡± Unfazed, Hannah smiled, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in ying this pointless game of ¡®he said, she said. ¡¯ I have some evidence to present. ¡± ¡°Haha,¡± Johanna sneered. ¡°Evidence? What could you possibly have? Are you fabricating something?¡± Hannah looked at Christy, her smile subtle yet knowing. ¡°Regrettably, Edwin faced some issues recently, leading me to install surveince cameras around the house. I didn¡¯t inform you all yet, but since Grandpa¡¯s medication is now in question and you¡¯re iming I snuck into his study, why don¡¯t we review the footage from thest two days?¡± Chapter 619 Christy gasped, nearly shrieking, ¡°You did what?!¡±Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Jalen frowned, turning to Christy. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Christy¡¯s heart felt like it was pounding through her chest. ¡°I, uh. Maintaining herposed grin, Hannah faced Christy and said, ¡°Why the sudden panic? You were pretty confident you saw me entering Grandpa¡¯s studyte at night, weren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Um¡­ I¡­ I¡­¡± Panic washed over Christy¡¯s face. She hadn¡¯t foreseen Hannah setting up cameras in the home. Speechless, she stumbled for words. Jalen, sensing her difort, gave her shoulder a gentle shake. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed as she smirked at Christy. ¡°She¡¯s unnerved because she¡¯s been dishonest!¡± Sensing the conversation was veering off course, Johanna quickly interjected, ¡°Let¡¯s not get sidetracked! There¡¯s no surveince here. You¡¯re just changing the subject!¡± Seizing an opportunity, Christy retorted, ¡°You thin Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ k I¡¯m lying just because I mentioned seeing you in Byrum¡¯s study? Are you holding it against me? Well, I¡­¡± But before she could finish, Hannah was already cueing up the video. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s watch it then. Butler, can you link my phone to the TV? A bigger screen will make it easier for everyone. ¡± As the footage yed on the television, Christy¡¯s thoughts unraveled into a haze of disbelief. The video was strikingly vivid, even in the dark. It unmistakably captured Christy sneaking into Byrum¡¯s study, swiping a bottle of pills, and then tossing it in the kitchen garbage. The room fell silent as the video paused. All eyes were on Christy. Chapter 620 She couldn¡¯t meet their stares. Retreating a couple of steps, she shook her head. ¡°No¡­ I didn¡¯t!¡± Johanna felt her heart lurch initially, but relief swiftly followed. After all, she hadn¡¯t tampered with the medication. If things came to light, she¡¯d let Christy take the fall. ¡°Are we really condemning Christy based on some dubious video?¡± Johanna narrowed her eyes and persisted, ¡°We¡¯re in a high-tech era, Hannah. Fabricating a video is easy. What a coincidence that you installed hidden cameras just days before all this! I don¡¯t buy it!¡± Christytched onto Johanna¡¯s words as if they were a lifeline. ¡°Exactly! Hannah, you¡¯re setting me up! Why would I harm Byrum?¡± Hannah sighed, exasperated. She turned to Edwin, saying, ¡°The cameras were installed for Edwin, so he has the original footage. I could manipte the video on my phone, but not on his, right? Would you like topare? Or should we have this footage verified?¡±Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Edwin quickly pulled up the video on his phone,paring it to Hannah¡¯s. His grip tightened around his device, and he stared at Christy, aghast. ¡°Christy! How could you? This is murder! Do you realize that?¡± Hearing the word ¡®murder¡¯, Christy crumpled to the floor. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s not me¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Witnessing her in such a state, Jalen grasped the situation instantly. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ He shook his head, sighing, ¡°How could you betray us like this? What could Grandpa possibly have done to deserve this from you? Christy, I think we should divorce. ¡± His wordsnded like a sledgehammer on Christy¡¯s heart. She clung to the hem of his pants, staring up at him, disbelieving. ¡°Jalen, we¡¯ve been together for years! You know who I am! I never intended to harm Byrum!¡± Jalen¡¯s eyes met hers, disappointment shadowing his face. ¡°You switched out Grandpa¡¯s medication, causing his rpse. Christy, do you feel no guilt at all?¡± ¡°Tom Christy¡¯s gaze darted to Johanna, grasping at her like a lifeline. ¡°Johanna, back me up! Tell Jalen it wasn¡¯t my idea! You told me that having Hannah around would jeopardize Jalen¡¯s position. You¡¯re the one who instructed me to swap Byrum¡¯s pills! You promised he¡¯d be okay!¡± Chapter 621 Johanna¡¯s eyes widened in feigned shock, stepping back. ¡°Christy, how dare you pin this on me? I¡¯ve been confined to my room for self- reflection for thest two days. How could I possibly have orchestrated this? I defended you out of goodwill.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. I believed you were innocent, but are you trying to set me up. ¡± Pretending to be heartbroken, Johanna continued, ¡°You¡¯ve let me down, Christy. How could you endanger Grandpa? Do you have any conscience? I had such faith in you. ¡± Johanna¡¯s deceptive confirmation sealed the grim fate for Christy, who couldn¡¯t believe her supposed ally would throw her under the bus. Hannah, observing the unfolding drama, surmised that Johanna had manipted Christy. However, she wasn¡¯t inclined to let Christy off the hook. Anyone with harmful intentions deserved ountability. Byrum broke his silence, coughing to gain attention. ¡°Christy, I¡¯d rather not add to the chaos. It¡¯s best if you leave voluntarily. ¡± Realizing that eviction from the White family would make any return impossible, Christy lunged towards Byrum. ¡°Byrum, believe me! Johanna is the puppet master behind all this! Trust me, please!¡± Fearing for his grandfather¡¯s safety, Jalen swiftly moved to restrain Christy. ¡°Calm down! Come with me!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere! I¡¯m not going anywhere!¡± Struggling, Christy slumped to her knees. ¡°Byrum, I messed up! I should never have listened to Johanna and tampered with your medication. But I never intended to harm you! I¡¯ve been part of this family for so long. Can¡¯t you trust me just this once? I never meant to cause you any harm. Really!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Byrum stared at the ground, his thoughts inscrutable. Concerned that Christy could ruin her scheme, Johanna feigned sorrow. ¡°Christy, you¡¯re the one I trust most in this family! Why are you framing me? I knew you had issues with Hannah. I even advised you not to take it too far! I stood up for you, and now I regret it. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Cornered and frantic, Christy was at a loss. She had no evidence to prove that Johanna had manipted her into swapping the medication. In her desperation, she clung to Jalen¡¯s shirt. ¡°Jalen, believe me! We¡¯ve been together for so long! Don¡¯t you know the kind of person I am?¡± Chapter 622 Jalen wavered. He¡¯d known Christy for years. She was fiery, yes, but never deceitful in this manner. He nced skeptically at Johanna. Despite his reluctance to question her, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Christy wouldn¡¯t set her up without a good reason. The moment Johanna¡¯s eyes met Jalen¡¯s gaze, they brimmed with tears. ¡°Do you trust her over me, Jalen?¡± Tensions surged, filling the living room with a cacophony of arguments. Visibly annoyed, Byrum finally said, ¡°Hannah, this is on you now. Your grandmother and I are too old for these disputes. Make your choice. ¡± Taking her grandfather¡¯s words to heart, Hannah simply nodded. ¡°Alright, Grandpa. Go rest upstairs. ¡± When they were alone in the living room, Hannah moved to the sofa and settled in. ¡°Grandpa may be lenient, but I won¡¯t be. Christy, you can either leave willingly or be escorted out, which won¡¯t be pretty. ¡± ¡°Hannah! I admit I¡¯ve wronged you. But I never intended to harm Byrum. I fell under Johanna¡¯s influence. Can you give me another chance?¡± Without letting her borate, Hannah gestured for the waiting bodyguards to remove her. ¡°Butler, instruct her to finalize a divorce with Jalen at the court within three days. Otherwise, legal action will follow. ¡± Hannah gave a nod to the butler. ¡°As you wish, madam. ¡± As the butler exited the room, Hannah overheard Christy¡¯s sobs from outside. The butler kindly dismissed the two bodyguards. ¡°Please step out for a moment.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Once they were gone, Christy trembled as she said, ¡°I didn¡¯t actually¡­¡± Interrupting her, the butler reassured, ¡°Madam, Miss Moore is aware that you wouldn¡¯t harm Mr. Byrum White. Confused, Christy stared at the butler. ¡°Then why did she. . With a distant smile, the butler rified, ¡°Even if you aren¡¯t the chief plotter, you did tamper with Mr. White¡¯s medication. That makes you an aplice. ¡± Christy¡¯s face fell, and the butler added, ¡°Furthermore, youck any proof that Miss White directed you to switch the medication. ¡± ¡°I understand¡­¡± Chapter 623 As she prepared to depart in dejection, the butler interjected, ¡°However, Miss Moore is willing to offer you an opportunity. If you uncover the true instigator, she might consider forgiving you. ¡± Christy¡¯s eyes lit up, as if clutching a lifeline. She nodded at the butler and said, ¡°I will! If I can gather evidence against Johanna, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes. Whatever it takes!¡± Acknowledging her resolve, the butler nodded and said, ¡°In that case, pleasey low for a few days. I¡¯ll reach out when there¡¯s an update. ¡± ¡°Understood! Absolutely, I get it. ¡± In the living room, seeing Christy be ushered away, Johanna exhaled deeply and shot Hannah a disdainful look. ¡°Stop ying the devoted granddaughter. Why didn¡¯t you inform us about the surveince system earlier? It¡¯s as if you wanted the spotlight after Grandpa¡¯s incident. ¡± Hannah retorted with a grin, ¡°Maybe you should schedule a doctor¡¯s visit to check on your mental health. ¡± Hannah studied Johanna, her words dripping with irony. ¡°If I¡¯d warned you, would that have stopped Christy from tampering with Grandpa¡¯s meds?¡± Johanna¡¯s face paled. ¡°That¡¯s not on me! Grandpa gave you authority over family issues, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can me me! Do you think if we¡¯d known about the surveince earlier, Grandpa¡¯s meds would still have been tampered with? Would his condition have worsened again?¡± Edwin had had enough of Johanna. ¡°The surveince was installed for my sake. We had no idea someone in the house was plotting against Grandpa. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Still smiling, Hannah faced Johanna. ¡°A guilty mind needs no user, right Johanna?¡± Johanna shot Hannah a furious look. ¡°Your insinuations are lost on me! Grandpa told me to reflect on my actions. I¡¯ve no interest in bickering with you further!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As Johanna stormed out, Edwin sat next to Hannah, his expression fraught with concern. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯m not convinced it¡¯s that simple. ¡±Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow. After hesitating, Edwin said, ¡°While Christy may have a fiery temperament and asionally rub people the wrong way, she¡¯s always treated Grandpa with utmost respect. Moreover, Grandpa has never had an issue with her. There was no reason for her to harm him intentionally!¡± ¡°Having settled my nerves, I too sensed something off about the situation. ¡± Jalen exhaled deeply, shifted his seat, and fixed his gaze on Hannah. Chapter 624 ¡°Edwin¡¯s right. I¡¯ve been married to her for years. She might be hot -headed, but doing something like this doesn¡¯t add up. If she were crafty enough to devise such a scheme, she wouldn¡¯t have waited for your arrival to act. ¡± Bainbridge Looked puzzled. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Are you saying Christy isn¡¯t behind this?¡± Hannah shot him a dismissive nce. ¡°Exining this to someone of your intellectual caliber would be a waste of time. Mind your own business and go enjoy yourself. ¡± Stung by Hannah¡¯s words, Bainbridge fumed, ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°Are you really that dense? I want you to leave.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. You¡¯re only getting in the way. ¡± ¡°Fine, fine!¡± Visibly aggravated, Bainbridge spun on his heels and stormed off. Once the room had fallen silent, with only the three of them remaining, Hannah said, ¡°I¡¯m certain she¡¯s not the plotter, and I believe her. ¡± Jalen looked surprised. ¡°You¡¯re saying Johanna manipted her¡­¡± ¡°Did you see Johanna¡¯s reaction earlier? Who else could it be?¡± Edwin scoffed. ¡°She failed to frame Hannah this time, but she¡¯ll definitely try again. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice turned icy. ¡°She won¡¯t get another chance. I need to ask for your assistance. During the banquet, make sure she can¡¯t attend. I¡¯ve got a n to expose her. ¡± Edwin and Jalen exchanged nces and nodded. ¡°Consider it done. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ We¡¯ve got this. ¡± After Christy was ousted, tranquility returned to the White family vi for a while. Knowing the house was under surveince, Johanna kept a low profile, mostly staying confined to her room. On the banquet day, Bryson¡¯s staff delivered to Hannah an exquisite pearl ne and a luxurious white halter dress. When Hannah got the dress, she dialed Bryson¡¯s number. He didn¡¯t pick up, but she wasn¡¯t bothered by it. Instead, she had someone carry the dress to her room. Tonight¡¯s banquet was an event that both the elders of the White family deliberately skipped to let the younger generation shine. Dressed in her Halter Dress, Hannah descended the stairs and caught Edwin¡¯s eye. ¡°Wow, Hannah! You look stunning!¡± Chapter 625 Hannah had opted for simplicity. She had her hair up in a casual bun, held by a single hairpin, exuding grace. Hearing Edwin¡¯s exmation, Bainbridge nced up, caught sight of Hannah, smirked, and then looked away. Jalen was on his way down the stairs, with Johanna pestering him. ¡°Why can¡¯t I go to the banquet with you?¡± ¡°Grandpa has grounded you for reflection; you¡¯re not going anywhere,¡± Jalen responded. Lounging on the sofa, Edwin added, ¡°Just stay put. Grandma and Grandpa have hospital appointments. No disruptions, okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m also a member of the White family too, you know! Why do you only care about Hannah?¡± Johanna felt isted. Seeing everyone so biased toward Hannah, she nearly lost it. She darted down the stairs and turned to Bainbridge. ¡°Bainbridge! They¡¯re leaving me behind! Will you take me?¡± Though tempted to undermine Hannah, Bainbridge wasn¡¯t eager to make a spectacle with Johanna. ¡°It¡¯s not that big of a deal, Johanna. You¡¯ll get your chance. If we defy Grandpa¡¯s orders, he¡¯ll have our heads. ¡± Realizing she was stuck, Johanna shot Hannah a venomous look. ¡°You¡¯re pure evil, you know that? I won¡¯t forget this. ¡± Hannah nced at the woman storming upstairs, gra Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ bbed her purse, and said nonchntly, ¡°We should head out. It¡¯s gettingte. ¡± The event was designed not just to impress Hoijery¡¯s local elite, but also high-profile individuals from other cities. When they got there, lights danced across the room and melodious music filled the air. Hannah¡¯s arrival, along with the grandsons of the White family, drew immediate attention. A flurry of people came up to introduce themselves. ¡°Miss Moore, I specialize in International Trade over in Crakholis. Here¡¯s my card. Perhaps we could explore business ventures in the future. ¡±Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Graciously epting the card, Hannah replied, ¡°I appreciate the offer, sir. If an opportunity arises, I¡¯d be d to coborate. ¡± Within a short time of entering the hall, Hannah had collected over ten business cards. The event was avish affair. Den had brought nearly his entire family, as the Edwards Group wasn¡¯t doing as well and needed strong alliances. Sadie had spotted Hannah the moment she walked in. Irritated by Hannah¡¯s increased poise and allure, Sadie clenched her teeth. Chapter 626 ¡°I can¡¯t believe she snagged this role by sleeping with a man! I really misjudged her!¡± Eliana, clinging to Den¡¯s arm, observed, ¡°Miss Moore is quite theworker. She¡¯s managed to build such connections in Hoijery, even after parting ways with Den. ¡± Den had noticed how Hannah was swarmed by business tycoons. He was seething with jealousy. People were only drawn to beautiful women! They had bypassed him, focusing instead on handing their business cards to Hannah, who graciously epted each one. The thought that Hannah was here to flirt enraged Den. ¡°Ouch, Den, you¡¯re hurting me!¡± Snapping back to reality, Den responded frostily, ¡°I¡¯m going to go mingle. Find a seat. ¡± Eliana sneered inwardly, ¡°In truth, he isn¡¯t interested in socializing. He just wants to rekindle things with Hannah. ¡± Eliana had lost all concern. It was better for her to find someone superior to Den at this gathering. Meanwhile, Sadie¡¯s gaze never left Hannah. How she envied her! ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s been a while,¡± said a voice behind Hannah. As Hannah concluded her mingling, she turned to find Layne. ¡°Mr. Cartwright, you¡¯re here too?¡± ¡°This gathering is a hotspot for influential people. I¡¯m scouting for potentially worthwhile ventures. ¡± Lifting her ss, Hannah quipped, ¡°Then Mr. Cartwright, perhaps you should think about teaming up with me in the future. ¡± ¡°Of course. ¡± Layne raised his ss and clinked it against Hannah¡¯s. ¡°If I were looking to establish a joint project, then I would naturally prefer to do business with you, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°What a huge business deal, Miss Moore. Do you think you can coborate with us as well?¡± Den had appeared out of nowhere and sidled up next to the two with a fake smile on his face.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Hannah instantly felt sick at the sight of his face, and her own smile faded away. Layne, on the other hand, was able to keep his courteous expression despite his surprise. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Mr. Edwards! I knew that the Edwards Group is neck deep in Valmere¡¯s real estate industry, but I haven¡¯t heard that you were branching out to a different line of business. When did you develop an interest in the Inte industry?¡± Den was stunned to be suddenly put on the spot. He cleared his throat before saying, ¡°Well, everyone knows that we need some diversity if we are to progress. We are old friends, aren¡¯t we? Please keep the Edwards Group in mind. ¡± ¡°Old friends?¡± Layne repeated, one eyebrow raised as he looked Den up and down. Chapter 627 ¡°I believe we¡¯ve only met a handful of times, Mr. Edwards. I wouldn¡¯t exactly call ourselves ¡®old friends¡¯. ¡± His tone was kind, gentle even, but it effectively stopped Den from blurting out his true intentions. Feeling humiliated, Den did as he always had and pinned the me on Hannah. He turned to her and asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t Brysone with you? Or, don¡¯t tell me¡­¡± He paused pointedly, a glint of malice shing in his eyes. ¡°Has he abandoned you already? Didn¡¯t I warn you that someone of his standing is even more unreliable than the ones you¡¯re used to? I mean, why would he fall for a divorcee in the first ce?¡± Hannah¡¯s hand balled into a fist. She had to fight the urge to nt it in Den¡¯s face. Thankfully, she was able to swallow her anger. ¡°I don¡¯t see how that has anything to do with you, Mr. Edwards. ¡± ¡°Oh, it has nothing to do with me at all,¡± Den said mockingly. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you to disgrace yourself any more than you already have. As my ex-wife, you are still unfortunately rted to the Edwards family name. ¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes at him and sneered, ¡°We¡¯ve been divorced for half a year. Whomever I choose to be with or what I decided to do with my life is none of your business. What, did you expect me to spend the next three years living Like a forlorn widow?¡± Den¡¯s expression turned ugly. Was she cursing him with an early death or something? But then he heard a suppressed chuckle from his other side. Layne was holding his fist against his mouth, but it did little to hide his grin. ¡°Oh, sorry. Please continue. ¡± ¡°Hannah! Just what do you mean by that?¡± Den was getting increasingly angry. How did this woman be so arrogant in such a short time? Without warning, he grabbed Hannah by the wrist and pulled her forward. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that you still hold 20% of the Edwards Group. ¡± ¡°Oh, so you want me to be thankful for that?¡± Hannah retorted with a sarcastic smirk.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°No way. Your grandmother gave those shares to me, Den. That has nothing to do with you either! You even refused to give me a few million when you demanded a divorce, remember?¡± ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken,¡± Layne interjected, ¡°the current assets of the Edwards Group exceed a billion in value. Yet you couldn¡¯t even pay your ex-wife ten million or less? It appears that you are quite the unreliable partner, Mr. Edwards. ¡± Den¡¯s face turned an rming shade of red. He had meant to insult Hannah, but things ended up going the other way around. ¡°Come with me! I have something to discuss with you in private!¡± Den was so enraged that he was already yanking her in the direction of the door. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Layne¡¯s face turned cold. Just as he was about to help Hannah, another voice spoke from a few feet away. Chapter 628 ¡°Let her go. ¡± Hannah paused in her struggle and looked up. Today, Bryson wore another one of his tailored ck suits over a ck cotton shirt, though theck of tie made him look more rugged than usual. He reached out, and Hannah felt his warm hand grasp hers before she fell into his familiar embrace. The scent of sandalwood hit her Like a wave washing over her entire body. Den froze upon seeing Bryson, but he wasn¡¯t about to back down. ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± Bryson cut him off with a cold re. ¡°You¡¯re manhandling my girlfriend in the middle of a public event. Is this how a dignified man should act?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I have something to say to Hannah,¡± Den said, his voice turning a notch deeper from the pressure Bryson was exuding. ¡°What? For all you know, I might be trying to apologize to her. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Apologize?¡± Bryson looked down at Hannah¡¯s wrist. Her skin was already turning red where Den had seized her. ¡°Is this how you express a sincere apology?¡± Den gritted his teeth and tried his best not to sneer. He faced Hannah again and bit out, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have grabbed you like that. I was too impulsive. ¡± Hannah ced her free hand on Bryson¡¯s arm. ¡°Forget it,¡± she said softly, not wanting to deal with her ex-husband for a second Longer. Bryson smiled as he felt her lean against his chest. ¡°So, this counts as an apology, then?¡± Den practically growled, but he didn¡¯t dare to go against Bryson outright. ¡°What else do you want? I¡¯ve apologized, and she told you to let it go¡­¡± Instead of answering him, Bryson picked up a ss from the nearest table and smashed it against the wooden edge. Crack! ss shards rained on the floor.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Needless to say, the sound attracted everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°What was that? What¡¯s happening?¡± Chapter 629 ¡°There seems to be a fight going on over there. Oh, wait. Isn¡¯t that Mr. Mitchell? Who is he quarrelling with?¡± ¡°Ah, I recognize the man. He is from the Edwards family in Valmere. The woman Mr. Mitchell is holding is that man¡¯s ex-wife. ¡± Most of the guests were not aware of the events that had transpired in Valmere. As a result, the hall was soon filled with animated conversations. Meanwhile, Bryson held up the broken ss, its rim sharp and jagged. A sinister glint entered his eyes as he smiled at Den. ¡°If you chew a piece of this, I just might dismiss this encounter altogether. ¡± ¡°What? What the hell are you saying?¡± Den¡¯s eyes went wide as saucers as he stared at the broken ss. His tongue already stung just listening to Bryson¡¯s words. ¡°I¡­¡± His forehead broke out in a cold sweat. After everything, he still didn¡¯t have the guts to refuse Bryson right to thetter¡¯s face. ¡°I just pulled her by the hand. You can¡¯t¡­ Are you saying that you want me to give up my life for that?¡± ¡°It looks like you weren¡¯t sincere with your apology, after all,¡± Bryson said coldly. Knowing that a storm was brewing inside him, Hannah pulled at his arm. ¡°Come on, the guests are here to discuss business. Don¡¯t turn this into a big deal. I¡¯m all right. ¡± Bryson turned and looked at her for a moment before loosening his grip. The broken ss, or what was left of it, fell to the floor andpletely shattered into countless pieces. Den was trembling with fear at this point. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Since Hannah told me to forget the matter, then I shall do so,¡± Bryson said lightly. ¡°Iam very sorry, Miss Moore,¡± Den muttered, his head still lowered in a mix of shame and fear. ¡°Everything that has happened here today is all my fault. ¡± Hannah was already turning away from him. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it again.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. If you know what¡¯s good for you, then you¡¯d better take your leave. ¡± Hannah could tell that something was not right with Bryson, and she simply wanted to take him away from Den before the confrontation escted further. Chapter 630 Den jumped on the chance and scurried out of the hall in a rush. The shame was already eating at him, and he knew that it would only get worse with every second he lingered. Once Den was gone, Bryson eased his embrace around Hannah and pulled back slightly. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡± he asked, his gaze gentle. ¡°I¡¯m fine. ¡± Hannah braced herself to ask him what was wrong, but she was interrupted yet again. ¡°Mr. Mitchell. It¡¯s nice to finally meet you. You are as outstanding as the rumors say. ¡± Layne greeted Bryson with a smile and offered his business card. ¡°Please ept this. ¡± Bryson plucked the card from Layne¡¯s hand and nced at it. ¡°I remember you. ¡± His eyebrows were raised when he looked back up at Layne. ¡°You¡¯re the person who designed the most advanced chip technology in Newfort four years ago Layne nodded, his smile widening. ¡°That¡¯s right. Even then, I wanted to return and develop my products on familiar soil. I moved my business back here as soon as I could. ¡± ¡°Hmm. ¡± Bryson nodded and turned to Hannah. ¡°Someone from Muvrand will be here in a while. I¡¯m heading upstairs, do you want toe with me?¡± Hannah looked around and spotted Jalen in the distance, chatting with several executives from differentpanies. ¡°No, it¡¯s all right. You should go. Jalen might not be able to handle it without me. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson¡¯s eyes gleamed with meaning as he gazed down at her face. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°Then, wait for me. ¡± ¡°Okay.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± She watched Bryson disappear upstairs before turning her attention to the pieces of ss scattered on the floor. Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. She had been with Bryson for a while now, but this was the first time she had ever felt that something was truly wrong with him. Sure, he had always been a cold and distant man to outsiders, but she never knew that he could be so cruel. Den seemed to have prompted Bryson¡¯s worst side toe out. ¡°Mr. Mitchell is very protective of you. ¡± Chapter 631 Layne¡¯sment jolted Hannah back to the present. She collected herself and offered him a small smile. ¡°He has always been like this. ¡± She nced over at Jalen again before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll go and help Jalen out. We can talk some moreter. ¡± ¡°Of course. ¡± Hannah picked up a new ss of red wine from the table before making her way to where Jalen stood. Layne watched her go, his eyes reluctantly peeling away as she was swallowed by the crowd. In another part of the hall, Edwin was settledfortably in an inconspicuous corner. He had taken his phone out as soon as he arrived, and proceeded to choose a quiet ce to y his mobile games in peace. He enjoyed his sce for a while, but it was soon intruded upon. ¡°Hello there. I¡¯m Sadie Edwards of the Edwards family in Valmere. It¡¯s nice to meet you. ¡± Sadie had spent a good amount of time searching for her target. She was about to give up when she finally noticed Edwin in thest ce she expected. She had paused to take in his Luxurious attire and the unmistakable, libertine ir that he had going on about him. Then, she put on the facade of a sweet, gentle girl before she approached, wine ss in hand. Edwin wasn¡¯t all too pleased at being interrupted. He nced up briefly at Sadie, then looked back at his phone. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he asked, his tone dismissive. Sadie pressed her lips into a thin line. She plopped down next to him, ¡°What are you ying?¡± Her proximity afforded Edwin a healthy whiff of her cloying perfume, and he instinctively leaned away. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Aren¡¯t you bored, just ying on your phone? I saw you sitting by yourself and thought you might like somepany. How about it? Why don¡¯t we have a drink?¡± Sadie was wearing a tight little number that sessfully showcased her figure. She leaned closer to Edwin, putting her assets on full disy. ¡°You see, I¡¯m all by myself, too. ¡± Unfortunately for her, Edwin was much too focused on his game, and didn¡¯t even register her attempt at flirtation.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m not drinking. My cousin told me not to drink tonight. ¡± Sadie cursed him inwardly. He looked like he was over twenty years old. Did he still obey his cousin like some lost little boy? But before she could say anything else, she was yanked back to her feet. ¡°Get away from him!¡± the culprit shrieked in Sadie¡¯s ear. Chapter 632 ¡°Who gave you permission to sit beside Edwin?¡± This other person had used so much force that Sadie stumbled for a brief moment. Needless to say, she was enraged. ¡°Are you out of your mind?!¡± Sadie shook off the other person¡¯s grip and sneered at her. Jenny didn¡¯t waste a second and immediately took the spot that Sadie had just vacated. She crossed her arms over her chest and smirked at thetter. ¡°Who the hell are you, anyway? If you have anyints, then feel free to leave the banquet. ¡± ¡°Why should I leave?¡± Sadie demanded. ¡°Are you the hostess of this party? What gives you the right to send me away?¡± Jenny raised her chin and huffed, ¡°As a matter of fact, this party is indeed hosted by my family. Have you never heard of the Garza family of Hoijery before?¡± She paused to let her words sink in, then added, ¡°You really are a country bumpkin, huh? Who let you inside? You don¡¯t belong here!¡± Sadie was livid. ¡°I¡¯ll have you know that I am from the Edwards family in Valmere!? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Oh. ¡± Jenny c@@ked her head to the side and shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of the name. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Knowing that a fight was about to break out, Edwin stood and turned to leave. ¡°Edwin!¡± Jenny jumped to her feet and grabbed his arm. ¡°Where are you going? I¡¯ming with you. ¡± He frowned and shook off her hand. ¡°I¡¯m going to see my cousin. ¡± A trace of displeasure shed across Jenny¡¯s face, but she quickly covered it up with a smile. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll go with you. ¡± Behind them, Sadie was still fuming. They were ignoring her, and she wouldn¡¯t stand for it. ¡°Can¡¯t you see that he doesn¡¯t want yourpany?¡± she taunted Jenny. Chapter 633 ¡°Why are you acting so shamelessly?¡± Her words hit a nerve with Jenny. Without a care for the time and ce, thetter raised the ss of wine she was holding and emptied it on Sadie¡¯s head. Ssh! ¡°ARE¡± The red liquid trickled down Sadie¡¯s hair and chin, soaking the upper half of her dress. The makeup she had so delicately applied was now ruined, not to mention her hairstyle. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Out of courtesy, Edwin stood in front of Sadie and scowled at Jenny. ¡°Why are you being so rude to your guest?¡± Jenny¡¯s eyes shed. ¡°Are you protecting her now?¡± Themotion caused quite a stir, and for the second time in thest hour, the hall was buzzing with hushed discussions. It didn¡¯t take long for Hannah to catch wind of the disturbance. She quietly told Jalen to deal with the executives and rushed over to the trio. ¡°What is happening here?¡± Edwin flinched at the sound of her voice, and he immediately sidled up next to her. ¡°Hannah! These two suddenly got into a quarrel. It¡¯s none of my business, I swear! I was trying to break them up.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡± Hannah turned to Jenny with a bright smile. ¡°Hello, Miss Garza. It¡¯s been a long time since west saw each other. ¡± Jenny¡¯s expression turned cold. Her upper lip curled as she smirked at Hannah. ¡°Right. Long time no see. You know, I really thought that after the incidentst time, you¡¯d just hide away like a good little coward. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She sneered and looked Hannah up and down before adding, ¡°I never thought you still have the gall to show up here, of all ces!¡± Edwin scowled and stepped between Jenny and Hannah. ¡°Don¡¯t push your luck. I didn¡¯t say anything earlier out of consideration for the fact that the party is hosted by your family, but that doesn¡¯t mean I am not disgusted by what you did that day!¡± Jenny scoffed and red at him. ¡°Are you sure you want to have a falling out with me for the sake of this cousin of yours?¡± ¡°Even without my cousin in the picture, I will never be with you! I will never like you, haven¡¯t I told you this countless times already? Chapter 634 Edwin shifted on his feet and narrowed his eyes at Jenny. ¡°Are you deaf or senile? Or are you simply too stupid to understand basic humannguage? I¡¯m not interested in rehashing the incidents at school, but I¡¯m telling you right now-if you do anything to my cousin, I will never spare you!¡±Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Jenny¡¯s nostrils red as she huffed in anger. ¡°Fine! If anything happens to you in the future, you¡¯d better note running to me for help!¡± In her rage, she threw the empty wine ss on the floor, shattering it to pieces, before storming away. ¡°That girl is insane,¡± Hannah muttered. ¡®s BunnyBookery Edwin plopped back down on the couch, his face grim. ¡°She is absolutely unreasonable!¡± ¡°In any case, she is still the youngdy of the Garza family. Why don¡¯t you try getting together with her? The White and Garza families can form a marriage alliance, and we can finally take control of the entirety of Hoijery. ¡± Edwin frowned at Hannah¡¯s teasing smile. ¡°Speak for yourself. She has an older brother, as you know. Why don¡¯t you marry him instead?¡± Hannah pinched his ear. ¡°She obviously harbors a crush on you! Whereas, her brother doesn¡¯t even Like me. ¡± ¡°ALL right, all right, stop that!¡± Edwin pulled away from Hannah and grumbled, ¡°Just wait, I¡¯m going to tell Mr. Mitchell that you¡¯re trying to shackle up with another guy!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ In the midst of their banter, Hannah noticed a figure lurking to the side. ¡°Sorry, can we help you with anything?¡± she asked Sadie calmly, acting like she didn¡¯t recognize thetter. Sadie was a mess. Her dress was wet and stained under the coat that Edwin had lent her when Jenny went on a rampage. She lowered her head and mumbled, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll wash this coat before I return it to you!¡± Then Sadie turned on her heel and all but fled the scene. Hannah watched her until she disappeared. ¡°The daughter of the Edwards family is not a suitable match for you,¡± she told Edwin. By that time, he was already back at his mobile game. ¡°I don¡¯t Like her either,¡± he replied indifferently. Chapter 635 ¡°But I couldn¡¯t just stand by when she was in such a miserable state. ¡± ¡°Good for you. As long as you understand your position.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡± Hannah nodded her approval and said nothing more. Upstairs, in a spacious room¡­ Bryson sat on the sofa with his long legs crossed in front of him, his fingers tented on hisp. All around him, conversation flowed, but he wasn¡¯t the least bit interested in them. ALL of a sudden, the door flew open, Merlin was wheeled inside by a man in a suit. All the discussions halted upon his attendance. ¡°Mr. Garza!¡± Everyone had risen to their feet to greet Merlin. Everyone, that was, except Bryson. Merlin gave them a gracious smile, then gestured at the man behind him to stop pushing his wheelchair. ¡°Please take your seats, gentlemen. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not that strict. ¡± He turned to Bryson and said, ¡°Hello, Mr. Mitchell. This is our first meeting, correct? To see you once in person is certainly better than hearing about you a hundred times. ¡± Bryson stared him dead in the eye before refuting his words. ¡°This is not our first meeting. We ran into each other in one of the races, though you were quitefortable and secure as you watched everything in a separate room. ¡± Merlin didn¡¯t even flinch at being exposed. ¡°Ah, you were also participating? Miss Moore disyed such a fine performance then. ¡± Bryson didn¡¯t even bother to reply to that one. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Merlin nodded at the other men, silently telling them to take their leave. As soon as the door clicked shut, he leaned forward and peered at Bryson. ¡°We are both smart people, Mr. Mitchell, but I don¡¯t mindying things out for you if that¡¯s what you want. It¡¯s always the same thing. People tend to think that they are the apex predator in thendscape, regardless of the prey. ¡± Merlin sat back and spread his hands, smiling at Bryson. ¡°I, for one, don¡¯t consider myself the apex predator. But I don¡¯t see myself as a prey, either. Do you understand what I mean, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not fond of beating around the bush,¡± Bryson said wryly. ¡°If you have something to say, then just say it outright. ¡± Merlin picked up the documents on hisp and ced them on the table in front of Bryson. Chapter 636 ¡°I happened to discover something that transpired a long time ago. Now, correct me if I¡¯m wrong, but I believe you wouldn¡¯t want Miss Moore to learn about it, am I right?¡± Bryson read through the papers, his pupils shrinking as he processed the information they contained. A satisfied smile stretched across Merlin¡¯s lips. ¡°You see, I¡¯m not sure if the person in front of me right now is really Bryson Mitchell or¡­¡± He deliberately paused before continuing in a sharp tone, ¡°Sewell Mitchell. ¡± Bang! Bryson mmed his fist against the table and shot a menacing re at Merlin. ¡°Don¡¯t be so anxious, Mr. Mitchell,¡± Merlin said calmly. ¡°I admit, I used a few tricks to dig up the details of your past. You were admitted in a private hospital in Newport, weren¡¯t you? You were seeing a psychiatrist for half a year. I have to give them credit, the hospital was really strict when it came to their patients * information. I had to numerous methods to personal employ just get my hands on your file. ording to your medical records, you have a severe Dissociative Identity Disorder, though you eventually got discharged. ¡± A mischievous glint entered Merlin¡¯s eyes. ¡°What I want to know is whether Mr. Mitchell has truly recovered from his condition or not. ¡± ¡°And what does it have to do with you?¡± Bryson asked in an icy voice. ¡°Well, some time ago, someone made trouble in the ck market over at Newport. It caused aplete mess. Are you the one behind it?¡± Merlin spoke slowly, in a somewhat t tone, as if he was simply confirming what he already knew. ¡°You made such a huge scene the moment you returned. Aren¡¯t you at all afraid that your old enemies wille and hunt you down?¡± Bryson saw no point in keeping up the act for a second longer. Click. He flicked his lighter open and lit the cigarette he had put between his Lips. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson then tossed the lighter on the table, leaned back on the sofa with one arm stretched out along the length of the backrest. ¡°You do have the means, I¡¯ll give you that.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. But that¡¯s all you have, nothing more. ¡± Merlin nced at the cigarette before smiling again. ¡°Bryson Mitchell hated the smell of cigarettes. Should I take this as your admission that you are Sewell Mitchell all along?¡± ¡°Does it really matter?¡± Bryson shrugged and shed him a lopsided grin. ¡°At the end of the day, we are the same person. So, you managed to get your hands on my affairs abroad. What is it that you want, exactly? Do you want to use this information as proof that I am incapable of leading the Mitchell family? Or are you going to release this to the public and cause mypany¡¯s stock value to plummet?¡± Chapter 637 Bryson¡¯s gaze turned sinister. ¡°Did you really think you can threaten me with something so trivial?¡± Merlin¡¯sposure never broke. ¡°I suppose so. If you don¡¯t fear having your background out in the open, then why would you go to great lengths to conceal your medical records in the first ce? You even took care of Ruby, despite her return to the country being a secret. ¡± ¡°Stop spouting nonsense. ¡± Bryson raised his chin and took another drag on his cigarette. ¡°That woman hanged herself in the detention center. I had no hand in it. ¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t want to look into these matters and antagonize you any further,¡± Merlin said, pushing another stack of documents toward Bryson. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter whether you are Bryson or Sewell. Either way, you are now the head of the Mitchell family, and I would very much like to do business with you. This project involves research and development in both domestic and foreign areas. Please take some time to look at it. I¡¯m quite confident that it would pique your interest, and that you¡¯d want to cooperate with our Enchantment Casino in no time. ¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Bryson paused in the act of reaching for the documents. He Looked up at Merlin, a dangerous smile ying on his lips. ¡°Thest time I was in Enchantment Casino, your people were very rude to me. ¡± Whoosh! In one swift motion, he threw the documents aside, sending a few pages flying to the floor. Then he tossed his unfinished cigarette into the ss of water in front of him. ¡°I have no intention of doing business with you in any capacity. ¡± Bryson stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and strode in the direction of the door. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯m sure you know that Enchantment Casino has numerous shareholders. While our line of business is more on the shadier side, there are still a few of us who do not engage in dirty dealings. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Whatever it was that displeased you during yourst visit, I assure you that I was not involved in it. ¡± Merlin maneuvered his wheelchair so that he was facing Bryson¡¯s back. ¡°In fact, the shareholders have always been in conflict. I intend to take over the joint project that they had previously struck with you. ¡± Bryson paused and turned around. ¡°If you want to be my business partner so badly, then it¡¯s only natural that you prove your abilities first. ¡± With that, he left the room. Merlin stared at the door long after Bryson was gone, his Lips curled into a self-assured smile. Meanwhile, Bryson walked down the corridor and was rounding a corner to get to the stairs when he suddenly bumped into someone. ¡°Ouch!¡± Eliana looked up at the man in front of her and blushed like an innocent schoolgirl. Chapter 638 She was wearing a delicate, apricot dress thatplimented her fair skin. Her bnce seemed to be off for some reason, seeing as how sheunched herself into Bryson¡¯s arms without hesitation. Eliana had seen Bryson go upstairs a while ago. When she realized that he wasn¡¯ting down any time soon, she came up with an idea. She waited until the guests milling near her were not paying attention, then she sneaked upstairs and waited for the perfect opportunity to run into him ¡°by ident¡±. Eliana braced herself for the warm embrace she was sure would greet her. But instead ofnding into a pair of strong arms, she staggered to the side and hit the cold, hard wall. ¡°Ah!¡± she cried out before she could stop herself. Bryson shot her a forbidding look before heading to the stairs, only for Eliana to grab his arm. ¡°Mr. Mitchell. Eliana nced up at him through hershes and drew closer. ¡°I¡¯m feeling dizzy¡­ Won¡¯t you help me find some ce to sit down for a moment?¡± Bryson smiled as hisrge hand went to her throat. ¡°Are you drunk?¡± he asked, his voice slightly hoarse.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Eliana was practically trembling with excitement. Before she could finish speaking, she felt his fingers tighten around her neck. She gasped and choked as she ran out of air. But Bryson wasn¡¯t done yet. He mmed her against the wall, his dark smile still in ce as he watched her face turn purple. His voice was cold and deep when he asked, ¡°How dare you touch me?¡± This time, when Eliana trembled, it was out of fear. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She had never seen this man sport such a frightening expression. Bryson let go of her abruptly before he roared, ¡°f@ck off. ¡± Eliana took in big gulps of air, even as she slumped to the floor. Her mind was going nk, but she still had enough sense in her to register the threat in his voice. She quickly gathered her skirts and ran downstairs. In her panic, she bumped into someone again. Eliana almost fell back to the floor, but the other party grabbed her just in time. Elianaposed herself enough to thank her savior, but when she raised her head and saw that it was Hannah, she turned even paler. Hannah opened her mouth to ask if the other woman was okay, but Eliana rushed past her before she could get a word out. What was wrong with Eliana? She looked like she had just seen a ghost. Chapter 639 Frowning, Hannah continued up the stairs and spotted Bryson around the corner. ¡°Are you done talking business?¡± she called out to him. Bryson¡¯s schooled his expression before heading over to her. He took Hannah¡¯s hand and led her back downstairs. ¡°They¡¯re opening the dance floor toward the end of the party. You¡¯ll dance with me, won¡¯t you?¡± She smiled at him and squeezed his fingers ever so slightly. ¡°Can you actually dance?¡± Bryon gave her a wry, sideways nce. ¡°Who said I couldn¡¯t?¡± ¡°Well we¡¯ve both been to dozens of parties in the past, but not once have I ever seen you dancing with anyone, not even your dates. When did you develop an interest in dancing?¡± A faint smile yed on Bryson¡¯s lips. ¡°It¡¯s because those women weren¡¯t you. Why would I invite them to dance?¡± Hannah stopped teasing him.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. In fact, she froze in ce and stared at him with a serious look on her face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked. After a brief moment, she shook her head and mustered a small smile. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I can¡¯t help but feel like you¡¯ve changed a lot recently. You¡¯re nothing like the person I remember from before. ¡± Bryson just smiled, his grip on her hand tightening. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Really? I don¡¯t think that¡¯s true at all, though. ¡± But Hannah couldn¡¯t shake off the nagging feeling at the back of her mind. She thought back to the way Eliana had fled earlier, and how she found Bryson standing at the second floornding. As they joined the other guests in the banquet hall, Hannah found herself asking, ¡°Did you meet with Eliana upstairs? Before I came to get you?¡± ¡°Oh, I suppose,¡± Bryson said casually. ¡°She was running down the stairs when I came out of the room. ¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you find her behavior strange?¡± Hannah pressed. Bryson shook his head, still nonchnt as ever. ¡°Not really. She seemed to be in a hurry. Why do you ask? Is there something wrong?¡± Chapter 640 Hannah studied him for a few seconds. He didn¡¯t look or sound Like he was lying. She breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Never mind. I bumped into her when I came up, and she looked shaken, so I thought something bad happened. ¡± Just then, the lights dimmed, and several spotlights were directed to the center of the hall. The crowd cleared the area as the first few soothing notes of a waltz yed in the background. Bryson turned to Hannah and held out his hand. ¡°Miss Moore, may I have the pleasure of this dance?¡± Hannah cast away her suspicions and ced her hand in his. ¡°The pleasure is all mine. ¡± The pair glided gracefully around the dance floor, while Den watched and brooded in a far-off corner. His lips twitched in an effort to hold back his sneer, and his hand was trembling so much that the wine ss he was holding almost broke in half. Once the party ended, Bryson escorted Hannah outside and offered to drive her home. ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. You should head back to the vi. I need to pack my things before returning, anyway. I won¡¯t being home tonight.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡± Bryson nced at Jalen and Edwin, who were standing behind her, and nodded. ¡°ALL right. Send me a message when you get there. ¡± ¡°Sure. Drive safely. ¡± Hannah waited until Bryson¡¯s car was out of sight before walking to her own car. ¡°Hannah. ¡± Edwin hounded her as he fell into step beside her. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just marry Mr. Mitchell?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She whirled around and red at him. ¡°You brat, all you do is gossip about other people¡¯s affairs! If you keep asking this, I¡¯ll toss you in thepany and make you work from the ground level-as a salesperson. ¡± ¡°What, that¡¯s not fair! That¡¯s abuse of power!¡± Edwin turned to Jalen and cried out, ¡°Jalen, look at the way she treats me!¡± Jalen just held his hands up and shrugged. ¡°She is in charge of the White Group now. I have no power to veto her decisions. ¡± ¡°But she¡¯s an evil capitalist!¡± Edwin grumbled. ¡°Yes, yes, I am evil and I am a capitalist,¡± Hannah said as she opened the door to the driver seat. Then she grinned at Edwin. ¡°You should take a taxi home. ¡± Chapter 641 The young man¡¯s face instantly changed. He quickly yanked the door to the backseat open and jumped inside. ¡°It was a joke, a joke!¡± Before long, they were leaving the venue and driving back home. On their way there, Hannah¡¯s phone beeped. She stopped at the next red light and opened her phone to check the notification from the surveince camera. Something gleamed in her eyes before she locked her screen and tossed her phone back on the dashboard. ¡°This fiasco ends tonight. ¡± The men in the backseat exchanged a look.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. In the blink of an eye, their harmonious banter was reced with a tense silence. In the White family¡¯s vi¡­ Johanna was in the dining room, bossing the servants around and barking orders to prepare specific dishes for dinner. Everyone was gone for the night, so she shed her innocent act and indulged in her true, ruthless nature. Bang! ALL of a sudden, the front door flew open with so much force that it crashed back against the wall. Christy strode inside, followed by a flustered security guard. ¡°Madam¡­ You can¡¯t do this. . ¡°Johanna! Come out, you wench!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Johanna looked impatient when she first emerged from the dining room, but she immediately turned wary when she caught sight of Christy. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°I have something to discuss with you,¡± Christy said bluntly. ¡°Follow me to the garden, and we¡¯ll discuss it there. ¡± Johanna scoffed and rolled her eyes in disdain. ¡°Why should I do as you say?¡± She gestured at the guard and said, ¡°Go on, send this person away! She hurt my grandfather!¡± ¡°You know better than I do who the real culprit is, Christy retorted, her eyes shing with anger. ¡°I have all the evidence I need to prove that you framed me. Now, if you don¡¯t follow me outside, I¡¯ll post everything online!¡± Chapter 642 She had barely finished speaking when she turned on her heel and made to leave the vi. Johanna panicked. ¡°Christy! Faking evidence is illegal. You¡­¡± Christy looked back and waved her hand. Johanna btedly realized that she was holding a USB drive. ¡°Let¡¯s have this conversation in the garden. This isn¡¯t the ce to talk about this matter, don¡¯t you agree?¡± The reason being that there were monitoring devices all over the vi. Left with no choice, Johanna followed Christy to the garden. ¡°Out with it, then! What the hell are you nning to do?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t want this matter out in the open, then you¡¯d better give me ten million!¡± Christy waved the USB in front of Johanna again, tantly taunting thetter. ¡°I have my own copy of your little s@x tape with that one celebrity. I bet you never thought someone other than Hannah would get their hands on it!¡± All the color drained from Johanna¡¯s face. ¡°How did you get that video? No, that¡¯s impossible.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Back then, I-¡° ¡°Someone emailed it to Jalen,¡± Christy interrupted. ¡°I happened to be helping him out with workst time, and just stumbled into this particr video. I decided to wait for the perfect opportunity to tell you, but then Hannah went ahead and helped you get rid of it. ¡± She sneered, her tone turning vicious as she added, ¡°I wanted to help you keep it under wraps, but what did you do? You set me up and stabbed me in the back!¡± At this point, Johanna was just as frenzied. ¡°If you really wanted to help me, then you should have deleted your copy after that bitch, Hannah, dealt with it the first time!¡± ¡°Ah, but if I had done that, I would have never seen you this frantic. ¡± Christy shed her an evil smirk. ¡°I¡¯m giving you a choice. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ You either give me the money, and we can let this go, or I release the video tomorrow and expose you for the whore that you are!¡± A hint of fear passed over Johanna¡¯s face. ¡°I don¡¯t have that kind of money! I need some time to gather the funds!¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Christy nodded. ¡°You have five days. I¡¯ve set a scheduled publication. If you fail to deliver the money on time, the video will be automatically posted online. ¡± Johanna clenched her fists so hard that he nails dug into her palms. Chapter 643 ¡°Oh, right,¡± Christy drawled out as if she just remembered something. ¡°Let¡¯s not forget that you tricked me into changing Byrum¡¯s medicine. Make sure you rify this matter and tell him that it was you who made me do it. ¡± ¡°You were caught red-handed, going into Grandpa¡¯s study and changing his medicine. Why should I refute the video evidence?¡± Johanna was furious as it was at being extorted for ten million. To think that Christy also wanted her to admit the matter of her grandfather¡¯s medicine¡­ It was too much! ¡°So I said a few words, so what? You were the one who took the initiative to handle Grandpa¡¯s medicine. You deserve all the me!¡± ¡°Do you honestly think that these people don¡¯t know that you instigated the whole thing?¡± Christy scoffed. ¡°They are simply afraid to damage the family¡¯s reputation. You still bear the White family name, after all, that¡¯s why they chose to pin the me on me instead! If you had been anyone else, they would have thrown you out, not me! I only reced Byrum¡¯s medicine with vitamins because you advised me to. At the end of the day, the one trying to harm him is you!¡± ¡°Shut up! Shut your damn mouth!¡± The next thing Christy knew, Johanna was lunging at her, and the two women fell and tussled on the ground. ¡°You bitch!¡± Johanna grabbed Christy by the cor and used the momentum to p thetter across the face. ¡°So what if I said so?! It¡¯s your fault for being so stupid! Don¡¯t you dare threaten me, you worthless bitch!¡± Not to be outdone, Christy grabbed Johanna¡¯s hair and pulled as hard as she could. ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure of yourself! You¡¯ll get youreuppance sooner orter!¡± ¡°Ah! Ah!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Johanna had lost allmon sense, and was now wrestling with Christy like a rabid animal. This was the scene that greeted Hannah as she walked across the vi grounds upon their return. She couldn¡¯t help but frown at the sight. ¡°Oh, damn!¡± Edwin blurted out behind her. It was his first time ever seeing a cat fight, and such a brutal one at that. Hannah shot him a look, and he immediately shut his mouth. It was Jalen who spoke first. ¡°What are you doing?¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. But the two women ignored them and continued to w at each other. Hannah noticed a few servants milling about to the side, too afraid to interfere. Chapter 644 ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± she snapped at them. ¡°Pull those two apart!¡± ¡°Yes, Miss!¡± They sprang into action and pulled Johanna and Christy off each other. Christy¡¯s makeup was ruined, and her clothes were in aplete mess. Nail marks ran down both of her arms, but she had somehow kept a tight grip on the USB drive. Johanna didn¡¯t fare much better. Her hair and clothes were disheveled, too, but the red handprint on her cheek was more prominent than the one on Christy¡¯s. As luck would have it, Bainbridge had also just arrived. He stopped in his tracks as he took in the scene before him. ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡± Johanna wasted no time and rushed over to Bainbridge. ¡°Bainbridge! This woman just stormed into the vi and hit me! She demanded that I take the me for Grandpa¡¯s messed-up medication, and beat me up when I refused!¡± Bainbridge eyed her wounds and scowled at Christy. ¡°Grandpa drove you out of this ce, didn¡¯t he? How dare you set your foot back in here?¡± Christy didn¡¯t bother to answer them. She smoothed her hair and turned to Jalen. ¡°I have proof that she told me to rece Byrum¡¯s medicine. ¡± Then she produced a pen recorder from her pocket. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I recorded our exchange from start to end. Would you like me to y it for everyone to hear?¡± Johanna was not expecting this at all. Before she knew it, she was poised to pounce on Christy again. ¡°You bitch! How dare you set me up?!¡± ¡°Right back at you!¡± Christy put the recorder back into her pocket and snarled at Johanna. ¡°You¡¯re the one who set me up first! If anything, I am only serving you the retribution you deserve! Now, if you don¡¯t want to make things clear and apologize to Byrum, then I don¡¯t mind calling the police!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Bainbridge interjected almost immediately. ¡°Don¡¯t you think our family¡¯s current situation is messy enough as it is?¡±? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Hal¡± Christy crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. Chapter 645 ¡°I won¡¯t be a member of this wretched family soon, anyway. Whatever happens to you in the aftermath is none of my business!¡± ¡°ALL right. ¡± Hannah spoke up in a cold voice. ¡°Call the police if that¡¯s what you really want. If you want to ruin your reputation and let everyone in Hoijery know about it, then be my guest. ¡± She knew that Christy was too ambitious to risk her image being tarnished. When a moment past and Christy still did nothing, Hannah narrowed her eyes. ¡°Oh, do you need me to call the police for you?¡± Christy¡¯s arrogance abated, if only a little, but she still refused to back down. ¡°Since you don¡¯t want this matter getting out to the public, then I won¡¯t call the police! But you must tell Byrum the truth, once and for all!¡± ¡°Grandpa already believes that you are the culprit!¡± Johanna retorted. ¡°Why do you insist on letting me take the me?¡± Christy¡¯s eyes grew wide in a mix of rage and disbelief. ¡°Is that so?! Then let¡¯s settle this here and now! It¡¯s either you or me, bitch!¡± ¡°Okay! Do you think I¡¯m scared of you, you-¡° p! Before Johanna could finish cussing Christy out, a sound pnded on her face and sent her crashing to the floor. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°ARE¡±ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Hannah stood before her, shaking her hand as if she was flinging dust off her skin. ¡°You still refuse to repent?¡± she chided. Johanna raised her head and red. ¡°Why should I? I didn¡¯t do anything wrong!¡± Thump! Thump! Thump! Everyone heard the familiar sound of the walking stick hitting the ground. ¡°Grandpa, Grandma. ¡± Jalen turned around saw Byrum and Tinsley. He immediately stepped forward to help them. Byrum looked down at Johanna with a forbidding expression. Chapter 646 ¡°You unrepentant child. You still refuse to admit your own wrongdoings? From now on, you are no longer a member of the White family. ¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Johanna gasped as though she had just been stabbed in the chest. It took her a while to return to her senses, but when she did, she threw herself at the old man¡¯s feet. ¡°Grandpa! It¡¯s all my fault! It¡¯s all my fault, I admit it! Please don¡¯t drive me away. I have nowhere else to go!¡± ¡°Nowhere to go?¡± Edwin sneered. ¡°Why don¡¯t you run back to your mother? I don¡¯t understand why you kept staying here, it¡¯s not as if your mother has disowned you. ¡± Johanna ignored him and continued to plead with Byrum. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Grandpa, if my mother finds out that you sent me away, she will definitely beat me to death! I¡¯m begging you, please give me another chance! I know that I did wrong, I really do!¡± She was weeping hysterically now, hoping desperately that her grandfather would show her mercy. ¡°Grandpa, please! I don¡¯t know what came over me at the time, I¡­ I didn¡¯t know what I was thinking! In fact, I was so worried when I heard that Christy really went and reced your medicine. I was so scared to admit it¡­ I didn¡¯t even¡­ I only spoke casually! I didn¡¯t think that she would actually do it!¡± Hearing this, Christy tried to lunge at Johanna again. ¡°You did it on purpose, bitch! Don¡¯t try and pin all the me on me now!¡± Hannah moved before they could get into another physical altercation, shielding Byrum behind her. ¡°If you want to fight,¡± she told the two hags crouched on the ground, ¡°then go do it somewhere else. You can let the whole world see for all I care, but don¡¯t dirty the family home. ¡± That seemed to knock some sense into Christy and Johanna, as they both assumed a kneeling position and lowered their heads. Bryum clicked his tongue and shook his head helplessly. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll leave this matter to you, Hannah. ¡± ¡°Grandpa! Johanna cried out as the old man turned to get back inside. ¡°I¡¯ve been with you since I was a child! I only left your side when I went away to college. Are you really going to kick me out for a single mistake?¡± Byrum paused, but it onlysted for a few seconds, then he continued on his way into the vi. ¡°Grandpa! Grandpa!¡± Johanna¡¯s vision blurred as hot, desperate tears filled her eyes. ¡°Johanna!¡± Hannah snapped in a cold voice. ¡°You can drop your act now. If you really cared about Grandpa Like you im, you would have never instigated someone to rece his medicine!¡± Chapter 647 Johanna screamed and pointed a finger at Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s all your fault! Ever since you came into this family, you took all of Grandpa and Grandma¡¯s love and attention away from me! You¡¯re the reason why I had to resort to such methods! I did nothing wrong! I was just thinking about it. She¡¯s the one who really changed the medicine, and you are the culprit! You¡¯ve been gone from Hoijery for God knows how long! Why did you have toe back?! You¡¯re a jinx to this family! This is your fault, everything is your fault!¡± Johanna was screaming like a deranged person. She was still on her knees, clutching her hair, her eyes wide and crazed. Without saying a word, Jalen walked up to her and pped her across the face. The sharp sound of skin hitting skin rang out in the garden. It was so unexpected that everyone flinched. A pregnant silence followed, broken only by the faint whistling of the evening breeze. Bainbridge gaped at Jalen in disbelief. He never imagined that his usually cool and dignified cousin would raise his hand against a woman, much less Johanna. He couldn¡¯t help bute to her defense. ¡°Jalen, Johanna is still young and impulsive. It¡¯s normal for her to be careless with her words from time to time. Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being too hard on her?¡± Johanna touched her rapidly swelling cheek as she stared up at Jalen in a daze. ¡°Jalen¡­ You pped me¡­ You pped me because of that bitch, Hannah? ¡°I didn¡¯t do it because of her,¡± Jalen said in a voice as cold as ice. ¡°Grandpa doted on you all your life. He and Grandma let you do whatever you want, no matter the consequence. They nurtured you and took care of you for years, yet you didn¡¯t even think twice about hurting them, just because you were jealous of Hannah? I am so disappointed in you, Johanna. I can¡¯t even bear to look at you anymore. ¡± Johanna lost all her strength after hearing that, and she slumped on the ground in defeat. ¡°And you!¡± Jalen turned to Christy before continuing, ¡°Nothing changes the fact that you reced Grandpa¡¯s medicine without even thinking the matter through. You can shift the me to whomever you want, but you are still an aplice!¡± Jalen had never spoken so harshly to Christy before. Needless to say, she panicked. Johanna screamed and pointed a finger at Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s all your fault! Ever since you came into this family, you took all of Grandpa and Grandma¡¯s love and attention away from me! You¡¯re the reason why I had to resort to such methods! I did nothing wrong! I was just thinking about it. She¡¯s the one who really changed the medicine, and you are the culprit! You¡¯ve been gone from Hoijery for God knows how long! Why did you have toe back?! You¡¯re a jinx to this family! This is your fault, everything is your fault!¡± Johanna was screaming like a deranged person. She was still on her knees, clutching her hair, her eyes wide and crazed. Without saying a word, Jalen walked up to her and pped her across the face. BunnyBookery The sharp sound of skin hitting skin rang out in the garden. It was so unexpected that everyone flinched. A pregnant silence followed, broken only by the faint whistling of the evening breeze. Bainbridge gaped at Jalen in disbelief. He never imagined that his usually cool and dignified cousin would raise his hand against a woman, much less Johanna. He couldn¡¯t help bute to her defense. ¡°Jalen, Johanna is still young and impulsive. It¡¯s normal for her to be careless with her words from time to time. Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being too hard on her?¡± Johanna touched her rapidly swelling cheek as she stared up at Jalen in a daze. ¡°Jalen¡­ You pped me¡­ You pped me because of that bitch, Hannah? ¡°I didn¡¯t do it because of her,¡± Jalen said in a voice as cold as ice. ¡°Grandpa doted on you all your life. He and Grandma let you do whatever you want, no matter the consequence. They nurtured you and took care of you for years, yet you didn¡¯t even think twice about hurting them, just because you were jealous of Hannah? I am so disappointed in you, Johanna. I can¡¯t even bear to look at you anymore. ¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Johanna lost all her strength after hearing that, and she slumped on the ground in defeat. ¡°And you!¡± Jalen turned to Christy before continuing, ¡°Nothing changes the fact that you reced Grandpa¡¯s medicine without even thinking the matter through. You can shift the me to whomever you want, but you are still an aplice!¡± Jalen had never spoken so harshly to Christy before. Needless to say, she panicked. Seeing that the two women had finally calmed down, Hannah waved the butler over and ordered, ¡°Call Johanna¡¯s mother and tell her toe and get her daughter. ¡± ¡°No! Please, no!¡± Johanna sat back on her heels and rubbed her palms together. ¡°Please, don¡¯t tell my mother about this! I can repent for my sins, I promise that I will! I will kneel on the ground for days to express my remorse! Please, I really regret what I did!¡± Hannah just looked down at Johanna, her face devoid of any emotion. Johanna, on the other hand, continued to beg. Even as she swallowed her dignity, deep down, she still med Hannah for her current predicament. If it hadn¡¯t been for Hannah, she would have still been the only youngdy of the White family. Now, she couldn¡¯t even call herself a member of this family anymore! Seeing that the two women had finally calmed down, Hannah waved the butler over and ordered, ¡°Call Johanna¡¯s mother and tell her toe and get her daughter. ¡± ¡°No! Please, no!¡± Johanna sat back on her heels and rubbed her palms together. ¡°Please, don¡¯t tell my mother about this! I can repent for my sins, I promise that I will! I will kneel on the ground for days to express my remorse! Please, I really regret what I did!¡± Hannah just looked down at Johanna, her face devoid of any emotion. Johanna, on the other hand, continued to beg. Even as she swallowed her dignity, deep down, she still med Hannah for her current predicament. If it hadn¡¯t been for Hannah, she would have still been the only youngdy of the White family. Now, she couldn¡¯t even call herself a member of this family anymore! Chapter 648 When Hannah remained unmoved, Johanna shifted her pleading to Jalen. She looked up at him with wide, expectant eyes. ¡°Jalen! Please believe me. I really know my mistake. I promise not to do it again! You¡¯ve helped to raise me. I¡¯m really scared, Jalen. I won¡¯t be able to take it if you turn your back on me, too. Please, Jalen!¡± Johanna edged closer and tried to grab his hand. ¡°Jalen, I¡¯m begging you! Please speak to Grandpa on my behalf! I will kneel out in the yard if that¡¯s what he wants. I won¡¯t get up until he forgives me!¡± Sure enough, Jalen¡¯s faltered. Johanna was right, he had watched her grow up, so he had a soft spot for her. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he turned to Hannah and said, ¡°Hannah, I know I don¡¯t have the right to say this, but she has been under Grandpa¡¯s care all her life. ¡± Hannah understood what he meant. She took a deep breath and nced at Johanna. ¡°If you insist on kneeling, then I won¡¯t stop you. Let¡¯s hope for your sake that Grandpa finds it in his heart to forgive you. ¡± With that, she walked past Jalen and entered the vi without a backward nce. Jalen had to stay back to deal with Christy, anyway. Edwin, on the other hand, hurried after Hannah. ¡°Hannah, if she keeps on kneeling for days, Grandpa will end up forgiving her eventually,¡± he grumbled. ¡°He already put you in charge of the matter. Why don¡¯t you just send her away for good?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah sighed. This boy was still too innocent for the real world. ¡°You said it yourself, Grandpa will eventually forgive her. Despite everything, she is still a member of the White family. If that¡¯s the case, then she might as well suffer in the interim. ¡± Edwin nodded as he caught on her intentions. ¡°Say, Hannah. What about my problem? You¡¯ve seen how that lunatic, Jenny, keeps on pestering me!¡±ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Hannah paused and turned to pat his shoulder. ¡°How about I send you abroad so that you can keep a low profile for a couple of years or so? It¡¯s the best option I can think of. ¡± ¡°No way!¡± Edwin said indignantly as he pointed a finger at his face. ¡°Why should I run away like some coward?¡± ¡°suit yourself, then. ¡± Chapter 649 Edwin began to whine, ¡°You are my sister, aren¡¯t you? If you won¡¯t help me, who will?¡± Hannah closed her eyes and pressed her fingers against her temples. ¡°Technically, I am your cousin. ¡± Undeterred, Edwin clung to Hannah¡¯s arm and shook it. ¡°You¡¯re the only one who can help me with this. I can¡¯t possibly go to Grandpa and ask him to deal with it. I mean, the Garzas are a powerful family. We might be able to go against them, but I don¡¯t want to burden Grandpa with such childish matters. ¡± Hannah opened her eyes and took a deep breath. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll think of something. Just work hard and don¡¯t cause any more trouble. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Yes! Okay!¡± Early the next morning, Hannah tidied her bedroom and came downstairs. Everyone was seated around the dining table. Byrum was the first to notice her, just as she was heading to the door with her purse. ¡°Hannah,e and have breakfast before you go to work. ¡± Hannah nced at her phone before politely refusing him.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Grandpa, but I have a meeting at half past nine. I don¡¯t have the time to sit for breakfast. Please enjoy yourself, though. ¡± As she strode out of the vi, she spotted Johanna kneeling in the middle of the garden, just as thetter had promised. Johanna looked miserable. It appeared that she had really knelt the entire night. The housekeeper had been trailing behind Hannah, and when she saw thetter looking at Johanna, she couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Miss White has been kneeling the whole night, but Old Master White never mentioned her¡­¡± ¡°Leave her be, then,¡± Hannah said indifferently. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Just let her in when Grandpa tells you to. ¡± ¡°Yes, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah arrived at thepany just in time for the meeting, after which she went straight back to her office. She had finally received the project proposal n from Valmere. Hannah was quite taken aback by what she was reading. She put the contract down and made a call. ¡°Hannah! So, you finally remembered to call me, huh?¡± The hearty voice from the other side made Hannah crack a helpless smile. ¡°Hello, Mr. Campbell. I¡¯m actually calling about the medical equipment project. I understand if you couldn¡¯t find a suitable supplier in Valmere, but why would you want to partner up with the White Group?¡± Chapter 650 ¡°Why else? Of course, it¡¯s because you are now a director of the White Group! You little brat, how can you not tell me such great news?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a long story,¡± Hannah said sheepishly, feeling embarrassed for some reason. ¡°Let me treat you to a meal when you arrive at Hoijery. We can discuss everything over your favorite dishes. ¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. The other party sounded delighted by the prospect. ¡°Sure, sure! I¡¯ll make time to go to Hoijery in the near future. I¡¯ll take a few professors with me, so they can inspect the medical projects up close. ¡± ¡°Sounds like a n. I¡¯ll wait for you, just let me know when you¡¯reing. ¡± Hannah hung up in high spirits. Before she could even put her phone down, however, she received a call from Bryson. ¡°Brayden just arrived from Valmere. Why don¡¯t we have dinner togetherter? We can also invite Grace and your friend, if they are avable. ¡± She realized that she hadn¡¯t seen Grace or Lydia for half a month now. Hannah readily agreed. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll book a restaurant. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Bryson said. ¡°I¡¯ll cook tonight. Just head to the vi after you clock out of work. ¡± ¡°ALL right. ¡± Then she remembered that she had a shadow tailing her these days. ¡°Would you mind if I bring another person with me?¡± There was a hint of a smile in Bryson¡¯s voice when he said, ¡°No problem. You can bring him along. ¡± At half past five that evening, Edwin came knocking at Hannah¡¯s office. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Office hours were almost over. He poked his head through the door and called out, ¡°Let¡¯s go, Hannah! It¡¯s time to clock out!¡± Hannah looked up from her desk and turned off herputer. ¡°You¡¯re most energetic when it¡¯s after working hours. ¡± ¡°Our department has been idle recently. We have no project to work on. I¡¯m wasting my youth just sitting in that cubicle, to be honest. ¡± Edwin sauntered into the room and leaned over her desk. ¡°When are we signing a partnership with Mr. Cartwright? I¡¯m itching to flex my skills and develop a new software. ¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s going to happen one of these days. He did tell me at the banquet that he will be in contact soon. ¡± Chapter 651 They walked out of the office together and took the elevator to the underground parking lot. It wasn¡¯t until they were driving out in the highway that Edwin realized they weren¡¯t headed to the White family vi. ¡°Where are we going?¡± ¡°We¡¯re having dinner with Bryson. Don¡¯t worry, I told him that you¡¯re tagging along. ¡± Edwin was at a loss. He had met Bryson a handful of times before, but they hadn¡¯t really exchanged words that much. ¡®s BunnyBookery Nheless, he couldn¡¯t deny that he was curious about this legendary figure from Valmere. He liked to tease Hannah, but in truth, Edwin was intimidated by the mere prospect of being in the same room as Bryson. ¡°Is this really okay?¡± he mumbled under his breath. Hannah shot him a suspicious nce. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Well, you have a dinner date with Cousin-in-Law. I don¡¯t want to be a third wheel. ¡± Edwin shifted in his seat to look at Hannah. ¡°Are you sure that he¡¯s okay with having me there?¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah¡¯s hands tightened instinctively around the steering wheel. ¡°Don¡¯t call him that. And don¡¯t fuss about it so much. Other people areing, too. Bryson¡¯s sister will be there, as well as my best friend. ¡± Edwin finally rxed after hearing that. He leaned back in the passenger seat and gotfortable. ¡°You should have said so earlier. My nerves were killing me just now. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Just remember to eat more and talk less. That way, you¡¯d minimize the risk of making a fool of yourself. ¡± Edwin huffed in indignation. ¡°What, are you afraid I would embarrass you?¡± They eased into the driveway of Bryson¡¯s vi and got out of the car. Edwin looked around, his eyes wide with awe. ¡°So this vi belongs to Mr. Mitchell!¡± Hannah gave him a quizzical look. ¡°Is this vi famous or something?¡± Chapter 652 ¡°Yes! It¡¯s one of the most sought-out properties in the area!¡± Edwin turned to gape at her like she was from another world. ¡°Even Grandpa was looking into buying this piece ofnd. Back then, the developers were nning to turn it into a shopping mall. It waster revealed that someone else bought thend, and they were turning it into a private manor. It was acquired through an auction, so the original price was multiplied several times. The buyer¡¯s identity was never divulged to the public. It turned out to be Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± Hannah was surprised to hear this. All along, she thought that Bryson had bought this vi by ident. But it seemed like he owned every piece of real estate in the immediate vicinity.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. She didn¡¯t know how to feel about that. Hannah brushed the matter aside for now and just said, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s head inside. ¡± As soon as she opened the front door of the vi, she was pounced upon by Lydia. ¡°Hannah! You¡¯re finally here!¡± ¡°Okay, okay, calm down. ¡± Hannah tapped her friend¡¯s back and squeaked out, ¡°Let go, you¡¯re cutting off my air supply!¡± Lydia happily pulled back, still grinning from ear to ear. Only then did she notice Edwin standing behind Hannah. ¡°Oh, and who might this handsome guy be?¡± ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Hannah¡¯s younger brother!¡± Edwin shed his signature boyish grin. Hannah had to roll her eyes at that. ¡°Wait, what¡¯s this, Hannah? I know we haven¡¯t seen each other for some time, but since when did you get such a good-looking brother?¡± Hannah heaved an exasperated sigh and walked into the living room without answering Lydia. ¡°You guys talk and get to know each other. I¡¯m going to take a look at the kitchen. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She was crossing the dining room when Bryson emerged from the kitchen, carrying two dishes in his hands and wearing a cartoonish apron. Their eyes met for a moment before Hannah dropped her gaze to the aforementioned apron. There was a beat of silence, then Grace appeared beside her. ¡°Hannah! Oh, what do you think of his apron. It suits my brother, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Of course, it didn¡¯t fit Bryson¡¯s style at all Perhaps that was why Hannah couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°It does, yes Bryson sighed and shook his head. ¡°Go and sit down. I still have two more dishes to cook. ¡± Everyone gathered around the table and took their seats, while Bryson continued to putter about in the kitchen. Chapter 653 Hannah introduced Grace to Edwin. ¡°Hi, my name is Grace. ¡± ¡°And this is my younger cousin, Edwin.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Grace blinked at him several times, her brows furrowing. ¡°He doesn¡¯t look like you at all. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Edwin eximed, leaning over so that his face was right next to Hannah¡¯s. ¡°I personally think we look very much alike. ¡± Hannah palmed his face away. ¡°Sit still, will you?¡± Right on cue, Bryson emerged from the kitchen with a tter of roast beef and a huge bowl of salmon sd. ¡°Let¡¯s eat. ¡± Edwin stared nkly at the other man, until Bryson finally took the apron off and asked, ¡°Is there something wrong?¡± ¡°I was just thinking that Hannah has excellent taste in men. I never thought I would ever see an esteemed magnate cook!¡± Edwin then turned to Hannah and gave her two thumbs up. Annoyed, she thwacked him at the back of the head. ¡°You should stop reading those trashy novels you love so much. ¡± Grace burst intoughter at that. ¡°Your cousin sure is an interesting character, Hannah. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You¡¯re so right,¡± Lydia chimed in with a smile. ¡°By the way, how old is your cousin, exactly?¡± Hannah shot her a wry look. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about cheating on Brayden, or I¡¯ll send him a message right now toe and catch you in the act. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do no such thing!¡± Lydia refuted passionately. ¡°Don¡¯t go making up stories, I was just asking his age, for goodness¡¯ sake!¡± Hannah took pleasure in her friend¡¯s frustration. ¡°That¡¯s good to know. Since you¡¯re in Hoijery, I feel some responsibility to look after you on behalf of Brayden. ¡± Chapter 654 ¡°And whose friend are you again, his or mine?¡± Lydia muttered in grievance. ¡°I¡¯m not really good at cooking,¡± Bryson interjected as he sat next to Hannah. ¡°The food might be average. ¡± He carefully ced a piece of beef on her te. ¡°Why don¡¯t you have a taste?¡± Hannah took a bite, her eyes instantly lighting up. ¡°It¡¯s delicious¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± Bryson said with a gentle smile.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Have some more. ¡± On the other side of Hannah, Edwin ate in silence and observed their subtle disy of affection. They consumed two bottles of wine over dinner. Unfortunately for Edwin, he had a weak tolerance to alcohol, and by the time he finished his third ss, heined loudly that he was feeling dizzy. Hannah had no choice but to help him to his feet. ¡°My cousin is drunk. I should take him home. ¡± ¡°Hold on,¡± Bryson said, setting his napkin aside and standing up as well. ¡°Let me drive you guys home. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, I can-¡± Hannah began to refuse his offer, but Grace touched her arm and gave her an innocent little smile. ¡°Please let my brother drive you. He is free, anyway. Lydia and I will clean up here. ¡± Before Hannah could argue further, Bryson grabbed his coat and strode toward the door. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you outside. Take your time. ¡± Hannah had to haul the dazed Edwin outside. ¡°You should drink less in the future,¡± she scolded him softly. Edwin tried to stand upright, only to flop against her shoulder in the next second. He squinted his eyes, his cheeks flushed as he whined, ¡°It¡¯s not my fault, I¡¯m just¡­ Cousin-in-Law drank three sses, too, you know¡­¡± Hannah sighed helplessly and shook her head. Thankfully, she had parked her car just a few feet away. Bryson was leaning against the driver side door, his coat dr@ped over one arm, striking a dashing figure as the moonlight illuminated him. Chapter 655 The pair ambled over, and Edwin let himself in the backseat. The sound of the car door opening startled Bryson, and he finally turned to look at Hannah. Bang! Edwin mmed the door closed before he slumped back. Hannah and Bryson stood facing each other in the silence that followed. An autumn breeze blew past, ying with the stray strands of hair that framed Hannah¡¯s face. She looked up and met Bryson¡¯s gaze. Perhaps it was the quaint scenery around them or the romantic ambience of a moonlit night, but he looked especially handsome. ¡°So, you smoke, huh?¡± Hannah said in a soft voice. Bryson flicked the cigarette to the pebbled path and stepped on it with his luxury brand loafers. ¡°I smoke all the time. ¡± An inexplicable emotion she couldn¡¯t name surged in Hannah¡¯s heart. She cleared her throat and suppressed it. ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± By the time they settled inside the car and the engine revved to life, Edwin was already passed out in the backseat. For the first few minutes, the only sound they could hear were the low hum of the car engine and Edwin¡¯s even breathing. Hannah was looking out the window when she suddenly asked, ¡°Did you change your cologne?¡± She used to always smell a faint hint of mint around him, and eventually figured out the brand of cologne he used. He had never changed it in all the time she knew him. She was certain of th Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ at, because she would have immediately noticed. But Bryson seemed to have switched scents in the past few days. Instead of mint, Hannah smelled sandalwood on him. Bryson¡¯s grip on the steering wheel tightened ever so slightly. He nced at Hannah, only to find her still staring out the car window. ¡°Not at all,¡± he replied casually. ¡°I¡¯ve been lighting sandalwood incense in the office, though. The scent must have been clinging to my clothes. ¡± Hannah did not reply. After another moment of silence, Bryson added, ¡°If you don¡¯t like the smell, I¡¯ll tell my assistant to take the incense away.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Chapter 656 ¡°It¡¯s fine. ¡± Hannah took a deep breath and closed her eyes, leaning back against her seat as if she wanted to take a nap. Another silence passed. The car moved at an rming speed. Barely twenty minutester, they were pulling up in front of the White family vi. Hannah unfastened her seatbelt and got out of the car, just as Bryson got out from his side. ¡°Thank you,¡± Hannah said and made to open the door to the backseat. ¡°Hannah,¡± came Bryson¡¯s voice behind her. He had somehow rounded the car ande up behind her before her fingertips could even brush against the door handle. She whirled around, and the next thing she knew, a warm hand grasped her wrist while Bryson¡¯s other arm snaked around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. Flustered, Hannah tried to struggle in his embrace. She failed to realize what Bryson was about to do until his face was just a couple of inches away from hers. She froze. It was the soft press of his lips against hers that finally jolted her back to her senses, and she tried to break away from his arms again. ¡°Bryson¡­¡± The rest of her words were swallowed by his ki*s. Hannah¡¯s heart was hammering furiously inside her chest. At the back of her mind, a voice told her that there was no way of ascertaining the sincerity of the man before her. In ast-ditch effort to make him let go, she bit Bryson¡¯s lower lip. She thought she tasted blood for a moment, but then he swept the tip of his tongue over her lips, as if seeking entrance. Hannah felt Like she had been struck by a bolt of lightning, and she finally found the strength to push Bryson away. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Her emotions were still in a turmoil like before, but this time, anger rose above the rest.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Have you gone mad?¡± she shouted at him. Bryson¡¯s eyes were fixed on her red, swollen lips. ¡°Haven¡¯t we already ki*sed like this before?¡± he asked in a teasing tone, though the smile he gave her was cold and rather sinister. p! Hannah let her palm fly, instantly leaving a red handprint on the man¡¯s handsome face. She was breathing heavily as she stared at Bryson. If she were being honest, she wasn¡¯t sure exactly why she had pped him. She had acted on instinct. Chapter 657 ¡°I scared you just now,¡± Bryson said as he slowly turned to face her again. His voice was devoid of emotion, and he didn¡¯t seem the least bit bothered that she had hit him. His lips were still quirked up in the corners. ¡°I apologize. ¡± Hannah quickly turned on her heel, flung the door to the backseat open, and pulled Edwin out of the car.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Hey!¡± Edwin stumbled and almost fell on his face, but he managed to catch himself in time. He looked up at the familiar building in front of him. ¡°Oh, we¡¯re home. ¡± He staggered and noticed Bryson standing by the car, partially hidden in the dark. ¡°Cousin-in-Law!¡± Edwin waved happily. ¡°Thanks for driving us home. You should head back now. ¡± But Bryson was still staring at Hannah. She didn¡¯t even grace him with a backward nce, and just dragged Edwin into the vi. She was so disturbed by the unwee ki*s that she didn¡¯t even see Johanna still kneeling in the garden. Momentster, a ck Bentley pulled over in front of the gates to the White family vi. The driver got out and opened the door to the backseat for Bryson. Bryson took another long look at the vi before getting in. ¡°Are we going back home, Boss?¡± Bryson leaned against the seat and closed his eyes. ¡°Go to Stalin. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Stalin was a high-end club owned by the Mitchell family. Bryson had never stepped into the establishment since hended in Hoijery. But tonight, he booked a private room on the third floor, far away from the noise and heavy music downstairs. Another person was sitting across him. ¡°Do you have any ns to exin this to Miss Moore?¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to exin?¡± Bryson countered, a look of displeasure passing over his face. Brayden clicked his tongue and smiled, ¡°Once she finds out the truth and decides to break up with you, it would be toote for you to do anything to stop her. ¡± ¡°Only two other people are aware of this in this country-you and Merlin. ¡± Bryson raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as he smiled at Brayden. Chapter 658 ¡°I¡¯ll make you disappear first, then I¡¯ll take care of Merlin. I just need to get rid of you, and Hannah will never know the truth. ¡± Brayden choked on his wine and coughed violently. ¡°Your jokes are still as distasteful as ever. ¡± Bryson snorted, ¡°Do you think I¡¯m joking right now?¡± Brayden finally turned serious. He put his wine ss down and said, ¡°If you get rid of me, then who will carry out your orders? I¡¯m the only one left willing to serve you!¡± Bryson rolled his eyes and stared at his own drink, not saying anything. ¡°Let¡¯s get down to business, shall we?¡± Brayden forged on. ¡°I¡¯ve been taking care of the business over at Valmere on your behalf, but your rtives have been restless as ofte. It¡¯s not just your uncles and aunts, but even your cousins are trying to nt their own people within thepany. ¡± Brayden frowned, clearly worried as he added, ¡°Their people are buying off scattered shares from different sources. They¡¯re definitely hatching a n against you. Won¡¯t you give them a warning?¡± ¡°Those fools?¡± Bryson sneered. ¡°Even if they all band together, they could nevere up with a worthwhile n to oust me. I might as well toy with them and have a bit of fun. ¡± ¡°You can toy with them all you want, but I assure you that they are taking this situation seriously. ¡± Brayden shook his head and frowned at Bryson. ¡°It took you several years to finally dissuade them from coveting the highest authority within the Mitchell Group. You¡¯ve been away from Valmere for months now, it¡¯s easy to see why they have grown so eager to take action against you. I don¡¯t think they would yield so easily this time around. ¡± Bryson leaned over and ced his ss on the table. ¡°He¡¯s had all those years to dispatch those bastards, but he couldn¡¯t even do that.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. If I were him, I would have stripped them of everything they owned and erased them from the face of Valmere. ¡± ¡°Hey now,¡± Brayden chided helplessly. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°We live in a society governed by Law. You can¡¯t just eliminate people at whim. ¡± Bryson braced his elbow on the arm of the couch and propped his cheek against his knuckles. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the most efficient way to deal with them, though?¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you, forget about it. Do you think it¡¯s easy to cover up the aftermath of the mess it will cause?¡± Brayden tried to be patient as heid it out to Bryson. ¡°Besides, they¡¯re nomon people. They are members of the Mitchell family. If they suddenly disappear, the police are bound to poke around, and you¡¯ll definitely be their prime suspect. ¡± Bryson closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. ¡°I¡¯ve just regained control of my body. I¡¯m not used to the diplomatic way of handling things. ¡± Chapter 659 ¡°I do understand that. ¡± Brayden pursed his lips. ¡°So, you offended Miss Moore and earned yourself a p in the face?¡± No sooner had the words slipped from his mouth than he regretted ever uttering them. He quickly mustered a smile. ¡°I mean¡­ Well, the handprint on your cheek is quite prominent. It¡¯s rather hard to miss it. ¡± A beat of silence fell in the room. ¡°Brayden,¡± Bryson sneered. ¡°If you want me to gouge your eyes out, then just say so. ¡± ¡°No, no, no! I don¡¯t mean anything like that at all!¡± Brayden desperately cleared his throat and tried to shift the subject. ¡°Anyway, now that you¡¯re back, should I set an appointment with Dr. Asher for you? He provided your prescription before you went abroad, right? Perhaps now¡ª¡± ¡°You want me to take the medication he prescribes so that my other personality surfaces?¡± Bryson interrupted in a cold voice. ¡°So that I be a so-called normal person again?¡± Brayden had the decency to look embarrassed. He tapped his nose and said, ¡°You are normal as you currently are, but we both know that your temperament needs a bit of work. If you slip up at the wrong time and someone gets wind of the truth, even the Mitchell Group could get in trouble. ¡± ¡°Stop spouting nonsense. ¡± Bryson appeared unfazed, despite the other man¡¯s apprehensions. ¡°You may set an appointment with him under my name. There¡¯s no need for you to return to Valmere in the meantime. Let Yosef deal with the trivial matters in thepany. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Okay. I wasn¡¯t nning to go back so soon, anyway.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Lydia asked me to stay and spend some time with her. I was actually going to ask you to grant me an extended Leave. ¡± Bryson hummed in agreement. ¡°We¡¯ll go over to thepany tomorrow and sort out the project coborations we¡¯ve signed these past few days. By the way¡­¡± He paused as he remembered that he intended to partner up with Enchantment Casino in Muvrand. ¡°Look into Merlin¡¯s background and his recent activities. ¡± ¡°Roger that. I¡¯ll get to work on it tomorrow. ¡± The next morning, a Saturday, Hannah woke up to the sound of amotion in the yard. She changed into something decent and headed downstairs, where she saw a handful of servants carrying Johanna inside. Chapter 660 ¡°How heartless can you be?¡± Bainbridge berated Hannah and Jalen. ¡°You made her kneel out in the garden for two whole days! If anything happened to her, how are we supposed to exin it to Aunt Urs? Johanna may have been in the wrong, but she did her best to repent for her sins. And now, she fainted! Are you still unwilling to forgive her?¡± Hannah btedly noticed that Jalen was also in the living room. He looked calm and collected, as though he didn¡¯t hear a word that Bainbridge said. ¡°Jalen, say something! Didn¡¯t you hear me? Johanna passed out!¡± Hannah sauntered down thest steps and walked into the Living room. She nced at Johanna, who had beenid on a sofa and was being fanned by one of the servants.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. She looked a little pale, but other than that, nothing else seemed amiss. Hannah leaned over and pulled Johanna¡¯s eyelids open. ¡°Hannah! What do you think you¡¯re doing?!¡± Bainbridge jumped to his feet, afraid that she might do something to Johanna. ¡°I¡¯m checking her, what else?¡± Hannah turned to the servant next to her and said, ¡°Call the family doctor, and give her some glucose. She¡¯ll wake up soon enough. ¡± Hearing this, Bainbridgeunched into another tirade. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t have fainted if you just forgave her! Johanna is still our cousin. ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ You-¡° ¡°She fainted from hunger,¡± Hannah cut him off, sounding a little more than annoyed. ¡°Why are you kicking up a fuss?¡± She c@@ked her head to the side and smirked at him. ¡°Weren¡¯t you taking her in every night to sleep? When no one is around, you even take her inside to rest in the living room. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ve been taking good care of her. She just wasn¡¯t eating enough, that¡¯s all. Pretty convenient, if you ask me, fainting to gain sympathy. ¡± Bainbridge flushed in a mix of outrage and embarrassment. ¡°Hannah! Have you been spying on me?!¡± ¡°Please,¡± Hannah scoffed. Chapter 661 ¡°As if I have nothing better to do. There are surveince cameras installed in various parts of the vi. I didn¡¯t want another unfortunate incident to ur, so I¡¯ve made a habit of checking the footage regrly. What, are you scared that someone found out what you were doing behind our back?¡± Bainbridge raised his chin and puffed out his chest. ¡°Why should I be afraid? I did nothing wrong, I was just concerned for Johanna!¡± ¡°I never asked her to kneel,¡± Hannah pointed out in a detached voice. ¡°Wasn¡¯t she the one who insisted on doing it to earn Grandpa¡¯s forgiveness? Am I really to me for her passing out?¡± Bainbridge had nothing to say to that. Still huffing in anger, he gathered the unconscious Johanna into his arms and said, ¡°She doesn¡¯t need the family doctor. I¡¯ll take her to the hospital myself!¡± Jalen finally reacted then. He stood up and tried to stop Bainbridge, but paused when Hannah shook her head. ¡°Leave him be. Johanna is fine. She deliberately ate less in thest two days to gain Grandpa¡¯s sympathy. She just needs a shot of glucose. They¡¯ll administer it the moment a doctor sees her. ¡± Jalen clicked his tongue. ¡°Bainbridge is an idiot. I was aware of what he was doing, but I turned a blind eye to it.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Forget it. ¡± Hannah sighed and rubbed her forehead. ¡°That¡¯s just how he is. He¡¯s not going to change. I¡¯m not feeling well, so I¡¯m going back upstairs. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Okay, get some rest. Edwin is still cked out, too. Don¡¯t worry about these matters, I¡¯ll deal with them. ¡± ¡°Thanks. ¡± Hannah went back to her bedroom. She had just flopped on the bed when her phone rang. ¡°Hello?¡± she answered groggily. She was met with silence. Hannah sat up and nced at her screen, her brows furrowing when she saw the caller ID. ¡°Ro? Hello? Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± ¡°Is there anyone with you in the room?¡± the boys asked, his voice low. Hannah immediately sensed something wrong in his tone. ¡°No, I¡¯m alone. Why, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I discovered something thest time I went into Ruby¡¯s room. A booklet of some sort, written in German. It took me a while to find someone who can trante it. It turned out to be a record of medical consultations. The patient¡­ It¡¯s Bryson. ¡± Hannah was stunned. She had no idea that Bryson was seeing a doctor abroad. Chapter 662 ¡°So, it was his medical records? What was it for, exactly?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not very specific, but from what we could tell, it has something to do with a mental condition. Some of the reports are iplete, too. ¡± Ro¡¯s tone turned much more serious when he asked, ¡°He hasn¡¯t done anything to you, has he? Apparently, he has the tendency to rpse. I¡¯m worried that he might hurt you when that happens. ¡± The events ofst night came flooding into Hannah¡¯s mind, and she had to close her eyes to shut them out. She didn¡¯t want to remember it. ¡°No¡­ No, he hasn¡¯t done anything. ¡± But Ro was just as attuned to her as she was to him. He instantly recognized that something was amiss. ¡°Are you sure?¡± he pressed.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. I can tell when you lie, you know. ¡± ¡°No, he really didn¡¯t do anything. ¡± Hannah reassured him. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°It¡¯s just that, I¡¯ve been having this feelingtely¡­ He seems emotionally unstable. But he never did anything bad to me. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. ¡± Ro finally calmed down. ¡°I was able to trace his records to a hospital in Newfort. I¡¯ll send someone to look into the matter further. ¡± ¡°ALL right. ¡± After a moment¡¯s consideration, Hannah added, ¡°If you can, please get me some photos of him when he was in college. ¡± ¡°hy?¡± Ro asked, clearly confused. ¡°What do you want with his old photos?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Hannah drifted off and inhaled slowly. She wasn¡¯t sure how to exin it. Ro, being the precocious kid that he was, was able to put two and two together. ¡°Are you suspecting that he is not the real Bryson Mitchell? Do you think he has a twin?¡± Hannah knew it sounded absurd, but it wasn¡¯t entirely impossible. ¡°That¡¯s right. ¡± ¡°IT see. I¡¯ll look into it. If anything else goes wrong with him, make sure to call me right away. We¡¯ll figure it out together. ¡± ¡°Will do. Thank you, Ro. ¡± Hannah ended the call and looked out the window in a daze. Chapter 663 There was very little probability that their suspicions were right, but¡­ Bryson¡¯s actionsst night had her feeling restless. What if he had been lying to her all this time? Later that day, Hannah finished dressing up and prepared to go and meet up with Lydia. She had just gone downstairs when Jalen arrived from work. ¡°Are you going somewhere, Hannah?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m having dinner with a friend. Is something up?¡± Jalen¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to change your ns for tonight. Aunt Urs ising back, and we¡¯re having a family dinner at Langen Manor. I¡¯m here to pick you and Edwin up. ¡± Hannah nced at her phone. It was almost half past six. It was a family dinner, though, so she couldn¡¯t really refuse to go. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll give my friend a call real quick. ¡± ¡°Take your time. I¡¯ll go get Edwin. ¡± A whileter, they were all in Jalen¡¯s car. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Family dinner?¡± Edwin muttered from the passenger seat. ¡°I can¡¯t even remember thest time we got together. Why would Aunt Urs suddenly arrange a get-together. ¡± ¡°Stop talking nonsense,¡± Jalen scolded. ¡°She is still your elder. ¡± Edwin just snorted and rolled his eyes. ¡°I bet she¡¯s up to no good. ¡± Hannah sat in the backseat and said nothing. ¡°It¡¯s definitely not out of good will,¡± Edwin rambled on. ¡°I mean, Johanna fainted and was rushed to the hospital, and Aunt Urs suddenly calls for a family dinner on the same day. Don¡¯t you find it suspicious, Jalen?¡± Jalen frowned but said nothing. ¡°See? You can¡¯t even say anything to counter me, can you? I¡¯m sure Aunt Urs has some sinister agenda!¡± Jalen nced at Hannah through the rearview mirror. Chapter 664 ¡°Don¡¯t pay attention to this idiot¡¯s rambles, Hannah. Just stick with me throughout the night. ¡± ¡°Jalen,¡± Hannah said, looking up to meet his eyes, startling him. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about Johanna¡¯s mother. Can you tell me what kind of person she is?¡± Silence fell in the car once again. In the end, it was Edwin who spoke first. ¡°It¡¯s a long story. I don¡¯t think we can cover everything in half an hour. ¡± And yet, he proceeded to prattle on. ¡°You know that our grandparents have three sons and two daughters, right? Jalen¡¯s father passed away a few months ago, and his mother relocated abroad, leaving him here. It was fine, since he was set to inherit the White Group. Now, you know Bainbridge¡¯s father, then there was mine. Neither of them work in the family business. My father is actually busy with his own field of work, and barely have time to bother with me. And then we have Johanna¡¯s mother. She divorced Johanna¡¯s father and married another man. This second husband is sixteen years younger than her. If I¡¯m not mistaken, he is only twenty-eight years old, but he is the youngest son of the Vance family. They mostly dominate the construction industry here in Hoijery. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows rose as she took in all this information. She never imagined that this unknown aunt of hers had led such a colorful life. ¡°They have a son together,¡± Edwin continued. ¡°He¡¯s only five, I believe. They barely had any contact with the White family after their wedding, and Johanna ended up being raised by Grandpa and Grandma. ¡± ¡°It sounds like our aunt is quite happy with her new family,¡± Hannahmented. ¡°Howe she didn¡¯t take Johanna in herself?¡± ¡°Happy?¡± Edwin echoed, shaking his head. ¡°I beg to disagree. That young stud she calls her husband has been having affairs left and right. He¡¯s a chick ma, so I guess it was inevitable. It doesn¡¯t help that he¡¯s only a few years older than Johanna. Our aunt is probably afraid that their rtionship would turn into something other than that of a stepparent and stepchild. She was adamant that Johanna did not live with them. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Stop saying that,¡± Jalen interrupted. ¡°Those are just rumors from outsiders. I actually think he treats our aunt pretty well. ¡± ¡°Well, of course he has to treat her well,¡± Edwin said with a hint of disbelief. ¡°He¡¯s only a third-rate celebrity, after all. He needs our aunt¡¯s support. It¡¯s only natural that he remains loyal to her, at least on the surface. ¡± Hannah lowered her eyes and pondered these revtions. Noticing her silence, Jalen said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t cause you any trouble. We¡¯ll be there with you. There¡¯s no need for you to feel embarrassed or anything like that. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t feel embarrassed at all.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± If anything, Hannah was bewildered by theplex rtionships that existed within this family. ¡°What about my mother? Did Grandpa give up on her because she insisted on marrying Wyatt?¡± This time, the silence stretched longer. Even Edwin refrained from saying anything for a good while. Chapter 665 ¡°Well¡­¡± he eventually said in a cautious tone. ¡°I wasn¡¯t born when your mother left. Jalen knows about the situation better than me. ¡± Jalen tightened his grip on the steering wheel. ¡°Me? How can I possibly know anything? All I know is what the elders told me over the years. In any case, we know that the circumstances were not as simple as they seemed. No one would make the mistake of bullying you, Hannah. ¡± Jalen presumed that Hannah was worried about being targeted by their other rtives because of her mother¡¯s history. But he was quite off the mark. Hannah smiled and said, ¡°I was just curious, don¡¯t think too much about it. Besides, the only people I have yet to meet are Johanna¡¯s mother and Edwin¡¯s father. I don¡¯t think there would be any problem at all. ¡± ¡°Oh, my father would definitely treat you well,¡± Edwin piped up. ¡°If he doesn¡¯t, I¡¯d take it to mean that he doesn¡¯t care about his only son anymore. Tell me if he makes things difficult for you, and I shall make things difficult for him!¡± Just like that, the atmosphere in the car began to ease. The three chatted all the way to Langen Manor. When they arrived, several luxury cars were already parked in the driveway.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Edwin got off the car and jogged back to open the door for Hannah. ¡°Here we are. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As soon as they alighted from the vehicle, a butler walked up to them and took Jalen¡¯s car key. ¡°Please follow me. ¡± He led them through a long corridor pavilion that led all the way to the entrance of the manor. Urs White was sitting on the sofa in the living room, with Johanna right next to her. One could tell at a single nce that Urs was immensely displeased. Byrum and Tinsley were seated in another sofa across from the two, his face cold and unyielding. ¡°Come now, Dad. Johanna is my daughter, after all. Even if she did something wrong, she was already punished, wasn¡¯t she? Just forget it, please. ¡± Urs grabbed Johanna by the wrist and pushed her forward. ¡°Get down on your knees and apologize to your grandfather. ¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Byrum roared, his sharp gaze piercing Urs. ¡°Did you call for this family dinner just to force me to forgive your unfilial daughter?¡± ¡°Dad!¡± Urs protested. ¡°You raised Johanna yourself! Are you really going to cast her aside?¡± As if on cue, Johanna began to sob. She looked up at the elderly couple, her eyes filled with tears. Chapter 666 ¡°Grandpa, Grandma, I¡¯ve really learned my lesson!¡± The other members of the White family had already arrived earlier. They, too, had settled on the sofas, and silently watched the show unfold before them. Seated beside Bryan was his wife, Cassie, who began in a gentle tone, ¡°Byrum, I know Johanna needs to be taught a lesson, but she is still young. I think she should be given another chance. ¡± A few feet away, Edwin¡¯s parents kept silent and neutral, almost like they didn¡¯t hear anything. As if the issue had nothing to do with them. ¡°Grandpa,¡± Hannah called out as she stepped into the room with Jalen and Edwin trailing behind her. ¡°Grandpa,¡± Jalen and Edwin also greeted. Byrum turned at the sound of Hannah¡¯s voice, and his expression immediately softened. ¡°Ah, here you are. Come and have a seat. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Urs also turned, but she looked Hannah up and down with hostile eyes. She was still ring as Hannah sat down. ¡°And who might this be?¡± Urs sneered. ¡°Why is there an outsider in our family gathering?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t even bat an eye at the woman¡¯s mockery. She sat up straight with her chin held high. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Herck of reaction infuriated Urs even more.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. She snorted and said, ¡°One would think that an outsider can afford to offer basic courtesy. ¡± ¡°Youck basic courtesy yourself, and you are her elder. How can you demand the same thing of Hannah?¡± Edwin sauntered over and sat on the armrest next to Hannah. He smirked at Urs, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t you think you should look at yourself in the mirror first before you point your finger at others?¡± ¡°You¡­ How dare you speak to me like this!¡± Urs pointed a trembling finger at Edwin. ¡°The older you get, the more unruly you be!¡± Edwin raised an eyebrow and shrugged. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be surprising, since I¡¯ve always been unruly even as a child. Go ahead and say it some more. I¡¯ll only take it as apliment. ¡°You!¡± Realizing that she was going nowhere with the young man, Urs turned her attention to her brother. ¡°Odin! Are you just going to let your son speak to me like this?¡± Odin looked up and gave her an innocent smile. Chapter 667 ¡°I can¡¯t control him even if I wanted to.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. He talks to us in the same way. ¡± Urs sputtered in outrage, but there was little else she could do besides re at Edwin. ¡°Ill-mannered rascal!¡± ¡°Oh, I was raised by Grandpa, though. Are you suggesting that he didn¡¯t teach me any manners?¡± Edwin was no pushover, and he wasn¡¯t about to put up with Urs¡¯s tantrum. ¡°By your line of thinking, well, Grandpa raised you, too. So that must mean that you have no manners, either!¡± ¡°Edwin, be polite to Aunt Urs,¡± Hannah chided softly. ¡°Fine. ¡± Edwin promptly closed his mouth and sat back with an obedient expression. Urs huffed and curled her lip at Hannah. ¡°So you¡¯d rather Listen to outsiders than your own aunt now. ¡± Edwin instinctively opened his mouth to retort, but Hannah held up her hand to stop him. Just as she was about to say something herself, Byrum cleared his throat. ¡°Who do you think you¡¯re calling an outsider?¡± The old man narrowed his eyes at Urs. ¡°Hannah is your sister¡¯s daughter¡ªmy granddaughter. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Urs scoffed and looked like she wanted to challenge Byrum¡¯s words. Upon seeing the stern look on his face, however, she thought better and just muttered, ¡°Fine, then. You seem really protective of her, Dad¡­¡± Just then, a servant approached them. ¡°Madam, dinner is ready. ¡± Urs stood up and smoothed her hair. ¡°Let me help you to the dining table, Dad. ¡± ¡°There is no need. ¡± Byrum braced himself on his cane and headed to the dining room with Tinsley. Everyone else followed suit, with Johannagging behind Urs. ¡°Mom¡­¡± After making sure that the others were out of earshot, Urs whirled around and berated her daughter. Chapter 668 ¡°You can¡¯t do anything right, can you? I told you to live quietly with your grandparents, but you went ahead and caused me all this trouble! You were supposed to be the old man¡¯s only granddaughter, there was no reason for him to not dote on you! What the hell is wrong with you, huh? You brought this upon yourself, letting some nobody take the upper hand. Do you realize that my efforts have all gone down the drain because of your stupidity?¡± Johanna felt rightfully aggrieved. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault, Mom. It¡¯s all because of that Hannah. She never should have shown up. ¡± Urs reached over and pinched Johanna¡¯s arm so hard that she almost broke skin. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°And how long has that bitch been in the White family?! You were with them for over twenty years! Are you telling me that you can¡¯t evenpete with a neer?¡± ¡°But she was able to cure Grandpa as soon as she returned. She even took over thepany. It¡¯s understandable for Grandpa to favor her¡­¡± Johanna shot a look of resentment in the direction where Hannah had disappeared. ¡°That sly bitch set up surveince cameras in the house. If not for that, Grandpa would have never found out the truth. ¡± Urs inhaled sharply and pulled her daughter forward. ¡°Forget it. Just make sure that you do everything I say from now on. I¡¯m still positive your Grandpa will forgive you. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Yes, Mom. ¡± Johanna lowered her head and followed her mother like a lost puppy. Just as the dishes were being brought out, a tall and handsome man entered the dining hall.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. A delicate-Looking boy was walking beside him, holding his hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I¡¯mte, Byrum. I was preparing a special gift for you, so I got held up. ¡± Calvin Vance, Urs¡¯s second husband, signaled at the servant behind him, who then presented a ck velvet box to Byrum. ¡°This is a 5@-carat, ultra-pure, natural diamond. It¡¯s considered a priceless collectible. I bought it at an auction abroad. ¡± ¡°Hmm. ¡± Byrum peered at the box¡¯s contents and remarked, ¡°You must have spent an exorbitant amount of money on this. ¡± Calvin smiled, ¡°It¡¯s nothing as long as I can make you smile. ¡± ¡°Grandpa!¡± The young boy called out sweetly as he jogged over to the old man. Byrum¡¯s face softened. He patted the child¡¯s head, saying, ¡°Now, now. Be a good boy and behave. ¡± Calvin picked the boy up and sat him next to Urs, who looked none too pleased. Chapter 669 She leaned close to Calvin and demanded in a low voice, ¡°Why did you change the gift without telling me? A 5Q-carat diamond¡­ How much did that damn thing cost?¡± Calvin remained calm as he spread his napkin on hisp. ¡°This is a family dinner,¡± he muttered back. ¡°And we invited them. We can¡¯t fall short from expectations and have them looking down on us. You don¡¯t want to lose face at this time, do you? After the fiasco that Johanna caused, you wouldn¡¯t want to add another reason for your father to kick her out, right?¡± Urs considered it for a moment, then ultimately relented. Throughout the meal, Hannah ate in silence and never joined in the conversations of others. At some point, however, Bryan raised his ss and called everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°I want to propose a toast to Hannah. She yed a crucial part in getting us through the crisis that the White Group was facing.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. It is thanks to her that we are able to gather here tonight and enjoy this meal together. ¡± ALL eyes turned to Hannah. Bryan was beaming at her. ¡°You came back to us at just the right time. We are fortunate that you are here to share Jalen¡¯s burdens. ¡± On the surface, he sounded like he was praising Hannah. In truth, however, he was stirring animosity among the people present. Before Hannah could reply, Jalen interjected, ¡°Personally, I want to thank Hannah for giving me the time and space to study my unfulfilled art career. ¡± ¡°Is your art career even that important?¡± Urs scoffed, her voice dripping with Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ sarcasm. ¡°More important than the family business? Your grandfather handed thepany over to you because he trusts you. But all you did is turn it into a mess, and you even needed someone else toe in and clean up after you. ¡± ¡°Cut the bullshit, Aunt Urs,¡± Edwin couldn¡¯t help but retort. ¡°Where even were you when Grandpa fell ill? I never saw your shadow darken the ICU. ¡± Urs¡¯s eyes shed with anger. ¡°Calvin has been so busy with work at the time. It was inconvenient for us toe back. But that¡¯s precisely why I organized this dinner now that Dad has recovered. I never expected you to be so upset!¡± Odin, Edwin¡¯s father, ever the level-headed one, decided to step in. ¡°No one is upset. It¡¯s been a while since we all got together Like this. There¡¯s no need to quarrel over trivial things. ¡± Cassie also intervened and helped to lighten the atmosphere. ¡°Yes, yes. It wasn¡¯t easy for us to find a time that coincides with everyone¡¯s schedule. Bryan is right. Other than taking care ofpany matters, we also have her to thank for Byrum¡¯s recovery. We wouldn¡¯t have known what to do if she wasn¡¯t here. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re all so grateful to her, huh,¡± Urs said bitterly. Chapter 670 ¡°So much so that Dad immediately appointed her as the chairwoman when he woke up, even though she doesn¡¯t have a background in corporate matters. ¡± Edwin chuckled, ¡°If you¡¯re going to be so salty about it, then you should have acted yourself. Though, I doubt that Grandpa would have made you the chairwoman like he did with Hannah. ¡± Bang! Urs mmed her fork down and glowered at Edwin. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that I am your aunt! Mind your manners when you speak to me! How dare you disrespect me like this? I heard that Hannah took you in and looked after you for a certain period. It seems that your time with her only worsened your temperament. Is that why you¡¯vepletely lost any speck of dignity that is expected of someone from the White family?!¡± Edwin¡¯s face darkened. ¡°You can berate me all you want, but don¡¯t drag Hannah into it!¡± ¡°Why not? It¡¯s the truth, isn¡¯t it?¡± Urs looked Edwin up and down. ¡°Just look at what a scoundrel you¡¯ve be after you graduated!¡± Edwin mmed his own cutlery on the table. ¡°Whatever I do with my life is none of your business!¡± Byrum could no longer stand it and beat his fist against the table. ¡°That¡¯s enough! Did youe here to have a meal or to fight?! If you¡¯re not here to eat, then get out!¡± A tense silence filled the room. Soon enough, Edwin picked up his fork and resumed eating. Meanwhile, Urs¡¯s face was twitching in her attempt to keep herposure. She red at Hannah from across the table. Not once had the younger woman spoken, from start to finish. As much as she hated it, Urs had tomend Hannah for keeping her cool. Despite being called all sorts of terrible things, she didn¡¯t seem fazed. Urs elbowed Johanna under the table and gave her a pointed Look. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Understanding the silent message, Johanna jumped to her feet, her eyes red with unshed tears. ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯ve been kneeling in the garden for days. I¡¯ve truly realized my wrongdoing. Please, I beg of you. Give me a chance to make amends and prove myself. Please let me stay by your side. ¡± She was choking with sobs as she spoke, and by the time she finished, tears were streaming down her face. Johanna then turned toward Tinsley. ¡°Grandma, you raised me ever since I was a little girl. I know that I¡¯ve greatly disappointed you and Grandpa. Please give me another chance. ¡± Tinsley was known for her being softhearted, especially to her loved ones. Seeing Johanna weep brought back images of her granddaughter as a young child, always clinging to her skirts.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. She heaved a sigh and nced at her husband. Chapter 671 ¡°Johanna is still young. She is bound to make mistakes from time to time. Don¡¯t you think she has suffered enough? We are humans, not saints. The least we can do is give her an opportunity to turn over a new leaf. ¡± Johanna nodded earnestly and turned her expectant gaze to Byrum. ¡°Please believe me, Grandpa! I will do my best to be a better person!¡± But Byrum ignored her and tilted his head to look at Hannah, who was still eating in silence. ¡°What do you think, Hannah?¡± Once again, everyone¡¯s gaze was fixed on her. Hannah put her cutlery down and wiped her lips with her napkin. ¡°Whether her punishment is enough to atone for the severity of her sin, this depends on how you view the matter, Grandpa. ¡± Urs bristled in her seat. ¡°We are all family, aren¡¯t we? Don¡¯t blow this out of proportion, youngdy. ¡± Hannah raised her head and looked Urs in the eye. ¡°Tell me, Aunt, do you consider the incident of recing Grandpa¡¯s medication a trifle? Is it because we are all family, as you put it, that you don¡¯t think it is a big deal?¡± Her voice was soft and calm, her tone gentle, and yet her words wereced with thorns. Urs was rendered speechless. She gnashed her teeth together and tried to ignore the stuffy feeling in her chest.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Hannah never took her eyes off the older woman. ¡°If you honestly think that it¡¯s not a big deal, I have nothing more to say on the matter. ¡± ¡°When¡­ When did I ever call it a trifle? I just meant. We don¡¯t have to stir up so much trouble between family, that¡¯s all. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s basically the same thing!¡± Edwin burst out andughed sardonically. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What, do you think Hannah is targeting Johanna?¡± Urs fumed, too furious to say anything. She touched Calvin¡¯s elbow and grumbled, ¡°Speak up for me!¡± Calvin had been intrigued by Hannah since the moment heid eyes on her. There was a novel charm to her exquisite features that made it hard to look away from her face. Even within the entertainment industry, it was rare to find such a captivating beauty, the type that immediately hooked one¡¯s attention and kept it. Hannah¡¯s cool demeanor had him transfixed as well. Chapter 672 If Urs hadn¡¯t nudged him, Calvin might have sunk deeper into his daze. He quickly gathered himself and smiled at Hannah. ¡°This matter is indeed Johanna¡¯s fault. But I agree with Tinsley. People tend to make mistakes when they are younger, and this is especially true for those of Johanna¡¯s age. I sincerely hope that everyone can find it in their hearts to grant her another chance. ¡± Calvin spoke in a gentle cadence, something that often worked into lulling the other party intopliance. ¡°I¡¯m sure that you would all agree, if someone had been there to teach her what is right and wrong, she wouldn¡¯t havemitted the same mistakes over and over again. ¡± This time, he was clearly shifting the me onto Christy, under the pretext that Johanna was too young to know better. Then, before anyone could react, he added, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m not saying that we should let her off so easily. I was thinking, perhaps we could cut her pocket money in half for the next six months, and closely monitor her behavior during that time. ¡± Calvin smiled and addressed Hannah directly. ¡°What do you think, Miss Moore?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah sneered to herself and looked back down on her te. ¡°It¡¯s all up to Grandpa. ¡± Urs sighed and took on an aggrieved expression. ¡°Dad, I never asked you for anything. Can¡¯t you forgive Johanna just this once?¡± Truth be told, the incident had left a bitter taste in Byrum¡¯s mouth. But his heart had gradually softened in thest couple of days. Sure enough, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to truly cast his granddaughter away. After a while, he finally spoke in a low voice. ¡°I shall treat the matter as though it never happened. ¡± Johanna¡¯s eyes lit up. She opened her mouth to thank the old man, only for him to cut her off. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°But your allowance will bepletely cut off for one year. You will also have to start working in thepany, under Hannah¡¯s guidance. Your allowance won¡¯t be reinstated until she says that you are doing your job well. ¡± Johanna¡¯s smile faltered, and for one crucial seconds, she almost let her true emotions show. Putting Hannah in charge of her automatically deprived her of a chance to stand out. Johanna pressed her lips into a thin line. Hannah, that bitch! Just how much more should she endure? Johanna struggled against the urge to protest her grandfather¡¯s words, but she instantly backed down under her mother¡¯s piercing gaze. She lowered her head and mumbled, ¡°Yes, I understand, Grandpa.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± Chapter 673 Byrum nodded and turned to Hannah. ¡°You may arrange her position in thepany as you see fit. Business is business, process it Like you would any other employee. ¡± ¡°I got it, Grandpa. I¡¯ll make arrangements tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Good. Now, let¡¯s eat. ¡± Edwin was most displeased by the whole ordeal. When they left the manorter, he mmed the car door closed with a heavy bang. Jalen fastened his seatbelt and frowned at the younger man. ¡°Just yank the door off my car, why don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°You saw that, didn¡¯t you?¡± Edwin blurted out in righteous indignation. ¡°That dinner was a set up for Hannah! So what if we haven¡¯t seen each other in a long time? If Johanna didn¡¯t f@ck up, we might not even see Aunt Urs again for the rest of our lives!¡± He turned in his seat to look back at Hannah. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Johanna. I¡¯ll talk to Grandpa and tell him to assign her to my team. I¡¯ll keep an eye on her. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for that,¡± Hannah said calmly. ¡°Grandpa assigned her to me, and I can¡¯t refuse his orders. There¡¯s nothing to worry about. I¡¯ll do as he says and treat her like an ordinary employee. I¡¯¡®1L evaluate her abilities tomorrow and give her a position that befits her qualifications. ¡± Edwin curled his lips in disdain. ¡°She was utterly useless even as a student. What kind of skills can she possibly have? She might as well work as a maid, though I can¡¯t really say that she is good with house chores. ¡± Hannah found his vehemence toward Johanna rather funny. ¡°Come on, you two are about the same age, right? Do you really have to be so ruthless to her?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Jalen chuckled at that before saying in a teasing tone, ¡°You probably don¡¯t know this, but they¡¯ve always had their issues. They only got more vocal about it after you came along. See, after you took Edwin under your wing, he¡¯s grown even less tolerant of Johanna. He was already carrying a grudge against her as it is.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Is it my fault for holding grudges?¡± Edwin challenged. ¡°You only say that because you don¡¯t understand! She always pinned the me on me after she messed up, and this goes all the way back to our childhood! Even as a kid, I knew how vile and cunning she is!¡± Laughter bubbled out of Hannah, and she helplessly shook her head at Edwin. Chapter 674 ¡°I think I understand why you¡¯re not interested in girls. It seems like you¡¯re suffering from PTSD in the hands of your childhood nemesis. ¡± She leaned close to the passenger seat and poked Edwin¡¯s cheek. ¡°Well? What exactly is your s@xual orientation now?¡± Edwin turned a bright shade of red. ¡°Stop talking nonsense! I¡¯m perfectly normal in every way!¡± ¡°It was an innocent question. Look how emotional your reaction is When they returned to the vi, Hannah made no mention of her ns to move out. She simply checked her luggage and continued to pack her sundries, making sure that she was ready to leave at any time. The next morning, Hannah had just finished breakfast and was about to go out when Edwin came barreling out of the kitchen with a piece of toast in his mouth. He was still in the process of putting his coat on when he came up to her. ¡°Hannah, can you give me a ride? Please! Or I¡¯ll bete for work!¡± Hannah checked her phone. It was a quarter before nine. ¡°It¡¯s not toote for you to take a taxi. ¡± Edwin nced at his watch and cried out, ¡°No, it¡¯s definitely toote! I¡¯ll have to call and book a taxi. Come on, aren¡¯t you headed to work, anyway? Let¡¯s go!¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Johanna hasn¡¯te down yet. ¡± Edwin sighed heavily, his hand clenching at his side. ¡°Her again! Forget it. I¡¯m leaving on my own!¡± With that, he sped away and disappeared through the gates. About half an hourter, Johanna leisurely descended the stairs, still d in her white, silk pajamas. She stretched her arms and stifled a yawn. ¡°What time is it now?¡± Hannah called out to her in a cold voice, stopping her in he Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ r tracks. ¡°I see you¡¯ve somehow managed to pull yourself out of bed today. Have you forgotten what you promised Grandpa?¡± Johanna rubbed her eyes andzily nced at her phone. ¡°Yes, yes, I promised Grandpa that I would work hard,¡± she answered in a dismissive tone. ¡°It¡¯s only 9:30 in the morning, what are you harping on about?¡± ¡°I told youst night that work starts at 9 o¡¯clock!¡± Johanna sauntered past Hannah and into the dining room. Chapter 675 ¡°I¡¯ve been on my knees for days. My body is still weak. But I agreed to go to work, didn¡¯t I? Would it kill you to be kinder, Hannah?¡± She sat down and took a bite of scrambled eggs. Johanna chewed slowly and smirked at Hannah. ¡°I mean, I¡¯d have to be in top condition in order to do well at thepany, right? What if I pass out at work because you didn¡¯t let me sleep and eat properly?¡± Hannah was no fool. She knew that Johanna was doing it on purpose. She leaned against the door frame and crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°You seem to be in good spirits as it is. If you don¡¯t feel like going to work, just stay home. ¡± ¡°I never said I that I won¡¯t go to work,¡± Johanna said, even as she continued to eat breakfast at a leisurely pace. ¡°I¡¯ll finish this and get ready in no time. Don¡¯t rush me. ¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not in a rush. ¡± Hannah¡¯s lips curled into a meaningful smile. ¡°Since you didn¡¯t file for a sick leave, this will be counted as an absence, and will be taken out of your sry. Mind you, missing a day of work will cost you three hundred dors. ¡± Johanna¡¯s face twitched, but she covered it up by raising her chin. ¡°Well Fine! Deduct my sry, then! It¡¯s only three hundred dors, anyway!¡± ¡°That is true. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Then again¡­¡± She paused and tilted her head to the side, as though she had just remembered something. ¡°Well, didn¡¯t Grandpa cut your allowance off? I doubt you currently have that much cash stashed away. If you keep incurring deductions from your sry, it might not be enough to tide over until the next month. Is that all right with you?¡± The color drained from Johanna¡¯s face. She had totally forgotten about that! She immediately lost her appetite and tossed her cutlery down.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. The chair made a loud scraping sound as she got to her feet and strode up the stairs. She had barely made it halfway when Hannah¡¯s voice stopped her again. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯ll give you ten minutes to get ready. If you don¡¯te down by then, I¡¯ll count today as an unauthorized absence on your part. Just so you know, three unauthorized absences would lead to immediate termination. Think about it carefully. ¡± Johanna was shaking with rage. She whirled around and stomped the rest of the way to the second floor. To her credit, she was able to change into casual clothes and dash down the stairs in less than ten minutes. She trailed behind Hannah and got in the car, scowling the entire time. They arrived at thepany a few minutes past ten o¡¯ clock. The receptionist stood at attention and greeted Hannah with a smile. ¡°Good morning, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°Good morning. ¡± Hannah nodded and returned her smile before swiping her ID card and walking toward the elevator banks. Chapter 676 They happened to enter the same elevator as a few members of the marketing department. They all greeted Hannah politely. Johanna stood to the side, her eyes shing bitterly as she noted the way they regarded Hannah. That position should have been hers. She should have been the boss, not Hannah! Johanna lowered her head and indulged herself in her fantasies, getting detached from her surroundings. ¡°Miss Moore,¡± one of the employees in the elevator said. ¡°This person¡­¡± ¡°This is Mr. Byrum White¡¯s granddaughter. Her name is Johanna White, and she graduated a couple of years ago. Remember her name, she may get assigned to your department. ¡± Paige Barron, one of the team leaders in the marketing department, beamed at Hannah and said, ¡°That would be great! We¡¯re currently in urgent need of new talents. You will be a wee addition to our team, Miss White. ¡± Johanna perked up at the mention of her name. Realizing that Hannah was about to sign her over to the marketing department, she could no longer hold back her dissatisfaction. ¡°I don¡¯t have any idea what the marketing department does, why would you put me there? I¡¯ll have you know that I graduated from a prestigious university. At the very least, I should be made a project manager!¡± The entire elevator grew quiet as everyone gaped at Johanna. They were thinking of the same thing¡ªJohanna was not here to learn the ropes at all! She was probably only after the title. ¡®s BunnyBookery How preposterous. Hannah peered at Johanna. ¡°A prestigious university, you say? Feel free to ask everyone here and see who didn¡¯t graduate from a prestigious university. This is one of the team leaders in the marketing department, Paige Barron. Not only did she graduate from a renowned university here in Hoijery, but she also holds a master¡¯s degree in business. If I were to promote someone to project manager based on their educational attainment alone, it would be her and not you. ¡± Johanna flushed with embarrassment. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Well, you can¡¯t make me the head of the marketing department, it¡¯s unseemly!¡± ¡°I never said that you will be the head of the marketing department,¡± Hannah said calmly.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Johanna rxed slightly when she heard that. ¡°I knew it. You-¡° ¡°You will start out as a staff member of the marketing department. We both know that you have no experience to speak of. It¡¯s only right that you start from the bottom. ¡± It was all the employees could do not to break out in apuse and cheers for Hannah. Chapter 677 Johann, on the other hand, was livid. Hannah was deliberately humiliating her! As soon as they reached their floor, Johanna burst into Hannah¡¯s office and demanded, ¡°Why should I be a mere staff member? I am Byrum White¡¯s granddaughter! How dare you assign me to such a pathetic position? Do you realize that this is going to make people look down on me?¡± Hannah walked casually to her desk and sat on her chair. ¡°So,¡± she said as she leaned back and intertwined her fingers on herp, ¡°which position do you think I should appoint you to, then?¡± Johanna sighed and rolled her eyes. ¡°I already told you, a project manager. And don¡¯t just ce me anywhere. At the very least, I should be put in the design department. I studied fashion design, after all, and my end goal is to be a design director in the future. This shouldn¡¯t be too much to ask, right?¡± Instead of arguing with her, Hannah extended her hand. ¡°ALL right. If you are confident in your abilities to be a design director, please show me your track record. ¡± But of course, Johanna didn¡¯t have one. In the two years since she had graduated, all she had done was to mooch off the allowance provided by the White family. She had never even set foot in thepany until today. When Johanna kept silent, Hannah leaned back and raised her eyebrows. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s forget about your track record. You can just tell me- have any of your design projects received awards? Have you yourself received any offers frompanies looking to hire a fashion major?¡± Johanna had no answer to those questions, either. In truth, someone else had done her graduate thesis, thanks to her family¡¯s connections. She pressed her lips in a tight line, unable to utter a single word. ¡°I¡¯m talking about the most basic requirements here,¡± Hannah said, a faint smile ying on the corners of her lips.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°And you can¡¯t evenply with a single one? All you have is a bachelor¡¯s degree, without any significant body of work to show for, and you have no experience in a workce setting. What makes you think you¡¯re qualified to be the design director of the White Group? Your incredibly thick skin?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah Moore! Do you really have to rub it in my face?!¡± Johanna sneered at her, her eyes filled with bitter resentment. ¡°I am a member of the esteemed White family, and you expect me to work as a lowly employee? This is an insult to Grandpa!¡± Hannah¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Please. The real insult would be if I made you the design director. It wouldn¡¯t take long for everyone in thepany to realize that the White family has raised such a useless and incapable offspring. Worse, still, she is sitting on a director¡¯s position despite her ringck of skills. ¡± Hannah leaned against her desk and perched her chin on her tented fingers. ¡°That would be so embarrassing, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°Tom¡± Johanna¡¯s lips trembled with emotion. In just the blink of an eye, her earlier arrogance faded into thin air. Chapter 678 ¡°But I don¡¯t even understand marketing. No, I won¡¯t go there!¡± ¡°You may work in the design department if that¡¯s what you want. You will start out as an assistant, and I¡¯ll have someone mentor you. ¡± Hannah was already reaching for her phone when she heard Johanna scoff. Thetter¡¯s face was filled with disbelief. ¡°I may not be qualified as a director, but I am still a designer! I know you don¡¯t like me, and my position in the family is currently at risk, but don¡¯t think that I won¡¯t expose you to Grandpa. I¡¯m going to tell him that you¡¯re purposely sabotaging my career!¡± Hannah breathed out a helpless sigh. ¡°Fine, go ahead and call Grandpa. As long as he gives you the go ahead, I¡¯ll sign the papers to appoint you as the design director. I¡¯ll even make you the general manager if he says yes. ¡± She waited for a beat, but Johanna made no move whatsoever. ¡°What are you waiting for? Do you need me to call him for you?¡±? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Johanna ignored the provocation and narrowed her eyes. ¡°When you first joined thepany, you didn¡¯t have any credentials, either. Why are you pestering me with them now? What¡¯s more, Grandpa defied the natural order and appointed you as chairwoman. He even gave you so many shares! Why is that?¡± Hannah rubbed her temples, feeling like she was talking to a brick wall. ¡°Even Edwin started out as a trainee when he joined thepany. Do you really think you¡¯re better than him?¡± Johanna mped her mouth shut and shifted awkwardly on her feet. Just then, a knock came at the door. Hannah¡¯s secretary peeked inside and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry to interrupt you, Miss Moore, but Mr. Mitchell is downstairs. He wants to see you. ¡± Now, this was a surprise. Hannah wasn¡¯t expecting to see Bryson today. ¡°Send him up. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Yes, Miss. ¡± The secretary took her leave, but Johanna remained staring at the door with a pensive look on her face. ¡°The choice is yours. ¡± Hannah spoke again, breaking the other woman¡¯s trance. ¡°You can call Grandpa right now and make your demands, or you can choose between the marketing and design departments. ¡± Johanna bit her lip and hesitated. When another moment passed in silence, Hannah nced pointedly at the clock. Chapter 679 ¡°The HR department is on the second floor. If you don¡¯t report for your onboarding before 11 o¡¯clock, I will take it as your voluntary withdrawal from the White Group. ¡± Johanna¡¯s head jerked up to look at the clock, and her face instantly changed. ¡°It¡¯s already 10:20!¡± ¡°Is 40 minutes not enough for you toplete your onboarding process?¡± Hannah asked in a nd tone. Johanna gritted her teeth and deliberated her options. In the end, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll go to the marketing department. ¡± ¡°Good. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°In that case, you should go to the second floor now. Someone is waiting for you there. You will be led to your workspace and given a brief orientation.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡± Despite her misgivings, Johanna recognized her precarious situation. As things stood, the old man was unlikely to support her, no matter how much she whined and groveled. Hannah, that vicious bitch! Johanna vowed to make her pay for this. It was just a matter of time. Johanna made to leave the room, and promptly bumped into someone as she walked through the door. ¡°Ah!¡± she cried out and raised her eyes to meet a cold and indifferent gaze. Bryson was wearing a business suit as usual, but this time, the top two buttons of his dress shirt were undone, and he had forgone wearing a tie. The informal ensemble made him look like a careless andid-back young master. Johanna stared up at him in a daze, only snapping back to her senses when he walked past her and shut the door with a sharp click. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Johanna turned and looked through the ss wall of Hannah¡¯s office. Bryson had walked up to the desk on the far side of the room, his back unfortunately turned on her. She couldn¡¯t hear what the pair were talking about either. With a resigned sigh, Johanna walked to the elevator. Inside the office, Bryson stopped in front of Hannah¡¯s desk, his hands in his pockets, and just looked at her in silence. After a moment or two, Hannah grew ufortable with his scrutiny. She finally peeled her eyes from herputer screen and faced him. ¡°What brings you here so suddenly? Did something happen?¡± ¡°Are you hiding from me?¡± Bryson asked directly, his gaze unwavering. Chapter 680 ¡°No,¡± she replied with a slight frown. ¡°I¡¯ve been busy dealing withpany matters, that¡¯s all. ¡± ¡°Is that also why you haven¡¯t been replying to my messages?¡± Bryson¡¯s expression darkened as he sat across the table and sped his hands. ¡°Are you still upset about what I did that night?¡± His words evoked the memory in question. If Hannah were to be honest, she wasn¡¯t really sure what to feel about it.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m upset,¡± she said slowly. ¡°I just feel¡­¡± She paused and softened her tone. ¡°I just feel that we might not be right for each other, after all. ¡± Bryson¡¯s fingers flinched ever so slightly. His face remained neutral, but his eyes seemed to have turned even more icy. ¡°And why is that?¡± Why? Even Hannah didn¡¯t know the answer. As cautious as she was, she chose to be blunt with him. ¡°I just think that we are notpatible. We haven¡¯t exactly known each other for long. And sometimes, I get the feeling that I don¡¯t know you at all. ¡± Bryson processed her words, then leaned back and tapped his knee. ¡°So, these are your reasons? Hannah. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ There was a strange cadence to his voice when he said her name, and it lingered as he added, ¡°Are you saying that you want to break up with me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m saying that we should step back and reevaluate our feelings. What do you think?¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s a terrible idea. ¡± Her eyes shed at his immediate response. ¡°Our situation is far from ideal. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to just break up?¡± Bryson¡¯s lips quirked into a self-derisive smile. He shook his head and stood up. ¡°You¡¯re right. We don¡¯t really know each other that well. ¡± Chapter 681 Hannah felt a twinge of hope. ¡°Then, does that mean that we¡­¡± Bryson paused and looked in the distance. When he spoke again, his voice was devoid of emotion, and he wasn¡¯t even looking at her. ¡°I have no right or reason to refuse the breakup. ¡± There was only silence long after Bryson left. Hannah ran a hand over her face, then picked up her phone when she received a message from Ro. ¡°Hannah, the name registered in that university in Newfort is not Bryson Mitchell.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. It¡¯s Sewell Mitchell. ¡± He also attached a photo of Bryson, which looked like it had been taken from the university yearbook. All the details provided under the photo all referred to the same name-Sewell Mitchell. Hannah¡¯s gaze deepened as she read through everything again. Then, she tapped on her keypad to type a reply to Ro. ¡°ALL right, got it. Thank you. ¡± Downstairs, outside the White Group building. Bryson got into his car and dialed Brayden¡¯s number. ¡°Get the project ready. ¡± ¡°Now?¡± Brayden was understandably confused. ¡°But the timing is not right. Otherpanies¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Just throw the project out and ask the director of the White Group to sign the contract. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ There was a faint sigh on the other side of the Line, and Brayden¡¯s voice was quieter when he asked, ¡°Did you have a fight with Miss Moore? I told you not to¡± ¡°We broke up. ¡± Brayden stopped speaking altogether. It took him a moment to find the words to say. ¡°Did you really break up? Weren¡¯t you fine just a few days ago?¡± Bryson took a deep breath and looked outside the car window. ¡°She must have discovered something. I need to send someone to Newfort to take care of it. ¡± Chapter 682 ¡°What¡¯s the use of that if she already found out? Your main concern should be how to win her back. ¡± Brayden was hastily signing a document as he asked, ¡°Are you going to let your rtionship end like this? Is this for good?¡± Bryson¡¯s lips curled up ever so slightly. ¡°Well, I certainly can¡¯t keep clinging on to her when she was the one who suggested the breakup. That doesn¡¯t mean that I would go out of my way to avoid her, though. ¡± ¡°Right. You have plenty of opportunities to run into her in the future. Still¡­¡± Brayden closed the folder and set it aside. ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to hear this, but I feel the need to remind you. She will be very wary of you right now.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. You¡¯d better not push her too far. You know the kind of person she is, She would rather break herself than bepromised by someone else. And she never bluffs. ¡± ¡°I know,¡± Bryson said. ¡°I told you, you have nothing to worry about. Make sure to talk to Lydia more often if you can. ¡± ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll finish this project like you asked and take her out to dinner tonight. ¡± Brayden kept to his word and really did ask Lydia out that evening. ¡®s BunnyBookery They agreed to meet at a high-end restaurant in the middle of Hoijery that served foreign cuisine. Lydia walked into the establishment with her limited edition, luxury handbag and looked around. The moment she spotted Brayden, she rolled her eyes. She sauntered over and sat across him in a huff. ¡°You¡¯ve been in Hoijery for days, and you¡¯ve only just now remembered to call your so-called girlfriend. ¡± ¡°Give me a break. I already told you that I came here for work. See, this is me making time especially for you, despite how busy I am. ¡± Brayden reached over and poured her a ss of wine. ¡°It¡¯s been so long since west saw each other. Don¡¯t just scold me, it would be a waste of our time together. ¡± Lydia picked up the wine ss and whirled it between her fingers. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Stop beating around the bush already. You need my help with something. Just tell me what it is. ¡± ¡°Ah, my precious girlfriend is truly beautiful and smart. I really can¡¯t keep a secret from you, can I?¡± Lydia rolled her eyes again. ¡°I knew it! You would have never contacted me if you didn¡¯t need my help, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you, it¡¯s really not like that at all. I flew to Hoijery to discuss a major project, and I¡¯ve been working overtime thesest few days. The thing that I need your help with is the matter between Hannah and Bryson. ¡± Lydia frowned. She was unaware that the two had broken up. Chapter 683 Those two? Did something happen to them?¡± Just then, the waiter arrived and served their appetizers. Brayden took a sip of wine, his expression turning serious. ¡°To put it bluntly, they¡¯ve broken up. ¡± ¡°What? Are you sure?¡± Lydia¡¯s tone had risen a pitch higher, causing the other patrons in nearby tables to nce in her direction. Lydia ducked her head and lowered her voice. ¡°Stop spouting nonsense! They were perfectly fine just two days ago. How can they be broken up? You¡¯re only making that up¡­ Aren¡¯t you? Besides, you haven¡¯t even been in Hoijery that long. How can you possibly know that they broke up?¡± Lydia leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath. ¡°More importantly, Hannah would have immediately told me if that were true. ¡± Brayden shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m just as shocked as you are. But I heard this from Bryson himself. Why would he Lie about such a thing? They only broke up today, though.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Miss Moore probably didn¡¯t know how to tell you, since she was the one who initiated it. Give her a few days. ¡± Lydia didn¡¯t feel the least bitforted by that. ¡°Well, why did you ask me out? Do you want me to talk Bryson up to Hannah or something? Are you nning to get them back together?¡± Brayden opened his mouth, but Lydia cut him off before he could say anything. ¡°No, I won¡¯t help you get them back together. ¡± Brayden blinked at her in shock. ¡°Why not?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Lydia turned somber. ¡°This matter is between those two. If Hannah decided to break up with Bryson, then something must have gone wrong. Things will only get worse if we try to meddle in their affairs. I know Hannah better than most. Once she made up her mind, there¡¯s no convincing her to change it. Only she can undo her decisions. ¡± Lydia paused, her eyes narrowing as she pondered another line of thought. ¡°You know, Hannah values her rtionships. She wouldn¡¯t have ended it with Bryson without a solid reason. Just what happened between those two?¡± Brayden tried topose himself. He wasn¡¯t expecting Lydia to figure out this much. Chapter 684 ¡°I don¡¯t know, either. In any case, Bryson doesn¡¯t really want you to meddle, as you put it. He just wants you to check on Hannah from time to time, see how she feels about their situation. You are best friends, after all. ¡± Lydia almost rolled her eyes. Even if he didn¡¯t say so, she was definitely interrogate Hannahter. Now that she thought about it, she might as well do it now. ¡°Why don¡¯t I call her?¡± she said, already grabbing her phone. Brayden immediately snatched her wrist and held it back. ¡°Not right now! It¡¯s barely been 24 hours since they broke up. If you snoop around so soon, she will definitely get suspicious. You won¡¯t be able to get anything out of her then. ¡± Lydia shook his hand off and eyed him with disgust. ¡°I swear, you men always make things unnecessarilyplicated. Why can¡¯t you just be straightforward? This is too much hassle!¡± ¡°Just treat it as a favor to me. ¡± Brayden pursed his lips and tried to give her his best puppy-dog eyes. ¡°This dinner is on me. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Of course, it¡¯s your treat,¡± Lydia said, even as she stuffed several pieces of beef into her mouth. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have possibly expected me to pay when you asked me out. ¡± A mischievous glint entered her eyes. ¡°How about this, then? Take me out on dates for a month, and within that period, I¡¯ll be the one calling the shots. ¡± ¡°Good Lord, don¡¯t you think your conditions are a little too steep?¡± Brayden chuckled helplessly. ¡°All right, I¡¯ll bite. It¡¯s a deal. But you¡¯ll have to work hard this time. ¡±? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Sure thing. ¡± Lydia smiled like the cat that ate the canary. ¡°Just leave it to me. I¡¯ll get back to you in a few days. ¡± When Hannah returned to the vi that evening, Jalen intercepted her in the Living room. ¡°I have something to tell you. Come and sit with me for a while. ¡± She rubbed her temples and nced at the time. She was exhausted. Still, Hannah walked into the living room and joined Jalen. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Chapter 685 Chapter: 685¡åNot at all. My visa has been approved, so I¡¯m headed for Newfort next week. I¡¯ll have to entrust everything to you, at least for the time being. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah was surprised to hear this. ¡°Why are you in such a rush to leave?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m in a rush,¡± Jalen smiled. ¡°An art exhibiting up soon. We haven¡¯t held such a grand affair in so many years, and I don¡¯t really trust our people there. I intend to be present and personally make sure that everything goes well. ¡± Hannah nodded in understanding. Jalen had his own dreams, and he was doing all that he could to pursue them. ¡°ALL right. Remember to call us often once you¡¯re settled in Newfort¡± ¡°Of course. My family is still here. I¡¯ll visit often, too. ¡± Jalen¡¯s tone changed when he added, ¡°Oh, by the way. As I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware, Johanna grew up spoiled. If she does poorly in thepany, don¡¯t hesitate to reprimand her. And forget about all the nonsense that Aunt Urs saidst time. It¡¯s her fault for not disciplining her own daughter. This will be a good learning opportunity for Johanna. ¡± A learning opportunity? Hannah couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow at that. ¡°Didn¡¯t you grow up with her? You should know better than anyone what kind of person she is. If none of you were able to discipline her then, how can you expect me to do it now?¡± ¡°Because things are different this time,¡± Jalen replied matter-of- factly. ¡°Grandpa arranged for her to work under you in the hopes that she would finally turn for the better. ¡± Hannah supposed he had a point. Jalen reached out and squeezed her shoulder. ¡°You may act tough on the outside, but I know that you have a kind and gracious heart. I just want to tell you that no matter what decisions you make, I will always be on your side. ¡± ¡°Got it. I hope your exhibit turns out a sess. ¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Jalen beamed at Hannah. She had never seen him so bright and happy before. When she finally entered her room, Hannah tossed her purse aside and heaved a long sigh. He padded over to her desk and sat in front of herputer. Ever since Bryson had walked out of her office, she hadn¡¯t opened their WhatsApp conversation. The revtion from Ro was like a boulder in her chest, a heavy and unshakable weight that was lodged in her heart. She fell into a daze, thinking about everything and nothing at the same time, when her phone rang.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Hannah snapped back to her senses and answered the call. Chapter 686 ¡°Hey Hannah! We haven¡¯t hung out for a while, just the two of us. Why don¡¯t you keep mepany tonight?¡± Hannah could hear loud and pulsating music in the background of Lydia¡¯s voice. She checked the time and found that it was already 9 o¡¯clock. ¡°It¡¯s sote. How about¡ª¡± ¡°What do you mean? It¡¯s only nine! We used to go out at well past midnight. You neverined about the time back then.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. ¡°I¡¯ve been really busy thesest few days, and I¡¯m exhausted. ¡± ¡°Oh, okay. Let¡¯s have lunch tomorrow, then. I¡¯lle to you, we can eat somewhere near your office. How does that sound?¡± ¡°Sounds like a n. ¡± There was a smile in Hannah¡¯s voice. ¡°I¡¯m always down to have a meal with you. ¡± ¡°Great!¡± Lydia replied enthusiastically. ¡°I¡¯ll call you tomorrow. ¡± The next morning¡­ Edwin was able to wake up early ande down for breakfast more time to spare. Shortly after, Johanna also walked downstairs, yawning and stretching as she headed to the dining table. She awkwardly sat across Edwin and ate. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I heard that you¡¯re starting in the marketing department. Do you even understand your responsibilities?¡± Edwin shot her a mocking look and snickered at his toast. Johanna gritted her teeth. She told herself to ignore him and just stirred her bowl of oatmeal. ¡°Head out as soon as you¡¯re done eating,¡± Hannah called out from the foyer. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you in the car. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Edwin immediately jumped to his feet. ¡°I¡¯m done, anyway. Let¡¯s go out together. ¡± Johanna rolled her eyes. ¡°Pathetic ass-ki*ser. ¡± Chapter 687 They drove to thepany, and the morning passed without incident. Just before lunch break, someone knocked on the door of Hannah¡¯s office. ¡°Come in. ¡± Paige pushed inside, looking a little embarrassed. ¡°Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah looked up from the documents she had been reviewing. ¡°Take a seat. What seems to be the problem. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Miss Moore, I¡¯ll just stand here. Well¡­ There is something I would like to speak with you about¡­¡± Paige drifted off and stood still, obviously debating with herself on something. Sensing the other woman¡¯s apprehension, Hannah closed the file she was working on and focused her attention on Grace. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°It¡¯s It¡¯s about Miss White¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed. Johanna had barely started, and she was already causing trouble? ¡°What about Miss White?¡± Paige turned even redder. ¡°Well, the thing is¡­ You asked me to help her learn the ropes, Miss Moore, so I assigned a project to her. But¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about a thing and just say it as it is,¡± Hannah instructed with a hint of impatience in her voice.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°Don¡¯t think about her as a White. She is just another employee. ¡± Her words were all the encouragement that Paige needed. Squaring her shoulders, she exined, ¡°The project involves a coboration with Hebert Tech on a recently developed mobile game. The initial proposal stipted that we would give the Hebert Tech 10% of the total revenue. However, during her recent discourse with a representative of the Hebert Tech, Miss White straight-up offered them 15%. The additional 5% is approximated to be around 200 million dors. We have indeed provided room for a 15% margin in the original draft, but that was simply a backup n in case the initial talks fell through. Technically speaking, both parties have already agreed on 10%. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Now, however, I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll have to take such a huge loss¡­ This puts the marketing department in a bind, Miss Moore. ¡± Johanna really was a fool, through and through. How could she make thepany lose hundreds of millions in the span of a few hours? This only cemented Hannah¡¯s terrible impression of her. Hannah closed her eyes and sighed, ¡°All right, I understand the situation. Hebert Tech is a subsidiary of Mr. Cartwright¡¯spany. I will discuss this matter with him myself. If such proposalse up in the future, don¡¯t let Johanna have any direct contact with our prospective partners or clients. Ensure that someone familiar with the operations take charge or, at the very least, keep a close eye on her. ¡± Chapter 688 Paige breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°I do apologize for mypse in judgment, Miss Moore. I should have been more careful. ¡± Hannah waved her hand. The me wasn¡¯t entirely on Paige. Johanna could burn down an entire empire if she was left alone for one day. She was that ipetent. If anything, Hannah had a hand in this debacle, too. ¡°It¡¯s not all your fault. I shouldn¡¯t have ced a ticking time bomb in your department. I¡¯m sorry for making you watch over her on my behalf. ¡± ¡°If something like this happens again, don¡¯t hesitate to tell me right away. ¡± Paige nodded in earnest. ¡°Yes, Miss Moore. I¡¯ll keep that in mind. I¡¯ll take my leave now. ¡± ¡°Okay, thank you. ¡± Shortly after Hannah finished all her pending paperwork, she received a call from Lydia, ¡°It¡¯s already noontime! Are you nning to take a lunch break, Miss Moore?¡± ¡°I was wrapping up some documents. I¡¯m heading downstairs now. ¡± Hannah hung up and gathered her purse before taking the elevator to the first floor. She spotted Lydia lounging at the reception area up front.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. ¡°Lydia,¡± she called out to her friend as she approached. Lydia sprang up from the couch and rushed over to Hannah with a paper bag in hand. ¡°Hey, slow down!¡± Hannah caught Lydia before thetter sent them both tumbling to the floor. ¡°Here you go!¡± Lydia pushed the paper bag into Hannah¡¯s hands. ¡°Just some desserts I bought for you. Lunch will be my treat!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The pair went to a restaurant down the street that served foreign delicacies. It was an elegant establishment that clearly catered to high society clientele. The women picked a table by the window. ¡°We¡¯ll have two of the A- grade set meals,¡± Lydia told the server. ¡°No need for appetizers. ¡± He gave them a polite bow and said, ¡°Certainly, Miss. Please wait a moment. ¡± Hannah had just ced her napkin on herp when Lydia leaned over and blurted out, ¡°My dad wants me to go back to Valmere. ¡± Chapter 689 ¡°Oh? Does he miss you that much?¡± Hannah asked with a smile. ¡°You can return if you want to. You¡¯re not really doing anything here, anyway. ¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Her nonchnt response miffed Lydia. ¡°Who said I¡¯m not doing anything? I¡¯ve been keeping Gracepany ever since you left the vi! That girl is practically stuck to my side. ¡± Hannah froze for a few brief seconds, but she quickly mustered a smile. ¡°Is that so? Now, I¡¯m worried you might corrupt her innocence. ¡± Lydia huffed and rolled her eyes. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Hey, I invited you to lunch because I have something important to tell you! Well, forget it. I¡¯ve changed my mind!¡± ¡°Fine, fine. I¡¯ll stop teasing you. What is this serious matter that¡¯s bothering you?¡± Hannah coaxed Lydia. Lydia hesitated for a moment and pursed her lips. ¡°My father is still considering my marriage with that bastard, Alick! That¡¯s why he wants me to go back. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah asked in surprise. ¡°I thought he was aware of your rtionship with Brayden? Why is he suddenly moring about an arranged marriage again?¡± ¡°Do you even have to ask? It¡¯s because I¡¯m not interested in marrying Brayden, which means that I won¡¯t be getting his family¡¯s assets. My good-for-nothing father is likely desperate for money. He¡¯s only pushing my marriage with Alick to secure the Shaw family¡¯s support and serve his own interests,¡± Lydia sneered. ¡°He has no talent for business at all, but he definitely has a knack for selling me out. ¡± That Last bit amused Hannah. She took a sip of her coffee and said, ¡°Your father probably got himself into trouble again. If I remember correctly, Brayden has helped him out a lot. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Now that you mention it¡­¡± Lydia rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. ¡°He was actually scammed by histest mistress into buying some kind of shady investment. She told him that he would reap 35% in profits, and the fool believed her. He invested fifty million! Can you believe that? He lost everything in just a matter of days. ¡± Hannah almost choked on her coffee. She wiped her lips with her napkin and gaped at her friend in disbelief. ¡°Your father has been in business for over 3@ years, and you¡¯re telling me that he bought into an investment scam that promised him 35% of profits? That¡¯s just too good to be true, no matter how you look at it. How could he be so careless?¡± Lydia didn¡¯t have the answer to that, of course. ¡°I won¡¯t be surprised if his mistress sweet-talked him into it, or some more disgusting method. Fifty millions is already a massive loss, but that¡¯s not the worst of it. We were supposed to be participating in a bid over a piece ofnd in the next few days. Given our circumstances, however, I don¡¯t think my family would even be let through the door. ¡± The waiter appeared again, and ced two exquisitely ted portions of steak on the table. Chapter 690 Lydia picked up her cutlery. ¡°Well, forget about it for now. Let¡¯s enjoy our food. ¡± Hannah followed suit, but made no move to cut her steak. Instead, she peered at Lydia and asked, ¡°Wait, thisnd you talked about, is it in the East district? The one that¡¯s up for a development project?¡± Lydia nodded and gave her a curious look. ¡°Are you familiar with this project? I thought the White Group didn¡¯t dabble in real estate business?¡± Hannah could feel the telltale signs of a migraineing. ¡°It¡¯s a littleplicated. The White Group didn¡¯t do real estate until recently. ¡± That changed after they struck a partnership with the Mitchell Group. As per the terms of their contract, bothpanies were set to participate in the bidding. It was a smart move, as they would be able to secure the project regardless of which one of them won the bidding. But in the advent of the recent downfall of Hannah¡¯s rtionship with Bryson¡­ ¡°Hannah?¡± Lydia called out when she noticed her friend scowling at the food. ¡°What do you meanplicated? Did something happen?¡± Hannah hesitated for a good while, but eventually told her about nitty-gritty details of the situation. ¡°I see. ¡± Lydia nodded, acting like she didn¡¯t know that Hannah and Bryson had already broken up. ¡°The way I see it, though, it¡¯s either you or the Mitchell Group would get thend. You don¡¯t have to worry about the Phillips Group. Even with the fifty million, thend would still be a long shot for my family. I asked around, and it seemed that thepetition is very fierce. If you didn¡¯t have more than one billion to throw away, then you shouldn¡¯t even think about joining the biding. At least, that¡¯s what they say. ¡± Hannah sighed and massaged her temples. ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ It¡¯s just¡­¡± She sighed again. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hide the truth from you. The thing is, Bryson and I¡­ We broke up. So this project¡­¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Lydia gasped in shock, her eyes growing wide. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to hand over the project to the Mitchell Group?¡± ¡°Not exactly,¡± Hannah said. ¡°The White Group is not particrly well-versed in the real estate industry, but it is the Mitchell Group¡¯s forte. Besides, since the beginning, it was agreed that the White Group would just be tagging along as support. Something Like an extra guarantee that the Mitchell Group would win the bid. I mean, even if we decide to take the matter seriously, the White Group could neverpete against then Mitchell Group. ¡± Chapter 691 Indeed, given the status of the Mitchell family, their chance of acquiring thend was higher than most otherpanies. One would have to be a well-established real estate magnate to have any hope of wrestling the project from Bryson¡¯s clutches. Lydia was aware of this. Her expression turned worried. ¡°Then, will you still be at the bidding, anyway?¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be?¡± Hanna countered lightly. ¡°ALL the paperwork has been finalized and submitted. I can¡¯t possibly back out and just ghost them. ¡± Noting that Hannah seemed to be more at ease than before, Lydia jumped at the chance to prod. ¡°Say, Hannah. I haven¡¯t asked you yet, why did you break up with Bryson? Weren¡¯t you guys fine when you went over for dinner a few nights ago?¡± She thought about the possible reasons why Hannah would let such a catch go. ¡°Did he cheat on you? Because if he did, I swear, I will cut that man¡¯s balls off!¡± Hannah shook her head and offered up a small smile. She wasn¡¯t nning on telling her friend every detail. ¡°Just let it go, Lydia. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine. ¡± ¡°Does it involve some sensitive information, Hannah? You¡¯ve never kept a secret from me before, especially when it came to men. ¡± Lydia could tell that there were more serious issues underneath the surface. ¡°You know that I will always be on your side, right? No matter what happens, I will support you. Just say the word, and I¡¯ll even break up with Brayden. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get too worked up now,¡± Hannah sighed. ¡°I knew you would get emotional, that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t want to tell you. I don¡¯t want my affairs to affect your rtionship with Brayden. Do you realize that if you broke up with him, your Dad would only pester you more?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Please, I can always find another man!¡± Lydia leaned over the table and added in earnest, ¡°But I won¡¯t just stand by and allow my best friend to get hurt. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough. You can¡¯t break up with Brayden over something that doesn¡¯t even involve you two. That would be ridiculous. My breakup with Bryson¡­ Just rest assured that he didn¡¯t cheat on me. ¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lydia was utterly perplexed now. ¡°If it isn¡¯t cheating, then why would you even consider breaking up with him?¡± Hannah opened her mouth to answer, but hesitated at thest second. ¡°It¡¯s reallyplicated. Even I haven¡¯t sorted out my thoughts yet. I¡¯ll tell you once my head clears, okay?¡±Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 692 Lydia had no choice but to let it go. ¡°I understand. But if you run into any more problems, be sure to tell me right away. ¡± ¡°I know. ¡± They chatted about more idle matters throughout the meal, after which Hannah checked her phone. ¡°I still have an hour before I need to go back to the office. Do you want me to show you around the area?¡± Lydia smiled and shook her head.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I wouldn¡¯t want to take up too much of your time, Miss Moore. You can get back to work, and I¡¯ll try to figure out how to deal with my father. I¡¯ll ask you out on a date another day. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°ALL right. Get back safe. ¡± They parted ways outside the restaurant. On her way back to thepany, Hannah received a call. ¡°Is this Miss Moore?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± The female voice on the other end seemed to turn sweeter after hearing that. ¡°Hello, Miss Moore. I am calling from Lisa Jewelry to remind you of the custom-made cuff links that youmissioned. It is ready to be picked up. ¡± Hannah hadpletely forgotten about it. She had ced the order almost a month ago. The cuff links were supposed to be a birthday present for Bryson. And his birthday was next weekend. Hannah¡¯s steps faltered. She couldn¡¯t cancel the items, they were custom-made. She sighed to herself. It seemed that she couldn¡¯t totally break away from Bryson, even though their rtionship had already ended. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Miss Moore?¡± The caller asked tentatively when Hannah said nothing. ¡°Are you still there? Will you be picking up the items today?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah finally replied. ¡°I¡¯m on my way, actually. ¡± ¡°Very good, Miss Moore. I will be waiting for your arrival. ¡± The store wasn¡¯t far from the White Group building. Hannah hailed a taxi and got to the store in about ten minutes. Chapter 693 The moment she walked through the door, the store attendant came up to greet her. She was then ushered to the reception lounge, where she was asked to sit on the sofa and wait. ¡°Monica, get Miss Moore a cup of coffee and bring the items she purchased. ¡± ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am!¡± A young girl behind the counter perked up and ced the cuff Links on a tray before rushing to an inner room. After a while, she served the coffee and brought over the cuff links.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Please enjoy, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°Are you satisfied with the cuff links, Miss Moore?¡± the attendant asked with a smile. Hannah¡¯s gaze drifted over to the sparkling buttons. It was made mainly of tourmaline, with a piece of emerald melded in the center in the shape of a snake. The edges were lined with Little ck diamonds. She had designed it herself, and asked the jewelry store to make it exactly as she envisioned. Hannah fell into a silent daze as she stared at the tiny coiled snake. The attendant bristled, thinking that Hannah was displeased with the jewelry. ¡°Please let me know if there is anything you are not satisfied with, Miss Moore. We can still have the cuff links redone. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°No, there¡¯s no need to modify it. You¡¯ve all done a good job. ¡± Hannah took a deep breath and raised her eyes. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Please wrap it up for me. Here is my card. ¡± She fished her credit card out of her purse and handed it to the other woman. The attendant epted it with both hands and offered a courteous bow. ¡°I am relieved to hear that you are pleased with our product, Miss Moore. You paid a deposit of 1, 200, 00@, and the remaining bnce is 2, 560, 000. Please wait here for a moment as I finalize the transaction ¡°Thank you. ¡± Hannah leaned back on the sofa and sipped her coffee. Her musings were interrupted by a familiar shrill voice. ¡°Hannah? What are you doing here?¡± Hannah raised her head to see Valery sauntering over, her vivacious brown curls bouncing over her shoulders, her outfit as skimpy as ever. Chapter 694 Valery red at her with obvious disdain. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I keep running into you everywhere I go. Jinx. Come here, darling!¡± She turned and called out to someone at the door. ¡°Why aren¡¯t youing in?¡± In the end, Valery had to drag herpanion inside. A brief sh of interest passed over Hannah¡¯s eyes when she recognized him, though she refrained from saying anything. Den stared at her, his chest tightening with guilt. He immediately shook off Valery¡¯s hand. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Ah, what a coincidence¡­¡± ¡°Do you two know each other?¡± Valery was immediately on high alert. She wound her arm around Den¡¯s and shot a look of hostility in Hannah¡¯s direction. ¡°Den?¡± What a familiar scene! It was just that Den had changed the one who apanied him. It was quite interesting. Hannah lowered her eyes and continued to sip her coffee. She couldn¡¯t be bothered to pay attention to these two. Den, on the other hand, pulled away from Valery and sat across Hannah. ¡°What are you buying from this store?¡± ¡°What does it have to do with you?¡± Hannah countered calmly. ¡°Den!¡± Whining his name, Valery stomped over and plopped down next to him. So I was right! How do you two know each other?¡± She could help butpare herself with Hannah. It seemed that no matter where the bitch went, she was always able to hook up with an eligible bachelor. Hannah noted the suspicion on Valery¡¯s face. She leaned backfortably on the couch and looked at the other woman as if thetter were the vige fool. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Is there something wrong with your brain, Valery?¡± ¡°Hannah! How dare you insult me like this?¡± Hannah tilted her head slightly in Den¡¯s direction. ¡°Don¡¯t you know who he is?¡± Valery turned to look at Den before leaning her head on his shoulder. ¡°He is mone other than my boyfriend, the CEO of the Edwards Group in Valmere!¡± ¡°Ah, so your brain still works, after all. Now, do you recall the person I used to be married to?¡± Chapter 695 ¡°You¡­¡± Valery¡¯s mind raced, her face turning pale as realization hit her. Den was Hannah¡¯s ex-husband! Valeryposed herself as best as she could. ¡°So he is your ex- husband, so what? You two are now divorced!¡± ¡°Quite right,¡± Hannah said nonchntly.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. ¡°We have nothing to do with each other. I just thought something might be wrong with you since you were asking such stupid questions. ¡± Valery flushed. Even she wanted to hide in a hole when she thought back to her behavior just now. ¡°Miss Moore, here are the cuff links that you purchased. ¡± Hannah stood up and nced at Valery. ¡°I have better things to do, so I¡¯m leaving now. ¡± She took the shopping bag from the store attendant and left without a backward nce. The moment she was out the door, Valery jumped to her feet and demanded in a sharp voice, ¡°I want to buy the same cuff links she got!¡± The store attendant offered her a professional smile. ¡°I¡¯m very sorry, Miss, but those cuff links were custom-made. If you¡¯d like, we also carry a series of limited edition cuff links. Pleasee this way. ¡± Valery¡¯s face expression turned ugly. She whirled around and tried to cling to Den¡¯s arm again, but her hands only met air. Den had already walked past her and was chasing after Hannah. ¡°Hannah!¡± He caught up with her and blocked her path. ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner together. Tonight. What do you say?¡± ¡°Please address me as Miss Moore,¡± Hannah replied in a cold voice. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°And I¡¯m busy, so no. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand. Valery and I are not a real couple. ¡± Den matched her pace as Hannah pressed forward, adding, ¡°I had no idea that you knew her. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll draw a clear line with her. ¡± That made Hannah pause. She frowned at Den, shocked and offended by his audacity. ¡°Why are you even telling me this. If you had to exin yourself to someone, it should be to Eliana. If you¡¯re doing this because you¡¯re worried that I would expose you, rest assured-I¡¯m not interested in any of your business. ¡± Den¡¯s face changed. He reached out and held her wrist. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Listen to me, Hannah. After everything that happened, I finally figured it out. Chapter 696 You are the one I love, after all.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. All those other women¡­ They were nothing more than just a passing fancy. An impulse. ¡± He shifted in his feet to stand right in front of her and stared her in the eye. ¡°If I tell you that I regret everything, will you give me another chance?¡± That earned him a sneer. ¡°Are you out of your mind, Den? Haven¡¯t you forgotten what you said to me in the beginning? You told me in excruciating detail just how much you loved Eliana. It hasn¡¯t even been that long since you finally got together with her, and she¡¯s not your true love anymore?¡± Hannah shook her head and smiled wryly. ¡°Your love is cheap, Den. I don¡¯t want it. And I¡¯m warning you, you¡¯d better stay away from me, or I won¡¯t hold back from putting you in your ce!¡± Hannah walked away from him before he could utter another word. Just a few secondster, Valery appeared beside Den and grabbed his arm. ¡°So, you still have feelings for your ex-wife?¡± Den gave her an icy look. ¡°We¡¯re over¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Valery hung on tight to his arm and tugged him back. ¡°If I tell you that I can help you get her back, how much will you offer me in return?¡± Den looked her up and down with narrowed eyes. ¡°What are you saying?¡± ¡°You always knew that I only approached you for your money, right? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As for you, you went along with it because¡­¡± Valery stroked her chin with the back of her hand and smiled at him. ¡°Because I look so much like my sister, Hannah, correct?¡± Den was stunned. ¡°Hannah is your sister?¡± ¡°Why do you look so surprised? We have the same surname, and we Look so simr. Did you never figure it out? Well, we do have different mothers, but at the end of the day, we¡¯re still sisters. ¡± A scowl marred Den¡¯s brow. He hadn¡¯t bothering to Hoijery when he married Hannah, so he never knew that she had a half-sister. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, I can take you home right now. Surely you would believe it if my father tells you himself, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. ¡± Den refused directly. He eyed Valery closely. Chapter 697 ¡°What did you mean when you said you can help me get her back?¡± She beamed at his question, knowing that he had taken the bait. ¡°Oh, I have a lot of ways. It all depends on how much you¡¯re willing to pay me. ¡± ¡°How much do you want?¡± ¡°Not much really. ¡± Valery held up a hand and stretched her fingers. ¡°Five million. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Den answered without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯ll transfer the money to your ount as soon as you aplish your end of the bargain. ¡± Valery smiled in satisfaction. ¡°I¡¯d like you to pay me three million first. A deposit, if you will.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. ¡± Den¡¯s eyes darkened slightly, but he still took out his phone and made a call. ¡°I¡¯ve already arranged for my assistant to make the transfer. Now, tell me what you n to do, exactly. ¡± Valery drew close and clung to his arm again. ¡°You see,¡± she said in a sickeningly sweet voice, ¡°there¡¯s this piece ofnd in the East district that is up for a development project, and numerous real estatepanies are currently vying for it¡­¡± ¡°I know the one you¡¯re referring to,¡± Den interrupted. ¡°It¡¯s not just in Hoijery, either. Competitors from Valmere are also looking into bidding for it. ¡± Valery grinned up at him in triumph. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Well, my dad got some insider information. Apparently, this situation is a very tricky one. Thend is owned by a private person, and he now wants to auction it off and establish connections with important figures. As such, he would definitely stretch out the bidding process for as long as he can. Hannah will be participating in that bidding. What do you think? Do you think you can manage to win her back during the auction?¡± Den looked far from convinced. ¡°You say thend is privately owned? Why would they even auction it off?¡± ¡°I¡¯m telling you, my father¡¯s informant is reliable. The only thing we don¡¯t know is why the owner decided not to keep thend. There¡¯s actually a very simple way to verify this. Attend the bidding. They¡¯re holding it in a private resort. You can confirm it for yourself then. ¡± A few thoughts crossed Den¡¯s mind. In a usual setting, the auction would have been conducted in a public and formal process. But if they were bidding in a private location, then it must involve private entities, indeed. Chapter 698 He peered at Valery. ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just say that my family may be participating in the auction. We¡¯re only ying second fiddle, though. But unlike us, the Edwards family has a better chance of securing that piece ofnd. And once the project goes to you¡­¡± She raised her finger and tapped on Den¡¯s chest. ¡°You¡¯ll definitely get my sister back. She wants it, after all. Be sure to thank me when that happens. ¡± Den grabbed her finger, his expression unreadable. ¡°Fine. If this works, you¡¯ll get the rest of your reward. ¡± Meanwhile, Hannah had finally reached her office.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. She ced the gift bag on her desk, stared at it for a minute, then got back to work. She was supposed to have a meeting that afternoon, but thanks to Johanna¡¯s recent debacle, she would have to postpone it. Instead, Hannah headed to the marketing department. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she heard the muffled sound of heated arguments from the inner office. Hannah pushed through the door. ¡°What is all thismotion about?¡± The director jumped to his feet, staring at Hannah as though she was his one true savior. He hurried over to her. ¡°Miss Moore!¡± He looked like a mess. He drew close and spoke in a low voice. ¡°I would have looked past it if it were just one minor blunder, but the entire staff hase to me toin. I don¡¯t know what to do¡­¡± Hannah nced over his shoulder at Johanna, who stood to one side with an appallingck of concern on her face. ¡°Tell me exactly what happened. ¡± It all began in the pantry during lunchtime, when an employee mentioned something about the White Group¡¯s future sessor. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Apparently, she had mentioned Johanna¡¯s name, expressing her confusion about why the woman was working in the marketing department. Without warning, Johanna rushed at her and poured a cup of hot coffee on her head. That didn¡¯t end there, though. Not satisfied with her revenge, Johanna proceeded to sneak into the poor girl¡¯s cubicle and deleted all the data on herputer. This included a very crucial project n that the team was working on. They were in the process of polishing the details, and the staff hadn¡¯t even had the chance to back it up into the cloud yet. Now, the marketing director was in a dilemma. He cast a cautious look at Hannah and said, ¡°Without a backup copy, we¡¯ll have to recreate everything from scratch. Our client is already pressuring us to move the delivery date forward. The rest of the team is upset, and tensions are running high. As you know, we¡¯ve been working on the proposal for almost a month, and Miss White got rid of it in just a matter of seconds. But then¡­¡± Chapter 699 The director drifted off, unsure of whether to continue speaking or not. What he wanted to say was that they were mere employees and couldn¡¯t afford to reprimand the youngdy of the family they worked for. As the mediating power between the top brass and the staff, he was in a very difficult situation indeed. With a defeated sigh, he suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t I let Miss White take a leave of absence? At least until this matter is remedied. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. ¡± Hannah walked past him, her expression stony. When Johanna noticed that Hannah was headed toward her, she rolled her eyes and looked away. She was still acting like she did nothing wrong. But Hannah ignored her and turned her attention to Paige and her team members, some of whom were openly crying from all the stress. ¡°How Long will it take to recreate the project n?¡± Paige, who was barely hanging on to herposure, took a deep breath and exined, ¡°Even if we all work overtime¡­ It¡¯s going to take at least a week. ¡± ¡°How about this, then? If your team manages to deliver the n within three days, you will each receive an incentive of 50, 000 dors. If it takes five days, the incentive will be reduced to 30, @00. And if you take the whole week, you¡¯ll only get 10, 000 each. ¡± The whole office fell silent at her announcement. The staff, who had been distraught and inconsble just a moment ago, all lit up in a mix of excitement and disbelief. ¡°I am to me, too. My poor judgment yed a part in all of this, so I will be paying your incentives from my personal ount. And once the project is Launched sessfully, you will be granted ten vacation days with pay, as well as a dinner party at a five-star hotel. ¡± Hannah turned to the employee whose files had been deleted. ¡°I¡¯ll speak with the ounting department and arrange for your sry to be doubled this month. ¡± ALL traces of grievance melted from her face, to be reced by a look of immense gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore! I¡¯ll definitely work hard and get the job done before the week is out!¡± The other employees quickly echoed her sentiment, dering theirmitment toplete the project n as soon as possible. ¡°Rest assured, Miss Moore. We will give it our all and give you the best results!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah nodded then turned to Johanna. ¡°You,¡± she said in a cold voice. ¡°Come with me. ¡± Johanna muttered something under her breath, but she was smart enough to do as she was told. Hannah led the way back to her office, ushered Johanna in, and closed the door. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault!¡± Johanna blurted out almost immediately. ¡°She was badmouthing me behind my back. She deserved it!¡± Hannah remained calm.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. One might even say that she wasn¡¯t at all affected by the incident. Chapter 700 ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your petty squabbles with your colleagues, but you did deliberately tamper withpany documents. Do you realize the consequences of your actions?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a file, what¡¯s the big deal?¡± Johanna retorted.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Why are you making so much fuss?¡± ¡°You know, I really envy your ignorance sometimes. ¡± Johanna bristled at Hannah¡¯s sarcasm. She walked over and mmed her palm against thetter¡¯s desk. ¡°I¡¯ve been tolerating you all this time, you bitch! This is my grandfather¡¯spany! I have every right to sit in a higher position, but I listened to you when you assigned me to that pathetic and insignificant department! So I fought with an employee and deleted her files, so what? You¡¯re blowing this way out of proportion!¡± Johanna leaned over the desk and sneered, ¡°I know that you want to fire me, you just need a good reason to do so. I¡¯m telling you right now, that will never happen! If you fire me over such a trivial matter, I will tell Grandpa!¡± ¡°Go ahead, then,¡± Hannah said without batting an eye. ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed the n that you so carelessly got rid of. If we secure that contract, the project will be valued at 300 million in total. ¡± Hannah leaned back in her chair and smiled, ¡°Now, if you think that your tantrum is worth 300 million dors, then by all means, run to Grandpa and tell him everything you did. ¡± ¡°You¡­ There¡¯s no point in trying to intimidate me!¡± Johanna said, but she did turn a shade paler. ¡°300 million? Please! Stop making things up!¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows and tossed a folder at Johanna. ¡°That¡¯s the contract attached to the project n. I doubt you¡¯d understand the details, but surely, you can recognize the pricing stipted in those papers. ¡± Johanna grabbed the folder and scanned the documents. Sure enough, it said 300 million dors. She fell into a panic. ¡°I¡­ How was I supposed to know¡­ How was I supposed to know that the project was worth 300 million? I just wanted to teach that wench a lesson! I didn¡¯t. ¡°If I remember correctly, Grandpa said that if you cause any trouble in thepany, you should just roll back home. ¡± Hannah took the papers back and smiled at Johanna. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Well? Are you going to take the initiative to tender your resignation, or will I have the honor of firing you?¡± If Johanna were truly kicked out of the White family home, she would no longer hold any value to her mother. Biting her lip, she stared at Hannah with wide, pleading eyes. ¡°I¡­ It¡¯s all my fault. Give me another chance. Put me in another department!¡± Hannah drummed her fingertips on her desk. ¡°How can I trust you again? You caused such a huge mess, and for what? If I let you stay, how do you expect me to justify it to the rest of thepany staff?¡± Chapter 701 Johanna had to stay in thepany, no matter what. And so, she swallowed her pride and made up her mind. ¡°I will apologize to that girl. You can also deduct my sry for another six months and announce it to the entirepany. I just need you to give me another chance. ¡± In all fairness, she meant everything she said this time. Hannah tapped her chin and looked at Johanna for a moment. ¡°ALL right. Tell me, then. Which department do you want to transfer to?¡± Johanna took a deep breath and tried to convey her sincerity. ¡°I want to be ced in the design department. I did study design, after all. It doesn¡¯t matter if I have to start out as a design assistant. I want to learn all that I can. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah agreed without missing a beat. ¡°But this will be yourst chance. I hope you don¡¯t waste it. ¡± Johanna nodded in earnest. ¡°Yes, I understand. I¡¯ll work hard. Thank you, Hannah!¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Good. You may go and report to the design department right away. I¡¯ll ask David to show you around. ¡± ¡°Okay. Johanna nodded obediently. But her expression changed the second she walked out of the office. She cursed inwardly. That bitch! It was only a matter of time, but Johanna vowed to herself that she would pay Hannah back tenfold for every insult that she had inflicted. Back inside the office, Hannah was shaking her head ruefully. She knew what kind of person Johanna was, of course. She picked up thendline and made a call to the design department. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hi, David. An employee named Johanna will be reporting to your department as a design assistant. Please look after her for me. ¡± ¡°Understood, Miss Moore. ¡± His tone turned to teasing when he added, ¡°You know, the fiasco that happened in the marketing department has already spread throughout thepany. So you¡¯re pushing the culprit over to me, huh?¡± Hannah chuckled softly, ¡°Just do me this favor, will you? She is still a member of the White family. And she does hold a degree in design. Who knows, with the right guidance, she might actually prove useful to thepany. ¡± ¡°Yeah, right,¡± David snorted. ¡°It¡¯s good enough that she doesn¡¯t cause any trouble in my department. I wouldn¡¯t dare to ask for more. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep an eye on her. ¡± ¡°Thank you, David. ¡± Chapter 702 You¡¯ll have to go with me then. You know fashion and design better than any of my staff. ¡± David was a renowned figure in the field of fashion and style, so much so that he had been appointed as the main designer of Fashion Week in thest two years. He only stayed in the White Group for two reasons. Firstly, it was to pay a debt of gratitude for Byrum¡¯s help and support in the past. Secondly, the pay was great. Most importantly, things had been working out well since Hannah took over thepany. David had quickly discovered that Hannah¡¯s understanding of design was close to his own concepts, and she had never failed to impress him in their first few encounters. Soon, he found himself spending more time in thepany. Well aware of the designer¡¯s flighty temper, Hannah immediately agreed, ¡°Sure thing. You can check in with my secretary. She has my schedule. ¡± ¡°Great! Bye, then. ¡± Hannah clocked off work in the evening and drove straight to the White family vi. ¡®s BunnyBookery The butler met her in the foyer. ¡°Good evening, Miss Moore. Old Master asked you to see him in his study as soon as you arrive. ¡± ¡°I got it. Thank you. ¡± Hannah set her things aside and knocked on Byrum¡¯s study. ¡°Come in. ¡± Hannah stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. ¡°Grandpa. ¡± Byrum took off his sses and pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°How has Johanna been doing in thepany so far?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. How timely. The girl in question had just caused a massive disaster in thepany. Hannah lowered her gaze in a bid to hide her emotions. ¡°She is doing all right. But she was having a hard time adapting to her role in the marketing department, so I transferred her to the design department. ¡± Much like Hannah, Byrum was painfully aware of Johanna¡¯s personality. He sighed and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so considerate to her. If she causes any trouble, just treat her as you would any other employee. ¡± ¡°Yes, Grandpa. ¡± ¡°One more thing. ¡± Byrum opened his drawer and took out an envelope. Chapter 703 ¡°The person in charge of the project in the East district sent this to me. ¡± Inside the envelope was a ck card with the letter L embossed in gold ink on the front p. Hannah flipped it open and read the details, her brows furrowing as she finished. ¡°You don¡¯t have to attend the auction if you don¡¯t want to,¡± Byrum said after noticing the shift in her expression. ¡°There¡¯s no way ourpany would win the bidding, anyway. ¡± Hannah closed the invitation and looked at the old man. ¡°Grandpa, it says here that thend is being auctioned by a private seller. Why wasn¡¯t this information revealed beforehand?¡± Byrum scoffed and took a sip of his coffee. ¡°A marketing strategy. Revealing it at thest minute would naturally attract more interest from prospective buyers. They will be inclined to bid higher, too. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery At this point, everyone was aware that thend in the East district was a highly sought-after asset. Needless to say, a lot of prospective buyers would be flocking to the option. The seller would be a fool if he didn¡¯t raise the price then. Hannah pursed her Lips and stared straight at the old man. ¡°Grandpa, you knew from the start that there was something wrong with the property, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°If it were truly government-ownednd, there would have been a wealth of public knowledge regarding the area,¡± Byrum exined slowly. ¡°But no, the city was taken by surprise when they suddenly announced the auction. I may not be involved in real estate, but I have been in business for most of my life. Of course, I noticed that something was not right with the situation. ¡°Hannah,¡± he said, his tone taking on a hint of concern. ¡°Never mind the invitation. We don¡¯t have to be at the auction. Someone is obviously ying a game. It might be better for us not to get involved in any of it. ¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s all right, Grandpa. It¡¯s piqued my interest, so I¡¯m going to take a look. It¡¯s always good to broaden one¡¯s horizons. It¡¯s our first time dabbling in real estate. We need all the experience we can get. ¡± Byrum was still reluctant, but he eventually nodded. ¡°ALL right. Do as you see fit. Don¡¯t worry about thepany¡¯s finances, we are more than capable of supporting any decision you make. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Grandpa. I¡¯ll be careful. Besides, it¡¯s just as you said. We might not even win the bid. ¡± Apart from the Mitchell Group, otherpanies would be participating, formidable entities in the world of real estate. Even ay person could tell that the White Group stood no chance. Chapter 704 And so did Byrum and Hannah. Meanwhile, Bryson and Brayden were far from surprised at receiving the invitation. ¡°I told you this guy had a backup n. See? It really isn¡¯t government-ownednd!¡± Brayden clicked his tongue and shook his head. He fiddled with the invitation and added, ¡°He sure has a voracious appetite. Isn¡¯t he afraid of biting a little more than he can chew?¡± Bryson nced at the invitation on his desk. ¡°Since it was finally announced that he is a private seller, do you think we can find the person behind all of this?¡± ¡°Oh, there¡¯s no need tounch an investigation. ¡± Brayden held up his hands and shrugged. ¡°The real estatendscape in Beachholt is practically monopolized by the Compton family. But most of their projects are based abroad. They haven¡¯t been that active in the domestic screen in recent years. I wonder why they suddenly decided to sell thend in the East district.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡± ¡°The Compton family¡­¡± Bryson paused and looked up at Brayden. ¡°Who are these people?¡± ¡°Oh, good on you for asking the right person. ¡± Brayden leaned back against the sofa and proceeded with his exnation. ¡°The Compton family made their fortune in real estate right here in Beachholt. They used to dominate the domestic market, butter branched out overseas. I heard that the head of their family is still abroad even now. His two sons stayed here, though they don¡¯t show up in public too often. By all rights, they¡¯re just another couple of rich businessmen. ¡± Their background sounded straightforward enough. It was even simpler than Brayden¡¯s. ¡®s BunnyBookery But for the Compton family to put up thend for sale without so much as a warning¡­ It was very strange. Given the circumstances, thend in question should be worth five times more than its original worth. For most, that equated to two lifetimes of fortune. Selling it during these times was a bold but foolish move. There was no rhyme or reason to it. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson¡¯s eyes darkened as his mind raced, but he said nothing. ¡°Don¡¯t think about it too much. For all we know, those two sons probably ran out of money and are merely looking to liquidate their assets. ¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow at Brayden, his toneced with disgust when he said, ¡°Even a fool knows that thend¡¯s value would only multiply in the future. They must have a good reason for wanting to sell it now. ¡± Brayden scratched the back of his head and considered it for a moment. ¡°Maybe they¡¯re just stupid?¡± Silence filled the room as Bryson stared at Brayden like thetter had lost his mind. ¡°I do envy your simple mind every now and then. ¡± Chapter 705 ¡°What do you mean?¡± Brayden asked, looking indignant. ¡°They¡¯re selling off thend despite knowing that its value will double in the future. If it¡¯s not stupidity, then what else could it be?¡± ¡°Have you heard of the phrase, ¡®the drinker¡¯s heart is not in the cup¡¯?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°I suppose we¡¯ll know what they¡¯re up to at the auction. ¡± As the conversation drifted away from business talks, Brayden cleared his throat and spoke somewhat warily. ¡°How are, uh¡­ How are things with Hannah? Is your cold war still ongoing?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything better to do?¡± Bryson asked sharply. ¡°Right, of course I do!¡± Needing no further encouragement, Brayden shot up to her feet. ¡°I just remembered that I have some matters to attend to. Bye!¡± Bang! Bryson exhaled as the door mmed shut. He picked up his phone and turned it on. His WhatsApp conversation with Hannah was still open. Bryson¡¯s grip tightened around his phone as he stared at their past conversations. After a few moments, he turned his device off and tossed it aside. In another part of the city, Den also received the same ck invitation. He read it once, then called Valery. ¡°It¡¯s just as you said. I received an invitation to the auction. ¡± ¡°I told you my information is reliable,¡± Valery drawled out in a smug voice.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah will definitely be there, and I will create an opportunity for you. ¡± Den could feel his palms grown warm with anticipation. ¡°What kind of opportunity are you thinking about?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll discuss itter. Meet up with me at the resort, and I¡¯ll tell you all the details. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Den hung up the phone just as someone knocked on the door. In the next second, Eliana walked into the room with a bowl of oatmeal. She beamed at Den and said, ¡°You must be tired from work. I made you a simple snack. Eat it while it¡¯s warm. ¡± Den¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. Chapter 706 ¡°Leave it there. I¡¯ll eatter. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Eliana put the bowl down on the desk and thoughtlessly picked up the invitation. ¡°Is this for that auction people are talking about?¡± Den immediately snatched it out of her hands. ¡°We can¡¯t take guests with us to the event,¡± he said. ¡°So I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t bring you along. ¡± Eliana blinked at him in disbelief, taken aback by his extreme reaction. ¡°I was just looking at it, why are you so jumpy?¡± ¡°You¡¯re mistaken,¡± Den snapped back.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. He ran a hand over his face and sighed, ¡°Sorry. I¡¯ve been swamped with worktely. My temper isn¡¯t the best. ¡± Gritting her teeth, Eliana walked around the desk and massaged his shoulders from behind. ¡°I¡¯ve never been to such a grand auction before,¡± she said sweetly. ¡°Can¡¯t you take me with you just this one time? Pretty please?¡± If it had been in the past, Den would have agreed in a heartbeat. But now, he didn¡¯t even waste a second hesitating. ¡°No. ¡± If Den took Eliana with him, he might as well ki*s his chance to get back with Hannah goodbye. And so, his refusal was swift and immediate. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana¡¯s hands paused on his shoulders. She had already asked other socialites whose husbands had received simr invitations, and they had confirmed that the guests were allowed to bring apanion. Den was lying to her. What was more, his vehement reaction made her feel a sense of crisis. ¡°Den,¡± Eliana crooned. ¡°I don¡¯t really have to go. ¡± She ttened her chest against Den¡¯s back before adding, ¡°But thedies were talking about the auction during afternoon tea. And they said that their husbands were bringing them along. . Her meaning was obvious. Den did his best to keep from scowling. ¡°I can take you if I really have to, but this is a very important event. I won¡¯t be able to attend to you; you¡¯ll have to stay with the otherdies. ¡± Chapter 707 Eliana smiled, ¡°That¡¯s perfectly fine. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve never caused you any trouble, have I?¡± Den thought about it. She had indeed been quiet and obedient whenever he had business negotiations. That eased some of his tension. ¡°Fine. ¡± Needless to say, the news spread quickly, and before long, everyone knew that the auction would be held in a private resort in Beachholt. Both Johanna and Edwin came to Hannah, saying that they wanted to attend to the event with her. Hannah was sitting on the sofa. She crossed her legs and looked at them one after the other. ¡°Give me one good reason why I should bring you with me. ¡± Edwin grinned. ¡°I¡¯ve never been to an auction before, especially one that involves real estate. I want to go and gain insight and experience.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Johanna almost rolled her eyes. What an idiot! As for her, her concerny elsewhere. She was certain that dozens of rich and eligible bachelors would be at that resort. If Johanna managed to find one promising candidate, she could use it to her advantage and change her grandfather¡¯s current perception of her. Hannah turned to Johanna, who was still immersed in her fantasies, and rapped on the coffee table. ¡°What about you?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Johanna came back to her senses. ¡°The same with Edwin, I¡¯d like to broaden my horizon. After all, I am now an employee of thepany-¡° ¡°You work in the design department,¡± Edwin ruthlessly cut her off. ¡°What do you think you¡¯ll learn from a real estate auction?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°And you work in the IT department!¡± Johanna retorted, ring at him. ¡°Is that rted to real estate?¡± Seeing that they were about to fight again, Hannah interjected with, ¡°I can take both of you with me, but you must never cause any trouble. ¡± ¡°We won¡¯t!¡± the two replied in unison. Since the auction was going to be in Beachholt, Hannah had to ask her secretary to book ne tickets a day early from the actual event. ¡°Hannah booked a flight for tomorrow,¡± Brayden told Bryson over the phone. Chapter 708 ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for you to be seated beside her. ¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. ¡°Good,¡± Bryson answered Lightly. ¡°And one more thing!¡± Brayden added. ¡°Our bidding price can¡¯t remain the same as we nned. We must raise two points. ¡± ¡°You decide the bidding price,¡± Bryson said, sounding almost uninterested. ¡°And bring the proposal with you. ¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you taking Yosef?¡± Brayden asked in surprise. ¡°Apparently, he has something else to do. You¡¯re apanying me this time. ¡± ¡°ALL right. I¡¯ll go book another ticket. ¡± The next day, Hannah checked in at the airport and boarded her ne without incident. That was, until she was settled in her window seat. As another passenger took the seat beside her, she subconsciously nced over. She froze, shocked at the familiar face she was seeing. Bryson was dressed casually in a brown, turtle-neck sweater and jeans. ¡®s BunnyBookery Feeling her gaze on him, Bryson nced at her and smiled, ¡°What a coincidence. ¡± It was the first time they were seeing each other after their breakup. Flustered, Hannah turned away and fixed her eyes outside the window. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As she did so, she was able to take two deep breaths. The familiar scent of sandalwood washed over her. Her head turned sharply to face Bryson again. She had chosen this cologne for him, before he changed it up just before they parted ways. ¡°If there¡¯s anything you¡¯d like to know, you¡¯re wee to ask me any time. ¡± His voice lulled her into a trance. Hannah could do nothing more than stare at his handsome face. She didn¡¯t know how to react. Bryson¡¯s eyes lit up with mirth. He tilted his head forward and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Hannah clenched her fists. He was acting as if what had happened before was her illusion! ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± she replied stiffly. The next thing she knew, a bunch of candies were in front of her face. Chapter 709 ¡°I got used to bringing candies wherever I go. Would you Like some?¡± It urred to her then that back when they had just started dating, she would often slip candies into Bryson¡¯s pocket. She had a slight hypoglycemia, and Bryson was more than happy to amodate all her little quirks. ¡°No, thanks,¡± Hannah said somewhat sullenly. Bryson didn¡¯t insist. He just nodded and pulled his hand back. They didn¡¯t speak any further after that. Once the ne had taken off, the lights in the cabin dimmed. ¡®s BunnyBookery In an attempt to stay away from Bryson in the little space they were cramped in, Hannah leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Silence filled the ne, broken only by the flight attendant who was delivering pre-ordered meals to some passengers. Hannah was exhausted. As soon as she closed her eyes, she began to drift into a state of half-sleep. In the midst of her daze, she heard a familiar deep voice speak. ¡°Excuse me, may I have a nket over here?¡± ¡°Of course, Sir. Please wait a moment. ¡± A whileter, Hannah was suffused with warmth. She wanted to open her eyes to examine her surroundings, but she was so tired that she couldn¡¯t even do that. She ended up falling asleep in an awkward position. When Hannah woke up again, the ne was still in the air. She opened her eyes and nced out the window. It was dark out, and she could only barely make out the shape of the clouds that they were passing by. She shifted in her seat, causing the nket to fall from her shoulders. Hannah grabbed it by the hem, reying the vague memory of Bryson¡¯s voice just before she had drifted off to sleep. Her brows furrowed. She had to take a moment, but she finally turned to the person beside her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson appeared to be asleep, his head slumped lightly to one side, his eyes closed, his longshes almost touching his cheeks. After hesitating for a few seconds, Hannah dr@ped the nket over him. As soon as she did, Bryson¡¯s eyes flew open and met hers. ¡°You¡¯re awake. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand,¡± Hannah said in a rush, as though she had just been caught doing something illegal. ¡°I just happened to see that¡ª that you¡± ¡°I¡¯m not misunderstanding anything,¡± Bryson said calmly. Chapter 710 ¡°Do you want something to eat?¡± He didn¡¯t seem the least bit affected by Hannah¡¯s words or actions. He was acting so natural that for a brief second, Hannah almost thought they had never broken up. She lowered her gaze and leaned away again. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Bryson took out his phone and nced at the time.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Let me know if you¡¯re hungry. It will be another hour or so before the nends. ¡± Something akin to embarrassment rose in Hannah¡¯s chest. In the end, she couldn¡¯t help but turn to Bryson and say, ¡°We¡¯ve already broken up. ¡± Bryson looked her in the eye and nodded. ¡°I know. ¡± Hannah swallowed the lump in her throat. He was so nonchnt. What was she supposed to say now? ¡°What I mean is¡­ Since we¡¯re no longer together, you don¡¯t need to be so nice to me. ¡± Hannah frowned. Bryson just smiled. ¡°Didn¡¯t we talk about this before? We agreed that even if we break up, we won¡¯t be strangers to each other. Besides, ourpanies are still involved in various coborations. Am I not allowed to care about my business partner?¡± He wasn¡¯t wrong at all, of course. But he had never been the type of person to act this way. In a fit of pique, Hannah turned to the window again and huffed, ¡°Thank you for concern, Mr. Mitchell, but I can take care of myself. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ So she was even changing the way she addressed him now? Bryson raised an eyebrow at that, but he said nothing else. He simply leaned back and closed his eyes again. It wasn¡¯t until they got off the ne that Edwin caught sight of Bryson. ¡°Cousin-inw!¡± He bounded over with a huge grin on his face. ¡°So, you were on this flight, too? What a coincidence!¡± Hannah flicked him on the forehead and snapped, ¡°Shut up!¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± Edwin rubbed the sore spot on his forehead and pouted, ¡°What was that for?¡± ¡°Hurry up and move. Look at the time. We need to get to the hotel and check in!¡± Chapter 711 Edwin nodded mournfully and dragged his suitcase, but not before whispering to Bryson, ¡°We¡¯re leaving first. Bye!¡± Pleased with their little interaction, Bryson gave the younger man a friendly smile. Meanwhile, Johanna was trailing Hannah up at the front. When she spotted Bryson¡¯s debonair profile, a bitter taste rose in her mouth. Unfortunately for her, Hannah was walking in long strides, and soon enough, Bryson¡¯s figure blurred in the distance, no matter how much Johanna looked back and squinted her eyes. They took a short rest at the hotel before heading to the resort, invitation in hand.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. The ce was a little different from what Hannah had imagined. It had nothing of the usualmercial ambience that most resorts adapted. It might be because the Bloom Mountain Resort had always been a private establishment. The owners had gone to great lengths to maintain its original look. It sat in the middle of the valley, overshadowed by the hulking figure of a mountain to one side. Behind it was a coffee ntation that stretched to about five thousand acres, surrounded by meadows filled with flowers. Trails and paths interconnected with each other, allowing guests to explore the area to their hearts¡¯ content. The guest houses were positioned so that they were sandwiched between the mountain and theke. Outside each house was a semi-private, outdoor pool that could be switched to a hot spring bath ording to the guest¡¯s wishes. In front of the main building was an array of entertainment facilities, ranging from a horse racetrack to a golf course. And if the guests wanted to go scuba-diving or sightsee around theke, the resort had professional coaches in residence, ready to assist. These amenities were carefully exined by the personal butler who ushered Hannah and her cousins inside. He beamed at Hannah, the shiny badge pinned to his chest glimmering in the sunlight. ¡°I am number @@1, Miss Moore, and I will be your exclusive butler throughout your stay. I will be responsible for managing your itinerary and making sure that your needs are met. If there is anything that you require, please do not hesitate to call for me. ¡± Edwin raised his hand. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°She has her own butler? What about us?¡± The man turned to him with a polite smile. ¡°You are Miss Moore¡¯spanions, so her privileges are also yours. Please reach out to me if you need any assistance. ¡± They entered the main building, where the butler then led Edwin and Johanna to the second floor. ¡°Your rooms are here. As for you, Miss Moore, your room has the best view in the house. Allow me to escort you there. ¡± Hannah followed him to the elevator, and they went up to the sixth floor. There were only five rooms on this floor, and each one boasted of a traditional, rather antique interior. The butler led the way down the hall and opened a door. ¡°This room has the best view in the entire resort. ¡± Chapter 712 The room was surrounded by French windows, and a hot spring bath was already bubbling on the semi-private alcove outside. Hannah walked over to one of the windows, and was greeted by the sight of lush greenery as far as her eye could see. It did a lot to lighten her mood. ¡°Thank you, please put my things there. ¡± ¡°Of course. ¡± The butler rolled her suitcase to the foot of the bed. ¡°If you need me, please use the room¡¯s service button. I¡¯lle right away. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Thank you. ¡± The butler had already turned away and was about to leave when Hannah suddenly remembered something. ¡°Oh, by the way! Where and when is the auction taking ce? May I have the bidding documents?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry about that for now, Miss Moore. Our master invited everyone here so that you can all rx and enjoy yourselves. The auction won¡¯t be discussed for a few more days. That being said, please treat your stay at our resort as you would any regr vacation. Our master has already taken care of the necessary procedures, and all you need to do on the day of the auction is be present. ¡± Hannah instantly felt that something was amiss. But she was just a guest, after all. She didn¡¯t feel like she was in a position to pry. ¡°I understand. ¡± The butler maintained his courteous smile. ¡°Then, I shall take my leave now. ¡± Once she was alone, Hannah took her time looking around the room. This ce was indeed the perfect spot for a much-needed vacation. Even so¡­ She couldn¡¯t shake off the nagging feeling that this whole auction affair was not as simple as it seemed. At that same moment, Brayden was sitting on the sofa in Bryson¡¯s room. He heaved a weary sigh. ¡°The way I see it, it¡¯s like he wants to gather the most influential figures and put them in one ce. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Why else would he go through all the trouble and spend so much money to have us here?¡± Bryson was looking out the window and into the distance. He ignored the other man¡¯s rant and just said, ¡°I heard that Hannah is staying next door. ¡± ¡°Are you even Listening to me?¡± Brayden asked, frowning. ¡°Go on,¡± Bryson replied casually. So Brayden continued, ¡°The Compton family¡¯s intentions are likely more malicious than we think. There should be nothing wrong about discussing business in a remote resort. But they¡¯ve invited so many people, and expect us all to stay here for several days. The total expenses would be off the roof.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Isn¡¯t our mysterious seller looking to sell hisnd for profit? Why would he bother with pomp and circumstance? He¡¯s practically burning what money he currently has. Chapter 713 No, he definitely has some other purpose for holding this auction. ¡± Bryson turned around to face Brayden. ¡°That much is obvious. ¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Brayden looked bewildered. ¡°So, you knew all of this from the get-go?¡± ¡°Businessmen value profits, yet, strangely, they¡¯re selling off a promising piece ofnd. Bryson sat on the other side of the sofa. ¡° I just don¡¯t know what their true goal is. ¡± Brayden shrugged. ¡°Does it matter? If we acquire thend, we won¡¯t suffer any loss, anyway. ¡± ¡°Are you always this naive?¡± Brayden was confused, but the condescension in Bryson¡¯s voice made him bristle. ¡°¡°Beachholt is different from Muvrand. If something illegal is really afoot, we can just report it to the authorities. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson was silent for a moment. ¡°Fine. Enjoy your time here while itsts. ¡± Other guests arrived one after another throughout the day. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana was in high spirits as their assigned butler brought her luggage into her room. ¡°I hear that the rooms on the top floor have better views. Howe you didn¡¯t arrange for us to stay there?¡± ¡°The upper floor only has five rooms,¡± the butler exined patiently, ¡°and they are all upied. If I may, the rooms in this floor also offer magnificent views. ¡± Eliana¡¯s face darkened at his words, but it onlysted for a moment. ¡°Five rooms?¡± she asked in her usual gentle voice. ¡°May I ask which guests are staying there?¡± ¡°Enough,¡± Den interjected before the butler could answer. He had already pulled his tie loose and was now lounging on the sofa. He waved at the butler and said, ¡°Thank you for your help. You may leave now. ¡± The man bowed slightly. Chapter 714 ¡°I understand. If you have any requests, please feel free to use the room¡¯s call button, and I wille right away. ¡± As soon as the door closed behind him, Eliana sidled up to Den and wound her arm around his. ¡°Is something wrong? Why do I get the feeling that you are in a bad mood?¡± Den was indeed feeling a little antsy. They had been here for a while now, but he still hadn¡¯t seen any sign of Hannah. Was she noting, after all? ¡°Den?¡± Eliana called out when he didn¡¯t respond. Her voice pulled him back to his senses, and he reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. ¡°I wasn¡¯t able to sleep wellst night, so I¡¯m a little tired. Why don¡¯t you rest up? I¡¯ll go take a walk and get some fresh air. ¡°But¡­¡± Eliana started to speak, but Den had already stood up and was walking out the door. Feeling uneasy, she sneaked out of the room and tailed him as discreetly as she could. Den took the elevator to the first floor. Eliana had to dash down the stairs to catch up to him. Luckily, she got to the first floor first. After hiding behind a corner, the elevator doors finally opened, and Den walked into the lobby. He paused and looked around. His face turned cold when he didn¡¯t find what he seemed to be looking, then he made a phone call. ¡°Over here!¡± One of the doors that lined the hall opened, and Valery¡¯s smiling face peeked out. ¡°Get in here, Den. ¡± Den pocketed his phone and strode right into the room. Eliana almost copsed to the floor as the door clicked shut. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. How dared he go to another woman?! Her emotions got the best of her, and she stormed over, fully intending to break down Valery¡¯s door. But she stopped halfway there. If Eliana barged in and disturbed them now, Den would probably be so enraged that he would drive her out of the resort without any consideration. Eliana¡¯s hands balled into fists. She had yet to find her next sponsor. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose Den now! Left with no choice, she bit her lip and fled back to their room. At the same time, inside Valery¡¯s room, she was sitting on Den¡¯sp, wearing a plunging ck number. ¡°There will be a dinner party tomorrow. You can do it then. I promise you, our n will be a sess. ¡± Chapter 715 Den frowned at her. ¡°And how can you guarantee that?¡± With a mysterious smile on her face, Valery untangled herself from his arms and padded over to the dresser. She pulled out a small vial from her purse. She handed it to Den and said, ¡°This is a new drug that my friend got me from the ck market. ¡± Valery snuggled back into his embrace. ¡°It¡¯s a top-notch drug- colorless, odorless, tasteless. It dissolves as soon as it is added into a drink, and it leaves no trace. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Den held the vial up to his eyes, not fully believing Valery¡¯s ims. She snatched it back and scoffed, ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, then you might as well forget about the n. Find a way to deal with Hannah yourself. ¡± She made to stand up, but was immediately pulled back by Den. ¡°Did you only bring one?¡± Valery shed him a seductive smile. ¡°I actually brought three, just in case. Why? Would you like to test it out?¡± ¡°That¡¯s precisely what I was thinking. ¡± Den pulled the stopper off and brought the vial to Valery¡¯s lips.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try and see if we enjoy it. ¡± The room was soon filled with the sound of moans and grunts. It was the middle of the afternoon by the time Den emerged from Valery¡¯s room, satisfaction written all over his face. He hadn¡¯t even gone that far when he finally ran into Hannah, who happened to be waiting for the elevator. She didn¡¯t even nce at him. She was engrossed in a phone call, discussing business matters. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah only hung up when she entered the elevator, after which she pushed the button for the sixth floor. Den frowned when he saw that. ¡°Why are you staying in the sixth floor?¡± Hannah kept silent. Den¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°Do you think you¡¯ve proven your worth just because you¡¯re currently holding a position in the White Group? We both know the truth-you¡¯re just a puppet being used by your family to further their goals! You women can¡¯t go far in the business world. You need a man to support you. ¡± For some reason, his tone was suddenlyced with affection. Chapter 716 ¡°I have stayed unmarried after our divorce. Do you know why? It¡¯s all because of you, Hannah! No matter what, nothing canpare to the first person you married. Listen, as long as you say yes, we can remarry right away. I will write off all the past grievances between us. I am even willing to let you help in managing our family business. ¡± Hannah finally couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. ¡°You know, Den, you¡¯re talking like your brain has rotted away. If you¡¯re sick in the head, go and get treatment. Don¡¯te to me.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. I¡¯m not a psychiatrist. If you dare to spout such nonsense in front of me again, I just might beat you up!¡± A myriad of emotions passed over Den¡¯s face. He grabbed Hannah by the wrist and backed her into the corner of the elevator. ¡°What the hell does that Bryson Mitchell have that makes him a better man than me?¡± he demanded in a menacing voice. ¡°He is better than you in every aspect you can imagine! Isn¡¯t that obvious enough? How dare you ask me such a question?¡± Hannah broke free from Den¡¯s grip, her voice turning colder as she added, ¡°You don¡¯t deserve to even bepared with him!¡± Thosest words set Den off. He grabbed her again, raising his other hand to p her across the face. Hannah braced herself and got ready tond a kick of her on him. Just then, the elevator doors opened. The pair had been preupied with their argument that neither had noticed they were already reaching the sixth floor. Bryson strode into the elevator, his face nk. Den immediately loosened his hold on Hannah, his expression turning dark. Hannah felt a sharp pang in her chest at the sight of Bryson, but she simply ducked her head and hurried out of the elevator. The doors closed as soon as she stepped outside. Den didn¡¯t dare to follow her, not when Bryson was right there. The man hadn¡¯t even done anything yet, and Den could already feel an overwhelming wave of pressure weighing him down. He opened his mouth to speak, but Bryon beat him to it. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It looks like you chose not to take what I told youst time seriously. ¡± There was no direct threat in his words, but the way he said it sent shivers down Den¡¯s spine. He tried to exin himself, but couldn¡¯t quite manage a word out. Then Bryson spoke again. ¡°Know that if we weren¡¯t in a public ce, your hands would be broken by now. ¡± Ding! Den jumped at the sound of the elevator, much to his frustration. Bryson walked out without another word, looking like he hadn¡¯t just threaten another person half to death. Den was left alone, leaning against one side of the elevator and struggling to catch his breath. It took him a good while to regain hisposure. Chapter 717 Bryson Mitchell! Just wait and see. One day, I will make you lose everything you¡¯ve ever loved!¡± The scenery around the resort was even better during twilight. The setting sun made the whole ce look and feel Like paradise. Hannah changed into a casual white dress and exited her room to take a walk around theke. Unbeknownst to her, a person was lurking in the corridor and eyeing her now empty room. Security was tight in the resort, and without the card key or the password, one could not ess the room. Johanna anxiously paced back and forth in front of Hannah¡¯s room and finally pressed the service button beside the door frame. A few momentster, the butler assigned to Hannah walked out of the elevator and greeted Johanna. ¡°How may I help you, Miss?¡± ¡°My cousin forgot something inside her room and asked me to fetch it for her. Please open the door so that I can go and get it. ¡± The butler didn¡¯t suspect her at all. He slid the card key into the slot and opened the door for Johanna. ¡°After you, Miss. ¡± She had sessfully infiltrated Hannah¡¯s room! But that was as far as she got. Johanna circled the room twice, pretending to look for something, while the butler kept a vignt watch by the door. In the end, she told him, ¡°Please go into the bathroom and see if you can find a pair of emerald earrings in there. I¡¯ll keep on searching by the bed. ¡± Sure enough, the butler entered the bathroom as he was instructed. Johanna sprang into action, rummaging into Hannah¡¯s suitcase for a certain ck dress. When she finally got her hands on it, she didn¡¯t waste a second and proceeded to cut it up into shreds. She quickly put it back in, making sure to bury it under several other clothes before closing the suitcase. Then she went over to the nightstand as calmly as she could. She made it just in time before the butler emerged from the bathroom. ¡°Miss, I¡¯m afraid the earrings are not in there. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Johanna made a show of huffing and muttered, ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll go down and ask her again. She probably forgot where shest put it. ¡± Having aplished her mission, Johanna walked out of the room in high spirits, with the butler trailing behind her. ¡°You may go. Thanks for your help. ¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. The man nodded and took his Leave. Johanna¡¯s lips curled into a triumphant grin. ¡°Serves you right, Hannah!¡± she screamed inwardly. ¡°Let¡¯s see how you¡¯ll attend tomorrow¡¯s party with your dress all ruined!¡± Chapter 718 Meanwhile, Hannah had reached theke and ran into an unexpected person. It was none other than the CEO of the Compton Group and the acting head of the Compton family, Keith Compton. Judging from what he was wearing, it seemed that he had just returned from a ride. A couple of people were fussing over him, wiping his sweat and passing him a tumbler of water. Hannah paused in her tracks and hoped that they hadn¡¯t noticed her.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. She turned on her heel and was about to hightail it out of there when Keith called out her name. ¡°Miss Moore?¡± He cut a very imposing figure, she had to give him that. He handed the tumbler back to the man next to him and walked up to Hannah. ¡°Are you taking a walk?¡± His tone was awfully familiar. She couldn¡¯t help but take a step back. ¡°Yes, I was just done, actually. Well, don¡¯t let me keep you, Mr. Compton. ¡± ¡°We have excellent chefs in the premises. I wonder, Miss Moore, would you like to share a meal with me?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Keith was smiling warmly at her, but all that Hannah could think about was that she had to stay as far away from this man as she possibly could. ¡°No, thank you,¡± she said, taking another step back. ¡°I have something else to do, so I¡¯ll go now. ¡± Keith didn¡¯t try to stop her again. He watched her walk away, his smile turning wistful. ¡°You just go and invite her to dinner as soon as you meet her? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ You¡¯re going to scare her that way, man. ¡± A younger man who bore a stark resemnce to Keith walked over from behind him. ¡°I already told you that it won¡¯t work, so why did you still do it?¡± ¡°Well, why didn¡¯t you speak up, then?¡± Keith raised an eyebrow at him. Trent patted Keith on the shoulder. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just follow my advice in the first ce? You should really rethink your tactics. You¡¯re being too hasty. She¡¯s already on guard as it is, how can you expect her to dine with someone she just met? As for me, I intend to win her over with a pure and straightforward approach. ¡± Keith cast him a warning nce. ¡°Don¡¯t push her too hard. If this falls apart, Dad is going to punish you when he returns. ¡± Chapter 719 Trent sneered, ¡°How long has it been since that old man got involved in domestic affairs? Do you honestly still expect him toe back?¡± ¡°Oh, he will definitelye home this time. We just need to secure one thing. It¡¯s his sweetheart we¡¯re talking about, after all. We can¡¯t evenpare to her. ¡± ¡°Oh okay. ¡± Trent pulled back and raised his eyebrows at Keith. ¡°I think I understand now. Are you jealous?¡± ¡°f@ck off!¡± Hannah was blissfully oblivious to this little exchange and just went about her day. It was in the middle of the next day when she discovered that her evening dress had been cut into strips. It was literally unwearable. The butler was summoned, and he stood at the door with a somber expression. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°With all due respect, Miss Moore, mo one was given ess to your room without your permission.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡± Just then, Edwin appeared with Johanna in tow. ¡°Get in there!¡± he said, tossing her into the room. ¡°Here, Hannah! I¡¯ve brought the culprit!¡± Johanna stumbled inside, her eyes immediately flying to the ruined dressid out on the bed. Fear overtook her, but she quickly covered it up with a sneer of disdain. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? Are you insane? Why did you bring me here?¡± ¡°Did you do this?¡± Hannah asked. She appeared utterlyposed, though her tone implied that she was stating a fact rather than making an inquiry. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Johanna raised her voice and pointed at the shredded dress. ¡°How dare you use me? I never touched your stuff! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Stop trying to frame me!¡± Hannah gave her a look like she had just turned into a clown. ¡°When did I ask you to fetch something from my room?¡± she asked in a much colder voice. ¡°I¡± Johanna stuttered slightly, rolling her eyes. ¡°I must have mistaken what I heard. But one thing is sure: I didn¡¯t tear your dress. I couldn¡¯t have even had the time to do that; the butler was here when I came in. So please, don¡¯t use me. ¡± ¡°I admit I was here when she came in,¡± the butler said, nodding gravely. Chapter 720 ¡°But at some point, I had to get something in the bathroom for Miss White. Therefore, I can¡¯t give an ount for whatever this youngdy must have done in my absence. ¡± Johanna stamped her feet in desperation. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything to your dress. Period!¡± Edwin red at her, unbelief gaping in his eyes. ¡°And you think we¡¯ll believe your words, you liar? It is you who tore Hannah¡¯s dress!¡± Hannah just stood there, watching the whole scene absentmindedly. She wished they would all just keep quiet; her head already ached from the noise.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. She was about to say something when a familiar voice rang from the door. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± It was Bryson. He was standing at the doorway, arms across his chest, staring at Hannah. ¡°Hannah¡¯s dress just got torn into pieces!¡± Edwin said at once, pointing at the dress. ¡°And it was Johanna who had done it. The problem now is, there¡¯s no time to get a new one. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes followed Edwin¡¯s finger and settled on the ruined dress. He nced at it for a brief moment, a cold look on his face. Then he said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ll take care of this. ¡± Hannah Looked away ufortably. Deep down, she would rather Bryson stay out of this. ¡°Make arrangements for a well-tailored dress right now. It should be here in an hour. ¡± Bryson turned to Brayden, who stood beside him. ¡°Okay,¡± Brayden replied with a brisk nod. Then he stepped aside to make a phone call. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah strode towards Bryson. ¡°You don¡¯t have to bother yourself,¡± she said, her voice almost a whisper. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I can wear¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. ¡± Bryson looked down at her, then at his wristwatch. ¡°You¡¯ll get the dress soon. Someone¡¯s on their way already. For now, I have to run along. Brayden and I have to attend to some important business. ¡± Soon after, Bryson and Brayden left. An awkward silence settled in the room, and Hannah turned to look at Johanna. She was too exhausted to continue arguing with the otherdy. ¡°Listen here, Johanna. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was tired but firm. ¡°The next time youe into my room without my permission, I¡¯ll have no option but to be rude to you. Now leave here. ¡± Johanna walked out of the room, head hung low. She burned with jealousy. Chapter 721 It enraged her that, every time Hannah got into a mess, there was always someone there to rescue her. Hannah sat on the sofa in the room, her hand ced on her forehead. She looked weak and helpless. ¡°Why did you and Bryson even break up, Hannah? He still acts nicely to you. ¡± Hannah nced suddenly at Edwin, slightly surprised and slightly annoyed. ¡°Whatever happened between him and me is none of your business. I don¡¯t owe you any exnation, do I?¡± ¡°Chill, Hannah! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Edwin muttered. He didn¡¯t expect her to take it so seriously. ¡°I won¡¯t talk about it again. ¡± Bryson¡¯s man delivered the dress about half an hourter. It was way sooner than Hannah had expected. But she still felt a little embarrassed since everyone now knew that her dress had gotten torn and Bryson had ordered another for her. Hannah stood outside and watched speechlessly as the helicopter buzzed in the sky. She now understood why her dress could arrive within just thirty minutes.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Although Hannah looked calm and nk, her chest throbbed with wild, inexplicable excitement. Why on earth did they have to deliver a dress by air? Was that even necessary? ¡°Hannah!¡± Edwin gasped, a silly look stered on his face as he gawped at the man who had descended from the helicopter by the ropedder, holding a gift box. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Still stunned with disbelief, Edwin nudged Hannah with an elbow and asked in a stiff voice, ¡°Are you sure you really broke up with Bryson?¡± The man from the helicopter looked smart in his suit. He paced towards Hannah and handed her the box, his head slightly bowed in respect. ¡°Miss Moore,¡± he said, ¡°the boss instructed that no one else but you should open the box. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± Hannah took the box and shed a smile that looked rather contrived. Then, pulling the bedazzled Edwin by the arm, she walked back to the building. In the elevator, Hannah handed the gift box to Edwin. ¡°Wait for me in my room,¡± she said. ¡°I have to stop at the next room to do something. ¡± Then she hurried off the elevator, leaving Edwin to walk back to her room with the box in his arms. Standing in front of the next room, Hannah knocked a couple of times but got no response. She was about to leave when she decided to knock again. At the second knock, the door nearby clicked open, and Brayden stuck out his head. Chapter 722 ¡°Bryson stepped out a while ago,¡± he said. ¡°But if you want to see him, I can let you know when he returns. ¡± ¡°ALL I want to find out from him is the price of the dress. Just tell him to notify me on WhatsApp. ¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Brayden called, stopping Hannah, who had already begun walking back to her room. ¡°I don¡¯t think you should bother repaying him because he won¡¯t ept it. Why don¡¯t you just see it as a gift from a friend?¡± Turning, Hannah gave him an expressionless look. ¡°Is that what he asked you to say?¡± Brayden stared at her, dumb and embarrassed. He coughed and stuttered, ¡°No, but¡ª¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Then just pass my message to him, Hannah retorted, ambling away again. Brayden stood there, still staring at Hannah nkly, until the door of her room mmed shut and jolted him rudely back to reality. What on earth did these two stubborn people take him for? A middleman or something? He couldn¡¯t believe he was getting entangled in their romantic y. Edwin hurried excitedly towards Hannah once she got into the room. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you, Hannah,¡± he said, handing her the gift box. ¡°You should try on your dress. ¡± Hannah nodded, tying up her Long ck hair casually. Then she opened the box. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ It was a red silk dress and was nothing like the formal ck dress she had wanted to wear earlier. ¡°I¡¯ll try it on. ¡± Hannah stepped into the bathroom with the dress, and it took a while before she came out, wearing the new dress. Edwin had been sitting on the sofa, ying with his phone. But now he raised his head and gazed at Hannah, his lips parted in admiration. Her smooth, silky skin gleamed like fine pearl against the silk fabric. Straps of red fabric crisscrossed her bare, luscious back, and the pleating of the dress entuated her slender waist. She looked petite and sculpted, the skirt of her dress only partially hiding her thighs. ¡°You look stunning in this dress, Hannah! My cousin-in-Law really has an eye for good clothes. ¡± Hannah stared at herself in the mirror, and her face softened momentarily. She could still remember the first dress Bryson ever gifted her, Chapter 723 At once, she stiffened again and looked irritated. ¡°Edwin!¡± Edwin looked down at his feet and scratched his head. ¡°I meant to say Mr. Mitchell has a good eye for clothes,¡± he mumbled. ¡°You look perfect in the dress, Hannah,¡± he continued more quietly. ¡°But I think your neck looks empty, and all you need is a ne to fill it up. And you¡¯ll look even more perfect once you style your hair. ¡±Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Hannah squinted her eyes at Edwin and chuckled, ¡°Don¡¯t you think you should be in the design department instead? I can rmend you to David for an internship when we return home. ¡± ¡°Forget it, Hannah,¡± Edwin replied, forcing a smile. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about fashion. I¡¯d rather stick to coding. But you go on; I¡¯ll head out!¡± Edwin scurried out of the room, closing the door swiftly behind him. He feared that Hannah might really put him in the design department. After Edwin left, Hannah asked the butler to bring a stylist. There was really no need to be hypocritical at this point. After all, the dress fitted her well, and it wouldn¡¯t do any harm to spruce herself up a little bit more. The stylist gave Hannah a wavy hairstyle. And together with the makeup and the dress, it gave off an air of effortless sophistication. ¡°You are such a natural beauty, Miss. See how stunning you look! To be honest, I¡¯ve never seen a female celebrity with such speckless skin. ¡± ¡°You have an exquisite neck. Two strands of pearlsyered on it would actually look adorable,¡± the stylistmented, gingerly arranging the pearl nes around Hannah¡¯s neck. Hannah Looked every inch the wealthy heiress. ¡°This will be enough,¡± Hannah said with a nod. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t want to look too extravagant. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Because of the dress that had been ruined earlier, getting dressed took Hannah more time than she had expected. ¡°Miss Moore. ¡± The butler stood by the door after the stylist left. ¡°Let me take you to the party. ¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go, then,¡± Hannah said, picking up her handbag and following the butler out of the main building. The party was held in an ancient castle that stood like a lone knight behind the horse race course. Chapter 724 The interior was light brown, lending the hall a rather mysterious grandeur. When Hannah arrived, the party had already begun. People stood around in small groups, talking andughing and clinking wine sses. The round tables and furniture that adorned the hall were luxurious, glinting in the golden hues of the giant chandeliers that hung from the high ceilings. An air of grandeur hung over the hall as the elegantly dressed men and women showed off their wealth and power. The hall fell silent as soon as Hannah strode in, all necks craning to nce at her. She looked like the proprietor of the castle in her elegant red dress and her curled hair. Hushed gasps soon reced the silence that had hugged the hall earlier. ¡°Our Hannah is truly beautiful. ¡± ¡°You better stop fantasizing, Keith; she isn¡¯t a member of our family yet. ¡± ¡°She will be soon,¡± Keith said, his eyebrows slightly puckered. He was holding a ss of wine as he and Trent stood in the dark recesses of the second floor. ¡°Dad said he would be returning next month. ¡± His gaze still on Hannah, who was downstairs in the banquet hall, Trent mumbled almost to himself, ¡°Dad really cares about her. He got the news, and now he can¡¯t wait to return. Don¡¯t you think we¡¯re just his adopted sons?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go downstairs,¡± Keith said, chuckling. ¡°Look,¡± Brayden said, nudging Bryson. ¡°There are just so many people staring at Miss Moore. You indeed have really good taste in dresses!¡± He swung the wine ss in his hands slowly, a mischievous smile on his Lips. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Bryson gazed at Hannah in the distance, his eyes darkening. He looked intimidating in his expensive ck suit, which was so well-cut that it made him look taller and his long legs straighter. He had seen manydies from wealthy families ncing flirtatiously at him in the banquet hall, but he had brushed them all aside with a cold stare. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re angry!¡± Brayden threw him an amused look and burst outughing. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you feel happy you chose that dress for her yourself? So you don¡¯t want anyone to admire her now, huh?¡± ¡°Brayden!¡± Bryson warned, ring at him. ¡°I guess you want me to cut off your tongue. ¡± ¡°Well- I-¡± Braydenughed again and ced his palm over his mouth. Chapter 725 ¡°Don¡¯t worry; I won¡¯t say a word again. I¡¯ll just go on and socialize for you. See youter. ¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Edwin called, trotting towards his cousin. He was wearing a white suit. ¡°You are sote, Hannah!¡± Hannah smiled patiently at him. ¡°Yeah, it took so much trouble getting dressed up. ¡± Edwin took her hand and said, ¡°That¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s go get something to eat first. ¡± Then they strolled towards a table where exquisite desserts wereid. In another part of the banquet hall, Johanna gripped her ss tightly, boiling with rage. Just watching Hannah¡¯s stunning entrance and the awe it struck in the banquet hall had left her mad with jealousy. She wished Hannah could just go to hell for all she cared. Den wouldn¡¯t take his eyes off Hannah. He had been gazing at her since she stepped into the hall. The mere thought of having Hannah on his bed tonight made his body shudder with unbridled desire. ¡°Den!¡± It was Eliana.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. She pulled at his arm, jolting him back to reality. ¡°Let¡¯s go say hello to Mr. Pord,¡± she said. ¡°He¡¯s the biggest dealer in construction materials in Valmere. Who knows? This may lead to some future partnership between you two. ¡± ¡°You know what I think?¡± Den looked at her, his forehead folded with impatience. ¡°I think you should socialize more with the otherdies. Or don¡¯t you want to fit into this circle?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana turned pale immediately. How could Den say a hurtful thing like this? He himself knew how much she had suffered in these social circles. She was originally Den¡¯s mistress, and many richdies despised her just because of Hannah. They would only despise her more if she tried to socialize with them and win their favor. ¡°Den,¡± she said, biting her lower lip, ¡°you know they hate me and don¡¯t want me around them¡± ¡°Then consider whether it¡¯s your problem,¡± he said, ncing coldly at her. Then he fixed his gaze again on Hannah. Holding his ss of wine, he left a speechless Eliana and ambled towards his business partners who stood at another side of the banquet hall. Eliana glowered at Den¡¯s retreating figure, the rage in her eyes. He would only have himself to me if he thought he could treat her this way. Den stood with his business partners, speaking andughing. For a moment, he nced around the well-lit banquet hall, but could no longer see Eliana, not that he cared anyway. Chapter 726 ightly startled by her bewitching voice, Den turned to look at her. Then he excused himself perfunctorily and took Valery to a quiet corner of the hall. ¡°How is everything going?¡± Valery¡¯s eyes glinted with a dark smile. ¡°I have everything under control. I have bribed the waiter, and the drug has been put in the wine and juice. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know Hannah is always cautious and may not drink the wine the waiter gives her?¡± There was a distrustful frown on Den¡¯s face Still smiling mischievously, Valery clinked Den¡¯s ss with hers. ¡°I¡¯ve got someone watching her cousin, Edwin. He¡¯s naive, and if we can get him to give her the drink, then our n will be sure to work. ¡± ¡°No,¡± Den growled. ¡°Edwin will ruin everything if he drinks the wine. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry; we¡¯ve got one ss of wine and one ss of juice for Hannah to choose from. And as for the one for Edwin¡­¡± Valery held Den¡¯s arm, leaned forward, and whispered softly, ¡°I¡¯1l take care of him. ¡± Den snorted augh. ¡°Aren¡¯t you just so cunning?¡± ¡°Would I be in this kind of asion if I weren¡¯t cunning?¡± Valery grinned. Den stepped back. ¡°When this is all over, I¡¯ll reward you generously. ¡± His voice had turned cold now. ¡°Thank you, Den,¡± Valery said and turned to leave.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Den nced at Hannah with squinted eyes. She was at the other end of the banquet hall, speaking with Edwin. As he watched her, his grip on his ss tightened. Bryson sat on a sofa, bored but still gazing at Hannah. A man¡¯s shadow suddenly fell over his face. ¡°And I guess you are Bryson Mitchell,¡± the man said with a smile. It was Keith. Bryson maintained his stoic expression and spoke with an air of indifference. ¡°Why did you go through all this trouble to select this venue for the bidding? What¡¯s the point of it?¡± ¡°To see if anyone is actually qualified for this job,¡± Keith replied cryptically, fixing Bryson with a meaningful gaze. Chapter 727 Without mincing words, he patted the sofa and inquired, ¡°Are you involved with Hannah Moore?¡± Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this unexpected question, and he responded with a cold smile, ¡°I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s any of your business?¡± Instead of fixating on the matter of his involvement with Hannah, Keith abruptly shifted the conversation. ¡°Many people are vying for the project in the east district. If it were to end up in the hands of yourpetition from Muvrand, that would be quite intriguing, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Upon hearing the veiled threat in Keith¡¯s voice, Bryson couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter, his slender fingers intecing. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°It appears that your father is doing quite well overseas. Now, his son dares toe here and threaten me. ¡± Bryson¡¯s face, shrouded in the dim light, bore a particrly gloomy expression. ¡°Is he already weary of the Newfort business?¡± Keith¡¯s expression shifted momentarily before returning to its usual state. ¡°The Compton family doesn¡¯t have the habit of making enemies. As for the bidding, the highest bidder will secure the project. ¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Bryson seemed to have an inkling of Keith¡¯s motives and, when he looked into the distance he noticed Hannah¡¯s absence. When his eyes fell on Keith, Bryson grew slightly impatient. ¡°I have other matters to attend to,¡± he said. He rose from his seat, bypassed Keith, and gracefully made his way to the center of the banquet hall. Meanwhile, Edwin, taking a ss of juice and a ss of wine from the waiter, approached Hannah with a cheerful demeanor. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t drink tonight. Have some juice instead. I¡¯ll fend off anyone attempting to propose a toast,¡± said Edwin. Hannah epted the ss of juice, took a sip, and grinned at Edwin. ¡°Impressive. You¡¯re bing quite astute. ¡± Without mincing words, he patted the sofa and inquired, ¡°Are you involved with Hannah Moore?¡± Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed slightly upon hearing this unexpected question, and he responded with a cold smile, ¡°I don¡¯t see how that¡¯s any of your business?¡± Instead of fixating on the matter of his involvement with Hannah, Keith abruptly shifted the conversation. ¡°Many people are vying for the project in the east district. If it were to end up in the hands of yourpetition from Muvrand, that would be quite intriguing, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Upon hearing the veiled threat in Keith¡¯s voice, Bryson couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter, his slender fingers intecing. BunnyBookery ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°It appears that your father is doing quite well overseas. Now, his son dares toe here and threaten me. ¡± Bryson¡¯s face, shrouded in the dim light, bore a particrly gloomy expression. ¡°Is he already weary of the Newfort business?¡± Keith¡¯s expression shifted momentarily before returning to its usual state. ¡°The Compton family doesn¡¯t have the habit of making enemies. As for the bidding, the highest bidder will secure the project. ¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Bryson seemed to have an inkling of Keith¡¯s motives and, when he looked into the distance he noticed Hannah¡¯s absence. When his eyes fell on Keith, Bryson grew slightly impatient. ¡°I have other matters to attend to,¡± he said. He rose from his seat, bypassed Keith, and gracefully made his way to the center of the banquet hall. Meanwhile, Edwin, taking a ss of juice and a ss of wine from the waiter, approached Hannah with a cheerful demeanor. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t drink tonight. Have some juice instead. I¡¯ll fend off anyone attempting to propose a toast,¡± said Edwin. Hannah epted the ss of juice, took a sip, and grinned at Edwin. ¡°Impressive. You¡¯re bing quite astute. ¡± Edwin lifted his chin proudly. ¡°Of course, this is just the basics. ¡± As he raised his ss, a fellow guest collided with his elbow on their way to the dessert table. The delicate stemware slipped from his grasp, and crimson wine cascaded onto his pristine white suit, blemishing it irreparably. ¡°Are¡­ Are you okay?¡± The words were uttered by a man who had clearly indulged in one too many drinks, his eyes were zed over, and his scent betrayed the potency of his intoxication. Edwin lifted his chin proudly.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Of course, this is just the basics. ¡± As he raised his ss, a fellow guest collided with his elbow on their way to the dessert table. The delicate stemware slipped from his grasp, and crimson wine cascaded onto his pristine white suit, blemishing it irreparably. ¡°Are¡­ Are you okay?¡± The words were uttered by a man who had clearly indulged in one too many drinks, his eyes were zed over, and his scent betrayed the potency of his intoxication. Chapter 728 Hannah, observing the man¡¯s inebriated state, let out a resigned sigh. She discreetly summoned a waiter to tend to Edwin¡¯s wine-stained attire. ¡°You go and clean up,¡± she advised him, concern etched across her face. Looking at the wine stains on Edwin¡¯s crisp white suit, she turned to the waiter and said, ¡°Please get him another suit Edwin nced at Hannah, a flicker of worry in his eyes. ¡°Hannah, are you going to be all right on your own?¡± ¡°Go ahead. Don¡¯t fret. If anyonees to toast me, I¡¯ll have a few drinks and then retreat to my room shortly. ¡± Hannah reassured him with an errant wave. Edwin¡¯s apprehensions were quelled, and he nodded. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t be Long. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah replied, her lips curling into a soft smile as she watched him go. Hannah finished her overly sweet juice and contemted seeking some water to cleanse her pte when she felt a presence materialize before her. It was Den, holding a winess and extending it towards her. ¡°Would you like a drink?¡± Hannah surveyed him in silence for a moment, her expression inscrutable. She gently pushed his hand away and passed him wordlessly. Den observed the almost empty juice ss in Hannah¡¯s hand and a sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He made a swift decision and trailed after her. Only a couple of stepster, Hannah halted abruptly. An intense rush of heat swept through her, an inexplicable desire surging within. Suddenly, her arm was grasped in a firm grip! She felt as if she were ame, her legs threatening to give way, but a strong hand held her by the waist.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You don¡¯t look well. I¡¯ll take you somewhere you can rest. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Den¡¯s voice, like a phantom, lingered in her ears, his words akin to an enticing enchantment. Hannah wanted to resist, to push him away, but her body remained unresponsive, acquiescing as he guided her away. Outside the opulent banquet hall, a biting gust of cold wind swept over Hannah¡¯s exposed skin, causing her to regain some sobriety. She tried to extricate herself from Den¡¯s firm grip, but he anchored his palm against her waist and held her fast. The intoxicating effects of the drug began to take hold, casting a blurry shroud over Hannah¡¯s vision. The burgeoning desire threatened to consume her rationality, and with trembling lips, she raised her gaze to Den, a hint of ferocity in her eyes. ¡°Den! You¡­ Let go of me! I won¡¯t let you go if you dare r@pe me!¡± Chapter 729 Hearing Hannah¡¯s subdued plea, Den found himself consumed by a passionate fervor. ¡°We¡¯re a couple, Hannah. I¡¯m merely asserting my rights. Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ll take responsibility for you. We¡¯ll remarry after tonight. ¡± Den¡¯s self-assured tone elicited a wave of revulsion in Hannah. In an effort to regain control, she bit down hard on the tip of her tongue. Enduring the searing pain and the metallic tang of blood in her mouth, her determination barely preserved her sanity. Only when they returned to the main building did she seize an opportunity. Without hesitation, she delivered a forceful kick to Den¡¯s legs, eliciting a pained exmation. ¡°Ouch!¡± Hearing Den¡¯s cry, Hannah sprinted towards the elevator, not once ncing back. Her trembling hand repeatedly pressed the elevator button. However, her hair was suddenly ensnared from behind, a sharp, throbbing pain radiating from her scalp. She let out a muffled groan and staggered backward, confronting Den¡¯s menacing face. ¡°Hannah! Don¡¯t be so f@cking ungrateful!¡± She found herself forcefully ushered into Den¡¯s room, where her struggle for freedom manifested in desperate words. ¡°Den,¡± she gasped, ¡°the White family won¡¯t let you go!¡± Den¡¯s retort was sharp, his wordsced with possessiveness. ¡°Shut up! You were mine from the start!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The metallic click of the door unlocking resounded through the room, setting her heart pounding. Hannah was dragged further into the room. Den still holding her firmly.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Momentster, the door swung open with a resounding bang. A hand, its knuckles standing out in stark relief, abruptly pressed down on the door Den was attempting to shut. With an unexpected force, Den was knocked to the ground, his world suddenly reeling from a punch. Hannah¡¯s legs gave way as she was pulled into strong arms, carrying the scent of mint and a faint waft of tobo. The sh had taken its toll on Den, his mouth and nose bleeding as he struggled to regain his footing. He looked up, his expression marked by an awkward mixture of defiance and vulnerability. Bryson¡¯s dark eyes bore into him with a chilling intensity that made Den falter and tumble back to the ground. His lips trembled, a feeble attempt to offer an exnation. Chapter 730 Bryson regarded Den with a look akin to someone observing a dying ant, a cold and unforgiving gaze. ¡°You¡¯re ying with fire,¡± he murmured with a steely tone. His voice made Den¡¯s blood run cold. ¡°Bryson¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s voice, barely audible, escaped her lips as shey unconscious in Bryson¡¯s arms. Hannah¡¯s entire being felt aze as she pressed against the man¡¯s suit jacket, her senses adrift in a haze of desire. She seemed almost unconscious under the effect of the drug. Bryson, though, was resolute and stiff. Disregarding the scoundrel crumpled on the floor, he pivoted, gathering Hannah into his arms with unwavering determination and carried her out of the room. Having safely transported her to his quarters, Bryson found himself perspiring, his body tense with anticipation as the night¡¯s dark veil descended upon them. In the dimly lit room, the man¡¯s expression remained elusive as he shut the door behind him. As he turned back, his gaze locked onto Hannah, who was pulling roughly at a pearl ne around her neck. One by one, pearls tumbled from the broken ne, their descent apanied by the melodious, crystalline notes of their fall. ¡°Bryson¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s voice, though typically rational andposed, now carried an alluring softness that was entirely foreign.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Standing a distance from her, Bryson maintained aposed demeanor, his voice chilly. He gazed at the woman before him and posed the question. ¡°Hannah, who am I?¡± Who was he? Hannah¡¯s mind, so upied by her lust, struggled toprehend the words. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She tilted her head and staggered limply two steps forward to get closer to Bryson. She stood on her tiptoes and breathed in his scent. Throwing caution to the wind, her lips fell on the man¡¯s neck in a warm ki*s. The heat of her breath curled at the nape of his neck. Hannah kept ki*sing his neck with vigor. ¡°Bryson¡­¡± The man took Hannah¡¯s neck firmly in hisrge hand and swiftly turned her around so she was pressed flush against the door. A yful voice rang quietly in Hannah¡¯s ears. Bryson slid his fingers under her dress and held her tightly by the waist. ¡°No,¡± said the voice, ¡°I¡¯m Sewell. ¡± Chapter 731 Hannah felt pain blossom and momentarily wanted to struggle, but she was firmly pressed down, unable to move. Bryson smiled and stroked her thighs yfully. ¡°Feeling regret? It¡¯s toote now. ¡± He spun them around once more and they sank into the soft bed, their two figures intertwining as they fell. Hannah raised her head, her back arching into the bed as she bore the man¡¯s invasion. Her mind was a muddled mess. Her red dress was halfway removed from her body and her thin waist was held by the man with one hand. The sharp pain made her eyes sting with tears and her suppressed groan finally broke free from her throat. The man paused. ¡°Is it your first time?¡± he asked. Hannah, who had beenpletely overtaken by the drug, could no longer focus her eyes on the man on top of her. Tears rolled down her cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s so ufortable. . Bryson¡¯s action became more passionate as he bent down to ki*s her fiercely on the lips. ¡°It¡¯s your fault!¡± Hannah¡¯s screams and groans died in her throat, blocked by the ki*s. Hannah fell asleep and woke many times, always in a state of vague disorientation. She really cried, sobbing and begging but the man wouldn¡¯t let her go. She knelt on the bed, her body trembling but Bryson held her waist steady so that she wouldn¡¯t fall down. She was like a ripe peach, full of sweet fragrance. Bryson¡¯s fingers slid across Hannah¡¯s¡¯ face, enjoying the uncontroble tremble that shook through her. He bent over and covered herpletely under his body. He looked down at Hannah¡¯s smooth back and the soft ck hair that fell like a pool of shadows on her shoulders. Then he casually brushed the hair behind her ear. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah, say it again, who am 1?¡± the man instructed. Hannah had been taught to call his name several times throughout the night. She cried out his name once more. ¡°Sewell¡­¡± ¡°Good girl,¡± he said. Bryson pressed a gentle ki*s to Hannah¡¯s ear, his obsidian eyes filled with a heady mixture of satisfaction, paranoia, and possessiveness.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. It was a fleeting moment of intimate connection, an echo to what had transpired between them. Afterwards, Bryson reluctantly released Hannah, who had drifted into unconsciousness. Hannah awoke, her perception clouded by sleep, and the pain that surged through her body pulled her sharply into consciousness. She blinked, struggling to regain her bearings. Chapter 732 Gently, she fought to sit up, the silky quilt slipping from her form, revealing her nakedness. Her eyes dropped to her exposed body, and she was jolted by a surge of vulnerability. She was naked in an unfamiliar room, a fact that she had momentarily forgotten in her disorientation. The urgency to flee this unfamiliar ce coursed through her, but the agony in her body held her captive, rendering her powerless. Her recollections of the previous night began to surface, fragment by fragment, gradually piecing together the puzzle, causing her face to pale. She could recall being drawn into a room by Den, yet the details beyond that remained shrouded in a fog of uncertainty. Desperation led her to search for her phone. The instant her hand grasped it, a creaking door caught her attention. Fearfully, she clutched the quilt and covered herself, her gaze locked on the entrance. Bryson entered the room, d only in an unbuttoned white shirt. He met Hannah¡¯s rmed gaze with a smirk, nonchntly asserting, ¡°Don¡¯t bother covering up; I¡¯ve already seen everythingst night. ¡± A thunderous silence followed Bryson¡¯s revtion. Hannah was struck dumb. Only then did her fragmented memories of the night prior slot into ce. Her own actions, her pleas, and Bryson¡¯s response all cascaded back into her consciousness. Coldly, she leveled her gaze at him. ¡°You¡¯re Sewell. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A ghost of a smile yed at Sewell¡¯s lips as he leaned against the wall, unabashedly observing Hannah. ¡°Indeed,¡± he confirmed, ¡°and you called my name far more enticinglyst night. ¡± Hannah¡¯s face drained of color, her voice strained. ¡°Please, don¡¯t utter such repulsive words with his mouth. ¡± Bryson crossed the room in confident strides, capturing Hannah¡¯s chin between his fingers,pelling her gaze upward.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. The depths of his obsidian eyes danced with a mischievous twinkle. ¡°What separates me from him, love? After all, we¡¯re one and the same. ¡± Leaning closer for a ki*s, he drew near to Hannah¡¯s lips. Chapter 733 Instinctively, she turned her head, evading his advance. In a frigid tone, she replied, ¡°The difference is profound. You¡¯re Sewell! Bryson is just sick. As long as he recovers, you won¡¯t appear again. ¡°Interesting,¡± he said, his eyes dipped. In the blink of an eye, he wrapped his fingers around Hannah¡¯s throat and pressed her onto the bed. Hannah struggled, attempting to kick Bryson¡¯s knee. But her effort was easily thwarted, her leg pressed down against the bed. ¡°Sewell! Let go of me!¡± Recalling her captivating allure from the previous night, Bryson clenched his jaw, a ruefulugh escaping his lips. As he peered down at Hannah, he said with a cruel, icy edge, ¡°I¡¯m the one in charge. He does not deserve to appear. Do you understand?¡± Hannah¡¯s struggling waned, her hand going limp. She raised her gaze to meet Bryson¡¯s face. As a medical practitioner, she understood Bryson¡¯s implication. ¡®s BunnyBookery Sewell was the master of this body, and Bryson was a mere facet of his existence, another personality. ¡°f@ck off!¡± Hannah stared at Bryson with an emotionless gaze. Releasing his grip, Bryson tossed a new dress in her direction. ¡°The red one has been ruined. ¡± The dress from the prior nighty discarded on the floor, bearing witness to the passionate encounter that had unfolded. Hannah closed her eyes, gathering herposure. Meeting Bryson¡¯s gaze once more, she dered, ¡°I want to change my clothes. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Very well,¡± Bryson acquiesced, though he made no move to depart. Seeing that Bryson had no intention of leaving, Hannah said in a cold voice, ¡°Get out. I want to change my clothes!¡± An indifferent, yet yful voice echoed through the room. ¡°Do I have to?¡± Hannah pped Bryson on the cheek. The p was just as hard as the first, making Bryson¡¯s face twang from the impact. His face slightly bent to the side, Bryson held his cheek, trying to recover from the shock of Hannah¡¯s unexpected p. When he turned to look at her again, there was a smile ying around the corners of his lips. ¡°You¡¯ve hit me for the second time now. Do you really think I don¡¯t have the right to get angry?Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Chapter 734 ¡°If you don¡¯t leave at once,¡± Hannah said, a stubborn re in her eyes, ¡°I don¡¯t mind pping you again. ¡± He leaned forward and secured her in his embrace, pinching her cheeks and ki*sing her lips. Enveloped in the strong smell of sandalwood, Hannah began to wriggle and push hard against Bryson. He bit her Lips hard. Hearing Hannah groan in pain, he let go of her.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Bryson stared at her blood-stained lips with an evil smile. ¡°You can p me however you like now. ¡± ¡°Lunatic! You¡¯re insane!¡± Wiping her lips with the back of her palm, Hannah grabbed a pillow and flung it at Bryson. He hurried out of the room, clicking the door shut behind him. Brayden turned to look at him with a naughty look on his face. ¡°I can now see why you didn¡¯t reply to my messages all night. You were with¡± The smile froze on Bryson¡¯s face at once. ¡°Funny?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Brayden replied, his face sobering, too. ¡°Den was taken to the hospital after I beat him up. ¡± ¡°Let him disappear. Eliminate him. ¡± Bryson had an expressionless look, but his dark, malevolent eyes betrayed his emotions. ¡°Can you just stop talking nonsense, man?¡± Brayden said, raising his voice. Then he nced at the door and lowered it into a whisper. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Such things are not Lawful in our society. And for goodness sake, how many times will I remind you that we are not abroad, so you should be more careful with what you say? We can easily handle his family. Things will only get messed up if we hurt him and it attracts some unwanted attention. ¡± ¡°Handle it, then. ¡± Bryson looked away, scowling. ¡°And make sure to find Den¡¯s fellow conspirators. ¡± Brayden nodded. ¡°I will take care of everything. ¡± ¡°Let¡¯s leave this ce now,¡± Bryson said, ncing back at the door. In the room, Hannah sat on the bed. Chapter 735 Although she felt calmer now that she was alone, her chest still thumped slightly from the tussle with Bryson earlier. Picking up her phone from the bedside table, she swiped through it disinterestedly. There was a dozen missed calls from Edwin. Hannah called him back at once, and his anxious voice pierced her ears. ¡°Hannah! Where did you gost night?! And you weren¡¯t picking your calls! You know what? I almost called the police!¡± Edwin was nearly screaming that Hannah had to hold the phone away from her ear. ¡°I returned to the party after changing my clothes, but I couldn¡¯t find you anywhere. Your phone wasn¡¯t reachable either. I was so worried about you. Are you fine, Hannah?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just be calm,¡± Hannah said, massaging her temple. Then she added hesitantly, ¡°Well, something happenedst night. That was why I couldn¡¯t pick up your calls. ¡± ¡°What happened?¡± She could sense the terror leap in Edwin¡¯s voice. The line rustled as though someone was moving. ¡°Are you in your room now? I¡¯ming over right now!¡± he said, his uneven breathing muffling his words. ¡°Don¡¯t! Hannah struggled up to her feet. She had worn her clothes now, and her sore body sizzled with pain.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡°Please don¡¯te now; I¡¯m still exhausted fromst night. I¡¯ll call you in the afternoon. ¡± Edwin could tell that Hannah was tired. It was evident in her voice. ¡°Alright, I will let you rest, then,¡± he said in reluctant agreement. ¡®s BunnyBookery Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Take care of yourself. ¡± Hannah gathered her things and strode outside when the call ended. Shutting the door behind her, she sighed loudly, willing herself to forget the events of the previous night. When she returned to her room, she flung herself on the bed and slept recklessly. A knock on the door woke Hannah up. ¡°Who is it?¡± she asked with a yawn, her eyes still heavy with sleep. ¡°I¡¯ve brought you lunch, Miss Moore. ¡± It was the butler. Hannah slid into her slippers and went on to open the door. The butler entered with a tray bearing exquisite dishes and ced them on the round table. Chapter 736 Hannah rubbed her sleep-swollen eyes, puzzled. ¡°But I didn¡¯t order food. ¡± ¡°This is a little something from our young master. ¡± The butler bowed slightly, grinning. ¡°He noticed you hadn¡¯t had lunch today, so he specially asked me to bring you this delicacy. ¡± ¡°Mr. Keith Compton asked you to do this?¡± With a frown, Hannah nced at the food on the table, then at the butler smiling in front of her. ¡°Yes, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah really found it strange that a total stranger like Keith showed such concern for her. Even yesterday afternoon at thekeside, he had engaged her in a very friendly conversation when she met him. And now he had asked the butler to bring her lunch. She didn¡¯t understand why. ¡°Please thank Mr. Compton on my behalf,¡± Hannah said nkly. There was no surprise on her face. ¡°Certainly, Miss Moore. ¡± When the butler told Keith about this, he asked, eyebrows puckered, ¡°Is that all she said?¡± ¡°Yes, Miss Moore just asked me to thank you, Mr. Compton. ¡± Trent nced at Keith and burst out Laughing. ¡°You scared her with this unsolicited concern. Keith,¡± he teased. He was sitting beside Keith, holding the video game pad. ¡°You talk too much,¡± Keith retorted, looking unhappily at Trent. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Trent merely shrugged and replied, ¡°It¡¯s obvious that she regards you as an outsider. I¡¯ve tried exining to you that hospitality doesn¡¯t seem to be working.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡± Keith snorted. ¡°Do you have a better idea?¡± he asked. Trent leaned in, his eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°There¡¯s a horse race scheduled for tomorrow, right? Why not make an announcement then, stating that thend will go to the winner? That way, we can let Hannah win the race. And with a shared business venture on the horizon, we¡¯ll have more opportunities to cross paths. ¡± Keith looked Trent up and down before conceding, ¡°You do have a knack for scheming. You just haven¡¯t always used it in the right ces. ¡± Chapter 737 ¡°So do you, brother,¡± Trent replied. News of the race had already begun to spread when Hannah was taking a break in her room. Suddenly, there was a soft knock at her door. She nced at the entrance, inquiring, ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me, Hannah,¡± Edwin¡¯s voice called out. Recognizing the voice, Hannah¡¯s gaze returned to her phone as she replied, ¡°Come in. ¡± Edwin entered the room after entering the passcode, bursting with excitement. ¡°I¡¯ve got some reliable intel. Tomorrow, they¡¯re changing the rules for the bidding! They¡¯re saying that whoever clinches first ce in the horse race gets the chance to coborate with thepany, no matter what their bidding amount is!¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but wonder what was going on with the Compton family. She had no idea how they could make such a reckless decision when such a big project was at stake. Noticing that Hannah seemed perturbed, Edwin gazed at her curiously and inquired, ¡°Hannah, is something bothering you? Do you think there¡¯s something suspicious with the changes? Is it because of what happened yesterday?¡± Edwin blinked owlishly and asked, ¡°Is there really something wrong with the White Group?¡± Hannah lifted her hand and affectionately ruffled Edwin¡¯s hair. ¡°It¡¯s not about thepany. Don¡¯t fret too much.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. ¡± She had just managed to putst night¡¯s events out of her mind when Edwin brought it all back. She closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath. ¡°You should go out and gather more information about this, see if there¡¯s anything else we should know. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Edwin nodded eagerly. ¡°I¡¯ll go check it out. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah spent the entire afternoon in her room, but outside, events were unfolding. Brayden gracefully intercepted Valery and extended a discreet ¡®invitation¡¯ to the golf course. Seated on the bench outside the lush, verdant expanse of the golf course, Bryson observed as two figures ushered Valery towards him. Her protests were fervent, her disbelief palpable. Valery couldn¡¯t believe that Bryson dared to do something so reckless. ¡°I¡¯m going to call the police,¡± Valery eximed. ¡°I¡¯ll sue you for intentional injury! Let go of me!¡± With a golf club casually slung over his shoulder, Brayden regarded the restrained Valery with an almost cavalier expression. ¡°Feel free to call the police,¡± he replied, his toneced with enigma. Chapter 738 ¡°I might just mention to them how you ¡®persuaded¡¯ that waiterst night. ¡± Valery¡¯s outcries abruptly stopped as though a vice had gripped her throat, and she frantically shook her head. ¡°What do you mean? Don¡¯t misconstrue things. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. ¡± Seeing her resistance, Brayden beckoned with a curl of his finger. ¡°Apply a bit more pressure. ¡± With a golf club poised, Brayden feigned nonchnce, rhythmically swinging it, tracing a path in the air above a golf ball resting on the emerald grass. Valery¡¯s eyes widened at the sight of the swinging club. ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked. Valery¡¯s hysterical shrieks pierced the tranquil atmosphere. She squeezed her eyes shut and implored, ¡°Help!¡± Just as Brayden was about to execute his swing, a voice interjected from a distance. ¡°Well, Mr. Mitchell, you seem to be in high spirits, bringing someone here to the golf course. Care for a game?¡± Keith, dressed casually and looking nothing like the aristocratic Compton family member he was, approached. Trent was only a few steps behind Keith and, engrossed in his phone, seemed oblivious to the charged atmosphere. Keith took a seat, examined Valery¡¯s predicament, and inquired with a genial smile, ¡°Has she crossed you?¡± In the distance, as if seeing a savior appear, Valery shouted madly, ¡°Help! Mr. Compton!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Keith raised an amused brow, somewhat irritated by themotion, taking a seat beside Bryson. Bryson cast a cold nce at Keith and said, ¡°ying the hero, are you?¡± ¡°Not at all. ¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Keith leaned back, his grin unwavering as he addressed Bryson. ¡°I¡¯d say, I save beauties, but she¡¯s not my type. ¡± Keith extended his hands, offering a magnanimous gesture. ¡°Carry on, gentlemen. I¡¯ll simply watch the fun. ¡± Trent, seated beside Keith, remained disinterested, his attention to his phone unwavering. His gaze never lifted as he remarked, ¡°Yes, my brother is quite the enthusiast. If he can¡¯t join in the fun he¡¯ll be quite sad when he leaves. ¡± Turning towards Bryson, Brayden inquired about his friend¡¯s perspective. Chapter 739 Bryson¡¯s response was a gradual raising of his hand, a silent gesture of affirmation. Then, with his neck turned, Brayden cast a distant, enchanting smile towards Valery. ¡°I¡¯ll give you one more chance. Tell the truth, and I¡¯ll let you go. The man who had spoken on her behalf moments ago now took a seat beside Bryson, showing no intention of helping her at all. Valery was ovee with fear. Her legs trembled involuntarily, and she couldn¡¯t muster the courage to meet Brayden¡¯s gaze directly. I don¡¯t know what you are talking about¡­ ¡° ¡°s¡­¡± Brayden shook his head and sighed, ¡°It¡¯s a pity that you didn¡¯t take me up on my offer when you had the chance. ¡± Whoosh! With a graceful swing, the golf club sliced through the air, creating an elegant arc apanied by the whisper of the wind. Thwack! The golf ball spun and raced through the air. ¡°Ahhh! Ah¡­ Valery¡¯s distress erupted into a terrified cry. The ball grazed her ear before dropping to the ground, rolling in two perfect circles and disappearing into the hole just behind her. Brayden clicked his tongue and instructed someone to reset the golf ball. ¡°My aim faltered earlier. Rest assured, this time I shall take a more precise aim at your head. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Valery was gripped by paralyzing fear, her legs faltering, as the people on either side prevented her from copsing to her knees. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She turned her gaze to the distance, where Brayden meticulously assessed his stance, preparing to strike. As Brayden poised to make his shot, Valery could no Longer restrain herself.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Her scream pierced the tension of the moment. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you! Stop! Please!¡± she cried out desperately. Lowering the golf club gracefully, Brayden raised his chin in Valery¡¯s direction. ¡°Go ahead,¡± he urged. Valery quivered, the weight of her guilt pressing upon her as she stammered, ¡°It¡­ Den asked me to do it. It has nothing to do with me. ¡± ¡°It has nothing to do with you?¡± Brayden asked, his toneced with skepticism. He swung the golf club in his hand again. Chapter 740 ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll continue. ¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t! No!¡± Valery¡¯s anxiety grew, and she blurted out her confession, fear weighing heavy upon her words. ¡°He wanted to remarry Hannah, but Hannah didn¡¯t like him, so he asked me to find a way. ¡± ¡°I know that¡­¡± Valery trembled as she continued, ¡°this way was wrong. But he wanted me to figure it out first, and I did question him about it. He offered me money and I agreed to this n.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Brayden twirled the golf club in his hand, his gaze locked onto Valery. ¡°Don¡¯t you know it¡¯s illegal to drug someone? I can send you to prison at any time, you know. I could make a call and you can tell your little story to a police officer. ¡± Challenged with the prospect of the police, Valery grew even more frantic. ¡°I just helped him get the drugs; I didn¡¯t do anything else. You can arrest him!¡± Brayden¡¯s response was unyielding. ¡°We have records of your transactions, as well as evidence of your bribe to the waiter yesterday. Den won¡¯t escape punishment, and neither will you. ¡± Suddenly, a loud crash echoed in the distance as the confrontation between the two continued. Keith¡¯s frustration got the best of him, and he smashed the table beside him with his fist. As he learned of Valery¡¯s role in the plot against Hannah, his anger intensified. Trent, though visibly ufortable, reached out to his brother, trying to calm thetter. ¡°Keith,¡± he said,ying a hand on his brother. Bryson, seemingly unaffected, reclined in his seat with an air of fascination, intently watching the Comptons. Keith could take no more and took a few determined steps forward, wresting the golf club from Brayden¡¯s grip. ¡°Let me handle this!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Brayden was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. His gaze shifted to Bryson, but when Bryson remained unresponsive, he made no move to stop Keith. ¡°Please! Don¡¯t do this!¡± Valery implored, her voice thick with fear as Keith approached. Unperturbed, Keith continued, a sardonic smile ying on his lips, ¡°This is the private Compton family manor. If anything happens to you, we canpensate the Moore family for their losses. ¡± He said this lightly, as if discussing breaking a vase and not Valery¡¯s very life. Chapter 741 As Keith spoke, he aimed the golf club at the ground. The sound of his swing filled the air, coinciding with Valery¡¯s frightened screams. Brayden intercepted the club, his expression growing more serious. ¡°You may frighten her, but don¡¯t make a scene,¡± he cautioned, his gaze unwavering. Undeterred, Keith refused to lower the club. Trent, who had put away his phone, approached to retrieve it. ¡°Come on, Keith. Let¡¯s not go crazy here. If Dad finds out, you¡¯ll be in trouble. ¡± ¡°If Dad finds out, she¡¯s as good as dead,¡± Keith muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Trent shifted his attention to the woman in the distance.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡°It¡¯s not her who¡¯ll be in trouble; it¡¯s the Moore family members. ¡± Tossing the club to an associate, Trent smiled at Brayden. ¡°We¡¯ve had our fun. You can deal with this woman as you see fit. We won¡¯t interfere. ¡± Though their words were hushed, Brayden heard their previous conversation clearly. He lifted his hand in acknowledgment and turned his gaze to Valery. ¡°This time, consider it a lesson. If you ever dare to harm Hannah again, I won¡¯t be as lenient,¡± Brayden warned Valery before turning on his heel to return to Bryson. Seating himself beside his friend, he crossed his legs and cast a contem Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ tive look in Bryson¡¯s direction. ¡°It¡¯s strange, don¡¯t you think? Why the sudden interest in Hannah?¡± Brayden mused aloud. ¡°After Keith learned about what happened to Hannah, he seemed rather incensed. Could it be that he has feelings for her?¡± Bryson shot Brayden a chilly look and thetter fell silent. The provocative incident at the previous night¡¯s party had already sown seeds of doubt in Bryson¡¯s mind. He lowered his gaze and spoke softly. ¡°We need to find out why they¡¯ve taken this sudden interest in her. ¡± ¡°Consider it done,¡± Brayden replied with a nonchnt shrug. Chapter 742 Their conversation shifted to the uing horse racingpetition, and Brayden¡¯s expression grewplicated. ¡°This is a massive project. They¡¯re selecting the winner of the horse race to be their business partner. Do you think Keith has lost his mind?¡± ¡°He just wants to find an excuse to choose someone he likes,¡± Bryson remainedposed as he responded. ¡°Having lured all the real estate industry elites here, he must ensure they have a valid reason to choose the person he wants, avoiding any negative impact on the Compton family¡¯s business interests.This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Hmmmm. The person they want to work with?¡± Brayden mused aloud. Suddenly, an idea urred to him. He turned to Bryson with disbelief in his eyes. ¡°You mean. . Was Hannah the one they wanted to go into business with?¡± he asked, understanding dawning on him. Bryson arched an eyebrow, his response casual. ¡°You¡¯re not as slow as you look. ¡± Brayden¡¯s enthusiasm waned. ¡°If they¡¯ve already made their choice, why bring the rest of us to the manor?¡± ¡°The Compton family isn¡¯t naive,¡± Bryson replied, tapping his knee thoughtfully. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of interest in thatnd, and if it fell into Hannah¡¯s hands too easily, it would only invite trouble. ¡± Brayden sought rification, his curiosity apparent. ¡°So, what¡¯s the n for tomorrow?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson, a seasoned participant in international horse racing, was a consistent winner. Brayden knew this well. ¡°Tomorrow, you¡¯ll represent the Mitchell Group in the horse race,¡± Bryson said nonchntly. Brayden, sensing a hidden motive, grinned yfully. ¡°You¡¯re notpeting with Hannah for thend, are you?¡± Bryson¡¯s intense gaze silenced Brayden immediately. Goosebumps formed on Brayden¡¯s skin as he zipped his mouth shut. ¡°I¡¯ll go practice with the horse. Even if I don¡¯t secure first ce, I won¡¯t let us down!¡± Chapter 743 As dusk descended, the outside world grew darker. Hannah had spent the entire day confined to her room and felt the urge to take a walk. Upon opening the door, she found Bryson outside, moments away from knocking. Their eyes locked in silence, and Hannah¡¯s instinct was to shut the door. However, Bryson raised his hand, preventing her from closing it. ¡°We need to talk,¡± he said. Hannah regarded him with a touch of irritation. ¡°What else is there to discuss?¡± Bryson¡¯s response was cryptic. ¡°There¡¯s a video. I believe you¡¯ll want to watch it. ¡± Hannah maintained a moment of silence before stepping aside, allowing Bryson to enter the room. He settled beside her, retrieved his phone, and presented her with the video. The video portrayed Den in a hospital bed, with a crucial segment capturing Valery confessing to bringing the drug to him. As the video yed, a tumultuous wave of emotions coursed through Hannah¡¯s heart. She closed her eyes briefly, attempting to regain herposure, before returning the phone to Bryson. ¡°Got it,¡± was all she said. Bryson couldn¡¯t help but be tempted to tease Hannah each time he observed herposed expression. ¡°Would you Like me to forward the video to you as evidence?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s response was curt, her tone cool. ¡°No, it¡¯s my business.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. I¡¯ll handle it myself. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Bryson rose from his seat, taking a couple of steps closer to Hannah. Wariness flickered in Hannah¡¯s eyes as she vigntly stepped back. ¡°What are you doing?¡± A tense standoff ensued. After a prolonged gaze at Hannah, Bryson spoke, his tone enigmatic. Chapter 744 ¡°Are you avoiding me?¡± Hannah clenched her lips, locking her gaze onto Bryson defiantly. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± ¡°Tell me why,¡± hemanded. In this moment, Hannah found it challenging to engage with him.This is from N?velDrama.Org. When facing the world, he often projected an icy exterior, yet when dealing with her, he had such a brazen disregard. Hannah lifted her gaze to the man before her, her words filled with tension. ¡°You¡¯re not the boss of me. Why can¡¯t I avoid you?¡± ¡°Bryson,¡± she began. ¡°No. Sewell!¡± Calling him by this name felt foreign, and her expression betrayed her difort. ¡°Do I need to repeat myself? We¡¯re no Longer together. ¡± Bryson arched an eyebrow and shed a smile. ¡°It was Bryson who ended things with you. What does that have to do with me?¡± ¡°You! Stop pretending!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s patience wore thin as she shot back, ¡°I know you¡¯re unwell; go get the treatment you need! Can you just stop messing with me?¡± Bryson¡¯s mirth vanished, reced by a simmering anger that darkened his ebony eyes. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t take your anger out on me. ¡± ¡°So I shouldn¡¯t have helped you out that night of the party?¡± Bryson sneered. ¡°Or do you hate what happenedter?¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Hannah¡¯s voice reached a crescendo, her gaze fixed intently on the man before her. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, it¡¯s unrted to all of this. Breaking up with you, avoiding you, hiding from you-none of it is about that night!¡± Chapter 745 Her voice grew louder, her eyes welled up with tears. She stared at the man, herposure slipping away. ¡°Were you ever honest with me during our time together? You concealed everything from me-your illness, your true identity, and your experiences in Newfort!¡± Her pent-up emotions finally burst forth. ¡®s BunnyBookery At that moment, Hannah felt exhausted, no longer willing to engage in this painful confrontation. ¡°I hate that you hid your identity and pretended to be Bryson!¡± A lump formed in her throat as she gazed up at Bryson and questioned, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s funny to make a fool of me? Or perhaps¡­ You just enjoy seeing me break down. Well, congrattions! You¡¯ve seeded. So, what more do you want from me?¡± In a sudden, unexpected move, Bryson pulled Hannah into a tight embrace. ¡°Sewell! Let go of me!¡± No matter how vigorously Hannah struggled, Bryson¡¯s grasp remained unyielding. His fingers tightened their grip on her shoulder as he whispered into her ear with a somber tone, ¡°Why can¡¯t it be me?¡± Hannah¡¯s strength waned, and her tears flowed freely, a deep sense of mncholy settling over her. With a clenched jaw, she retorted, ¡°I don¡¯t like sandalwood. I don¡¯t like you either!¡± A heavy silence enveloped the room, broken only by Bryson¡¯s abrupt release of her waist. Stepping back a couple of paces, his eyes danced with a touch of mockery. Bryson nodded at Hannah and uttered, ¡°Very well. ¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. With a resounding bang, the door was mmed shut. The sound of it nearly sent Hannah stumbling to the ground. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She clung to the table for support, perching herself on the edge of the bed, her body trembling. It took her a long while to regain herposure. The following morning, when Edwin visited Hannah, he couldn¡¯t help but notice the weariness etched across her face. ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s wrong with you? Didn¡¯t you sleep wellst night?¡± Shaking her head, Hannah rubbed her temples and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s head to the racetrack first. ¡± ¡°sure,¡± Edwin responded, his energy undiminished. ¡°If you¡¯re not feeling well today, I can participate in the race on your behalf. ¡± Chapter 746 Casting a nce at the spirited Edwin by her side, Hannah mustered a faint smile and inquired, ¡°Have you had any notable achievements in horse racing?¡± Edwin scratched his head, chuckling, ¡°I¡¯ve neverpeted formally. ¡± Hannah nodded, mulling it over. ¡°Never mind then. Some of the other participants are champions of the sport. I¡¯ll go ahead and participate. ¡± Since it was a horse race that day, all the participants were donned in their equestrian attire. Keith lounged in the grandstand, sipping his drink with Leisure, his gaze fixed upon the flurry of activity below as preparations for the uing race unfolded. ¡°They seem pretty determined to secure the bid; hence their eagerness topete,¡± he mused. Trent, his eyes rolling in a mixture of annoyance and amusement, quipped, ¡°That¡¯s because thend is simply irresistible. Alter the parcel, and it loses its charm. ¡± Keith wore a wry smile as he pondered the unfolding spectacle. ¡°I can¡¯t help but feel we might be making fools of them. ¡± Trent¡¯s voice, dripping with deliberate intent, was stern as he warned Keith, ¡°If anything untoward befalls you down the road, I hope you won¡¯t trouble me. I¡¯d rather not be dragged into it Keith swirled his wine ss idly, a hint of nonchnce in his tone as he mused, ¡°Securing this piece ofnd isn¡¯t going to be a walk in the park, that¡¯s for sure. ¡± As they conversed, Keith¡¯s eyes flicked towards the participants, and he gently set his ss aside. ¡°Look who¡¯s here. ¡± Trent, intrigued, followed his gaze. Hannah appeared, immactely dressed in her equestrian attire. Edwin, at her side, held her hat as she gathered her long hair. The butler, in impable form, led her towards the stables and announced, ¡°Miss Moore, you shall be riding horse number 5 in the third group. Please take this time to rest. ¡± ¡°Understood, Hannah replied. She affectionately patted the horse¡¯s back and tenderly stroked its face, earning a wag of its tail. ¡°You¡¯re a gentle one,¡± she whispered. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t expect any problems with you. ¡± The shrill whistle pierced the air, and a quartet of horses burst from the starting line, dashing away at a breakneck pace. Edwin sighed softly, his eyes then spotting a familiar figure in the distance. In a voice tinged with surprise, he remarked, ¡°Bryson¡­ Isn¡¯t he going to participate in the race?¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. At Edwin¡¯s words, Hannah turned her head instinctively, her gaze tracking Bryson¡¯s approach. He wore no racing attire, heading directly for the grandstand where he took a seat without sparing her a nce. Chapter 747 Seemingly unfazed, Hannah turned to Edwin. ¡°Hand me the helmet, will you? You should head to the grandstand now. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Edwin said quietly as he handed the helmet to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you at the grandstand. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah stroked the horse¡¯s neck as Johanna came over in her riding habit. She was leading the horse that the butler had chosen for her, parading the animal like it was some sort of trophy. ¡°I¡¯m definitely going to win today¡¯s race!¡± Hannah nced at her with a look that said she was wondering what the hell was wrong with Johanna¡¯s head, then looked away. Johanna scoffed at herck of reaction and stroked her own horse¡¯s nose. ¡°I¡¯ll have you know that I¡¯ve never lost a race before. How about it, Hannah? Why don¡¯t we have a littlepetition?¡± This time, Hannah turned to fully face her. ¡°Today¡¯s race is all about securing thend in the East district. Do you think you can stop causing trouble for just a few hours?¡± Johanna raised her chin and huffed, ¡°Are you trying to dismiss me? Howe you can join the race and I can¡¯t?¡± She pulled at the reins of her horse and eyed Hannah up and down. ¡°I want to show Grandpa who is more deserving to lead thepany! He¡¯ll know once I win the race!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Still unsatisfied with this, Johanna smirked at Hannah and added, ¡°I know that you never got to learn horsemanship. I¡¯m telling you, you¡¯re only going to humiliate yourself out on the track. Why don¡¯t you just withdraw while you still have the chance, hmm? At least you wouldn¡¯t have to lose face. I promise, even if I win, you won¡¯t suffer as much disgrace. ¡± At that point, the first group¡¯s race had already ended, and the second group of participants were told to prepare for their turn.This is from N?velDrama.Org. Hannah mounted her steed in one graceful motion. She settled on the saddle and gazed down on Johanna. ¡°If you¡¯re itching for apetition so much, I¡¯ll indulge you. What¡¯s at stake, though?¡± Johanna was still processing what she had just seen. How could Hannah mount the horse so easily? She quicklyposed herself and scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s quite simple. If you lose, then you¡¯ll have to leave the White family for good. You must never im to be rted to us in the future. ¡± ¡°I see,¡± Hannah said, finding the prospect highly amusing. ¡°And what if you lose?¡± Johanna blinked. It had never urred to her that she would lose, so she had never bothered to think of a consequence. Chapter 748 ¡°Feel free to set a condition. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t go back on my word. ¡± ¡°Hmm. Hannah¡¯s Lips slowly curled into a smile. ¡°If you lose, you¡¯ll need to rece my ck dress. The exact brand and style that I had in my room, the one that was ruined. ¡± All the color drained from Johanna¡¯s face. ¡°I didn¡¯t cut up your dress!¡± she countered vehemently out of instinct. ¡°I didn¡¯t say you did,¡± Hannah retorted calmly. ¡°ALL I¡¯m saying is that you¡¯ll have to buy me the same one. Quite the overreaction you have there, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Johanna gritted her teeth, knowing that Hannah was goading her on purpose. She heaved a frustrated sigh and mounted her horse as well. ¡°Fine! You can¡¯t possibly win against me, anyway!¡± Just then, the announcer called for the third group of participants to gather at the starting line and get ready. Hannah lightly kicked her horse and directed it to the designated area. There were four groupspeting, and the winner of each group would be the onespeting in the second and final round. The rules were very simple and straightforward. The participants were all lined up astride their horses, waiting for the starter to give the signal. Keith looked toward the starting line. It was Hannah¡¯s turn. ¡°Is everything ready?¡± he asked in a serious tone. ¡°You can¡¯t make a single mistake and risk Hannah getting eliminated in this round. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. Her steed is the fastest, most powerful one in our stables. And if idents ur, we can just proceed to n B. ¡± Keith breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes still fixed on the participants. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Over at the grandstand, Brayden plopped down beside Bryson. He had just secured the first ce for the second group. ¡°Hannah is participating in this one. ¡± ¡°Right. ¡± Bryson turned in her direction, his eyes already trained to where she was. He had no intention of speaking to her, at least not at the moment, but he would be damned if he let her out of his sight. The gunshot rang out. The four horses sprang into action! Hannah pushed forward without much difficulty. Her horse was the fastest, after all Chapter 749 Johanna¡¯s eyes went wide as saucers when she saw Hannah practically flying in the distance. How could this be? Well, so what? She was sure that Hannah would tire soon enough and eventually lose. Unfortunately for her, that was not to be. There was a clear difference between Hannah¡¯s performance and that of the other three, and she won the round without breaking her initial speed. Trent leaned back in his seat and grinned. ¡°See?¡± He raised his eyebrows at Keith. ¡°I told you, I am well-prepared. ¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t get toocent. We still have another round. ¡± When it came to the fourth group¡¯s race, Johanna secured the win, much like she had predicted. She guided her horse off the track and headed toward Hannah, eager to unt her victory. ¡°Did you see that? Those otherpetitors are rather formidable, yet I still came out on top. Take my friendly advice and drop out of the race while it¡¯s early. ¡± Hannah looked up from brushing her horse¡¯s mane. ¡°Do you keep pestering me to back out of the race because you know that you can¡¯t actually win against me? That must be it, right?¡± Johanna flushed, her main purpose having been exposed. She tried to y it cool by scoffing and rolling her eyes. ¡°Of course not! Just wait and see! You¡¯re definitely going to lose She jumped off her horse and angrily stomped into the grandstand. Hannah, on the other hand, finished brushing her horse and rested in the waiting area without making any fuss. Edwin, ever the loyal follower, immediately appeared beside her with a bottle of sports drink. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Here, Hannah. Drink this!¡± ¡°Thanks. ¡± Hannah unscrewed the cap and took a sip. ¡°Say, Hannah, that Johanna is definitely scheming something. How about letting me take your ce? I¡¯m worried that she would resort to dirty tricks again. ¡± Hannah put the drink aside and wiped her mouth. ¡°There are so many people watching the race from every corner. I doubt she would dare to y dirty in in view of a crowd. ¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re right,¡± Edwin mumbled with a frown. ¡°I¡¯m just worried, I guess. You still haven¡¯t taught her a lesson for cutting your dress upst time. ¡± Chapter 750 The prompt sounded through the speakers, followed by the announcer¡¯s voice calling for the participants in the next round. Hannah stood and patted Edwin on the shoulder. ¡°All right, let¡¯s settle that matter once the race is over. ¡± As Hannah¡¯s steed ambled to the racetrack, Brayden came up beside her. ¡°Do you realize that you ruffled a lot of feathers by having two participants from the White Group? And you both won, too!¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s just no stopping that cousin of mine,¡± Hannah said, pulling at her reins to slow her horse down. ¡°She insists onpeting with me. I don¡¯t think she really cares about thend, really. And I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with her, either, so take this up with her instead of me. ¡± ¡°I just thought to warn you, is all. Take it as concern from a friend.This is from N?velDrama.Org. There are some who think you both did it on purpose. You¡¯d better make the time to exin the situation to themter. ¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Hannah replied, totally unfazed. Johanna, who was oblivious to the drama she was stirring, came up on the other side of Hannah. She slowed just enough to sneer at thetter before trotting away. Before long, the four participants were at the starting line, poised and ready for their cue. When the gunshot rang, Brayden deliberately waited for a second before sending his horse into a gallop. Johanna, on the other hand, rushed ahead without a _ second¡¯s hesitation. It gave her an initial advantage, to be sure, but it didn¡¯tst long. After a few seconds, Hannah managed to catch up to her. Seeing that Hannah was about to overtake her and im the lead, Johanna raised her whip and aimed it at Hannah¡¯s back. ¡°Watch out!¡± someone shouted. Brayden had been leisurely riding his horse until he caught sight of Johanna¡¯s actions ahead, causing a surge of fear to jolt through him. His heart raced, and he nearly leaped from the saddle. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Watch out!¡± he eximed, the urgency evident in his voice. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he spurred his steed into swift motion, determined to assist. Johanna¡¯s whipshed Hannah¡¯s back, the crack echoing across the track. ¡°Sssss!¡± Hannah reacted with a soft hiss. She firmly seized the reins and lunged forward. Even beneath her thick riding attire, a searing pain radiated from the welt on her back, yet she maintained her determined grip on the reins, refusing to slow her pace. From a distance, Bryson observed Johanna¡¯s reckless move and sprang to action. Chapter 751 Without donning any protective gear, he hastily selected a horse from the stable and mounted it. With a steely resolve, he steered the horse toward the unfolding drama on the track. ¡°Wait!¡± The butler, who had been trailing Bryson out of concern for his safety, failed to halt him. Gasping for breath, the butler raced towards the grandstand, colliding with Keith and Trent, who were emerging from the stands. ¡°Master Keith! Master Trent!¡± However, Keith and Trent didn¡¯t halt to hear him out. Instead, the brothers raced towards the scene unfolding on the racetrack. Hannah urged her horse to go faster, leaving the pursuing crowd in her dust. In the aftermath of the whip¡¯s cruel impact, Johanna, undeterred by the resilience of her rival, contemted raising the whip once more. The horse Hannah rode, however, had distanced itself from Johanna, avoiding her intentions. Frustration welled within Johanna. This bitch was lucky! Johanna sneered to herself. She didn¡¯t even fall after being hit with the whip. Johanna pushed her horse, trying to get closer to Hannah once more. In that critical moment, Brayden closed the gap between them and reached for Johanna¡¯s hand, which brandished the whip. ¡°Stop!¡± hemanded firmly. ¡°Dismount your horse. ¡± Johanna withdrew her hand, regarding Brayden with a cold, unyielding gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t block my race!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With resolute determination, Brayden took control of Johanna¡¯s reins, bringing their horses to an abrupt halt midway down the track. ¡°Ah! What are you doing?¡± she screamed. Amidst the cheering crowd and the thunder of hooves, Johanna lost her footing, her body teetering precariously. Just as she was about to sumb to gravity, a strong arm reached out and caught her, steadying her. It was Brayden, his face etched with disgust as he quickly released her. A short distance away, Hannah emerged victorious, her horse galloping triumphantly across the finish line. As she dismounted, a sharp pain shot through her back, robbing her of the exhration of her win. Her butler, his face etched with concern, approached her. ¡°Miss Moore,¡± he said softly, his voiceced with worry, ¡°I¡¯ll summon the doctor immediately.This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother,¡± Hannah replied, her voice strained. Chapter 752 Before she couldplete her sentence, a horse reared up beside her. As Hannah looked up, a man materialized in front of her, his movements swift and sure. With a gentle touch, he dr@ped a warm coat over her shoulders, shielding her from the chill. ¡°I¡¯ve called a doctor. I¡¯ll escort you back. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. He gripped Hannah¡¯s arm and guided her away from themotion. Hannah instinctively tried to resist, but Bryson¡¯s grip was firm. ¡°Could you please listen to me for once?¡± he asked, his tone Laced with impatience. Sensing the urgency in Bryson¡¯s voice, Hannah swallowed the protest that rose to her lips. Silently, she allowed him to support her, her back burning with an intensity that mirrored the fire in his eyes. Keith and Trent rushed towards them, their faces etched with worry. Keith¡¯s eyes darted to Hannah¡¯s pale face, and he eximed, ¡°Get the doctor immediately!¡± Bryson¡¯s voice cut through the air, his tone cial. ¡°No need,¡± he asserted. His grip tightened on Hannah¡¯s arm as he steered her towards the main building. ¡°Our doctor will be here shortly. ¡± His displeasure with Keith was evident, his wordsced with thinly veiled resentment. ¡°You should focus on managing those unruly people. ¡± Watching Bryson lead Hannah away, Keith¡¯s jaw clenched, his fists tightening involuntarily. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Arrogant bastard!¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°What right does he have to take her away?¡± ¡°Calm down,¡± Trent cautioned, his voiceced with reason.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Remember, Father¡¯s instructions are clear. We must maintain our identities until we understand the situationpletely. ¡± Trent¡¯s eyes shed with determination. ¡°Besides, we need to deal with these so-called ¡®big bosses¡¯ as soon as possible. Otherwise, they¡¯ll target Hannah. Keith nodded in agreement, his frustration palpable. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he conceded. Chapter 753 ¡°This is bing increasingly troublesome. ¡± Back in her room, Hannahy prone on the bed, her back burning with an intensity that threatened to consume her. ¡°The wound is quite deep,¡± the doctor exined, her voice gentle yet firm. ¡°The blood has congealed, adhering the clothes to your skin. You may experience some difort as I separate the fabric from your flesh. ¡± That was a young female doctor, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, her face framed by rimless sses. Her voice was calm and professional, a soothing balm amidst the chaos within Hannah. ¡°I can handle it,¡± Hannah replied, her voiceced with determination. ¡°No need for anesthesia. Just proceed. ¡± Taking a look at Bryson, the doctor, Maritza Larson, put on her gloves quickly, picked up the scissors and tweezers, and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll apply the medicine to your wound directly. Bryson, his eyes burning with anger and concern, assisted Maritza in cutting away the shredded fabric that adhered to Hannah¡¯s back, washing the wound with water. As the cool water washed over the exposed wound, Hannah¡¯s body trembled involuntarily. Only after the initial cleansing did Bryson fully grasp the severity of the injury. The whip had struck Hannah with merciless force, tearing through her flesh, leaving a gruesome welt that crossed her back. The sight of Hannah¡¯s skin and flesh intertwined with crimson blood filled Bryson¡¯s heart with immense pity. His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists, his anger intensifying with each passing moment. ¡°I¡¯m going to apply some medicine. Please hold still. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As Maritza began her ministrations, Hannah flinched, a sharp intake of breath escaping her Lips. She instinctively raised her hand, seeking sce in the midst of the pain. Her fingers brushed against a soft, cold hand, and she Looked up to find Bryson¡¯s gaze fixed upon her, his expression etched with concern. Hannah¡¯s forehead glistened with sweat, her face contorted in pain. In her difort, she held onto Bryson¡¯s hand, findingfort in his silent support. She bit her Lip but didn¡¯t let go of him. Maritza¡¯s eyes darted between the two tightly sped hands with aplicated expression. She finished applying the medicine and removed her gloves, her voice gentle as she spoke. ¡°There. The wound isn¡¯t deep, but it¡¯s quite long.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. You¡¯ll need to rest for about a week. Avoid strenuous activities to prevent reopening. ¡± ¡°Okay, thank you, doctor. ¡± Hannah managed to sit up, her face pale and drawn from the ordeal. Chapter 754 She attempted to release Bryson¡¯s hand, but he held on firmly. ¡°Is there anything else she should be aware of?¡± Bryson inquired, his eyes fixed on Hanna¡¯s bandaged back. Maritza chuckled softly, ¡°There¡¯s a lot to remember. Do you think you can recall it all for her?¡± Bryson furrowed his brow. ¡°Of course, just tell me,¡± he replied, his voiceced with determination. Sensing their close rtionship, Hannah tried to discreetly withdraw her hand. ¡°No need, really. I¡¯m a doctor too. I know what to avoid,¡± she said Lightly. ¡°Are you a doctor as well?¡± Maritza, with an expression of surprise, approached Bryson and lightly touched his head. ¡°That¡¯s reassuring. I was worried he might not know how to take the best care of you. ¡± Hannah felt a touch of difort. Just as she was about to look away, she noticed Bryson¡¯s expression turn grim. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me. ¡± Maritza rested her hands on her hips and fixed her gaze on Bryson. ¡°This is the first time I¡¯m meeting your girlfriend. Could you at least try to save some face for me?¡±This is from N?velDrama.Org. It appeared Maritza knew Bryson quite well. Hannah, somewhat bewildered, gazed at Maritza. ¡°So¡­ You are. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Maritza brushed her hair behind her ears and grinned at Hannah. ¡°Our families have a deep-rooted connection. When he came back to the country, his father was upied, so he frequently stayed over at my house. I was at a conference close by when you had your ident, so he asked me toe over. ¡± Contrary to the initial impression Maritza gave off, the more they talked, the more she seemed like an older sister Bryson trusted deeply. ¡°When do you two n on getting married? I can tell that Bryson is head over heels for you, and you¡¯re the one he¡¯s devoted to!¡± Despite being bedridden, Hannah hastily gestured to clear up any confusion. ¡°We¡¯re actually¡­¡± ¡°Maritza, this is none of your business. You should go now,¡± Bryson interjected with a chilly tone. Chapter 755 Maritza clenched her teeth and retorted, ¡°Naughty! Show a little respect! Do you understand?¡± Bryson maintained his calm demeanor and asked, ¡°So, are you going to leave now?¡± ¡°Fine, fine, I can¡¯t figure out what¡¯s up with you. ¡± Maritza spun around and gave Hannah a yful wink. ¡°We should add each other on WhatsApp. Once you¡¯re feeling better, we should n a shopping trip together. ¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Hannah offered her a friendly smile. ¡°We¡¯ll n it when you¡¯re free. ¡± With Maritza gone, silence fell over the room. Bryson watched Hannah in silence, offering no words. Seeing Bryson¡¯s expression, Hannah had something to say but thought better of it and hesitated, ¡°You¡­¡± But before she could continue, Bryson stood abruptly, his tone icy. ¡°Rest well. ¡± Hannah was left watching as he walked out the door. She turned her head andy face down on the bed, her emotions in turmoil. Two voices in her mind were locked in an ongoing struggle. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ In the adjacent suite, Johanna was on edge, making a phone call to her mother. ¡°Is this going to work?¡± Brayden regarded Edwin with suspicion in his eyes. Edwin, wearing a stern expression, asserted, ¡°It¡¯s bound to seed. If her mother learns about her causing trouble again, she won¡¯t hesitate to take action. After all, it concerns her standing in the White family. ¡± As soon as he finished talking, Johanna¡¯s call was connected. Urs sounded impatient on the other end of the call, with a noisy background as if something was shing. ¡°What is it? Make it quick!¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± Hearing Urs¡¯s voice, Johanna cried out sincerely, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve gotten into trouble. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Chapter 756 Urs was preupied and responded indifferently, ¡°What mess have you gotten yourself into now?¡± ¡°I During the horse ridingpetition today, I didn¡¯t mean to¡­ Ny whip identally collided with Hannah!¡± Silence fell for a brief second. Then, Urs¡¯s voice erupted, ¡°What¡­ What did you say?¡± Johanna¡¯s voice shrank even smaller. ¡°I whipped her. . Immediately, Urs began scolding and packing her things on the other end of the line. ¡°Give me the address. I¡¯ll be there right away! You bitch, can¡¯t you do anything without causing problems? You¡¯re just a ma for disaster!¡± The call ended abruptly. Johanna¡¯s tears wouldn¡¯t stop pouring out. Brayden, upassionate, took her phone away. ¡°Just sit tight here. ¡± Then, a knock sounded at the door. Brayden assumed it was Bryson, but upon opening the door, he was greeted by Keith and Trent instead. ¡°We visited Miss Moore earlier, and we were told she was resting and couldn¡¯t be disturbed. So we thought we coulde here to see the culprit instead. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Keith stepped into the room, and upon spotting Johanna, his gaze turned icy. ¡°You¡¯ve pulled a nasty stunt at my track. Don¡¯t you care what happens to your hand?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡± At this point, Johanna attempted to make excuses to defend herself.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°She and I were close to each other at that time. I was just¡­ I hit her by mistake when I was trying to whip the horse. It wasn¡¯t on purpose!¡± ¡°Are you still trying to make up stories?¡± Brayden couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing. ¡°I was right there behind you. You think I didn¡¯t see what happened?¡± Wiping her tears, Johanna red at Brayden with resentment. Chapter 757 ¡°Of course, you¡¯d defend her wholeheartedly because you¡¯re her friend!¡± Her usation left Brayden at a loss for words once more. Leaning against the wall, he observed Edwin with aplicated expression. ¡°It appears she¡¯s not receptive to rational conversation. ¡± Edwin¡¯s expression was alsoplicated. ¡°Before Hannah arrived, she was the sole girl in the White family. Consequently, everyone adored her, leading to her bing rather spoiled. ¡± Upon hearing Edwin¡¯s words, Johanna appeared to lose allposure, suddenly bing hysterical. ¡°Why does Hannah steal my cousins and grandparents¡¯ affection from me as soon as she arrives? Why does she get shares as soon as shees here? Why does everyone take her side? It¡¯s just not fair!¡± Edwin¡¯s irritation grew as he stared at Johanna and responded, ¡°She returned solely to help Grandpa recover and yed a crucial role in saving the White Group from the crisis. You¡¯re envious of her even though she hasn¡¯t provoked or harmed you in any way. You keep teaming up with others to stir up trouble for her. Isn¡¯t this your own doing? You graduated before me, but all you do is hang out with your friends, never stepping foot in thepany, just spending money left and right. How can you evenpare to her?¡± Johanna¡¯s eyes were teary, and she felt like lunging at Edwin, ready to have a heated argument with him, abandoning her aristocratic facade. ¡°And what gives you the right to lecture me? Weren¡¯t you the same, a total yboy in the past? You used to be just like me, wasting money !¡±* Edwin didn¡¯t try to hide his past. ¡°I know I was a jerk in the past, but I¡¯ve changed because of Hannah. How about you? You¡¯ve never shown remorse, and you¡¯ve always med Hannah for why the family doesn¡¯t love you. What does she owe you, anyway? Despite knowing that you ruined her dress, she didn¡¯t me you, but you just won¡¯t quit! Don¡¯t you have a sense of guilt?¡± Seeing things were getting heated, Brayden stepped in to calm things down. ¡°Stop it, both of you! Now is not the time to fight. ¡± Keith was indifferent to their quarrel. He gave Johanna a stern look and said, ¡°Her ties to the White family or Hannah don¡¯t concern me. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ But if Hannah gets hurt, I¡¯m not letting it slide!¡± Johanna fixed a piercing gaze on Keith and admonished him, ¡°You persist in calling her ¡®Hannah¡¯! Are you aware of the other men she¡¯s been involved with apart from you? Do you know how many men she¡¯s been with? She¡¯s been married and divorced already. Doesn¡¯t it sicken you? She¡¯s nothing more than a second-handmodity! Don¡¯t you find it revolting?¡± Edwin, listening to Johanna¡¯s irrational words, was growing increasingly unhappy and wished for her to cease. Keith took the initiative and advanced, his visage dark and menacing as he gripped Johanna¡¯s neck. ¡°Utter one more word, and you¡¯ll regret it!¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Johanna had already lost herposure. Even as she was being strangled, she managed to force her words out, her face flushed. ¡°She¡­ Chapter 758 She¡¯s just a whore!¡± Upon hearing this, Keith tightened his hold on Johanna¡¯s throat! Before long, Johanna¡¯splexion turned ashen. Her hands hung Limply. Recognizing that the situation was spiraling out of control, Brayden was fearful of a cmity unfolding. He rushed forward to intervene. ¡°Both of you, calm down first! Edwin, keep an eye on her.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. I¡¯ll take them out for now!¡± Themotion subsided and Brayden escorted Keith and Trent outside. ¡°Take it easy. We should wait for her family to arrive first. Acting recklessly now might lead to more trouble down the line. ¡± ¡°Are we supposed to be afraid of her family? In this country, the Compton family won¡¯t be outdone by the White family,¡± Keith retorted icily. ¡°Keith, let¡¯s stay level-headed. ¡± Trent, with a moreposed demeanor, spoke calmly. ¡°Hannah is also part of the White family. If you target the White family, she¡¯ll be caught in a dilemma. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Keith, consumed by anger, was on the brink of forgetting the matter at hand. His countenance darkened as he began, ¡°In that scenario, we might consider¡­¡± But before he could conclude his thoughts, he abruptly fell silent. Brayden felt a twinge of curiosity, yet understood that extracting information from Keith at this moment was an exercise in futility. He temporarily suppressed his inquisitiveness. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Very well, let¡¯s collect ourselves. No need for ire. I¡¯ll take charge of this,¡± he asserted. Recognizing Brayden as Bryson¡¯s associate, Trent concurred with a nod, ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll await the arrival of the White family. Keith, let¡¯s return for now. ¡± As they departed, Brayden breathed a sigh of relief. He turned back and pushed the door open. Edwin sat off to the side and greeted him when he noticed Brayden¡¯s entry. ¡°Her mother phoned a moment ago and mentioned she¡¯d be here shortly. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Brayden cast a nce at the visibly deted Johanna. As he prepared to address her, his phone chimed with an iing call. Once the door was closed, he answered the call. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he inquired. Chapter 759 ¡°The Edwards family wishes to post bail for him. As of now, the evidence is insufficient, so we can only temporarily release him. ¡± ¡°I see,¡± Brayden responded, his brow furrowing slightly. ¡°We can handle him independently. ¡± The voice on the other end paused briefly, offering a cautious reminder. ¡°While doing so, exercise restraint. ¡± ¡°Rest assured, we always uphold thew and regtions. Once we¡¯ve gathered ample evidence, we¡¯ll turn him over to you. ¡± Approximately half an hourter, Urs hurriedly arrived at the resort with Calvin in tow. Uponying eyes on Johanna, a resounding pnded on her cheek. Johanna¡¯s face bent to the side, her head then snapping up, her hand instinctively shielding her stinging visage. She gazed at Urs in sheer disbelief and eximed, ¡°Mom! You pped me?!¡±This is from N?velDrama.Org. Urs¡¯s once delicate countenance now bore a storm of anger. ¡°Yes! I did! I did it because you¡¯ve acted like a fool, creating more problems than you¡¯ve solved! What did I instruct you to do? I specifically told you to maintain a quiet presence within the White family, to learn from Hannah and not to stir up trouble!¡± Johanna had lost her grasp on reason at this point. She yelled at Urs, ¡°When did you say that? Weren¡¯t you calling her derogatory names behind her back? You used her of attempting to snatch my position in the White family. You urged me to swiftly reim it, warning that I¡¯d lose my standing in Grandpa¡¯s heart if I didn¡¯t!¡± Johanna descended into a fit of hysteria, indiscriminately flinging objects about the room. ¡°You said this to me, didn¡¯t you? And now that things have gone awry, you¡¯re pinning it all on me! Do you even consider me your daughter?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Urs seethed with such fury that she entertained the notion of delivering another p to Johanna, yet Calvin intervened, advising, ¡°She¡¯s still young. We shouldn¡¯t resort to violence. ¡± Despite Calvin being a minor celebrity, he possessed a knack for handling people. He turned to Bryson, who had been seated nearby with an impassive countenance and remarked, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, it¡¯s true that Johanna bears the me this time. We are prepared to assume responsibility and will discipline her ordingly. May we see Miss Moore?¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Bryson rebuffed with an icy tone. ¡°You may take Johanna away, but I demand a resolution. ¡± Calvin clenched his teeth and discreetly signaled Urs. Urs harbored reservations about this course of action but the thought of this matter escting and reaching Byrum made her reconsider. She reluctantly proposed, ¡°How about this? We will cover all of Hannah¡¯s medical expenses. Noticing Urs¡¯s reluctance, Calvin promptly produced a bank card. ¡°There is two million on this. Consider this our apology to Miss Moore. ¡± Chapter 760 Two million! Urs was taken aback but dared not exim her surprise at this point. Instead, she forced a smile and agreed, ¡°Yes, this shall serve aspensation for Hannah. ¡± Bryson cast a scornful gaze in her direction and remained silent, his eyes emanating an unsettling intensity that sent shivers down the spines of Urs and Calvin. ¡°Three million!¡± Urs¡¯s lips trembled involuntarily as she said, ¡°Given that Johanna instigated all this chaos, we should offer more. ¡± Brayden, observing from the sidelines, couldn¡¯t help but snicker. ¡°It seems we¡¯re negotiatingpensation. ¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°No, no,¡± Calvin hastened to interject. ¡°It¡¯s only right. We¡¯ll transfer the remaining one million to this card. Please convey our apologies to Miss Moore. ¡± Urs then turned to Johanna, grasping her hand tightly. ¡°Come along quickly! Don¡¯t further embarrass me here!¡± As Edwin recounted these events, Hannah remained detached, disying minimal reaction. ¡°Hannah, you should ept this. You deserve it. ¡± ¡°Just leave it on the table,¡± Hannah replied nonchntly. cing the card on the table, Edwin scrutinized her expression and implored, ¡°Hannah, please confide in me. Over the past two days¡­ What¡¯s been going on?¡± ¡°I truly didn¡¯t¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Before Hannah could finish her sentence, her phone chimed, its screen disying an unfamiliar number. As soon as she picked up, an exasperated voice reverberated on the other end. ¡°Hannah! Are you hell-bent on ruining me? I¡¯ve resigned myself to the police station, isn¡¯t that enough? How could you interfere with all of Edwards Group¡¯s coborative ventures!¡± Upon hearing Den¡¯s exasperation, Hannah¡¯s countenance turned frigid. She recognized the hand of Bryson in this matter, causing her expression to transform into an even icier visage as she retorted to Den, ¡°I didn¡¯t put you behind bars, yet here you are,ing for me first. I strongly rmend you to have two words tattooed on your face, with one side ¡®shameless¡¯ and the other side ¡®thick- skinned¡¯!¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Den was caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s direct approach, which only fueled his frustration. ¡°Listen up! If something happens to me, it¡¯s no good for you either! Don¡¯t forget! You also have twenty percent of mypany¡¯s shares! If the Edwards family faces trouble, do you honestly believe you¡¯ll benefit from it?¡± Den¡¯s frustration was evident as he spoke on the phone. Chapter 761 ¡°Grandma cared about you the most. Do you want to stress her out so much when the news reaches her that she ends up in the hospital?¡± Hannah, who had been expressionless, grew distant when she heard Den trying to use Allison to manipte her. ¡°Den! I warn you against using Allison as a bargaining chip. She¡¯s your grandmother, and you¡¯d like to see her in the hospital? Over the phone, Den¡¯s tone suddenly turned triumphant. ¡°You¡¯re feeling scared, aren¡¯t you? Let me make it clear. If anything happens to me, my grandmother won¡¯t be able to handle it. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah had enough and abruptly ended the call! Edwin was taken aback. He blinked in confusion at Hannah and inquired, ¡°What happened, Hannah? Who was on the phone?¡± Hannah rubbed her forehead, feeling a headacheing on. She said, ¡°Don¡¯t stress about it. Let¡¯s take a break today, sign the contract tomorrow, and head back. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Edwin objected, ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re not healed, and you really shouldn¡¯t be moving around too much. Moreover, the Comptons mentioned that you were injured here, and they¡¯ll look after you until you¡¯re fully recovered. ¡± Hannah gave a slight shake of her head. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± The more she felt that something was off about the Compton family, the more she wanted to keep her distance from them. Besides, her back injury, although it looked gruesome, wasn¡¯t too severe. She was aware that it hadn¡¯t affected any vital organs. ¡°I¡¯m sure of it. We¡¯ll return to Hoijery tomorrow. ¡± Since Edwin couldn¡¯t convince Hannah to change her mind, he reluctantly agreed, saying, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go check the flight for tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Perfect. ¡± Despite the situation with Hannah¡¯s injury, the process of the Compton family finalizing the contract signing wasn¡¯t dyed. This happened without any need for Hannah to step in. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Before she left Beachholt, Hannah didn¡¯t catch another glimpse of Bryson; the word was he¡¯d stay there a bit longer. Staring out of the ne window at the clouds, Hannah was overwhelmed by emotions. She had firmly resolved to ignore anything associated with Bryson, whether he was Bryson or Sewell. Yet, on every asion, for reasons she couldn¡¯t quite grasp, she closely observed his behavior whenever he showed up. Even though she wanted to steer clear, Edwin¡¯s continuous updates on Bryson¡¯s life kept pulling her thoughts back to him. Hannah shook her head and closed her eyes, opting to take a nap to silence the nagging voice next to her. Chapter 762 Upon arrival, Hannah turned on her phone and received a prompt call from Lydia. As she exited the ne and took the call, she remarked, ¡°I¡¯ve just touched down. How timely! Shall we n for dinner tomorrow?¡± ¡°Dinner tomorrow? That¡¯s not going to happen! My father¡¯s about to drag me back home!¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah¡¯s brow creased a touch. ¡°Just take a breath and tell me where you¡¯re at. I¡¯ll get to youter. Is it the Mitchell family¡¯s vi?¡± Lydia¡¯s voice sounded downcast. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m trapped at the vi, and I¡¯m too afraid to go out. It¡¯s the one ce my dad won¡¯t send anyone. But I can¡¯t stay trapped in the vi forever. Grace also needs to go out, and even though she has bodyguards with us, I¡¯m still concerned. ¡± ¡°Got it. Stay put. I¡¯ll be on my way shortly. ¡± Hannah¡¯s response was swift. ¡°Okay!¡± Lydia¡¯s tone carried a note of desperation. ¡°Please, be quick. I¡¯m here waiting for you. ¡± Once Hannah ended the call, Edwin was right there, ready to join. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯ming with you!¡± Observing the concern on his face, Hannah ced her phone down and remarked, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Grab your luggage, head home, and inform Grandpa that we¡¯ve secured thend.This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Not happening!¡± Edwin firmly declined this time, paying no attention to Hannah¡¯s words. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Your back is still injured. What if you strain it with your actions? You know what? If I can¡¯t go, you¡¯re not allowed to go there either. Come home with me tonight, and I can go with you tomorrow. ¡± Unable to argue with Edwin, Hannah nced at her phone. It was only 6 p. m. ¡°Alright, you can drop me off at the Mitchell family¡¯s vi first, and then you can head back home, okay?¡± Edwin pondered before conceding, ¡°Alright, I¡¯lle back for you once you¡¯ve handled your business there. ¡± ¡°Deal. ¡± With that settled, Edwin and Hannah left the airport, where their driver was waiting to take them home. Once in the car, Edwin instructed the driver to head towards the Mitchell family¡¯s vi first. Having observed Hannah entering the Mitchell family¡¯s vi, Edwin finally departed with the driver. Chapter 763 ¡°Hannah!! It feels Like ages since I¡¯ve seen you! I¡¯ve missed you so much!¡± Grace¡¯s sweet face had grown plumper, giving her a_ healthier appearance. She enthusiastically reached out for a hug from Hannah, but Hannah stepped back a bit, avoiding her. ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s going on?¡± Grace looked at Hannah with a pout, a hint of hurt in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to hug me anymore?¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°It¡¯s not that. ¡± Hannah yfully pinched Grace¡¯s cheek and said, ¡°It¡¯s because of my back injury, so I can¡¯t hug you right now. ¡± ¡°What? You got hurt?¡± Upon hearing the noise, Lydia rushed downstairs and hurried over to Hannah¡¯s side, her voice filled with concern. ¡°What happened? Are you hurt?¡± ¡°I am fine. No need to fuss over me. . Despite her assurances, Grace and Lydia were extra gentle as they helped Hannah sit on the couch. Lydia, with tender concern, caressed Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°Have you lost weight? Your skin doesn¡¯t have its usual glow. Let¡¯s see the injury on your back. ¡± Hannah gently restrained Lydia¡¯s anxious hands, wearing a somewhat helpless expression. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m not that delicate. I just got hit by a riding crop. ¡± Grace grasped Hannah¡¯s hand firmly and nced at her back with concern. ¡°What happened? Does it hurt a lot? Tell me, Hannah!¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. When it happened, I was too caught up in the heat of thepetition to feel much. ¡± Lydia shook her head, voicing her concern. ¡°You know, staying unharmed is the priority. Don¡¯t overdo it next time. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s you who worries me the most. ¡± Hannah fixed her gaze on Lydia with seriousness. ¡°Your father is on his way to fetch you? Fill me in on what¡¯s going on. ¡± Lydia and Grace exchanged a nce before both lowering their heads simultaneously. Grace quietly raised her hand and admitted, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s all my fault¡­¡± Hannah blinked, puzzled. She nced at the two of them and inquired, ¡°Why do you think it¡¯s your fault?¡± Chapter 764 ¡°It¡¯s not her fault!¡± Lydia snorted, ¡°It¡¯s all because of my father¡¯s shameless actions!¡± Recalling the incident two days ago, Lydia couldn¡¯t hide her annoyance. ¡°Somehow, my dad figured out I was staying here. I mentioned before that my father wanted me to return for an arranged marriage, didn¡¯t I? When he discovered I was here, he assumed I had broken up with Brayden and gotten involved with Bryson.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. He even had the nerve to send people to pressure me into marrying Bryson if I got the chance. ¡± Lydia¡¯s expression grew stormy as she spoke. ¡°I¡¯ve told him off repeatedly to stop chasing after me, but he won¡¯t quit! He showed up himself two days ago. Thankfully, Grace managed to drive him out. But then, he started pestering Grace. ¡± Lydia scoffed and went on, ¡°My good-for-nothing brother has not got married yet, and probably because my dad deems me unmanipble, he¡¯s trying to push Grace to marry into our family¡± After saying that, Lydia thumped her head against a pillow twice, appearingpletely dejected. ¡°Is this how I¡¯m supposed to carry my life? With such a terrible father, I feel like I¡¯ll be driven crazy before long. If I die of natural causes, I¡¯ll count myself lucky!¡± Holding her fists tight, Grace looked at Hannah with pleading eyes. ¡°That¡¯s our situation. We¡¯re too scared to go out without bodyguards. We¡¯ve been living in feartely, always on edge, worrying that someone might appear unexpectedly. Bryson has been upied recently. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t want to inform him about this. ¡± Lydia angrily tossed the pillow onto the sofa. ¡°My father called me today and issued an order! He warned me that if I don¡¯t return soon, he¡¯ll seize the chance to apprehend me!¡± The Phillips Group was deteriorating rapidly, much like the Moore Group that had lost the financial backing of the White family. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah was well aware of what Lydia¡¯s father was Like. He wouldn¡¯t give up until he had his way. If Lydia gets dragged back by her father this time, she¡¯ll surely end up confined at home, awaiting marriage. With an increasing headache, Hannah massaged her temples. ¡°Have you tried to reach out to Brayden?¡± Hannah inquired. Lydia hesitated and stumbled over her words for a while. It wasn¡¯t until Hannah noticed her hesitation that she finally said, ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­ I doubt he¡¯d lift a finger even if I did call. ¡± ¡°How can you be sure he won¡¯t step in? You¡¯re his girlfriend now! He ought to stand by you no matter what. ¡± Hannah reached for her phone, ready to call Brayden, but Lydia intervened by grabbing her hand! ¡°Stop right there!¡± Hannah noticed something was off in Lydia¡¯s demeanor and peered at her with concern. Chapter 765 ¡°What¡¯s going on? Have you two been fighting, or have you split up?¡± Lydia abruptly rose to her feet and began to walk anxiously around the room. ¡°It¡¯s neither a fight nor a breakup! I don¡¯t want to trouble him!¡± The living room fell into a brief silence. Setting her phone aside, Hannah locked eyes with Lydia, her voice earnest. ¡°You¡¯ve shared with me before about your agreement to be a temporary couple. Even if it started as an arrangement, haven¡¯t you learned enough about him by now?¡± ¡°I have,¡± Lydia whispered.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Whenever there¡¯s a big project, he ensures my family gets it. But what did he receive in exchange¡­ In return, my father has be even more greedy! If I tell him this time, he¡¯ll use another project to please my Dad. My Dad might stay quiet for a while¡­¡± Lydia lowered her head, her eyes filled with worry. ¡°But what about the next time? And the time after that? My dad won¡¯t stop. ¡± Understanding Lydia¡¯s concerns, Hannah smiled and reassured her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t allow your dad to take you back this time. ¡± With a confident Lift of her brows, Hannah dered, ¡°If he even tries to take you away, I¡¯ll make sure he regrets it. ¡± Observing Hannah¡¯s determined expression, Lydia hurried over and joined her on the couch. ¡°What¡¯s your n? Please share it with me. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s not all figured out yet, but¡­¡± Hannah hesitated, then continued, ¡°If your dad does catch you, don¡¯t panic. I¡¯ll bring Brayden along to rescue you. Your father wouldn¡¯t dare to harm Grace. So, along with staying cautious, you can also ease up a bit and y along, letting them think they¡¯re taking you back. ¡± Lydia was puzzled. ¡°So, is that your n? Shall I head home directly myself and wait for your rescue at home?¡± Hannah shook her head, saying, ¡°That won¡¯t go ording to my n. If they catch you, they¡¯ll surely confiscate your phone. Just message me when you¡¯re caught, and I¡¯ll seize the right moment to rescue you. ¡± ¡°So secretive?¡± Lydia bit her lip but ultimately decided to trust Hannah. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll put my faith in you! Just make sure you don¡¯t lie! You have toe for me when the timees!¡± ¡°You¡¯re such a silly girl. ¡± Hannah tapped Lydia¡¯s forehead lightly and reassured her. Chapter 766 ¡°When have I ever tricked you? Don¡¯t stress. Your dad only wants to marry you off and keep you under his thumb. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Lydia snuggled closer to Hannah and said, ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re my only hope right now. ¡± Grace joined in with her question. ¡°Hannah, how¡¯s everything with my brother?¡± Answering this question proved to be a challenge for Hannah. Lydia cleared her throat and smoothly changed the subject. ¡°I assume things are going smoothly. By the way, Hannah, have you sealed the deal with that contract?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve got the deal locked in. After we¡¯re done with this, dinner¡¯s on me,¡± Hannah smiled and assured them. Lydia eximed, ¡°Awesome! Grace and I want to dine at the fanciest restaurant in town! Don¡¯t you think, Grace?¡± Grace was sessfully distracted, turning her hopeful gaze to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯d love to try the dishes you make, Hannah. ¡± ¡°Okay, deal. Once I¡¯m done with this project, I¡¯ll make both of your wishese true. ¡± ¡°Great! Hannah, you¡¯re simply the best!¡± After sorting out Lydia¡¯s situation, Hannah was hit by a wave of exhaustion. On the ride home, she leaned to sleep against the car window. It was Edwin¡¯s voice that snapped her awake.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Edwin hustled over, opened the car door, and helped Hannah out carefully, updating her. ¡°Hannah, Grandpa¡¯s caught wind of your ident. He insists you take time to heal, and he¡¯s taking over at thepany for the next few days. Grandpa also gave Aunt Urs a piece of his mind, mentioning that he¡¯ll wait for your return to decide Johanna¡¯s fate in thepany. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Family ties were important to Hannah. She didn¡¯t mind if Johanna stayed on at thepany or not; pressuring Johanna too much wasn¡¯t the answer. ¡°Let her continue in thepany. She holds a position as a design assistant, and she won¡¯t be a hindrance to me. ¡± Edwin smirked, feeling that Hannah was showing too much leniency. ¡°You¡¯re just too kind. If it were up to me, I¡¯d have already kicked her out of thepany. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re missing the point,¡± Hannah told him. ¡°Just keep an eye on her for me during these days. ¡± Edwin confidently tapped his chest and said, ¡°No worries, Hannah. I¡¯ve got plenty of eyes at the office. I¡¯ll handle it!¡± Chapter 767 During her recovery days, Hannah experienced unprecedented peace. With Johanna away and Edwin at his job, Hannah¡¯s only duties were to eat and sleep. She¡¯d wake up, eat, and count the hours until her next slumber. Time flew by, and after a week, Hannah¡¯s back was nearly healed, with a scab forming. She figured it¡¯d be better in another week. Thus, Hannah started to tackle her work remotely. While sorting through her work files, a WhatsApp notification caught her eye. It was a message from Ro, his profile picture popping up. ¡°Hannah. I had my contact in Newfort investigate, but apart from Bryson¡¯s medical records and academic credentials, all other leads have gone cold. ¡± ¡°It appears someone is intentionally trying to keep us from discovering it. Even if my contact did manage to find any information, it might not be genuine. ¡± ¡°If we keep digging this way, it might be pointless. I¡¯m considering flying to Newfort soon to see things for myself. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed as she read these messages. She responded swiftly, ¡°No way! You shouldn¡¯t go digging into this alone! Besides, it¡¯s not crucial anymore. I already know the oue and I don¡¯t need the details of it. ¡± ¡°Focus on your studies instead. I¡¯ve just spoken with Mr. Campbell and learned that they¡¯ve got a new drug for treating legs in Newfort. I¡¯ll go check it out myself soon. ¡± Knowing Ro¡¯s character well, Hannah included an additional line in her message. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about going alone. If I discover you¡¯ve traveled to Newfort alone, I¡¯ll be furious!¡± Seated in his room, Ro gazed at the thoughtful messages from Hannah on hisputer screen, and a small smile crept onto his face. He snapped the Laptop closed. He was going to ignore Hannah¡¯s advice this time. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ His gaze grew intense with resolve. His mind was made up to make the trip. With no more messagesing, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but feel helpless. Ro¡¯s entric personality made her words ineffective. Her only wish was that he wouldn¡¯t decide to go to Newfort alone. Then, there was a knock at her door. Hannah¡¯s voice carried through. ¡°Come in. ¡± Edwin cautiously nudged the door, unveiling his face. ¡°Hey, Hannah, got a moment?¡± ¡°sure.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Hannah shut down herptop and eyed Edwin curiously, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Chapter 768 ¡°I¡¯ve got some juicy news!¡± Edwin entered with a tray of fruits, ced it on her table, and settled into a chair in Hannah¡¯s room. ¡°I heard from a secret source that Johanna¡¯s been facing some challenges, even though she¡¯s still with thepany. ¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Hannah, her brow furrowed, questioned, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Edwin popped a gr@pe into his mouth and shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s because of her. She can¡¯t handle anything but insists on being a design assistant.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. David let her have it. I heard she spent quite a while crying in thepany¡¯s coffee room today. And guess who offered her a shoulder to cry on?¡± Noticing Edwin¡¯s eager expression, Hannah couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°I used to think gossip was for girls, but you seem just as keen on tio Edwin gave Hannah a look of mock despair. ¡°I¡¯m gathering this information for you, you know. Are you even paying attention? Want to guess whoforted her or not?¡± Hannah pondered for a bit. It appeared unlikely that anyone from the design department would offer Johanna somefort, and she had already driven away those in the marketing department. Hannah pondered for a moment and then shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m clueless. Who could it be?¡± ¡°It was Omar!¡± ¡°Omar?¡± Intrigued, Hannah blinked twice and asked, ¡°What¡¯s he doing at White Group?¡± ¡°I heard he wanted to discuss a partnership, and initially, he wanted to discuss it with you. But since you¡¯re at home recovering from your injury, he decided to meet with the department manager instead. It just so happened he bumped into Johanna crying in the coffee room. Omar was the perfect gentleman then. He even dabbed away her tears. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡± Edwin acted out the to draw a from Hannah. ¡° gesture, hopingugh He didn¡¯t stop there; he embraced Johanna and consoled her with such care. ¡± When Hannah heard this, she shut her eyes and felt a queasy sensation in her stomach. ¡°How can he continue to be so repulsive? Isn¡¯t he already engaged to Miss Bailey?¡± Edwin arched his brows and gave a disapproving shake of his head. ¡°Even with that engagement, he can¡¯t resist messing around out there. Chapter 769 Today, a bunch of people snapped some photos. I guess Miss Bailey¡¯s in for a surprise tomorrow. I suppose¡­ Johanna is heading for some trouble. ¡± While Hannah found a bit of satisfaction in Johanna¡¯s predicament, she didn¡¯t want such scandals in White Group. ¡°Hold on. I need to make a call. ¡± She dialed the number, and after a brief pause, a voice picked up from the other side. ¡°Darling, you finally decided to call?¡± The overly sweet words made Hannah wince, and she promptly cut in, ¡°I¡¯ve got a favor to ask. It¡¯s actually about Johanna¡­¡± When it came to Johanna, David had plenty on his mind. ¡°Hannah, you wouldn¡¯t believe the person you¡¯ve given me. Shecks skill and doesn¡¯t want to learn anything! Dogs pick things up quicker than she does. She¡¯s a stubborn, clueless fool. Teaching her is impossible. Please, I beg you, take her back. ¡± Following David¡¯s outburst, Hannah stayed quiet for a beat. ¡°I¡¯m hoping you could bring her along for Fashion Week this time. ¡± Upon hearing this, David burst out in immediate response. ¡°What?! Darling! Are you joking with me? You are kidding, right?¡± Hannah swiftly moved her phone away from her ear and stated firmly, ¡°I¡¯m dead serious. I¡¯ve got a hunch that something significant is brewing in thepany. So, when does your Fashion Week start? Get her out of here as soon as you can. ¡± David scoffed, ¡°Is thepany on the brink of copse? Do you have ns to venture out on our own together?¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Cut the nonsense. Just give me a date when you can remove her from here. ¡± Hannah said with irritation. ¡°The Fashion Week kicks off next Friday, so this weekend¡¯s the earliest flight Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ out. ¡± Since they only had three days to go, there shouldn¡¯t be any issues. Hannah thought it over and said, ¡°Okay, when you head to the office tomorrow, let her know she¡¯s joining you for Fashion Week. No matter what excuses shees up with, brush them aside. ¡± David grumbled, ¡°Consider this one a favor, and be sure to make it up to me when you return because dealing with her won¡¯t be easy. ¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got a deal,¡± Hannah said. ¡°I¡¯ll double your pay this month and treat you to two exclusive outfits. It¡¯s on me. ¡± David whistled on the phone andughed, saying, ¡°Prepare for your credit card to take a hit!¡± Edwin heard their conversation as well. He asked with a puzzled expression, ¡°Hannah, isn¡¯t it a good thing for Johanna to face the consequences? Why are you assisting her?¡± Chapter 770 ¡°I¡¯m not helping her out. Her bad luck is her own, but if she gets on Winona Bailey¡¯s bad side and causes amotion at thepany, it could tarnish our reputation. She should leave for now. ¡± Edwin, absorbing the exnation, responded with a nod. ¡°You¡¯ve got foresight. I hadn¡¯t considered that angle. ¡± ¡°If you¡¯ve got no other business, feel free to head out. My work¡¯s calling. ¡± Hannah signaled for him to depart. Edwin quickly rose to his feet and dered, ¡°You can go on ahead. I¡¯L make my exit now. ¡± Over the next two weeks, as Hannah took time to heal, nothing too dramatic unfolded. Thepany had sessfully signed a deal for a joint venture with the Compton family, and everything proceeded smoothly. Johanna was immersed in fashion week events alongside David and wouldn¡¯t return until the following month. To Hannah¡¯s astonishment, Winona hadn¡¯t shown up at White Group to cause any issues. It appeared she wasn¡¯t concerned about Johanna. But Hannah paid it no mind. Her recent focus had been solely on Lydia¡¯s issue and Ro¡¯s situation, two things that mattered most to her. It had been ages since Hannah had any news from Ro. She thought Ro had sneaked off to Newfort without her knowledge. But upon questioning his nanny, all she got was that he was busy with university applications and steering clear of all digital gadgets. Hannah was suspicious that she was being deceived, yet she had no means to confirm her doubts. ALL she could think of now was go back to Valmere to check on him when she had time. The crusty patch on her skin peeled away, leaving a barely visible trail.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. She wasmitted to applying healing ointment daily to help the skin blemish fade. For about half a month, Hannah¡¯s life was tranquil. Lydia hadn¡¯t made any contact, yet Brayden reached out to her first. ¡°Miss Moore, I need your help. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah responded to the call while sorting throughpany paperwork. ¡°Yes? What can I do for you?¡± ¡°Lydia seems to be out of reach. Have you heard from hertely?¡± Somehow, a flutter of unease touched Hannah¡¯s heart! Unaware of the situation, Brayden continued, ¡°I¡¯ve been tangled in a web of work these past few days. I haven¡¯t reached out to her. Do you think she¡¯s upset and avoiding me? Can you please pass a message asking her not to stay mad? I just got off my flight, and I will go to find her soon. ¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Hannah cut him off with a plea for rity. ¡°Has Lydia been in touch with you? Any calls or messages?¡± Brayden pondered for a bit, and on the other side of the call, he said, ¡°She gave me a call a while back, and we talked about ordinary stuff. Then I said goodbye. I was swamped with work in Beachholt, so our conversation was brief. ¡± Chapter 771 A sense of unease crept into Brayden¡¯s voice.This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is Lydia upset with me?¡± This could be the absolute worst oue. As Hannah thought about how Lydia hadn¡¯t reached outtely, a worried expression crept across her face! ¡°I¡¯m heading to the Mitchell family vi now. Make your way there straight from the airport!¡± ¡°What?¡± Brayden had another question bubbling up inside him. Hannah¡¯s voice on the phone sounded rushed as she eximed, ¡°I can¡¯t go into details now, but you need to get to the Mitchell family¡¯s vi immediately!¡± After hanging up, Hannah grabbed her bag and swiftly left the office. As Hannah raced towards the vi, she pressed the gas pedal and sped through multiple traffic lights until she reached the Mitchell family¡¯s vi gate in record time. She parked the car and jumped out without hesitation! On the roadside, she crossed paths with Brayden. They exchanged nces, and then Hannah hurriedly approached the door to knock. ¡°Lydia! Lydia, are you in there? Answer me!¡± Brayden arrived at the vi door, wearing a puzzled look on his face. He asked, ¡°Why the rush? What¡¯s going on with Lydia?¡± Before he could even finish speaking, the vi door swung open. Lydia rubbed her eyes, emerged, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah rushed inside and examined Lydia closely, then let out a relieved sigh. ¡°You had me worried!¡± Lydia roused from slumber and still, feeling a bit fuzzy, had no clue about the situation. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Ah!¡± she yelled, spotting Brayden trailing behind Hannah. Lydia rubbed her sleepy eyes and blinked twice. She pointed at Brayden and inquired, ¡°What brings you here?¡± The mood turned awkward. Hannah massaged her forehead. ¡°You seem okay, so why didn¡¯t you respond to Brayden¡¯s messages for a few days?¡± ¡°Did he send me messages?¡± Lydia fetched her phone andunched WhatsApp. She cleared her throat ufortably and said, ¡°I blocked him¡­¡± Chapter 772 Hannah was at a loss for words. Brayden spoke with a hint of desperation. ¡°Lydia, can you be dependable? And what made you block me? Did I upset you again? Did I be a nuisance? Why would you block me?¡± Lydia pouted, ¡°It¡¯s because of that argument we had two days ago¡­ ¡®s BunnyBookery I was mad, so I blocked you, and then I just forgot to unblock. ¡± Relieved seeing Lydia was alright, Hannah was ready to leave them to their discussion. ¡°You two sort it out. I¡¯m heading back. ¡± As Hannah was getting ready to leave, Lydia quickly halted her and said, ¡°Since you¡¯re already here, how about having lunch together? I¡¯ll order something once Grace returns. ¡± Following her words, Lydia nced at Brayden and added, ¡°Consider it a special lunch just for you. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Brayden shook his head with resignation. ¡°You¡¯re weing me with takeout food?¡± Lydia gave him a yful look and teased, ¡°How about some fancy abalone and lobster for you?¡± Next, Lydia gently tugged Hannah towards the living room. ¡°Forget about him for now. Take a seat and rx. ¡± Hannah nced at Brayden and then shifted her gaze to Lydia. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to talk to him about that issue?¡± Lydia suddenly felt a chill and sat up, her words stumbling out. ¡°Um¡­ I¡­ I mean¡­ Well¡­¡± She hesitated about sharing it with Brayden. With him right in front of her, Lydia felt like her words were stuck in her throat, Leaving her speechless! ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Seeing Lydia¡¯s unusual demeanor, Brayden looked at her carefully and inquired, ¡°Are you keeping something from me?¡± ¡°Ah!! It¡¯s nothing too serious¡­¡± Hannah helplessly shook her head and exined, ¡°It¡¯s nothing major.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 773 It¡¯s just that her father almost dragged her away for an arranged marriage. ¡± ¡°What? What are you talking about?¡± Brayden¡¯s face was a canvas of shock. He rose abruptly, staring at Lydia in astonishment. ¡°Did Miss Moore tell the truth?¡± ¡°Why do you look so shocked?¡± Lydia cleared her throat, finding herself with no option but to reveal, ¡°The Phillips family is struggling, and they want me to return to marry another family to help them. ¡± Brayden felt frustrated. ¡°I¡¯ve entrusted the Phillips family with numerous projects. What are they thinking?¡± ¡°They¡¯re still not content. And to make matters worse, my brother messed up the projects you assigned us!¡± Lydia let out a sigh and took a seat. ¡°My brother messed up all those profitable coboration projects! He even went as far as hiring his shady friends and paying them a hefty sum to disrupt thepany¡¯s operations!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just learned of this myself. My father¡¯s secretary called me a couple of days ago and spilled the beans.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Lydia was left utterly speechless. ¡°My brother has been gambling in Muvrand recently, umting a staggering debt of nearly thirty million. ¡± A heavy silence hung in the air. After Lydia shared her words, both Hannah and Brayden remained silent for an extended moment. Hannah never anticipated that things would unravel in such a manner. ¡°How could this happen¡­¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t even the most astounding part. These revtions have burdened me, Leaving me at a loss on how to contact you or break the news. Do you know why my father¡¯s secretary called me?¡± Lydia asked despondently as she sunk into the sofa. Furrowing her brows and blinking, Hannah¡¯s expression shifted as she had a foreboding feeling. ¡°Could it be. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Observing Hannah¡¯s reaction, Lydia nodded and heaved a deep sigh. ¡°Why does my father have to be like this? Yes, my father¡¯s secretary is pregnant with his child. But she can¡¯t extract any more money from my dad and my brother still owes that thirty million. My father¡¯s business is deteriorating. So she came to ask me for money for an abortion and to escape my dad. Otherwise, she intends to give birth to a child and im half of our family¡¯s assets. ¡± Lydia let out a wry chuckle and added, ¡°At this rate, she might as well forget about inheriting anything. Her child will only inherit our family¡¯s debts!¡± Hannah was taken aback by the cascade of revtions. ¡°Does your mother know about this?¡± Lydia sighed, ¡°How could she not? She was even aware that my father nned to take me back to get married. It¡¯s all for her son¡¯s sake. Chapter 774 She wants me to wed as soon as possible to help them resolve their pressing issues.This is from N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Brayden¡¯s countenance darkened. ¡°Alright, in that case, let¡¯s book the earliest flight back to Valmere. ¡± Lydia eximed, ¡°Wait! Are you nning to return to Valmere with us? No way! My father will undoubtedly make things difficult for you. You can¡¯te!¡± Brayden furrowed his brows. ¡°Do you want me to let you go back to Valmere alone and watch you be engaged to someone else?¡± Lydia¡¯s cheeks reddened. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I wanted to go back. I can simply hide here in Hoijery. ¡± She stole a nce at Hannah and added, ¡°As long as I don¡¯t get caught, I¡¯ll be fine. ¡± Despite Brayden¡¯s usual unreliability, he took Lydia¡¯s predicament to heart this time. ¡°Do you n to remain in hiding here for the rest of your life?¡± Lydia sighed, deted. She looked up at Hannah with a pitiful gaze and asked, ¡°Hannah, what should I do? I¡¯ll heed your advice. ¡± ¡°Hastily returning may not be the best course of action. We¡¯re not sure what they¡¯ll do and¡­¡± Hannah paused, gazing intently at Brayden. ¡°Aren¡¯t your parents displeased about your rtionship with Lydia? You should also go back to rify matters with your parents first. ¡± ¡°They¡¯ve long since moved on from it. Their only desire is for me to find someone I truly adore. How about this? We could opt for City Hall wedding at once!¡± The more he thought about it, the more Brayden found the notion splendid. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°lL fetch my identification documents, and you should do the same. Then, we¡¯ll expedite our marriage certificate. ¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Lydia swiftly halted his whimsical musings and retorted, ¡°Are you foolish? Tying the knot with me is like leaping into a fiery pit. Do you really intend to embroil your family in this mess?¡± Hannah concurred with Lydia¡¯s sentiments. ¡°Decisions like these can¡¯t be impulsive. At the moment, they¡¯re trying to keep Lydia in check. We shouldn¡¯t rush into the inferno. ¡± Brayden¡¯s enthusiasm took a severe blow. His usual carefree demeanor was no longer with him. Chapter 775 ¡°This won¡¯t do and that¡¯s no better. What alternative do we have?¡± After pondering for a while, Hannah turned to Lydia and proposed, ¡°Lydia, let¡¯s do as we discussed before. I¡¯ll take care of this. There¡¯s no need for Brayden to make an appearance. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Lydia gazed at her with concern. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I¡¯m worried that you might also face repercussions. ¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t fret over me. I¡¯m acquainted with Valmere and they won¡¯t dare harm me. ¡± ¡°And what about me?¡± Brayden pointed to himself, asking, ¡°Do I just stand by and watch?¡± Hannah fixed her gaze on him and replied, ¡°Your role lies elsewhere. It¡¯s not the right moment for you to step in yet. ¡± She then turned towards Lydia and gently advised, ¡°Lydia, the time hase for you to make a crucial decision. It¡¯s time for your familypany to change hands. ¡± Although Lydia had anticipated this day¡¯s arrival, the weight of having to make such a decision bore down on her. After all, these individuals were her biological parents and she couldn¡¯t escape the burden of conspiring against them. Sensing Lydia¡¯s inner turmoil, Hannah offered sce. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°If you genuinely don¡¯t wish to proceed, I won¡¯tpel you. But you must consider it thoroughly¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve resolved to move forward. I can¡¯t continue like this. Let¡¯s stick to our earlier n!¡± Hannah nodded affirmatively, saying, ¡°Excellent. In that case, you can trust us, Brayden and me, to handle it. ¡± As Hannah was preparing to depart from the vi, Brayden halted her with a call. ¡°Miss Moore, please wait a moment!¡± Hannah reopened the car door and turned her attention to him.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Is there something else you¡¯d like to discuss?¡± Awkwardly, Brayden ran his fingers through his hair and spoke to Hannah. ¡°I understand I shouldn¡¯t involve myself in your and Bryson¡¯s matters. Actually, he didn¡¯t intend to keep it from you. It¡¯s just that. Chapter 776 ¡°You¡¯ve been aware of his illness in Newfort from the start and chose to assist him in keeping it a secret. I don¡¯t believe you have the authority to speak for him now. ¡± The words Brayden had intended to convey got caught in his throat and he ufortably cleared his throat. ¡°Yes, but¡­¡± Recognizing that now wasn¡¯t the opportune moment to broach the subject, Brayden wisely redirected the conversation, stating, ¡°This matter truly pertains to the two of you and it¡¯s not my ce to interfere. As for Lydia¡¯s situation, I must express my gratitude. If you ever require anything from me, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask. ¡± Hannah acknowledged his sensible words with a nod. ¡°I¡¯ll give you credit for your rationality. You can head back to Valmere now. If there¡¯s a need, I¡¯ll inform you. ¡± Upon witnessing Hannah drive away, Brayden dialed Bryson¡¯s number. ¡°Bryson, I¡¯ve encountered a slightplication and must return to Valmere. ¡± Bryson had just concluded a confrontation.This is from N?velDrama.Org. He casually wiped blood from his hands and responded in a cold tone, ¡°Go ahead. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s another matter as well. Miss Moore is also bound for Valmere and she¡¯s not only being monitored by the Mitchell family but is rumored to have other parties keeping tabs on her. There are concealed risks¡­¡± With the phone in his grasp, Bryson maintained his stoic expression. ¡°I understand. You return to watch over her on my behalf. I¡¯ll be back as soon as I can. ¡± After ending the call, Bryson gazed downward at the blood-soaked figure sprawled on the ground. The man implored Bryson, ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Mitchell, we weren¡¯t responsible for that¡­ The Enchantment Casino shareholders¡­ they forced our hand¡­ We had no other option. ¡± ¡°I have no interest in those details. I simply want to know whomanded your surveince of Hannah,¡± Bryson retorted, his voice icy. The man was in such agony that he dared not fib. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know! We¡¯re not privy to the identity of the orchestrator!¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Bryson sighed softly, the sound echoing in the dimly lit basement. ¡°In other words, keeping you alive serves no purpose. ¡± The man lying prone widened his eyes and beseeched Bryson desperately, ¡°Mr. Mitchell! Mr. Mitchell, spare me, please! While I can¡¯t identify the perpetrator, I do have a lead on who might have tasked us with spying on Miss Moore! Honestly. ¡± Bryson replied coldly, ¡°You best provide me with useful information. Don¡¯t deceive me. ¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± The man dropped to his knees, inching closer to Bryson. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare. I have a suspicion¡­ It might have been the Garza family whomissioned us to monitor Miss Moore¡­¡± Chapter 777 Bryson peered down at him and urged, ¡°Continue. ¡± ¡°Sure¡­ sure!¡± Seeing that Bryson ced some credence in his words, the man proceeded to divulge his educated guess. ¡°The Garza family in Muvrand used to amass wealth through the tobo trade. Now¡­ the Garza family has ventured into the realm of new media and entertainment. . Those who¡¯ve dedicated themselves to Enchantment Casino for an extended period are privy to the knowledge that the Garza family once weed an adopted daughter into their midst and sheter married into the Moore family of Hoijery¡­¡± The man moistened his lips and spoke with a humble demeanor. ¡°When we closely shadowed Miss Moore, it came to our attention that she was, indeed, the progeny of that adopted daughter from the Garza family¡­ The coincidence was uncanny. Hence, I surmised that Garza family members were behind our surveince of Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah¡¯s mother had ties to the White family, a fact that Bryson knew well, but he had never heard that she was once adopted by the Garza family. How did thedy of the White family suddenly transition into the role of the Garza family¡¯s adopted daughter? Bryson grew skeptical and took a measured stride toward the man, his gaze a frigid one. ¡°Are you weaving a fabricated tale in an attempt to deceive me?¡± Though he maintained a smile, there was a darkness in his countenance, hinting at impending action. The man immediately prostrated himself! With his life hanging in the bnce, he wasted no time in rifying, ¡°I assure you, what I¡¯ve ryed is the unvarnished truth! An investigation in Muvrand will vindicate my honesty. Indeed, the fact that the Garza family once embraced an adopted daughter ismon knowledge! They¡¯ve never concealed this detail!¡± ¡°Do you happen to know the identity of this Garza family adopted daughter?¡± The man nodded fervently. ¡°Yes, I do! Word has it that she was the biological offspring of the White family in Hoijery but the reasons behind her adoption into the Garza family¡­ I remain in the dark on that matter. ¡± Observing the undeniable honesty in this individual¡¯s ount, Bryson¡¯s suspicion deepened. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ He recollected a conversation with Hannah where she divulged her family history. ording to her narrative, her mother had been ostracized by Byrum. In that case, how did shee to recognize the Garza family members in Muvrand as her own and eventually marry Wyatt? Furthermore, what puzzled Bryson the most was that it was the White family, not the Garza family, who supported and facilitated projects for the Moore family in the end.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. Contemting these perplexing questions, Bryson furrowed his brow. It appeared that there were elements of the story that defied exnation. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯veid out all that I know! Can you release me now?¡± Bryson¡¯s tone remained frigid as he responded, ¡°I may consider your release, but ites with a condition. ¡± Chapter 778 During this time, Hannah had secured the earliest flight ticket to Valmere. Upon her return to the White family¡¯s vi, Hannah made her way to Byrum¡¯s study. When Byrum learned of her imminent departure for Valmere, he furrowed his brows and scrutinized her closely. ¡°Hannah, do you still resist remaining at thepany?¡± ¡°No, Grandpa. A friend of mine is facing a crisis in Valmere and I must go to her aid. Rest assured, I¡¯ll return once this matter is resolved. ¡± Upon hearing her words, Byrum nodded sagely and remarked, ¡°It¡¯s reassuring to know you¡¯ll return. Without you, I fear there would be no one to rein in the wayward Edwin. ¡± Hannah beamed and replied, ¡°He¡¯s grown more mature andposed since his graduation. You can entrust certain matters to him. ¡± ¡°I understand your thoughts, but the moment you return, I am certain that you are the most fitting heir to the White Group. ¡± Byrum shook his head and continued, ¡°Your mother¡­ Forget it. It¡¯s old news. Let it be. Be cautious when you head back to Valmere on your own. ¡± Upon hearing Byrum¡¯s admonition, Hannah nodded and said, ¡°Of course, Grandpa. ¡± After conveying her intentions, Hannah left the study. As she turned, she was surprised to find Edwin standing just outside. Startled, she took a step back. ¡°Why were you silently Lurking out here?¡± Edwin, who had overheard their conversation, was far from pleased. ¡°You¡¯re leaving and you didn¡¯t bother to inform me. ¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah blinked and nced at the study before locking eyes with Edwin. She wore an expression of mild exasperation. ¡°You¡¯ve even taken up eavesdropping now!¡± ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern!¡± Edwin red at Hannah, his tone confrontational. ¡°If you return to Valmere, you won¡¯te back, will you? Everything you said in there was just tofort Grandpa!¡± ¡°You¡¯re reading too much into it. ¡± Hannah retraced her steps, sensing Edwin trailing behind her. She addressed him. ¡°A friend of mine has encountered some trouble in Valmere. I¡¯ll return once I¡¯ve resolved it¡± Edwin proposed, ¡°Then I¡¯ll apany you!¡± Hannah gently declined. ¡°I truly can¡¯t bring you along this time. ¡± Chapter 779 entrust the affairs of thepany to you. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Edwin hesitated, but before he could voice his concerns, Hannah ced a reassuring hand on his shoulder and continued, ¡°Currently, there¡¯s unrest within the White Group. Uncle Bryan and Aunt Urs are keeping a close watch on us. If you¡¯re not here at the White Group, it¡¯ll spell trouble for Grandpa. ¡± After pondering for a moment, Edwin nodded solemnly, locking eyes with Hannah. ¡°You¡¯ll return, won¡¯t you?¡± Hannah sighed in helplessness.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Of course, I¡¯lle back. What¡¯s going through your mind? You should devote yourself to thepany in the meantime and await my return. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Edwin seemed to recollect something and inquired, ¡°If Johanna returns sometimeter, should I reassign her to a different department? Winona isn¡¯t one to be taken lightly. ¡± Edwin pursed his lips andmented, ¡°I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll hold a grudge against Johanna. ¡± Hannah hadn¡¯t really considered this before now. ¡°When she returns, let her stay in the design department,¡± she said, scratching her jaw in thought. ¡°You can have the colleagues put an eye on her in thepany. But it¡¯ll be up to you to fix things if they go wrong. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Edwin said. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Tomorrow, let me drop you at the airport first before I head to thepany. ¡± Hannahnded in Valmere before it was dark and went straight to the hotel that she had already booked. When she got into her hotel room, her phone rang with a call from an unknown number. It was Melina on the other end. ¡°I know you just arrived in Valmere, Miss Moore,¡± she said. ¡°Meet me at once. ¡± For a moment, Hannah didn¡¯t recognize the caller¡¯s voice. ¡°Who am I speaking with, please?¡± she asked with a slight frown. Melina replied impatiently, ¡°This is Melina. I must say, Miss Moore, you have such a terrible memory. How could you forget me so easily?¡± Chapter 780 ¡°I¡¯m impressed, Miss Glyn,¡± Hannah said, an amused smile spreading out around her lips. ¡°I just arrived in Valmere, and you already know about it. Your source must be really good. ¡± Melina cackled with maliciousughter. ¡°We¡¯re not like you. We can do things that you can¡¯t even dream of. I guess the only thing you are good at is hypnotizing men. Just look at how you made Bryson stay in Hoijery for your sake. I me myself for underestimating you all this time. It¡¯s a good thing you¡¯re back now; we need to talk and rify a whole lot of things. ¡± Even through the phone, Hannah could sense Melina¡¯s disdain. ¡°Bryson isn¡¯t in your ss,¡± Melina continued.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°And he has no serious ns for you, so don¡¯t think he¡¯s going to marry you. In case you don¡¯t know, Bryson is going to marry me; both our families are to unite through our marriage. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything else to do?¡± Hannah asked in an unnaturally calm voice. She couldn¡¯t help but be amused at how pathetic Melina sounded. There was an awkward pause. Then Melina spurted out, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I have broken up with Bryson and have nothing to do with him anymore,¡± Hannah said in a toneless voice. ¡°So, Miss Glyn, for all I care, you can chase him around like a shameless dog. But don¡¯t you ever pester me with calls!¡± While Melina babbled incoherently in embarrassment, Hannah hung up the phone. At the other end, Melina stared nkly at her phone, her face swollen with rage. But then, could Hannah be right about what she had just said? Had she really broken up with Bryson? The thought of that possibility filled Melina with excitement and made her sigh deeply. She dialed Bryson¡¯s number at once, but it was switched off. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Gritting her teeth, Melina punched the air in frustration. She wondered again if Hannah had been telling the truth. As Lydia had expected, her dad¡¯s men seized an opportunity and brought her back to Valmere. Jaylin Phillips, Lydia¡¯s father, couldn¡¯t hold back his rage the moment Lydia entered the Phillips family vi. He charged towards her and pped her. ¡°You¡¯ve be bold, haven¡¯t you? You even now disrespect me by defying my orders!¡± Jaylin bawled. ¡°I always spared you, even when you made the worst mistakes. See the big trouble you¡¯ve brought to our family! This is thest time I¡¯m ever letting you do just anything you wish to do!¡± Lydia stared at him with a sarcastic smile. ¡°Big trouble? I doubt if that¡¯s really the case. Isn¡¯t it just the case that your uncertain business is on the verge of copse and you need me, your less- favored daughter, to save it by marrying some wealthy sponsor?¡± She had been a little hesitant to speak up at first, but Jaylin¡¯s p quickly made her reconsider. Chapter 781 ¡°You yourself know how Brayden has always provided this family with projects!¡± Lydia continued, her voice colder. ¡°What more do you want? Bute on, dad! Can¡¯t you see that a lot of things have changed? These days, nobody sells off their daughter in marriage just to gain some dumb favor!¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± Jaylin raised his hand to hit again, fuming. But Lydia leaned forward and red into his eyes in defiance. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Go on!¡± she shouted. ¡°p me! And kill me as well! Let¡¯s see who regrets it in the end!¡± ¡°Alright, alright!¡± Jaylin stepped back, surprised. ¡°What a good daughter I have raised! Have you so suddenly lost your good manners that you dare defy me now?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve lost them!¡± Lydia retorted, flinging her arms in the air. ¡°You call yourself my father, yet you want to marry me off to create some unscrupulous alliance all in the name of saving your sinking business. Isn¡¯t it just interesting that you still have the right to talk about what¡¯s right and wrong? Don¡¯t you think I should also ask you if you have lost your good manners?¡± While they both confronted each other, Melissa, Lydia¡¯s mother, and her brother, Henry, sat at the sofa, watching the scene silently. But Lydia¡¯sst words had really provoked Henry. ¡°Why does marrying you off actually have to be big deal?¡± he thundered, now sitting at the edge of the sofa. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Our family has raised you all these years. Or have you forgotten this, too? What good have you ever done us? Honestly, this is the least you can do for our family. ¡± Lydia turned to look at Henry, a sneer in her eyes. ¡°Talking about doing good for the family, what have you ever done, Henry? Do you think I don¡¯t know why you are so interested in marrying me off? You lost tens of millions of dors to gambling, didn¡¯t you?¡± Henry rose to his feet at once, his eyes red with rage.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You idiot!¡± he cursed. ¡°I¡¯m investing. I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t even know what that means. ¡± ¡°Oh, wow, that¡¯s some investment! I wonder who invests tens of millions of dors and gets no return. ¡± ¡°How dare you talk to your father and brother in such disrespectful manner!¡± Melissa said with frown. Chapter 782 It¡¯s a good thing you are home now.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. You should do whatever you father wants you to do. ¡± Lydia nced at her mother in exasperation. She found it hard to believe that her mother too was on her father¡¯s side. She really had no strength to argue with them all anymore. ¡°I¡¯m also just your so-called investment. After getting your daughter married, you can then get another investment, right?¡± she asked, ncing back at Henry. Then she faced Jaylin. ¡°Even if you have a family business worth billions of dors, Henry will run it down. Trust me. ¡± Not waiting to get a response from him, Lydia turned and made her way upstairs. . As she trudged up the stairs, she could hear Jaylin¡¯s angry voice. ¡°Since you have chosen to be unruly,¡± he was saying, ¡°you will get no food for the next few days! You will remain in your room and reflect on your actions!¡± Lydia hurried into her room and mmed the door shut. She leaned her back against the door, willing all the grating voices from downstairs to fade away. Closing her eyes, she sighed deeply. Then she took out her phone and dialed Hannah¡¯s number. Hannah picked up at once, and her concerned voice drifted to Lydia through the receiver. ¡°Where are you now, Lydia? Are you okay?¡± Her face softened at the sound of Hannah¡¯s voice. ¡°I¡¯m fine, and I¡¯m upstairs in my room. Just had a big fight with my parents. And Hannah, you¡¯ve been right all this time. Since I returned home, they¡¯ve been trying to brainwash me. ¡± Stamping tiredly to her bed, Lydia slumped down on it. ¡°I was actually hoping my mom would speak up for me-I guess I was rather too optimistic. It¡¯s so disappointing to realize she doesn¡¯t really care about me after all. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ There was a sad heave from Hannah¡¯s end. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she said. ¡°When Ie to discuss business with your father in two days, I will talk to him about this and that will be hisst chance. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s pointless; their minds are made up already. ¡± Lydia¡¯s voice echoed with despair. She knew her family best, and she knew they had already concluded on her fate. ¡°I¡¯ve figured it out now. My parents only care about what benefits them now and don¡¯t seem to care about the future,¡± Lydia mumbled while rolling over and hugging a pillow. ¡°This trip back home has been quite a letdown. ¡± Hannah found herself in an unfamiliar position, not knowing quite how to console Lydia, a role that Lydia usually filled. Chapter 783 Lydia excelled in many ways, and even in a challenging family setting, she maintained her cheerful and optimistic outlook. But this ordeal brought Lydia¡¯s vulnerability to light, leaving Hannah uncertain how to respond. Hannah pressed her lips together, starting to say, ¡°Lydia¡­¡± Right then, Lydia¡¯s phone buzzed. Lydia nced at her phone¡¯s screen and eximed, ¡°Brayden¡¯s calling me. ¡± ¡°Go ahead and pick up his call first. We can discuss itter. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice could be heard on the other side of the call.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Lydia nodded and picked up Brayden¡¯s call, asking, ¡°What made you call me out of the blue?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m concerned about you!¡± Brayden¡¯s rxed voice echoed through the phone. ¡°Hey there, my little princess. How did your first day go after your ¡®¡®kidnapping¡¯?¡± ¡°Oh, please,¡± Lydiaughed. ¡°I¡¯ve been having quite the adventure since I returned. My father gave me a good old p, and they¡¯ve decided I¡¯m not having dinner tonight!¡± There was a brief pause on the phone, and then Brayden¡¯s tone turned serious. ¡°He pped you? Hang on, I¡¯m on my way!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t do anything rash!¡± Lydia sprang to attention. ¡°If youe too quickly, my father will block your visit, and he might demand a fortune from you, Leaving you with no choice but to support Phillips Group¡¯s ventures. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about millions or projects. You are what truly matters!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Brayden dered. Both voices carried a mix of worry and urgency. They paused, Leaving silence hanging between them. Lydia blushed slightly, and she chuckled into the phone. ¡°Now, now, don¡¯t make such a fuss over me. ¡± But upon listening to her, Brayden felt a twinge of unease resurfaces. ¡°I¡¯m not joking! I mean it!¡± Lydia felt the heat rise in her cheeks. ¡°Hold on! Rushing into things won¡¯t help! My father hasn¡¯t brought up the arranged marriage. Chapter 784 I suspect he¡¯s got something else on his mind. He¡¯s bold, so I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if hees your way! If you concede to his demands, your family will certainly suffer because of my brother!¡± Lydia implored. Brayden inhaled deeply, attempting to master his emotions. Then, with a gentle tone, he advised, ¡°Then you¡­ Must stay safe at home, okay?¡± Lydia¡¯s spirits lifted for some unknown reason when she heard Brayden¡¯s concerned tone. ¡°I¡¯m like his money tree. He won¡¯t let me wither away. Don¡¯t fret over me. Just focus on outshining whatever task Hannah assigns you. I¡¯ll always stay in contact with you as long as I have my phone. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± After ending the call, Brayden paused before dialing Hannah¡¯s number. While Hannah shared the update that she¡¯d arrived in Valmere with Edwin, Brayden¡¯s call suddenly came through. Before long, the call was connected. A hint of Brayden¡¯s worry seeped through. ¡°I can¡¯t shake my concern. Isn¡¯t it too risky to leave Lydia by herself?¡± ¡°They¡¯re eager to marry Lydia off, so they¡¯ll keep her safe. When it¡¯s your moment to appear, I¡¯ll contact you. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Lydia was stuck in her room and hadn¡¯t eaten her dinner. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A maid gently knocked on the door, announcing, ¡°Miss Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips invite you to join them for dinner downstairs. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have an appetite. I don¡¯t want to eat! Weren¡¯t they trying to starve me to death? Well, now¡¯s their opportunity!¡± Lydia hollered. ¡°I refuse to eat! And don¡¯t bother calling me for meals anymore!¡± There was a bit of movement by the door, and everything went quiet. Roughly an hourter, a second knock came. It was her mother¡¯s voice this time. ¡°Lydia, please open the door. ¡± In the quiet room, Lydia didn¡¯t make a sound. The persistent knocking of her mother continued. ¡°Lydia, I have things to talk to you about.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡± Out of the blue, the door swung open, and Lydia stared icily, asking, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Chapter 785 Carrying a tray of fancy dishes, Melissa entered Lydia¡¯s room and offered, ¡°You should have a bite to eat. Don¡¯t dwell on your father¡¯s words. He¡¯s just upset at the moment. ¡± As Lydia gazed at the food her mother had brought, she had no appetite. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in eating. If you have something to say, spit it out now. ¡± After cing the dishes on the table, Melissa sighed and looked at her. ¡°You¡¯re aware of the state of affairs at home. Phillips Group is teetering on the edge of failure. If it weren¡¯t for that, your father wouldn¡¯t have been so desperate to bring you back.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Lydia remained silent, her eyes fixed on her mother. Melissa vented her frustrations, saying, ¡°Lately, Phillips Group¡¯s stocks have been on a downward spiral, and thepany is in turmoil. You¡¯re no longer a kid, and it¡¯s time for you to help your father shoulder thepany¡¯s responsibilities. ¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t he let me help with thepany¡¯s challenges earlier? Only when things get tough that he remember I¡¯m his daughter. ¡± Lydia¡¯s expression remained serene as if she had decided not to be concerned about the Phillips family affairs any longer. ¡°Have you considered the tens of millions Henry has lost in gambling? He¡¯s been misappropriating public funds and bringing his friends into thepany, paying them for doing nothing. Mom, why don¡¯t you have a conversation with him about this? Brayden has brought in numerous projects to support our family, but look at how it turned out. Phillips Group is declining. Should I be held responsible for that too?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Melissa¡¯s expression grew somber. When Lydia brought up Brayden, she furrowed her brow and remarked, ¡°If he cares for you, he should have married you a while back! Why are you still not married?¡± Lydia stood and spoke louder, saying, ¡°It¡¯s because I informed him that I won¡¯t marry him! You know what? If I marry him, you, Dad, and Henry will hang around at home and leech off them!¡± Melissa also rose from her seat, her expression growing increasingly dull. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What on earth are you saying? The marriage between our families benefits both sides!¡± ¡°I guess that might be true for others, but when it¡¯s our family we¡¯re talking about, Mom, you¡¯re just kidding yourself. ¡± Lydia¡¯s tone grew icy. ¡°I won¡¯t marry Brayden, and I won¡¯tply with your desires for any alliance. If you believe I¡¯ll marry someone to rescue Phillips Group, you should rethink your expectations!¡± Lydia¡¯s firm words infuriated her mother to the point where thetter stood up and seemed about to p her. Without flinching, Lydia locked eyes with her mother and dered, ¡°Go ahead! I¡¯ll repeat it. Either you end me! Or I won¡¯t tie the knot!¡± ¡°Fine, fine, fine!¡± Melissa¡¯s eyes welled up with anger. ¡°Are you trying to push me to the brink? Well, consider this my farewell!¡± ¡°Mom! Are you threatening me with your own Life?¡± Profound disappointment clouded Lydia¡¯s gaze. Chapter 786 Melissa¡¯s tears spilled over. ¡°Lydia, what should I do? Tell me, what should I do? Your father¡¯s been unfaithful. He¡¯s got a child with his lover. Your brother and you are all I have left!¡± Lydia, taken aback, inquired, ¡°What did you just say?¡± The secretary had taken the money and left. Howe there was now another illegitimate child? Lydia sat down on the couch, looking lost, and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s going on? When did my father end up with an illegitimate child?¡± As the conversation turned to the illegitimate child, Melissa wept, ¡°She¡¯s a year younger than your brother. She was born by a star. ¡± Her eyes brimmed with tears. ¡°By the time I found out, the illegitimate daughter was a college graduate.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. Your father has already brought her into thepany. She¡¯s the general manager¡¯s secretary!¡± Through tears, Melissa turned to her daughter with hope and said, ¡°Your father can¡¯t arrange marriage for her because of who she is. You¡¯re my only hope! You should get married before her true identityes out, and then we¡¯ll have a grip on the Phillips Group!¡± Biting back anger, Melissa dered, ¡°And we¡¯ll drive that bitch out of our business!¡± Lydia massaged her throbbing forehead. She didn¡¯t feel like going home, primarily because of all the chaos waiting for her here. Whenever she encountered many such things, she felt like she was in a deep hole that was hard to escape from. ¡°Mom, have you ever considered divorcing him in this situation?¡± Tears clung to Melissa¡¯s cheeks, and she wore a vacant look on her face. ¡°How could I even think of leaving him? If we split up, what¡¯ll happen to your brother and me? Wouldn¡¯t all the family wealth be given to that mistress?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Melissa¡¯s determination was unyielding, and Lydia decided not to push further. ¡°I understand, Mom. If that¡¯s how you feel, I won¡¯t try to change your mind. ¡± Melissa dried her tears and gazed at her daughter with hope. ¡°It¡¯s only a marriage. It¡¯s nothing harmful. You only have to hold a ceremony. Your father has already sorted things out with the Shaw family. You and Alick practically grew up as siblings. He¡¯s bound to take good care of you!¡± Lydia, feeling resigned, gestured weakly. ¡°Fine, have it your way. ¡± Believing her daughter had given in, a smile broke through Melissa¡¯s tears. ¡°Why don¡¯t you eat something first? I¡¯ll break the good news to your father. He¡¯s quite a soft-hearted man, you know. You don¡¯t have to take his words to heart today. ¡± Chapter 787 As the door shut behind, Lydia¡¯s remaining energy seemed to drain away. She slumped onto the sofa, her gaze lost to the ceiling, suddenly empathizing with Hannah¡¯s predicament against the Moore family members. Upon hearing that Lydia had given in, Jaylin instructed his men to ease the restrictions in Lydia¡¯s room within the vi, granting her some freedom to move around, but she was still not permitted to leave. In an unexpected twist by noon, Jaylin¡¯s secretary urgently summoned him, prompting his swift departure. A few hours earlier, Hannah had approached the Phillips Group with a business proposal. Hannah¡¯s arrival instantly caught the eyes of a few girls at the front desk. ¡°Check out that gorgeousdy over there! Who do you think she¡¯s searching for? She¡¯s incredibly stunning and ssy!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯ve never seen her around here. ¡± ¡°She¡¯sing this way!! Don¡¯t look at her!¡± Hannah approached the front desk, contract in hand, and gave the table a soft tap. ¡°Hi there, I¡¯m in charge of the White Group. Here¡¯s my business card. I want to discuss our coboration project with yourpany¡¯s CEO. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery A receptionist epted Hannah¡¯s business card and then paused, inhaling deeply. The White Group in Hoijery! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s business card always showed her title as ¡°General Manager. ¡± She preferred to maintain a low profile when she was out and didn¡¯t alter her position on the card. However, being the general manager at her age was already impressive, and the girls at the front desk were quite surprised.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. Even though she was taken aback, the receptionist asked Hannah, ¡°Miss, do you have a scheduled meeting?¡± ¡°No, I haven¡¯t arranged one. Could you set a meeting with your CEO for me right away?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± The front desk attendant dialed promptly. After a short wait, she ended the call and informed Hannah, ¡°Miss, please follow me to the ninth floor. Our CEO is away, but the general manager has instructed me to apany you up first. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Hannah followed the attendant into the lift, ascending to the ninth floor. There, the receptionist ushered her into the office. Tap! Tap! Tap! Chapter 788 The receptionist knocked on the general manager¡¯s door and swung it open. ¡°Manager, the visitor has arrived. ¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Inside, Henry Phillips, Lydia¡¯s brother, was engrossed in a card game with his friends, cash piled high on the table. Hannah squinted her eyes. It was clear that Henry had a gambling problem. Even during his work hours, he couldn¡¯t resist gambling with a bunch of people. ¡°ALL right, you may Leave now. ¡± ¡°Yes, sir. ¡± The receptionist exited, a touch of difort on her face. Once the receptionist had the door shut, Henry swiveled to face Hannah. In that instant, he abruptly abandoned the cards and rose from his seat, approaching Hannah. ¡°You¡­ Are you a friend of my sister?¡± Lydia had brought Hannah to the Phillips family¡¯s vi several times, leaving a deep impression on Henry. Her beauty, innocence, andck of worldly experience had captured Henry¡¯s heart and made him develop feelings for her. But when Henry saw Hannah today, he found it even more impossible to look away. She had grown even more stunning and charismatic than he remembered! ¡°It¡¯s you, Hannah!¡± Henry eximed and approached her with a smile. ¡°You¡¯ve be even more gorgeous. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s brow creased, her tone even. ¡°My visit is strictly for project discussions¡­¡± After saying that, she nced at the card table, where several men looked at her. With a hint of sternness, without a trace of a smile, Hannah queried, ¡°Is this where our meeting will take ce?¡± Henry, nonchnt, adjusted his attire and gestured for Hannah to sit by him. ¡°Yes, we can converse here. My father¡¯s absent today. ¡± Henry positioned himself across from Hannah, his attention undivided on her. ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re single now. Have you met someone new?¡± Hannah¡¯s hold on the contract tightened, her patience waning. She slid the contract towards Henry, her expression icy. Chapter 789 ¡°We¡¯re in your office. Let¡¯s focus on the partnership. ¡± ¡°Once I put my signature on that contract, it¡¯s a done deal!¡± Henry¡¯s gaze sharpened, like a peac@@k in his pride, as he unted his charm on Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m the one overseeing the Phillips Group¡¯s ventures. My approval is all your project needs to proceed!¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Hannah couldn¡¯t restrain herself from uttering, ¡°The Phillips Group hasn¡¯t reached an agreement with the Callen Tech regarding their chip technology. Yet, I¡¯ve sessfully secured an agreement with them. ¡± The rapport between the Callen Tech and Layne¡¯spany remained strong and it had facilitated Hannah¡¯s acquisition of Callen Tech¡¯s cooperation for the project. Henry possessed some knowledge about the Callen Tech¡¯s chip project. If he could coborate with the Callen Tech on such a substantial endeavor, it would greatly benefit the Phillips Group. This project was of paramount importance in stabilizing thepany¡¯s financial foundation. With astonishment, Henry fixed his gaze on Hannah and inquired, ¡°How did you manage to secure this project?¡± He raised an eyebrow and cast an inappropriate smirk in Hannah¡¯s direction. ¡°Did you employ¡­ some special methods?¡± Given that Phillips Group had not yet reached an agreement on the project, Hannah must have employed some unconventional means to secure it so effortlessly. Henry contemted her reason foring here and confidently announced, ¡°I think I know why you sought cooperation here. It¡¯s because of me, isn¡¯t it?¡± Hannah was rendered speechless. She thought she was engaged in a serious discussion about cooperation with him but Henry¡­ Hannah struggled to restrain herself from delivering a resounding p. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯m discussing coboration with you right now. If you¡¯re unable to engage in the conversation, you can delegate it to someone else. ¡± Atst, sheprehended the extent of Henry¡¯s stupidity and unreliability. His penchant for gambling and dragging others intopany-rted misadventures had disrupted numerous projects. Henry appeared oblivious to the impatience underlying Hannah¡¯s words, unable to grasp her insinuation. He beamed at Hannah and quipped, ¡°I was merely jesting. Hand over the contract and I¡¯ll affix my signature. ¡± Hannah had no desire to engage in any further argument with him. She retrieved the contract and was poised to outline her conditions when she was interrupted by Henry¡¯s affected tone. ¡°I can sign this¡­ We¡¯re throwing a party tonight. Would you care to join us?¡± Hannah raised her gaze, her responseced with an icy demeanor. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have othermitments. ¡± Chapter 790 Henry set down the pen, presuming he could manipte Hannah, and asserted, ¡°If you decline, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to endorse the contract. ¡± Immediately, the other three men in the office chimed in enthusiastically, ¡°Gorgeous, Mr. Phillips is extending an invitation to you. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Mr. Phillips has never invited any woman to our parties before. ¡± ¡°Come and enjoy yourself. With Mr. Phillips in attendance, you¡¯ll be perfectly safe. After all, you were the one who had to beseech others to sign the contract; you must¡¯ve frequently apanied your boss to such events. ¡± ¡°Our venue is entirely secure. We won¡¯t allow any harm to befall you, Miss. ¡± These individuals spoke not like employees of a reputablepany but more like street hooligans. Hannah simply took the contract from Henry¡¯s grasp and remarked, ¡°No wonder the Phillips Group has fallen on hard times with Mr. Jaylin Phillips having such a son. If the Phillips family wishes to pursue cooperation with me, they should assign someone else to negotiate with me!¡± Henry had never experienced such humiliation and his countenance darkened instantly. Hispanions immediately closed in around him and some even considered using their sheer numbers to intimidate Hannah. ¡°You should be ttered by the invitation Mr. Phillips extended to you! Mr. Phillips holds you in high regard and you must attend to his needs. Don¡¯t assume that your good looks will shield you from our mischief!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. If you serve Mr. Phillips dutifully, your rewards will exceed yourmission. ¡± One of the men fixed an evil gaze on Hannah and leered. ¡°Do you understand why yourpany sent you out to negotiate deals? Serve our general manager admirably and secure this substantial order. You¡¯ll earnmendation from your superiors upon your return.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡± After these remarks, they huddled together, sharing vulgar and repulsiveughter. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ While Henry had remained silent earlier, he appeared smug as these men spoke on his behalf. ¡°There¡¯s no need to take it too far. ¡± At this juncture, Henry spoke slowly, seeminglying to Hannah¡¯s aid. ¡°After all, she¡¯s also a friend of my sister. ¡± The man standing beside him teased, ¡°A friend? Is she your girlfriend?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t pretend. You¡¯re well aware of your role when you¡¯re here for business negotiations. ¡± ¡°I believe she¡¯s just ying hard to get. Refusing even the Phillips Group¡¯s young master? It¡¯s all an act!¡± Henry narrowed his eyes and smiled. He possessed a knack for instilling doubt in women about their worth, ultimately luring them into his embrace. ¡°Don¡¯t let their words upset you. They¡¯re just speaking without thinking. ¡± A warm smile graced Hannah¡¯s countenance. Chapter 791 ¡°How can I feel angered by them? If I were to get angry at a beast, I¡¯d be no better off myself. ¡± Henry¡¯s expression underwent a sudden transformation! The individuals behind him also raised their voices.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°You insolent bitch! What did you just say?¡± ¡°Who do you think you are calling a beast? You¡¯re asking for trouble!¡± These people were on the verge of taking action when Henry intervened, his face dark with disapproval. ¡°You should consider apologizing to my friends, or things might take a turn for the worse!¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze held no fear. She rose to her feet with deliberate grace and offered a serene smile. ¡°Very well. I wonder if you¡¯ll ept my method of apology. ¡± Henry adjusted his tie, presuming that Hannah was capitting. He scoffed, ¡°As long as you extend an apology, my friends won¡¯t resort to unkindness. ¡± Then, the individual who had unleashed the most vulgar tirade remarked, ¡°It¡¯s all for Henry¡¯s sake, or else, you, bitch, won¡¯t escape. Bang! Before the man couldplete his sentence, a sudden, muffled thud resonated within the office! Hannah had wielded an ashtray, smashing it against the man¡¯s head! The man staggered, emitting a piercing cry. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Crash! He copsed to the floor, a rivulet of blood trailing down his forehead. The other men were left dumbfounded by Hannah¡¯s bold action, retreating a few steps and gazing at her in disbelief. Suddenly, Henry sprang to his feet from his chair. ¡°You! You¡¯vemitted a crime! I¡­¡° Hannah flung the ashtray aside! Crash! The muffled sound of the ashtray striking the carpet sent shivers down their spines. Hannah retrieved the pen from the desk and approached Henry. Chapter 792 Before he could react, Hannah seized his tie with one hand and brandished the pen with the other, aiming for his eye! ¡°Ah!!¡± Henry let out a horrified scream. Despite Henry¡¯s outward disy of bravado in thepany, he was, in reality, a coward. Moments before Hannah¡¯s pen was about to prate his eye, she stopped, yet he had already freaked out. Hannah¡¯s hand, wielding the pen, halted just inches from Henry¡¯s eye. ¡°I¡¯ll give you one minute. Call Jaylin immediately.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡± ¡°I shall make the call! I implore you, spare me¡± Henry, gripped by fear, promptly dialed his father¡¯s number. Upon the floory one of the men, his visage obscured by a veil of crimson. Casting her gaze toward the others, Hannah inquired, ¡°Well, what are you waiting for?¡± Those individuals remained concealed at a distance, their gazes interlocking, their bodies paralyzed with trepidation. ¡°Are you not summoning an ambnce?¡± inquired Hannah. In that moment, rity dawned upon them. They hastened to retrieve their mobile phones, initiating emergency calls. Having received a distressing call from his son concerning amotion at thepany, Jaylin instructed his chauffeur to expedite their journey to the scene. He and the ambnce arrived concurrently, finding the office entrance ajar. Jaylin stood in utter astonishment! A man sprawled upon the floor, his countenance marred by bloodstains, groaning faintly, while an ashtray had toppled to the floor. Henry clutched his phone, taking refuge at a distance. Witnessing Jaylin¡¯s swift entrance, he dared not approach, shouting, ¡°Dad!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Swiftly, the medical team entered, carefully transferring the individual onto a stretcher before rushing outdoors. Onlookers from outside the office grew inquisitive, peering curiously into the room. Jaylin¡¯s secretary promptly shut the door! ¡°What, in heaven¡¯s name, has urred here?¡± Jaylin seethed with rage, ring at Hannah, wanting to tear her to pieces. Only then did Henry muster the courage to exim, ¡°Dad, summon the authorities! She deliberately harmed him. Call the police!¡± With unhurried grace, Hannah pivoted and took a seat on the sofa before facing the duo. Due to the recent mismanagement of the group, many of the elite ss had chosen not to coborate with Phillips Group. Naturally, Jaylin remained oblivious to Hannah¡¯s identity. He furrowed his brow and remarked, ¡°Even if the White Group has dispatched you to discuss cooperation, such arrogance is unwarranted!¡± Chapter 793 Henry had apprised Jaylin over the phone of Hannah¡¯s purpose representing the White family. In a stern tone, Jaylin delivered a warning. ¡°Cooperation or not, if you¡¯ve harmed someone, the police must be involved!¡± ¡°Very well, call the police if you wish. I, too, intend to summon them.Property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah reclined against the sofa, extending her phone toward Jaylin, ying the recorded evidence. The profanityden tirades of those individuals and Henry reverberated throughout the entire office. ¡°They harassed and attempted to coerce me into apanying them to unknown locations. I acted in self-defense. Even at the police station, I shall stand as the advocate of justice. ¡± Upon hearing the recording and Henry¡¯s words, Jaylin seethed with anger. He stormed over to Henry, delivering a resounding p. ¡°Look at the trouble you¡¯ve caused! This is our workce, ourpany! It¡¯s not a venue for you to incite a brawl!¡± Henry remained silent, despite the stinging blow, a stark contrast to his earlier arrogance. Despite Jaylin¡¯s forceful rebuke, he turned towards Hannah with a frigid demeanor, remarking, ¡°Given the current circumstances, cooperation is not necessary. ¡± He believed that the White Group was enthusiastic about working with them, so he maintained an air of confidence. Hannah responded with a derisive snort, ¡°I merely wished to aid the Phillips family in navigating these troubled waters on Lydia¡¯s behalf. It appears you have little need for it. Then I shall take the Callen Tech contract back. Take all the time you need. ¡± With deliberation, she retrieved the contract from the table, poised to depart. In an abrupt change of tone, Jaylin interjected, ¡°You¡¯re here to discuss cooperation with Callen Tech?¡± Hannah pivoted and nodded in Jaylin¡¯s direction, shing a gentle smile as she responded, ¡°Indeed, but given the apparent insincerity of your Phillips Group, I see no reason to proceed. ¡± ¡°Wait! Wait!¡± Jaylin grew anxious, hastening toward Hannah and implored, ¡°We must engage in a meaningful dialogue regarding our coboration. We cannot let this incident impede our partnership!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah blinked and offered a smile. ¡°You just dered that cooperation was unnecessary. Why this sudden change of heart?¡± Jaylin found himself in an ufortable position. ¡°This project holds immense significance for our Phillips Group. You mentioned being a friend of my daughter¡¯s. I beseech you to grant us an opportunity to coborate, for her sake!¡± Hannah had never truly intended to depart, her gaze fixed upon Henry, who stood in Jaylin¡¯s shadow. ¡°It seems your Phillips Group wields considerable power. Even without this coboration, Phillips Group should thrive in business, correct?¡± The ironycing her words was palpable, yet Jaylin restrained his ire. This project held immense importance for him. He had expended substantial effort chasing it and sess had continually eluded him. Chapter 794 Now, with the project presented to him, Henry had obliterated its chances. Jaylin seethed with fury! His anger raged to the point that he pivoted and administered two more stinging ps to Henry, effectively silencing him. Jaylin smoothed his disheveled attire and uttered, ¡°I must admit that I¡¯ve failed in educating my son. However, our coboration need not dissolve due to this incident. ¡± Jaylin possessed the capacity to be flexible. Hannah extended the contract to Jaylin. As his delighted smile surfaced, she added, ¡°I am open to coboration but under one condition. ¡± Jaylin readily concurred, a warm smile on his face, ¡°If the White Group has any stiptions, please inform us. As long as it¡¯s within our capacity, we will find a way. ¡± Hannah¡¯s smile persisted as she replied, ¡°My request is rather straightforward. I can offer you this project but you must forsake the notion of arranging a marriage for Lydia. ¡± Upon hearing her request, Jaylin¡¯s countenance darkened. ¡°Miss, does my daughter¡¯s marriage concern you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s unrted to me. May I not make a request?¡± Hannah brandished the contract she held and inquired, ¡°I¡¯ll ask you only this once. Will you give up that idea or this contract?¡± Jaylin, his countenance unyielding, rebuffed Hannah¡¯s proposal, dering, ¡°I shall not sign this contract with such an unreasonable demand! Who my daughter will marry is of no concern to you. Even if you are her friend, you have no right in this matter!¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Jaylin instructed his secretary, positioned nearby, ¡°Escort her out. ¡± Evidently, he intended to remain obstinate. Hannah chose silence, stowing the contract away. ¡®s BunnyBookery With a stoic demeanor, Jaylin¡¯s secretary approached Hannah, extending an unemotional hand. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°This way, please. ¡± Holding the doorknob, Hannah pivoted and directed a frosty smile toward Jaylin. ¡°I simply hope, Mr. Phillips, that you won¡¯te to regret this decision. ¡± With a decisive click, the office door closed shut. Henry wore a pained expression, rubbing his face. ¡°Dad! You let her leave? Are we really forfeiting the Callen Tech project?¡± ¡°You imbecile!¡± Jaylin berated Henry. ¡°Why must I bear the burden of such a worthless son like you?¡± Henry refrained from talking back, his voice hushed as he said, ¡°I didn¡¯t know about the project she wanted to discuss¡­ It¡¯s not entirely my fault¡­ Chapter 795 Concurrently, Hannah departed from the Phillips Group and ced a call to Lydia. Once Hannah ryed the recent events, Lydia¡¯sughter resonated joyfully through the phone.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Really? They deserve a taste of their own medicine! If I were there, I¡¯d have rendered them infertile! They would never dare to spout nonsense again!¡± Seatednguidly on the couch, Lydia yfully swung her legs as she quipped, ¡°Henry does nothing except indulge in food, drink, debauchery and gambling. You must have given him a fright today!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think you dealt a strong enough blow to hispanions though! They deserve to be behind bars the way they behave!¡± Hannah, cing the contract aside, opened the car door and replied, ¡°There¡¯s no rush. Since they didn¡¯t value this opportunity, we should proceed with n B. I haven¡¯t signed that contract with them. You can ink it in a few days when you assume control of thepany. ¡± Lydia nodded, stating, ¡°Very well. By losing the contract today, I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll feel the weight of their actions, and expedite the process of arranging a marriage for me. ¡± Lydia¡¯s words proved correct. The following morning, Lydia descended the stairs to find Alick sitting at the dining table. With a cheerful countenance, Jaylin instructed the housekeeper to prepare an extra breakfast. ¡°Alick, you¡¯ve been scarce around here since Lydia hasn¡¯t been at home. I consider you as my own son. You should join me more often in the future when you¡¯ve got no othermitments. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Seated beside him, Alick wore a subtle smile. ¡°I¡¯ve known Lydia since childhood. I¡¯ve always regarded you as my senior. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Lydia descended the staircase, her stomach churning at the ttery exchanged between the two. Coincidentally, Alick raised his head and locked eyes with Lydia, offering a warm smile. ¡°Lydia, you¡¯re up early. Join us for breakfast. ¡± Without acknowledging him, Lydia took a seat farthest from Alick¡¯s. Upon her arrival, Jaylin¡¯s smile waned. ¡°Lydia, why such discourtesy? You didn¡¯t acknowledge Alick¡¯s greeting. ¡± Lydia managed a strained smile in Alick¡¯s direction before resuming her meal in silence. Jaylin grinned and addressed Alick. ¡°She¡¯s just been spoiled by me. Don¡¯t fault her. ¡± Alick gazed affectionately at Lydia. Chapter 796 ¡°How could I fault her? I¡¯ve long known Lydia¡¯s ways. It¡¯s been too long since I Last saw her and I¡¯ve missed her greatly. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°By the way, Lydia,¡± Alick said as he set down his utensils. ¡°There¡¯s a college ss reunion today. Would you like toe along? It¡¯s being held at my bar. ¡± Lydia began to voice her dissent but, before she could, Jaylin interjected on her behalf. ¡°Yes, she should attend. It¡¯s been quite a while since you all caught up. Going out and reconnecting would be a good idea. ¡± With a stern nce, Jaylin directed Lydia. ¡°After breakfast, head upstairs to change and apany Alick!¡± Lydia gripped her knife and fork firmly and dered, ¡°Very well, I won¡¯t eat. Please, enjoy your meal. I¡¯m heading upstairs. ¡± With that, she rose from her seat and ascended the staircase. ¡°You¡­¡± Lydia pressed forward, ignoring them. Once upstairs, Lydia reached out to call Hannah. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I can¡¯t bring myself to go with him. Who knows what kind of humiliation he has in store? My father is trulyplicating matters for me!¡± ¡°In that case, don¡¯t go. I¡¯lle to pick you upter. ¡± Aware of Alick¡¯s dubious character, Lydia resisted Hannah¡¯s offer, saying, ¡°If I leave with you, he¡¯ll undoubtedly inform my father and then I¡¯ll be inescapably pestered. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She then reassured her friend. ¡°Don¡¯t fret. I won¡¯t let myself be outwitted this time. If he tries to disgrace me, I¡¯ll make a scene at the reunion!¡± Hannah remained somewhat concerned. ¡°Where¡¯s the gathering taking ce? Send me the address when you get there. ¡± Lydia responded, ¡°Alick mentioned that it¡¯s going down at the bar he manages, the same ce you visited before to rescue me. ¡± Upon hearing this, Hannah instructed, ¡°Alright. Be cautious today. Call me if anything goes wrong. ¡± As soon as Lydia ended the call, a knock echoed at her door. Chapter 797 Alick¡¯s voice came from the other side. ¡°Lydia, I¡¯ll be waiting for you downstairs. Just make your way down once you¡¯re ready. ¡± Lydia impatiently ruffled her hair and replied, ¡°I know!¡± She wore casual attire, donning a cozy sweater coat and a pleated skirt and piled her hair in a bun atop her head, before heading out. Downstairs, Alick lounged on the sofa, casting his gaze up to take in the sight of the youthful and beautiful Lydia. He raised his eyebrows ever so slightly and offered a sly grin. ¡°Are you ready to go?¡± Lydia remained silent and walked past him, not deigning to respond. It wasn¡¯t until they exited the vi that Lydia couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who wanted to call off the engagement? What¡¯s your game now?¡± Alick appeared unfazed by Lydia¡¯s irritation. He opened the car door and extended an invitation. ¡°I find it amusing. I have no intention of canceling the engagement now. ¡± ¡°Stop these antics, will you?¡± Lydia shot him an exasperated look before climbing into the car and mming the door shut. Alick paid her no mind as he made his way to the other side of the vehicle, fastened his seatbelt andmenced driving. ¡°I¡¯m quite serious. This is no joke. ¡± Lydia turned her head to re at Alick.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going through your mind but you ought to be aware that I have a boyfriend!¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware. So what?¡± Alick¡¯s indifference only fueled Lydia¡¯s frustration. ¡°That means I won¡¯t marry you!¡± Alick chuckled, ¡°That¡¯s not your decision to make. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re insane! A madman!¡± Lydia¡¯s exasperation filled the car. ¡°Both of us are insane! ¡° With a firm grip on the steering wheel, Alick remained unperturbed. ¡°After we¡¯re married, we can still have our own lovers and our interests in thepany will be intertwined. Isn¡¯t that appealing?¡± Chapter 798 ¡°Damn it!¡± Lydia clenched her teeth and retorted, ¡°Who on earth would want to marry you? The very thought is preposterous!¡± A mischievous smile danced across Alick¡¯s lips as he cast a sidelong nce at Lydia. ¡°Fear not. I have no qualms about your choice of bedfellows. You will be free to bring whomever you want home. ¡± Was he utterly deranged?! Lydia¡¯s thoughts roared within her. She fell silent for a moment, collected herself and then inquired, ¡°What has my father promised you to make you so eager for this marriage to go ahead?¡± Alick nonchntly shrugged and responded yfully, ¡°Could it not be because I happen to be quite fond of you?¡± Lydia rolled her eyes as she quipped, ¡°You don¡¯t know me or don¡¯t I know you? We grew up together as much as I hate to admit it. Don¡¯t I understand your character?¡± Alick, raising a quizzical eyebrow, admitted, ¡°You know me well enough but it seems I neglected you in the past. ¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Lydia retorted, her voice brimming with frustration. ¡°Exin why you¡¯re so insistent on marrying me. ¡± Alick, his demeanor a study in contrast to Lydia¡¯s agitation, said withposure, ¡°I¡¯m genuinely curious about the experience ofpelling someone into a marriage they never desired. ¡± Upon hearing Alick¡¯s words, Lydiapsed into a profound silence. Lydia¡¯s impulse to throttle Alick had reached breaking point. She would rather die than endure this man for the rest of her life! Observing Lydia¡¯s fiery countenance, Alick nonchntly remarked, ¡°I haven¡¯t coerced you into anything. It¡¯s your father who¡¯s implored my father not to annul the engagement. I hold your father in high regard. I have no intention of making things difficult for him. Is this justification satisfactory?¡± Lydia turned her gaze towards the window, striving to regain herposure. Damn it! It appeared he was determined not to reveal the real reason. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ No matter. She had no intention of extracting anything from him. She no longer wished to engage in conversation. ¡°It¡¯s been quite some time since you¡¯d left Valmere. How about we visit the mall, indulge in some shopping with my credit card?¡± Alick offered.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Lydia turned to face Alick with a warm smile, dering, ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll put that credit card to good use. Let¡¯s embark on a shopping spree. ¡± She resolved to spend as much as she could. Upon reaching the shopping haven, Lydia embarked on avish spree in a bag boutique, spending nearly two million. Lydia, with magnanimous grace, wielded Alick¡¯s credit card for this extravagant bout and, as she turned to gauge his reaction, she discovered he was still regarding her with an affable smile. The longer Lydia ruminated on the situation, the more her ire surged. She clenched her lips and demanded, ¡°Gather those bags; let¡¯s proceed to buy some clothes!¡± Chapter 799 She strode ahead of Alick, his credit card clutched firmly in hand. Her frustration deepened as she pondered the enigmatic motives of this scoundrel. Two million had already been spent, yet he remained unflustered!Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Alick instructed his assistant to shoulder the bags procured by Lydia and followed her with an air of nonchnce, arms casually folded. ¡°Feel free to select whatever your heart desires. And, when you feel tired, we¡¯ll get something to eat. ¡± Lydia gritted her teeth, exasperated by this countenance she found most vexing. Lydia¡¯s indignation fueled her resolve, prompting a visit to a luxurious clothing emporium renowned for its exclusive designer creations. Each garment here exuded uniqueness and finesse. A single item of apparel in the show-case was set at a staggering price of around one million. Lydia blinked with astonishment before boldly stepping inside. With unwavering determination, she proceeded to select ten or perhaps even a dozen exquisite garments, eager to test the limits of his forbearance. The attire within these opulent walls, every piece a masterpiece, caught Lydia¡¯s discerning eye from the moment she entered. Noticing the arrival of Lydia and Alick, the affable shopping guide approached them, her demeanor betraying recognition of their opulence. ¡°Madam, your taste is impable. This is our brand-new overcoat, exclusively crafted by our designer this year. Each piece is painstakingly handmade. It wouldplement your silhouette wlessly. ¡± ¡°Kindly retrieve it for me¡­¡± Before Lydia could utter the next word, a female voice resonated from a distance, ¡°Den, this dress is truly exquisite. I like it!¡± The voice held an air of familiarity. Lydia pivoted to face its source and serendipitously met the gaze of Eliana. Upon spotting Lydia, Eliana¡¯s gaze instinctively darted around the shop. There was no Hannah. Instead, sheid eyes on Alick, who trailed closely behind Lydia. Eliana¡¯s fingers instinctively coiled and a delicate flush adorned her visage. She couldn¡¯t resist ncing in Alick¡¯s direction. Alick, unabashed by the possibility of being observed by Den, offered Eliana a sly wink. Witnessing the audacious expression on Alick¡¯s face, Eliana felt her legs momentarily betray her. Regrettably, Den remained oblivious to their subtle interactions, as his focus remained firmly affixed to Lydia. If Lydia was here, did that mean Hannah was also nearby? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Undeterred by Eliana¡¯s presence, Den advanced and addressed Lydia, saying, ¡°Lydia, you¡¯re here as well. ¡± Lydia recoiled in rm at his approach. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Observing her avoidance, Den¡¯s brow furrowed as he inquired, ¡°I merely wish to inquire, is Hannah apanying you?¡± Chapter 800 ¡°Why are you searching for her? Haven¡¯t you hurt her enough already?¡± With arms akimbo, Lydia regarded Den with an icy countenance, issuing a stern warning. ¡°I advise you to steer clear of Hannah! If you wish to avoid another visit to the police station, maintain your distance!¡±Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Den¡¯s countenance grew somber as he retorted, ¡°This matter does not concern you, Lydia; it involves Hannah and me. ¡± Feeling sidelined, Eliana experienced a twinge of embarrassment. She gently sped Den¡¯s arm and implored, ¡°Why are you upset with her? I adore this dress, Den. May I try it on, please?¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Den acquiesced, still cloaked in his ire. His response remained chilly as he added, ¡°Try it on. I¡¯ll be waiting on the sofa in the lounge. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery With that, he pivoted and strode toward the seating area, refusing to cast a backward nce. Unperturbed by Den¡¯s mood, Eliana elegantly adjusted her hair and addressed the shopping attendant, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve selected three garments. Please assist me with these two. I¡¯d like to utilize the fitting room. ¡± ¡°Certainly, madam. Follow me. ¡± As Eliana was led to the fitting room by the shopping guide, she meaningful. winked at Alick. Lydia remained engrossed in her quest to indulge in extravagant spending and remained oblivious to the proceedings unfolding on the other end of the boutique. ¡°You may utilize the card at your discretion. I¡¯m going to look at some clothing options too. We¡¯ll settle the bill together,¡± Alick casually informed Lydia as he slipped the ck card into her hand, simultaneously beckoning another store associate for assistance. Clutching the ck card tightly, Lydia rebuffed, ¡°Who needs your card! I intend to explore a different shop; I don¡¯t like the clothes here. ¡± ¡°Very well, remember to returnter,¡± Alick responded, his gaze forward and a nonchnt wave of his hand directed towards the rear. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Infuriated, Lydia red at his retreating figure before storming out. Inwardly, she muttered, ¡°Return? I have no intention of returning at alu!¡± Upon Lydia¡¯s departure, Alick gracefully ventured into the fitting room, garments in hand. Eliana, expectant and hopeful, was looking at the dressing room curtain when it was abruptly drawn aside. ¡°Alick!¡± Eliana eximed in a hushed voice, a delightful surprise painting her features as she clung to him and secured his arm. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you. ¡± Alick¡¯s gaze descended upon her, his smile broadening. ¡°Your fiance is outside. Aren¡¯t you apprehensive about being discovered?¡± Eliana, gazing affectionately into Alick¡¯s eyes, mused, ¡°Would you like me to end things with him? I can step outside right now and put an end to our rtionship. ¡± Chapter 801 ¡°That would be so boring. ¡± Turning towards Eliana with a gentle grin, Alick quipped, ¡°I must confess, Ick the inclination to run off with another man¡¯s fiancee. ¡± Eliana¡¯s smile froze noticeably but she remained nestled against Alick as she retorted, ¡°You¡¯re always teasing me, you know. ¡± Alick made no move to distance himself, responding calmly, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s wiser for you to be with him. I¡¯d rather not jeopardize your rtionship because of our affair Eliana, her soft lips tenderly grazing Alick¡¯s cheek, inquired, ¡°Are you trying to push me away? Is it on ount of Lydia?¡± Eliana leaned into Alick and continued, ¡°Word has it that the Phillips and Shaw families are sealing a union through matrimony soon. ¡± Alick encircled Eliana¡¯s waist with his arm, musing, ¡°Since you¡¯ve heard of it, there¡¯s no reason for me to conceal it from you. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t wish for you to wed me. I simply desire¡­¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Eliana¡¯s fingers traced a path from Alick¡¯s waist as she gazed up at him with Luminous eyes, whispering, ¡°I¡¯m content as long as you hold affection for me, for I love you. ¡± This was the enchantment she had previously wielded to captivate Den and lead him to divorce Hannah. She was confident she could employ the same allure to ensnare Alick as her ¡®¡¯prey¡¯! However, she had miscalcted Alick and overrated her own abilities. A mischievous grin yed on Alick¡¯s lips as he maintained an indifferent tone. ¡°Indeed? Your fiance waits beyond these dressing room walls and you¡¯re cavorting with me inside. Doesn¡¯t that seem rather inappropriate?¡± Eliana professed her love for him, yet Alick regarded her as a disposable amusement. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Eliana¡¯s once steadfast smile faltered. Gently, Alick lifted her chin and suggested, ¡°I¡¯ve never made love in a fitting room before. Care to join me?¡± Eliana blushed. cing her arm upon Alick¡¯s shoulder, she replied in a beguiling tone, ¡°It¡¯s a first time for me too. ¡± Alick¡¯s smile widened as he pressed her against the reflective surface of the fitting room¡¯s mirror. With a deft hand, he began to unzip her dress and whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s keep it hushed. I¡¯d rather not have any unwee visitors. ¡± The mirror¡¯s cool touch sent shivers down Eliana¡¯s bare skin as it made contact. Observing him inch closer, Eliana weed him with ardor. This was her moment and she intended to seize it! A sly gleam flickered in Eliana¡¯s eyes as her alluring form intertwined with Alick¡¯s. The fitting room resonated with muffled sighs and moans, concealed from prying ears outside. Exiting the store, Lydia promptly dialed Hannah and vented her frustrations. Upon learning that Den had entered the store with Eliana, Hannah disyed ack of reaction, as if she had grown ustomed to such urrences. In contrast, Lydia seethed with anger. Chapter 802 He acted shamelessly, even inquiring about you! He yed such a duplicitous game and escaped without consequences. It¡¯s infuriating!¡± ¡°He¡¯s shifted all me onto Valery. The legal system won¡¯t touch him. He¡¯s confident he¡¯ll escape unscathed. ¡± Hannah spoke with an air of indifference, remarking, ¡°Nheless, it¡¯s of no consequence. Individuals like him, who have a history of misdeeds, are often bound tomit even graver transgressions. Sooner orter, he shall face the consequences of his actions. ¡± ¡°Both he and Alick should be behind bars!¡± Lydia vented her frustration. ¡°I¡¯ve always felt Alick¡¯s behavior toward me is peculiar. He was so eager to call off our engagement before but, when I inquired today, he refused to divulge the truth. Hannah, could you investigate what¡¯s happening within Alick¡¯s family? I suspect there¡¯s a scheme afoot. ¡± Hannah offered a reassuring response, saying, ¡°Brayden has been delving into this matter. You needn¡¯t worry. Moreover, I¡¯ve kept the address you sent me. If any issues arise, I¡¯lle to fetch you there directly. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re so thoughtful¡­¡± Before Lydia could finish her sentence, another iing call interrupted her. She nced at the phone and knitted her brows. ¡°It¡¯s Alick calling. I must hang up for now. We¡¯ll talkter. ¡± ¡°Of course. ¡± Lydia answered the phone with impatience, inquiring, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Alick was straightening his tie before the dressing room¡¯s mirror. ¡°Where are you? Why haven¡¯t you returned yet?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve handed your bank card to the sales assistant. If you happen to fancy any clothing, feel free to make purchases. I¡¯m Leaving now. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Alick furrowed his brow, cautioning, ¡°Don¡¯t forget you have to attend¡­¡± ¡°Because of my father¡¯smand,¡± Lydia stated impatiently, ¡°I shall make it to the ssmate reunion this evening punctually. At the moment, I want to go for a walk. Don¡¯t call me again!¡± Alick remained unperturbed by her words, instead casting a nce at Eliana emerging from the fitting room. Her cheeks tinged with a blush, she was awkwardly clutching the clothes she had tried on. ¡°I¡¯ll purchase all of these¡­¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. The amiable sales associate beamed and responded, ¡°Please entrust the garments to us and we shall have them packaged for you. ¡± ¡°No, thank you! I¡¯ll handle the packing myself!¡± Eliana clutched the clothes tightly, as if they held some secret shame. The sales associate found this request slightly unusual but refrained frommenting on the customer¡¯s choice. She merely nodded, saying, ¡°Very well, please proceed to the counter for payment. ¡± Chapter 803 Eliana moved aside with an air of difort. She folded the clothes and ced them into a bag, with the sales associate apanying her to the cash register.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Miss, the totales to 5, 520, 000. How will you be paying today?¡± The value of the clothing pile seemed to have slipped Eliana¡¯s mind, consumed by her antics in the fitting room. At that moment, Den, seated on a nearby sofa, sprang to his feet upon hearing the price. ¡°How much?!¡± The sales associate appeared taken aback but maintained her smile, replying, ¡°Sir, the total is 5, 520, 000. ¡± Den grasped Eliana¡¯s wrist and tightened his hold, his voice tense, as he said, ¡°Are you aware of the Edwards family¡¯s current financial straits? You intend tovish such an extravagant sum on these clothes?¡± The once noble character he used to embody had undergone aplete transformation, revealing his newfound stinginess! ¡°You¡¯re hurting me, Den!¡± Eliana gazed at him, her expression heavy with hurt. ¡°These are merely a few garments. I had expressed my desire to purchase attire and you didn¡¯t object. If you hadmunicated your concerns earlier, I wouldn¡¯t have visited this store. ¡± The attending shop assistants regarded Den with evident disdain. Annoyed by their judgmental looks, Den furrowed his brow and retorted, ¡°Nheless, I didn¡¯t encourage you to acquire such extravagant clothing!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve bought items of this caliber before. They¡¯re not excessively costly, are they?¡± Eliana cast an innocent look at Den, asserting, ¡°I understand the precarious state of Edwards Group but I require decent attire for social engagements with you, do I not?¡± Upon hearing Eliana¡¯s justification, Den¡¯s impatience grew palpable. He knew that Hannah would have never allowed him to lose face in public! Contemting these thoughts, Den withdrew his hand from Eliana¡¯s grasp and remarked, ¡°Consider the situation back at home. Spending over five million dors on clothing? Who can afford you!?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana was aggrieved; never had she encountered such a vehement outburst from Den. She countered, ¡°This is how I used to live. You pledged to provide the same for me if I returned from abroad to be with you. Have your feelings towards me changed?¡± It seemed she was now a burden to Den. Now that he had finally won her, his old lover, over, he had lost interest. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t expressed that you missed me, do you think I would have returned?¡± Tears welled in Eliana¡¯s eyes as she confessed, ¡°To be with you, I must bear thebel of a mistress. Yet, what have you done for me?¡± ¡°I should never have pursued that divorce!¡± With these words, a sudden chill enveloped the space between them. The atmosphere within the store became palpably peculiar. The sales attendant relished the unfolding drama and the gossip it offered. Chapter 804 Wide-eyed, Eliana fixed her gaze upon Den, her disbelief palpable. ¡°Den! You wretched scoundrel!¡± She raised her hand and delivered a resounding p across Den¡¯s countenance.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Trembling, she implored, ¡°I¡¯ve endured countless curses on your behalf. And now¡­ you express regret over divorcing her! Do you regret your decision to be with me?¡± The unfolding situation took an unexpected turn, drawing the attention of the clothing shoppers who stopped in their tracks as if they were spectators watching a y. Amidst this spectacle, hushed conversations began to percte. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the heir of the illustrious Edwards family? Why are they embroiled in such a dispute in public?¡± ¡°He¡¯s quarreling with his mistress. It appeared that she indulged in extravagant clothing purchases, which had clearly ruffled his feathers. ¡± The bystanders were left bbergasted. ¡°For someone from the Edwards family, the price of clothes here shouldn¡¯t be unaffordable. They¡¯re affluent. Can¡¯t he afford a few outfits?¡± ¡°Ah, but you see, the Edwards family had to spend a fortune to bail him out!¡± Although Den¡¯s apprehension at the police station had been shrouded in secrecy, the truth had a curious way of finding an audience. ¡°What? Is this true?¡± The woman appeared genuinely in the dark, inquiring with astonishment, ¡°When did this incident ur?¡± ¡°Just a few days ago. The reasons behind his arrest remain a mystery. Yet, the Edwards were quick toe to his rescue. ¡± ¡°In recent times, the Edwards family¡¯s financial affairs have taken a downward turn. Perhaps his mistress¡¯ extravagant five million clothing spree is too much for him to handle right now. ¡± The questioner harbored doubts. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°A mere five million? The Edwards family shouldn¡¯t be struggling to foot the bill. ¡± ¡°Who¡¯s to say? It¡¯s possible he¡¯s not inclined tovish money on this mistress of his. Despite their engagement, there¡¯s no word on when they¡¯ll tie the knot. ¡± The tones of the discussion, though not raucous, reached Den¡¯s ears with unwee rity. His vexation grew and he swiveled his head to cast a fierce nce at the conversing bystanders. Their eyes swiftly averted, as they dreaded incurring his wrath. Den¡¯s frustration reached a boiling point and he contemted delivering a stinging p to Eliana. Yet, in that crucial moment, his hand found itself restrained. Alick approached from behind, wearing a cid smile and addressed Den. ¡°It¡¯s not worth making a fuss in public, Mr. Edwards. Is a p truly necessary?¡± Chapter 805 He beckoned to the saleswoman behind him, instructing, ¡°Utilize my card to settle thedy¡¯s bill. Consider it a gesture of goodwill on my part. ¡± Eliana modestly bowed her head, concealing her blush. Nevertheless, Den seethed with anger. He fixed an intense re upon Alick and protested, ¡°This is our private affair and none of your concern. ¡± ¡°We both hold prominent status in Valmere, Mr. Edwards. It would be prudent to keep the peace. ¡± Alick retained his smile. ¡°Let¡¯s not allow five million to disrupt your harmony. Settle the bill. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t require anyone¡¯s assistance in paying our expenses!¡± Den, with an unyielding countenance, extracted a card and emphatically ced it on the counter. Alick glimpsed at Den¡¯s card, maintaining his smile, andmented, ¡°Very well. ¡± As he turned to depart, the resonant chime of the payment terminal echoed through the clothing boutique. ¡°There are insufficient funds toplete the transaction. ¡± Alick pivoted back to witness Den¡¯s crestfallen expression. ¡°Seems Mr. Edwards didn¡¯t bring enough currency today. ¡± With clenched teeth, Den extracted another card from his wallet, his frustration palpable. He dered, ¡°I gave over the wrong card!¡± His cardnded on the counter with a resounding thud, his breath quickening as he instructed, ¡°Please process the transaction swiftly!¡± The saleswoman, taken aback by his disy, swiftly retrieved the card and deftly operated the machine. However, as Den punched in the password, a dispassionate electronic voice delivered another harsh verdict. ¡°The avable bnce is insufficient. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The saleswoman, wearing a slightly embarrassed expression, ryed the unwee news. ¡°Sir, there isn¡¯t enough funds on this card either. ¡± Whispers and jeers had already begun to circte, adding to Den¡¯s embarrassment. Clutching the card, Den seethed with frustration. A mere five million-a trifling sum for the Edwards family! His thoughts turned to his grandmother, likely the source of the suspended card, intensifying his anger and embarrassment.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Allow me to cover it. ¡± Alick proffered his ck card, remarking, ¡°This card holds no limitations and requires no password. ¡± The saleswoman hastened to ept the card, stating, ¡°Certainly, sir. ¡± This time, the transaction sailed through sessfully. Without a word of gratitude, Den seized Eliana¡¯s arm and hastily made their exit. Chapter 806 Watching Den¡¯s flushed and mortified countenance, Alick couldn¡¯t help but raise the corners of his mouth, finding the situation increasingly intriguing. Unbeknownst to the onlookers, Lydia, who had been observing the spectacle by the entrance, seized the opportune moment to slip away discreetly. ¡°A breaking development! Watch the video!!¡± Lydia concealed herself in a secluded corner, fingers dancing swiftly over her phone as she sent a rapid message. Apanying the text was a revealing video. ¡°Witness the scoundrel¡¯s disgrace! Alick¡¯s feigned benevolenceid bare! It¡¯s truly spectacr! My return trip was worth it for this Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Hannah¡¯s phone vibrated as she diligently worked away at the hotel. She casually picked it up and, spotting multiple messages from Lydia, decided to view the video. After Hannah watched the video, Lydia bombarded her with more messages. ¡°Look at Den¡¯s humiliation. He can¡¯t muster five million even with multiple cards. Perhaps the Edwards Group isn¡¯t as affluent as we thought. I shadowed them in secret and witnessed a heated altercation between Den and Eliana. It was quite the spectacle!¡± As her friend reveled in the unfolding drama, Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed in contemtion. ¡°Lydia, something doesn¡¯t quite add up. ¡± Lydia, holding her phone, blinked in confusion upon receiving Hannah¡¯s message. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s delve into it further when we meet tonight. ¡± As Hannah set her phone aside, an invitation for a video chat from Edwin popped up on herptop. The moment Hannah clicked ¡°ept¡±, Edwin¡¯s haggard visage startled her from the screen. ¡°What¡¯s going on? I¡¯ve only left for a handful of days, and you look as if you¡¯re barely hanging on. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Hannah. I¡¯m utterly lost for words!¡± Edwin, amidst a yawn, admitted, ¡°I¡¯ve been meticulouslyposing the proposal for multiple nights as part of a coborative project with Mr. Cartwright¡¯spany. I was already stressed out, and then that Dexter Schneider caused amotion in your absence, unsettling the shareholders. I just wrapped up an all-nighterst night and had to rise early today to sort out the chaos.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Schneider even managed to pin the me on others, keeping himself out of harm¡¯s way!¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze sharpened. Dexter¡¯s penchant for turmoil was notorious. Clearly, her previous cautionary words were as whispers to the wind, for he dared to defy her again. ¡°Edwin, have someone keep tabs on him. He¡¯s the sort who¡¯d betray thepany for money. Alert your team to stay vignt. He¡¯s always on his toes. Don¡¯t let him get wind of it. ¡± Edwin, at the other end of the video call, nodded. ¡°Understood. And how are things in Valmere?¡± ¡°There¡¯s not much to report here¡­¡± Hannah hesitated briefly. ¡°I¡¯1L be back in Hoijery soon. Look after our family. Grandpa¡¯s health is faltering. If you need anything, just reach out. ¡± Chapter 807 ¡°Got it, Hannah. I¡¯ll try to avoid adding to your worries. I¡¯m swamped here, so I won¡¯t hold you up. ¡± ¡°Okay, go on. ¡± With that, Hannah ended the call and shifted her focus to herputer, delving into the dark web. Having not essed the dark web for some time, she immediately noticed a new message. ¡°Boss. We¡¯ve detected that the signal tracking you has recently vanished. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryContent rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Hannah¡¯s gaze lowered as she responded, ¡°I¡¯m currently in Valmere. It¡¯s likely their people didn¡¯t follow me here. ¡± The person on the other end of thework quickly replied, ¡°No, boss. Usually, even when you return to Valmere, the signal¡¯s IP still trails you. ¡± For quite some time after her split from Den, Hannah had grown increasingly suspicious that she was under surveince. Throughout this period, she had her underworld contacts on the dark web probe the source of this surveince, yet all they uncovered was an elusive signal source shadowing her movements. This indicated that the individual spying on her was no ordinary enemy, and Hannah¡¯s crew was stumped in their efforts to unveil this mysterious watcher. ¡°I understand, we should approach this cautiously. Just ensure they remain oblivious to our tracking efforts. ¡± ¡°Got it. Boss. ¡± Theptop screen faded to ck as Hannah disconnected from the dark web and shut herptop. A grave look crossed her face. She had once thought Bryson¡¯s people were behind the long-term monitoring, but after thorough investigations, she realized she was mistaken. Feeling a headache brewing, Hannah opted to set aside these worries for the time being and focus instead on handling Lydia¡¯s issues. Elsewhere, Den and the somewhat unkempt Eliana made their way to Allison¡¯s ce. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Having learned her lesson from past experiences, Sadie hadpleted her studies without making any fuss, seemingly morepliant on the surface. Upon witnessing Eliana and her brother¡¯s arrival, she remained silently seated next to Allison. ¡°Grandma, why did you restrict my credit card?¡± Entering the living room, Den attempted to contain his frustration. ¡°I was utterly humiliated at the mall today!¡± Allison, engrossed in her painting, nced at him and added two eyes to the bird she was painting. Her tone was icy. ¡°Well, I merely set spending caps on your cards. You¡¯re limited to a million a day. What, you¡¯re here toin about that?¡± Eliana, overhearing the one-million limit, muttered under her breath, ¡°A million for the CEO of Edwards Group? That¡¯d be quite the scandal if word got out. ¡± Chapter 808 Allison, catching Eliana¡¯s mumbled remark, set down her brush, clearly irritated. ¡°If you have something to say, speak up. Are you only brave enough for whispers, or can you say it outright?¡± Eliana looked wronged. ¡°Allison, it¡¯s not about bravery. I just don¡¯t want to upset you¡­ However, as the CEO of Edwards Group, Den facing such a limit isn¡¯t a great look for our family¡¯s image.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Fighting back his anger, Den addressed Allison. ¡°Grandma, do you realize how ufortable I was out there today?¡± Allison, exasperated with her inept grandson, inhaled sharply and berated him. ¡°You fool! You kept being coaxed into spending huge amount of money for a mistress. You imed you were humiliated? Don¡¯t you think you were more humiliated when you were detained at the police station? Do you have any idea how much it cost me in money and effort to bail you out? Even though it was supposed to be hushed up, now that rumors are swirling, do youprehend the hit Edwards Group¡¯s stock has taken due to your antics?¡± Allison¡¯s expression was grave. ¡°You only excel at taking this woman out for endless shopping sprees. How many of Edwards Group¡¯s ventures have you actually overseen? Are you even aware of the numerous deals you¡¯ve cost us?¡± she used. Den was taken aback, not anticipating the severity to which things had escted. ¡°Grandma¡­¡± ¡°Get on your knees!¡± Allisonmanded with an authoritative tone, her face lined with the marks of time Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ It was a first for Den, receiving such a biting reprimand from his grandmother. He knelt, a trace of resentment creeping in. ¡°Remember what I told you before? Hannah is a gem. Yet what have you done? You turned away from Hannah in favor of this woman, refraining from your marital home and bed after the wedding. You stupid brat!¡± In a fit of anger, Allison flung her coffee cup to the floor, where it shattered near Den. The abrupt noise startled Eliana into a scream. ¡°Ah!¡± Disappointment flooded Allison¡¯s gaze as she fixed it on Den. ¡°I¡¯ve given you a lot of opportunities! I urged you to part with this woman ages ago. And your response?¡± Eliana copsed to her knees, weeping, ¡°Allison, I was oblivious¡­ When Den exited the banquet, I assumed he was merely mingling. I never envisioned this¡­¡± Allison¡¯s breathing was ragged with anger. Chapter 809 ¡°Shut up!¡± Sadie, witnessing the turmoil, attempted to soothe Allison. ¡°Grandma, Den is indeed at fault here, but he shouldn¡¯t bear all the me. ¡± Disgusted with Eliana, Sadie couldn¡¯t help but point out, ¡°Had Eliana reined in Den then, he wouldn¡¯t have strayed so grievously, leading to this debacle. ¡± She shot Eliana a scornful look and continued, ¡°I warned Den from the start against associating with her! Hannah was an exemry sister-inw, ousted so casually by this bitch. Surely, it was her shameless seducing that ensnared Den!¡± Sadie¡¯s remarks were only meant to rile Eliana and her appreciation of Hannah was obviously false, given her past penchant for demeaning Hannah. Eliana clenched her teeth, defiantly raising her head. ¡°Sadie, recall how you once acknowledged only me as your sister-inw. Why this sudden change of heart?¡± Sadie scoffed, ¡°Den¡¯s taken a liking to you. What can I do? Who would have guessed you¡¯d turn out so insufferable?¡± ¡°You!¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Exasperated by the uproar, Allison firmly rapped her cane on the floor. ¡°That¡¯s enough! Everyone, leave this instant! Should this day¡¯s events be mentioned again, consider yourselves banished from this household!¡± Without a word of protest, Sadieplied, casting a sharp nce at Eliana before ascending the stairs. ¡°And you, remain kneeling until your parents return. Then you may stand. ¡± Assisted by a maid, Allison rose and proceeded upstairs. Beside Den, Eliana knelt, gently pulling at his sleeve. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Please, Den, don¡¯t hold this against me. I admit my fault and I¡¯ll try not to be so stubborn. ¡± Den¡¯s face remained unmoved by her plea, but deep down, he was no longer mad at her. After all, the funds Eliana spent on attire didn¡¯te from his family. So he responded tersely, ¡°Acknowledging your mistake suffices. Kneel in silence, to avoid further inciting Grandma. ¡± ¡°Okay. Eliana resigned herself to kneel quietly next to Den, internally sneering at the situation. At nine that evening, after several insistent calls from Alick, Lydia arrived at the bar with reluctance. Stepping into the reserved room, she immediately noticed Alick, isted and drinking. The room, previously abuzz with chatter andughter, fell into a hushed focus on her entrance, stirring a sense of unease within her. ¡°Lydia, it¡¯s been ages! You¡¯ve grown even lovelier!¡± With a warm smile, a woman motioned for Lydia to join them. ¡°Please, take a seat and chat with us. We were talking about you. It¡¯s been ages since ourst encounter. Without Alick, this reunion might¡¯ve never happened. ¡± Lydia moved to take a seat but found herself guided to Alick¡¯s side by the group of women. Chapter 810 With a sweet grin, onedy remarked, ¡°We haven¡¯t had the chance to extend our best wishes. It seems there¡¯s talk of an uing engagement with Alick. Congrattions!¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± another chimed in. ¡°Back in school, you two were an item. We used to wonder if you¡¯d tie the knot someday. Look, our prediction has be a reality!¡±Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Lydia remained silent, opting to disregard the attempts at engagement from others. She secluded herself in a corner, her attention fixed on her phone. Her demeanor left no doubt about her disinterest in the social event. Upon Lydia¡¯s arrival, her silence and frosty expression cast a veil of difort over everyone. Alick, close by, did not contribute to reducing the tension. Eventually, their former ss president intervened, saying, ¡°It¡¯s natural for Lydia to feel out of touch after so many years. Let¡¯s enjoy our time and give Lydia and Alick a moment to reconnect!¡± His words rekindled the festive atmosphere that had briefly dimmed. ¡®s BunnyBookery Oblivious to her surroundings, Lydia didn¡¯t notice Alick inching closer. ¡°These are our former ssmates, and you seem distant. Why is that?¡± he whispered, his breath tickling her ear and causing her to recoil, clutching her phone. Lydia, hands cupping her ears, red at Alick. ¡°What are you doing, Alick? Keep your distance! Back off!¡± Alick¡¯s grin only broadened at her rm. ¡°I never realized you were so skittish, almost like a little rabbit. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t make me feel worse, okay?¡± Lydia scanned the room warily, phone gripped tightly, before addressing Alick. ¡°Let¡¯s set the record straight. I will neither be engaged nor married to you! Is this reunion just a ploy to announce our engagement? Once it¡¯s out, I can¡¯t escape, can I?¡± Firmly, Lydia dered, ¡°Hear me, Alick! It¡¯s not going to happen!¡± Lydia¡¯s words were firm, but Alick¡¯s smile persisted. ¡°Remember, your brother¡¯s 30 million debt was cleared by my family. ¡± Amidst the room¡¯s mor, Alick¡¯s voice cut through, leaving Lydia thunderstruck. Her stunned expression seemed to align with Alick¡¯s anticipation. Chapter 811 ¡°Don¡¯t be shocked. My father, honoring the long-standing friendship between our families, never meant to coerce you into marriage. ¡± ¡°But you¡­¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Alick anticipated her question with a knowing chuckle, fixing his gaze on her. ¡°Your little brother, on the other hand, hasn¡¯t seemed to learn his lesson. Can you guess the amount he owes now?¡± While speaking, he presented his open hand to Lydia. ¡°Fifty million. ¡± The gravity of each word hammered against Lydia¡¯sposure. Her fingers quivered subtly beneath her garments. Alick¡¯s smile widened as he watched her face, adding another blow. ¡°Wait, there¡¯s more. Your dad¡¯spany took a massive hittely, and you had no clue, right?¡± Lydia¡¯s fingertips turned icy, her breaths short and sharp. She attempted to stand, to escape, but Alick seized her wrist, yanking her back. Unprepared, Lydia tripped into Alick¡¯s embrace, his strength caging her effortlessly. ¡°Our marriage would be a lifeline for your family. Should they crumble, where does that leave you, heiress?¡± he taunted. Lydia struggled against his grip, but Alick¡¯s hold was unyielding. His voice then rumbled in her ear. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What¡¯s your n? Besides epting my hand in marriage, do you have any better choice? Oh, yes, there¡¯s Mr. Davies. ¡± His voiceced with mockery, Alick continued, making Lydia¡¯s skin crawl, ¡°He might take you as his wife, but being an only child, would his parents wee you?¡± Lydia, teeth clenched in defiance, writhed. ¡°That¡¯s not your concern! Release me!¡± Alick, having made his point, let her go, his eyes gleaming with cold assurance, convinced of her eventual surrender. ¡°Your brother¡¯s massive debt and the fate of your family are all on you now. Marrying me is your call. ¡± Chapter 812 While Lydia was still processing, the private room¡¯s door swung open. The mood shifted instantaneously, all eyes drawn to the neer. ¡°Apologies, I¡¯m looking for someone. ¡± Hannah entered, her face nk, her eyes softening as theynded on Lydia. ¡°Lydia,e with me. ¡± That snapped Lydia out of her stupor. She hastily grabbed her bag, moving towards Hannah. But Alick¡¯s hand was quick to halt her, his eyes locking with Hannah¡¯s. ¡°She¡¯s not going anywhere with you!¡± Lydia waspletely caught off guard by the depth of Alick¡¯s mischief. She yearned to liberate herself from his clutches.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Release me this instant!¡± Alick arched his eyebrows, contemting drawing her into an intimate embrace. In an unexpected twist, a man swiftly emerged from behind Hannah. He lunged forward, wielding a wine bottle poised for a strike. ¡°Brayden, cease this!¡± Within the confines of the private room, the abrupt unfolding of events startled everyone present. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Dear God!¡± ¡°What is going on here? Is he attempting an assault?¡± ¡°Where is security? Security!¡± Fortunately, Lydia¡¯s timely outcry prevented Brayden from exacerbating the situation. Brayden¡¯s bottle halted just inches from Alick¡¯s head, narrowly avoiding contact. Alick¡¯s countenance remained unconcerned as he leaned back, his gaze shifting from Brayden to Lydia. ¡°Leave and ponder my words carefully. ¡± The room plunged into silence, leaving the others bewildered. Brayden gripped Lydia¡¯s wrist, fixing a stern re on Alick. Chapter 813 ¡°She won¡¯t entertain your proposal. Her marriage to you is out of the question. ¡± ¡°Oh, indeed?¡± Alick nodded, gesturing towards Brayden as he addressed Lydia. ¡°So, is he your chosen groom?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with marrying me? Any objections?¡± Brayden shot a cold look at Alick. Lydia gently pulled at Brayden¡¯s hand. ¡°Enough of this senseless talk!¡± In this moment, Brayden discarded all concern for appearances, firmly sping Lydia¡¯s wrist. ¡°We¡¯re departing immediately. ¡± After their departure, Hannah pivoted, poised to exit the room, only to be intercepted by Alick. ¡°Miss Moore, hold on. ¡± Alick nonchntly slipped his hands into his pockets, rose from his seat and addressed the upants of the private room. ¡°My apologies for this early departure.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. I¡¯ll settle all expenses for the night. Urgent matters beckon, preventing me from prolonging my stay. ¡± He trailed after Hannah as they left the room. Once outside, he ignited a cigarette and engaged Hannah in conversation. ¡°If Lydia¡¯s well-being truly concerns you, persuade her to return. ¡± Hannah regarded him with a vacant stare. ¡°Why should I?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s for her own good. Marrying me would be a wiser choice than tying the knot with Brayden, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± Hannah chuckled, finding his audacity rather entertaining. ¡°Brayden¡¯s family holds more sway in Valmere than yours. Why should Lydia consider you a better match?¡± Alick¡¯s gaze remained unwavering as he asserted, ¡°I maintain that her marrying into the Davies family is an impossibility. ¡± Hannah sneered, ¡°It¡¯s none of your concern and you can rest easy. ¡± Alick exuded confidence. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re astute. However, the intricacies of the Phillips family dynamics might elude you now but Iprehend them fully. I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave now. Miss Moore, I trust you can assist in convincing her,¡± Alick concluded, snuffing out his cigarette as he passed by Hannah. Chapter 814 Still in a state of shock, Lydia found herself seized by Brayden, who pulled her towards the bar¡¯s entrance. She managed to break free from his grasp. ¡°Why did you follow us here? Why didn¡¯t you stick to the n?!¡± ¡°Stick to the n? I was too incensed to care about that anymore. How can you expect me to stand idly by and witness all of this?¡± Known for his yboy tendencies, Brayden, now losing hisposure in front of Lydia, eximed, ¡°He even wanted to embrace you! How am I supposed to tolerate that?¡± Lydia couldn¡¯t help butugh at his reaction. ¡°You¡¯re such a fool!¡± ¡°The fool is you! You should have outright rejected him and left with me! We can go get our marriage certificate now! Yes, let¡¯s do that!¡± Taking a few steps back, Lydia pleaded, ¡°I implore you not to act recklessly, especially now when it will only aggravate the situation Hannah emerged from the bar, witnessing their standoff and shook her head. ¡°What on earth are you two doing? Haven¡¯t you yed out your scenes enough?¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Spotting her, Lydia hurriedly approached and uttered, ¡°I don¡¯t want to go home tonight!¡± Upon hearing this, Brayden promptly interjected, ¡°Let¡¯s head to my ce!¡± Lydia cast a sardonic nce his way. ¡°Your ce? No thanks.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. I¡¯d rather stay with Hannah. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°In that case, I¡¯ming with you!¡± Brayden said, standing his ground. Caught in the midst of these two rather juvenile individuals, Hannah felt a bit helpless. ¡°Both of you,e with me. There¡¯s something I need to discuss. ¡± Seated in Hannah¡¯s car, Lydia dutifully secured her seatbelt. ¡°Earlier, in your message, you mentioned that something didn¡¯t feel quite right. I¡¯m intrigued. What was it?¡± Brayden, positioned in the backseat, leaned forward eagerly. ¡°What are you talking about? I want in on this too. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s just girls¡¯ gossip!¡± Lydia rolled her eyes at him. Brayden nodded. ¡°Well, I¡¯m interested in that too. So, what¡¯s the gossip?¡± Previous Chapter Chapter 815 As Lydia was about to rebuff him, Hannah interjected, ¡°Show him the video you took and see if he notices anything amiss. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Lydia retrieved her phone and yed the video, then handed it to Brayden. ¡°It¡¯s from today. ¡± The video unfolded and Lydia narrated the events to Brayden. As her narrative unfolded and the video progressed, Brayden¡¯s expression grew increasingly grave. Ultimately, Brayden remained utterly silent. Lydia, ovee by curiosity, turned her head and observed him manually adjusting the progress bar. ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen enough?¡± ¡°It does feel like something¡¯s amiss¡­¡± Brayden eventually replied. Growing more intrigued, Lydia took the phone into her own hands, watching the video with her head lowered multiple times. ¡°I still can¡¯t discern what¡¯s wrong. What¡¯s the issue?¡± ¡°The reactions of Eliana and Alick seem off,¡± Hannah exined. ¡°Huh?¡± Lydia looked puzzled, rewinding the progress bar for another inspection. ¡°But didn¡¯t Alick swipe the card for Eliana to taunt Den? What¡¯s so peculiar about that?¡± Brayden, seated behind them, interjected with aposed tone, ¡°Take note of Eliana¡¯s bashful expression. There¡¯s undoubtedly something between them. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Really? Why can¡¯t I see it?¡± Lydia turned to Hannah, who upied the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Hannah, do you also think something is awry here?¡± ¡°Yes, my sentiments align with Brayden¡®s. ¡± ¡°Wow!¡± Lydia marveled aloud as she tinkered with her phone.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I can¡¯t see it at all. You two possess remarkable investigative skills. You could easily switch to paparazzi instead of running apany. ¡± Hannah inquired of Lydia, ¡°You were present too. Did you not observe anything unusual between them then?¡± Lydia pondered for a moment, scratched her head and chuckled, ¡°I didn¡¯t notice anything amiss but I was too busy contemting buying loads of clothes to annoy Alick. I paid no heed to what was unfolding between them. Should I return and scrutinize Alick more closely?¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Or should I seize an opportunity to inspect Alick¡¯s phone?¡± Chapter 816 Brayden was swift to dissent.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°If you get a chance to check Alick¡¯s phone, the two of you would undoubtedly be alone. I object!¡± ¡°Your objection holds no weight. I want to know what Hannah thinks. ¡± Hannah, at the wheel, interjected, ¡°There¡¯s no need to take risks over this. ¡± Lydia¡¯s spirits took a dip. ¡°It¡¯s my slowness. I failed to notice any signs of peculiarity. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s no me on you. No one would have predicted their involvement,¡± Hannah assured, her tone steady. Remainingposed, Hannah added, ¡°Even without checking Alick¡¯s phone, you¡¯d unearth this eventually as long as it persists. ¡± While conversing, they headed to the hotel together, where Lydia, noticing that Hannah had reserved the presidential suite, resolved to stay with determination. ¡°Let¡¯s address the matters at hand,¡± Hannah proposed upon arrival. Setting her bag down, she fixed Brayden with a serious gaze. ¡°Your abrupt appearance today was impulsive, Brayden. ¡± Acknowledging his impulsivity with a hand through his hair, Brayden stood firm. ¡°That guy wanted to embrace Lydia. I couldn¡¯t bear it!¡± Hannah responded sternly, ¡°Well, do you still want Lydia to break free from her family?¡± Brayden fell silent at this question from Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on him,¡± Lydia interjected, casting a nce at Brayden. ¡°In any case, Alick is convinced I¡¯ll marry him. Consider it a minor setback. It shouldn¡¯t disrupt our original n. However, there¡¯s another pressing matter. ¡± Facing Hannah with a headache, Lydia continued, ¡°I just discovered today that my brother¡¯s thirty million debt, known to us, has already been settled by the Shaw family. However, he¡¯s amassed an additional 5@ million debt. This, coupled with recent setbacks in Phillips Group¡¯s projects means that the Phillips Group is now in debt to at least a hundred million. This is what Alick conveyed to me. ¡± This revtion left Brayden and even Hannah appalled. ¡°What audacity!¡± Feeling the weight of multiple issues, Hannah sensed the urgency. ¡°Do you know which casino he racked up the debt at? I¡¯ll have it investigated. ¡± ¡°In this city, there¡¯s only one casino open on the West Side. Henry mentioned it¡¯s a reputable ce, introduced to him by friends,¡± Chapter 817 Lydia exined while scrolling through her phone. Locating the casino¡¯s name, she stated, ¡°I¡¯ve got it. ¡®Homing¡¯ on the West Side. It¡¯s a legitimate establishment. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Hannah noted this information down. ¡°I¡¯ll look into it tomorrow. ¡± Brayden eagerly raised his hand. ¡°And me? What¡¯s my role in this?¡± Hannah directed him. ¡°You have a crucial task. On the day of their engagement, your job is to rescue Lydia.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Brayden¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°You¡¯re really letting Lydia get engaged to Alick?¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°You misunderstand. Only by disrupting everything at the grand engagement ceremony can we thwart their schemes. And there¡¯s one more thing. I need your assistance in devising a n. I aim to consolidate all of Phillips Group¡¯s shares under Lydia¡¯s name and then revitalize thepany. ¡± Brayden mulled it over. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s aplex situation. I¡¯ll need some time to ponder it over. ¡± Lydia ushered him out. ¡°Take your time to think it through. I¡¯m a bit weary now. It¡¯s time for us to turn in!¡± Bang! The door shut emphatically and Lydia sank onto the couch. Her countenance lost its radiance as if all vitality had drained from her. Observing Lydia¡¯s apparent despondency, Hannah smiled, approaching her. ¡°Would you like a ss of wine?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m a bit fatigued,¡± Lydia responded. Witnessing Lydia¡¯s exhaustion, Hannah drew near with a gentle voice. ¡°You weren¡¯t like this when Brayden was here. ¡± Lydia sighed, resting her head on Hannah¡¯s shoulder. Chapter 818 ¡°If I showed any sign of low spirits in front of him, he would¡¯ve dragged me to City Hall for the marriage certificate this instant. I truly don¡¯t want my wretched father and my useless brother to gain any advantage. Why should I bear the burden of their debts?¡± Tears welled up in Lydia¡¯s eyes. Reflecting on Brayden, her voice quivered. ¡°I know how earnestly he¡¯s tried to shield me. But I won¡¯t let him descend into the abyss with me. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice exuded calm and sce. She embraced Lydia tightly. ¡°I understand. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll handle this matter for you ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re so kind. What would I do without you?¡± Lydia enveloped Hannah in a hug, seekingfort. Hannah sighed in resignation. ¡°Seems like you¡¯re holding up. ¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°With you by my side, everything will be fine. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll bounce back to my usual self,¡± Lydia assured. ¡°Speaking of which¡­¡± Lydia gazed at Hannah. ¡°You haven¡¯t opened up about your own concerns yet. ¡± Hannah averted her gaze. ¡°What concerns could I possibly have?¡± ¡°When discussing others, you¡¯re so expressive. But when ites to your own life, you¡¯re ever so elusive!¡± Lydia sat up, fixing a serious gaze on Hannah. ¡°Why did you and Bryson break up? It perplexes me. There shouldn¡¯t have been any issues between you two. ¡± Picking at her hand, Hannah frowned, grappling with where to start on this delicate matter. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After a moment of waiting, Lydia observed Hannah¡¯s bowed head and silence. She huffed, teasingly saying, ¡°Do I have to pry it out of you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m unwilling to share. I genuinely don¡¯t know where to begin. Even if I start, I have no idea how to resolve it. ¡± Hannah sighed, then met Lydia¡¯s eyes. ¡°Consider him and me as two individuals destined not to be together. Our paths just don¡¯t converge. ¡± ¡°What are you on about?¡± Lydia¡¯s mood immediately soured. ¡°There must be a reason. Did you fall out of love, or did he? You sound like a suffering female lead in a melodrama. If there¡¯s an issue, why not openly discuss and rify everything? Wouldn¡¯t that be better?¡± Hannah affectionately patted Lydia¡¯s head. ¡°If it could be neatly exined, a breakup wouldn¡¯t be necessary. ¡± Detecting the existence of aplicated story, Lydia narrowed her eyes and leaned in. Chapter 819 Don¡¯t tell me he cheated on you too¡­¡± ¡°No!¡± Hannah swiftly denied. ¡°It¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking. Please don¡¯t specte. I¡¯ll handle this on my own, okay?¡± Lydia sighed, nestling into Hannah¡¯s embrace. ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t press you any further. When you¡¯re ready to share, let me know. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Alright,¡± Hannah smiled, her eyes curved. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll tell you once I figure out how to exin. ¡± Brayden exited the hotel and entered a waiting car. ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t keep you waiting up there for too long. ¡± The car¡¯s interior was dim, the driver holding a cigarette. The me flickered. Just returning from resolving matters in Muvrand, Bryson had hurried back overnight. The lingering scent of blood mixed with the car¡¯s cigarette aroma. His expression remained obscured in the night¡¯s darkness. ¡°What did you discuss?¡± ¡°Everything revolves around Lydia,¡± Brayden replied. Bryson acknowledged with a nod, setting the car into motion. A hush enveloped the car momentarily before Bryson¡¯s voice, resonant and subdued, shattered it.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°How is she?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Seated in the passenger seat, Brayden reclined against it, his words apanied by a grin. ¡°Your girlfriend is doing well. The breakup didn¡¯t faze her. ¡± Upon uttering those words, he sensed a slight dip in the car¡¯s atmosphere. Realizing the inappropriateness of his statement, he hurriedly attempted to rectify. ¡°I mean, she¡¯s been upied with Lydia¡¯s affairstely so there¡¯s been no time for distractions. Oh, by the way!¡± Brayden cleared his throat, swiftly steering the conversation in a new direction. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to inform you. Lydia¡¯s younger brother is in debt by fifty million. The gambling house he visited¡­ falls within your jurisdiction. ¡± Bryson tapped the steering wheel impassively. Chapter 820 ¡°Arrange for someone to settle his debt. ¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not my point!¡± Brayden rified, ¡°We intend to use this opportunity to make him incur more losses, prompting him to sell his shares, which we can then acquire. As for your girlfriend¡­ Miss Moore mentioned she ns to visit there tomorrow. Should I give her a heads-up?¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze shimmered at the mention of Hannah¡¯s name. ¡°You needn¡¯t concern yourself with this. ¡± Aware that Bryson preferred not to delve into the topic, Brayden acquiesced. ¡°Alright, handle it as you see fit. ¡± In the early hours of the second day, a piercing scream echoed from Lydia¡¯s room before Hannah had a chance to wake. Startled by the disturbance, Hannah feared something had befallen Lydia and hastened to her room. ¡°Lydia, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Seated on her bed, Lydia clutched her phone, delivering the news. ¡°My father has traced my location and is on his way!¡± Fully alert now, Hannah massaged her temples. ¡°I thought it was a serious emergency. I¡¯ll handle them. ¡± ¡°Nol¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After dressing hastily, Lydia intercepted Hannah, stating, ¡°I¡¯ll go. If I return with them, our n can proceed smoothly. Your involvement mightplicate matters.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. They won¡¯t create a scene if I apany them. ¡± As they conversed, a knock resonated through the door, apanied by the voices of Jaylin and Henry. ¡°Brat,e out here at once!¡± Jaylin bellowed. ¡°Lydia! Running off like this, have you considered your engagement?¡± Both were eager to express more, but were cut short as Lydia flung the door open, her expression icy. ¡°What¡¯s with all this shouting? Are you attempting to create a spectacle here? Have you no shame?¡± Jaylin assumed she had spent the night with Brayden, unleashing a tirade about her purportedck of decency. ¡°You¡¯re on the verge of engagement, yet you spent the night away, cavorting with another man. Chapter 821 Shame on you! Shame on you! I won¡¯t tolerate this disgrace!¡± His hand extended, aiming to seize Lydia¡¯s arm. ¡°Come with me to the Shaw family¡¯s vi and apologize!¡± Before his hand could make contact, another hand intercepted. ¡°Why should she apologize?¡± Hannah, already attired and positioned by the door, fixed a cold gaze on Jaylin and Henry outside. Noticing Hannah¡¯s presence, Jaylin momentarily faltered, attempting to peer inside. Hannah sneered, ¡°What? Hoping to find a man in my room? This is my room and I allowed my friend to spend the night here. What¡¯s so shameless about that?¡± Jaylin sought to respond but Hannah¡¯s frigid and disdainful words silenced him. ¡°This is a high-end establishment. Please speak with respect. Otherwise, I can have you ejected!¡± Already nursing a bruised ego from his previous encounter with Hannah, Henry nowunched into a tirade. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal about staying here? I can stay here too if I want! You only enjoy this because you¡¯vetched onto a man and taken his money.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Does that make you proud?¡± Lydia¡¯s countenance darkened, contemting a physical response to Henry¡¯s words but Hannah seized her wrist. Drawing Lydia away, Hannah addressed Henry withposed demeanor. ¡°Do you truly believe I can¡¯t take action against you? There are cameras all over this floor. Shall I summon the police now, inform them of your defamation and have you arrested?¡± ¡°You!¡± Henry nced around and fell silent. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah curled her lips, fixing an unfriendly gaze on Jaylin and Henry. ¡°Do you believe a woman always has to lean on a man? Your perspectives are so narrow. No wonder Phillips Group has struggled. ¡± Jaylin¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°What are you implying?¡± ¡°Nothing. Dad, in your own words, let¡¯s not make fools of ourselves here!¡± With that, Lydia exited, bag slung over her shoulder. Observing her departure, Jaylin followed, while Henry purposelygged behind. As Lydia and Jaylin walked away, Henry sharply turned his head towards Hannah. ¡°Just you wait and see!¡± Meeting his gaze, Hannah fought backughter. Chapter 822 ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see how you n to make me suffer. ¡± Seeing Hannah unfazed, Henry clenched his teeth, then swiftly turned and departed. Once they left, Hannah closed the door and looked up the address of Homing on her phone. The drive from the hotel to Homing would take about an hour. Unhurried, Hannah decided to enjoy a leisurely meal before heading there. Fortuitously, there was a foreign cuisine restaurant nearby, so she headed there. After finding a seat and ordering a set meal, she nced at the map on her phone when someone suddenly tapped on the table in front of her. Looking up, she was met with a radiant smile. ¡°It¡¯s really you, Hannah! It¡¯s been so long. I¡¯ve been filming outside of town recently. Do you still remember me, Hannah?¡± Before Hannah stood Pierson, his exquisite face adorned with a hat and holding recently discarded sunsses. He beamed warmly at Hannah. Surprised by Pierson¡¯s presence, Hannah remarked, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to bump into you here. Are you¡­ grabbing a meal?¡± ¡°Indeed. ¡± Pierson gestured to the chair opposite Hannah. ¡°Mind if I join you?¡± Hannah nodded, saying, ¡°Of course, take a seat. ¡± Pierson chuckled as he settled in, cing an order for some food. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Despite the considerable time since theirst meeting, he effortlessly engaged in a warm conversation with Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s been half a year since ourst film shoot. So, what¡¯s been keeping you busytely? You never reached out to me. ¡± Hannah smiled in response.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°I¡¯ve been swampedtely. Weren¡¯t you upied too? You mentioned finishing filming not too long ago, right?¡± Setting aside his sunsses and resting his chin on his hand, Pierson remarked, ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s been a hectic period, racing against time to meet my shooting schedules. I¡¯ve been on two sets consecutively and I¡¯m utterly drained. ¡± After sharing his own experiences, Pierson blinked and inquired of Hannah, ¡°What have you been up to in thest six months? You never replied to my WhatsApp messages, so I hesitated to message you. ¡± Hannah responded, ¡°I¡¯ve been engrossed in work at Hoijery for half a year now. ¡± ¡°Switched careers, have you? Aren¡¯t you teaching anymore?¡± Pierson inquired, his curiosity evident. Chapter 823 ¡°Indeed, I¡¯ve taken a different path,¡± she confirmed. Pierson¡¯s expression held a tinge of disappointment. ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate. I was unaware of your career shift. Had I known sooner, I would¡¯ve rmended you to my firm! You made quite the impressionst time. The director was hoping to coborate with you on another film. Seeing how upied you seemed, rarely responding on WhatsApp, I didn¡¯t want to impose,¡± Pierson exined, his enthusiasm surfacing as he mentioned the film. ¡°There¡¯s actually something I need to ask of you. Our production is set to premiere in a few months. ¡±Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Hannah¡¯s eyes sparkled with intrigue. ¡°What do you need?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a promotional tour for our movie, and your part is crucial. The director has been insistent about you joining him on site,¡± Pierson said, a bashful grin spreading across his face. ¡°I meant to message you about it, but since we bumped into each other, I figured I¡¯d ask now. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah, faced with Pierson¡¯s earnest request, found it hard to outright decline. ¡°Alright, if time permits, I¡¯ll be there. And if not, I¡¯ll buy a ticket and support the movie in the theater. That role still holds significance for me. ¡± Pierson¡¯s eyes shimmered with hope at her words. ¡°Really? That¡¯s wonderful! Should you ever decide to leave your current job, consider acting with us. My agent would dly represent you!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Just then, a waiter arrived, carrying steak and spaghetti, his excitement apparent upon seeing Pierson. ¡°You¡¯re Pierson! I¡¯m a fan of your TV series!¡± The waiter, flushed with excitement after setting down the dishes, recognized Pierson instantly. ¡°Could I¡­ get your autograph?¡± With a radiant smile, Pierson scribbled his signature on a napkin and handed it to the waiter. ¡°Of course, here you go. ¡± ¡°Thank you so much!¡± The waiter cradled the tissue with glee, sneaking a peek at Hannah as she dined on steak across from Pierson. Then, he dashed off! Once back in the reception area, he burst out to his coworkers, ¡°Guess who¡¯s here? It¡¯s Pierson Chapter 824 ¡°Where is he? I¡¯m a fan too!¡± The waiter¡¯s revtion stirred up excitement among the staff. ¡°There,¡± he said, turning around to point at Hannah. ¡°Pierson¡¯s right across from her!¡± They surged forward, peering in bewilderment. ¡°Thedy facing him, she¡¯s gorgeous. Is she famous too? I¡¯ve never seen her before. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t recall her from any shows, but she¡¯s stunning. I¡¯d remember if she were an actress. ¡± ¡°Could she be Pierson¡¯s girlfriend?¡± As they spected, a huddle formed, everyone taking in a sharp breath. A phone was whipped out, and a flurry of photos were snapped! ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± one voice called out, halting the eager waiter. But he was undeterred, aiming his camera. ¡°He¡¯s a superstar. This scoop could be worth a fortune. I could make hundreds of thousands selling this to the tabloids!¡± Amid the sporadic chatter, Hannahid down her utensils. ¡°Seems you¡¯ve been recognized. No peace for you here. ¡± With a mischievous wink, Pierson wore his hat. ¡°I¡¯ll drop you a message before the press tour starts. Make sure to respond. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With that, he disguised himself with the sunsses and hurried out.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Hannah thought little of the incident, unaware of the chaos it would soon cause her. Departing from the restaurant, Hannah set off towards West Side. On the way, she purchased a new ensemble to alter her appearance. As she reached Homing, the evening was settling in. In thefort of her car, Hannah was wearing a modest, long ck outfit, her face almost bare, her skin as soft as a freshly peeled egg. With her hair drawn back into a ponytail, she bore the youthful air of a college student. Dusk deepened as Hannah exited her vehicle and strode towards Homing. Her attire drew the attention of the vignt security guard at the entrance, who barred her way, dering, ¡°Minors and students are not permitted here. ¡± Chapter 825 Bowing her head, Hannah retrieved her ID from her purse and presented it, inquiring, ¡°May I pass now?¡± The guard scrutinized her ID with diligence before finally granting her entry after an extended pause. Crossing the gate of Homing, Hannah felt a detachment from the outside world as an old-fashioned corridor unfolded before her. This venue differed from the Enchantment Casino in Muvrand. Its ambiance leaned more towards an esteemed gallery than a gaming house, with its mellow yellow lighting and plush brown carpet underfoot.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Arching an eyebrow, Hannah continued on. Nearing the end of the corridor, she was greeted by two masked men who extended a mask towards her, saying, ¡°Greetings, please wear a mask. ¡± A rabbit mask was offered. Hannah, eyeing the mask, queried with an arched eyebrow, ¡°Why should I put it on? I¡¯m here to have fun and enjoy myself. ¡± ¡°The rule is for those who prefer anonymity. ¡± The man¡¯s words made perfect sense. epting the mask, Hannah mused regretfully on her unnecessary makeup application. After she masked herself, the ushers swung the doors open, weing her with the words, ¡°Enjoy your time at Homing. ¡± The serene quietude outside starkly contrasted the cacophony that erupted as the doors parted. Stepping inside, Hannah moved forward as the doors shut gently behind her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Concealed behind her mask, she covertly observed the attendees clustered around the gambling tables. They exuded affluence and upper-ss elegance, a sight Hannah found unsurprising. Such a venue was beyond the reach of average gamblers, both financially and ess-wise. The establishment spanned multiple levels. Hannah positioned herself at a lower floor¡¯s gambling table, yet Henry was nowhere in sight. She decided to edge closer to the gaming action and observe. Outside, Henry and hispanions were obstructed. Confronted with the necessity of a mask, Henry felt a surge of indignation, defiantly eximing, ¡°I refuse to mask up today. What are you going to do about it? Why the sudden imposition of masks when there was never such a rule before?¡± The guards¡¯ voices were steady and resolute. ¡°Our boss insists that masks are required for entry into the casino today. ¡± The crowd behind Henry, bolstered by his stature, protested loudly, ¡°Why the sudden rule? We¡¯ve never needed masks before! Are you looking for trouble?¡± Their agitation grew. Chapter 826 ¡°This is absurd! Do you realize who this man is? He is the son of the Phillips family! Think your boss can handle the fallout of offending him?¡± With a smug expression, Henry crushed the mask beneath his foot. ¡°I won¡¯t be wearing this. What will you do, deny me entry? I could have this ce ruined by the day¡¯s end!¡± The guards at the entrance were about to take action, when a voice crackled through their earpieces. ¡°Let them through without fuss. ¡± Relenting, the guards announced, ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve been granted an exception. No mask needed. Please,e in. ¡± They stepped aside, swinging the grand wooden doors wide open. Henry¡¯s entourage was quick to sing his praises. ¡°See? Mr. Phillipsmands respect. Even the boss bends to his will!¡± ¡°Indeed. In Valmere, Mr.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Phillips¡¯ word isw. Who would dare cross him?¡± Basking in their admiration, Henry tidied up his outfit and confidently guided his friends indoors. He favored this casino for its leniency. Elsewhere, his mounting debts would have earned him a cklist. Here, he owed a staggering fifty million and yet remained wee. The recent confrontation had him briefly suspecting a targeted slight. But as he entered and noticed everyone at the tables masked, his concerns vanished, reced by the satisfaction of the boss¡¯s deference. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Henry scoffed, ¡°What¡¯s with the masks today? I¡¯ve no clue what kind of game they¡¯re up to now. But first, let¡¯s get some chips. ¡± Hispanions, eager to partake, nced back at the crowd and feigned a pitiable state with expert ease. ¡°We¡¯re in this together, Henry. You can¡¯t just go alone. Think of us, too. ¡± ¡°Yeah, our pockets are empty. Mr. Phillips, you¡¯ve got to bring us along!¡± ustomed to his free-spirited ways, Henry faced no resistance at the casino. With a casual flick of his wrist, he assured them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Stick with me, and you won¡¯t face any losses. Let¡¯s go load up on chips!¡± ¡°Mr. Phillips is the man!¡± ¡°Absolutely! Mr. Phillips has got clout!¡± Upon reaching the chip counter, Henry dered to the attendant, ¡°Same as always, start me with 10 million in chips. I¡¯ll square up after I win. ¡± The chip handler, already instructed to be generous with Henry, responded with a knowing smile. Chapter 827 Here¡¯s your usual 10 million,¡± he said, swiftly producing the chips, then doubling the amount. ¡°Our boss considers you a VIP, so today, you get twice the amount you ask for. ¡± ¡°Talk about honor, Mr. Phillips!¡± ¡°Seriously, you¡¯ve got the magic touch here Walking away with a fortune in chips withoutying down a dime!¡± The sight of the mountain of chips sent a thrill through Henry, and he momentarily lost hisposure. ¡°Exactly! They know who I am!¡± Beckoning his crew, he dered, ¡°Grab your share. Tonight, I¡¯ve got a hunch we¡¯re winning back everything we¡¯ve lost!¡± Their excitement palpable, they rallied around Henry and made their exit. Once they departed, the chip distributor covertly confirmed over his headset, ¡°Taskpleted. ¡± Above them, an observer watched the scene unfold from behind a pane of transparent ss. d in a ck suit, Bryson reclined on the plush sofa, his gaze fixed on the casino below.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. Next to him, a series of sharp surveince feeds flickered on the monitor. Beside him stood Caleb Dury, the man often referred to as the boss. ¡°Boss, with the stack of chips he¡¯s umted, he¡¯s now 7@ million in debt to us. The Phillips Group is in disarraytely. I doubt he¡¯ll be able to settle his debts. ¡± Bryson lifted his gaze to the monitor, which now disyed Hannah¡¯s masked visage. ¡°No need to worry. We¡¯ll address it after tonight¡¯s events. Let him have all the chips he desires tonight. Do not turn him down. ¡± Caleb didn¡¯t venture to challenge Bryson¡¯smand. With a nod, he agreed, ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± Downstairs, Hannah walked casually by the gambling tables, her gaze fixed on a group in the distance. Unmasked and flush with chips, they exuded confidence and hubris. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ They were unmistakably conspicuous. From her spot within the throng, Hannah observed their approach. ¡°Let¡¯s y this game. It¡¯s the quickest way to win!¡± Henry¡¯s confidence was palpable. This game had always been his ticket to triumph. He was certain today would bring back his fortunes. Yet, he seemed to have erased from his mind the memory of losing 50 million in one night at these very tables! As the gamemenced, only two contenders upied their seats to engage inpetition, with the opportunity for both yers to partake in a series of ten gambling rounds. Throughout these rounds, either participant was free to leave early. However, the longer they wagered, the more substantial their potential earnings. Chapter 828 The most tantalizing aspect of this gambling contest was the mystery of the victor, which remained unknown until the final round concluded. After a session of ten rounds, the highest sum a yer rued approached the billions, leaving many to deplete their funds at this very table. Some yers had utilized this cash influx to amass wealth. Meanwhile, Hannah¡¯s face, concealed behind her mask, betrayed no emotion. To her, these affluent bettors were no longer individuals but rather the most fanatical of gamblers once they ced their stakes. Henry assumed his position across the table, scanning the crowd of masked spectators, and challenged, ¡°Who dares to bet against me?¡± Seeing his confidence in his impending victory, not a soul in the vicinity wished to face him. In other games, the stakes were modest, but in this game of dice, the losses could start at ten million, a mistake no one wanted to make. But then, a figure took the seat across from him. ¡°Who¡¯s that? She just sat down with such certainty. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s a woman!¡± Women seldom engaged in gambling at this venue. The majority of affluent women preferred not to sully their reputation by wagering in a casino, opting instead to find someone to gamble within thefort of their own homes. Thus, the presence of the woman seated across the table drew curious nces. Dressed in a ck gown, Hannah¡¯s face was hidden behind a mask resembling an innocent rabbit, giving her an aura of innocence. ¡°I¡¯d like to join the game,¡± she dered, altering her voice to mask her identity. Henry, casting a brief nce her way, deduced her infrequent visits to such haunts and smirked with contempt. His men mocked Hannah openty. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°New to the game, are we? Understand the rules, do you? It¡¯s quite audacious for a novice to take a seat here. ¡± ¡°Judging from the tone of your voice, you appear to be a disguised noblewoman, pretending to be wealthy. You might want to confirm with your household if you can afford such extravagances!¡± Henry¡¯s gaze upon Hannah was malevolent. ¡°Lacking chips, are we? Hoping to win empty-handed?¡± The dealer, stationed by Hannah¡¯s side, also took note of her absence of chips and started to caution her, ¡°It appears this may be your first visit. Without chips, I¡¯m afraid¡­¡± His warning trailed off as Hannah, with a graceful motion of her white-gloved hand, produced a tinum card. ¡°The funds on this card far exceed those of my counterpart across the table. ¡± Chapter 829 She taunted Henry with her remark, ¡°A mere 20 million in chips. Is that considered substantial?¡± As anticipated, Henry¡¯s countenance fell into a scowl at her words, a shadow of displeasure visible even under the muted lighting. However, Hannah smiled, ¡°The oue of the game remains to be seen. I¡¯m prepared for a loss, but I question whether you can say the same. If 20 million is all you possess, I suggest you leave right now. I¡¯ve no interest in conversing with the impoverished. ¡± Her provocative jeer not only escted Henry¡¯s rage but also drew astonished reactions from the bystanders. Such haughtiness! To deem someone with 20 million as impoverished. From which family did she belong? The crowd around the dice table swelled, their interest piqued not by the prospect of gambling, but by the spectacle unfolding. This proved to be more captivating than the previous one. It was a fundamental aspect of human nature. People had a natural curiosity for witnessing others¡¯ unfortunate circumstances. ¡°Your arrogance knows no bounds!¡± Henry regarded the woman seated across from him with a frosty gaze and sneered, ¡°Fine, let¡¯s make it a substantial bet. Do you have the nerve to ept?¡± Concealed behind her mask, Hannah¡¯s lips curved into a smirk. ¡°Go ahead, set your terms. ¡± ¡°Alright then!¡± Henry, sizing up Hannah, suspected she was well-off and an idea sparked in his mind. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ r ten rounds. No leaving allowed. If you end up losing, you¡¯ll face an additional stiption. Spend a night with me. ¡± His deration was met with a surge of enthusiasm from the onlookers. ¡°She won¡¯t have the guts to follow through. She¡¯ll squander her riches after ten rounds!¡± ¡°It¡¯s a gamble.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. We don¡¯t even know what she looks like. Just be cautious, for her figure might be misleading!¡± Some burst into jeers, suggesting, ¡°In the worst case, she could keep the mask on. In the dark, it won¡¯t matter!¡± Amidst the scoffing, Henry¡¯s confidence swelled, bolstered by the belief of his assured victory. Hannah, unfazed, inquired with a light chuckle, ¡°And what if you¡¯re the one who loses?¡± Henry, with a contemptuous twist of his mouth, replied, ¡°Then you¡¯re free to demand whatever you wish. ¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes glinted with amusement. Chapter 830 ¡°I have no other desire but wealth. Should you lose, you will forfeit to me every share of the Phillips Group. ¡± Henry, unimpressed, retorted with a scoff, ¡°We shall see if you can actually im them. ¡± Meanwhile, Caleb, observing the wager from an upstairs monitor, felt beads of sweat form on his brow. The aura of his boss was so intimidating that speaking out of turn was unthinkable. Those who had once crossed his boss were likely no longer breathing. ¡°Boss¡­ they¡­¡± With a frosty tone and his eyes fixed on the screen, Bryson instructed, ¡°Once it¡¯s over, if he breaks his promise, you know what to do. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± In the midst of their exchange, the dealer returned to Hannah¡¯s side, presenting her a stack of 5@ million in chips and handing back her card. ¡°Miss, your chips and card are ready. ¡± Hannah tilted her chin towards the pile of chips on the table. ¡°Shall we begin?¡± she inquired. As Henry¡¯s gaze fell upon the 50 million chips sprawled before him, a glint of greed red in his eyes.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. This was a staggering 50 million. Victory in this game meant reiming all his past losses! Impatient, Henry blurted out, ¡°Let¡¯s get on with it! Cut the chatter!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The dealer, presiding over the game,manded, ¡°Cast the dice, please!¡± Simultaneously, Hannah and Henry rattled their dice cups. With a definitive thud, Hannah set her cup on the table and challenged, ¡°Care to reveal yours first?¡± Henry lifted his cup to reveal five dice of sixes and one dice of four. ALL eyes stretched to glimpse Hannah¡¯s roll. Without a pause, she uncovered her dice, revealing one six, a trio of twos, and a pair of fours. Cheers erupted from Henry¡¯s men. ¡°You won! Mr. Phillips is unmatched! Amazing!¡± The crowd buzzed with excitement. Had she just squandered 5@ million in one go? Chapter 831 The stakes doubled to 10@ million for the next round, sparking curiosity about her financial resilience. With a casual beckon, Hannah signaled the man behind her, who promptly supplied her with another 100 million chips. ¡°Fascinating. Proceed,¡± she dered. ¡®s BunnyBookery Following a relentless series of eight games, Hannah¡¯s luck seemed to have deserted her. She had eight losses in a row. Henry¡¯s riches grew by three billion. It was a figure that even the affluent would hesitate to gamble. The initial shock of the onlookers gradually gave way to numbness¡­ Yet, the question lingered. What was the identity of the woman beneath the rabbit mask? As Henry reveled in his triumph of the ninth round, he felt an invincible streak of luck coursing through the evening. Henry, swollen with pride, taunted Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s rare to see ady remain at the gambling table after such losses. I must concede that you are quite wealthy, but these riches now belong to me! Lovelydy, be warned. If you lose the final round, you will belong to me!¡± Hannah ceased all banter. With a swift motion, she shook and mmed her cup down, locking eyes with Henry. She retorted coldly, ¡°Let me remind you. Should you lose the final round, you¡¯ll be indebted to me by six billion. ¡± Laughter echoed around them. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ This time, not just Henry¡¯s men but also the onlookers at the table joined in theughter. A voice from the crowd jeered, ¡°Enough with the act. After nine straight losses, it¡¯s clear you¡¯ve got no clue. Boasting, nheless!¡± Another advised, ¡°There goes six billion! Better quit while you could still afford. Your pride¡¯s already gone, and with that mask, who can even see your shame?¡± Henry¡¯s group exchanged smirks, taunting Hannah. ¡°Fail to honor your word, and you won¡¯t be leaving through that door. ¡± From across the table, Henry shed a grin at Hannah. ¡°You need not gamble any further. I¡¯m three billion up now. Spend a night with me, and I¡¯ll let you off the hook this time.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org ¡± As they all anticipated her surrender, Hannah shook her head. ¡°I apologize, but I don¡¯t fold mid-game. My cup¡¯s set. Please roll your dice. ¡± At her defiance, Henry¡¯s amusement faded to a steely re. Chapter 832 ¡°Your audacity leaves me no choice but toe down hard on you!¡± He seized the cup, gave it a vigorous shake, and his men roared encouragement. ¡°Go on, Mr. Phillips! Defeat her! Make her grovel and plead!¡± ¡°Teach her the price of arrogance! im your victory!¡± ¡°Thinks money¡¯s trivial? I¡¯m eager to witness her despair after this final throw!¡± With all eyes fixed on him, Henry lifted the cup. It was four sixes and two fives. It wasn¡¯t the best roll, but victory seemed certain. He arched an eyebrow at Hannah, taunting, ¡°Your move. ¡± With a serene smile, Hannah unveiled her roll. ALL gazes snapped to her dice. It was all sixes faced upward! A collective gasp sliced through the silence. She had turned the tables. No one foresaw her triumph! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°f@ck! Are my eyes deceiving me? Was this her ploy all along? Just for thisst round?¡± Henry stood dumbfounded for an extended moment, his shock as profound as if lightning had struck him. Only when someone approached to im his chips did he dart toward Hannah, his sanity seemingly slipping away. ¡°You bitch! You orchestrated this, didn¡¯t you?! That¡¯s my money. Let¡¯s see who has the audacity to seize it!¡± The staggering sum of six billion dors sent Henry into a frenzy, his usualposure nowhere to be found. ¡°You bitch! You¡¯re a trickster! A deceiver!¡± he bellowed repeatedly.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. But before he could confront Hannah, the bodyguards intercepted him. They restrained him, curbing his upheaval, yet his curses at Hannah persisted without relenting. Amidst the chaos, Hannah rose with grace, her poise unaffected by the mask that scarcely concealed her refined features. Chapter 833 With a serene smile, she gazed down at Henry, who was pinned to the floor, and remarked, ¡°Nine out of ten gambles end in loss. Haven¡¯t you ever heard that saying? If you gamble for riches, you must also brace for ruin. ¡± However, Henry, his eyes ame with rage, used Hannah vehemently. ¡°You cheat! You must have manipted the game! How else could you have won?¡± His usations stirred murmurs among the bystanders. ¡°She Lost nine in a row, only to win the final one? What are the odds?¡± ¡°Could she be up to some trickery? I¡¯ve heard of people with a knack for gambling!¡± ¡°Is she here just to scam money?¡± Unruffled, Hannah gestured for the dealer to examine the gambling equipment. ¡°Please verify the integrity of these items,¡± she instructed calmly. The dealer inspected thoroughly and announced for all to hear, ¡°These are standard for our establishment. There has been no foul y. Sir, it is unseemly to cast aspersions after a loss. ¡± But Henry¡¯s outburst only intensified. He writhed, struggled, and roared with unrestrained fury, ¡°She¡¯s swindled me! How could I possibly lose? She lured me into this game! She should be detained as well!¡± The casino¡¯s staff had already queued up, each holding multiple tes of chips. ncing at Henry below her, Hannah inquired, ¡°Over six billion. Do you possess the means to settle your debts?¡± She expressed her skepticism, suggesting, ¡°I doubt that liquidating your shares, evenbined with your father¡¯s, would suffice to clear what you owe. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Henry¡¯s men had vanished into thin air, leaving him alone, grounded, defiantly shouting, ¡°Bullshit! Ick the funds! Go ahead, kill me if you must. I refuse to pay!¡± Hannah was no stranger to dealing with rogues in the casino. She leaned over, ready to act, when suddenly, two bodyguards hoisted Henry from the floor, one stating, ¡°Apologies, but this man still owes us seventy million. Our boss has instructed us to escort him upstairs promptly. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Hannah interjected, ¡°Hold on! He and I have unresolved issues¡­¡± Anticipating her response, one bodyguard extended an invitation. ¡°Then, ma¡¯am, please join our boss upstairs to discuss the settlement. ¡± With a measured gaze at the man, Hannah consented. ¡°Alright, lead the way. ¡± As they ascended, the casino¡¯s lower level buzzed back to life. Chapter 834 On the second floor, she observed a bodyguard knocking on a door. Someone emerged to open it, and the bodyguards carried Henry inside. Hannah trailed behind. Facing them was an executive chair silhouetted against arge French window. Caleb approached, signaling the bodyguards to exit. Henry, presuming Caleb was the boss, straightened his attire, downying the situation. ¡°Such a trivial sum. Was it necessary to drag me here? I¡¯m leaving now¡­¡± As he turned to depart, Caleb¡¯s hand firmly sped his shoulder. ¡°Mr. Phillips, you owe us seventy million. When do you n to repay it?¡± Caleb¡¯s soft-spoken query might have emboldened Henry, who retorted brusquely, ¡°I¡¯ll pay, just don¡¯t hassle me!¡± Unruffled, Caleb¡¯s smile lingered as he proposed, ¡°Seventy million is not an insignificant figure. I¡¯ll grant you five days. Is that enough time for you to gather the funds?¡± With a six-billion-dor debt already looming over him, Henry scoffed at the idea that more debt could affect him, arrogantly dering, ¡°I won¡¯t repay it. What are you going to do about it?¡± His smugness was unshaken, convinced they were powerless against him. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Caleb¡¯s smile persisted as he tightened his grip on Henry¡¯s shoulder, eliciting a piercing scream from Henry. ¡°Ah!¡± Henry¡¯s shoulder suffered a dislocation, contorting at Caleb¡¯s hands. The twist prompted a scream from Henry, who crumpled to the floor. Hannah, observing with an icy gaze, acknowledged Caleb¡¯s evident expertise but withheld any verbal acknowledgment.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°It seems that you don¡¯t want to talk to me nicely. ¡± A series of desperate denials followed. ¡°No, no, no¡­ No!¡± Agony etched Henry¡¯s face, manifesting in cold sweat that traced a path down from his forehead. Lying prone on the floor, he trembled while pleading, ¡°I don¡¯t have money to pay back. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to pay you back¡­¡± Despite the pain, Henry managed to raise his intact hand, pointing usingly at Hannah upon catching a glimpse of her dress. He used, ¡°It¡¯s her! She¡¯s the cheat! She made me lose money on purpose. If you want money, ask her for it!¡± Caleb¡¯s gaze shifted to Hannah. Chapter 835 Veiled behind a mask, Hannah met Caleb¡¯s gaze. Apatible match to his boss, she exuded an imposing aura that Caleb couldn¡¯t bring himself to confront. Subconsciously averting his eyes from Hannah, Caleb turned his cold stare back to Henry, stating, ¡°We have a surveince monitor here. Do you want to y the scene again and see if thisdy has cheated or not?¡± Henry quivered, aware of the omnipresent surveince and the impossibility of Hannah having cheated. He clung to disbelief that she had beat him though. Shocked and terrified, the pain in his shoulder threatened to overwhelm him. Caleb, maintaining his cold demeanor, proposed, ¡°Well, I¡¯ll ask you again. Is five days enough for you to pay back the money?¡± Henry trembled at the mere thought. Obtaining ten million was already a daunting task, let alone the staggering sum of seventy million! In a tense standoff, Hannah¡¯s gaze shifted, Landing on the figure seated behind the executive chair and bathed in the soft glow filtering through the French window. Observing the man through the ss reflection, Hannah surreptitiously nced at Caleb. It became apparent that the true authority sat at a distance. Facing the dire need for survival, Henry quivered and affirmed, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I will pay you back! Five days! I¡¯ll pay back in five days!¡± Deliberately measured, Hannah responded, ¡°You will amass seventy million dors in five days? In that case, shouldn¡¯t you also pay me back?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Henry¡¯s eyes widened in hysteria as he eximed, ¡°Six billion! Where am I supposed to conjure such a colossal sum!?¡± Unperturbed, Hannah raised an indifferent eyebrow. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°I¡¯m indifferent. Exchange your shares for the funds. ¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Proactively trying to salvage the situation, Henry stammered, ¡°Okay, I can surrender my shares but I don¡¯t have a share transfer contract at the moment! How can I provide it to you?¡±Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. Before Hannah could interject, Caleb, positioned beside her, spoke assertively. ¡°We maintain a temte for the share transfer contract year-round. We can arrange for it to be printed. After all, Mr Phillips isn¡¯t the sole individual transferring shares in the casino. Henry contemted finding a pretext for refusal but Caleb interjected, ¡°Mr. Phillips, breaking your promise would mean your father learning tomorrow about the six-billion loss in the casino. ¡± Gradually shutting his mouth, the agony contorting Henry¡¯s face elicited twitches as he yielded. ¡°You¡­ go to prepare the contract!¡± Chapter 836 With a gentle but firm touch, Caleb raised Henry from the floor and realigned his dislocated shoulder. ¡°Please apany me outside, Mr. Phillips. You¡¯ll need to review the contract. ¡± Exiting through the door, the duo left Hannah alone. As the door closed, Caleb, with a polite smile, detained her. ¡°Miss, kindly wait here. Once the contract is meticulously drafted, I¡¯1l bring Mr. Phillips back. ¡± Hannah, silent but agreeable, nodded. Click. The door softly shut, plunging the room into an abrupt hush. Hannah pivoted, fixing her gaze on the distant figure upying the executive chair, a silent presence throughout. Sensing an urge to confirm, as ifpelled to establish something, Hannah called out to the figure. ¡°Sewell!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson, with a subtle smile, set down his ss, rose gracefully, and turned to face Hannah. ¡°Not very entertaining to be revealed so swiftly. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Meeting his gaze, Hannah disyed no surprise, as if his identity was a foregone conclusion. ¡°Did Brayden inform you of my arrival? So, this is your domain,¡± Hannah remarked with indifference. ¡°Anticipating my arrival, you mandated the mask rule for everyone tonight, didn¡¯t you?¡± Bryson closed the distance to Hannah with deliberate steps. Amidst the room¡¯s stillness, only the hushed cadence of men treading on carpeted flooring apanied Hannah¡¯s voice.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Unyielding, Hannah raised her head to scrutinize the man before her. ¡°He incurred a fifty million debt at your casino. Did you purposefully indulge him? When did your scheming against himmence?¡± Stationary before Hannah, Bryson maintained a silent gaze. Surveying the man¡¯s attractive visage, Hannah pursed her lips and uttered, ¡°But thank you nheless¡­¡± Before she could conclude, the man took action. He lifted the mask adorning Hannah¡¯s face. Bryson, holding the rabbit mask, yfully smiled, ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand my intentions. It¡¯s not all about aiding you. ¡± Chapter 837 Discarding the rabbit mask, he ced arge hand on Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°I merely find it amusing. My assistance is incidental. ¡± Hannah frowned, deftly stepping back to evade him and calling out his name once more. ¡°Sewell!¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Upon the invocation of his name, Bryson subtly frowned.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The Phillips family is headed for a downfall. ¡± Meeting his gaze, Hannah asserted, ¡°I¡¯m aware, but I don¡¯t desire the family¡¯s demise. I simply want a change in its leadership. ¡± In recent days, Bryson had been regaled with tales of Lydia by Brayden, gaining insight into Hannah¡¯s earnest endeavors to assist her. ¡°I¡¯m aware you¡¯re amassing Phillips family shares. Even if you secure Henry¡¯s holdings, how many will you have umted?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery In total, the Phillips family¡¯s scattered shares and those gained from Henry amounted to a mere fifteen percent. Discerning the expression etched on Hannah¡¯s face, Bryson could tell that the share acquisition wasn¡¯t progressing smoothly. ¡°I understand you desire Jaylin¡¯s shares but it¡¯s a more intricate matter than you perceive. ¡± Fixing her gaze on Bryson, Hannah inquired, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°He¡¯s been suspicious of his son for quite some time. I¡¯ve discovered he transferred twenty percent of his shares to his illegitimate daughter. Were you unaware of this?¡± Hannah¡¯s pupils contracted in surprise; indeed, she had no knowledge of this! In light of this revtion, Lydia¡¯s maneuverability in acquiring shares seemed considerably constrained. ¡°But fear not. I can assist you. ¡± Bryson reassured calmly. Subdued Light cast a glow on Hannah¡¯s face as she inquired, her voice nonchnt, ¡°What would you have me do?¡± Bryson gazed down at Hannah and questioned, ¡°What if I wanted you to be mine?¡± ¡°Not a chance. ¡± With a dismissive air, Hannah rebuffed him. ¡°I¡¯ve exined why, so my answer is no. ¡± Bryson let out a derisiveugh and slid his arm around Hannah¡¯s waist. Hannah shuddered and tried to step away, only to find herself ensnared by his firm grasp. She stumbled against Bryson¡¯s chest. Instinctively, her hand went up, but he swiftly caught it. Chapter 838 ¡°Sewell!¡± Their eyes met, a tumult of emotions swirling between them.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Hannah fought to break free, but Bryson countered by pressing a hand to the back of her head and drawing her into a ki*s. Hannah struggled, attempted to cry out, and pushed against him in vain. Bryson¡¯s strength left her no option but to sumb. It wasn¡¯t until he tasted blood that he released her. Her lips bore a trace of blood where she had bitten his tongue. Bryson¡¯s tongue throbbed with the sting, yet his dark eyes gleamed with amusement. ¡°Why bite me?¡± ¡°Stop your antics!¡± The more Hannah endeavored to elude him, the more entangled she became in his shadow. ¡°Antics? You never used me of that when you were by my side. ¡± ¡°I¡­¡± At a loss for words, Hannah inhaled deeply, her mind a nk. The room¡¯s darkness deepened, and in the shadowed gaze of Bryson¡¯s eyes, all Hannah yearned for was escape. ¡°So you¡¯re set on leaving me just because of who I am, because of what you¡¯vee to know?¡± Struggling forposure, Hannah implored, ¡°Could you first let me go, please?¡± Bryson regarded her with a nonchnt tilt of his head. ¡°Promise me first, then I¡¯ll release you. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah was taken aback by Bryson¡¯s unyielding demeanor, momentarily lost for words. Bryson¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°Do you despise the thought of us together that much?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Following a brief silence, Hannah regarded Bryson with a grave expression, stating, ¡°Now isn¡¯t the right time for this discussion. ¡± Bryson¡¯s demeanor chilled instantly upon hearing her words. Releasing Hannah, he gazed at her with a frosty look and questioned, ¡°Hannah, can you really be this heartless towards me?¡± Echoing her resolute deration from that night, Hannah replied, ¡°I¡¯ve already told you. You¡¯re not him. ¡± Her words, once spoken with certainty, now carried a tinge ofplexity. As they were about to resume their conversation, the door abruptly swung open. Chapter 839 Boss¡­¡± ¡°Get out!¡± Bang! With a loud m, the door shut again. Hannah inhaled deeply, her thoughts in turmoil. ¡°This isn¡¯t the ce for such conversations. If you really want to discuss it, let¡¯s go elsewhere. ¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Bryson dismissed her sharply. ¡°You may leave. I¡¯ll handle the Phillips Group matter, but it won¡¯t involve our personal issues. ¡± Hannah turned to depart. Hearing his words, she clenched the doorknob, flung the door open, and dashed out swiftly. As the door closed behind her, a lonely Look appeared on Bryson¡¯s face. Outside, Hannah received the contract from Henry, but he was nowhere to be seen. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°He¡¯s in a troubled state. I feared he might upset you, so I had him sent away,¡± Caleb casually informed her. ¡°Thanks. ¡± Hannah picked up the contract, preparing to leave, when Caleb offered her a mask, saying, ¡°Miss, you¡¯ve drawn attention today. Our boss wishes you to remain unrecognized. Please wear this mask before you go. ¡± Realizing Bryson had removed her mask earlier, Hannah epted the mask from Caleb, put it on, and Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ left with the contract. After Hannah had gone, Caleb entered the room. ¡°Boss, I¡¯m sorry for disturbing you earlier. ¡± Bryson, having concealed his emotions, inquired coldly, ¡°What¡¯s the situation with the Phillips family?¡± ¡°Jaylin is still unaware. Should I spread the word?¡± ¡°No. Keep the news under wraps until we secure the shares. ¡± Caleb nodded and said, ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve warned Henry. He¡¯ll likely act in a few days. ¡± ¡°Good. Inform Brayden to monitor Henry closely. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± Only when the wind caressed her face did Hannah feel her breathing ease.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 840 She settled into her car, removed the mask, scrutinized the contract, then stored it away and drove off. Later that evening, before reaching her hotel, Lydia¡¯s call came through.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org As Hannah pressed the elevator button, she answered her phone. ¡°What¡¯s going wrong?¡± The voice from the other end was distinctly subdued. ¡°What have you done? Henry just called me, pressing for an engagement with Alick as soon as possible. Are you alright? Where are you currently?¡± Hannah, hearing the concern in her friend¡¯s voice, couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°No need to worry about me. I¡¯m at the hotel. ¡± Lydia let out a relieved exhale. ¡°I¡¯m relieved you¡¯re safe! I was terrified earlier, fearing you were in peril!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°If I were in peril, I wouldn¡¯t be answering your call. But listen, for the next few days, don¡¯t go against what they¡¯re saying. Whether it¡¯s your father or Henry, just nod along. Even if it grates on you, pretend toply. Avoid any confrontation. ¡± Lydia sounded perplexed from the other end. ¡°Why? What happened tonight?¡± ¡°I trapped Henry at Homing. Luck wasn¡¯t on his side, and he was adamant about gambling with me. He lost and wouldn¡¯t concede. The casino folks made him sign a share transfer contract. Now, his shares belong to me. ¡± Lydia struggled to contain her astonishment, her eyes going wide as she tried to keep her excited voice down. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°His shares are in your possession now?! How much did he forfeit in a single night?¡± Nonchntly, Hannah opened the door. ¡°He¡¯s in debt to Homing for 70 million and owes me 6 billion. ¡± ¡°Ah¡­ What?¡± The news left Lydia bbergasted. ¡°6 billion? For real?¡± Lydia¡¯s voice strained with disbelief. ¡°Has he lost his mind?! How could he¡­ Gamble so heavily with you? His own shares aren¡¯t even worth 6 billion!¡± Indeed, even using the Phillips Group as leverage, Henry couldn¡¯t muster 6 billion. If it wasn¡¯t Hannah who had trapped him, the Phillips Group would be facing bankruptcy. ¡°So, your brother is seeking a fall guy. ¡± Chapter 841 Lydia swiftly grasped the essence of those words, a sly grin forming on her lips. ¡°Looks like he¡¯s itching for trouble, doesn¡¯t it? Is he scheming to wed me into the Shaw n before they catch wind of it? So that the Shaw family¡¯s fortune magically transforms into his own?¡± she questioned with a raised eyebrow. Hannah hummed in affirmation. ¡®s BunnyBookery Lydia fumed, ¡°He¡¯s lost in his daydreams. Once the Shaw family catches wind that the alliance would mean being burdened with the Phillips family¡¯s six billion debt, they¡¯ll be out for his blood!¡± Hannah chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s not that dire. My hunch is he might be handicapped. ¡± Lydia found amusement in her friend¡¯s words. ¡°I can¡¯t fathom what goes on in his mind. How audacious of him to umte a six billion debt! If my dad gets wind of this, he¡¯ll not only break his legs¡­ No, breaking his legs won¡¯t satiate my dad¡¯s wrath. Perhaps I should spill the beans to him first?¡± Hannah intervened, saying, ¡°No, it¡¯s not the right moment. Your triumphant days wille but it¡¯s not now. You must y the role of a docile and unassuming girl, conceal any signs of trouble. ¡± ¡°Fine, fine,¡± Lydia conceded. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Rest assured, I can y the obedient role for now. Let¡¯s weather this storm first!¡± Bang! Bang! Bang! In the midst of their conversation, an abrupt knocking echoed on the door. ¡°Shh!¡± Lydia swiftly lowered her voice. ¡°I have to end this.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org It¡¯s likely my brother returning. I¡¯ll reach out to youter. ¡± She swiftly hung up the phone, concealed it beneath her pillow and waited in anticipation. The knocks on the door outside grew more insistent and louder than before. ¡°What¡¯s all the noise?¡± Lydia groaned at the disturbance, tousling her hair and slipping into her slippers. Venturing out, she wore an expression of annoyance, appearing as if she had just been roused from a profound slumber. Upon spotting Henry, her irritation escted. ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you? It¡¯s the dead of night and you¡¯re wide awake. Don¡¯t others deserve their rest?¡± ¡°Come with me!¡± Without hesitation, Henry seized Lydia¡¯s hand. While a hint of alcohol lingered on his breath, he didn¡¯t seem excessively intoxicated. Nevertheless, he clutched Lydia¡¯s hand firmly, ushering her outside. ¡°Come with me! We¡¯re heading to the Shaw family immediately. It¡¯s time for your engagement! Let¡¯s arrange the wedding right away!¡± Chapter 842 ¡°Are you out of your mind?! Are you crazy? Yanking me out in the middle of the night for this?¡± Lydia¡¯s voice grew shrill. Despite her attempts to break free, Henry¡¯s determination held firm, causing her difort. ¡°Come! Hurry! Go and beseech Alick to marry you now!¡± he insisted. Lydia struggled to release her hand to no avail. ¡°You¡¯re insane! It¡¯s the middle of the night! What¡¯s wrong with you? If you have an issue, consult a doctor. Let go of me! Now!¡± Initially, following Hannah¡¯s counsel, Lydia had nned to adopt a meek andpliant demeanor. However, Henry¡¯s erratic conduct upon his return proved too much to bear. Henry pulled her into the living room, triggering her outburst that roused Jaylin and Melissa from their slumber. The living room lights flickered to life and a disgruntled Jaylin descended the stairs.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What on earth is the matter with you two? Why all thiste-night ruckus?¡± Seizing the opportunity, Lydia shook off Henry¡¯s grasp, hastening towards her father. ¡°Dad! He¡¯s the one who barged in at this ungodly hour and forcibly pulled me out. This is not my fault!¡± She cast a disdainful nce at Henry, adding, ¡°He yanked me out, insisting I rush to the Shaw family for an immediate engagement with Alick. Can you believe it?¡± Jaylin scowled at Henry. ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? It¡¯s the middle of the night! What are you up to at this hour?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t berate him. We haven¡¯t sorted out this matter yet, so hold off on the scolding!¡± At that moment, Melissa, who had swiftly descended the stairs, positioned herself in front of Henry, shielding him from Jaylin¡¯s admonishments. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Casting a slightly aggrieved look at Lydia, Melissa remarked, ¡°How can you me Henry for this? If you had agreed to the engagement earlier, would he be so anxious now?¡± ¡°Is he truly anxious for my sake? I highly doubt it. ¡± With a steely gaze, Lydia confronted them. ¡°If he genuinely wanted a speedy engagement, he could have approached me in the morning. Dragging me to the Shaw family in the dead of night¡­ Perhaps a visit to the neurologist is in order for your son. ¡± Melissa was displeased. ¡°How can you say that about your brother?¡± ¡°Enough! Stop this!¡± Jaylin directed his frustration at Melissa before turning his attention to Lydia. ¡°Your mom makes a valid point. If you had agreed to the Shaw family¡¯s proposal earlier, we wouldn¡¯t find ourselves in this predicament. ¡± Was he implying that this mess was her fault? Chapter 843 Lydia had to restrain augh. ¡°Dad, when did I ever express disagreement? If I truly opposed it, would I have returned after going out today? I¡¯m willing to marry Alick; I just need a bit more time. Why is this all my fault?¡± Lydia snorted, ¡°I simply wanted to ponder it further. How can Henry attempt to drag me to the Shaw family in the dead of night? Is that even rational?¡± Upon hearing Lydia¡¯s agreement to marry Alick, Jaylin softened his gaze. ¡°You genuinely agree to the engagement?¡± ¡°Of course. ¡± Massaging her sore wrist from the forceful tug, Lydia sighed, ¡°I¡¯ve already ended things with Brayden. I¡¯m just waiting for the right time to officially announce my engagement with Alick. But now¡­¡± Her frustration manifested in puffed-up cheeks. ¡°If word gets out about tonight¡¯s escapade, our family will be the talk of the town!C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Seeking an engagement in the middle of the night? We¡¯ll be left with no dignity! After all, I am a woman. I believe we should uphold our dignity to some extent, right? Mom might not grasp these nuances but, Dad, surely you do?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Lydia¡¯s words seemed to resonate. Indeed, Jaylin began to view the situation from a different perspective. Acting too hastily might not garner the Shaw family¡¯s earnest consideration. He affirmed, ¡°You¡¯re correct. You¡¯re handling this situation adeptly. ¡± ¡°Dad!¡± Henry, wide-eyed and unwilling, shouted from behind Melissa. ¡°She¡¯s trying to trick you!¡± ¡°Silence!¡± Jaylin, wearing an unfriendly expression, turned towards Henry now. ¡°You troublemaker! A few days ago, I didn¡¯t even hold you ountable for the chaos you caused! Now, you¡¯ve stirred up such amotion tonight. Are you aiming to be ousted from thepany outright?¡± Jaylin¡¯s tone was stern. Henry recognized the peril he was in. With no remaining shares in thepany, an expulsion would likely expose his debt issues to Jaylin immediately. Nervously, he spoke,pletely sober this time. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Dad¡­ I acknowledge my mistake. I had a bit too much to drink on my way back. My judgment was impaired. ¡± Jaylin snorted, his expression darkening. ¡°If you¡¯ve overindulged, go upstairs and sleep it off. Don¡¯t create a scene here!¡± ¡°Understood, Dad!¡± Henry said. He had just shaken off his drunken haze and quickly fled upstairs. In that instant, Lydia chimed in from the sidelines, ¡°Dad, you should keep a closer watch on Henry. He¡¯s never contributed to our group, only bringing you trouble. Keep an eye out, we don¡¯t want our group to go broke because of him. ¡± Chapter 844 Melissa fixed Lydia with a stern look.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What on earth are you saying? How dare you speak of your brother in such a way? Do you think you could manage thepany any better?¡± Recalling Hannah¡¯s advice, Lydia held back her retort and meekly bowed her head, opting for silence. ¡°Enough from both of you! It¡¯s disgraceful! Here we are, in the dead of night, and this bickering persists!¡± Jaylin huffed and ascended the stairs. ¡°Off to bed! Lydia, you¡¯ll apany me to the Shaw family tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Sure, Dad. ¡± Lydia ascended the stairs, and upon closing her bedroom door, she exhaled in relief, thankful for Hannah¡¯s timely advice, which had averted a potential fiasco. The following morning, Lydia descended the stairs, stifling a yawn, only to find Henry at the breakfast table with a sullen air. She observed Jaylin, newspaper in hand,mbasting Henry. ¡°You led thest project! What in the world did you do to botch it up again? Is there something wrong with your brain? You imbecile!¡± Jaylin flung the newspaper onto the table, pointing at Henry with exasperation. ¡°How did I end up with such an inept son? You could ruin any project!¡± Melissa was on the verge of defending Henry but held her tongue at the sight of Jaylin¡¯s daunting expression. Henry remained silent, his face a portrait of pent-up vexation on the brink of eruption. Amidst the tension, Lydia, seated nearby, requested, ¡°Donna, would you be so kind as to serve my breakfast?¡± ¡°Of course, Miss. It will be ready shortly. ¡± Henry, spotting Lydia, unleashed his pent-up fury on her. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°This is all your doing! Had you not dawdled and married into the Shaw family, we wouldn¡¯t find ourselves in this predicament!¡± Lydia remained silent, offering no rebuttal. Henry, emboldened,id the me squarely at her feet, proiming, ¡°Had we joined forces with Shaw Group sooner, we¡¯d be leading the market now! Honestly, you¡¯ve no one else to me. ¡± Lydia was struck dumb by his words. Just then, Donna set Lydia¡¯s breakfast on the table. Melissa added, dripping with sarcasm, ¡°Indeed. You¡¯re always with that Moore girl, and it¡¯s clear you¡¯ve lost your senses by now. She¡¯s cut ties with the Edwards, her life¡¯s a mess. Do you really think she cares about you? You should remember where your home is, the safe harbor you can count on for life!¡± Lydia¡¯s return had obliterated the scant remnants of familial fondness she had. Chapter 845 Her expression chilled as she Lifted her spoon and tasted her oatmeal. ¡°Mom, she¡¯s nothing but an ungrateful bitch!¡± Henry spat, stoking the mes. ng! Lydia¡¯s spoon struck the bowl with force. ¡°What, if I marry into the Shaw family now, will it make your dimwit son bright?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Lydia¡¯s face twisted with scorn as she looked up. ¡°His failures, are they because I¡¯ve not joined the Shaw family?¡± Silence fell in the dining room. Lydia didn¡¯t relent. ¡°The truth is, he¡¯s dim-witted. Even if I married the wealthiest man¡¯s son and threw money at his errors, he¡¯d remain stupid. Don¡¯t kid yourself, Mom. ¡± Henry, livid, leapt up, his chair toppling over as he lunged at Lydia. ¡°What did you just say?¡± ¡°Stop right there!¡± Jaylin¡¯smanding tone rooted Henry in ce.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Isn¡¯t she correct? How many projects have you botched? I¡¯ve handed you chance after chance!¡± Henry retreated, his defense feeble. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It¡¯s not always my fault. Sometimes, the projects are wed¡­¡± ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± Jaylin¡¯s spoon hit the table. ¡°Fail this new project, and I¡¯m removing you and your men from the firm!¡± ¡°Understood¡­ Dad. ¡± Seizing the moment, Lydia inquired of Jaylin, ¡°Dad, what¡¯s the new project about?¡± Jaylin, with a furrowed brow, exined, ¡°We¡¯re still dealing with the chip issues from ourst endeavor. Now, a fresh batch has surfaced with its own set ofplications. It¡¯s a bit of a puzzle. I¡¯ll head over to thepany and figure out the issue. ¡± Lydia offered soothingly, ¡°I have a connection through a friend to a techpany owner. Maybe I could lend a hand. ¡± ¡°You?¡± Jaylin nced at her with puzzlement. Chapter 846 ¡°Since when did these matters pique your interest?¡± With a sigh, Lydia responded, ¡°Like I¡¯ve mentioned before, Dad, I¡¯ve given it a lot of thought. I can¡¯t stand by while our family struggles. If forming an alliance is what it takes, I¡¯m here to support. You know, I¡¯ve got a friend who¡¯s connected with an expert in this area. Seeking their advice won¡¯t break the bank. Dad, if you¡¯re not on board, we can abandon the n. ¡± Jaylin blinked, realizing she was talking about Hannah, who had an important project he was interested in. He considered that with Lydia¡¯s presence, Hannah might be willing to coborate. ¡°Alright,¡± Jaylin conceded. ¡°After breakfast, we¡¯ll visit the Shaw family, then to thepany. ¡± Lydia nodded silently and began to eat, murmuring, ¡°Okay. ¡± Henry stared at Jaylin and queried, ¡°And what should I do, Dad?¡± Jaylin, without ncing at Henry, gestured impatiently. ¡°Hurry up and get yourself to work!¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Henry stormed off, casting a bitter look at Lydia. Lydia caught the spiteful gaze, offered Henry a smile, and watched him exit. After breakfast, Lydia went upstairs to get ready, descended, and apanied Jaylin to the car for their trip to the Shaw family. Jaylin had selected several expensive presents and cautioned Lydia during the drive, ¡°Remember to choose your words wisely there, okay?¡± ¡°Understood, Dad. You¡¯ve told me a thousand times. I won¡¯t utter a word until you give me the signal. I promise!¡± Lydia reassured him. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Pleased with her promise, Jaylin eased up, remarking, ¡°Good. Just act appropriately. Marrying into the Shaw family isn¡¯t a bad thing for you. ¡± In the back seat, Lydia covertly rolled her eyes.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Jaylin couldn¡¯t stop reiterating. He had repeated this message to Lydia numerous times. Eventually, they arrived at the Shaw family¡¯s estate. Jaylin got out of the car, bearing the gifts. The Shaw family¡¯s butler greeted them outside, epting the Lavish gifts from Jaylin and inviting, ¡°Mr. Phillips, Miss Phillips, please follow me. ¡± Lydia followed the butler and Jaylin into the vi, maintaining silence and refraining from speaking. Only when Jaylin stepped into the living room and caught sight of Alick¡¯s parents, Adolf and Carrie, did his grin widen. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since we¡¯ve all been together like this, Adolf!¡± he eximed with warmth. Adolf¡¯s response mirrored Jaylin¡¯s enthusiasm uponying eyes on Lydia. ¡°Lydia, it¡¯s been too long. ¡± Chapter 847 Jaylin nced at Lydia and urged her, ¡°Come, say hello to Adolf and Carrie. ¡± Lydia stepped forward from her position behind Jaylin and offered a polite greeting. ¡°Good evening, Mr. Shaw, Mrs.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Shaw. ¡± Carrie approached, grasping Lydia¡¯s hand with evident approval. ¡°Join us, have a seat. Lydia, we haven¡¯t seen much of youtely. I recall the days you¡¯d frequently visit as a child. It¡¯s been years! Youst visitedst year. ¡± She reminisced, seemingly oblivious to Lydia¡¯s rtionship. Lydia sensed the oddity of the situation. Neither Jaylin nor Alick¡¯s parents said anything about the fact that she had a boyfriend. She replied respectfully, ¡°Mrs. Shaw, I¡¯ve been away from Valmere, hence my absence. Now that I¡¯m back, I made sure to visit. ¡± ¡°Such a sweet girl, just like your father always says,¡± Carrie beamed. Jaylin, reassured by Lydia¡¯spliance, turned to Adolf. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss business, leaving Lydia and Carrie to chat. ¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Adolf agreed, standing. ¡°Carrie, enjoy your time with Lydia. ¡± ¡°Will do,¡± Carrie responded. Once the men departed, Carrie smiled at Lydia. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Alick¡¯s out, but he¡¯ll be back for dinner. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Lydia returned the smile, even though she felt annoyed inside. Alick¡¯s absence on such a day showed his disregard for her father. Yet, she thought, she¡¯d have her chance to express her frustrationter. Meanwhile, at the Phillips Group, Henry stormed into his office, mmed the door, and began to throw his tantrum by flinging every small items in the office. The staff hesitated to follow, leaving Estre Moran to approach with documents in hand. An employee urgently approached her. ¡°Miss Moran, the general manager is fuming. We¡¯re too scared to enter. Could you please try to calm him?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s a great idea,¡± Estre hesitated. Cradling the papers, she added, ¡°What if my visit only fuels his rage?¡± ¡°We all recognize your proficiency as a secretary. The general manager has never criticized you. Please, we implore you to calm him. ¡± Chapter 848 ¡°Yes! That¡¯s true!¡± At that moment, an individual approached and remarked, ¡°Given the general manager¡¯s mood today, tranquility seems elusive!¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Estre initially declined, then feigned a hesitant consent. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll peek inside first. ¡± Upon opening the door, Estre barely dodged another object flung by Henry! ¡°Leave!¡± Yet Estre, unfazed, turned around, secured the door behind her, and advanced toward Henry, navigating the scattered fragments on the floor. ¡°You wish to expel me too?¡± Henry¡¯s stern visage eased upon her approach. Loosening his tie, he took a seat and questioned, ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°As your secretary, it¡¯s to me they turn when you¡¯re troubled. ¡± Surveying the chaos, Estre set down her burden and tenderly massaged Henry¡¯s shoulders. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why such fury?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Lydia. She¡¯s been trying to win Dad¡¯s favor to establish herself in the Phillips Group. ¡± ¡°Ah, Lydia. That exins your recent gloom. ¡± As Estre¡¯s hand soothed his shoulder, Henry grasped it, drawing her close. ¡°Ah! Henry! You startled me!¡± Estre whispered softly, her arms wrapped around Henry¡¯s neck. Henry smirked mischievously, tilting Estre¡¯s face up. ¡°We¡¯re alone here. ¡± ¡°You rogue!¡± Estre lightly tapped Henry¡¯s shoulder before leaning in for a ki*s. After the ki*s, lust enveloped them. Estre, toying with Henry¡¯s tie, said, ¡°Should Dad discover us, our legs would pay the price. . ¡°I¡¯ll keep him in the dark!¡± Chapter 849 Enveloping Estre with a secure embrace, Henry dered, ¡°Our love stands, Dad¡¯s awareness notwithstanding. I yearn for nothing but to be with you!¡± Oblivious to them, a subtle red light flickered beneath Henry¡¯s desk. Hannah perched herself discreetly in the hotel, her ears tuned to the sounds through the headset. She had just activated the monitor in Henry¡¯s office when a cacophony of crashing noises assaulted her ears. It was a symphony of chaos that was jarring to listen to, until the door creaked open. She almost shut off the monitor, but something made her hesitate. Then, the unmistakable sounds of Estre and Henry sharing a ki*s reached her ears. Hannah¡¯s eyes widened in utter disbelief! The revtion struck her like lightning. Jaylin¡¯s illegitimate daughter and his son were in a secret rtionship. It suddenly made sense why this illegitimate daughter would y the secretary to Henry. Given his notorious egoism, it wasn¡¯t a shock he had kept his half- sister close. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have allowed her into thepany in the first ce. ¡®s BunnyBookery Without missing a beat, Hannah saved the audio evidence and dialed Brayden¡¯s number. Brayden was still nestled in his bed, unaware, but Hannah¡¯s news had him leaping to his feet. ¡°Is this for real? What are you even saying?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll send the recording overter, and we¡¯ll hold onto it. It mighte in handy. ¡± ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll gear up immediately,¡± Brayden responded with a clear voice. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Meanwhile, at the Shaw family estate, after a lengthy exchange with Carrie, Lydia was finally greeted by Alick¡¯s return. Upon seeing Lydia, Alick arched an inquisitive brow. ¡°You¡¯re here?¡± ¡°Seriously, Alick. You knew Lydia was visiting today. Why waste time ande back sote? Where were you?¡± Carrie chastised him. Alick approached with a grin, eased into a seat, and yfully massaged Carrie¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Thepany demanded my attention today, so I had to attend. Forgive my tardiness. ¡± Carrie let out a huff. ¡°Is thepany really more pressing than Lydia¡¯s issues?¡± ¡°Mrs. Shaw, please, let¡¯s not reprimand him,¡± Lydia interjected with a smile.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Chapter 850 ¡°Thepany¡¯s matters take precedence. I have all the time to chat here. ¡± Surprised by Lydia¡¯s graciousness, Alick couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°You certainly have a way with words in my home.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡± ¡°Alick!¡± Carrie nced at him, a hint of dissatisfaction lingering in her gaze. ¡°Have some manners!¡± Alick grinned. ¡°Mom, I was just joking around with her. No need to get upset. ¡± ¡°You can¡¯t speak to a girl in that manner. It¡¯s no wonder Lydia wasn¡¯t fond of you back then. ¡± Lydia, holding onto Carrie¡¯s arm, chimed in, ¡°Don¡¯t say that. Back then, plenty of people were vying for his attention. ¡± Carrie reassured Lydia. ¡°You¡¯re way better than those folks! Don¡¯t worry. Alick doesn¡¯t mess around. If he ever betrays you, I¡¯ll be there to help you unleash your fury!¡± ¡°I appreciate that. ¡± Lydia, still holding onto Carrie, shed a bright smile. ¡°But I was just jesting. No need to take it to heart. ¡± Carrie responded with a smile, attempting to carve out a space for them. ¡°Your fathers are still in the middle of their business discussion. Why don¡¯t you and Alick take a stroll outside?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± As they walked out of the door, Lydia and Alick entered the yard. The grin on her face vanished instantly. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Observing her change in demeanor, Alick couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°You¡¯re quite adept at putting on a good front for my mother. Why cease the act now?¡± ¡°There are only two people here ¡ª just you and me. No need for pretense,¡± Lydia dered. ¡°I¡¯ve told you before that you¡¯de back to me. Was I right?¡± Alick maintained a smile. The pair strolled towards the swing nestled in the garden. Lydia gracefully took a seat and calmly asserted, ¡°I didn¡¯t choose toe back. My marriage is not for me to decide. My father adamantly insists that I marry you. You¡¯re aware that my willingness holds no significance. ¡± Alick acknowledged, aligning himself with Lydia¡¯s sentiments. Chapter 851 But there¡¯s no loss for you to marry me. As you can see, both my parents harbor a deep fondness for you. Once we tie the knot, your only obligation is to bear a child for me. Then, we can each pursue our own romantic interests. Is that agreeable?¡± Refusing to entertain Alick¡¯s warped notion, Lydia chose the path of silence. Alick persisted, ¡°As long as you fulfill the duty of motherhood, we can lead liberated and independent lives. Doesn¡¯t that strike you as an enticing proposition?¡± Lydia chuckled, ¡°I reserve the right to remain silent on this matter but I do have a question for you. Given your perspective, I suspect you already have a lover, don¡¯t you?¡± Alick¡¯s expression briefly faltered before returning to its usual demeanor. ¡°So? Feeling a twinge of jealousy?¡± Lydia shook her head. ¡°No. It was merely a conjecture. ¡± A chill crept into Alick¡¯s expression upon hearing this. ¡°I haven¡¯t prohibited you from having a lover. I¡¯m being fair, aren¡¯t 1?¡± ¡°But I find it far from fair. I don¡¯t have an external lover; I had a boyfriend from the start. Please bear that in mind!¡± Alick approached, seizing the rope on one side of the swing, halting Lydia¡¯s gentle sway. Gazing down at the woman seated on the swing, he uttered, ¡°Lydia, I can endure if you engage in affairs but don¡¯t pry into my affairs.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about you!¡± Inhaling deeply, Lydia quelled her urge to quarrel with Alick. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t meddle in your business. Rest assured. ¡± Over the past two days, Allison received word of Hannah¡¯s return and decided to dial her. ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s been a while since you returned to Valmere, and you haven¡¯t paid me a visit Caught off guard by Allison¡¯s call, Hannah hesitated. Despite her severed ties with Den, Allison¡¯s kindness persisted, making it difficult for Hannah to decline. ¡°Given the circumstances, it seems. . it¡¯s not appropriate for me toe to the vi to see you. ¡± ¡°Come and see me. It¡¯s unrted to Den. ¡± Allison sighed. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he¡¯s the only one with some potential among the younger generation, I wouldn¡¯t have entrusted him with such a crucial role in thepany. ¡± ¡°Allison¡­¡± ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s change the topic. You¡¯ve been in Valmere for days. Chapter 852 Even if you don¡¯t visit the vi, could we have dinner together?¡± With the afternoon sunlight filtering through, Hannah hesitated momentarily before agreeing, ¡°Sure, you choose the ce. I¡¯ll be there tonight. ¡± Over the phone, Allison exuded enthusiasm. ¡°Excellent! I¡¯ll reserve a spot at a restaurant for tonight. Join me for dinner. ¡± ¡°Sure. Shoot me the address and I¡¯ll be right over. ¡± Once Hannah ended the call, a twinge of regret pricked at her. Perhaps she should have inquired about Den joining them¡­ After a brief contemtion, Hannah refrained from dialing Allison again. She reasoned that Allison was always considerate so it was unlikely Allison would invite Den along. In the Edwards family vi, following the phone call, Allison instructed the servant at her side, ¡°Arrange for a restaurant booking with a sophisticated ambiance. ¡± ¡°Yes, madam. ¡± Once the servant left, she promptly contacted Den. ¡°Mr. Edwards, Mrs. Allison Edwards is nning to book a restaurant with a refined setting. It seems she wants to dine with Miss Moore. ¡± Den, in the midst of signing documents, halted. After a moment of silence, he instructed, ¡°Go ahead and book a restaurant. Send me the address. ¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Edwards. ¡±C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org After a short interval, Hannah¡¯s phone buzzed. Allison had forwarded the address. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah recognized the restaurant ¨C a recent addition to Valmere¡¯s culinary scene. A rooftop garden restaurant with an elegant ambiance and secluded spaces. Hannah replied, ¡°Got it. I¡¯ll be there on time. ¡± With that settled, Hannah immersed herself back into her work. After a day filled with tasks, Hannah adorned herself in a brown dress, striving for a gentle appearance. She carefully donned a coat and set out for the restaurant. Escorted by a waiter, she was guided to the elevated garden. Allison upied a round table, beckoning warmly. ¡°Hannah,e, take a seat here. ¡± Gracefully, Hannah approached and settled across from Allison. shing a smile, she set her bag aside and inquired, ¡°How have you beentely, Allison?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been well. However, it seems you¡¯re not doing so great!¡± Chapter 853 Allison sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve learned about Den¡¯s actions and I¡¯ve reprimanded him severely!¡± Hannah¡¯s countenance remainedposed, catching Allison¡¯s attention. ¡°I understand. You¡¯re not pleased that he was released on bail but I had no alternative. ¡°I understand your position. ¡± Hannah returned a gentle smile to Allison and expressed, ¡°During my time in the Edwards family, you were the only one who showed me kindness. I won¡¯t forget that. ¡± ¡°Without your backing, I could never have secured 20% of the Edwards shares. Not pleased? That¡¯s unthinkable,¡± Hannah said. Allison gave a slight shake of her head, her expression somber. ¡°Of course, you¡¯re upset. You spared him any consequences, yet he remains oblivious to his wrongs. It seems I¡¯ve failed in his upbringing. ¡± Hannah gracefully filled a cup with coffee for Allison, attempting to steer away from the distressing topic. ¡°That¡¯s all in the past now. Let¡¯s not dwell on it. We should merely teach him a lesson this time around. He surely won¡¯t repeat his mistake. ¡± Allison¡¯s nod carried a newfound appreciation for Hannah. ¡°Back then, I truly took a liking to you, regretfully knowing we couldn¡¯t remain family. However, I¡¯ve brought you a gift today. Take a look. ¡± She produced a document from her bag and slid it across to Hannah. ¡°Go on, open it. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Piqued by curiosity, Hannah unfolded the document, her eyes widening in shock. After a moment, she looked up, her words faltering. I can¡¯t possibly ept this!¡± The document revealed Allison¡¯s intent to transfer all her shares to Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°They¡¯re rightfully yours. Don¡¯t feel indebted. ¡± Allison took a casual sip from her cup, her voice softening. ¡°In my eyes, you¡¯ve always been like a granddaughter, and even without Den, that hasn¡¯t changed. These shares were meant for you. While you resided in the Edwards vi, your knack for business was unmistakable. Unfortunately, Den and his mother stifled that talent. ¡± Silence fell upon Hannah, reminiscing about her time with the Edwards, where only Allison had seen her potential, hindered by Den and Leah¡¯s disapproval. Hannah pushed back the contract, her voice steady. ¡°The Edwards Group may have lost its former glory, but it stillmands respect in Valmere. It¡¯s future is secure, you needn¡¯t worry.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Chapter 854 ¡°How could I not? With Den in charge, my concerns are justified. ¡± Allison firmly returned the contract to Hannah, insisting, ¡°This is yours to im. ¡± Already holding 20%, coupled with Allison¡¯s 10%, Hannah was poised to be the Edwards Group¡¯s biggest stakeholder. Hannah¡¯s expression was torn as she said, ¡°epting another 10% could provoke their dissent. ¡± Allison was aware, too, that Hannah¡¯s acquisition of shares would position her as the Edwards Group¡¯s primary stakeholder. Yet, Allison valued thepany¡¯s prospective prosperity deeply. It was her belief that entrusting Hannah with her shares was the key to the Edwards Group¡¯s enduring sess. ¡°Just let him protest! He doesn¡¯t have what it takes,¡± Allison dered, a scowl creasing her aged features. Under Allison¡¯s sternmand, Hannah reluctantly agreed to the contract for the time being. While they dined, the door swung open. Den walked in, looking sharp in a suit, holding a bunch of red roses. The sound of the door caught Hannah¡¯s attention, and she instinctively nced over to see Den approaching with the roses. Her smile stiffened, and she pivoted back, taking a sip from her coffee cup.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Allison¡¯s expression soured at the sight of Den. ¡°What brings you here? How did you find out about our dinner?¡± she inquired. ¡°Grandma, I¡¯vee to offer my apologies to Hannah,¡± Den began, extending the roses toward her. ¡°I need to express my sincere regret for my actions. I lost my senses and made a mistake. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brows knitted together, and she made no move to ept the roses from Den. Allison¡¯s anger drained the color from her face. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Who allowed you toe? Who gave you the address?¡± she demanded. With Hannah remaining silent, Den took a seat beside Allison. ¡°Grandma, I stumbled upon the location by chance. I¡¯m here solely to apologize. I assure you, I have no ulterior motives. Please, Grandma, don¡¯t be mad. ¡± After a full day spent kneeling at the vi, Den had learned to bend. In a softened tone, he implored his grandmother, ¡°My apology is heartfelt. ¡± Flushing with embarrassment, Allison turned to Hannah and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s n dinner for another day. That will be all for now. ¡± Upon his arrival, Den found his grandmother eager to conclude their meal, casting a shadow over his features. Chapter 855 ¡°Grandma, you¡¯re not discussing business with Hannah, are you?¡± Catching his gaze on the contract, Allison replied icily, ¡°This matter concerns Hannah and me alone!¡± Hannah tucked away the document, rose, and addressed Allison. ¡°Another dinner can be arranged. I must attend to some matters, so I¡¯ll take my leave first. ¡± As she made to exit, Den moved to follow, but Allison intervened. ¡°Don¡¯t think I am unaware of who informed you today. On your return, you can either dismiss her yourself, or I will. ¡± Den, with a grim expression, clenched his jaw and questioned, ¡°Grandma, was this invitation for just a meal or for a contract?¡± Allison offered a sly smile. ¡°While you neglect thepany¡¯s array of projects, I certainly do not. ¡± His face turned to stone, and Den quickly tried to rify, ¡°I didn¡¯t intend that, Grandma. What I meant was¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for excuses,¡± she cut in, standing with the aid of her cane. ¡°I¡¯m well aware of your antics within thepany. I also know the Edwards Group is in decline. ¡± She approached him with a piercing gaze. ¡°When will you end things with that woman?¡± Despite Eliana¡¯s fading allure, Den was hesitant to release her, considering his significant investment. ¡°Grandma, you¡¯re aware of my feelings for Eliana. I¡¯m not prepared to end Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. . ¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Allison responded, having anticipated his answer and already feeling let down ¡°From here on, I¡¯ll refrain¡¯ from interfering in your affairs! ¡°Grandma!¡± Den¡¯s tone was one of dismay. Returning to the Edwards¡¯ family estate, Den hurled his briefcase onto the couch, boiling with rage. Leah, observing her son¡¯s fury, inquired with a furrowed brow, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You left with such joy earlier. ¡± ¡°It must be Grandma who chastised him, isn¡¯t it?¡± Sadie spected. Unable to suppress a snicker, she teased, ¡°Den, just so you know, my soon-to-be sister-inw hasn¡¯t returned. Perhaps she¡¯s out shopping again. ¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Den barked, his anger erupting. Chapter 856 Sadie¡¯s eyes filled with tears as she eximed, ¡°This is her doing, Den. How can you ask me to shut up?¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t the two of you talk nicely?¡± Leah felt at a loss. ¡°Aren¡¯t you both causing enough trouble as it is?¡± Her patience with Eliana had worn thin. ¡°Ever since your engagement, Eliana¡¯s be unruly! She¡¯s gettingte every day¡­¡± Den intervened to halt his mother¡¯s grievance. ¡°Enough about her. You were never content with Hannah when she was around, and now it¡¯s the same with Eliana. Will you ever approve of any daughter-inw?¡± Leah¡¯s expression soured. ¡°What are you insinuating? Are you using me?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s drop it, Mom. No point in this endless chatter. ¡± Den, drained, expressed his weariness. ¡°I need to rest. I¡¯m heading upstairs. ¡± Once Den retreated upstairs, Leah¡¯s anger boiled over as she ranted, ¡°All of this is Eliana¡¯s fault! If not for her, Den wouldn¡¯t have divorced Hannah. How did all this mess start?¡± Leah vented her frustrations on Eliana, conveniently forgetting her previous disdain for Hannah. Sadie, stoking the mes, agreed, ¡°Exactly. No matter Hannah¡¯s faults, our family thrived during her time with my brother.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Now, ever since Eliana entered the picture, the Edwards¡¯ fortunes have dwindl Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ d. She¡¯s a curse! Mom, we must devise a n to remove her!¡± Leah¡¯s gears turned as she took Sadie¡¯s words to heart. Back at the hotel, Hannah gazed at the contract in her hands and exhaled a weary sigh. True, Allison had the Edwards family¡¯s interests at heart. But Hannah feared theplications it would bring if Den found out. As she set the contract aside, her phone rang. It was Edwin. ¡°Hannah, there¡¯s been a secretive embezzlement ofpany funds, to the tune of two hundred million. It seems Uncle Bryan might be involved, but I¡¯m hesitant to alert Grandpa just yet. ¡± Atst, Bryan had made his move. Hannah averted her gaze, murmuring, ¡°You might want to feign ignorance about this and gather more evidence. My issue will resolve itself shortly. Just hang in there. ¡± ¡°Hannah. ¡± Edwin¡¯s voice wasced with concern. Chapter 857 ¡°I worry about more trouble brewing in your absence. Bainbridge has been assigned a role in thepany recently. He¡¯s been made the operations director after the former one was removed from the post. There¡¯s gossip that the former director has been considering resignation, which might trigger several resignations in response. ¡± Edwin shook his head, at a loss for words. ¡°The team members the former director is taking with him are the most exceptional ones. Uncle Bryan seems indifferent to the whole affair, and I can¡¯t fathom his intentions! He¡¯s squanderingpany funds and nudging veteran employees out. It¡¯s like he¡¯s given up on reaping any profit from thepany and has thrown caution to the wind. ¡± ¡°Just leave this issue to me. I¡¯ll handle it. Presently, other than the project in the eastern district that I¡¯m overseeing, you must review all otherpany projects. ¡± ¡°I understand, Hannah. I¡¯ll await your return. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah paused briefly before dialing the staff at Homing. ¡°Good day, this is Homing at your service. ¡± ¡°I¡¯d Like to speak with your boss, please,¡± Hannah requested. ¡°One moment, ma¡¯am. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Soon, Caleb picked up. ¡°Miss Moore, how may I assist you?¡± There was a momentary silence before Hannah inquired, ¡°How did you know it was me calling?¡± Caleb replied with an unfaltering cheerfulness, ¡°Well, Miss Moore, our boss has set up a dedicated line for you. Only you can make calls directly to Homing¡¯s office. ¡± At a loss for words, Hannah listened to Caleb¡¯s exnation. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°There¡¯s no need for concern, Miss Moore. My boss has instructed that I am to fulfill any requests you might have when you call. ¡± Following a brief pause, Hannah voiced her need. ¡°Henry¡¯s share transfer requires your assistance. ¡± Caleb responded with assurance, ¡°Rest easy, Miss Moore. We excel in retrieving debts, and our boss has briefed us on the approach. ¡± As she left the office that evening, Bryson had assured her he would handle everything. ¡°Understood. Thank you.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡± The call ended, leaving Hannah feeling a void within. She once believed her steadfastness on the issue was just, but now, doubt crept in. Perhaps she had been unreasonable all along. Chapter 858 However, the decision to reach out to Bryson eluded Hannah. How could they ever reconcile? In frustration, Hannah cast her phone away and buried herself beneath the quilt. Meanwhile, Jaylin emerged from his business discussion with Adolf, invigorated. Lydia, having returned to the living area, chose to sit in silence, observing the proceedings. When Jaylin caught sight of Alick, he couldn¡¯t contain his smile. ¡°Your father and I have chosen the 28th of this month for your engagement to Lydia. ¡± With merely a week left, Lydia internally scoffed at their urgency. Lydia looked up, feigning bewilderment. ¡°A week hardly seems sufficient for ceremony preparations and selecting a gown, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll select the gown tomorrow. We¡¯ll finalize the venue then too, and dispatch the invites within the next couple of days.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org We can expedite the arrangements with additional payment!¡± Jaylin, concerned Lydia might dy the engagement, pressed on, ¡°Remember, this is merely an engagement, not a wedding. Formalities are flexible. ¡± Alick chimed in with a grin, ¡°Absolutely, and we must find you a stunning dress for the asion. Shall we shop for it together tomorrow, Lydia?¡± Lydia, diforted yet smiling, squinted at Alick. ¡°Sure. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Excellent. ¡± Alick returned her smile, deliberate in his expression. Departing the vi, Lydia proposed to Jaylin in the car, ¡°It¡¯s still early. Shall we head to thepany?¡± Jaylin, who had agreed to apany Lydia, suddenly soured. ¡°We¡¯re unlikely to secure that project. Thepany visit seems futile. Lydia countered, ¡°You¡¯re mistaken, Dad. Engagement or not, Phillips Group is in the red. Securing this project could fend off significant financial loss. ¡± Following a brief pause, Jaylin instructed the driver, ¡°Head to thepany first. ¡± ¡°Understood, sir. ¡± Upon their arrival, Lydia apanied Jaylin and the secretary through thepany¡¯s entrance. They noticed the receptionist dozing off at her desk. Jaylin nced at his watch. It was three in the afternoon. The idea of someone sleeping on the job seemed bold to him! Chapter 859 Just as he moved to approach, Lydia¡¯s hand halted him. ¡°Dad, we should let the HR handle this. We better go up. ¡± Jaylin consented with a nod and directed his secretary, ¡°Later, ask HR to report to my office. ¡± ¡°Certainly, Mr. Phillips. ¡¯ In thepany, Henry and Estre had just finished their intimate encounter. As she adjusted his tie while nestled in his embrace, Estre inquired, ¡°When will you acquire the remaining shares?¡± ¡°In a day or two¡­ Henry said, then gazed at her curiously.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org ¡°What¡¯s brought this on?¡± Estre, concealing her ulterior motives, snuggled deeper into him. ¡°I just wish for you to assume control soon so we won¡¯t have to sneak around anymore. ¡± ¡°He¡¯s wary of me. It¡¯s not yet time,¡± Henry replied, his brow furrowed. Lighting a cigarette, he took a drag and warned, ¡°With thepany struggling and Dad¡¯s frequent visits, you need to be cautious. ¡± Estre, ying the seductress, reassured him. ¡°This is the manager¡¯s office. If Dades, we¡¯ll be alerted. ¡± ¡°Always thinking ahead,¡± Henry praised, pecking her cheek affectionately. ¡°Still, temper your impulses for now. We can¡¯t afford slip-ups. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You¡¯re so cautious,¡± Estre teased, entwining her arms around his neck and tracing her fingers along his form. ¡°With me as your secretary, we¡¯ll have plenty of reasons to be together. Besides¡­¡± Leaning in, she whispered suggestively, ¡°Being half-siblings, Dad wouldn¡¯t suspect a thing. ¡± Henry caressed Estre¡¯s neck, anticipating their ki*s. Following their passionate moment, his eyes smoldered with desire. ¡°You¡¯re quite the enchantress. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you want to?¡± Estre¡¯s flirtatious vibes intensified as time went on. Ovee with desire, Henry¡¯s embrace tightened, and their passion red again. But as Henry¡¯s hands wandered, a knock at the door jolted them. ¡°General manager, the chairman is right outside!¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± Chapter 860 Henry, in a sudden flurry, shoved the woman from his embrace and swiftly straightened his attire. Estre, caught off guard, tumbled to the ground with a clumsy yelp. As Henry adjusted his clothes, it dawned on him that during their intimate encounter in the office, they had neglected to lock the door. He rushed toward the door, intent on securing it. However, Lydia entered first, pushing the door wide open. Grasping the doorknob, Lydia cast a nce at Estre, still on the floor, and then at Henry, with his askew tie, and arched an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s this? A scuffle?¡± ¡°Was there a fight?¡± Jaylin hadn¡¯t witnessed the earlier scene. Upon entering, he saw Estre rising from the floor, her appearance disheveled and her eyes tinged with red as if wronged. Jaylin¡¯s frown deepened as he faced Henry. ¡°You¡­¡± Recalling the unlocked door, he stifled his anger and gestured for Lydia to shut it. Lydiaplied, gently shutting the door, then casually made her way to the sofa and sat down. ¡®s BunnyBookery Once assured the conversation would remain private, Jaylin pointed at Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Henry, his voiceced with reprimand. ¡°I¡¯ve told you repeatedly. She¡¯s your half-sister! At work, you two must get along!¡± ¡°Dad,¡± Estre interjected, clutching Jaylin¡¯s arm and batting her eyshes yfully. ¡°It wasn¡¯t my brother¡¯s fault. I simply slipped. ¡± Her smile was endearing, almost pitiable. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad. My brother treats me well at work. As a fresh intern, I learn so much from him. ¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Lydia couldn¡¯t contain herughter. ALL eyes turned to her. With a hand over her mouth, Lydia¡¯sughter was evident. ¡°Pay me no mind.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. It¡¯s just¡­ amusing. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s so amusing?¡± Henry¡¯s anger was palpable as he confronted Lydia. Chapter 861 ¡°You burst in here, using us of quarreling. Are you trying to stir up trouble?¡± Lydia retorted, ¡°I only asked if there was a fight. Why are you reacting so defensively?¡± Estre, clutching Jaylin¡¯s sleeve, looked at Lydia with a feigned sorrow. ¡°Lydia, it¡¯s clear you don¡¯t like me¡­ It¡¯s fine if you haven¡¯t warmed up to me yet, but please don¡¯t misjudge Henry. He¡¯s always treated me well¡­¡± Oh, what a performance. Lacking Hannah¡¯s way with words, Lydia stood her ground and said, ¡°Everyone¡¯s here. I merely inquired, why do you rush to defend?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Estre was cut off by another knock at the door. ¡°Mr. Phillips, the HR manager, and the leader of the team responsible for the chip project have arrived. ¡± Jaylin instructed his secretary to let them in. Upon seeing the project leader, Henry¡¯s expression soured. ¡°Dad, why is he here? This chip project¡­¡± ¡°Lydia will handle the chip project now,¡± Jaylin dered firmly. ¡°Since you haven¡¯t made progress, let¡¯s give someone else a chance. ¡± A flush crept up Henry¡¯s face as he pointed at Lydia. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Dad, you think she knows our family business better than I do? She won¡¯t seed with this project either. ¡± Lydia scoffed, ¡°I¡¯ll surely do a better job than you. Did you upset the suppliers because you were after a bribe?¡± ¡°Stop spouting nonsense!¡± Henry¡¯s face turned beet red with fury. But Estre chimed in softly, ¡°Lydia, maybe it¡¯s best not to unt yourpetence. The supplier refuses to even meet us now, saying they can¡¯t work with Phillips Group anymore. If you take on this project, it might just be humiliating ¡° Estre¡¯s concern seemed sincere as she bit her lip.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°Our family¡¯s reputation could be tarnished because of you¡­¡± ¡°Our family? We¡¯re talking about the Phillips family, what¡¯s yourst name?¡± Estre found Lydia¡¯s sharp words hard to swallow. Then, with a smile, Lydia added, ¡°When ites to disgracing the Phillips family, it seems he¡¯s already done a fine job of that. ¡± Chapter 862 ¡°Enough already!¡± Jaylin dered, his tone final. Surrounded by colleagues, he had no desire to cause a scene. ¡°Shut up! Present her with the proposal first. ¡± Obligingly, the team leader handed over the document to Lydia with due reverence. ¡°Miss Phillips, this is the proposal. ¡± Lydia¡¯s expression grew increasingly concerned as she perused the document. She promptly shut the proposal. Massaging her temples, she inquired, ¡°Who is responsible for this proposal?¡± The team leader hesitated, his eyes flickering towards Henry. ¡°It was¡­¡± Henry, seizing the moment, dered with pride, ¡°What seems to be the problem? I¡¯m the author of the proposal. ¡± Lydia, unimpressed, retorted as she discarded the proposal, ¡°You? You¡¯d need triple the wit to have crafted this!¡± She then assured Jaylin with unwavering certainty, ¡°Give me one week, and I guarantee we¡¯ll have this project secured!¡± Henry¡¯s confidence wavered at Lydia¡¯s bold im, a seed of doubt nting itself at the prospect of her sess. He scoffed, ¡°A week? That¡¯s an eternity! Are you stalling deliberately, avoiding engagement?¡± Lydia met his gaze calmly. ¡°Does striving for sess impede my engagement?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You¡¯re to be engaged by month¡¯s end. Perhaps you¡¯re weaving these poor excuses on purpose!¡± Henry used, turning to Jaylin. ¡°Dad, she¡¯s not to be trusted. There¡¯s no telling what she¡¯s nning. Perhaps even to abandon our family. ¡± Jaylin couldn¡¯t dismiss Henry¡¯s reasoning. Lydia¡¯s sudden vested interest inpany matters did appear dubious. With a creased brow, he faced Lydia and began, ¡°You, ¡°Give me five days. If the project isn¡¯t mine in that time, I¡¯m out of thepany,¡± Lydia promised solemnly, looking straight at Jaylin. ¡°Dad, it¡¯s not my intention to interfere. But a friend knows someone in tech who could secure this client for us. Wouldn¡¯t it benefit us to seek their aid.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Facing the Phillips¡¯ family¡¯s current tribtions, Jaylin was loath to forfeit a promising deal, despite his suspicions of Lydia. Chapter 863 Furthermore, with only five days at hand, Lydia couldn¡¯t manage to create too muchmotion in that duration. He contemted briefly before conceding, ¡°Alright, the task is yours. Re-establish contact with the client, and if there¡¯s no sess in five days, consider your position here terminated. ¡± Lydia¡¯s lips curved into a smile. ¡°Thanks, Dad. ¡± Henry, on the other hand, scowled deeply. ¡°Dad! Lydia¡¯s clueless. She doesn¡¯t get it. She¡­¡± ¡°Shut up! You¡¯ll see what happens if you keep stirring up trouble at the firm!¡± Jaylin turned around, fixing Henry with a stern look. ¡°And take a look at your team! Your receptionist is snoozing on the job! Fire her now!¡± The HR Manager promptly responded with deference, ¡°Understood, Mr.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Phillips. She¡¯ll be reced with new staff right away. ¡± Jaylin gave a curt nod and addressed Henry and Estre. ¡°You two, follow me. We need to talk. ¡± As Jaylin turned away, Estre moved closer to Henry, reaching for his arm! But Henry wasn¡¯t foolish. Aware of the others in the room, he swiftly withdrew his arm and trailed after Jaylin. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Estre, left behind, cast a forlorn nce at Henry¡¯s retreating figure, then departed at a slow pace. Lydia watched them leave, her gaze lingering, pensive. It wasn¡¯t long before the hesitant team leader came to her. ¡°Miss Phillips¡­ About the proposal¡­¡± ¡°Mhm. ¡± Lydia passed the initial proposal back to him. ¡°You¡¯re all acquainted with the project. Let¡¯s swap contact details to start with. Later, we¡¯ll have an online meeting to go over the essential aspects of the proposal. ¡± The team leader agreed, ¡°Alright, Miss Phillips. However. . He faltered, torn over whether to express his worries. Chapter 864 Lydia encouraged him. ¡°Out with it. No need for hesitation. ¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± With his gaze lowered, the team leader voiced his concern reluctantly. ¡°Mr. Henry Phillips has already caused frustration for both the leader and the liaison of our client. We fear that even a perfect proposal might be futile.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org ¡± ¡°Just draft the n, and we¡¯ll review it during our online meeting. I¡¯ll take care of the client rtions. That¡¯s not your burden to bear. You may return to your duties now. ¡± Lydia reassured him. Acknowledging her instructions, the team leader exited with the proposal in hand. Upon departing from the firm, Lydia informed Jaylin¡¯s secretary, ¡°Please convey to my father that I have secured our client¡¯s data and have already headed home. ¡± ¡°Certainly, Miss Phillips. Do you want a driver to drive you back home?¡± Dismissing the offer with a gesture, Lydia assured, ¡°Inform my dad that I¡¯m safe. I have no intention of fleeing. ¡± She took a taxi and, once inside, eagerly dialed Hannah. ¡°Hannah! Today at the office, I stumbled upon something extraordinary!¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Hannah¡¯s rxed voice echoed from the phone. With a hushed tone, Lydia confessed, ¡°I suspect there¡¯s something going on between my brother and our dad¡¯s illegitimate daughter. Today, as I burst into the office, I discovered Estre sitting on the floor, and my brother seemedpletely flustered. At first, I thought a dispute had erupted, but upon our departure, Estre¡¯s demeanor towards my brother was suspiciously intimate. Something is amiss. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯sughter trickled through the phone, teasing, ¡°You¡¯re like a skittish rabbit, suspicious of everything. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the case!¡± Lydia protested, striving to modte her voice amidst the taxi¡¯s confines, her toneced with agitation. ¡°My instincts are seldom wron¡± ¡°Relying solely on instincts could lead to unwarranted allegations,¡± Hannah said, her wordsced with an assuring smile. ¡°I¡¯ll look into it. But resist confronting your brother impulsively. ¡°I have no such n! I¡¯m not naive. It¡¯s just¡­ I feel so weird and I just need to get it off my chest. Even my mother will hear nothing of this from me. ¡± Hannah sighed in relief at Lydia¡¯s discretion. ¡°Very well, await my update. By the way, what was your father¡¯s directive regarding the partnership today?¡± Chapter 865 ¡°He¡¯s allotted me five days to solidify the agreement with our client. ¡± Hannah nodded in acknowledgement. ¡°I¡¯ll have someone expedite the process. You¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Lydia interjected with earnestness. ¡°Hannah, this time I aspire to resolve it independently. Nevertheless, I implore you to persuade them to afford me another opportunity, and the Phillips Group as well. ¡± Hannah nodded in acknowledgment of her friend¡¯s persistence. ¡°Alright, leave the matter to me. I¡¯ll look into it thoroughly,¡± she assured. ¡°I¡¯m going to dive into the business n starting today,¡± Lydia dered. Once the call ended, Hannah rose, strode to her desk, and essed the Dark Web on herputer. ¡°Delve into Estre Moran¡¯s ties with Henry Phillips, the chairman¡¯s son from Phillips Group. ¡± ¡°Understood. Boss, expect a message by tomorrow morning!¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Very well. ¡± Meanwhile, at Phillips Group, Jaylin berated Henry. ¡°See the ipetents you¡¯ve brought on board! They contribute nothing to thepany! And those friends of yours, rid thepany of them at once!¡± Henry, his head bowed, began to exin, ¡°They¡¯ve been dismissed. That evening, they. He caught himself mid-sentence, nearly confessing his casino escapade. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°What transpired that night?¡± Jaylin demanded, his tone severe. Scrambling for an excuse, Henry blurted out, ¡°They failed to entertain clients and werex during work hours. They¡¯re gone now! You have nothing to worry over, Dad. ¡± This seemed to ease Jaylin¡¯s rage ¡°That¡¯s more like it. And you, Estre, keep a closer eye on him!¡± ¡°I understand, Dad,¡± Estre responded. Jaylin¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°In thispany, you will not address me as Dad!¡± Chapter 866 ¡°Understood, Mr. Phillips,¡± Estre conceded, tears brimming in her eyes. Henry, hearing the distress in Estre¡¯s voice, instinctively defended her. ¡°Dad, Estre has been diligent here. Please, don¡¯t me her. ¡± With a huff, Jaylin dismissed his son¡¯s plea. ¡°Now you take her side!¡± Estre seized the moment to address Jaylin. ¡°With thepany entrusting Miss Phillips with a new project, Henry finds himself swamped¡­¡± She trailed off deliberately, prompting Jaylin to chime in, ¡°I¡¯l be around thepanytely. Should any business issues arise, feel free to consult me. ¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Phillips. ¡± Estre¡¯s lips curled into a smile as she turned, locking eyes with Henry before shyly casting her gaze downward. Once Jaylin departed, Henry let out an exasperated sigh, tugging at his tie. ¡°Damn, Dad¡¯s presence at thepany can only mean trouble!¡± Estre gently massaged Henry¡¯s shoulders, coaxing him, ¡°Don¡¯t think so negatively. Without Dad stepping in, we¡¯d lose our shot at shifting the shares from him, wouldn¡¯t we?¡± Henry conceded with a nod, ¡°You¡¯re right. And once I secure those shares, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re rewarded too!¡± ¡°I desire no rewards. ¡± Feigning tenderness, Estre nestled her face against Henry¡¯s chest. ¡°ALL I want is to be by your side. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The clock struck nine in the evening. Brayden¡¯s voice came through the phone to Lydia.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°The detectives reported back. Alick and Eliana were seen entering the bar owned by Alick¡¯s family. They appeared quite close. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Receiving this information, Lydia nced regretfully at the business proposal before her. ¡°I¡¯m tied up and can¡¯t step away. I¡¯ll have Hannah step in for me. It sounded like Brayden was already at the bar. ¡°Alright, they¡¯ve taken to Room 302. Send her here immediately. ¡± Chapter 867 Hannah drove to the bar¡¯s vicinity, parked her car, and slipped into the bar unnoticed. ¡°Are you here by yourself, Miss?¡± A stranger approached Hannah with the question. Without looking up, Hannah asserted with an elevated tone, ¡°A friend has reserved a private room upstairs. ¡± The waiter seemed convinced. ¡°Very well, please head up. ¡± Navigating through the pulsing music and the throng of people, Hannah made her way to the secluded corridor. Typically, employees¡¯ changing rooms would be situated on the ground floor¡­ Hannah, under the soft glow of blue lights, discovered the employees¡¯ dressing room after veering into the corridor. Ensuring no one was tailing her, she swiftly entered the room and closed the door behind her. The room was cramped and cluttered. The overpowering scent of perfume caused Hannah¡¯s brow to furrow. She wore a uniform found inside, only to realize its hem barely reached her thighs, threatening to reveal her undergarments with the slightest bend. Clearly, the original owner was shorter, making the outfit a much less modest fit on Hannah. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As Hannah was about to extend her hand to rummage for another ensemble, the door burst open abruptly from the outside. She turned sharply towards the entrance. At that instant, the door swung wide. There stood Hannah, dressed in work attire and a ckce mask, feigning astonishment. ¡°You gave me a fright!¡± The man at the door, taken aback by the sight of Hannah, scrutinized her. Eyeing the badge on Hannah¡¯s outfit, his skepticism seemed to fade.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Eva, weren¡¯t you on sick leave with a cold? What brings you back so soon?¡± A realization struck Hannah. Mistaken for the uniform¡¯s owner, she modted her voice. ¡°I¡¯m feeling better, and I¡¯m eager to earn more. ¡± The waiter at the door appeared unperturbed. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear! Chapter 868 The boss is in today, and it¡¯s bustling with customers.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. I¡¯m here to switch my stained attire. Carry on with your tasks. ¡± ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll get on with my work,¡± Hannah responded, brushing past the waiter. Pausing at the threshold, the waiter eyed Hannah¡¯s retreating form, his brow furrowing in perplexity. Since when had Eva¡¯s silhouette be so striking? And her skirt, so short? ¡°How odd ¡°he muttered, heading off to the staff room for a change of clothes. At the mixing station, Hannah dered, ¡°Two bottles of wine and a fruit tter, please. ¡± The bartenderplied, cing the wine on the tray while summoning someone to fetch the fruit from the kitchen. Hannah, adding a box of tissues to the tray, spun around and ascended the stairs. Among the noise and activity, her motions remained unseen as she proceeded to the third floor. In a private room, Eliana perched beside Alick, nudging away the ss he offered. ¡°I can¡¯t drink now. ¡± Alick¡¯s sneer was frosty as he regarded Eliana. ¡°If you¡¯re not drinking, what purpose does your presence serve today?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got news of great import to share. ¡± Eliana, still smiling at Alick, assured, ¡°You¡¯ll be thrilled to hear it. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Interest piqued, Alick¡¯s eyebrows arched. ¡°Do share, what¡¯s the news?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ At this moment, the door was pushed open from outside. Both simultaneously turned their gaze to the door just as Hannah entered, bncing a trayden with fruit and a bottle of wine. ¡°The wine and fruit have arrived, sir,¡± she announced. She approached the table, set down her burdens, and nonchntly deposited a cardboard box containing a monitor upon it. Having unloaded her cargo, Hannah reached for the tray, ready to depart, when Eliana¡¯s voice halted her from behind. ¡°We didn¡¯t request these. Who sent you with them?¡± Hannah came to a standstill, her back still to them, and responded in a subdued tone, ¡°The receptionist instructed me to deliver them here. ¡± Eliana, seizing the moment to confront Hannah, cast a sideways nce at Alick and used, ¡°Stop pretending! You¡¯re here for Alick, aren¡¯t you? I¡¯m aware of your motives. However, your attractive physique doesn¡¯t grant you permission for indecent thoughts!¡± Stunned by Eliana¡¯s insinuation, Hannah questioned her sanity silently. Chapter 869 Alick, too, showed a hint of annoyance, interjecting, ¡°In what way are the waitresses involved in this? Enough with your unfounded ims!¡± ¡°If there¡¯s nothing further, I must return to my duties. ¡± Hannah exited, tray in hand, without a backward nce. Yet, as Alick spoke, his eyes lingered on Hannah¡¯s departing profile at the door¡¯s closure, struck by a sense of familiarity. She didn¡¯t seem to be just a waitress¡­ Click! With the door shut, Hannah exhaled in relief. Her relief was short-lived as the door flung open behind her. ¡°Wait,¡± Alick called out, halting her. ¡°Are you new here?¡± Alick inquired, his head tilted, peering at Hannah¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°You seem unfamiliar. ¡± ¡°Sir, I go by Eva,¡± she rified. The name Eva seemed to ring a bell for Alick, yet he couldn¡¯t quite ce her. ¡°Face me,¡± hemanded. Clutching the tray tighter, Hannah turned slowly, her gaze downward. Her face was obscured by a ckce mask, leaving Alick unable to discern her features. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Remove your mask,¡± he demanded. Hannah was rmed. She scanned her surroundings, seeking a chance to slip away. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Are you defying me?¡± Alick moved closer, his hand lifting to graze Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll assist you with that mask then. ¡± As his fingers grazed the mask, Hannah retreated two steps and collided with a solid presence! Arge hand sped her wrist. The subtle fragrance of sandalwood enveloped her, leaving her dazed and without the will to turn around. Bryson drew her into his embrace. His eyes, a deep and frosty gaze, fixed upon her. ¡°She belongs to me. Are you interested in her?¡±All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Bryson¡¯s identity dawned on Alick, halting him mid-thought. His eyes flickered over Hannah, cocooned in Bryson¡¯s hold, disbelief shadowing his features that Bryson would show an interest in a mere waitress. Chapter 870 With feigned casualness, he dered, ¡°I merely invited her for a drink. ¡± Bryson¡¯s grip on Hannah¡¯s waist tightened as he whispered, ¡°Would you like to join him for a drink?¡± Hannah¡¯s frame shook with intensity. Bryson¡¯s query rendered her rigid, her voice lost. Bryson¡¯s nce met Alick¡¯s, a yful arch to his brows. ¡°She¡¯s not keen. ¡± Alick teased, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Mr. Mitchell to have such preferences. I assumed your affections were reserved for Miss Moore. Bryson¡¯s smile turned sly. ¡°What concern is it of yours?¡± A coolness crept into Alick¡¯s demeanor.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Since Mr. Mitchell is fond of her, I wouldn¡¯t dream of interfering. Eva, do treat Mr. Mitchell well. ¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Hannah said through clenched teeth. It wasn¡¯t until Bryson escorted her into another room that she regained herposure. Regaining her wits, she noticed Bryson lounging on the couch, wine in hand, eyes tracking her every move. Hannah fidgeted with her dress, her voice tinged with confusion. ¡°What brings you here¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Merely chance. ¡± Was it truly just chance? She had a bone to pick with Brayden. Holding the tray, Hannah took a step back and announced, ¡°I¡¯ll be on my way then. ¡± ¡°Now? Wouldn¡¯t that just raise his suspicions?¡± Hannah paused, realizing the truth in the words. Alick had indeed seemed wary earlier. If she ventured out at this moment and Alick had instructed his team to keep an eye on her, escaping trouble would be challenging. ¡°Why don¡¯t youe and sit here?¡± Bryson gestured to Hannah invitingly, a teasing grin on his face. Chapter 871 ¡°I¡¯m not scared of you¡­¡± Hannah retorted, though a flicker of unease betrayed her. She used the tray to shield her legs as she walked over and sat down. Silence fell over Hannah.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. With nothing further from her, Bryson simply sat back and enjoyed his drink. Restlessness overtook Hannah, and she rose. ¡°The coast should be clear outside. I really should get going¡­¡± But as she spoke, the door swung open. Alick stepped in, all smiles. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯vee to share a drink with you. ¡± In an instant, Bryson¡¯s grip found Hannah¡¯s wrist, pulling her into an unintentional embrace! Before she could resist, Bryson¡¯s voice was in her ear. ¡°y along if you don¡¯t want to be caught. ¡± Ceasing her struggle, Hannah settled into Bryson¡¯s hold and epted the ss he offered. Alick¡¯s eyes roamed over the pair as he ced his bottle on the table, still smiling. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, the Mitchell family wield great influence in Valmere. The Shaws are eager to discuss partnership opportunities. ¡± But Bryson seemed oblivious to Alick¡¯s words, his gaze locked on Hannah. ¡°Pour me some wine. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Misunderstanding, Alick reached for his bottle. ¡°This is a fine vintage, aged fifty years. Give it a try, Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s her I¡¯m asking to pour me wine. ¡± Alick¡¯s presence prevented Hannah from leaving immediately, yet she silently vowed to make Bryson pay for his actions eventually. With a forced smile, Hannah filled a ss with wine and offered it to Bryson. ¡°For you, sir,¡± she said, presenting the ss to his lips. Bryson tried the wine Hannah provided. Hannah inwardly grumbled. Alick observed Bryson¡¯s actions, sensing something amiss. Chapter 872 The rumors in Valmere had always suggested Bryson¡¯s disinterest in women, with Hannah as the only exception. And now, was he showing interest in a mere bar waitress? ¡°Mr. Mitchell, this seems to be your first visit to my establishment. Have you been smitten with our waitress at first nce?¡± Alick queried. With a lift of his eyebrows, Bryson caught Hannah¡¯s chin, scrutinizing her face. Hannah flinched, earning a sharper pinch on cheek from Bryson, the who with a ¡°Not quipped smirk, particrly. His sentence was cut short by Hannah¡¯s hand stealthily pinching his waist from inside his jacket. ¡°Enough, Hannah hissed quietly. The sting at his waist only broadened Bryson¡¯s grin. ¡°Feeling shy? Then let¡¯s leave it unspoken,¡± he teased. Hannah trembled with suppressed rage, cursing Bryson¡¯s deliberate provocations. Alick wore aplex expression, on the cusp of speaking, but Bryson cut him off, ¡°Why should I disclose my preferences to you?¡± he challenged. ¡°Just curious,¡± Alick mumbled. Bryson gave Alick a meaningful look, warning, ¡°Curiosity can be dangerous. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Alick¡¯splexion soured at the overt threat, but before he could retort, the door swung open. ¡°Alick, we weren¡¯t done talking¡­¡±Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Eliana halted her chatter abruptly and averted her gaze as she crossed the threshold and caught sight of Bryson. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Alick rose swiftly, a frown creasing his forehead as he moved toward the entrance. ¡°Leave, now!¡± hemanded. ncing furtively at Bryson, who cradled Hannah in his embrace, Eliana¡¯s lips quivered. He seemed oblivious to her presence. She reached for Alick, pleading, ¡°Please, I need to discuss something urgent with you. ¡± Alick, visibly irked by Eliana¡¯s presence, cast a nce back at Bryson and Hannah. Nothing seemed amiss, and the woman he held didn¡¯t appear to be Hannah¡­ Chapter 873 ¡°Enough, leave this instant!¡± Alick¡¯s patience had worn thin. He seized Eliana by the arm, steering her out forcefully. Meanwhile, Hannah rested against Bryson, her focus fixed on the duo at the door. Once they departed, she took out her phone to view the next room¡¯s surveince feed, momentarily forgetting she was sitting on Bryson¡¯sp. The camera flickered on, bringing Alick¡¯s irate voice into focus. ¡°What do you want? Speak up!¡± He slumped onto the couch, his displeasure evident. Eliana emerged beside him. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant. ¡± Alick shot her a skeptical look. ¡°And why tell me? You should be informing Den. ¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Eliana paled, clutching at Alick¡¯s sleeve. ¡°But I haven¡¯t been intimate with himtely¡­ It¡¯s only been you. The doctors confirmed it. I conceived around the time we were together, over two months ago. ¡± Alick erupted into mockingughter, propping his chin atop his hand. ¡°And what of it? You expect me to take responsibility?¡± Eliana stammered, ¡°I¡­¡± Before Eliana could get her full sentence out, Alick cut her off. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ He pulled a check from his pocket, scribbled on it, and offered it to her. ¡°Take this. You won¡¯t need to see me again. ¡± With a flick of his wrist, Alick sent the check fluttering to Eliana, snatched up his wine, and took a gulp. Eliana¡¯s gaze dropped to the check in her hand, and herplexion drained of color. One million! Was he trying to dismiss her with a mere million? Clutching the check tightly, it crumpled in her hand, and she began to cry, ¡°My feelings for you are genuine, that¡¯s why I¡¯m with you. How can you demean me with money?¡± Alick chuckled, devoid of warmth. ¡°You¡¯re well aware of why you¡¯re with me. Spare me the love pretense. I¡¯m far from naive, and that won¡¯t sway me. ¡± Chapter 874 ¡°But our child¡­ It is yours. You can¡¯t be heartless enough to force me to terminate the pregnancy!¡± Alick¡¯s smile was hollow as he regarded Eliana with icy detachment. ¡°Given that my engagement is imminent, I¡¯d suggest you avoid creating a scene, or else¡­¡± He grasped Eliana¡¯s neck, his smile vanishing, his grip tightening. ¡°You might just regreting to me today!¡± Eliana¡¯splexion turned a fiery red. In a panic, she swatted at Alick¡¯s hand! Noticing her fear, Alick let go and warned, ¡°Cause no issues for Lydia, or you¡¯ll face the consequences!¡± Eliana stumbled up, retreated a couple of steps, clutched at her neck, and turned around to flee. ¡°Wait!¡± Alick rose, vanishing from the camera¡¯s view, though his voice lingered. ¡°Never say I haven¡¯t been kind to you. ¡± Crack. With a crisp tear, Alick ripped off a new check and extended it towards Eliana. ¡°ept the two million. You¡¯ve been with me for quite a while. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to give you less than you deserve. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Eliana¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears, her heart torn between grievance and resignation, yet she dared not protest. Silently, she epted the check from Alick¡¯s grasp and hastily made her exit. Watching Eliana leave, Hannah made sure the video was securely saved before closing the app. ¡°Got it all on record?¡± Bryson¡¯s voice cut through the silence, and Hannah nodded in affirmation. Then it dawned on her. She was still sitting on Bryson¡¯sp! In a swift motion, Hannah stood up! Bryson made no move to hinder her. Gazing up at Hannah, he inquired, ¡°Is that sufficient?¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t afford to entangle with Bryson tonight. Without a word, she turned and strode away. ¡°You¡¯ll reckon with meter!¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Bang! Chapter 875 With a resounding m, the door shut behind her. Bryson¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he leisurely sipped from the ss. In the dressing room, Hannah swiftly changed and stepped out, dialing Brayden¡¯s number. ¡°Make sure that hidden camera is removed from his room. I¡¯ve captured everything I need. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The camera will be gone. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s onest thing¡­¡± Hannah cautioned, ¡°If you dare to let Bryson know my whereabouts, allowing him to cross my path again, consider your rtionship with Lydia over. ¡± Brayden found himself at a loss for words on the other end of the phone. An awkward chuckle escaped him as he said, ¡°This is because¡­¡± His search for the right words stretched on, punctuated by a slight cough. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If it¡¯s within my power, I¡¯ll handle the matter myself from now on, without seeking him out!¡± After Brayden ended the call, a fine sheen of sweat clung to his forehead. He lifted his gaze to Bryson. Since Brayden had taken the call on speaker, Bryson had overheard everything Hannah had said. Brayden¡¯s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and turmoil. ¡°Well¡­ you heard her. She left me no choice with her threats. ¡± ¡°Enough talk,¡± Bryson cut in, eyeing him with a cool detachment. ¡°Any news from Homing?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve discreetly sent a reminder to Henry. I suspect he¡¯ll make a move soon. I¡¯ll be watching him closely. ¡± Back at her ce, Hannah transferred the video to herputer and sent a copy to Lydia.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Within moments, Lydia was on the phone with her. ¡°This is utterly shocking! Alick and Eliana are an item? Den¡¯s oblivious to this?¡± Lydia¡¯s voice thundered through the phone, even as Hannah held it away from her ear. ¡°Just take a breath. ¡± Lydia flopped onto her bed, rolling over in agitation. ¡°Nope, I can¡¯t settle down! It¡¯s true what they say about karma. It¡¯s not that it¡¯s absent, just biding its time. Den wronged you, and now he¡¯s been duped himself. Serves him right! Ha!¡± A smile yed on Hannah¡¯s lips. Chapter 876 ¡°To me, he¡¯s nothing more than a stranger now. I once thought I¡¯d revel in his misfortune, but as his luck soured, I felt nothing. ¡± A particr memory from her childhood surfaced and Hannah said, ¡°Remember I told you about the time I fell into the water and got rescued as a kid?¡± Lydia, still sprawled on her bed, turned and remembered aloud. ¡°Sure, you¡¯ve mentioned it more than once. Last time, you doubted it was Den who saved you. Is something amiss? Have you figured out who it was?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah responded, a flicker of insight crossing her mind. Ever since that ident where she had tumbled into the sea in Muvrand, she had harbored the belief that it was also Bryson who hade to her rescue years ago. However, despite her subtle probes, he had remained silent on the matter, leaving Hannah to wonder if she had been mistaken all along. Lost in her musings, Lydia¡¯s voice snapped her back to the present. ¡°Honestly, even if you did find him, what then? You thought Den was your savior, so you married him and moved to Valmere. If you stumble upon this man now, are you going to marry him as well? And what if he¡¯s already married, with children of his own? You can¡¯t cling to a man for the rest of your days simply because he once saved you!¡± Lydia continued her barrage over the phone, although aware that Hannah disliked such talks. ¡°I must say this, though, I can¡¯t stand to watch you ensnared by that incident. You should seek someone you truly desire, not someone you feel indebted to. ¡± With a smile, Hannah replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not senseless. I wouldn¡¯t marry out of mere gratitude. The story with the Edwards family is long andplicated. But remember, my marriage with Den wasn¡¯t merely due to that. Have you forgotten the Moore family? Besides, Allison¡¯s love was so profound she even contributed to my dowry. ¡± Massaging her temples, she confessed, ¡°All I yearn for is to uncover my rescuer¡¯s identity. ¡± Lydia, ever concerned, couldn¡¯t help but wonder aloud, ¡°But you¡¯ve been hunting for him in vain all these years. Could you be chasing a phantom? Perhaps it wasn¡¯t a man who saved you, but a woman?¡± Hannah was adamant. ¡°Even though I was barely conscious after the rescue, and my vision was a blur, the voice I heard was unmistakably masculine. ¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°That¡¯s weird¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion just as a series of knocks interrupted them. Bang! Bang! Bang! ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll answer the door,¡± she said, tossing the phone aside and striding towards the door, only to be greeted by the sight of her brother Henry, reeking of Liquor. Lydia¡¯s expression hardened at the sight of him. She attempted to shut the door, but Henry wedged his hand against it, barreling into her room! ¡°Hey! Henry, have you lost your mind? Last time you barged in Like a tempest in the dead of night! What¡¯s your purpose now?¡± Lydia demanded, her toneced with exasperation. Ignoring Lydia¡¯s words, Henry dragged over a chair and sat down, demanding, ¡°Tell me, on what condition will you pull out of that project?¡± Lydia, caught off guard by Henry¡¯s unexpected question, paused beforeughing dismissively, ¡°Why would I exit the project? Thepany¡¯s not solely yours, after all. ¡± She continued, challenging his authority, ¡°Moreover, you¡¯ve botched the project. Is it wrong to let someone else take over?¡± Henry¡¯s irritation red inexplicably. ¡°Lydia! Stop ying the fool. Chapter 877 Our Phillips Group has been cklisted by our partner. What tricks do you have up your sleeve to salvage the partnership?¡± He scrutinized Lydia with a mocking sneer, insinuating, ¡°Do you really think the partner will hand the project over just because you¡¯ve charmed him?¡± On the other end of the line, Hannah hadn¡¯t hung up.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Henry¡¯s biting tone caused her to frown deeply. It seemed the previous reprimand hadn¡¯t been lesson enough. How dare he address Lydia in such a manner! p! Then, a sharp p resonated through the phone. Lydia, her palm throbbing from the impact, red icily at Henry. ¡°use me falsely again, and I swear I¡¯ll shut your mouth for good. ¡± ¡°How dare you strike me?!¡± Henry bellowed, leaping up. Stumbling in his drunkenness, he lunged at Lydia. But Lydia, nimble and swift, sidestepped and delivered another kick. Bang! Henry crashed to the floor, his head colliding with the nearby cab, eliciting a cry of agony. ¡°You brought this upon yourself! Ha!¡± Lydia¡¯s gaze was icy as she surveyed the clumsily sprawled figure. ¡°Invade my room with your madness again, and I swear, I¡¯ll send you tumbling from the second floor to the first. ¡± Henry, clutching his head, howled, ¡°You¡¯ve crossed a line! Lydia Philips!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t leave this instant, I¡¯ll personally ensure your descent from the second floor!¡± Henry¡¯s shock at Lydia¡¯s demeanor was palpable. Regaining a sliver of rity, he slurred, ¡°I¡¯m the destined heir of the Phillips family! Your efforts are futile. You¡¯ll never have the opportunity. ¡± Lydia, unfazed, announced, ¡°Leave now, or I¡¯ll have the servants remove you. Or better yet, let¡¯s involve our parents and create a spectacle for them. ¡± Approaching the door, she threw him a disdainful look, her voice dripping with irony. ¡°There you stand, the so-called manager of the Phillips Group, neglecting thepany¡¯s affairs for nightly escapades of drinking. You¡¯ve not secured any business, only rued debts,¡± she pointed out sharply. Enraged by her usations, Henry bellowed, ¡°Debts? What debts do I have?¡± Ignoring his rant, Lydia firmly dered, ¡°I¡¯ll count to three. Depart on your own, or be escorted out. ¡± Chapter 878 Without hesitation, she began counting. ¡°Three. ¡± Upon her prompt, Henry clumsily rose and staggered out, hurling curses over his shoulder. With the nuisance gone, Lydia mmed the door, retreated to her bed, and grabbed her phone. ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting. ¡± The voice on the other end inquired, ¡°Are you alright? Did he harm you?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Here, in the Phillips¡¯ estate, he wouldn¡¯t dare touch me, especially since I¡¯m engaged to Alick.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± Lydia reassured, though feeling a stroke of misfortune. ¡°He pressed me to pull out of the project, fearing the shame of my sess where he failed. ¡± From the other side, Hannah¡¯s response came,ced with a cold mirth. ¡°His attempts to hinder you will soon be futile. He¡¯s liquidated his shares and now eyes your father¡¯s. ¡± Lydia inhaled deeply, her voice tinged with worry. ¡°But surely, my father won¡¯t relinquish his shares to him¡­¡± She paused, pondering the possible extremes Henry might resort to. ¡°I only hope he maintains some semnce of sanity. ¡± The conversation turned to a close as Hannah advised, ¡°It¡¯ste. Rest well. Focus on the partnership project and leave his issues behind. ¡± ¡°Understood. Once the project seeds, we¡¯ll celebrate together,¡± Lydia promised. ¡°Agreed. ¡± Upon disconnecting the call, Hannah exhaled in relief and turned on her Laptop. She essed the Dark Web, eager for updates. Instantaneously, a message came through. ¡°Boss, revtions about Estre Moran have surfaced. She¡¯s Jaylin Phillips¡¯s illegitimate daughter, born of Carly Moran, an escort who frequented high-society gatherings. Sheter became Jaylin¡¯s mistress. Carly, who had received quite some assets from Jaylin over the years, had maintained an affair unbeknownst to Jaylin for over two decades. Chapter 879 It appears Estre¡¯s true lineage ties to this long-term lover. Attached are theprehensive details for your perusal. Acquiring a DNAparison requires hair samples from the duo, which I shall procure within a few days. ¡± The data spanned over two decades, detailing Carly¡¯s discreet support for her secret lover. Hannah¡¯s eyebrows arched. Carly¡¯s audacity was remarkable, seemingly unfazed by the risk of Jaylin¡¯s discovery. Hannah¡¯s response was terse. ¡°Make it quick. You¡¯ve got three days. ¡± The assurance was swift. ¡°Understood, boss! My contacts are adept and will secure what¡¯s needed swiftly, two days at most. Testing will follow promptly. ¡± As Hannah was about to shut down herputer, an unexpected video call from Jalen interrupted. It had been weeks since their paths diverged, Jalen to Newfort. His call at this hour indicated urgency. She epted the call and was greeted by Jalen¡¯s weary daytime visage. ¡°Hannah. ¡± Noticing Jalen¡¯s expression, Hannah inquired with a tinge of worry, ¡°Jalen, haven¡¯t you been resting well? You seem weary. Is the art exhibition taking a toll on you?¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Jalen admitted, ¡°Since my arrival, it¡¯s been non-stop. The art studio is in its infancy, and we¡¯re still orchestrating the exhibition. I¡¯ve attended numerous showstely and starting to feel some pressure. ¡± Observing Hannah¡¯s surroundings, Jalen remarked, ¡°You¡¯re not at home, are you? On a business venture, perhaps?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s a friend¡¯s crisis. I¡¯ve just got back to Valmere and won¡¯t return to Hoijery anytime soon. ¡± Jalen nodded, his thoughts shifting to Bryson. ¡°At some art shows, I repeatedly encountered Bryson¡¯s associates, collecting artworks. ¡± Hannah¡¯s face twitched at the mention of Bryson. She hadn¡¯t told Jalen about their split. She blinked away the unease, feigning normalcy. ¡°He¡¯s involved in some Newfort dealings, though I¡¯m clueless about the specifics. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s peculiar, really. Although the art shows I attended were esteemed, the artworks weren¡¯t. Bryson¡¯s firm bid a staggering sum, well above market value. ¡± Hannah saw nothing amiss. Such premiums weremon among avid collectors. After she shared her view, Jalen disagreed. Chapter 880 ¡°It was hispany¡¯s bid, not his personal pursuit, which I find odd. But possibly, the art trade operates differently here. ¡± Having eased some of his own suspicions, Jalen suggested, ¡°When my exhibites to life, you should fly over if you¡¯ve got the time. ¡± Their conversation drifted to everyday trivialities. Hannah promised with a warm smile. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t miss your first international exhibit. ¡± As Jalen repeatedly pinched his nose, a sign of his fatigue, Hannah rmended, ¡°Jalen, you should rest. We¡¯ll catch up another day. ¡± With a click, theptop shut down, but Hannahy restless, mulling over Jalen¡¯s words about Bryson¡¯s atypicalpany behavior. Her artworks had fetched exorbitant prices, yet she had been out of the scene for a while, unfamiliar with current art market trends. It could be, as Jalen mentioned, that conducting art business abroad differed from local practices. Amid these swirling thoughts, Hannah eventually sumbed to sleep. Come morning, Lydia headed to thepany. She approached the team leader. ¡°Gather your members. We¡¯re meeting in the conference room. ¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. The team leader, Jorge Potter, finished organizing the papers and beckoned his colleagues to join him in the conference room. As they made their way, the team members grumbled among themselves. ¡°We¡¯ve been turned down before. Why must we draft another business proposal?¡± ¡°I overheard Miss Phillips vowing to the boss that she¡¯d secure this deal, hence the project¡¯s revival. ¡± ¡°Such a hassle! The higher-ups¡¯ squabbles always trickle down to us, piling on unpaid overtime. ¡± ¡°The project¡¯s back on, and our team leader seems hands-tied. We just follow orders. ¡± One particrly irate team member quipped bitterly, ¡°Is she even fit to lead? She¡¯s more concerned with climbing the corporatedder at Phillips Group than leading us. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m with you on that,¡± another chimed in. ¡°Mr. Henry Phillips may be inept, but he¡¯s still the general manager!¡± A cautious voice cut in, ¡°Lower your voices. Such talk couldnd you in trouble if overheard. ¡± They continued their muted debate until reaching the meeting room. Once inside, they quieted down, settling into their seats and sneakily checking their phones. Chapter 881 Lydia had the presentation ready. ¡°Let¡¯s keep this meeting straightforward. Review the data and discuss the project¡¯s particrs. I¡¯ve reviewed your proposal. It falls short of highlighting ourpany¡¯s strengths, and the figures are in disarray. How can we expect to clinch the project like this?¡± Lydia¡¯s words cast a hush over the meeting room.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Silence engulfed everyone present. Jorge offered a defense. ¡°Our team handled the proposal, but Mr. Phillips¡¯ appointee oversaw the data. It was out of our hands. ¡± The team leader had barely finished when another member chimed in, ¡°Moreover, we¡¯re all swamped with our projects, and since the client has dismissed this one, is there even a point to this discussion?¡± Murmurs of agreement followed. ¡°Indeed¡­¡± In hushed voices, someone mumbled, ¡°Dealing with our ongoing tasks is sufficient. Why bother pushing ourselves needlessly?¡± Their whispers, though faint, reached Lydia, who stood at a distance yet discerned their words. Jorge, sheepish, gave a subtle signal to the members beside him, urging restraint. It was then that Lydia dered, ¡°Anyone unwilling to reassess the proposal may leave now, without consequences. ¡± The speakers exchanged nces, and one rose to their feet. Dry Ward, experienced within the team, shrugged off Lydia¡¯s ultimatum, unperturbed. ¡°Miss Phillips, our hands are full with other projects. We cannot afford a dy, hence, we¡¯re unable to assist you. Someone else should review the data. We won¡¯t let this hinder our team¡¯s progress. ¡± Her deration prompted three others to rise. ¡°We¡¯re alsomitted to a crucial project. Assisting Miss Phillips isn¡¯t feasible. ¡± Jorge, anxious, worried Lydia might retaliate against his team. Lydia,posed, acknowledged their stance. ¡°Then proceed with your tasks. ¡± Her tranquility led two more attendees to exit quietly, following Dry¡¯s lead. Jorge¡¯s team, originally eleven, was now diminished by half, leaving him feeling awkward. Chapter 882 ¡°Miss Phillips¡­ Regarding this situation¡­¡± Lydia gestured for silence. She wasn¡¯t one for borate schemes Like Hannah, so after seeking Hannah¡¯s advice earlier, Lydia was prepared for the meeting¡¯s eventualities. ¡°Five remain. If any wish to depart, do so now. ¡± Jorge surveyed his allies, who remained silent, indicating no dissent. ¡°Everyone¡¯s still around, so let me say what I need. I can handle the business n on my own. What I really need is for someone to help me gather some background on this project. I¡¯ve juste on board and don¡¯t yet know all about Phillips Group¡¯s advantages from the past. Can you help me out?¡± Jorge agreed, ¡°We¡¯ve archived thepany¡¯s past data. We¡¯llpile it urgently and deliver it promptly. ¡± ¡°Good. ¡± Lydia nced down, fingers dancing over her device, adding Jorge to a new group chat. ¡°Bring up any queries here. You can invite the restter. ¡± ¡°Understood, Miss Phillips. ¡± Exiting the meeting room, Jorge exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over him. Beside him, a colleague quietly suggested, ¡°How about dinner after we wrap up here?¡± ¡°I signed up for this, Jorge responded firmly. ¡°I can handle the extra hours. You should head home on time. Yet, his team protested, their voices united. ¡°We¡¯ve stayed to support you. Leaving you to face this alone isn¡¯t an option for us. ¡± Their concern was palpable. ¡°We¡¯re aware you¡¯re stuck in a tough spot, and Miss Phillips¡¯ request is hard to turn down. We wouldn¡¯t want to make things even tougher for you, would we?¡± Amid their exchange, the sharp tone of a message alert pierced the air. Ding Dong! One member nced at his phone, a crestfallen expression taking over. ¡°Really? No rest even when we¡¯re just catching up? f@ck? Take a look at this!¡± His exmation was followed by widened eyes of disbelief. As they were approaching their desks, Dry had overheard their conversation. She scoffed with a mocking smile, ¡°Seems like you¡¯re doomed to be overwhelmed. Even if we left, Miss Phillips couldn¡¯t touch us. You¡¯re worrying over nothing. You¡¯re swamped with our own tasks, and yet you¡¯re piling on more. I have no idea what¡¯s going on inside your head!¡± Jorge frowned at her, irritation clear in his voice. ¡°If you¡¯re not willing to help, at least refrain from mocking. ¡± Their spat was suddenly halted by an incredulous cry from the colleague. ¡°Miss Phillips¡­ she just sent us twenty thousand dors each!¡± Ah! The argument ceased as everyone reached for their phones. Sure enough, Lydia had transferred a generous sum to each of the five team members! Lydia¡¯s message was brief. ¡°Thanks, everyone. Bubble teas on me.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡± Yet¡­ What kind of bubble tea would cost twenty thousand dors? Chapter 883 Jorge was left in disbelief, and so was Dry, who had been mocking him a moment ago. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Upon hearing their conversation, other members of the team also approached with curiosity. ¡°f@ck! It¡¯s true!¡± ¡°Twenty thousand each! It¡¯s beyond belief!¡± The members who followed Dry out of the conference room were now a picture of regret and mncholy. Dry¡¯s expression soured. She scoffed, ¡°Twenty thousand is nothing to boast about!¡± Jorge urged his colleagues, ¡°Back to work, quick. We¡¯ve got expectations to meet from Miss Phillips. ¡± In the office ¡­This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Lydia scrolled through the chat messages. They were filled with gratitude and pledges of dedication to their work from her team. Feeling cheerful, Lydia called Hannah and asked, ¡°Hey, Hannah, what are you up to?¡± ¡°Just tying up some loose ends at work. Have you sorted out your issues?¡± With a joyful twirl in her chair, Lydia eximed, ¡°Just like you said, I¡¯ve gained several people¡¯s support today! You are amazing!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been through something simr in White Group before. Even though ourpanies are different, people are pretty much the same at heart. So, this method is the easiest and most efficient way. ¡± With a yful smirk, Lydia shared, ¡°I¡¯ve nearly got the business proposal ready. A bit of polishing and some input from Phillips Group¡¯s archives, and I¡¯m confident we¡¯ll secure the cooperation. Hearing her friend¡¯s joy, Hannah¡¯s voice warmed with a smile. ¡°Perfect. Then you¡¯re treating me to dinner to celebrate the deal!¡± ¡°Just stay tuned for some great news from me!¡± After a hectic day, following her conversation with Lydia on the phone, Hannah shut down herptop and looked forward to some rxation. Then came an unexpected knock at the door! This was the hotel¡¯s presidential suite. Downstairs, the staff wouldn¡¯t just show up at her door without her calling for them first. Hannah nced at the door, and a chill came over her gaze. Thump! Thump! Thump. Within the quiet room, a sequence of knocks echoed. Chapter 884 The person outside didn¡¯t appear rushed. They kept knocking on the door deliberately and repeatedly, almost as if they knew someone was inside the room. With caution, Hannah approached the door and peered through the peephole. A man dressed as a waiter stood outside. By the door, Hannah inquired, ¡°Yes? What do you want?¡± ¡°Good evening, Miss Moore. We noticed you¡¯ve booked with us for a month. The manager sent me to offer youplimentary champagne for our VIP guests. ¡± Hannah replied calmly, ¡°I¡¯m not a fan of champagne, and I prefer not to be interrupted. ¡± ¡°My apologies for the inconvenience, Miss Moore. ¡± The man didn¡¯t linger. Hannah watched him walk away through the peephole and then returned to her bed. She switched off the bedsidemp, plunging the entire room into darkness. But as Hannah settled in, a faint noise at the door caught her attention. Sizzle. In the silent night, a sound of unlocking suddenly emerged from outside the room! There was a soft hiss. It seemed that Hannah, lying on the bed, didn¡¯t notice it. She closed her eyes and remained still. Then, the silhouette at the door edged closer to her! As Hannah sensed someone approaching the bed, she snapped her eyes open and swiftly lunged with an electric baton toward the intruder¡¯s abdomen! A chill grasp captured her wrist. Hannah lifted her gaze to find BrysN?velDrama.Org owns this text. on¡¯s intense eyes piercing the gloom. ¡°Why are you here? What are you doing?¡± Hannah brushed away his hand and furrowed her brow as she switched on the light. ¡°hmm. ? While they faced each other, a sudden whimper emanated from outside the room. ncing at Bryson, Hannah quickly slipped on her shoes and headed to the living room. The waiter had his hands tied behind his back, and a handkerchief was stuffed into his mouth! Noting the tie binding his wrists, Hannah shot a questioning look back at Bryson. Bryson stepped out of the room and settled onto the couch. ¡°He grabbed the room key and unlocked the door a moment ago. After that, he disengaged the safety lock inside to enter and harm you. ¡± Chapter 885 Upon hearing this, the individual on the floor wriggled in an attempt to move, and his whimpering grew louder as if he had something to say! ¡°Mmmph¡­ Mmm¡­!! Mmm¡­ ! Hannah stepped closer and eased the handkerchief from his mouth. Before she could interrogate him, the man burst out, ¡°I have no intention of harming you!! Really!¡± Hannah peered down at the man and remarked, ¡°You must be an employee of the hotel, considering you swiped the room key in the middle of the night. ¡± Hannah crouched down to perform a brief search, and she discovered a pair of handcuffs and a bottle of knockout drops from him. She rattled the bottle and fixed a chilly gaze on the man. ¡°Do youprehend the gravity of breaking into someone¡¯s room with controlled substances?¡± The man¡¯splexion swiftly drained of color and shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t have anything to do with it. Somebody offered me fifty thousand to knock you out and escort you to the exit!¡± Worried that Hannah might not trust him, he emphasized, ¡°I would never dare to take a life! I really wouldn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°You nned to drug and abduct me. What¡¯s stopping you from worse?¡± The waiter¡¯splexion turned ghostly, and he couldn¡¯t find any words to say. Meanwhile, Yosef entered from outside. ¡°Boss, we didn¡¯t find anyone in the exit corridor. They seem pretty clever and covered their tracks well. ¡± Bryson nodded toward Yosef, indicating, ¡°Escort him out and deliver him to the police station. You¡¯re aware of the procedure. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± Once Yosef had pulled the man away, the room fell into an eerie silence. Bryson lounged on the sofa, while Hannah kept her distance, seated at her desk. ¡°Why are you at this hotel?¡± Hannah questioned him. Bryson slipped his hand into his pocket and retrieved a room key card. Squinting yfully at Hannah, he grinned and remarked, ¡°I must have forgotten to mention that I¡¯m staying next door to you.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡± Hannah¡¯s feelings were a whirlwind. Inhaling deeply, Hannah stood and extended her hand toward the door. ¡°I¡¯d Like you to leave my room, please!¡± Chapter 886 She clenched her jaw tightly, preventing herself from saying anything more severe! Standing outside her room, Bryson lifted his hand to halt her from shutting the door, ¡°Is this how you show gratitude to someone who rescued you?¡± Hannah blinked and mustered a smile for Bryson, saying, ¡°Even if you hadn¡¯t shown up tonight, I would have been able to apprehend that person myself. ¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯m not a fan of the typical hero rescuing a beauty scenario. ¡± With an icy tone, Hannah dered her stance. Bang! She forcefully shut the door! Bryson, stationed at the doorway, wore a faint expression on his face. Coincidentally, he crossed paths with Yosef, who had just escorted the man away. Yosef witnessed the situation unfold before him. His eyes quivered, and he remained frozen in ce, too apprehensive to approach! When Bryson spotted him, the smile on his face faded. He gazed at Yosef and inquired, ¡°Is it taken care of?¡± Hearing the question, Yosef immediately stepped up, nodding. ¡°Yes, boss, I¡¯ve handled it!¡± Bryson gestured dismissively. ¡°Go ahead, you¡¯re dismissed. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Understood, boss,¡± Yosef replied. In her room, Hannah mmed the door, her attempt to sleep thwarted by restlessness. She writhed in her bed, struggling to find peace. Once her nerves settled, her heart began to race. The silence of the room did little to soothe her difort. Suddenly, Hannah sat bolt upright in bed and reached for herptop. She turned on herputer and navigated to the Dark Web. ¡°Has there been any word about Leviathantely?¡± Hannah typed out the message. The response from the other end was swift. ¡°Boss, why bring him up out of the blue?¡± The person on the other side expressed their confusion. We¡¯ve dismantled the Dark Webwork. Didn¡¯t the international police confirm his death?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Hannah¡¯s fingers flew over the keys with a frown. ¡°It might not be him. The information from the Dark Web might have been a decoy. He died just as thework waspromised, and then the police found a body. The sequence of events is too convenient. ¡± Chapter 887 The reply from the other side was dyed. ¡°But it¡¯s been years. If he were still alive, wouldn¡¯t he have resurfaced by now?¡± A sudden recollection seemed to strike the person at the other end. ¡°Boss, has something urred in Valmere? Or have you encountered their people?¡± Hannah typed on the keyboard withposure. ¡°I¡¯m not certain yet. I caught someone sneaking into my hotel room, and the mastermind behind it escaped. In our country, such boldness is rare, unless it¡¯s a calcted move. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on the international ports. The moment something¡¯s amiss, you¡¯ll know! Also¡­ If he¡¯s biding his time, he might seek vengeance after lying low for years. Boss, let Dn and Dotson return. Your safety concerns me without them. And if Leviathan has resurfaced, a thwarted attempt now could mean a future strike!¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Hannah pondered before declining. ¡°They¡¯re rash. Their homing would cause chaos. Leave them be. I¡¯ve got this. Should trouble arise, you¡¯ll conduct the investigation. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss. Stay safe. ¡± Hannah had her te full, and Lydia wasn¡¯t free either. Jorge¡¯s team was previously split into two unrted groups. But when Lydia arrived at work early, Jorge approached her with a troubled look and said, ¡°Miss Phillips, we might face a dy in our work¡­¡± Lydia, close topleting her business strategy, turned to Jorge with concern. ¡°What¡¯s the issue?¡± ¡°Our carefully sorted documents and prints from yesterday are ruined!¡± Shocked, Lydia inquired, ¡°Destroyed? How?¡± Jorge, clearly distressed, shared. ¡°Although thepany¡¯s database was backed up, after we gathered and printed the materials yesterday to give to you today, this morning revealed all prints missing, and the database wiped clean!¡± Lydia sensed sabotage at y. Jorge continued, apologizing profusely, ¡°I hadn¡¯t anticipated the database loss. We¡¯re retrieving archived data, but it¡¯s time- consuming¡­¡± ¡°Did you checkst night¡¯s office surveince?¡± Lydia probed, her gaze fixed on him. Jorge confirmed, ¡°Yes, upon discovering the loss. However, the camera malfunctionedst night, leaving us with nothing. ¡± ¡°And the cameras monitoring the after-hours traffic?¡± Lydia pressed. Chapter 888 Jorge admitted, lowering his head, ¡°All cameras were checked. No one used the elevator after hours. ¡± Without surveince in the secure corridor, determining any unauthorized ess to the office was impossible. Only senior executives¡¯ order could have prompted such an act. Suppressing her frustration, Lydia instructed firmly, ¡°Have them rpile the materials. Bring them to me once done. ¡± Jorge responded promptly, ¡°Understood, Miss Phillips. ¡± With that, he exited Lydia¡¯s office. His teammates immediately flocked to him, concern etched on their faces. ¡°Is everything alright? Did Miss Phillips hold you responsible?¡± ¡°Here, dab the sweat off. What did she say?¡± Jorge¡¯s knees buckled with relief the moment he stepped outside. epting a tissue from a colleague, he mopped his brow. ¡°No cause for rm. Miss Phillips spared us any fault. She simply wants us to organize the materials posthaste. ¡± ¡°Mr. Potter! I recall the section I organized yesterday.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. I¡¯ll get on it right away!¡± Relieved to hear Jorge was unscathed, they scattered to resume their duties. Dry, with a sneercing her tone, couldn¡¯t resist a taunt. ¡°Didn¡¯t I predict this project¡¯s downfall? Some things are destined! We failed to deliverst time, clearly indicating it wasn¡¯t meant for us. Now, the missing materials? Clearly, fate¡¯s telling us to abandon ship. Save your strength. Your diligence is futile!¡± Her words barely faded when her followers echoed her mockery at Jorge¡¯s expense. Seething, Jorge fixed his gaze on Dry. ¡°Only a few people have ess to the crucial keys in this office. You¡¯re well aware of your deeds. One should always act with integrity!¡± Dry, as if stung, sprang up. ¡°using us of deliberately erasing your files? You¡¯ve got no proof! Mark my words, I¡¯ll take legal action! Why me us? Perhaps the traitor lurks among yourselves. Reflect on your own shorings before making usations!¡± Jorge refused to engage further in the spat, choosing instead to retreat to the quiet of his desk. Chapter 889 Dry, emboldened, taunted him, ¡°Why stop now? Can¡¯t handle a confrontation? How are you even a team leader? Shall I broadcast your inadequacy? When the chance for promotion came, I was overlooked for being a woman. Despite my superior performance, you, a less qualified man, were promoted. I¡¯d been here for two years before you joined thepany. How is it you were chosen as the leader?¡± Lydia emerged from her office, her voice cutting through the tension. ¡°Because his moral standing surpasses yours. ¡± Dry, momentarily cowed by Lydia¡¯s presence, hesitated. But bolstered by Henry¡¯s private assurances, she stood her ground. ¡°Miss Phillips sides with you simply because you¡¯re always at her disposal!¡± ¡°I would never wrong a person because they aren¡¯t my ally. ¡± Ambling towards them, Lydia said, ¡°I did a background check on you, and I¡¯vee to realize the kind of person that you are. What¡¯s the big deal if you joined thepany two years before he did? And you im to be outstanding! How do you even define that? Exploiting interns and cheating your colleagues just to get projects for yourself?¡± Lydia paused to give Dry a long, piercing look, her forehead folded into a deep frown. Then she continued, ¡°You yourself know what you have done. I may not be able to fire you now. But trust me, that doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t in the future. ¡± Dry hung down her head in guilt and rolled her eyes, not daring to say a word in her defense. ¡°And you, Jorge, hand over the materials to me as soon as you can. I have to meet with the other party to discuss the cooperation.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡± ¡°Okay, Miss Phillips!¡± As soon as Lydia stepped out, the office broke into a noisy chatter. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be scared of her, Dry! There isn¡¯t any more time for her to prepare since Mr. Jaylin Phillips gave her just five days. ¡± ¡°And I heard that the other party won¡¯t even be cooperating with her. Their boss refused to see her, even though she went there for three consecutive days. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Dry gritted her teeth and red at the door to Lydia¡¯s office. ¡°This is Mr. Henry Phillips¡¯pany, and she will be the one who leaves, not me!¡± There was a knock on the door of Henry¡¯s office. ¡°Come in. ¡± When the door opened, Estre strutted in enchantingly with a man behind her. ¡°Mr. Phillips,¡± she said, ¡°this is Mr. Dury of Homing; he wants to see you. ¡± Henry had been lolling on the sofa and fiddling with his mobile phone, a cigarette dangling around his lips. But when Estre came in with Caleb, he sat up, stunned as though he had seen a ghost. He tossed his cigarette onto the carpet and squashed it under his foot. ¡°You- Leave us!¡± Henry waved Estre towards the door, his face contorted with fluster. Chapter 890 Estre desired to know the reason behind Henry¡¯s fluster, so she wanted to stay back. But with him waving her out impatiently, she had no choice but to turn to leave the office. As soon as Estre left, Henry said in a low voice, ¡°Please understand, Mr. Dury. I can¡¯t take out so much money in a short time!¡± Smiling gently, Caleb said nothing, and this made Henry judder with fear. Every time he remembered that night he was pinned to floor, his shoulder throbbed with the pain again and his heart quaked with dread. Henry blurted, ¡°No, please hear me out! I have just transferred my shares to thatdy. The shares left are my father¡¯s¡ª¡± ¡°I understand you, Mr. Phillips. ¡± Caleb¡¯s voice was calm. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°So you mean I can go on and talk about this with your father instead, right?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t mean that!¡± Henry said, rising to his feet at once.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°I just want some more time. We still need to ponder on everything and have further discussions¡ª Caleb raised his hand. ¡°Mr. Phillips,¡± he said, his voice still calm. ¡°We have been very much patient with you already. I hope you understand that Homing is not some charity organization. ¡± The door creaked open slowly, and Estre poked in her head from outside. Then she pushed the door wide open and strode into the office with two cups of coffee. ¡°Mr. Phillips, your coffee. Sir, your coffee,¡± Estre said with a courteous smile as she ced the cups on the table. Afterwards, she went on to stand behind Henry. ¡°Who asked you to bring coffee? Didn¡¯t I tell you leave earlier?¡± Henry yelled, glowering at her. His hands trembled restlessly. ¡°Now get out! Estre recoiled, startled. Her eyes misted with tears that soon began to slide down her face. ¡°Be nice, Mr. Phillips,¡± Caleb said, a polite smile around his Lips. ¡°You don¡¯t need to yell at her. It¡¯s not even so much of a big deal. ¡± Henry heaved deeply. Then he muttered, ¡°Just leave us! We are talking about something serious. So neither should you nor anyone elsee in until the meeting is over. Is that clear?¡± Chapter 891 Estre nodded and sniffled. Then she scuttled out of the office, sobbing. The office was silent now, and Caleb stared at the cup of coffee in front of him with a rather vague smile. ¡°I¡¯ve note here to make trouble for you, Mr. Phillips,¡± he said, breaking the silence.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Homing has lent you tens of millions of dors before now, so we actually trust you pretty much. ¡± At this, Henry sighed in relief. He was about to say something, but Caleb continued almost immediately. ¡°But you owe thatdy six billion. And we both know that¡¯s not chicken feed. Yourpany¡¯s working capital and Mr. Jaylin Phillips¡® shares are more than enough to clear that debt. But now that you say you can¡¯t get his shares, you¡¯ll only be making things hard for all of us. ¡± Clenching his teeth, Henry wanted to snap at the man in front of him. But he knew he dared not do that. Being run in Valmere, Homing was a really powerful organization, and Henry could lose his life if heid a finger on Caleb. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Mr. Dury. Please give me one more day. I will get the shares and settle everything. You have my word. ¡± ¡°I trust you. ¡± Caleb nodded calmly. ¡°I¡¯ll expect the payment tomorrow. ¡± Caleb stood to leave now, and Henry led him to the door with a smile. When Caleb had left, the smile on Henry¡¯s face melted at once and he mmed the door shut in rage. Caleb called Bryson when he was downstairs. ¡°Boss, he promised to get the shares tomorrow. I will keep an eye on him. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson replied, his voice low. Caleb was in the car now. He held the receiver closer to his mouth and said, ¡°I met with Clive Wainwright¡¯s team again. ording to them, their boss wants to see you as regards the territory. ¡± ¡°Take care of that; I don¡¯t have time for it. ¡± ¡°Alright, boss. ¡± Hannah returned to Valmere to help out her friend. She never expected that the Edwards family would get involved in this. But things would have rather been easier if that was all. Franklyn¡¯s people had also gotten involved! Hannah arrived at the bar. The ce was already tidied up, but it was empty as there were no guests yet. Clive sat in the booth, a toothpick in his mouth. Chapter 892 ¡°Here you are!¡± he called, waving Hannah over as soon he saw her. Hannah walked over and sat down. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a big one!¡± Clive said and spat out the toothpick. ¡°There¡¯s a new shop next to ours, and its owner has a very strong background. ¡± His voice was solemn. ¡°I couldn¡¯t even get to see him when I went to coordinate with themst month. ¡± Leaning towards Hannah, Clive whispered, ¡°He didn¡¯t even save Mr. Vargas¡¯ face. Mr. Vargas is very angry now. He just wants you to appear¡ª¡± Then he looked away guiltily, touching his nose. Hannah nced at him nkly. She understood the reason for his guilt. ¡°You know I really don¡¯t care about your business,¡± Hannah began, surprisingly calm. ¡°We agreed that you would be the face of your business, and not me, didn¡¯t we!¡± Clive stuttered, ¡°Yeah, we-we did.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. But we have met the rival. They¡ª They are obviously messing up!¡± Hannah nced at him and asked, ¡°Did they make trouble for you?¡± ¡°No. But they haven¡¯t exactly paid us a visit¡ª¡± ¡°And why should they visit?¡± Hannah interrupted. ¡°It¡¯s not like you interfere with each other¡¯s businesses. ¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Clive paused and awkwardly scratched the back of his head. ¡°They do pose as an obstacle to our interests. Franklyn is not happy about it. ¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°Your businesses cater to different markets. It shouldn¡¯t be a big deal. He only does business with the wealthy and elite, anyway. ¡± Clive immediately understood what she meant. ¡°Have you been to Homing, then? How else would you know about these things?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t see any point in denying it. Chapter 893 ¡°I have, but I didn¡¯t go there to look for trouble. I had other intentions. It was just a nice coincidence that I was able to learn about their operations. ¡± ¡°A nice coincidence, indeed,¡± Clive echoed, pping his hands together. ¡°You should apany Franklyn when he goes over to negotiate. ¡± ¡°I advise you not to provoke them in any way,¡± Hannah cautioned, knowing full well that Bryson was the head of Homing. ¡°You can¡¯t afford to offend their big boss. ¡± Clive¡¯s eyes widened with curiosity. ¡°And who might this boss be? Remember those people from Enchantment Casino? Franklyn didn¡¯t even fear them when he went to Muvrand and expand our business!¡± ¡°Just do as I say and keep a low profile. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t want to reveal that the person in question was none other than Bryson. She stood up and added, ¡°I am aware that Franklyn¡¯s business has been doing well these past few years. I also know that apart from you, his two other aides are getting restless. You are a smart man, Clive. You would do well to remind him that I have certain limits. I really hate it when people overstep. I know what you¡¯ve done, too. If someone is nning to test me, you should think twice before taking any action. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Clive bobbed his head in earnest. He rarely saw her getting this serious. His signature cheeky smile didn¡¯t even make another appearance. He knew that Hannah was genuinely mad this time. ¡°I understand. I shall ry your message to Franklyn. ¡± ¡°And remember¡­¡± Hannah trailed off on purpose, as if to emphasize her next words. ¡°You can¡¯t make any trouble for Homing. Ever. ¡± Clive nodded. ¡°Yes, yes, message received, loud and clear!¡± As soon as Hannah left, a man in his early thirties emerged from a small alcove at the back of the room. ¡°Hey, Franklyn! Why didn¡¯t you juste out and talk to her yourself?¡± Clive poured him a ss of wine as the other man sat down. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since youst saw Miss Moore, right?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯d say if we crossed paths,¡± Franklyn replied honestly. He had a sincere air about him, a quality that belied his position as the boss of an underground casino.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. He nced in the direction that Hannah had left. ¡°Besides, she probably knew that I was here, since she said all those things. ¡± ¡°Yeah, speaking of that¡­¡± Clive picked up his ss and leaned back in his seat with a frown. Chapter 894 ¡°Who is this big boss, anyway? Why is Miss Moore so wary of him?¡± Franklyn took a sip of his drink and shook his head. ¡°After working with her all these years, I already know that she means it when she says-¡° Before he could finish speaking, his phone rang. Franklyn picked up the call and listened to the other party for a moment. After which, he simply said, ¡°Okay¡± and hung up. He pocketed his phone and sighed, ¡°They agreed to meet up with us, but their boss won¡¯t be there. You¡¯re going on my behalf tomorrow. ¡± ¡°ALL right,¡± Clive agreed readily. Franklyn reiterated Hannah¡¯s reminder. ¡°Don¡¯t make things difficult for them. ¡± Once again, Clive nodded. ¡°Yes, I understand. I know what I should do. ¡± Meanwhile, Hannah was driving back to the hotel after Leaving the bar. It wasn¡¯t until she had passed two traffic lights that she sensed something was amiss. A ck car seemed to be tailing her. She nced at the rearview mirror, then as soon as the light turned green, she stepped on the gas and sped forward. She quickly put some distance between her and the other car. When she reached the next intersection, Hannah swerved to the side and headed to another crossroad. She was driving so fast that all the cars behind her were mere pricks of light in the distance. But when she took another turn, the ck car suddenly appeared from a dark alley. When the other driver spotted Hannah¡¯s car, he instantly eased his foot on the brakes and slowed down. Hannah smirked to herself. She had sped away to test whether the ck car was indeed following her or not.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Sure enough, it was right on her trail! She quickly changed gears and sped along the narrow fork in the road. Seeing this, the other car elerated as well, until there was nothing more than a few feet between them. Just as they were trudging down the narrow road, another car turned up on the other end of the road, and it was heading in their direction. Chapter 895 The path was so narrow that if neither he nor Hannah gave way, they would risk damaging both vehicles. Contrary to one would expect, however, instead of slowing down, Hannah floored it and rushed forward at an even more terrifying speed. The car from the opposite side had no choice but to m on his brakes. Hannah didn¡¯t let up for a single second, and soon she was zooming past the stationary car. The driver poked his head out of the window once he knew that the danger was over. ¡°Are you crazy?!¡± He yelled after her. ¡°Why are you driving so fast in such a narrow road? Do you want to die that badly?!¡± Up ahead, the ck car had slowed down and given up choice. Since the speeding car was now gone, the other driver turned his attention to the ck car and scolded its driver instead. ¡°Do you people think you own this road or something?! What makes you think you can drive so recklessly?!¡± Inside the ck car, the driver was still staring after Hannah¡¯s car. He sighed and punched his steering wheel in frustration. ¡°We lost her,¡± he said to his earpiece. The person on the other end of the line spoke slowly. ¡°You got too close to her, and she found you. There¡¯s no way you can catch up with her now. No matter. Have another group of people keep an eye on her in the building. Bring her to me as soon as an opportunity presents itself. ¡± ¡°Yes, Boss. ¡± The man ended the call. Outside, the other driver was still berating him. The man finally got out of the car and tossed a bunch of bills at the still cursing man. Sure enough, thetter immediately shut up and went on his way. Hannah smiled as she left the behind. She pulled up to the hotel and handed her car key to the valet. She walked across the lobby and swiped her card key to ess the elevator. Just as the doors began to close, a hand suddenly shot out between them. Bang! The doors slowly slid open again. Hannah nced at the girl standing out in the hall.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Her ponytail was still swinging behind her head, her breathsing in short and shallow pants. She raised her flushed face and smiled at Hannah. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I hope I didn¡¯t scare you just now. ¡± Hannah shook her head and returned the girl¡¯s smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Which floor are you heading to?¡± Chapter 896 The girl stepped into the elevator, casting a nce at its buttons. ¡°I live on the 27th floor. Thank you!¡± She then pressed the elevator button and respectfully moved to the side. Hannah¡¯s smile slowly disappeared. She silently observed the elevator buttons but remained quiet. Soon, the elevator reached the 27th floor. The doors opened, and the girl stepped out. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Thank you. The girl at the elevator door gave a friendly wave to Hannah. In response, Hannah gave a nod. The elevator doors then began to close gradually. As the doors shut, the girl who had been waving with a sweet smile, suddenly looked expressionless. She watched the ascending elevator and quickly disappeared into a nearby staircase! Climbing three floors on foot was quicker than the elevator¡¯s ascent. Hannah was aware of this and kept her gaze fixed on the elevator. Ding¡ª A electronic sound came from the elevator as its doors opened slowly. The area outside was bathed in warm yellow light and adorned with a soft apricot carpet, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere. However, Hannah didn¡¯t rush to leave. She extended her cell phone out of the elevator and snapped a few pictures of the surroundings. She only stepped out when she confirmed no one was around on either side of the elevator. The next moment!N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Out of nowhere, a dark figure swiftly sprang at her! Hannah was ready for this. She sidestepped the attack and fixed a chilly stare on the person before her. ¡°You¡¯re skilled in fighting. What¡¯s it about me that had alerted you?¡± Clutching a dainty knife, the girl sporting a high ponytail greeted Hannah with a sweet smile. Whenever she appeared with an innocent expression, nobody would question her. Keeping a safe distance, Hannah didn¡¯t reply. Instead, she focused on the knife and remarked, ¡°This is a hotel. The corridors are under surveince. The security guard might review the surveince footage any moment now. They¡¯ve got your face on record. If I were in you, I¡¯d consider making a swift exit. ¡± The girl tilted her head and beamed a bright smile at Hannah. ¡°You think I¡¯m unaware of the rules? We¡¯ve switched out the surveince video here. ¡± Chapter 897 Advancing towards Hannah, she brandished a knife and said with a yful tone, ¡°I don¡¯t intend to harm you, dear. My mission is to bring you back. If you decide toe along willingly, I assure you won¡¯t suffer harm. ¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°What if I refuse?¡± Hannah asked, her voice steady. The girl made a face and remarked, ¡°The boss said as long as I can bring you back in one piece, it¡¯s all good. But if you insist on putting up a fight, you might experience a bit of distress. I apologize for causing you pain. ¡± Hannah responded, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in learning who your boss is, and I don¡¯t care to meet this supposed employer of yours. ¡± The girl shook her head helplessly and gazed at Hannah with a hint of disappointment. ¡°It¡¯s a shame. I didn¡¯t want things to go down like this here. ¡± Right after her words, she swiftly lifted her hand and thrust the knife toward Hannah! Hannah raised her hand and secured a tight grip on the girl¡¯s hand, using the opportunity to twist it! The girl let out a muted groan, then hunched over and gave Hannah a swift kick! Hannah rxed her hold on the girl¡¯s arm and stepped back twice. Next, the girl lifted her knife and drove it at Hannah¡¯s shoulder! Hannah hoisted her leg and gave a swift kick, sending the knife in the girl¡¯s hand flying! Without a moment for the girl to react, Hannah seized her wrist and swiftly tugged her forward! Hannah then clutched the girl¡¯s throat with the other hand and demanded coldly, ¡°Who sent you?¡± But in the very next moment, the girl swiftly retrieved a small tube of a drug from her pocket and sprayed it onto Hannah¡¯s face! Whoosh! Hannah furrowed her brow, covered her nose with her hand, and retreated a few steps! Before Hannah could react, dizziness overcame her, and she staggered backward, leaning against the wall. The girl, who had been restrained by Hannah moments ago, massaged her shoulders and gave Hannah a grin. ¡°A double dose of anesthesia, specially crafted just for you. You¡¯ve brought me sorrow, thus¡­¡± The girl bent down and retrieved the knife from a short distance away. She advanced towards Hannah one step at a time, brandishing the knife in her grip! Hannah was in a daze and couldn¡¯t summon the energy to lift her hand. She leaned against the wall in silence, anticipating the gradual fade of her consciousness. Ding! Chapter 898 In the silent corridor, the elevator¡¯s arrival on the floor echoed, sounding unusually grating at that moment! Seizing the moment, the girl made her move! Puff! The knife¡¯s tip dug into the flesh! Hannah sank against the wall, attempting to peer upwards at the individual before her. However, all she could discern was the dark edge of the man¡¯s clothing and his blood-soaked hand. Blood trickled onto the apricot carpet, gradually forming a small pool of blood. Hannah tried to reach out to him, but darkness overtook her senses. Bryson withdrew the knife from his arm with a stoic expression. Bang. With a soft thud, he dropped the bloodstained knife onto the floor. The girl shot Bryson a wicked grin and sneered, ¡°Thinking you¡¯re all that, huh? If you want to live, step aside!¡± Bryson, standing protectively in front of Hannah, remained silent. The girl¡¯s patience wore thin, and she clenched her fist, aiming to strike Bryson. ¡°Rot in hell!¡± Bryson¡¯s retaliation was brutal and unrestrained. Crack! He shattered the girl¡¯s arm!This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Before she could let out a cry, Bryson seized her cheeks with his bloodied hand! Bryson¡¯s eyes glowed red as if stained by the bright red blood. He looked like a demon who had just climbed out of hell, full of ruthlessness and decisiveness. The girl¡¯s jaw was dislocated, leaving her unable to scream despite the intense pain. Pain twisted the girl¡¯s face into a grimace, yet Bryson¡¯s expression remained unchanged. Blood dripped from his injured arm with every movement he made. But Bryson appeared oblivious to this fact. At that moment, he clenched his hold on her cheeks, gazing at the pained woman before him with a twisted sense of delight. Chapter 899 His icy voice cut through the air. ¡°I won¡¯t end your life. Go back and deliver a message to your boss. If he even thinks about harming her, Enchantment Casino will face serious consequences. ¡± The girl who had lost the battle sensed that today wasn¡¯t her Lucky day. As soon as she was set free, she hurried away, feeling embarrassed, towards the staircase.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Bryson spun around and gazed down at Hannah under his looming shadow. His emotions were hidden behind his long, dark eyshes. Bryson bent down, picked up Hannah, and carried her to his room. That night, someone checked on Hannah. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, Miss Moore just inhaled too much anesthetic. She¡¯ll be fine after some sleep. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Bryson nced at the woman resting on the bed and responded with a deep, resonant voice. The private doctor examined Bryson¡¯s arm wound again and hesitated, saying, ¡°Your arm wound still requires a bandage. ¡± As the dusk settled outside, Bryson found his arm wrapped in severalyers of bandages. The doctor clicked his medicine kit shut and said, ¡°Please take care of your injury, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°ALL right. ¡± Even in the dim light of the room, Bryson¡¯s eyes were fixed on Hannah. He had a vague feeling that they had met like this before, just the two of them with nothing more than the moonlight as a source of Light. It was enough, since she was his light. Bryson seated himself on the sofa and quietly stared at the woman sleeping on the bed. Ring! The sudden ringing of his phone sounded particrly shrill in the otherwise silent room. Bryson quickly answered the call. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve sessfully acquired Henry¡¯s shares. With this, half of the shares that the Phillips family once owned will fall into Miss Moore¡¯s hands, and the other half will be ours. ¡± ¡°And has this information been leaked anywhere?¡± Bryson asked Lightly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Boss,¡± Caleb replied in a firm tone. Chapter 900 ¡°This will nevere out in the news. No one will ever find out. ¡± ¡°Good. ¡± Bryson hung up and directed his gaze to the night sky through the window. It had been getting colder and colder in Valmere these recent days. It was high time for him to tie up loose ends and resolve some troublesome matters once and for all. The drug that had been sprayed on Hannah¡¯s face was extremely effective. It gave her a lot of strange dreams that night, like events that had transpired at school, and how she had been separated from her mother when she was much younger. As the scenes shed past her vision, the people¡¯s faces kept twisting and changing, and eventually morphed into a massive that spread wide before rushing toward her. Her throat felt tight, and she involuntarily cried out in her sleep. ¡®s BunnyBookery Then, after a while, Hannah dreamt of falling into the water, thenter being pulled out again. She couldn¡¯t see the face of her savior, but she had the solid sense that she could trust him. Other than that, there was the grating saltiness of seawater that lingered on her tongue. ¡°Help!¡± Hannah sat up abruptly, her heart pounding inside her chest. She was breathing heavily, all frightened and confused. She looked out the window, still a little dazed from her dream. Dawn was already peeking through the sky. It took her a moment to realize that she was no longer asleep, that this was the real world. Hannah reached up and rubbed her throbbing temples. There was still a buzzing in her ears. She crawled out of bed and staggered into the bathroom. As soon as she opened the door, however, she was swept by an unexpected wave of heat. It made her even dizzier, and she stumbled on her feet. Just when Hannah thought she would fall t on her face, she felt a pair of arms catching her. ¡°Throwing yourself at me now?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. A male voice whispered in her ear, sounding familiar andced with humor. Chapter 901 Hannah raised her eyes to find face to face with Bryson¡¯s chest-his broad, naked chest. He was looking down at her, the water dripping from his hair and chin. The next thing that Hannah noticed was his stered arm. She froze as the memories flooded her mind. Someone had tried to kidnap her in the corridor yesterday.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. They might have seeded, too, had Bryson not appeared. That was thest thing she remembered. Seeing that she was still a little disoriented, Bryson tightened his arms around her waist and pulled her flush against him. ¡°What? Do you want to do it here?¡± Sure enough, Hannah startled back to her senses. ¡°You¡¯re injured,¡± she said, pushing him back. ¡°Can¡¯t you be serious for once?¡± Bryson made a hissing sound and shot her a smirk. ¡°You know that I¡¯m injured, why would you use so much force on me?¡± Then, before Hannah could retort, he walked past her in his still half-naked glory. Bryson cut an ideal figure, with his broad shoulders that tapered down to a narrow waist. Anyone would be enticed to stare at his every move. He padded over to the sofa and put on a ck shirt, fastening only the two buttons in the middle before turning around. ¡°You should bring Brayden with you in the next few days,¡± he told Hannah. ¡°Or if you¡¯re notfortable with him, I¡¯ll have thepany arrange for bodyguards to escort you. ¡± ¡°No, thanks. ¡± Hannah¡¯s refusal was firm and immediate. She wasn¡¯t used to Bryson fussing over her this much. ¡°I already know what to do the next time I meet those bastards. ¡± Bryson sat down and crossed his legs. ¡°Is that so? Do you mind telling me why you weren¡¯t able to use your methods this time around?¡± Hannah blinked once before averting her eyes. ¡°Well¡­ It was an ident. ¡± Her words were followed by a pregnant silence. Ever since learning about what had happened in the past, she found that she wasn¡¯t quite sure how to act around Bryson, let alone treat him, They had been cold to each other for a considerable amount of time. In fact, Hannah was no longer sure why she had wanted to break up with him. Chapter 902 Was it because he didn¡¯t tell her the truth, or was it because she didn¡¯t trust him enough to divulge her own secrets? It was Bryson who spoke first. ¡°So, you wanted to break up with me because I was hiding something from you?¡± Hannah¡¯s head jerked up. She looked at him and opened her mouth, but couldn¡¯t think of what to say. ¡°It¡¯s all right if you can¡¯t answer me. Tell me one thing, though- when did you begin to suspect me?¡± Hannah pursed her Lips and hesitated, but then she heard Bryson add, ¡°I want you to be honest with me. ¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. In the end, she took a deep breath and said, ¡°Do you remember how I asked about your scent? Sandalwood. ¡± Bryson frowned as he tried to recall theirst interactions prior to the breakup. ¡°I do remember you saying that I usually used mint- scented cologne. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°It was a test. I asked you why you changed scents, and you told me that your staff was lighting sandalwood essence in the office. The thing is, I did buy you sandalwood cologne. But you didn¡¯t seem to know that. ¡± ¡°I see. ¡± Bryson sneered. ¡°So, you¡¯ve been testing me all along, huh?¡± Hannah swallowed and lowered her eyes in shame. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to do it, either. But you were acting so differently¡­¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed at that. ¡°How do I even know that you¡¯re telling me the truth right now?¡± There was a hint of mockery in his voice as he continued, ¡°Were you really honest with me? Or were you lying the entire time? You were hiding stuff from me yourself, weren¡¯t you?¡± Hannah balled her hands into fists. ¡°What can I hide from you?¡± ¡°You told him that your parents had their own, separate families. Is that true?¡± The questions stunned Hannah. She trembled where she stood. She met his eyes again. ¡°Why are you asking me this when you already seem to know the answer?¡± Chapter 903 ¡°Look, I¡¯m not trying to pick on your scars. There is no need for you to be so wary around me. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes were cold as she scornfully asked, ¡°Do you think you¡¯re like him when you say that? I¡¯m grateful for your help. I appreciate you rescuing me this time.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. But my family¡¯s problems? They¡¯re not your concern. ¡± Hannah reminded him, ¡°I have nothing to do with you now. ¡± The originally rxed atmosphere between them turned as tense as a coiled spring. Bryson sat in silence, gazing at Hannah with intense eyes. ¡°Would you feel better if he were here instead of me?¡± The way Bryson spoke was unlike anything Hannah had heard since he changed. She raised her eyes to Bryson and replied, ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal. I still hope that our future won¡¯t be chained to our history. Neither of us did anything wrong. We¡¯re just not meant to be. There¡¯s no need to force anything. ¡± Picking up her belongings, Hannah nced at the bandage on Bryson¡¯s arm and said, ¡°I¡¯ll give you a 10% share in the east districtnd as a token of gratitude. ¡± A sudden smile crossed Bryson¡¯s face, but his words came out icy as he fixed his gaze on Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re quite the giver,¡± he remarked. ¡°Well, it¡¯s the best gift I can give, and I know you could use it, too. ¡± Click. With the door firmly shut, Hannah lingered outside for a while before finally heading towards her room. On the other side, after three days of giving Lydia a hard time, the general manager at Callen Tech finally said yes to meeting with her. He got straight to the point. ¡°Miss Phillips, our boss agreed to see you because of Mr. Cartwright. My boss instructed me to treat you courteously. He¡¯s aware you¡¯re different from the rest of the Phillips family members. However, our boss has decided not to work with the Phillips Group anymore. He¡¯s firm on his decision. Please return, Miss Phillips. ¡± Lydia slid the business proposal across the table to the person facing her and said, ¡°Take a look before you decide. I need a chance. ¡± ¡°I can¡¯t make this call on my own, so¡­¡± The general manager considered returning the business proposal to Lydia, but she firmly held the other end of it. ¡°If you¡¯re still not confident about partnering with the Phillips Group after reviewing my proposal, I won¡¯t trouble you further. Please give it a read before deciding. ¡± The general manager, unable to sway Lydia¡¯s determination and mindful of his boss¡¯s instructions to be kind to her, reluctantly agreed to review the proposal. He could only grab the business proposal, hoping for a nce, but then he was taken aback. Chapter 904 The business n¡¯s content was impressive. If they followed it, the cooperation project¡¯s return rate would likely be very promising! Even though the boss had initially ruled out teaming up with the Phillips Group, Lydia¡¯s business n had an undeniable allure. Moreover, Miss Phillips had offered an additional five percent of the profits, which was quite enticing. After some hesitation, the general manager found himself unable to resist Lydia¡¯s proposition. ¡°Miss Phillips, your business n is quite impressive. Could you wait here for a moment? I need to discuss it with our boss. ¡± ¡°sure, I¡¯ll hang out right here. ¡± The general manager had been gone for thirty minutes, and Lydia¡¯s fingers were anxiously intertwined. Waiting felt like a lengthy period. Out of nowhere, the meeting room¡¯s door swung wide open. A striking man followed the general manager in. ¡°Miss Phillips, meet my boss. He¡¯s interested in discussing your coboration proposal in detail. ¡± Lydia¡¯s heart raced, convinced that the partnership was bound for sess. Without hesitation, she rose and greeted, ¡°Hi there, I¡¯m Lydia Phillips. ¡± Shepard Sampson nodded at Lydia. ¡°Please take a seat, Miss Phillips. I knew you were Mr. Phillips¡¯s daughter and new to handlingpany affairs. I didn¡¯t anticipate considering a partnership with you this time. ¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°I believe yourpany¡¯s project is promising, and I don¡¯t want to miss out on a great opportunity. Mr. Sampson, could you please reconsider?¡± ¡°You see, I¡¯ve already made it clear to others that I won¡¯t be working with the Phillips Group anymore. If someone else takes the reins after we sign the contract, we won¡¯t be able to move forward with the partnership. ¡± Before Lydia could fully grasp Shepard¡¯s words, she quickly said, ¡°Absolutely fine. We can include a use in the contract before finalizing it. I¡¯ll takeplete charge of this project, Mr. Sampson. You can put your worries to rest. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re quite sharp. ¡± Shepard slid the business proposal over to Lydia. ¡°I truly admire your skills. With your help at the helm of the Phillips Group, it can hang in there for a while longer. But I think you alone can¡¯t turn its fortunes around, can you?¡± Lydia was taken aback, needing a moment to grasp Shepard¡¯s message. He might have been aware of Henry¡¯s actions and was testing her Limits. ¡°Considering Mr. Sampson¡¯s direct nature, I¡¯ll be frank about it. ¡± Chapter 905 Holding the business proposal, Lydia smiled, ¡°Even if the Phillips Group changes ownership, the Phillips Group will remain ¡®Phillips Group¡¯, and I still wish for asting partnership with Callen Tech. Our coboration is beneficial for both parties. ¡± ¡°Alright!¡± A smile graced Shepard¡¯s cunning countenance. ¡°Now I understand why Mr. Cartwright vouched for you and asked me to reconsider.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Looks like you¡¯ve got some real talent. ¡± Wearing a smile, Lydia replied, ¡°I happen to have a friend who¡¯s acquainted with Mr. Cartwright. I¡¯m just hoping you¡¯ll consider giving us a shot based on our skills. ¡± Shepard nodded, looking at Lydia approvingly. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll arrange for the contract to be signed at Phillips Group tomorrow. I trust you won¡¯t disappoint me. ¡± Lydia only breathed in the refreshing air once she left the Callen Tech behind. Since Shepard had agreed to sign the contract, Lydia wasted no time and gave Hannah a quick call! ¡°Hannah, great news! The Callen Tech is on board for the contract with me! Their team will be joining us at the Phillips Group tomorrow!¡± ¡°That¡¯s fantastic! At longst, one piece of the puzzle falls into ce. I¡¯ve gathered all the evidence you need. It¡¯s time to bring this to a close. ¡± In contrast to Lydia¡¯s excitement, Hannah¡¯s voice carried a touch of mncholy. Seeing that something was amiss with Hannah, Lydia inquired as she walked. ¡°What¡¯s bothering you? Why do I get the sense that something¡¯s troubling you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. ¡± Hannah gently massaged her forehead. The overdose of anesthetic had left her with a headache, even though it hadn¡¯t been administered into her body. ¡°Your voice doesn¡¯t sound usual. Are you still at the hotel? I¡¯m heading over to you right away!¡± As the car¡¯s engine started on the other end of the phone call, Hannah grew concerned that her troubles might endanger Lydia, so she swiftly halted her, saying, ¡°Please, don¡¯te to see me for the next two days! I¡¯ve got some business to attend to here. ¡± Lydia didn¡¯t listen to her and insisted, ¡°Hang on for me. I¡¯m downtown, and I¡¯ll be there in ten minutes!¡± Vicious Actions¡­ Lydia arrived promptly. As Hannah swung the door open, there stood Lydia, breathless. ¡°Are you all right?¡± With Lydia clutching Hannah¡¯s hand, they stepped into the hotel room. Observing Hannah¡¯s slightly pallidplexion and an air of difort, Lydia inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? We¡¯ve been apart for just one day. How did you end up like this?¡± Hannah, feeling a tad helpless, recognized Lydia¡¯s impatience. Chapter 906 Fearing a prolonged interrogation if she didn¡¯t reveal the truth, she said, ¡°Sit down. I¡¯ll tell you all about it. ¡± Seating Lydia, Hannah disclosed the events of the previous night. ¡°What?! You intended to keep such a significant incident from me?¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes widened with anger as she scolded, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you involve the police? And what¡¯s Bryson thinking? Allowing that person to leave unscathed!¡± ¡°Even if we involve the police, it¡¯s futile. Putting her in jail won¡¯t yield information about the mastermind. She specializes in handling discreet matters for her employers. Even if I apprehend her, there are unseen eyes watching me. ¡± Lydia grew increasingly rmed. sping Hannah¡¯s hand tightly, she questioned, ¡°Hannah, why do I sense that you¡¯re in an exceptionally perilous situation this time? Who are these people?¡± The individual dispatched to apprehend her could be a foreigner but¡­ Contemting Leviathan, Hannah swiftly dismissed her initial notion. If it truly was him, the directive he issued to that girl the previous night wouldn¡¯t have been to take her back but to kill her right there and then. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Hannah?¡± Noting Hannah¡¯s distraction, Lydia inquired anxiously, ¡°Has something urred to you?¡± Shaking off her reverie, Hannah nodded. ¡°Forget it.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. The less you know, the safer you¡¯ll be. I don¡¯t want you entangled in these affairs. I only share this with you so you won¡¯t fret over me. ¡± Lydia clutched her bag tightly, staring at Hannah with unease. ¡°All right¡­ But you must be really careful! Moreover, Bryson rescued you this time. Did you¡­¡± Anticipating Lydia¡¯s question, Hannah shook her head. ¡°Let¡¯s not delve into that. Your situation is what matters most now. The Callen Tech¡¯s staff will finalize the contract with you tomorrow. Seize the opportunity. ¡± ¡°I know what to do. I¡¯ll sessfully sign the contract tomorrow, leaving Henry speechless! As the two conversed, Hannah¡¯s phone chimed. ncing at the table, she was taken aback by the caller ID. Picking up the phone, she greeted with a particrly gentle tone, ¡°Grace? Why the sudden call?¡± ¡°Hannah, my sick leave is concluding. The school counselor has summoned me back to Valmere in two days. I¡¯ve booked a flight for tomorrow. When the nends in the afternoon, Hannah, could we have dinner together? My brother mentioned being swamped with work and unable to join me. ¡± Without hesitation, Hannah readily agreed, ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for someone to take you to the airport. Give me a call uponnding and I¡¯ll be there to pick you up. ¡± Grace¡¯s sweet smile radiated through the phone. ¡°Thank you, Hannah. Chapter 907 I appreciate it. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah promptly messaged Edwin, instructing him to ensure Grace¡¯s smooth boarding and providing him with Grace¡¯s phone number. ¡°Is Grace returning?¡± Lydia inquired with curiosity. Hannah nodded. ¡°Her sick leave is ending soon. It¡¯s time for her toe back. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful. ¡± Lydia¡¯s face lit up with a smile. ¡°There¡¯s still a great spectacle ahead. The day after tomorrow is my engagement with Alick. I¡¯ve been nning for so long. It¡¯s going to be a grand affair!¡± As the engagement day approached, Lydia found herself engrossed inpany matters. She had decided not to return to the Phillips family¡¯s vi in the evenings and no one from the Phillips family pressed her about it. On the following morning, Lydia left the hotel where Hannah was staying and headed to the office. Upon her arrival, Jorge handed her a set of meticulously organized documents. ¡°Miss Phillips, we¡¯ve gatheredprehensive information from the paper database. Please review it. ¡± Taking the documents from Jorge, Lydia scrutinized them carefully and nodded. ¡°Thank you for your hard work. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s my responsibility. After all, the documents were lost under our watch. We must make every effort to recover them. ¡± Shutting the file, Lydia instructed him, ¡°The Callen Tech¡¯s staff will be here today to finalize the contract. Your team members can gather in the meeting room when they arrive. ¡± Jorge, taken aback, couldn¡¯t believe Lydia had actually managed to contact the Callen Tech and secure a contract signing appointment for the day. ¡°ALL right! I¡¯ll inform them immediately!¡± Exiting the office, Jorge exuded excitement. Entering the spacious office area, he announced, ¡°The Callen Tech¡¯s staff will be here today to sign the contract. Miss Phillips wants us to assemble in the meeting room when they arrive!¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Cheers erupted but Dry¡¯s expression soured with anger! She hadn¡¯t anticipated that Lydia, who had only recently joined thepany, would clinch a significant deal with the Callen Tech! Sneaking out of the room, Dry headed to Henry¡¯s office. Learning that Lydia had sealed the major deal, Henry grew anxious. If Lydia had indeed signed this contract, it would be a blow to his reputation! Dry yed up the situation. Chapter 908 ¡°Mr. Phillips, I don¡¯t believe she possesses your level ofpetence. Signing this contract might involve some, shall we say, unconventional methods. ¡± Her words were implicit but Henry understood her insinuation. He narrowed his eyes and asserted, ¡°In that case, the Phillips Group cannot ept this!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll notify the other senior executivester and have them join me to witness how she sealed the deal!¡± At 10 o¡¯clock in the morning, the Callen Tech representatives arrived punctually and Jorge and his colleagues courteously ushered them into the office. The contract and apanying documents were meticulously arranged on the table. The Callen Tech¡¯s general manager scrutinized them attentively, expressing satisfaction with a nod. As he prepared to sign the contract, the meeting room door was abruptly flung open!This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Wait! The contract can¡¯t be signed yet!¡± Henry entered the room with some employees, exuding confidence. Lydia furrowed her brow. ¡°We¡¯re in the middle of a discussion. Who gave you permission to enter?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Worried I¡¯ll expose your tactics?¡± With hands nted firmly on the table, Henry cast a sarcastic nce at Lydia. ¡°How did you manage to secure this project, Lydia? Your audacity knows no bounds but ours has limits!¡± The people from the Callen Tech were still here, with their general manager visibly unfriendly. Dry rolled her eyes and spoke in a voice that dripped with sarcasm. ¡°Besides, Miss Phillips treated us differently while we were working on the projects. She deliberately made things difficult for us. ¡± It wasmon knowledge that internal conflict in any business setting was bound to make the venture fail. Unfortunately for Henry, things did not y out the way that he wanted them to. The general manger of the Callen Tech sat firmly in his seat, his face grim. He clearly had no intention of Leaving with his team. Despite giving the impression that he hade for Lydia, Henry had been keeping an eye on the Callen Tech¡¯s representatives the entire time. And when he realized that they had no intention of leaving the premises, his mood worsened. ¡°Miss Phillips wasn¡¯t prejudiced at all,¡± Jorge suddenly said in Lydia¡¯s defense. ¡°Things may have been difficult at the start, but that was only because you refused to assist her. And when her project yielded excellent results, you got even more jealous of her!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, he¡¯s telling the truth! Everyone in our team can attest to this. We all know what you¡¯ve done, and so do you!¡± A briefmotion ensued as the two parties argued with each other. Chapter 909 Henry sneered from the sidelines. This cooperation could not continue. ¡°Lydia, you copied my business n and made no effort to amend a single detail. Such audacity! I can¡¯t believe the Callen Tech signed a contract with you when they didn¡¯t even consider me. ¡± The general manager of the Callen Tech shifted in his seat and looked like he was about to say something, but Lydia stopped him. ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to exin yourself.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± She then stood up, grabbed the ss on the table, and flung it in Henry¡¯s direction. Smash! The ss didn¡¯t quite reach its target and instead fell on the floor, shattering into shards. A pregnant silence fell over the room. ¡°Tell me, Henry, do you still, have a brain inside that head of yours? The contract is worth two hundred million. Two hundred million! Yet not only were you so against it, but you went so far as to try to ruin the whole project! How dare you question the Callen Tech¡¯+ecision? Do you remember what you said to their general manager during your initial discussions? You told him you wanted to take kickbacks. I¡¯ve never heard of something so outrageous! Your business n wasn¡¯t even that good, it was terrible! Did you honestly think that it would make the standard? And to think that you had to enlist several minds toe up with that damn thing!¡± Lydia was ruthless as she plowed on. ¡°You know better than anyone just how many employees you¡¯ve harassed into working on that proposal. And here you are, trying to pin the me on me for ¡®copying¡¯ your so-called business n. Please! Not everyone is as shameless and unprincipled as you!¡± Henry¡¯s face turned beet red, and a vein was bulging on his forehead. He had never expected Lydia to embarrass him like this, especially not in front of these people. ¡°Stop spouting nonsense! Are you saying that you didn¡¯t get any help with your proposal? I dare you to show proof that you didn¡¯t!¡± ¡°Sure, they helped me gather the information I needed, but that¡¯s as far as it goes. I can confidently say that I wrote my business proposal myself! Just because you can¡¯t do it doesn¡¯t mean that nobody else can!¡± Lydia narrowed her eyes at Henry. ¡°Don¡¯t make a fool of yourself any more than you already have! Stop trying to nder me when you have no evidence to support your ims. You¡¯ll get your karma sooner orter. ¡± She paused and let out a mockingugh, as if she had just remembered a bad joke. ¡°Oh, but you probably don¡¯t fear your karma, right? You¡¯ve done so much worse, after all. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever met anyone half as atrocious as you. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Henry was breathing heavily with rage, though he could barely get out a single word before sputtering into silence. Lydia took a deep breath andposed herself. Then she turned back to the general manager of the Callen Tech and handed him the contract. ¡°Please read the terms carefully. If there are no problems, we can proceed to the official signing. ¡± She had already sent a digital copy to thepany beforehand, and the general manager only read through the most important details before affixing his signature at the bottom. He rose to his feet and offered his hand to Lydia, smiling as he said, ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to working with you, Miss Phillips. I hope you won¡¯t let our boss down. ¡± Chapter 910 ¡°Please rest assured. I will take full responsibility for this project to the end and make sure that everything goes ording to n. ¡± After exchanging goodbyes, Lydia sat back on her chair and called for someone from the HR and finance departments. Dry and her cohorts were just about to sneak out of the room when Lydia stopped them. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going? Someone will be here soon. You¡¯ll have to turn over your work and process your termination. We don¡¯t need people like you in ourpany. ¡± ¡°What right do you have to fire us?!¡± Dry exploded. She turned on her heel to face Lydia and glowered at thetter. ¡°Even if you want to get rid of us, you still need the approval of your father and brother¡ª¡± ¡°Since the contract has been sessfully established, I now have the final say in your department. ¡± Their faces immediately changed as they processed Lydia¡¯s words. The next thing they knew, one of the employees backpedaled and pleaded with Lydia. ¡°Please, Miss Phillips! We were just following orders! Please don¡¯t fire us!¡± ¡°Yes, yes, that¡¯s right! We didn¡¯t have a choice!¡± Lydia raised an eyebrow at them, her expression cold. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t allow cliques in thispany. We have no room for such childish behavior. ¡± Dry gnashed her teeth together. ¡°Is that so? Well, in that case, we demand properpensation!¡± ¡°You won¡¯t get it. I¡¯m already showing you mercy by not asking forpensation after you destroyed confidentialpany information. You would do well not to push your luck. ¡± Lydia leaned forward in her seat.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°I am giving you the chance to leave peacefully. But if you cross the line, I won¡¯t hold back, either. ¡± But Dry was certain that she had done everything perfectly. She didn¡¯t think Lydia could prove that she was the one who had destroyed the information. Besides, the monitoring device in the office had been destroyed beforehand that day. And so, Dry put her hands on her waist and screeched like a shrew. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about threatening us! We didn¡¯t do anything wrong! If the Phillips Group doesn¡¯t give us thepensation we deserve, we will go to the media and expose your deplorable policies! Let¡¯s see which of us gets the worst of it!¡± At that point, Henry joined in by banging his fist against the table. ¡°Don¡¯t think too highly of yourself just because you managed to secure one project! If you do anything to tarnish thepany¡¯s image, I¡¯ll tell Dad right away!¡± ¡°Are you capable of anything else other than running off to Dad and telling on other people?¡± Lydia taunted him. ¡°It¡¯s no wonder your schemes always fall through in the end. ¡± While they were arguing, the employees that Lydia had called for arrived and entered the conference room. Not wanting to waste any more time, Lydia directly addressed them as soon as they stepped inside. ¡°Dismiss them all. ¡± ¡°Miss Phillips!¡± Dry cried out angrily. ¡°If this is what you want, then we¡¯re going to the media!¡± She ripped off her badge and threw it on the table. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see your inevitable downfall!¡± Chapter 911 Henry mmed his fist on the table, shooting an intense re at Lydia. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, if something screws up with ourpany, Dad is going to unleash hell on you!¡± Lydia shot back, unfazed. ¡°Really? I doubt it. If thepany goes haywire, it¡¯s going to be you Dad willy the me on. ¡± A mischievous grin yed on Lydia¡¯s lips. ¡°Anyway, I just signed a contract. Looks like you¡¯re the one in hot water now. ¡± When he couldn¡¯t retaliate to Lydia¡¯s words, Henry huffed and turned on his heels, storming out of the room. Once thest person vacated the meeting room, Lydia wasted no time dialing up Hannah. ¡°The contract has been signed! And I even managed to ruffle Henry¡¯s feathers. I consider this one a_ sess. Celebratory dinner on me tonight for you and Brayden!¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Hannah replied. After hanging up the phone, Hannah shot a prolonged look at the ointment that had just arrived. Meanwhile, Bryson was knee-deep in hisputer tasks when an unexpected knock echoed through his room. He got up and ambled to the door, swinging it open to find Hannah standing there, of all people. His eyebrows practically hit the ceiling as he quizzically asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°This is the medicine from the Research Institute. Custom-made for your wounds. Use it, and surely, no scars, no irritations. It¡¯s Like a healing wizard in a tiny box. ¡± Hannah dumped the small medicine case into Bryson¡¯s hand and made a swift exit. ¡°Is this Like, specially made for me?¡± Bryson, intrigued, inquired. Without turning around, Hannah deadpanned, ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. Your arm was injured because of me, so I can¡¯t just let it fester. ¡± ¡°Well, in that case, how about lending me a hand? I can¡¯t exactly apply this myself. ¡± Bryson grinned.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Hannah shot back, ¡°Yosef¡¯s around, right? Let him tend to your wound. No effort required on your part. ¡± ¡°He¡¯s got his hands fulltely. Been ying nurse to myself these past couple of days,¡± Bryson exined. About toy down a snarky remark, Hannah halted as she nced at Bryson¡¯s outstretched arm. Chapter 912 The bandage, stained with dried blood, seemed like it was neglected and his wound opened again. In the end, Hannah caved in without a word. She snagged the ointment from Bryson¡¯s grasp and strutted into his room. ¡°Sit. I¡¯m applying the medicine,¡± she ordered. Bryson plopped down on the sofa, and Hannah sat on the other end. She quickly untied the bandage on his arm. The dried blood on the bandage clung to the flesh. As she yanked the bandage off, Bryson¡¯s wound bled again. Despite Hannah¡¯s surgical background, Bryson¡¯s arm struck a nerve. She sneakily nced up at Bryson, expecting to catch a glimpse of pain. To her surprise, he was rxing against the sofa, Looking indifferent with her actions¡ª-not a wince in sight. Bryson, catching her gaze, quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Feeling sorry for me?¡± Speechless, Hannah regretted letting her thoughts sympathize with him. But there was no time for self-reflection as she plunged a cotton swab soaked in alcohol onto Bryson¡¯s arm. Take that for talking nonsense! The move sessfully elicited an actual frown from Bryson. Seeing his frown, Hannah grinned and resumed her work. The girl who tried to kidnap her that day had stabbed Bryson with a dagger. His arm was in a terrible state, but, thankfully, the bone seemed unharmed. Hannah cradled Bryson¡¯s arm like a delicate vase as she wrapped it up, releasing an unseen sigh of relief. ¡°Ever wondered who sent that woman to catch you that day?¡± Bryson asked. Hannah¡¯s eyes locked onto Bryson¡¯s after patching up his wound. ¡°Any revtions on your end?¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Bryson just raised an eyebrow and teased, ¡°Curious much? Got any burning desire to know?¡± Judging from the smirk dancing on Bryson¡¯s Lips, Hannah could tell he was on to something. Chapter 913 She decided to y it cool, ncing down as she tightened the bandage. ¡°No, I¡¯m good. I just figured they¡¯ll be back if they didn¡¯t get what they wanted. ¡± Hannah stood up and tossed the ointment on the table. ¡°Remember, switch up the meds every three days. I¡¯ve got a tight schedule, so in two days, call Yosef. Let him apply the medicine for you. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Or you know, you can just go to the hospital, which is more convenient,¡± she added, giving Bryson an easygoing grin. Just as she was about to make her exit, she remembered Grace all of a sudden. She swiveled back to Bryson and said, ¡°Oh, by the way, Grace¡¯s leave is over. She¡¯s going back to Valmere tomorrow. You might want to think about where she should be staying. ¡± With that, Hannah breezed out the door, leaving Bryson alone. As soon as he learned that Grace was making a return, Bryson¡¯s forehead furrowed, and he quickly dialed a number. ¡°Hey!¡± Grace¡¯s upbeat voice echoed as soon as the call connected. Bryson sighed, his tone carrying a hint of reproach. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to chill in Hoijery? Why are you returning here without giving me a heads-up?¡± ¡°My sick leave¡¯s over, and you guys are in Valmere. I miss you, so I thought I¡¯d go back tomorrow. I wanted to give you a surprise,¡± Grace exined on the other end of the line. ¡°Why are you being so cold?¡± Bryson sighed again. ¡°Never mind. Juste back. I¡¯ll arrange the amodation for you. ¡± Grace, a bit confused, questioned, ¡°Aren¡¯t we staying in the Mitchell mansion?¡± There were plenty of things going on with the Mitchell family. He thought it best not to involve Grace. ¡°Change of ns. Let¡¯s talk about it when you¡¯re back. ¡± ¡°Sure thing. ¡± Grace blinked, sensing a strange feeling in Bryson¡¯s tone. Deciding her brother probably had his hands full withpany affairs, she brushed it off and promptly hung up the phone. ¡°Yosef, find a ce near Halliday University with a high-level security system. Buy us an apartment there. ¡± ¡°Got it, boss. I¡¯ll do it right away. ¡± Grace wasted no time and swiftly returned. Chapter 914 Her flight touched down at noon, and in the airport, Hannah and Lydia were there to wee her. At the sight of Hannah, Grace lunged into her arms, gazing up with those sparkling eyes. ¡°Missed me, Hannah?¡± Hannah yfully tousled her hair and said, ¡°You still act like a kid. ¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°You only have your eye on Hannah. What am I to you, huh? I am the one who booked a restaurant for us today!¡± Lydia teased. Grace sprang out of Hannah¡¯s embrace,tching onto Lydia¡¯s arm. ¡°Lydia, I missed you too! I¡¯m starving! Let¡¯s go eat!¡± ¡°Okay, then. ¡± Lydia hoisted the suitcase, and the three of them strolled towards the car. ¡°Let¡¯s go get something to eat!¡± No sooner had they arrived at the restaurant than Lydia received a call from Jaylin. ¡°You two go ahead. I need to take a call, it¡¯s my dad. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± The two women settled at their table while Lydia stepped outside. Grace leaned forward and propped her chin on her hand. ¡°Hannah, why does it seem like you¡¯re even prettier than thest time I saw you?¡± Hannah grinned and pinched the girl¡¯s cheek. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because we haven¡¯t seen each other in a month. And there goes your honeyed tongue again!¡± Grace chuckled and leaned even closer. ¡°Well, I have something else I wanted to ask, actually¡­¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about Bryson. I¡¯ve been calling him recently, but he¡¯s always busy. He was always busy in the past, too, but he never used it as an excuse to avoid me. I asked him to have a meal with me after I returned, and he just told me he had work to finish. ¡± Grace paused and sighed. ¡°Worse, still, instead of letting me stay in the Moore family home after my return, he made arrangements for me to stay at a hotel. I have no idea what¡¯s going on with him. ¡± Hannah lowered her eyes. She knew that it had something to do with Bryson¡¯s illness. But since he had never told Grace about it all these years, Hannah decided not to tell Grace, either. Chapter 915 ¡°I probably know why. Don¡¯t worry about it, it¡¯s no big deal. ¡± Grace blinked at Hannah and eyed her with interest. ¡°Really? Why is he acting so strange? I want to know!¡± Hannah was deep in thought. She hade back this time to help Lydia establish a foothold in the Phillips family. But at the same time, she had also been studying the business conditions and influence of the most prominent conglomerates and families in Valmere. What she found particrly interesting was that in the months that Bryson was gone, the Mitchell Group saw a decline in revenue. They had not plummeted, per se, but they were significant enough to warrant some worry. Although Franco had been overseeing things, the overall performance of thepany was much lower than when Bryson was around. ¡°Hannah?¡± Grace¡¯s brows were knitted slightly. ¡°Can¡¯t you tell me about it?¡± Hannah came back to her senses and shook her head. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s because Bryson has been expanding his business in Hoijery. As a matter of fact, he has assigned some of his projects here in Valmere to your cousins. That¡¯s mostly why the Mitchell Group hasn¡¯t been doing welltely. Those people are constantlypeting with each other, it¡¯s not conducive for productivity. It would be best if you don¡¯t get involved with them, at least not for now. ¡± Grace shot her an innocent look. ¡°They are my cousins. They would never do anything to me. I mean, I know they don¡¯t like me. But it¡¯s not like they would hurt me, right?¡± Feeling helpless, Hannah could only shake her head again. ¡°You¡¯re still young. You don¡¯t understand the extent that people would go to for their ambitions. It¡¯s okay, you have your brother, anyway. Just listen to him and do as he says. ¡± While dumbfounded, Grace nodded in agreement. ¡°Got it. ¡± It was then that Lydia stomped over. Bang! She mmed her phone on the table and plopped on her seat.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Outrageous!¡± ¡°What happened, Lydia?¡± Grace asked worriedly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too about her, she¡¯s settling some in her family¡¯s business. Just enjoy our meal together, okay? I¡¯ll take you hometer. ¡± Hannah then turned to Lydia and asked, ¡°Were you told off?¡± Lydia was still huffing as she nodded. ¡°As expected, Henry twisted the truth and made me out to be the bad guy. Dry also went off on a rant online, spouting fake news left and right. Her video has gone viral! Netizens flocked to the official ount of thepany, demanding an official statement to exin Dry¡¯s termination. ¡± Chapter 916 Lydia sighed and looked down at her phone. ¡°I need to rify things right away¡­¡± ¡°No, wait!¡± Hannah held out her hand to stop the other woman. ¡°There¡¯s no rush. You should wait until the public is properly outraged. Let the enemy think they¡¯ve won, then pull the rug from under them at thest minute.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡± Lydia paused and leaned close to Hannah. ¡°Oh, do tell me more. You¡¯re quite an expert when ites to these things, right? I need to learn a few things from you!¡± ¡°ALL right, stop fooling around. Head over to the police station after this and file aint. You need to get things on record first. Then all you have to do is sit and wait until the issue is at its climax. That¡¯s the perfect time for you to post all the evidence online. By that time, she would have no chance to turn the tide in her favor. ¡± ¡°Wow¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes were wide with amazement. She gave her best friend two thumbs up and eximed, ¡°Impressive! I¡¯ll do as you say, Master!¡± After dinner, Lydia hurried to the police station as instructed. Before she left, she told Grace, ¡°Make sure to attend my engagement banquet on the day after tomorrow, okay? It¡¯s going to be exciting!¡± Before Grace could even make sense of why that was, Lydia had already hopped into her car and was speeding away. ¡°What did she mean by that?¡± Grace asked Hannah. Hannah just smiled at her. ¡°She means that it¡¯s going to be an interesting show to watch. Don¡¯t ask anymore, I won¡¯t spoil any details. Just be there and watch it all unfold yourself. Now, let¡¯s get you home. ¡± They got into Hannah¡¯s car and Grace entered her current address into the GPS. It was a smallmunity near the Halliday University, just 15 minutes away from the restaurant. ¡°Your brother has a lot in his hands right now,¡± Hannah said as Grace unbuckled her seatbelt and prepared to get off. ¡°If you encounter any trouble at school, call me instead. ¡± ¡°Thanks, Hannah. It¡¯s a good thing that I have you. You and my brother have to be together forever. If he makes you angry or sad in any way, just let me know. I¡¯ll beat some sense into him!¡± Hannah gazed at the girl¡¯s eager expression. She didn¡¯t have the heart to inform Grace that she had already broken up with Bryson. Oh, well. It might be better to let him do the exining. It did have to do with his condition, after all. So, she simply smiled and said, ¡°Be careful the rest of your way. Give me a call once you¡¯ve reached home. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Grace got out of the car and waved goodbye. Chapter 917 Hannah waited until she had entered themunity gate before shifting gears.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ALL of a sudden, the door to the passenger side was pulled open. Hannah was immediately on alert. She whirled around to find Bryson d in a dark coat, mming the door closed and settling back on the passenger seat. ¡°You¡­¡± Hannah was about to ask where he had evene from, but he just fastened his seatbelt. ¡°Drive. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not your driver, why are you ordering me around?¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was colder than usual. ¡°Drive first, and then we can talk. ¡± Hannah thought of his injury and decided not to bicker with him further. She took a deep, frustrated breath, and turned the car around. The drive was silent. Bryson said nothing, and Hannah didn¡¯t n on speaking first. When they reached the city center, something shed in Hannah¡¯s eyes. She peered at the rearview mirror and snorted under her breath. Then, she pressed her foot on the elerator. She floored it to the next traffic light and managed to make it just before the light turned red. A heavy haze hung over the cold night, and the streetmps that stood on both sides of the road gleamed with weak yellow light. The main road of the downtown area was still alive with vehicles buzzing back and forth. In one of the cars, Hannah sat in the driver¡¯s seat, her hands steady on the steering wheel as she swooshed past yet another car. With a slight frown, she nced at the rearview mirror and could no longer see the car that had been following them. Then she turned to face Bryson. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you told me someone was following me? I¡¯ve just driven Grace home. If they can¡¯t find me, they will hurt her instead. ¡± ¡°You shouldn¡¯t bother about Grace. She¡¯s safe with Yosef,¡± Bryson said and stared out the window. ¡°I sent her the wrong address. ¡± Hannah still held the steering wheel steadily. She hadn¡¯t slowed down a bit, even though the trailing car had lost them. She spared him a nce and whispered, ¡°You really considered everything. ¡± Still staring out the window, Bryson nodded silently. He seemed to be in a bad mood. Chapter 918 From the rearview mirror, Hannah suddenly spotted the ck car behind her again. ¡°Sit tight,¡± she said with a smirk. ¡°Let¡¯s take them on a_ tour around the city. ¡± Then she pulled the gear with deft mastery and stepped on the gas pedal. If someone took a photograph downward, he could see Hannah shuttling back and forth in the traffic, as if she could always predict the speed and direction of the next car. Although this was downtown, Hannah drove with such reckless speed¡ª almost at 180 miles per hour¡ª-that any ident urring as a result would be so fatal. Yet she maneuvered car after car, gazing at the road in front of her with knitted eyebrows. For one, she knew she had to get rid of that car behind her. Her life and safety depended on this. The car behind was still hot in pursuit, hurtling furiously through the line of cars and defying several traffic Lights. All the time, Bryson had been calm and silent. When Hannah took a turn, he finally said, ¡°Take a mountain road at the next turn. ¡± Hannah nodded and drove on.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. There was no need to argue with Bryson now. She sped through the tunnel, where there were only a few cars. Once they were out of the tunnel, Hannah sighted the mountain road. It looked more eerie at night, looming over like a monster. The ck car suddenly swung up just right behind her, blinding the night with its beam light. ¡°Turn right. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was deep. Tightening her jaw, Hannah swerved right into the entrance of the round mountain road. This mountain road was dimly lit, and there were not so many Lush trees along its tracks. On the side of the road, there was a dusty sign that read, ¡®Careful Driving¡¯. ¡°Remember there¡¯s no guardrail on this road, so drive carefully,¡± Bryson said, ncing behind at the trailing car. Hannah nodded sternly. Navigating this road was pretty easy for her, and that was because she had be used to driving on the racing track. The ck car still chased after them. Its beam light seemed to have thickened with the hazy night, making the road in front blurry for Hannah as she drove. She approached the corner of the round mountain road. This was the most dangerous spot of all, and navigating it was tricky if one couldn¡¯t see the road conditions. Whatever she did here would determine if the car behind them would catch up to them or not. Hannah cursed under her breath. What else could these people do? In one instant, she pulled the reverse gear, and the car came screeching backwards with furious speed. As she reversed, Hannah held the steering wheel firmly. She knew she had to be careful here, as one wrong move could get them crashing off the cliff. Chapter 919 The driver of the ck car had now pulled to the side, giving way for Hannah to reverse past him. Hannah didn¡¯t want to be entangled with this man. The mountain road was dangerous, so she nned to go down first. ¡°Wait!¡± Bryson muttered when he saw the license te of the ck car, his eyes glinting with a cold smile. ¡°He¡¯s going to try to stop you. Just pretend to stop. ¡± But Hannah kept reversing, too tensed to respond to Bryson. When they reached the entrance of the round mountain road, the ck car sped up and stopped in front of Hannah¡¯s car. Two men wearing ck suits got out of the car and ambled briskly towards Hannah¡¯s car. Their shoes tapped against the tarred floor in precise uniformity. When they reached the car, they rapped their knuckles against the window. Hannah flung a nce at Bryson. Bryson smiled calmly at her, unfastened his seat belt, and stepped out of the car unhurriedly. ¡°My master wants to see you,¡± one of the men said, holding handcuffs. Hannah was already outside. As she joined Bryson on the other side of the car, both their eyes locked, and Bryson winked at her. Just then, another man pinned her down by the shoulder. ¡°Miss, please cooperate with me,¡± he said, his voice calm but fierce. The men soon shoved Hannah and Bryson into the back seat of the ck car. They sat side by side, handcuffed and blindfolded. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have let you into my car at all!¡± Hannah mumbled and leaned against the cold window. Bryson was sitting up, legs crossed casually as if nothing was wrong. ¡°And so what?¡± ¡°If I hadn¡¯t let you into my car, would I be handcuffed here?¡± Hannah bawled, and Bryson bawled back at her. And soon, they were quarreling with each other.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. One of the men in ck suits, sitting in the passenger seat just in front, turned to look at them once in a while. He shook his head with contemptuous pity for these two. Didn¡¯t they say the man in handcuffs was the CEO of the Mitchell Group? See how he now looked weak, quarreling with a woman. Suddenly, Hannah hit Bryson¡¯s shoulder with her shoulder and said, ¡°It¡¯s all your fault! They came for you. But now, you¡¯ve dragged me into your mess!¡± Turning to re at them, the man in the passenger seat barked, ¡°Be quiet! We only want to take this gentleman back. We¡¯ll let you go if you remain a good girl. ¡± ¡°Then let me go now! Why do you have to wait tillter?¡± Hannah shouted, thrusting out her handcuffed fists in rage. Chapter 920 Why do you have to take me when he¡¯s who you want?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± the man driving the car ordered. ¡°I¡¯ll throw you out of this car if I hear one more word from you!¡± His words seemed to have worked on Hannah because she fell quiet at once and leaned her head on Bryson¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Alright,¡± she whimpered. ¡°I will keep quiet. ¡± The man in the passenger seat snorted amusedly as Hannah quietened and snuggled towards Bryson. Then he lit a cigarette andid his head against the window. When Hannah was sure none of the men were watching them, she subtly raised her hands and grabbed a hairpin from her hair. Then she began to fumble for Bryson¡¯s wrist. Hannah paused once she felt the keyhole in his handcuffs. Afterwards she straightened the hairpin and slid it into the keyhole. Noticing Hannah¡¯s movement, Bryson whispered in her ear, ¡°Get closer Easy. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery In the shadowy gloom, Hannah¡¯s lips were tightly sealed. She would have shoved Bryson away if they weren¡¯t in cooperation! She was so close to Bryson that she was almost nestled against his chest, concealing her actions behind her form. Click. Hannah¡¯s fingers froze instantly at the faint sound. The handcuffs on Bryson¡¯s wrists had been unlocked, but he remained still in his spot. The man in the front passenger seat thought he heard something. He turned and asked, ¡°What was that sound?¡± Hannah quickly sat straight, raising her bound hands to run her fingers through her hair. ¡°What sound?¡± The man saw her handcuffs, still appearing secure, and turned his attention to Bryson. Bryson sat with his hands in hisp, the handcuffs looking as if they were still locked. The man scowled. ¡°You two better behave!¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. He turned back, warning the driver, ¡°We¡¯re almost there; we can¡¯t afford any mistakes. ¡± Hannah lowered her hands, feeling unnoticed. She didn¡¯t unlock her handcuffs right away but slyly slid the hairpin into her sleeve. Chapter 921 After another 10 minutes of driving, the car stopped. The engine was turned off, and silence enveloped them.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Hannah heard barely any noise. Out of the blue, the door swung open from the side, and they were told to exit the car. With blindfolds covering their eyes, they were led forward, and after what seemed like quite a trek, they were instructed to halt. ¡°You two wait here for a while. Our boss wille to see you. ¡± Hannah stood motionless, sensing the suited men¡¯s footsteps receding. She subtly shifted and stood to one side in silence. After a brief pause, a man¡¯s voice resonated from nearby. ¡°Remove their blindfolds. ¡± Before Hannah could respond, the dark fabric veiling her eyes was swiftly taken away. Hannah had adjusted to theck of light. Although the illumination before her was dim, she still furrowed her brow. ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s been too long since west met. ¡± Hannah squinted, getting used to the light, and finally saw him-the man in the wheelchair next to the sofa. It was him?! Amidst the surprise, Hannah turned her gaze toward Bryson. Bryson¡¯s face remained unchanged as if he had anticipated that it would be Hurst who kidnapped them. ¡°Bringing you two here today is not for anything else; I need Bryson to sign a contract. ¡± Hurst had one of his guys fetch the ready contract and set it on the table. He shed a smile at Hannah and Bryson. ¡°Come on over and take a seat. ¡± Hannah and Bryson approached one by one. Bryson picked up the contract from the table. Hannah took a seat beside Bryson and nced at the contract he had in his hands. Before Bryson could react, Hannah let out a light chuckle. Seated in his wheelchair, Hurst¡¯s brow furrowed as he observed Hannah¡¯s expression. ¡°Is something amiss, Miss Moore? Do you have any objections about the contract?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t take issue with the contract itself. It¡¯s you I have a problem with. ¡± Hannah smiled and lifted her head. ¡°You abduct us brazenly in this country and tantly demand a signature on a share transfer agreement. What are you thinking? Do you believe because you¡¯re a part of the Mitchell family, they¡¯ll let you off the hook even if you¡¯re exposed?¡± Chapter 922 Hurst¡¯s expression shifted immediately. He signaled his suited assistants. ¡°Boss, we confiscated their phones as soon as they entered the car. ¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. The guy beside him passed over the cell phones belonging to Hannah and Bryson. Hurst nodded, then turned to Hannah with a smile. ¡°Miss Moore, sometimes it¡¯s wise to be more practical. ¡± As she nced at the phones on the table, Hannah was torn between mocking Hurst for his foolishness or simply chuckling at his innocence. Hannah remained silent. Out of the blue, Bryson chimed in, ¡°All this trouble just for this?¡± Hurst turned his gaze toward Bryson. ¡°What are you getting at? You don¡¯t need to pretend you¡¯re clueless. Sign this contract, and I¡¯ll ensure you both can leave here unharmed. But if you refuse¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, approximately ten well-dressed bodyguards appeared in the room. ¡°I can¡¯t say what might happen. ¡± He finished his threat. Bryson lightly tapped the contract with his finger, casually toying with the pen. ¡°Looks like I don¡¯t have much choice but to sign, huh?¡± Hannah fixed Hurst with a chilly stare. ¡°Hurst, it¡¯s not toote to change your mind. After all, your legs were recently injured. If something serious urs this time, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to leave lying down. ¡± ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Hurst¡¯s wicked eyes scanned over Hannah¡¯s visage, and he broke a malicious grin. ¡°I¡¯m rather intrigued to see who¡¯ll end up on their back first. ¡± He gestured to the men behind him. ¡°This woman is of no use to me. Take her away and have fun. Do whatever you please, but make sure to eliminate her afterward. ¡± ¡°Yes, sir. ¡± In response to hismand, the men shared nces and selected two individuals to step forward and approach Hannah. Just as the two were nearing the sofa, their hands extending to grasp Hannah¡¯s shoulders, the pen¡¯s tip ruthlessly plunged into one of their hands! ¡°Ah!!¡± The individual with the injured hand let out a piercing scream, clutching his wounded hand in agony. Chapter 923 Bryson¡¯s hand movements were so swift that no one saw theming! He calmly pulled back his hand, tossing the contract onto the table. ¡°Try touching her, and you¡¯ll wish you hadn¡¯t. ¡± The men approaching Hannah promptly retreated in fear. Hurst, caught off guard for a moment, quicklyposed himself. ¡°You¡¯re all useless!¡± He then shifted his attention to Bryson, trying to manipte him using Hannah. ¡°I might let her go, but only if you sign the contract today. I may not have much, but I have men in abundance. Let¡¯s see how long you can keep her safe!¡± Bryson¡¯s lips curled slightly, his eyes gleaming with deadly intent in response to Hurst¡¯s threat. ¡°What if I refuse to sign?¡± ¡°Humph!¡± Hurst let out a chilly snort, remaining seated in his wheelchair as he apuded. ¡°Well, don¡¯t me me for showing no mercy, then!¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Just as Hurst¡¯s men were on the verge of closing in on Bryson and Hannah, a bloodied figure stumbled in, crawling on all fours. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve got some bad news! Our men have been taken down! The police¡­ The police are here too!¡± ¡°What?¡± It was only at that moment that Hurst grasped that something was amiss. His intense stare fixated on Bryson and Hannah as he inquired, ¡°When did you make that call to the police? How on earth did you find out about this location?¡± Bryson casually removed his handcuffs. ¡°I don¡¯t waste time talking to fools. ¡± Hannah promptly freed herself from the handcuffs and then approached to retrieve her phone. She nced down at the man in the wheelchair. ¡°I¡¯d suggest you make wiser choices in the future. Kidnapping and threats could earn you quite a few years behind bars. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze remained impassive. ¡°There won¡¯t be a next time for him. ¡± Hurst clenched his fists. He looked at Bryson, his voice rising in a shout. ¡°You can¡¯t let them take me away! Grandpa won¡¯t ever leave you in peace!¡± Chapter 924 Hannah couldn¡¯t help but think that the Mitchell family had a scarcity of intelligent individuals, except for Franco and Bryson. The police arrived to apprehend Hurst, but with red eyes, he maneuvered his wheelchair and yelled at the officers, ¡°Who has the guts to approach? I¡¯m a part of the Mitchell family. Do you even dare to arrest me? If you take me into custody, my father won¡¯t let you off the hook!¡± Hannah, standing aside, watched with a cold gaze. ¡°Such foolishness. Had he truly orchestrated the kidnapping, it would be riddled with errors. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not him. ¡± From a distance, Bryson and Hannah observed the unfolding drama, detached and unimpressed. Just as the police were about to take Hurst, their leader received a call. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded in agreement. Ending the call, the leader approached Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I regret to inform you we can¡¯t take him to the police station today. Mr. Franco Mitchell informed us that this is a family matter, and he¡¯ll dispatch someone to handle itter. ¡± Bryson had no intention of causing them trouble, especially since he didn¡¯t anticipate getting rid of Hurst this time. Bryson nodded to the team leader and replied, ¡°Alright. ¡± Observing Bryson¡¯s consent, the police officers breathed a sigh of relief and instructed their colleagues to withdraw. The police departed, but Bryson¡¯s crew remained, encircling the entire Living room. Hurst¡¯s men had been removed. Bryson strolled over and sat down, a cold smile on his lips.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Who concocted this foolish n, leading you into such a ridiculous trap?¡± Hurst¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, but he didn¡¯t dare to make a move. ¡°I don¡¯t have a clue what you¡¯re talking about!¡± Hannah spoke slowly. ¡°He intended to make you his fall guy. Why did you continue to conceal his identity?¡± Hurst let out a sneer. ¡°As long as Grandpa Lives, you can¡¯t touch me. ¡± Chapter 925 ¡°What¡¯s up with his brain? Utterly foolish,¡± Hannahmented. Bryson sneered, ¡°His brain is malfunctioning. ¡± Before they could extract an answer from Hurst, Franco¡¯s associate arrived. Barth Larson, employed by Franco, remainedposed upon witnessing the situation indoors. He approached the sofa and respectfully bowed to Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, the chairman has instructed us to escort Mr. Hurst Mitchell back. And, you should alsoe back to the Mitchell mansion with Miss Moore. ¡± Bryson remained silent. He rose and said to Hannah, ¡°Let¡¯s head there and see what¡¯s happening. ¡± Contrary to their earlier arrival with their eyes blindfolded, they now left with poise. The car remained silent on this asion. Barth upied the passenger seat and remained silent. As the car halted at the entrance of the Mitchell mansion, the night had fallen, enveloping the surroundings in silence. The mansion¡¯s living room was aze with light, filled with members of the Mitchell family. Franco sat in the chief seat, his expression stern. Bryson entered the living room, taking a seat without acknowledging anyone. ¡°Bryson, don¡¯t you see your elders here?¡± One of his uncles, Bohumil Mitchell, spoke up, clearly displeased. ¡°We are your elders!¡± Choosing to ignore his words, Bryson turned around and gestured to Hannah, saying, ¡°Join me over here. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t keep her distance like Bryson. She approached Franco and nodded, saying, ¡°Mr. Franco Mitchell¡­¡± But before she could finish, Bryson pulled her to sit beside him! Bryson, legs crossed, looked every bit like a nobleman, yet his gaze upon the others was arrogant. ¡°Speak up. I¡¯m short on time. ¡± This wasn¡¯t Bryson¡¯s usual manner. Franco¡¯s brow furrowed at this. Then, another uncle of Bryson¡®s, Darryl Mitchell, interjected, ¡°Let¡¯s forget this for my sake. Consider it a moment of madness from Hurst¡­ He¡¯s your cousin.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Let it go. ¡± Chapter 926 Out of nowhere, Bryson smiled and responded emotionless, ¡°Sure. ¡± Darryl, perceiving Bryson as amiable, was about tough when he was caught off guard by another remark. ¡°Considering we¡¯re cousins, breaking both his arms doesn¡¯t seem excessive, does it?¡± Bryson asked, a cruel smirk on his lips. ¡°Or, you can choose another path. You said he was insane, right? Thenmit him to a psychiatric hospital yourself.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Darryl couldn¡¯t take it anymore. He mmed the table and rose to his feet. ¡°After all, he¡¯s your cousin. Do you want him to die?¡± Bohumil joined in, trying to smooth things over. ¡°You¡¯re unharmed, after all. We¡¯re family; let¡¯s not dwell on this. After all, we¡¯re part of the Mitchell family. It won¡¯t do us any good if the Mitchell family¡¯s stocks take a tumble. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but inwardly scoff. True to form, the family united only for their gain. Bryson tapped his knee rhythmically and looked at his uncle with a sneer. ¡°Uncle Bohumil, should I just let this go?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m getting at¡­ Let¡¯s teach him a good lesson. He¡¯ll think twice before pulling a stunt like that again. Family harmony is what matters most. ¡± However, Bryson didn¡¯t seem to have any respect for their words. ¡°Why don¡¯t you talk family harmony when fighting over shares?¡± You¡¯ve been entrusted with manypany projects. How many of them have seeded? Suddenly, the entire living room fell intoplete silence. ¡°He returned to check on thepany this time. No matter how good things may seem on the surface, it can¡¯t hide the fact that there is corruption among the Mitchell family¡¯s subsidiary staff,¡± Hannah exined. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s more worthwhile to consider strategies for the Long-term growth of thepany rather than engaging in tricks. ¡± Her words hit Bohumil and Darryl like a p in the face! Bohumil¡¯s anger shifted from embarrassment to irritation. He pointed his finger at Hannah and snapped, ¡°Who do you think you are? How dare you instruct us on what to do!¡± Bryson met his anger with icy calm. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t she be here when even a useless man Like you can attend?¡± The room¡¯s temperature seemed to drop. Franco, striking the floor with his cane, interjected sternly, ¡°Enough! Bryson, I¡¯ll deal with him, but we can¡¯t send Mitchell family members to the police station. ¡± Chapter 927 ¡°I intervened to save the Mitchell family¡¯s face. How else would you have obtained the news so promptly?¡± Bryson responded with a cold, faint smile. ¡°In the month I was away, did you think you could manage the Mitchell Group, uncles?¡± The two of them cowered like quails, their earlier arrogancepletely gone. Franco closed his eyes for a moment and asked, his voice thick with emotion, ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°The two options remain.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Why don¡¯t you make the choice, Uncle Darryl?¡± A shiver ran down Darryl¡¯s spine. Hurst¡¯s legs had been broken beyond repair. If his hands met the same fate, it would render himpletely disabled. Thinking of this, Darryl turned to plead with Franco. But Hannah interrupted him before he could even get a word out. ¡°It should be all right, Mr. Mitchell. You can always raise another son. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Darryl exploded at her words. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, his teeth gnashing audibly. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll send him to a psychiatric hospital, but you must never make trouble with him again!¡± Bryson c@@ked his head to the side. ¡°Agreed. Of course, if this is another one of your tricks, then I shall be forced to take action. I won¡¯t be as lenient next time. ¡± In the end, Bohumil and Darryl left the vi all upset and disgruntled. Bryson stood to take his leave, but Franco stopped him. ¡°Did you have to be so ruthless?¡± Bryson didn¡¯t even break his stride, nor did he nce back. ¡°What would you do if something did happen to me tonight?¡± Franco had no answer to that. Bryson walked out as his silence stretched. Hannah got up as well. ¡°I probably shouldn¡¯t tell you this, Mr. Mitchell,¡± she told Franco. ¡°But I feel like it needs to be said. Chapter 928 Based on Hurst¡¯s¡­ level of intelligence, there is no way that he was the mastermind. Although, I suppose there¡¯s not much that we can do since he refuses to say who the real culprit is. ¡± She made her way to the door, only to turn around again. ¡°By the way, Bryson is safe and sound because he is capable and smart, not because his enemies are useless. I know you won¡¯t persuade him with these moral reasons. ¡± Hannah gave him a slight bow and finally left. She thought Bryson had already gone, so she was surprised to find him waiting for her outside. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Get in the car,¡± he said in a calm voice. ¡°Let¡¯s head back together. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t refuse him this time and silently slid into the passenger seat. ¡°Your car will be in the parking lot in the morning,¡± Bryson said as he started the engine. ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah propped her elbow against the window and cupped her chin, her eyes fixed on the scenery they were passing by. It was already dark, and the road looked even more deserted at this hour. They were silent throughout the drive, all the way to the hotel. Neither spoke, even as they entered the elevator together. Bryson¡¯s kept his eyes lowered. When they reached their floor, Bryson wordlessly exited the elevator and walked to his door. For some reason, the sight of his backpelled Hannah to say something. ¡°You did the right thing tonight. ¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Bryson paused in the act of taking his key card out of his pocket. He turned and shot her a look. ¡°What?¡± he asked with a soft chuckle. ¡°Are you praising me right now?¡± Just like that, the poignant feeling vanished from Hannah¡¯s chest. She red at him and retorted, ¡°Please, I am not interested in talking to you!¡± Bang! She hurriedly unlocked her own room, strode inside, and mmed the door behind her. Bryson¡¯s smile vanished. He quietly entered his room and made a call. Chapter 929 ¡°Find out which psychiatric hospital Hurst was sent to. Find out who is behind tonight¡¯s incident. ¡± ¡°Yes, Boss. ¡± Yosef¡¯s response was immediate, though his voice wasced with a hint of worry. ¡°But if something happens to Hurst during the interrogation, the Mitchell family would definitely-¡° ¡°Isn¡¯t it normal for psychiatric patients to snap and lose their minds entirely?¡± Bryson cut him off. ¡°I understand, Boss. ¡± Meanwhile, in the next room¡­ Hannah took a shower and brushed her teeth, then threw herself on the bed. She tossed and turned, but she couldn¡¯t seem to fall asleep. She should be exhausted after tonight¡¯s events. But whenever she closed her eyes, her mind was flooded by the image of Bryson¡¯s face and the mncholy in his eyes. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah suddenly shot up in bed and ruffled her hair aggressively. ¡°Ugh! Why do I keep thinking of that guy? Just sleep already!¡± Shey back down and pulled the nket over her head. She still had to tell herself a few times to stop thinking about thest few hours, but her weariness eventually won, and she fell into a deep sleep. Hannah was awoken the next morning by the incessant ringing of her phone. ¡°Hello?¡± she answered in a weak voice, her eyes still half-closed. ¡°Hannah! Get on Twitter! I posted a video to rify the issue once and for all. It¡¯s so satisfying!¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah groggily rubbed the sleep off her eyes and pulled her phone away from her ear. She went online, and sure enough, the video in question was already trending under the title, ¡°Phillips Group¡¯s Statement. ¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Lydia had chosen to post the surveince footage as well as several screenshots of the chat records. As expected, neither Dry nor her cohorts expected Lydia to install other unnoticeable cameras in thepany aside from the ones they had taken care to destroy. The video clip showed Dry and another person sneaking into thepany in the middle of the night. More importantly, it captured them going through theputer and tampering with thepany¡¯s confidential data. One of the security guards also served as a witness by testifying that he had seen and recognized Dry and herpanion as_ they entered the building. Dry had imed that they needed to fetch some documents in the office, when she had, in fact,e to destroyed some confidentialpany information. Chapter 930 Of course, it didn¡¯t take long for public opinion to switch sides. ¡°What the hell? I actually believed everything that woman said! I really thought she was being bullied by corporate!¡± ¡°Oh, no, have I be one of those deplorable keyboard warriors? I went off on Lydia Phillips yesterday and even called her brainless on Twitter¡­ Oh, God, I¡¯m so ashamed of myself!¡± ¡°I heard from an insider that Mr. Phillips actually botched a project, so Miss Phillips had to step in and salvage the situation. I¡¯m sure she wasn¡¯t expecting to get this kind of treatment after all that she did!¡± ¡°Miss Phillips, you are awesome! Amazing! Wonderful!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see who else dares to speak ill of our amazing young miss!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah couldn¡¯t help but quirk her brow at thements defending Lydia. She put the phone back to her ear and spoke with a smile in her voice. ¡°See? Fortunately, we¡¯ve made enough preparations beforehand. It all worked out perfectly. ¡± ¡°Yes, yes! Thank you for advising me to install more surveince cameras in the office. Otherwise, they would have gotten away with dragging my name through the mud. ¡± Lydia was having a great start to her day. When she left for work earlier, Henry was getting sted by Jaylin. She continued, ¡°Even better news, the stock price of our shares has risen a lot in just a couple of hours! Things are really looking up!¡± But then her voice grew quiet and a little sullen when she added, ¡°The Shaw family has disseminated the invitation for tomorrow¡¯s engagement party. People have been dropping by and calling to congratte my father. ¡± Sensing her friend¡¯s apprehension, Hannah said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be with you. No matter what happens, I¡¯ll help you out. ¡± ¡°I am somewhat reassured, knowing that you will be there,¡± Lydia said. ¡°What I¡¯m worried about is that people who should be there might not show up.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. In which case, the show we prepared is going to get ruined before it even begins. ¡± Of course, it didn¡¯t take long for public opinion to switch sides. ¡°What the hell? I actually believed everything that woman said! I really thought she was being bullied by corporate!¡± ¡°Oh, no, have I be one of those deplorable keyboard warriors? I went off on Lydia Phillips yesterday and even called her brainless on Twitter¡­ Oh, God, I¡¯m so ashamed of myself!¡± ¡°I heard from an insider that Mr. Phillips actually botched a project, so Miss Phillips had to step in and salvage the situation. I¡¯m sure she wasn¡¯t expecting to get this kind of treatment after all that she did!¡± ¡°Miss Phillips, you are awesome! Amazing! Wonderful!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see who else dares to speak ill of our amazing young miss!¡± BunnyBookery ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah couldn¡¯t help but quirk her brow at thements defending Lydia. She put the phone back to her ear and spoke with a smile in her voice. ¡°See? Fortunately, we¡¯ve made enough preparations beforehand. It all worked out perfectly. ¡± ¡°Yes, yes! Thank you for advising me to install more surveince cameras in the office. Otherwise, they would have gotten away with dragging my name through the mud. ¡± Lydia was having a great start to her day. When she left for work earlier, Henry was getting sted by Jaylin. She continued, ¡°Even better news, the stock price of our shares has risen a lot in just a couple of hours! Things are really looking up!¡± But then her voice grew quiet and a little sullen when she added, ¡°The Shaw family has disseminated the invitation for tomorrow¡¯s engagement party. People have been dropping by and calling to congratte my father. ¡± Sensing her friend¡¯s apprehension, Hannah said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be with you. No matter what happens, I¡¯ll help you out. ¡± ¡°I am somewhat reassured, knowing that you will be there,¡± Lydia said. ¡°What I¡¯m worried about is that people who should be there might not show up. In which case, the show we prepared is going to get ruined before it even begins. ¡± Hannah rolled over and chuckled, ¡°Well, I¡¯m not sure whether Den ising or not, but Eliana will definitely be there. She is currently pregnant with Alick¡¯s child. Do you really think she¡¯s going to pass this opportunity up?¡± Over at her office, Lydia leaned back in her chair and restlessly tapped her fingers on her desk. ¡°Not necessarily. The other day, the Shaw family invited me over to discuss the engagement. I used the bathroom while I was there. On my way back to the living room, I overheard them talking about settling a matter with money. My instincts told me that it had something to do with Eliana. ¡± ¡°Oh, she will definitely be there,¡± Hannah said with certainty. No one could bribe Eliana to stay away, not even the Shaw family. If they could, then that would mean Eliana was weak, which was definitely not the case. Besides, the Shaw family was a much better catchpared to the Edwards family. Eliana would be a fool to let her chance slip through her fingers. Just then, a knock came at the door of Lydia¡¯s office. ¡°Excuse me, Miss Phillips. Sir Henry and Sir Jaylin are waiting for you in the conference room. ¡± Hannah rolled over and chuckled, ¡°Well, I¡¯m not sure whether Den ising or not, but Eliana will definitely be there. She is currently pregnant with Alick¡¯s child. Do you really think she¡¯s going to pass this opportunity up?¡± Over at her office, Lydia leaned back in her chair and restlessly tapped her fingers on her desk. ¡°Not necessarily. The other day, the Shaw family invited me over to discuss the engagement. I used the bathroom while I was there. On my way back to the living room, I overheard them talking about settling a matter with money. My instincts told me that it had something to do with Eliana. ¡± ¡°Oh, she will definitely be there,¡± Hannah said with certainty. No one could bribe Eliana to stay away, not even the Shaw family. If they could, then that would mean Eliana was weak, which was definitely not the case. Besides, the Shaw family was a much better catchpared to the Edwards family. Eliana would be a fool to let her chance slip through her fingers. Just then, a knock came at the door of Lydia¡¯s office. ¡°Excuse me, Miss Phillips. Sir Henry and Sir Jaylin are waiting for you in the conference room. ¡± Chapter 931 ¡°ALL right, I¡¯ll be there in a minute. ¡± Lydia turned away from the door and whispered to the phone, ¡°I have a meeting. It¡¯s probably about the project. I¡¯ll call you again as soon as I¡¯m done. ¡± ¡°Okay. I have some business to attend to myself. Let¡¯s catch upter. ¡± Lydia hung up the phone and followed the employee to the conference room. Jaylin looked pretty rxed, while Henry looked like he had just swallowed a mouthful of ss shards. ¡°Well done, Lydia,¡± Jaylin said right off the bat. He sat at the head of the long table, beaming at her. ¡°You handled thepany¡¯s matters well. ¡± ¡°Dad!¡± Henry whined, sniffing derisively in Lydia¡¯s directions. ¡°She should have rified the issue since the beginning! Instead, she waited until those former employees made a racket online. It even caused our stock prices to drop! Thepany is more than capable ofpensating those people. We could have given them a few months¡¯ worth of and it wouldn¡¯t have mattered. But she had sry, just to wait for things to blow up first before taking action. We¡¯ve never encountered such a mess when I was still managing thepany. Yet as soon as she entered the picture, there¡¯s trouble left and right!¡± Jaylin scowled at his son and shot him a re. ¡°Shut your mouth right this instant!¡± Lydia smirked at Henry. ¡°If we want to deal a fatal blow to the enemy, then we should wait until they had reached the top before tearing them down. That way, they would think twice before stirring up trouble again. You see? Dry¡¯s reputation is ruined now, and she¡¯s also facing charges for nder. As for thepany¡¯s stocks, not only have they recovered, but the prices have even risen sharply in the market. I don¡¯t see anything wrong with the way I dealt with the issue at hand. ¡± Henry had nothing to say to that. ¡°Well done,¡± Jaylin said again. ¡°You did indeed do a great job, not only with this matter, but with the project as well. You should head home. You need to prepare for your engagement party tomorrow. ¡± Lydia knew what kind of person her father was; she knew his so- called concern and praises were merely lip service. She nodded and said, ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll go home now. ¡± When they were alone again, Henry turned to Jaylin and resumedining. ¡°Come on, Dad! What does she even know? Do you really n to leave everything to her?¡± As a matter of fact, he was less worried about Lydia¡¯s intervention than the possibility of their father finding out that Henry had gambled thepany¡¯s shares away. The way Henry saw it, he still had three million in cash. All he needed was to get a winning streak at the casino.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. If he yed his cards right, he was certain that he would win enough cash to buy the shares back. Jaylin leaned back in his chair and snorted, ¡°She still has her uses. We need the benefits thate with her marriage. Of course, I¡¯m not handing the Phillips Group over to her. I would never leave thepany in the hands of an outsider. ¡± Fortunately for them, Lydia was too far away to hear any of their exchange. Otherwise, she would have stormed back in and ripped them both a new one. Chapter 932 On her way back home, Lydia received numerous calls from the wedding boutique and the staff of the wedding venue. Annoyed, she sent them her assistant¡¯s phone number and told them not to bother her again. But her phone rang again. This time, it was Alick calling. ¡°What is it?¡± Lydia asked impatiently. ¡°I¡¯m driving. ¡± ¡°Who angered you today? Why are you in such a foul temper?¡± ¡°If you have something to say, just spit it out already. If not, then I¡¯m hanging up. I¡¯m very busy today, I don¡¯t have time to waste on you!¡± Instead of getting mad, Alick¡¯s tone grew mellower. ¡°Well, you haven¡¯t reached home yet, right? I still haven¡¯t bought the engagement bands. Why don¡¯t we meet up and buy them together?¡± There was only one day left before she couldpletely get rid of the bastard. Lydia didn¡¯t have the patience or the energy to put up with him. ¡°I don¡¯t have the time. ¡± ¡°Why not? What are you doing? Do you need my help with anything?¡± ¡°Not at all. My father gave me half the day off, and I¡¯m going to spend it on some much-needed sleep. Do you think you can be of any help with that?¡± Alick sputtered at her words, and he wasn¡¯t able to respond for a good moment. ¡°Is there nothing else?¡± Lydia snapped. ¡°I¡¯m hanging up, then. ¡± ¡°No, wait! Actually, Lydia¡­ I just wanted to tell you that I regret my actions in the past. I was too young and brash to cherish you properly. Don¡¯t worry, I promise that after we get married, I will treat you better. ¡± Lydia¡¯s arms broke out in goosebumps when she heard that. Why was he spouting this nonsense now? Was he nning to assassinate her in the near future? She said nothing, not that she could think of an appropriate reply, anyway.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Emboldened by her silence, Alick continued, ¡°I won¡¯t deny my past indiscretions. I did Like ying around with women, but I assure you that I am sincere toward you. I didn¡¯t realize it before, but I really like you, so-¡° ¡°Alick,¡± Lydia cut him off abruptly. ¡°If you have so much time, I suggest that you go and get your brain checked. If the doctors find any abnormalities, I¡¯ll be more than happy to postpone our engagement party. ¡± She had spent so much time with Hannah that thetter¡¯s sharp tongue had rubbed off on her. ¡°I know you won¡¯t believe me, but that¡¯s okay. Once we¡¯re married, I¡¯ll have all the time in the world to convince you of my sincerity. ¡± Chapter 933 ¡°Whatever you say. ¡± Lydia rolled her eyes and almost huffed at the phone. ¡°Well, I have some sleeping to do. We can talk about this more at the engagement party. ¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Before Alick could get another word out, Lydia pressed the button to end the call. The bastard had totally lost his mind! On the other end of the line, Alick heard the dial tone and tossed his phone aside with a frustrated sigh. ¡°I already told you that she wouldn¡¯t buy it! Are you satisfied now?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t she use to like you a lot before?¡± Carrie asked. ¡°Every time you got in trouble, she was the first to bail you out and bring you safely back home. ¡± Beside her, Adolf scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s his own fault that things havee to this. He was horrible to her, so it¡¯s only expected that he would struggle to win back her affections. ¡± Alick didn¡¯t want to hear this from them. He clicked his tongue and sneered, ¡°We¡¯re going to be married, anyway. Once she bes a Shaw, I¡¯ll make sure that she listens to every word I say and acts like a proper wife. ¡°Well, before anything else, you need to prioritize taking over her shares,¡± Carrie said in earnest. ¡°She¡¯s changed. She barely pays attention to you now. After you get married, make sure you break up with all your flings. You can¡¯t afford to risk her catching you with some other woman. ¡± Alick waved his hand dismissively, annoyed by his mother¡¯s nagging. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°ALL right, all right, Mom. I know already. I¡¯m going to my room now. ¡± As he trudged up the stairs, he heard his father say, ¡°This is all your fault! You spoil him too much!¡± ¡°Why are you pinning all the me on me? Aren¡¯t you his parent, too?¡± The couple continued to argue as Alick reached the second floornding. Meanwhile, over at the hotel, Hannah received a Dark Web message. ¡°Boss, I wasn¡¯t able to find anything on Leviathan. But I manage to get some other information. ¡± He followed this up with several additional messages. ¡°Boss, your friend is about to marry into the Shaw family, right? It turns out that the Shaw family lost a huge amount of money through their overseas branches. I¡¯m sending over the details. ¡± The report popped up in Hannah¡¯s inbox. ¡°Although they managed to contain the situation domestically, they¡¯re still in a bit of a bind. If they don¡¯t amass enough liquid assets to cover up their losses abroad, the entirepany might have to file for bankruptcy. ¡± Hannah read the report carefully, and found that the Shaw family had lost close to two billion in total. It certainly was no small amount. Chapter 934 ¡°The Logistic operations abroad are clearly not as fully developed as the one they have here, but they shouldn¡¯t have lost so much money if the funds are being used properly. Something is not right here. ¡± ¡°How very sharp of you, Boss! Indeed, it looks like they used this official report to cover up something. Unfortunately, they employ a private system when ites to their more questionable business activities. It won¡¯t be easy for us to dig up the data we need. ¡± Hannah took screenshots of the report and saved it in her gallery. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°No, this is enough. Keep a close eye on Leviathan, though. ¡± ¡°Understood, Boss. ¡± After hanging up, Hannah opened herptop and copied the pictures to a sh drive. She would hand it over to Lydia tomorrow. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Her phone rang again. Hannah nced at her screen and saw Clive¡¯s name. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± she asked the second she took the call.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Miss Moore,¡± Clive said in a low voice. ¡°Franklyn had invited Homing representatives over to discuss territories. Then Chauncey acted impulsively and started a fight. ¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you specifically not to mess with those people?¡± Hannah demanded, her brows knitted in a tight scowl. ¡°Where the hell are you right now? I¡¯m heading over. ¡± She was already gathering her purse and her coat and making her way to the door. ¡°The coffee shop in Lavenke. It¡¯s part of our territory. ¡± ¡°First things first, stop the fighting and defuse the situation as much as you can. We can talk about this more when I get there. ¡± Hannah ended the call and closed the door behind her, then strode over to Bryson¡¯s room. She hesitated for one brief moment before knocking on his door. No response. Hannah tried again, and again, she heard nothing. Perhaps he wasn¡¯t in his room¡­ Hannah was fairly certain that Bryson would never handle negotiations himself, so he must be dealing with other matters at the moment. In any case, she didn¡¯t have the time to loiter around. She left the hotel and drove to Lavenke. When she arrived at the cafe, two burly men stood guard at the door and stopped her from entering. Chapter 935 Hannah didn¡¯t bother arguing with them and just called Clive. ¡°Your people won¡¯t Let me in. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be right out!¡± Clive said frantically before hanging up. A few secondster, Clive was rushing through the door. ¡°You fools! How dare you stop Miss Moore!¡± Clive scolded the guards and ushered Hannah into the shop. The cozy smell of coffee beans greeted her as she stepped inside, immediately making her feel at ease. It also helped that the cafe was ying soft jazz music in the background. Nothing seemed to be out of ce. There was no sign of any fight happening. Hannah turned to Clive with narrowed eyes. ¡°You¡¯d better not have lied to me. ¡± Franklyn had been wanting her help in this negotiation, and had gone so far as to ask Clive to made the request on his behalf. Now that Hannah was here, however, she couldn¡¯t help but suspect that they had lured her here under false pretenses. ¡°I didn¡¯t lie at all! Well¡­ Chauncey hit the boss of Homing himself. ¡± Clive paused and awkwardly cleared his throat. ¡°They are currently in a separate, soundproof room on the second floor. I was afraid that things would escte further, so I decided to call you. ¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s head over there and check if they¡¯re still alive. ¡± Hannah braced herself for the worst, but she had never expected the sight that greeted her. Chauncey, the so-called tough guy who hadnded the first blow, was kneeling in front of Caleb and apologizing profusely. Franklyn was perched on a chair a few feet away, his face sullen. There wasn¡¯t any sign of a fight in this room either. Hannah shot Clive another look. He blinked innocently at her before shuffling to the nearest wall, away from Hannah. He wasn¡¯t expecting this development, either. Hannah walked into the room. Needless to say, Caleb recognized her at a nce. He jumped to his feet, surprise written all over his face. ¡°Miss Moore! What are you doing here?¡± And just like that, all eyes were on Hannah.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Clive was shocked that she was acquainted with Caleb, while Franklyn was more stunned at the fact that Caleb was being so courteous toward her. Chapter 936 Even so, Franklyn was still mindful enough to offer up his seat.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Boss, please sit over here. ¡± Caleb did a double take, thinking he had misheard Franklyn. It was his turn to stare at Hannah in shock. It wasn¡¯t until she had settled in the chair that the truth finally hit him. So, she was the real boss of this gambling house? ¡°Miss Moore¡­ So, you are the boss of this ce. I must admit, I never imagined¡­ If I had known beforehand, we would have never chosen this establishment. ¡± Bryson had told him that he was willing to concede anything and everything, no matter how big or small, when it came to Hannah. After giving it some thought, Caleb finally said, ¡°We agree with the conditions previously set. ¡± ¡°Conditions?¡± Hannah asked, visibly confused. Franklyn¡¯s expression shifted at her words, but before he could interject, she continued, ¡°Do remind me what these conditions are. ¡± Caleb was a little dumbfounded. Wasn¡¯t she the one who had proposed those terms in the first ce? Despite his bewilderment, he obliged and cited the conditions that had been brought up before. ¡°Homing will give up control over Valmere, and 25% of the previous profits will be handed over to you as rental fees. ¡± Hannah sneered, her voice turning cold as she asked, ¡°And what, pray tell, are you renting from me?¡± A tense silence filled the room. Hannah tapped one finger on the arm of her chair. ¡°Answer me, Franklyn. ¡± Franklyn was not used to being spoken to like this. He had been the boss most of the time. However, he was feeling intimidated at the moment. So much so, in fact, that his knees turned weak. Still, he needed to answer before Hannah got even angrier. ¡°Boss¡­ It¡¯s my fault. Please punish me ording to our rules!¡± Chapter 937 Hannah slowly drummed her fingers on the table. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? I was just asking a question. Why are you so nervous?¡± Gritting his teeth, Franklyn swallowed his pride and dropped to his knees. ¡°Boss! You warned me not to cross the line, but I¡­ I didn¡¯t listen to your advice. I deliberately caused Homing trouble. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°It seems that I have been remiss in paying attention to the goings-on around here.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Why don¡¯t you review the rules I¡¯ve set? You must have forgotten all about them. Why do you think we bought the territories in Valmere with cash?¡± Franklyn lowered his head and didn¡¯t say a word. Clive did as well, standing to the side in silence. ¡°Even after everything, you still want to dip your hands into other people¡¯s profits? How greedy can you get?¡± Caleb was stunned by what he was hearing. He had indeed met Hannah once in the casino over at Homing. At the time, the only thing he took note of were her impressive gambling skills and her seemingly close rtionship with his boss. To think that she was actually Franklyn¡¯s superior, the very person that Caleb had been having a hard time identifying! His mind was racing as he wondered how he should ry this information to his boss when Hannah¡¯s voice pulled him back to the present. ¡°Mr. Dury, I apologize on behalf of my men. What do you propose we do with them? Please feel free to suggest a suitable punishment. ¡± Caleb snapped into attention. He knew that his boss had feelings for Hannah. Even if he brought this matter up to the man, Caleb was fairly confident that his boss would not me her in any way. ¡°It¡¯s all right, Miss Moore. It¡¯s just a misunderstanding, after all. Since no significant loss has been incurred, and for old times¡¯ sake as well, we should just let this matter go. Hannah c@@ked her head to the side and peered at Caleb. ¡°Does your boss share the same sentiment, or are you acting based on your own assumptions?¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t joke around, Miss Moore. Our boss would not bother getting involved in such a trifle in the first ce. It really is just a misunderstanding, isn¡¯t it? Besides, you are well-acquainted with him. I see no point in stirring the pot for something so trivial. ¡± Caleb made a show ncing at his watch then added, ¡°I¡¯ve been here for quite a while now. I need to head back to Homing. Thank you for your time, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah drew in a sharp breath. ¡°You seem very busy, Mr. Dury. Do be careful on your way. ¡± Seeing his chance to escape, Caleb immediately stood up and walked out of the room, clicking the door shut behind him. Hannah turned her attention to the man kneeling on the floor. Chapter 938 ¡°Well, that settles the problem with the other party. It¡¯s time for me to deal with internal problems now. ¡± Her words fell Like boulders on Franklyn¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Boss, I¡­ I had no idea that you know the people from Homing. . ¡°So, if I didn¡¯t know them, do you think that gives you the right to throw your weight around and collect a portion of their revenue?¡± Franklyn sank deeper into the floor and said nothing. Hannah nced at Chauncey, whose face was all ckened and bruised. ¡°I thought he initiated the fight with Caleb? How did he get hurt so badly?¡± ¡°Chauncey was too reckless,¡± Franklyn hurriedly exined. ¡°And Mr. Dury is a formidable fighter. Chauncey was beaten in a matter of seconds. ¡± ¡°I see. He deserves what he got. ¡± Hannah fixed her eyes back on the kneeling man. ¡°I will be blunt with you, Franklyn. You¡¯ve been working for me for so many years now. I know exactly what kind of man you are. You did all these things behind my back because someone put you up to it, right?¡± Franklyn kept his mouth shut. He didn¡¯t even look up. He seemed determined to keep that person¡¯s identity a secret from her. Clive shifted on his feet, growing more and more anxious by the second. But he didn¡¯t have the guts to interrupt them. After a moment had passed and Franklyn still said nothing, Hannah spoke again. ¡°I understand that you have a keen sense of loyalty in you. But are you sure that this other person is worthy of such devotion?¡± ¡°Boss, please. I was truly the only one at fault. I made this decision, no one else. If someone had to bear your punishment, it would be me and me alone.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. ¡± Hannah ignored Franklyn¡¯s pleas and turned to Chauncey again. ¡°What do you think?¡± He was visibly taken aback by her sudden question, but he quickly ducked his head to hide his emotions. ¡°The decision is up to you and Franklyn, Miss Moore. I¡¯m just ackey who runs errands¡­¡± ¡°You say that, and yet you bypassed Clive and nted such vile ideas in Franklyn¡¯s head. I must admit, you sure have the gall!¡± Chauncey trembled and also fell to his knees. ¡°About that¡­ I simply wanted to give him advice! I never expected things to escte so far! Miss Moore, please punish me instead. You¡¯re right, it is all my fault. Franklyn has nothing to do with it!¡± ¡°Okay. Hannah nodded. Chapter 939 ¡°Great idea. I believe I¡¯ve made rules for such situation. Clive, what do we do to people like Chauncey again?¡± ¡°Kick him out, put him on the cklist, and send word to other organizations,¡± Clive blurted out without thinking. ¡°There we have it, then. See that it is done. And make sure you behave yourselves in the future. The rules are irond. ¡± Franklyn finally raised his head and tried to plead with Hannah. ¡°Boss! Despite Chauncey¡¯s mistakes, he has done us a great service over the years! If we let him go like this, it won¡¯t look good in front of the other men. ¡± Hannah stood up and cast an indifferent look at Franklyn. ¡°Do you know why I chose you to be my second-inmand?¡± Her next words were spoken slowly and with great emphasis. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Because you are smart, loyal, and decisive. But if you keep acting like this, I¡¯m afraid I will have to rece you. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore!¡± Chauncey cried out. ¡°I understand that you are the big boss around here, but Franklyn did a good job managing the operations in your absence. If you want me gone, I¡¯ll dly leave, but please don¡¯t punish him ¡°Chauncey!¡± Franklyn had the nagging feeling that something was not right, and he desperately wanted his subordinate to shut his mouth. Hannah sighed to herself. She had initially wanted to do Franklyn a favor and protect his reputation. She could have easily tied up the loose ends in private. But since things hade to this, she saw no point in going easy on her opponent. ¡°You sure learned a lot from the people at Enchantment Casino, huh? Like how to sow discord among longtime business partners. ¡± Chauncey froze in shock, though he quicklyposed himself.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I know what you mean, Miss Moore¡­¡± Hannah whipped out her phone and, with a single click of her thumb, sent the information she had found to both Clive¡¯s and Franklyn¡¯s numbers. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting to catch you so soon, but I suppose I overestimated your cunning. Did you think you can do everything as you please just because you have ess to this ce?¡± Clive¡¯s eyes grew wide as saucers as he read the message Hannah had sent him. When he was done, he was fuming. He almost threw his phone on the floor. ¡°Chauncey, you¡­¡± Clive stared at the man in utter disbelief. As for Franklyn, his shoulders slumped lower as he digested thepiled information. Chauncey took in both men¡¯s reactions and thought that Hannah had framed him in some way. He held his chin high and said, ¡°Surely, there¡¯s no need to nder me, Miss Moore. If you want me to leave so badly, I¡¯ll go right now. ¡± ¡°You were told to leave minutes ago, but you stayed,¡± Hannah said, her tone icy. ¡°You think you can just run away now?¡± Chapter 940 Franklyn¡¯s voice was icy. ¡°You are from Muvrand¡¯s Enchantment Casino. What is your true purpose for joining us and working directly under mymand?¡± The color drained from Chauncey¡¯s face. ¡°Franklyn!¡± He rushed to defend himself. ¡°I¡¯ve been with you for five years now. Does that mean nothing to you? Do you doubt my loyalty?¡± ¡°And in those five years,¡± Hannah interjected, ¡°you managed to get a cut from Rising Floor¡¯s earnings as well as that of other establishments. I¡¯m pretty sure the total money you¡¯ve embezzled is no less than a hundred million by now. You were able to keep your activities under the radar for five years. Quite impressive, actually. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore! Please stop these baseless usations!¡± Hannah shed him a sinister smile. ¡°You don¡¯t have to deny it so vehemently. If it weren¡¯t for your recent correspondence with Enchantment Casino, I would have never caught you at all. They nted you here to cause a conflict between Rising Floor and Homing, right? Together, the two organizations dominate half of Valmere. The n is to turn us against each other and take the spoils of war.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± Chauncey understood then that there was no point in further exining himself. Hannah knew it all. His expression turned from pleading to disdainful. ¡°Consider yourself lucky that I was exposed sooner rather thanter. If I knew that you were acquainted with the people of Homing, I wouldn¡¯t have been so reckless!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah wasn¡¯t interested in talking to him anymore. She turned her attention to the other man kneeling in front of her. ¡°Get up, Franklyn. While this debacle isn¡¯t entirely your fault, you do bear some responsibility. Take care of this bastard and make sure you don¡¯t mess this up this time. I don¡¯t want any more mistakes. ¡± ¡°Yes, Boss!¡± Franklyn scrambled to his feet and grabbed Chauncey. His face was stony as he hauled thetter out of the room. When Hannah and Clive were finally alone, Clive stepped forward and instantly expressed his loyalty. ¡°Miss Moore, I swear, I knew nothing about this. I-¡± She raised her hand to stop him. ¡°I know. There¡¯s no way you could have known. There¡¯s no need to exin yourself. ¡± Clive promptly shut his mouth. But after mulling it for a few seconds, he ventured to ask, ¡°What about Enchantment Casino? Aren¡¯t we going after them?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. With Rising Floor¡¯s current standing, we¡¯re more than capable ofpeting with them in terms of business. If we attack them head on, it would only cause an even bigger trouble. ¡± Hannah took a deep breath before adding, ¡°Remind Franklyn that only the two of you know about my identity. If he somehow lets this information Slip to someone else, there will be hell to pay. ¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Clive bobbed his head in earnest. ¡°Franklyn is so much smarter than me. I¡¯m sure he already knows this. Meanwhile, as soon as Caleb left the cafe, he took out his phone and called Bryson. Chapter 941 ¡°Boss, I just met the real boss of Rising Floor. It¡¯s¡­ Well, it¡¯s. . ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Bryson asked indifferently. ¡°Did they try to add more conditions to the agreement?¡± ¡°Not at all!¡± Caleb closed his eyes and took a deep breath to brace himself. Then he blurted everything in a rush. ¡°The real boss of Rising Floor is none other than Miss Hannah Moore!¡± A flicker of interest appeared in Bryson¡¯s eyes. He set aside the contract he had been reading. ¡°It¡¯s her?¡± ¡°Yes.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. I was expecting today¡¯s negotiations to fall through. I was prepared to take action if necessary. But Miss Moore showed up unexpectedly and reined her men in. She even withdrew all the demands they previously made. ¡± Bryson instantly understood why. His face darkened. ¡°She probably had no idea about those conditions. All right, thanks for letting me know. Carry on. ¡± ¡°Yes, Boss. ¡± Hannah was exhausted after the ordeal between Rising Floor and Homing. Instead of returning to the hotel, she made a turn and headed to a chain coffee shop in the city center. She wanted to just sit down for a while and enjoy some quiet. When her coffee finally arrived, she lifted her head to thank the server, only to find Bryson standing before her. Her cheerful expression faltered, and she quickly averted her eyes. ¡°Is this a coincidence, or did you hunt me down?¡± Bryson ignored her question and seated himself across from her. He then picked up her cup and took a sip of her coffee. ¡°So, you¡¯re the boss of Rising Floor. ¡± Of course, he knew. Hannah had expected as much of Caleb. ¡°Indeed, I am. But for the record, I was unaware of the actions they were taking against you. I certainly had no idea that Homing was part of your vast enterprise. ¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow at that. He slowly pushed the cup toward her. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. We both have our secrets. I don¡¯t mind that you kept it from me. ¡± It was as good as telling her that her reason for breaking up wasn¡¯t valid. Hannah held the cup between her hands and hesitated. When she Looked up, it was to give him a wry smile. Chapter 942 ¡°I mind, though. ¡± Despite everything that had happened afterward, she couldn¡¯t seem to get over that part. She let go of the cup, realizing that a quiet, alone time was out of the question for today. ¡°Please take your time, Mr. Mitchell. I have something else to attend to, so I¡¯ll be leaving now. ¡± Much to her disappointment, Bryson stood up just as she did, and easily fell into step with her as she walked out of the coffee shop. As soon as they stepped through the door, Hannah heard him say, ¡°My driver actually just left. Do you mind giving me a ride? We¡¯re heading in the same direction anyway. ¡± Hannah¡¯s first instinct was to ask him point-nk how he could be so unapologetically thick-skinned. But she managed to swallow the words at thest minute. She refused to take his bait and fall into his trap. ¡°Sure,¡± she answered stiffly before opening the door to the driver¡¯s seat. Bryson walked around the car and got into the passenger seat. He was quiet the entire way, up until he received a message on his phone. ¡°Your friend is having her engagement party at 12:30 tomorrow, at the Thriving Hotel. ¡± It wasn¡¯t so much a question than a statement. Hannah gripped the steering wheel tightly and nodded. ¡°He invited you too, huh? Looks like he wants every prominent figure in Valmere there. ¡± At this rate, Alick would be humiliated beyond any hope of redemption. ¡°It seems so. ¡± Bryson nced at the message again, not bothering to respond. He just closed the app and locked his screen. Buzz! Buzz! This time, it was Hannah¡¯s phone that rang on the dashboard. She had received a new message. Thankfully, they just happened to encounter a red light. She stepped on the brakes and reached for her phone. Alick had sent her a simr message. She ignored it and turned her attention back on the road.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Hannah wasn¡¯t expecting Bryson to attend tomorrow, not that she was willing to ask him to confirm that. As if he had read her mind, Bryson suddenly said, ¡°I¡¯ll be at tomorrow¡¯s party. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t stop herself from throwing a sideways nce at him. ¡°You¡¯re going?¡± ¡°Yes, why? Can¡¯t I go?¡± Hannah blinked. ¡°If you want to go, then go. No one¡¯s stopping you. Chapter 943 I want to know, though, why do you want to go?¡± Bryson didn¡¯t even bat an eye and went straight to the point. ¡°To join in on the excitement, of course. Based on the information I¡¯ve gathered, I expect that tomorrow¡¯s events will make for a very funny episode. ¡± His words made Hannah tense up. He really was different from the Bryson she had known. The Bryson of the past would have never attended a social gathering for the sake of amusement. After a moment of silence, Bryson turned to look at her. ¡°Do you not want me to go?¡± Hannah¡¯s reply was immediate. ¡°That is your business. I am in no position to interfere. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyebrows rose slightly. ¡°Is that so?¡± Unfazed, he continued, ¡°In that case, let¡¯s go there together.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. It¡¯s more convenient that way. ¡± Hannah opened her mouth to refuse him, but Bryson beat her to it. ¡°My driver will be waiting downstairs tomorrow. ¡± His shamelessness frustrated her! Hannah could barely contain her sigh of frustration. ¡°I need to be at Lydia¡¯s ce in the morning. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. My driver will be waiting for you outside the hotel at the crack of dawn. ¡± In the end, there was nothing Hannah could do. She tookfort in the knowledge that it would just be the driver, but when she opened the door to the backseat, who else was there but Bryson himself. He was impably dressed in his fine evening suit. Bryson nced at her and casually said, ¡°All set to go? It¡¯s gettingte. ¡± Hannah took a deep breath to calm herself before getting inside the car. Why did she feel like she had been losing face in front of Bryson often Lately? She wasn¡¯t happy about it! As if she wasn¡¯t ufortable enough, her phone suddenly rang. Hannah opened her phone and found several messages from Keith. ¡°Good morning, Hannah. Why aren¡¯t you in Hoijery?¡± ¡°I came over to discuss the details of our joint venture. Why was I received by Edwin and not you?¡± Chapter 944 ¡°Hannah? Where are you right now?¡± Three questions in rapid session. Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed. They had only met once, at that remote resort she had visitedst time. They weren¡¯t familiar enough with each for Keith to be questioning her whereabouts like this. Hannah began typing a reply. ¡°I have some business to take care of in Valmere. If you have any concerns regarding our joint project, Mr. Compton, please feel free to speak with Edwin. If he cannot handle it, then we can correspond via email. ¡± Keith was probably waiting for her to respond, because his reply came almost immediately. ¡°Ah, I see. What are you doing in Valmere?¡± At this point, Hannah was getting miffed by his attitude. She was about to reprimand him when the message was suddenly unsent. Toote, though, she had already read it. Then another message popped up. ¡°Are you busy with your work in Valmere? I¡¯ll be there on a business trip in a few days. Do you think you can spare some time to meet with me?¡± Hannah stared at her phone screen, not knowing what to reply. She was still racking her brains when arge hand suddenly snatched her phone away. ¡°Bryson!¡± Bryson wordlessly tapped on the keypad, his expression nk. Then he handed the device back to her as if he had every right to do what he had just done. Hannah frantically checked the conversation thread. Sure enough, Bryson had sent a reply to Keith. ¡°Sorry. She is very busy. ¡± Hannah pursed her lips and red at him. ¡°Why did you send this message without my permission?¡± Bryson looked her dead in the eye, his own eyes narrowed ever so slightly. ¡°I noticed that you were struggling with your response, so I took care of the problem for you. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Hannah huffed and nced back at her phone. She had no energy to argue with this incorrigible man. Keith had already sent a reply-a single question mark. Hannah didn¡¯t bother to exin and simply turned her phone off. She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. Soon enough, they arrived at the Phillips residence. The ce was lively, with peopleing and going to give their congrattions.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 945 The Phillips family had arranged for a light breakfast in the living room. It was still early, they had plenty of time before they needed to be at the hotel. Acquaintances from other prominent families mingled and chatted with them. When Hannah walked into the foyer side by side with Bryson, there was a collective gasp from the crowd. ¡°No way! What is Mr. Mitchell doing here?¡± ¡°Is he here to attend Lydia¡¯s engagement banquet? Does he have any business with the Phillips family?¡± ¡°Quit bbering. Don¡¯t you know that he¡¯s in love with the woman he came with? And get this, she is Mr. Edwards¡¯ ex-wife, and¡­¡± The woman trailed off as she felt a piercing gaze boring into her head. She mped her mouth shut out of fear. Jaylin stepped forward and greeted Bryson warmly. ¡°Mr. Mitchell! What an honor it is to have you on my daughter¡¯s special day. I-¡° ¡°I came here with Hannah,¡± Bryson cut him off in a cold voice. The rest of Jaylin¡¯s titudes died in his throat. He forced a smile at Hannah and said, ¡°Lydia is upstairs. You should go and check on her. ¡± Hannah nodded and walked to the stairs, Bryson trailing behind her like a devoted puppy. She held her head high and ignored the whispers that ensued when she passed by. Lydia had just finished putting her makeup on. She was sitting in front of her dresser, already d in her party dress. As soon as Hannah stepped into the room, Lydia jumped to her feet and hugged her friend. The Phillips family had arranged for a light breakfast in the living room. It was still early, they had plenty of time before they needed to be at the hotel. Acquaintances from other prominent families mingled and chatted with them. When Hannah walked into the foyer side by side with Bryson, there was a collective gasp from the crowd. ¡°No way! What is Mr. Mitchell doing here?¡± ¡°Is he here to attend Lydia¡¯s engagement banquet? Does he have any business with the Phillips family?¡± ¡°Quit bbering. Don¡¯t you know that he¡¯s in love with the woman he came with? And get this, she is Mr. Edwards¡¯ ex-wife, and¡­¡± The woman trailed off as she felt a piercing gaze boring into her head. She mped her mouth shut out of fear. Jaylin stepped forward and greeted Bryson warmly. ¡°Mr. Mitchell! What an honor it is to have you on my daughter¡¯s special day. I-¡° ¡°I came here with Hannah,¡± Bryson cut him off in a cold voice. The rest of Jaylin¡¯s titudes died in his throat. He forced a smile at Hannah and said, ¡°Lydia is upstairs. You should go and check on her. ¡± Hannah nodded and walked to the stairs, Bryson trailing behind her like a devoted puppy. She held her head high and ignored the whispers that ensued when she passed by. BunnyBookery Lydia had just finished putting her makeup on. She was sitting in front of her dresser, already d in her party dress. As soon as Hannah stepped into the room, Lydia jumped to her feet and hugged her friend. ¡°You¡¯re finally here! God! I¡¯m so nervous!¡± Sure enough, Hannah could feel how cold Lydia¡¯s fingertips were. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Brayden and I took care of everything. He¡¯s been preparing for this day for a long time. Nothing will go wrong, I promise. ¡± While the women talked, Bryson wordlessly walked back to the door and yanked it open. Henry came stumbling into the room, falling t on his face.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Damn it!¡± He rubbed his aching forehead and cursed. Click. Bryson had already closed the door again. He turned the lock and stared down at the man with a menacing glint in his eyes. Henry¡¯s first instinct was to berate Lydia, but when he realized that Hannah and Bryson were also there, he froze. Lydia was furious. ¡°You¡¯re finally here! God! I¡¯m so nervous!¡± Sure enough, Hannah could feel how cold Lydia¡¯s fingertips were. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Brayden and I took care of everything. He¡¯s been preparing for this day for a long time. Nothing will go wrong, I promise. ¡± While the women talked, Bryson wordlessly walked back to the door and yanked it open. Henry came stumbling into the room, falling t on his face. ¡°Damn it!¡± He rubbed his aching forehead and cursed. Click. Bryson had already closed the door again. He turned the lock and stared down at the man with a menacing glint in his eyes. Henry¡¯s first instinct was to berate Lydia, but when he realized that Hannah and Bryson were also there, he froze. Lydia was furious. Chapter 946 ¡°How dare you eavesdrop outside my room?¡± Henry covered up his embarrassment with bluster. He got to his feet and dusted his trousers. ¡°What are you conspiring, huh?¡± he asked Lydia. ¡°What did your ex-boyfriend prepare?¡± ¡°It¡¯s none of your business!¡± ¡°None of my business?¡± Henryughed derisively. ¡°Let me guess, you¡¯re still trying to dissolve this engagement, and you¡¯ve enlisted your ex-boyfriend¡¯s help in ruining today¡¯s event. Well? Am I wrong?¡± Thinking that he had caught her red-handed, Henry raised his chin. ¡°If I go down right now and tell Dad about this, how do you think he would react?¡± He was expecting Lydia to panic, but surprisingly, she just sneered at him. Henry was soon flustered by her stare. Still, he refused to back down. ¡°I¡¯ll be happy to keep my mouth shut under one condition. Give me 5 million right now, and I¡¯ll pretend that I didn¡¯t hear anything. ¡± ¡°Do you think this is a dream? Or are you simply too delusional?¡± Lydia spoke like she had just heard the most ridiculous joke in all her life. ¡°I won¡¯t even give you 50, let alone 50 million!¡± Henry¡¯s nostrils red as he red at her. ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to reveal¡ª¡± The next thing he knew, Hannah had knocked him down from behind with a ferocious kick. Henry fell Like a ton of bricks. He yelled out in pain and curled into himself. Hannah had hit him at the back of the knee. He could barely pick himself up, so he resorted to screaming. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± It was then that Bryson spoke, his voice low and ominous. ¡°The thing is, there is another, more conclusive way to keep you silent.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Do you want to know what it is?¡± Henry suddenly fell silent. Chapter 947 He might act recklessly sometimes, but he wasn¡¯t entirely stupid. At least, he wasn¡¯t stupid enough not to know what Bryson meant. The truth was that if Bryson wanted to crush the whole Phillips family, it would be as easy as lifting a finger for him. ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± Bryson shot him an icy look. ¡°If you have nothing good to say, you should just leave. ¡± Henry was so scared that he could barely stand up. Even with his hands braced against the floor, he struggled to get back to his feet. ¡°Ly-Lydia, I didn¡¯t hear anything! I¡­ Can I leave, please?¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Lydia snapped at him. ¡°And remember to close the door when you go!¡± ¡°Okay, okay!¡± Henry scrambled to the door without looking back. He was out in the hall in a matter of seconds. Once the door clicked shut, Lydia finally rxed. ¡°I swear, that rat bastard keeps digging his own grave! I can¡¯t stand being in the same room as him for even a minute! Ugh, good riddance. Enough talk about that idiot. ¡± Lydia nced back and forth between Hannah and Bryson. ¡°So, you two came here together? Did you perhaps¡­¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°What¡¯s going on in that head of yours, exactly?¡± Hannah went over to smooth Lydia¡¯s veil. ¡°He¡¯s just here for fun. ¡± Lydia blinked at Bryson in surprise. ¡°So Mr. Mitchell indulges in fun moments, too, huh?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes were fixed on Hannah. ¡°Yes. ¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Lydia looked back and forth between them again. She had a good guess about what was going on in his head, but she wasn¡¯t brave enough to expose him. Peace was restored in the room, while the hall downstairs kept getting livelier and livelier. Brayden had especially chosen a shy red sports car to drive today. He arrived at the Phillip¡¯s residence followed by five other, simr vehicles, and they caused quite a stir as they parked in the driveway. Chapter 948 The servants were powerless to stop him, so the butler rushed inside to inform Jaylin of their recent arrival. Jaylin was in the middle of a chat with his peers. His face darkened as he listened to the butler¡¯s words. He quickly excused himself and followed the butler outside. Everyone had gathered here to celebrate an engagement, so when they noticed the shift in their main host¡¯s demeanor, they instantly got curious. A few of them trailed behind Jaylin, until they got enough traction that a small crowd loitered around the door and front windows of the vi. Jaylin strode outside and was greeted by the sight of Brayden casually leaning against the hood of his car. He was wearing a white suit, a rare choice for him. ¡°Mr. Davies! I didn¡¯t think you would have the time to drop by for a visit. ¡± Jaylin¡¯s face twitched as he spoke.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. His instincts told him that the younger man was here to ruin today¡¯s event. Unfazed, Brayden gave Jaylin a faint smile. ¡°Lydia is getting engaged today. How can I possibly miss this asion?¡± A buzz went around the crowd of onlookers. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the young master of the Davies family? Why is he here?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know? He was in a rtionship with Jaylin¡¯s daughter. Her engagement to the son of the Shaw family actually came as a surprise. I have a feeling that something big is going to happenter. ¡± ¡°You don¡¯t say!¡± someone eximed, visibly shocked by this unexpected revtion. The other woman, who had heard the story along the gr@pevine, began to share what she knew. ¡°So, this is what I heard. Apparently, something went wrong with the Phillip¡¯s business operations, so Jaylin sought a marriage alliance to save thepany. He forced his daughter to break up with Mr. Davies and ordered her to marry Mr. Shaw instead. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s a foolish decision if I ever heard one! Doesn¡¯t he know that that Davies family has close ties with the Mitchell family? Why would he choose the Shaw family over them?¡± ¡°The thing is, Miss Phillips is headstrong and has a mind of her own. She doesn¡¯t like being manipted by others, least of all her family. I¡¯m guessing that Jaylin is well-aware of this. If she ends up marrying into the Davies family, Jaylin likely wouldn¡¯t get any benefits, anyway. ¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s just cruel. At the end of the day, Miss Phillip is still his daughter. How can he just sell her off like a piece of chattel?¡± They were right at the door, so Jaylin heard every word they said. He was incensed, having lost face in front of so many on such an important day. But he couldn¡¯t exactly explode in rage. ¡°Mr. Davies, I see that you¡¯ve brought quite a posse with you. May I ask why?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them. I came here to deliver a congrattory gift. ¡± Brayden straightened and fished a small jewelry box from his pocket. Chapter 949 ¡°Even if Lydia and I are now broken up, we¡¯re still friends. Surely, this isn¡¯t too much, right?¡± Jaylin couldn¡¯t resist wiping the cold sweat that had formed on his forehead. He stered a smile on his face and said, ¡°Not at all¡­ This¡­ This is fine. ¡± ¡°Great. May Ie in now?¡± Brayden stepped forward and tried to walk past Jaylin. As soon as he did, Jaylin signaled at his men to stop Brayden. Thetter¡¯spanions responded ordingly, getting out of the cars anding up behind him.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. These young men were key figures in Valmere, too, aptly known as some of the most eligible bachelors in the city. ¡°Why won¡¯t you let Brayden in, Mr. Phillips? He simply wants to congratte Lydia, where is the harm in that?¡± ¡°Exactly. Don¡¯t you think your behavior is quite inappropriate, Mr. Phillips?¡± Jaylin fidgeted awkwardly. Brayden wasn¡¯t interested in bodily forcing his way in. Instead, he opened the jewelry box in his hand, revealing arge pink diamond the size of a dove¡¯s egg. There was a collective gasp from the crowd as they gazed at the gem in awe. It definitely cost a fortune! Ten million, at the very least! Was he really nning to give it to the bride, his ex who was marrying a different man? ALL the color drained from Jaylin¡¯s face. He opened his mouth to say something, but his throat was dry. ¡°Since you seem adamant in denying me entrance, please give this to Lydia and tell her it¡¯s a gift from me. ¡± Brayden handed it over to Jaylin, his faint yet unsettling smile still in ce. ¡°ALL right, of course! Of course!¡± Jaylin reached for the box and tried to take it, but Brayden didn¡¯t let go. ¡°Mr. Phillips,¡± Brayden said slowly, his smile growing wider. ¡°I hope that you won¡¯t take this gift for yourself. If you don¡¯t hand it over to Lydia, I will be in a very difficult position. ¡± A chill ran down Jaylin¡¯s smile. ¡°Please, Mr. Davies, what a joker you are. Of course, I will give it to my daughter! You have nothing to worry about. ¡± ¡°Good. We¡¯ll be leaving then. We¡¯ll see you at the partyter in the hotel. ¡± Jaylin felt lightheaded. He wanted to stop Brayden and tell him not to show upter, but by the time he returned to his senses, Brayden and his friends were already in their cars. The sound of engines roaring into life filled the driveway, and soon, all five sports cars were zooming out of the Phillips residence. The busybodies had been anticipating some big drama to unfold, but they were sorely disappointed. They begrudgingly filtered back inside and into the hall. Jaylin watched thest car exit the gates before giving the box to the butler and instructing him to take it to Lydia. Only then did he amble back inside, still in a daze. Unbeknownst to them, the people on the second floor had witnessed everything through the windows. Chapter 950 Lydia burst outughing.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Did you see my dad¡¯s face just now? His expression when he tried to take the ring was hrious. ¡± ¡°This is just an appetizer,¡± Hannah said with a smile. ¡°The real show startster at the party. ¡± Meanwhile, Jaylin headed straight to his study. He wasn¡¯t a fool. He sank into his chair and called the Shaw family. It was Adolf who answered. ¡°Jaylin! Why are you calling at this time?¡± Contrary to the other man¡¯s cheerful tone, Jaylin¡¯s voice wasced with worry. ¡°The engagement can¡¯t happen today! We need to postpone it!¡± Adolf¡¯s first thought was that Jaylin regretted the whole arranged marriage. ¡°Jaylin,¡± he said anxiously, ¡°we already agreed on the date. All the preparations are finished. Why are you backtracking now? Do you think you can just toy with the Shaw family as you like?¡± ¡°No, no! That¡¯s not what I mean at all! You¡¯ve misunderstood, Adolf. ¡± Jaylin rushed to exin himself. Unfortunately for him, Adolf wasn¡¯t interested in hearing him out. His voice was cold when he said, ¡°If they are not getting engaged today, then the marriage is cancelled. There is no need for our business cooperation to push through, either!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Jaylin panicked upon hearing that. ¡°Of course, they are getting engaged today! Listen to me first, okay? Brayden came earlier, and he said that he¡¯s attending the party, too. I¡¯m just worried that¡­¡± ¡°What are you afraid of?¡± Adolf demanded, not the least bit worried about Brayden. ¡°Once the engagement bes official, everyone in Valmere will know that Lydia is going to marry into the Shaw family. Even if the Davis family has the support of the Mitchell family, they would have to be mindful of their actions. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. ¡± Jaylin took a deep breath to calm himself. ¡°You¡¯re right! I was just thinking too much. ¡± Adolf nced at the clock on the wall. ¡°It¡¯s about time. We should head to the hotel. ¡± Chapter 951 Jaylin hung up and stared at the phone for a while. They had invited a lot of distinguished people to the engagement party. The Davies family wouldn¡¯t be reckless enough to cause trouble, right? He took another deep breath, stered a smile on his face, and went out of the study to return to his guests. Meanwhile, over at the Shaw residence, Alick was sitting casually on the sofa and adjusting his tie. He had heard his father¡¯s conversation on the phone just now. ¡°Are they trying to go back on their word?¡± Adolf sniffed and harrumphed. ¡°Not exactly. They wanted to postpone the engagement. That Jaylin is too timid for his own good. He probably has this made-up scene in his mind where Brayden would carry Lydia off and ruin the party. ¡± Alick snorted, echoing his father¡¯s disdain. ¡°That bastard can certainly try. If he takes Lydia away, the Davies family will be disgraced in front of Valmere¡¯s elite. ¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sure he would do no such thing. If nothing else, his family would definitely stop him. ¡± Adolf turned to look at his son. ¡°You should get ready and head out. ¡± Alick rose to his feet and leisurely stretched his arms. ¡°Come on, what¡¯s the hurry? If anyone should be nervous right now, it¡¯s the Phillips family, not us. ¡± In another part of the city, Den watched as Eliana observed herself in the mirror. He didn¡¯t want to attend the engagement party, but she had gone ahead and put on a dress, and was now choosing the purse to match it.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°Are you really going to the engagement party?¡± Den asked with a frown. ¡°The Edwards family has nothing to do with the Shaw family; we don¡¯t even do business together. Why are you so keen to go?¡± Beside him, Sadie scoffed and rolled her eyes. She didn¡¯t like Eliana at all, and would never miss a chance to take a dig at her. ¡°She probably wants to hog the limelight, like she always does. Be sure to keep a close eye on her, Den. ¡± Sadie looked Eliana up and down. ¡°She doesn¡¯t care about our family¡¯s affairs at all. She doesn¡¯t even do any housework! ALL she does is dress up and meet up with other socialites every single day. Honestly, I have no idea why you¡¯re with her in the first ce. Back when Hannah was still here, she took care of everything around the house. If she is thiszy when you haven¡¯t even gotten a marriage certificate yet, how much worse will she get once she gets her name in the family register?!¡± Eliana¡¯s face turned ugly when Sadiepared her with Hannah. Even so, she did her best to calm down and turned to Sadie with a smile. ¡°You think Miss Moore was such an excellent sister-inw, huh? Then why did you keepining to me about how vulgar she was? Chapter 952 She wasn¡¯t as elegant as me, and all she knew was to cook and clean around the house. She didn¡¯t deserve your brother. Didn¡¯t you say these things yourself?¡± Eliana walked over, her heels cking against the marble floor, and sat on the other side of Den. ¡°He doesn¡¯t want a housewife, but a wife who can match him in social standing. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have divorced Miss Moore, right?¡± Sadie fumed, ¡°What a load of nonsense!¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Den yelled, all fed up with the two women¡¯s constant fighting. ¡°You used to be so close, why are you always butting heads now?¡± ¡°Den¡­ Sadie whined and red at Eliana. ¡°It¡¯s because of this insolent woman! She¡¯s always stirring up trouble!¡± Eliana leaned closed to Den and wound her arm around his. ¡°Look, I¡¯m going to the party for the sake of the Edwards family, okay? I heard that a lot of famous and influential people will be attending. If I establish the right connections, there¡¯s a high chance that ourpany will recover sooner thanter. ¡± Eliana ran her fingers down his arm and continued in a soft voice, ¡°Besides, people are likely only going to talk about business throughout the party.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. We need to seize this opportunity, Den. ¡± Sadie rolled her eyes and said nothing more. ¡°You have a point,¡± Den finally agreed. ¡°All right, I¡¯ll go get dressed, and we can go together. I¡¯ll tell the driver to take us there. ¡± When he stood up, so did Eliana. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t think I can go with you. I made arrangements with my friends. I was thinking that I can start talking them up on the way and persuade them to invest in Edwards Group. ¡± ¡°I see. Very well, then. ¡± Den didn¡¯t suspect a thing. As soon as Eliana left, Sadie rushed over to Den¡¯s side. ¡°Den! I¡¯m telling you! You need to watch Eliana. I¡¯m pretty sure she hasn¡¯t been thinking of you thesest few weeks at all!¡± Den only frowned at her. ¡°Can you stop being so suspicious? You didn¡¯t like Hannah, either, did you? Are you going to act like this with anyone?¡± ¡°That¡¯s different!¡± Sadie tried to exin, but faltered at thest second. She didn¡¯t know how to even start. She only bullied Hannah because the woman was such a pushover. Chapter 953 Den clicked his tongue impatiently. ¡°Whatever. If you want to attend the engagement party, too, then hurry up and change. You¡¯re going with me. If not, the just stay here and behave. ¡± He strode upstairs without waiting for Sadie¡¯s reply. Eliana took a cab to the hotel all by herself. When she arrived at the venue, the bride-to-be wasn¡¯t there yet. She asked a passing waitress about the bride¡¯s waiting room and let herself in without a second¡¯s hesitation. And so, by the time Alick arrived, the person he saw was not Lydia, but Eliana. ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± he asked, scowling. Eliana turned to him with a bright smile. ¡°I was waiting for you, of course. ¡± Panic gripped Alick¡¯s features. As he stepped inside, he mmed the door shut and swiftly locked it! ¡°How dare you, Eliana! What the hell do you want?! I made it crystal clear that night! Us being together is simply out of the question!¡± Alick was visibly upset but carefully not toy a hand on Eliana. Instead, he paced around the room anxiously. ¡°Today¡¯s my engagement party.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. If you¡¯re here to wreck it, I¡¯ll have you thrown out without a second thought!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not here to spoil your celebration, but I¡¯m carrying your child. What do you think Den will do when he finds out?¡± Alick, enraged, grabbed Eliana by the throat. ¡°Eliana! Are you looking for trouble?¡± At that moment, Eliana was convinced that hecked the courage to harm her in any way. She didn¡¯t put up a fight at all. ¡°Alick, if you¡¯ve got it in you, go ahead and strangle me right here! Everyone attending today¡¯s event is here for your celebration. If you attempt to strangle me here, you¡¯ll be apprehended on the spot! Have you lost your senses?¡± Alick pushed her away, his breathing in heavy pants. He gestured towards Eliana and said, ¡°What do you stand to gain by ruining my engagement celebration?¡± Leaning against the makeup mirror, Eliana remained motionless. The tender andposed expression vanished, reced by maniacalughter. ¡°Well, now you¡¯re frightened. Why weren¡¯t you scared when you were flirting with me?¡± ¡°Are you crazy? What nonsense are you spouting?¡± Chapter 954 Alick gave the dresser a kick and retorted, ¡°You were the one who seduced me first on the ship! You know the nature of our rtionship better than anyone! Did I ever force you to see me again? It was all your choice, and it is not my responsibility!¡± He had been with many women, but Eliana proved to be the difficult one to shake off. He initially believed it wouldn¡¯t be hard to move on from her, given her gentle nature and her boyfriend. He never imagined she would resort to a pregnancy threat to force him into marriage! If he had foreseen how things would turn out, he wouldn¡¯t have been involved with this woman! Eliana raised her hand to touch her belly. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I¡¯m carrying your child now. You must take responsibility for me. ¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t officially ended things with Den. Naturally, this child belongs to him. Why do you persist in troubling me?¡± The dressing room was filled with their loud arguing. Hannah, watching through her phone in the car, saw everything! Lydia, sitting beside her, eximed, ¡°Damn it! This audacious couple was having a heated argument in the dressing room. Let¡¯s waste no time and reveal their secret!¡± It was Bryson behind the wheel, driving in silence up front. Caught up in the excitement, Lydia nced at Bryson and whispered to Hannah, ¡°Isn¡¯t it a bit odd for Mr. Mitchell to drive us around¡­¡± Casting a casual nce at the man focused on driving, Hannah said indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s fine. He enjoys getting in on the action, doesn¡¯t he?¡± Lydia gave her a gentle nudge and whispered, ¡°You should let go of your anger. ¡± Upon hearing that, Hannah lowered her head and retorted, ¡°You should focus on your affairs for now. ¡± Upon their arrival, Hannah observed the two arguing through the surveince camera. Lydia didn¡¯t bring any hotel staff or her dresser. Instead, she, Hannah, and Bryson headed over and turned the doorknob with a sharp twi st! Crack! Crack! The pair, involved in an argument in the dressing room, abruptly fell silent! Both of them caught Lydia¡¯s perplexed voice from outside the dressing room. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why is the dressing room locked? Is someone in there?¡± Hannah leaned against the wall and said casually, ¡°Perhaps someone¡¯s in there.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Give the door a knock first. I¡¯ll inquire with the hotel staff. ¡± ¡°I overheard an argument in there just a moment ago. ¡± Lydia raised her hand and knocked on the door, asking, ¡°Is someone in there?¡± Alick¡¯s heart raced with panic upon hearing their voices! Chapter 955 He made an effort to hush his voice. ¡°Hide yourself! Make sure they don¡¯t discover you!¡± Eliana wasn¡¯t afraid in that moment. She fixed Alick with a smile and questioned, ¡°What if I decide not to conceal myself? Am I going to spoil your engagement celebration?¡± ¡°Eliana! This is already a critical moment. Why are you still pushing this?¡± Observing Eliana¡¯sck of movement, Alick drew a long breath and eventually gave in. ¡°You can proceed with the pregnancy. I¡¯m willing to grant the baby half of my shares! Are you satisfied now?¡± Eliana didn¡¯t persist in seeking recognition of her identity, so, having obtained her desires, she nodded with a sense of contentment. Alick grew increasingly agitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. ¡°Hide yourself! Don¡¯t let them discover you!¡± When the hotel staff was about to unlock the door, Alick opened it, revealing himself to the surprised group outside. ¡°Alick?¡± Observing the sweat on his forehead, Lydia furrowed her brow and inquired, ¡°You¡¯re inside the dressing room. Why haven¡¯t you opened the door for me?¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Alick, who was always skilled in deception, now appeared flustered. ¡°Well¡­ I was engrossed in my phone a moment ago. I didn¡¯t hear you knocking on the door. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Lydia, lifting her dress, walked into the dressing room. She scanned the room, then turned to Alick. ¡°But why did I hear a woman¡¯s voice arguing with you?¡± ¡°You heard wrong! There¡¯s no woman here. ¡± Alick¡¯s agitation was palpable as he exined, ¡°I arrived here ahead of time. When I didn¡¯t find you in the dressing room, I decided to wait here. I was engrossed in watching a TV series on my phone, and the volume was cranked up, so I didn¡¯t catch what you were saying!¡± Lydia nodded, appearing to ept Alick¡¯s exnation. She pulled out a chair and took a seat. ¡°Well, no need to fret. I didn¡¯t say I doubted your words.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. ¡± ¡°I¡­ I only don¡¯t want you to get the wrong idea. ¡± Alick took a seat beside her. At that moment, a hotel waiter said, ¡°Sir, I saw a woman enter here earlier, but I didn¡¯t see her leave. Didn¡¯t you notice her?¡± Alick¡¯s fist tightened, and he promptly stood up, appearing anxious. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve got it wrong! It was just me here! When I arrived, there wasn¡¯t anyone around. ¡± Chapter 956 Hannah and Bryson upied a nearby sofa. Hannah nced up at Alick with a subtle smile. ¡°What¡¯s got you so anxious today? Anything on your mind? Is it because of the engagement nerves, or is there something else?¡± She paused intentionally in her speech, fixing her gaze on Alick¡¯s face. ¡°What¡¯s upying your thoughts?¡± Alick avoided eye contact with Hannah, quickly averting his gaze, and replied, ¡°Nothing is bothering me. Stop teasing me. ¡± ¡°Well, if you have nothing else to say, please get out. We need to change. ¡± Alick¡¯s eyes reflexively fell on the closet. ¡°Ah¡­ Well¡­¡± He turned to Bryson and started to say, ¡°Mr. Mitchell is also here, so ¡°Please get out as well, Mr. Mitchell,¡± Hannah cut him off, her eyes fixed on Bryson. Bryson did not protest. He stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. ¡°I¡¯ll wait outside. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Left with no choice, Alick trudged through the door, his heart pounding furiously inside his chest. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, he heard the conversation resume inside the room. ¡°The makeup artist and the stylist were supposed to have dropped by earlier to deliver the dress. It¡¯s probably in the closet, I¡¯ll go and look. ¡± No sooner had Hannah¡¯s fingers brushed against the closet handle when Alick pushed the door open again. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± he yelled in a panic upon seeing her about to open the closet. Lydia whipped around with a frown. ¡°Why are you in here again? What else do you want?¡± ¡°Well, I¡­ There¡¯s nothing inside that closet. I opened it earlier and the stylist didn¡¯t put anything in there. I¡¯ll go fetch them and bring the dress over, okay?¡± Lydia raised her eyebrows. ¡°Whatever.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Forget it, let¡¯s just wait here, Hannah. ¡± Alick bristled. If they continued to stay in this room, they were bound to discover Eliana sooner orter. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go and check the venue? Don¡¯t you think you should rehearse the order of events forter?¡± This time, Lydia narrowed her eyes in suspicion. ¡°We¡¯re only getting engaged today. What need is there for a rehearsal?¡± Chapter 957 ¡°I was just worried something might go wrong during the party. ¡± Alick turned to Hannah and pleaded, ¡°Please apany Lydia and make sure that things are ording to n. ¡± It wasn¡¯t the right time to expose him yet, so Hannah readily agreed. ¡°ALL right. Let¡¯s go, Lydia. He has a point, you can¡¯t risk making a mistake at such an important event. ¡± Alick beamed, ¡°See? Miss Moore understands. You should head out while it¡¯s still early. ¡± Lydia got to her feet and linked her arm with Hannah¡¯s. Even as she did, she couldn¡¯t help but remark, ¡°Why do I feel like he¡¯s acting strangely?¡± Alick stiffened when he heard her words. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it,¡± Hannah said. ¡°Let¡¯s just go and take care of this party. ¡± Alick waited until he could no longer hear them from down the hall and quickly strode over to the closet. Click! He pulled the doors open and yanked Eliana out. ¡°Get out from the other side! Don¡¯t even think about running into them!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Eliana shot him a smug grin. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry. Since you promised me, I won¡¯t make any trouble for you. ¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. She checked the corridor to make sure that no one was around before exiting the dressing room. Then she made her way toward a different direction from the one Hannah and Lydia had taken. However, as soon as she turned the corner, she ran right into Hannah. ¡°Ah!¡± Eliana screamed in fright. Hannah crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow at her. ¡°What the hell? What are you screaming for?¡± ¡°I¡­ Aren¡¯t you supposed to be downstairs?¡± Eliana blurted out before she could catch herself. Hannah c@@ked her head to the side. ¡°How do you know that?¡± She looked Eliana up and down. ¡°Were you eavesdropping on our conversation back in the dressing room?¡± Eliana was so frazzled that she barely even registered Hannah¡¯s words. Chapter 958 ¡°I wasn¡¯t in the dressing room!¡± she said nervously. ¡°When did I say you were? I only asked if you were eavesdropping. ¡± Eliana¡¯s head was buzzing, her eyes darting back and forth in a panic. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t eavesdrop! I-I saw you rehearsing, that¡¯s it!¡± The corners of Hannah¡¯s Lips lifted in amusement. ¡°We haven¡¯t even started the rehearsal yet. I was going back to the dressing room because I forgot something. What sort of rehearsal did you see, exactly?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Eliana was slowly spiraling into hysteria. She shuffled back and away from Hannah, but thetter followed her step by step. Eliana¡¯s heart was stuck in her throat. What if Hannah exposed her? ¡°It doesn¡¯t really matter whether you admit to eavesdropping on us or not,¡± Hannah said lightly. ¡°Just be sure not to get caught next time, or I¡¯ll teach you a lesson then. ¡± With that, she passed by Eliana and strode away without a backward nce. Eliana finally breathed a sigh of relief. She stared at Hannah¡¯s back, her eyes zing with hatred. That stupid bitch! Meanwhile, as soon as Eliana was out of earshot, Hannah took out her phone and called Lydia. ¡°I bumped into her just now. She was absolutely terrified. ¡± Needless to say, Lydia didn¡¯t get into any rehearsal down at the banquet hall. She just sat in the corner and waited for Hannah¡¯s updates. When she heard the report, she burst outughing. She would have keptughing, too, if she didn¡¯t feel a tap on her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re cackling too much?¡± She turned to find Brayden standing behind her with a warm smile on his face.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Come to the banquet hall,¡± Lydia said to Hannah. ¡°The party is going to start soon. You can¡¯t miss a single thing!¡± She hung up the phone and stared at Brayden. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of the rumors that would fly if people saw you talking to me at this time?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to see who would dare start a rumor! You are my girlfriend. Even if I didn¡¯t have any evidence to condemn the Shaw family, I would havee to take you away, anyway! I¡¯d die before I let you marry that bastard, Alick Shaw!¡± Chapter 959 Lydia¡¯s cheeks turned a shade of pink. She reached up and patted his face. ¡°Enough with your sweet talk for now. Let¡¯s get down to business!¡± ¡°By the way, do you have the ring I gave you?¡± Brayden asked. Lydia fished the ring out of her purse and held it up for him to see. ¡°I¡¯m going to ask the ring bearer to switch it outter. ¡± Satisfied, Brayden nodded and ki*sed her on the check. ¡°Well, then. I¡¯ll go and take care of the big screen. If you see anyone go over, help me stall them. ¡± ¡°Yes, yes. You should hurry. You¡¯ll have a harder time once the guests start arriving. ¡± Before long, Alick also appeared at the banquet hall. At that point, more people were in attendance. Almost all the top brass of prominent conglomerates hade to congratte them. Music was ying in the background, and drinks were flowing. The entire hall was decorated with flowers, and a huge screen was set up at the front. It was currently showing photos of the bride and groom. By the time Eliana found her seat, Den had been waiting for her for quite some time. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that you wereing with your friends?¡± he asked, frowning. ¡°Howe you arrived eventer than me?¡± ¡°Oh, my friends and I took a walk in the garden when we saw that the party wasn¡¯t starting yet. ¡± Eliana clung to his arm and leaned closer. ¡°What do you think? Did you manage to find a prospective business partner?¡± Den pulled at his tie and breathed out an impatient sigh. ¡°Not yet. ¡± His eyes drifted over to the entrance just as Hannah walked into the banquet hall. Den ogled her, until he noticed the tall figure approaching her. He immediately averted his gaze. Eliana followed the direction of Den¡¯s gaze just before he looked away. Her eyes Landed on Hannah. Hannah hadn¡¯t even taken more than five steps into the banquet hall when Bryson sidled up next to her. ¡°Are you done?¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. ¡°Yeah. ¡± She swept a nce over the crowd that Bryson had just broken away from. ¡°You seem busy, Mr. Mitchell,¡± shemented. Chapter 960 ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to keep tabs on me. ¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m not busy at all. ¡± Bryson then added in a teasing tone, ¡°I¡¯m never too busy to keep an eye on you. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes and huffed, ¡°You tter me, Mr. Mitchell!¡± She waved her hand dismissively and made her way to the adjoining room in the back to meet with Lydia. To her dismay, Bryson followed her like it was the most natural thing for him to do. ¡°People are already looking for you outside,¡± she informed Lydia. ¡°Go and greet some guests first. And make sure you don¡¯t identally expose our ns. ¡± Lydia got to her feet and gathered her skirts. ¡°Copy that. Brayden is still taking care of the slide show. Stand guard and warn him if anythinges up. I¡¯ll go and take care of those pesky guests. ¡± Sure enough, as soon as she stepped into the hall, she ran into Melissa. ¡°Why are you hiding out here? Didn¡¯t you say that you wanted to change your dress? Your stylist has been waiting for you!¡± Lydia hummed a casual reply and followed Melissa to the dressing room. Thetter continued to chatter along the way. ¡°Listen, Lydia. You may not understand it now, but after you get married, you will see that we are doing this for your own good. You shouldn¡¯t hold a grudge against your dad over this. ¡± Of course, even at such a crucial time, her mother did not miss the opportunity to brainwash her. Lydia swallowed her disappointment and asked, ¡°But what if I¡¯m not happy with our marriage, Mom?¡± Melissa stopped walking and turned to her daughter with a sigh. ¡°Just think about the family, okay? We have been close with the Shaw family for generations, anyway. I¡¯m sure that they will treat you well. I know Alick is a known yer, but I¡¯m confident that he will turn over a new leaf for you. He should, for the good of his family and ours. Now, don¡¯t make things any harder for me. ¡± Lydia smiled. If Melissa paid enough attention, she would have realized that it was a smile of relief. ¡°I understand, Mom. ¡± Thinking that she had finally bent her daughter intopliance, Melissa nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Now, go and change into your dress. I¡¯ll wait for you outside. ¡± She ushered Lydia into the dressing room and closed the door. ¡°Okay. ¡± Momentster, Lydia walked back out in a form-fitting, white silk dress. Chapter 961 At that point, the doors to the banquet hall were closed, and Jaylin was waiting outside to escort Lydia in. Melissa handed Lydia over to him, then entered the hall through a side entrance.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Lydia liked arms with Jaylin and stered a smile on her face. ¡°Dad, what if I couldn¡¯t get the benefits that you want from the Shaw family even after getting married? What would you do?¡± Jaylin¡¯s cheerful expression faded into a scowl. He peered at Lydia. ¡°Stop talking nonsense on the day of your engagement. This marriage is happening no matter what you say. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°It was just a hypothetical question, Dad. There¡¯s no need for you to get so worked up. Besides, what could I possibly do, run away? As if. ¡± Lydia c@@ked her head to the side and smirked at him. ¡°I just wanted to know, is all. If you can¡¯t get what you want from the Shaw family, what would you do to keep our business afloat?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about these things!¡± Jaylin¡¯s face turned cold. ¡°ALL you need to do is marry Alick, and we¡¯ll take care of the rest. Lydia shrugged and nodded. She had given both her parents a chance to mend their ways, but they were too blinded by their greed to recognize it for what it was. Inside the banquet hall, the host rambled on and on about the bride and groom, until finally, he announced the arrival of the bride-to-be. ¡°And now,dies and gentlemen, let us wee Miss Lydia Phillips!¡± The doors were opened, and a spotlight fell on Lydia and Jaylin. Silence filled the room as the crowd waited for the pair to walk inside. The smile had returned to Jaylin¡¯s face as he led his daughter down the red carpet. Soft violin music yed in the background as they walked to the center of the hall, where Alick was waiting. Jaylin then made a show of handing his daughter over to his future son-inw. He even managed to squeeze out a few tears, just as the host gave him the microphone. ¡°This is my most cherished daughter,¡± Jaylin said to Alick. ¡°And from now on, I am entrusting her to you. Please treat her well. ¡± This was just the engagement ceremony, but his words gave the audience the impression that Lydia and Alick were getting married there and then. A few feet away, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but grin at Jaylin¡¯s performance. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Lydia¡¯s father to be so talented in acting. ¡± Chapter 962 ¡°Why don¡¯t I set up an agency for you, and you can sign him up as one of the talents?¡± Bryson quipped beside her.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°You¡¯re terrible,¡± Hannah retorted with a roll of her eyes. ¡°Be quiet and just enjoy the show!¡± She rarely let herposure slip, let alone show her irritation outright. Bryson enjoyed every single second of it. ¡°Please rest assured, Jaylin,¡± Alick replied over at the small tform. ¡°I will treasure your daughter with all that I have. ¡± He took Lydia¡¯s hand and beamed at her. ¡°I will treat Lydia well. Bryson began pping lightly. The other guests quickly followed suit, and soon, the hall was filled with thunderous apuse. As the audience cheered them on, Alick pulled Lydia to his side. ¡°I¡¯m sure everyone here is dying to know about your love story,¡± the host teased them. ¡°Where did it all begin? How did the two of you meet? Do you care to share it with us?¡± Alick didn¡¯t hesitate to take the microphone, and proceeded to narrate their shared past, painting himself and Lydia to be childhood sweethearts. ¡°Our families have always had a good rtionship, and Lydia and I have been friends since we were kids. We were very young when we promised to marry each other, and thankfully, our feelings only strengthened as we grew older. Now that we are adults, Lydia deserves to be given the official status as my partner. ¡± ¡°Ohh,¡± the host continued to tease them. ¡°So, not only were you a campus couple, but you were childhood sweethearts, too? It seems like you were meant for each other since the beginning! How about you, Miss Phillips? Would you Like to share your perspective? What do you think of Mr. Shaw?¡± Lydia¡¯s smile never faltered as she took the microphone and said, ¡°Actually, all I feel for him is disgust. ¡± A shocked silence fell over the hall. The four elders sitting in the front row all flinched in their seats, their expressions ranging from disbelief to outrage. Beside her, Alick struggled to keep his cool. He tugged at Lydia¡¯s hand and hissed as quietly as he could, ¡°Lydia!¡± But she simply ignored him and kept telling her side of the story, just as she had been asked. ¡°Ever since we were in high school, he never had a shortage of girls. He always had a girlfriend, and a different one each month or two. In fact, neither of us has looked kindly at the other. Today¡¯s engagement is merely a business transaction between our families, nothing more, nothing less. That is neither here nor there, though. Right now, I just want to ask Alick one simple question. ¡± Lydia turned to look him in the eye, a yful smile dancing on her lips. ¡°Tell me, Alick, have you ever wronged me in any way?¡± With so many eyes on them, Alick could only force a smile. Chapter 963 ¡°I was young and stupid then. I made the wrong choices. But it all changed once I got together with you. I only want to be with you now. ¡± Lydia just nodded and looked at the host. ¡°I think we can move on to the ring now. ¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The host was still struggling to pull himself together when she returned the microphone to him. It wasn¡¯t easy, but he made a valiant effort to bring the cheer back in the hall. ¡°Well, well! Who would have thought that our dear couple are such pranksters? Look at them, ying a joke on us on such an important day. In any case, it is mow time for the most symbolic part of our gathering! Ring bearer, pleasee forward with the ring!¡± A young man happily jogged across the room with a jewelry box in hand. Alick reached for it, but the moment he opened the box, his expression turned ugly. He had bought a in diamond ring for this asion. How did it turn into a ring that boasted arge diamond the size of a dove¡¯s egg? What was he even looking at? But before he could make sense of things, the host spoke again. ¡°I see that Mr. Shaw is truly fond of Miss Phillips. It¡¯s only your engagement, yet you¡¯re giving her a statement ring. One can only wonder how you will top this off when you finally get married. ¡± Prompted by the other man¡¯s words, Alick had no choice but to take the ring out of the box. As soon as Jaylin caught sight of it, all the color drained from his face. Lydia offered her hand to Alick, her palm facing down, and smirked at him. ¡°What are you waiting for? Put it on me. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Dazed and confused, Alick began to slide the ring into the tip of her finger. It was then that a video started to y on the big screen behind him. Naturally, everyone¡¯s attention was immediately diverted to it. It was the same video that Hannah had recorded back in Alick¡¯s bar. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant. ¡± Silence fell in the hall as Eliana¡¯s voice rang out from the video clip. It seemed like everyone held their breaths, the tension was so palpable! There weren¡¯t many who could recognize Eliana¡¯s voice, especially when her face didn¡¯t appear in the video, but then they heard Alick¡¯s voice respond to her. ¡°And why tell me? You should be informing Den. ¡± ¡°But I haven¡¯t been intimate with himtely¡­. It¡¯s only been you. The doctors confirmed it. I conceived around the time we were together, over two months ago. ¡± Chapter 964 ¡°And what of it? You expect me to take responsibility?¡± At this point, a buzz went around the hall as the guests engaged in hushed but excited discussions. Den sat straight in his seat. He had instantly recognized Eliana¡¯s voice. His body went cold as he listened to what she was saying, and his mind went totally nk as soon as he registered thest thing she said. Beside him, Eliana was white as a sheet. She had never expected anyone to be aware of her meeting with Alick, let alone record it! She wanted to rush forward and put a stop to it, but her knees were shaking so much that she could barely stand. And so, the video kept ying. ¡°Take this. You won¡¯t need to see me again. ¡± ¡°My feelings for you are genuine, that¡¯s why I¡¯m with you. How can you demean me with money?¡± ¡°You¡¯re well aware of why you¡¯re with me. Spare me the love pretense.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. I¡¯m far from naive, and that won¡¯t sway me. ¡± ¡°But our child. It is yours. You can¡¯t be heartless enough to force me to terminate the pregnancy!¡± ¡°Given that my engagement is imminent, I¡¯d suggest you avoid creating a scene, or else. You might just regreting to me today!¡± A pping sound was heard through the speakers, presumably from Eliana hitting Alick. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Cause no issues for Lydia, or you¡¯ll face the consequences!¡± The video ended there, but then another one started. This second one was the conversation that Alick and Eliana had had back in the dressing room. By now, chaos had erupted in the entire hall. ¡°When was this video taken? Hurry up and take it down!¡± ¡°Why are you just standing there? Turn the big screen off!¡± Both the Shaw and Phillips families were in a panic, and they were all barking orders at the loitering hotel staff to take the video down. Lydia grabbed the microphone from the host and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need for you to turn it off, everyone has already seen it. What¡¯s the point in pretending it never happened?¡± Something struck Alick then. He whipped around and red at Lydia in disbelief. ¡°You set me up?¡± he demanded, pointing a trembling finger at her. ¡°You hated the thought of marrying me so much that you set this whole thing up?¡± He remembered the scene at the bar, and something else urred to him. He looked around frantically, until his eyesnded on Hannah. Chapter 965 ¡°You! You were in the bar that day! You¡¯re the one who took that video!¡± He grabbed Lydia¡¯s arm and all but snarled, ¡°You conspired with Hannah Moore and set me up! Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Lydia shook him off and scoffed, ¡°Please, you did those things yourself. Why are you pinning the me on Hannah?¡± With the microphone still in hand, she addressed the crowd. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, everyone, but I hereby announce that this engagement is officially cancelled. ¡± ¡°No!¡± Jaylin jumped to his feet, his face pale, his forehead dotted with sweat. ¡°For all we know, that video might be fake! Let¡¯s talk about this properly once the engagement ceremony is over!¡± Lydia sneered at him. ¡°Do you seriously still want to proceed with the engagement, Dad?¡± Adolf rushed to Jaylin¡¯s side to echo his sentiments. After all, if the video was confirmed to be true, the stock prices of the Shaw Group would also fall drastically. ¡°Lydia, please calm down! I¡¯m sure it¡¯s all just a misunderstanding. Someone is deliberately trying to ruin your engagement! Let¡¯s deal with the important bits first and talk about thister, okay?¡± No sooner had Adolf finished speaking than an ear-piercing scream vibrated through the hall. ¡°Ahh! Help! Somebody, help me! He is going to kill me!¡± It was followed by the sound of something smashing into the floor, as well as the sound of breaking ss. ALL eyes turned toward the back of the hall, to where Den and Eliana stood. He had her throat in a vise grip, his eyes burning with fury as he red at her. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°What did I ever do wrong to you, huh?! How dare you cheat on me, you bitch!¡± Eliana tried to w at his arm, her legs thrashing around as he held her up from the floor. Her face was turning an rming shade of red. The other guests quickly kept their distance, afraid that they might get roped into the violent altercation.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Eliana made gurgling sounds before her head drooped to the side. The rise and fall of her chest was getting weaker. ALL of a sudden, Den was pulled backward by the cor, and a hand mped around his wrist. Before he could react, Hannah twisted his arm. Crack! Den screamed in pain, and fell back, effectively letting go of Eliana. Hannah kicked him aside and stared down at Eliana, who was crouched on the floor and taking inrge gulps of breath. ¡°Call the police!¡± Someone from the crowd cried out. ¡°Call the police, right now!¡± Chapter 966 The engagement party turned into aplete disaster. Attempts to call the police were made, but in the end, no one actually called them. A scandal erupted at the engagement party. Though reporters weren¡¯t invited today, such news would surely spread all over Valmere within a day. They really hyped it up. Almost everyone from the Phillips, Edwards, and Shaw families, along with the parents of Eliana, gathered at the hotel. Hannah and Bryson stayed close to Lydia, who had now changed into her regr clothes. In the grand hall of the engagement party, the persons present were all well-known people in Valmere. The chaotic tables were a testament to how wild today¡¯s engagement party had be. ¡®s BunnyBookery Sadie eximed, ¡°Den, I¡¯ve always said she wasn¡¯t right for you but you didn¡¯t trust me. Now she¡¯s pregnant with another man¡¯s child, bringing shame to our Edwards family!¡± Eliana¡¯s parents defended her. ¡°If Den had married Eliana, would this have even happened?¡± ¡°He assured us they¡¯d get engaged, but Eliana has been dyed for a long time! Is it wrong for her to want a marriage?¡± Arion was furious and irrational. Heshed out at Den. ¡°Even if my daughter made a mistake, he nearly killed her by ident. I will definitely get even with your Edwards family!¡± Leah was cunning. When Den¡¯s father heard about the scandal, he felt too embarrassed toe. But Leah came rushing in, confronting Arion! ¡°Do you think your daughter is innocent?! She¡¯d been seducing my son since she returned from abroad. Don¡¯t you remember how he got divorced? I used to think Eliana genuinely liked my son, butter I realized it was all for the Edwards family¡¯s money! Bah! She¡¯s nothing but a bitch who would sleep with anyone at any time! Why act so pure here? She¡¯s carrying a bastard child. Why are you all acting so innocent?¡± The situation spiraled into greater chaos, and the Patel family stood their ground as well! ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stop your son from cheating on Hannah and divorcing her?! You agreed to let him marry my daughter after the divorce. But what¡¯s happening now? Half a year has gone by! Did he marry her? He¡¯s always been a yboy. Please, spare me the pretense! Are the Edwards really that great? Don¡¯t fool yourselves here!¡± On the sidelines, Bryson, with his striking eyes, turned to Hannah and asked, ¡°As the one directly involved, what do you make of all thismotion?¡± Hannah casually leaned to the side, observing the arguing crowd. ¡°Not bad. They could argue even more heatedly.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. ¡± Sadie red at Eliana, filled with rage. ¡°I warned you about her unreliability! But you still haven¡¯t called it quits with her, Den! Now look at the mess we¡¯re in. How should we handle this?!¡± Den, clearly irritated, yelled at Sadie, ¡°Shut up!¡± Chapter 967 Startled by Den¡¯s outburst, Sadie quickly retreated behind Leah. Allison arrivedter than the others. She looked upset. She hadn¡¯t anticipated dealing with such a scandal for Den! Noticing Allison, Hannah frowned. She had chosen not to bother the elderlydy and had already instructed someone to keep the news from Allison. Hannah¡¯s expression darkened, suspecting someone from the Edwards family had sought Allison¡¯s help. But right now, she couldn¡¯t stop Allison¡¯s actions, so she had to watch, fists clenched at her side.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. ¡°Grandma!¡± Upon seeing Allison, a hint of panic swept over Den¡¯s angry face, prompting him to lower his voice. Allison remained silent but her expression was icy. She approached Den and delivered a sharp p across his face! The sound of the p echoed, leaving everyone around in shock! Yet, Allison didn¡¯t stop there. She lifted her cane and gave Den a solid whack! But not a word escaped her Lips! Leah attempted to intervene, but Allison¡¯s butler blocked her. ¡°Allison has made it clear that no one should interfere while she disciplines her grandson!¡± The butler spoke with a firm tone. Leah, unable to pass him, burst into tears. ¡°Allison! You must stop hitting him! It¡¯s not entirely his fault, and he was the one cheated on! How can you hurt him Like this? Please, stop punishing him!¡± The louder Leah cried, the harder Allison struck Den with her cane. Den tried to endure the pain silently, but after the third hit, he couldn¡¯t help but scream and fell to his knees. ¡°Grandma, stop! Please!¡± Den pleaded for mercy with all his might, without caring about his status as the CEO of the Edwards Group! Grasping her cane, Allison continued to strike Den with a cold expression, showing no signs of stopping. The sound of the cane hitting his body, coupled with Den¡¯s cries, broughtplete silence to the hall. Despite their years in the business world, they had never witnessed Allison so furious that they couldn¡¯t bear to look and turn away their heads. Allison¡¯s strikes grew more forceful until Den was left groaning, unable to utter another sound. Witnessing this, Leah ceased her crying. She covered her mouth, sobbing silently, not daring to plead for mercy again. Chapter 968 Sadie, in shock, had never seen her grandmother so enraged. She stood frozen, her mouth slightly open, trembling from head to toe. If the punishment continued, Den would be severely hurt, if not worse! Hannah, while not sympathetic towards Den, feared that Allison¡¯s anger might affect her health. ¡°Allison! Please stop!¡± she intervened. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah approached, gently grasping Allison¡¯s hand and cing a hand on her shoulder, speaking softly. ¡°Calm down. Don¡¯t let this anger make you sick. ¡± When she heard Hannah¡¯s voice, Allison snapped out of her rage and regained herposure. With a trembling hand, she set down her cane and reached out to hold Hannah¡¯s hands. ¡°Allison, let me assist you to a seat. ¡± Hannah assisted Allison in finding a seat. Allison took a deep breath and looked at Den, who was struggling to get up. ¡°I¡¯ve given my grandson a good lesson. If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to ask!¡± The people from the Phillips and Shaw families stood to the side, their voices silenced. The Shaw family refrained from speaking because they empathized with the Edwards family. While the Phillips family was furious at Eliana, they were at a loss for words when they witnessed Allison disciplining her grandson in such a manner. After a moment, Allison spoke. ¡°If no one else will speak, I will. Den is a womanizer. He brought this upon himself with Eliana¡¯s infidelity. Whatever scandal breaks tomorrow, our Edwards family will face it. ¡± Leah¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. If this became public, her son¡¯s reputation would be destroyed. ¡°Allison! Don¡¯t you care about Den?This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. He¡¯s your grandson!¡± ¡°I know you like Hannah, but you can¡¯t just disregard your own grandson for the sake of that outsider!¡± Hearing her mother¡¯s words, Sadie finally stepped forward. ¡°That¡¯s right, Grandma!¡± she asserted, no longer afraid. ¡°If our family allows this scandal to leak out, how do you expect us to keep our foothold in Valmere?¡± ¡°You two still dare to spout such nonsense?!¡± Allison exploded in rage. Chapter 969 ¡°It was Den who had an affair! He was the one who tarnished the Edwards family name in the first ce! And what did you say when your dearest son cheated on Hannah, huh? Did you feel an ounce of shame then? I warned you! I told you to discipline your son before it¡¯s toote! Now, he finally got a taste of his own medicine. This is his karma, and yours, as the mother who tolerated his deplorable behavior!¡± Allison was so furious that her chest heaved as she spoke. She pointed a trembling finger at Leah and added, ¡°Didn¡¯t you just stand aside and let Den bully Hannah? And all because shecked the support of her family!¡± Leah fidgeted with her hands. She had been counting on Allison to subdue this matter using her social influence, but things were not going as she had nned. ¡°Allison, please!¡± Allison gestured at the butler to pull Den up to her feet. ¡°Take him home. The Edwards family will not get involved in this issue. ¡± With a nk face, the butler hauled Den from the floor and addressed Leah. ¡°Mrs. Edwards, please head back now. ¡± Knowing that there was nothing she could do to change the olddy¡¯s mind, Leah gritted her teeth and took her son and daughter. Together, they scrambled out of the vi grounds. Hannah moved beside Allison and assisted her. ¡°Allison. ¡± The olddy patted her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I didn¡¯t do it for you, but for whatever dignity is left in the Edwards family. Don¡¯t me yourself for this, either. We can appoint another sessor to take Den¡¯s ce. ¡± Hannah understood what she meant.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. The Edwards family had two other grandsons, both five years younger than Den. They had been studying abroad all this time, but they should be prime and ready soon. Perhaps the most interesting part was that Allison had two options to choose from. As things stood, she seemed to havepletely given up on Den. ¡°I see,¡± Hannah said. ¡°Take care, Allison. ¡± After that small debacle, the Edwards family washed their hands of the sordid affair. Now, the scandaly on the feet of the Phillips family, the Patel family, and the Shaw family. Adolf spoke first. ¡°My family and I didn¡¯t want this to happen, either. But we are all reputable people, after all. I¡¯m sure you will all agree when I say that we shouldn¡¯t make this into a big deal, right? Since it is Alick¡¯s fault, we will pay the Patel family 10 million aspensation. Let us settle this matter, once and for all. ¡± Eliana¡¯s parents exchanged a look. This would be the easiest 10 million they ever made. They were about to voice out their agreement when Eliana suddenly spoke. ¡°I refuse!¡± Bruises had formed around her neck. After crying her eyes raw, she had made up her mind to milk as much money as she could from the Shaw family. Chapter 970 ¡°That¡¯s not what Alick promised me! He said he would give me half of his shares and let me keep his baby!¡± Adolf¡¯s face immediately darkened. He turned around and pped his son across the face. He used so much force that Alick felt lightheaded. He touched his throbbing cheek and didn¡¯t dare to utter a word. Adolf looked at Eliana again, his expression cold and menacing. ¡°20 million dors, no more. Get an abortion. This will be thest that our family speaks of this matter!¡± At this point, however, even Eliana¡¯s parents weren¡¯t satisfied with the offer. They would certainly gain more in the future if they took possession of Alick¡¯s shares. They couldn¡¯t pass up on this rare opportunity. ¡°No way! You can¡¯t let your son renege on his word!¡± Arion barked with much bravado. ¡°If you expect us to clean up after your family¡¯s scandals, then the least you can do is be generous with your payment! 20 million is far too little!¡± ¡°Eliana is pregnant with your grandchild!¡± La joined in, reaching out to touch Eliana¡¯s belly. ¡°You can¡¯t just forsake your own flesh and blood!¡± Lydia stood aside and watched the drama unfold with a sneer on her face.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Henry urged Adolf. ¡°Just give them the shares. As long as none of this gets out to the public, the engagement can carry on in peace. No one in Valmere would dare to speak of this day. ¡± The bastard was still thinking of forcing his sister into marrying Alick. In truth, the Shaw Group was on the verge of copse. Even if they were to hand over some shares to Eliana, it wouldn¡¯t be too much of a loss, as long as their union with the Phillips family was sessfully established. ¡°Fine!¡± Adolf said through gritted teeth. ¡°Half of the shares, then. As soon as you take the money, you must abort that child in your belly!¡± Eliana almost rolled her eyes at that, but somehow managed to appear agreeable. ¡°Okay, it¡¯s a deal! I want you to process the transfer right now!¡± Adolf sent Alick out and ordered him to take care of the documents to settle the agreement with the Patel family. When all the outsiders were finally gone, Adolf turned to Lydia and said, ¡°My son is still young, these mistakes are quitemon. But he won¡¯t repeat them again, and it must not affect the marriage between our families. You are a good girl, Lydia. You understand the importance of such unions, don¡¯t you? You wouldn¡¯t want your family to lose face, right?¡± Chapter 971 Carrie walked up to Lydia and took her arm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she coaxed the younger woman. ¡°If Alick dares to do this kind of thing after your marriage, I will beat him up myself! Rest assured, he will listen to you when ites to family affairs, every single one of them. Adolf and I will always be on your side. ¡± The couple plied Lydia with promises in an attempt to persuade her. Lydia let them ramble for a while before pushing Carrie¡¯s hand away. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said with a faint smile, ¡°but I¡¯m not a trash bin. I don¡¯t ept pieces of garbage. ¡± Right on cue, Brayden entered with a stack of documents in his hand. ¡°Besides,¡± he drawled, ¡°the purpose of this so-called marriage alliance isn¡¯t entirely pure, is it? You¡¯re not doing this out of the goodness of your heart. You need just as much help as Lydia¡¯s family does. ¡± ¡°Brayden Davies!¡± Adolf¡¯s face darkened. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Jaylin became agitated. He was afraid that Lydia would bolt out of there with Brayden. ¡°This is private business between our families. You are in no position to meddle!¡± ¡°Ah, believe me, I don¡¯t want to meddle, either. But it has to do with Lydia, so I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t just leave it alone. ¡± He walked over and ced the folders in Jaylin¡¯s hands. ¡°These are the records of the losses incurred by the Shaw Group¡¯s overseas investments. If these fail to convince you, just let me know. I have more dossiers in my office. Be sure to read through them carefully. ¡± ¡°What? What the hell are you talking about?¡± Jaylin was pale with shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. He frantically opened the first folder and tried to skim through the report. ¡°Dad?¡± Henry leaned forward to peer at the documents, too. ¡°Is it true?¡± A couple of feet away, Adolf¡¯s face also turned white as sheet. ¡°Now, listen here, Mr.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Davies. I know that you have feelings for Lydia, but you can¡¯t just make up stories as you Like!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure you are more than capable of verifying whether I made it up or not. With the Phillips family¡¯s connections, it shouldn¡¯t be difficult to confirm those reports, right?¡± Jaylin¡¯s hands trembled as he stared at the amount of money indicated on the document. He looked up at Adolf in disbelief. ¡°So, you were nning to use our family¡¯s money to plug the losses that Shaw Group is suffering?¡± Chapter 972 ¡°Jaylin! I swear, it¡¯s all a misunderstanding. I did make a bad investment recently, but it has nothing to do with our agreement! In fact, I already have the means to get back the money I lost!¡± Adolf rushed to make excuses. Once again, Brayden took it as his cue and produced a certificate of foreign debts. ¡°The debtor indicated on this document is you, right?¡± he asked, waving the document in front of Adolf. ¡°Your due date is just around the corner. Are you nning to liquidate all of yourpany¡¯s assets to pay these debts?¡± Jaylin took two steps back and away from Adolf, feeling somewhat relieved that he hadn¡¯t fallen into Adolf¡¯s trap. ¡°You¡­ You set me up! You bastard!¡± Since the truth had already been exposed, Adolf saw no reason in keeping up the act. He narrowed his eyes at Jaylin and sneered, ¡°You dare to say that to my face when you¡¯ve been doing the same thing to our Shaw family?! Weren¡¯t you marrying off your daughter to gain our support and stabilize yourpany¡¯s position in Valmere? Ha! You sure have the nerve!¡± ¡°I¡­ You¡­¡± His face red with rage, Jaylin pointed a finger at Adolf and let loose. ¡°Consider yourself lucky! If our reputations weren¡¯t at stake, I would beat you up right here, right now! You think I don¡¯t know what you were nning? You want to take over the Phillips Group once our children are married, right? You snake! I can¡¯t believe I once considered you a friend! From now on, the Phillips family is breaking off all ties with the Shaw family! You and I have nothing to do with each other after today! Do you understand?!¡± Adolf nodded in earnest, feeling both m ortified and outraged. ¡°Oh, I understand perfectly! But you should also remember that the Shaw family is still stronger than you! Don¡¯t even think abouting to us for help in the future!¡± Adolf stormed out of the room with Carrie, leaving only the Phillips family, Hannah, Bryson, and Brayden. Since most of the people left were their rtives, anyway, Melissa thought nothing more of her image and wailed, ¡°Lydia! How could you keep this from us? What did we ever do to you? If you knew it from the start, then you should have warned us beforehand! Do you realize how humiliating this is for the family?¡± Through it all, Lydia remained unusually calm. ¡°Would you have even believed me if I told you? You only think about your self-interests. Why should I expect you to care when you didn¡¯t even bat an eye and agreed to sell off your own daughter without a second¡¯s hesitation?¡± Jaylin tossed the documents on the table and turned to re at Lydia, his hands clenched into fists. ¡°So, you deliberately nned all of this to embarrass us? I can¡¯t believe this! We made a mistake in raising you up. We shouldn¡¯t have given birth to you! If I had known you would do this to your own parents, I would have strangled you in the hospital as soon as your mother brought you out into the world!¡± Henry didn¡¯t miss his chance to add fuel to the fire.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Yes, yes, exactly! Our parents worked really hard to raise us! Do you think it was easy for them to manage our family business and make it flourish? You had to do one thing to secure ourpany¡¯s future, and you can¡¯t even do it? Why, huh? Will it kill you to think about your family for once? You ungrateful brat!¡± Lydia burst intoughter. ¡°Did you really just reprimand me, Henry? How can you have the guts to do that after you gambled all your shares away? Here you are, pretending like nothing happened and pinning all the me on me. ¡± Chapter 973 Henry was just bracing himself to deliver the final blow, but Lydia¡¯s words stopped him short. He froze, and his body grew cold. Jaylin, on the other hand, frowned in obvious confusion. But when he turned to and saw the look of terror on his son¡¯s face, he instantly understood. ¡°Henry! Is what she said true?! Did you gamble away your shares of the Phillips Group? Answer me!¡± Jaylin was so furious that his body was shaking. ¡°Clear this up right now! What the hell was going on? She can¡¯t be telling the truth, right?!¡± Henry was so frightened of his father¡¯s wrath that he could barely utter a single sound. ¡°Why would you say that to our son?¡± Melissa interjected, rushing to Henry¡¯s side. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly believe her! That brat is obviously trying to drive a wedge between you and our son!¡± Hannah chose that moment to speak. ¡°Lydia is telling the truth, Mrs. Phillips. Your dear son lost 6 billion at a gambling house. ¡± ¡°hat?! 6 billion?!¡± ¡°How do you even know this?!¡± Melissa¡¯s scream and Henry¡¯s roar ovepped with each other. A pregnant silence followed. The air inside the banquet hall grew heavy with tension. Without warning, Jaylin swung his fist and punched Henry in the face. ¡°6 billion?! What the hell did you bet on?! Tell me!¡± Melissa stepped aside, her expression nk, her eyes ssy. She seemed to have detached from reality entirely. ¡°By the way,¡± Lydia drawled. ¡°Not only has he lost his shares of thepany, but yours as well. He tricked you into signing the transfer agreement under the pretext of investing in a new project. ¡± As soon as she finished speaking, Brayden yet produced the document in question. ¡°Here is the transfer agreement, Mr. Phillips.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Please check it at your leisure. ¡± Jaylin¡¯s hands were trembling as he took the document. The moment he read the words, he felt as though he had been struck by lightning. His grip loosened, and the document fluttered to the floor. ¡°You¡­ You unfilial¡­¡± Jaylin didn¡¯t finish his words. In the next second, he clutched his chest and fell backward. Chapter 974 Thump ! He had fainted. ¡°Jaylin!¡± Melissa hurried to his side, sobbing hysterically. ¡°Someone, call an ambnce! Call an ambnce right now!¡± Brayden obliged, though he didn¡¯t feel any urgency to do so. Jaylin¡¯s fall seemed to snap Henry back to his senses, but he didn¡¯t care about his father at all. Instead, he lunged in Lydia¡¯s direction. Unfortunately for him, Brayden was faster. Brayden blocked him before he could even get close. ¡°Lydia! You bitch! You set me up, didn¡¯t you?! My gambling away the shares was all part of your n!¡± Henry iled against Brayden and tried to get past him. ¡°Lydia, I am your brother! How dare you set me up and make me lose so much money in the casino?! How would my loss even benefit you, you bitch?! Answer me!¡± ¡°Well, for one thing, I won¡¯t have to be controlled by you or Dad anymore. For another, I¡¯ll get to decide on my own marriage. More importantly, though¡­¡± Lydia plucked another document from Brayden¡¯s hand and held it up to Henry¡¯s face. ¡°The Phillips Group was teetering on the edge. It¡¯s thanks to me and the contract I signed that it¡¯s still standing as we speak. I think I¡¯m justified in saying that I am more suitable to lead thepany than either of you. ¡±T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Henry skimmed through the document, his eyes widening at every word. ¡°How can this be?! How did you get your hands on these shares? That¡¯s impossible!¡± Lydia smirked at them. ¡°Never mind that. The point is that if you kept possession of the Phillips Group¡¯s shares, you¡¯re bound to Lose them sooner thanter. I currently hold 42% of thepany¡¯s total shares, which makes me the biggest shareholder. ¡± Henry turned manic. He grabbed his own hair and began to mutter under his breath. ¡°No, no, no, no! It can¡¯t be! You bitch! You are lying! How could you have the shares! You lied to me! I will kill you for that! You¡¯re dead!¡± He tried to hit Lydia again, but Brayden restrained him with little effort. ¡°One of them fainted, and the other one has gone crazy. What should we do with these people?¡± After enduring so much, Lydia¡¯s hesitation had faded. ¡°Didn¡¯t you call an ambnce? One needs to go to the hospital, and the other¡­ should be sent to a psychiatric facility. ¡± Once everything was settled, she observed the ambnce driving away. Standing beside Lydia, Hannah remarked, ¡°I thought you would have mentioned that Henry was with Estre. ¡± Chapter 975 Lydia seemed less effective than usual. She watched the ambnce disappear, feeling a sense of sorrow. ¡°Let it go. He¡¯s unwell. I needn¡¯t cause him more pain. ¡± Lydia recalled her mother¡¯s tearful face and, lowering her gaze, admitted, ¡°I feel like I¡¯m being unfilial by doing this. ¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Hannahforted her, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself for defending yourself. When they were about to sell you, their conscience didn¡¯t hold them back. ¡± Brayden ced a coat on Lydia¡¯s shoulder. She nced up at him. ¡°Mom wants us to visit this weekend. She¡¯s eager to meet her future daughter-inw. ¡± Brayden held her hand. Lydia¡¯s eyes had a touch of redness around the edges, yet she yfully said, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not ready yet¡­¡± With a reassuring smile, Hannah encouraged her. ¡°Have Brayden take you back as soon as you can. We¡¯ve all been busy the entire day. Even if you¡¯re not exhausted, we certainly are. ¡± ¡°But how will you get home?¡± Lydia asked, concerned for her friend. As Hannah was about to speak, Bryson suddenly appeared by her side, dering, ¡°I¡¯ll give her a ride home. ¡± Lydia gave a curious nce at Hannah and Bryson and said, ¡°Alright, take care on your journey. We¡¯re leaving now. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah replied, waving. ¡°You be careful too. ¡± After bidding them farewell, Hannah¡¯s cheerful expression faded, and she turned to leave. Bryson hurried a few steps closer to catch up with her, saying, ¡°What? You won¡¯t even let me offer you a ride back now?¡± Hannah stopped, turning to face Bryson in the dim light. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, how many times must I say it? I don¡¯t think we¡¯re a good match. ¡± Bryson locked eyes with Hannah, his dark gaze intense, but he fought to hold back his desire.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. He didn¡¯t want to pressure her, so he said, ¡°I understand. As your friend, I can¡¯t give you a ride, can I? And on top of that, we both reside in the same hotel. ¡± Hannah was so caught up in the moment she forgot they were neighbors. She remained quiet. Bryson took her silence as agreement. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go. My car¡¯s this way. ¡± The two of them headed back to the hotel. The initial awkwardness hung in the air was soon shattered as they stepped into the lobby. Chapter 976 ¡°Hannah!¡± Subconsciously, Hannah looked up to see Keith and Trent¡¯s grinning faces. The two men were lounging on a sofa in the lobby. They stood up as soon as they saw Hannah and Bryson. Hannah blinked in surprise. She knew he wasing for a project, but his arrival was sooner than expected. ¡°The receptionist mentioned you had some matters to attend to, so we decided to wait for you here. ¡± Keith approached with a grin, yfully mimicking holding Hannah¡¯s hand. Bryson moved protectively in front of Hannah, eyeing Keith with a cold stare. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Keith met Bryson¡¯s gaze, smiled calmly, and said, ¡°I¡¯m not here for you. ¡± He tilted his head and caught sight of Hannah, who was blocked by Bryson in front of her. ¡°I have booked a room on the top floor. Could youe to our room for a chat tonight?¡± His words were unclear, and Hannah found it silly when she heard what he said. She frowned and turned Keith down. ¡°No, thanks. We can discuss work tomorrow. ¡± Trent gently tugged at his brother¡¯s clothes, whispering, ¡°Don¡¯t frighten her. ¡± Upon hearing that, Keith adjusted his clothes and offered a smile to Hannah. ¡°We¡¯ll wait until tomorrow then. ¡± He then straightened up and directed his gaze at the stern-faced Bryson in front of him, saying, ¡°You¡¯re not her boyfriend. Just focus on your own business. ¡± Instinctively, Hannah worried that Bryson mightsh out at Keith. She gripped his arm gently and suggested, ¡°You can go now.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Bryson nced at Hannah holding his arm, showing no sign of aggression. As they watched the pair leave, Hannah let out a sigh of relief. That¡¯s when Brysonmented. ¡°These guys seem mentally abnormal. Better keep your distance from them. ¡± Chapter 977 Hannah shared the sentiment, yet¡­ Hannah found it odd hearing this from Bryson. ¡°Why are you staring at me like that?¡± Noticing Hannah¡¯s look, Bryson responded with a yful nce. Hannah immediately took her eyes off him and cast her eyes downward to her shoes. ¡°I just find it quite strange for someone abnormal like you tobel others as abnormal. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m heading out soon. ¡± ¡°Where are we going?¡± Hannah asked without thinking.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°Newfort. ¡± Hannah felt her heart race! Ro had gone overseas alone. Could it be that Bryson knew Ro was onto something? She pressed her lips together for a moment and then ventured cautiously, ¡°Is there a problem with your business abroad?¡± To her surprise, Bryson confirmed with a nod. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s an issue. ¡± He then turned to her, questioning, ¡°Why are you so concerned about me?¡± ¡°Concerned about you? I¡¯m just¡­ just¡­¡± Struggling to find a suitable reason, Hannah eventually stopped trying to argue. ¡°Grace just got back to Valmere and hasn¡¯t seen you, and you¡¯re leaving now?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s discuss that when Ie back. ¡± When Grace was mentioned, Bryson¡¯s expression grew somewhat frosty. ¡°Please don¡¯t inform her that I¡¯ll be going abroad for a while. ¡± Hannah could tell there was something off in Bryson¡¯s tone. Yet she couldn¡¯t ask further. In a soft voice, she acknowledged, ¡°Understood. ¡± Once back in her hotel room, Hannah closed the door and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes to rest for a moment. The day had been overwhelming, almost too much to handle. Chapter 978 As she reopened her eyes, Hannah took out her phone and dialed Ro¡¯s number, only to find it was still switched off! Gripping her phone firmly, Hannah hurried over to theptop. She swiftly powered it up and quickly essed the Dark Web. ¡°Assist me in locating someone in Newfort named Ro Haywood. I¡¯ve forwarded you his phone number. If he switches on his phone, aid me in tracking his whereabouts at any moment! Thank you!¡± ¡°No problem, Boss! I¡¯m on it,¡± came the prompt reply. After this message, another one arrived from the same person. ¡°Boss, have you run into trouble recently? Dn and Dotson are aware of your encounter, but they didn¡¯t listen to my advice and insisted on booking air tickets toe and assist you. What should we do?¡± Hannah paused her typing, then responded, ¡°I¡¯ll be heading to Newfort soon. Tell them to stay put for now. ¡± ¡°If you need anything, feel free to reach out to us. We¡¯ve got plenty of people from our organization in Newport who can lend a hand. You don¡¯t need toe over yourself. The underground scene is chaos around here. ¡± Hannah responded with a calm demeanor, ¡°It¡¯s something special and it wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for you to help me with it. I¡¯ll take care of it myself. ¡± ¡°ALL right. We¡¯ll wait for you here in Newfort. Dn and Dotson said they woulde get you at the airport. ¡± ¡°Alright. I haven¡¯t decided on the time yet. I¡¯ll inform you once everything¡¯s sorted out. ¡± On the morning of the second day, before Hannah was up, a knock came at the door. ¡°Who is it?¡± Hannah, slightly irritated, got out of bed, rubbed her eyes, and went to open the door. The sight of the person with a ck suitcase surprised Hannah back to her senses. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Are you heading out already?¡± Bryson nodded. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m in a hurry. I¡¯ve booked a flight for today. ¡± Hannah refrained from questioning further but casually remarked, ¡°Alright, have a safe trip. ¡± Upon hearing this, Bryson arched an eyebrow and remarked, ¡°Just one sentence?¡± Hannah pursed her lips, looked at him, and replied, ¡°What else do you expect me to say?¡± Out of the blue, Bryson lifted his hand and ruffled her hair. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Hannah¡¯s hair was now in disarray, and Bryson pulled back his hand with satisfaction and said with a smile, ¡°I won¡¯t be able to see you for quite some time. Naturally, I had to give you a friendly touch.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. ¡± ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± Chapter 979 And just like that, Hannah was left staring after him. She couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Take care on your way to Newfort. ¡± Bryson paused but didn¡¯t look back. He nodded and boarded the elevator to leave. As Hannah was about to close the door, her phone rang. It was Lydia calling. ¡°Hello? Lydia, is everything okay?¡± ¡°Something happened¡­ Hannah,e to Phillips Group immediately!¡± Hannah noticed a strange tone in Lydia¡¯s voice, so she assured her friend, ¡°Hold on a second. I¡¯ll be there soon!¡±Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Half an hourter¡­ Lydia, having acquired her father¡¯s and brother¡¯s shares, became thergest shareholder of Phillips Group. She hosted a shareholders¡¯ meeting but encountered resistance when several shareholders raised objections and declined to acknowledge her as the president. ¡°Yesterday¡¯s news about Miss Phillips¡¯s engagement is all over the ce today. The Phillips family was in turmoil yesterday. Miss Phillips, your role as chairman might tarnish the Phillips Group¡¯s image. ¡± Lydia wore a professional air, her smile giving her the appearance of a seasoned office worker. ¡°Well then, who do you believe is the right president? Here¡¯s the share transfer agreement from my father and brother, who own 42% of the shares. Even if you disagree, I have the deciding vote. The Phillips Group is the culmination of our Phillips family¡¯s hard work. I understand that my leadership might not benefit all of you. You¡¯re opposing me as president because it interferes with your gains. ¡± Lydia raised her hand towards the secretary behind her and quipped, ¡°I¡¯m no newbie here. No need for any funny business. ¡± The secretary handed Lydia a pile of documents, and thetter distributed the documents individually to the shareholders. That was the information Hannah had found. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I might not dwell on the past, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m clueless about it. Why don¡¯t you people take a look at it yourselves? Anything in there about you?¡± The documents had been handed out to every director. Lydia, seated prominently, casually rested her chin on her hand and urged, ¡°What are you waiting for? Go ahead and read them. ¡± The directors exchanged nces, but none mustered the courage to open the documents before them. ¡°Since nobody is willing to read them, let me ask again. Does anyone still object to me being president?¡± A hush fell over the meeting room, and everyone silently agreed with this course of action. Lydia nodded and said, ¡°Great. The Phillips Group will undergo a makeover in the future. I¡¯ll also guide everyone in taking on more projects and ensure the prosperity of the Phillips Group. ¡± ¡°You can¡¯t go in! There¡¯s a meeting in progress!¡± Chapter 980 Amidst the meeting, amotion erupted outside, seemingly security guards blocking someone¡¯s entry. Despite the security guards¡¯ efforts, they couldn¡¯t stop him. The man charged in wildly! When Lydia saw it was Henry, she stood up quickly and stepped back cautiously. Uponying eyes on Lydia, Henry lost all control. He pulled out a folding knife and lunged towards her. ¡°AnLI¡± The meeting room echoed with cries, and people scattered in different directions! Two bodyguards and several security guards hurried in, attempting to restrain Henry. But Henry, in his frenzy, was surprisingly strong. He pushed away the man next to him and aimed the knife at Lydia. Shouts echoed from outside. ¡°Someone call the police! Call the police now!¡± Lydia clutched Henry¡¯s hand with all her might! The knife¡¯s tip in his grasp hovered just a few centimeters from Lydia¡¯s neck! At that moment, the bodyguards and security personnel lunged at Henry and wrested the knife from his grip! Realizing he couldn¡¯t harm her, Henry yelled in a fit of rage, ¡°You bitch! Every one of you! You are all bastards! Go to hell!! Damn you all to hell!¡± Following those words, he pulled out another knife and aimed it at Lydia¡¯s face. Swiftly, a bodyguard intercepted, blocking the attack with his arm. At that critical moment, a figure dressed in white burst in and kicked Henry away. Henry tumbled to the floor, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes aze with fury. Lydia looked up to see the man¡¯s concerned expression and asked in surprise, ¡°Why are you here?¡± Brayden gently shook his head and softly stroked her head, offeringfort. ¡°Remember what I told you? Always seek safety when danger is near. If I hadn¡¯t been following your mother, today could have been much worse for you!¡± ¡°My mother?¡± Brayden gestured towards the door. A security guard was holding back Melissa before stepping aside. ¡°She brought your brother here from the psychiatric hospital. ¡± Lydia stared at her mother in shock. ¡°Mom! What were you thinking?¡± Melissa yelled back, her voice filled with hysteria, ¡°Do you still consider me your mother? How could you send your brother to a psychiatric hospital? Do you still possess a sense of right and wrong?¡± Lydia looked at Melissa with a cold expression and shook her head. ¡°Mom, this is too much. Aren¡¯t I your daughter, too? How could you let him try to kill me?¡± Melissa¡¯s anger intensified. She pointed at Lydia and screamed, ¡°You should be the one to suffer! Would any of this have happened to my son if not for you? Huh?¡± She shoved the security guard beside her aside and hurried to embrace her son. ¡°No oneys a finger on my boy! No one can hurt my son!¡±T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. In his frenzy, Henry viciously bit Melissa¡¯s neck, causing blood to burst out. Lydia¡¯s eyes widened in horror. ¡°Mom!¡± Chapter 981 ¡°Mom!¡± ¡°Mrs. Phillips!¡± With a swift move, Brayden knocked Henry unconscious. As Lydia gazed at her mother lying in aa on the floor, fear washed over her and her legs became weak. ¡°Mom¡­ Mom¡­¡± ¡°We need to get her to a hospital immediately. Let the security handle this. I¡¯ll take care of everything else. ¡± As Hannah entered the Phillips Group building, she saw a stretcher speeding by and chaos in the office area. Hannah furrowed her brow as she tugged at the man beside her and inquired, ¡°What went on in there?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. It sounds like someone upstairs is in critical condition!¡± Hannah¡¯s nerves kicked in, and without further inquiry, she swiftly turned around, got into the elevator, and rushed to the floor where Lydia was. ¡°Lydia!¡± Entering the room, Hannah saw several security guards lying on the floor and traces of Melissa¡¯s blood still visible. Melissa had just been carried out. Henry, still out cold, remained sprawled on the floor. Spotting this, Hannah and Brayden rushed to assist the visibly distressed Lydia.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Lydia¡¯splexion had turned ghostly, and her body quivered slightly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ But I never thought my mother would pull something like that¡­ And I never saw any troubleing her way¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s been neglecting her duty as a mother for years. Now that such a thing happened, you shouldn¡¯t carry the weight of me on your shoulders. It¡¯s not on you at all. ¡± Hannah nced at Brayden and instructed, ¡°I need you to deal with Phillips Group¡¯s crisis PR. ¡± ¡°I understand. You go to the hospital. I¡¯ll handle things here. ¡± Without considering anything else, Lydia nodded and walked out with Hannah. As he saw her go, Brayden¡¯s heart swelled with a jumble of intricate feelings that eventually found release in a deep sigh. Melissa was now hospitalized. Upon waking in the hospital, Melissa¡¯s mental state deteriorated into madness. In the beginning, she had arguments with Lydia. However, as time passed, she shed a significant amount of weight due to her severe injuries and deteriorating mental state. Chapter 982 Overwhelmed by the hospital room¡¯s surroundings, Melissa broke down crying. ¡°Where is my son? Where is he?¡± Lydia, witnessing her mother¡¯s tears, felt a pang of sorrow. Despite their strained rtionship, she hadn¡¯t wished for this oue. After tending to Melissa and freshening her up, Lydia came out of the hospital room, wearing an exhausted expression, and bumped into Hannah, who was dropping off some food. ¡°How is everything? Is your mother still in a bad condition?¡± Lydia sat down on a bench in the corridor, weariness evident in her posture. ¡°Yes, she¡¯s not doing well at all. Her mental state keeps deteriorating. The doctor mentioned I should start getting ready¡­¡± Hannah set the food aside and offered, ¡°You can head back for now. I¡¯ll look after her. Your father is here in the hospital, too. You can¡¯t do it all on your own. You¡¯ve got such a heavy heart, and it worries me that something unfortunate mighte your way. ¡± Lydia forced a smile and said, ¡°I never saw things spiraling out like this. If only I had seen iting¡­¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah gently squeezed Lydia¡¯s hand and spoke softly. ¡°This is karma. You shouldn¡¯t shoulder the me for their retribution. Go on ahead. Brayden¡¯s out there waiting for you. I¡¯ve got your mom covered. ¡± Lydia blushed with embarrassment. She hadn¡¯t been getting much sleeptely, and the ck circles under her eyes were evident. ¡°You¡¯ve got your te full of troubles. How could I burden you with mine?¡± Hannah offered a smile.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°You¡¯re too soft-hearted. Let me help. ¡± Lydia blinked in bewilderment upon hearing her friend¡¯s words, struggling toprehend their meaning. Hannah smiled without borating, saying, ¡°Go back and get some early rest tonight. You¡¯ve got a ton ofpany matters to deal with tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll return in two days. ¡± Lydia left reluctantly. Once she was gone, Hannah¡¯s smile faded. With her gaze downcast, she picked up the lunch box and walked into Melissa¡¯s hospital room. By chance, a nurse arrived to change the dressing. She greeted Hannah with a smile and suggested, ¡°Once I¡¯m done with the dressing change, you can talk with her for a bit. It¡¯s good for the patient¡¯s recovery. ¡± Chapter 983 ¡°Okay, I understood. ¡± The nurse nodded and began changing Melissa¡¯s dressing. Throughout the process, Melissa showed no response. Once the nurse departed, Hannah settled onto a nearby sofa and observed Melissa, who seemed lost in thought. She remained silent and made no immediate moves or remarks. Before long, Melissa¡¯s mental state deteriorated further. ¡°Where is my son?! Return my son to me! Give my son back!¡± Hannah watched as Melissa exhausted herself with ten minutes of shouting. ¡°Why have you stopped? I thought a patient like you wouldn¡¯t get tired of yelling. ¡± Hannah¡¯s unexpectedment agitated Melissa. She attempted to leap off the bed in a frenzy. Yet, she was restrained, her hands and feet tied, leaving her no room to move. She could only re furiously at Hannah. ¡°Oh, so you can still show anger?¡± Hannah set aside the food she had brought and slowly approached the bed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Lydia won¡¯t be guilt-tripped into freeing your son because of your act. I know you are feigning madness, but your son truly is unwell. If you prefer to y the Lunatic and stay here indefinitely, I can arrange that. ¡±T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah¡¯s eyes turned icy. She had always been unrelenting when confronting those who aimed to harm her friend. Melissa continued to shoot daggers at Hannah, herints rolling on. ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking. As long as Lydia¡¯s got a heart, you¡¯ll be okay. That¡¯s why I sent her away today. ¡± Hannah smirked at the woman in bed. ¡°Sometimes, being mad is worse than death. At least, it¡¯s more dignified to be dead. ¡± Hearing those words, Melissa¡¯s fear finally kicked in. She shivered and fixed her gaze on Hannah, asking, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind? You want to kill me?¡± Hannah blinked and remarked sarcastically, ¡°You seem perfectly fine. Could it be that you¡¯ve snapped back to your old self suddenly?¡± Melissa dropped the act and dered, ¡°Tell Lydia that if she releases her brother, I won¡¯t hold her responsible!¡± ¡°She should hold you responsible, though. ¡± Perched on a stool beside the bed, Hannah casually picked up an apple from the table and began peeling it. ¡°Seems like you¡¯re a fan of mental hospitals. How about making one your retirement spot?¡± Hannah¡¯s frosty demeanor sent a chill down Melissa¡¯s spine, and she stammered, ¡°How dare you?! I will tell my daughter when shees to see me!¡± Chapter 984 Hannah offered the peeled apple to Melissa. ¡°What did I say? You¡¯re insane now. Will Lydia believe anything you say?¡± Melissa was hysterical. ¡°No! My daughter won¡¯t do this to me! My own daughter would never!¡± Seeing that she refused to eat the apple, Hannah set it aside with a sigh. ¡°Hmm, I guess you don¡¯t like apples. Surely, you haven¡¯t forgotten everything you did to Lydia? Even now, your act of being sick isn¡¯t only meant to win her sympathy, but to manipte her as well. Right?¡± With one swift motion, Hannah stabbed the apple right in the center. ¡°Listen, Mrs. Phillips. Lydia is a lively and kindhearted person. I don¡¯t want her to get involved in any illicit business. ¡± She narrowed her eyes at the older woman and added, ¡°I, on the other hand, am different from her.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. I have no qualms about killing someone should the circumstances demand it. ¡± As one would expect, Melissa was too petrified to talk back. Satisfied that her words were enough to convey her message, Hannah stood up. ¡°If you know what¡¯s best for you, you should work hard for a speedy recovery. If not, then I would have no choice but to send you to a suitable facility to help with your recuperation. ¡± Her meaning fell heavy in the air. She turned on her heel and left Melissa to mull over their conversation. As she exited the ward, Hannah hailed a passing nurse and smiled at her. ¡°Hi, may I know where Jaylin Phillips¡¯ ward is?¡± ¡°Oh, let me see¡­ He is in thest ward. Do you need me to take you there?¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°Thank you, it¡¯s all right. I can go there by myself. ¡± Knock! Knock! Knock! Hannah rapped at the door of the ward before letting herself in. ¡°Hello, Mr. Phillips. I am a friend of Lydia¡¯s. ¡± When Jaylin had first been brought to the hospital, the doctors found out that he had a heart disease. He was promptly admitted for further observation. Jaylin turned toward the door. The moment his eyesnded on Hannah, his expression became sour. ¡°I¡¯m sure you already have everything nned out, what are youing to me for?¡± ¡°As a matter of fact, Mr. Phillips, there are still some things that you do not know, things that Lydia doesn¡¯t want to tell you. So, I thought I should tell you myself. You have the right to know the truth, after all. ¡± Chapter 985 Jaylin frowned and looked her up and down in disdain. ¡°Stop yapping and get on with it! Say what you want and Leave!¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Hannah handed a folder to him and said, ¡°Here, see for yourself. ¡± It was thest bit of evidence she had in her possession. Jaylin grabbed the folder, yanked it open, and read the top document. He had barely finished half of the page when he began to feel dizzy. ¡°Mr. Phillips! Calm down. Don¡¯t let your heart suffer over something like this. I¡¯m not doing this to antagonize you. I just want you to know, once and for all, that Estre is not your daughter. The truth is bound toe out in the future. It¡¯s better that you know while it¡¯s still early. ¡± Hannah¡¯s tone grew soft. ¡°Lydia is so kind. I already told her about it, but she insists on keeping this from you. I personally think she wouldn¡¯t be able to keep it a secret forever, though. Who knows what would happen in the future? That¡¯s why, I figured that if she doesn¡¯t want to tell you, I might as well do it. She doesn¡¯t deserve to suffer for another person¡¯s mistakes. ¡± Jaylin seemed to have aged 10 years in a matter of seconds. He leaned back against his pillows and read through all the papers. When he was done, he put aside the folder and stared at Hannah. He was a smart man. ¡°I know what you want. In order for Lydia to gain a foothold in the city¡¯s business scene, she would need an official statement from me. ¡± Hannah smiled, ¡°Actually, we don¡¯t need anything from you. Sure, it would take longer without your help, but it¡¯s nothing we can¡¯t handle. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s a foolproof n, from start to finish,¡± Jaylin rasped. ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to you, isn¡¯t it? You¡¯re far different from the hopeless pushover from the Moore family. I made a mistake by underestimating you. ¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows at that. ¡°Why, thank you for yourpliment. ¡± ¡°Since you already achieved all your goals, anyway, I might as well issue the statement. But in return, I would like to make a request. ¡± Hannah stopped smiling. She couldn¡¯t help but feel a little uneasy. ¡°What request?¡± Sure enough, Jaylin¡¯s so-called request left her speechless. ¡°Tell Lydia to give me 20% of thepany shares. ¡± Hannah burst outughing. ¡°You¡¯re pushing your luck, Mr. Phillips. ¡± Jaylin gave her a smile of his own. Chapter 986 ¡°Well, this is my condition. If you refuse to meet it, then don¡¯t me me for what happenster. ¡± There was a long moment of silence before Hannah spoke again. ¡°Mr. Phillips, I believe I just told you that Lydia can move forward without a statement from you. It would just be more troublesome for our part, is all. As a businessman, I¡¯m sure you understand the value of eachmodity you put up for trade. What makes you think, given your current situation, that a mere few words from you is worth 20% of the Phillips Group¡¯s shares?¡± It was Jaylin¡¯s turn tough, though his wasced with anger and frustration. ¡°How glib of you, Miss Moore!¡± Hannah stood up. ¡°We are in no rush, Mr. Phillips. Do think it over before you make a decision. ¡± With that, she strode out of the ward. Jaylin¡¯s face fell once he was alone again, his eyes filled with despair. It wasn¡¯t until Hannah was exiting the hospital when she received a call from Lydia. ¡°Is everything okay, Lydia?¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± came Lydia¡¯s excited voice. ¡°What did you say to my father? He just sent me a message. He¡¯s willing to issue an official statement expressing his support for me as the new president!¡± Well, it looked like the old man hade to a decision pretty quickly. Hannah looked back at the hospital building and said on the phone, ¡°Take some rest. Don¡¯t think too much about anything in the next few days. ¡± ¡°ALL right! Let¡¯s go out to dinner some time, it will be my treat! You¡¯lle, right?!¡± Some time, as in, in a few days? Hannah found herself in a dilemma.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! She just might need to buy a ne ticket to Newfort. But she couldn¡¯t exin her departure to Lydia, or, at least, she didn¡¯t want to. Her friend would only get worried. ¡°Well¡­ Let¡¯s talk about thister. ¡± Hannah headed back to the hotel. As soon as she stepped into the lobby, she was intercepted by Keith. She couldn¡¯t help the resigned sigh that escaped her mouth. ¡°Mr. Compton¡­ What can I do for you? Why don¡¯t we go sit in the cafe and have a proper talk?¡± Chapter 987 Keith nodded eagerly. ¡°Trent already ordered some coffee. He¡¯s waiting for us there. ¡± They had, in fact, already nned this out in advance. Hannah had no choice but to follow him to the cafe. They were being awfully familiar with her, and it made her ufortable. Hannah made a point of sitting on the chair across the table from them. ¡°Mr. Compton, are you here for business?¡± ¡°No,¡± Keith answered almost immediately. ¡°We¡¯re here for you.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡± Under the table, Trent nudged him in the leg. ¡°I mean¡­¡± Keith awkwardly cleared his throat and corrected himself. ¡°You¡­ are right. I am here for business, yes. That¡¯s it. ¡± Hannah took a sip of her coffee. She had nothing to say to that. ¡°Miss Moore. ¡± This time, it was Trent who spoke. ¡°Can you tell us about your mother¡¯s past?¡± There was a disgusted frown lining Hannah¡¯s forehead. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but this is my private life. So I owe you two no duty to feed your curiosity,¡± she said. Then she flung them a cold, searching look, her eyebrows raised in suspicion. ¡°And aren¡¯t we just business partners? Don¡¯t you think asking me about my mother is rather intrusive of my personal life?¡± ncing embarrassedly at the floor, Keith nudged Trent and muttered, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you we shouldn¡¯t ask her about this?¡± Trent scratched his head and stared up at Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± he said in a voice heavy with remorse. ¡°We¡¯ve lived abroad for a very long time, and we¡¯re used to asking people about things like this. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes. ¡°I guess there¡¯s nothing else to talk about, so I¡¯ll just leave now. Chapter 988 ¡°We¡¯re still so sorry about earlier,¡± Keith said, rubbing his neck nervously. ¡°Would you mind if I treated you to some good foodter when you¡¯re in a better mood?¡± ¡°¡®Yes, I would mind. Except it¡¯s work-rted, I don¡¯t want to have any meetings with you two,¡± Hannah said dryly and picked up her bag. Then she strode out of the cafe. After Hannah left, Keith ran his hand through his hair and sighed, ¡°Did you expect her to be happy with such a question?¡± Trent shrugged and said, ¡°What else should I have told her that I know who her father is and that I¡¯m her half-brother?¡± ¡°If I said that, she would surely have thought we were both crazy,¡± he added with a mirthless, short Laugh. ¡°We can still fix things. At least, we have some time. ¡± For a while, Keith gazed mindlessly at the distance in thought. Then he said finally, ¡°I think I¡¯ll need to call Dad and exin everything to him. ¡± Trent sighed and said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid we don¡¯t have much time She still hasn¡¯t warmed up to us even after we followed her here. ¡± ¡°At least she¡¯s being genuine. Her feigned politeness isn¡¯t what we want,¡± Keith replied. ¡°You¡¯re right. However, seeing how wary she is of us, it¡¯s not certain when we can take her back,¡± Trent said, frowning. ¡°Let¡¯s call Dad and let him know first,¡± Keith said with a note of finality. Two dayster, Hannah checked out of the hotel and was going to book a flight ticket back to Newfort.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. However, she was dyed. Grace called her on the phone, crying, and all efforts by Hannah to get her to say anything failed. Anxious, Hannah put off her n to travel the next day and went to Halliday University. ¡°Grace!¡± Hannah eximed when she saw Grace. Thetter¡¯s face was red from crying, and the teacher wasforting her. ¡°Hannah! You finally came!¡± Grace said, sobbing. Hannah pulled her into a hug and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± The teacher, who was with Grace, exined the situation to her. Tyshawn had a girlfriend in the same grade as Grace. She didn¡¯t Like Grace, and now that she was Tyshawn¡¯s girlfriend, her hatred for Grace grew. Thedy in question had good grades and was from a rich family. The teachers spoiled her. Many of them turned a blind eye whenever she bullied Grace. However, she had never gone too far with bullying Grace. She had mostly isted Grace from the rest of her ssmates. This time, though, was different. They had been in the canteen when she jumped the queue with her friends, after which she threw Grace¡¯s food into the trash can. Chapter 989 Also, in the P. E. ss, thedy had extended her leg when Grace ran past her, causing thetter to trip and hurt her knee. As the teacher spoke, Hannah¡¯s frown deepened steadily. She checked Grace¡¯s injured knee. Luckily, the injury was only on the skin. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell your brother about this?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to bother him with my problem. Besides, I didn¡¯t know it¡¯d be this bad. It has affected my studies. ¡± Bryson had protected his sister too well, to the point that she didn¡¯t know how to protect herself. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah tenderly patted Grace on the head, her voice filled withpassion as she asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± The teacher interrupted Grace¡¯s stuttering. ¡°Grace had been on sick leave for too long. Everyone in her ss has been bribed by this student.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. I¡¯m not their director, so there¡¯s nothing I can do to help. ¡± ¡°Thank you for your help. One more thing, though. May I know the name of the student bullying Grace?¡± ¡°Her name is Avalynn Bailey. She transferred here from Hoijery University. ¡± It turned out the student was Winona¡¯s sister. ¡°Help me watch Grace. I have to go to the ssroom. ¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Grace said, grabbing Hannah¡¯s sleeve anxiously. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll be back soon. ¡± Hannah said, smiling. She strode towards Grace¡¯s ssroom. The ss hall was wide, and a teacher stood in front, speaking to the students. Hannah stood at the doorway and knocked politely. The teacher paused suddenly and turned to look at Hannah. Everyone else, too, did the same. Soon, excited whispers filled the hall. ¡°She¡¯s so beautiful!¡± ¡°Which ss is she in? I had never seen her before. She¡¯s so beautiful! I really want her to be my girlfriend!¡± However, a few students with keen eyes suddenly recognized Hannah. The whispers died down at once. ¡°She is the beautiful teacher who once taught in our college¡¯s medical faculty! Oh my God!¡± someone said in a hushed voice. Chapter 990 ¡°But she resigned already. Or has shee back here to teach again? I can¡¯t even believe that!¡± Avalynn nced disinterestedly at the woman who was causing all this fuss. She hadn¡¯t seen this woman before, and she really didn¡¯t care about whoever thetter was. The teacher asked, ¡°Hello, who are you?¡± Hannah smiled warmly, ¡°I¡¯m here to see Avalynn Bailey. Where is she?¡± Avalynn sat in the seat at the front, and as soon as Hannah mentioned her name, all the other students turned to look at her. Avalynn stood up in confusion and said, ¡°I¡¯m Avalynn Bailey. ¡± ¡°Is she here to present yourpetition prize, Avalynn?¡± one student whispered. ¡°Is she here to inform you about your prize money?¡± Hannah nodded at Avalynn. ¡°Please, step outside; I want to talk to you about something. ¡± At once, Avalynn joined Hannah outside. But she hesitated on the corridor and asked, ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go the bathroom to talk about it,¡± Hannah replied nkly, still walking. Avalynn could tell that there was something strange about this, so she turned and made to hurry back to her ssroom. Hannah¡¯s low voice made her stop dead in her tracks. ¡°If you dare to run away, I¡¯ll tell your teacher that you bully your ssmate. Or I could even expose you to the whole school.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Wouldn¡¯t it be great if everyone got to know who you really are, Avalynn?¡± Avalynn turned around and stared at Hannah. She was not stupid. ¡°Are you the one that Grace dragged here to back her up?¡± She looked Hannah up and down with a sneer. ¡°I advise you to stay out of this. The Mitchell family doesn¡¯t even care about the matter; what makes you think you have the right to meddle in my business? I¡¯ll have you know that Ie from the Bailey family in Hoijery. Maybe you¡¯re too far down the ss system to have heard of the name, but that doesn¡¯t matter. Trust me when I say that it is in your best interests that you do not provoke me. I¡¯m warning you right now. Whatever you do to me, I will do the same to Grace. I have both the Mitchell family and Bailey family on my side. What about you-¡° Hannah interrupted her before she could finish with her speech. ¡°Are you trying to dismiss me, then? If you don¡¯t want to speak with me, I¡¯ll happily talk to the principal and the other students instead. ¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Avalynn relied heavily on the affection her teachers had for her, and the fact that she had bribed all her ssmates to be on her side. Chapter 991 But she knew well enough not to step over the line. Grace did have a ruthless man for a brother, after all. Thankfully, he was currently overseas, or so she had heard. But he would return home eventually. And if he found out that Avalynn had targeted his sister, he would certainly make her life hell. Avalynn raised her chin in false bravado. ¡°Let¡¯s sit down and talk, shall we? I know you wouldn¡¯t dare to do anything to me even if we¡¯re alone!¡± She led Hannah to the girls¡¯ bathroom. Avalynn was about to turn around and start yet another tirade, but the next thing she knew, Hannah¡¯s palm was pressed against the back of her head, and her face was dunked into one of the sinks. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?! Let go of me!¡± Hannah turned on the tap, and pushed Avalynn¡¯s head under the water. Caught off-guard, Avalynn identally swallowed some of the water. She coughed as she struggled against Hannah¡¯s hold. ¡°Ah! Help¡­ Help me! f@ck you, let me go!¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. After a few seconds, Hannah pulled her back up by the hair. Avalynn was still coughing and panting. ¡°How¡­¡± She had never been treated like this before! Her face was covered with her snot and saliva. She took a deep breath and nned to scream, but Hannah¡¯s words made her stop. ¡°Do you want to enjoy another dunk in the sink?¡± Avalynn shivered and involuntarily leaned back. ¡°You! How dare you do this to me! Do you know that I¡¯m Tyshawn Mitchell¡¯s girlfriend and the second-eldest daughter of the Bailey family? You will pay for what you did to me today!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn about who you are. You bullied Grace, so I made you pay. ¡± Hannah c@@ked her head to the side. ¡°You can¡¯t even handle a simple wash in the face, huh? How did you treat Grace in P. E. ss again? She is still in the infirmary, right? Her leg is covered with severe abrasions. Yet not only have you refused to apologize, but you actually told me that you will keep bullying her. I don¡¯t think I should extend any courtesy to the likes of you. ¡± The thing was, Avalynn never imagined that Hannah would actually raise a hand against her. Her previous arrogance faltered. Chapter 992 Still, she was the spoiled princess of a wealthy family, after all. There were some qualities that were just hard to correct. Avalynn scoffed and rolled her eyes. ¡°Just wait until my sister hears of this! She will teach you a Lesson forying a hand on me!¡± Hannah nodded indulgently. ¡°Oh, that is a good idea. Why don¡¯t we call your sister right now? Make it a video call, it¡¯s more convenient. ¡± Avalynn was stunned yet again. For the first few seconds, she was too mortified to say or do anything. In the end, Hannah rifled through Avalynn¡¯s pockets for her phone. Then, she yanked her by the hair and unlocked the device with the girl¡¯s face. Herposure never breaking, Hannah clicked on the contact named Winona and pressed for a video call. ¡°What are you doing? Give that back to me!¡± Avalynn was flustered now. Things were not going her way at all. ¡°Stop moving!¡± Avalynn was still reaching for the phone when Winona picked up. ¡°Did you blow your allowance again?¡± Winona asked impatiently. She was in the middle of shopping and didn¡¯t even nce at the screen. Her arm was linked to that of a man¡¯s, and she was choosing a tie for him. ¡°How about this one?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Not bad. ¡± A smile appeared on Winona¡¯s face. Then, as if an afterthought, she remembered to finally look at her screen.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Her hand immediately flew to her mouth, her eyes wide as saucers. ¡°How did you get into that awful state?¡± Avalynn¡¯s hair was wet and disheveled, and her makeup was running down her cheeks. Hannah was not in the frame. ¡°Winona!¡± Avalynn cried out. ¡°What happened? Why are you like this?¡± Hannah finally took over and stared at Winona through the screen. Chapter 993 ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you again under such circumstances, Miss Bailey,¡± she said with a smile.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. The color drained from Winona¡¯s face. In the next second, Omar¡¯s face also appeared in the frame. ¡°What is going on here?¡± ¡°As it happens, Miss Bailey, your younger sister here has been bullying the daughter of the Mitchell family. It got so bad that the poor girl ispletely isted from the other students. I simply taught your sister a lesson to remind her of her manners. It isn¡¯t too excessive, right? I just washed her face, that¡¯s all. ¡± Winona didn¡¯t want to argue with her in front of Omar, but she needed to defend her sister, too. ¡°This is a matter between two students. Why don¡¯t we just stay out of it?¡± ¡°No. You should consider yourself fortunate that I was the one who came to see her today and not Bryson. ¡± Hannah had taken a photo of the abrasions on Grace¡¯s leg on her own phone. She showed it to Winona and asked, ¡°How do you think he¡¯s going to react when he sees this? I am quite lenient. I won¡¯t demandpensation, but I would like to ask you to keep a closer eye on your sister, Miss Bailey. If she continues this behavior, I¡¯m afraid that she just might get her just desserts. ¡± ¡°Winona!¡± Avalynn sobbed, terrified of Hannah¡¯s words. ¡°Don¡¯t cry!¡± Winona scolded as Avalynn¡¯s face appeared in the frame again. ¡°Why do you think our parents transferred you to another school? It¡¯s because they wanted you to study hard! Yet here you are, bullying another one of your ssmates! If you don¡¯t want to continue your studies, then juste home. Don¡¯t you even think about touching Grace Mitchell again, or our parents will teach you a lesson you will never forget!¡± Avalynn nodded in earnest. ¡°Yes, yes, I understand. I won¡¯t do it anymore, I promise!¡± Hannah took the phone again and waved at Winona. ¡°Thank you, Miss Bailey. I¡¯d better let you get back to your shopping. ¡± Winona opened her mouth to say more, but Hannah already ended the call. Winona was so furious that she threw her phone to the floor. Omar watched her reaction with a small smile on his lips. He found the situation rather amusing. ¡°Don¡¯t be angry, now,¡± he coaxed Winona. ¡°Come, I¡¯ll buy you another phone. ¡± Winona¡¯s face gradually softened, though she was careful not to mention Hannah for the rest of their shopping trip. Back at the school, Hannah put the phone back into Avalynn¡¯s pocket. ¡°Well? Will you keep on targeting Grace?¡± Avalynn shook her head, her eyes wide with fear. Chapter 994 ¡°No, no, I won¡¯t! I never will!¡± ¡°Good. Go back to your ssroom and carry on with your ss. ¡± Hannah walked to the door and opened it for the girl. Just as Avalynn was stumbling through, Hannah called out her name. Avalynn froze, too scared to even look back. Hannah patted her on the shoulder, her voice gentle as she said, ¡°Your hair is still wet. Don¡¯t you want to dry it before you return to ss? You¡¯ll get sick if you leave it like that. ¡± But Avalynn¡¯s face went as pale as a ghost, and she didn¡¯t nce behind her. With a quick nod, she ran toward the school¡¯s dormitory building. Hannah pushed up her damp sleeve and headed straight for the infirmary. ¡°Hannah!¡± As she walked along, fate had it that she crossed paths with Saul, who had just returned from theboratory. Angrily, the old man fixed his gaze on her and grumbled, ¡°You never mentioned you were back! Theb¡¯s been doing pretty welltely. I was thinking of giving you a call, but I never saw iting that you¡¯d beat me back. ¡± Saul¡¯s tone shifted from annoyance to amusement as he spoke of hisboratory¡¯s sess. ¡°Your data was helpful. ¡± Hannah¡¯s face lit up with a genuine smile, having not seen Saul for a long time. ¡°You see, Mr.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Campbell, I¡¯ve recently stepped into the shoes of the White family¡¯spany. It¡¯s been a whirlwind, so please understand it¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t want to meet up with you. Today, I¡¯m taking care of a friend¡¯s business. I had nned to swing by theb and catch up with you once that was wrapped up. Never thought you¡¯d have school duties today. ¡± ¡°Is your friend rted to the Mitchell family¡¯s man?¡± Saul asked with concern. Hannah confirmed with a nod, ¡°Yes, Mr. Campbell, but it¡¯s all sorted out now. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief. ¡± Saul turned to Hannah and said, ¡°Since you¡¯re here, I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s one more favor I need to ask of you. There¡¯s this new project on the horizon, and I might be a bit selfish in wanting to put your name on it. How about we tackle it together? Back in the day, your chemistry scores were impressive. This project is rted to Halliday University¡¯s enrolment, and I could use your assistance. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t waste a moment before declining Saul¡¯s request. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to lend a hand. I¡¯ve got ns to head over to Newfort soon, and I won¡¯t be able to stick around here for too long. ¡± Saul¡¯s face reflected his disappointment, but a glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes. ¡°Even if you¡¯re overseas, you can still guide them through video calls. ¡± Hannah sensed the old man¡¯s concern for the project. She felt it wouldn¡¯t be right to decline again. Chapter 995 ¡°Alright, send me the project details, and I¡¯ll take a look when I have some free time. ¡± Saul¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Alright, send it once I¡¯m back. Oh, and by the way, I found another talented girl. The next time you swing by theb, I¡¯ll introduce you two. ¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Hannah responded. ¡°I¡¯ll go check on my friend now. See youter, Mr. Campbell. ¡± ¡°Okay, okay. Go ahead. ¡± Back at the infirmary, Hannah found Grace with her wound neatly bandaged. ¡°Hannah!¡± Grace greeted her happily. Hannah extended a hand to help her stand. The infirmary teacher adjusted her sses and remarked, ¡°Her leg isn¡¯t severely injured, but the abrasions are serious, right on the joint. She ought to take a week off and rest up. ¡± ¡°Thank you, madam. ¡± Hannah requested some time off for Grace and gave her a lift back to her apartment. Switching on the living room light, Hannah could sense that Grace didn¡¯t spend much time there. Puzzled, she asked, ¡°Grace, this ce is close to the school. Why are you still staying in the dormitory?¡± Grace was holding a kettle and nned to boil the water, but then, it hit the floor! Hannah rushed to assist, gently guiding Grace to sit on the sofa. ¡°Let me handle this. You shouldn¡¯t be moving around with your leg like that. ¡± She found a cloth in the kitchen, cleaned up the spilled water, and then nced up to see Grace looking panicked on the sofa. Though puzzled, Hannah finished cleaning, boiled the water, and then sat down to face Grace. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. With unease, Grace sped Hannah¡¯s hand and gazed up at her, her eyes pleading. ¡°Hannah, there¡¯s a question I¡¯m not sure how to tackle¡­ It¡¯s of the same type as the one you taught mest time. Can you teach me this one too?¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not a big deal. Okay. What is the question?¡± Hannah asked with aforting smile. ¡°Show me, and I¡¯ll take a look. ¡± Grace, feeling uneasy, retrieved her phone and showed the question to Hannah. Chapter 996 When Hannahid eyes on it, she felt that something was amiss. She arched an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Grace, are you certain this is the question your professor assigned you?¡± Grace dropped her gaze and hesitated, ¡°Well¡­ Yes. ¡± ¡°I recall you wanted me to lend a hand with a simr questionst week. You also mentioned your professor had given it to you, right?¡± Grace was at a loss for words. Noticing Grace¡¯s silence, Hannah¡¯s tone softened, but she wasn¡¯t about to drop the matter. ¡°This seems to be a question rted to chemical research. Even if your professor is handing out assignments, I doubt he¡¯d throw a question like this at sophomores to make you stumble. Besides, your major has nothing to do with chemistry. If you don¡¯t tell me the truth, I can¡¯t assist you with this question. ¡± Grace looked up at Hannah, eyes brimming with tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Hannah¡­ The truth is, Avalynn pressured me into getting the answer from you. ¡± ¡°Avalynn?¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°But isn¡¯t she studying the same major as you? Why does she need this answer?¡± Grace nervously pinched her fingers together.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. Remember that project data you asked me to pass on to Mr. Campbellst time?¡± Hannah recalled the past events clearly. She gave a nod, saying, ¡°Oh yeah, I remember. When you went back to school, Mr. Campbell wanted the data from me. I was swamped, so I had you send it instead. ¡± ¡°That was the time,¡± Grace replied, looking downcast. ¡°I ran into Avalynn then. She saw the data and got really excited. She knew I was sending it on someone¡¯s behalf, so she asked me to tackle this tough chemistry question from the school¡¯s online forum. ¡± While exining, she handed Hannah the question posted by one of Saul¡¯s graduate students in the forum. ¡°The research team said any student who solves it gets to join them, plus a schrship,¡± Grace added. Hannah looked at the forum question, recognizing it as the same one Grace had sent earlier. She understood the situation. ¡°So, that¡¯s why your ¡®professor¡¯ had you work on such a hard question after I asked you to forward those materials to Mr. Campbell. ¡± Grace looked at Hannah guiltily. ¡°You can¡¯t let the professor know, or Avalynn will start causing trouble for me. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Avalynn won¡¯t bother you. ¡± Hannah reassured her, patting Grace¡¯s head. ¡°But next time, you have to tell me about these things. Don¡¯t keep it all to yourself. ¡± Chapter 997 ¡°I get it, my bad. If you¡¯re mad, just say so. I¡¯ll apologize,¡± Grace offered. Hannah raised her hand, smiling, ¡°How about I give you a flick, and we call it even?¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Grace closed her eyes, bracing herself. ¡°Go ahead, Hannah!¡± Hannah chuckled and lightly flicked Grace¡¯s forehead. ¡°I can¡¯t stay mad at you. But remember, if she tries anything again, let me know right away. ¡± Grace rubbed her forehead, grinning awkwardly. ¡°I promise, no more hiding stuff! But what about the research? Avalynn¡¯s part of the team now. Should I just let her keep messing up, or should I set things straight?¡± Hannah raised her eyebrow and said, ¡°Leave it to me, I¡¯ll handle this question. You don¡¯t need to worry about it. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Grace looked surprised.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°If we let her off the hook, she¡¯ll just get bolder in her mischief,¡± Grace argued. ¡°Just trust me on this,¡± Hannah replied with a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t do or say anything. I¡¯ve got it all under control. ¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll follow your lead,¡± Grace agreed. The next morning, Grace headed back to school, still pondering the question. ¡°Hey Grace, you¡¯re back!¡± her ssmates called out as they huddled together, whispering. Grace felt a twinge of anxiety. What was going on today? She walked into the ssroom, and all eyes were on her. Feeling a bit self-conscious, Grace asked, ¡°What¡¯s up, everyone?¡± ¡°Grace!¡± A teacher, sitting at the front, stood up and approached her. The teacher, a slim woman with freckles, round eyes, a t nose, and a small mouth, looked displeased in her ck dress. ¡°Did you chatter about something you shouldn¡¯t have yesterday? You¡¯ve made Avalynn sick and she¡¯s not in ss today,¡± the teacher used. She was clearly biased due to her closeness with Avalynn. ¡°Avalynn¡¯s aiming for a postgraduate rmendation, you know. Did you do this on purpose?¡± Chapter 998 ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything¡­¡± Confused by the unexpected usation, Grace struggled to understand. She had been in the infirmary and had no clue about Hannah¡¯s actions the day before. When the teacher confronted her, Grace was intimidated. ¡°I didn¡¯t report anything¡­ Could there be some mistake?¡± she questioned. The teacher, unconvinced, dismissed her with a snort. ¡°Mistake?¡± Grace, unable toe up with an exnation, just hung her head in silence. Her quietness only made others think she was hiding something. This led to whispers among the students. ¡°See, I knew something was off with her. Remember how Avalynn got called out by a stranger yesterday and never returned? Grace must¡¯ve set her up!¡± ¡°Exactly! Avalynn might not be friendly with you, but that¡¯s no reason to get her sick. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re just being petty because she didn¡¯t help you when you fell. ¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery Feeling unfairly used, Grace attempted to defend herself. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t do anything to her! Please, you¡¯ve got it all wrong!¡± Just then, Avalynn entered, supported by a ssmate, looking pale. In a weak voice, she said, ¡°Please, don¡¯t me Grace. I¡¯m just down with a cold. ¡± Her gentle tone made everyone think it was Grace¡¯s fault, and they refused to see thetter¡¯s sincerity. ¡°Stay strong, Avalynn. We¡¯re with you. Some people just can¡¯t stand seeing others do better. ¡± Avalynn shook her head, her voice tinged with sadness. ¡°It¡¯s okay, really. Thanks for worrying about me. ¡± Her frightened look tugged at the heartstrings of those around her. ¡°I just can¡¯t figure out what I did to make Grace so angry. I¡¯ll be more careful from now on. ¡± As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, seemingly showing the depth of her upset. ¡°Grace, this is too much!¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s just cruel. ¡± ¡°You might be jealous of Avalynn, but this is way out of Line!¡± Chapter 999 ¡°We won¡¯t let you get away with this!¡± Right after Avalynn¡¯s words, a bunch of students started to call out Grace for her ¡°misdeeds¡±. Avalynn stood to the side, a small smirk on her face. Everyone was pointing fingers at Grace now, not her.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. She sneered inwardly, ¡°You thought you could get away with messing with me?¡± She was determined to make Grace pay for what happened yesterday. The students began hurling insults at Grace. Overwhelmed by the noise, Grace felt her ears ringing. Lifting her head, her eyes shone with resolve. ¡°Stop! You don¡¯t know the real story!¡± The teacher who had just spoken added icily, without a trace of sympathy, ¡°Avalynn is our school¡¯s star student and I hold her in high regard. But you, out of jealousy, framed her. You made her sick enough to go to the hospitalst night. Do you still deny it? Avalynn is kind and lovely. Don¡¯t tarnish a good person¡¯s reputation just because you¡¯re upset. ¡± The crowd around echoed in agreement, ¡°You¡¯ve crossed the line, Grace!¡± Grace felt cornered and misunderstood. She hadn¡¯t done anything, yet she was being med. Defiantly, she responded, ¡°Enough! Stop using me without proof!¡± The teacher¡¯s expression turned sour upon seeing Grace¡¯s defiance. ¡°Listen, if you keep causing trouble, I¡¯ll have no choice but to ask the school leaders to expel you!¡± Grace stood her ground firmly. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s you who¡¯s in the wrong! If I bring this up with the principal, I won¡¯t be the one leaving the school. Instead, it¡¯ll be you, a teacher who favors certain students, who¡¯ll be fired!¡± Right after Grace¡¯s words, the dean arrived in a hurry. Noticing the tense situation, he quickly stepped in to calm things down. Seizing the moment, the teacher began to badmouth Grace. ¡°I just can¡¯t handle her. Everyone at Halliday Universityes from a respectable background. How can she, a mere student, speak to me, her teacher, in such a way? It¡¯s infuriating!¡± Grace overheard every word and felt humiliated in front of her ssmates. The dean, aware that Grace was Bryson¡¯s sister, was cautious not to upset her. ¡°Come on, a little argument among students isn¡¯t the end of the world. Jane, you¡¯re being too harsh. Your job is to help students get along, not make things worse. ¡± Chapter 1000 The teacher¡¯s face showed her difort, but she didn¡¯t dare argue with the dean, simply nodding in agreement. The dean then turned to Grace and Avalynn with a smile. ¡°This is all just a big misunderstanding. You¡¯re ssmates, right?¡¯ Avalynn, pretending to be weak, appealed to Grace, ¡°I know we¡¯ve had a misunderstanding. Can we put it behind us and make up, Grace?¡± Grace¡¯s response was direct and unyielding.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°I won¡¯t make up with you. ¡± Avalynn¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, and she asked in a shaky voice, ¡°What do you expect me to do?¡± The teacher, concerned, interjected, ¡°Grace, Avalynn¡¯s stopped ming you. Why are you still so harsh?¡± ¡°Yeah, who do you think you are? Why do you have to be so full of yourself?¡± ¡°And so rude!¡± Ever since she returned from her sick leave, Grace was constantly subjected to criticism. She felt a wave of anger, unable to utter a word. She felt so misunderstood. She hadn¡¯t done anything to Avalynn, so why did everyone think she was the bully? Remembering Hannah¡¯s advice, Grace took a deep breath and said indifferently, ¡°Let it be. I won¡¯t argue, but I do want to switch sses. ¡± The dean, looking uneasy, replied, ¡°It¡¯s not out of the question to change sses, but you¡¯ve got examsing up. Can you wait until after?¡± Grace, seeing the dean¡¯s willingness to meet halfway, agreed, ¡°Alright. ¡± The dean sighed in relief. The situation was tricky. Avalynn belonged to the influential Bailey family, and Grace to the powerful Mitchell family. As Grace walked away, Avalynn, inwardly smug, wasn¡¯t ready to let her go so easily. She feigned concern and caught up to Grace. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t go¡­¡± Catching up, Avalynn grabbed Grace¡¯s hand. Grace, annoyed, said sharply, ¡°Let go, Avalynn!¡± Her tone was cool. Avalynn hesitated but didn¡¯t release her grip. ¡°Grace, we¡¯ve been at school together for months. We¡¯re friends, right? I need to talk to you. ¡± Grace¡¯s brow furrowed, reflecting on her recent words and feeling a wave of disgust. Chapter 1001 She didn¡¯t outright reject Avalynn¡¯s grasp, instead allowing her to guide her to a secluded spot. They reached a tree, where Grace halted and bluntly asked, ¡°Avalynn, what do you want to say? Say it quickly. ¡± Her tone was icy, but Avalynn still smiled at her, saying, ¡°You know how I am, Grace. A bit overbearing, sure. Plus, I¡¯m your cousin¡¯s girlfriend. I don¡¯t want any bad blood between us. You get me? I¡¯d like us to be friends. ¡± Avalynn feigned sincerity, admitting, ¡°I know I¡¯ve been wrong before. I¡¯m ready to say sorry and hope you can let it go. ¡± Grace, detached, eyed Avalynn and replied sharply, ¡°Is this what you dragged me here to talk about?¡± A flicker of annoyance crossed Avalynn¡¯s face, yet she reached out again, insisting, ¡°You¡¯re a good person, Grace, not one to hold grudges. Remember the problem I mentioned a few days back? Has the master you know finished it?¡± True to Hannah¡¯s word, Avalynn was up to no good, seeking answers from her. Grace, recalling Hannah¡¯s advice, produced a piece of paper, saying simply, ¡°Yes. ¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Avalynn snatched the paper eagerly, scanning the excellent solution. She was thrilled, sensing her grad school dreams within reach. Grace watched Avalynn and noticed a crafty smirk on thetter¡¯s face. Grace felt a sense of unease, yet she concealed it and allowed Avalynn to take the paper. ¡°Fantastic ¡± Avalynn eximed. She tucked the paper away with a grin. ¡°This time, I¡¯lly off the arguments and I won¡¯t be a bother in the days toe. ¡± Grace gave Avalynn a neutral look. ¡°Let¡¯s hope you stick to that promise. ¡± Avalynn internally grumbled at Grace, but kept a smile on her face. ¡°Sure thing, you were a big help. I¡¯ll ease off, no more hassles. As she spoke, Avalynn gave Grace¡¯s shoulder a friendly pat. ¡°Got to go now. We¡¯ll catch upter, Grace. ¡± With a nod from Grace, Avalynn sashayed towards the ssroom. Once Avalynn was gone, Grace turned to leave, but a man suddenly blocked her path. ¡°Grace, I¡¯ve got a question for you. ¡± His voice was deep andpelling, yetced with irritation. Chapter 1002 ¡°Is it you who solved that question in the online forum?¡± ¡°Nope. ¡± Suspicion flickered in the man¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯re sure it wasn¡¯t you?¡± Grace took a step back, sizing him up. ¡°What¡¯s the issue?¡± ¡°If it isn¡¯t you who solved it, then why did you do that?¡± Grace looked up into Ferdinand Sugden¡¯s dark, questioning eyes, feeling taken aback. ¡°You¡­ What do you mean? I¡¯m lost. ¡± Ferdinand scrutinized her, stressing each word, ¡°I overheard you. If it was someone else¡¯s answer, why steal it and pass it to another person?¡± Grace was startled, not expecting Ferdinand to have caught their conversation. ¡°You¡­¡± She bit her lip, feigning ignorance. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. ¡± ¡°I heard you,¡± Ferdinand said as he caught her wrist. ¡°Don¡¯t y games with me. If you do, I won¡¯t be nice. ¡± Grace, who had never been held by a man before, felt a flicker of fear. ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked. Ferdinand realized he was being too harsh. He let go of her wrist and said coldly, ¡°Just a heads-up.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Whatever way you¡¯re using to get the answers, it¡¯s wrong!¡± Grace clenched her jaw. She didn¡¯t understand why he was mad, but she kept her cool. ¡°My actions are none of your concern. I don¡¯t need you meddling in my business. ¡± As she turned to leave, Ferdinand called out, ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Grace stared at him suspiciously. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business,¡± she shot back. Ferdinand replied, ¡°I¡¯m just trying to stop you from making a mistake. ¡± Chapter 1003 Grace raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do you guys always talk down to others?¡± Ferdinand¡¯s eyes turned icy. ¡°I¡¯m not obliged to do that. I¡¯m just warning you to stay out of trouble. ¡± ¡°Thanks, but no thanks. I don¡¯t need your warnings,¡± Grace said, walking past him with a cold expression. Ferdinand watched her walk away, frowning. He checked something on the online forum, then turned and walked away in silence. In theb that afternoon¡­ ¡°Ferdinand, check this out; I cracked the problem. Should I show it to the professor?¡± Avalynn held out the paper to Ferdinand with excitement. She eagerly ced the paper down, turning to Ferdinand who was engrossed in his experiment. He barely Looked up, replying disinterestedly, ¡°The professor will be here soon, Just wait and show it to him then Avalynn, unfazed by his aloofness, smiled and coaxed, ¡°To celebrate my breakthrough, I¡¯m treating everyone to dinner tonight. How about you join us, Ferdinand?¡±T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. He reacted to her with cold silence. As Avalynn was about to say more, Ferdinand set aside his reagent and removed his goggles. ¡°You solved it already?¡± He picked up her paper. ¡°Just a few days ago, you were stumped. How¡¯d you figure it out so fast?¡± Avalynn wasn¡¯t fazed by his questioning. ¡°You know, sometimes it just clicks. Suddenly, the solution just came to me. ¡± At her words, Ferdinand looked up, his gaze sharp and cold. Feeling his icy stare, Avalynn asked uneasily, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Ferdinand?¡± ¡°There¡¯s been talk on the school forum,¡± he began seriously. ¡°Someone hacked into the school database using special ess. Lots of confidential stuff in there. Everyone¡¯s looking into it, but no leads. Rumor has it, there¡¯s a puppet master behind it all, but they¡¯reying low. Any idea who it might be?¡± Avalynn frowned, puzzled by his sudden shift in topic. Chapter 1004 ¡°I¡¯ve got no clue. I never use that forum. ¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Ferdinand nodded, his expression unreadable. Avalynn inwardly let out a relieved sigh. ¡°Ferdinand, I solved the problem. Does this mean I can go straight to grad school?¡± Ferdinand nced at her. After a pause, he queried, ¡°You¡¯re sure you¡¯re the one who figured it out?¡± Avalynn, puzzled by his doubt, confidently replied, ¡°Yes, it was me. How else would I have earned the schrship?¡± Ferdinand just gazed at her silently. ¡®s BunnyBookery Feeling uneasy under his stare, Avalynn tried to lighten the mood. ¡°Why the long look, Ferdinand?¡± He diverted his gaze and ced the paper back on the table, muttering, ¡°Nothing. Let¡¯s see what the professor says. ¡± Avalynn felt a bit thrown off by his reaction, but nodded in agreement. ¡°Alright. ¡± Later that day, Saul returned from teaching and learned about Avalynn¡¯s achievement. Thrilled at discovering another talent, he eximed, ¡°Amazing! Another prodigy!¡± With a beaming smile, Saulvished praise on Avalynn. ¡°You¡¯re one of the quickest learners here, apart from the most aplished student of mine. You did a good job on solving the problem. You can work in ourb. I¡¯ll talk to the school about the postgraduate rmendation. ¡± Avalynn¡¯s excitement was palpable, but Ferdinand¡¯sment dampened the mood. ¡°Professor, we have never seen her doing it in theb. How about asking her to answer the question again and letting us see how talented she is?¡± ¡°Oh, you brat!¡± Saul chuckled at Ferdinand¡¯s teasing.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°She¡¯s already proven herself, yet here you are so jealous of her. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s just kidding, professor. Since I¡¯ve already solved it, why don¡¯t we invite your students for dinner tonight?¡± Avalynn chimed in, trying to smooth things over. Saul grinned and said, ¡°That sounds wonderful. I¡¯m going to bring over my most favorite student. You two should get along great. ¡± Chapter 1005 ¡°sure, Mr. Campbell,¡± Avalynn replied with a smile. Then she turned to Ferdinand and asked, ¡°Will you join us tonight?¡± This time, Ferdinand agreed, ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll be there. ¡± Saul, overhearing their chat, nodded happily. ¡°Great, that¡¯s sorted then. Get ready after my ss, and we¡¯ll all go out for dinner. ¡± Once Saul left, Avalynn immediately turned to Ferdinand. ¡°Who¡¯s this favorite student Mr. Campbell mentioned? I¡¯m really curious. ¡± ¡°She works on project research in theb. She¡¯s not often around, but she¡¯s pretty sharp with her work. ¡± Ferdinand looked at her and added, ¡°You¡¯ll meet her at dinner. ¡± Avalynn wanted to ask more, but Ferdinand was already heading into theb. She just shrugged and went back to her studies. Later that evening, after ss, Saul called Hannah. ¡°Where are you, Hannah?¡± ¡°I¡¯m at a friend¡¯s ce near campus. She hurt her leg, and I¡¯m helping out for a few days. ¡± Saul perked up. ¡°Perfect. We¡¯re having a dinner gathering tonight. I told them my best student would join. Why don¡¯t youe along?¡± ¡°Really, old man? Using me to impress again?¡± Saul yfully let out a deep sigh on the other end of the phone and joked, ¡°What am I supposed to do? Without using your name, who would even consider learning from me?¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°You already have a solid reputation, yet you keep using my name. Are you nning something against me again?¡± ¡°How can you think that? Before you head overseas,e have dinner with me!¡± Hannah chuckled and agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be there soon. ¡± That evening, Saul, Avalynn, and Ferdinand headed to a restaurant near the school. They parked the car and walked into the restaurant together. Avalynn scanned the ce with curiosity, her first time in such an affordable restaurant. Saul was excited about picking up the tab, which was why they were all there. Saul introduced Avalynn to everyone, and she greeted them warmly with a smile. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Avalynn Bailey. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you all. ¡± Chapter 1006 ¡°Hey, we¡¯re going to be ssmates andb mates, so no need for formalities. Have a seat!¡± Avalynn smiled and sat down. Since theb schedule was always changing, many of the senior students hadn¡¯t met Avalynn before. With Saul¡¯s introduction, they became curious. ¡°You¡¯re the gifted student we¡¯ve heard about, and you¡¯re so pretty too!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Mr. Campbell¡¯s been teaching for years, but you¡¯re one of his few favorites. He must see something special in you!¡± ¡°You¡¯re both the apples of his eye, that¡¯s for sure!¡± Avalynn, feeling a bit shy from all the praise, brushed her hair behind her ear. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re all being too kind. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s true. Mr. Campbell even said you¡¯re his final student and he won¡¯t take any more apprentices after you. ¡± ¡°You must be something special for Mr. Campbell topare you to his favorite student. ¡± Then someone nudged Ferdinand, asking, ¡°What¡¯s up with you? You don¡¯t seem too happy?¡± Ferdinand lifted his gaze, looking unbothered. ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m upset. I¡¯m just mulling over whether to move her out of myb. She kind of sticks out like a sore thumb there.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Avalynn was at a loss for words. ¡®s BunnyBookery The mood at the dinner table turned chilly in an instant. Everyone was clueless about what was happening. Avalynn sat there feeling awkward and unfairly treated. Saul shot Ferdinand a sharp look. ¡°You have a knack for rubbing people the wrong way, don¡¯t you? Don¡¯t take it to heart, Avalynn. He¡¯s just like that. ¡± Ferdinand responded icily, ¡°I mean what I say. ¡± Avalynn kept her head down, too intimidated to speak. Saul served Avalynn some food, encouraging her, ¡°Go on, eat up. Ignore him. You look a bit frail. You need to eat more nourishing meals. ¡± ¡°Thanks, Mr. Campbell,¡± Avalynn said, looking up appreciatively. Chapter 1007 She tried the shredded pork Saul had chosen for her and smiled, ¡°This is really good. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m happy to hear that,¡± Saul replied.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Ferdinand set his fork down quietly. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough. ¡± Saul kept serving Avalynn, casting Ferdinand a disapproving nce. Ferdinand got up and left. Saul caught up with him in the hallway. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you today? You weren¡¯t like this with Avalynn before,¡± Saul questioned. Ferdinand paused and replied, ¡°I just don¡¯t think she¡¯s cut out to be your student. ¡± Saul, taken aback, thenughed, ¡°You¡¯re such a rascal. What¡¯s wrong with Avalynn? She¡¯s two years your junior, just twenty-two. I bet she¡¯ll achieve as much as you one day. ¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see about that,¡± Ferdinand remarked coldly. Ferdinand had left, leaving Saul alone to sigh. ¡°Is this kid getting more stubborn from being in theb?¡± Back in the room, everyone was trying tofort Avalynn. With tears in her eyes, Avalynn gazed at Saul and asked, ¡°Mr. Campbell, does Ferdinand¡­ does he hate me?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Saul gently lied, ¡°Of course not. He¡¯s just in a bad mood. ¡± Avalynn, looking unconvinced, nced at the dishes and said, ¡°But he seemed like he hated me just now. ¡± Saul reassured her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it too much. Just focus on being my student and I¡¯ll handle everything else. ¡± Outside the restaurant, Hannah arrivedte after cooking for Grace. She was there to meet Saul and her colleagues from theb, dressed elegantly in a creamy white dress, her hair neatly coiled up. Ferdinand, leaning against the restaurant door and smoking, was surprised to see Hannah climbing the stairs. Hannah, in a rush, didn¡¯t notice him until he called out, ¡°Hannah!¡± She looked up, surprised. ¡°Ferdinand, it¡¯s you. Good evening. ¡± Chapter 1008 After extinguishing his cigarette, Ferdinand approached her, greeting her back. ¡°Good evening. You here for dinner with Mr. Campbell?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Curious, Hannah asked, ¡°What¡¯s up? Why are you out here smoking?¡± Ferdinand, usually reserved, found himself unusually calm around Hannah. ¡°I just couldn¡¯t stand seeing someone I dislike in there. ¡± ¡°hat?¡± Hannah nced at him, puzzled. ¡°Did someone upset you?¡± Ferdinand, not one to badmouth others, replied, ¡°You¡¯ll see once you¡¯re inside. ¡± With a nod, Hannah headed towards the restaurant. ¡°Alright. ¡±Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. As she entered, everyone in the restaurant greeted her warmly. Avalynn, on the other hand, stood frozen, feeling a sudden chill. Saul was quick to introduce Hannah. ¡°This is Hannah Moore, my favorite student! She¡¯s incredibly skilled!¡± Hannah, chuckling, responded, ¡°Don¡¯t hold me in such high regard, old man. ¡± Saul then introduced Avalynn. ¡°This is your junior, Avalynn Bailey. She¡¯s got talent, just like you did back in school. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, looking at Avalynn. ¡°Are you really that good?¡± Avalynn¡¯s heart raced, but she kept herposure. ¡°Well¡­ I think you¡¯re the better one. Mr. Campbell always sings your praises to me. ¡± Summoning her courage, Avalynn managed to reply, biting her lip. Hannah grinned. ¡°Lucky you, getting Mr. Campbell¡¯s attention. I¡¯m looking forward to your insights when we work together. ¡± Chapter 1009 Avalynn nodded, trying to hide her nervousness. ¡°Thanks, Hannah. ¡± She was still slightly shaking. ¡°Enough of the formalities, we¡¯re friends here. Hannah, let¡¯s grab a bite,¡± Saul chimed in, breaking the tension. Hannah kept her silence with a smile, giving off the impression that she didn¡¯t want to pry too much. Ferdinand, unable to hold back, spoke up with a hint of frost in his voice. ¡°We¡¯re all here because of theb. Just a few days ago, she cracked a tough problem that stumped us all. We should be learning from her, not questioning her. ¡± A ssmate nearby teased Ferdinand, ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who wanted to transfer her out of theb? And now you¡¯re saying we should learn from her?¡± But someone else was more interested in Avalynn¡¯s achievement than the teasing. They looked at her with curiosity and asked, ¡°We¡¯re all wondering how you managed to solve that problem. Can you share with us?¡± ¡°Yeah, you must be really skilled. Could you exin it to us?¡± Hannah, who had been quietly enjoying her meal, also joined in with a gentle smile. ¡°I¡¯m curious too. I¡¯d love to see just how talented my junior schoolmate is. ¡± Avalynn¡¯s smile faltered. ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m a bit out of sorts today, not thinking clearly. I¡¯ll show you how I did it another time. ¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t you say it was a sudden inspiration that helped you solve it? It should be easy to show us. ¡± Ferdinand¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°Or did you copy the solution from someone else? Maybe that¡¯s why you can¡¯t exin i t.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. ¡± Avalynn felt a rush of panic but tried to stayposed. ¡°That¡¯s not possible. If I had copied it, wouldn¡¯t you need to show me how to do it every time?¡± Everyone seemed to agree with Avalynn¡¯s logic. ¡°Ferdinand, don¡¯t be so harsh on our junior. If solving that problem was so easy, why would Mr. Campbell be searching for a genius?¡± Saul, looking serious, added, ¡°Ferdinand, let¡¯s not get carried away. We can discuss thister. ¡± Hannah¡¯s smile broadened as she inquired, ¡°Which problem are you talking about? I¡¯d like to see it myself. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got it right here on my phone. Take a look, Hannah!¡± Someone passed the phone to her. Hannah feigned surprise upon seeing the question, asking, ¡°This question?¡± Chapter 1010 ¡°What seems to be the issue?¡± Saul asked, turning his gaze towards Hannah. Hannah, holding the phone, appeared puzzled. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the same question Grace¡¯s professor gave her? Is this from yourb?¡± It was Ferdinand who first sensed something amiss. ¡°Hannah, have you encountered this question before?¡± ¡°Yes, I have. ¡± Hannah pulled out her own phone, showing them Grace¡¯s question. ¡°See, this is it. Grace mentioned it was an assignment from her professor. She couldn¡¯t figure it out, so she asked for my help. ¡± Everyone fell silent as they looked at the question on Hannah¡¯s phone, their eyes then shifting to Avalynn with suspicion. Avalynn felt a shock run through her. She hadn¡¯t expected Hannah to be the one who solved the problem. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose face now. ¡°So, you¡¯ve solved this too, Hannah?¡± With a casual smile, Hannah responded, ¡°This chemistry problem has three different solutions. I was in a rush and only worked out one method. Which one did you use?¡± Avalynn, feeling exposed under Hannah¡¯s knowing gaze, nervously looked away. ¡°I managed two solutions¡­¡± She hastened to add, ¡°I¡¯d tried solving it before but failed, so I gave up. Then, sudden ly, it clicked. Guess I got lucky!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Her exnation only raised more doubts among the group. After all, Avalynn was hardly seen doing experiments in theb, unlike Hannah, who had spent considerable time there. Avalynn hung her head, her eyes burning with a touch of hatred. ¡°Hannah, you¡¯ve destroyed everything for me. Do you really think I¡¯1l just give up? I won¡¯t let this slide,¡± she vowed inwardly. Hannah, with a smirk, said, ¡°Since you have said so, why don¡¯t you show us how you figured it out?¡± She casually tapped her slim finger on the table, a clear sign for Avalynn to exin herself.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Hannah¡¯s n was to corner Avalynn, leaving her no way out. Trying to ignore Hannah¡¯s taunting, Avalynn turned to Ferdinand w Chapter 1011 Ferdinand¡¯s face was a mix of disgust and annoyance. He wasn¡¯t one to get involved, but he always paid close attention to his research. ¡°Remember the question I asked concerning the data leak earlier today?¡± Ferdinand asked her. Avalynn¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Uh¡­ Yes, I remember it¡­¡± Ferdinand¡¯s gaze was icy as he pressed on, ¡°You told me you never use that forum. So, how did you see Mr. Campbell¡¯s question there?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Avalynn stammered, her forehead beading with sweat. Saul, watching the scene unfold, suggested, ¡°Looks like you¡¯ll have to solve the problem again. ¡± Cornered, Avalynn reluctantly pulled out her notebook to solve the problem, but her pen hovered over the page, unable to start. Hannah sat elegantly in a chair, her legs crossed, watching Avalynn as thetter worked through the problem. A smile yed on Hannah¡¯s lips.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. When Avalynn finally solved the puzzle, it would prove her innocence in the giarism usation. However, Hannah doubted she would get that far. She was eager to see Avalynn¡¯s attempt. After half an hour, Avalynn let out a relieved sigh, sliding the notebook across to Ferdinand. ¡°Ferdinand, I¡¯ve figured it out,¡± she dered. Ferdinand scrutinized the solution in her notebook, skepticism in his narrowed eyes. ¡°Is this really your own work?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Avalynn asserted with confidence. Ferdinand¡¯s frustration was palpable, his patience worn thin by what he saw as a waste of time on a deceiver. ¡°Do you take us for fools?¡± he snapped, standing to hand the notebook to Saul. ¡°Mr. Campbell, here¡¯s your genius. ¡± The solution was a jumble,cking the polish and efficiency of previous answers. The data used was unclear. Saul, with a frown etched on his face, read through it, his once kind expression hardening. He mmed his hand on the table, demanding, ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Exin yourself!¡± Hannah, with a sly smile, murmured, ¡°Avalynn, it¡¯s wrong to im others¡¯ work as your own. ¡± Avalynn¡¯s facade crumbled. The pen slipped from her fingers, ttering to the floor. Shock and fear were evident in her eyes. Chapter 1012 Everyone in the room grasped the gravity of the situation. Their expressions turned grave. This was giarism! Hannah stood, her gaze cold as she faced Avalynn. ¡°Sometimes, it¡¯s better to know your limits than to overreach. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Avalynn was in shock. Those words sent a chill through her! Hannah was warning her! Tears poured from Avalynn¡¯s eyes. Fear gripped her this time. She stammered, ¡°I¡­ I messed up¡­ Sorry! I truly realize my mistake¡­¡± Hannah gazed at her, her red lips curled in scorn.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°Avalynn, not everything can be undone with a sorry. ¡± ¡°ihat?¡± Avalynn looked up, her eyes wet. ¡°Copying someone else¡¯s work is serious. Once it¡¯s discovered, you must face the consequences,¡± Hannah said with ease. Hearing this, Avalynn¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she stared at Hannah. ¡± her wide. Avalynn stuttered, eyes Saul shook his head, disappointed. ¡°I had high hopes for you, Avalynn, but to think you copied Hannah¡¯s work! I¡¯m really disappointed!¡± ¡°Mr. Campbell¡­¡± Avalynn was sobbing uncontrobly. ¡°I know it was wrong. It won¡¯t happen again¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s mockery grew as she watched Avalynn break down. Ferdinand, looking at Hannah, asked, ¡°How did you figure out she giarized?¡± Hannah shrugged and replied softly, ¡°Let¡¯s step outside to discuss it. ¡± Ferdinand nodded, then nced at Saul. ¡°About Avalynn¡¯s grades and her work in theb¡­¡± He hesitated a bit before adding, ¡°We should stick to the school¡¯s rules on this. ¡± Saul, looking a bit downcast, agreed, ¡°I¡¯ll report this to the school tomorrow. We need to handle this strictly. ¡± Chapter 1013 This was serious. Someone in theb had stolen someone else¡¯s work, so they had to be careful in dealing with it. Avalynn, shocked, pleaded with Saul, ¡°Mr. Campbell, you can¡¯t tell anyone! Are you forcing me to death? Please!¡± Hannah, who was just leaving, turned around sharply and said, ¡°Avalynn, trying to guilt-trip Mr. Campbell won¡¯t work. If you¡¯re thinking of harming yourself, nobody¡¯s going to stop you. It¡¯s just ab issue. The school will cover it up. The other students won¡¯t find out. But if you try to im we¡¯re harassing or ndering you, I have enough evidence to get you expelled. ¡± As Hannah walked past Avalynn, she muttered, ¡°Looks like you need to learn the hard way. ¡± Then she left, ignoring Avalynn¡¯s reaction. Outside, Saul sighed.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Seeing Hannah, he tried tofort her, ¡°My mistake. I didn¡¯t see her true colors. Sorry you didn¡¯t enjoy your dinner. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, old man,¡± Hannah replied. ¡°I just wanted to scare her a bit, so she doesn¡¯t cause troubleter. ¡± To the others, she said, ¡°Make sure he gets home safe. Text me when you¡¯re there. ¡± Saul got into his car. As he passed Hannah, he still thought about the research. ¡°Don¡¯t forget about the project. Keep in touch, even when you¡¯re in Newfort. ¡± Hannah waved off his concern. ¡°Goodbye, Mr. Campbell!¡± After everyone left, Hannah turned to go but stopped when she saw Ferdinand still there. ¡°Why are you still here? It¡¯ste, shouldn¡¯t you be heading back to school?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve missed seeing you. Let me walk you home. ¡± Ferdinand¡¯s voice grew gentler. Grace¡¯s apartment was close by, so Hannah hadn¡¯t bothered with her car. She agreed, ¡°That¡¯s great. Grace lives just around the corner. Shall we walk there?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Ferdinand walked with her. They walked in silence until Hannah asked, ¡°Ever wonder why I didn¡¯t confront Avalynn right after I found out she giarized?¡± ¡°I have. ¡± Ferdinand¡¯s tone was cool. ¡°The old you wouldn¡¯t have hesitated. ¡± Hannahughed, ¡°You think you know me?¡± ¡°Pretty well. ¡± Ferdinand¡¯s expression turned serious. Chapter 1014 ¡°I¡¯ve worked with you before. I know the kind of person you are. ¡± Hannah stopped joking and shared the whole story about Grace. ¡°I thought about letting it slide. But then I learned that apart from the fact that she bullied Grace, she even had Grace help with the giarism. After that, I couldn¡¯t just let it go. ¡± Ferdinand finally understood the situation. After a pause, he said, ¡°Now it makes sense. I recognized her. She¡¯s Mr. Mitchell¡¯s sister, right? I saw her in your office once. Please apologize to her for me. I was a bit harsh this afternoon. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°Just a bit harsh?¡± Ferdinand stayed quiet, his expression cold. He realized he might have been too harsh. Ferdinand was top-notch in many ways, great at studies and research. But he wasn¡¯t the most emotionally perceptive. He could be blunt, sometimes too much. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Grace. Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Hannah said. After a brief pause, Ferdinand inquired, ¡°I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re heading to Newfort, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got some personal stuff to sort out there. ¡± ¡°Are you nning toe back?¡± The question caught Hannah off guard, yet she nodded. ¡°Definitely, I¡¯ll be back. ¡± Ferdinand¡¯s face lit up with relief. ¡°That¡¯s great¡­ Is Mr. Mitchell going with you?¡± Hannah quickly shook her head. ¡°No, he¡¯s noting with me. ¡± It seemed like a reflex response from her. Out of the blue, Ferdinand said, ¡°Let me know when you¡¯re back, Hannah. I¡¯ll take you out for dinner. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Reaching the apartmentplex¡¯s entrance, Hannah waved to Ferdinand.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1015 ¡°You should head back early too. ¡± Watching Hannah disappear upstairs, Ferdinand¡¯s face was unreadable. He lingered for a moment before walking away. Grace came rushing as Hannah opened the door, eximing, ¡°Hannah! The guy who dropped you off is bad news. Stay away from him!¡± She grabbed Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°My brother¡¯s way better than him!¡± Hannah gently touched Grace¡¯s nose, smiling, ¡°Were you spying on me from upstairs? He¡¯s an old school friend and exb partner. You¡¯ve seen him at the school office, though you might not remember. ¡± With a slight chuckle, she added, ¡°He¡¯s a bit awkward. He even asked me to say sorry to you on his behalf tonight. ¡± Grace was taken aback by the news. She pouted and said, ¡°Humph! He gets on my nerves!¡± Hannah chuckled and patted Grace¡¯s head. ¡°Okay, got it. ¡± Hannah then started to get ready for her trip to Newfort in the uing days. While they were in the living room, Grace, clinging to Hannah¡¯s arm, looked up with puppy eyes.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hannah, can you bring me back something from Newfort?¡± ¡°Sure. What would you like? Drop me a text, and I¡¯ll pick it up for you,¡± Hannah replied. Grace clung a Little more. ¡°When are youing back, Hannah? Are you going to see my brother there?¡± Hannah knew the journey to and from Newfort was long, and she didn¡¯t want Grace to worry. ¡°Just keep your mind on your studies. If anythinges up, sent me a text. I may not be around, but there will be someone to help out,¡± she reassured. Grace¡¯s brow creased with concern. ¡°Hannah, is it risky going out this time?¡± Hannah, slightly taken aback, replied in a teasing tone, ¡°No way. Chapter 1016 It¡¯s just for work, Don¡¯t overthink it. Maybe¡­ I¡¯ll return in a few months.T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah soothed Grace¡¯s worries. ¡°Don¡¯t stress. I¡¯m quite familiar with Newfort. I¡¯ll tell you once I¡¯m there. ¡± Grace¡¯s face lit up with a smile. ¡°Okay!¡± After convincing Grace to hit the sack, Hannah retreated to her room and turned the key in the lock. Despite the current chill in the air with Bryson, she expected, as always, to get a message from him once hended in Newfort. But the silence had stretched on for days¡­ Hannah nced at her phone, where Bryson¡¯sst message was still disyed. She swiped her finger across the screen, rereading the words from days ago. Pondering for a bit, she decided to call Yosef. ¡°Hello, Miss Moore,¡± Yosef answered promptly. ¡°Yosef, are you with Bryson?¡± Hannah asked directly. There was a brief pause on the other end, and then Yosef replied, ¡°Sorry, my boss can¡¯te to the phone right now. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed. Something felt off. ¡°You didn¡¯t go overseas with Bryson?¡± she pressed. The silence on Yosef¡¯s end confirmed her suspicion. ¡°You didn¡¯t travel with Bryson? Who¡¯s with him, then?¡± she persisted. Caught off guard by her questions, Yosef hesitated. But Hannah¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you don¡¯t have to cover for him. I just need to know who he¡¯s with. ¡± Yosef knew he had to be honest. ¡°Miss Moore, my boss went abroad with Caleb. He left me in charge here. That¡¯s the truth¡­ I haven¡¯t heard from him in days either,¡± he confessed. Hannah believed him. His story was too detailed to be a lie. Chapter 1017 ¡°Got it,¡± she said, about to end the call. Then Yosef added, ¡°You know, Miss Moore, you could try calling Mr. Mitchell directly. If he¡¯s able to, he¡¯ll surely answer. ¡± But Hannah was unaware of Bryson¡¯s current situation in Newfort. It wasn¡¯t the right time to call him. ¡°Thanks for the advice. ¡± After she ended the phone call, Hannah drew back the bedroom curtains and peered downstairs for a bit. Just as she was about to close them, she noticed two sneaky figures below. They looked vaguely familiar to her, and she squinted, trying to ce them. Dressed in ck athletic wear,plete with a cap and a face mask, Hannah quietly opened her bedroom door. The living room was dark, and Grace was silently in her own room. Moving on tiptoes, Hannah slipped out of the door. At the apartmentplex¡¯s gate, she concealed herself behind the wall, perfectly positioned to see outside without being seen. The two figures she had seen earlier were now dragging someone, moving away into the distance. Hannah decided to follow them. They dragged the man to a secluded spot behind a building, out of the security camera¡¯s view, and pinned him against a wall. ¡°You have been lurking around for quite a while. Looks like you¡¯re finally making a move?¡± Keith, d in a suit, snapped in a low voice, forcefully holding the man against the wall. He looked stern, a stark contrast to the friendly demeanor he showed around Hannah. ¡°You¡¯ve been tailing thedy, found her ce, and figured out how to deal with the surveince. Impressive. Now talk. Who sent you? What do you want?¡± The captive man stayed silent, lips sealed, clearly not nning to divulge anything. ¡°I get it, tough guys like you would rather die than spill,¡± Trent chimed in, toying with his lighter. ¡°But let¡¯s cut to the chase. We¡¯re all here for the cash. I don¡¯t want any trouble. How much did they pay you? Tell us, and we¡¯ll double it. We¡¯re not asking you to turn on your boss. We just want to know who they are. ¡± But still, the man said nothing. Keith was running out of patience. He swiftly moved to disable the man¡¯s arm. ¡°Ah! You¡­¡± the man started, but his groan was cut short. Trent, with a nod, said, ¡°You¡¯re a tough one. Clearly, you¡¯re in this for the cash and power. You wouldn¡¯t really die for your boss, right?¡± Hannah recognized the two figures in the dim light as members of the Compton family. She frowned in thought. Just two days earlier, she had felt someone tailing her. Now, she realized it was this man, now overpowered by Keith and Trent. Her n had been to use him to uncover his backer before leaving town, but these two had beaten her to it. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just tell us?¡± Trent demanded, bringing a Lighter¡¯s me near the man¡¯s face. ¡°You know it¡¯s illegal to tail us. How about we take a trip to the police station?¡± The mention of ¡°police station¡± sent the man into a frenzied struggle. Keith, unbothered, pressed him further. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve had run-ins with the police before? We¡¯re short on patience.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Talk in three seconds, or we¡¯re calling them. ¡± He started counting down. ¡°3¡­ 2¡­¡± Suddenly, the man blurted out, ¡°Enchantment Casino!¡± Keith and Trent exchanged looks, unfamiliar with the name. ¡°What¡¯s this Enchantment Casino?¡± Keith asked. But it wasn¡¯t the pinned man who answered. Hannah, stepping out from behind the wall, filled them in, ¡°It¡¯s a hotspot for gangs in Muvrand, aiming to dominate the illegal trades nearby. ¡± Surprised to see Hannah, Keith and Trent turned to her. She remained cool and collected. ¡°Let him go. He¡¯s no use to us. You won¡¯t get anything more out of him. ¡± Chapter 1018 Upon hearing that, they released him. The man who had been pinned to the wall quickly fled the moment he was set free. Keith nced at Hannah and coughed, a hint of embarrassment in his eyes.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°So, you knew all along that we were¡­ trailing you?¡± ¡°I figured out some time ago that someone was following me, but I only noticed you two today,¡± Hannah replied, eyeing them with suspicion. ¡°You both seemed really eager to catch the guy tailing me. You wanted to know why he was stalking me. Who are you guys, anyway? Why are you digging into my business?¡± With a narrow gaze, Hannah continued, ¡°The Compton family weren¡¯t into local business before. Then youe back, hold this big auction, using that huge plot in the east district as bait to draw me in, right? The White and Compton families working together doesn¡¯t really benefit you. You¡¯ve built your influence overseas. If you were to partner up locally, it¡¯d make more sense with the Mitchell family. It just feels like your family¡¯s deal with the Whites is somehow targeting me. ¡± Keith and Trent exchanged looks. Trent broke the silence. ¡°Keith, maybe it¡¯s time wee clean?¡± Keith let out a sigh. ¡°How about we find a better ce to talk? Standing here isn¡¯t doing us any favors. ¡± Eventually, they found themselves in a cafe that was open all day. ¡°Three coffees, please,¡± Keith requested. Seated opposite them, Hannah said firmly, ¡°Alright, out with it. If you¡¯re going to lie to me again, I¡¯m out of here. ¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Keith was at a loss for words, so he nudged Trent to speak. ¡°I¡­¡± Trent began, his gaze fixed on Hannah. ¡°I need to tell you something. You know¡­ Who your real dad is?¡± Hannah, unimpressed, replied sharply, ¡°I don¡¯t have time for nonsense. If this isn¡¯t important, I¡¯m leaving. ¡± She looked at them as if they were making no sense. ¡°No, listen to me! Wyatt Moore isn¡¯t your real father. Got it?!¡± Hannah, though she had suspected it, felt a jolt hearing these words and stayed silent. Trent, noticing her silence, cautiously added, ¡°You might not believe me right away. But¡­¡± He cleared his throat awkwardly. ¡°I managed to get some of your hair for a DNA test. Turns out, we have the same dad. Our dad knew your mom passed away, but you were still out there. So, he told us toe back here and find a way to meet you. ¡± Hannah gave them a skeptical look and asked, ¡°And why should I believe any of this?¡± ¡°I have the DNA test results right here. ¡± Keith handed the phone to Hannah, saying, ¡°This DNA report is legitimate. You can verify it, or redo the DNA test if you want. ¡± Hannah nced at the report on the phone and replied, ¡°No need to. ¡± She gave back the phone to Keith and queried, ¡°What do you want from me? To acknowledge my biological dad?¡± Chapter 1019 ¡°Um¡­¡± The brothers exchanged bewildered looks, not expecting Hannah¡¯s response. Trent paused, then said, ¡°Dad really wants to meet you. You are his daughter, after all. ¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°So, I¡¯m his daughter, and you two are his sons. He was gone when my mom was pregnant with me at home. Seems like his rtionship with my mom wasn¡¯t exactly honorable. ¡± The brothers fell silent at her words. Hannah mocked, ¡°Did he deceive my mom, leave her pregnant, and then run off abroad?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not it!¡± Trent hurriedly rified, ¡°We share a father but. . Our parents are actually adoptive, not biological. You¡¯ll find out soon enough. There¡¯s no point in hiding it now. ¡± They then shared the whole story with her. The Compton family had a significant presence overseas, with aplexwork of influences. Wace Compton, Hannah¡¯s biological father, was seen as the most likely to carry on the family legacy. However, in his youth, he defied his family¡¯s influence and fell for Hannah¡¯s mother. Tragically, due to threats from enemies, Wace had to abandon her and face his adversaries alone. Yearster, after securing his position in the Compton family, he discovered she was married when he tried to reunite with her. Keith and Trent were two adopted sons of Wace. Wace, who had been married for years, never had his own children. Instead, he adopted orphans, training them to be his confidants. Over the years, only Trent and Keith rose to prominence, bing Wace¡¯s most distinguished children. Hannah listened quietly, lost in thought. ¡°So, is he looking for me now because he doesn¡¯t have his own kids?¡± she asked. ¡°No,¡± Keith replied, his brow creasing. ¡°There¡¯s more to it. We¡¯ve known about your mother¡¯s death for a long time. Dad wanted to bring you overseas, but domestic forces got in the way, and we couldn¡¯t find you. Only after sorting out the Compton family¡¯s overseas troubles did Dad send us to find you. We¡¯ve discovered there¡¯s also a group keeping tabs on you here.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡± Trent chimed in, ¡°You¡¯re nning to go to Newfort, right? Come with us and meet Dad. ¡± Hannah felt nothing when she heard the word ¡°dad. ¡± Wyatt, her adoptive dad, was pretty lousy at the job. He used her for his own goals. And now, her real dad wanted to meet her. It was no surprise Hannah was overthinking things. She quickly turned down Trent¡¯s offer, saying, ¡°We never saw each other and I don¡¯t see why we need to meet now. I¡¯ve got more important stuff to do in Newfort. Sorry, but I can¡¯te back with you to see him. ¡± Trent saw thising. He ran his hand through his hair and asked, ¡°Keith, what now?¡± Chapter 1020 Keith thought for a moment before replying, ¡°Well, you could act like we never told you anything today. Pretend you don¡¯t know the truth. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows lifted. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°We came to bring you back to see Dad. If he finds out you know who you are but don¡¯t want toe, we might get in trouble. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t say a word to anyone. ¡± Getting up, Hannah said, ¡°Honestly, I couldn¡¯t care less about my identity or yours. I¡¯ll keep quiet about what I know. ¡± Hearing this, they were extremely disappointed. ¡°We have no ill intentions. We hope you¡¯ll go back and see Dad. It¡¯s just¡­¡± Hannah interrupted Keith and said, ¡°I get it. I know what it cost you to be the adopted son of my biological father. I¡¯ve heard enough stories about my parents since I was little. If I believe you so easily, it¡¯d show I¡¯m pretty foolish. ¡± Keith stood up, trying to reassure Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m not lying to you. ¡± Trent chimed in, his eyes grim, ¡°She¡¯s not going to believe it. No point in talking more. ¡± Hannah agreed, ¡°Exactly. The Garza family, the Moore family, your Compton family, and even the White family, none of them have told me the truth. Honestly, I don¡¯t really care who my real dad is. You don¡¯t need to convince me to go see this so-called father in Newfort. ¡± Hannah nced at her phone and remarked, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, and I¡¯ll be leaving the country in a few days. Please, don¡¯t bother Grace while I¡¯m gone. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re our main focus. We won¡¯t bother anyone close to you,¡± Trent promised her. It was evident that he was telling the truth.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Hannah looked down and said firmly, ¡°You better stick to that promise. ¡± As she turned to leave, Keith halted her. ¡°Since you¡¯ll be in Newfort soon, what about our deal with the White family?¡± ¡°My cousin Edwin will handle it,¡± Hannah responded confidently. ¡°He¡¯s very capable. The partnership between the Compton family and White families will be fine without me. ¡± After Hannah left, Trent and Keith sat back down. ¡°She¡¯s very cautious. She doesn¡¯t trust us, despite what we said,¡± Keith remarked. Taking out his phone, Trent said with a smirk, ¡°If she had believed us, I¡¯d have been suspicious of her. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s too cautious to believe our story that easily,¡± Keith agreed. ¡°She¡¯s sought after by strong local forces and now she¡¯s heading overseas. Tracking her down won¡¯t be easy. ¡± ¡°We still have Jarvis Ortega abroad, and she¡¯s heading to Newfort, where we have influence. We can keep an eye on her no matter where she goes. ¡± Trent then made a call and said, ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Dad. ¡± Meanwhile, in the Pinellia Manor of Crystalwater District, Lightby City, Newfort, a man dressed in a suit stood. Age had refined his features, giving him a mature, timeless charm. His deep-set eyes radiated anger, yet his handsome face remained expressionless. Below him, the white carpet of the hall was slowly being stained with blood. Chapter 1021 Wace Compton rested on the sofa, legs crossed, puffing on a cigar.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. In the hall, a man was there, his left arm amputated, lying on the floor. No one could tell if he was dead or alive. With a slight gesture from Wace, the man was startled awake by a ssh of cold water. ¡°Boss, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± the man pleaded for mercy in a hushed voice. Wace gazed at him with a faint smile. He aimed the sharp de in his hand at the man¡¯s knees and questioned, ¡°Have I exined the consequences of betrayal to you?¡± ¡°Boss, it wasn¡¯t me, I swear! John set me up¡­ It was just a mistake¡­¡± ¡°And that¡¯s why you lost an arm. Got any problems with that?¡± The man kneeling on the floor, shaking and pale, stammered, ¡°No, no problems at all. Just¡­ please don¡¯t kill me!¡± Wace¡¯s reputation for brutality was well known. He wouldn¡¯t let any threat go unpunished. Understanding his fate, the man kept bowing, begging for mercy. ¡°I didn¡¯t turn against you, I was set up!¡± ¡°I know you wouldn¡¯t dare cross me. They trapped you, and I¡¯ve already taken an arm. Let¡¯s leave it at that,¡± Wace said, flicking his cigar into the trash. ¡°Jarvis, tend to his injury. Make sure he doesn¡¯t lose too much blood and survive. ¡± ¡°Of course, Mr. Compton. ¡± Relieved, the man struggled to his feet. ¡°Thank you, boss. Thank you¡­¡± Bang! But his gratitude was cut short. Jarvis, without a hint of emotion, shot him in the forehead. The man¡¯s eyes went wide, and he copsed onto the carpet. Jarvis expertly rolled up the carpet and signaled to the people dressed in ck outside to remove the body. ¡°Mr. Compton, the second group¡¯s bold enough to deceive you. Looks like they¡¯re up to something. ¡± Wace passed the knife to Jarvis and remarked, ¡°John¡¯s arrogance is so unbearable. I¡¯d rather noty eyes on him again. ¡± epting the knife, Jarvis nodded. ¡°Understood. ¡± Suddenly, Wace¡¯s phone buzzed. It was Trent calling. Picking up, Wace asked, ¡°What¡¯s up? Trouble at home?¡± Trent hesitated, then admitted, ¡°Dad, Hannah¡¯s suspicious of us. We can¡¯t get near her. Plus, there¡¯s another group of forces in the country aiming to capture her. It looks like the Garza family. We¡¯re digging deeper into it. Also, Hannah¡¯s heading to Newfort. Her flightnds in a few days. ¡± Chapter 1022 Wace stopped tapping his fingers on his knee, his expression growing serious. ¡°Do you know hernding spot?¡± ¡°Not yet, but we¡¯ll figure it out tonight. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Wace, not ming them for the setbacks, instructed, ¡°Once you¡¯ve got more info, keep Jarvis informed. ¡± ¡°Will do, Dad. ¡± After ending the call, Wace turned to Jarvis, who was nearby, and remarked casually, ¡°My daughter Hannah will be in Newfort soon. Ensure she¡¯s weed warmly. ¡± ¡°Mr.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Compton, do you want her alive or dead?¡± Wace raised his eyes to Jarvis, his expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯ve been with me long enough to know. Is my business ever just life and death?¡± ¡°I messed up, sorry. ¡± ¡°Let it go. I get that you have a one-track mind. ¡± Wace shrugged, saying casually, ¡°She¡¯s heading to Newfort with her own agenda, and it¡¯s aplicated mess here. Look after her, will you?¡± ¡°Of course, Mr. Compton. Miss Moore will be safe with me around. ¡± With everything sorted, Hannah finally made it to the airport. Just after ending the phone call with Lydia, Hannah¡¯s gaze locked onto Bryson¡¯s number. She hesitated, then decided to try calling Bryson before boarding. Phone in hand, Hannah¡¯s frown deepened. No surprise, the call didn¡¯t go through. She muttered to herself, biting her lip in concern. ¡°Bryson! What¡¯s happening with you?¡± She never imagined Bryson¡¯s disappearance would affect her so much. Ever since Bryson went overseas and disappeared from everyone¡¯s radar, she couldn¡¯t shake off the worry for his safety. ¡°Attention, passengers. Flight A548Q from Valmere to Lightby in Newfort is now boarding at gate 1. This is your final call for Flight A548 to Lightby. ¡± Hannah pocketed her phone, got up from her seat, and, suitcase in hand, made her way to the boarding gate. Once on the ne, she settled into her seat and tried calling Ro again, but there was no response. ¡°Excuse me, ma¡¯am. We¡¯re about to depart. Could you please switch to airne mode?¡± The flight attendant stood by Hannah, her smile warm and professional. Hannah nodded, ending the call and switching her phone to airne mode. The flight from Valmere to Lightby took 13 hours. Shortly after takeoff, Hannah drew the window shade down, asked for a nket from the flight attendant, and soon drifted off. Chapter 1023 Previously, she had trouble sleeping on the ne, but this time, she found herself dozing off for an extended period, experiencing unusual dreams. Aroused from sleep, Hannah clutched the nket tightly, taking deep breaths to calm herself. She flicked on the light, and after a short while, the flight attendant appeared, squatted beside her, and said softly, ¡°Hello, ma¡¯am. Is there anything I can assist you with?¡± Hannah was still a bit disoriented. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m quite thirsty. Would you mind getting me some water? Thanks. ¡± ¡°Sure thing, ma¡¯am.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Just a second. ¡± Once the flight attendant had gone, Hannah nced at her phone¡¯s clock in the dimly lit cabin. She still had about five hours before reaching Lightby, even though she¡¯d already napped for eight hours. Rubbing her sore forehead, Hannah saw the flight attendant return quickly with a ss of water. ¡°Here¡¯s your water, ma¡¯am. ¡± Hannah gulped it down, finally feeling more alert. ¡°Ma¡¯am, you were asleep earlier. I didn¡¯t want to bother you. Would you like something to eat?¡± Hannah politely declined. ¡°No, I¡¯m good, thanks. ¡± ¡°Alright, just turn on the light if you need anything. ¡± ¡°Will do. ¡± The ne touched down in Lightby at 3 PM. Stepping out of the airport, Hannah was about to call Jalen when a pair of twins approached her. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve been here waiting for you. Ready to head to the base?¡± The two strong men stood in front of Hannah, clearly much taller than her. She stretched her neck to gaze up at them, a hint of surprise evident in her raised eyebrows. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s only been five years since Ist saw you, and you¡¯ve gained so much muscle. What¡¯s the secret? Taking up hormones?¡± Dn, a little hesitant, rubbed the back of his head. ¡°Brains aren¡¯t our strong suit, so we make a living thro ugh our fighting abilities. ¡± Dotson chimed in, a note of concern in his voice, ¡°Ever since you left Hannah, making a living got tougher. Now that you¡¯re back, are you gonna help us get our Dark Web operations up and running again?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll talk about the Dark Web some other time. I¡¯m here on important business. ¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Suddenly, they were interrupted by Jalen, who approached them rapidly, d in a gray suit. He positioned himself protectively in front of Hannah, eyeing the two men with caution. ¡°Hold on, what¡¯s happening here? Let¡¯s not make any rash moves!¡± Dn and Dotson looked at each other, confused. ¡°Boss, who¡¯s this guy?¡± Chapter 1024 Jalen¡¯s posture tensed, but Hannah reassured him with a pat on his shoulder. ¡°Rx, Jalen, these guys are old friends. ¡± She introduced them. ¡°This is Dn and Dotson. I met them during my studies abroad. They¡¯re twins and just started college this year. And this is my cousin. I¡¯m here for him. ¡± She gestured to Jalen. Recognizing Jalen¡¯s rtion to Hannah, Dn and Dotson bowed together. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re the boss¡¯s cousin.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Our apologies!¡± Jalen, still on guard, grabbed Hannah¡¯s wrist and pulled her slightly away. In a low voice, he asked, ¡°What kind of friends are these? Can we trust them? You haven¡¯t been in touch for years, and there are rumors about gangs in Newfort¡­¡± Hannah quickly interrupted her cousin¡¯s overthinking. ¡°Jalen, rx. I¡¯m in touch with them all these years. No need to worry. ¡± Jalen found it difficult not to be concerned as he observed the two men standing across from him. Dn and Dotson were smiling at him, which left Jalen at a loss for words. He couldn¡¯t help but think they didn¡¯t seem like the most trustworthy individuals. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t just stand there. Since you¡¯re here, why not pay a visit to my cousin¡¯s art studio?¡± Dn and Dotson exchanged nces. They didn¡¯t mind at all and turned their attention to Jalen. Hannah also looked at him expectantly. ¡°Jalen, is that alright with you?¡± ¡°Well¡­ Okay,¡± Jalen agreed, knowing he wouldn¡¯t turn down Hannah¡¯s suggestion. ¡°You guys have a car, right? Just follow us in your car. ¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head out. ¡± Once in Jalen¡¯s car, Hannah gazed out at the cityscape. The buildings were so different from those back home, and the old-fashioned streets helped ease her anxiety. ¡°Why are youing to Newfort all of a sudden?¡± Jalen asked as he drove the car. Hannah offered a smile in response. ¡°Just felt like seeing you. ¡± Jalen nced at Hannah while driving and chuckled, ¡°I¡¯d be thrilled if you came just for me. But that¡¯s not really why you¡¯re here, is it?¡± ¡°You know, Jalen, sometimes ying dumb isn¡¯t so bad. ¡± Jalen sighed, ¡°Newfort¡¯s different from home. Getting a gun here is tough, but it¡¯s legal. Plus, there are gangs around. I¡¯m worried you might get in trouble. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not one to stir up trouble, and I¡¯ll stay out of harm¡¯s way. You¡¯ve been here a while without issues, right?¡± Chapter 1025 Jalen opened his mouth to reply but then fell silent. ¡°And besides, I¡¯ve been to Muvrand¡¯s border, where guns aremon, and I returned safe and sound,¡± Hannah continued. ¡°It¡¯s not the same. Stay for a couple of days, then I¡¯ll get you a ticket back. ¡± Turning to face him, Hannah asked, ¡°When you talked about this art exhibition, you never mentioned the danger. When do you n to leave?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Jalen shifted his gaze. ¡°I¡¯m not like you. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jalen. I¡¯ll leave as soon as I find the person I¡¯m looking for. ¡± Hannah reassured him with a smile. ¡°Who are you looking for?¡± Jalen asked Hannah curiously. ¡°A friend, a younger one. I didn¡¯t give him permission toe here, but he traveled over anyway. I haven¡¯t been able to reach him for a while now. It worries me. ¡± Jalen frowned, ¡°Do you need my help?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Thanks, but I think it would be better if I handled it myself. ¡± Jalen was nodding his assent when something else urred to him. ¡°Oh, by the way, you asked me to look into Bryson¡¯s school back in Newfort, right? I¡¯ve discovered something. Hispany has always been based there, but just before he graduated, he seems to havee into contact with some unknown people from outside the campus. ¡± ¡°Unknown people?¡± Hannah was confused. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Jalen said in a rather cautious tone, ¡°from what I gathered, they seemed to be members of some city gang. ¡± He rushed to add, ¡°But this is merely spection at this point. We don¡¯t have enough evidence to prove that this is true. After all, hister businesses are all legal and up to code. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Jalen. You don¡¯t have to be so concerned about these matters. ¡±This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Hannah lowered her eyes and pondered this new information. Despite her words, she knew Bryson¡¯s capabilities all too well. Even if he himself hadn¡¯t been a part of the city¡¯s gang, he was most certainly associated with them in one way or another. ¡°Here we are,¡± Jalen said, interrupting her thoughts. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s head inside. ¡± Jalen¡¯s art studio was located in the outskirts of the city. It was far enough to afford him peace, but not too far away that it would be hard to ess. They alighted from the car, and Jalen led the way inside the building. As soon as they disappeared through the door, a ck Jeep ground to a halt by the road, just a few meters away from the studio. ¡°Mr. Compton, they are currently in the suburbs of Lightby. They havee to what my investigations indicated to be her cousin¡¯s art studio. The so-called cousin¡¯s name is Jalen White. He arrived in Newfort around ten months ago to work on an exhibit. His art career is developing at a rapid pace. His paintings are almost always sold out, and at higher and higher prices, too. However, his art exhibit seems to be connected to illicit organizations. I have yet to look into the details of that. ¡± On the other side, Wace nodded. ¡°Tell our people to keep an eye on them. Chapter 1026 On Hannah, especially. Don¡¯t make any mistakes. ¡± ¡°There is one more thing, Mr. Compton. Miss Moore is also apanied by two other people. I tailed them and found that they have been residents of Newfort for most of their lives, but I have no idea who they are. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. As long as they don¡¯t cause any trouble and keep you from watching Hannah, there is no need to look into them.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. ¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Compton. ¡± Hannah stepped into the studio and looked around. The exterior of the building looked the same as any other around Newport, but the interiors adopted traditional Hoijery design. Paintings, both finished and unfinished, were stacked against each other in the main hall, with a decorative firece sitting in front of the room. Jalen took them to a sitting area on one side of the hall. ¡°Sorry, the ce is a little messy at the moment. I¡¯ve held an exhibit recently, and I haven¡¯t gotten around to putting the paintings away just yet. Sit and make yourselvesfortable. I¡¯ll go get you some water. ¡± Hannah plopped down on the sofa and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to trouble yourself, Jalen. They won¡¯t die, even if they don¡¯t drink water for the rest of the day. ¡± ¡°Boss! We worked really hard, following you all the way here. The least we can have is a ss of water!¡± No sooner had Dotson spoken than Dn began bobbing his head in earnest. ¡°That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right. We came out today to ensure your safety and uphold our duty as your bodyguards! How can you be so cruel to us when we protect you for free?¡± Jalen returned with a tray of sses and a pitcher of water. He came just in time to hear thes t bit of their conversation. His gaze immediately sharpened. ¡°What are you doing in Newport, anyway? Didn¡¯t you say that these men are your friends? What do you need bodyguards for?¡± ¡°Ignore them, Jalen. They¡¯re spouting nonsense. Even as she said that, Hannah turned sideways and red at Dotson and Dn. They promptly shut their mouths. Dotson took the initiative and picked up a ss of water from the tray. ¡°Yes, yes, we were just kidding around. The two of us are still in school, how can we possibly be bodyguards? It¡¯s just that, we haven¡¯t seen Boss in a long time. We couldn¡¯t help but mess with her a bit. ¡± ¡°Then why do you keep calling her ¡®Boss¡¯?¡± Hannah, who was in the middle of sipping from her own ss of water, choked at Jalen¡¯s words. She wiped her mouth and changed the topic. Picking up one of the canvases from the floor, she asked, ¡°Are these the paintings that weren¡¯t bought during the exhibit?¡± ¡°Ah, no. The finished paintings here were not disyed at all. ¡± Hannah nced toward the pile of paintings and frowned slightly. ¡°That makes at least thirty finished paintings. Are you holding another exhibit soon?¡± A hint of unease flickered in Jalen¡¯s eyes. ¡°Well¡­ Have you had lunch yet? I¡¯m about to cook something, why don¡¯t we have a meal together?¡± Sensing the shift in his mood, Hannah decided not to pursue the matter. Chapter 1027 ¡°Sure. I¡¯m actually hungry, and I¡¯m not really interested in going out to eat. I¡¯ll be happy to eat whatever you make, Jalen. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Just wait and chill while I go busy myself in the kitchen. ¡± Once Jalen was gone, Hannah stared at the painting in her hand, then turned to the two men on the other side of the coffee table. ¡°Don¡¯t you think my cousin is acting a little strange?¡± Dn and Dotson nodded without hesitation. ¡°There was something wrong with the way he reacted just now, especially when you asked about the paintings. Then, when you asked about an uing exhibit, he looked slightly panicked. ¡± ¡°He is likely hiding something from you,¡± Dotson pointed out. ¡°And judging by how anxious he is, it doesn¡¯t seem to be no small matter. ¡± Hannah ran her hand down the painting. ¡°I see¡­ You should head back to the base after we eat. I can take it from here. ¡± ¡°No!¡± Dn and Dotson eximed in unison. ¡°We¡¯ve received our orders from the Dark Web. We need to stay by your side and protect you until you leave Newfort. ¡± Hannah heaved a helpless sigh. ¡°You said it yourself, you¡¯re still in school. Don¡¯t you ever forget that. ¡± ¡°Oh, no worries, we¡¯ve applied for a leave of absence from university, and it got approved. It¡¯s okay, Boss. Just let us do our job. ¡± Hannah was at a loss. ¡°Did Beasley Faulkner coach you on how to thwart me at every turn?¡± Dotson cleared his throat and awkwardly looked away. ¡°No, no, not at all. ¡± ¡°You should just stop if you don¡¯t even know how to lie properly. I¡¯m going to call him right now. ¡± Dotson shot up from his seat and stopped her. ¡°Boss, don¡¯t! He¡¯s going to think we¡¯re useless, and he¡¯s definitely going to make fun of us! Please, please, don¡¯t call him!¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re scared of him, huh? I wonder, though, aren¡¯t you scared of me?¡± It was a clear threat, and they all knew it. Dotson mustered a small chuckle. ¡°Come on, Boss. You know we¡¯re doing this for your own good. You know how bad the current state of the surroundings is. Why won¡¯t you just let us do our job? Please!¡± Hannah stated, ¡°Nothing will happen to me.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. You¡¯re overthinking. ¡± Dotson, coughing slightly, turned to face her. ¡°Boss, we¡¯re all aware of it, no use hiding it. ¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Dn chimed in, more excited than Dotson. ¡°Beasley let slip that you think Leviathan might still be around. ¡± Realizing Beasley couldn¡¯t keep a secret, Hannah admitted, ¡°I have my suspicions, but no proof. The Dark Web¡¯s systems are updated. He can¡¯t hack in anymore. But who knows what else he might do? Beasley and I took him down, so if he¡¯s alive, we¡¯re his first targets. ¡± Dotson disagreed. ¡°Beasley¡¯s probably right. Leviathan¡¯s been gone so long, even the cops think he¡¯s dead. How could he hide all these years? We helped you guys back then. If Leviathan¡¯s out for revenge, we¡¯re on his list too. Plus, the cops found a lot of blood and his DNA where he vanished. It has to be him. Surviving that much blood loss? He¡¯d have to be a god. ¡± Dn nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, no way someone survives losing that much blood. ¡± Chapter 1028 Hannah thought for a moment. ¡°You might be right, but I can¡¯t let my guard down. ¡± Leviathan¡¯s possible survival nagged at her. Even if the chances were slim, she couldn¡¯t shake the unease. ¡°Aside from you and Beasley, no one else in the Dark Web knows what I suspect, right?¡± Hannah said. Dotson shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss. Beasley talks, but he wouldn¡¯t tell everyone. Only we know. ¡± Hannah gave a firm nod. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. There¡¯s something else I need you to look into. Can you track down someone for me?¡± She swiftly sent Bryson¡¯s details to Dn and Dotson. The moment they received the information on their phones, both of them reacted with shock. ¡°What? Him?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°You¡¯ve met him before?¡± It was concerning that these two recognized him. Clients would hire them from the Dark Web as bodyguards, but also to handle some tricky situations and people.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Bryson was one of those tricky cases. Dotson replied, ¡°Yes! We saw him at an antique auction recently. We were guarding a Wall Street big shot. Bryson really stood out because he bid an insane 5Q0Q@ million for an ancient teapot, way over its value. Even novices like us knew it wasn¡¯t worth that much. The seller was clearly inting the price. We didn¡¯t know who he was at the time. He hadn¡¯t been at any previous auctions, and he didn¡¯t seem like he was from Newfort. We thought he was just some rich fool, but he¡¯s someone you know, boss? That¡¯s quite a surprise!¡± Hannah remained silent. If even Dn and Dotson could spot the ruse, it was unlikely Bryson didn¡¯t know the antique¡¯s true value. The fact that he bought it anyway was odd. ¡°Since you remember him so well, did you notice any other odd behavior from him at the auction?¡± Dotson rubbed his head, deep in thought. ¡°Back then, we bumped into him by chance, not too far away. The guy was tall, with a cap and shades, dressed all simple but kinda standoffish. I kept thinking, could a guy dressed like that really pull out 5Q@ million? Didn¡¯t really notice much else, to be honest. ¡± Dn chimed in, ¡°I was driving when we took our boss away. By chance, his car was right ahead. He stopped near a hotel, I remember. ¡± Hannah leaned forward, eager. ¡°Do you recall the hotel¡¯s name?¡± Dn nodded. ¡°Sure, it was the Imperial Pce Hotel. ¡± Imperial Pce Hotel?! Hannah couldn¡¯t hide her shock. She stood up abruptly. ¡°Think hard! Are you certain it was the Imperial Pce Hotel?¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the one,¡± Dn replied, taken aback by her reaction. ¡°Why, boss? Something off about the Imperial Pce? It¡¯s a hotspot for the rich. ¡± Hannah tried to steady herself, her hands trembling. ¡°That ce was once Leviathan¡¯s turf!¡± Chapter 1029 Dotson got her drift. ¡°Since he¡¯s gone, the K Group runs it now. They¡¯re big in Newfort. Met their boss once. Definitely not Leviathan. If it were, he would¡¯ve tried to kill me. ¡± Dn remarked, ¡°You know, our Dark Web is in cahoots with the K Group. I¡¯m pretty sure we won¡¯t have any issues at the Imperial Pce Hotel. ¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s concerned expression, Dotson offered, ¡°Look, since you want us to track down this guy, we could check out the Imperial Pce Hotel. We¡¯re on good terms with the K Group¡¯s boss, so we might just find Bryson. ¡± Hannah gave a nod. ¡°Thanks a lot. ¡± ¡°No need for thanks, it¡¯s just what we do!¡± As they spoke, Jalen brought in the food, grumbling, ¡°Don¡¯t expect much. I¡¯m no chef. Just threw something together. ¡± ¡°But anything made by the boss¡¯s cousin has to be great!¡± Dn, grabbing his fork, said eagerly, ¡°I¡¯m starving, let¡¯s dig in!¡± He started eating, but suddenly paused mid-chew. Dotson, noticing this, hesitated to eat. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Dn, swallowing his bite, replied, ¡°It¡¯s actually pretty good. You can cook!¡± Dotson, knowing Dn¡¯s quirks, quietly put down his fork without a word. Hannah, watching Dn, decided to try some. ¡°If you like it, I guess I¡¯ll have some too. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery As soon as she tasted it, she caught Dn¡¯s and Dotson¡¯s watchful eyes. Shocked, Hannah muttered in her mind, ¡°Damn it! This is awful! Why didn¡¯t they warn me? They must¡¯ve done this on purpose!¡± Jalen turned to Hannah and casually asked, ¡°How¡¯s the taste?¡± Hannah struggled to swallow and managed a weak smile. ¡°It¡¯s good¡­ But maybe next time we should just get takeout, Jalen. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. I¡¯d be happy to cook for you anytime. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Dn quickly set his fork down and waved off the idea. ¡°Oh, no need¡­ I mean¡­ It¡¯s really good. Once is enough for me. ¡± Hannah shot him a look. ¡°If you like it, you shoulde over more to try my cousin¡¯s dishes. ¡± Dn was at a loss for words. He just felt like he had trapped himself. Dotson, feigning distraction with his phone, suddenly eximed, ¡°Oh! I just remembered, we¡¯ve got something else to do tonight, so we¡¯ll leave you two to catch up. Let¡¯s go, Dn!¡± As they hurried off, Jalen looked puzzled. Blinking, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s with them?¡± Chapter 1030 Dotson got her drift. ¡°Since he¡¯s gone, the K Group runs it now. They¡¯re big in Newfort. Met their boss once. Definitely not Leviathan. If it were, he would¡¯ve tried to kill me. ¡± Dn remarked, ¡°You know, our Dark Web is in cahoots with the K Group. I¡¯m pretty sure we won¡¯t have any issues at the Imperial Pce Hotel. ¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s concerned expression, Dotson offered, ¡°Look, since you want us to track down this guy, we could check out the Imperial Pce Hotel. We¡¯re on good terms with the K Group¡¯s boss, so we might just find Bryson. ¡± Hannah gave a nod. ¡°Thanks a lot. ¡± ¡°No need for thanks, it¡¯s just what we do!¡± As they spoke, Jalen brought in the food, grumbling, ¡°Don¡¯t expect much. I¡¯m no chef. Just threw something together. ¡± ¡°But anything made by the boss¡¯s cousin has to be great!¡± Dn, grabbing his fork, said eagerly, ¡°I¡¯m starving, let¡¯s dig in!¡± He started eating, but suddenly paused mid-chew. Dotson, noticing this, hesitated to eat. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Dn, swallowing his bite, replied, ¡°It¡¯s actually pretty good. You can cook!¡± Dotson, knowing Dn¡¯s quirks, quietly put down his fork without a word. Hannah, watching Dn, decided to try some. ¡°If you like it, I guess I¡¯ll have some too. ¡± As soon as she tasted it, she caught Dn¡¯s and Dotson¡¯s watchful eyes.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Shocked, Hannah muttered in her mind, ¡°Damn it! This is awful! Why didn¡¯t they warn me? They must¡¯ve done this on purpose!¡± Jalen turned to Hannah and casually asked, ¡°How¡¯s the taste?¡± Hannah struggled to swallow and managed a weak smile. ¡°It¡¯s good¡­ But maybe next time we should just get takeout, Jalen. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. I¡¯d be happy to cook for you anytime. ¡± Dn quickly set his fork down and waved off the idea. ¡°Oh, no need¡­ I mean¡­ It¡¯s really good. Once is enough for me. ¡± Hannah shot him a look. ¡°If you like it, you shoulde over more to try my cousin¡¯s dishes. ¡± Dn was at a loss for words. He just felt like he had trapped himself. Dotson, feigning distraction with his phone, suddenly eximed, ¡°Oh! I just remembered, we¡¯ve got something else to do tonight, so we¡¯ll leave you two to catch up. Let¡¯s go, Dn!¡± As they hurried off, Jalen looked puzzled. Blinking, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s with them?¡± Chapter 1031 ¡°Don¡¯t mind them, Jalen. Just keep eating. ¡± Jalen served more food to Hannah. ¡°You should eat too. ¡± Staring at her bowl, Hannah felt a bit queasy. ¡°No, I¡¯m good, Jalen. Maybe we should try some local takeout next time. I¡¯d like to try what this ce has to offer. ¡± ¡°The local cuisine here isn¡¯t that great. ¡± Hannah forced a smile, not admitting that even the worst local dish couldn¡¯tpare to her cousin¡¯s cooking. After they had dinner, Hannah made her way to the kitchen to clean the dishes. Coming back, she noticed Jalen had moved the paintings around in the living room. Jalen offered, ¡°Hey, you¡¯re wee to use my drawing studio while you¡¯re here. We¡¯ve got a few guest rooms. Pick any you like. ¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°No, I can¡¯t stay. I¡¯m here on a mission. It¡¯s a long trip from Lightby to this town. I¡¯ll probably get a ce downtown or maybe just book a hotel. ¡± Jalen looked a bit surprised, but he agreed, ¡°Alright, just be safe. And keep in touch, okay?¡± ¡°Sure, Jalen. ¡± Watching him organize his paintings, Hannah ventured, ¡°You know, Jalen, I¡¯m around Newfort for a bit. When¡¯s your next art show? I¡¯d love to drop by. ¡± At her words, Jalen¡¯s hand twitched. He started cleaning the same picture frame over and over. ¡°You¡¯ve seen art shows before. They¡¯re all kinda the same, aren¡¯t they?¡± Hannah, leaning casually against the wall, smiled, ¡°Remember when you first came to Newfort? You said if I ever visited, I should see your exhibition. ¡®s BunnyBookery Well, here I am. Why the hesitation about meing?¡± She paused, then added, ¡°What¡¯s up? You hiding something from me?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not it. I¡­¡± Jalen quickly replied, his voice rising slightly. Then, suddenly, the painting frame slipped from his hands, crashing loudly onto the marble floor! He quickly bent to pick it up, flustered. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not keeping anything from you. You¡¯re overthinking it. ¡± ¡°If I¡¯m overthinking, that¡¯s great. So, about the art show, when is it? I¡¯ll make sure to be there. ¡± After putting away the painting frame, Jalen turned to her and inquired ¡°Weren¡¯t you searching for someone? Do you have time to check out the art show?¡± ¡°I can search and still make time for your art show. Just let me know when it¡¯s happening. I¡¯ll definitelye by to support you. ¡± Jalen seemed a bit awkward but nodded. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll give you a heads-up about the show. ¡± ¡°I should head out now,¡± Hannah announced.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1032 As she made to leave, Jalen walked her to the door. ¡°Take care on your way. Call me if you need anything. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be fine. ¡± Just as she was about to leave, Jalen called out, ¡°Hold on, you¡¯ve just arrived in Newfort. You probably haven¡¯t got local currency yet. Here, take some cash. It¡¯ll be easier for you to get around. ¡± He went to the living room, returned with his wallet, and handed her a mix of bills and coins.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Just ask if you need more. ¡± Hannah epted the money. ¡°Thanks, Jalen. You think of everything. I¡¯m off now. ¡± ¡°Stay safe!¡± ¡°Alright, Jalen. You can go back inside. ¡± Once outside, Hannah looked around. Taxis were scarce here. She was on her phone, looking for a ride to the city center when a ck Bentley pulled up. The passenger window rolled down, revealing Winston Ortega. ¡°Miss, need a ride? I can offer a good rate. ¡± Hannah just stared at him, silent. Winston persisted, ¡°Are you from Cadilind? Where to? I¡¯ll take you. How about a discount?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the fare to Lightby center?¡± ¡°Usually, it¡¯s at least 70. I just dropped someone off nearby and don¡¯t want to head back without another passenger. How about 50?¡± Winston had just finished speaking when Hannah opened the door and climbed in. ¡°Thanks,¡± she said, settling into the car. She remained silent as Winston drove through Lightby¡¯s downtown streets. ncing in the rearview mirror, Winston caught Hannah looking out the window. She didn¡¯t turn to speak but insteadmented without emotion. ¡°Mister, should you really be watching your passengers more than the road?¡± Hannah faced forward, catching Winston¡¯s eye in the mirror. ¡°Do I know you?¡± she asked. Avoiding her gaze, Winston, trying to sound casual, replied, ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong. It¡¯s just rare to meet someone from Cadilind here. It felt familiar, that¡¯s all. Didn¡¯t mean to upset you. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah asked, a slight smile on her lips. ¡°You¡¯re from Cadilind too? When did you move to Newfort?¡± ¡°A few years back,¡± he said, focusing on the road. Hannah traced circles on her knees thoughtfully. ¡°What part of Cadilind are you from?¡± ¡°I¡¯m originally from Muvrand, but my family moved here,¡± Winston shared. ¡°Understood. ¡± Hannah looked up, her eyebrows arching. ¡°I often go to Muvrand for little errands. It¡¯s as if fate brought us together. ¡± ¡°Fate indeed,¡± Winston agreed, smiling. Hannah quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Driving a Bentley and still working as a taxi driver?¡± Her question hung in the air, the atmosphere in the car growing heavy. Winston¡¯s smile disappeared as he loosened his grip on the wheel. ¡°Miss, I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re implying. ¡± Chapter 1033 Winston was silent as he drove, not uttering a word. The air inside the car grew increasingly chilly. ¡°Why did you trick me into getting in the car?¡± Hannah asked in a rxed tone. ¡°I apologize, ma¡¯am. This car belongs to my boss. I was here to drop someone off and thought I could make a little extra by driving back,¡± Winston exined, denying any foul y. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to cause any confusion. ¡± A smile crept onto Hannah¡¯s face upon hearing his words. She gazed out the window and remarked, ¡°Looks like you¡¯re not nning to kidnap me. We are indeed heading towards downtown Lightby. You¡¯re supposed to be keeping an eye on me, right? Aren¡¯t you worried about the consequences of your boss for showing up now? I prefer direct conversations. Speak the truth, or I might twist your head off. Do you believe me?¡± ¡°Yes, I believe you. ¡± Winston¡¯s response was icy. ¡°If you¡¯re not going to pay, I¡¯ll just consider this a free ride to your destination. ¡± Hannah looked at Winston, finding his arrogance astounding! She suddenly tried to hit the back of Winston¡¯s head!This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Without thinking, Winston instinctively tilted his head to avoid it, and their car jerked sidewards, nearly crushing into another! The moment he regained control of the car, the person in the backseat unexpectedly sped his neck and said, ¡°I don¡¯t mean to kill anyone here. I¡¯m just curious. Who sent you? Tell me!¡± Hannah¡¯s grip wasn¡¯t tight, allowing Winston to breathe. He squinted and continued to drive calmly. ¡°If anything happens, we¡¯ll both be in trouble, ma¡¯am. ¡± ¡°Enough talk!¡± Hannah squeezed his neck harder, demanding, ¡°Tell me the truth!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already told you¡­¡± Winston struggled to speak, his face reddening. ¡°I am just¡­ I¡¯m just an employee. You¡¯ve got the wrong idea, ma¡¯am!¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed as she released her grip slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t care who sent you. But remember, if you don¡¯t tell the truth, you¡¯ll face the consequences! Nobody could¡¯ve evaded my move like you just did unless they¡¯ve had some proper training. You reacted swiftly, unlike your average driver. And you¡¯re too calm for someone who¡¯s just a regr worker, even under threat. I refuse to believe you¡¯re just an ordinary employee!¡± Hannah rxed her arms, crossed her legs on the seat, and began to touch up her makeup in a small mirror. Her grace and demeanor seemed so refined as if she couldn¡¯t possibly be the one who had done something cruel to Winston! The lovelydy delicately lifted her gaze in the rearview mirror and peered at the driver. ¡°Since you¡¯ve got the guts to see me, it means you¡¯re not worried about revealing who you are. You think I¡¯m a gullible fool who¡¯s going fall for your lies?¡± Winston remained silent before finally speaking, ¡°Ma¡¯am, I want to get you to your destination. That¡¯s all. Can¡¯t we leave it at that?¡± Hannah¡¯s smile was deliberate as she enunciated each word. ¡°Because I¡¯m not satisfied! I couldn¡¯t care less whose man you are. Do you honestly think I¡¯ll just let you walk away after showing right up to me like this?¡± After that, the person in the front seat went quiet once more. ¡°Call your boss. ¡± Winston continued to drive calmly, neither agreeing nor refusing to make the call. ¡°You have three seconds. Call your boss, or I¡¯ll hurt you right now. ¡± Chapter 1034 Hannah continued emotionlessly, starting to count, ¡°1, 2¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call him.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Winston grabbed his phone and rang up Wace. The darkness enveloped the outside world. The car fell into a hush, and after a short while, the call connected. Hannah stayed silent, and the guy on the other end of the line remained hushed, too. Winston kept his focus on driving, not initiating conversation. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are. If you have him watch me again, I¡¯ll end him one day. ¡± Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s voice, a grin spread across Wace¡¯s face on the other end of the Line. She bore a resemnce to him in his youthful days. In a low voice, Wace responded, ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you. But if you¡¯re mad, go ahead and try. ¡± Hannah found herself at a loss for words, struck by the detachment in Wace¡¯s tone. She could sense it was a middle-aged man, a fellow Cadilind native. Hannah¡¯s nced at Winston and asked the man on the other end of the line, ¡°Is it because he couldn¡¯t finish your task so that you want him to be killed?¡± ¡°I¡¯d just like to put it out there. If you are not keen on taking him out, maybe consider keeping him among the living. ¡± Upon hearing Wace¡¯s words, Hannah cracked a smile. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll admit I don¡¯t want to snuff him out, but your attitude¡¯s putting a frown on my face. What¡¯s the reason for me to set him free?¡± Wace¡¯s voice deepened. ¡°Because I know where the person you¡¯re searching for is. ¡± What?! Hannah¡¯s eyes widened in surprise, her tone turning icy, ¡°What are you implying?¡± Leisurely lighting a cigar, Wace slowly revealed, ¡°Ro Haywood. ¡± At the mention of Ro, Hannah felt a surge of excitement! ¡°You¡¯ve captured him, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Take a breather. Our crew are not the ones who snatched him up. He got himself into this mess by poking around where he shouldn¡¯t have. ¡± Hannah inhaled deeply. She now got a lead on Ro¡¯s whereabouts, which left her mind racing. Even if it turned out to be a setup, today was her shot at it! ¡°Tell me where he is now!¡± Wace smiled, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Do you have any concerns for the person you¡¯re aiming to rescue? Okay. ¡± He hesitated, then said, ¡°Make me a promise, and I¡¯ll spill the beans on where he¡¯s at. ¡± Chapter 1035 Hannah let out a mockingugh. ¡°Do you think you can scare me with that? What makes you think we can strike a deal?¡± ¡°If it weren¡¯t for me, that boy would have been dead by now. ¡± Biting her lip, Hannah relented. ¡°Fine, tell me what¡¯s your condition?¡± Wace spoke in aposed, charismatic tone. ¡°Allow my people to follow you until you secure him. Visit me afterward. ¡± Anticipating further words from him, Hannah was taken aback when Wace left it at that. She furrowed her brow and inquired, ¡°Is that all?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m not the sort to be insatiable. And I don¡¯t think you will agree to other conditions. ¡± ¡°Fine, once I find him, I¡¯lle to see you with him,¡± Hannah said, narrowing her eyes with a hint of menace. ¡°Okay. ¡± In a low voice, Wace uttered, ¡°Winston, your top priority is to keep Miss Moore safe during this time. If anything goes wrong with her¡­ There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then the voice continued, ¡°You¡¯ll meet the same fate, do you understand?¡± ¡°Got it, Boss,¡± Winston said. Once the call ended, silence enveloped the car once more. Hannah leaned back in her seat, eyes closed, seemingly asleep but not quite. Winston, unable to see her face clearly, sensed a chill emanating from her. Yet, he focused on driving, his expression unchanging. At the Compton family¡¯s mansion that evening, the living room was awash with light. Servants stood in orderly rows, but a woman lounged on the sofa, casually crossing her legs and lighting a cigarette. ¡°Where¡¯s the family head?¡± A maid replied with respect, ¡°He had business to attend to. He left this afternoon and hasn¡¯t returned. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± The woman nced around the room with an air of indifference, her gaze finally resting on a nearby maid. ¡°Did we have any visitors this afternoon?¡±This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. The maid paused to think, then shook her head. ¡°No, Miss. ¡± ¡°Keep watch here, then. ¡± With that, she stood and headed towards the stairs. Halfway up, she turned back to the maid, a smile ying on her lips. ¡°Oh, and the kitchen made soup this evening. Remind the madam to try some. She¡¯s been eating poorlytely. ¡± Chapter 1036 ¡°Understood,¡± the maid replied, her voice quivering, head bowed. Pleased, the woman continued upstairs. The night was pitch ck when Winston and Hannah arrived near the towering Imperial Pce Hotel. ¡°Miss Moore, is this where you¡¯ll be staying?¡± Winston asked as he smoothly parked the car and opened the door for her. The hotel stood grandly, a beacon of light and luxury. Its vast grounds were illuminated, making it look like daytime. From the entrance, Hannah could see the lively banquets, filled with dancing and mingling guests. ¡°Let¡¯s get a room first. Afterward, you can show me around,¡± Hannah suggested as she prepared to step out of the car. Just then, a shy red sports car pulled up beside them. The door swung open, revealing Faustina Vazquez in a sleek ck dress and high heels. Winston¡¯s eyebrows lifted in surprise, but he quickly regained hisposure. Faustina approached them with a look of envy and anger. ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t the famous Miss Moore. I¡¯ve heard so much about you. I must say, I expected more,¡± she sneered. Winston introduced her. ¡°This is Faustina Vazquez, a colleague of mine,¡± he said, looking at Hannah. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah gave Faustina a cool, mocking smile. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Enough, Faustina. You don¡¯t have any business here today. Leave,¡± Winston said icily. ¡°What, am I interrupting something important?¡± Faustina retorted with malice, eyeing Hannah disdainfully. ¡°I really don¡¯t understand how someone like you¡­¡± Before she could finish, Winston grabbed her shoulder, his strength immense. Faustina¡¯s eyes widened in shock and pain. ¡°Let¡­ Let go of me¡­¡± she cried. ¡°Remember the rules. Do you want to be punished?¡± Winston¡¯s voice was as cold as ice, a stern warning in his tone. Faustina¡¯s face flushed with anger as she red at Winston. ¡°Winston, how could you threaten me like that? I¡­¡± Winston, with a chilly tone, interrupted, ¡°Stop acting so high and mighty. You know exactly who you are. This is what the boss wants. Should I tell him you skipped the task today toe here instead?¡± As he spoke, his grip on her shoulder loosened.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. His words and attitude fueled Faustina¡¯s rage, but she held back, knowing her ce and fearing Wace. Chapter 1037 She bit her lip hard to maintain herposure. ¡°Fine, go do your task. I won¡¯t get in your way. Good luck,¡± she retorted, then strode away, hips swaying. Passing by Hannah, she shot her a look of pure disdain. ¡°I¡¯ll check you in,¡± Winston offered, his brow furrowing. ¡°No, thanks. I can handle it,¡± Hannah replied firmly. Winston paused, then relented. ¡°If you need anything, just call me. ¡± ¡°WiLL do. ¡± As Hannah entered the hall, she came across a handsome young man surrounded by bodyguards. He was chatting with his entourage but stopped as soon as he spotted Hannah, his eyes brightening. He approached swiftly. ¡°Hey there, beautiful. Need any help?¡± he asked with a yful grin. Hannah, though internally repulsed, masked her feelings with a faint smile. ¡°No, I¡¯m good, thanks. ¡± He took the rejection in stride, still smiling, and left with his entourage. As Hannah walked past, she overheard a snippet of his conversation. ¡°Get more people on it, we need to find him¡­¡± By the time she turned around, the man and his guards had vanished from the hotel. Without giving it much thought, Hannah decided to check in. She had chosen to stay here with the hope of unexpectedly bumping into Bryson. The next morning, she was gently awoken by sunlight filtering through the partly closed curtains. The night had been peaceful, yet Hannah found herself restless, struggling to sleep until the early hours of 3 a.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. m. She sluggishly grabbed her phone, nced at it, and then got up to freshen up. After slipping into a new dress and applying some basic makeup, she heard a knock at her door. Opening it, she found Winston standing there, a food cart in tow. ¡°Breakfast,¡± he announced. Raising an eyebrow, she stepped aside. ¡°Since when did you start doing a hotel waiter gig?¡± Winston, pushing the cart into the room, responded, ¡°The boss insisted I stick with you at all times, except when you¡¯re sleeping. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a captive, you know. Plus, you promised to help me find him. Chapter 1038 I¡¯m not going anywhere. ¡± Winston¡¯s face remained impassive. ¡°I¡¯m just following the boss¡¯s orders. ¡± As Hannah sat down to eat, she probed further, ¡°So, who exactly is your boss?¡± ¡°Noment. ¡± ¡°And what does he want from me?¡± ¡°Noment. ¡± Pausing with her utensils in hand, she looked up at Winston, who stood beside her. ¡°Is ¡®noment¡¯ all you can say?¡± Winston met her gaze. ¡°I¡¯m here to guard you, as per our boss¡¯s orders. That¡¯s all I know. ¡± Hannah sighed at his stubbornness, realizing she wouldn¡¯t get any information from him.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Changing her approach, she asked, ¡°Well, can you at least tell me when we¡¯ll go find him?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t start searching for him until the Queen Elizabeth docks. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows lifted a bit. ¡°The Queen Elizabeth? Are we going to search for him on that ship?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Winston confirmed with a nod, eyeing her. ¡°You¡¯re familiar with that ship, aren¡¯t you?¡± She had some knowledge about it since Dark Web members often received tasks rted to it. Still, she feigned ignorance, shaking her head. ¡°I don¡¯t. ¡± Winston took a moment before exining, ¡°The Queen Elizabeth¡¯s a famous cruise liner. It sails to different countries each month, hosting the world¡¯s elite billionaires at its gs. On the surface, it¡¯s all about auctioning jewelry, artworks, and such. But under the radar, it¡¯s rife with illegal activities like gambling. Ro got nabbed there. They nned to harvest his organs while he was still alive, but we intervened. He¡¯s safe for now. ¡± Hannah¡¯s fists tightened, anger evident on her face. ¡°How could they do such a thing!¡± ¡°A ship in international waters isn¡¯t subject to any nation¡¯sws unless local authorities intervene. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze dropped. She had spent time overseas and knew through the Dark Web about Leviathan¡¯s secret. She often dealt with those in illegal trades. Such cross-border dealings were entangled inplex interests, making it hard to apprehend the real culprits, even with evidence. Lost in thought, she heard Winston add, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. My boss¡¯s influence ensures Ro¡¯s safety on that ship. He won¡¯t be harmed. Just remember your promise to my boss. Once you find Ro, you must return to meet him. ¡± Hannah took a deep breath. Winston really wanted to remind her about her promise constantly. ¡°I know. I¡¯ll keep my word. ¡± Chapter 1039 Meanwhile, at the Compton family¡¯s home¡­ Faustina returned from her task and greeted Joselyn Compton, who was justing downstairs. She smirked, ¡°Oh, Miss Compton, you¡¯re awake early? The real daughter¡¯s in Newfort, but Boss said we shouldn¡¯t bother her. I sneaked a peek at herst night. She¡¯s pretty average. ¡± Faustina, eyeing the morous and alluring Joselyn, continued, ¡°Keith and Trent went to Cadilind for her. You know how much she means to Boss. You might have changed yourst name, but remember, the boss doesn¡¯t see you as his daughter. Even if Madam does, it doesn¡¯t count. ¡± Her taunting words provoked Joselyn, and they quickly started fighting. ¡°You¡¯re asking for trouble, Faustina!¡± Faustina scoffed, ¡°Am I? Let¡¯s see who¡¯s really in trouble. ¡± She suddenly pped Joselyn. The loud p shocked all the servants, who rushed to break up the fight.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Joselyn, covering her face, red at Faustina, ¡°You¡¯re bitch!¡± ¡°Bitch? Huh. ¡± Faustina gave Joselyn a mocking look. ¡°I might be bad, but that¡¯s nothingpared to some people¡¯s nasty thoughts. ¡± Joselyn clenched her teeth, challenging her. ¡°Say that one more time. I dare you!¡± Faustina¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°No need to argue with me. If you¡¯re so capable, go bother Hannah. Just a heads up, if she returns, you¡¯re out of the Compton family. ¡± Joselyn snapped back without thinking, ¡°Let her trying back, I¡¯ll deal with her!¡± Faustina covered her mouth, feigning shock. ¡°Oops, I didn¡¯t catch that. ¡± Fuming, Joselyn turned around to the servants. ¡°Spread any rumors and you¡¯ll regret it!¡± She stormed upstairs, ignoring Faustina in the living room. Faustina watched her leave, then turned to the servants with a sly smile. ¡°What did you all hear?¡± The servants stayed silent, heads bowed. Faustina casually inspected her nails. ¡°Heard it, didn¡¯t you? You know what to say and what not to, right?¡± The servants nodded. ¡°Yes, we understand. ¡± Pleased, Faustina asked, ¡°When¡¯s the bossing back?¡± One servant answered, ¡°He¡¯s tied up at thepany. He won¡¯t be back here. Madam will return tonight. ¡± Faustina smirked at the mention of his wife. ¡°Don¡¯t bother telling her I was here. ¡± Chapter 1040 ¡°Understood. ¡± Meanwhile, at the Imperial Pce Hotel, Winston got a call from Joselyn. Seeing her name, he answered with a frown, ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s up?¡± Joselyn said with a hint of arrogance, ¡°Where are you? I need you to pick me up from the manor, I need to do some shopping. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m busy with work right now, I can¡¯t. ¡± Winston replied, his voice emotionless. Joselyn¡¯s grip on her phone tightened when she learned Winston was upied. ¡°Are you guarding that other daughter of my father¡¯s?¡± she asked. ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern. If you need to go out, just ask the manor¡¯s driver,¡± he said. ¡°No need for that!¡± Joselyn ended the call, fuming with anger. Clutching her phone, her eyes hardened. She had worked hard to be the Compton family¡¯s adopted daughter, and she was determined not to let Hannah blend into the family easily. Winston, listening to the disconnect tone, scowled. Meanwhile, Hannah was busy organizing a project report for Edwin, who was far away in Valmere, Cadilind. Edwin called for a video chat. When Hannah agreed, Edwin appeared on the screen, looking exhausted. ¡°Hannah, when are youing back? I¡¯m lost without you!¡± Hannah chuckled, ¡°You missing me amidst your busy schedule? That¡¯s unexpected. ¡± Edwin replied with a weary smile, ¡°I¡¯ve lost my appetite and haven¡¯t slept in days. The business is a handful. Thankfully, I finally got a moment to talk to you. When will you return? I¡¯ve been waiting to y games with you. It¡¯s been nearly two months, and you¡¯re now overseas¡­¡± Hannah bit her lip, not ready to share her current situation. ¡°Well¡­ Let¡¯s talk about itter. I¡¯m dealing with something here. ¡°Understood,¡± Edwin said, then suddenly changed the subject. ¡°I heard Bryson¡¯s in Newfort too. Have you seen him?¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Hannah¡¯s face twisted into a frown as she lied, ¡°There¡¯s a different issue we need to handle in Newfort. We haven¡¯t crossed paths yet. ¡± ¡°Alright, but if you run into Bryson, could you let him know the White Group wants to chat with the Mitchell Group about a crucial project? I tried calling him a few times, but no luck. He¡¯s probably swamped. ¡± Hannah nodded in agreement. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll pass the message if I see him. ¡± ¡°Great, I won¡¯t keep you then. I¡¯ve got work and a meeting to attend. Look forward to your return. ¡± Chapter 1041 ¡°Alright. ¡± After the video call ended, Hannah massaged her forehead, then suddenly dered, ¡°Let¡¯s go for a walk. I want to explore the area. ¡± Winston suggested, ¡°There¡¯s a grand, fancy shopping mall in Lightby. Perfect for shopping and unwinding. ¡± Standing up, Hannah nced at him. ¡°I thought of you as someone dull, unable to grasp emotions. ¡± He replied, ¡°I¡¯m as human as anyone, with feelings. I just stay true to myself, both personally and professionally. ¡± Hannah chuckled at his response. ¡°Alright, you¡¯re the normal one, and I¡¯m the abnormal one. ¡± Winston drove them to a mall resembling a castle, seemingly transforming Hannah into a princess upon entry. Inside, affluent visitors bustled about. Beside them was a Burberry store, which Hannah and Winston decided to check out.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. The saleswoman, wearing gloves, greeted them courteously. ¡°ALL these bags are stunning. Hannah admired the new collection, finding each bag appealing. The saleswoman mentioned, ¡°These are our top-sellers this season. We also have exclusive limited editions in the back, if you¡¯re interested. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s see them. ¡± She was drawn to one of the two limited edition handbags, particrly fond of its design and texture. Just as Hannah was about to speak up, Winston presented his card to the saleswoman. ¡°Please, charge it. This bag, along with any others she¡¯s taken a liking to. ¡± The saleswoman smiled and agreed, ¡°Certainly, sir. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed as she said, ¡°Wait! You really don¡¯t need to pay for this. ¡± ¡°Our boss instructed us to cover all your expenses while I¡¯m with you,¡± he exined. Hannah nced at him, a hint of curiosity in her voice. ¡°Are you always this generous?¡± ¡°I just follow our boss¡¯s orders,¡± Winston replied, his tone cool. ¡°Still, it¡¯s not necessary,¡± Hannah insisted. She took the card from the saleswoman and handed it back to Winston. Pulling out her own ck card, epted worldwide, she was about to give it to the saleswoman when suddenly, her card was snatched away! She looked up to see a woman with a striking figure and bold makeup standing next to her. Chapter 1042 Joselyn, examining the card in her hand, turned to Winston angrily. ¡°Who said you could use this card for her?¡± Winston¡¯s expression hardened at her approach. ¡°I¡¯m following the head of our family¡¯s orders,¡± he stated. Joselyn¡¯s hostility towards Hannah intensified. ¡°So, you¡¯re Hannah Moore?¡± Hannah ignored her, focusing instead on the saleswoman. ¡°Please swipe this card, thank you. ¡± But Joselyn wasn¡¯t deterred. ¡°How dare you, without any money,e here to shop! It¡¯s all because of the card my father gave you, isn¡¯t it? Let¡¯s see how you shop without it!¡± With a dramatic gesture, she threw the card to the floor and crushed it under her foot. Staring at Hannah, Joselyn dered haughtily, ¡°I won¡¯t let you have it. Let¡¯s see what you can do now!¡± Winston scowled and hissed, ¡°Stop it! That¡¯s not the boss¡¯s card!¡± ¡°No way! I clearly saw it earlier. That ck card was my father¡¯s. How can she, a nobody, have one? Impossible!¡± Winston, his expression icy, lifted the card in his hand. ¡°I have the boss¡¯s ck card right here. Shall I call the boss for confirmation?¡± Joselyn, taken aback, realized she had crossed someone powerful. Hannah eyed the ck card on the floor and smirked at Joselyn. ¡°You might want to pick up my card. If not¡­ well, I can¡¯t say what¡¯ll happen. ¡± Joselyn, fuming but helpless in Winston¡¯s presence, begrudgingly picked up the card and handed it to Hannah. ¡°Where¡¯d you even get that ck card?¡± Joselyn muttered, her pride wounded. She turned to the locker. ¡°I¡¯ll take the bag she wanted!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss, but it¡¯s a one-of-a-kind bag, and it¡¯s already been sold to thisdy,¡± the saleswoman replied. Joselyn, ring, demanded, ¡°I want that bag! Give it to me, and I¡¯ll pay extra!¡± Hannah, amused, ced her hand on the bag. ¡°I¡¯m taking this bag. And I¡¯ll use Winston¡¯s card. ¡± After Winston swiped his card, Hannah told the saleswoman, ¡°Whatever she offers, I¡¯ll add a dor more, until she can¡¯t keep up. ¡± Joselyn¡¯s face flushed. She couldn¡¯t outbid Hannah without risking her father¡¯s scrutiny. If the price got too high, he¡¯d inquire, and Winston would spill the beans. ¡°You!¡± Joselyn pressed her lips together and said, ¡°If you¡¯re so capable, use your own card to pay. Why the nerve to ask someone else?This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Humph !¡± ¡°Firste, first served. Do you understand? Who started being shameless first?¡± Hannah nced at her, smiling, and lifted her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s hear your bid now. ¡± Winston, standing to the side, remained quiet, as if the drama didn¡¯t involve him. He stayed out of it, knowing Hannah woulde out on top. He was ready to y along with whatever she nned for Joselyn. Joselyn wished she could make Hannah back down. But she was scared to spend her father¡¯s money! ¡°You win this time!¡± She red at Hannah and made a call. ¡°Hi, Mom. I¡¯m at the Burberry store and there¡¯s someone here really bugging me¡­ I can¡¯t stand seeing her¡­¡± After ending the call, Joselyn scoffed, ¡°Humph! My mom will be here soon. Let¡¯s see how long you stay arrogant!¡± Hannah paid her no mind and didn¡¯t even nce her way. ¡°Miss Moore, after settling the bill, please follow me,¡± Winston said urgently. ¡°No way!¡± Joselyn found her courage again and blocked their path. ¡°Scared now, are you? Toote to run!¡± She looked triumphantly at Winston. ¡°Don¡¯t think just because you work for my father, I can¡¯t touch you!¡± Chapter 1043 Joselyn¡¯s anger red in an instant when she saw Winston shielding Hannah, recalling Faustina¡¯s words from earlier in the day. She confronted Winston, using him, ¡°Winston, you¡¯re nothing but my father¡¯s puppet! You can¡¯t defy me!¡± As they quarreled, a sleek ck Lincoln limousine pulled up outside the malt. A dignified woman emerged, apanied by four or five bodyguards. She confidently strode into the mall, heading straight for the Burberry store with her entourage in tow.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Upon spotting the woman, Joselyn¡¯s demeanor shifted dramatically from haughty to deferential. She hurried over, saying, ¡°Mom, Winston¡¯s guest wants to use Father¡¯s credit card!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Oh?¡± Amelie Chadwick, hearing her daughter, cast a brief nce at Winston and gave a slight nod. Winston, maintaining hisposure, greeted her respectfully. ¡°Mrs. Compton. ¡± ¡°And who might this be?¡± Amelie inquired. ¡°This is Miss Moore, a special guest of the boss. He¡¯s entrusted me to look after her,¡± Winston exined. Amelie¡¯s eyes sparkled with something Hannah couldn¡¯t define. She greeted Hannah with a smile. ¡°Miss Moore, a pleasure to meet you. ¡± After a polite handshake, Amelie said, ¡°Miss Moore, please join us inside. I can offer you VIP treatment. Anything you like today is on me. ¡± Hannah declined with a detached air. ¡°No, thank you. Winston has already settled my bill. I¡¯ve finished shopping, so I don¡¯t want to impose further. ¡± With that, Hannah picked up her bag from the counter and handed it to Winston, ready to Leave. But Amelie interjected, ¡°Please wait, Miss Moore. Let¡¯s talk. ¡± Hannah paused and faced Amelie. ¡°I don¡¯t know you, so what¡¯s there to talk about?¡± Amelie smiled softly, ¡°Miss Moore, I felt a connection with you right away. Let¡¯s find a spot and chat. ¡± Winston, frowning, interjected, ¡°Mrs. Compton¡­¡± Amelie waved her hand, smiling, ¡°No worries. I¡¯m not here to cause trouble. What¡¯s the fear? Come on, Miss Moore. Let¡¯s go. ¡± Joselyn, watching Amelie leave with Hannah, grew anxious. ¡°Mom, she was just showing off to me¡­¡± Amelie turned, her gaze sharp yet her tone gentle. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Isn¡¯t this embarrassing enough?¡± Joselyn, under Amelie¡¯s stare, trembled and lowered her head, fists clenched. ¡°The butler said you skipped swordsmanship ss again. Thepetition¡¯sing. If you don¡¯t win¡­¡± Amelie¡¯s eyes narrowed. Chapter 1044 Go back to where I found you. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll practice more, Mom. I promise!¡± Joselyn replied, clearly scared.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Amelie smiled, pleased. She turned to Hannah. ¡°I own a coffee shop here. Let¡¯s talk there. ¡± Hannah hesitated but eventually nodded. Winston, concerned, started to object, but Hannah¡¯s subtle head shake stopped him. ¡°This way, madam,¡± said the coffee shop waiter, leading them to a terrace with a stunning view. ¡°Do you want your usual coffee?¡± the waiter inquired. Amelie gave a nod and chose for both of them. ¡°Let¡¯s have two cups of the same coffee. ¡± Once the waiter left, Amelie nced at Winston and said firmly, ¡°We¡¯d Like some privacy. Please, step outside. ¡± However, Winston didn¡¯t budge and replied, ¡°Sir instructed me to stay within five meters of Miss Moore at all times, except when she¡¯s asleep. ¡± Hannah was at a loss for words. Noticing Amelie¡¯s displeasure, Hannah tried to persuade, ¡°It¡¯s just us on the terrace. If you wait outside, I¡¯ll be perfectly safe, won¡¯t I?¡± She turned to Amelie with a reassuring smile. ¡°Madam, you wouldn¡¯t harm me, right?¡± Winston, after a brief look at Hannah, agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait by the door. ¡± He then walked towards the door, leaving Amelie and Hannah alone. As the waiter brought their coffee, Amelie finally broke the silence. ¡°Miss Moore, is this alright with you?¡± She took a graceful sip of her coffee. ¡°Absolutely. Setting down her cup, Amelie observed Hannah andmented, ¡°You bear a striking resemnce to your mother. ¡± At these words, Hannah narrowed her eyes, a chill in her gaze. ¡°What are you implying?¡± ¡°Just stating a fact, Miss Moore. You really do resemble her, hence my frankness. ¡± Amelie smiled, getting straight to the point, ¡°My husband¡¯s first love was your mother. ¡± And Hannah¡¯s suspicions were confirmed! Winston was sent by Wace! ¡°Miss Moore, I truly felt sorry about your mother¡¯s passing. My husband missed her greatly. It¡¯s no wonder he had Winston find you this time,¡± Amelie, smiling at Hannah, said. ¡°Seeing you today, I felt like we were connected. If it¡¯s okay with you, think of me as your mom. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help butugh and answered coldly, ¡°I had a mom, but she¡¯s gone now. ¡± Chapter 1045 Amelie¡¯s expression shifted subtly, still smiling politely, ¡°I get it, you¡¯re not ready yet. I¡¯ll give you time. ¡± Hannah stayed quiet. Amelie added, ¡°That¡¯s all I wanted to say. Feel free to reach out, Miss Moore. ¡± She ced her business card down, got up to leave, but paused and added, ¡°Miss Moore, the coffee here is special. It¡¯s unlike any you¡¯ve had. If youe back, your next cup is on us. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Hannah forced a smile. ¡°Thanks, ma¡¯am. ¡± After Amelie left, Hannah¡¯s expression turned icy. She grabbed her bag and left. Outside, Winston hurried to catch up, saying, ¡°That was quick. ¡± ¡°Back off!¡± ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Winston asked, puzzled by Hannah¡¯s behavior. Hannah kept silent as they walked away from the cafe. ¡°I mean it, keep your distance. Don¡¯t follow me. ¡± Winston guessed Amelie must have upset Hannah. He quickly said, ¡°Whatever she told you, don¡¯t believe it. ¡± Hannah stopped and faced him. ¡°Your boss is Wace Compton, right? My biological father sent you to track me, to trick me into going to the Compton family?¡± Winston, frowning, quickly denied, ¡°No, that¡¯s not true!¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t care about any of this. Just leave me alone!¡± Hannah moved past Winston, striding forward. ¡°Miss Moore, please! My boss didn¡¯t mean any harm. He wasn¡¯t trying to trick you into going to the Compton family!¡± Winston called out, frustration evident in his voice. ¡°I¡¯m not interested, and I don¡¯t need your exnations. ¡± Hannah continued on her path, undeterred. For Winston, this was a new kind of anger, one he struggled to contain. Yet, he followed Hannah. ¡°You can leave, but I can¡¯t. My boss ordered me to stay with you. ¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°Then tell your boss to stay out of my way!¡± ¡°No, I can¡¯t do that!¡± Winston stood firm, dismissing her suggestion. ¡°I have to stay, even if it costs me my life. ¡± Hannah was at a loss for words. Her thoughts were jumbled. She couldn¡¯t get through to him. He was just too stubborn! They were at an impasse, neither ready to give in. Chapter 1046 Finally, Hannah stopped engaging and hurried back to her hotel. Before Winston could catch up, she had already shut him out of her room! Hannah¡¯s voice echoed through the door. ¡°Fine, stay out if you¡¯re so keen on it. ¡± Winston didn¡¯t expect that Amelie would show up today. He hesitated a while before finally pulling out his phone. Just as he did, it rang. ncing at the caller ID, Winston answered with an icy tone, ¡°Mrs. Compton. ¡± In the car, driving back to the Compton estate, Amelie¡¯s voice was emotionless. ¡°Winston, I¡¯ve always known you¡¯re working for my husband. And I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll tell him about today. But just remember, your sister¡¯s still in Caditown. Given my father¡¯s reputation there, you should know what¡¯s safe to say and what isn¡¯t. You don¡¯t need me to spell it out, do you?¡± Winston¡¯s gaze turned sharp, his voice edged with anger. ¡°I get it. No need to use my sister to threaten me. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not threatening, just a friendly warning,¡± Amelie retorted with a slight smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯ll be well looked after in Caditown. ¡± Winston¡¯s hand clenched into a fist, his nails digging into his palm. ¡°Understood. ¡± After the call, Winston stood frozen, lost in thought. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to call Wace. Meanwhile, Hannahy in bed, restless, her mind racing with the day¡¯s events. Suddenly, she sat up. Now was not the time for drama with Winston. She needed him for her n with Queen Elizabeth. Taking a deep breath, Hannah slipped on her coat and went to find Winston. But as she opened her door, she heard a noise next door. It sounded like something hitting the floor. The next door was open. Hannah decided to give it a little nudge. Upon entering, she found the room in disarray, with furniture tossed about. Winston was out on the balcony, smoking, an intense aura surrounding him, unapproachable. He didn¡¯t even nce at Hannah.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Hannah, frowning, broke the silence. ¡°What¡¯s up? Are you this upset over this afternoon?¡± Winston was quietly smoking, his face looking particrly downcast. ¡°If you¡¯d rather not talk, that¡¯s fine by me. I understand you were just following orders. I might have overreacted earlier,¡± Hannah said, sounding indifferent. ¡°I never meant to make your life harder. If I have, I¡¯m sorry. You can keep working with me. It¡¯s only because I need your help to get on the Queen Elizabeth. I¡¯ll keep my word. ¡± With that, Hannah turned to leave. Chapter 1047 Winston¡¯s voice, a bit rough, stopped her. ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. No need for apologies. ¡± Hannah paused and nced at the clutter on the floor. ¡°Then what set you off?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about my sister. ¡± A shadow crossed Winston¡¯s eyes. ¡°She¡¯s juggling work and studies in Caditown. My situation puts her in danger too. I¡¯m always worried about her. ¡± After a moment, Hannah suggested, ¡°If she¡¯s in danger, why not move her somewhere safer?¡± Holding his cigarette, Winston stared into the night. ¡°She wants to stay close to me, so for now, she¡¯s in Caditown under the Compton family¡¯s watch. ¡± He took a breath before adding, ¡°That also means I¡¯m tied to the Compton family. ¡± Hannah gave a wry smile. ¡°So your boss, my biological father, uses your family to keep you in Line. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my boss¡¯s fault!¡± Winston¡¯s response was strong as he stood up for Wace. ¡°I¡¯m thankful that my boss rescued my sister and me. He never forced me into this. I chose to do it. ¡± Hannah looked puzzled. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense. You just said you were under the Compton family¡¯s thumb, and now you¡¯re iming it was your choice?¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t get it,¡± Winston replied sharply. ¡°Things areplex in the Compton family. I can¡¯t sum it up in a few words. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not nosy about other stuff. But this intrigues me. Would you mind talking about it?¡± With a significant nce at Hannah, Winston shared, ¡°It¡¯s not hidden. Everyone in Newfort¡¯s major families knows my boss takes in many orphans at the Compton house. ¡± Hannah acknowledged, ¡°I¡¯ve heard Keith and Trent talk about it. ¡± ¡°In the Compton house, candidates are strictly selected after years of training before they join the Compton family¡¯s organization. The organization has a tight hierarchy, with 7 branches, namely, Arrogance, Greed, Jealousy, Rage, Laziness, Gluttony, and Lust. ¡± Raising an eyebrow, Hannahmented, ¡°That¡¯s unique. I¡¯ve never heard of someone using t he seven deadly sins to ssify an organization. So, which group were you in?¡± Winston¡¯s face was expressionless. ¡°I was part of Arrogance. But after my boss chose me, I left the organization. ¡± Hannah asked, ¡°What about those two guys? Which branches are they from?¡± ¡°They¡¯re both sharp and ruthless, in the Greed and Jealousy branches. But that¡¯s old news. They¡¯re my boss¡¯s adopted kids now, not part of the organization. ¡± Hannah said, ¡°This organization sounds fascinating. Who leads the seven branches?¡± ¡°Arrogance. There are just 9 members left in that branch,¡± Winston said honestly. Then, looking puzzled at Hannah, he asked, ¡°Are you interested in the organization?¡± Chapter 1048 Hannah agreed, saying, ¡°I¡¯m not interested in my background. I¡¯m more intrigued by how your organization operates. ¡± After saying that, Hannah nced at Winston, assessing him, and then asked, ¡°The following details should be confidential. Can you tell me?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Winston asked her, ¡°Do you recall the woman who caused you troublest night?¡± Did he mean the woman who showed up out of the blue to mock her for no good reason? Hannah confirmed, ¡°Yes, I remember her. ¡± ¡°She is from the Lust branch. It might be wise to steer clear of her and herpanions moving forward. They trade their bodies, leveraging women¡¯s charms to extract the information they desire. Their methods could be seen as pretty harsh.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. If she sets her sights on you, you¡¯re in for a heap of trouble. But now that I¡¯m here, herpanions won¡¯t dare make any hasty moves against you. ¡± ¡°And what about the branches Keith and Trent were in?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Keith¡¯s branch goes by the name Greed. Among the seven branches, it has the sharpest minds who are the smartest in business, yet they¡¯re not exactly top-notch fighters. Most people in this branch excel inmercial battles, but they¡¯re not known for theirbat skills. As for the branch of Trent¡­¡± Winston paused before continuing, ¡°It¡¯s known as Jealousy. They used to be the technical experts of our organization, but that branch is now in decline. ¡± ¡°Declined? Why?¡± Hannah asked, her curiosity piqued. Winston replied, ¡°Back in the day, the head of the Jealousy branch had aspirations to establish a new organization behind the boss. During that time, he had his own Dark Web dealings and was somewhat beyond our organization¡¯s grip. The boss had a hunch that something was off, so he called on the six branches to handle the situation. However, the Jealousy branch leader vanished into thin air. When the boss gave the assassination order and they went to look for him, they discovered on the news that he was dead. The boss had initially wanted Trent to be the leader of the Jealousy branch, but little did he know that the Dark Web had already been infiltrated and seized by unknown hands. Even Trent couldn¡¯t reim it. To this day, the identity of the Dark Web thief remains a mystery. This led to the downfall of the Jealousy branch, and the sessors trained by the boss never matched the traitor¡¯s prowess. ¡± ¡°When did this happen?¡± Hannah asked, a sense of familiarity dawning on her. ¡°Several years ago. ¡± Winston narrowed his gaze, saying, ¡°I can¡¯t quite pinpoint when it went down. ¡± ¡°Can you recall the name of the former head of the Jealousy branch?¡± Winston nodded, remembering clearly. ¡°His name was Leviathan. ¡± What?! Hannah¡¯s thoughts were all jumbled up as memories flooded back. It dawned on her that she had unknowingly hacked a website belonging to that person! Winston, noticing her odd reaction, inquired, ¡°What¡¯s up? Do you know him?¡± Hannah shook her head, striving to regain herposure. She smiled and replied, ¡°No, I don¡¯t know him. It just reminded me of some old news I read. It was just a random question. Thank you for sharing all this with me. ¡± Chapter 1049 Winston, standing to the side, looked at her skeptically. He had just astutely observed Hannah¡¯s response. She appeared to be privy to certain information, and when he brought up the name Leviathan, she seemed to light up with recognition. However, he didn¡¯t probe further and said, ¡°If you¡¯re interested, you could return to the Compton family. The boss would surely entrust you with a leadership role in the organization. ¡± ¡°Never mind, It¡¯s entertaining to listen to others talk about it. I¡¯d rather steer clear of any involvement.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah turned around and said, ¡°If you¡¯ve got nothing else to talk about, I¡¯ll head back now. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery As she was about to depart, Winston¡¯s voice reached her from behind. ¡°I¡¯ve just learned that Queen Elizabeth will be arriving tomorrow. ¡± Hannah paused and turned back, surprised. ¡°That soon?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s set to arrive at 7 o¡¯clock tomorrow evening. I¡¯ll escort you to board the cruise ship using the Compton family¡¯s invitation. ¡°Alright,¡± Hannah agreed. On the second day, as Hannah rose early, she intended to fetch something needed for the trip. Out of the blue, Hannah¡¯s phone rang, and it was Jalen on the Line, his voice tinged with a touch of unease. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯m hosting an art exhibition tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Tomorrow?¡± Hannah frowned at the timing. Pausing briefly, Hannah conveyed to Jalen on the other end of the line, ¡°Jalen, I¡¯ve got something to handle tomorrow, so I won¡¯t be able to make it to your art exhibition. Perhaps next time. ¡± Upon learning that Hannah couldn¡¯t make it to the art exhibition due to priormitments, Jalen, on the opposite end of the conversation, let out a sigh of relief and said, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Regarding the art exhibition¡­ There will be plenty of chances to join in. ¡± ¡°Jalen, are you keeping something from me?¡± Sensing something amiss in Jalen¡¯s tone, Hannah inquired, ¡°Why does it seem like you¡¯re breathing easier when I mention I won¡¯t make it to your art exhibition?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it,¡± Jalen hastily denied. But his denial only made Hannah confirm her suspicions. She said softly, ¡°Jalen, if you¡¯re facing any trouble, you can tell me. I¡¯ll help you sort it out. ¡± ¡°No¡­ I still get nervous every time I host an art exhibition. But don¡¯t fret about me. ¡± Understanding that Jalen was reluctant to share more, Hannah decided not to push further. ¡°Alright. If you need anything, just let me know. ¡± ¡°Alright, carry on with your tasks¡­ Your priority should be to search for the person you¡¯re seeking. My art exhibition isn¡¯t a big deal. We can discuss it once you locate them. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah gazed at her phone screen, lost in contemtion. She had a hunch that Jalen wasn¡¯t beingpletely honest with her, and the situation appeared somewhatplicated. Jalen seemed reluctant to divulge the reason, which appeared to have a connection to the art exhibition¡­ While Hannah was lost in her thoughts, her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number. Chapter 1050 She answered without a second thought and was greeted by a familiar voice she hadn¡¯t heard in a long time. ¡°Why are you so worried about me? Why did you call me so many times?¡± Hearing Bryson¡¯s voice, Hannah was momentarily speechless. After some time, it appeared the man on the opposite end of the call realized she had no intention of responding and a faint smile could be detected in his tone.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you angry with me?¡± Hannah retorted, ¡°Why would I be mad? I just wanted to know you hadn¡¯t met with some misfortune. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not dead. ¡± The voice sounded faint and somewhat weak. Following that, he added, ¡°But it won¡¯t be long. ¡± Hannah¡¯s grip on the phone tightened. ¡°Where are you now? Are you still in Newfort?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ but no. ¡± Leaning against the bed¡¯s headboard, Bryson looked pale. Blood was soaking through the bandage on his abdomen, but he sounded almost carefree. ¡°Since you¡¯re asking, does that mean you want to see me?¡± Hannah pressed her lips into a white line, the anger she tamped down threatening to boil over. ¡°Bryson, enough!¡± she hissed, her voice trembling with a desperate edge. ¡°Don¡¯t throw your life away Like this!¡± A rasping chuckle,ced with a chilling edge, slithered from his lips. ¡°Oh? So you do care? Worried I might shuffle off this mortal coil? Wouldn¡¯t that be convenient for you? No more pestering from your devoted shadow. ¡± ¡°Bryson!¡± Hannah ground her teeth together, the words wing their way out from behind gritted teeth. ¡°Where are you? What have you been doing?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Don¡¯t fret, my love,¡± a low purr emanated from the receiver. ¡°Death won¡¯t im me just yet. I¡¯ll be back to grace you with my presence, whole and breathing. ¡± Whole and breathing? Hannah¡¯s thoughts ran a mile a minute, her fingers white-knuckled around the phone, her chest constricting as if caught in a vice. She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves and crafting her tone into something that resembled a rational woman. ¡°Do you have any idea how stupid you are to risk your life like this? I know you¡¯re in danger now. Please just tell me where you are. ¡± A beat of silence, then a dry cough that scr@ped against her nerves. Bryson¡¯s voice, once clear as a mountain stream, was now rough and shadowed. ¡°Of course I know that,¡± he rasped. ¡°Then why aren¡¯t you here?¡± she cried, the dam breaking, her voice raw with fear and frustration. ¡°Are you insane?¡± A low sound echoed through the phone. Bryson¡¯s chuckle hung heavy, a wisp of smoke in the face of Hannah¡¯s concern. ¡°Are you fretting over me?¡± he teased, but his voicecked its usual spark. Hannah squeezed her eyes shut, the weight of her worry pressing down. ¡°Bryson, I¡¯m not joking,¡± she said, each word a heavy pebble on the line. His silence was deafening. Then, a flicker of warmth returned to his voice, the smile at the corners of his lips deepening like a blooming rose. ¡°If you¡¯re so worried,¡± he murmured, ¡°how can I note back?¡± There was a beat of silence then a loud crash rang through the phone. Chapter 1051 ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me, I¡¯m fine,¡± Bryson said in a hurried voice. The line went dead before Hannah could answer. She gripped the phone, the stic slick with cold sweat. Hisst, muffled voice echoed in her mind, a chilling whisper in the face of uncertainty. Belief in him warred with a gnawing fear that things would go terribly wrong. The leaden sky outside mirrored her mood, casting long shadows across the room. She took a shaky breath, her gaze falling on the half-packed suitcase sprawled on the bed. Bryson¡¯s location remained a mystery, but at least he was alive, a faint echo in the vastness. The Queen Elizabeth awaited. She had to go now. Miles away, Bryson leaned against the headboard of the rough wooden bed, the starkness of the room mirroring the turmoil within him. He met the gaze of the intruder with a weary lift of his hand. ¡°Have they found us?¡± he rasped, his voice dry as desert sand. ¡°No,¡± came the calm reply. Caleb, his face a mask of stoicism, set down a medical bag. ¡°There¡¯s a special medical team on board but Rodrigo Wilde¡¯s men are scouring the ship for the injured. Couldn¡¯t risk exposure, we just got the supplies. ¡± Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°The n failed then?¡± ¡°No,¡± Caleb assured his boss, his voice steady as he took a needle from the medical kit. ¡°Wilde¡¯s most trusted Lieutenant sleeps with the fishes. But Mr. Mitchell. ¡± His voice faltered, a flicker of guilt crossing his eyes. ¡°It was my fault. Last night, I nearly paid the price for my carelessness. I could have gotten us killed.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡± Bryson winced as Caleb administered a shot, the sting of pain momentarily eclipsed by a steely glint in his eyes. ¡°They didn¡¯t see our faces,¡± he said, his voice hardening with resolve. ¡°Newfort awaits. And by now, they must be sweating harder than we are. If they can¡¯t find us now, they won¡¯t be able to find us when we disembark. ¡± Caleb hesitated, ¡°Maybe we should find another ce to hide for a while. We could use more time to prepare. ¡± ¡°No,¡± Bryson countered. ¡°Hiding won¡¯t buy us time, only dy the inevitable. ¡± His gaze, sharp as a hawk¡¯s,nded on Caleb. ¡°They¡¯re here in our name, Caleb, sullying our name with their filthy trade. We can¡¯t turn a blind eye to this festering wound any longer. ¡± Caleb sighed, his shoulders slumping. ¡°I understand your anger. But¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to try and convince me, Caleb. We¡¯ll find a way to get off this ship tonight, when it¡¯s docked,¡± Bryson interrupted him. He set his gaze on Caleb, his eyes stern and resolute. ¡°Wilde is still on the ship. Even if we escape tonight, he won¡¯t let us go. ¡± Caleb was silent for a moment, then turned to face Bryson, his jaw set. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Wilde,¡± he said, his voiceced with steel. ¡°We¡¯ll deal with him when the timees. ¡± Chapter 1052 Caleb, his face etched with concern, turned and left. Bryson sat alone, the silence pressing down on him like a shroud. He closed his eyes, but Hannah¡¯s face, framed by the fiery glow of his memory, refused to fade. At seven pm sharp, the ship reached its destination. Hannah, a vision in a ck dress, stood poised by the dock, her elegant suitcase a silentpanion entrusted to Winston¡¯s capable hand.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. The air crackled with unspoken tension, thick with the scent of power and intrigue. Around her, the movers and shakers of Lightby¡¯s underworld mingled, faces etched with ambition and veiled secrets. ¡°He¡¯s the kingpin of the western district,¡± Winston murmured, his voice low, ¡°The notorious leader of the Lightby Lions. ¡± He gestured towards a statuesque woman, dripping with diamonds and confidence. ¡°And that is Maria Courtenay, the kingpin¡¯s partner of the eastern district. ¡± His gaze swept over three other groups, each radiating an aura of veiled threat. ¡°All gangsters, intertwined by blood and bullets,¡± he exined, his voiceced with grim amusement. ¡°A single spark here could ignite chaos in the city¡¯s underbelly. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes, sharp as obsidian, flitted across the gathering, finallynding on a young man on the left. His features were chiseled, his gaze a stormy gray, and the air around him hummed with an undeniable maism. Hannah tilted her chin, a flicker of curiosity dancing in her eyes. ¡°Who is that man?¡± she asked. Winston followed her gaze, a knowing smile ying on his Lips. ¡°The heir to the Lyons empire, future head of the city¡¯s financial behemoth,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Lyons?¡± Hannah inquired with narrowed eyes. ¡°A well-known financial group in Newfort. They dabble in the shadows too. Have you taken an interest in him?¡± Before Hannah could reply, his voice continued, ¡°His beauty is a snare. He¡¯ll leave you breathless, but not in the way you desire. He¡¯s a gambler, a heartbreaker, not fit for a woman like you. ¡± ¡°I only asked a question. Must you answer with a dissertation?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice, a soft velvet counterpoint to the grit around them, held a hint of amusement. ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve seen him before. A glimpse at the Imperial Pce. ¡± As they spoke, the ship, a titan of luxury, loomed closer, its lights painting the evening sky with a promise of gilded dreams. In the evening, the lights of the ship glimmered like stars. A bridge of steel, a portal to a world of secrets and desires, stretched towards them. It was like a dream that sailed on water. But as they reached the boarding gate, amotion erupted. A man, face flushed with indignation, argued with the imposing bodyguards. Hannah¡¯s sharp mind quickly grasped the situation. The passengers were being detained, their freedom held hostage by a capricious inspection. Chapter 1053 She found it curious that only men were stripped of their coats, their privacyid bare, while women sailed through unchecked. Curiosity tugged at her, but before she could delve deeper, Winston¡¯s voice reached her ears. ¡°Don¡¯t Linger. It¡¯s our turn. ¡± The bodyguard, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, examined their credentials. A flicker of recognition passed through his gaze, then with a curt nod, he ushered them aboard. But as Hannah stepped onto the opulent deck, a familiar face, half-hidden in the crowd, sent a jolt through her. Her brow furrowed, a memory stirring at the edge of her consciousness. ¡°What is it?¡± Winston asked, his voiceced with concern. ¡°What did you see?¡± For a moment, the figure seemed to be Caleb. Her eyes narrowed in disbelief. But the phantom Caleb vanished in a flicker of doubt. Reality returned with the crisp, polite inquiry of a well-dressed waiter. ¡°Hello, sir and madam, please allow me to check you in. ¡± He held out his hand with a smile. Winston, ever the pragmatist, reacted first, handing over their tickets with a practiced air. With a swift scan of the confirmations, the waiter announced, ¡°Your rooms are on the third floor, if you¡¯ll please follow me. ¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go to check the rooms first. ¡± Winston¡¯s voice, firm as a ship¡¯s anchor, tugged Hannah back to the present. She murmured her acquiescence and trailed after him into the shimmering elevator, the world shrinking to the confines of its gleaming metal interior. Stepping onto the ship was like entering a floating Xanadu, a glittering oceanside suburb for the affluent.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only This vessel, she mused, wasn¡¯t merely a ship; it was a leviathan of luxury, a castle of chrome and ss navigating a sapphire kingdom. Their rooms, each a two-floored haven of plush cushions and opulent furnishings, unfolded before them. Through the vast French windows, the sea danced, a tapestry of shimmering turquoise and emerald, casting the space in an ever-shifting ballet of light and shadow. It felt akin to inhabiting a submerged pce, one where the tidepped at the very threshold of their dreams. ¡°The first five floors,¡± the waiter exined, his tone both deferential and informative, ¡°are for our esteemed guests. The sixth floor houses the spa sanctuary, where tranquility reigns supreme. The seventh floor invites you to embrace the Zen spirit amidst the thermal springs. The eighth floor boasts a yground of aquatic delights, while the ninth floor has our other recreational facilities. The tenth offers a curated emporium for those with discerning tastes for luxury goods. The eleventh floor provides special services. And the twelfth floor is where the banquets and expositions will be held. ¡± The waiter finished off his practiced exnation. He smiled at Hannah and added, ¡°Coincidentally, when we arrive at the high sea tomorrow night, an exposition will be held there. You¡¯re wee to attend. ¡± She nodded. After rattling off a litany of instructions concerning life aboard the ship, the waiter bowed and left. Winston, his face a stoic mask, emerged from his adjoining room like a storm cloud after the waiter¡¯s cheery departure. Hannah arched an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked. Chapter 1054 Those massive windows,¡± he rasped, his voice icy, ¡°aren¡¯t bulletproof. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze drifted to the transparent sheet separating them from the endless ocean, a canvas sshed with the dying embers of sunset. ¡°This is a cruise liner,¡± she scoffed, ¡°not your boss¡¯s fortified vi.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Why on earth would it need imprable ss?¡± Her lighthearted response met with a stony silence. Winston, with a glint of steel in his eyes, continued, ¡°Wealthy businessmen swarm this ship, yes, but there are shadows too, gangsters slithering amongst the guests. Had we not embarked in Newfort, their numbers would be thicker than barnacles on a galleon. ¡± He turned on her, his voice a razor whisper. ¡°Can you cheat death if a single shot finds its mark in the dead of night, unprepared?¡± Hannah, chilled by his grim pronouncement, scrutinized him. ¡°Is this your first voyage on this ship?¡± ¡°The people of the Queen Elizabeth have invited the boss before, but he¡¯s never actually allowed any of us aboard,¡± Winston exined. ¡°I¡¯m only here because I have permission to escort you. ¡± Hannah, ever the woman of action, cut through the preamble. ¡°Can you take me to the one I seek now?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± his voice softened, the storm abating. ¡°He¡¯s on the first floor. I¡¯ll take you there,¡± Winston said, ncing at his phone. The two of them took the elevator down to the first floor, intent on finishing what they came to do. Meanwhile, a different drama unfolded aboard the ship. On a different floor, Caleb, a shadow of worry clinging to him, burst into a cabin. ¡°Mr. Mitchell,¡± he hissed. ¡°You made the right choice not to go out! As predicted, the male guests are strip-searched as they disembark. ¡± A bead of sweat rolled down Caleb¡¯s brow. ¡°But¡­ it will take another seven days before the ship docks again,¡± he stammered, fearcing his voice. ¡°Without removing that bullet from your abdomen, I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know how much time we have¡­¡± The pallor clung to Bryson¡¯s face like a shroud, blood blooming through the bandages. The bullet, a stubborn lodger, kept the wound from healing. ¡°Staying here,¡± he rasped, voice a dry whisper, ¡°is a slow waltz with death. If they catch us at the docks, it¡¯ll be the end for us both. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was thin and frail as he asked, ¡°What¡¯s the movement of Wilde¡¯s people on the ship like?¡± Caleb¡¯s eyes, usually pools of calm, flickered with worry. ¡°Wilde¡¯s menb it like hungry sharks. Every exit is guarded. ¡± Bryson nodded. ¡°I know. You may leave now. ¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Caleb bowed and left the cabin. Alone, Hannah and Winston navigated thebyrinthine bowels of the ship, guided by the information on Winston¡¯s phone. Room 106, a grim haven nestled in the belly of the beast. Hannah¡¯s heart hammered against her ribs as she raised a fist to rap against the door. An eternity stretched before the lock clicked and the door creaked open. A face, pale and etched with shadows, emerged. ¡°Ro!¡± Hannah¡¯s cry escaped her lips, and she wrapped him into her arms, a whirlwind of relief and fury. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Ro, as if startled waking from a dream, blinked at her, his cold face suddenly vulnerable. ¡°Hannah¡­ why are you here?¡± Chapter 1055 The question, a shard of usation, ignited the fire in her chest. ¡°Why are you here, Ro? Why did you defy me and barge into Newfort alone? Don¡¯t you know I was half mad with worry when I couldn¡¯t reach you?¡± Ro lowered his eyes. ¡°I¡­ I overestimated myself. ¡± His voice trembled a bit. ¡°I thought I could find something and help you. I did, but then¡­ then I was taken, dragged onto this ship. I don¡¯t know who¡­¡± His voice trailed off, swallowed by a shuddering breath. ¡°I thought I¡¯d never see you again. Then someone paid my ransom, booked this room, told me to wait for news. ¡± Hannah, her anger melting away like frost in the sun, held him close. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she murmured, her voice a balm. ¡°When this ship touchesnd, you¡¯ll be off it, and we¡¯ll go home. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Winston¡¯s voice, a grim counterpoint to her promise, cut through the air. ¡°Miss Moore, remember what you promised my boss. ¡± Hannah shot him a cial re. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± she clipped. ¡°Memory serves me just fine. ¡± But beside her, Ro¡¯s fingers tightened around hers, his pale face etched with concern. ¡°What did you promise them?¡± he rasped, his voice thin. ¡°Is he a bad man?¡± His gaze flew to Winston, a snarl twisting his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare use me,¡± he spat, the tremor in his voice betraying his steely facade. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt Hannah. I spare you if you do. ¡± Winston, arms crossed, eyed Ro from his superior height, a sneer twisting his lips. ¡°Spare us? If it weren¡¯t for us, you¡¯d be chum in the belly of a shark, friend. ¡°Enough!¡± Hannah cried, rising between the two simmering men. ¡°We¡¯ve barely been introduced, and already you¡¯re at each other¡¯s throats?¡± The air crackled with tension, thick enough to slice with a knife. The room itself reeked of neglect, a stark contrast to his opulent past. These were clearly quarters reserved for the subordinates and servants. With a sigh, Hannah stepped behind Ro, guiding his wheelchair. ¡°Come,¡± she murmured, ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the third floor. My apartment¡¯s a duplex, you can have the downstairs space. We¡¯ll manage. ¡± The words barely left her lips when amotion echoed from the corridor. Winston whirled around, his gaze sharp as flint, locking onto the approaching footsteps. He positioned himself protectively at the entrance of the room, a silent sentinel. After a while, the sound of the footsteps drew nearer and soon stopped at the door of their room. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Winston¡¯s voice,ced with ice, sliced through the silence. They were a gaggle of burly men with faces like bs of granite. Their leader, a bruiser with a cauliflower ear, barked, ¡°Room inspection. Everyone out!¡± Winston met his gaze, his own eyes hard and unforgiving. ¡°Not a chance,¡± he drawled, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. The men exchanged nces before charging forward. Chapter 1056 Winston¡¯s hand shot out, lightning-fast, mping onto the Leader¡¯s cor. ¡°Would you like to join the fishes?¡± he chuckled, a dark glint in his eyes. Hannah walked up to the door and peered outside. Her brow furrowed at the sight before her. A group of thugs in dark suits were blocking the path, and at the corridor¡¯s end stood four men, also dressed in ck. Hannah scanned the corridor and eventually fixed her gaze on the man in the middle wearing a suit with a fancy designerbel. He stood there rxed, tall and imposing, his features striking and alluring. His eyes seemed to hold a hint of danger. He asked with a slight smirk, ¡°So, are you going to help us out with our investigation or not?¡± ¡°The ship isn¡¯t yours. You¡¯ve got no right to investigate around,¡± Winston retorted coldly, shielding Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for a conversation with you. ¡± Rodrigo eyed Winston, assessing him. ¡°It looks like you¡¯re from Cadilind too. I¡¯ll give you a choice. Help us willingly or let my boys persuade you. ¡± ¡°Tell your boys to try their luck,¡± Winston challenged, standing protectively in front of Hannah. Rodrigo sneered, casually rubbed his nose, and gestured impatiently. ¡°Get rid of them. ¡± Hannah, at Winston¡¯s side, watched the attackers surge forward. She quickly shut the door and jumped into the fight. ¡°Be careful, Winston!¡± Winston, taken aback, hadn¡¯t expected her warning or her ability to fight. Hannah rushed ahead. While not as skilled as Winston, she was more than capable against these foes. She moved with remarkable agility, easily evading their attacks. Her actions were fierce and decisive, leaving the attackers helpless against her. Realizing she was a tough opponent, a bunch of thugs tried their hardest to subdue her.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Yet, they couldn¡¯ty a finger on her. Rodrigo watched, intrigued. He pulled out a gun and aimed at Hannah. ¡°Bang!¡± He fired a silver bullet. Hannah, sensing danger, swiftly moved, narrowly escaping the shot. She nced back and saw Rodrigo¡¯s stern face. He uttered, ¡°Keep it up. Let¡¯s see who¡¯s quicker. ¡± With that, he fired again! Hannah¡¯s heart raced as she quickly dodged. Chapter 1057 Rodrigo¡¯s bullet barely missed her and struck the wall, leaving a dark hole. ¡°Damn!¡± Rodrigo cursed, aiming again at Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re tough, dodging twice. But not this time¡­ I won¡¯t miss again!¡± As Winston knocked down thest attacker, he stood by Hannah and warned, ¡°Dare to hurt her? She¡¯s part of the Compton family. If you kill her, my boss will make you pay!¡± Rodrigo was about to fire but stopped at Winston¡¯s words. He eyed Winston suspiciously.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You¡¯re from the Compton family in Newfort?¡± Winston, pulling out something to prove his identity, stated, ¡°We¡¯re here on orders from the boss. If we just vanish or something happens to us on this ship, do you really think he would let you off the hook?¡± In Newfort, Rodrigo held considerable influence, yet he never risked crossing Wace, the notorious leader of Newfort¡¯s shadowy world. ¡°It¡¯s all a big misunderstanding. ¡± Rodrigo put away his firearm, casually tossing it to someone behind him. Advancing with a grin, he addressed Hannah. ¡°My apologies, Miss. We¡¯re on the lookout for someone and didn¡¯t mean to scare you. Truly, we¡¯re sorry. You¡¯re Mr. Compton¡¯s people, right? Well, we gotta show you folks some respect. There is no need to search through this room. ¡± ncing at the figures sprawled on the floor, Rodrigo nudged them with his foot. ¡°Hey, get up, you useless bunch! Hustle to the upper decks. Check every single room!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Understood¡­ Mr. Wilde. ¡± Rodrigo shed a smile once more. ¡°I¡¯ve never met Mr. Compton or dealt with him, but being on the same ship with you¡¯s got to mean something. How about a drink, buddy?¡± Winston, expressionless, turned his head to Hannah behind him. ¡°No thanks¡­¡± ¡°Go ahead. I should stick with Ro for a bit. ¡± Hannah gave Winston a yful wink. He responded with a slight frown, turned, and signaled to Rodrigo. ¡°Sounds great. Let¡¯s go. ¡± Once they were gone, Hannah quickly opened the door and wheeled Ro outside. ¡°Hannah, are you alright? What was thatmotion earlier? Were they fighting?¡± Ro asked, concerned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s nothing for you to be concerned about. Just stick with me, and we¡¯ll get off this ship. ¡± After making sure Ro was safely on the third floor, Hannah stepped back into the hallway. She noticed that group of people heading upstairs and decided to follow them, keeping her distance. She trailed them to the fifth floor, only to realize they hadn¡¯t discovered anything. A slight frown spread across her face, and just as she was about to leave, a familiar voice reached her ears. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on?¡± Caleb emerged from a room, closing the door behind him. He eyed the group, trying to bluff as he had before. ¡°I was just resting. What do you need?¡± Hannah was taken aback. Caleb was here on the ship? Chapter 1058 Then what about Bryson? She didn¡¯t have time to ponder this as one of the thugs spoke. A few days earlier, dealing with these people had been a breeze. Now, they were tougher. Their leader eyed Caleb and remarked, ¡°We¡¯ve checked the room number. This isn¡¯t your room. Someone else is inside. Open up, we need to inspect!¡± Caleb, blocking the door with a cold expression, retorted, ¡°Last time, I let you check without fuss. But now, who are you to demand entry? What authority do you have? Tell me!¡± Earlier, Hannah and Winston had given these thugs a good beating, souring their mood. Now, facing Caleb¡¯s resistance, their irritation spiked. They started hurling insults at Caleb. ¡°You think you¡¯re something special? Our boss ordered this check!¡± ¡°Refuse to open? We¡¯ll beat you intopliance!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Damn it! I¡¯m already upset today. Beating you will be my relief!¡± Caleb stood his ground. Just as the thugs prepared to strike, Hannah appeared from the stairwell¡¯s shadow and asked, ¡°What¡¯s happening, Caleb?¡± Caleb¡¯s eyes shot open in surprise. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to find Miss Moore on board this ship! Before he could gather his thoughts, Hannah approached, eyeing the thugs. ¡°He¡¯s a friend of mine. What¡¯s the problem? Thinking of hitting him?¡± Hearing Hannah¡¯s words, the thugs exchanged nces, hesitant to act. Even with Rodrigo present, they wouldn¡¯t risk attacking Hannah, knowing her strength, and without Rodrigo, they definitely wouldn¡¯t challenge someone under the Compton family¡¯s protection.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°Ha ha¡­ It¡¯s just a big misunderstanding. ¡± the leader finally surrendered, forcing a smile at Hannah. ¡°Since he¡¯s your friend, we¡¯ll leave him be. ¡± With that, he gestured for his group to leave quickly. When they were out of sight, Caleb started to speak, but Hannah cut him off, ¡°Open up. It¡¯s been ages since west met. Why didn¡¯t you call?¡± Caleb opened the door. ¡°I¡¯ve been on the ship these days, so I didn¡¯t get the chance to call. Come in, make yourself at home. ¡± Once inside, Caleb quickly shut the door. Chapter 1059 Hannah eyed Caleb sharply. ¡°Is Bryson here too?¡± Caleb hesitated, not daring to lie. He nced towards the suite and admitted, ¡°Yes¡­ Mr. Mitchell is in there¡­¡± He had barely finished speaking when Hannah walked briskly toward the suite. Caleb promptly went after her. Bryson, lounging with closed eyes, snapped them open as the door swung open. Standing there, Hannah¡¯s gazended on Bryson¡¯s bare chest and the blood-stained bandage wrapped around his waist. Her brow furrowed in concern. ¡°It¡¯s been quite some time. What happened to you? You¡¯re a mess!¡± she eximed. Bryson, caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s presence on the ship, blurted out, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Hannah walked over and took a seat, her eyes fixed on the wound on Bryson¡¯s abdomen. ¡°That¡¯s my question for you. Why are you here, looking like this? Didn¡¯t you say you weren¡¯t going to die?¡± Resting against the headboard, Bryson quirked an eyebrow. ¡°I guess I¡¯m not dying just yet, am I?¡± Noticing Caleb lingering in the room, Bryson instructed, ¡°Caleb, could you step outside and keep an eye out?¡± ¡°Of course, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Once Caleb left, a brief silence filled the room. Bryson, attempting to lighten the mood, cracked a smile. ¡°Am I being too vain to think you came here worried about me after finding out where I was?¡± Hannah shot him a cold look. ¡°It seems to me it¡¯s your head that¡¯s injured, not your abdomen. ¡± ¡°Why are you here now?¡± Bryson questioned. ¡°I didn¡¯te for you, but for someone else. ¡± Hannah hesitated, then added, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to bump into you.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Have you upset someone important on this ship? Why are you hiding and avoiding people?¡± Bryson smirked. ¡°Impressive, you noticed. ¡± ¡°Is it Rodrigo Wilde you¡¯ve crossed?¡± Hannah asked. Seeing Bryson¡¯s expression shift, she nodded. ¡°You did, didn¡¯t you? I doubt they can really harm you, though. ¡± Bryson furrowed his brow. ¡°You¡¯ve shed with them? Why?¡± Hannah shrugged it off. ¡°They wanted to inspect our room without permission, so we resisted. Luckily, it didn¡¯t escte. ¡± Chapter 1060 ¡°With so many groups on this ship, you shouldn¡¯t be stirring up such trouble. ¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one who should be more concerned about yourself?¡± She stood to examine Bryson¡¯s abdomen wound, but he quickly reached out, grabbing her arm. Bryson¡¯s sudden move triggered the pain in his abdomen once more! His face grew pale. ¡°I¡¯m okay. ¡± ¡°Really? You think you¡¯re okay? Stop kidding yourself!¡± Hannah¡¯s tone changed to one of seriousness. She pushed away Bryson¡¯s_ hand,manding, ¡°Stay still!¡± She grabbed the scissors nearby and swiftly cut through the bandage. Examining his abdomen wound, Hannah¡¯s brows knitted in concern. ¡°The bullet¡¯s still in there! Bandages alone won¡¯t help! The wound¡¯s going to get infected! Didn¡¯t you know that?¡± ¡°I know,¡± Bryson responded quietly. ¡°I couldn¡¯t take out the bullet myself. And Caleb, he was too scared to try anything without painkillers. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± Hannah said calmly, getting her gloves on and sterilizing the scalpel and other supplies Caleb had found.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°But we¡¯re out of painkillers. You¡¯ll have to tough it out. ¡± Bryson just nodded in agreement. Hannah disinfected her hands, then pressed down on his abdomen. Her fingers were cold, pressing directly on the wound. Bryson caught his breath suddenly. He clenched his teeth, holding back any reaction, fighting the pain. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, this¡¯ll be over soon. ¡± Bryson, despite the sweat on his forehead, grinned and asked, ¡°You think I¡¯m scared of a little pain?¡± Hannah concentrated on his wound and cautiously incised the skin. Bryson, watching her, said in a deep voice, ¡°You know, you¡¯re quite turning me on like this. ¡± At Bryson¡¯s bold flirtation, Hannah almost paused in her work. ¡°Bryson, keep it up, and I might just push that bullet in deeper!¡± Then, she cleaned around the wound with alcohol-soaked cotton. Hannah¡¯s movements were steady and quick as she operated. Soon, she spotted the bullet. Gently, she extracted it with tweezers. The bullet hitting the metal tray was a sound of relief for Hannah. Chapter 1061 She grabbed a needle, ready to sew him up, and looked at Bryson. ¡°Stay strong. ¡± Bryson nodded, his gaze locked on her.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. After stitching him up, Hannah applied ointment. ¡°Stay still, I need to wrap this. ¡± She searched her medical kit for more medicine. Out of the blue, Bryson said, ¡°Hannah. ¡± Hannah hesitated for a moment, then shifted her gaze and questioned, ¡°yihat¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Do you still have feelings for me?¡± he asked, his gaze fixed on her. Hannah was at a loss for words. Silent, she didn¡¯t know how to respond to such a question. Instead, she focused on treating Bryson¡¯s injury, deliberately ignoring his query. Bryson watched her intently, a mix of emotions swirling within him. ¡°I need to tell you something. I have multiple-personality disorder, and Bryson kept it from you. He thought he was better before he went back to Cadilind and that I as Sewell would be under his control forever. ¡± As Hannah wrapped a bandage around Bryson¡¯s waist, she listened to him reveal his past. ¡°It was by chance that I regained control, letting you see me like this now. I¡¯m not sure why he kept it from you, but I don¡¯t want any secrets between us. The real me is the one in control of this body now. ¡± Bryson looked at Hannah with unprecedented seriousness. ¡°Whether you chose to save me today because of him or not, I have to thank you. ¡± After a long silence, Hannah turned to Bryson and remarked, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you¡¯re Bryson or Sewell, you¡¯re still you. You¡¯re just unwell. If you¡¯re willing to seek treatment, you¡¯ll get better. ¡± Bryson offered a smile and said, ¡°I hope that¡¯s true. ¡± He then shut his eyes, appearing extremely weary, and drifted off to sleep. Watching him sleep, Hannah quietly packed the medical kit and slipped out of the suite. Once the door shut, Bryson abruptly opened his eyes, revealing a cold gleam in the darkness. Outside the suite, Hannah informed Caleb, ¡°I¡¯ve sessfully extracted the bullet. His physical condition seemsrgely stable. However, he¡¯s got a severe infection and needs to regrly take anti-inmmatory medication. I noticed your medicine supply is low. Why don¡¯t youe with meter? I have some anti-inmmatory drugs you can take back with you. ¡± Caleb, learning of Hannah¡¯s aid to Bryson, expressed his heartfelt thanks. ¡°Miss Moore! I can¡¯t thank you enough! We¡¯re so fortunate to have you here! Without you¡­ I¡¯m scared to think of the danger Mr. Mitchell could have faced if he had remained on this ship for a week with that bullet!¡± Chapter 1062 Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed as she turned to Caleb. ¡°What happened to him? How¡¯d he get hurt?¡± Caleb let out a heavy sigh. ¡°It¡¯s my fault¡­ That night, during the mission, I got caught by Rodrigo¡¯s guys. Nearly didn¡¯t make it out alive. Mr. Mitchell showed up just in time, drew their attention so I could slip away. But he ended up taking a hit in the belly. ¡± That was when it clicked for Hannah. She remembered the strict checks at the dock. ¡°Ah, that exins the intense security when the guests got off. They were looking for you guys. ¡± Caleb nodded, his face lined with worry. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re safe for now. But Mr. Mitchell¡¯s hurt and if we try to leave the ship next time, they might catch on. ¡± Hannah thought for a moment, then suggested, ¡°Stay on the cruise for now. I¡¯ll arrange a helicopter to pick you up tomorrow morning. ¡± But Caleb shook his head, disagreeing. ¡°No, that¡¯s too risky. Rodrigo doesn¡¯t know who my boss and I really are. If we leave by helicopter, we¡¯re basically waving a g saying ¡®here we are¡¯. That¡¯ll only make things worse. ¡± Hannah pursed her lips, mulling over the situation, then finally said, ¡°Let me see what I can do. Maybe there¡¯s a safer way out. Caleb gave her a grateful nod. ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah urged Caleb to return with her to the third floor of the cabin. Upon entering, she presented him with a selection of anti-inmmatory medications. ¡°It¡¯s necessary for him to apply ointment to his wound and take medicine orally to recover as soon as possible. If there¡¯s anything else you need, feel free toe back here. ¡±This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Gratefully, Caleb epted the medicines. ¡°Thanks, Miss Moore!¡± he replied, before leaving the room. Outside, Caleb encountered Winston, who eyed him coldly. Wishing to avoid any conflict, Caleb acknowledged Winston with a nod and continued on his way. Hannah, noticing Winston¡¯s gaze fixed on Caleb¡¯s departing figure, inquired, ¡°Why are you lingering at the door? Are you a doorman?¡± Only then did Winston turn and enter the room. ¡°Who was that guy?¡± he asked. ¡°Just someone I know,¡± Hannah replied nonchntly. ¡°By the way, if someone needs to leave the ship discreetly without drawing attention, do you know a way?¡± Winston responded, ¡°Yes. If we need to exit unnoticed, we could dive into the sea. We can arrange for someone to pick us up from a hidden spot. ¡± Hannah frowned, shaking her head. ¡°That won¡¯t work. ¡± Bryson, injured in the abdomen and with a deep wound, might not survive a dive into the sea. Chapter 1063 Hannah shrugged. ¡°Just asking, that¡¯s all. ¡± Winston¡¯s tone was icy. ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem Like just a casual question to me. What¡¯s the deal? Need help? Maybe I can figure out another way for you. ¡± Hannah met his gaze. ¡°Other than jumping overboard, how else can we get off this ship without getting caught?¡± ¡°They could disguise themself and leave with us. Stick with us and no one will question you. But¡­¡± Winston hesitated. ¡°I noticed your friend earlier, carrying anti-inmmatories. Creams, pills¡­ yet he doesn¡¯t look hurt. Is someone else injured?¡± Winston squinted, thinking fast. ¡°When we got on in Newfort, was that ruckus outside caused by him too? They were checking for injuries, right? And today¡¯s trouble with Rodrigo wasn¡¯t just coincidence. ¡± Hannah smiled, impressed. ¡°You¡¯re sharp. No wonder you work for my so-called father. ¡± ¡°Who are they?¡± Winston pressed. ¡°You don¡¯t need to know. They won¡¯t mess up our n,¡± Hannah assured him. ¡°I¡¯ve got to get them off this ship in seven days. ¡± Winston¡¯s gaze was icy. ¡°Who are they? Why would you risk it? Even with the Compton family name, Rodrigo¡¯s no easy mark if they catch us. ¡± Hannah shot back, ¡°That¡¯s not your concern. Just tell me, can you help me or not?¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do it,¡± Winston finally agreed, nodding. Later, Hannah met with Ro. ¡°Ro, what¡¯s been going on since you got to Newfort?¡± Ro, now calmer, nodded at Hannah. ¡°I got you some info from that address you gave me. Then, I sneaked into Bryson Mitchell¡¯s hospital to grab his medical records. All seemed well when I first arrived. But then, I discovered he was mixed up with a gang called Wolf Gang back in college. He was funding them, so I dug deeper. ¡± He paused, touching his knees. ¡°I never imagined it¡¯d be my wheelchair that blew my cover. They wanted to kill me right there. But since I couldn¡¯t move, and posed no threat, they stuck me on this ship to trade for organs. ¡± Ro looked up at Hannah. ¡°I was bracing myself to never see you again.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. I had lost all hope until someone saved me from those traffickers on the ship!¡± Chapter 1064 Ro, gazing at Hannah, remarked, ¡°I had a hunch it was you who saved me. Who else would bother to rescue me without a reason! Oh, and Hannah!¡± Ro¡¯s gaze intensified as he said to Hannah, ¡°There¡¯s something else I need to know. Is the guy you¡¯re having trouble with named Rodrigo Wilde?¡± A smile crept onto Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°You know him?¡± ¡°I overheard some snippets of your conversation outside the room, and his voice was unmistakable. When I first got here, I was hidden away at the bottom of the ship and heard him discussing with someone. This Wilde guy seems to be dealing with illegal drugs out here on the ocean. ¡± Hannah pondered a moment before responding, ¡°Don¡¯t worry over it. Just stay put in your room for the next few days and don¡¯t wander off. ¡± ¡°And what about you?¡± ¡°I aim to uncover what¡¯s going on with this ship. ¡± Hannah gave Ro a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll be docking again in a week. Everything will be alright. ¡± In the midst of their conversation, someone knocked on the door. Hannah signaled Ro to stay quiet and went to answer it. Opening the door to two people in suits, she asked coldly, ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°Our boss wants to see you on the ninth floor.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah eyed them suspiciously. ¡°And who¡¯s your boss?¡± They answered in unison, ¡°Mr. Rodrigo Wilde. ¡± Hannah nced back at the room before she shut the cabin door. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she said firmly. She trailed behind the two men as they entered the elevator. As they reached the ninth floor, the elevator doors slid open to a burst of loud music and chatter that hit Hannah¡¯s ears. The ce was like a huge casino, packed with an overwhelming array of activities that dazzled her. Hannah followed the suited men through the noisy crowd, making her way to a more secluded area. There, Rodrigo lounged on a sofa. Two beefy guys were doing push-ups on the floor nearby, surrounded by an excited crowd counting out loud. ¡°4ge!¡± ¡°487!¡± Chapter 1065 One of the muscr men visibly weakened, no match for the other, and copsed. ¡°You¡¯re useless!¡± someone yelled out. The onlookers erupted into shouts and cheers. ¡°Boss, finish him!¡± Before the fallen man could even plead for mercy, a gunshot echoed sharply. Bang! He hit the floor. A few people stepped forward, pulling him away. They quickly tossed him off the ship. The air filled with harsh, mockingughter. Everything happened swiftly. As the crowd erupted in cheers, Hannah subtly shifted her gaze and moved toward Rodrigo. Beside Rodrigo sat Winston, his expression icy, clearly having long harbored discontent with Rodrigo¡¯s actions. Rodrigo pushed things further. ¡°If anyone bests my crew, I¡¯ll up the prize to 3 billion. But fail, and it¡¯s your life on the line. Who¡¯s brave enough?¡± By then, Hannah had emerged from the crowd, standing out boldly. Rodrigo¡¯s eyes narrowed upon seeing her. ¡°Why not give it a shot?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Hannah responded. ¡°But I don¡¯t want your 3 billion if I win. How about a different deal?¡± ¡°Interesting. ¡± Rodrigo scanned Hannah from head to toe and remarked, ¡°You¡¯re the first to turn down 3 billion. So, what do you want?¡± ¡°My life if I lose,¡± Hannah dered firmly. ¡°But if your guy lose, you give me your life.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Her words hushed the previously raucous crowd instantly. A voice from the crowd erupted, ¡°Are you f@cking insane? Challenging our boss with such stakes?¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow. ¡°Something wrong? Are you afraid to bet?¡± Rodrigo clenched his teeth, his jaw set firm. He nced at Winston. ¡°She¡¯s not shaming Wace. She¡¯s gutsy, I¡¯ll give her that! Winston, just a heads-up. If she loses the bet, she¡¯s mine. You can¡¯t step in on what I decide to do with her!¡± Winston stood up, a frown creasing his forehead. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take her ce!¡± Chapter 1066 ¡°Nope, can¡¯t swap out now. We agreed, remember?¡± Rodrigo, a cigarette dangling from his lips, stared at Hannah. ¡°Your call, Miss Moore?¡± Hannah shed a grin. ¡°I¡¯m not one to back down. ¡± ¡°Alright then. ¡± Rodrigo scoffed, pointing at two men beside him. ¡°You two, take her on. ¡± The men near Rodrigo looked tough, either older or built like they meant business. ¡°Choose one. ¡± Hannah nonchntly pointed. ¡°Him. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. The crowd erupted in excitement. ¡°She¡¯s in over her head!¡± ¡°Balfour¡¯s our push-up champ!¡± ¡°She¡¯s just boasting. Fifty push-ups will wind her. ¡± ¡°Looks like she¡¯s done for!¡± ¡°Boss, let¡¯s start! Can¡¯t wait to see her beg for mercy!¡± The man Hannah picked shot her a menacing look and moved aside to get ready. Hannah stretched her neck and bent down gracefully. Winston observed her, his fists tight, poised to spring into action at any moment. Initially, the man outpaced Hannah in push-ups, doubling her speed while the crowd roared in support. Unfazed by the jeers, Hannah steadily continued her push-ups, seemingly deaf to the mockery. About thirty minutes in, the man¡¯s pace noticeably slowed. But Hannah, undeterred by the onlookers, maintained her steady rhythm. The initial taunts quieted down as the crowd¡¯s mood turned solemn. Rodrigo¡¯s confidence waned, and uncertainty crept onto his face. Frustrated, he flicked his cigarette away! Winston, watching Hannah¡¯sposed demeanor, was certain of her victory. Rxing into the sofa, he taunted Rodrigo, ¡°Your guys might be strong, but they¡¯re no match here. ¡± Rodrigo¡¯s face twitched, catching the sarcasm. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet!¡± he retorted. Chapter 1067 Winston scoffed, ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. ¡± Another half-hour passed, with Hannah keeping her consistent pace. The man struggled increasingly, sweating profusely, gasping for air. Then, just a minuteter, he copsed, unable to continue. The crowd burst into urgent shouts. ¡°Balfour! Come on! If this keeps up, you¡¯ve lost for sure!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Balfour inhaled sharply, then leaped up suddenly, his arms flung wide and his eyes wild, as he lunged at Hannah! Hannah nced quickly to the side, spotting Balfour charging at her. She deftly stepped to her left, dodging his advance, and swiftly kicked him in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the floor! Then, she grabbed a nearby stool, raised it high, and brought it crashing down onto Balfour¡¯s shoulder! Balfour let out a pained groan, clutching his shoulder. His face flushed with the intensity of the pain! The onlookers gasped and stepped back in shock, not daring to approach! Cradling his throbbing arm, Balfour looked up at Hannah¡¯s cold, merciless expression, a wave of fear washing over him. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ Please, don¡¯t kill me!¡± Winston, watching from a distance, sneered, ¡°Wilde, is this the best your guys can do?¡± Rodrigo, visibly unsettled, ordered someone to pull Balfour away. Hannah tossed the stool aside and fixed Rodrigo with a steady gaze.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°IT won. You¡¯re not going to back out now, are you? Your life is in my hands. ¡± As she spoke, she took a gun from someone nearby and aimed it at Rodrigo. ¡°I¡¯ll take what¡¯s mine now. That¡¯s fair, right?¡± ¡°How could you do this? Stop right there!¡± ¡°Guard Mr. Wilde! Take her down!¡± All of a sudden, everyone around whipped out their guns and pointed them at Hannah. Hannah lifted an eyebrow and remarked, ¡°Looks like you¡¯re not nning to stick to our deal. ¡± ¡°I always keep my word!¡± Rodrigo narrowed his eyes and ordered, ¡°Lower your weapons!¡± Smirking slightly, Hannah slowly squeezed the trigger once everyone had lowered their guns. Chapter 1068 Bang! In that moment, the gunshot startled everyone. Hannah, with a stoic face, dropped the gun to the floor. ¡°Just kidding. I wouldn¡¯t actually shoot someone over a bet. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t target Rodrigo with her gun. Instead, she shot a wine bottle on the table. Rodrigo¡¯s gaze shifted from the shattered bottle to Hannah. ¡°So, you¡¯re truly from Compton family. I¡¯m genuinely impressed!¡± He signaled his men to back off. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯ve won the bet, fair and square. ¡± Rodrigo gave Hannah an assessing gaze before saying, ¡°Feel free to request anything, be it money or anything else. I¡¯m here to fulfill your wishes. ¡± ¡°Money¡¯s not what I¡¯m after. Got plenty of that,¡± Hannah replied, her eyes fixed on Rodrigo. ¡°Winston mentioned you frequently operate on the Queen Elizabeth. Your business seems thriving, and I¡¯d like to get involved. How about a partnership?¡± Rodrigo paused, a bit surprised, then burst into a brightugh. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re truly not like those Compton folks. Do you know how many have tried to get the head of the Compton family on this ship? He¡¯s never set foot on the Queen Elizabeth. ¡± He nced at Winston.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°So, what¡¯s this? The Compton family having a change of heart, wanting in on the Queen Elizabeth¡¯s business?¡± Before Winston could respond, Hannah said, ¡°I¡¯m not here for the Compton family. This is about me seeking a part in it, nothing to do with them. ¡± Rodrigo¡¯s Laugh echoed. ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, I¡¯ll give you that. But let me be clear. Without the Compton name, you¡¯re nobody. How can you even think of partnering with me here? Do you know who these people are?¡± But Hannah just smiled, ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I need strong allies. ¡± Rodrigo¡¯s gaze hardened as he stared at her. ¡°Surviving here, making a name? It¡¯s not just about strength, you know. And¡­¡± He paused briefly, then continued, ¡°You say you¡¯re not here for the Compton family, so why¡¯s Winston tagging along? He was tight with the head of the Compton family. His being here with you? That¡¯s no small deal. You im you¡¯re just representing yourself, but that¡¯s hard to ept. ¡± Winston said, his voice cool and detached, ¡°The boss didn¡¯t n for her to be on this trip. I¡¯m just here to make sure she gets to see the boss after we dock. ¡± Rodrigo fell silent for a moment, then said, ¡°If you¡¯re looking to team up with us, you¡¯ve got to show you¡¯re serious. ¡± Hannah lifted an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m listening. ¡± ¡°Do you have any experience with moneyundering?¡± Rodrigo asked, lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag. Hannah replied honestly, ¡°I¡¯ve never done it myself, but I¡¯ve seen others do it. Doesn¡¯t seem too hard. ¡± Rodrigo flicked his cigarette, gesturing towards Hannah with a sly grin. ¡°Alright, since you¡¯re so keen, you¡¯reing with me tonight. We¡¯ve got a moneyundering job. The Lyons Group, you know them? This week, they¡¯re cleaning fifteen billion on this ship. Even their boss¡¯s son is here. We¡¯re helping them with ten billion, and our cut is fifteen percent. ¡± Chapter 1069 His gaze fixed on Hannah, cold and calcting. ¡°Help me out, and you¡¯ll get a third of our earnings. Stick with me, and whether it¡¯s for the Compton family or yourself, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re living it up on the Queen Elizabeth. ¡± Hannah¡¯s lips curled into a half-smile. ¡°Deal. Just don¡¯t double-cross me. ¡± Rodrigo chuckled and said, ¡°I¡¯m a man of my word, always have been. ¡± As Hannah rose to leave with Winston, Rodrigo called out, ¡°Miss Moore, someone will fetch you at the start of tonight¡¯s event. ¡± Once she was gone, his smile vanished. He summoned his crew, his eyes icy. ¡°Find out everything about Hannah Moore. Wace values her. Be thorough. ¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Wilde!¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. In the elevator, Winston turned to Hannah. ¡°Why are you teaming up with him?¡± Hannah nced at him, replying, ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t ask, especially after you defended me earlier. ¡± ¡°The Queen Elizabeth is outside our family¡¯s reach. Plus, it¡¯s the Lyons Group dealing with money this time. There¡¯s no upside for you here. You get that, right? Even though it¡¯s international waters and thews arex, our boss would never let you get mixed up in something so shady. ¡± Hannah replied calmly, ¡°You know I¡¯m not after the money Laundering. Ro eavesdropped on Wilde. He¡¯s here for illegal drugs. ¡± Winston, frowning, countered, ¡°It¡¯s not our concern. With so many groups on board, a direct sh with Wilde is risky. He¡¯s got more connections than us. Even revealing our Compton family ties might not get us off this ship safely. ¡± Winston said, ¡°Miss Moore, just a reminder, meddling in their illegal drug trafficking is risky. Plus, we¡¯re not part of Interpol, so getting involved in too much isn¡¯t wise. It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t stir up a fuss over it. ¡± With a casual shrug, Hannah replied with a smile, ¡°Sure, I have no ns to interfere with his illegal drug dealings, but¡­¡± This involved Bryson, and she needed to get to the bottom of it. ¡°But what?¡± Winston inquired, casting a probing nce at her. Hannah shook her head and responded, ¡°I¡¯ll fill you in when I get a chance. For now, let¡¯s head back. ¡± Meanwhile, Caleb had returned to the cabin after gathering some information. Since Hannah had tended to Bryson¡¯s injury, he was feeling somewhat better. A good night¡¯s sleep had even broken his fever. As Caleb entered, Bryson was sitting up in bed, gazing out the window, lost in thought. ¡°Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Bryson looked over and asked, ¡°Did you discover anything?¡± Caleb began, ¡°My findings show that the passengers here are mostly gang leaders from Newfort. And the Lyons Group¡¯s heir¡­ He¡¯s also on this ship. ¡± Chapter 1070 Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed. It seemed his luck was particrly bad, encountering Rodrigo Wilde and his crew on board, and now finding out members of the Lyons Group were also aboard the Queen Elizabeth. The Lyons Group had quickly risen to prominence in Newfort, boasting global distribution channels and raking in tens of millions annually. They had snapped up several of Rodrigo¡¯s docks. Yet, this was just the tip of the iceberg. Lyons Group¡¯s solid standing stemmed from its involvement in illegal activities that spanned various sectors. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you¡¯ve just tricked the Lyons Group heir. He¡¯ll be none too pleased if he learns you¡¯re on this ship. ¡± Bryson smirked dismissively. ¡°He¡¯s no match for me. Tried to set me up, but ended up trapped himself. To confront me openly, he¡¯d have to concede defeat. He¡¯s too proud to admit that. So he would only resort to backroom schemes. ¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Caleb expressed his concern. ¡°But Mr. Mitchell, currently. . Bryson interrupted, raising a hand, ¡°How is Hannah doing?¡± ¡°Miss Moore, well, she¡­¡± Caleb hesitated. ¡°Out with it. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Bryson pressed, noticing Caleb¡¯s evasion. ¡°Miss Moore met with Wilde. I heard she¡¯s nning to coborate with him, Wilde wants her tounder 10 billion dors as a show ofmitment!¡± Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed. He was clueless about Hannah¡¯s reasons for boarding the ship and disliked making assumptions. ¡°Keep tabs on this. You¡¯ll attend tonight¡¯s ship party,¡± he instructed. ¡°Understood, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± As darkness enveloped the ship, its deck, illuminated by faint Lights, buzzed with excitement. The ship¡¯s top lights shone brightly, casting a lively glow over the cheerful crowd. Hannah, in a striking red dress, strolled across the deck. Her long, flowing ck hair danced in the wind. Tall and graceful, her legs looked stunning in the dress, and her subtle makeup enhanced her allure. To the men around, her sparkling eyes made her an undeniable beauty. Winston, d in ck, stood behind her, his expression stern, resembling a forbidding guardian. Hannah¡¯s entrance stirred the crowd. Men¡¯s eyes, filled with desire, followed her every move. She was the center of their attention. ¡°Wow, what a beauty! Come have a drink with me!¡± ¡°Hey, take it easy, man. Show some respect to thedy. ¡± ¡°Would you like to join us for a drink, Miss?¡± Chapter 1071 Unfazed by the attention, Hannah continued to the other side of the deck. Near Rodrigo, several morous women lounged. In the swimming pool, more women in bikinis enjoyed themselves yfully. Approaching the sofa, Hannah inquired, ¡°Where¡¯s the information on Lyons Group?¡± Rodrigo, who was flirting with a woman, casually brushed his hand against her, eliciting a pained moan. He shed a mischievous grin, trying to appease her. ¡°It¡¯s okay, honey. You can go now,¡± he said dismissively. With a huff, the woman shot a disdainful look at Hannah and strutted away, her departure resembling a catwalk model¡¯s exit. Rodrigo grinned at Hannah, motioning her over. ¡°Hey, Miss Moore,e and sit. Let¡¯s chat. ¡± Hannah took a seat, and Rodrigo, opening hisptop, said, ¡°Look, this is the money Lyons Group needs tounder. ¡± ncing at his phone, Rodrigo exined, ¡°We¡¯ve got an art show at 9, right? It¡¯s a cover forundering. My guys will jack up the painting prices like crazy. You? Just move the money to where it needs to go. ¡± Hannah looked at theptop, showing 10 billion forundering and Lyons Group details. She murmured, ¡°Got it. I¡¯m on it. ¡± Post-discussion, Rodrigo lounged on the sofa, eyeing Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re stunning. No shock Mr. Compton¡¯s so into you. ¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah, her gaze icy, typed swiftly. Rodrigo whistled, impressed. ¡°Man, you¡¯re good at this. Mr. Compton¡¯s right about you. ¡± Unfazed, Hannah focused on her task, head down. After a final keystroke, she passed theptop back to Rodrigo. ¡°Here¡¯s a program I made. It tracks theundered money and your profit, live. Plus, it¡¯s got solid security. No one¡¯s peeking into this, let alone hacking. ¡± Rodrigo¡¯s eyes sparkled at the screen. Hannah added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about my ties to the Compton family. As long as I¡¯m working with you, the Compton family won¡¯t be a problem. ¡± Rodrigo turned his gaze from theputer to Hannah. ¡°Look, we need to work together openly. I can only decide on a partnership after I fully understand who I¡¯m dealing with. ¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re not being very open yourself. I hardly know anything about you. ¡± They faced off for a moment, then Rodrigo gave in. ¡°Alright, no more questions. Just make sure the money gets cleaned, and we¡¯re partners. ¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Hannah replied curtly. Rodrigo, with a slight smile, extended his hand for a handshake. ¡°Then, here¡¯s to a sessful partnership. ¡± Hannah stood, ignoring his hand. ¡°I hope our cooperation goes smoothly. I won¡¯t keep you from your fun. See you at the art exhibition¡¯s start. ¡± Chapter 1072 She left with Winston, leaving Rodrigo to watch her go with a dark look in his eyes. On a quieter part of the deck, Hannah leaned against the railing, feeling the sea breeze. Winston looked serious. She nced at him. ¡°Are you going to keep quiet and say nothing all night?¡± Winston¡¯s face remained emotionless and frosty. Hannah let out a sigh. ¡°You don¡¯t have to share if you don¡¯t want to. But can you help me look into the stock situation at Lyons Group?¡± Winston¡¯s eyebrows knitted together. ¡°You¡¯re serious about digging into Lyons Group?¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°We¡¯re helping them with their shady money. Having gotten this far, how can we not know who they really are? I¡¯m worried if we¡¯re not careful, there might be no going back. ¡± As they spoke, someone ced a ss of champagne before Hannah. Turning, she saw a tall man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a prominent nose standing beside her. ¡°Hello again, beautiful,¡± he said in a deep, resonant voice. ¡°Can I offer you this drink?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow and epted the ss. ¡°Sure, why not?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Remington Lyons,¡± he introduced himself with a smile, clinking his ss against Hannah¡¯s. ¡°And who might you be, gorgeous?¡± ¡°Hannah Moore,¡± she replied. Remington looked impressed. ¡°Nice name. ¡± He nced at Winston. ¡°And he is your¡­ husband?¡± ¡°No, he¡¯s my bodyguard,¡± Hannah answered nonchntly. Remington gave a nod, acknowledging, ¡°You really should have bodyguards for your protection. However, having just one isn¡¯t enough to ensure your safety. How abouting to my ce? I¡¯ve got plenty of bodyguards to keep you safe, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah politely refused his offer. ¡°Thanks, Mr. Lyons, but I prefer being on my own. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s a shame,¡± Remingtonmented. ¡°Tonight, Mr. White, a renowned artist, is hosting an art show.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only He¡¯s quite famous in Newfort, known for his several art exhibitions. It wasn¡¯t easy getting him to host one on the Queen Elizabeth. Miss Moore, don¡¯t you want to check it out?¡± There was an art show by Mr. White? She remembered Jalen mentioning his exhibition at 7 PM, the same time they were boarding. A sense of unease crept over Hannah. She gave Winston a look, and then smiled at Remington. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the exhibition starts at 9. I¡¯m quite curious about this Mr. White. ¡± Chapter 1073 Seeing Hannah¡¯s interest, Remington extended his hand, offering, ¡°In that case, Miss Moore, would you join me at my ce?¡± Hannah gently touched his hand with her finger and smiled in agreement. ¡°Okay. ¡± Together, they moved to a different part of the deck, noticeably more opulent and crowded than Rodrigo¡¯s area. Remington¡¯s im was no exaggeration; the ce was swarming with dozens of bodyguards. There, Hannah spotted several familiar faces from before boarding the ship, like Maria Courtenay, the gang leader¡¯s lover from Lightby¡¯s east district. She was by a group of muscr, shirtless men. Catching sight of Hannah with Remington, she raised her eyebrows in a defiant manner and gave Hannah a piercing look. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah nced at Jalen, who sat on a sofa looking uneasy. When he noticed her, his face tensed up in surprise. He couldn¡¯t believe Hannah was here. Remington guided Hannah to a seat, introducing her to Jalen. ¡°Meet Miss Moore. She¡¯s a big fan of your paintings, and it turns out you¡¯re both from Cadilind,¡± he said. Hannah smiled and offered her hand. ¡°Mr. White, I¡¯ve heard so much about you,¡± she said. Jalen, visibly panicked, managed a strained smile. Remington, noticing his reaction, asked, ¡°Mr. White, is everything alright?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ Everything¡¯s fine,¡± Jalen replied, shaking Hannah¡¯s hand, his palm sweaty. He tried to pull away, but Hannah held on, still smiling. ¡°Mr. White, have we met before?¡± she asked. ¡°Well¡­ Perhaps I just have amon face,¡± Jalen said. Hannah didn¡¯t push further. Turning to Remington, she said, ¡°Mr. Lyons, I really admire Mr. White¡¯s work.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. May I speak with him privately?¡± Remington, ever the gentleman, ki*sed the back of Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°Of course, Miss Moore. It would be an honor for Mr. White. ¡± After saying that, Remington shed a smile at Jalen. ¡°You agree, Mr. White?¡± he asked. Jalen managed a strained smile in response. ¡°Well¡­ yes,¡± he said. Satisfied, Remington released Hannah and stood up, leaving her with Jalen as he walked away. Jalen, no longer able to hide his agitation, blurted out, ¡°Hannah¡­ just now¡­¡± Hannah, pouring a ss of red wine, smiled reassuringly, ¡°Mr. White, rx. It¡¯s not yet time to reveal who I am. ¡± She gently swirled her wine, its deep red hue shimmering ominously in the light, hinting at hidden dangers. Chapter 1074 Jalen, feeling a lump in his throat, remembered Hannah¡¯s decisive actions at home. Seeing her involved in dangerous affairs abroad felt even more daunting. Jalen urgently exined, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to keep it from you, Hannah. Please, hear me out! This art exhibition, this ship¡­ there¡¯s more to them than meets the eye! I met Remington Lyons by chance¡­ We were kidnapped and threatened. I had no choice but to y along!¡± Hannah put down her drink and looked at him curiously, ¡°Oh, really?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Jalen responded quickly. ¡°I¡¯m not lying. ¡± He spoke more softly and moved closer to Hannah. ¡°I organized an art show in Newfort. It was quiet at first, but I didn¡¯t give up. Then, I had a few more shows, and gradually, more people started showing up. Something felt off. My paintings started selling for crazy high prices all of a sudden. I was confused, and then I got kidnapped. ¡± Jalen lowered his head. ¡°They wanted to jack up my painting prices for moneyundering, to meet their own ends. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed as she said, ¡°Jalen, do you realize you could be in trouble too? You could end up in jail!¡± Jalen kept his head down, ¡°That¡¯s what I was afraid of. I didn¡¯t want you to get dragged into this. I never thought you¡¯d be on this ship too. ¡± After a pause, Hannah asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s your n now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Hannah. I¡¯ve never been great with people or handling stuff like this,¡± Jalen admitted, looking up at her, his eyes glistening. Hannah saw Jalen, usually soposed, showing such vulnerability. She couldn¡¯t stay mad at him. She gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jalen. I¡¯ll figure this out. ¡± Hearing those words, Jalen paused for a second. He looked worried as he grabbed Hannah¡¯s arm, eximing, ¡°Hannah! You can¡¯t put yourself in danger!¡± Hannah let out a sigh. ¡°Jalen, focus on yourself now. Don¡¯t worry about me. ¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Before the auction began, Hannah and Winston returned to Rodrigo¡¯s ce. She grabbed aputer and quickly navigated to a familiar website. Her fingers sped over the keyboard, bringing up a program she had created. As the auction kicked off, bids started soaring. Rodrigo leaned over to Hannah, advising, ¡°Let¡¯s not go too high with our bids for the paintings. There¡¯s still the gamblingter. We must spread out the moneyundering, or else we might risk drawing attention. ¡± Chapter 1075 Understood,¡± Hannah responded, her eyes fixed on theputer screen. The auction progressed smoothly, with Hannah¡¯s program working furiously on herputer. She hit the return key and announced, ¡°Done. I¡¯veundered 8 billion at the art show for Lyons. We can clean the remaining 2 billion in the uing gambling. ¡± Rodrigo nodded, stroking his chin in approval. ¡°Nice work. ¡± Hannah closed herputer and said indifferently, ¡°So, we¡¯re partners now?¡± Rodrigo squinted. ¡°There¡¯s still 2 billion left. I need you. We¡¯ll talk after that. ¡± Hannah expected this wasn¡¯t going to be easy. She wasn¡¯t shaken and agreed, ¡°Okay. ¡± After the exhibition, Remington approached Hannah for a dance. In Rodrigo¡¯s territory, Remington inquired, ¡°Do you two know each other?¡± Rodrigo stood up instantly, smiling at Remington. ¡°Mr. Lyons, you know Miss Moore as well?¡± ¡°Of course. ¡± Remingtonplimented Hannah with enthusiasm. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re stunning. It¡¯s impossible not to notice you. ¡±N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Rodrigo couldn¡¯t help butugh at this. He said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave her in your capable hands, Mr. Lyons. ¡± Then, in a hushed tone, Rodrigo teased Hannah, ¡°Wow, you¡¯ve already charmed Lyons, huh?¡± Narrowing her eyes, Hannah replied with a sly smile and whispered, ¡°Just like I said, teaming up with me has its perks. ¡± Remington gave a subtle nod and gazed at Hannah. liss Moore, would you like to dance?¡± His eyes sparkled with warmth and hope, as if he was looking at someone he adored. Hannah responded with a smile, ¡°Sure. ¡± She then elegantly made her way to the dance floor with Remington. The audience burst into apuse and cheers. Hannah ced her hand on Remington¡¯s shoulder, their closeness evident. Remington wrapped his arm around her slim waist, leaned in, and whispered, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯m hoping you¡¯lle to me, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah looked directly into his eyes and replied with a smile, ¡°Mr. Lyons, what do you mean? I¡¯m not sure I understand. ¡± Remington gave a knowing smile. ¡°Miss Moore, I think you do understand,¡± he said as he gently touched her hair. ¡°What I¡¯m saying is, don¡¯t turn me down. ¡± He smiled and walked away, leaving Hannah watching his departure with a thoughtful gaze. Chapter 1076 Just then, a waiter came by with a tray, offering her a ss of red wine.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. ¡°Thanks,¡± Hannah said, expressing her gratitude. The waiter left, smiling. Holding a ss of red wine, Hannah made her way to a quieter corner. Just as she reached a secluded spot, she felt a strong grip on her arm. Bang! With a sudden move, Bryson pinned her against the wall, his arm securing her in ce. He looked at her, anger in his eyes, and demanded, ¡°I heard you¡¯re meeting Remington Lyons tonight?¡± Hannah nced at his abdomen, concern in her eyes, then met his gaze defiantly. ¡°Yes, I have ns with him. Is there a problem?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes, dark as the night, bore into hers. ¡°Stay away from Lyons, no matter your intentions. ¡± Mocking, Hannah retorted, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, aren¡¯t you being a bit too intrusive? My ns are none of your business. ¡± She pushed him off and turned to leave, but before she could take a step, she was swept off her feet. ¡°Bryson!¡± Clutching his neck, Hannah was cautious not to struggle too much, concerned about his injured abdomen. She whispered urgently, ¡°Put me down, now!¡± Bryson, carrying Hannah, entered the elevator on the other side of the deck. They arrived at his room on the fifth floor. He barged in, mming the door behind them, and tossed Hannah onto the bed. Dressed in red, Hannah sank into the soft mattress. She tried to rise, but Bryson held her down. Looking down at her, he used, ¡°You¡¯re involved in moneyundering with Wilde, and now you¡¯re entangling with Lyons. What are you up to?¡± Determined, Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°And what about you? Your past dealings with Wilde and your presence here in Newfort. Are they for business or something shadier?¡± Bryson gently brushed her hair aside. ¡°I¡¯ve never been involved with him. That much I can assure you. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hannah asked, her tone casual and rxed. Bryson gently held her chin, his voice firm. ¡°Of course. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes sparkled with a smile. ¡°Is there anything else you¡¯re keeping from me?¡± Chapter 1077 Bryson Looked into her bright eyes, feeling a stir of emotions. ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯ll tell you about itter. ¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Hannah¡¯s expression darkened. She tried to get up, but Bryson stopped her. Suddenly, he ki*sed her, the taste of mint chilling yet intense. ¡°Wait!¡± Hannah put her hand on Bryson¡¯s shoulder, lightly pushing. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­¡± Bryson¡¯s breath was heavy after the ki*s, and his eyes were filled with desire. He touched her waist and whispered in a voice that was rough yet enticing, ¡°Please, don¡¯t push me away. ¡± Hannah¡¯s cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze. It seemed like she had unintentionally led him on. But in that moment, she didn¡¯t want to push him away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his ki*s. It didn¡¯t matter anymore. She couldn¡¯t turn back now. His movements were intense, and despite her difort, she couldn¡¯t suppress a moan. Bryson ki*sed her neck tenderly, as if he was in a world of his own. He held her tightly and whispered, ¡°Stay with me, don¡¯t go. ¡± Hannah, with her eyes closed, whispered softly in response, ¡°Okay. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze turned intense, his movements growing more forceful. Their passionate encountersted throughout the night. Come morning, Hannah awoke, her body aching and reluctant to Leave the bed. Rolling over, she caught sight of Bryson, shirtless, carrying breakfast. His abdomen, partially wrapped in gauze, still revealed the sleek contours of his muscles and a six-pack. Noticing the freshly changed, dry gauze on his abdomen, Hannah realized he must have tended to his wound recently. The previous night had been wild, with Bryson¡¯s wound bleeding through the gauze multiple times. Each time Hannah tried to rise and help him, he gently pushed her back down. Observing Bryson looking fit, Hannah rested her head on her hand, leaning against the bed, and remarked yfully, ¡°Not bad, you seem to have recovered well. You didn¡¯t die to blood loss in bed. ¡± Bryson, amused by her teasing, ced the breakfast on the table, suggesting, ¡°Let¡¯s eat. ¡± Chapter 1078 He pulled out a chair and sat down, ncing at Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. I can handle it without your help. ¡± Seeing Bryson feigning strength again, Hannah dressed, walked barefoot across the carpet, and joined him at the small table. As she peeled an egg, she asked him, ¡°What¡¯s the deal with you and Wilde?¡± Bryson, hesitant to discuss it, was interrupted by Hannah¡¯s firm gaze. ¡°If you keep quiet, we¡¯re done once we leave this ship. ¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, Bryson chose to reveal the truth. ¡°Wilde is involved in more than just moneyundering. He¡¯s trafficking in banned drugs and dealing in arms too. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware. You had your people investigate me. ¡± Bryson gazed deeply into Hannah¡¯s eyes and admitted, ¡°I never meant to drag you into this. My n was to handle everything and then bring your little friend back to you. But I didn¡¯t see thising, him getting caught by the gang and ending up on this ship. It just so happened that I was dealing with Wilde¡¯s mess and ended up on the same ship. Wilde was in my overseas operation. While I was away, he got cozy with some foreign powers. He¡¯s been a big help to those gangs, using mypany¡¯s resources. After I kicked him out, he went solo. He¡¯s been getting more daring, and I needed to stop him. ¡± Hannah listened, believing much of Bryson¡¯s story. She knew not everything Ro uncovered was urate, but what she witnessed herself seemed genuine. She understood Bryson was aware she had sent Ro. She trusted Bryson wouldn¡¯t harm her guy. ¡°So, you¡¯re aware of my cousin¡¯s art exhibition?¡± she inquired. ¡°Yes. ¡± Bryson nodded. ¡°Found out about your cousin when I investigated Wilde right after I got to Newfort. Your cousin had already set up the exhibitions by then. If I didn¡¯t know he¡¯s not into business, I¡¯d have thought he was fooling you, pretending to hold art exhibitions but really doing illegal stuff. ¡± Hannah stayed quiet, processing this. Everything Bryson said appeared true. She told him, ¡°They¡¯re nning tounder more money this afternoon. I¡¯ve told Wilde I¡¯ll help move thest 2 billion dors. ¡± After breakfast, Hannah put her fork down and looked at Bryson. ¡°I¡¯ll track down where those illegal drugs are. ¡± But Bryson shook his head. ¡°No need for you to dig into that. I¡¯ve got it covered. ¡± ¡°You?¡± Hannah gazed at Bryson¡¯s injury and remarked, ¡°Look at you, hurt Like this. You can barely get off this boat. I¡¯m really worried you might end up worse. ¡± Right after she talked, her phone buzzed. Picking it up, she heard Winston¡¯s frigid tone.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°I tried calling you so many timesst night, why didn¡¯t you pick up? I was scared something had happened to you!¡± Hannah, who hadn¡¯t noticed any calls when she woke up, felt a bit confused. ncing at Bryson, she figured out what must have happened. ¡°Oh, nothing important. Just got tied up with some stuffst night, couldn¡¯t make it back. ¡± Chapter 1079 ¡°And where are you now?¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t need toe see me. I¡¯ll go back soon. What¡¯s going on?¡± she replied. Holding his phone, Winston responded calmly, ¡°Some guys from Lyons showed up herest night. They were looking for you, said you had a meeting with him in his room. ¡± ¡°Meeting? I didn¡¯t set up any meeting. Don¡¯t be anxious about it. Why don¡¯t you join me at the casino this afternoon?¡± Hannah suggested, unfazed. ¡°Alright then. ¡± Once Hannah ended the call, Bryson stepped closer, gripping her wrist gently. In a soft tone, he inquired, ¡°Who¡¯s this guy?¡± Hannah turned to face him and asked lightly, ¡°What¡¯s your guess?¡± Bryson¡¯s hold on her fingers tightened, but he stayed silent. Hannah¡¯s smile lingered as she uttered, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve made a promise to someone. I¡¯ll return to Newfort to see him after this is sorted out. For now, I¡¯m borrowing his man. ¡± ¡°Will he harm you?¡± Bryson asked, his voice low. ¡°No, he won¡¯t,¡± Hannah reassured. ¡°I haven¡¯t met his boss yet, so I¡¯m safe. ¡± Bryson pressed his lips together, studying her for a moment before releasing her arm and heading to the bathroom. As he walked away, Hannah called out, ¡°I¡¯ll head back first.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Get some rest. ¡± Bryson paused at the bathroom door, ncing back at her retreating figure, a tinge of sadness in his gaze. Hannah made her way back to her room. Upon opening the door, she found Remington resting in the living room with his men. Seeing Hannah, Remington¡¯s lips curved into a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s good to see you again. I regret missing youst night. ¡± Winston stood across the room, his expression cold and unreadable. Hannah made her way to the sofa and took a seat. She shed a smile at Remington, saying, ¡°Mr. Lyons, rememberst night? I mentioned I was confused about what you were getting at. Sorry, I just didn¡¯t get it. ¡± Remington¡¯s eyes sparkled as he gazed at Hannah. ¡°No worries. I just wanted you to know, I really like you. ¡± Hannahughed lightly and replied, ¡°Mr. Lyons,e on, you¡¯re joking, right? You¡¯re high-ss, always around beautiful people. Me? I¡¯m just an average girl, no wealth, no stunning looks. I can¡¯t even think about aiming that high. ¡± Remington¡¯s smile softened, and he uttered in a warm, deep voice, ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re underestimating your worth. To me, no one here outshines your beauty. What¡¯s more, you¡¯ve got this special vibe that just draws me in. ¡± Hannah looked down, hiding the sarcasm in her eyes. ¡°Mr. Lyons, you tter me. ¡± Then, Remington pulled out a ring from his pocket and offered it to Hannah. ¡°Your hand is lovely. This ring would look stunning on it. Chapter 1080 Winston had already warned her, getting rid of Remington wouldn¡¯t be easy. ¡°I really hope you won¡¯t turn me down, Miss Moore,¡± Remington pleaded, his eyes sparkling with hope. ¡°It¡¯d be great if we could stay in touch after this cruise. ¡± But Hannah was firm in her response. ¡°Listen, Mr. Lyons, you know I¡¯m all about business with Wilde. I¡¯m here to make deals, not chat about anything else. ¡± ¡°Alright then. ¡± Remington let out a heavy sigh, hiding the ring away, a hint of disappointment in his voice. ¡°Guess it¡¯s time for me to leave. ¡± Once Remington left, Hannah got up. ¡°Time for a shower,¡± she announced.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. After her shower, dressed and with her hair dried, Hannah emerged to find Winston still rested in the living room. ¡°Still here, Winston? What are you waiting for?¡± He looked at her, a mix of emotions in his eyes. ¡°I found out something after you left yesterday. ¡± Hannah settled down, curious. ¡°And that is?¡± ¡°Why do you think your cousin¡¯s art exhibitions were picked for the moneyundering scheme?¡± Hannah pondered for a moment. ¡°Well, he just got to Newfort, no real connections, but still managed an art exhibition. Must¡¯ve caught their eye. He¡¯s too kind-hearted, easy for them to use. ¡± Winston shook his head, denying the simplicity of the situation. ¡°It¡¯s not that straightforward. You see, it¡¯s not just about using your cousin¡¯s art exhibitions to clean dirty money. They n to distribute his paintings in various ces, discreetly. And here¡¯s the twist, they¡¯ve concealed illegal drugs inside the frames. We¡¯re looking into it. ¡± Hannah, taken aback, questioned him in disbelief, ¡°What? Are you serious?¡± ¡°Yeah. ¡± Winston continued, ¡°I couldn¡¯t find youst night, so I decided to tail Wilde¡¯s men, hoping to dig up something. And I overheard them discussing the art exhibition. They¡¯re nning to move the paintings next time they unload the ship. ¡± Hannah¡¯s hands clenched into fists, a mix of anger and concern. ¡°Does my cousin even know what¡¯s happening?¡± Winston hesitated a moment before admitting, ¡°I¡¯m not sure. ¡± ¡°I need to see him. Can you keep an eye on Ro for me?¡± Just as she stood to leave, Winston intervened, ¡°Let mee with you. I¡¯ve told Ro to stay put and not open the door unless it¡¯s for us. I¡¯lle with you. ¡± Hannah agreed, ¡°Okay. ¡± Arriving at Jalen¡¯s room, Hannah knocked. Jalen, surprised, peered outside before swiftly opening the door wider. ¡°Quick,e in!¡± Hannah stepped into the room, Winston following close behind. Jalen shut the door and asked, ¡°Why are you guys here?¡± Chapter 1081 Hannah took a seat and invited him. ¡°Jalen,e, sit down. I need to ask you something. ¡± Jalen sat and replied, ¡°Go ahead, ask away. If it¡¯s about the art exhibition¡­ I¡¯ll be honest. Because of them, I kept quietst night. I didn¡¯t really work with them. I just sell my paintings¡­ I don¡¯t care about their ns. Lyons did say he liked my work¡­ And about Wilde kidnapping me, theyter said it was a misunderstanding. ¡± Jalen, looking worried, turned to Hannah and suggested, ¡°Hannah, what if we just leave this matter be? It won¡¯t affect us. The less trouble, the better. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll handle it!¡± Hannah smiled sadly, shaking her head. ¡°Jalen, what can you really do? Keeping this quiet might be all you can manage. ¡± Jalen went pale. ¡°If Grandpa finds out, he¡¯ll be furious¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about Grandpa getting mad. It¡¯s moreplicated than you think. ¡± Hannah studied Jalen and asked, ¡°Jalen, be honest with me. What do you really know about Wilde? Did you get involved in anything other than moneyundering?¡± Jalen paused, then admitted softly, ¡°No, I didn¡¯t. They kidnapped me, so I just did whatever they wanted. Afterward, I bumped into the Lyons Group¡¯s boss¡¯s son in Newfort. He just mentioned he liked my paintings and wanted me to work with Wilde. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow creased. ¡°Jalen, are you positive they didn¡¯t ask you for anything else?¡± Jalen shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. They weren¡¯t very clear about it¡± He nced at Hannah. ¡°Hannah, is there something else going on? What happened?¡± Hannah looked at him for a while before saying, ¡°I trust you, Jalen. ¡± ¡°Why are you acting so¡­¡± Jalen eyed her with suspicion. Hannah gave a small smile. ¡°Jalen, I know you¡¯re into your painting. Don¡¯t stress. I¡¯ll take care of it. You won¡¯t be dragged in. I¡¯lle to you once it¡¯s sorted, okay?¡± Jalen felt a weird sense of unease. ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s happening? Did you discover something?¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°She¡¯s finding it hard to spit it out. I¡¯ll do it for her,¡± Winston chimed in, his voice cold. ¡°Winston!¡± Hannah tried to cut him off, but Winston blurted out, ¡°Wilde didn¡¯t just get you to clean money. He¡¯s been using your paintings to move illegal drugs. ¡± The moment he stopped talking, the room fell so silent that even a pin¡¯s drop would be heard. Before Jalen could grasp the situation, his face drained of color. Chapter 1082 ¡°You¡­ Are you sure about this?¡± Winston nodded his head, his voice serious. ¡°I followed themst night. They messed with your paintings, nning to ship them off in batches. ¡± Hannah turned to Jalen, her tone questioning. ¡°Jalen, did you know about this? That they¡¯re moving illegal drugs?¡± Jalen¡¯s head lowered, confusion in his eyes. ¡°I had no idea¡­ Lyons just asked for a favor¡­ I was clueless about the illegal stuff! I swear, if I had known, no matter the threat, I wouldn¡¯t have touched it! You know me, Hannah. ¡± With his head bowed and fingers intertwined, Jalen muttered, ¡°How could they¡­ How could they do such a thing?!¡± Winston continued, ¡°Ignorance won¡¯t save you. The drugs were hidden in your painting frames. If they¡¯re found, Mr. White, you¡¯re facing jail time. ¡± He leaned in, his voice dropping. ¡°Worse yet, they might pin it all on you. The police won¡¯t know the full story. They¡¯ll just see your art exhibition and find the drugs in your paintings. ¡± Jalen¡¯s fingers were cold with fear. Realization dawned on him. ¡°So, Lyons set me up? He wants me to take the fall? Damn it!¡± Winston said, ¡°We¡¯re still unsure about the quantity of illegal drugs they n to distribute. But judging by Wilde¡¯s recent actions, especially considering those paintings you auctioned off yesterday, it seems they might have arge stash. You¡¯re fortunate to be in Newfort now, where there¡¯s no death penalty. In other ces, you could¡¯ve faced lethal injection for this. ¡± Hannah, looking fiercely at Winston, interjected, ¡°Stop trying to frighten him! We need to figure out how to deal with these drugs. ¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be easy,¡± Winston replied, his expression grave. ¡°Without my boss¡¯s influence here, our options are limited. But let me think. Anyway, that¡¯s not our biggest worry right now. The real issue isundering the 2 billion this afternoon in the gambling event. ¡± Hannah seemed unfazed. ¡°I¡¯m not worried about the gambling part. ¡± Winston disagreed. ¡°I am. I¡¯ve heard rumors of potential trouble at the event. These people aren¡¯t exactly friendly with each other. Plus, Wilde¡¯s solo attempt atundering 1@ billion has already caused discontent. We should be cautious. ¡± Hannah nodded in agreement. As they were about to leave Winston¡¯s room, they heard a knock on Jalen¡¯s door.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Jalen turned pale and whispered urgently, ¡°Hide in the other room, quick!¡± Without hesitation, Hannah and Winston slipped into the adjacent room and quietly shut the door. Jalen, afterposing himself, approached his door. The knocking grew more insistent. ¡°Come out now! Are you in there? Hurry up!¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here,¡± Jalen called back, moving to open the door. ¡°I was just packing up and couldn¡¯t get to the door sooner. ¡± Rodrigo led his men into the room, scanning the area before his gazended on Jalen. He grinned slyly and said, ¡°It looks like you¡¯re taking it easy. ¡°I¡¯m just packing up since the auction¡¯s done,¡± Jalen replied, managing a weak smile. ¡°You did well this time,¡± Rodrigo acknowledged as he pped Jalen on the shoulder. ¡°I put in a lot of work to get your paintings noticed. Remember, you¡¯re new to this, and your art isn¡¯t really worth that much yet. You owe me one for this great chance. ¡± Chapter 1083 alen, feeling a bit uneasy, forced a smile and said, ¡°Yeah, thanks for helping me get my art out there. ¡± Rodrigo waved a hand dismissively. ¡°No need for long talks. Just be thankful. We¡¯ll keep working together. I¡¯ll keep bumping up the prices for you. ¡± He smiled with assurance. ¡°Stick with me, and I¡¯ll make your paintings famous worldwide!¡± Before Jalen could respond, a sudden noise erupted from the room. Rodrigo¡¯s eyes darted to the closed door, suspicion written all over his face. He turned around, ring at Jalen with a chilling look. ¡°Is there someone else in here?¡± he asked, his voice dripping with a cold, threatening tone. Startled, Jalen tried to stay cool and refuted, ¡°No way. I¡¯ve always been here alone. How could there be someone else?¡± Rodrigo eyed him skeptically. ¡°I don¡¯t care who¡¯s in your room. If I catch them, they¡¯re shark food!¡± He gestured, and his crew headed towards the room with the shut door. Inside, Hannah and Winston, having made an unintentional noise, scrambled to find an escape. The window was a no-go, but luckily, there was a cab.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. In a rush, Hannah urged Winston, ¡°Get in here!¡± Winston, hesitating with a stern look, held her hand as she was closing the door. ¡°And what about you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a woman, It¡¯ll be easier for me to exin,¡± Hannah insisted, pushing him in and shutting the cab door. She quickly hid in the bathroom, knowing the intruders would scour the cab and room. This way, she hoped to surprise them. Bang! Suddenly, the door burst open! A group stormed in! Jalen, worried for his cousin, rushed forward. ¡°Hold on!¡± But Rodrigo grabbed his shoulder, the former¡¯s eyes narrowing with a sly grin. ¡°Why the panic? Are you scared we¡¯ll find someone?¡± Jalen stammered, ¡°I¡­ I¡­ No¡­¡± Rodrigo, noticing Jalen¡¯s anxious expression, swiftly grabbed his clothes and ushered him into the room,manding, ¡°Search thoroughly!¡± Jalen, though he struggled, found resistance futile and had no choice but to enter the room. He scolded himself inwardly for panicking too much, fearing Hannah might get dragged into this mess. As the sound of footsteps neared, Hannah swiftly took off her clothes. Chapter 1084 Just as someone was about to open the cab, a noise from the bathroom diverted everyone¡¯s attention. Emerging from the bathroom, Hannah¡¯s wet hair dr@ped near her ears, and she was wrapped in arge bath towel, revealing only her slim arms and slender legs. ¡°What¡¯s happening here? I was just taking a bath¡­¡± Hannah, upon seeing the intruders, feigned shock. Clutching the towel to her chest, she questioned, ¡°You¡­ What are you all doing here?¡± Rodrigo, caught off-guard by Hannah¡¯s presence, nced at her appreciatively and said, ¡°Ah, Miss Moore, did we interrupt you?¡± His tone was teasing, and his gaze roamed over her with a hint of cheekiness. Feeling a surge of relief, Jalen quickly positioned himself in front of Hannah, asserting, ¡°Leave her out of this. ¡± Rodrigo, with a smirk, replied, ¡°Why would I trouble her? She¡¯s my associate now. But I must say¡­¡± He nced at Hannah, adding, ¡°I¡¯m surprised she¡¯d take a liking to someone like you. ¡±N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Rodrigo smirked. ¡°Artists Like you always catch thedies¡¯ attention. Miss Moore, you¡¯re a hit with the guys too. I hear Mr. Lyons¡¯s got his eye on you. And here you are, all about Jalen. What a shame. ¡± Inwardly rolling her eyes, Hannah replied with a cool tone, ¡°Can you and your men Leave now? I need to change. You¡¯ll be needing my help for the gamblingter, right?¡± Rodrigo, not one to linger unnecessarily, gave Hannah a yful jab before nodding and leaving with his men. Once they were gone, Jalen locked the door and stumbled back into the room, panting. ¡°That was too close! I was terrified he¡¯d find out about you two!¡± ¡°Good thing she was quick on her feet. We would¡¯ve been in big trouble otherwise,¡± Winstonmented as he emerged from the cab. While they spoke, Hannah headed to the bathroom to change. ¡°I¡¯ll head out first. I¡¯ll text you when the coast is clear so you can sneak out,¡± she said. ¡°Got it,¡± Winston acknowledged with a nod. As the day wore on, the sky started to turn darker. The casino¡¯s buzz on the ship grew louder by the minute. Entering the casino alongside Winston, Hannah spotted a man at the gambling table. Her heart dropped, and she made her way over there. Nearing the table, she picked up a familiar name among the chatter. ¡°We¡¯re just not having any luck today. What do we do now?¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. Look at Mr. Mitchell from Cadilind. He scooped up fifty million dors from Mr. Wilde soon after he showed up to the game. Earning money like that seems so effortless!¡± Chapter 1085 ¡°Shh, keep it down. Just look at Mr. Wilde¡¯s face. It doesn¡¯t matter how big a shot Mr. Mitchell is in Cadilind; he¡¯s got to watch his back here. With all this attention, he might find himself in hot water after the game. ¡± Hannah clenched her fists tight. ¡°Hannah,¡± Winston said softly, calling her name. Slowly, Hannah turned and gave him a small shake of her head, signaling him to hold back. Winston caught the serious expression on Hannah¡¯s face and chose to stay silent. Meanwhile, the game at the gambling table pressed on, and Rodrigo struggled to keep his smile. He was losing to Bryson again and again, his voice tinged with annoyance. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, where have you been the past few days? I see now that you¡¯ve been hiding away, scheming to defeat me at the gambling table and leave me penniless¡± Bryson leaned back in his chair, ying with his cards. His fingers were slender and deft. ¡°Do you think you can¡¯t handle a loss?¡± ¡°How could I not afford to lose?¡± Rodrigo¡¯s voice was heavy with tension. ¡°I¡¯ll bet anything you want. ¡± With a chilling grin at the edges of his lips, Bryson remarked, ¡°Well, how about we bet a hundred million? Are you up for it or not?¡± The room went silent. ALL eyes were fixed on the gambling table, curious to see if Rodrigo would raise the stakes. ¡°Fine!¡± Rodrigo, clearly annoyed, banged his hand on the table. ¡°Fold!¡± Heid his cards out for all to see. ¡°I don¡¯t buy that you can keep winning. ¡± Bryson grinned and spread his cards on the table too. Under the crystalmp, the ck and gold cards sparkled brilliantly. ¡°No way! He¡¯s so Lucky!¡± ¡°He won again! Incredible! How does he always pull it off?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Rodrigo¡¯s eyes zed with fury as he nced at the cards scattered on the table. Clenching his teeth, he burst out, ¡°Good, very good! Let¡¯s have another round!¡± But Bryson just stood up, shrugging nonchntly. ¡°It¡¯s no use, Rodrigo. You can¡¯t beat me. This is getting boring. ¡± He started to walk away, but Rodrigo¡¯s crew quickly encircled him and Caleb by the gambling table. Caleb stepped up, his face a mix of anger and concern. ¡°What¡¯s this about? Get out of our way!¡± Tossing his chips aside, Rodrigo signaled his men to back off. He stepped closer, his voice calm but edged. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. I just have a question for Mr. Mitchell. You¡¯ve been out of sight for days. You weren¡¯t on the ship either. Were youying low to tend to your injury?¡± His gaze lingered on Bryson, particrly around his abdomen. ¡°If you¡¯re in a tight spot, you can tell me. You were my boss once, after all. ¡± Chapter 1086 Bryson, tall and imposing, gave no hint of the bandages hidden under his suit. He shot Rodrigo a cold look. ¡°Why waste time with words after a lost bet?¡± That set Rodrigo off. He gestured to his men, challenging, ¡°Bet with me again! Let¡¯s see who can do more push-ups, you or my guy! If you win, you will get three hundred million. If you lose, you will jump off the ship!¡± Hannah gasped. Rodrigo was pushing Bryson into a corner. He seemed to suspect Bryson was the injured one on the ship. If Bryson epted and did all those push-ups, his wound might reopen, betraying him if blood seeped through his clothes! She pressed her lips together, unsure of what to do next. Bryson gave Rodrigo a cool look. ¡°No need. I don¡¯t need your money. ¡± Rodrigo raised an eyebrow, challenging him. ¡°What? Are you scared now?¡± Hannah pushed her way through the crowd. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? Aren¡¯t you forgetting something important?¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Rodrigo, seeing Hannah, still focused on the bet. ¡°Let¡¯s settle this bet first!¡± Hannah stood next to Rodrigo, signaling Bryson with a look to get out of there quickly. But Bryson stood still, his expression growing darker. Caleb chimed in, ¡°Wilde, if your guy ispeting on your behalf, there¡¯s no need for my boss to do it himself. I¡¯ll take his ce!¡± Rodrigo lost his temper at Caleb. ¡°Who do you think you are? You think you can bet with me? f@ck off! Bryson¡¯s voice was icy, his eyes shing with anger. ¡°And what makes you think you¡¯re so special?¡± Rodrigo¡¯s fists tightened. Bryson was no pushover. If Rodrigo really took him on, he might be the one to regret it. ¡°Rodrigo, we¡¯re here to make money, not trouble. Don¡¯t start something, or it might be a fight to the end,¡± Hannah warned. ¡°I¡¯m ready to fight him to the end!¡± Rodrigo, pointing a finger at Bryson, dered with intensity, ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind. I must gamble with you till the end today!¡± He shrugged off his coat, eyeing Bryson with determination. ¡°Let¡¯s get to it!¡± Bryson narrowed his eyes, a menacing grin on his face, and simply replied, ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah, rmed, tried to intervene, but Bryson¡¯s stern look held her back. Reluctantly, she stepped aside, her brow furrowed with concern. Chapter 1087 As the two began their push-up contest, a crowd started to form around them, curious onlookers gathering. Hannah watched Bryson, her gaze filled with worry, anxious about what might happen. Meanwhile, hidden in a secluded part of the cabin, someone was observing the scene closely. Remington sat near a window, peering through a telescope. Catching sight of Hannah, his expression darkened, then shifted to a sly smile. ¡°Do you think Mitchell will lose to Wilde today?¡± hispanion asked. Setting the telescope aside, Remington nced at hispanion. ¡°No way. Bryson doesn¡¯t take risks he¡¯s not sure about. I¡¯ve been wondering why my men couldn¡¯t find him. Turns out, he¡¯s here on this ship. ¡± The other man chimed in, ¡°He¡¯s been out of sight for so long, and now he shows up only to confront Wilde. He might be the one Wilde has been searching for on this ship. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stress about it,¡± Remington reassured, lifting his coffee cup and gazing at Hannah thoughtfully. ¡°We can¡¯t cross the influential figures backing him. We¡¯re only looking to coborate with him. Let¡¯s avoid stirring up trouble. ¡± Remington carefully ced down the coffee cup. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Bryson, we would have gotten rid of the Mitchell family. ¡± ¡°I heard that that person is returning to Cadilind. From the recent news from Cadilind, something seems to be urring in the Mitchell family. Should we seize this opportunity to strike?¡± ¡°For now, we can¡¯t.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. We are uncertain of defeating Bryson. We¡¯ll have to hold on. ¡± Remington smiled smugly and said, ¡°If the Mitchell family really has a problem, do you think that person will strike?¡± ¡°He is truly a coward. Of what use is his fame? He¡¯s still hiding in Newfort and has not the guts toe to the Queen Elizabeth for so many years. ¡± Remington smiled at the man next to him and said, ¡°Thanks for keeping tabs on him in the past few years, I can asionally get the better of him. ¡± The man¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°It¡¯s just thattely, he barely trusts anyone save Winston Ortega who goes around with him. ¡± He looked at Hannah sharply. ¡°Ortega is following that woman constantly. I heard it has something to do with that person¡¯s recent search for his biological daughter. Since he sent Ortega to that woman, it means that she is probably his biological daughter. ¡± The man narrowed his eyes. ¡°I heard that she wanted to liaise with you, but I suspect she has an ulterior motive. ¡± Remington curved his lips. ¡°I like her. If she cooperates with me, I won¡¯t mind despite her true identity. If she doesn¡¯t cooperate with Remington drummed his fingers on the leather sofa and said, ¡°I won¡¯t be nice to her either. ¡± ¡°Anyway, just tread carefully. I sense that she is creepy,¡± the man reminded. Remington replied yfully, ¡°Okay. ¡± While they were still discussing, Bryson won the game. Although his face was a little pale, there was nothing unusual about him. Hannah heaved a sigh of relief seeing that nothing happened! Chapter 1088 Rodrigo lost the game, and his countenance turned cold. ¡°Mitchell, do you dare topete with me again?¡± Bryson asked, ¡°Do you still have money?¡± He looked at Rodrigo coldly. ¡°What else can you bet with me on?¡± Rodrigo¡¯s face darkened. Bryson had easily won so much money from him.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. He hated to lose face over it. It hurt him even more to part with his money. ¡°Let¡¯s gamble with our lives! You will jump off the ship if you lose!¡± Rodrigo has clearly lost his marbles. He said viciously, ¡°I¡¯ll jump off the ship if I lose!¡± The smile in Bryson¡¯s face did not reach his eyes. He raised his finger and shook it. ¡°Change the bet. ¡± ¡°If I lose, I¡¯ll jump off the ship. If you lose¡­ Bryson paused and looked at Hannah. ¡°I take her. ¡± Rodrigo¡¯s eyes fell on Hannah and sneered, ¡°Men just can¡¯t resist you. ¡± Hannah shrugged and said indifferently, ¡°This is your gambling. Don¡¯t involve me. ¡± Bryson said with sarcasm, ¡°You dare not?¡± While they were talking, Remington arrived with his men. He stepped forward and ced his hand on Hannah¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Using ady as the wager is far from gentlemanly. ¡± Seeing Remington¡¯s hand on Hannah¡¯s shoulder, Bryson fought the urge to charge at him. Hannah nced at the hand on her shoulder without deliberately avoiding it. ¡°Mr. Lyons? Are you also interested in this gambling?¡± ¡°I heard that they wanted to use you as a bet, so I had to intervene, Miss Moore. ¡± With a smile, Remington looked at Bryson and said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you are taking advantage of thisdy. ¡± Looking at Remington¡¯s hand on Hannah¡¯s shoulder, Bryson narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°How does it bother you?¡± ¡°Miss Moore is my honored guest. Mr. Mitchell, please show some restraint. ¡± Remington scanned the room. The murmuring crowd fell silent. On this cruise, nobody but Bryson would dare cross Remington. ¡°Now it¡¯s your guy pushing for another round. Can you handle that?¡± In a cold tone, Bryson eyed Remington, his gaze piercing. Remington shed a casual grin, slid his hand from Hannah¡¯s shoulder to her waist. Hannah¡¯s brow creased, and just as she tried to pull away, Remington murmured, ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ve got you. ¡± Her eyes shaded with concern, Hannah hesitated, then rxed her grip on his arm, not wanting to ruin her ns. Remington met Bryson¡¯s gaze with surety. ¡°We¡¯re not enemies. What¡¯s the need for this face-off? It¡¯s all in the game. ¡± Chapter 1089 After making his point, Remington turned to face Rodrigo, saying, ¡°Rodrigo, this time you¡¯ve really crossed the line. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten my strict rules about gambling with lives on this ship?¡± Rodrigo¡¯s expression shifted noticeably. Faced with Remington, he had no option but to admit his mistake, ¡°I apologize, Mr. Lyons. I acted too rashly. ¡± Bryson, with a mocking grin, leaned back in his chair casually. Looking up at Remington, he remarked, ¡°Just be honest if you can¡¯t handle it. I won¡¯t mock you, Mr. Lyons. ¡± Remington¡¯s smile vanished as he fixed his gaze on Bryson, his lips forming a tight, straight line. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m in for the bet. ¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Bryson responded, his face breaking into a grin. Across the gambling table, Remington sat down, his expression easygoing. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you don¡¯t beat around the bush. One round, and the winner takes it all. Let¡¯s roll the dice and see who gets the higher number. ¡± At Remington¡¯s deration, the crowd around the table dispersed. Only a handful of people remained near the table, including Hannah. Remington, seated at the table, gently held Hannah¡¯s hand, looking up at her with warmth in his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got this. Hannah returned his look with a soft smile, easing her hand out of his grasp. ¡°I trust you, Mr. Lyons. ¡± With a nod, Remington let go of her hand and ced the dice cup on the table. He looked towards Bryson and invited, ¡°Your turn. ¡± Bryson, with a slight lift of his eyebrows, took hold of the cup. As he ced the cup on the table, the room went silent, everyone¡¯s attention fixed on it. Several leaned in, eager for a closer look. Hannah, too, watched intently, her heart racing. Her hands were damp with nervousness. She had faith in Bryson¡¯s victory, yet anxiety gnawed at her. She looked down, concealing the worry in her eyes, her hands clenched tight. Meanwhile, Bryson, about to reveal the dice, paused and shot Hannah a sly, teasing grin.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Miss Moore, who¡¯s your bet on?¡± Caught off guard, Hannah¡¯s gaze snapped back to Bryson. The man was waiting eagerly for her decision. Bryson caught Hannah¡¯s eye and she grinned. ¡°My bet¡¯s on Mr. Lyons. ¡± Remington¡¯s grin widened. Gazing intently at Hannah, he uttered in a warm, friendly tone, ¡°Your confidence in me is much appreciated, Miss Moore. ¡± With those words, he grabbed the dice cup and gave it a shake. Chapter 1090 Then, in a swift move, Remington flipped the cup on the table! He held the cup down and challenged Bryson, ¡°Your move, Mr. Mitchell. Let¡¯s see your dice. ¡± Bryson met Remington¡¯s gaze, his eyes intense.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. After a brief pause, he lifted the cup. There they were. Six dice, all showing six red dots, perfectly aligned on the gambling table! Withposure, Bryson set the cup aside and gestured to Remington. ¡°It¡¯s your turn. ¡± Remington¡¯s smile turned into a stiff line at the corners of his mouth. He stared at Bryson¡¯s dice in astonishment. Each of the six dice on the table showed six spots facing up! While taken aback, Remington remainedposed. This was just a tie, at worst. He cautiously removed his cup, revealing two dice showing two spots, and the other four showing three spots each. Standing up, Remington¡¯s disbelief was palpable. ¡°This can¡¯t be right! Damn it!¡± Bryson stood up, straightening his suit jacket, and shed a smile at Remington. ¡°Thanks, Mr. Lyons. ¡± He strolled over, gently took Hannah¡¯s hand, and drew her close. ¡°She¡¯s with me now!¡± ¡°Let me go!¡± Hannah feigned a hesitant struggle and turned to Remington, pleading, ¡°Mr. Lyons!¡± Before anyone could intervene, Bryson lifted Hannah up in his arms. He threw a challenging look at Remington. ¡°You¡¯re not going to back out now, are you, Mr. Lyons?¡± Remington¡¯s fists tightened, but he maintained a calm smile. ¡°I¡¯m a man of my word. ¡± Pleased, Bryson carried Hannah out. Pausing by the gambling table, he shed a taunting smile at Remington. ¡°Thanks for the lovely gift. ¡± Rodrigo, witnessing Hannah in Bryson¡¯s arms, seethed with anger. He leaned toward Remington. ¡°Sir, should we act tonight?¡± ¡°Rx. It¡¯s not the right time just yet!¡± Remington replied, his gaze fixed on Bryson¡¯s retreating figure, a wicked smile ying on his lips. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure he bends down before me, asking for forgiveness!¡± Chapter 1091 Back in the room, Hannah struggled in Bryson¡¯s grip but soon realized she couldn¡¯t break free. Resigned, she let him carry her into the bedroom. Bryson gently ced Hannah on the bed, his intense gaze unsettling her. She turned away, trying to escape his touch. ¡°Bryson, stop it, please!¡± Bryson¡¯s expression turned serious as he listened to her. His touch wandered from her neck down to her corbone, finally resting on her chest. Feeling his warm fingers, Hannah¡¯s heart raced and her cheeks turned a bright red. Suddenly, she caught Bryson¡¯s hand, looking up at him with a stern expression. ¡°Bryson, remember what we agreed upon. You¡¯re not going to get upset over what I said, right?¡± With a mocking smile, Bryson gently pinched her cheek. ¡°What do you think? Should I be jealous?¡± Hannah hesitated, ¡°Well, I think¡­¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Before she could finish, Bryson leaned in, cutting her off with a ki*s. He gently parted Hannah¡¯s lips and slid his tongue into her mouth. Hannah¡¯s eyes grew wide, and she clutched onto Bryson¡¯s cor. He only released her when she began to gasp for air. Observing her flushed face, his gaze grew intense. ¡°Yes, I am jealous,¡± he confessed, resting his forehead against hers. ¡°What am I supposed to do, Hannah? I¡¯m deeply in love with you. ¡± His confession hit her like a shockwave, leaving her mind nk. What?! ! She stared at him, utterly bewildered. This was thest way she had expected Bryson to dere his love! Bryson, seeing Hannah¡¯s shocked expression, chuckled and ki*sed her again. Eventually, Bryson released Hannah and gazed into her eyes. ¡°Does that prove my love enough for you?¡± Hannah blinked, unsure of what to say to Bryson. ¡°How about it, Hannah? Should we give our rtionship another try?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡­¡± Hannah tried to speak, but her voice faltered, her throat suddenly dry. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Bryson¡¯s face tensed up as he watched her hesitate, his fists clenching. Hannah lifted her head, looking sincerely at Bryson. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I don¡¯t know what to say to you. ¡± Chapter 1092 Bryson¡¯s expression darkened, a hint of sarcasm in his smile. ¡°So, you still can¡¯t ept me?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Hannah bit her lip and looked down, unable to meet Bryson¡¯s gaze. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. ¡± She always found herself wavering around Bryson. ¡°Hannah. ¡± Bryson leaned in, whispering. He gently pinched Hannah¡¯s chin, urging her to face him. ¡°I¡¯m not giving you a way out. I need an answer,¡± he said with a resolute, straightforward tone. Bryson, a man of action, had decided on Hannah and wasn¡¯t about to let her slip away. More than that, he couldn¡¯t bear the thought of her being with anyone else. ¡°I¡­¡± Hannah met his gaze, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. Torn, she remembered their shared past yet felt unsure about whaty ahead. Bryson¡¯s gaze drifted to her lips, now a gentle red, and his expression deepened. His calm lips inched closer to hers, anticipation hanging in the air. But just as their lips were about to meet, the doorbell rang. Hannah gently pushed him away. I¡¯ll open the door. . She rushed to the door, peeking through the peephole. There stood Winston and Caleb. With cheeks still flushed, Hannah opened the door, stepping aside to let them in. ¡°What brings you both here at the same time?¡± ¡°We just ran into each other and decided to head back together,¡± Caleb replied casually. As Hannah searched for words, Bryson appeared from the room. He locked eyes with Winston, and instantly, the air thickened with tension, hinting at a brewing conflict between the two men. Winston, sitting next to Caleb with a stern expression, remarked, ¡°Do you realize the trouble you¡¯ve caused for my boss with your actions today? The ship¡¯s situation is risky, with Lyons and his crew aboard. Your move couldnd you in serious trouble!¡± Caleb, standing by, defended his boss. ¡°My boss and Miss Moore didn¡¯t make this decision lightly. They¡¯ve thought it through, there¡¯s no danger. ¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You think you¡¯ve thought it through?¡± Winston scoffed, looking at him disdainfully. ¡°Lyons¡¯s group isn¡¯t the only threat on this ship, but he¡¯s a key yer. Using her as bait, did you consider the risks you¡¯re putting her in?¡± Winston fixed a cold gaze on Bryson. ¡°If you truly cared about her, you wouldn¡¯t have exposed her to such danger. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes hardened. As he was about to react, Hannah intervened. She faced Winston and dered, ¡°From the moment I stepped on this ship, I knew the risks, especially in my n to rescue Ro. I chose this path, Winston. Don¡¯t push it. ¡± Chapter 1093 Speaking with conviction, Hannah continued, ¡°To infiltrate their organization, I had to persuade Lyons that Bryson and I aren¡¯t allies. I wouldn¡¯t be here, in Newfort on the Queen Elizabeth, trying to save Ro if I wasn¡¯t ready to take risks. I¡¯mmitted to my mission and won¡¯t return to Newfort until it¡¯spleted, despite your orders to bring me back safely. ¡± Winston¡¯s expression turned grim, and he remained silent. Bryson then stated, ¡°Her safety is my top priority. If anything happens to her, I¡¯ll be the first to suffer. ¡± ¡°Okay, fine,¡± Hannah cut him off. ¡°Why even mention that now? It¡¯s fine if you made it here without anyone noticing. But if¡­¡± She didn¡¯t get to finish, as the doorbell rang again. Instantly, Winston and Caleb eyed the door with caution. Hannah peered towards the door, a hint of suspicion in her gaze. ¡°Could it be Lyons¡¯s men?¡± Caleb dered, ¡°I¡¯ll handle them outside. ¡± ¡°No!¡± Winston looked at Bryson, insisting, ¡°He needs to be the one to go. ¡± Understanding, Bryson moved to open the door. There stood Rodrigo, his face contorted with anger, surrounded by his men. Bryson raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the door frame with his arms crossed. He regarded Rodrigo with a blend of curiosity and amusement. ¡°Came to observe how I handled her, did you?¡± Rodrigo red back at Bryson, clearly annoyed. ¡°Mitchell, don¡¯t pretend you¡¯re fooling me! Remember, not just anyone can meddle in this affair!¡± Unfazed, Bryson gave a mocking shrug. ¡°I¡¯ve always liked taking what I want. Do you have a problem with that? You used to tail me Like a loyal pet, and now look at you, growling at me for someone else?¡± His tone dripped with sarcasm and disdain. ¡°Stop acting high and mighty!¡± Rodrigo snapped, clenching his teeth. ¡°What you took is Mr. Lyon¡¯s. You¡¯re really asking for trouble!¡± Bryson just smirked and replied calmly, ¡°Oh, you think I¡¯m in danger? If you¡¯re so brave, prove it. ¡± Rodrigo didn¡¯t waste a second. He pulled out his gun and aimed at Bryson¡¯s head. ¡°You think I won¡¯t shoot? Think again!¡± But Bryson didn¡¯t waver. With a slight smile, he challenged, ¡°Go ahead, shoot. But think about it. Are you the only one who¡¯s not afraid? What about your men? What about Lyons Group?¡± Rodrigo¡¯s grip on his gun wavered. He tried to sound tough. ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± While they were at a standoff, Winston and Hannah emerged. Winston¡¯s face showed signs of a recent fight. He red at Bryson. ¡°Back off from our Lady!¡± Bryson, acting like a rich yboy, raised his hand. ¡°I won her fair and square. You think you can just take her because you¡¯ve got more men?¡± Winston¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°What are you babbling about?¡± Rodrigo stepped in, guiding Winston and Hannah to his side, his gaze cold and threatening.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Mitchell, you should be grateful for Mr. Lyon¡¯s leniency. Don¡¯t push your luck. ¡± Chapter 1094 Bryson raised an eyebrow and smiled, ¡°I¡¯m just trying my luck. What are you going to do about it?¡± Winston red back with a sneer. ¡°Better watch yourself. If you dare mess with Miss Moore, I don¡¯t care what others think. I¡¯ll do everything to stop you. You won¡¯t be getting off this ship easily!¡± Brysonughed mockingly, ¡°And who are you to stop me?¡± Just as he said that, Winston¡¯s face turned stone-cold, his fists clenching. Hannah caught his arm, urging him to stay calm. ¡°Enough, both of you. I¡¯m okay. Let¡¯s just drop it this time. ¡± Bryson taunted, ¡°See, you¡¯re not as forgiving as her. ¡± He shed a wicked grin. ¡°It¡¯s too bad you¡¯re with Lyons. Remember, my door is always open if you change your mind. ¡± Hannah shot him a frosty look. ¡°No thanks. Come on, Winston, let¡¯s go. ¡± She pulled Winston away, ignoring Bryson¡¯s stare. Once they were gone, Bryson turned to Rodrigo, who flinched under his intense gaze. ¡°Why¡­ Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Rodrigo stammered. Bryson¡¯s voice was cold. ¡°I don¡¯t like you. I want to beat you. Can¡¯t you deal with it?¡± Rodrigo bristled with anger. ¡°Just you wait, Mitchell!¡± With that, he stormed off with his group. Bryson watched him leave, smirked, then turned and shut the door. Caleb let out a relieved breath as he saw Bryson return. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, everything alright? They didn¡¯t give you a hard time, did they?¡± ¡°No, they didn¡¯t,¡± Bryson replied, regaining his usual demeanor and settling onto the sofa with an air of nonchnce. ¡°I¡¯ve rubbed Lyons and his crew the wrong way, but I think they¡¯re convinced I¡¯m chasing after Hannah, who clearly isn¡¯t into me. ¡± Meanwhile, outside the room, Rodrigo and his crew had caught up to Hannah. They extended an invitation from Remington to her and Winston. Hannah responded indifferently, ¡°No, thank you. Please tell Mr. Lyons that working with you is too risky for my taste. I¡¯m out. As for the two billion, you¡¯ll have to handle that yourselves. ¡± As she turned to head for the elevator with Winston, she was unexpectedly blocked by a tall, burly man. Rodrigo¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Mr.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Lyons has requested your presence, so we¡¯re here to escort you. ¡± The burly man reached out to grab Hannah, but she quickly sidestepped him, irritation clear on her face. ¡°What¡¯s this? Are you trying to force me? f@ck off!¡± she snapped, drawing the attention of bystanders. Suddenly, a young man in uniform rushed over. Chapter 1095 He uttered in short breaths, ¡°Mr. Wilde, Mr. Lyons has asked for you and Miss Moore. ¡± Rodrigo, losing patience, nced at Hannah. ¡°Please, let¡¯s not keep Mr. Lyons waiting. ¡± Hannah and Winston exchanged looks. Hannah said to Rodrigo, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go, but hees with me. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. Mr. Lyons is familiar with yourpanion anyway. Let¡¯s go,¡± Rodrigo conceded. Hannah was escorted to the ship¡¯s top floor, where the art show was held the other evening. Upon her arrival, she saw Remington, the center of attention among a group of attractive women. Next to him sat a man who seemed out of ce, his long hair partially hiding his face, making it hard to discern his features. Hannah couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to him, sensing a strong, hostile vibe emanating from him. ¡°Mr. Lyons, she¡¯s here,¡± Rodrigo murmured, standing back respectfully. Remington¡¯s gaze locked on Hannah. ¡°Are you upset because I used you as the stake and still lost, Miss Moore?¡± he asked. Hannah slightly tightened her lips. ¡°Me, upset with you, Mr. Lyons? How could I be?¡± Remington chuckled. ¡°You can go now. ¡± He gestured for the women and bodyguards to leave. Only the mysterious man next to him and Winston, who was with Hannah, remained. Remington then looked at Rodrigo. ¡°You should leave too. ¡± Rodrigo nodded and left without a word. Now, only three of them were left on the spacious deck, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment. Remington swirled his ss, looking at Hannah. ¡°I admit my mistake, Miss Moore. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯llpensate you for it. ¡±N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. ¡°No need. I¡¯m not short of money. ¡± Hannah declined firmly. She then noticed the man beside Remington observing her intently. Remington grinned and said, ¡°I get it, you¡¯re aiming for a big deal. Let¡¯s cut to the chase. ¡± He nced at Winston and added, ¡°The guy with you, he¡¯s the main man for the Compton family in Newfort¡¯s Caditown, right?¡± Winston replied coldly, ¡°You¡¯re surprisingly well-informed, Remington. ¡± Shaking his head with a chuckle, Remington responded, ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve known for a while. I¡¯m looking to work with the Compton family, so I¡¯m open to teaming up with you too. ¡± Chapter 1096 He gestured towards the man next to him and asked Hannah and Winston, ¡°Miss Moore, you don¡¯t recognize him, do you?¡± Winston peered at the man uncertainly, unsure who he was. Remington gave the man a pat on the shoulder and grinned. ¡°It looks like he really doesn¡¯t know you. ¡± The man said, his voice ominous, ¡°He¡¯s always been with our boss. No wonder he doesn¡¯t know me. I¡¯m Conor Freeman, from the Arrogance branch. ¡± Winston¡¯s gaze sharpened, his expression turning grave. ¡°Our boss told us not to unt our connections. How did you get on the Queen Elizabeth?¡± Conor smirked back at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you here on the same ship? What¡¯s the difference?¡± ¡°You!¡± Remington intervened, raising his ss. ¡°We¡¯re here to coborate, right? Let¡¯s not sweat the small stuff. ¡± He smiled at Hannah and said, ¡°Miss Moore, why don¡¯t we sit and chat?¡± Hannah hesitated, then joined them, beckoning Winston. ¡°Come on, Winston. ¡± Raising his ss, Remington toasted, ¡°To our partnership. ¡± Hannah swirled her wine, eyeing Conor. ¡°So you knew who we were the moment we boarded?¡± Conor nodded. ¡°Exactly. And I figured out your n to approach Mr. Lyons. But it doesn¡¯t matter to me. ¡± Remington looked at Hannah warmly. ¡°As long as you¡¯re willing to work together with us, I¡¯m not bothered by a few tricks. ¡± Conor grinned. ¡°You know, I¡¯ve got an idea about what you¡¯re nning. I can be of assistance. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows lifted in surprise. ¡°Oh, really? And why would you want to help us? Winston is your boss¡¯s right hand, right? Aren¡¯t you worried about your boss finding out?¡± ¡°I trust you won¡¯t let that happen,¡± Conor replied with another smile. ¡°Everyone¡¯s here to make money. You¡¯re clever enough not to mess things up. ¡± Narrowing her eyes, Hannah challenged, ¡°And how am I supposed to trust you?¡± Conor answered smoothly, ¡°It¡¯s easy. Rodrigo mentioned how good you are withputers, helping himunder a ton of cash for Mr. Lyons. ¡± ¡°But that¡¯s not our main goal in working with you,¡± Hannah pointed out. Beneath Conor¡¯s messy hair, his eyes gleamed cunningly. ¡°Mr. Lyons has been wanting to team up with the Compton family. This could be your chance to snatch what you need. ¡± ¡°I hate to break it to you, but I¡¯ve got no ties with the Compton family,¡± Hannah retorted with a smirk. ¡°Just because Winston¡¯s around doesn¡¯t make me one of them. He¡¯s here to keep an eye on me for the Compton family. You should worry about their reaction if they learn about today¡¯s events.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡± Chapter 1097 Conor, nonchnt, drew his pistol, loaded it, and aimed at Winston. ¡°To deal with a rebellious dog, we just need to put it down. I bet you mean more to the boss. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s better to call your own shots than be somebody¡¯s puppet,¡± he added, looking at Winston. ¡°Do you really want to remain a Compton family¡¯s puppet?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Stop it! Don¡¯t force him,¡± she snapped. ¡°Mr. Compton has been my savior. I won¡¯t betray him.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Winston Looked at Conor. Conor put his gun away with a mockingugh. ¡°Winston, you¡¯re being foolish. Just because he saved you, you¡¯ll do anything for him?¡± He then turned to Hannah, looking emotionlessly at her, and said, ¡°Today, you¡¯ve got only two options. Either join us, or we¡¯ll feed Winston to the sharks. ¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit low, even for you?¡± Winston frowned. ¡°Low?¡± Conor chuckled with a glint in his eye. ¡°Winston, our little game is nothingpared to the Compton family!¡± Remington gave Hannah a reassuring smile. ¡°Miss Moore, we¡¯re not asking for much. You¡¯re willing to work with us, right? The Lyons Group is focused onwful operations. Our aim is simply to partner with the Compton family. Please consider it. Will you partner with us, or let Winston face death?¡± Hannah looked at them, then suddenly grinned. ¡°I think we¡¯re done here. It¡¯s time to leave, Winston. ¡± With that, Hannah got up and gestured for Winston to follow. They headed for the deck elevator. Remington just watched, raising an eyebrow in silence. At that moment, Conor lifted his gun and fired into the sky! Bang! The sound of the gunshot made Hannah freeze in her tracks. She turned around, her eyes cold as she faced them. Conor, gun in hand, said ¡°Miss Moore, you don¡¯t seem too keen on working with us, do you?¡± Hannah stood motionless, while Winston stepped protectively in front of her, ring at Conor. Winston¡¯s eyes shed with anger. ¡°I¡¯ll keep this from the boss. We¡¯ll cooperate, okay?¡± ¡°Winston!¡± ¡°Conor. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice of surprise resonated alongside Remington¡¯s. Lowering his gun, Conor¡¯s lips curled into a smile. ¡°Excellent. We can work together peacefully then. ¡± Chapter 1098 Hannah inhaled sharply and faced them. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± ¡°You¡¯re held in high regard by Mr. Compton, so you must be his daughter who¡¯s been overseas. ¡± Realizing Conor knew much about her, Hannah didn¡¯t bother to deny it. ¡°You got that right. ¡± ¡°Good. You were being honest about that. Once you leave the ship, you¡¯ll meet your father and join the Compton family. You¡¯re set to be the main heir,¡± Conor said, nodding. ¡°Working with Mr. Lyons should be straightforward then.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°You seem to know a lot about the Compton family. Well, I have no intention of calling him father. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not concerned with the Compton family¡¯s business,¡± Conor replied with a shrug. He looked at Hannah with a casual smile on his face. ¡°The only thing I¡¯m interested in is making Wace Compton lose his power. ¡± Hannah pressed her lips together, silent, but his words had clearly unsettled her. ¡°You¡¯re back with the Compton family, and that¡¯s part of the n, right? Not recognizing him as your father could work in your favor. It¡¯s your chance to take over and make the family yours. ¡± Conor flicked his lighter on, lit a cigarette, and started smoking. ¡°There¡¯s nothing more satisfying than ruining all his efforts,¡± he said. Hannah remained quiet, lost in thought. Then, looking down with a faint smile, she asked, ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll just agree to this?¡± Shaking his head, Conor blew out a ring of smoke. ¡°ALL I know is, right now, you don¡¯t have much choice but to work with us. ¡± Hannah raised her head. ¡°I need to think about it. I¡¯ll give you an answer before we get off. ¡± ¡°We need a quick decision. We¡¯re not known for our patience,¡± Conor said, watching her closely. As evening fell, on the quiet deck, Hannah stood alone, gazing at the distant shore. The wind tousled her hair, but her mind was uneasy. She savored the solitude. Yet, as she drew closer to her true identity, the more elusive peace seemed. Returning to the Compton family would mean saying goodbye to the quiet life she knew. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± As soon as Hannah turned around, someone gently ced a suit jacket over her shoulders. Beside her, Bryson inquired in a low voice, ¡°How did your chat with Remington go this afternoon?¡± Chapter 1099 Hannah shook her head. ¡°I had a hunch they were up to something, but never thought they¡¯d dig up info on me first. Ever since I boarded the ship, Lyons¡¯s known who I am, yet he¡¯s been ying dumb. Their ambition¡¯s clear. They want to take over the entire Compton family. ¡± Bryson¡¯s brow creased slightly. ¡°Did they ever bring up the forbidden drugs onboard?¡± ¡°No, but knowing who I am, they should know Jalen¡¯s my cousin. ¡± Hannah clicked her tongue, adding, ¡°Seems like they¡¯re testing to see if I¡¯ll give up our deal for Jalen¡¯s sake. ¡± With a subtle smile, Bryson reassured, ¡°Don¡¯t stress. I¡¯ll be the one confronting them. They won¡¯t doubt you if I blow the whistle. ¡± Realizing they knew Hannah¡¯s true identity, Bryson was ready to act boldly. ¡°No way. ¡± Hannah¡¯s rejection was firm. ¡°Newfort¡¯s out of the Mitchell family¡¯s reach. If you go public with this, they¡¯ll surely send someone to take you out!¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t exaggerating. The Lyons family really had a_ strong presence in Newfort. Even the Compton family, though they might match the Lyons family, wouldn¡¯t want to pick a fight with thetter. Remington and Conor were determined to protect their turf. Brysonughed lightly, ¡°I¡¯m not that foolish. Over the years, Remington and Conor have been really ambitious, finding every excuse to grow their influence. I may not be a big shot in Newfort, but they wouldn¡¯t dare mess with me for now. ¡± Hannah bit her lip, worrying. ¡°I don¡¯t want their schemes to seed, and I don¡¯t want you in danger. ¡± Bryson wrapped his arms around her,forting her with a gentle pat, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got this. I won¡¯t let it get tough for you. ¡± His voice was deep and soothing, sending shivers down the spine. Hannah, nestled against him, slowly found peace. It felt like old times, just the two of them together. Bryson released her and led her by the hand to the other side of the deck. ¡°Look at this view. It¡¯s beautiful. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery As Hannah gazed at the distant sunset, her eyes shadowed. In a low, rough voice, Bryson confessed, ¡°I have regrets. ¡± Hannah looked up at him. He gazed down at her earnestly and said, ¡°I regret not telling you the truth when we were in Valmere. I regret dragging you into this mess. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. ¡± Hannah offered a small smile. ¡°Even if I hadn¡¯te to Newfort for you and Ro, the Compton family would¡¯ve shown up eventually. ¡± Bryson touched her face gently, his eyes deep and unreadable like a starry night.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. He whispered, ¡°I¡¯ll keep you safe. ¡± Shortly after, they went separate ways, aware of Remington¡¯s spies all around. If caught, their ns would fall apart. Chapter 1100 In two days, they¡¯d reach Newfort¡¯s port. Winston¡¯s anxiety lingered until Hannah returned. He quickly asked, ¡°Is everything okay? Do you have a solid n? Do you need me to do anything?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to lift a finger,¡± she replied. Ro, wheeling himself out, voiced his concern. ¡°Hannah, have I been a burden to you?¡± Hannah, with a gentle smile, reassured him. ¡°Not at all. It has nothing to do with you. Once the ship docks, you¡¯ll return to Cadilind with my cousin. ¡± Ro, clutching her clothes, asked apprehensively, ¡°What about you, Hannah? Aren¡¯t youing with us?¡± Hannah answered with a calm smile, ¡°I need to stay in Newfort a bit longer. I have some things to sort out. I¡¯ll follow once I¡¯m done. ¡± ¡°I want to stay with you then!¡± Hannah firmly said, ¡°No! Here, I can¡¯t protect you as well as back home. ¡± Ro tried to argue, but Hannah cut him off, ¡°No buts. You¡¯re safer on your own. I can¡¯t be worrying about you too. ¡± After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Ro agreed, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll do as you say. ¡± Hannah then turned to Winston. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t meddle with the ship¡¯s cargo. ¡± Winston, concerned, said, ¡°But that¡¯s all contraband. What if something goes wrong¡­¡± ¡°There won¡¯t be any trouble. Bryson¡¯s reliable. ¡± Winston, puzzled, asked, ¡°Why so much trust in him?¡± He opened and closed his mouth, lost for words. ¡°Yes, I trust him,¡± she affirmed. After pondering for a moment, Winston replied, ¡°Okay. But remember, if he¡¯s in trouble and can¡¯t handle it on his own, I¡¯m not stepping in. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Hannah offered a reassuring smile, aware of his concerns. ¡°No need to worry. He¡¯s always managed to keep his promises to me. ¡± As Hannah prepared to leave the ship, Conor¡¯s people found her. She didn¡¯t hesitate this time and agreed to work with them. She had one condition. They could not contact her until she returned to Wace. She said Wace¡¯s sharp instincts would detect something amiss. Conor epted her terms. They agreed to contact each other through a secure website after that. As the time for Hannah to disembark approached, her anxiety grew. It wasn¡¯t ack of trust in Bryson. She feared something might happen to him on the Queen Elizabeth. Chapter 1101 Meanwhile, Jalen hurriedly pushed Ro¡¯s wheelchair down from the ship, a worried look on his face. ¡°If they unload the paintings, the illicit drugs hidden inside could be distributed everywhere. ¡± Hannah nced at the Queen Elizabeth, then noticed Remington and a heavily disguised Conor among the disembarking crowd. Suddenly, near the ship, Rodrigo rushed down and whispered urgently to Remington. Remington¡¯s expression turned grave, a look Hannah had never seen on him before. ¡°Ipetent fools! Find them!¡± With a steely look towards Hannah, Conor started heading their way. ¡°He¡¯sing!¡± Jalen tensed up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Hannah said calmly. ¡°He¡¯s here for me. You can go ahead and leave. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Before Jalen could finish speaking, Conor approached Hannah and said, ¡°Miss Moore, may I have a word with you?¡± Hannah agreed with a nod, ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go. ¡± Winston trailed behind them, but Conor didn¡¯t invite him to join. He simply gave Winston a quick nce. As they reached the shore, Hannah paused and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s up, Mr. Freeman?¡± Chaos reigned on the ship. Remington¡¯s crew were frantically searching for something. Conor, his suit pping in the breeze, lit a cigarette and gazed at Hannah. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect this from you. How did you manage to hide those paintings while being watched so closely?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows arched slightly. ¡°I neverid a hand on your paintings, Mr. Freeman. You can try to frame me, but unless you¡¯re ready to shoot me right here, I won¡¯t admit to something I didn¡¯t do. ¡± Conor¡¯s gaze hardened as he turned to Winston. ¡°Who else would want those paintings if not you?¡± Winston said, ¡°There are plenty who¡¯d love to see you fail.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. We only wanted to work with you. We had a deal. Do you really think destroying the paintings and turning you against us was part of our n?¡± Suddenly, a shout erupted from the ship¡­ ¡°The paintings are in the sea! The paintings are in the sea! Damn it. ¡± Instantly, several figures dived into the water. Momentster, Rodrigo came running down, soaked and distressed. ¡°Mr. Freeman¡­ the paintings are ruined¡­ What do we do now?¡± Conor, turning to face him, demanded, ¡°What about the stuff inside?¡± Rodrigo¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°Everything in them is gone¡­¡± Chapter 1102 Suddenly, Conor¡¯s hand flew up and struck Rodrigo with a loud p. Bang! ! ¡°Useless!¡± Standing nearby, Remington frowned deeply, upset about the damaged paintings. Hannah remarked kindly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If they¡¯re ruined, my cousin can make new ones for you. We¡¯re in this together, after all. A few paintings are no big deal, especially since you paid a lot for them. We can¡¯t have you facing losses because of this. ¡± Conor clenched his jaw, eyeing Hannah suspiciously. Hannah, with a smile, asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t you want them?¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Of course, the real value wasn¡¯t in the paintings themselves, but what they contained. Yet, Conor couldn¡¯t voice his thoughts openly. Without solid proof, they couldn¡¯t afford to confront her directly. Meanwhile, Bryson and Caleb got off the ship, heading towards the port exit. Conor¡¯s gaze shifted,nding on Remington. Getting the hint, Remington pped his hands. Instantly, a group of their men encircled the area Bryson was leaving through! Caleb stood protectively in front of Bryson and said sharply, ¡°What are you up to? Get out of our way!¡± Conor stepped closer, asking with concern, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what kept you on the ship so long? What were you up to?¡± Bryson replied with a sneer, ¡°I heard about your paintings falling into the sea. That¡¯s a real shame. ¡± He moved closer, his presence overwhelming. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re just unlucky because of some bad things you¡¯ve done, huh?¡± Conor saw Bryson¡¯s mocking grin and had to clench his fists to control his anger. Taking a deep breath, Conor said, ¡°Hold off on that talk, Mr. itchell. It could be someone¡¯s trick to throw us off. How about we discuss this over a coffee?¡± Rodrigo, still pained from Conor¡¯s p, tried to regain some dignity. He told Bryson aggressively, ¡°Come this way!¡± Bryson just sneered at him, ¡°I¡¯m busy. There¡¯s a long Line of people wanting to have coffee with me. You¡¯ll have to wait. ¡± And with that, he turned to leave. Rodrigo felt like he was beingpletely overlooked. Frowning at Bryson, he remarked sharply, ¡°Mitchell, show some appreciation!¡± ¡°What?¡± Then, with a dismissive smirk, Bryson turned to address the group behind Rodrigo. ¡°Do you think you can convince me toe with you?¡± Chapter 1103 ¡°You!¡± Rodrigo, visibly annoyed, was on the brink ofshing out. At that moment, Caleb positioned himself between them. Gesturing towards the dock¡¯s exit, he informed them, ¡°Our boss is tied up. We¡¯ll discuss business once we¡¯re off the ship. Our partners¡¯ cars are waiting outside. Maybe you¡¯d like to speak with them?¡± His suggestion caused both Rodrigo and Remington to look towards the horizon. There, a line of striking Rolls-Royces stretched out. About a dozen individuals emerged from these vehicles, casually leaning against them and observing the scene. Conor, wearing a subtle grin, said to Bryson, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I see you¡¯vee prepared.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. ¡± Rodrigo, unable to contain his frustration, burst out, ¡°Damn it! He nned this! They must have dumped the paintings into the ocean!¡± ¡°Stop arguing!¡± Before anyone could retort, a clear, soothing female voice cut through the tension. Hannah made her way through the crowd to reach them. She gave Bryson a casual nce before addressing Remington. ¡°Well, if you have doubts, just call the police. I bet if we do and this guy¡¯s guilty, he won¡¯t get far!¡± Bryson shed a cheeky smile at Hannah, joking, ¡°Hey, if it means getting a coffee date with you, I¡¯ll take the fall. ¡± Hannah shot him a sharp look and answered bluntly, ¡°What a pity. I not interested in coffee with you. ¡± Turning to Winston, she instructed, ¡°Call the police. ¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Remington interjected. ¡°I don¡¯t think getting the police involved is wise. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly. ¡°Mr. Lyons, these paintings cost a fortune. If he did this on purpose, he¡¯s in for a hefty bill!¡± ¡°Bah!¡± Rodrigo scoffed and muttered, ¡°Do we, of all people, need police to handle our issues? Ridiculous!¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Conor snapped. Rodrigo fell silent, though he kept ring at Bryson. Remington said softly, ¡°There¡¯s no need for the police. I¡¯ll handle it. The paintings are ruined, and it seems they weren¡¯t meant for me. Let¡¯s just drop it. ¡± Realizing he wanted to avoid a fuss, Hannah conceded, ¡°If you want to let it slide, then there¡¯s nothing more to say. ¡± She turned to Bryson and said, ¡°Mr. Lyons let you off the hook this time, but don¡¯t think you¡¯re off the suspect list for those ruined paintings!¡± Bryson scoffed, ¡°Well, you can move aside now. I¡¯m not lounging around like you. I¡¯ve got things to do. ¡± Chapter 1104 Remington¡¯s men nced at their boss. They only left after Remington gestured for them to go. Walking past Hannah, Bryson paused and gave her a meaningful look.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. ¡°You¡¯ve caught my interest. If you run into trouble with themter, juste to me. I¡¯ll always be ready to help. ¡± Hannah muttered to herself, ¡°This guy was really into his act!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s head out,¡± she told Winston. ¡°Hold on!¡± Conor interrupted in a stern voice. ¡°Remember your promise to us. ¡± With a casual smile, Hannah waved a hand over her shoulder. ¡°Rest assured, I recall things quite clearly. ¡± As Hannah and Winston walked away, Conor watched them leave the port and hop into a luxury car in the distance. Looking determined, he told Rodrigo, ¡°Follow them. ¡± Rodrigo hesitated, his eyes flicking to Remington. ¡°But what if¡­ what if I lose them?¡± ¡°Stop beating around the bush. If you lose them, don¡¯t bothering back!¡± ¡°Understood, sir!¡± Rodrigo quickly agreed and hurried outside with his team to their vehicles. As Hannah merged into the traffic, she noticed the cars trailing them. shing a grin, she gripped the steering wheel tighter. ¡°Hold on. ¡± Winston, seated in the passenger seat, barely had time to brace himself before the car swiftly maneuvered through the bustling traffic. Rodrigo, his forehead damp with cold sweat, dialed Conor¡¯s number. It took a while, but he finally said, ¡°I¡¯ve lost them. ¡± Conor, sitting in his car, squinted dangerously and asked in a low, threatening tone, ¡°How did you lose them?¡± Rodrigo rushed to exin, ¡°She must¡¯ve realized we were tailing her. She sped up like crazy! We just couldn¡¯t keep up. ¡± The silence on the other end made Rodrigo¡¯s heart race. Swallowing hard, he cautiously asked, ¡°What should we do now?¡± Aware that Hannah¡¯s actions were intentional, Conor scoffed, ¡°Have your team pull back for now. She¡¯ll return to the Compton family eventually. Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll deal with her in our own time. ¡± Once Conor was off the phone, Remington, slumped against the car window, expressed his displeasure. ¡°We¡¯re down several billion this time. Never took a hit like this before, Conor. ¡± ¡°Mr. Lyons, we¡¯ve been partners for a while. You know I don¡¯t let things slide. It¡¯s always been just Hannah and Bryson who could cross us. But here¡¯s the thing¡­ Hannah isn¡¯t on good terms with the Compton family, which we can make use of. I bet she¡¯s clueless about the secret in those paintings. ¡± Chapter 1105 Conor¡¯s voice turned cold, his face stern. ¡°Bryson, though, he¡¯s a different story. Remember how he blocked your group and wrecked your family¡¯s Newfort branch? You wouldn¡¯t want history to repeat itself, would you?¡± The car fell silent for a moment. Then, Remington, eyes gleaming dangerously, replied, ¡°I chose the right ally in you. A few billion¡¯s nothing. It won¡¯t damage our partnership. We¡¯ve made fortunes together, Conor. I trust you. ¡± Conor smiled, ¡°I appreciate it, Mr. Lyons. It¡¯s your support that makes our partnership prosper. ¡± Meanwhile, Hannah, having shaken off her pursuers, drove her car along a different path. ¡°This isn¡¯t the route to the Compton family, Winston observed, peering out the window. ¡°Definitely not the Compton family way. We¡¯re headed to the airport,¡± Hannah said, steering the car. Winston looked puzzled. ¡°Heading back already?¡± Hannah nced in the rearview mirror, saw no one following, and smiled, ¡°Nope, I¡¯m keeping my promise to meet with your boss. I simply want to head to the airport and bid farewell to Jalen and Ro. ¡± They reached Lightby¡¯s airport smoothly. Outside, Hannah spotted Jalen with a suitcase and Ro in a wheelchair. She walked up, tousled Ro¡¯s hair, then turned to Jalen. ¡°Jalen, better note back, okay?¡± Jalen hesitated, then asked, ¡°Hannah, isn¡¯t it risky for you here?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t borate. ¡°I¡¯ll fill you inter. Just take Ro back.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. I¡¯ll handle the rest after I¡¯m home. ¡± Then she turned to Ro. ¡°My professor¡¯s medicine is in trials. I¡¯ll get my cousin to take you for a test. ¡± Jalen sighed and patted Ro¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯ll look after him, don¡¯t worry. ¡± ¡°Jalen, inform Edwin to hold off on reaching out to me temporarily, and keep my presence in Newfort a secret from him. Just say¡­ I¡¯ve been swampedtely, but I¡¯ll catch up with him once I¡¯m back home. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Your secret¡¯s safe with me. Just be careful, okay?¡± Jalen replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Hannah chatted with Jalen for a bit. She watched intently, not looking away until Ro and Jalen disappeared into the airport. With a mix of emotions flickering in her eyes, she finally let out a resigned sigh and managed a smile. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head out. We¡¯ll stay at the Imperial Pce Hotel tonight. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll join you to visit the Compton family and see him,¡± Hannah told Winston. They drove back to the Imperial Pce Hotel and headed upstairs separately. She decided to remain at the Imperial Pce Hotel. Her idea was to see if she might cross paths with Bryson here. As the elevator doors opened, Hannah was surprised to see someone standing by her door. Chapter 1106 The man was casually dressed, his striking features catching the dim Light of the corridor in the hotel. One hand rested in his pocket, the other holding a cigarette, exhaling a stream of smoke with an indifferent air. Hannah, caught off guard, approached him. ¡°What are you doing here? I thought you were away on business?¡± Bryson turned slightly at her voice, a faint smile ying on his lips. ¡°I was just pulling one over on those fools. ¡± He crushed the cigarette and tossed it in the bin, then looked at Hannah. ¡°Your cousin and that boy, they¡¯ve returned to Cadilind, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, I sent them home. I can¡¯t protect them well here in Newfort. ¡± Hannah nced at Bryson, concern in her voice. ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried about Lyons¡¯s guys finding you?¡± Bryson wrapped his arms around Hannah¡¯s waist and drew her close. His deep, dark eyes fixed on hers. He grinned. ¡°K Group¡¯s guys are here too. They don¡¯t get along well with the Lyons Group, so they won¡¯t rat me out to Remington. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, that¡¯s your secret for staying here earlier?¡± Bryson slipped his fingers into Hannah¡¯s pocket and pulled out her room card with a smooth motion. ¡°Exactly. ¡± Suddenly, the door swung open with the swipe of the card. Bryson carried Hannah and strode into the room. Then, the door shut behind them. In an instant, Hannah found herself sinking into the soft bed. Bryson¡¯s tall, solid frame hovered over her. Just as Hannah tried to protest, his ki*s silenced her. ¡°Wait¡­¡± But Bryson was too forceful, and Hannah, pushing against his chest, couldn¡¯t hold back his tender caresses. Bryson¡¯s breath grew quicker. He slid his hand beneath the fabric of Hannah¡¯s dress, feeling her soft skin beneath. As he did so, Hannah pushed him back with more force. ¡°Hold on! Bryson, stop¡­¡± she urged. But Bryson seemed unresponsive. Gripping her shoulder tightly, he immobilized her while his other hand continued to caress her legs. Hannah clenched her teeth, ring at him, her thoughts a mix of anger and desperation. ¡°Bryson¡­¡± Bryson bent down, capturing her lips with his own in a rough bite. ¡°Wait¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s protest was cut short. She tapped his shoulder, pushing him back. ¡°Are you a dog?! It¡¯s really painful when you bite!¡± She fixed him with a stern gaze.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You¡¯re still injured! Why does it alwayse to this with you?¡± Bryson, moving slightly away, smiled at her, his dark eyes sparkling. ¡°Are you really mad?¡± he asked, a hint of yfulness in his tone. Chapter 1107 Hannah shot him a look and questioned, ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything else to do?¡± Bryson remained still, leaning against the wall. ¡°Remington¡¯s men are watching me, and they¡¯re keeping an eye on you too. ¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed. When I drove back today, they had vehicles tailing me, but I shook them off. ¡± Hannah eyed Bryson. ¡°They probably think I wouldn¡¯t be the one who destroyed the paintings. You¡¯re being watched, so why not just go back to Cadilind?¡± Bryson cracked a small smile. ¡°I know you¡¯re concerned about me, but I can¡¯t leave you here alone. I¡¯d be too worried. This isn¡¯t like back home. Here, a wrong move doesn¡¯t just bring trouble, it brings death. ¡± Hannah, resting her chin on her hand, scoffed, ¡°I¡¯m not in as much danger as you. You ruined their paintings, and their illegal drugs were gone. They¡¯re only keeping you alive because they¡¯re scared of who you are¡­ But they¡¯ll make a move eventually. ¡± Bryson¡¯s expression darkened. He tried to reassure her. ¡°They¡¯re not ready to do that yet. But it¡¯s time for me to handle their right-hand men. ¡± He stood up, smoothed out his suit, and looked at Hannah. ¡°Here, catch. ¡± Bryson tossed a sophisticated wristwatch to Hannah. ¡°If you need me, use this. It¡¯s got GPS, so I can find you anytime. If you¡¯re in trouble, just hit the side button, and I¡¯ll know where you are. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, ying with the watch. ¡°You¡¯re really prepared. ¡± ¡°I have to be. You¡¯re up against the Lyons. I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance of finding you otherwise. ¡± Hannah nodded, putting on the watch onto her wrist. She waved at Bryson, reassuring him. ¡°I¡¯ll keep it on, unless someone else takes it away. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed, his voice low and serious. ¡°If someone wants to take it away from you, just open the watch¡¯s face. There¡¯s a tracker inside. Take it out and keep it with you, and I¡¯ll be able to pinpoint your location. ¡± ¡°I got it. ¡± Suddenly, Bryson leaned in closer to Hannah, gently lifted her chin, and ki*sed her. He didn¡¯t utter a word afterward. Standing up, he opened the door and left the room. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The next morning, Winston was driving the car. Hannah, seated in the back, gazed out at the passing scenery. As they neared a private manor, the road was nketed in golden leaves, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Just before entering the manor, the usually silent Winston uttered his thoughts. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about what anyone says inside. You¡¯re here as a guest of the boss. There¡¯s no need to be overly polite. ¡± Hannah nodded, seemingly indifferent. Winston caught a glimpse of her in the rearview mirror but remained silent. As they approached, the manor¡¯s gates slowly opened. It was a while before Winston¡¯s car finally stopped at the entrance. A well-dressed butler was already waiting. He opened the car door for Hannah, saying, ¡°Miss, our master has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please,e this way. ¡± Hannah and Winston followed the butler into the manor. The manor¡¯s opulence was striking, as though it were crafted by an ancient designer. Tulips lined the corridor, their fragrance filling the air. Chapter 1108 Guided by the butler, Hannah and Winston entered the main hall. There, seated on a couch, was a man in his forties, exuding an air of majesty. His eyes were strikingly simr to Hannah¡¯s. Beside him sat an elegantdy, known to Hannah as Wace¡¯s wife from their encounterst time. She offered Hannah a polite, subtly smiling gaze. To Hannah¡¯s astonishment, Keith and Trent had also returned to Newfort. Trent, with a sly lift of his eyebrows, subtly waved to her. Another person lounged on the couch, her demeanor arrogant and dismissive towards Hannah. It was Joselyn, the same woman who had approached her earlier. On the opposite side of the main couch, several elderly men took their seats. Observing the crowd, Hannah chose to stand aside in silence. The butler announced to Wace, ¡°Master, Miss Moore has arrived. ¡± Winston passed gracefully by Hannah on his way back to Wace. ALL eyes in the hall turned towards Hannah, who faced their stares withposed calmness. Wace, noting her demeanor, muttered to himself with a smile, ¡°She truly stands apart from ordinary girls. ¡± Proudly acknowledging her as his daughter, he rxed on the sofa and said in a casual, deep tone, ¡°Is there any need for introductions? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. This is my daughter, long separated from me. I intend to bring her back into my life. Do you have any objections?¡± Although he had asked, it was clear they couldn¡¯t say no. When they heard Wace¡¯s words, several people in the room looked uneasy. They hadn¡¯t expected him to be so blunt. ¡°Wace, where did this girle from? How can you just im her as your daughter? Could she be an imposter?¡± an older man taunted. Another person chimed in, ¡°Wace, please reconsider. If she¡¯s an imposter, it could cause a lot of trouble. Our Compton family is thriving. It¡¯s only natural that some might try to take advantage of that. ¡± ¡°Exactly. This woman shows up out of nowhere, with a mysterious past. It could be a setup¡­¡± Wace remained calm amid the discussion. He sat confidently on the couch, leisurely sipping his coffee with a smile. Finally, Wace set down his cup. His eyes were not cold, but his voice was firm. ¡°I don¡¯t need your approval. If you can¡¯t ept it, then leave the Compton family. ¡± As he stopped talking, the room fell dead quiet. Everyone there was aware of the kind of man the Compton family head was. If he was that certain, then there probably wasn¡¯t any room to maneuver. Chapter 1109 After a short, ufortable silence, someone cautiously chimed in, ¡°But, what if¡­ The Compton family already have a daughter, Joselyn. Telling the world we¡¯ve found the real daughter will stir up a mess. ¡± Wace gave a mocking snort and nced at the speaker. ¡°And what kind of mess are we talking about, really? I just found my own daughter. That settles it. I¡¯m throwing her a party soon, and I¡¯ll make sure everyone knows Wace Compton¡¯s real daughter is finally home. ¡± Listening to all this, Hannah cracked a small, cold smile. ¡°Who said I wanted to be your daughter?¡± Joselyn¡¯s cheeks flushed with anger. She faced Wace and eximed, ¡°Dad, isn¡¯t Miss Moore being too impertinent?¡± Wace sneered, his eyes crafty as he addressed Hannah. ¡°I can offer you anything. Money, status, power, you name it. Juste back to the Compton family, and it¡¯s yours. ¡± Hannah responded with a sarcastic smile, ncing at Joselyn, ¡°That¡¯s quite tempting. ¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Joselyn¡¯s eyes darkened, and she tightened her fists. ¡°However, it¡¯s still not something I desire. ¡± With a dismissive smirk, Hannah turned and strode out, casually waving goodbye. Wace remained unemotional, watching Hannah leave. Joselyn, however, was not soposed. ¡°Dad, can you believe her? She¡¯s got no respect for the Compton family. ¡± Several Compton family elders agreed, ¡°Even as your daughter, she shouldn¡¯t disrespect her elders like this. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°That¡¯s right. She must be up to something,ing here,¡± another added. Wace tightened his lips, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Everyone, leave for now. ¡± The room fell silent, and the others left, looking downcast. Once alone, Wace turned to Winston. ¡°Follow her. See where she goes. ¡± Wace watched as Winston bowed and said respectfully, ¡°Yes, sir. ¡± Keith and Trent then said their goodbyes to Wace and followed Winston outside. As Hannah left the Compton family manor, a cold breeze swept through, making her feel like the temperature had dropped sharply. She rubbed her arms and slowed her pace, hearing a voice from behind. ¡°Hannah!¡± Keith, Trent, and Winston hurried out of the manor. ¡°Sorry about what they said, don¡¯t take it to heart,¡± Keith told her. Chapter 1110 Trent added, ¡°Yeah, only Dad¡¯s words matter. Don¡¯t worry about the others. ¡± They both tried to reassure Hannah, while Winston stayed quiet. Trent noticed Hannah¡¯s uninterested expression and quickly said, ¡°You know, it¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t ept the Compton family. ¡± Unaware of it, Keith continued to encourage Hannah, ¡°Actually, returning to the Compton family could not be a bad idea. Being closer to the Compton family increases your chances of uncovering the truth from that year. ¡± ¡°The truth about that year?¡± Hannah shook her head and said, ¡°But what good will knowing the truth do for me? Can I change the fact that my mother passed away? I¡¯ve made up my mind. I¡¯m leaving now. ¡± Just then, Winston stepped up and said, ¡°Miss Moore, the boss really hopes you¡¯ll reconsider. The Compton family is ready to offer you your mother¡¯s belongings if you decide to join our family. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°My mother¡¯s belongings?¡± ¡°Yes, your mother left some items. Our boss has kept them safe. If you¡¯d like, you cane with me to see them. ¡± The mention of her mother¡¯s belongings changed Hannah¡¯s mind. After a brief pause, she replied, ¡°Show me my mother¡¯s belongings first. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Winston turned to the two men beside him and said, ¡°Gentlemen, pleasee with us. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Trent and Keith exchanged a look and followed. They strolled through the manor for about ten minutes before reaching an old building on the property. ¡°Only the boss can enter here,¡± Winston exined. ¡°It¡¯s because he keeps your mother¡¯s belongings here. ¡± He then opened the door. Inviting h Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ er in with a gesture.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Miss Moore, pleasee this way. ¡± Keith, taking in his surroundings, remarked with a sigh, ¡°After all these years with the Compton family, it¡¯s our first visit here. ¡± Winston led them into the living room. ¡°There are some old videos here. The boss would like you to watch them closely, Miss Moore. ¡± They yed videos from years past in the living room. One showed a woman smiling sweetly, her face remarkably resembling Hannah¡¯s. Beside her stood a young Wace, tall and captivating. He waspletely absorbed by the woman¡¯s smile in the footage. The videos portrayed joyful moments. The final one was recorded by Hannah¡¯s mother herself. Chapter 1111 The video revealed her n to delight Wace. Having been pregnant for two months, she was excited about his surprised reaction upon watching it. Hannah watched these videos without showing emotion, yet her fists were tightly clenched. ¡°What¡¯s his point in showing me these? Does he think they¡¯ll change my mind?¡± Keith and Trent exchanged nces, then stated, ¡°Hannah, you should understand. The Compton family needs you. Like it or not, the Compton family¡¯s blood runs through your veins. ¡± After they expressed themselves, Hannah lifted her gaze, meeting Winston¡¯s eyes. Just then, the door began to close slowly. Silent and thoughtful, Hannah leaned back on the sofa. Winston, meanwhile, pulled out a small remote control and pressed it. ¡°Listen up. This gadget is a signal jammer. It¡¯ll blocked the signals of everymunication device within 5@ meters, and that includes your phones and anymunication systems. ¡± Keith and Trent turned to Hannah who was now lounging on the sofa. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°You¡­ What¡¯s going on here?¡± Hannah remained silent, letting Winston handle the exnation. ¡°Miss Moore here wants your cooperation. ¡± Trent, his eyebrows knitted in confusion, turned to Winston. ¡°Are you turning against Dad? Is that it?¡± Winston just smirked. ¡°I¡¯m with Miss Moore now. That¡¯s not betraying the boss, is it?¡± Keith, visibly shocked, pointed at Winston.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡°Damn it! You¡¯re out of your mind! After all these years with Dad, you choose now to turn on him?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah gave a small smile. ¡°Winston sees me as part of the Compton family now. He¡¯s not betraying anyone by following my instructions. And if I asked him to work under me, what do you think your dad would say?¡± ¡°So that¡¯s it. You lured us here into a trap?¡± Trent, serious now, sat down opposite Hannah. ¡°What do you want from us? If we don¡¯t go along with this, are you going to kill us right here?¡± Hannah held up two fingers gracefully. ¡°You¡¯ve got two options. Work with us, or die here with your pride intact. It¡¯s your choice. ¡± After a brief pause, Trent turned to Hannah and questioned, ¡°You can¡¯t be serious, can you?¡± ¡°Does it look like I¡¯m joking?¡± Hannah replied, lifting her eyebrows. ¡°You seem different,¡± Trent noted, his tone moreposed than Keith¡¯s. Hannah, with a hint of a cold smile, responded, ¡°Let¡¯s not get into that. Have you made your choice?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go with the second option, Trent dered, his gaze intense. ¡°I can¡¯t betray Dad. No way!¡± Chapter 1112 ¡°And you, Keith? What¡¯s your decision?¡± Hannah asked, directing her attention to him. Keith nced at Trent and then firmly stated, ¡°I¡¯m with Trent on this. The second option. If ites to it, kill us!¡± They both shut their eyes, seemingly bracing for Winston¡¯s move. But instead of an attack, they were met with Hannah¡¯sughter. Opening their eyes, they saw her smiling. ¡°You guys are truly devoted. Why don¡¯t we sit and talk this out?¡± Hannah suggested. Confused by her sudden shift in demeanor, Trent and Keith remained standing, not taking her offer to sit. ¡°Winston. ¡± Hannah nced at Winston. His voice was cold as he said, ¡°The jammer exists, but it¡¯s not meant to harm you. There¡¯s a traitor in our organization. Miss Moore hesitated to join the Compton family because of the traitor. ¡± Trent, quick-witted as always, caught on immediately. ¡°So, this is a test for both of us?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t hide anything anymore. ¡°To integrate into the Compton family, I need an insider who understands the n. ¡± It wasn¡¯t until this point that Keith realized something. ¡°You declined Dad¡¯s offer deliberately to trap the Compton family¡¯s traitors. You want to assist Dad. ¡± ¡°Enough, enough!¡± Hannah cut Keith off. ¡°Can you not overthink?¡± Winston exined her reason for staying in Newfort, mainly about her involvement with Remington and Conor. Returning to Cadilind now would make her a target. Trent was shocked. ¡°Conor works for Remington? Does Dad know?¡± ¡°He¡¯s unaware for now. I¡¯ll brief the boss on recent events,¡± Winston said.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Arrogance is a top division in our organization. Conor¡¯s allegiance to Remington implies that Arrogance has also allied with Lyons Group,¡± Trent said, his frown deepening. ¡°If there¡¯s an issue within the organization, it¡¯s highly unlikely there¡¯s only one traitor. There could also be issues in the other branches, correct?¡± Winston nodded and remarked, ¡°This issue requires both of your assistance. With just the two of us, even if the boss discreetly permits us to act, our progress won¡¯t be swift. ¡± Trent looked at Hannah, saying, ¡°We¡¯ll follow your lead on this. ¡± ¡°Some people are against me returning to the Compton family. They¡¯ll surely cause trouble for me once I join the organization,¡± Hannah stated indifferently. ¡°I¡¯ve got connections inside. I can arrange for them to support you,¡± Chapter 1113 Keith offered. ¡°No,¡± Hannah replied. ¡°Actually, you can¡¯t help me. Since I¡¯m joining the Compton family, I don¡¯t know how many enemies are watching me from the shadows. I¡¯d rather you stay under the radar too. ¡± ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll handle it discreetly,¡± Trent agreed. After they finalized their n, Hannah and Winston left. Outside, Winston asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to take your mother¡¯s videotapes?¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°Those are just old memories. I don¡¯t want them, and besides¡­¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. She paused, then added, ¡°It¡¯s safer to leave them here than bring them to my ce. Let¡¯s go. Drop me off first. ¡± As she reached the manor¡¯s gate in Winston¡¯s car, Hannah was informed that she couldn¡¯t leave without Mr. Compton¡¯s permission. Rolling down the window, Hannah gave the guards a forced smile and asked, ¡°So, you¡¯re keeping me prisoner?¡± The guard, looking serious, replied, ¡°It¡¯s the boss¡¯s order. He doesn¡¯t intend to imprison you. ¡± Hannah was taken aback. Winston, gripping the steering wheel, calmly told Hannah, ¡°This is what the boss wants. Even if we try to leave, they¡¯ll just bring us back. ¡± Hannah sighed deeply, realizing Wace was indeed a sly old man! He didn¡¯t make a scene then, but he was always pulling strings behind the scenes! ¡°We need to go back and confront him!¡± With that, Winston turned the car around and headed back to the Compton family¡¯s main house with Hannah. As she stepped out of the car and walked into the house, nobody stopped her. Yet, there was no sign of Wace in the living room. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Winston, standing beside Hannah, said, ¡°The boss is probably in his study right now. ¡± ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that the haughty Miss Moore? What brings you back here?¡± Joselyn, standing on the stairs, interrupted the conversation and gave Hannah a cold stare. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Didn¡¯t you dere you¡¯d never join the Compton family? Changed your mind, have you?¡± Descending the steps, Joselyn¡¯s gaze was filled with scorn as she addressed Hannah. ¡°I thought you were too proud for this, yet here you are, eyeing the role of the real daughter. ¡± Winston interposed himself between them, his expression stern. ¡°Joselyn, it¡¯s the boss¡¯s decision to have Miss Moore stay. ¡± ¡°Do you think you have a say in this?¡± Joselyn had little respect for Winston. ¡°You¡¯re just my father¡¯s underling, not someone to lecture me! Don¡¯t assume you¡¯re moving up just because you¡¯re siding with Hannah Moore. Backing the wrong horse can lead you nowhere but down!¡± Turning her disdainful eyes back to Hannah, Joselyn sneered, ¡°As I¡¯ve always said, Miss Moore, don¡¯t get too full of yourself. A nobody will always be just that. ¡± Chapter 1114 Hannah responded with a confident smile, ¡°Funny, I was about to say the same to you. Remember your ce. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware of who the real nobody is here. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Joselyn still remembered how Hannah had embarrassed her at the mallst time. Now, being ridiculed again, she couldn¡¯t hold back and stepped forward angrily. ¡°f@ck off!¡± But Winston stepped in between them. Furious, Joselyn tried to push him aside! Winston quickly moved, catching her shoulder. His grip was firm, making Joselyn cry out in pain. Joselyn red and snapped, ¡°How dare you hit me?¡± Winston¡¯s face was emotionless as he released her, saying, ¡°I¡¯m here to protect Miss Moore, as ordered. Joselyn, don¡¯t start a fight, or I¡¯ll have to report it. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re just my father¡¯s puppet! ALL you do is tattle. Get the f@ck out of my way!¡± Joselyn yelled, her anger boiling over. Hannah¡¯s eyes grew cold as she listened. ¡°Better watch yourself. You¡¯re only adopted. Do you really think fighting me will get you anywhere?¡± Joselyn really couldn¡¯t stand it when people brought up the fact that she was merely an adopted daughter. Her eyes narrowed as_ she confronted Hannah. ¡°Even if you are my father¡¯s biological daughter, so what? It takes more than that to be part of the Compton family. ¡± She looked Hannah up and down, a hint of scorn in her voice. ¡°How about we make a little bet?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes twinkled with mischief. ¡°Sure. I¡¯m up for a bet. I¡¯ve never lost a bet before. ¡± ¡°Quit acting so confident!¡± Joselyn, arms folded, threw down a challenge. ¡°If you can pass the Compton family¡¯s test, I¡¯ll back off. But fail, and you¡¯re out of here, right away!¡± ¡°Deal,¡± Hannah quickly agreed, a smile ying on her lips. ¡°It appears that for you, whether I seed or fail, you have nothing to lose. So, if I manage to pass the Compton family¡¯s test, can you get out of the n?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Fine!¡± Joselyn agreed without a second thought, her eyes dark with anticipation. She was eager to see Hannah fail. With their bet set, Joselyn led Hannah upstairs. Every servant they encountered along the path lowered their heads in respect and addressed Joselyn, yet they avoided even ncing her way. Hannah didn¡¯t react until they reached the study.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Joselyn nced at Hannah, then knocked on the study door, announcing, ¡°Dad, Miss Moore has returned. ¡± ¡°Come in,¡± a deep voice echoed in the room. Joselyn nudged the door open and stepped in first. ¡°Dad¡­¡± she began, but before she could finish, Wace gestured dismissively. ¡°Step out for a bit. ¡± Holding back what she wanted to say, Joselyn turned, her Lips pressed tightly together. She shot a re at Hannah before leaving the room. Once the door shut, Wace¡¯s gaze shifted to Hannah. Chapter 1115 His eyes seemed to pierce through one¡¯s thoughts. With a subtle smile, he turned to Winston and said, ¡°Spending a Little time with her, and now you¡¯re getting ambitious?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong, Boss,¡± Winston hurried to rify. Wace¡¯s eyebrows lifted slightly. ¡°Really? You don¡¯t have that intention?¡± Then, gesturing towards the couch, he added, ¡°Have a seat. ¡± Without hesitation, Hannah took a seat on the nearby sofa, while Winston remained silent. ¡°I get the feeling your focus isn¡¯t on the Compton family now, but rather on her. ¡± ¡°You asked me to look after Miss Moore, Boss. I wouldn¡¯t dare slip up,¡± Winston responded. Wace¡¯s attention returned to Hannah. ¡°I heard you were invited by Remington as soon as you got off the ship, right?¡± Hannah nodded and said, ¡°Yes. ¡± ¡°Ever heard of Remington?¡± Wace fixed his gaze on Hannah. She grinned. ¡°I don¡¯t know Remington personally, but he tasked me with acquiring shares here to disrupt the n. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Wace scrutinized her for a while and then burst intoughter. ¡°He¡¯s so clever that he knows you can take down the Compton family without being noticed. ¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong,¡± Hannah responded calmly. ¡°Using me isn¡¯t the key move. Remington¡¯s real ace is someone from your organization. ¡± She scoffed, ¡°The Compton family have ruled Newfort for ages. Now, your own guy turns on you. Are you losing your grip, Mr. Compton?¡± Wace¡¯s expression darkened at her words. Unfazed, Hannah continued to smile at him. After a pause, Wace chuckled, ¡°You remind me of my younger self¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah was puzzled. Why wasn¡¯t he angry? His reaction was unexpected. ¡°Actually, Remington¡¯s right-hand man is Conor from our organization. ¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Winston briefed Wace about the incident on the ship. Wace wasn¡¯t surprised. He lightly tapped the table with his fingers and remarked, ¡°I had doubts about him when I sidelined him in our group. But the people here haveplex histories. We can¡¯t just cut ties with himpletely. ¡± He paused, then looked at Hannah, adding, ¡°You¡¯ve made a promise to Remington, so keep it. The challenges in our organization are tough and risky. Be careful, or you might not survive. ¡± Gazing at Hannah, Wace gave a slight smile. ¡°Don¡¯t expect any favors just because you¡¯re my daughter. ¡± Hannah replied coldly, ¡°Mr. Compton, no need to worry. I don¡¯t want any special treatment from you. ¡± Chapter 1116 Wace nodded and signaled Winston to leave. Just as Hannah was about to exit, Wace stopped her. ¡°Wait. ¡± ¡°Is there anything else, Mr. Compton?¡± He fiddled with his ring, his gaze growing intense. ¡°Winston must have shown you the videos of your mother, right?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression darkened, and she responded icily, ¡°I¡¯d rather not discuss my mother with you. ¡± Wace hesitated, then wearily gestured for her to go. That night, Hannahy lost in thought in her room when suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her neck. Her eyes snapped open! A needle from a syringe was stuck in her neck, and someone was holding her down! Then, she saw Joselyn standing by the bed, pressing a handkerchief over her mouth and nose! Hannah fought hard, but her arms and legs were pinned down so tightly she couldn¡¯t muster any strength. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± She struggled fiercely to escape the ropes. Shaking her head in desperation, she realized all her attempts were futile. Her eyelids grew heavier, and slowly, her awareness slipped away. Joselyn casually cleaned her hands with a handkerchief and tossed it in the trash. pping her hands, she scoffed, ¡°Silly girl, thinking you could take my ce? Take a good look at yourself. Do you really think you¡¯re fit to be the Compton family¡¯sdy?¡± The next day, Hannah awoke feeling weak and numb on the floor. Unable to stand, she propped herself against the wall, panting for air. What happenedst night? Why did she lose consciousness? Hannah strained to remember. Before passing out, she saw Joselyn in her room and felt a choking grip on her neck¡­ And then everything went ck. Rubbing her aching arms, Hannah tried to get up from the floor. Just as she managed to stand, leaning on her elbow, the doorbell rang in the unfamiliar room! She staggered to the door. Upon opening it, her legs almost gave out! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Are you alright? Miss Moore?¡± Winston steadied her, saying, ¡°Sit down please. Joselyn deliberately did this to youst night!¡± Hannah, still reeling with dizziness, couldn¡¯t grasp Winston¡¯s words. She massaged her temples and leaned back against the headboard, giving Winston a puzzled look. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Did Joselyn set me up yesterday?¡± ¡°Not exactly,¡± Winston replied, his voice tinged with seriousness. ¡°This was part of your assessment in the organization. Joselyn yed her cards to win, pushing the evaluation ahead of schedule. You¡¯ve failed in this first test. More tests areing, and you can¡¯t afford any more slip-ups if you hope to join the Compton family. ¡± Hannah, feeling the throb in her head, said determinedly, ¡°So, she¡¯s ying games with me? Fine, I¡¯ll see it through to the end. What¡¯s the next test?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1117 Winston exined, ¡°You¡¯re currently in the organization¡¯s base vi, surrounded by the Lust branch members. Remember Faustina?¡± Hannah rubbed her forehead, slowly opening her eyes. ¡°Yes. I know her. She¡¯s the one who caused me trouble before. ¡± ¡°Today, she¡¯s leading the team. Your mission is to leave the vi unscathed, but Faustina will be targeting you. I can¡¯t intervene in this test,¡± Winston said, his brow furrowed with concern. He checked his phone and warned, ¡°The vi will be sealed in two minutes. They¡¯lle after you, and all exits are guarded. Be extra cautious. ¡± As he spoke, Winston produced a pistol, offering it to Hannah smuggled this in. It¡¯s allowed in the assessment. Use it for self-defense. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bang! Bang! Bang! Joselyn appeared at the doorway, ncing down at Hannah and Winston. ¡°Are you done? You¡¯ve got one minute left. Rules say you can¡¯t stay here, Winston. Winston stood and walked towards the door, giving Joselyn a frosty look. ¡°You¡¯re breaking the rules. The boss will hear about this. ¡± Joselyn, confident with Amelie¡¯s backing, smirked. ¡°Dad didn¡¯t specify a start time for the assessment. It¡¯s her own problem. I¡¯ve done nothing wrong, even if Dad questions me. ¡± She turned around, saying, ¡°3@ seconds left.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. Better leave now, Winston, unless you want her to fail!¡± Winston nced at Hannah, nodded, then shut the door behind him as he left. Hannah remained still, absorbing the recent events. Hannah¡¯s headache lingered, maybe due tost night¡¯s heavy dose of anesthetic. Hearing the door close, she tried to ignore the difort and reached for her neck, but the touch brought a sharp pain and a gasp. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Ouch! Hannah winced, rubbing her neck. Her struggle the previous night had left her neck sore and her head spinning. She was determined to seek vengeance! Hannah clenched her teeth and moved towards the window, opening it slowly. She was fed up with the folks in the vi. Jumping from the third floor wasn¡¯t something just anyone could do without getting hurt. Gazing into the darkness outside, she smiled slightly, her eyes downcast. She wasn¡¯t going to be trapped that easily! As soon as the countdown ended, the door to Hannah¡¯s room burst open! Faustina and her crew stormed in, catching Hannah by the window. ¡°Hannah Moore, you! Stop!¡± Faustina¡¯s eyes were wide with shock, and she tried to rush forward with her men. Chapter 1118 ut Hannah was already leaning out of the window. She turned back, waved cheekily at Faustina, and said goodbye. Then, she let go and jumped! There was a thud. Hannah rolled uponnding, pulling off the maneuver with ease. The sound echoed loudly in the silent night. But Hannah Landed gracefully, unharmed. However, the injury on the back of her neck made it hard for her to get up, almost causing her to fall back down due to severe dizziness. Thankfully, she reacted swiftly, grabbing a nearby tree to steady herself. She looked up at the people at the window. Luckily, it wasn¡¯t she who felt embarrassed. Hannah quickly surveyed her surroundings. Apart from the vi she¡¯d been staying in, there were only trees. Escaping this encirclement without harm seemed almost impossible, especially with Faustina¡¯s hatred for her. ¡®s BunnyBookery She remembered Winston mentioning guards outside the vi. It Looked like her chances of escaping were slim. Without hesitating, Hannah swiftly turned and dashed in the opposite direction of the gate. Faustina¡¯s voice, filled with anger, echoed from behind. ¡°Get her!¡± she yelled. As Hannah fled, she could hear Faustina¡¯s furious footsteps and her raging voice growing closer. ¡°This bitch! I must kill her today! Block all the exits and entrances. I¡¯ll see where she is going!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hearing the rapid footsteps behind her, Hannah narrowed her eyes and dashed into the shrubs nimbly. She was good at moving in the jungle, and such simple obstacles could not stop her at all. Despite their persistent chase, Faustina and her men couldn¡¯t catch a glimpse of Hannah. Hidden behind a tree, Hannah caught her breath quietly. Her heart raced as she heard Faustina¡¯s men rustling in the bushes nearby. ¡°Search thoroughly! She can¡¯t escape this area. You two,e with me. The rest of you, keep looking here!¡± Faustinamanded.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°Understood!¡± Faustina, with six of her men, beganbing through the shrubs. Meanwhile, Hannah was preparing to ambush them from another angle. Chapter 1119 But, just as she was about to make her move, someone grabbed her from behind! She turned around, ready to react, but a hand quickly covered her mouth and pushed her against the tree trunk. ¡°Shh,¡± a voice whispered. Simultaneously, Hannah had already drawn her gun, pressing it against the neck of the person behind her. ¡°I just saw someone over here! Come on, quick!¡± A voice echoed from outside. They trod across the grass, moving towards Hannah. Hannah pushed her gun against the man¡¯s throat, whispering firmly, ¡°Keep quiet!¡± The man merely raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed by the firearm. Their proximity was such that Hannah could feel his breath tickling her ear. He was doing this intentionally! Hannah clenched her lips and delivered a forceful kick to his knee! He winced, groaning in difort, while the gun stayed pressed to his throat. ¡°Try any tricks, I dare you!¡± Bathed in moonlight, Hannah scrutinized the man before her. He was wearing a white shirt, ck trousers, and matching shoes. His features were striking. He had sharp brows, piercing eyes, a pronounced nose, and thin lips that carried a hint of allure. He tightened his Lips, resembling a devil incarnate. Hannah kept her eyes locked on him, her hold on the gun firm. ¡°Who do you work for?¡± The man¡¯s response was a sinister smile. ¡°Miss Moore, d to meet you. I¡¯m Maloney Pierce. ¡± Maloney Pierce? Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah was momentarily stunned by the unexpected self-introduction. ¡°Maloney Pierce?¡± She had never heard of the name before, so she repeated it, furrowing her brow. Maloney, with a predatory smile, said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry if you don¡¯t recognize me now. You¡¯ll find out soon enough.Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah gave him a cold look. His smile might seem friendly, but it unsettled her. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this right now!¡± She was puzzled by this man¡¯s sudden appearance. Her main concern, however, was finding a way out of here. Just as the footsteps she heard earlier faded, a new group approached, this time much closer. Ignoring Maloney, Hannah turned, ready to attack and distract the neers so she could escape. But Maloney was quicker. He shot, and the three people searching ahead fell! ¡°You!¡± Hannah turned around in shock, but before she could react, Maloney grabbed her arm. Chapter 1120 ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here first. ¡± Maloney stooped to pick up a hat lying on the ground. He ced it on her head, saying, ¡°Come with me. ¡± Hannah bit her lip, filled with doubts, but knew this wasn¡¯t the time to ask questions. They took a roundabout path, avoiding their pursuers. Hannah realized the only exit was through the vi¡¯s gate. Suddenly, she slowed down and aimed her gun at the small of Maloney¡¯s back. ¡°If we keep going, we¡¯ll run into them. Are you leading me into a trap?¡± Maloney felt the gun against his waist and chuckled, ¡°If I wanted to stop you from finishing your test, I would¡¯ve done something earlier. I¡¯ve been helping you, not hindering you. I know it¡¯s hard to trust me, but I¡¯m here to get you out. ¡± Hannah, still pointing the gun, looked at Maloney.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content. He nced back at her. ¡°We need to move. If we wait any longer, they¡¯ll catch up and we won¡¯t get away. ¡± Hannah frowned, her teeth clenched, as she trailed behind Maloney. Winston had warned her that any help during her test would count as cheating and end her evaluation. She wondered about Maloney¡¯s sudden appearance and his role in this. Following him, they easily exited through the gate. The guards seemed to ignore Maloney, not daring to question or stop him. After leaving the vi, a shy red Bentley pulled up. Hannah discreetly tucked her gun away and adjusted her hat. Stepping out of the car, Joselyn¡¯s face showed a hint of shyness. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Maloney, what brings you here? Did Dad send you on a mission today?¡± Her cheeks were a soft pink, revealing the bashfulness of a girl charmed. As the Compton family¡¯s adopted daughter, Joselyn was a figure of admiration and influence. At home, she was known for her assertiveness and dominance, but around Maloney, she transformed into someone remarkablypliant. ¡°Yes,¡± Maloney replied curtly, sparing Joselyn only a brief nce before leading Hannah towards a sleek, ck car in the distance. ¡°Wait!¡± Joselyn called out, her curiosity piqued. She squinted at Hannah and inquired, ¡°Who¡¯s that with you, Maloney?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Maloney raised an eyebrow, his tone cold. ¡°Do I need to exin who I¡¯m with? Chapter 1121 Joselyn¡¯s face lost its color at his response, yet she persisted. She studied Hannah, who was wearing a hat, and said, ¡°She looks familiar. Why is that?¡± ¡°Oh? Does she?¡± Maloney asked, his voice carrying a note of indifference. Joselyn tilted her head, eyeing Hannah for a long moment before uttering slowly, ¡°She kind of looks like a bitch¡­¡± No sooner had she spoken than Maloney, who was on his way to the car, halted abruptly and turned to re at Joselyn, his eyes growing dark. Caught off guard by his intense gaze, Joselyn instinctively stepped back. ¡°What did you just say? Say it again. ¡± Joselyn found herself at a loss for words. Intimidated by his menacing tone, Joselyn gulped and stammered, ¡°I¡­ I just said it without thinking. Don¡¯t mind it, Maloney. ¡± Narrowing his eyes, Maloney¡¯s stare became even more threatening. Joselyn¡¯s heart raced. Just as she was about to speak again, she saw Maloney pull the woman into the car and m the door shut. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Maloney!¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Biting her lip, Joselyn stamped her foot in frustration. As soon as she called out his name, the car sped away right before her eyes! By then, people who had been searching the vi for Hannah started to return. ¡°Miss Compton, we¡¯ve scoured the entire ce, but Hannah¡¯s nowhere to be found. She must have escaped!¡± Joselyn, already upset by Maloney¡¯s attitude, grew even more irked at the thought of Hannah slipping away. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Ipetents! You¡¯re all useless! Keep looking for her. She can¡¯t have gotten far! Now get out of my sight!¡± The silence in the car was palpable, the driver focused on the road. Next to Maloney, Hannah gazed out the window, breaking the quiet with a casual question. ¡°Who are you, anyway? Why¡¯d you help me today? You broke the rules, took out some of our own. ¡± Hannah shifted her gaze to Maloney. ¡°What are you after?¡± Maloney, his forehead resting in one hand, the other rhythmically tapping his knee, looked up at her. ¡°They¡¯re not dead. Just knocked out by my tranquilizer gun. As for why I saved you¡­¡± Leaning forward with his chin resting on his hand, Maloney gazed at Hannah. ¡°It looks like you¡¯ve really forgotten me,¡± he remarked. Hannah, taken aback, suddenly realized why he seemed familiar. Chapter 1122 She prided herself on her memory, confident in recalling those she had encountered.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. ¡°You¡­¡± she began, recognizing something familiar in his face but unable to remember him. Maloney decided not to keep her guessing. ¡°Remember back in your study abroad days? You helped a man who was shot, right?¡± This revtion left Hannah momentarily speechless. She recalled the incident during her college years overseas where she aided a wounded man. However, the shy, injured man from her memory hardly resembled the confident figure before her now. Narrowing her eyes, Hannah recognized him. ¡°It¡¯s you. But let¡¯s be clear, you forced me to help you. You threatened my life if I didn¡¯t. I had no other choice. ¡± ¡°So what?¡± Maloney¡¯s smile was faint, his fingers still tapping. ¡°You saved my life. Now, I¡¯m returning the favor. Is that a problem?¡± Hannah¡¯s mouth twitched skeptically. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you were there just to return the favor. ¡± ¡°Besides¡­¡± Hannah looked at Maloney with a neutral expression. ¡°You¡¯re familiar with Wace and Joselyn. Does that mean you¡¯re part of the organization too?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not. But you¡¯re correct, I do know Mr. Compton. He¡¯s the one who sent me to help you,¡± Maloney replied with a smile. ¡°Though, I didn¡¯t expect us to already know each other. ¡± He gazed at Hannah. ¡°It looks like¡­ Our paths were meant to cross. ¡± Hannah, skeptical of such notions as fate, simply turned her gaze out the window, letting the conversation with Maloney fade away. Their journey from the vi took over half an hour. Finally, they arrived at a towering skyscr@per in the heart of a vibrant city, its lights shining brightly. This building was a stark contrast to the grand, ancient structures of the Compton family. It was a beacon of modernity and technology, with each level boastingrge windows from which Light poured out, creating a spectacle of grandeur and brilliance. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah and Maloney took the elevator to the top floor. The security was tight, requiring Maloney to use both his iris and fingerprint to unlock the door. ¡°Sir,¡± a servant greeted Maloney with respect as they entered. The room¡¯s decor was a blend of simplicity and opulence. The walls were adorned with art, and the carpet, crafted from pure wool, was luxuriously soft. Wace, lounging on the sofa, shed a smile at Maloney and Hannah. ¡°Pretty good. I knew I wasn¡¯t wrong about you since you managed to get her away from the base. ¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes at Wace. ¡°You got me involved in the assessment, then set someone up to help me cheat. What¡¯s that about?¡± Ignoring her question, Wace gestured for her to sit. ¡°Come, take a seat. ¡± Chapter 1123 But Hannah remained standing, her eyes icy, not showing any interest in engaging with Wace. Maloney, passing by Hannah, settled down and prepared a cup of coffee for Wace. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have recognized her as someone I knew if I hadn¡¯t seen her today. ¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Wace perked up with interest. ¡°You two know each other?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an old story. I mentioned to Miss Moore that it must be fate, Maloney replied, a warm smile recing his usual cold demeanor. Wace, his gaze intense, turned to Hannah. ¡°The assessment was just a front. To lead the Compton family in Caditown, it¡¯s not enough to just pass a test. The Compton family¡¯s unique position in Caditown attracts a lot of attention. Remington isn¡¯t stupid. He knows I wouldn¡¯t let you take over the Compton family just because you¡¯re my daughter. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Let¡¯s cut to the chase. If the assessment was unnecessary, why go through all the trouble?¡± Wace¡¯s smile widened. ¡°It¡¯s like sorting out bad wheat when cooking. Their people have infiltrated our organization, and you¡¯re the one who can clean it up for me. ¡± At his words, Hannah scoffed, ¡°So, you¡¯re using me?¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. Wace said calmly, ¡°Aren¡¯t we just using each other? Besides, we¡¯re father and daughter. That shouldn¡¯t be a problem. ¡± ¡°I can pass the test without your help. You don¡¯t need to interfere. ¡± Wace didn¡¯t argue. ¡°I know you¡¯re capable, but someone in the organization is against you, breaking my rules. So, forget about following the rules. ¡± He then hinted, ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s the final test. Conor might act tough, but he¡¯s secretly on your side. He¡¯ll make sure you pass. I¡¯m not worried. ¡± Maloney, sipping his coffee, said slowly, ¡°Mr. Compton, aren¡¯t you worried about losing this valuable assistantpletely if Miss Moore beats Conor?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows shot up as she red at Maloney. He knew too much! Wace chuckled, ¡°No need for sarcasm. Conor¡¯s been a loose cannon for a while. How about you help me run the organization?¡± Maloney grinned. ¡°Mr. Compton, that¡¯s a clever n. So, you want me to work under Miss Moore?¡± ¡°Mr. Pierce, you¡¯re the talk of Lightby. Everyone important respects you,¡± Wace said with a smile. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I want you to assist Hannah?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Maloney looked at Hannah with a smile. ¡°I¡¯d be happy to help Miss Moore if I can. ¡± Wace burst intoughter, then turned to Hannah. ¡°Like I said, being the head isn¡¯t just about passing tests. You also need a husband. ¡± Hannah realized what Wace meant and sneered, ¡°You¡¯re saying I should marry him?¡± For the first time, she looked angry. ¡°So, you want me to join the Compton family because you n to use my marriage for a business union?¡± Wace¡¯s smile slowly faded, and his eyes turned piercingly sharp. ¡°To lead the Compton family, sacrifices are necessary. Do you really think it was easy for our family to get where we are today?¡± Hannah, pressing her red lips together, stood firm. ¡°I won¡¯t sacrifice my marriage!¡± Chapter 1124 ¡°You¡­¡± Wace let out a sigh. Clenching her teeth, Hannah fired back, ¡°Am I just a pawn to you? You want me to marry someone I don¡¯t love? Well, that¡¯s not happening!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got talent, no question about it. I¡¯d like to see you take over the Compton family soon,¡± Wace said, his voice cold and calcting. ¡°But think about it. Without backing from another powerful family, how long do you think you can stay at the top?¡± Hannah, ring at Wace, challenged him. ¡°And what if I refuse?¡± Suddenly, the table was mmed! For the first time, Wace red at Hannah, threateningly. ¡°You don¡¯t get a say in this Maloney, who had been silent up until now, said unexpectedly. ¡°Mr. Compton, there¡¯s no need to push Miss Moore like this. She has her reasons for not wanting to do it. Hannah red at Wace with a sneer. ¡°You really think I¡¯m that obsessed with being the head of the Compton family? I could go back to Cadilind right now and not give a damn about your schemes here! And let me tell you, even if Remington gets ticked off, his goons wouldn¡¯t dare touch me at Cadilind!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery She was clearly upset with Wace¡¯s overbearing decision. Taking a deep breath, she fixed her gaze on Wace. ¡°Just so you know, I won¡¯t stand for it if you try setting me up with some fiance!¡± Wace responded with a chill in his voice, ¡°You think you¡¯re not being watched in Cadilind? How about the Enchantment Casino, the Garza family, and the Moore family? Do you think they¡¯re easy to deal with?¡± He looked at Hannah, his eyes intense. ¡°Do you honestly believe you¡¯ve made it this far on your own? If I hadn¡¯t been covering for you in the shadows, you¡¯d have been gone long ago. ¡± He narrowed his eyes, continuing, ¡°And who do you think cleaned up your mess at the Enchantment Casino? Don¡¯t y dumb with me. I know you¡¯re hanging around Newfort just for Bryson Mitchell. And him? You don¡¯t even know the half of it. But here you are, ready to face down Remington for him. Listen to me! Getting involved with him will only turn you into a pawn for the Mitchell family. ¡± Hannah was clearly irritated. She gave Wace a cold look and said firmly, ¡°I don¡¯t need you to tell me who he is. I believe what I see with my own eyes. Your opinions aren¡¯t going to change my mind. You already know about Bryson and me, so there¡¯s no point in hiding it. You¡¯ve dug up everything about me, so you know it all. Yes, Bryson¡¯s in trouble, and yes, it involves me. I did return to the Compton family for a reason. Let¡¯s justy it all out today, shall we?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was icy. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for my cousin and Ro, I wouldn¡¯t have travelled abroad, much lesse to see you. My mother¡¯s death is something I can¡¯t let go of. I don¡¯t need your guidance. We¡¯re both just taking what we need, right? Do you really see me as your daughter?¡± she questioned. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ After Hannah¡¯s words, the room fell into a deep silence. Finally, Maloney broke the silence. ¡°Miss Moore, I understand your situation. Let me suggest a middle ground. Mr. Compton ns to announce this at the banquet. You don¡¯t have to marry me. It¡¯s just a ruse to deceive Lyons Group, to make them think the Compton family needs a marriage alliance to maintain a stable footing in Caditown. ¡± Maloney offered a smile. ¡°The Pierce family is interested in our partnership with the Compton family, not the marriage itself. ¡± Wace was taken aback and raised his eyes in surprise. He stared at Maloney, clearly shocked. He hadn¡¯t expected Maloney, known for his shrewdness and influence, to stand up for Hannah Like this. Maloney added, ¡°Mr. Compton, I understand your concerns. I assure you, our n will be wless. There¡¯s no need to involve Miss Moore in this. If you¡¯re on board, I¡¯ll discuss the specifics with her right away.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Leave the rest to me. ¡± Chapter 1125 Hannah, frowning, observed them. Maloney seemed far moreplex than she had first thought. ¡°Alright,¡± Wace replied. ¡°I¡¯ll let you two handle it. ¡± He then turned to Hannah and said, ¡°You should head back to the hotel. Skip the Compton Manor tonight. Mr. Pierce will escort you to the test tomorrow. ¡± Once Hannah had left, Wace gave Maloney a meaningful look. ¡°This isn¡¯t like you. You never vouch for anyone. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Maloney, seated beside him, just smiled and stayed silent. After a brief pause, Wace suddenly asked, ¡°Do you have feelings for her?¡± Maloneyughed softly and didn¡¯t object. ¡°She¡¯s caught my interest. ¡± He was sincere. He admitted his admiration for Hannah. Her unflinching attitude and frankness towards Wace today had made her even more appealing to him than any woman he¡¯d met before. Wace, raising an eyebrow, gazed out the window. ¡°I¡¯ll stay out of you youngsters¡¯ personal matters. ¡± The following day, the test was scheduled to take ce in the training field behind the organization¡¯s vi. Maloney escorted Hannah to the location, where they found a group of six or seven individuals, either standing or seated around the field. Upon their arrival, all eyes turned towards Hannah, who was being assessed from head to toe. ¡°Is this the daughter the boss found? It doesn¡¯t seem like she can handle a fight, being so thin,¡± one of them said, looking her over skeptically. Others chimed in. ¡°Don¡¯t trip and try to me us!¡± ¡°Ha ha ha! She¡¯s certainly pretty, but I bet she¡¯s just for show. ¡± Hannah, however, remained unfazed by their taunts, standing there with aposed demeanor. Maloney, ring fiercely, challenged the group. ¡°What? Do you want topete with me first?¡± His words instantly quieted the crowd. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Conor, noticing Maloney and Hannah together, approached them with a raised eyebrow and a smile. ¡°Mr. Pierce, it¡¯s not often you bring someone here. It looks like we should give her a special wee. ¡± After hisment, Maloney exchanged a significant nce with Hannah and then left the field. Conor nced at Hannah for a moment before saying, ¡°Miss Moore,e with me to change and get ready for the test. ¡± Once she was dressed, Conor warned her, ¡°Just so you know, if you get killed here, they¡¯re not liable. Miss Moore¡­¡± He paused, his face turning stern. ¡°Don¡¯t disappoint me. ¡± The examination focused on shooting skills, but with an unconventional approach. It involved using actual people as targets, which was unlike the usual practice. Chapter 1126 In the range, an array of pistols and riflesy scattered. Hannah, narrowing her eyes, casually grabbed a weapon. The moment she took the gun, a noise made her turn around and fire! Bang! Her shot nailed someone in the shoulder and hit the target¡¯s center! Everyone watching grew serious. Was this woman really that good? Seizing the moment, Hannah holstered her gun and faced the wounded man, her expression icy. ¡°Is ambushing part of the test rules?¡± Gritting his teeth in pain, he replied, ¡°In our line of work, we expect sneak attacks. You don¡¯t like it? We can stop the test right now!¡± Hannah fixed a cold gaze on the man clutching his shoulder. ¡°Does this test permit sneak attacks?¡± The man, pain sharpening his features, retorted hoarsely, ¡°In assassination missions, expect sneak attacks. If that doesn¡¯t suit you, we can call off the test!¡± Hannah smirked, beckoning the men before her. ¡°Come on, all of you. It seems you¡¯re all worthless anyway.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡± ¡°You dare underestimate me? You¡¯re asking for trouble!¡± The man, his voice a low growl, charged at her with his gun, and a fierce battle ensued. Hannah moved with remarkable agility. She dodged each attack, striking her opponent¡¯s weak spots with precision. Soon, the man was drenched in blood. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The onlookers gasped in disbelief. They hadn¡¯t expected such ferocity from a seemingly frail woman. ALL eyes turned to the group leader, Conor. His face was an emotionless mask, but the silent awe in the crowd was palpable. Hannah had made a formidable impression. As she floored thest challenger, the defeated men writhed on the ground in agony. She surveyed the crowd with an icy stare. ¡°Anyone else want to give it a shot? Fight me!¡± A hush fell over them. Conor apuded, eyeing Hannah thoughtfully. ¡°Miss Moore, you truly are your father¡¯s daughter, exceptional inbat. You¡¯ve passed the test. ¡± Upon hearing his remark, the crowd erupted in murmurs. Chapter 1127 ¡°We can¡¯t just let her off the hook!¡± ¡°She¡­¡± While the crowd was discussing, Conor turned around and shot them a stern gaze. ¡°Alright, if you think she shouldn¡¯t be let go, who among you will challenge her?¡± The previously vocal critics fell silent. With Hannah¡¯s skill, even Conor might struggle to best her. Conor surveyed the group, his voice icy as he said, ¡°Well, since there are no objections, Miss Moore, you¡¯vepleted your test. Wee to the organization. ¡± Once the test was done, he apanied Hannah out of the training area. ¡°Miss Moore, yourbat skills are unlike anything I¡¯ve seen. You¡¯ve truly impressed me today. ¡± With a smile, Hannah responded to Conor, ¡°I look forward to learning more from you in the organization, Mr. Freeman. ¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he replied, his gaze deep and thoughtful. ¡°So soon?¡± At the car, Maloney leaned casually against the door, waiting for Hannah. As she approached, he scrutinized her and raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, did you pass the test?¡± ¡°It was a breeze,¡± Hannah dered with a hint of boastfulness in her tone. Noticing Maloney¡¯s presence, Conor said cautiously, ¡°Mr. Pierce, you¡¯re usually so busy. Did you find time to wait for Miss Moore?¡± Maloney responded with a sly, arrogant smile, ¡°My personal matters aren¡¯t your concern, are they?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Conor, not wanting to stir trouble, wore a smile. ¡°Just a casual inquiry, Mr. Pierce. Please, don¡¯t mind. ¡± Maloney gave him a fleeting nce and then left with Hannah. After their departure, Conor dialed Remington, his expression serious. ¡°Mr. Lyons, there¡¯s been a development. ¡± While still at his office, Remington received Conor¡¯s call. Concerned about Hannah¡¯s test result, he inquired ¡°What? She didn¡¯t pass?¡± ¡°She passed, but there¡¯s more to it. After joining the Compton family, she seems quite close to Maloney Pierce from the Pierce family. I suspect Wace is aiming for a marital alliance with the Pierces through her.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡± Tossing his pen aside, Remington¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Isn¡¯t his fiancee Wace¡¯s adopted daughter?¡± Chapter 1128 Conor snorted dismissively, ¡°An adopted daughter can¡¯tpare to a biological one. ¡± A sly smile yed on Remington¡¯s lips. ¡°I¡¯ve heard Wace¡¯s adopted daughter isn¡¯t fond of Miss Moore. Use this to our advantage. I don¡¯t want Miss Moore aligning with the Pierce family. ¡± ¡°You can count on me,¡± assured Conor. On their way back, Hannah instructed the driver to stop near the Imperial Pce Hotel. She stepped out of the car, addressing the person inside. ¡°I need to take care of something. You can go ahead. ¡± Maloney, lounging in the car, looked up at her with a yful smile. ¡°What¡¯s this? Are you off to meet a lover?¡± Hannah gave Maloney an unimpressed look. ¡°Don¡¯t be so nosy. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re breaking my heart! Not even a goodbye?¡± Maloney shook his head and let out a sigh. Bang! With a decisive m, Hannah shut the car door and strode into the Imperial Pce Hotel. Maloney watched her leave as the smile faded from his lips. ¡°Time to go,¡± he muttered. Inside the Imperial Pce Hotel, Hannah took the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand shot in. His firm hand pressed against the elevator¡¯s edge, causing the doors to part slowly.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ A man donned in a peaked cap stepped in, positioning himself on the opposite side of the elevator. Hannah, pausing her initial choice, pressed a different floor button. The man mirrored her actions, deliberately selecting the floor below hers. Sensing something amiss with the man, Hannah¡¯s fists clenched tightly, her eyes watchful. Ding! The elevator reached the man¡¯s destination. Without hesitation, he exited. As the doors began to close and the elevator resumed its journey, Hannah¡¯s sense of unease persisted. The doors opened again, revealing a corridor bathed in warm, yellow light. The day¡¯s events brought back memories, stirring a feeling of dread. Hannah hesitated, suspecting that it was a trap. She anticipated an ambush as soon as she stepped out. Chapter 1129 As the doors were closing, preparing to descend, a sudden interruption urred. Suddenly, another hand appeared from outside, halting the closing elevator doors. Hannah braced herself for action, only to find herself locking eyes with Bryson.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡°Bryson!¡± At the sight of him, her caution melted away. Hannah surged forward, enveloping herself in Bryson¡¯s embrace. The man¡¯s presence was marked by a subtle, cold mint scent. He gently cradled the back of Hannah¡¯s head with his hand, his voice low and warm. ¡°Did you miss me?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t miss you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was muffled and awkward as she rested her head against Bryson¡¯s chest. Bryson embraced her tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s go to my room,¡± he suggested, leading Hannah to the room. Before he entered, he cast a sharp, piercing nce down the corridor. Then, he closed the door. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ At the corridor¡¯s end, where no security cameras were in sight, Caleb had the man in the peaked cap pinned against the wall. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°You¡¯ve got skills. Who are you to sneak into the Imperial Pce Hotel and tail our boss?¡± Removing his hat and sunsses, the man revealed his eyes. ¡°What does it matter to you? Knowing my identity won¡¯t help you. ¡± Caleb, intent on questioning further, was cut off as the man¡¯s expression suddenly twisted, his body convulsing. Caleb released his grip in rm. The man wed at his neck violently, then copsed motionless to the floor. Caleb was shocked. He prodded the man¡¯s nose with a finger. The man was now lying dead on the floor. Chapter 1130 The moment Bryson stepped into the room, his phone began to ring. Answering it, his face remained unchanged as he listened to Caleb. ¡°I know,¡± he responded, his eyebrows arching ever so slightly. After ending the call, Bryson noticed Hannah seated on the sofa, her gaze fixed on him. She had clearly caught the fleeting change in his expression. ¡°Was the man in the hat following me when I arrived?¡± she inquired. ¡°Yes,¡± Bryson admitted without evasion. ¡°I had Caleb stop him. I didn¡¯t want him causing you trouble. ¡± Setting his phone aside, Bryson¡¯s eyes held a depth of seriousness, his voice tinged with coldness. ¡°He¡¯s dead. He was poisoned before his arrival. His intentions weren¡¯t just to follow you. ¡± Hannah, visibly disturbed, leaned back against the sofa, massaging her forehead with her fingertips. ¡°I think I¡¯d like to return home. The troubles I may encounter back home seem trivialpared to these overseas matters. ¡± Bryson moved to sit beside her, sharing news from home. ¡°Edwin called today, asking about your return. The White Group is facing attacks from the Garza family and other major ns. He tried reaching you, but your local phone was off, so he contacted me. ¡± Concern creased Hannah¡¯s brow. ¡°How is he coping? Can he manage?¡± ¡°Brayden and Yosef are assisting him. It should be stable until you return. Edwin also inquired about your situation abroad, but I covered for you,¡± Bryson exined calmly. Hannah, Lips pursed, sank into thought. After a moment, she turned to Bryson. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just tell Edwin directly? You¡¯re not one to mince words. ¡± ¡°Edwin is your cousin. Knowing the truth would only add to his worries, both about home and your situation abroad. I chose not to burden him,¡± Bryson reasoned. He then faced Hannah directly and continued, ¡°You can return now. I¡¯ll arrange protection. Those abroad wouldn¡¯t dare cause trouble in our country. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed as she looked at Bryson intently. ¡°I spoke in haste. I can¡¯t return home yet. I¡¯ve joined the Compton family¡¯s organization. It¡¯s crucial I acknowledge Wace now. He¡¯s nning a banquet to formally recognize me, his biological daughter. His motives extend beyond mere recognition. ¡± She then briefed Bryson on her sham engagement. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Bryson, propping his cheek with his hand, turned his head slightly, his eyes crinkling with an inscrutable smile.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°So, my girlfriend is about to y the role of someone else¡¯s fiancee?¡± His teasing tone earned a sharp re from Hannah. ¡°Do you find that amusing?¡± The man tenderly pinched Hannah¡¯s cheek, then suddenly leaned in, sealing her lips with his in a ki*s. His voice was slightly hoarse as he said, ¡°I¡¯m jealous. ¡± His warm breath tickled Hannah¡¯s ear, sending a shiver down her spine. His fingers gentlybed through her ck hair, brushing past her ear. ¡°Once this is all behind us, let¡¯s get married, okay, Hannah?¡± Feeling his warmth near her ear, Hannah instinctively wrapped her arms around Bryson¡¯s neck, whispering, ¡°Okay, I promise you. ¡± Chapter 1131 Will you stay tonight?¡± Bryson inquired softly. Hannah tilted her head, resting it on his shoulder. ¡°No, I have to return soon. There are too many eyes on me now. If Remington catches wind of this, it could ruin everything. ¡± Hannah looked up at Bryson. ¡°I came to inform you about my sham engagement, to prevent any misunderstandings. ¡± Bryson¡¯s face showed a hint of reluctance. ¡°I¡¯m not on board with it. ¡± Ever since their rtionship had begun to mend, Bryson¡¯s typically cold and harsh demeanor seemed to be softening. Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a peck on the cheek. ¡°It¡¯s just a pretend engagement. You don¡¯t need to be jealous over it. ¡± Bryson drew her closer by the waist. ¡°It¡¯s not just about jealousy. ¡± ¡°What more is it then?¡± Hannah asked, raising her eyebrows. A mysterious glint flickered in Bryson¡¯s dark eyes. He then smiled and leaned toward Hannah. His ki*snded softly on the tip of her nose, but then he yfully bit her nose. ¡°I also want us to be intimate. ¡± ¡°You¡­ Wait¡­ ¡° Hannah, overwhelmed and dizzy, found herself unable to resist. She eventually surrendered to Bryson¡¯s advances. After an extended ki*s, Bryson released her, promising, ¡°I¡¯ll be there on time for the banquet. ¡± Still reeling, Hannah nodded in agreement. It wasn¡¯t until she was in the elevator, pressing the button, that she fully processed his words. What exactly did Bryson mean by ¡°being there on time¡±? What was he nning? Upstairs in the room¡­ Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Shortly after Hannah¡¯s departure, Caleb re-entered the room. ¡°Boss, the individual targeting Miss Moore has been dealt with. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± While idly ying with his lighter, Bryson inquired, ¡°Have you contacted the K Group?¡± ¡°Yes, I have. It¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve seen Davenport. I heard he was injured andying low. If word gets out, it might spell trouble for the Imperial Pce Hotel. ¡± Bryson said in a measured tone, ¡°Inform Livia that I¡¯ll be at the Compton family¡¯s banquet in a few days. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± As Caleb was about to exit, Bryson called him back. ¡°Are you familiar with the Pierce family in Caditown?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°I know them. The Pierce family is a rapidly emerging force in Caditown. I¡¯ve heard they have strong connections in Cadilind. The controlling shareholder of the Enchantment Casino is rumored to be a puppet for the Pierce family in Cadilind,¡± Caleb answered. Chapter 1132 Bryson nodded thoughtfully. ¡°That¡¯s all. You can go now,¡± he replied. Caleb turned to leave, then paused abruptly, as if recalling something urgent. ¡°Boss, there¡¯s something else I nearly forgot to mention!¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Bryson asked. ¡°In two days, there¡¯s an underground boxing match in Lightby. The K Group leader can¡¯t attend, so he¡¯s asked for your assistance, hoping you¡¯ll represent K Group. Without their presence, other gangs might realize their boss ispromised and might seize the chance to take down K Group entirely. ¡± It was true that Bryson had an amicable tie with K Group, but he had a clear distaste for underground boxing matches. He shifted his stance, remaining silent. Caleb, perceiving Bryson¡¯s reluctance, hesitantly inquired, ¡°Shall I¡­ decline their request?¡± After a moment of contemtion, Bryson responded, ¡°No, that won¡¯t be necessary. ¡± He then inquired, ¡°When is the match scheduled?¡± ¡°It¡¯s set for two days from now, at ckeye Underground City in Lightby. ¡± Bryson¡¯s expression grew stern. ¡°Inform the K Group leader that I¡¯ll be there, but this counts as a favor. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss,¡± Caleb responded. Leaving Imperial Pce, Hannah opted to take the long route to the parked car. Winston was in the driver¡¯s seat, his face stoic. Hannah¡¯s gaze, sharp as a falcon¡¯s, caught his reflection in the rearview mirror. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± she asked. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. ¡± His voice tlined. The silence hung heavy, a shroud over whatever unspoken turmoil he¡¯d gone through. Sensing the undercurrent of distress, Hannah leaned back, studying him t Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ hrough the mirror.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did Wace¡­¡± ¡°The boss hasn¡¯t touched me. ¡± ¡°Not him, then?¡± Hannah¡¯s brow arched, a silent query. ¡°His wife?¡± At the mention of Amelie, Winston fell silent. Hannah squinted, piecing together the fractured story. ¡°Did she use your sister to get at you?¡± The screech of tires shattered the quiet as Winston mmed on the brakes. The car pitched sideways like a startled steed. Smoke choked the air, the metallic shriek resonating long after the vehicle stilled on the road¡¯s shoulder. The car was parked on the side of the road! His chest rose and fell in ragged gasps, the man cloaked in a thick silence. Chapter 1133 ¡°My guess seems urate,¡± Hannah observed, her voice hardening Like cooling steel. ¡°Tell me, why did she punish you?¡± His eyes darkened, a storm brewing within their depths. ¡°You made it into the organization. Joselyn must have assumed I helped you, tattled to the boss¡¯s wife. ¡± He spat the words like bitter pills. ¡°She.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! she. ¡± He struggled to find the words, his hands knotted into fists. ¡°She used my sister as a warning, said the organization has a business dealing up. And she wants my sister. wants her to be part of it!¡± The air crackled with unspoken horror. ¡°She can¡¯t,¡± Winston hissed, his voice murderous. ¡°My sister. . she¡¯s not equipped for such wolves. Something will happen. . I know it! And the boss¡¯s wife. . she warned me not to breathe a word to him, or my sister will disappear forever. It¡¯s all my fault. I couldn¡¯t protect my sister. ¡± ¡°She ys the family card like a trump, doesn¡¯t she? Forgetting I, too, wear the organization¡¯s cloak now. ¡± A dangerous glint mirrored his own in Hannah¡¯s eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s see how adept she is at stopping me. ¡± Her voice, cold and sharp as a honed de, sliced through the tension. ¡°Drive to the Compton Manor,¡± shemanded, her eyes aze with a resolve forged in the fires of shared threat. The night breeze whispered through the air, gently tugging at their figures as Winston skillfully guided them back to the manor. The warm glow of lights spilled from the living room, where Amelie had invited over a group of nobledies for coffee and conversation. Joselyn leaned affectionately against Amelie, creating an intimate tableau in the well-lit room. ¡°Good evening, Miss Mitchell. ¡± A butler, attentive to every detail, hastened to offer slippers to Hannah as she entered. Hannah coolly raised her hand, dismissing the gesture with a frosty expression. Upon catching sight of Hannah, Joselyn¡¯s radiant smile faded. Joselyn, addressing Hannah with a mixture of faux politeness and disdain, remarked, ¡°Don¡¯t you understand the rules? Slippers are to be changed in the room upon arrival. ¡± Thement rippled through the room, prompting curious gazes from the otherdies. A murmur arose. ¡°Is she Mr. Compton¡¯s daughter?¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem as refined as Joselyn. Rather uncouth, I must say. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Joselyn, concealing a smirk behind her hand, interjected, ¡°Madam, don¡¯t be so harsh. Remember, she is my father¡¯s biological daughter. ¡± Amelie, seemingly engrossed in her coffee, watched the scene unfold without intervention. Her eyes, however, fixed on Hannah, revealing a subtle amusement. ¡°Mom, how can she join thedies for coffee?¡± Joselyn continued to stoke the fire. Hannah, undeterred, approached with deliberate steps. ¡°It was Wace who urged my return. Do you think I¡¯d endure your bullying?¡± ¡°What are you implying?¡± Joselyn retorted, standing abruptly. ¡°I know all about how you entered the organization, Hannah. Dad assisted you covertly, didn¡¯t he? It¡¯s disgraceful how you seeded!¡± Chapter 1134 Hannah, her gaze unwavering, replied with a smirk, ¡°Whether I passed the exam with honor or disgrace, it¡¯s inconsequential. If I want to join, his word is enough, test or no test. ¡± Picking up a cup of coffee, Hannah added, ¡°Besides, I¡¯m his biological daughter. You, Joselyn, are merely adopted. ¡± She cast a sidelong nce at Amelie and curled her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t think you are truly the daughter of the Compton family just because you are protected by an outsider. ¡± Her words ignited a spark in Joselyn. Enraged, she Lunged forward, ready to strike. Hannah, calm and collected, raised her hand, deliberately pouring the cup of coffee directly onto Joselyn¡¯s face. A scream pierced the air. The coffee, still warm, mingled with Joselyn¡¯s ruined makeup, creating a visual testament to the escting tension in the room. ¡°f@ck you!¡± Joselyn screamed, enraged. Amelie rose gracefully, her expression serious. ¡°What are you doing, Hannah? Do you know who they are?¡± Hannah, undeterred, shed a defiant smile. ¡°I don¡¯t care who they are. ¡± She then flipped over the table. The coffee set and coffee pot cascaded to the floor, leaving the living room table in disarray. The once pristine setup waspletely ruined. ¡°What do you want?¡± Amelie questioned, her tone filled with tension. ¡°You!¡± Joselyn eximed, a note of disbelief in her voice. ¡°Hannah, do you just want to rebel? I¡­¡± ¡°Rebel?¡± Hannah wiped her hands leisurely with a handkerchief, her gaze locking on Joselyn. ¡°I¡¯m not your subordinate. What would I rebel against?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. The otherdies, startled by the unfolding drama, remained silent onlookers Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ . Hannah, lowering her head slightly, acknowledged them with a smile. ¡°We have some family affairs to deal with here. If you don¡¯t mind, you can stay and watch. ¡± ¡°No, no!¡± one eximed. ¡°We¡¯re Leaving now!¡± another said quickly. Thedies, unfamiliar with such a scene, hastily grabbed their bags and concocted excuses to leave one by one. As the living room cleared, Hannah beckoned to Winston in the distance. ¡°Come here. What are you doing there?¡± Winston, wearing a frigid expression, approached and stood beside the sofa. Unperturbed, Hannah addressed Amelie, a smile ying on her Lips. Chapter 1135 ¡°I heard that you punished Winston for helping me. Is that right?¡± ¡°So what?¡± Joselyn retorted, her dissatisfaction evident. ¡°He works for my father. Does Mom need to punish him with your permission? You¡­¡± Hannah stepped forward suddenly. With no forewarning, she seized Joselyn¡¯s cor and delivered two resounding ps. Joselyn¡¯s ears rang from the searing pain of the p. ¡°You¡­¡± Joselyn stammered, covering her face in disbelief. ¡°How dare you hit me?¡± Ignoring Joselyn¡¯s protests, Hannah pinched her chin forcefully, her eyes icy. ¡°Did I ask you? If you dare to say one more word, I¡¯ll p you once more. ¡± She released her grip, turning to Amelie with a challenging smile. ¡°Can you answer me now?¡± Though Amelie looked uneasy, she refrained from directly confronting Hannah. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s because he broke the rules of the organization and should be punished. ¡± ¡°He works for Wace. Now he is with me. He is my man. Why do you presume that you have the right to punish him?¡± Hannah sneered at Amelie, her tone dripping with defiance. Amelie gazed at Hannah, her expression turning scornful. ¡°I have the power to deal with anyone I choose. That¡¯s my right as thedy of the Compton family. ¡± ¡°Well then, I¡¯d like to know, what has he done wrong?¡± Hannah settled on the sofa beside Amelie, fixing her gaze on Joselyn. She lifted her delicate finger and directed it at Joselyn, asking, ¡°So, how do you n to make things right for what she did-wrongly drugging me and forcefully initiating the test?¡± Covering her face, Joselyn, unable to contain her frustration, retorted, ¡°Winston assisted youter, didn¡¯t he? You weren¡¯t in a disadvantage. So why the fuss?¡± Hannah replied, ¡°He only exined the t Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ est rules. Do you really think he broke those rules to help me?¡± ¡°If he didn¡¯t assist you, how did you manage to escape from the base under those circumstances?¡± Joselyn eximed. ¡°We discovered people tranquilized by anesthetic guns in the base¡¯s forest! How did you end up with an anesthesia gun? Exin it to me. ¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°What proof do you have that I didn¡¯t possess an anesthetic gun back then? Remember, Winston was taken away by your people. Could he have really helped me?¡± Joselyn, at a loss for words, sat down beside Amelie and murmured, ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Fine. ¡± Amelie, with a darkening gazes, decided, ¡°I¡¯ll let this one pass. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hannah arched her eyebrows and said, ¡°But I won¡¯t let this one pass. ¡± Joselyn, eyes wide with anger, warned Hannah, ¡°Don¡¯t push your Luck too far!¡± Smiling mischievously at Joselyn, Hannah yfully twisted her wrist and teased, ¡°Would you like another p?¡± Chapter 1136 Joselyn¡¯s lips quivered and herplexion turned ashen with fear at Hannah¡¯s threat. ¡°What do you want?¡± Amelie cast a frosty gaze in Hannah¡¯s direction. Hannah, with a twinkle in her eye and a radiant smile, responded to Amelie, ¡°I¡¯m not nning anything much.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. I¡¯ve heard about a forting venture by the organization. Being a part of it now, I assume you¡¯ll need my involvement, right?¡± ¡°Absolutely not! Mom, you¡¯ve promised me I¡¯ll be in charge of this business¡­¡± Before Joselyn could finish stating their prior agreement about managing the venture, Amelie cut her off sharply, ¡°Fine, I agree. You can handle this business deal. Consider it. a test of your capabilities. But remember, this business is crucial for the Compton family. If you fail to secure it¡­¡± Amelie paused, idly ying with her emerald bracelet, then gave Hannah a stern look. ¡°Should the Compton family disapprove of your failure, even your father might not be able to shield you. ¡± Hannah replied nonchntly, ¡°Alright, but I¡¯ll decide who from the organization apanies me for the negotiation. ¡± Then, Hannah turned and exited the room with Winston. Once Hannah and Winston had left the living room, a worried Joselyn turned to Amelie. ¡°Mom, why did you let that bitch go?¡± ¡°What do you know?¡± Amelie cut in abruptly, her eyes sharp, and asked, ¡°Do you believe it¡¯s a real business negotiation? The other party is the ckeye Underground City. You may recall your father¡¯s past setbacks with them a few years back. I never truly wanted you to be in charge of this negotiation. ¡± The woman narrowed her long and charming eyes and said, ¡°Since she¡¯s so eager to do it, let¡¯s use this opportunity to put her in a difficult position!¡± After uttering these words, Amelie leaned in and whispered something into Joselyn¡¯s ear. Joselyn¡¯s eyes suddenly sparkled with determination as she eximed, ¡°I¡¯m going to find Faustina!¡± Hannah headed to the tiny building in the east yard, which Wace had assigned to her. Quietly trailing behind Hannah, Winston spoke softly. ¡°I apologize for causing you trouble. ¡± ¡°No need to worry. I¡¯ve already mentioned that I¡¯ll assist you. Let¡¯s seize this opportunity to rescue your sister from them. ¡± Hannah gazed at Winston and asked, ¡°Do you have any idea what kind of business the Compton family wants to discuss this time? With whom are they conducting business talks?¡± After a brief pause, Winston began to exin, ¡°It¡¯s less of a business negotiation and more of a showdown between two parties. There¡¯s a ce called the ckeye Underground City in Lightby. It¡¯s a ce where gangs always get their way. Since the year beforest, the ckeye Underground City has been at odds with Caditown. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Since our boss runs Caditown, they frequently snatch the Compton family¡¯s goods and disrupt our business. So we have to demonstrate our power in the negotiation each year, or they will always make trouble for us. ¡± Winston continued with a grave expression, ¡°Over thest couple of years, they¡¯ve be even more audacious. They came close to rob our boss¡¯ goods several times. They¡¯ve got some formidable backup, making it too risky for us to attack them directly. ¡± Hannah squinted her eyes and asked, ¡°So, their business is illegal?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Winston affirmed with determination. ¡°They¡¯re aligned with various foreign gangs, specializing in activities such as assassinations, arms and drug trafficking, and mercenary work. They¡¯ve expanded their influence over the years and now control about two-thirds of the Light by market. They¡¯re quite powerful. ¡± Chapter 1137 Hannah raised an eyebrow and questioned, ¡°Does the Compton family engage in such illicit activities as well?¡± ¡°No,¡± Winston responded firmly. ¡°ording to our boss¡¯ principles, we never participate in any illegal ventures.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡± Hannah lightly tapped the back of her hand with her fingertips, wearing a smile as she suggested, ¡°Tomorrow, bring some of our people with us when we meet them in the ckeye Underground City. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± The following morning, Hannah requested Winston to drive them to the base. Those individuals paid no attention to Hannah, going about their own activities at a leisurely pace. Faustina rxed on the sofa, puffing on her cigarette. When she spotted Hannah, she quickly put it out and strolled over, swaying her hips. She cast a mocking gaze at Hannah and said, ¡°Miss Moore, congrattions. I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re in charge of a business talk. ¡± Speaking in a hushed tone, she leaned in close to Hannah and murmured, ¡°You need to watch out. Don¡¯t put your life on the Line just to impress our boss!¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow and grabbed Faustina¡¯s chin, making thetter meet her gaze. She asked, ¡°Are you nning to settle the score with me on behalf of Joselyn so quickly?¡± Feeling humiliated, Faustina raised her hand, intending to push away Hannah¡¯s hand, but her wrist was seized by thetter. Hannah whispered threateningly, ¡°Cross me again, and I¡¯ll make you regret it!¡± Her words sent a chill down Faustina¡¯s spine. Hannah then forcefully pushed Faustina aside. As Hannah made her move, all eyes in the room turned to her. ¡°Who¡¯s joining us for the trip to ckeye Underground City?¡± Hannah scanned the room. These people exchanged nces and had no desire to step up. They wanted to make her feel embarrassed. Faustina smirked as she lifted her finger and waved at Hannah, remarking, ¡°Our team still has work to finish, so I can¡¯t join you for ytime. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Turning away, Faustina left, followed by a group of people. The members of Conor¡¯s group were all upied with a mission today. Gradually, the others from different groups also dispersed. Soon after, Keith and Trent hurried in. Keith¡¯s face disyed a puzzled look as he observed the nearly empty training hall. He questioned, ¡°Where did everyone go? Aren¡¯t we supposed to be handling the organization¡¯s business negotiations?¡± Hannah tilted her head upward and said, ¡°They¡¯re gone now. Only a few of them remain. ¡± The others, who had been casually slouching to the side, suddenly sat up straight and guiltily cast their gaze downward upon spotting Keith and Trent. ¡°Mr. Compton¡­¡± Chapter 1138 practical to bring them along. They excel inputers rather thanbat. ¡± Hannah quietly raised an eyebrow, realizing these people had previous ties with the Dark Web.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°No problem. I¡¯m relieved I don¡¯t have to bring the organization¡¯s people along. I¡¯d rather not have them cause any trouble for me,¡± she remarked. Trent, standing nearby, added, ¡°The three of us, including Winston, can handle it. Even if provoked, no one dares to truly cross the Compton family. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You won¡¯t be the only ones joining me. ¡± Hannah mentioned casually, then turned to Winston. ¡°We¡¯ll set out in the afternoon. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± However, just as they were about to leave, an unexpected incident urred! As their car exited the gate, a van darted out, blocking their path! Winston¡¯s eyes narrowed in shock, and he quickly hit the brakes. The two vehicles came to a halt, barely inches apart! A man stepped out from the van, banged on the hood of Winston¡¯s car, and gestured for them to get out. Winston¡¯s expression shifted slightly. He told Hannah to stay inside and then stepped out of the car with Keith and Trent. From inside the car, Hannah observed the man: he was dressed in a white shirt, tie, and leather shoes. He donned sunsses and had a cigarette hanging from his mouth, giving off a thuggish vibe. As Lorenzo Ramos noticed a figure stepping out of the car, his smile widened. ¡°Oh, isn¡¯t this Winston? Are you the one handling negotiations for the organization?¡± Winston, with a frosty tone, mentioned, ¡°It¡¯s the boss¡¯ daughter who is in charge of this business. ¡± ¡°The woman who appeared out of nowhere?¡± Lorenzo asked, his tone brusque as he nced at the passenger seat. Keith and Trent, with stern expressions, stepped closer. ¡°Watch your words, or I won¡¯t hesitate to inform my father of your disrespect. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Remember, having the Chadwick family backing you doesn¡¯t give you free rein to act recklessly!¡± Lorenzo whistled and approached the passenger door, saying, ¡°No need to be upset. We¡¯re just working for our respective bosses, so let¡¯s keep things cordial. ¡± He reached the passenger door and tapped on the window with his finger. Suddenly, the car window lowered, unveiling Hannah¡¯s delicate face. She turned and looked up at Lorenzo, remaining silent. Lorenzo was caught off guard. He removed his sunsses, eyeing her from head to toe with a scrutinizing gaze. ¡°You¡¯re really fearless. Just look at you,pletely unaware. It¡¯s a shame to head to ckeye Underground City and risk your life. ¡± Chapter 1139 ¡°Really?¡± Hannah retorted with a smile, ¡°Didn¡¯t Mrs. Compton assign you to look after me? If anything happens to me, wouldn¡¯t you be the first in trouble?¡± This remark visibly irked Lorenzo. ¡°You¡¯re quite stubbor Winston, unable to contain himself, stormed over and seized Lorenzo by the cor. ¡°Tell me you didn¡¯t bring my sister, did you?¡± Seeing how angry Winston was, Lorenzo¡¯s mood lifted. He yfully swatted away Winston¡¯s hand, tidied up his outfit, and remarked, ¡°No one can disobey Mrs. Compton¡¯s order. ¡± He gave Winston a reassuring pat on the shoulder and remarked, ¡°Rx. Let your sister and the other girls take good care of our guests; it¡¯ll make our negotiations run more smoothly. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Winston¡¯s eyes widened, and he lifted his hand, poised for action! But at that moment, Lorenzo¡¯s men aimed their guns at Winston! The air crackled with tension! From inside the car, Hannah red icily at Lorenzo. ¡°What¡¯s this? A feud right outside the Compton¡¯s doorstep?¡± Unfazed by her, Lorenzo retorted with a raised brow, looking at Hannah in the car, ¡°He started it, not me. ¡± After a tense stare-down, Hannah instructed Winston outside, ¡°Get back in the car. ¡± With eyes zing, Winston clenched his jaw, lowered his hand, and returned to his car. With the idea that he had subdued Hannah¡¯s presence, Lorenzo¡¯s confidence surged, and he shed a smug smile. ¡°You got it, Miss Moore.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! You¡¯re well-versed in the game n. Without our shield, surviving the underground city might have been a dicey proposition for you. ¡± ¡°Enough with the nonsense!¡± Hannah responded coolly. ¡°I don¡¯t resort to involving women in negotiations. Let the girls in your van go. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Lorenzo, scoffing at her demand, sneered, ¡°Are you joking? Do you really think¡­¡± In the midst of his words, a gun abruptly pointed at him. Lorenzo¡¯s expression shifted, and his eyes locked onto Hannah, who had her gun pointed right at him. He began to say, ¡°You¡­¡± A sly smile formed on Hannah¡¯s face as she said, ¡°Will you release them, or not?¡± ¡°I serve Mrs. Compton. If you dare to shoot me here¡­¡± Lorenzo stood firm, unconvinced that Hannah would act decisively. With a calm demeanor, Hannah responded, ¡°Do you truly believe I won¡¯t act because of Amelie? I have no desire to harm anyone, and I¡¯m not inclined to act now. But if you push me, I won¡¯t hesitate to take a life here. ¡± As soon as he grasped that Hannah had the audacity to act, Lorenzo¡¯s expression swiftly shifted, and he raised his hand to signal the people behind him. In an instant, those people dashed back, swung the door wide, and the youngdies in the van quickly streamed out one by one. Hannah instructed Winston, ¡°Go and fetch your sister now. ¡± A slender and attractive girl, wearing fancy yet provocative clothes that seemed out of ce on her, hurried towards Winston. Chapter 1140 She rushed into Winston¡¯s embrace, shaking uncontrobly. ¡°Winston¡­¡± Lorenzo eyed the girl who had just alighted from the car, his teeth clenched in anger as he red at Hannah. ¡°If this messes up our business, don¡¯t expect me to help you!¡± ¡°Do you really think I need your help?¡± Hannah replied with a mocking sneer. ¡°You¡¯ve been sending girls over there year after year. Did you ever strike a deal with any of them?¡± Lorenzo¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°How do you know about that?¡± he began to ask, but abruptly stopped, realizing he might have said too much. Hannah¡¯s voice was steady and cold. ¡°Either I put a bullet in your head, or you get back in your van right now. I¡¯m running out of patience. ¡± She smoothly flicked off the safety of her pistol with a click, causing everyone present to tense up. Raising his hands in a cating gesture, Lorenzo forced a smile. ¡°Miss Moore, why so hostile? We¡¯re on the same side, after all. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery He cautiously stepped back. ¡°You seem to have a n, so we¡¯ll stay out of it, Miss Moore. ¡± He then turned and signaled to his men. ¡°Let them go. ¡± They all climbed back into their vehicles. After ensuring his sister was safely in the back seat, Winston set off for ckeye Underground City. Trent, always thoughtful, voiced his concerns.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. ¡°Is it really safe to take her along with us? It seems too risky. ¡± Winston gripped the steering wheel tightly, as if confronting a great enemy, and dered, ¡°No! I can¡¯t just leave her by herself in Caditown!¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Trent began, only to be cut off by Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s safer for her to stay with us than to be alone in Caditown,¡± she insisted. Trent¡¯s brow creased in concern. He wanted to argue, but sensing the tension, he held back. Hannah, understanding his worries, reassured him softly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ I¡¯ve got this under control. ¡± As they drove, Winston nced in the rearview mirror and muttered, ¡°Lorenzo¡¯s vehicle is still tailing us. ¡± Hannah, already aware, leaned her chin on her hand and casually remarked, ¡°Let them follow. They won¡¯t cause any problems even if they do. ¡± Keith chimed in with concern, ¡°We only have four fighters, and one needs to guard the girl. Who¡¯s to say they won¡¯t join forces with those in ckeye Underground City against us?¡± Hannah replied with a confident smile, ¡°Then I¡¯ll lure him into a trap. We¡¯ll see who¡¯s the unlucky one. Reaching the outskirts of ckeye Underground City, they found themselves at the lengthy border between the city and the town. Hannah stepped out of the car, gazing into the distance. Chapter 1141 In a single step, the scenery shifted from affluent residential zones to an array of underdeveloped, smaller buildings. As they walked outside, they noticed many mercenaries strolling around. These armed figures, with guns and bullets visible, cast curious nces towards their car. Hannah¡¯s eyes caught a striking sight in the distance. It was a massive, ck, ancient-looking building. Its outer walls were adorned with a variety of peculiar symbols, resembling shackles. Suddenly, Hannah spotted several ck off-road vehicles kicking up dust as they parked abruptly in front of them. Sensing danger, Winston quickly positioned himself in front of Hannah, alert and protective. ¡°Be careful!¡± he warned. Hannah, unfazed, patted Winston¡¯s shoulder and reassured him. ¡°It¡¯s okay. They¡¯re with me. ¡± In the midst of their exchange, the car doors flew open, and Dn and Dotson leaped out from the lead off-road vehicle. ¡°Boss!¡± Dn approached, announcing, ¡°All top thirty of us have arrived. ¡± One by one, more people emerged from the vehicles. Each had a distinct look, an air of toughness about them. The thirty, equipped professionally, formed a formidable group as they surrounded Hannah. The sight was quite intimidating. Trent, witnessing this, was taken aback. ¡°Who¡­ who are these people?¡± he stammered. ¡°They¡¯re here to assist us in negotiations,¡± Hannah exined. Just then, Lorenzo¡¯s car pulled up beside them. He stepped out, eyeing the scene intently.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. ¡°Miss Moore, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± he questioned. Hannah responded with a confident smile, ¡°I¡¯ve brought them to help with our negotiations. I felt your previous methods were too lenient, which only encouraged their audacity. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Sometimes, using force is the only way to handle such people. ¡± Hannah gestured, and behind her stood Dn and Dotson with their team. Their formidable presence immediately drained the color from Lorenzo¡¯s face. Hannah turned with a smile and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± Once they were gone, Lorenzo quickly pulled out his phone and made a call. ¡°Mrs. Compton, there¡¯s a problem. She brought a bunch of unfamiliar faces. They don¡¯t look like they¡¯re from your organization, and I can¡¯t ce where they¡¯re from. ¡± Amelie toyed with her pearl ne and said with a sparkle in her eyes, ¡°Find a way to eliminate her so she can¡¯te back and make trouble. ¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Lorenzo ended the phone call, his face showing his difort. This was a tricky task Amelie had given him! After a moment¡¯s hesitation, hemanded the driver to enter ckeye Underground City, his expression grim. Different mercenaries guarded each section here. Winston led the way into area No. 2. The buildings there were slightly better than those they had seen just now, but they just looked like an independent fortress town. To avoid any threats, all the surrounding trees had been removed. Chapter 1142 Only a few symbolic trees stood within the vige. As they approached the gate, the guards stopped their cars. Hannah unclicked her seat belt and instructed the two men in the back, ¡°Stay here and watch over Winston¡¯s sister. We¡¯ll head down first. ¡± Once Hannah and Winston exited the car, the guard gave them a disapproving look. He circled around them, intending to pat them down. Hannah stepped back, not even being touched by them. She stared at the people in front of her with dangerous and cold eyes and said to them clearly, ¡°We represent the Compton family. Our purpose here is strictly business. ¡± The guards stood their ground against Hannah and her group, while others emerged from the vehicles behind. At that moment, Lorenzo¡¯s van pulled up. He hopped out, forcefully shut the door, and said, ¡°We¡¯re here on behalf of the Compton family for a business discussion. Don¡¯t you recognize us?¡± Recognizing Lorenzo, the guards inquired, ¡°Ah, it¡¯s you. Did you bring the women along this year?¡± As they spoke, they kept ncing at the cars behind them. Lorenzo smirked, a hint of mischief in his dark green eyes. Pointing towards Hannah, he said, ¡°The decision maker has changed. We didn¡¯t bring any women. If you¡¯re curious, ask her. ¡± The guards scrutinized Hannah with a wary gaze. However, recognizing their affiliation with the Compton family, they didn¡¯t dare impede them and allowed them entry into the vige. The vige¡¯s exterior looked run-down, but inside, it was impressively luxurious. Not far off, a warehouse was under soldier surveince. Hannah noticed it and then strolled into a vi. Upon entering the vi¡¯s gate, she turned to Lorenzo and said, ¡°It seems you don¡¯t have many people with you. You should wait outside. ¡± Lorenzo, thinking he wasn¡¯t allowed in, immediately said, ¡°I always apanied Miss Compton for meetings here. Even though you¡¯ve taken her ce this year, Miss Moore, we can¡¯t ignore the usual protocol!¡± ¡°Who¡¯s talking about breaking protocol?¡± Hannah nced at him and said indifferently, ¡°You¡¯re wee to join, but your men must wait outside. ¡± Before Lorenzo could respond, Hannah¡¯s team positioned over a dozen of their own outside, effectively barring Lorenzo¡¯s crew, while allowing him to enter. Lorenzo hesitated, ncing at the faces around him. Under their watchful eyes, he reluctantly followed Hannah inside the vi. In the living room, a middle-aged man, Jeffry Ortega, lounged on the sofa, smoking. He was dressed in a suit with a loosely tied tie. Several armed mercenaries stood guard behind him. On seeing Hannah Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ and her group enter, he didn¡¯t bother standing, greeting them with, ¡°Wee to ckeye Underground City. Miss Moore, your reputation precedes you. ¡± He looked at Hannah, sizing her up and down with a pair of sharp eyes. Seeing her beautiful and weak appearance, he smiled. Hannah walked over to the opposite sofa and sat down gracefully. She then looked up at the man and inquired, ¡°Where¡¯s the Compton family¡¯s shipment?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. ¡± Jeffry poured a ss of wine and slid it towards Hannah, suggesting, ¡°Let¡¯s talk business in a rxed manner. There¡¯s been a misunderstanding. My men can get a bit rowdy, what with all the work we handle annually. ¡± Jeffry smiled nonchntly at Hannah. She didn¡¯t know how many times he had said like that, and he said fluently and without unnecessary hesitations, ¡°Since you¡¯re new here, Miss Moore, I¡¯ll certainly do you a favor. But¡­¡± His tone shifted as he focused intently on Hannah. ¡°The old rules still apply. ¡±This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. Chapter 1143 Resting leisurely on the sofa, Hannah said, ¡°As this is my first time representing the Compton family in negotiations, I¡¯m unfamiliar with your previous rules. ¡± Jeffry responded with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s very simple. We have three key terms. Firstly, we expect a 70 percent profit share for the projects we cooperate with the Compton family. Second, anything inadvertently acquired by us will remain in the vige. However, as a gesture of goodwill on your first visit, Miss Moore, we¡¯ll allow you to retrieve those items. And third, our dealings have traditionally involved women you brought over.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! I trust you won¡¯t deviate from this rule, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah leaned back on her sofa with a sly grin, choosing to remain silent. Winston, standing by her side, broke the silence. ¡°The Compton family has sent a new negotiator. That means all old agreements are off the table! To keep doing business with the Compton family, you¡¯ll need to y by Miss Moore¡¯s rules. ¡± Jeffry¡¯s face, previously smug, turned serious. He fixed his gaze on Hannah and said, ¡°Miss Moore, this being your first negotiation, I¡¯m showing you respect. Don¡¯t take it for granted!¡± At that moment, Lorenzo, who had been quiet, spoke up in a thick ent to Jeffry. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about her. She¡¯s just a recently discovered daughter of the Compton family, without any real influence. Her presence here is merely to solidify her status. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Upon hearing Lorenzo¡¯s words, a hint of satisfaction flickered in Jeffry¡¯s eyes. At the same time, he responded with a broad grin, ¡°What do you say about our deal?¡± ¡°Even without her, our deal goes on. Mrs. Compton backs your operation. You don¡¯t need to worry about that. ¡± Jeffry was immediately drawn to Hannah. He looked at her and said with interest, ¡°She¡¯s stunning. I¡¯d like to keep her here if possible. ¡± The two of them were chatting with a broad ent. The people brought by Hannah looked at each other, not knowing what they were talking about. Winston, looking concerned, whispered to Hannah, ¡°Miss Moore, something¡¯s not right here. ¡± At that, Hannah leaned back on the sofa casually, pulling out her phone and fiddling with it. Jeffry said in a greasy voice, ¡°I want her. ¡± Right after he spoke, Hannah let out a mockingugh. Her speech was fluent, clear, and pleasing to the ear. ¡°If you¡¯re looking for trouble, go ahead and try. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ They hadn¡¯t anticipated that Hannah could understand what they were talking about. The room¡¯s tension escted instantly! Holding her phone, Hannah raised her eyes to meet Jeffry¡¯s, her smile was cold. Jeffry was shocked that Hannah could not only understand their ent but speak it fluently. With a strained look, he inquired, ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re familiar with my hometown ent?¡± Hannah merely offered him a brief look, choosing to remain silent. In this ufortable silence, Winston said, ¡°The Compton family won¡¯t ept any of the three terms you¡¯ve proposed. This time, we¡¯re here to reim what¡¯s ours and to let you know that if you still wish to work with the Compton family, you need to adjust your attitude. We¡¯re proposing a profit split of 30 ¨C 70. You¡¯ll receive 30% of the profits, while the rest will go to the Compton family. ¡± Right after Winston¡¯s words, Jeffry abruptly stood up and furiously kicked the wooden table next to him! Chapter 1144 ¡°Repeat what you just said! Do you even realize where you are?! How dare youe into my territory and negotiate so arrogantly! Do you want to die? Damn it!¡± Jeffry abruptly stood up and started cursing. His men quickly drew their guns, aiming at their guests. The atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense! The people behind Hannah also drew their guns, pointing them at the opposing group! ¡°I understand now. Miss Moore, you didn¡¯te here for business. You¡¯re here to go against us!¡± Jeffry¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯ve been dealing with the Compton family for years.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! How can you just break the agreement whenever you want! Who do you think you are? You¡¯re just a powerless daughter of the Compton family! This is ckeye Underground City, my f@cking territory! How dare you cause trouble here? Do you have a death wish?¡± For a moment, the atmosphere between the two sides was particrly intense. Both of them raised their guns and were ranged against each other! Lorenzo cast a disapproving nce at Hannah, saying, ¡°Miss Moore, in business, it¡¯s better to have more friends than enemies. Besides, being too aggressive can sometimes backfire on us. ¡± Hannah remained silent. She kept her gaze down, fiddling with her phone, seemingly unfazed by the tension around her. Now and then, the sound of a game could be heard from her phone. Jeffry¡¯s frustration with Hannah¡¯s attitude grew. He raised his voice at her, saying, ¡°Are you deaf?! Don¡¯t you hear what I¡¯m saying? Damn iti¡± Hearing this, Hannah slowly lifted her head, a sneer on her face. She looked at Jeffry with disdain, saying, ¡°You really want to challenge me here? I¡¯m not scared. You should kill me right here. If I get away¡­¡± She paused, her eyes narrowing and a sly smile appearing. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure your ce goes up in mes, whatever it takes. ¡± Jeffry, observing Hannah¡¯sposed demeanor, believed she was just putting on an act. ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t think your words can change my mind!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Is that so? Well, you¡¯re free to try,¡± Hannah responded, her tone detached. Jeffry looked at the people Hannah had brought along, pondering whether he should step in. The living room was so quiet that even the slightest sound would have been noticeable. Then, abruptly, someone entered. The guard ran in, looking quite troubled. He leaned in close to Jeffry and murmured, ¡°Boss, the guy from the Mitchell family is here¡­ I believe he¡¯s here for the boxing event and he¡¯s representing the K Group this year. ¡± Upon hearing this, Jeffry¡¯s expression changed instantly! Ignoring Hannah¡¯s presence, he instructed the guard, ¡°Bring him in first!¡± Once the guard left, Jeffry inhaled deeply, turned to Hannah, and said, ¡°We¡¯ll discuss our partnershipter. I need to handle something. You should go now. ¡± Chapter 1145 Lorenzo immediately got up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to it then. ¡± As he was turning to leave, he noticed Hannah and her group hadn¡¯t budged. Hannah, in particr, seemed unbothered, casually ying with her phone on the couch. ¡°We¡¯re here to resolve an issue. We¡¯re not leaving until it¡¯s settled,¡± Winston said to Jeffry in a cold voice. Jeffry was in a foul mood and short-tempered. He snatched a gun from hispanion, strode over, and pressed it to Winston¡¯s forehead, growling, ¡°You¡¯re f@cking asking for trouble¡­¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! He couldn¡¯t finish his sentence before a sharp pain shot through his wrist. Instinctively, his hold on the gun weakened. As he regained hisposure, he found himself staring down the barrel of the gun! Hannah, gun in hand, asked with a smile, ¡°You like fighting?¡± Her words were calm yet carried an unmistakable threat. ¡°Interestingly enough, I like it as well. ¡± Jeffry was frightened by Hannah¡¯s expression. ¡°Miss Moore, let¡¯s talk this out. Please, calm down! Don¡¯t do anything hasty!¡± He had underestimated Hannah, thinking she was just an insignificant daughter reimed by the Compton family. Yet, he hadn¡¯t anticipated her formidable nature! ¡°You weren¡¯t so wise a moment ago, were you?¡± Hannah surveyed the room and said, ¡°But since you¡¯re open to discussion, I¡¯ll offer you a choice. How would you prefer to die?¡± With that, Hannah pointed the gun¡¯s muzzle at Jeffry¡¯s head, appearing ready to fire at any moment! Just as they stood face to face, someone else entered the room. ¡°Your men told me you were talking business. Is it popr to point guns at each other when negotiating now?¡± Bryson¡¯s slightly maic voice came from the side. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah turned to him. He was dressed in a ck windbreaker, his angr face sporting an inscrutable smile. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ve walked in at a rather inconvenient moment for your business dealings. ¡± Bryson approached Hannah. Noticing the perspiration on Jeffry¡¯s forehead, he quirked an eyebrow and inquired, ¡°Is there something wrong? You have a problem?¡± Jeffry looked at Bryson and asked for help. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, Miss Moore is causing trouble. Could you intervene?¡± Bryson¡¯s mouth curved into a slight smile as he nced at Hannah and raised his brows, saying, ¡°Perhaps Miss Moore might do me the favor?¡± Aware of Bryson¡¯s intentions, Hannah gazed at him with a spark of curiosity and asked, ¡°Oh? What would you like me to help with?¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite simple. ¡± Bryson, with a grin, turned to Jeffry and said, ¡°You were about to discuss business with me, right?¡± Chapter 1146 Jeffry, puzzled, responded with a nod, ¡°Yes. ¡± Taking a seat, Bryson proposed, ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯d appreciate it if you could assist in wrapping up this negotiation. ¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! The realization hit Jeffry hard. His face showed his rm as his keen eyes darted between the two. He questioned Bryson, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, are you acquainted with her?¡± ¡°So what if I am?¡± Bryson, gesturing towards the sofa with his elegant fingers, smiled at Jeffry. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on our business discussion, shall we?¡± Jeffry was so angry that the corners of his mouth trembled. He gritted his teeth and said, ¡°You¡­ Now it¡¯s clear! You¡¯ve been f@cking conspiring against me!¡± Even though Jeffry was furious, Hannah stayed calm. Winston¡¯s voice was icy as he asked, ¡°Why would we conspire against you? Miss Moore¡¯s here for business. ¡± ¡°You two know each other! The Compton family and Mitchell family want to team up and take over this ce, right?¡± Jeffry sneered. ¡°At this point, I¡¯ve got nothing to lose. I¡¯ll go down, but I¡¯ll take you all with me!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery He turned to Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you know what happened to the head of K Group. If you don¡¯t y by the rules, there are plenty who¡¯ll risk everything. I bet you¡¯re not willing to gamble with your lives. ¡± Jeffry seemed fearless, ready to face anything. If it came to a standoff, he was certain he¡¯de out on top. Hannah looked at him, her eyes full of meaning. ¡°Fine, we ept your terms. Peace is more profitable, after all. ¡± Recognizing Hannah¡¯s acquiescence, Lorenzo, who was beside her, felt relieved. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ve always advised you to heed my words to avoid embarrassment. You¡¯re representing the Compton family, and your actions today have brought shame to us. I¡¯m at a loss about how to exin this to the boss and his wife when I return. ¡± Hannah nced at him coldly, a slight smile ying on her Lips. ¡°Well, since you and Mr. Ortega arranged the business previously, I think it¡¯s best if you handle it this time too. Honestly, I don¡¯t know much about these matters, and I nearly got myself into a mess. Could you take over?¡± Suddenly, the tables turned. Lorenzo sensed something amiss. ¡°But you¡¯re the one in charge today. It wouldn¡¯t be right for me to step in and make decisions, would it?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah¡¯s tone shifted slightly. ¡°My actions today have upset Mr. Ortega. Continuing negotiations might lead to losses for both parties. You, on the other hand, work for Amelie and have extensive experience dealing with Mr. Ortega. You¡¯re more knowledgeable about these things than I am. Why not represent the Compton family and sign the contract?¡± She then turned to Bryson. ¡°As for this gentleman, we¡¯ve only met once before. Mr. Ortega, please don¡¯t get the wrong idea. ¡± Upon sensing a change in Hannah¡¯s demeanor, Jeffry grew bolder. He taunted, ¡°Miss Moore, if only you had shown this courtesy earlier, things wouldn¡¯t have escted to this point. ¡± He strolled back to the sofa and sat down, crossing his legs nonchntly. ¡°My terms remain unchanged. For Lorenzo¡¯s sake, I won¡¯t hold a grudge¡­¡± His words were interrupted by a ringing phone. ¡°Excuse me, I need to take this call. ¡± Hannah calmly retrieved her phone from her pocket and answered. ¡°Hello? The reception here is poor¡­ I can¡¯t hear you clearly. ¡± Chapter 1147 Hannah held her phone and nced at Lorenzo. ¡°I need to take this call outside. You can chat with Mr. Ortega,¡± she said casually. As she moved to leave, two guards suddenly blocked her path. Surprised, Hannah turned to Jeffry, her eyebrows raised in confusion. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Can¡¯t I even step out to answer a call?¡± she questioned. She slowly lifted her hand, showing it was empty. ¡°Look, I¡¯m not armed. If you¡¯re doubtful, feel free to search me. ¡± Her voice was softer now, seemingly trying to avoid any further trouble. Being from the Compton family, she must know the consequences of a scene could be dire. Jeffry shook his head. ¡°No need, Miss Moore. I trust you,¡± he assured her, signaling the guards to step aside. With a relieved sigh, Hannah lowered her hand and exited with her phone. After she left, some of her entourage remained outside. She found a quiet spot nearby and began her call. Meanwhile, the vi¡¯s guards kept an eye on Hannah. Just then, a group tried to force their way in, drawing the guards¡¯ attention. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Let us in!¡± The guards shifted their focus, blocking the group with their firearms. ¡°No way! You can¡¯t enter. Those are the rules!¡± they insisted firmly. Amidst the quarrel, Hannah slipped away unnoticed to the vi¡¯s corner. Unseen by anyone, she tucked her phone into her pocket. No one had called. She had faked a phone call as an excuse to sneak off. From Jeffry¡¯s recent words, she deduced they were trapped, likely by hidden heavy weapons or bombs in the vige. Earlier, she had eyed a warehouse, suspecting it held items for Jeffry¡¯s shady dealings. Stealthily, Hannah made her way inside the warehouse. As she suspected, it was stocked with heavy weapons, bombs, and other important military gear. Grinning, she gently tapped a box nearby, whispering, ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that you have met me. ¡± Only ten minutes had passed when she returned to the vi. Back in the hall, Hannah inquired, ¡°How¡¯s it going? Is it settled? Can we leave now?¡± Lorenzo rose, smiling. ¡°It¡¯s settled. Same terms as before, but Jeffry¡¯s a bit upset about earlier. He¡¯s asking for more profit from us, wanting a fifty-fifty split. ¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed into a smile. ¡°Mr. Ortega, always so greedy. ¡± She knew Jeffry would take advantage of any opportunity to exploit her. Moreover, Lorenzo was stirring the pot, aiming to see her take a loss. Winston stood beside her with a serious expression, shaking his head at Hannah, signaling her to keep her anger in check for now. Hannah nced down. Bryson, with his long legs crossed, exuding authority, was seated on the couch, silent as if he wasn¡¯t present. ¡°Alright. ¡± Hannah Looked up, offering a smile. ¡°I admit m Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ y mistake. I¡¯ll ept it as a way to make it up to you, Mr. Ortega. ¡± When Hannahpletely backed down, Jeffry, with a cigarette between his lips, burst intoughter. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re too quick-tempered to make it far in this game!¡± ¡°Yes, I see your point,¡± Hannah replied, still smiling. ¡°You¡¯ve really opened my eyes, Mr. Ortega. Winston, let¡¯s take our men and leave. ¡± As they turned to leave, Bryson stood up, saying, ¡°We¡¯ll discuss our deal with K Group another time. ¡± Jeffry, puzzled, tried to hold him back. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what do you mean by that? Are you¡­¡± Bryson cut him off, staring at Jeffry with an intense gaze, as if looking at someone doomed. ¡°I¡¯ve got other things to handle, so we¡¯ll have to dy our talk. I¡¯m not in a rush, anyway. ¡± Chapter 1148 Jeffry, though daring enough to threaten Hannah, treaded cautiously around Bryson. He knew that crossing paths with Bryson¡¯s allies could spell trouble, even to the point of endangering his own life and those associated with him. Bryson possessed an aura of unpredictability, a force Jeffry dared not antagonize without careful consideration. With gritted teeth and a reluctant sigh, Jeffry reluctantly relented, allowing Hannah and Bryson to depart from the vi in silence, each going their separate ways. As they made their way out, Lorenzo, exuding an air of arrogance, couldn¡¯t resist imparting his unsolicited advice to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, it would be wise for you to avoid such establishments in the future. They hardly suit you. And when ites to matters of business, perhaps you could take a leaf out of Miss Compton¡¯s book. ¡®s BunnyBookery Despite being an adopted daughter, she¡¯s adhered to the Compton family¡¯s guidelines for years and likelyprehends the nuances better than you. ¡± Hannah, adopting a facade of vulnerability before Jeffry, unintentionally misled Lorenzo into perceiving her as mere pretense without truepetence. It only fueled his condescending tone, as he took it upon himself to educate her with less-than-polite remarks. Winston, visibly displeased, was about to intervene when Hannah silenced him with a raised hand. ¡°Very well, if it¡¯s business you¡¯re concerned about, I¡¯ll leave it in your capable hands. ¡± Subsequently, they strolled out of the vige. Then, she added, ¡°after all, negotiating with the deceased has never been my forte. ¡± At Hannah¡¯s words, Lorenzo¡¯s expression shifted, and he demanded, ¡°Hey, wait a minute! What do you mean by that?¡± Yet, before he could press further, she had already turned on her heel and headed towards their waiting car. Just then, Bryson sauntered into the scene, a sly grin ying on his lips. ¡°Miss Moore, it seems you¡¯re unfamiliar with this terrain. How about you and your entourage grace my humble abode instead? It¡¯s far safer, I assure you. ¡± Hannah, intrigued by his offer, raised an eyebrow, acknowledging his influence with a hint of amusement. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, your reach extends far and wide, even to this remote corner?¡± Bryson¡¯s smile widened at her yful remark. ¡°Consider it an invitation, Miss Moore. Please honor us with your presence. I guarantee you won¡¯t regret it. ¡± Hannah spoke with a hint of nonchnce. ¡°Since Mr. Mitchell has extended his invitation, I shall graciously ept. ¡± Lorenzo, catching wind of their exchange, couldn¡¯t shake off his suspicions. Did they have a history together?This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°I¡¯ll have my men lead the way. You can follow behind,¡± Bryson directed calmly. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Of course,¡± Hannah nodded, motioning for her entourage to trail Bryson¡¯s vehicle as they embarked on their designated route. Once settled in the vehicle and on the road, Winston couldn¡¯t contain his thoughts any longer. ¡°Miss Moore, the situation back there left us vulnerable. Lorenzo might exaggerate the incident upon his return, which won¡¯t bode well for you. I understand avoiding a confrontation, but swallowing this humiliation might not be the wisest choice¡­¡± Leaning back against the passenger seat, Hannah cast a fleeting nce at the receding vige through the rearview mirror before responding. ¡°Jeffry had everything orchestrated. If it turned into a confrontation, no one of us would have left his ce alive. ¡± Meanwhile, Keith and Trent, who had remained oblivious to the unfolding drama, now sensed the gravity of the situation. ¡°What transpired? Was the matter not resolved?¡± Keith inquired, puzzled. ¡°I had no intention of engaging in negotiations. Jeffrey simply sought to exploit the Compton family¡¯s assets,¡± Hannah remarked casually. ¡°I afforded him an opportunity, but he failed to appreciate it. ¡± Chapter 1149 As the vige disappeared into the distance, her fingers hovered over a button nestled in her pocket. Boom! Bang! An explosive eruption tore through the tranquility, birthing a mushroom cloud that pierced the heavens, mes dancing in its wake. The entire vige charred into nothingness in an instant. Even within the safety of the car, the sudden cacophony jolted them all. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Winston¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as he saw the once-thriving vige reduced to naught but ashes. A pallor washed over the girl seated in the back, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Keith swiveled around, his gaze fixated on the billowing smoke, where no signs of life emerged. ¡°What in the world¡­? What the hell is going on?¡± Trent, however, pieced it together seamlessly. ¡°No wonder Dad insisted on bringing you back. Your methods mirror Dad¡¯s youth. ¡± Winston regarded Hannah with a mix of emotions. ¡°Miss Moore, their vige went up in mes right after we departed.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. What if they use you of orchestrating it?¡± ¡°Lorenzo has likely informed Amelie about our finalized cooperation. Given that we had no conflict with Jeffry¡¯s people and their vige exploded independently, it has nothing to do with me. ¡± The colossal explosion would undoubtedly be witnessed by those in the lead car. Caleb, at the helm of the convoy, was jolted by the deafening explosion reverberating behind them. Despite the shock, he maintained control of the vehicle. ¡°Boss!¡± His voice quivered as he peered into the rearview mirror. ¡°Boss! Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Jeffry¡¯s vige just went up in mes!¡± Bryson lifted his gaze, casting a nonchnt nce outside the window. Unfazed, he remarked, ¡°Hmm, just keep driving. ¡± Caleb remained rattled. ¡°Thank goodness we left early. Otherwise, we could have been caught in that explosion!¡± ¡°Caught?¡± Bryson¡¯s lips curled into a cryptic smile. ¡°If we hadn¡¯t left, his vige wouldn¡¯t have exploded. ¡± Caleb puzzled over Bryson¡¯s words. ¡°Boss, what do you mean?¡± Bryson offered no further exnation, plunging into silence. The convoy inched forward. In roughly twenty minutes, they reached Bryson¡¯s residence. The guards and mercenaries stationed at the entrance awaited their arrival. Chapter 1150 Spotting Bryson¡¯s car, they hastened to open the gate and usher them in.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. The residences boasted modern architecture, exuding opulence and sophistication. Each vi sprawled across three floors, equipped with amenities Like swimming pools, gardens, and lounges. Unlike the decrepit structures elsewhere in the city, these buildings stood pristine and fortified, warding off any unwanted intruders. As Hannah emerged from the vehicle, she was met with Lorenzo¡¯s scowl. He was seething with a palpable anger. He stormed over with an using tone. ¡°You¡¯re behind the explosion at Jeffry¡¯s vige. Aren¡¯t you?¡± m! Hannah shut the car door with casual nonchnce, meeting Lorenzo¡¯s gaze with indifference. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡± ¡°Oh don¡¯t y dumb here! We depart, and suddenly, his vige goes up in mes. I refuse to believe it¡¯s a mere coincidence!¡± Lorenzo teetered on the edge of losing hisposure, his eyes aze with usation. ¡°Do you realize the repercussions the Compton family will face because of your actions?¡± Hannah chuckled dryly, ¡°What? Are you determined to pin this on me today? We¡¯ve already agreed to cooperate. Why would I sabotage that by blowing up his vige?¡± A sardonic glint shed in her eyes. ¡°And when exactly did I have the opportunity to nt bombs in his vige?¡± Lorenzo wanted to chat more, but Bryson sidled up to Hannah. ¡°Hey, Miss Moore, wanna take this convo inside?¡± Bryson slid in front of Hannah, blocking Lorenzo¡¯s view. ¡°Hey, no matter what¡¯s going on, let¡¯s hash it out inside, alright?¡± Lorenzo felt a chill from Bryson¡¯s cold gaze, causing an involuntary shiver. Despite Lorenzo¡¯s reluctance, the car had already entered, leaving him with no opportunity for second thoughts. Lorenzo clenched his teeth, hesitating. Even if Hannah and Bryson were acquainted, he belonged to Amelie, and they wouldn¡¯t risk taking his life here! The location was split into northern and southern sections, with the main residence situated in the middle. ¡°Hey Winston, make sure your sister¡¯s got a ce to crash and go with her, okay?¡± Hannah said. Afterward, she requested Caleb to arrange lodging for the remaining individuals, selecting only Dn and Dotson to apany her into the main house alongside Bryson. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The main house exuded immacte cleanliness, a testament to regr upkeep. Taking a seat on the sofa, Bryson directed his gaze toward Hannah and Lorenzo. ¡°Join me, please. ¡± Lorenzo beat Hannah to the punch, leaning forward on the sofa. ¡°Miss Moore, we just locked in our deal, and now their guys blow up? When word gets out in Caditown, they won¡¯t think it¡¯s an ident. They¡¯ll pin it on us! What¡¯s the game n?¡± Hannah, cool as a cucumber, shrugged. ¡°This is their yground, heavily armed. Jeffry had a knack for making enemies everywhere, drawing a lot of attention. His demise? Not our doing. Consider yourself lucky; you¡¯re not toast. But here you are, stirring the pot and pointing fingers at me. ¡± Lorenzo, getting worked up, snapped, ¡°Miss Moore! Remember, the big boss hasn¡¯t given you the official nod! Once the Compton and Chadwick family find out you¡¯re in the mix, they won¡¯t let you off the hook! Chapter 1151 We¡¯re talking billions here!¡± Bryson subtly motioned to the maid for coffee. ¡°It¡¯s just a business deal in the billions. There are plenty of fish in the sea for partnerships, and this ce is ripe with opportunities. All about the art of coboration, my man. ¡± Lorenzo eyed Bryson, suspicions lingering. ¡°Mr. Mitchell was all set to do business with Jeffry. What¡¯s with the change of heart, wanting to team up with us?¡± Bryson shot back, his voice deep and intense, ¡°¡°Jeffry¡¯s six feet under. Should I be sealing deals with him in the afterlife? Maybe our coboration could work out for both of us. ¡± Hannah cut in, ¡°Fine, spill your terms. ¡± Lorenzo shut it down, saying, ¡°No way! We¡¯ve never dealt with the Mitchell family. Miss Moore, you can¡¯t just make calls on your own Hannah retrieved her phone, nonchntly dialing a number and activating the speaker. In Lightby¡¯s Caditown, Wace upied his office, dealing with documents when an individual hastily entered. ¡°Boss! We¡¯ve got a problem!¡± His assistant, tablet in hand, looked dead serious. ¡°There¡¯s been this huge explosion in ckeye Underground City! And get this- it¡¯s where Miss Moore was doing her negotiations!¡± Wace¡¯s eyebrows furrowed instantly as he seized the tablet from the assistant! The real-time news disyed on the tablet detailed the explosion in the ckeye Underground City. Even those positioned outside the perimeter could witness the rising smoke. Wace¡¯s face got serious. ¡°Did you get in touch with our folks over there? What¡¯s the deal right now?¡± ¡°Everyone from Jeffry¡¯s crew got hit in the explosion at the vige. Lorenzo came out and shot a message to Madam. They seem to be okay, though. ¡± Wace had harbored the desire to sever connections with Jeffry but hadn¡¯t identified a viable solution. However, he hadn¡¯t anticipated such an urrence when Hannah embarked on business negotiations. Wace tapped his desk with his fingertips, contemting whether this incident was a mere coincidence or¡­ Deliberate, an enigma he couldn¡¯t fully decipher. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Seeing him stay quiet for a while, the assistant cautiously jumped in, ¡°Boss, things are getting a bit crazy. Some of Madam¡¯s crew are flipping out, saying the billion-dor deal is going down the drain because of Miss Moore. It¡¯s turning into a real mess. ¡± Wace cracked a smirk, a glint of intensity lighting up his eyes. ¡°Causing a ruckus as an excuse. They¡¯re just itching for me to deal with Hannah.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Going after her on the surface, but really, they want a piece of me. ¡± The assistant looked a bit worried. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s the move¡­¡± Before he could finish, Wace¡¯s phone buzzed. Checking the caller ID, Wace raised an eyebrow. Why was Hannah dialing him up? Motioning for the assistant to zip it, he picked up the call. ¡°Hannah?¡± Chapter 1152 Hannah¡¯s voice came through the phone. ¡°You heard the buzz, right? Jeffry¡¯s no more. We need better, more reliable partners. Funny enough, I bumped into Mr. Mitchell here, and he¡¯s all in for teaming up with us. Profits are up for grabs, let¡¯s talk about it. ¡± A brief silence ensued on the other end. Lorenzo spected that Wace might not agree, but just as a smile began to form on his lips, Wace¡¯s voice emanated from the phone. ¡°Fine, since you worked out this deal, you¡¯re in charge of it. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± Hannah quickly agreed and hung up, shooting a look over at Lorenzo. ¡°It looks like it¡¯s not just me doing my own thing, right?¡± Unexpectedly, Wace would ¡°favor¡± her to such an extent. Lorenzo was left speechless, frozen in ce. He anticipated that Wace would harshly reprimand Hannah, but instead of rebuking her, Wace delegated full responsibility for the issue to her! Bryson chimed in with a chuckle. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get down to the nitty-gritty of our partnership and figure out how we¡¯re splitting the spoils. ¡± The agreement was swiftly drafted, with Bryson¡¯s team disying efficiency. Before long, they presented the contract to Hannah and Lorenzo. Within the contract, aside from the absence of peculiar demands, Bryson willingly epted a smaller share. All advantages tilted in favor of Hannah. Lorenzo skimmed through the contract, getting more and more convinced that Hannah and Bryson were in cahoots. Today¡¯s show was just for him! With Hannah sealing the deal and no proof tying her to Jeffry¡¯s death, Lorenzo¡¯s master n, handed to him by Amelie, was toast.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! His face twisted, and he clenched the contract. Hannah, peeking at the paperwork, then shot Lorenzo a curious look. ¡°What¡¯s up? We just nailed a big coboration. Yet, you look far from thrilled. What gives?¡± Lorenzo clenched his teeth, masking his inner turmoil with a strained smile. ¡°Given the boss¡¯ decision, I naturally have no objections. ¡± After sealing the deal, Bryson had someone arrange Lorenzo¡¯s amodation and escort him out. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The living room now housed only Bryson¡¯s men and the two bodyguards, Dn and Dotson, shadowing Hannah. Bryson¡¯s raised hand signaled a withdrawal, plunging the living room into silence. Hannah finally lifted her gaze. ¡°What a coincidence. What brings you here too?¡± ¡°I initially came at my friend¡¯s request. There¡¯s an underground boxing match scheduled for tomorrow, and the K Group is taking part. However, their leader was injured and unable to attend, so they requested my help. I used the chance to engage in some business discussions. ¡± Propping up his forehead, Bryson shot a nce at Hannah. ¡°Unexpectedly, the business didn¡¯t go as nned, and our potential partner has met his demise. ¡± Chapter 1153 Aware of his sarcasm, Hannah countered with a smile. ¡°Well, then seek out another partner. Your business can carry on regardless. ¡± Meanwhile, Dn and Dotson maintained an unusually high level of vignce towards Bryson. When Bryson brought up the looming boxing match, the duo exchanged a nce, their expressions taking on an awkward hue. Appearing oblivious to their animosity, Bryson asked Hannah, ¡°Do you want to go tomorrow?¡± ¡°Well, since I¡¯m not in a rush to leave, watching wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea. ¡± While Hannah concurred, Dn interjected, ¡°Boss, don¡¯t go. ¡± Hannah turned, catching Dn¡¯s uneasy expression. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Dn nudged Dotson¡¯s shoulder, signaling him to speak. After clearing his throat, Dotson came up with an exnation. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve visited that location several times. It¡¯s too dangerous. You¡¯d be better off¡­¡± Before he could conclude, Bryson, seated across from them on the sofa, chimed in casually, ¡°If my memory serves me right, your men are also participating in this boxing match, right?¡± Hannah squinted at Dn, her gaze turning icy. ¡°What other information are you keeping from me?¡± Seeing Hannah fuming, Dotson hastily exined, ¡°Boss, hear me out. We really¡­¡± His voice faltered, and he lowered his head, nudging Dn¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You exin it. ¡± Dn nced at Bryson, then at Hannah, appearing hesitant. Observing his guarded stance against Bryson, Hannah said calmly, ¡°He is also one of us. There¡¯s nothing he shouldn¡¯t know. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Well, here¡¯s the thing. ¡± Dn finally confessed, ¡°We discovered that Leviathan appears to be in close proximity to ckeye Underground City. Coincidentally, you were scheduled toe here for business. The n was to protect you and then after you left, we would venture into ckeye Underground City to track down Leviathan¡¯s whereabouts. ¡± The more Dn spoke, the more tightly Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you discuss this with me? Who devised the n?¡± ¡°It was me. ¡± Dn¡¯s throat was somewhat parched as he spoke, avoiding eye contact with Hannah.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. ¡°I was afraid that if you knew about it, you would personally head there. We couldn¡¯t risk anything happening to you. ¡± Abruptly, Hannah sneered, ¡°Clearly, you brought in fighters for a reason, Dn. Do you think I¡¯m a fool?¡± ¡°No, he wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± Dotson quickly rified. ¡°He was genuinely concerned about your safety. He intended to conduct an investigation first and ensure your well-being. He wouldn¡¯t defy your wishes under any circumstances. ¡± Hannah gave Dotson a cold look and asked, ¡°Have you ever considered what could happen if I remained unaware, and Leviathan learned about your involvement?¡± Instantly, silence enveloped the living room. Dn and Dotson were left speechless. Chapter 1154 Breaking the impasse, Bryson stated, ¡°Leviathan¡­ So, are you also searching for this person?¡± Hannah turned her gaze away, immersing herself in a contemtive silence. Bryson turned to Dn and Dotson behind her, saying, ¡°Both of you, step out for now. I need to have a discussion with your boss. ¡± ¡°But¡­ Dotson hesitated. Hannah uttered in a cold tone, ¡°You leave first. ¡± ¡°Yes, Boss. ¡± After they left, Bryson rose and moved to Hannah¡¯s side, taking a seat. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for today¡¯s revtion, how long would you have kept the fact that you¡¯re the leader of the Dark Web hidden from me?¡± Bryson angled his head to peer at her, his words vored with a touch of rebuke, yet his tone didn¡¯t convey such sentiments.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°I didn¡¯t deliberately keep it from you. ¡± Hannah released a sigh, her hand ascending to her forehead as she mused, ¡°It¡¯s just that the matters involving it are too intricate. Trace it back, and I wouldn¡¯t even know where to begin. By the way, what¡¯s the deal with the boxing match?¡± Bryson exined, ¡°It¡¯sbeled as a boxing match, but it¡¯s essentially a power struggle for resources among the hidden factions in each district. It urs annually, serving as entertainment for the affluent. They monitor the on-sitebat through remote surveince. Each organization sends skilled fighters topete in the octagonal cage. The organization whose members endure the most rounds can win up to 500 million dors. ¡± In response to his words, a subtle arch adorned Hannah¡¯s eyebrows. ¡°That¡¯s quite a sum. But it shouldn¡¯t be worth such an intense struggle. ¡± Bryson, rhythmically tapping his knee with his slender fingers, said, ¡°The individual who secures th Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ e first position with consecutive victories will have more chances to coborate with wealthy individuals. ¡± Hannah asked, ¡°The Lyons Group is also in on this, right?¡± Bryson grinned at Hannah. ¡°How could they pass up a piece of the action? If they spot you and me here, I suppose their reactions won¡¯t be calm. Concerning Leviathan, it¡¯s likely he wouldn¡¯t risk showing up here. Most probably, he¡¯s concealed in ckeye Underground City, navigating survival while maintaining a discreet profile. He wouldn¡¯t risk emerging openly. ¡± Hannah fixed a stern gaze on Bryson. ¡°You seem to understand him well. ¡± ¡°I had some encounters with him during my time abroad. He¡¯s quite a formidable individual¡­¡± Chapter 1155 Bryson¡¯s voice trailed off, and he looked at Hannah. ¡°At the height of his prowess, he was seeded by someone even more formidable under hismand. Although news of his demise circted a few years back, my people recently detected signs of his resurgence. But I can¡¯t say for sure if it¡¯s really him or someone using his name to stir up trouble. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes reflected a resolute coldness. ¡°Whether it¡¯s him or an imposter using his name, I will extinguish this sparkpletely. If someone is causing trouble using his name, they won¡¯t escape unscathed. ¡± Bryson stared at her with profound eyes, reaching out to hold her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t let your people participate in the boxing match. The rules here in the boxing arena differ from the outside. Once the life-and-death contract is sealed, there¡¯s no looking back. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if you don¡¯t tell me, I won¡¯t let them take such risks. ¡± After the chat, Hannah¡¯s expression softened. ¡°Any news from Cadilind?¡± ¡°Just normal stuff. The Garza crew is teaming up with others to track you down. ¡± Hannah knew they wouldn¡¯t back off, and she wasn¡¯t surprised. ¡°Now that they know I¡¯m with the Compton family, they must¡¯ve found out about my mom¡¯s background. No wonder they¡¯re in a rush. ¡± Bryson said casually, ¡°They¡¯re not that influential. They can¡¯t stir trouble in Lightby yet. Don¡¯t stress about them now. ¡± Actually, her concern wasn¡¯t about matters from Cadilind. She was knee-deep in foreign affairs. It was wiser to worry about her current situation. ¡°Okay, I know. I¡¯ll go back and discuss things with them for tomorrow,¡± Hannah said, rising. As she turned to leave, Bryson caught her wrist. ¡°What¡­ Before Hannah could finish, Bryson had pulled her into his arms. With his arm around her waist, Bryson gazed at her and said, ¡°Once you¡¯re back, the Compton family will throw a party, officially dering you as their long-lost daughter. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, smiling. ¡°And what about that?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ He tightened his grip, hisshes casting a shadow. ¡°You¡¯ll be someone¡¯s supposed fiancee. Can¡¯t I feel a bit jealous?¡± Pursing her lips, Hannah yfully jabbed his nose with her finger. ¡°Sure. Why note grab me then?¡± ¡°As long as you agree, I¡¯ll be there to snatch you on the big day. ¡± Bryson¡¯s low voice had a captivating effect on Hannah. She gently pushed him away. ¡°For the greater good, keep a lid on your impulsiveness. ¡± ¡°I can¡¯t promise that. ¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. He yed with her hair, staring intensely. ¡°You know I¡¯m a bit crazy. I can¡¯t be reasonable when I lose it. ¡± Hannah held his tie, gently pulling him closer. They touched noses, and she teased, ¡°Want me to fix you up?¡± Chapter 1156 ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯m good now. Bryson narrowed his eyes, pinching her chin. ¡°Still missing him?¡± ¡°Are you still jealous?¡± Hannah snorted, brushing off his hand. ¡°You broke up with me because of it, remember?¡± Bryson gripped her waist. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll run off someday if I let you go. ¡± Hannah threw her head back inughter. ¡°You want to tie me up and drag me back, huh?¡± Bryson locked eyes with her, serious. ¡°If I could. I just want you with me all the time, nowhere else. ¡± cing a finger on his lips, Hannah whispered, ¡°I know you don¡¯t want me to leave. ¡± Suddenly, Bryson¡¯s eyes darkened. He held her waist, making her look up, then pressed his lips to hers. Bryson bit her tongue intensely, the taste of blood lingering in both their mouths. After a while, he released her. Lips stained with blood, voice hoarse, he warned, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about breaking up with me again!¡± Hannah¡¯s tongue felt numb. She pushed him away. ¡°Are you a dog? Why do you like biting so much?¡± Bryson, eyes brimming with desire, teased, ¡°Who started it first? Huh?¡± Hannah stared at him, stunned. Conversing with this childish man wasn¡¯t what she wanted at all. When she stepped out of the vi, Hannah spotted a bunch of people in the distance. Dn turned around, catching sight of Hannah. ¡°Boss, I didn¡¯t mean to keep you out of the loop about this¡­¡± Hannah waved her hand, cutting him off. ¡°I might¡¯ve been a bit harsh earlier. I get it; you don¡¯t want me stressing over you. ¡± They both strode over, and Dotson hurried to catch up with Hannah. ¡°Boss. ¡± A woman with a ponytail stood out from the group. Her skin was healthy and tan. ¡°Boss, my code name is Ghost. I know they¡¯re after Leviathan, and I can help them. ¡± ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯m good now. Bryson narrowed his eyes, pinching her chin. ¡°Still missing him?¡± ¡°Are you still jealous?¡± Hannah snorted, brushing off his hand. ¡°You broke up with me because of it, remember?¡± Bryson gripped her waist. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll run off someday if I let you go. ¡± Hannah threw her head back inughter. ¡°You want to tie me up and drag me back, huh?¡± Bryson locked eyes with her, serious. ¡°If I could. I just want you with me all the time, nowhere else. ¡± cing a finger on his lips, Hannah whispered, ¡°I know you don¡¯t want me to leave. ¡± Suddenly, Bryson¡¯s eyes darkened. He held her waist, making her look up, then pressed his lips to hers. Bryson bit her tongue intensely, the taste of blood lingering in both their mouths. BunnyBookery After a while, he released her. Lips stained with blood, voice hoarse, he warned, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about breaking up with me again!¡± Hannah¡¯s tongue felt numb. She pushed him away. ¡°Are you a dog? Why do you like biting so much?¡± Bryson, eyes brimming with desire, teased, ¡°Who started it first? Huh?¡± Hannah stared at him, stunned. Conversing with this childish man wasn¡¯t what she wanted at all. When she stepped out of the vi, Hannah spotted a bunch of people in the distance. Dn turned around, catching sight of Hannah. ¡°Boss, I didn¡¯t mean to keep you out of the loop about this¡­¡± Hannah waved her hand, cutting him off. ¡°I might¡¯ve been a bit harsh earlier. I get it; you don¡¯t want me stressing over you. ¡± They both strode over, and Dotson hurried to catch up with Hannah. ¡°Boss. ¡± A woman with a ponytail stood out from the group. Her skin was healthy and tan. ¡°Boss, my code name is Ghost. I know they¡¯re after Leviathan, and I can help them. ¡± ¡°He won¡¯t be around. None of you can join the boxing match tomorrow,¡± Hannah said to them. The group exchanged nces, and a quiet tension settled in. It seemed they weren¡¯t ready to give up on this. ¡°Boss, this is a rare shot. If we miss it and Leviathan hides, we might not get another chance!¡± Dotson sounded anxious. Hannah replied, ¡°I heard he won¡¯t show up here, even though he seems to be hiding in ckeye Underground City. He¡¯s been evading for years, very cautious. Don¡¯t make trouble for me. The soldierspeting in the ckeye Underground City are tough mercenaries. I don¡¯t want to see any of you get hurt. ¡± Someone in the group said, ¡°Boss, we¡¯re from the Dark Web, but don¡¯t forget we were part of an assassin organization. ¡± ¡°He won¡¯t be around. None of you can join the boxing match tomorrow,¡± Hannah said to them. The group exchanged nces, and a quiet tension settled in. It seemed they weren¡¯t ready to give up on this. ¡°Boss, this is a rare shot. If we miss it and Leviathan hides, we might not get another chance!¡± Dotson sounded anxious.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. Hannah replied, ¡°I heard he won¡¯t show up here, even though he seems to be hiding in ckeye Underground City. He¡¯s been evading for years, very cautious. Don¡¯t make trouble for me. The soldierspeting in the ckeye Underground City are tough mercenaries. I don¡¯t want to see any of you get hurt. ¡± Someone in the group said, ¡°Boss, we¡¯re from the Dark Web, but don¡¯t forget we were part of an assassin organization. ¡± Chapter 1157 annah raised her eyebrows.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°You im an assassin background. How likely are you to beat the top mercenaries?¡± Everyone looked at one another, and then they fell silent. Hannah looked around, sighed, and said, ¡°I know you¡¯re worried Leviathan might endanger me. You¡¯ve been in Lightby all these years. You should know ckeye better than me, right? Once you sign that agreement implying you might die, how many of you wille out of that boxing ring alive?¡± Dn and Dotson exchanged nces, and the others stayed quiet. ¡°Go back tomorrow. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Dn began, but Hannah¡¯s stern look silenced him. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ She patted Dn on the shoulder. ¡°Consider this an order. ¡± Dotson wanted to say something, but Dn stopped him, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s listen to our boss!¡± ¡°Can we stay while the others leave?¡± Before Hannah could respond, Dn continued, ¡°Boss, you need to keep some of us with you, right? If you don¡¯t agree, we won¡¯t leave, even if you¡¯re angry. ¡± Hannah always found Dn and Dotson a bit challenging. ¡°Are you two still acting like kids?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve grown up. Not kids anymore,¡± Dotson insisted. Dn elbowed Dotson and whispered, ¡°Stop talking nonsense!¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Hannah sighed, rubbing her forehead. ¡°You two stay. The rest can leave. ¡± Chapter 1158 After sending the rest away, Hannah said to Dn and Dotson, ¡°There¡¯s no need for you two to stay with me right now. You may head back. ¡± ¡°Understood, Boss. ¡± Once they were gone, Hannah made inquiries in the garden and located the house Winston and his sister resided in for now. She knocked, and after a moment, the door opened. Winston¡¯s cold demeanor melted upon seeing Hannah. He stepped aside to let her in. ¡°Miss Moore, what brings you here?¡± ¡°I¡¯vee to see your sister.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gazended on the girl huddled on the couch not far away, now dressed appropriately. The girl sat quietly, her bright eyes still showing signs of fear and distress. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your brother is here to keep you safe, and we¡¯re here for you too. You¡¯re going to be okay. ¡± The girl bit her pale lips, stood up, and gave a small bow to Hannah. ¡°Thank you¡­ Thank you for saving me, Miss Moore. If not for you, my friends and I would have endured much worse. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be scared. What¡¯s your name?¡± Hannah moved to sit beside her on the couch, asking, ¡°What did you usually do in Caditown?¡± ¡°My name is Alessandra. Amelie named me. ¡± The girl lowered her head and said with some uncertainty, ¡°Because my brother worked for the boss, they didn¡¯t make things hard for me. I just greeted guests. ¡± Suddenly, a look of terror shed in her eyes. Alessandra gazed at Hannah, her eyes pleading. ¡°Miss Moore! I¡¯ve heard¡­ I heard that you¡¯re the daughter of our boss! Could I¡­ Could you help me with something?¡± Abruptly, she stood up from the couch and knelt down with a loud thud. Before Hannah could react, Alessandra bowed deeply. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hannah quickly stood, reaching to help her up. ¡°What are you doing? You didn¡¯t have to do that. Even if you didn¡¯t tell me today, I would have asked. Winston has been with me for a while and has been a great help. I¡¯ll help you. Did you really think kneeling and bowing wouldpel me to do you a favor?¡± Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s words, Winston moved to protect Alessandra. ¡°Miss Moore, please don¡¯t be upset with her. She¡¯s just frightened. My sister is still young¡­¡± ¡°Well, you both seem quite terrified. ¡± Hannah released Alessandra¡¯s hand and sat beside her. ¡°I¡¯m not really angry. Sit down, let¡¯s talk about it calmly. ¡± Once seated, Alessandra exined her situation to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, I didn¡¯t mean to pressure you. I felt I had no other choice. Chapter 1159 Even my brother can¡¯t save us. Only you have the power to help. ¡± With Winston¡¯s assistance, Alessandra sat and told her entire story to Hannah. Many girls like her were stranded abroad without passports or legal documentation. Others were from orphanages or had been abandoned. They all shared amon trait; no family ties and were alone. They grew up in a home run by the Chadwick family. As they matured, the more attractive girls were sent to the Lust division of the organization for training as assassins. The other pretty girls stayed in Caditown, serving as bargaining chips for Amelie¡¯s business dealings. Just like what happened today, they were treated like mere objects. Reflecting on Alessandra¡¯s words, Hannah recalled the girls she had met before. She asked, ¡°What happened to the girls who were brought here before?¡± Alessandra shuddered, as if recalling a horrifying memory.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. ¡°¡­ None of them ever returned alive¡­ I once eavesdropped on Lorenzo¡¯s associates discussing the fate of the girls sent here¡­ They said¡­ None could withstand the torment here. I was so frightened, I hid away. But now, it seems it¡¯s our turn¡­¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Alessandra pleaded with Hannah, ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re our only hope. There are other injured girls in Caditown. Can you rescue them?¡± Honestly, Hannah wasn¡¯t exactly thepassionate type. Taking action would certainly put her at odds with Amelie, which was nearly the case already. Yet, she knew this would strike at the core of Amelie¡¯s operations. Noticing Hannah¡¯s silence, Winston stood and said to her, ¡°Miss Moore, I need to discuss something with you. Let¡¯s set this aside for now. Would you step outside with me?¡± Then, turning to Alessandra, Winston suggested, ¡°You must be exhausted from today. It¡¯s best you get some rest. ¡± ¡°But Winston¡­ I¡­¡± Alessandra clung to Winston¡¯s clothes, her eyes filled with distress. ¡°Be a good girl and get some rest, alright? We¡¯ll talk more tomorrow,¡± Winston said, cutting her off. They left the room together. Once Winston had shut the door behind them, they stepped outside. Hannah asked, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind? Tell me. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let her words trouble you. ¡± Chapter 1160 Surprised, Hannah raised her eyebrows and asked Winston, ¡°Why not?¡± With a straight face, Winston continued, ¡°This involves Amelie. I know you offended her when you rescued my sister. She definitely won¡¯t let it slide when you return. The Chadwick family has a strong hold in Caditown. Rescuing everyone is impossible, so¡­¡± Winston hesitated, then added, ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t take my sister¡¯s pleas too seriously. ¡± The atmosphere between the two was quiet for a while.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°I¡¯ll give it some thought. But like you said, the Chadwick family is as influential as the Compton family in Newfort. Overthrowing her won¡¯t be easy,¡± Hannah continued. ¡°I understand,¡± Winston said in a low voice. ¡°That¡¯s why you shouldn¡¯t dwell on my sister¡¯s request. ¡± ¡°Alright. Hannah suggested, ¡°You should go back andfort her. She¡¯s been through a lot today. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± The following morning, after breakfast, they headed to the ckeye Underground City¡¯s boxing ring. This unusual structure was indeed the boxing ring. Upon their arrival, the ce was already buzzing with spectators surrounding the ring. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The venue was spread across three floors. The majority of the crowd was on the top floor, with fewer groups on the second and ground floors. This wasn¡¯t your typical boxing ring. The iron pirs encircling it gave it a cage-Like appearance. The onlookers above looked down as if the fighters were wild beasts. Their arrival immediately drew a lot of attention. Almost everyone in the underground knew about the recent incident involving the head of K Group. Yet here they were, not just showing up as usual but also apanied by Bryson, who had been absent from the underworld scene for some time. The sight of Bryson left them astonished. Their attention quickly shifted to Hannah, who, among these burly men, appeared remarkably petite, an apparent contrast to their robust figures. Whispers began to circte around Hannah, with voices specting about her presence. ¡°Where do they think we are? Bringing a woman here,¡± someone murmured in disbelief. Another voice chimed in, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with having women around? They can hold their own in the boxing ring!¡± A third person questioned, ¡°Could she possibly be one of the contestants? She looks too fragile to endure even a couple of punches from me!¡± Chapter 1161 ¡°She appears to be a pampereddy out of her element. Let¡¯s not give her a reason to shed tears when she witnesses this scer,¡± someone remarked, their tone filled with condescension. The K Group, having clinched the boxing championship for three consecutive years, naturally drew more attention due to their past sesses. However, with their leader absent, anticipation for their potential embarrassment ran high among the spectators. ¡°Is the leader of the K Group afraid of losing face and hiding?¡± someone questioned, skepticism evident in their voice. Another voice chimed in, ¡°I suppose so. Even with the Mitchell family¡¯s support, what good does it do?¡± ¡°I made the mistake of losing to themst year. I¡¯ll just bide my time and see what happens this year,¡± yet another voice added. The stadium screen reflected the expressions of the onlookers surrounding the boxing ring.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. One individual, who had just spoken, gave the finger to the camera, further adding to the tension. Standing behind Hannah, Winston provided some context, saying, ¡°He¡¯s a rising star in the underground fighting scene. He¡¯s known as the Night Rider Mercenary Team¡¯s most skilled and fearlessbatant. ¡± Hannah gazed up at the man¡¯s face on therge screen, but her expression remained neutral. The annual boxing match followed the same rules each year, allowing bare-handedbatants to use any means necessary to defeat their opponents. Additionally, when both sides agreed, one could take on multiple opponents simultaneously. Bryson reclined casually and remarked, ¡°That guy you just saw fought against 12 opponents in a rowst year, only to be defeated by the K Group¡¯s leader in the end. Needless to say, he harbors quite a grudge. ¡± Hannah raised an intrigued eyebrow andmented, ¡°He certainly has quite the reputation. ¡± Meanwhile, Remington stared intently at the two individuals sitting side by side on theputer screen, his face disying solemn expression. Rodrigo stood beside Remington, his eyes rolling as he voiced his frustration. ¡°Mr. Lyons, I¡¯ve been warning you about Hannah¡¯s unreliability, haven¡¯t I? You should have let me handle her when we disembarked from the ship, so she wouldn¡¯t be turning to Bryson now!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Remington, lost in thought, drummed his fingers on the table in response to Rodrigo¡¯s words. He remained silent, his gaze fixed firmly on Hannah¡¯s image disyed on the screen. After a prolonged silence, he finally spoke, addressing Rodrigo. ¡°Tell Conor to see me as soon as possible. ¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Lyons,¡± Rodrigo acknowledged. Meanwhile, in the Pierce Group¡¯s office, Maloney and Wace sat on a sofa, one on each side. In front of them, a massive electronic screen disyed the live broadcast of the boxing match in the ckeye Underground City. When Hannah¡¯s face appeared on the screen, it elicited a degree of surprise from both of them. After their initial shock, Maloney raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer to Wace, speaking in a hushed tone. ¡°Didn¡¯t Miss Moore go there for a business discussion on your behalf? Why is she in the boxing ring?¡± Chapter 1162 Wace, holding a cigarette between his fingers, replied in a low, gruff voice, ¡°It seems she doesn¡¯t heed my advice. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard about the incident in ckeye,¡± Maloney remarked, his hand resting on his chin. ¡°Word has it that there was some sort of mishap in Jeffry¡¯s warehouse, and it ended up exploding. ¡± Wace responded with curiosity, ¡°Really? They discovered the cause so quickly?¡± A sly smile yed on Maloney¡¯s lips as he replied, ¡°If Miss Moore and herpanions hadn¡¯t departed when they did, I fear they might have been caught up in the explosion. ¡± Hearing this, Wace turned to Maloney with a subtle smile in his deep-set eyes. ¡°She seems to have quite the luck. ¡± The two men maintained a facade of ignorance, not revealing their true knowledge of the situation. Meanwhile, in the boxing ring, amidst a fierce battle, only the dark horse from the previous year, Adam Pearson, remained standing. The surroundingbatants were all visibly battered and being escorted away, while Adam bore only minor bruises. His eyes held a sinister glint as he surveyed the ring. Adam relentlessly taunted everyone around him. The members of various mercenary teams and organizations who had witnessed his earlier battles remained cautious and refrained from engaging with him any further, recognizing the futility of challenging him. Adam directed his harsh words towards Bryson. ¡°Why has the K Group turned into a bunch of cowards since your leader changed? None of you dare to participate in this year¡¯s boxing match? It¡¯smon knowledge that your K Group has grown feeble without your leader. Without him, you¡¯re nothing more than losers overshadowed by me! If you¡¯re too afraid topete, why even bother showing up here? Ha ha!¡± Tensions red within the team as one member, unable to tolerate Adam¡¯s taunting any longer, stood up and appeared ready to rush down towards the boxing ring. Bryson intervened, his tone cold and authoritative, ¡°Our leader specifically instructed me to bring you all here this time because he didn¡¯t want our group to be absent from the event, not to engage in unsanctioned challenges with other mercenary teams or organizations. ¡± Despite Bryson¡¯s warning, the impulsive individual remained unyielding, dering with determination, ¡°Even if it means risking my life, I won¡¯t stand for insults here!¡± With those words, he turned and descended into the arena, prepared to ept the challenge. Caleb, sensing trouble, moved to intervene, but Bryson raised a hand to halt him, saying, ¡°Let him go if that¡¯s his choice. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As the man entered the ring, Adam casually flexed his wrist and remarked, ¡°You¡¯vee here seeking death? I won¡¯t hold back against someone from the K Group!¡± In a bold move, the impulsive man charged straight at his formidable opponent, capturing the undivided attention of everyone. Initially, many had assumed that the members of the K Group would provide a formidable challenge to Adam. However, to their surprise, after just five rounds of intensebat, Adamnded a devastating blow to the man¡¯s abdomen, causing him to expel a mouthful of blood. Without granting his opponent a moment¡¯s respite, Adam let out a cold snort and delivered a forceful kick, sending the man tumbling away. The crowd erupted with excitement, and those who relished watching the spectacle began cheering enthusiastically for Adam.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. The thunderous apuse reverberated throughout the audience. Adam advanced methodically towards the fallen man, who was now spitting blood, and maliciously ced his foot on the man¡¯s chest, sneering, ¡°The K Group truly lives up to its reputation as a bunch of losers!¡± Despite the excruciating pain, the man resisted, his forehead beaded with sweat as he defiantly retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t get too c@@ky!¡± Summoning all his determination, he reached up and forcibly pulled at Adam¡¯s foot that pinned him down, locking eyes with Adam as he gritted his t eeth. ¡°If you have the guts, finish me. If not, shut your mouth¡­¡± Chapter 1163 Before he could finish his words, Adam unleashed a swift kick to the man¡¯s ribs, causing him to curl up in a fetal position with a cry of agony. ¡°f@ck you!¡± Adam snapped in irritation, raining down a barrage of blows upon the man¡¯s head, prompting horrified screams from the onlookers who couldn¡¯t bear to watch. Unsatisfied, Adam extended his hand, gripping the man¡¯s cor, and drove his knee into the man¡¯s abdomen. The man, barely conscious, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes bloodshot and swollen, his eyelids nearly shut. In less than ten minutes, the man who had entered the boxing ring with high spirits had been mercilessly beaten by Adam, reduced to a battered and broken figure. Caleb expressed his concern. ¡°Boss¡­ if Adam keeps this up, he might kill him!¡± Caleb went on, ¡°He¡¯s a high-ranking member of the K Group. If he actually dies here¡­¡± Before Caleb could finish his thought, Hannah abruptly stood up and leaped down to the grandstand on the first floor. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Oh my god!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Who jumped? Who was that?¡± ¡°Thatdy over there! What¡¯s she up to?¡± Hannahnded on the grandstand and quickly made her way into the boxing ring through a side passage. ¡°Has she lost her mind? Does she think this is some kind of girl¡¯s y? I can¡¯t believe it!¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. ¡°I can just picture the trouble she¡¯s going to get herself into!¡± Caleb felt shocked too. He was about to follow her, but Bryson held him back. ¡°It¡¯s okay. ¡± Bryson¡¯s intense gaze followed Hannah as she stepped into the boxing ring. Adam, overwhelmed with fury, was relentlessly beating a defenseless man on the floor! Suddenly, he felt a tap on his back, and his punches halted abruptly! He was shocked. How had he not noticed someone approaching? Turning, Adam saw Hannah, d in a white dress, behind him. He sneered at her and said, ¡°You think you have the guts to step into the ring? You¡¯re asking for trouble! Bah!¡± With a scoff, Adam spat on the floor. ncing at the man lying beaten on the floor and then at Hannah, he taunted, ¡°Can¡¯t the K Group find a decent fighter? Sending a woman to face me?¡± Hannah nonchntly tied her hair back, revealing her radiant face. Chapter 1164 She gestured towards Adam with a rxed smile. ¡°We¡¯ll see who the real loser is. ¡± Adam, annoyed, tried to grab Hannah¡¯s cor. ¡°You¡¯re asking for it. I¡¯ll be the one to take you down first!¡± His swift move captured the audience¡¯s attention, their eyes glued to the big screen in anticipation. No one could really tell how quickly Hannah moved out of the way. They only noticed that Adam¡¯s swing didn¡¯t reach her. In the moment Adam stood there, confused, Hannah was already five steps back. Her dress fluttered in the wind, catching the sunlight in stark contrast to the grim atmosphere of the boxing ring. The crowd in the stands slowly fell silent. Hannah¡¯s image was disyed on therge screen, looking like a celestial being, radiating a sense of untouchable grace and beauty. Seeing this, Adam¡¯s eyes filled with rage. He charged towards Hannah, fists clenched, ready to strike! ¡°Go to hell!! You f@cking bitch!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ But this time, Hannah didn¡¯t move. She just watched as the furious man charged at her, his fist looming closer and closer! The audience gasped in shock. ¡°Why isn¡¯t she moving out of the way?¡± ¡°She just got lucky before, that¡¯s how she got away!¡± ¡°This woman clearly isn¡¯t a fighter. She¡¯s asking for trouble. ¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell,¡± Caleb said, worried, standing next to Bryson. But Bryson, with his eyes fixed on Adam¡¯s advancing figure, looked at Hannah, who hadn¡¯t budged an inch, and calmly said, ¡°It¡¯s alright. ¡± Suddenly, as the fist neared her, Hannah lifted her hand and firmly grasped the man¡¯s powerful punch.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°f@ck! How did she stop Adam¡¯s punch? That¡¯s incredible!¡± ¡°How strong is she to block Adam¡¯s punch like that? Unbelievable¡­¡± ¡°Who is she, and where did shee from? When did someone so formidable join the K Group? It¡¯s amazing!¡± While they were still buzzing with questions, the scene in the boxing ring shifted. Adam hadn¡¯t anticipated Hannah¡¯s ability to counter his full-force strike. His eyes widened in shock, and he was lost in his surprise for a moment. Hannah seized the opportunity, gripping his hand tighter and deftly twisting his arm with a precise motion. Chapter 1165 Up close, Hannah distinctly heard the sound of his arm breaking. Adam¡¯s arm throbbed with pain. Before he could even let out a yell, Hannah had let go of his arm. She pushed down on his shoulders with both hands and delivered a powerful kick to his knees. The towering Adam found himself kneeling before the slight figure of Hannah, unable to resist. Bang! With a loud crash, Adam¡¯s knees hit the floor, still held firmly by Hannah. Then, she raised her knees and struck him under the chin. ¡°Ouch!¡± Adam groaned, blood spilling from his mouth, his eyes bloodshot. Hannah¡¯s movements were so swift that the audience, watching the big screen, could barely follow.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! As Adam coughed up blood, Hannah quickly withdrew her hand and stepped back. She nced down at her dress, brushing it off nonchntly. ¡°You better not stain my dress,¡± she remarked, her tone casual yetmanding. The crowd erupted in cheers at her disy of skill and confidence. Meanwhile, the expressions of some mercenary teams and dark organizations turned grim. They had considered Adam as the dark horse of thepetition, especially in the absence of K Group. But they hadn¡¯t expected an unknown woman to emerge and dominate him so thoroughly. The Night Rider Mercenary Team looked particrly displeased. Seeing Adam unable to rise, their leader signaled discreetly to his men. In response, a dozen figures leapt from the first floor, swiftly moving into action. The leader of the Night Rider Mercenary Team twisted his wrist and signaled for someone to pull Adam away, saying to Hannah, ¡°Young Lady, taking on us alone isn¡¯t within your capabilities. There¡¯s still time to concede. ¡± Unfazed, Hannah curled her lip and threw his words back at him mockingly. ¡°Maybe you should consider this too. It¡¯s hardly worth sacrificing your whole team for one injured man. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Her boldness visibly irked the leader. The dozen people with him were the best of the best in their team. He was convinced that this woman wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against their assault. However, as soon as they charged, Hannah swiftly knocked down three or four of them in a blink. Before they could eveny a finger on her, she had already dodged away! More and more of his team members were falling around Hannah, her dress fluttering elegantly with each move she made. In under ten minutes, she was the only one left standing in the ring. Her white dress billowed around her, a stark contrast to the Night Rider team members sprawled awkwardly on the floor, unable to get up. Hannah lifted her gaze to the audience, her face projected on the screen. ¡°Who¡¯s next? Who dares to challenge me?¡± Chapter 1166 A hush fell over the audience. None of the mercenaries or members of the evil organizations dared to step forward to face Hannah first. Hannah clearly understood their thoughts. With a smile, she remarked, ¡°It¡¯s a smart move to take turnsing at me with so many people. I¡¯mpletely sure I can take down the top fifty here without a sweat. ¡± Narrowing her eyes, Hannah added, ¡°I¡¯m curious to see who¡¯ll be the unlucky one to take the fall for the benefit of the others. ¡± The leaders of several mercenary groups held back their eager members from challenging her. Hannah¡¯s point was valid. The first ones to face her would be at a clear disadvantage, while those who cameter would have it a bit easier. But K Group wasn¡¯t to be underestimated. They wouldn¡¯t let her stand alone in the ring to be overwhelmed. The final three seconds of the countdown disyed on the screen. At the end of the countdown, no one stepped forward to challenge her. Following the countdown, the screen showed Hannah¡¯sposed face, confirming K Group as the champions once again this year. Standing in the ring, Hannah looked around at the audience and said sharply, ¡°Some people will do anything to win, and I remember grudges. I suggest some of you keep a low profile. If I catch you, you¡¯ll regret it tenfold more than they did!¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Exiting the boxing ring, Hannah¡¯s departure echoed with authority. Her words resonated, casting a hush over both the mercenary teams and the ndestine organizations present. The hulking figure from the K Group, once eager to challenge Adam, nowy prone, whisked away for urgent medical attention. As the dust settled in the aftermath of Hannah¡¯s exit, a swift motion ensued. Members of the Night Rider Mercenary Team were promptly ushered away for medical attention. On the other side, Conor, stationed in his car, observed the match¡¯s conclusion. Arriving at Remington¡¯s office, he sensed the palpable gloom that permeated the room. ¡°Boss. ¡± Conor approached, his expression mirroring the somber ambiance. Remington met his gaze with a faint smile. ¡°You caught the boxing match, I assume? She¡¯s now a Compton, a woman of substance. Remarkably, she¡¯s managed to establish connections even with the Mitchell family. ¡± Conor said, ¡°I¡¯ve cautioned you before-she¡¯s not one to be easily controlled. If we intend to wield her as a tool, we must be prepared for the possibility of bing pawns in her game. A few days ago, there was an explosion in ckeye, reportedly Linked to the spontaneousbustion in Jeffry¡¯s warehouse. My bet is; she orchestrated it. She¡¯s a wild card with a sound mind. Her actions are unpredictable. She even assists us in dealing with her biological father. Aligning herself with adversaries wouldn¡¯t be a surprise.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡± Chapter 1167 As Conor spoke, the frigidity in Remington¡¯s eyes thawed. Observing the woman on the screen making her way to the grandstand, Remington raised his hand and shut down theputer with a decisive click. ¡°And what course do you propose we take?¡± he inquired. ¡°She¡¯s earned the ire of the Chadwick n with her assault on Jeffrey. Even if Wace turns a blind eye, her future within the Compton fold will be fraught with challenges,¡± Conor reasoned.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Without our intervention, she¡¯ll struggle within her own kin. She¡¯s aware of this, I¡¯m certain. As for Bryson, should she seek to align herself with the Mitchells, it may work in our favor. ¡± Remington fell into contemtion. ¡°Handle it. Keep a vignt eye on Hannah. The woman is astute and shrewd. Should she betray our interests, you know what to do. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss. I¡¯ve arranged for someone inconspicuous to tail her. She won¡¯t suspect a thing. ¡± Conor nodded, receiving a dismissive gesture from Remington, signaling his exit. After he left, Rodrigo suggested, ¡°Boss, considering Hannah might be a nuisance, why not just. . He mimicked a throat-slitting gesture and proposed, ¡°Just eliminate her, and we won¡¯t have to deal with the hassle. ¡± Remington shot him a disdainful look. ¡°Is violence all you¡¯re capable of?¡± Rodrigo¡¯s shoulders slumped, silently acknowledging his mistake. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Rising from his seat, Remington strolled to the French window, peering out onto the bustling street. ¡°I still need her to stir chaos in Caditown. Let her run wild as long as she doesn¡¯t cross certain lines. She¡¯s our pawn. ¡± ¡°Yes, boss!¡± Exiting the boxing ring, the deputy leader of K Group approached Hannah with an apologetic air. ¡°Apologies, Miss Moore. Jack¡¯s recklessness caused significant trouble this time. If there¡¯s anything our organization can do for you in the future, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask. ¡± He then turned to Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, our boss understands your frustration with Jack¡¯s actions. He acted in what he believed was the organization¡¯s best interest. Please forgive him. ¡± Bryson¡¯s response was stoic. ¡°His impulsiveness endangered my men. I can¡¯t overlook that, even for his sake. ¡± Though the deputy leader dared not meet Bryson¡¯s gaze, he understood the weight of thetter¡¯s words. Bryson¡¯s reputation preceded. He surpassed the K Group¡¯s boss in ruthlessness andmanded greater respect. Hannah said, ¡°Your man is seriously injured. Return and recuperate. Your boss will remember this favor. ¡± Grateful for the exit strategy Hannah offered, the deputy leader quickly expressed his gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore. We¡¯ll take our leave!¡± As the members of K Group departed, Hannah, apanied by Winston and Bryson, made her way back. ¡°Helping K Group could make you a target. Aren¡¯t you concerned?¡± Hannah turned to Bryson with a yful smile. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you to stop me earlier?¡± A subtle grin yed across Bryson¡¯s dark eyes. ¡°Even if they turn against you, it doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m by your side. ¡± Chapter 1168 Winston, trailing behind, interjected coldly, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, no matter your influence, protecting Miss Moore indefinitely is impractical. Her impulsive actions today will attract bacsh. Even if we can handle the gangs behind them, it¡¯ll bring significant trouble for her. ¡± However, Hannah countered, ¡°Only when I align with K Group members will they go the extra mile for me. Do you truly believe people will buy into the ¡®idental¡¯ warehouse explosion?¡± Her strategic maneuver was nothing short of a calcted chess move, a y for the long game.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. ¡°Even if I had chosen to remain inert, ckeye¡¯s watchful eyes would linger, scrutinizing every move. By daring to defy ckeye¡¯s regtions, I¡¯ve undoubtedly drawn attention, inviting the gaze of countless observers,¡± she remarked coolly. Winston, caught off guard, hadn¡¯t fathomed that Hannah had already devised a contingency n in just a matter of days. ¡°Then¡­¡± He surfaced his confusion. ¡°What if the K Group didn¡¯t make an appearance today?¡± Bryson¡¯s response was curt, his voice a low rumble of discontent. ¡°I never intended to deploy them inbat. It was a fluke, an unintended turn of events that led to what transpired today. ¡± ¡°Fair enough. One major hurdle down,¡± Hannah sighed with satisfaction, stretchingnguidly. ¡°It¡¯s time to return and apprise Mr. Compton of the situation. ¡± The thought of Amelie¡¯s incredulous expression brought a smirk to her lips. She itched to witness whether Joselyn could maintainposure when facing her. Exiting the confines of ckeye, Hannah¡¯s and Bryson¡¯s vehicles maintained a synchronized pace as they headed toward the city center. Their paths diverged only upon reaching the bustling downtown area. As Winston steered the car into the opulent grounds of the Compton Manor, the visible surge in the number of vignt guards didn¡¯t escape Trent¡¯s notice. Frowning, he remarked, ¡°Something¡¯s wrong. There¡¯s a significant increase in security. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The bodyguards, not obstructing Winston, ushered his car into the core of the estate. They even subtly guided him into the heart of the manor. ¡°Seems like trouble is heading our way. ¡± Holding the wheel firmly, Winston appraised the looming manor. His gaze met Hannah¡¯s as he voiced a crucial question. ¡°Miss Moore, if I turn this car around now, we might just slip away. ¡± Unperturbed by the vignt guards, Hannah brushed it off with a wave of her hand. ¡°Drive straight ahead. After all, this is the Compton family¡¯s domain. ¡± Casting a meaningful nce at Winston, she added, ¡°Remember your allegiance. Don¡¯t lose sight of who you are. Are you truly prepared to defy the Compton family and follow me?¡± As those words sunk in, Winston found himself momentarily stunned. ¡°You saved Alessandra. I¡¯m not one to overlook a kindness,¡± he announced calmly as he brought the car to a halt. ncing into the rearview mirror, he caught sight of figures closing in from behind. His hand instinctively brushed against the gun tucked at his waist. ¡°Easy there,¡± Hannah murmured from the passenger seat, her eyes tracking the approaching figures. ¡°It¡¯s dark, and we¡¯re in murky waters. Now¡¯s not the time for a skirmish. ¡± Abruptly, as she finished speaking, sharp knocks echoed against both sides of the car¡¯s doors. Several imposing bodyguards had encircled them. Hannah lowered the window withposure, meeting the row of stoic guards outside. ¡°Move aside!¡± shemanded. The lead bodyguard addressed Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, we¡¯re not here for trouble. The Compton family elders are here today. For the manor¡¯s security, please surrender your weapons. ¡± Chapter 1169 Hannah exchanged a nce with Winston. He understood her silent cue. Taking Keith¡¯s and Trent¡¯s firearms, he stepped out of the car and handed them over to the waiting guards. Yet, the lead bodyguard hesitated. ¡°Miss Moore, about your. . ¡± he began. Hannah¡¯s cold smile cut him off.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°What? You want to frisk me?¡± ¡°No, no¡­¡± The bodyguard lowered his gaze, motioning his men to step back, allowing them entry. As the car came to a halt, the vi¡¯s butler approached. His gaze flickered with surprise upon spotting Alessandra, prompting him to address Hannah in a hushed tone. ¡°Miss Moore, they cannot apany you inside today. ¡± Hannah nced at Alessandra, who cowered beside Winston in apprehension. ¡°Very well. Arrange for their stay, and I¡¯ll go alone. ¡± Before she could depart, Winston interjected, ¡°I was there too. The boss won¡¯t mind me apanying Miss Moore, will he?¡± After a brief hesitation, the butler assented. ¡°Fine, Winston. Please apany Miss Moore. The rest will follow me. ¡± ¡°Winston!¡± Alessandra clutched Winston¡¯s sleeve in fear. ¡®s BunnyBookery He reassured her softly. ¡°You¡¯ll be in good hands with these gentlemen. I¡¯ll return shortly. ¡± Turning to Keith, he implored, ¡°Keep an eye on Alessandra. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Caught between concern and a desire to intervene, Keith exchanged a worried nce with Winston before directing his attention to Hannah. Words teetered on the edge of his tongue, but Trent intercepted, dissuading him with a solemn shake of his head. ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll wait for you,¡± Keith affirmed. Apanying Hannah into the vi, Winston noted the presence of elderly figures in the living room, nked by a formidable Lineup of guards. His demeanor tensed when he caught sight of someone familiar seated on another sofa. He murmured to Hannah, ¡°Members of the Chadwick family are here too. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze shifted toward Amelie. Seated beside her were two suited men, youthful in appearance yet unable to conceal the malevolence lurking within their eyes. Ignoring the silent warning, Hannah strode confidently into the living room, only to be intercepted by vignt guards at the entrance. Meeting the scrutinizing gazes of those seated, she remained undaunted. ¡°No need for rm. I¡¯m not carrying explosives, nor do I wish to share a demise with you. ¡± Her bold statement incited a scowl from a grey-haired man among them. ¡°You¡¯re Wace¡¯s daughter, aren¡¯t you?¡± Brushing off the guard¡¯s attempt to restrain her, Hannah settled into a seat with nonchnce. Chapter 1170 The bodyguards, itching to intervene, found themselves halted by Winston¡¯s firm stance, thwarted from encroaching upon Hannah¡¯s space ¡°Outrageous!¡± The old man¡¯s fist mmed the table, fury igniting his aged features. He leveled an usatory finger at Hannah, eyes ame as he turned to Wace. ¡°Haven¡¯t you taught her any etiquette?¡± Wace remained seated on the distant sofa; muted. Since Hannah¡¯s arrival, he¡¯d scarcely spared her a nce. Instead, he opted to whisk out a cigar and wordlessly lit it. Seated on the plush sofa, Hannah reclined leisurely, her gaze narrowed as she faced the user. ¡°I was raised in Cadilind. Foreign etiquette isn¡¯t familiar to me. ¡± The old man scoffed, his ire mounting. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand respect for your elders?¡± Hannah¡¯s smile wasced with defiance. ¡°Who are you to me? Your name¡¯s Compton, mine¡¯s Moore. We hardly share a connection. ¡± Her retort left the old man breathless, his chest heaving with anger. Sitting next to Amelie, Joselyn couldn¡¯t contain her disdain. ¡°Hannah, your arrogance is boundless! You¡¯ve brewed quite a storm, and now my uncles are gathered here to untangle the mess you¡¯ve made. And yet, you persist in your stubbornness!¡± Hannah blinked with feigned innocence. ¡°My mess? What mess? I¡¯ve been busy negotiating for the Compton family in ckeye. What trouble could I possibly stir?¡± ¡°Quit the act!¡± Joselyn spat. ¡°Jeffry¡¯s base was obliterated. You had a hand in it, didn¡¯t you? Do you know how much trouble it will bring to the Compton family? Multiple factions in Caditown are demanding answers from my father and uncles. They want your head!¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! As Joselyn finished, Amelie assumed a conciliatory tone. ¡°Hannah, I understand your youthful vigor. What¡¯s done is done. Pointing fingers won¡¯t solve the matter. But your actions have ramifications. It ces undue strain on the Compton family. ¡± The other Compton elders grew restless at Amelie¡¯s clemency. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°She¡¯s the root of this turmoil! Hand her over, and we absolve ourselves from this strife! Besides, the banquet hasn¡¯t even started yet and she¡¯s already ignited chaos. We¡¯ve yet to even acknowledge her as kin! Her return has only sown discord. A truly oblivious woman!¡± The Chadwick family observed in silence, their eyes trained on Hannah. Even as they contemted surrendering her, Hannah¡¯sposure remained unshaken. Their threats failed to incite fear; instead, a subtle smirk graced her lips. Amelie¡¯s doubts surfaced at Hannah¡¯sposure. ncing at Wace, Amelie proposed, ¡°I know she¡¯s your daughter by blood. I understand your reasons for shielding her. However, this situation has spun out of control. If we don¡¯t surrender her, those demanding answers might not give up¡­¡± With an embarrassed look on her face, she continued, ¡°What about sending her abroad temporarily for her safety?¡± Wace, toying with an unlit cigar, remained contemtive juggling the lighter on his other hand. Suddenly, hearing what she said, he sparked the cigar. The smoke swirled, veiling his intense gaze. After a contemtive pause, he exhaled a plume of smoke and directed his sharp eyes at Hannah through the haze. ¡°Are you willing to go abroad,y low for a while?¡± Meeting Wace¡¯s gaze head-on, Hannah¡¯s smirk deepened. ¡°Why should I hide?¡± Before Wace could respond, Hannah found herself surrounded by criticisms. Chapter 1171 ¡°It¡¯s your best way to get away from this!¡± ¡°You¡¯re an ingrate, you know that? Your mother has arranged a haven for you, so we don¡¯t have to hand you over and see you suffer. Her goodwill is utterly wasted on you!¡± Joselyn said, ¡°You¡¯re just trying to make our parents look bad, didn¡¯t you?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Amelie added, ¡°If you¡¯re against going abroad, just stay out of sight at the manor for a while. ¡± ¡°Ha ha,¡± Hannah sneered. ¡°You¡¯ve gone to great lengths to deny my existence. When I said I wouldn¡¯t return, Mr. Compton insisted on fetching me. Now that I¡¯m back, you¡¯re all pretending I don¡¯t belong. What do you mean?¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow and said, ¡°I¡¯m not the type to do as you please. ¡± ¡°Do you still want to keep fighting with us, Hannah?¡± Joselyn¡¯s temper red. ¡°Winston. ¡± Hannah abruptly lifted her hand and signaled to Winston. Winston, who had been dealing with a bodyguard, coldly waved him off and produced a contract Hannah had signed with Bryson in ckeye. He ced it on the table, pushing it towards Wace. With a cigar between his fingers, Wace lowered his gaze to the contract¡¯s cover. He recognized it as another contract signed by Hannah, so he raised an eyebrow and remained silent. Upon spotting the contract on the table, Amelie concealed her emotions and fell silent. The individuals in the living room exchanged nces when they noticed the contract. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Wace then instructed the man beside him in a stern,manding tone, ¡°Wilfred, read it. ¡± The real power in the Compton family had never belonged to the elders. Wilfredcked the necessary prowess, while Wace had long steered the family¡¯s direction. Wilfred¡¯s courage to confront Wace today stemmed from a desire to leverage the situation, hoping to diminish Wace¡¯s influence and secure some advantages for himself. After a moment of hesitation, Wilfred picked up the contract and unfolded it. His facial expression shifted from contempt to astonishment. ¡°How is that possible?¡± The others grew curious at his reaction, wondering what the contract contained. Wilfred remained in a state of shock for quite some time, unable to fully process the contents of the contract. After reading it several times, he was still shocked. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± the members of the Chadwich family eagerly asked, intrigued by Wilfred¡¯s bewildered expression. Wilfred passed the contract around before slumping back onto the sofa, seemingly lost in thought. When the Chadwich family members read through the contract, their brows furrowed. Eventually, itnded in Amelie¡¯s hands. Amelie¡¯s heart sank as she scanned the document, sensing trouble brewing. Before she could say anything, Hannah said, ¡°I chose not to sign the contract with Jeffry. The annual profit from this contract is three percent higher than Jeffry¡¯s offer, without any burdensome extra demands. ¡± Chapter 1172 Shrugging her shoulders, Hannah adopted an innocent tone and said, ¡°In business, profit is undoubtedly the top priority. Why would I choose Jeffry when I have a superior option? So, it¡¯s not a big deal, right?¡± Joselyn was scrutinizing the contract and couldn¡¯t help but challenge Hannah, saying, ¡°Who are you trying to fool? You¡¯re responsible for blowing up Jeffry¡¯s base. Do you expect us to overlook that?¡± Hannah replied with an earnest smile, ¡°The incident at Jeffry¡¯s base is unrted to us. We were thoroughly searched before entering their facility. Plus, reports say it was an idental ammunition explosion. How could I possibly sneak into their ammunition under such tight security?¡± Hannah looked at Wace and said, ¡°This is my inaugural negotiation representing the Compton family. If we hadn¡¯t sealed the deal for cooperation and departed early, I might have been engulfed by the explosion at his base. So, I think you owe me somepensation for the trauma, don¡¯t you think?¡± Wace struggled to maintain hisposure at Hannah¡¯s audacity. Joselyn eximed, ¡°How can you even think of imingpensation?! You are lying! You¡¯re the one behind the destruction of Jeffry¡¯s base! It exploded right after you left!¡± ¡°Do you have proof of that?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze hardened as she addressed Joselyn, saying, ¡°I get it. My return as Mr. Compton¡¯s daughter poses a threat to you. Your dislike is expected. But if you keep spreading false rumors¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s smile turned sly and said, ¡°I won¡¯t be so forgiving next time. ¡± Joselyn¡¯s eyes red as she retorted, ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Hannah merely shrugged and replied with an easy smile, ¡°Take it as you will. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got a witness! Bring him in!¡± Joselyn signaled subtly, and soon after, Lorenzo was escorted into the room. Lorenzo approached with due respect. ¡°Greetings, Mr. and Mrs. Compton. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°Lorenzo, what happened that day?¡± Joselyn prompted, looking smug. Lorenzo lifted his gaze to meet Hannah¡¯s and cast his eyes downward, feigning uncertainty. He hesitated before speaking. ¡°Regarding this¡­ situation¡­ I can¡¯t cover for Miss Moore. Miss Moore left midway after receiving a call. We didn¡¯t see her actions outside. When she returned, the deal had already fallen through¡­ and shortly after we drove off, an explosion sounded behind us! Jeffry¡¯s base had been destroyed!¡± Upon hearing Lorenzo¡¯s words, Joselyn¡¯s expression turned confident, as if victory was assured. She said, ¡°Please, do exin. Did you manipte something while you were away?¡± Hannahughed at the usation. ¡°Miss Compton, think about it. Jeffry¡¯s guards were all around. How could I have possibly done anything? I didn¡¯t want to make it too clear¡­¡± She took a moment to pause, raising her gaze to Lorenzo, who stood alongside Amelie. ¡°He¡¯s your guy, Mrs. Compton. It¡¯smon knowledge that you sent him to spy on me, not to assist in negotiations. But he wouldn¡¯t have joined me if I hadn¡¯t wanted him toe along. Therefore¡­¡± Despite a hint of a smile in Hannah¡¯s eyes, her tone remained icy as she stated, ¡°If I had blown it up, would I have let him return unharmed and reveal my actions?¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Chapter 1173 Lorenzo stood there, his legs shaking and sweat beading on his forehead. The living room sank into a tense silence after Hannah¡¯s remarks. She swept her gaze over everyone and said, ¡°Any more questions? I¡¯m exhausted. I don¡¯t wish to entertain this any longer. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re just spouting lies! Now that they¡¯re dead, feel free to make up stories!¡± Joselyn couldn¡¯t hold back her sharp criticism of Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re doing the same thing,¡± Hannah responded without even ncing at Joselyn. ¡°You mentioned they¡¯re dead. You¡¯re free to say whatever you like, too. Go ahead, discover the truth. ¡± Hannah casually turned her head toward Joselyn. ¡°They¡¯re dead now. Why don¡¯t you visit the afterlife and ask them for the truth?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°You!¡± Joselyn¡¯s anger was evident, her face turning a deep shade of red. Members of the Chadwick family, outraged, mmed their hands on the table and raised their voices. ¡°Do you have no respect for us, the elders?¡± ¡°Frankly speaking, I really don¡¯t respect you at all. ¡± Hannah reclined on the sofa, casting a casual nce at the angered Chadwick family. ¡°Amelie isn¡¯t my mother. She never birthed or raised me. And you all aren¡¯t my family to judge me. Do you really think you have the right to call me ungrateful?¡± Her gaze shifted to the man who had challenged her, her eyes sharp and intimidating. ¡°You know, wandering in the dark too much might just lead you to encounter ghosts, Mr. Chadwick. Be careful. ¡± Sheridan Chadwick was taken aback, not expecting Hannah¡¯s bold retort. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ The living room fell into a heavy silence, with no one daring to utter a word. Wace surveyed the room with his intense gaze. He cracked a smile, but to those who knew him, it felt cold and prating. ¡°Got any more questions? Let¡¯s clear them up now. ¡± His voice, naturally deep andmanding, carried an unmistakable authority.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°I¡¯m running low on patience, and I certainly don¡¯t have time to go through this over and over!¡± His words seemed to amplify the silence in the room. Then, turning to another man, Wace inquired, ¡°Wilfred, anything else on your mind?¡± ¡°I¡­ I have no objections. ¡± Wilfred, showing a hint of fear, shifted the me onto the Chadwick family. ¡°Since this is all just a big misunderstanding and Mrs. Compton¡¯s men haven¡¯t uncovered the truth, why not just drop it?¡± He turned to Wace with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s great that you got your daughter back. We were only worried she might bring trouble to the Compton family. We did it thinking of our best interests. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Wace replied. He looked at Amelie, his eyebrows arched, and asked with a slight smile, ¡°What¡¯s your take on this?¡± Amelie, hiding her clenched fists, kept herposure and smiled back at Wace. ¡°If it¡¯s just a misunderstanding, I¡¯m d it¡¯s cleared up. I owe Miss Moore an apology on behalf of my people. ¡± With a gesture from Amelie, Lorenzo was taken away. Hannah gave Amelie a smile in response, but she remained silent about epting the apology. ¡°If no one has any issues, let¡¯s proceed with the party as nned, celebrating Hannah¡¯s joining the Compton family the day after tomorrow,¡± Wace announced, standing up. He then turned to Hannah. ¡°Come upstairs with me. ¡± Chapter 1174 ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah stood up and walked upstairs alongside Winston.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Meanwhile, the bodyguards were ushering everyone out one at a time. Joselyn, unable to hide her frustration, eximed, ¡°Mom, she¡¯s showing you no respect at all! She¡¯s just finalized a deal, and look how full of herself she is! I bet she¡¯s the one behind the base explosion. How could she trick Dad like that?¡± Seated on the sofa, Amelie had an air of danger about her. She parted her red lips and said to Joselyn, ¡°Rx, we¡¯ve got our backup n, right? So what if we can¡¯t stop the party? There¡¯s always another way to ruin it. Did you manage to find the person I told you to?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mom. I got her first thing this morning. I made sure she was well looked after and gave her ten million. Now she¡¯s on our side,¡± Joselyn confirmed with a nod. ¡°Good,¡± Amelie responded, lifting her hand to softly brush Joselyn¡¯s hair. ¡°You¡¯ve messed up a few things before. Make sure this isn¡¯t another one. ¡± Joselyn shivered, lowering her head in agreement. ¡°I understand, Mom. I won¡¯t disappoint you!¡± Meanwhile, in Wace¡¯s study upstairs¡­ Winston stood guard outside the door, while Hannah was inside the study alone. Since returning to the study, Wace had been busy with work on hisputer. The room was filled with the sound of his typing for some time. Eventually, Wace broke the silence, catching Hannah¡¯s attention as she idly browsed the bookshelf. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°You¡¯ve got guts! Aren¡¯t you scared that Jeffry¡¯s men mighte after you for revenge?¡± Hannah faced Wace without any fear, confidently saying, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have done it if I was scared. ¡± Wace chuckled at her response, a memory shing through his mind. ¡°You really¡­ You¡¯re nothing like your mother. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression turned cold when he mentioned her mother. ¡°Please, don¡¯t talk about my mother. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Wace, sensing a potential argument brewing, swiftly changed the subject. ¡°Let¡¯s drop that topic. Jeffry has the backing of the Hamilton family, and they¡¯re a tough bunch around here. Starting with illegal activities, they¡¯ve even engaged in human trafficking. ¡± In a hushed tone, he warned Hannah, ¡°They might not have proof of you breaking any rules, but their people will be at the party in two days. Expect someone to give you a hard time. ¡± Realizing the uing party could be challenging, Hannah lifted her eyebrows and dered confidently, ¡°Well, I¡¯m ready to face them. ¡± Wace, clearly doting on his daughter, couldn¡¯t help but smile at her response. ¡°It¡¯s great to see you so confident. You can go ahead. ¡± After exiting Wace¡¯s study and closing the door behind her, Hannah let out a deep sigh of relief. Winston, looking anxious, immediately asked her, ¡°Is everything alright?¡± Hannah reassured him. ¡°I¡¯m fine. ¡± Chapter 1175 She began leading him downstairs, continuing, ¡°I¡¯ve talked to him about your sister. He¡¯s decided not to interfere with the Chadwick family matters. Your sister can stay with you. She doesn¡¯t need to return to Caditown. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore, for your help.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡± Winston cast his gaze downward, following Hannah. He longed to express his gratitude, but words escaped him. His past, shadowed by the presence of Wace, had rendered him reserved, often at a loss for words to convey his emotions. ¡°There¡¯s no need for thanks,¡± Hannah said with a detached tone. ¡°You¡¯re working for me now. It¡¯s my responsibility to look out for your interests. ¡± As they left the main house, Hannah turned to Winston with a gesture. ¡°Go be with your sister. I¡¯ll head back to the smaller building alone. ¡± ¡°Understood, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery The security detail in the manor¡¯s eastern section was noticeably thinner. She had dismissed the servants, so the house was enveloped in silence. Upon entering a room on the second floor, Hannah¡¯s eyes, cold and alert, caught a silhouette seated inside. ¡°Who¡¯s there?!¡± she demanded. Bryson idly juggled the cuff link on the table, his fingertips waltzing over its intricate details like a maestro with his baton. Shifting his gaze to Hannah, he casually tossed out. ¡°It¡¯s me. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°How on earth did you get in here?¡± Hannah, startled, spun around, closed the door, and approached him. A hint of sarcasm danced in her words as she said, ¡°It looks like the security of the Compton family isn¡¯t strong enough to keep you out. ¡± Bryson chuckled, effortlessly snatching the cuff link mid-air. ¡°It¡¯s impossible to stop me here. ¡± Hannah shrugged and demanded, ¡°Hand over the cuff Link. ¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t this for me?¡± Bryson held the cufflink in his hand, sying his fingers in a star shape as he presented it to Hannah. Hannah extended her hand to retrieve it, but Bryson, with a subtle twist, ensnared her wrist and drew her into an unexpected embrace. Suddenly, seizing the moment, Hannah raised her arm and swatted away the cufflink in Bryson¡¯s hand. Swiftly grabbing it, she retorted, ¡°Who said it was for you?¡± However, Bryson held her securely on hisp. Hannah leaned against him with an air of nonchnce, and queried, ¡°Is there anything important for you toe here?¡± ¡°There is domestic news, someone suddenly transferred ten million dors from a foreign bank ount to Valery¡¯s bank ount. ¡± Hannah, a nuanced lift of her eyebrows betraying herprehension, quickly deciphered Bryson¡¯s implication. ¡°Who paid her so much?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a virtual ount. Currently, we¡¯re unable to ess details about the owner. ¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes and shed a knowing smile. ¡°It looks like someone¡¯s running out of patience. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡± Bryson inquired, turning to face her. Chapter 1176 A sly smile graced Hannah¡¯s lips as she yfully patted Bryson¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I intend to let them suffer. Here, take this. ¡± With a flourish, she lowered her gaze, affixing the cuff link to Bryson¡¯s suit jacket. Bryson cast a nce at the cuff link on his sleeve, a smile ying on his lips. ¡°You¡¯re bing quite duplicitous, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Give it back if you don¡¯t want it. ¡± Hannah extended her hand to remove the cuff link from Bryson¡¯s sleeve, but Bryson ensnared her wrist. ¡®s BunnyBookery Their eyes locked, Bryson¡¯s grip on Hannah¡¯s wrist radiating warmth. Just as the moment hung in suspense, a sharp knock reverberated on the door. Knock! Knock! Knock! Perched on Bryson¡¯sp, Hannah shot an irked look at the door, her discontent evident. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Even in the absence of guards or servants, no one dared to breach the sanctity without consent. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Hannah rose from Bryson¡¯sp, fixing a vignt gaze on the door. She gestured for Bryson to stay silent, then approached the door at a deliberate pace. Winston¡¯s voice resonated from the other side. ¡°It¡¯s me. My sister wants to thank you. ¡± Upon hearing Winston¡¯s voice, the vignce evaporated from Hannah¡¯s face. As she approached the door, ready to open it, she turned around, signaling for Bryson to leave first. Bryson, in his usualid-back demeanor, offered a casual wave before turning and exiting through the balcony.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! After he left, Hannah swung open the door, revealing Winston and Alessandra. ¡°You¡¯ve already expressed your gratitude before. No need to be overly thankful. I saved you because of your brother. ¡± ¡°I understand, but I still want to thank you, Miss Moore. Without you, I couldn¡¯t have reunited with my brother,¡± Alessandra uttered timidly, standing next to Winston, mustering the courage to meet Hannah¡¯s gaze. ¡°There¡¯s another matter we need your assistance with, Miss Moore,¡± Winston uttered, his words dr@ped in a subtle hesitation and uncertainty. Hannah, unfazed, urged, ¡°Just spill it. When did you be so indecisive?¡± Alessandra hastily chimed in, ¡°My brother wants to ask this on my behalf¡­ I can¡¯t live with my brother even if I stay in Compton Manor. I don¡¯t know the servants of the Compton family. Miss Moore, could you allow me to stay in your vi?¡± Having vocalized her request, Alessandra swiftly grasped the potential impropriety of her request. A flush of embarrassment colored her cheeks as she hastily rified, ¡°I don¡¯t intend to stay for free. Since there are no servants here, I can handle cooking and cleaning. Allow me to stay and assist you, Miss Moore. ¡± Living alone in the vi, Hannah found no issue with an additional presence. ¡°You¡¯re wee to stay here. There are plenty of guest rooms, and you can pick any one you like. And you don¡¯t need to be my servant. I¡¯m not ustomed to it. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore. I won¡¯t be a bother,¡± Alessandra beamed with a bright smile. Chapter 1177 After expressing her gratitude, Winston turned to Alessandra, saying, ¡°Pack your belongings. I¡¯ll escort you to move inter. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Alessandra eximed, darting out in excitement. Once Alessandra had vanished from sight, Winston expressed apologetically, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the trouble. I¡¯ll move her elsewhere as soon as I find a suitable ce. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s not safe outside.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. Let her stay here for a while,¡± Hannah reassured with indifference. ¡°After all, now that someone is targeting me, there will be someone targeting you. ¡± Winston bowed his head in silent acknowledgment, uttering, ¡°I understand. ¡± On the evening of the grand party, the person who delivered Hannah the dress exined that it was thetest luxury creation, specifically ordered by the son of the Pierce family for her. The ck dress¡¯s hem sparkled with over 500 diamonds, radiating brilliance in the light. A delicateyer of ck chiffon enveloped the sleeves. The allure of the V-neck dress bestowed upon her a sensuous charm. Even the stylist couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Miss, you look stunning, like a noble and elegant ck swan!¡± The g unfolded with grandeur as guests streamed in one after another. The party¡¯s adornments exuded opulence and antiquity. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Upon stepping into the manor, it felt as if they had serendipitously entered a regal aristocratic banquet, a dreamy, majestic atmosphere. It was evident that Wace held Hannah in high regard. Joselyn arrived early, d in a pink dress, her beautiful face contorted with envy and resentment. ¡°Miss Compton, today the boss is set to officially acknowledge Hannah as his biological daughter. As his adopted daughter, it¡¯s time for you to step aside. ¡± Holding a ss of wine, Faustina appeared behind Joselyn, her voice taking on a bewitching tone. ¡°And why should I?¡± Joselyn abruptly turned, locking a fierce gaze on Faustina. ¡°I carry the title of his daughter. And despite my conflicts with Hannah, my father didn¡¯t always side with her. ¡± Joselyn added, a hint of cruelty in her eyes, ¡°It¡¯s hard to say whether the party can go smoothly tonight! Regardless, you better address me as Miss Compton. ¡± Faustina, wearing a charming smile, offered no argument to Joselyn. ¡°Miss Compton, our disagreements are our own affair. I¡¯m most supportive of you when dealing with outsiders. After all, the enemy¡¯s enemy is a friend. ¡± She raised her ss, gently clinking it against Joselyn¡¯s. Ding! The sses chimed melodiously. She shed a sly grin at Joselyn and added with a yful tone, ¡°We are in the same boat now. ¡± Joselyn sneered, ¡°Do you honestly think you¡¯re in the same boat as me? Because I don¡¯t. ¡± Chapter 1178 ¡°Well, at the very least, we can team up to get rid of Hannah once and for all,¡± Faustina pointed out. ¡°Don¡¯t you forget that your future fiance just might be Hannah¡¯s fiance. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Before Joselyn couldunch into a tirade, Faustina took out a ss vial filled with a transparent Liquid. She shook it between her fingers and held it up. ¡°We need to deal with Hannah tonight, and at the same time secure Maloney¡¯s affections. This potion is newly developed by our organization. It¡¯s colorless and odorless, so it¡¯s practically untraceable. Its effects take a little longer than most medicines, but the real kicker is that it can induce hallucinations. ¡± Faustina smirked when she saw how attentive Joselyn had suddenly be. ¡°Anyone who takes the potion will regard the first person he sees as the one he likes the most. ¡± She ced the vial on the table and continued, ¡°You are Maloney¡¯s fiancee. Are you willing to give up your position to that woman?¡± Faustina picked up a new ss of wine, turned on her heel and walked away. To any casual observer, they simply looked like two friends who were catching up over a small chat. Left alone now, Joselyn stared at the vial of potion in front of her. She hesitated for a while, but ultimately grabbed it and stashed it into her purse. She might have her mother¡¯s protection for now, but once Hannah and Maloney got together, she would be considered a useless tool.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. No, Joselyn needed to act to keep that from happening. The guests slowly trickled into the venue, and the banquet hall grew lively. ALL around, men and women were toasting each other andughing over a round of drinks. When Hannah finally arrived, everyone¡¯s eyes turned to her. Her presence ignited a variety of reactions, ranging from surprise and curiosity to disdain and outright hostility. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ As soon as Hannah entered the hall, Joselyn walked over to her with a ss of wine. ¡°You¡¯re here, Hannah! Wow, you look so gorgeous tonight. ¡± Hannah nced at her with a raised eyebrow and a wry smile. ¡°Please, you don¡¯t need to stand on ceremony around me. ¡± ¡°What are you saying, Hannah? Your identity will be announced tonight, and it will cement your ce as father¡¯s only biological daughter. ¡± Joselyn sidled up next to Hannah and snaked her arm around thetter¡¯s. ¡°I only want to get closer to you. We will be sisters, after all. ¡°The feeling isn¡¯t mutual, though. ¡± Without hesitation, Hannah pulled away from Joselyn and turned away. But this, too, was all ording to Joselyn¡¯s n. She stepped on the hem of Hannah¡¯s dress, pretending to have tripped on herself. Rip! The lower back part of Hannah¡¯s ck dress tore open, revealing her slender legs. Needless to say, this caught the attention of the other guests, and most of them were already hiding their smiles behind their hands. Joselyn hurried next to Hannah and grasped her arm again. ¡°Oh no, are you all right, Miss Moore?¡± Rip! The sound of tearing cloth rang out once more. Joselyn¡¯s face was a mask of shock as she stared at the now torn sleeve of Hannah¡¯s dress. ¡°Didn¡¯t Maloney prepare this dress for you? I believe this boutique only sold clothes of the finest quality. Howe your dress¡­¡± Chapter 1179 She hadn¡¯t even exerted that much effort when she tugged on Hannah¡¯s sleeve. This time, the guests weren¡¯t so subtle with their reaction, and they erupted intoughter. Hannah hadn¡¯t been here for a full ten minutes, and she was a hot mess already. By the standards of high society, her image was well and truly ruined. Joselyn lowered her head to hide her vicious smile. In truth, she had paid someone to tamper with Hannah¡¯s dress beforehand. Her scheme involved humiliating Hannah in front of these distinguished guests. She wanted to see if Hannah would still have the face to appear before them in the future. ¡°What are you nning to do?¡± Wace stood on the second floornding, watching the scene unfold down the hall. He put his ss down and stopped Maloney, who had already turned to make his way downstairs. Maloney nced at Hannah near the entrance of the hall, being made a fool by the people around her. ¡°I was the one who gave her that dress. Something seems to be wrong with it. I need to go and help her out. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°This isn¡¯t the right time for you to swoop in and save the day.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. If she can¡¯t salvage the situation by herself, then she isn¡¯t worthy to be in this banquet. ¡± No sooner had Wace finished speaking than Hannah sprang into action. Without batting an eye, shepletely pulled off the torn sleeve, then proceeded to rip off the other one. Then, she reached for her skirts and pulled, following the line of the initial tear. ¡°Ah!¡± Someone in the crowd cried out in surprise. Hannah¡¯s once floor-length, ck evening gown was transformed into a chic, sleeveless dress that came to just below her knee. Given her already attractive figure, showing off more skin than usual only made people gawk at her in admiration. Hannah nced at the scrap fabric pooled at her feet and kicked it aside. Then she red at Joselyn and said in a voice that only they could hear, ¡°Is that all you can do?¡± Joselyn had never expected Hannah to do what she did, especially not in front of a crowd of rich socialites. More to the point, she never imagined that what was supposed to be Hannah¡¯s moment of humiliation only put the woman even more firmly in the spotlight! Hannah walked around the banquet hall, not minding the stares that she got. She didn¡¯t really care about these people or their opinions. It wasn¡¯t until she had grabbed a ss of wine that Winston came up next to her. ¡°Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah looked at him, her head c@@ked to the side. ¡°Perfect timing. ¡± ¡°Ah, I was with the boss just now. He asked me toe downstairs when he saw you enter the hall. ¡± Hannah let out a small, derisive chuckle. ¡°So, he was probably watching everything from somewhere, right?¡± Winston touched his nose. When Wace had stopped Maloney from going to her, Winston was standing right next to him. Hannah took in Winston¡¯s reaction and knew she had hit the nail on the head. Not that she gave a damn. ¡°Don¡¯t be embarrassed. He only sees me as a tool, so I don¡¯t really see him as my father, either. It¡¯s nothing more than a mutual transaction between us. ¡± Chapter 1180 She raised her ss and downed its contents in one go. ¡°Let¡¯s take this to the garden,¡± she said as she disposed of the empty ss on a nearby tray. ¡°There are too many ears here. ¡± Winston nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. They were just about to step outside when they heard amotion behind them. Both Hannah and Winston stopped in their tracks and turned to see what was going on. ¡°That man¡­¡± Hannah muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowed. ¡°What is he doing here?¡± Remington was sporting a svelte tuxedo, his golden hairbed back, his green eyes smiling. He came into the venue swinging, greeting friends and acquaintances left and right. Standing next to him was a man who, forck of a better term, looked like an older version of Remington. And just Like Remington, he also attracted a lot of attention. ¡°Today¡¯s party is held in celebration of your joining the Compton family, Miss Moore. Of course, he will be here. ¡± ¡°It looks like you weren¡¯tpletely honest with me before. ¡± Hannah turned to face Winston. ¡°You never mentioned that the Lyons Group and the Compton family have ties when I agreed to work with Remington. ¡± ¡°Actually, it¡¯s nothing more than ties. ¡± Winston¡¯s voice dropped. ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell you earlier because it¡¯s a family issue, and it¡¯s prettyplex. I wasn¡¯t sure how to break it down for you, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah¡¯s interest peaked as she picked up her ss again, tilting her head up. ¡°Complicated stories catch my interest. I¡¯m all ears now. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Go on. ¡± Winston said, ¡°The Lyons Group is a rtively new yer, but it has an old lineage. Caditown used to be dominated by four major families, the Compton family, the Pierce family, the Holmes family, and the Moreno family. However, after a tragedy struck the Moreno family, leading to the death of its leader, the bnce shifted from the original four to now six leading families.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Besides the Compton family and the Pierce family, the Holmes family stepped back from Caditown¡¯s elite after the Moreno family incident. The Moreno family split into two, the Lyons family and the Austin family. Both vied for control over what was left of the Moreno family, constantly at odds, each wanting to outdo the other. Lately, the Lyons family has surged ahead, gaining an edge over the Austin family. Hannah nced at the distant figure and scoffed, ¡°So, Remington wants me to sneak into the Compton family, huh? Looks like he¡¯s aiming to take over not just a n that shares his family¡¯s roots but the Compton family as well. He¡¯s really ying with fire. Anyway, you¡¯ve only talked about four families so far. What about the other two?¡± ¡°The other two are the Delgado family and the Juarez family,¡± Winston began, choosing his words carefully. ¡°The Delgado family made their mark in the transport business before really taking off. And the Juarez family¡­ well. ¡± He paused, searching for the right words. ¡°They¡¯re the wild card among these major yers. They gained billions from a past event two years ago. They¡¯re nouveau riche. They¡¯re not exactly close with the other big families, but I bet they¡¯ll show up today. It¡¯s a big event for all the major ns, and the Juarez head wouldn¡¯t miss it. ¡± Hannah, growing uninterested, tapped her finger on the table beside her, her attention elsewhere. Then, suddenly, her eyes narrowed as she spotted a man walking out from behind Remington. She asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice, ¡°The guy walking with Remington. Who is he?¡± Winston gazed into the distance. The man walking with Remington had jet-ck hair and was strikingly handsome at first sight. ¡°He¡¯s the son of Remington¡¯s stepmother. He goes by his mother¡¯sst name, Peterson Wagner. ¡± Chapter 1181 Peterson¡¯s gaze reminded Hannah of Bryson, whose eyes bore a simr Look. Peterson seemed to feel someone watching him from afar and nced in her direction. He looked at her with a subdued, shy expression, yet his good looks were undeniable. At that moment, Remington¡¯s gaze shifted to Hannah. Hannah lifted her ss towards them, though her attention was on Peterson. Peterson quickly looked down, but Remington quirked an eyebrow at Hannah. After exchanging a few awkward words with those nearby, he approached her. ¡°Congrattions, Miss Moore. You¡¯re finally recognizing your rtives. ¡± Remington greeted her with a ss of wine in his hand, his handsome face causing a bit of confusion. ¡°Thanks to you, Mr. Lyons, I¡¯m able to join the Compton family so soon,¡± Hannah replied, smiling. ¡°I heard that no sooner than you arrived at the party, you stole the show. It¡¯s a shame I missed it,¡± Remington mentioned, his eyes briefly scanning Hannah¡¯s figure. ¡°Miss Moore, you look stunning tonight. Would you care for a dance, like the one we had on the ship?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that would be appropriate. ¡± Winston stepped in front of Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore¡¯s first dance tonight should be with Mr. Pierce. ¡± Remington¡¯s smile held a trace of iciness. ¡°So, Miss Moore, you¡¯re to be engaged to Mr. Pierce already. My congrattions are overdue. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°It was my father¡¯s choice. There¡¯s nothing worth congratting,¡± Hannah responded, maintaining her smile. ¡°The one marrying into the Pierce family shouldn¡¯t be me. I have no interest in a marriage arranged by our fathers. ¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Mr. Lyons. ¡± She slightly raised her ss to Remington, her light makeup glowing in the banquet Light. ¡°You¡¯re also set to inherit your family¡¯s legacy. Perhaps you should marry me instead to simplify matters. ¡± Clearly, Remington was caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s words. He was visibly surprised. Then, he let out augh, looking directly at Hannah. ¡°I had no idea you had a crush on me too, Miss Moore. ¡± He moved closer to Hannah, gently touching her cheek as though they were the only two people in the world. When Hannah stepped back, he reached out, smoothly holding her waist, a mysterious smile ying in his eyes. ¡°Why the secrecy? Miss Moore, you¡¯ve just expressed a desire to marry me, yet now you seem keen on keeping it under wraps?¡± With Remington¡¯s arms still around her, Hannah arched an eyebrow and countered, ¡°Mr. Lyons, does this mean you¡¯ll consider my proposal and ask my father to choose a different suitor for me?¡± After a moment of silent contemtion, Remington released her, his smile dimming slightly. ¡°Even if I were to ept, Mr. Compton would never agree to have his treasured daughter betrothed to someone Like me. ¡± ¡°Mind if I join this interesting conversation?¡± Remington looked back, and Hannah followed his gaze. Dressed in a white suit, Maloney approached with an easy smile, eyeing Hannah. ¡°What¡¯s this discussion about?¡± Chapter 1182 ¡°Regarding¡­¡± Hannah paused for a moment and nced at Remington. ¡°The marriage. ¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Maloney¡¯s smile remained. ¡°Remington, have you gotten engaged too? Which noble family does she belong to?¡± ¡°Does she have to be a noble¡¯s daughter?¡± Hannah asked Maloney, puzzled. ¡°The Lyons family has a tradition,¡± Maloney said, giving Remington a knowing smile. ¡°They only marry women from noble families. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Hannah said to Remington with a hint of meaning. ¡°Mr. Lyons, you could have mentioned this rule earlier, to avoid the misunderstanding we had before. ¡± ¡°What mistake?¡± Maloney cast a curious nce at Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m intrigued. ¡± Remington swiftly intervened. ¡°I have to extend my greetings elsewhere. Take your time. ¡± With a meaningful gaze, Remington bid farewell to Hannah before striding away. As soon as Remington vanished into the crowd, Maloney reached for a ss of wine on the table. ¡°Miss Moore, if you¡¯re mot keen on marrying me, does that mean there¡¯s someone else?¡± Hannah met Maloney¡¯s gaze. ¡°My reluctance stems from not wishing to disrupt the longstanding engagement between you and Joselyn, who¡¯ve beenpanions since childhood. ¡± ¡°But she¡¯s merely an adopted daughter of the Compton family,¡± Maloney said. ¡°Our union is more about family alliances than childhood affection. ¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Then he frowned and continued, ¡°And that¡¯s a weak excuse, Miss Moore. You can do better. ¡±¡± ¡°I need no excuse. I simply detest the entire idea of being married to you, Mr. Pierce,¡± Hannah retorted, her smile tinged with defiance. ¡°Our engagement is a facade, and I expect you to respect its boundaries. Forced affection breeds resentment. Surely, you understand that, Mr. Pierce. ¡± Maloney¡¯s facade crumbled at Hannah¡¯s defiance. In a swift motion, he pinned her against the table, his tone deliberate. ¡°Agreeability doesn¡¯t matter. My happiness is all that counts. ¡± Hannah red at Maloney. Before she could push him away, Joselyn¡¯s voice broke the tension. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± Other women rallied around Joselyn, their usations directed at Maloney. ¡°You¡¯re Joselyn¡¯s betrothed, yet you¡¯re here with Miss Moore. Do you understand how this hurts her?¡±This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°She¡¯s stolen someone¡¯s fiance and brazenly parades her conquest. ¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t really matter whether she is the biological daughter of the Compton family; meddling in others¡¯ affairs is unbing. Do you relish being a home-wrecker, Miss Moore?¡± Joselyn stood beside Hannah and nced at Maloney. She radiated innocence. ¡°Please, don¡¯t me Maloney. It¡¯s my father¡¯s decision. Neither can we fault Miss Moore, for she¡¯s my father¡¯s biological daughter. ¡± Chapter 1183 Hannah raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference as she turned away, wine ss in hand. ¡°Joselyn, you¡¯re too kind for your own good, allowing yourself to be mistreated. ¡± ¡°Before her joining the Compton family, you were your father¡¯s favorite. Now, everything¡¯s changed. ¡± A red-haired woman among them flung a disdainful nce at Hannah. ¡°A bumpkin from Cadilind like her stands no chance against you, Joselyn. ¡± ¡°Then who are you?¡± Maloney¡¯s attention shifted to the red-haired woman. ¡®s BunnyBookery Flustered, the woman trembled under Maloney¡¯s gaze.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Before Joselyn could intervene, Maloney¡¯s voice cut through. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ ¡°How dare you, a bastard of a lesser house, mock the Compton family¡¯s true heiress? Your audacity knows no bounds. ¡± A smile lingered on Maloney¡¯s face, and an onlooker would think that he was just having a friendly chat with a friend. The redhead turned pale, still trembling under Maloney¡¯s gaze. ¡°Since when did you begin to dictate the alliance between the Compton and Pierce families?¡± Maloney softened his gaze as he turned to address Joselyn. ¡°When our families proposed the union, nothing was guaranteed. You assumed I would marry you, but I never agreed to do that. ¡± Joselyn faltered under his gaze, speechless. ¡°The union may proceed,¡± he continued. ¡°But you were never the chosen bride, were you?¡± Rumors had long swirled about the uing alliance between the Comptons and the Pierces, yet no definitive match had been made. The reason why there were rumors about Joselyn was that she was the only legitimate person in the Compton family who was able to marry Maloney. After all, she was the only adopted daughter of Wace. Joselyn looked sad. ¡± . it¡¯s not for you or Miss Moore to decide. ¡± Then she turned to Wace, feigning sorrow, and muttered, ¡°I¡¯m just sad. ¡± Hannah and Winston just watched the whole drama, unmoved to Joselyn¡¯s pretense. Hannah turned to Maloney. ¡°I¡¯ll take a stroll in the garden. Carry on with your discussion. ¡± After saying that, she turned around and took Winston to the small garden. Once alone, Winston spoke up. ¡°You could have humiliated her. It¡¯s unlike you to tolerate such affronts, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°I refuse to indulge in her theatrics. She craves Maloney¡¯s attention, and I see no reason to deny her. ¡± Chapter 1184 And Hannah doubted if Maloney would even give her the attention she so desired. Maloney, meanwhile, remained at the table, his cold eyes fixed on Joselyn. Blushing, Joselyn clutched her ss. ¡°Maloney¡­¡± Maloney¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What is it?¡± Summoning courage, Joselyn pressed on. ¡°If you really want the Compton and Pierce families to be united, why must you marry Miss Moore? I am a better match, Maloney. I¡¯ll support you wholeheartedly. Hannah isn¡¯t even interested in you. Why then do you choose her over me?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Maloney smirked, swirling his drink.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Because she¡¯s the legitimate Compton heir. You¡¯re merely an adopted daughter. ¡± Joselyn¡¯s heart sank, her grip on the ss tightening as she forced a smile. ¡°Is that the only reason, Maloney?¡± ¡°The title ¡®adopted daughter¡¯ marks a divide we can¡¯t bridge. We can never be together. ¡± Maloney¡¯s callousness wounded Joselyn. She blinked back tears and ran out of the hall, herpanions trailing behind in solidarity. Stepping into the garden, Hannah sought sce away from the crowded hall. Little did she expect the scene unfolding before her. ¡°Does a bastard like you belong here in this banquet?¡± ¡°Look at yourself. You really disgrace the Lyons family!¡± The individual being surrounded and insulted by the group of men was the same person Hannah had encountered earlier at the banquet. It was Remington¡¯s half-brother, Peterson. ¡°He¡¯s Remington¡¯s brother. Don¡¯t get involved. Let¡¯s leave first¡­¡± Winston began to caution, but before he could finish, Hannah raised her hand, signaling for him to wait. ¡°Hold on a minute. Let¡¯s see what¡¯s happening inside. ¡± The group of men encircled Peterson, mocking him with provocativements. Despite the insults, Peterson remainedposed, with his head slightly bowed, and did not attempt to defend himself against the derogatory remarks. One of the men, seemingly bored, callously kicked Peterson, causing him to kneel on the ground. He grabbed a nearby ss filled with red wine and poured it over Peterson¡¯s head. Drenching his ck hair, the liquid trickled down his cheeks, leaving crimson trails and stains on his white shirt. ¡°Hahaha!¡± The others burst intoughter, reveling in Peterson¡¯s evident embarrassment. Chapter 1185 Kneeling, Peterson kept his head low, concealing the emotions that stirred beneath his wetshes. He closed his eyes, leaving his inner turmoil hidden. Another individual seized the tie around Peterson¡¯s cor and pulled forcefully,pelling him to raise his head. Then, with a condescending pat on the face, the man taunted, ¡°You¡¯ve got that alluring look, just like your mother!¡± ¡°Have you ever sucked a man¡¯s dick? You little pussy!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Theughter grew louder, and humiliation became increasingly excessive. Peterson opened his eyes slowly. The sting of the red wine caused them to be bloodshot. However, a spark of defiance persisted in his gaze. ¡°Do whatever you want to me, but keep my mother out of this!¡± His resistance elicited hystericalughter from the group. Someone grabbed his hair, snarling, ¡°You¡¯re nothing more than the Lowest bastard of the Lyons family!¡± ¡°Speaking to us with such disrespect warrants severe consequences. You¡¯ll learn the price of defying us!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Some of the men started to undo their belts, and the situation was about to be obscene. Hannah walked out, and Winston, frowning, followed her, calling, ¡°Miss Moore!¡± His loud voice attracted the group¡¯s attention in the garden, and all eyes turned toward the source of the interruption. When the group leader saw Hannah, he leered disdainfully. ¡°Look what we have here. Aren¡¯t you the destitute daughter taken in by the Compton family?¡± Hannah responded with a smile but said nothing. Irritated by herposed demeanor, the man remarked rudely, ¡°I can¡¯t fathom what the head of the Compton family was thinking. What can such eye candy be used for?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ Hispanion eyed Hannah maliciously, remarking with a sinister grin, ¡°She¡¯s quite useful. I heard the Compton family ns to marry her into the Pierce family. That¡¯s the only use women have. ¡± ¡°Hm. ¡± His contempt for Hannah deepened after hearing hispanion¡¯s derogatory remarks. ¡°You¡¯re just a pawn for marriage. Get out of here, and don¡¯t bother me!¡± The corner of Winston¡¯s mouth twitched, and he was on the brink of exploding as he prepared to teach these thugs a Lesson. However, Hannah intervened, preventing him from taking any action. ¡°Wait, bring a couple of chairs. ¡± Though unsure of her intentions, Winstonplied, retrieving the chairs and putting them beside her. Hannah seemed unfazed by theirments as she settled into a chair. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Just continue what you were doing,¡± she said, gesturing dismissively. Pointing toward one of the men in the midst of loosening his belt, she added, ¡°Don¡¯t stop now. Keep going. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. The man, intrigued by Hannah¡¯sck of inhibition, began approaching. Chapter 1186 ¡°I¡¯d prefer a beauty like you over that bastard any day. ¡± Recognizing the danger of his impulsive behavior, the leader standing behind him grabbed him by the shoulder. ¡°She¡¯s going to marry into the Pierce family. Don¡¯t do anything rash that could cause trouble for yourself. ¡± The man shook his hand off. ¡°What are you afraid of? There are no security cameras here. Even if we f@ck her and the Pierce family find out, they¡¯ll have to endure it to secure the marriage for their son. ¡± Hannah discerned fear and disdain in their words, directed at the Compton and Pierce families. As the man advanced toward Hannah, Winston inched his chair closer to her, keeping a wary eye on him. Despite Winston¡¯s presence, the man appeared unperturbed. He stood before her and raised his hand to touch Hannah¡¯s cheek. Then, without warning, Crack! The sickening crunch of bone breaking echoed through the small garden. ¡°Ah! f@ck!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery The man screamed in agony as he writhed in pain. Hannah held the man¡¯s wrist leisurely, appearing to have used minimal effort. However, the sound of his bone snapping, along with his screams, filled the small garden with an intense atmosphere. ¡°Damn you! You shouldn¡¯t have done that!¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. The leader of the pack, initially eager to intervene, hesitated when he saw Hannah kick the subdued man to the ground. She returned to her seat smugly, patting her hands as if brushing off dust. ¡°I asked you to continue with what you were doing. Didn¡¯t you understand me?¡± The man¡¯s wails on the ground contrasted with Hannah¡¯s calm voice. The leader eyed Hannah tentatively, with a newfound caution in his gaze. ncing back at Peterson, who remained kneeling on the ground, no one dared to move. With his hair clinging to his forehead and a stain of red wine on his cheek, Peterson locked his gaze on Hannah. A mix of inexplicable emotions was evident in his light brown eyes. Hannah impatiently drummed her fingers on the chair¡¯s armrest and said, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Weren¡¯t you quite adept at bullying just a moment ago?¡± Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates¡­ With a swift kick to the head, Hannah delivered a harsh blow to the man on the ground. ¡°How about you?¡± she asked coldly, her tone filled with a hint of sarcasm. ¡°Ow! Argh!¡± The searing feeling shot through the guy, causing him to yell in anguish. The leader, sensing trouble, attempted to retreat, signaling to those around him. With a sidelong nce, she hinted at him. ¡°Winston. ¡± Winston rose to his feet, positioning himself in front of the exit with a stern expression and imposing presence. ¡°Did Miss Moore give you permission to leave?¡± ¡°What more do you want? Haven¡¯t you taught him a lesson?¡± The leader eyed Hannah with frustration, speaking through clenched teeth. Hannah casually shrugged her shoulders and smiled, ¡°I don¡¯t want to do anything. I¡¯m just here for the entertainment. It¡¯s not quite amusing enough for me yet. ¡± ¡°You!¡± he growled. However, after witnessing what Hannah was capable of, the group¡¯s leader held back from causing more trouble for them. ¡°What do we have to do for you to let us go?¡± ¡°Apologize,¡± Hannah said with a sweet voice. Her eyes gleamed, and her smile brightened. However, her pleasant demeanorcked sincerity, and her calmness sent shivers down the men¡¯s spines. The leader swallowed his pride, bowed his head, and apologized to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Moore. Our behavior was inappropriate and has caused offense. ¡± With a darkened expression, Hannah leaned forward in her seat, narrowing her eyes. ¡°Did I ask you to apologize to me?¡± Chapter 1187 Was thisdy out of her mind?! The man at the forefront tightened his fists, wheeling towards Peterson. ¡°My apologies, we may have taken things a little too far today. ¡± ¡°A little too far?¡± Hannah fixed her intense gaze on him. The man gritted his teeth and admitted, ¡°It¡¯s our mistake today. We shouldn¡¯t have caused any inconvenience for you here. Please forgive us. ¡± Yet, behind his facade, his thoughts were consumed with devising a n for vengeance against Petersonter! Following his words, the air in the garden fell silent for a heartbeat, his head bowed, exhibiting a demeanor of Peterson rose quietly, humility and timidity. ¡°I¡®m okay¡­¡± ¡°May we leave now?¡± Upon receiving Peterson¡¯s nod, the lead man, unable to contain his impatience, led his entourage away. ¡°Hold on,¡± Hannah drawled. The man seethed with anger, his forehead veins pulsating visibly. ¡°Anything else? Miss Moore?¡± he demanded, an undercurrent of irritationcing his words. ¡°You¡¯re truly a horrible person. Are you intending to leave your friend stranded here?¡± The lead man stood in shock. He instructed someone to assist the man on the ground and exited the door with a crestfallen demeanor. Peterson, bearing stains on his body, bowed his head and passed by Hannah. Halting, he expressed, ¡°Thank you. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee. ¡± Hannah cast an indifferent nce at him. ¡°I just like to see others have a bad day. ¡± ¡°Thanks again.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. I¡¯m taking my leave now. ¡± Peterson gave a respectful bow. ¡°Winston, please escort him to change his clothes. ¡± Hannah then directed her gaze at him, advising, ¡°If you appear in public in this condition, the attendees at the party may still make trouble for you. ¡± Standing in silence, Peterson refrained from uttering a word. Winston stepped forward, stating, ¡°Mr. Wagner,e with me. I¡¯ll guide you to change your clothes. ¡± As Hannah exited the small garden, she encountered a representative of Amelie, who addressed her, saying, ¡°Miss Moore, Mrs. Compton is seeking you. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°She wants to introduce you to some people of your age from well-known families in Caditown. ¡± Hannah shook her head, remarking, ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯m not interested in meeting them. ¡± The man¡¯s expression froze. Swiftly crafting an excuse, he responded, ¡°Tonight is a special banquet in your honor, Miss Moore. It would be good for you to meet some gentlemen anddies from upper ss families. ¡± Chapter 1188 Realizing the man would persist if she didn¡¯tply, Hannah sighed and replied, ¡°Let¡¯s go. Lead the way. ¡± ¡°This way, please, Miss Moore. ¡± A group of young men and women upied the plush sofas near the banquet, and Hannah was ushered towards them. These individuals regarded Hannah with evident disdain. Upon seeing her, Joselyn rose from the sofa and introduced Hannah to the assembled guests. ¡°Meet my sister, Hannah. ¡± These people shared a close rapport with Joselyn, evident in their unfriendly attitude towards Hannah. After the introductions, someone expressed disdain and initiated a critique. ¡°Do you honestly believe that this is a social circle one can easily assimte into? Is this party open to every Tom, Dick, and Harry?¡± ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t you realize that in our circle, it¡¯s not about family ties but rather about capability? Even if you manage to sneak in now, you¡¯ll face severe consequences down the Line!¡± ¡°Joselyn¡¯s skills are top-notch. How can youpete with her?¡± ¡°Absolutely. Today marks the celebration of your joining the Compton family, but the head of the Compton family refuses to alter your surname. Don¡¯t assume a mere party can elevate your social standing. ¡± Joselyn, seemingly attempting to diffuse the tension and advocate for Hannah, remarked, ¡°Don¡¯t say that. My sister just joined us a littlete. I can guide her. ¡± Turning to Hannah with a smile, Joselyn asked, ¡°Am I right, Hannah?¡± Returning the smile, Hannah replied, ¡°At times, I show too much respect to you, right? Do you think there won¡¯t be consequences if you continue provoking me?¡± Her words left the crowd surprised. A man in the assembly stood up, defending Joselyn, he said, ¡®¡°Joselyn, I¡¯ve told you she¡¯s an uneducated woman from start to finish! She¡¯s in no wayparable to you. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but agree, nodding, ¡°I share the same thoughts. I don¡¯t believe I could match her in terms of being thick-skinned. ¡± Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s candid words, Joselyn nearly erupted, on the verge of unleashing a tirade. Her face reddened with embarrassment. ¡°You. How could you insult me like this?¡± Arching her eyebrows, Hannah retorted, ¡°I didn¡¯t insult you. Isn¡¯t it the truth?¡± ¡°Joselyn, ignore this type of woman. She¡¯s quite sharp-tongued!¡± Joselyn¡¯s eyes brimmed with teardrops, on the verge of spilling over. ¡°Hannah, you know it well. Why would you say such things to me? It really saddens me.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Joselyn believes that you¡¯re not used to living in a foreign country, so she specifically prepared gifts for you. And this is how you treat her?¡± Chapter 1189 ¡°Enough!¡± Joselyn interrupted, wiping her tears. ¡°My sister is direct. I¡¯ve always known she isn¡¯t one for sugarcoating. ¡± ¡°Joselyn, you¡¯re so good-natured, and she always takes advantage of you!¡± Sporting a smile, Joselyn positioned herself next to Hannah and spoke. ¡°Let¡¯s refrain from discussing these unpleasant matters. I¡¯ve prepared a gift for you. ¡± Joselyn apuded, prompting someone to approach with Valery adorned in a champagne-colored dress. ¡°Hannah. ¡± Upon spotting Hannah, Valery greeted her with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since west met. If not for Miss Compton, I wouldn¡¯t have discovered how influential your biological father is. ¡± With a sly glint in her eyes, Joselyn remarked, ¡°Valery, we¡¯re practically sisters. Considering Hannah doesn¡¯t have many friends here, it¡¯s only fitting that you witness this joyful asion. ¡± The two appeared as if they had stepped onto a grand stage, orchestrating their performance. ¡°In her time in Cadilind, she rarely returned home due to marriage. Misunderstandings arose because she returned after a divorce. Hannah, it¡¯s been a while since those events. We¡¯re family, let it go,¡± Valery expressed apologetically. ¡°What? What does that mean?¡± Taking a deep breath, Joselyn covered her mouth in astonishment and eximed, ¡°Hannah was married in Cadilind? Really?¡± ¡°Yes, but they¡¯ve divorced. ¡± Acting as if she hadn¡¯t grasped the situation right away, Valery swiftly exined. Her words still sparked discussions among the people around her.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°She was married? Why weren¡¯t we informed?¡± ¡°She¡¯s got a divorce. She must¡¯ve been too ashamed to admit to it. ¡± ¡°So, she¡¯s still nning to marry into the Pierce family. Is she not equivalent to being second-hand¡­¡± Before the man could finish his sentence, he locked eyes with Hannah, refraining from uttering anything further. ¡°Hannah, you were married in Cadilind. Why keep it from me? Dad isn¡¯t aware, right?¡± Joselyn pretended toment. ¡°There¡¯s no need to keep it under wraps, you know. ¡± Joselyn muffled augh, her hand covering her mouth. Before Hannah could respond, Valery interjected, ¡°Exactly, Hannah. Even though your ex divorced you due to his true love, it¡¯s not your fault!¡± Those two seemed to be in cahoots, weaving a narrative that painted Hannah as a woman seeking to marry into wealth, only to be rejected by her ex-husband and forced to leave the country with her tail between her legs. Chapter 1190 The young men and women couldn¡¯t contain theirughter upon hearing Valery¡¯s ¡°colorful¡± narrative directed at Hannah. Hannah remained silent, an unusual departure from her usual demeanor. She observed the smug expressions on their faces with a subtle smile. To her, those people were like punching bags. When it became evident that Hannah wasn¡¯t going to react, Joselyn¡¯s grin faded. ¡°Hannah, you should¡¯ve told me this earlier. Don¡¯t you think you¡¯ve let everyone form the wrong impression?¡± Valery chimed in, looking ufortable, ¡°Yeah, Hannah. I didn¡¯t know you hadn¡¯t informed them about it. Is it something you¡¯re keeping a secret? If this has upset you, I¡¯m more than willing to offer an apology! I swear!¡± Valery looked genuinely concerned and earnest. It appeared that Hannah would seem overly petty if she were to express her anger outright. ¡°Why would it upset me?¡± Hannah inquired slowly. ¡°Have youpleted your little performance?¡± Joselyn¡¯s smile faltered, and she questioned, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I want to thank you for bringing her all the way from Cadilind. ¡± Hannah nced at Valery and then turned to Joselyn. ¡°She¡¯s always driven by money, isn¡¯t she? You must have paid her a hefty sum to deal with me, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Hannah, I understand that she might have said things you didn¡¯t like, but you can¡¯t me me for that, can you?¡± Joselyn couldn¡¯t hide her agitation. Hannah took a step closer, locking eyes with Joselyn. ¡°I¡¯ve seen this tactic before in Cadilind. Do you have any new tricks up your sleeve?¡± ¡°Hannah, let¡¯s not act hastily!¡± Joselyn feigned rm, taking a step back, her voice projecting so loudly that it drew the attention of those around the banquet. Joselyn¡¯s friends chimed in, scolding Hannah, ¡°Why would you resort to violence? That¡¯s incredibly rude!¡± Hannah merely smiled, replying, ¡°I didn¡¯t intend to hit her earlier, but since she¡¯s been quite the performer tonight, I thought I¡¯d lend a hand. ¡± Before anyone could grasp her intentions, Hannah raised her hand, delivering a resounding p that left a vivid red mark on Joselyn¡¯s face. A strong wind followed the stinging sound. The sound was so sharp that even those who hadn¡¯t initially noticed themotion turned to look. The blow left Joselyn feeling disoriented. She instinctively covered her right cheek with her hand, her ear still ringing. Before she could utter a word, she received another p, this time on her left cheek.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Once again, the palm of Hannah¡¯s handnded on Joselyn¡¯s face. The p carried such force that it sent Joselyn tumbling onto the sofa. ¡°Ah! Joselyn!¡± A man seated beside her rushed to her aid. Chapter 1191 With help, Joselyn was raised to her feet; her cheeks quickly swelled, and blood oozed from the corners of her mouth. ¡°Oh, dear God!¡± Exmations rippled through the onlookers. Unperturbed by the attention, Hannah waved the hand that had just struck Joselyn¡¯s face and fixed her gaze on Valery. Taken aback by Hannah¡¯s bold response, Valery retreated several steps. ¡°What are you so afraid of?¡± Hannah advanced toward her, taunting, ¡°You¡¯ve traveled all this way to stir up trouble, and now you¡¯re scared?¡± ¡°You! There are guests all around. If you don¡¯t want to lose face, you¡­¡± Valery had witnessed Hannah¡¯s violent tendencies before and had assumed that with Joselyn¡¯s presence, she¡¯d be protected this time, and Hannah wouldn¡¯t dare toy a finger on her. However, when she saw Hannah¡¯s audacious ps on Joselyn, panic washed over her, and she hastily retreated. The banquet had reached its climax at that moment. In the distance, several individuals wheeled in a colossal cake resembling a castle, towering nearly two meters high. They pushed it toward the front of the hall. Confronted by Hannah, Valery hastily retreated, her mind too rattled to register the voices of the onlookers. All she wanted was a swift escape. As luck would have it, the cake had been wheeled close by. In her frantic retreat, she identally collided with someone behind her. Desperate to turn around, she lost her footing and tumbled right into the towering cake. ¡°Ah! What¡¯s going on?¡± The crowd erupted in exmations.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Someone just tumbled into the cake!¡± ¡°Hahaha, talk about a stroke of bad luck!¡± ¡°Get her out quickly!¡± Laughter and concern filled the air as all eyes converged on Valery, who had taken a plunge into the cake. Hannah gracefully paused, taking a step back. Her gaze fixed upon Valery who had plunged into the cake, her lips forming a subtle, enigmatic smile as she took out her phone. The shutter clicked. With a steady hand, she captured a clear photograph of Valery plunged into the cake. Hannah then lowered her gaze, arched her eyebrow in a calcted manner, and promptly sent the image to Bryson. Valery was promptly pulled out from the cake. Chapter 1192 Her meticulously groomed hair and exquisite attire were utterly ruined. She resembled a vividly colored, melted candle. Her face and hair were entirely drenched in cream, with streaks of it even streaming down her cheeks. The onlookers couldn¡¯t contain theirughter upon witnessing Valery¡¯s predicament. Following that incident, nobody seemed to have noticed that Hannah had administered two resounding ps to Joselyn moments earlier. Instead, all eyes were fixed on the spectacle before them. ¡°Ah! This is terrible!¡± Embarrassed in front of such a huge audience, Valery let out a startled cry and made a hasty attempt to escape, clutching her skirt. ¡°Miss, please be careful. ¡± One of the men responsible for moving the cake turned toward her, offering a cautionary reminder. The next moment, a heavy thud echoed through the hall. ¡®s BunnyBookery Bang! Due to the cream on her shoes and the smooth marble floor, Valery slipped and tumbled to the floor with considerable force. ¡°Ouch!¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. The sudden turn of events left everyone wide-eyed and astounded. Valery groaned in pain, struggling to regain her footing, but her efforts proved futile. The people responsible for pushing the cake were also taken aback by the unexpected urrence and rushed to assist her. Hannah pivoted to face the young men and women nearby, her gaze fixed on Joselyn¡¯s reddened, swollen face. She raised an eyebrow, posing a question. ¡°Do any of you want to go and keep herpany?¡± The shocking incident had sent shivers down everyone¡¯s spines, their attention drawn to Joselyn. Those who had been standing close to her instinctively moved aside. Joselyn¡¯s trembling hands remained over her face. In the end, she cast a fierce re at Hannah, then swiftly turned on her heel, raising her dress as she fled, dering, ¡°Hannah, mark my words! I¡¯ll make you pay!¡± After the recent incident, nobody dared to offend Hannah again. Everyone understood she was not someone to mess with, and their views of her swiftly shifted from disdain to fear. Hannah was happy to see that. She casually sipped red wine and enjoyed her meal. Nearby, an observer who had witnessed everything raised his ss to drink. ¡°I thought the party wouldn¡¯t have anything interesting. I didn¡¯t expect Wace¡¯s daughter to be really something. ¡± Chapter 1193 ¡°Would Wace let her into the Compton family if shecked the ability? Though the six ns are doing alright, each has its own difficulties. The Compton and the Pierce families have been allies for ages. Plus, they¡¯re about to announce an engagement. Theirbined strength would be stabler. We need to consider which side to align with. ¡± Bagot Delgado, a shrewd businessman, smiled at Rnd Juarez and advised, ¡°These families are joining forces for business, but you¡¯re choosing sides. Just be careful you don¡¯t pick the wrong one. ¡± ¡°Ha ha. ¡± Rndughed lightly. ¡°In their eyes, my dad¡¯s just a wealthy upstart who was Lucky to make his fortune, pushing our family into the top status of the six biggest ns. Does it really matter which side I pick? But you¡­¡± Rnd gazed at Bagot with a sly grin. ¡°You¡¯re a nice guy you won¡¯t upset anyone. But eventually, you¡¯ll have to choose sides and make enemies. ¡± Bagot¡¯s expression darkened. He looked towards the distant woman and said, ¡°Her arrival might shake things up. We¡¯re both on the borderline. It¡¯s wise not to stand out too much, to avoid trouble. ¡± ¡°ALL right, all right. I know. But ying it safe won¡¯t get you far here. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re the bold one. Yet, I don¡¯t see you aligning with any of them,¡± Bagot retorted with a sneer. Rnd raised an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m still assessing the whole situation. I won¡¯t make a move just yet. You really don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± When the banquet reached the climax, the lights in the banquet hall turned off and a beam of light shone in front of the banquet hall. ¡®s BunnyBookery Only then did Wace show his face. Beside him stood Maloney, who might be about to announce the engagement. Hannah didn¡¯t care much for it. She had no role on stage at the moment, so she just leaned back and enjoyed the spectacle. Out of nowhere, a figure appeared! Without even realizing it, Hannah felt the urge to turn around, but suddenly arge hand covered her mouth! She tried to raise her arm to fight back, but the man skillfully caught her wrist, stopping her movements. The hall was so poorly lit that only the people on the stage were clearly visible to the audience. No one seemed to notice what was happening between the two of them. Pressed against a cold pir in the banquet hall, Hannah managed to slightly bite the hand, forcing it away from her lips. Before she could utter a word, the man forcefully tilted her chin upwards, surrounding her with a scent of mint. After a prolonged ki*s, Hannah fiercely bit the man in front of her! Bryson grunted and released her jaw, tasting the blood on his lips. His voice, rough and strong, cut through the darkness. ¡°What? Do you n to remain pure?¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. In the dimly lit room, Hannah couldn¡¯t clearly see Bryson¡¯s face, but his tone was unmistakably smug. Chapter 1194 Sheughed softly and said, ¡°What? Are you sick again?¡± In the darkness, Bryson remained silent for a moment. Then, Wace¡¯s voice from the stage began to drift over. ¡°Everyone here knows that today¡¯s party is special because I¡¯ve found my biological daughter. It¡¯s a celebration for her. I have two wonderful announcements to make tonight.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. The Compton and Pierce families are going to unite through marriage!¡± Bryson¡¯s snort snapped Hannah back to reality. ¡°So that¡¯s why you¡¯re here?¡± Leaning on the pir and squinting in the dim light, Hannah faced Bryson and said, ¡°Did youe all this way just out of jealousy?¡± ¡°No,¡± Bryson responded coldly. ¡°I had other business nearby, so I thought I¡¯d drop in to see you. ¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Hannah swiftly reached out and grabbed Bryson¡¯s tie, pulling him closer, and asked, ¡°Why do I get the feeling you¡¯re keeping something from me?¡± Bryson moved closer to Hannah and gently caressed her cheek. ¡°I need to go. ¡± As soon as he finished his words, the tie Hannah was holding was pulled away from her hand. By the time she regained herposure, Bryson had vanished. Hannah¡¯s brow creased with concern, sensing something off about Bryson that night. She stepped out from behind the pir, turning her attention to the stage bathed in light. Wace was just about to announce something significant. ¡°And the most important news-our six leading families are joining forces once more to cooperate on a major¡­¡± His words were cut off by the sudden sound of gunfire in the hall! Bang! Bang! Bang! ! Someone in the crowd screamed, ¡°There¡¯s a shooter! Could this be a terrorist attack? Oh my God!¡± ¡°Someone is shooting! Help! We need help!¡± In the dimly lit hall, chaos ensued. People were screaming and pushing past each other in a desperate scramble to escape. Hannah, hidden behind a pir, sensed that something was amiss and chose not to follow the fleeing crowd. The moment Bryson left, gunshots rang out inexplicably in the hall. Considering the strict security checks for attendees, the only unexpected individual was¡­ Bryson. Narrowing her eyes, Hannah pivoted and made her way against the crowd to the ce where the lights were turned on. Then! As people rushed towards the exit, Hannah moved in the opposite direction, finding the light switch unattended. She calmly flipped it on. ¡°Ah! What¡¯s happening?¡± Chapter 1195 ¡°What¡¯s going on! Why are the lights on?¡± The crowd, still inside and startled by the sudden brightness, let out screams. The once elegant appearance of the young men and women was now in disarray. Makeup smeared, hair tousled, they were a sight of chaos. The climax of the party had been thrown into turmoil by the sound of gunfire! However, Wace didn¡¯t move at all. He nced towards where Hannah was and then peered towards the second floor. With no one in sight upstairs, he focused back down andmanded his associates, ¡°The shooter might still be in the mansion.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Go after him now!¡± ¡°Yes, boss. ¡± The organization¡¯s members, already alert from the gunshots, sprang into action. Multiple teams swiftly dispersed in search of the culprit. The banquet hall was in disarray. Wace, rubbing his forehead, said, ¡°It¡¯s not the time to announce anything else. Let¡¯s escort the guests out and ensure their safety first. ¡± ¡°Yes, sir. ¡± Having turned on the light, Hannah approached Wace on the stage and said, ¡°Since the party¡¯s over, I should retire to my quarters. ¡± ¡°Hold on, I¡¯ll escort you. The mansion isn¡¯t safe at the moment. You shouldn¡¯t leave alone,¡± Maloney interjected, stepping closer to Hannah¡¯s side. The Compton family all went out to soothe the guests, leaving only a handful in the banquet hall. Wace kept ncing upstairs. When Maloney mentioned sending Hannah away, he motioned for them to leave and said, ¡°You can head back. We¡¯ll sort it out tomorrow. ¡± As Wace ascended, Hannah caught the troubled look on his face. She watched him until he vanished into the darkness. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Maloney¡¯s voice snapped Hannah back. She nodded, stealing onest nce at the upper floor before joining him in leaving. Startled by the gunshot, Joselyn hurried out of the banquet hall, only to return quickly when she found everything calm. She had slipped Faustina¡¯s drug into Maloney¡¯s drink and he had drunk it. She was determined not to let the drug go to waste. With Maloney nearing the door of the banquet hall, dizziness hit him, followed by a fiery sensation in his lower abdomen. He groaned, leaning against the wall. Concerned, Hannah reached out to hold him. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Chapter 1196 The instant their skin met, Maloney felt a jolt of unease shoot through him. Turning to Hannah, he silently urged her to leave. But the medication coursing through his veins made his body not to cooperate, and he gripped her arm tightly. Feeling his distress, Hannah tensed. Before she could react, Joselyn intervened. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Joselyn demanded, trying to pull Hannah away. ¡°Let go of him!¡± Hannah let go of Maloney and dodged Joselyn¡¯s grasp. Ignoring Hannah, Joselyn turned to Maloney and said, ¡°Let me help you back. ¡± Confused, Maloney followed Joselyn obediently. Hannah narrowed her eyes. Joselyn had dashed over, urgency in her steps, her behavior puzzlingly intense and suspicious. Hannah was hesitant to intervene initially. She cared little about who got married into the Pierce family, but she couldn¡¯t let Joselyn have her way. Just as Joselyn prepared to leave with Maloney, a strong force halted her. Hannah gripped Joselyn¡¯s wrist firmly, exining, ¡°Sorry, Mr. Pierce promised to escort me back. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Alone in their standoff, Joselyn flushed with anger, ring at Hannah. ¡°Hannah! Let me go now!¡± Grinning, Hannah tightened her grip and teased, ¡°Why should I?¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Joselyn winced in pain, loosening her grip on Maloney¡¯s hand. Her smile gone, Hannah held Maloney and led him away. Standing behind her, Joselyn red at Hannah with hatred. ¡°Hannah! Let¡¯ wait and see! I will kill you and tear you into pieces one day!¡± Ignoring Joselyn¡¯s hateful stare from behind, Hannah released Maloney¡¯s hand, concerned. ¡°Are you okay? I¡¯ll arrange a ride for you. ¡± Maloney¡¯s behavior struck Hannah as odd, and Joselyn¡¯s reaction only confirmed her suspicions of foul y. Unable to identify the source of Maloney¡¯s distress solely from his symptoms, Hannah swiftly arranged for his transfer to the hospital. Though the fiery sensation in Maloney¡¯s body persisted, he seemed to regain hisposure, his gaze meeting Hannah¡¯s with a hint of intensity, yet remaining silent.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Hannah nced at her phone. ¡°I¡¯ll call for a ride. ¡± In a swift motion, Maloney snatched the phone from Hannah¡¯s hand and flung it behind her. With a determined stride, he closed the distance between them, his eyes shing with intensity. Chapter 1197 Hannah stood there, stunned into silence. ALL she could do was watch as her phone crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces. With a deep breath, Hannah swallowed her anger and spoke firmly. ¡°Maloney, you owe me a new phone. ¡± Confusion clouded Maloney¡¯s mind as he struggled to make sense of Hannah¡¯s words. He gazed at her, wanting to reach out and ki*s her. Drawing Hannah closer, Maloney leaned in for a ki*s, his heart racing with anticipation. ¡°Are you crazy?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was low, her eyes narrowed as she gripped his neck firmly. ¡°Don¡¯t mess with me. I won¡¯t hesitate to break your neck right here. ¡± A flicker of fear crossed Maloney¡¯s face, his desire tempered by the gravity of Hannah¡¯s threat. Relenting, Hannah released her hold and took his arm. ¡°Let¡¯s get you out of here. ¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. As they approached the gate, they were met by the imposing figures of the Organization¡¯s guards. Despite recognizing Hannah, the guards barred their way. ¡°No one¡¯s leaving until we¡¯ve sorted this out. ¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hannah¡¯s brows knitted into a frown. ¡°Are you implying that a son of the Pierce family orchestrated the attack?¡± But the Organization¡¯s guards remained steadfast, blocking any attempt t o leave. ¡°The attacker is probably still inside. We¡¯re keeping a tight watch; no one¡¯s getting in or out. ¡± ¡°Why are you so stubborn? He¡­¡± Before Hannah could finish, a sudden force bore down on her, threatening to knock her off bnce. It was Maloney, his hand pressing firmly against Hannah¡¯s shoulder, his warmth seeping through the fabric of her clothes. ¡°Quick! I can¡¯t hold on much Longer. ¡± His body burning, he reached out to her, desperation evident in his eyes. Impatience surged within Hannah; she grabbed Maloney¡¯s sleeve, dragging him urgently toward her ce. Inside, a stash of medicine awaited, their only hope against impending danger. Surveying Maloney¡¯s fevered state, Hannah resolved to administer an injection directly, time too precious for gentler measures. With determined strides, she towed Maloney, urging him to move faster. At the door, Maloney, a mere shadow against the wall, struggled to remain calm, his face flushed crimson with fever. Chapter 1198 The door beeped open. Hannah pushed Maloney into the house and fumbled for a gun in a drawer at the door. ¡°I¡¯ll get some medicine. Lay a finger on me, and I won¡¯t hesitate to pull this trigger!¡± Before her warning could sink in, the room flooded with light, revealing an unexpected visitor. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah had been so flustered at entering the house that she didn¡¯t notice another presence until now. Turning on her heel, gun poised, she confronted the figure on the sofa. Her eyes widened as she beheld the unexpected presence before her. Bryson lounged against the cushions, dressed only in a white shirt, a streak of blood staining his shoulder. Despite his wanplexion, he grinned with ease. His gaze, sharp as ice, fixated on Hannah¡¯spanion, his dark eyes twinkling Like polished obsidian as he spoke in a low, menacing tone. ¡°It seems I¡¯ve arrived at a bad time. ¡± The living room went quiet. Hannah was about to exin when Maloney began to undo his suit buttons. He pulled at his tie, showing a rare frustration on his polished face. Hannah couldn¡¯t deny his good looks. Even under the influence, he was absolutely stunning. But she wasn¡¯t in the mood to admire him.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Han¡­¡± Before Maloney could finish, Hannah quickly knocked him out. She moved him aside and walked towards Bryson. With every step towards Bryson, it felt like an eternity under his watchful eyes. ¡°How did you get hurt?¡± Rather than dive into earlier events, Hannah moved to Bryson¡¯s side, leaning down to inspect the wound on his shoulder. But when she reached out, Bryson caught her hand, looking at her intently. ¡°Why did you bring another guy here?¡± In that moment, Hannah saw Bryson as a wounded animal, silently pleading forfort. She quickly dismissed the thought and started to open Bryson¡¯s shirt, saying, ¡°This is serious. Let¡¯s not talk about jealousy now. ¡± Chapter 1199 Pulling his shirt open, she found a gunshot wound on his shoulder, still bleeding, the blood marking his skin and shirt. Remembering the sound of gunfire at the banquet, Hannah looked up at Bryson. ¡°Did something happen at the banquet today?¡± Bryson didn¡¯t deny the usation, but he didn¡¯t confess either. Instead, he deflected with a question. ¡°What banquet?¡± Realizing he was pretending not to understand, Hannah shot him a Look and stopped pressing him for answers. ¡°Go upstairs. I¡¯ll get that bullet out for you. ¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Bryson nced over at Maloney, who was unconscious on the sofa, courtesy of Hannah. ¡°And him?¡± Hannah followed his gaze and took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with him after I remove your bullet. We can¡¯t just leave him unconscious here. ¡± Hannah assisted Bryson upstairs and helped him remove his shirt. ¡°This is going to hurt. I don¡¯t have any painkillers. ¡± She then made a precise cut on Bryson¡¯s shoulder with a sterilized scalpel. As blood started to flow, she quickly stopped the bleeding. Throughout the procedure, Hannah appeared skilled and focused. She carefully removed the bullet with tweezers. Bang! The bulletnded in a tray beside her. She cleaned the wound again before bandaging Bryson¡¯s shoulder with gauze. ¡°Fortunately, the bullet didn¡¯t hit anything vital. A little lower, and you could have lost your shoulder. ¡± Hannah put the tray away. ¡°Try to get some rest. I¡¯ll handle the guy from the Pierce family and be back soon. ¡± Bryson silently nodded, watching her leave before he looked away, his expression darkening. Hannah had no idea what substance Joselyn had used on Maloney, but after Letting some of his blood, she administered her own concoction via injection. She then moved him to a guest room. Maloney showed no signs of regaining consciousness throughout. If Hannah hadn¡¯t checked his pulse, she might have thought he had died in her house. After tidying up, Hannah checked the time and saw it was two in the morning. Rubbing her forehead to ease her headache, she went back upstairs. Upon opening the door, she was met withplete silence in the room. Themp that was on before now was off. In the dim light, she noticed the bed was empty. ¡°Bryson?¡± Hannah called out, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. Chapter 1200 Silence was her only answer. She moved toward the window, peering down. ¡°Did he leave?¡± Just as she was about to turn away, she felt the cold touch of a gun against her back. Hannah froze, her body tensing up. In the darkness, Bryson¡¯s voice took on a menacing tone. ¡°Just a routine check, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°What is it you¡¯re after, Bryson?¡± Hannah¡¯s patience was wearing thin. Just then, the gun moved down to a more vulnerable spot, making Hannah¡¯s knees buckle. Bryson¡¯s chuckle, right next to her ear, sent a shiver down her spine. ¡°I¡¯m after you,¡± he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. ¡°Bryson Mitchell!¡± Hannah¡¯s voice rose, frustration clear in her tone as she realized he was twisting her words. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Let go of me!¡± But before she could resist, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against the window. The cold ss pressed against her bare shoulders made her shiver. Drops of water from Bryson¡¯s hair fell on her neck, and the warmth from his body seeped through his shirt to her skin. He held her firmly between him and the window. The dampness of her clothes began to warm up quickly. Instinctively, Hannah tried to pull away, but Bryson caught her chin, forcing her to face him and his ki*s. After a moment, Hannah¡¯s head spun, her thoughts blurred by the rising heat from Bryson¡¯s embrace. Bryson intensified his ki*s, his hands moving wildly. He slid the gun from Hannah¡¯s waist down toward her thigh. Hannah squirmed, desperately trying to turn her head away. She eximed, ¡°Enough! Stop it, Bryson. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not enough. ¡± Bryson was clearly annoyed by her resistance. Slowly, the zipper on the back of her dress began to descend. Hannah reached up to halt his progress, but in the next moment, he lifted her into his arms. ¡°Bryson!¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. As she called out his name, he ced her on the soft bed. Hannah tried to sit up, but Bryson effortlessly held her shoulder down. ¡°I really don¡¯t like that name. ¡± Chapter 1201 In the dim light, Bryson stared down at her, his smilepletely disappearing. He pointed the gun at her face, tracing its outline slowly. Tilting his head, he said, ¡°Every time you call me that, it feels Like you¡¯re seeing someone else in me. ¡± Hannah, unable to move away from his grip on her chin, was forced to look up at him. In the moonlight, his expression was unreadable, but she felt something off about him tonight. Since the party started, he had been acting strange. Now, he seemed like a wild animal, radiating danger and annoyance. Aware of his powerful position, Hannah tried to speak calmly. ¡°If you¡¯re upset about what happened today, let me exin. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to exin?¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was rough as he leaned closer, his eyes shining in the darkness. He caressed her lips. ¡°Your fiance is here too. Maybe you should think about what you¡¯ll say to him tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Bryson¡­¡± Hannah called out softly. She paused and gently squeezed his shoulders. ¡°You know it¡¯s not true. You are the only man I care about. ¡± Hannah stared into his eyes. ¡°What on earth do I need to do to make you trust me?¡± A gust of wind blew through the window and rustled the curtains. Bryson finally moved. He tossed the gun aside, grabbed Hannah by the nape, and ki*sed her passionately. Only by having her in his arms could he feel that she truly belonged to him. His ki*s was so fierce that Hannah began to struggle. She clutched his arms and pleaded against his lips. ¡°Wait¡­ Please¡­ Be gentle, please. ¡± But her words only spurred him on. Bryson leaned over and bit hear earlobe, all while his fingers traveled down her chest. ¡°This is just the beginning. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You¡­ Stop it!¡± Hannah angled her head to the side and took in a deep breath. Her eyes were still ssy from the ki*s. In one swift motion, Bryson grabbed her delicate ankles and pinned her in ce. He always knew what to do to make her surrender. He gently turned Hannah over. The minutes passed, and her legs were already shaking. Still, Bryson didn¡¯t stop. Hannah could tell that he wasn¡¯t letting her go tonight. She cked out more than once, and the next time she woke up, she tried to speak despite her dry throat. ¡°Enough¡­ Bryson¡­ Bryson Mitchell!¡± Bryson gripped her waist and looked into her dazed eyes. He traced a finger down her flushed cheek and grinned at her. ¡°Almost there. ¡± He lifted her from the bed. Their bodies were covered in sweat, and her hair was clinging to her head. She slumped against his chest, barely feeling her limbs. It was then that she saw blood seeping into the gauze on Bryson¡¯s shoulder. But she couldn¡¯t even utter another word. She was so weak that even her fingers were trembling. She had no choice but to let him do what he wanted with her. Chapter 1202 At some point, Hannah felt herself being carried into the bath. She sank into the warm water and rested her head on the lip of the tub, then let sleep take her. Minutester, Bryson took her out of the bath, dried her carefully, then carried her to bed. He slipped her under the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, just staring at her. After a while, he reached out to trace her features with his fingers. Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed, then she rolled over, still fast asleep. Bryson stood up. After putting his shirt on, he walked to the door and left the room. The living room was dark, but he made no move to turn on the lights. He made his way to the couch and plopped down. Click! He flicked his lighter open, and the glow of the me broke through the darkness. Bryson took a drag of his cigarette and leaned back, his eyes cold. ¡°Come out!¡± For one brief moment, there was only silence.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Bryson continued smoking and waited patiently. ¡°Your senses are indeed sharp. Bravo!¡± Maloney stepped out of a hidden corner near the kitchen. He used the dim moonlight filtering through the window to meander around and sit on the chair across from the couch. It was five in the morning. The men sat in silence, staring at each other, though neither could see the other¡¯s expression. Bryson spoke first. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve recovered, hurry and get out of my face!¡± Maloney smiled. ¡°This is my fiancee¡¯s house. Why can¡¯t I stay? You, Mister, are the one who should get out of here. ¡± ¡°Do you think you deserve her?¡± Maloney¡¯s eyes shed with danger. ¡°They still haven¡¯t caught the shooter who stormed into the Compton family manor. It¡¯s you, isn¡¯t it?¡± He pulled out his phone and unlocked his screen. ¡°All I need to do is make one phone call, and you¡¯ll never be able to escape. ¡± Click. It was the sound of the safety lock being released. Bryson pointed his gun at Maloney, matching thetter¡¯s smile. ¡°Let¡¯s see whose fingers are faster, yours on your phone or mine on my gun. ¡± ¡°Hal You are surely well-prepared. ¡± Maloney sneered, totally unfazed. Chapter 1203 ¡°Please be mindful of your social standing, Mr. Mitchell. If news of today¡¯s incident is leaked to the public, who do you think will suffer the most?¡± ¡°Nothing will be leaked if I get rid of you here and now. ¡± Bryson shrugged his shoulder and continued, ¡°The Pierce family heir will die, and that is that. Well, I suppose there are candidates lining up to take your ce. Also, I should probably let you know that I¡¯d like to send you off with the title, ¡®terrorist¡¯. How does that sound?¡± An eerie silence followed his words. The men were locked in yet another staredown, with neither taking the initiative to break the silence. Meanwhile, at the Compton manor¡­ Wace entered his study and opened the cab. He pressed a hidden button, and another secret door opened. He walked inside without hesitation. The secret room was almost identical to the study housing it, with books andputer equipment lying all around. Unlike the study, however, a man was sitting on the sofa in the center of the secret room. Wace eyes narrowed sharply. ¡°Did you do it, Bowen?¡± The other man¡¯s face was lined with age, but it was clear that he had once been a handsome young man. If Winston and Hannah were here, Winston would have introduced the old man as the head of one of the four ns of the past.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Bowen Holmes didn¡¯t try to deny the usation. ¡°Of course, I did it. Who else could have infiltrated the manor¡¯s security system without anyone noticing?¡± Wace kneaded his forehead and heaved a helpless sigh. ¡°You came to our banquet, yet refused to appear in public. I know you have a reason for that, but did you really have to cause a scene?¡± ¡°The bigger the scene, the better. ¡± Bowen fixed his dark gaze on Wace. ¡°Have you forgotten what happened to the Moreno family back then? Because you sure are acting like you did! Oh, that¡¯s right. You are the esteemed patriarch of the Compton family. Your power is still on the rise. Of course, you can¡¯t afford to remember the past. You can¡¯t afford to remember how Chadwick died. ¡± Bang! Wace had walked to his desk while Bowen was speaking. The moment Chadwick¡¯s name was mentioned, he mmed his fist against his desk. ¡°You think you¡¯re the only one who cares about the past? He was also my best friend! But this and that are two separate things. ¡± Pak! Bowen pped the arm of the couch and shot to his feet. ¡°So I exacted my own revenge, so what? I can¡¯t just stand by and watch murderers walk free, all arrogant and proud, after killing someone I loved! It brings me great joy to see them cowering and fleeing in fear. ¡± The air crackled in tension as the men red at each other. In the end, it was Wace who broke first. He sighed and said, ¡°Even if you did it for his sake, you shouldn¡¯t have involved his child in the mess. ¡± Bowen¡¯s also dimmed at that. ¡°His circumstances are tricky and unstable. I can¡¯t control everything. At best, I can just hold off from antagonizing him. ¡± Wace took a moment to calm himself down and asked, ¡°Are the Lyons family aware of his identity?¡± Chapter 1204 ¡°No. They are not aware of it. ¡± Bowen continued coldly, ¡°I keep it secret intentionally and am very careful at that. No one else will know. ¡± At his response, Wace breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°I¡¯IL also pretend Like I don¡¯t know about it. Later, I¡¯ll tell my bodyguards to retreat. And you can¡¯t make such trouble again. ¡± ¡°It wouldn¡¯t have happened from the beginning if you hadn¡¯t quit the union of the four families. ¡± Bowen sneered, ring at Wace from the corner of his eyes. ¡°You could even give up avenging your best friend just for your own interest. I will never be able to act like you. ¡± Bowen¡¯s words made Wace burn with anger. However, he could only grit his teeth and do nothing to Bowen. ¡°I won¡¯t exin again. You have your way of doing things, and I have my own way. I¡¯ll forget what happened earlier. If you dare to make trouble again, you can¡¯t me me for being rude. ¡± ¡°Whatever. ¡± Bowen snorted and strode towards the door of the secret room. Suddenly, he stopped walking. ¡°Wace, you¡¯d better not forget what happened back then. ¡± Bang! The door of the secret room was mmed shut. Standing in the room, Wace rubbed his temples to relieve the migraine that had crept over his head since a while ago. It was getting brighter and brighter since the sun had risen.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Hannah had a sound sleep after a series of wanton torture by Bryson the previous night. With the dazzling sunlight that came through the window falling on her rosy cheeks, she looked even more beautiful when she woke up. Hannah sat up with her arms propped. The moment she moved her body, the pain spread through all over, and she cursed inwardly, ¡°Bryson Mitchell, you crazy man!¡± Then, she looked around the room. There was no one in sight. She didn¡¯t hear any sounds from the bathroom as well. Frowning and grinding her teeth, she endured the pain and Lifted herself up. After puttingfy and casual clothes, Hannah opened the door and left the bedroom. She nced at the living room and saw that it was also quiet. She wondered if the two men had met each other. However, neither of them was in the house. She made a guess that they might have left already. Rubbing her sore neck, she strolled downstairs in her slippers. She was starving and couldn¡¯t wait for a satisfying breakfast. After experiencing crazy lovemaking at night, she felt extremely exhausted and wanted to eat to restore her energy. Surprisingly, when she entered the dining room, she caught sight of the two men sitting at the dining table. Hannah¡¯s hand that was rubbing her neck stopped midway, and she muttered, ¡°You guys¡­¡± Bryson was only wearing a shirt. Hannah could tell that the gauze on his shoulder had been changed. At the sight of her, Bryson smiled and said sweetly, ¡°Good morning. You are awake. ¡± Beside him, Maloney was well dressed. Turning to Hannah, he beamed and asked, ¡°Do you want some food? I specifically made your portion. ¡± Hannah found herself in a weird situation. She blinked her eyes, wondering if she was still dreaming. She had a strange feeling, and the expression she made was that of a strange one. Chapter 1205 ¡°Come and sit down. ¡± Maloney stood up naturally. ¡°I¡¯ll get your food. ¡± As soon as he walked into the kitchen, Hannah rushed to Bryson and sat beside him. She moved closer to him and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Bryson arched his eyebrows. ¡°Eat your breakfast. ¡± Hannah had lost her appetite by that point. She couldn¡¯t stop wondering what was happening between the two men. Shortly after, Maloney put a bowl of food in front of her. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you like, so I made a simple oatmeal. ¡± Staring at the bowl, Hannah fell into silence. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Maloney sat down, picked up his knife and fork, and looked at Hannah. ¡°You don¡¯t like oatmeal?¡± Hannah took a deep breath and parted her lips but couldn¡¯t utter a single word. She turned to Bryson and asked again, ¡°What on earth is happening?¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell has exined everything that is happening between you and him. I don¡¯t mind your rtionship,¡± Maloney said calmly. Upon hearing that, Hannah almost knocked over the oatmeal bowl. ¡°What do you mean when you say you don¡¯t mind our rtionship? Mr. Pierce, you¡¯d better not create unnecessary misunderstanding. Don¡¯t get me into trouble!¡± Hannah almost screamed. Her back was still sore, and she didn¡¯t want to experience the same thing tonight. Bryson cupped his chin with a hand, staring at her while smiling faintly. ¡°Why are you so tense? I won¡¯t misunderstand you. Rx. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t believe his words. If he hadn¡¯t misunderstood her, he wouldn¡¯t have tortured her the previous night. Hannah gritted her teeth and red at him. The smile on his face almost made her explode with rage. ¡°Miss Moore, please don¡¯t worry. I have an agreement with Mr. Mitchell. In our cooperated project, he will give me 40% of the profit. ¡± Maloney smiled shrewdly. ¡°I¡¯m a businessman. The well-known Mitchell family is willing to give me 40% of their project profit.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. I can¡¯t reject it. ¡± Right after he said that, there were sudden knocks on the entrance door of the vi. Hannah nced at the door before she quickly pulled out her phone and checked the surveince. Seeing the people outside, she frowned. ¡°Joselyn has brought some people here. ¡± Maloney¡¯s smiling eyes became icy. ¡± haven¡¯t asked her forpensation. She¡¯s so bold toe to me. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s with Amelie and others from the organization. I guess they want to make trouble. ¡± Lowering her head, Hannah said to Bryson, ¡°Why don¡¯t you leave the house and hide for the time being, Bryson?¡± However, Bryson didn¡¯t move a bit. The door was knocked continuously, and the person who was knocking seemed to use more strength with every knock. Hannah blinked at Bryson. ¡°Go! Hurry!¡± Bryson leaned on the back of his chair leisurely. His posture was quite rxing as he started at her without any intention of leaving. Meeting his gaze, Hannah realized he had an evil idea. Pressing her lips, she raised her index finger and added, ¡°I can give you a promise if you leave. All right?¡± Her words brought a smile to Bryson¡¯s lips. He gave up teasing her and drawled, ¡°OK. I¡¯m heading out then. Enjoy your conversation. ¡± The next second, he swiftly hopped off the kitchen window. Only then did Hannah lower her head and open the door through the phone app. Joselyn strode inside aggressively with her men. She saw Hannah and Maloney having breakfast while sitting opposite each other. The bruises and ki*s marks on Hannah¡¯s neck were quite obvious to her eyes. Her hands started trembling with anger, and she couldn¡¯t seem to conceal it. It was such an excellent opportunity the previous night, but Hannah ruined her n. She let out a series of curses at Hannah in her mind. Standing aside, Faustina watched the scene and shifted her gaze to Joselyn, who seemed to be fuming. Faustina didn¡¯t react because she only wanted to watch the fun. Seeing them enter, Hannah leisurely put down her spoon and smiled at Joselyn. ¡°Morning. You guys came here so early. Want some breakfast?¡± ¡°Cut the crap, Hannah Moore! Stop pretending! You know why we are here,¡± Amelie snarled. Hannah blinked. ¡°No. I don¡¯t know. You¡¯d better make it clear. I¡¯m not pretending. Why are you here?¡± ¡°Miss Moore, I don¡¯t think you need us to exin,¡± Faustina said in a mocking tone. ¡°You know clearly whom you brought back herest night. ¡± ¡°I see. ¡± Hannah nodded while smiling. ¡°You are here for this matter. Are you blind?¡± Chapter 1206 Faustina was visibly irked. She was choked by her words. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°I meant it, word per word. ¡± Hannah pointed at Maloney across from her. ¡°I barought Mr. Pierce back homest night. Are you blind? He¡¯s right there in front of you! If you¡¯re having vision issues, I¡¯ll even foot the bill for an ophthalmologist. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Hannah¡¯s retort made Faustina stomp angrily. Joselyn sneered, ¡°Don¡¯t act so innocent! You know exactly who we¡¯re talking about. Mr. Pierce wasn¡¯t the only guy in your housest night. The bodyguards and our entire organization practically scoured the banquet hall for the guy who fired the shots, but they came up empty-handed. Interestingly enough, we got a tip that a man entered your vist night. Care to exin yourself?¡± Hannah, leaning back, nonchntly replied, ¡°It¡¯s funny you should mention that, Joselyn. I spotted a man entering your cest night. You should be the one we should be investigating here. What¡¯s your excuse?¡± ¡°Bullshit! No one set foot in my housest night. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s talking bullshit around here. Why are you doing this, huh? What, do you honestly think that everything you say is the absolute truth?¡± Hannah maintained her cool and continued, ¡°I get it, Joselyn. I ruined your little nst night, but did you really have to send your troops to stir up a ruckus in my house this early?¡± A flicker of panic crossed Joselyn¡¯s eyes. She snapped, ¡°What the f@ck are you bbering about now? Ruined my n? Quit making things up!¡± ¡°Am I?¡± Hannah grinned wickedly. ¡°Last night, when I brought Mr.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Pierce home, something was off with him. You were so keen on taking him home. Did you pull something on him?¡± Joselyn panicked and cut her off, ¡°Enough with the nonsense! Whatever that was, I had nothing to do with it. All I wanted was to escort Mr. Pierce. Is that so terrible? Not everyone is like you, Hannah~ always scheming. You even brought him to your ce. Give me a break!¡± Faustina chimed in, ¡°Exactly! I have to admit that you actually have a scheming mind, Miss Moore. Seeing something fishy with Mr. Pierce, you just had to bring him home. ¡± ¡°Should I have let Miss Compton take me to her home if Hannah hadn¡¯t brought me here?¡± Maloney set down his fork and knife, scanning the room. His smile, though present, failed to reach his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m Hannah¡¯s fiance. What¡¯s the big deal if she brought me home? Or are you suggesting I need your blessing for that?¡± Joselyn looked flustered. ¡°N-No¡­ I didn¡¯t mean it that way, Mr. Pierce. ¡± ¡°Mr. Pierce, please understand,¡± Faustina chimed in, standing next to Joselyn. ¡°We¡¯re not here to give you a hard time. A witness mentioned seeing a man entering Miss Moore¡¯s vi. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m the only guy in her ce. If you¡¯re so sure that there¡¯s a second man, then where is he? I don¡¯t see him anywhere,¡± Maloney sneered. ¡°Causing a ruckus in Hannah¡¯s house so early in the morning. Don¡¯t you have a better use of your time?¡± Maloney¡¯s mockery annoyed Joselyn. ¡°Mr. Pierce, we trust you, but this guy might have slipped into Miss Moore¡¯s house without you noticing. We¡¯re just looking out for you,¡± Joselyn exined. Faustina added, ¡°Exactly. If this guy did sneak in and cause harm to you and Miss Moore, we¡¯d be on the hook for it. Miss Moore is in a different league now that her identity has changed. Plus, our boss personally told us to hunt down the suspect. We gotta fulfill our mission. So please cut us some ck, okay?¡± Bryson had already made his exit, and searching for him would be a wild goose chase. Chapter 1207 However, Hannah wasn¡¯t ready to let them off the hook so easily and jeered, ¡°Concern? I doubt that¡¯s what you¡¯re after. Stop making Wace Compton as an excuse to threaten me. If you¡¯re so concerned, why not have him search my ce himself?¡± ¡°Hannah Moore! How can you address Dad by his name?¡± Joselyn seized the chance to criticize Hannah, scolding her, ¡°Show some respect. ¡± Hannah shot back, unfazed, ¡°It¡¯s none of your f@cking business. Who do you think you are to call me out?¡± Joselyn was fuming, eyes burning with anger. ¡°Hannah Moore, I¡¯ve been civil with you, but there¡¯s a Limit. ¡± ¡°We¡¯re searching your house, no ifs or buts,¡± Faustina dered. ¡°It¡¯s a direct order from our boss. We have to follow it. ¡± She raised her hand, signaling the men behind her to head to the second floor. Maloney, suddenly on his feet, drew his gun and fired into the air. Bang! The gunshot brought the ascending men to a halt. Maloney then aimed the gun at Joselyn. ¡°Step any closer, and I¡¯ll shoot again. Wanna test me?¡± Joselyn stared at him in disbelief, visibly shaken. She hadn¡¯t expected this turn of events from the usually gentlemanly Maloney, all for Hannah. Faustina, standing next to Joselyn, wore a stunned expression. ¡°Mr. Pierce, w-what are you doing?¡± ¡°Hannah¡¯s under my protection. She is my woman, That¡¯s how it is, Maloney stated, moving his gun in Faustina¡¯s direction. ¡°Go ahead, search the house. But get the green light from my gun first. ¡± Even Faustina, annoyed and taken aback, hadn¡¯t anticipated Maloney being this fiercely protective of Hannah.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. It was a curveball none of them sawing. Faustina muttered to Joselyn, ¡°We can¡¯t stir up more trouble today. Mr. Pierce is on edge. Best not to provoke him. ¡± Joselyn was indeed reluctant to leave like this. She bowed her head, silently cursing Hannah for escaping their scrutiny. As they reached a standoff, Faustina¡¯s eyes caught sight of three breakfast portions on the table. A spark lit up in her eyes. ¡°Fine. We might skip the house search, Miss Moore, but care to exin why there are three tes on the table when it¡¯s just the two of you?¡± Earlier, Hannah had struggled to get Bryson to leave and forgot to clear his te. Hannah kept calm on the surface, but her inner thoughts were in shambles. She shot Maloney a quick nce, opting to stay silent. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the second floor, setting Hannah¡¯s heart racing. Chapter 1208 She wondered if Bryson had returned midway. Whoosh! The sound prompted everyone in the living room to raise their guns, aiming at the second floor. As the footsteps drew nearer, Hannah and Maloney exchanged a worried look, their eyes trained on the staircase. Joselyn believed she had something on Hannah, a triumphant smile spreading on her face. ¡°Hannah Moore, you denied having another man. You were¡ª¡± Before she could finish, a voice interrupted her. ¡°It¡¯s early in the morning. Why so loud?¡± Winston, looking disheveled and half-asleep, descended the stairs. His typically stern face appeared even grimmer. Seeing him, Faustina was caught off guard, a pang of jealousy burning in her chest. She gritted out a question. ¡°And why are you here too?¡± Winston nced at her indifferently, adjusting his jacket with a nonchnt air before striding over to Hannah. ¡°Morning, Ma¡¯am. ¡± Hannah, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality and gave a nod to Winston in response. With a stern expression, Winston dered, ¡°Something went down with Mr. Piercest night. Miss Moore was apprehensive about more unexpected incidents, so she summoned me. Any issues?¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Faustina frowned. ¡°We were informed an unknown man had entered her house. How can it be you?¡± ¡°Then send that eagle-eyed informant to get their eyes checked. The Crompton family has no tolerance for visually impaired employees. ¡± Having served Hannah for a considerable time, Winston adopted more of her mannerisms and characteristics. ¡°Your failure to apprehend the man only reveals your ipetence. How dare you trouble Miss Moore! I¡¯ll be reporting this to the boss. ¡± Winston nced at them coldly. ¡°Last night¡¯s incident will also be reported to the boss. Mr. Pierce was drugged at the banquet. I will review the surveince footage to find out the culprit behind it. ¡± Joselyn¡¯s eyes widened in response to his words, a shiver running down her spine. A subtle shift in her expression followed as she turned to Faustina for help. Ultimately, it was Faustina who provided her with the drug the previous night.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. If the surveince footage is reviewed, Faustina would undoubtedly be implicated as well. After a brief exchange of nces, Faustina fixed a stern gaze on Winston. ¡°Since you were herest night, we¡¯ll forgo searching the house. We must inform the boss. Miss Compton, let¡¯s go. ¡± They initially entered with arrogance. However, the group abruptly reversed, departing with visible dejection. Winston heaved a sigh of relief after closing the door behind them. Chapter 1209 He made his way to the dining table and took a seat. ¡°Luckily, I got here in time. ¡± Hannah settled down and resumed her oatmeal, studying him with confusion. ¡°How did you anticipate that something would happen? And why did youe from the second floor?¡± The te of food Bryson hadn¡¯t touched earlier was now Winston¡¯s. Taking a hearty bite out of the sandwich, Winston casually revealed, ¡°I scaled up from the bedroom window in the guest room. After escorting the young master of the Lyons family to changest night, I was intercepted by Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°He instructed me to vacate with my younger sister and not return for the time being. After leaving the banquet, I took my sister with me. When I returned this morning, I spotted Mr. Mitchell slipping out the window. He mentioned that Miss Compton was causing you all trouble and asked me toe down from the second floor to assist. ¡± Hannah gripped her spoon and gasped. ¡°I knew I¡¯d forgotten something. Alessandra was missing. ¡± Internally cursing Bryson, it seemed he had alreadyid a trap. Seething with rage, Hannah resolved to teach him a lesson when he reappeared. Engrossed in contemtion, she absentmindedly agitated her oatmeal with vigor. Across from her, Maloney watched as a swirling vortex took shape in her bowl. With a yful tone, he quipped, ¡°Miss Moore, I can almost see your spoon gleam. ¡± Hannah mmed her spoon onto the table. ¡°I¡¯ve lost my appetite. Enjoy your meal. ¡± Winston, startled by her sudden fury, stepped back, still holding the sandwich. ¡°Calm down. ording to the news we received this morning, the announcement that was supposed to be madest night hasn¡¯t been disclosed. Other families are displeased about it. The Lyons family has proposed for the six prominent families to assemble and engage in discussions regarding cooperation. This would also be an opportune time for the younger members of the ns to meet. ¡± Hannah, nowposed, rested her chin on her hands and chuckled, ¡°I¡¯m not interested. I have no desire to be involved in the Compton family¡¯s cooperation. Let Wace take care of it himself. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Maloney set aside his phone, turning to Hannah. ¡°The Lyons family specifically requested your presence at the party, Miss Moore. Skipping it isn¡¯t an option. ¡± Hannah¡¯s lips tightened in annoyance as she scanned the List of guests, her jaw clenching with each name she scrolled through. Abruptly, she recoiled in surprise at the sight of a particr name. ¡°Bowen Holmes?¡± The information Winston had shared with her the previous night resurfaced in Hannah¡¯s mind. She turned to Winston, inquiring, ¡°Bowen Holmes¡­ Is he the head of the Holmes family, one of the four ns?¡± ¡°Err. ¡± Winston pulled a napkin to dab at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Bowen Holmes used to lead the Holmes family, but he has since retired. Despite being invited, the Holmes family typically does not participate in banquets of this nature. ¡± Hannah nodded in understanding as she perused the list. After finishing, she looked up, bewildered. ¡°Aren¡¯t they focusing on inviting individuals from the six families? Why is Bryson also on the guest list?¡± ¡°What?¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1210 Winston¡¯s expression turned to disbelief as he furrowed his brow, scanning the list of guests until he came across Bryson¡¯s name. ¡°What¡¯s the reason behind inviting Mr. Mitchell?¡± Hannah turned to Maloney, who was smiling. Narrowing her gaze, she interrogated, ¡°Do you know the inside story of this matter?¡± With an outstretched hand, Maloney requested, ¡°Hand me my phone, please. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Once Hannah handed him the phone, Maloney swiftly browsed, located a news article, and passed the phone back to Hannah. It was a local news article titled: Mitchell Family Team up with Lyons Group and ept a five-billion-dor Investment. As Hannah read the news, a sneer formed on her face. Those people reverted to their reckless ways once Bryson left the country.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°While it¡¯s normal for the Lyons Group to coborate with business partners, choosing Mr. Mitchell out of manypetent ones seems odd. ¡± Maloney fixed his gaze on Hannah. ¡°Do you suspect there¡¯s a conspiracy behind it?¡± Hannah snapped out of her scattered thoughts and returned the phone to him. Smiling cynically, she locked eyes with him. ¡°Mr. Pierce, there¡¯s no need to test me with that question. I¡¯m in the dark about it. You two shared an intimate conversation this morning. Surely, you must know more than I do. Am I right?¡± Maloney was momentarily tongue-tied, chuckling helplessly. ¡°You two are birds of a feather, indeed. ¡± Hannah chuckled. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Pierce. I¡¯ll take that as apliment. ¡± After breakfast, Hannah allowed Winston to drive Maloney home. Polite but firm, Maloney declined, ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Miss Moore, but no need. My driver is waiting outside. I¡¯ll see you around. ¡± After seeing him off, Hannah received news from the organization¡¯s base. ¡°They want me to return to the base?¡± She turned to the man who delivered the message. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Some new members have joined the organization. The team leader has requested that you assess them, Miss Moore. ¡± Standing nearby, Winston grasped the situation. He checked his phone and exined, ¡°New recruits are hired around this time each year. The best and most qualified will remain. ¡± ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go and check them out. ¡± When they arrived at the base entrance, they observed two trucks with fresh recruits alighting one after another. Hannah briefly nced at them, noting that most were young adults. Without much thought, she followed the man into the building. Chapter 1211 Only at that moment did she realize the multitude of individuals assembled inside the vast hall. Hannah nonchntly surveyed the room and locked eyes with someone in the crowd. Her eyes widened in astonishment. It was Dn. Upon seeing Hannah, Dn swiftly lowered his head, yfully acting as if she wasn¡¯t there. However, in the next moment, Hannah saw Dotson and some Dark Web associates in the crowd. Hannah sensed trouble and frowned. The Compton family was very strict about who they hired, so how did they get in? Did they let them in on purpose¡­. Before Hannah could figure it out, Conor entered with leaders from other branches. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re here too. Let¡¯s assess them. ¡± After a quick nce, Conor ushered her to a seat. This was the first time that Hannah had seen many leaders from various branches. She didn¡¯t care much about the choices at first, but now that her team had entered, she couldn¡¯t just watch without getting involved. She gave Winston a meaningful look and then they took their seats. ¡®s BunnyBookery Getting into the Compton family¡¯s organization was tough, with strict selection. As time passed, only a small number of people remained in the room. Hannah couldn¡¯t determine if it was intentional, but everyone who sneaked in from the Dark Web made it through the selection without getting eliminated. ¡°Miss Moore, with only Winston as yourpanion, handling things can be quite tricky. I heard you were living alone in your vi. To stay safe and prevent any mishaps, it might be a good idea to have a few people stay with you. ¡± Even though Conor¡¯s words made sense, Hannah deliberately propped her chin on her hand as she looked at him. ¡°Isn¡¯t the Compton family supposed to be this powerful group where outsiders can¡¯t just get in? Or are you suspecting your own ability because of what happened Last night, and you want to enhance security?¡± Hannah looked at Conor and asked, ¡°Or perhaps you want to arrange some informers in my ce?¡± Conor¡¯s lips almost twitched at the corners. If Remington hadn¡¯t advised him to avoid shes with her, he might not be able to control his temper. ¡°Miss Moore, please don¡¯t get us wrong. What happenedst night was an ident. We¡¯ve got people searching for clues. It has nothing to do with today¡¯s selection. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah nodded, scanning the remaining dozen people. Both Dn and Dotson were in the queue. When she was about to point at him, she turned towards Conor, and said, ¡°Several of them performed well. How many can I choose?¡± Conor assessed the candidates and said, ¡°Miss Moore, if you Like them all, you can take them all. ¡± ¡°No, thanks. My room is too cramped for a bunch of people.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah randomly picked a few individuals, excluding Dn. In total, her men, along with three others from the selection, numbered six. Dn got picked, but he joined Conor¡¯s team instead. Chapter 1212 The others were chosen by leaders from different branches. Unfortunately, the second group of people didn¡¯t meet expectations and were dismissed. As the selection concluded and people started Leaving, a stunning woman with wavy hair caught up with Hannah. Her lips resembled a vibrant red rose, and her tall, slender stature made her stand out from the crowd. ¡°Miss Moore, do you have time to talk to me?¡± Hannah only noticed the stunning woman just now. She was the boss of a branch of the Organization, but she didn¡¯t participate in the selection. Before Hannah could respond, Winston stepped forward defensively. ¡°Miss Moore is busy. Don¡¯t cause trouble, Charlie!¡± ¡°Winston, you¡¯re so protective. It seems that Faustina was right. Are you really going to choose her as your master?¡± Winston frowned, stared coldly at Charlie and said, ¡°The boss told me to take good care of Miss Moore and stay by her side forever. Do you have any objection?¡± Whoosh! Charlie opened and waved the small fan in her hand, hiding her fiery-red lips. She smiled at Winston and said, ¡°Why would I object? I might just have a few words. Are you going to fight with me?¡± Ignoring her, Winston lowered his voice and said to Hannah, ¡°Miss Moore, let¡¯s go. We don¡¯t need to talk to her. ¡± The moment he stopped talking, Charlie chimed in with her gentle voice, ¡°Miss Moore, there¡¯s something I need to tell you. I don¡¯t mind if you return to the Compton family, but you¡¯ve broken the rules, which made everyonein. ¡± Hannah looked at Charlie, asking, ¡°I don¡¯t know what rules I broke. Please tell me. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Charlie shook her fan as she walked around Hannah, looking at her from head to toe. ¡°Allow me to introduce myself. I¡¯m the leader of the Lust branch. In our branch, charm is the most important thing for us. Since we have this branch, there must be a reason for its existence. ¡± Charlie¡¯s lively gaze fixed on Hannah¡¯s face. She lifted her hand and softly brushed Hannah¡¯s cheek. ¡°A gorgeousdy like Miss Moore will also use some unusual means to achieve her goal, won¡¯t she? You¡¯re really good at this. You can sometimes find the fastest way to reach your goal, and it won¡¯t be a hassle for you. Do you think I am right?¡± Hannah stepped back, evading Charlie¡¯s touch.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. The warmth in her eyes faded. ¡°Just say what you have to say. I don¡¯t like beating around the bush. ¡± ¡°You released a group of young girls who were supposed to follow me, which really makes me upset. ¡± Recalling the girls from Caditown, sponsored by Amelie, Hannah narrowed her eyes and said, ¡°So, some of them were sent to you. ¡± Charlie hid her smile behind her fan and said, ¡°Whether they¡¯re unlucky or not is none of my business. But this matter affects me, so I can¡¯t just ignore it. ¡± ¡°This matter¡­¡± Winston started to exin, but Hannah raised her hand and stopped him. Hannah stared coldly at Charlie and said, ¡°I have no objection to you and your branch. I don¡¯t object to using charms when necessary. ¡± Chapter 1213 ¡°Really?¡± Charlie lifted her eyebrows, a subtle smile ying in her eyes and asked, ¡°If Miss Moore is so understanding, why did you allow my girls to leavest time?¡± ¡°Because it¡¯s a disguised recement of the concept. ¡± Hannah emphasized each word. ¡°We get to choose how we reach our goals, but we can¡¯t force others to help us. It¡¯s disappointing to see you force these young girls into a tough situation with rewards and punishments. ¡± Charlie¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°The branch provided them with good food and drink and raised them up. That¡¯s the price they must pay!¡± ¡°Ha ha. ¡± Hannah offered a forced smile and asked, ¡°Then why did the branch provide them with good food and drink? Is it an act of charity? Don¡¯t portray your actions as saving the world. You¡¯re just wearing an angel¡¯s cloak. Who can say what your true nature is?¡± Her voice was cold, the words, cutting through the air, making the atmosphere colder. ¡°You¡¯re a true demon dragging people into hell. Do you really think you are the redeemer?¡± ¡°What? What did you just say to me?¡± The smirk on Charlie¡¯s face faded away, reced with a look of indignant disdain. She then pointed the edge of her fan at Hannah, eyes shing with rage. Only then did Hannah notice the countless tiny des on the edge of Charlie¡¯s fan; a simple flick of her wrist, and Charlie could end someone¡¯s life. Before Hannah could react, Winston and the others beside her immediately sprang into action and surrounded her protectively. ¡°Charlie! I dare you toy a finger on her!¡± Winston roared.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. He didn¡¯t pull out his gun, but his body tensed up, poised to strike. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that you¡¯re on Compton family territory. How dare you threaten the daughter of the Compton family here? You have a death wish!¡± ¡°No need to threaten me here, Winston. We both work for the Compton family. I¡¯m sure the boss can tell who¡¯s loyal from who has evil intentions. ¡± Charlie sneered at Hannah behind the crowd of bodyguards, saying, ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re the one who said those hifalutin words. Do you think you¡¯re the Savior? Do you really think you saved those girls¡¯ lives by rescuing them? If so, you¡¯re too naive. ¡± Hannah raised her hand, signaling for the others to step backward. ¡°I only wanted to rescue those vulnerable and powerless girls from being sent to ckeye. Otherwise, to each their own and I coe know that it¡¯s not my destiny to be the Savior. However. Hannah¡¯s voice trailed off, a smile tugging at her lips as she locked eyes with Charlie. ¡°Since you went out of your way to make trouble for me, I don¡¯t mind being honest with you. Charlie, I can save whoever I want to save. If you dare to go against me, I don¡¯t give a damn. ¡± She paused to let that sink in before continuing, ¡°However, you¡¯d better think twice before going against me. I won¡¯t be the first to strike, so if you do want to make trouble, you¡¯d better be well prepared. I¡¯ll destroy your branch and its headquarters in the blink of an eye if you dare toy a finger on any of my men. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was calm and didn¡¯t sound threatening, as though she was giving Charlie a kind reminder. But her words sent a message as clear as day, causing thetter¡¯s expression to darken. ¡°Jesus Christ! You have the guts to threaten me?¡± If Charlie dared to stir up trouble, Hannah wasn¡¯t scared. After all, it wouldn¡¯t be her first time to ruin an organization or part of it, and she didn¡¯t mind doing it again. ¡°Me? Threaten you? You¡¯re the one who threatened me first. ¡± Hannah beamed at her lightheartedly. ¡°It¡¯s only natural that I responded in kind, right?¡± No one could win against Hannah when it came to debating. So far, Charlie had only dared to threaten Hannah, but she didn¡¯t have the guts toy a finger on thetter. Chapter 1214 Since Charlie failed to defeat Hannah in a battle of wills, anger turned her face pale. Muttering a ¡°whatever¡±, she turned away and stormed off quickly. Hannah shrugged it off and headed back to her vi with her men. Along the way, Winston said, ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯d better avoid her the next time you see her. ¡± He had never advised her to do such a thing before, so Hannah couldn¡¯t help but raise her eyebrows in surprise. ¡°Is she that tough?¡± ¡°Not exactly¡­¡± As though he thought of something weird, Winston showed her a strange expression.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Hannah shrugged indifferently. ¡°Well, what¡¯s done is done. I provoked her, so I doubt she¡¯ll just let things slide. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not scared of her, Miss moore. It¡¯s just that¡­ She knows how to disgust others. She¡¯s extremely good at it. ¡± Hannah¡¯s curiosity was instantly piqued. ¡°What do you mean? What did she do? Tell me everything. ¡± Winston took a deep breath and told her about an incident that happened after he became assistant to the Compton family¡¯s boss. Charlie had knocked on his door one night because she wanted to have s@x with him. Winston was so rattled that he jumped out of the window and ran away in the dead of night. However, Charlie refused to give up. She chased after him, unwilling to let him go. Things got so heated that they almost got into a fight. Fortunately, their boss stopped them in time. He promoted her to the leader of Lust, one of their branches, and Charlie finally stopped pestering Winston. Hannah enjoyed the story thoroughly. Smiling smugly, she mused, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that¡­ you two once had a romantic rtionship, huh?¡± ¡°Hal¡± The corner of Winston¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have asked you to avoid her if it were just a romantic past, Miss Moore. She and Ipeted for the position of the boss¡¯s assistant. When I was chosen, Charlie hated me so much that she tried to seduce me just to disgust me. ¡± Hannah¡¯s subordinates had been listening carefully, also deeply intrigued by the story. At this point, Dotson chimed in, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have lost anything by sleeping with her, right? Even if she¡¯s a little disgusting, she¡¯s still a gorgeous woman. ¡± Hannah shot him an indifferent nce, which was enough to silence thetter, who then lowered his head embarrassedly. ¡°That¡¯s the thing-Charlie isn¡¯t even a woman. ¡± Hannah gaped at him, eyes wide as saucers. Dotson was also tongue-tied. The others¡¯ jaws went ck. They all fell into silence. Hannah also found it hard to digest the information. She stammered with uncertainty, ¡°She¡­ She¡¯s not a woman?¡± Chapter 1215 ¡°That¡¯s right; Charlie¡¯s a man. ¡± Winston shook his head in disgust. ¡°Back when the two of us were still trainees, he wasn¡¯t like this. But when he was a kid, he was frequently bullied for looking so androgynous and was often mistaken for a girl. Over time, he grew fond of wigs and makeup. I tried my best to support him and his new ¡®hobby¡¯. We had grown up together after all. Later, amidst the fiercepetition, we gradually distanced ourselves from each other. And when he became the boss of Lust¡­ He started behaving more and more like a woman. Eventually, he grew out his hair, underwent surgery, and fully transitioned into a woman. ¡± Hannah scratched her neck uneasily. ¡°Er¡­ Well, we should respect her decision. We can¡¯t judge him just because he chose to change, you know what I mean?¡± Nodding, Winston continued, ¡°I don¡¯t have any objection to his lifestyle, but I can¡¯t turn a blind eye to his deliberate attempts to disgust me. He always sleeps around-with both men and women. The reason why I¡¯m telling you all this is so that you¡¯ll just learn to avoid¡­¡± Hannah understood him, even though his voice trailed off mid-sentence. ¡°No worries. I¡¯ll keep my guard up. ¡± When they made it back to the vi, Hannah let Winston take charge of making sleeping arrangements for her other subordinates while she talked to the three Dark Web members. After Winston and the others left, Hannah sat on the couch while gazing at the three Dark Web members. ¡°Tell me. What¡¯s wrong with you all? How dare you show your faces at the Compton¡¯s territory? Do you all have death wishes?¡± They exchanged wary nces with each other, unsure as to how to respond. Finally, they pushed Dotson forward. Dotson was the closest to Hannah, so the others wanted him to take the me. Dotson staggered forward, stood before Hannah, and met her icy gaze. Forcing an awkward smile, he started to say, ¡°Boss¡­¡± Hannah chuckled with a wry smile. ¡°Dotson, I must¡¯ve been too lenient with you and Dntely. Is that why you think you can make decisions without informing me beforehand?¡± Dotson broke out in cold sweat and shook his head adamantly. ¡°No! No, of course not¡­ Please let me exin, Boss. You can consider killing me after I say my piece, okay?¡± Hannah cast a brief nce in his direction. ¡°Fine. You¡¯ve earned yourself a moment to exin. Proceed. ¡± ¡°Boss, I urge you to check out thetest on the Dark Web. ¡± With that, Dotson retrieved his phone, navigated to the Dark Web¡¯s news section, and shared the information with Hannah. Taking the phone from Dotson, Hannah skimmed the article, her brow furrowing. ¡°How did this piece end up on the Dark Web? Did you trace the IP address?¡± ¡°Yes, I did,¡± Dotson began, nervously running his fingers through his hair. ¡°It turns out, the trail leads back to the Compton residence. We feared for your safety. So, after a thorough discussion, we resorted to this method¡­¡± Hannah let out a sigh, handing back the phone. ¡°You managed to bypass the Compton family¡¯s defenses? That¡¯s quite the feat. They¡¯re reputed to have an imprable security system, yet you prated their defenses with ease, undetected. ¡± Dotson¡¯s smile broadened, sensing Hannah¡¯s easing anger¡ªa sign of her forgiveness. ¡°Boss, you might have forgotten. Dn and I have ties to that organization. We used a few tricks to get selected, but¡­¡± Dotson let out a sharp whisper. ¡°It seems the standards for entry into the Compton family are slipping. After undergoing rigorous screening and training, we were epted into their ranks. But as you¡¯ve observed, Boss, many who¡¯ve been chosentely are simply not up to parcking in quality. ¡± Hannah shared his bewilderment. ¡°Upon my arrival at the Compton estate, Winston informed me that the organization traditionally selects only those young adults nurtured by the family itself, meant to be the cream of the crop. ¡± Dotson agreed, equally baffled, ¡°That was the case, once.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. This year, however, they¡¯ve opened their doors to many outsiders. That¡¯s how we were able to infiltrate. Chapter 1216 We even resorted to bribing the official responsible for candidate selection to ensure a smooth entry. It appears he¡¯s willing to admit anyone, provided his price is met. He assured us of our entry into the Compton fold but made no promises about our selection. ¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. It was clear that this individual profited from the selection process. With a dismissive snort, Hannah responded, ¡°The internal affairs of the Compton family are their concern, not mine. Let¡¯s move on from this topic. You should look for an exit strategy while you can. Staying here is a risk. ¡± Dotson, however, vehemently opposed the idea. ¡°Impossible, Boss. Now that we¡¯re in, our priority is your safety. There¡¯s no sign of Leviathan, but the bounty on the Dark Web- 50 million dors for your head-is no joke. Even if no one on the Dark Web has taken up the task, there¡¯s always the chance someone elsewhere might. And with the mission¡¯s originator being from within the Compton family, it would be all too easy for them to strike at you. ¡± The rest of the team nodded in agreement, their resolve firm. ¡°Precisely. We¡¯re not going anywhere. We¡¯ll stand by you, no matter what. ¡± This added yet anotheryer of concern for Hannah. Already burdened with a migraine, the thought of her team being in danger meant she would have to keep an even closer watch over them, unwilling to expose them to harm. Observing Hannah¡¯s silence, Dotson continued, ¡°Moreover, now that we¡¯re here with you, we wouldn¡¯t dare to take unnecessary risks again. Boss, we¡¯ll manage just fine. ¡± ¡°You believe you¡¯ll be fine,¡± Hannah murmured, massaging her forehead with her hand. ¡°When I first encountered you, I suspected it was a test of some sort, which is why I initially did not choose Dn and Kite. Now, they find themselves in the same division as Conor. Should anyplications arise, do you have a fallback n?¡± This prompted a moment of silentmunication among the group, followed by a collective quiet. With a sigh of resignation, Hannah continued, ¡°I appreciate your concern for me, but remember, you are all high-ranking officials within the Dark Web¡¯s hierarchy. Did it not ur to you to devise an exit strategy for situations that might arise from your impulsive decision toe here? You¡¯re known for your ingenuity. Why omit such a critical contingency this time?¡± Dropping his gaze, Dotson admitted softly, ¡°Boss, the me lies not with them. The scheme was devised and executed by Dn and me. Fearing for your safety, we chose the most desperate n without prior consultation. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Have you no regard for your own lives?¡± Her stern tone underscored her next point. ¡°What have I always told you? Our livelihood is fraught with peril. I expect no mission to be undertaken without aprehensive n in ce. Have my warnings been forgotten?¡± ¡°No, we haven¡¯t forgotten,¡± came their unified response. Dotson¡¯s voice faltered. ¡°We actually never intended for you to pick us, Boss. The n was to disperse and infiltrate different branches individually. ¡± Hannah¡¯sughter was tinged with frustration as she nodded at him. ¡°Marvelous! You¡¯ve truly outdone yourselves. Turning into undercover agents rather than focusing on the missions, I see?¡± In the midst of their conversation, Winston re-entered the house, having managed the other three. Catching Dotson¡¯s urgent wink, he chose to ignore it, adopting a neutral demeanor as he addressed Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ve settled the new recruits and briefed them on their basic duties. They won¡¯t cause you any further inconvenience, Miss Moore. ¡± Chapter 1217 ¡°Ehn,¡± Hannah acknowledged his report with a nomittal grunt. Feeling a persistent nudge on his arm, Winston turned to find Dotson prodding him for assistance. Whispering, Dotson implored, ¡°Dude, help us out here. ¡± After a brief moment of contemtion, Winston turned to Hannah, seeking rification. ¡°Miss Moore, what about these men? What¡¯s to be done with them?¡± Hannah, visibly annoyed at the mention of the Dark Web members, massaged her forehead. ¡°Let them work externally, as the other three. ¡± Winston expressed his concerns, ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. Lorenzo, Mrs. Compton¡¯s assistant, has previously encountered Dn and Dotson. He¡¯s often around the Compton estate. Their presence could lead toplications. ¡± Hannah exhaled in frustration. ¡°You¡¯re all proving to be quite the headache. Winston, could you possibly extract them from the Compton domain? I¡¯ll figure something out for Dn. ¡± Winston borated. ¡°Dn¡¯s position in Conor¡¯s sector isn¡¯t problematic; that branch operates externally, reducing Lorenzo¡¯s potential interference. It¡¯s Dotson and the others who pose a greater risk of encountering Lorenzo and his team. However, I have a proposal. By providing them with distinct uniforms and sunsses, we might avoid drawing suspicion. ¡± The mental image of her team decked out in matching suits and sunsses, shadowing her like some mafia entourage, was mortifying for Hannah. ¡°Winston, isn¡¯t there another solution? Perhaps, you can take them out directly?¡± Winston said, ¡°It¡¯s not going to fly. They¡¯re tagged in the organization¡¯s dossier. If they vanish without a trace, the powers will brand them traitors and wipe them out. ¡± ¡°The organization¡¯s got more red tape than progress,¡± Hannah muttered wearily. Dotson piped up tentatively.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Boss, have we caused you trouble?¡± ¡°Forget it. You two can hang around for now. Winston, do as you suggested. Stick to my house. Don¡¯t go wandering. We can¡¯t afford to be spotted. ¡± Dotson nodded vigorously. ¡°Got it, Boss. ¡± ¡°As for Dn¡­¡± Hannah Lowered her gaze, pondering. ¡°Since he¡¯s tied to Conor, tell him to watch his back. Conor¡¯s wary of everyone around him. Tell Dn to keep his distance unless it¡¯s urgent. ¡± ¡°Understood, Boss. ¡± ¡°Winston,¡± she addressed him directly, ¡°make sure they¡¯re settled in. ¡± ¡°Consider it done, Miss Moore. ¡± Once the Shadow members had departed, Hannah slumped against the sofa, utterly drained. With a sigh, she unlocked her phone. Since Bryson¡¯s departure in the morning, her inbox had remained eerily silent. ring at the chat box with Bryson¡¯s name, she muttered under her breath, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare ghost me!¡± Chapter 1218 Just then, a message popped up. But it wasn¡¯t from Bryson.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Edwin¡¯s profile picture appeared after a moment¡¯s dy. ¡°Hannah, the Garza family approached me today. They¡¯re interested in a major coboration. ¡± He sent over a detailed business proposal and contract. ¡°I¡¯m smelling a rat, though. Hannah, can you look into this? The Garzas have never dabbled in tech before. Why the sudden interest in partnering with us? And if they¡¯re scouting for partners, Layne¡¯spany is the top dog in the industry. Whye to us?¡± With no response from Hannah, Edwin continued typing. ¡°These aren¡¯t just minor concerns. The Garzas and the Whites aren¡¯t exactly friends, especially with the whole Jenny mess. Why the sudden love for coboration? Do you see any hidden daggers in the deal?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t exit the office app until she¡¯d pored over every detail of the proposal and contract. Then, she spotted Edwin¡¯s messages. ¡°Hannah, when are youing back? Thepany¡¯s floundering without you. I feel utterly useless. I could cry right now. I¡¯m not supposed to pressure you, and I know you¡¯re swamped overseas. But I¡¯m getting a bad vibe about this Garza deal. I¡¯m really freaking out. ¡± While the contract and proposal seemed legit, Hannah couldn¡¯t shake off the history between the Garza family and her mother. And with the Garzas linked to a past incident of hers, she couldn¡¯t trust their sudden interest in coboration with the Whites. After careful consideration, Hannah punched in Edwin¡¯s number. The call connected with swift efficiency. ¡°Hannah! Atst, you¡¯ve found a moment to reach out. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve read through your messages. No red gs in the contract or the business n,¡± Hannah stated calmly. ¡°What?¡± Edwin hesitated on the other end. ¡°So, should we proceed with them?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah detected the tinge of uncertainty in Edwin¡¯s voice. ¡°They¡¯ve already drawn up the contract. Why wasn¡¯t I informed sooner?¡± Edwin sounded resigned. ¡°Dexter and Bryan jumped the gun, only letting us know a few days ago. Thankfully, we halted them before they sealed the deal. ¡± ¡°Dexter and Bryan?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, realizing how out of the Loop she¡¯d be during her time abroad. This only solidified her suspicion of the Garza family¡¯s ulterior motives. ¡°If the Garza n genuinely intended to partner with us, they would¡¯ve approached you directly. Instead, they relied on those two ipetent fools. Clearly, something¡¯s amiss. ¡± ¡°So, should I reject the contract?¡± Noticing the Garza family¡¯s representative was Merlin, Hannah probed further. ¡°Who did the Garzas send for negotiations? Have you met them?¡± ¡°No, not yet. The contract remains unsigned, and frankly, I¡¯m reluctant to proceed without more insight into their intentions. ¡± ¡°Arrange a meeting with their representative. Gauge their motives. Offer concessions if needed. The contract stands, but dy signing. Chapter 1219 Buy us some time until we have more rity. ¡± Edwin nodded. ¡°Got it, Hannah. I¡¯ll handle it and update you after the meeting Hannah saw Winston entering the living room. She grunted a reply. ¡°Yeah, busy now. Will call you back. ¡± ¡°Cool. Later, Hannah. ¡± Ending the call, she turned to Winston. ¡°Winston, let¡¯s hit the town today. Chadwick family¡¯s turf in Caditown. ¡± Winston tensed at the unexpected destination. ¡°Miss Moore, why Caditown? The Chadwicks have been eyeing you. Going there openly is like¡­¡± ¡°Courting death, right?¡± Hannah rested her chin on her hand. ¡°Not looking for trouble.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Just want to check out the biggest entertainment center in Caditown. With you by my side, what could go wrong? At least I¡¯ll show up openly. If something does happen, they¡¯ll have a tough time exining it. ¡± Winston¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Miss Moore, if it¡¯s about what my sister mentioned, perhaps it¡¯s best to avoid stirring the pot. You¡¯ve already ruffled feathers by rescuing Alessandra and crossing Charlie. Showing up in Caditown might escte things. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m merely curious. ¡± Hannah shrugged. ¡°No need to worry. No chaos without careful nning, I promise. ¡± Winston remained determined to dissuade her, but just as he was about to make his case, a sudden knock echoed through the door. Keith and Trent walked in triumphantly. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Hannah, we¡¯re back from our assignments. We heard there was some excitement at the family banquet. A killer crashed the party, huh?¡± Without waiting for an answer, he made a beeline for the dining room, raiding the fridge for two chilled drinks before rejoining the conversation in the living room. Trent¡¯s white shirt bore traces of blood. Standing by the sofa, he inquired, ¡°Any progress on catching the killer from the wee dinner?¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°Not yet. ¡± She cast her hands up in mock surrender. ¡°Looks like the Compton family has made a few too many enemies. They¡¯re still trying to figure out who crashed the party. ¡± ¡°Ahem! Ahem. Ahem¡­¡± Keith, sipping his drink while approaching, found himself choking at Hannah¡¯s audacious words. He tossed the second can to Trent and eyed Hannah with amusement. ¡°You¡¯re the only one who dares speak so freely. Anyone else would¡¯ve been silenced. ¡± Hannah met Keith¡¯s gaze, a mischievous glint in her eye. ¡°You two¡­ Have you checked out the Caditown¡¯s biggest entertainment center yet?¡± Keith and Trent shared a knowing look. They knew that thergest entertainment center in Caditown was under the Chadwick family¡¯s control. But Hannah had her issues with them¡­ Chapter 1220 Her facial expression made the men uneasy, sensing trouble brewing. ¡°Why the silence? Have you been there or not?¡± Both nced nervously at Winston, cing their hopes on him. Winston remained quiet, ignoring their hopeful stares. ¡°I can see you two. There¡¯s no need to signal Winston. Are you having eye problems?¡± Keith cleared his throat awkwardly, feeling the sting of her teasing. ¡°You brought up the entertainment center out of nowhere. Is there a particr reason?¡± ¡°Just curious. I¡¯ve been tangled up with the Compton family¡¯s drama for too long and haven¡¯t explored the town. I¡¯m just looking to unwind. ¡± ¡°I get it. You¡¯re up for some fun, right?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Keith rxed a bit, settling into his chair. ¡°That entertainment center in Caditown¡­ Trent and I have been there a few times to¡­¡± ¡°Ahem! Ahem!¡± Trent coughed to remind Keith. Whenever he faced Hannah, Keith¡¯s brain seemed to go nk. Trent could see Hannah was trying to pry for information, but Keith walked right into her trap. Hannah¡¯s gaze shifted to Trent. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re more familiar with it than Keith. How about you be my escort tonight?¡± Trent found himself at a loss for words. He regretted his interruption. With more foresight than Keith, he cautiously said, ¡°Hannah, that¡¯s Chadwick family¡¯s territory. You¡¯re aware of that. I won¡¯t pry into your reasons, but remember, even Dad couldn¡¯t protect you if you were in trouble.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Hannah held her chin and nced at the three men. ¡°Do I seem that careless to you guys? Am I known for stirring up trouble?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Before the Compton brothers could respond, Hannah decisively turned to Winston, ¡°Fine. You¡¯re all apanying me tonight. Winston, you¡¯re familiar with the ce, so you¡¯ll be our guide. ¡± After she went upstairs, the two went to Winston and started asking him stuff. ¡°Why is she so keen on visiting the entertainment center?¡± ¡°She¡¯s all about heading into Amelie¡¯s area. Amelie has been bearing grudges against her. This is too risk. ¡°Is she looking for trouble?¡± Winston doubted Hannah would change her mind. ¡°She won¡¯t. Keep an eye on her when we head there tonight. Even if Miss Moore only ns to stroll around, it¡¯s risky. The Chadwick family runs Jade Paradise, and they might target Miss Moore. ¡± Trent acknowledged the logic. ¡°We¡¯ll handle it. The people at Jade Paradise won¡¯t cross certain lines because of us. ¡± Chapter 1221 As evening approached, Keith and Trent dressed up and headed to Hannah¡¯s ce. Winston showed up with Alessandra in tow. ¡°Why did you bring Alessandra along?¡± Trent asked curiously. ¡°I begged my brother to let mee along with you. ¡± In her simple white dress, Alessandra looked delicate and innocent beside Winston. ¡°I heard Hannah¡¯s heading to Jade Paradise. I want toe along with you¡­¡± Their conversation paused as Hannah descended the stairs, drawing everyone¡¯s attention with her footsteps. Hannah styled her ck hair in curls and applied bold makeup. She dressed in a burgundy dress with high slits on the sides, cinched at the waist. Her dress had a ck gauze hemline, showing off her long legs. She was so captivating that nobody could look away. She had pearls dangling from her earlobes, shimmering and dancing with every step she took. Alessandra was startled as she gazed at her. When Hannah approached, she snapped back to reality and lowered her head suddenly. Keith was taken aback. ¡°Hannah, are you aiming to be conspicuous?¡± Winston said disapprovingly, ¡°We¡¯ll head to Caditown.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. We need to stay under the radar. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Do you think they won¡¯t recognize us if we try to blend in?¡± Hannah said. It was impossible. Once they entered Caditown, they¡¯d be spotted immediately, no matter how sneaky they tried to be. Trent confirmed, ¡°No matter what, we¡¯ll stand out there. Blending in isn¡¯t an option. ¡± ¡°Exactly. We¡¯re going to be watched no matter what. Why can¡¯t I just go there openly?¡± Hannah grinned, dering, ¡°I¡¯m not one to shy away or hide in the shadows. That¡¯s just not who I am. ¡± Alessandra moved closer to Hannah with concern. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯d like toe along. ¡± Hannah, puzzled, asked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Winston mentioned your n to visit Jade Paradise. I know my way around there and could be of help. ¡± ¡°No. You stay home,¡± Hannah advised gently. ¡°You¡¯ve just escaped from that ce. It¡¯s not safe for you toe with us. ¡± ¡°I need toe. ¡± Alessandra held onto Hannah¡¯s arm tightly. ¡°Hannah, I know you want to go there for me. I have toe along with you. ¡± Hannah offered a reassuring smile. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. I¡¯m just Looking to unwind. I haven¡¯t enjoyed myself since arriving. ¡± Despite her efforts to persuade Alessandra to stay, the young girl was determined to join. Hannah, often lenient with other women, turned to Winston. ¡°Okay, then. You¡¯re in charge of keeping Alessandra safe tonight. ¡± Chapter 1222 Winston acknowledged with a nod. Hannah dered, ¡°Let¡¯s get going. ¡± They were inside a car. Slowly, the scene outside the window turned busy and Lively. Entering Caditown, the surroundings grew even more impressive, with vibrant neon lights illuminating the darkness. They parked the car, and Hannah stepped out. Instantly, a mix of sounds filled her ears from the bustling crowd. The buildings in Caditown stood distinct from those elsewhere, triggering memories of architectural styles back home for Hannah. The bustling scene included people and cars moving around. Yet, some buildings lurking in the shadows appeared strangely mysterious. ¡°There¡¯s Jade Paradise,¡± Winston pointed out. The sight of the building ahead captivated them. Bathed in golden light, Jade Paradise resembled a pce fit for an emperor, exuding allure and mystery. Raising an eyebrow, Hannah suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s head in. ¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. Their approach to Jade Paradise felt scrutinized. Walking beside Hannah, Keith and Trent¡¯s smiles had vanished, reced by stern expressions. Trent nced at the shadowy figures nearby and whispered, ¡°We¡¯re already under surveince. I thought they¡¯d wait until we were inside Jade Paradise. ¡± ¡°Give it a break. We¡¯re here to have fun, not to cause trouble. Why are you so nervous?¡± Hannah looked at Trent and Kent, continuing, ¡°No need to stick by my side like bodyguards. They might think something is going on even though there isn¡¯t. ¡± With that, the group marched toward Jade Paradise¡¯s gate, where eight bodyguards stood. Just then, Lorenzo showed up at the gate with several waiters in tow. Spotting Hannah and the other, he walked over and greeted them with a stiff smile, ¡°I had a feeling a distinguished guest would visit us today. I didn¡¯t expect it to be you, Miss Moore. Wee to Jade Paradise. ¡± ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯ve just arrived. I hope I¡¯m not a bother, though,¡± Hannah said, her eyebrow slightly raised. ¡°I heard Jade Paradise has good service, so I came over and have a look around. ¡± ¡°Of course not, Miss Moore. You cane at any time. I see Mr. Keith and Trent Compton came with you,¡± Lorenzo pointed out meaningfully. ¡°Well, it¡¯s my first time here, so I had to bring someone already familiar with the ce. Otherwise, I might make a fool out of myself and embarrass the Comptons,¡± Hannah reasoned. Lorenzo smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t make meugh, Miss Moore. You don¡¯t need to bother these two gentlemen when youe here. Just tell me, and the whole staff will serve you well by my order. ¡± Keith sniggered. ¡°Come on, Lorenzo. You weren¡¯t this hospitable when I came here with Trent before. ¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t joke around, Mr. Compton. Madam Compton cares about Miss Moore very much. She specially asked us to tell Miss Moore to have a good time tonight. ¡± Lorenzo turned around and gestured inside with his stretched out hand, saying, ¡°This way please, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah waved her hand to herpanions, and together they entered Jade Paradise. As soon as the group went in, Lorenzo dropped his smile. The look in his eyes turned cold as he ordered the bodyguards, ¡°Keep an eye on them. If trouble happens because of them, I¡¯ll skin you all alive! Chapter 1223 ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Boss. I¡¯ve already alerted our men inside. The moment she stirs up trouble, we will be on the move and prevent her from escaping,¡± one of the bodyguards said. ¡°Make sure of that. Now, go ahead. ¡± Lorenzo waved them off. Jade Paradise¡¯s interior truly lived up to its name. Just like a paradise, it was morous and sophisticated. The further Hannah and the others wandered inside, the dimmer the yellowish light became. A faint smell of tobo hung in the air. The contained noise along the corridor burst forth like waves to their eardrums when the waiter opened the door to the room at the most end. Inside was like another world of revelry. Apanied by booming music, men and women clung together in pairs or in groups, their dizzying perfumes mixing in the air. Visibly displeased, Hannah frowned. Noticing her expression, Trent exined, ¡°This floor is where the average rich people have fun. ¡± Extending his arm, he directed Hannah¡¯s gaze towards the second floor where cubicles, each enclosed by ss walls that stretched from the floor to the ceiling, sat in a row. Through the ss wall, Hannah could see people dancing provocatively in very little clothing. The adjacent wall was blurry, making it impossible for her to see what the others inside were doing. ¡°That¡¯s a special service room.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. The price is marked. If clients pay enough, they can ask for the walls to be covered up and do whatever the hell they want with the performers they¡¯ve picked,¡± Trent exined. Hannah¡¯s jaw clenched. It was the first time she had heard of such a thing. As they walked in, Trent continued exining to Hannah, ¡°The third floor is for the richest and most powerful. ¡± After a moment of hesitation, he decided to reveal the truth to her. ¡°It¡¯s where most of the fun things happen, but I don¡¯t think we can go up there today. ¡± Keith chimed in, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. There are a lot of shady things happening up there. You don¡¯t want to see them. ¡± Tugging at Hannah¡¯s dress, Alessandra whispered, ¡°Hannah, I know a way we can sneak into the third floor. Come with me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just wanna look around, for experience,¡± Hannah said, tapping Alessandra¡¯s head lightly and turning to Winston. ¡°Take your sister somewhere quiet. ¡± ¡°But I want toe with you!¡± Alessandra protested. ¡°No buts. ¡± Hannah pinched Alessandra¡¯s cheek and reminded Winston, ¡°Watch over your sister, okay? Don¡¯t let anything happen to her while she¡¯s here. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Before Alessandra could finish her words, Winston seized her arm. ¡°That¡¯s enough. There must be a reason why Miss Moore doesn¡¯t like you to tag along. Listen to her ande with me,¡± Winston chided his sister. Watching Hannah leave with Trent and Keith, Alessandra muttered weakly, ¡°I¡¯m just worried about her. ¡± ¡°Then listen to her and don¡¯t be stubborn. ¡± Winston gave her a stern Look. After taking ast look at Hannah¡¯s receding figure, Alessandra reluctantly let her brother take her away. Chapter 1224 While the almost naked dancers performed on stage, the audience or clients were chatting away in the booths on both sides of the stage. On the table were a variety of alcoholic wine. As soon as Hannah entered, all eyes were on her. Her body-hugging red dress moved gracefully against her body as she walked. The long slit revealed her slender legs inced ck stockings, making the men shamelessly ogle at them. Her ruddy lips curved into a perfect smile, making her look like a bewitching demon that captured the hearts of the men present. Not long after, a man boldly came over and hit on Hannah. ¡°Hi, Miss. Would you like to drink with me?¡± Still wearing a smile, Hannah looked at the wine ss in the man¡¯s hand and turned down his offer. ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t drink. ¡± The man¡¯s confident smile froze. He felt offended for being rejected. Refusing to go back to his seat without Hannah, he regarded her pointedly. ¡°Do you know who I am, Miss? Take my offer while I¡¯m being nice here. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are and I don¡¯t n to,¡± Hannah retorted coldly. ¡°You!¡± The man gritted his teeth, advancing toward Hannah. At that moment, Keith and Trent stepped forward, blocking the man¡¯s way. Keith ran his tongue over his lower lip and sneered. ¡°Who are you? Tell me. ¡± ¡°Who the hell- Mr. Compton?¡± The man stammered in surprise. His arrogance flew out of the window as his hands trembled and his legs went weak, recognizing the man before him. He was so focused on Hannah that he didn¡¯t notice she hadpany. Knowing he was in trouble, the man staggered backward, his face turning pale. ¡°Mr. Compton, is she¡­ your woman?¡± The man swallowed hard as he continued, I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t recognize you right away. I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll punish myself by drinking a ss of wine!¡± Without waiting for a response, the man emptied the ss and blurted out, ¡°I¡¯ll also apologize to thedy, Mr. Compton. ¡± Patting Keith¡¯s shoulder, Hannah said, ¡°Forget it. We¡¯re here to have fun.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Let¡¯s not spoil other people¡¯s night. ¡± Keith snorted, regarding the man coldly. ¡°We didn¡¯t instigate it. ¡± With a horrified look on his face, the man almost kneeled down as he pleaded, ¡°Please forgive me this once, Mr. Compton. I didn¡¯t know better. I won¡¯t do this again, I promise!¡± Chapter 1225 The man turned to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ve been too blind. I wasn¡¯t aware you were associated with Mr. Compton and I offended you. I truly am sorry for that, Ma¡¯am. ¡± Keith understood what Hannah was implying earlier and decided not to pursue the matter further. He lifted his hand, indicating the man could leave. Seeing the matter didn¡¯t cause a scene, the reckless men in the dark calmed down and hid back. A waiter guided them to a secluded booth on the first floor, near the staircase leading to the second floor. The surrounding booths were all unupied, ensuring their privacy. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve heard the third floor offers more entertainment options. Could we possibly go up?¡± Hannah asked the waiter. The waiter¡¯s face stiffened, his eyes darting away momentarily. He managed a strained smile and responded, ¡°Ma¡¯am, the third floor is reserved for guests who have made prior reservations. Unfortunately, without a reservation, you can¡¯t go up. ¡± He had braced himself for a difficult conversation with Hannah, expecting her to be less than cooperative. To his amazement, she simply asked a question. Hannah nodded and said, ¡°I see. I¡¯ll make a reservation for next time. Thank you. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. After selecting a few bottles of wine and liquor, Hannah dismissed the server without any fuss. In a room on the third floor, Bryson watched Hannah from behind a doubleyered opaque ss, his chin resting on his hand. ¡°You¡¯ve been distracted for a while now. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± A man with ck hair and light brown eyes sat opposite Bryson. Following his gaze, he asked, ¡°Is there ady downstairs catching your interest? Which one? Should I send someone to invite her up here?¡± Bryson¡¯s cold look turned toward him. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate your head wasn¡¯t in the line of fire. ¡° The man across from him clenched his teeth and said, ¡°Bry, it¡¯s been years since west met. You haven¡¯t changed a bit, you are still as rude as ever. I¡¯m thankful for your assistance with ckeye previously. Without your help, my men would¡¯ve faced humiliation. I¡¯ve heard yourdy yed a crucial role in our victory in the boxing match. She must be quite skilled. Could I have the pleasure of meeting her?¡± Bryson gave him a cold stare, and the man quickly lifted his hands in a gesture of peace. ¡°I don¡¯t mean any harm. I just wish to express my gratitude for her help before. ¡± ¡°No need,¡± Bryson said coldly, his attention drifting back toward Hannah. Kohen lifted his ss, revealing a scar on his neck as he drank his liquor. ¡°I don¡¯t believe your return is solely about Remington. I¡¯ve uncovered some clues regarding the investigation you asked me to¡­¡± Bryson¡¯s attention shifted away as he heard the words. He turned to Kohen and asked, ¡°What discoveries have you made?¡± Kohen pulled out his phone and found several photos to show him. ¡°You are right. There¡¯s something behind the cause of your mother¡¯s death. It seems your mother was connected to individuals from the four most influential families. ¡± Bryson grabbed the phone and started looking through the blurred images, his brow furrowing slightly. Kohen continued, ¡°It was quite a challenge to get these photos. Chapter 1226 They¡¯re what¡¯s left of the information. Do you see the man standing next to your mother? He led the Moreno family, the strongest among the four families. Your mother must have been from a notable family to be in such a circle. ¡± Bryson zoomed in the photo with his fingers. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, spotting another man in the image. Staring at the partially obscured face of the man, Bryson emanated a chilling aura. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Kohen sensed Bryson¡¯s unease and leaned in to see the photo better. ¡°yhat did you find?¡± Bryson showed him the phone. ¡°This man. Do you recognize him?¡± The image on the phone was too blurred, and only half of the man¡¯s face was visible. Kohen shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know him, but the man beside him was the head of the Compton family. He¡¯s now the leader of the six families. That¡¯s all I could find. My attempts to uncover more about your mother hit a dead end. It¡¯s as if someone has deliberately erased all traces of her. ¡± Kohen set his ss down and looked at Bryson with a serious expression. ¡°Bry, I have a feeling your mother¡¯s death and her family¡¯s history isplicated.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. If they weren¡¯t, someone wouldn¡¯t have gone through the trouble to wipe away all her information. When your mom died, you weren¡¯t just a kid. Do you remember anything about that time?¡± ¡°No. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson ced his forehead in his hand, his expression serious. ¡°ALL my memories of my mom¡¯s death are gone. I only know it was soon after she brought me and my sister home from overseas. We had juste back to the Mitchell family. My sister ended up kidnapped and drugged. My mom and I were in a horrific car crash. I survived, but my mom didn¡¯t. The crash made me lose some of my memories. Now, I often find gaps in my mind. ¡± Kohen suddenly remembered something and mentioned, ¡°Bry, you spent several years in a psychiatric center, right? Did the ident trigger your condition again?¡± ¡°Like you said, I was in the psychiatric center under the guise of getting medical help, but really, I was avoiding trouble. I even changed my name because of it. ¡± Bryson clearly had no fondness for his current name. ¡°That¡¯s part of why I suspect the circumstances of my mom¡¯s death,¡± he said coldly. ¡°I¡¯ll keep looking into it and let you know what I find. But¡­¡± After a brief pause, Kohen added, ¡°Right now, you should be concerned about the Lyons family. Rodrigo has turned against you and caused a significant loss to yourpany overseas. I¡¯ve learned that Remington has invested money into the domestic side of the Mitchell Group. Whatever they¡¯re nning, the Mitchell family will likely fall for it. ¡± Bryson wasn¡¯t focused on that, instead looking out the window. ¡°My grandfather is still in charge. Even if they try anything, it won¡¯t be easy for them. ¡± Kohen nodded and said, ¡°True. The Mitchell family may not see it, but your grandfather is different. He¡¯s been through plenty of business battles ande out on top. He knows what he¡¯s doing. ¡± Behind the ss, Bryson observed Hannah sharing augh and toasting with her friends. He fixed his eyes on her but remained silent, ignoring Kohen¡¯s remarks. Downstairs, Hannah had just refilled her ss. Charlie walked downstairs with several girls with enchanting outfits and makeup, heading towards Hannah¡¯s booth. ¡°Ah, Lady Hannah, you¡¯re looking quite happy. What brings you to Jade Paradise?¡± Charlie was dressed provocatively, with makeup that enhanced his allure. His clothes showcased his figure perfectly. As he took a seat next to Keith, he said, ¡°Lady Hannah, you should have told me you wereing. I would have given you a proper wee. ¡± Keith adjusted his shirt, trying to distance himself from Charlie as far as possible. ¡°Would you have been THAT kind?¡± Chapter 1227 Keith and Trent didn¡¯t know what had happened between Charlie and Hannah before. But they had been in the Compton family for years and knew what kind of person Charlie was. So, they both were alert when around Charlie. Trent scowled at Charlie and asked, ¡°Are you close to Hannah? If not, I am sure she doesn¡¯t need a wee from you. ¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Master Trent, Master Keith, you¡¯ve never been so kind to Miss Compton. Could it be that you want to be the boss¡¯s son-inw?¡± Charlie covered his lips with a fan, revealing only his eyes, which seemed to be smiling with mockery. ¡°Lady Hannah will need to think carefully before making a choice of whether she should choose either of you. ¡± His words made Keith and Trent feel annoyed, and they both jumped to their feet, ready to pounce on him. ¡°What do you want?¡± Charlie showed no sign of fear. With his fan still covering his lips, he continued, ¡°Are you angry because you are embarrassed by my words? You want to hit me?¡± Bang! Hannah suddenly smashed a bottle of whisky right in front of Charlie, and the bottle happened to hit Charlie¡¯s arm, which immediately drew the attention of others present there. ¡°They won¡¯t hit you. Didn¡¯t you say you would wee me warmly? This whisky is on me. Drink it!¡± Charlie raised his eyebrows while ncing at the opened whisky bottle. ¡°What do you mean, Miss Moore?¡± ¡°I mean what I said. ¡± Cupping her chin with her hands, Hannah looked at him and said innocently, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you would receive me well? I like watching an interesting show the most, and drinking whisky is very interesting. When you drink the whisky, you must gulp it down in one go. Or else, it wouldn¡¯t be fun. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery With that being said, Hannah turned her head and nced at the Compton brothers. ¡°You two, take your seats. Let¡¯s watch him drink. ¡± Before, Charlie deliberately said that he would receive her well just to annoy her. However, his n didn¡¯t work for Hannah. Instead of falling into his trap, she managed to set him up in his own trap. Seeing him stay silent, Hannah showed a big smile and urged, ¡°What are you waiting for? You don¡¯t want to drink? You said you would have weed me in person. They were just empty word, weren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll drink it. ¡± Charlie quickly picked up the bottle with a wry smile. ¡°Of course, I will entertain you and make you enjoy yourself tonight, Lady Hannah. ¡± Putting the bottle tip on his lips, he raised his head and gulped down the entire whisky in it. This amount of liquor didn¡¯t mean anything to him. ¡°Bravo!¡± Hannah generouslyplimented. ¡°I¡¯ll ask the waiter to get us two more bottles. It¡¯s so amazing that you could gulp down in one go. I really enjoyed the show a lot. ¡± Charlie couldn¡¯t say no to her request although he knew very well that she was giving him trouble intentionally. Chapter 1228 No matter how high his tolerance was to alcohol, Charlie¡¯s body started turning pale after gulping down six bottles of whisky without stopping. Even his people nearby noticed something was wrong and couldn¡¯t help stopping him hurriedly. ¡°Lady Hannah, I¡¯m sorry. But my boss is getting sick. He needs a rest. Please excuse us. ¡± As soon as they said what they wanted to say, they were ready to take Charlie away, but Hannah stopped them immediately. ¡°But I haven¡¯t finished having fun yet. You are not keeping your word, Charlie. ¡± Despite feeling dizzy and unwell, Charlie forcefully shook his people¡¯s hands off his arms and turned to Hannah. Seeing her faint smile, he gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Well, I¡¯lle back and continue drinkingter. ¡± After saying that, Charlie left the spot with his people. When he was out of the sight, Keith approached Hannah and said, ¡°Hannah, it won¡¯t be good if he holds grudges against you. ¡± ¡°Winston told me before. I offended himst time, and since then, he has been holding grudges against me. So, I can say that he already has grudges against me even before this. ¡± Shaking her goblet, Hannah smiled charmingly. ¡°He dared to be rude, so he should pay the price. He can make trouble for me if he¡¯s capable. But I¡¯m afraid he has no guts to do so. ¡± As she finished speaking, her phone vibrated. Hannah pulled out her phone and saw a message from Winston. ¡°Someone went downstairs from the third floor. They work for Remington and also Rodrigo. It seemed they just finished having some business negotiation with the Chadwick family. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes darkened after reading the message. While still Looking at the phone as if she was just causally using her phone, she said in a low voice, ¡°Let¡¯s find a chance to sneak upstairs to the third floor. ¡± Trent also raised his goblet to his lips, acting as if he was just drinking, and said in a very low voice, ¡°It¡¯s heavily guarded here. The only exception is the staff passage, but it won¡¯t work. Anyone going upstairs will be checked. You can¡¯t sneak in. ¡± ¡°Is there any other way?¡± ¡°I have an idea,¡± Keith suddenly said. ¡°Although it is very risky, it is the best way, given the current situation. We two can make trouble. If the first floor is in a mess, you can find a chance to sneak to the third floor. ¡± Trent immediately rejected his suggestion. ¡°That¡¯ll be too risky, Keith. The guards are going to keep an eye on us the entire night. Even if there¡¯s a mess, they won¡¯t be off guard. ¡± ¡°I agree with Keith,¡± Hannah said. ¡°We won¡¯t have any other options if we just keep waiting like this. I want to go with Keith¡¯s idea. You two, go and make a big fuss there. I¡¯ll take the chance and go upstairs quickly. ¡± Hannah had done such a thing before, so she knew how things worked and wasn¡¯t afraid of the consequences. ¡°But¡­¡± Feeling worried, Trent didn¡¯t like the idea and still wanted to convince Hannah to give up. But Keith tugged him and cut him off, saying, ¡°No worries, Hannah. Leave it to us.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± Then, Trent was dragged away by Keith. After the two walked away, Hannah sipped the wine calmly. Gradually, many patrons started looking in her direction. Chapter 1229 Earlier, she was sitting with two men, so no one dared to approach her. Just now, Charlie was also taught a lesson. Therefore, other patrons could only watch Hannah secretly. After seeing the two men leave without returning, some bold men had the intention to try talking with her. Hannah also noticed their gazes from the corner of her eyes but didn¡¯t look around. After all, she was waiting for the chance to do something more important and didn¡¯t want to attract trouble to herself. The men sitting next to her booth started discussing about her. ¡°Why don¡¯t you give it a try and talk to her?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have the courage. She looks like a fairying out from a painting. A man like us cannot hook up with her. ¡± ¡°Hahaha¡­ Stop pretending!¡± The men burst intoughter. One of them looked at Hannah up and down while talking nasty. ¡°Of course, she¡¯ll reject us. Haven¡¯t you seen the two men with her just now?¡± ¡°Yeah? What about them?¡± ¡°I guess she must enjoy being with the two at the same time. Hahaha¡­¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°f@ck! Hahaha¡­ You know how to talk euphemistically indeed.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± That man¡¯s remark was indeed disgusting, and other patrons nearby also understood his implication. Since Hannah was alone, they Looked over at her to observe her reaction. Hannah could hear their words clearly but showed no reaction. Her hands holding the goblet twirled aroundzily as she listened in on. A faint smile tugged at her beautiful face. She knew very well that those men were deliberately speaking such dirty words about her. If she didn¡¯t react, they would take action soon. Sure enough, after seeing no reaction from Hannah, the man who talked dirty about her picked up his ss and walked towards her. Hannah stayed still, observing the man as he sat down close to her. Noticing herck of reaction, the man got more daring. He raised his ss and gave her a confident look. ¡°Good evening, Gorgeous. How about we make a toast?¡± Hannah leaned back on the leather sofa and casually swirled her drink, not even looking his way, remaining quiet. Feeling embarrassed, the man grew irritated. ¡°Do you think you¡¯re too good for us because you¡¯re attractive? Weren¡¯t you seen hanging around with the sons of the Compton family for their money and influence? My buddies and I are regrs here. We¡¯ve seen all types of womene through. ¡± The man¡¯s patience wore thin, and he reached out towards Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re very beautiful. I¡¯ll offer you a chance. Be mine, and I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re taken care of. ¡± Hannah pushed his hand away with her ss before he could touch her face. Chapter 1230 With a smile, she responded, ¡°I¡¯m in a good mood tonight and would rather not cause a scene. ¡± The man missed her pointpletely.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. With a sleazy smile, he tried to grab her hand that was holding the ss. ¡°Great. I¡¯m feeling good tonight too. ¡± Pak! Hannah mmed her ss down on the table, still smiling, but her tone turned icy. ¡°Leave now, unless you¡¯re looking for trouble. ¡± The man was caught off guard by Hannah¡¯s response. After a moment of shock, he looked at her menacingly. ¡°f@ck you! You¡¯re here because you¡¯re nothing but a gold-digger. But I have money. ¡± Bryson, observing from the third floor, couldn¡¯t stand the sight of the man beside Hannah. His patience snapped. Bang! He shattered the ss on the table. Kohen jumped. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze was fixed on the scene below, his eyes filled with anger. ¡°I¡¯ve got to go down there. Please, excuse me. ¡± ¡°Wait¡­¡± But Bryson was already on his way out of the private box before Kohen could finish. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Kohen peered downstairs, curious about what had caught Bryson¡¯s attention, but nothing seemed amiss to him. Down on the first floor, the man noticed the Compton brothers hadn¡¯te back yet. He became more brazen. ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of money. What did they offer you? I¡¯ll double it. ¡± He gave Hannah a smug look. ¡°For my money, you¡¯d dly spread your legs for me. ¡± ¡°Hahaha¡­¡± His vulgar joke made his friends burst intoughter. Yet, Hannah didn¡¯t react with the embarrassment they anticipated, but instead offered a slight smile. ¡°So, you think money can buy anything, right?¡± ¡°Absolutely !¡± The man threw up his hands. ¡°With enough money, you can do anything. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah gave him a puzzled look. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying if I had enough money, you¡¯d even be willing to lie down for me?¡± ¡°Give it a try! I dare you! Hahaha¡­¡± His gaze turned sleazy. ¡°If you¡¯ve got the cash, you can have me in any position you want. I could even¡­¡± Chapter 1231 Bang! The sound of a bottle shattering cut through the air abruptly. Before he could finish his sentence, Hannah had grabbed an empty bottle and mmed it onto his head. The shattered ss flew everywhere. The man, still in shock, clutched his head in disbelief. ¡°What the¡­¡± Blood was streaming from a gash on his head as he sat dazed in the booth. He couldn¡¯t even finish his sentence before he toppled over.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Bang! He hit the floor with a thud. Silence fell for a moment. The man¡¯s friends quickly gathered around him, helping him to his feet. ¡°Damn! Look what you¡¯ve done, you bitch! What do you want?¡± ¡°How dare you hit him like that! Are you looking for trouble?¡± ¡°Cormac¡¯s out cold. Someone call an ambnce!¡± Hannah, still clutching the half-shattered whisky bottle, stared at the men who were making a fuss. ¡°Quit your screaming. Didn¡¯t he say I could knock him down if I paid for it?¡± Hannah nced at her phone, indicating she had been recording. ¡°I got his words on tape. Want to hear it again?¡± After she had boldly hit the man with the bottle, it became clear to the other customers that Hannah was no ordinary woman; she was fearless. The group exchanged wary looks, their insults loud but their actions timid, hesitant to confront her directly. Besides, Hannah had arrived at Jade Paradise with the Compton brothers, and no one wanted to risk offending someone with such connections. With a calm demeanor, Hannah discarded the broken bottle. She no longer appeared as confrontational as she did during the altercation. It was as if her actions were just business as usual. Hannah then took out a stack of cash andid it on the table. ¡°If this isn¡¯t enough,e by the Compton¡¯s ce tomorrow. I stand by my word. ¡± Hearing her deration, the man¡¯s friends looked at each other, then simultaneously took a big step back. They couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Hannah was joking. They believed anyone who dared approach the Compton¡¯s residence for money must be seeking trouble. ¡°You¡­ Who¡­ Who the hell are you?¡± ¡°I prefer not to reveal who I am. I¡¯m not in the best mood right now. If you choose to stick around, I won¡¯t hesitate to knock a few more people down. ¡± After she issued her warning, the man¡¯s friends fell silent. The image of their friend being overpowered was fresh in their minds, and none of them wished to experience the same fate. Chapter 1232 Bryson stopped in his tracks at the corner of the stairs as he descended, observing the situation unfold. He felt no rush to intervene. With Hannah stirring up trouble, those lurking in the shadows of Jade Paradise seemed eager to act. However, before they could confront Hannah, a sudden uproar erupted. The dance floor descended into chaos. A man shouted, ¡°Hit them!¡± In an instant, everyone on the dance floor began to brawl. The guests who had been approaching Hannah were now drawn to themotion on the dance floor, rushing towards it. In the meantime, Hannah noticed the stairs were unguarded. Seizing the opportunity, she swiftly made her way through the darkness to the second floor of Jade Paradise. The chaos from below faded away, leaving the second floor eerily quiet. The private rooms, enclosed in ss, reminded her of sshouses. Just as she was convinced she was invisible to those inside the rooms and was about to head further in, someone grabbed her wrist. ¡°Hmm!¡± Surprised, she wanted to turn around, only to have her mouth covered forcefully. Hannah turned around, lifting her head, and was startled to see Bryson. He lowered his hand. Hannah whispered, ¡°You¡­¡± ¡°Shush!¡± Bryson ced his cold index finger on her lips and led her to the stairs going up to the third floor. They could hear footstepsing from downstairs. In the dim light, they hid in the shadows.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Almost immediately, five or six men rushed upstairs. ¡°Find her! She has to be here. ¡± They spread out, searching the second floor. Hannah, with a slight frown, whispered, ¡°They¡¯re quick. They couldn¡¯t have missed us. ¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± With the men busy on the second floor, Bryson grabbed Hannah¡¯s arm and hurried her to the third floor. The third floor was unguarded, but a ss door stood at the entrance, essible only to those with passes. Bryson used his pass to get in, with Hannah right behind him. The private rooms on this floor were spaced apart, and you needed a pass for entry. Hannah squinted a bit, understanding now why the staff didn¡¯t search the third floor. Even if she wanted to, breaking the entry code quickly was out of her reach. Caleb was waiting outside a room. Bryson, bringing Hannah inside, signaled for Caleb toe along. Chapter 1233 Hannah tagged along with Bryson. The moment the door swung open, a man¡¯s voice filled the air. ¡°Back already? Where¡¯d you head off to just now?¡± Kohen was mid-greeting when he caught sight of Hannah trailing behind Bryson, cutting himself off mid-sentence. ¡°And who might this be?¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t thrown off by the presence of another man in the room. She figured Bryson had his reasons for showing up there. ¡°She¡¯s the one who lent a hand during the boxing match,¡± Bryson said, his tone casual.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. He then moved Hannah to the side, gesturing for her to take a seat. Kohen¡¯s expression turned warm and weing when he heard Bryson¡¯s introduction. ¡°Ah, so it¡¯s you, Miss. I run K Group. You¡¯ve probably heard Bryson mention me before, haven¡¯t you?¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Yeah, I remember you. ¡± Kohen shed a big smile. ¡°Bry, no wonder you seemed so distractedtely. You met her, didn¡¯t you? Why didn¡¯t you bring her up sooner?¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± Bryson started to exin but was cut off by knocks on the door. Hannah looked at him, her face showing a hint of worry. ¡°Hide in the bathroom,¡± Bryson whispered to her. They moved fast. Before Kohen could catch on, Hannah slipped into the bathroom. Bryson settled back on the couch and gave Caleb a signal to answer the door. Caleb got the hint, walked over, and opened the door with a calm demeanor. Charlie and his team were outside. Caleb greeted them with a polite smile. ¡°Can I help you?¡± Charlie nced past Caleb and peered into the room. ¡°Sir, we¡¯re just checking to see if our guests in the private rooms need anything. We offer additional services as well. ¡± While speaking, he tried to get past Caleb and into the room. Caleb, still wearing a smile, blocked his path. ¡°I¡¯m afraid now¡¯s not a good time. My boss is in the middle of a business discussion. ¡± ¡°But this is a ce for fun,¡± Charlie insisted. ¡°Your boss and his colleague might want to unwind after their meeting. ¡± Charlie then ced his hand on Caleb¡¯s shoulder, offering, ¡°How about I offer you a massage, handsome?¡± His voice carried a hint of flirtation. Under different circumstances, another man could have been swayed by his allure. But Caleb remained impassive, gently pushing Charlie¡¯s hand away. ¡°I need you to leave, please. ¡± Chapter 1234 Charlie, frustrated, pressed on. ¡°Handsome, why not check with your boss? I¡¯m here to earn a bit more, not to cause trouble. ¡± ¡°Let them in. ¡± Kohen¡¯s came voice from inside the room. Only then did Caleb step aside, allowing Charlie and his girls to enter. As Charlie surveyed the room, spotting only two men, he smiled and said, ¡°Good evening, gentlemen. Just let us know which of the Ladies you¡¯d prefer forpany tonight. ¡± The girls standing behind him were attractive, each with a striking figure. Kohen nced at the girls and then pulled out a stack of cash. ¡°I let you in to give you a heads-up. Don¡¯t stir up trouble here. We picked this club for our business talks because it¡¯s usually so quiet. Making money is fine by me, but if something like this happens again, I¡¯ll stop considering your boss¡¯s feelings. ¡± Ssh! With a swift motion, Kohen flung the cash toward Charlie. The bills fluttered to the floor, scattering everywhere. Charlie¡¯s smile didn¡¯t fade, but it definitely stiffened. After throwing the money, Kohen raised his eyebrows at Charlie. ¡°Pick that up. Take your girls and leave!¡± Charlie knew better than to upset the customers on the third floor. Yet, it had been a long while since he felt this demeaned. Today¡¯s events dredged up unpleasant memories for him.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Looking down, Charlie hid the anger in his eyes and started collecting the cash. ¡°Thanks for the tip, sir. My apologies for the interruption¡­¡± As he was gathering his girls to leave, Charlie caught sight of the restroom Light on. Clutching his stomach, he grimaced. ¡°Ah! Suddenly, I¡¯m not feeling great. Looks like I can¡¯t wait. Could I possibly use your restroom?¡± It all happened in a sh. Charlie, clutching his stomach, dashed toward the bathroom without waiting for approval from the two men. Just as his fingers brushed against the doorknob, a strong force grabbed the back of his neck and mmed him against the bathroom door with a loud crash. Bang! The impact made the door rattle and Charlie¡¯s head thudded against it hard. Inside the bathroom, Hannah, upon hearing the noise, pressed herself against the wall. Her hand quickly reached for the dagger at her waist, ready for any threat. The girls who were with Charlie were stunned by the sudden turn of events. They immediately thought to rush to his aid. But Caleb stepped in front of them, blocking their path with a reassuring smile. ¡°No need to worry. My boss is just handling some trouble. This doesn¡¯t concern you. Please, step back. ¡± Chapter 1235 Bryson, standing tall and imposing, matched Charlie in height but outmatched him in presence. His face, void of any emotion, now disyed a clear look of disdain. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what my friend just said? Are you looking for trouble?¡± His presence was intimidating, filling the air with tension. His hands, clenched into fists, suggested that with just a bit more force, Charlie¡¯s neck could be in serious danger. Feeling the deadly intent and the pain gripping his neck, Charlie quickly raised his hands in a gesture of peace. ¡°Let¡¯s not make this worse. It¡¯d be unfortunate if you got in trouble for harming me and couldn¡¯t leave Jade Paradise. ¡± Charlie¡¯s plea might seem like a cry for mercy, but smart folks knew he was actually throwing down a threat. If Brysonid a finger on him, chances were Bryson wouldn¡¯t leave Jade Paradise without a few bruises. The problem was, Bryson was thest person who would cave to such tactics. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll find out,¡± Bryson said, tightening his grip on Charlie¡¯s neck like it was no big deal. Feeling the pressure, Charlie blurted out, ¡°Hey! We messed up breaking in, but you don¡¯t have to get your hands dirty over it!¡± ¡°Bry, he¡¯s got a point. No need to stir up trouble,¡± Kohen chimed in. Charlie jumped in. ¡°Look, to make it right, you bosses get a free night at Jade Paradise!¡± ¡°Are we broke? Do we now need you to take care of our expenses?¡± Kohen shot back, not amused. It was clear Charlie was in over his head. Even big shots had to y nice during inspections at Jade Paradise. That was why Charlie and his team were flexing their muscles and searching the third floor. Lorenzo and his crew walked in, trying to smooth things over with Kohen and Bryson. ¡°Did our folks upset you? Sorry about earlier, bosses. Just making sure everything¡¯s safe. Had some rowdy guests downsta irs, didn¡¯t want it ruining your night. ¡± Kohen sparked his lighter, bringing a cigarette to life, its glowing tip held between his lips as he nced at Lorenzo with a sardonic smile. ¡°You¡¯re well aware of what goes down on the third floor of Jade Paradise. Now that you¡¯ve had your nosy look around up there, who¡¯s to say what surveince we¡¯ll be under in the future? Will we even risking back?¡± Only the big shots got ess to the third floor, a fact not lost on Lorenzo. He couldn¡¯t afford to rub them the wrong way, especially after seeing who had Charlie in a bind. His face drained of color, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks. He scrambled to make amends with Kohen. ¡°We underestimated you. Please, give us another chance, bosses. It won¡¯t happen again!¡± Kohen tapped the ash from his cigarette, then turned to Bryson. ¡°Bry, the Jade Paradise boss, he¡¯s got some pull with me too.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Let¡¯s just let it slide for now. ¡± Feeling the pressure ease against the door, Charlie seized the chance and cautiously backed away, joining Lorenzo¡¯s side. With the tension diffused, Lorenzo offered apologies and made a swift exit with Charlie¡¯s crew. Outside, Lorenzo¡¯s expression darkened as he faced Charlie. ¡°Who gave you permission to bring people to the third floor? Do you even realize who they are? Some of them are so powerful that not even the boss wants to mess with them. Yet, here you are, barging in like you own the ce!¡± Chapter 1236 ¡°I¡¯m just doing my job, keeping Jade Paradise safe. When there¡¯s trouble, I have to check it out,¡± Charlie defended himself. Despite the recent brush with death, Charlie seemed unfazed. He smirked at Lorenzo. ¡°If everyone sucked up like you, this ce would¡¯ve gone to the dogs ages ago. ¡± Lorenzo countered with a mocking tone. ¡°Don¡¯t get c@@ky just because you¡¯re the branch leader and the boss likes you. You¡¯re only here because the boss tolerates you. They call me the boss¡¯s pet, and I¡¯m fine with that! But what about you?¡± With a glint in his eye, Lorenzo looked Charlie up and down. ¡°Aren¡¯t you just another one of the boss¡¯s pets? I know where I stand.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Seems like you¡¯re the one who¡¯s lost. ¡± Charlie¡¯s eyes shed with anger. ¡°Lorenzo, don¡¯t push me. I won¡¯t hesitate to take you out!¡± ¡°Go ahead; try it. But don¡¯t forget who saved your skin just now!¡± Lorenzo retorted. Ignoring the threat, Lorenzo continued, ¡°Your recent screw-ups on missions haven¡¯t gone unnoticed. The boss is getting fed up, and you know it. Another mistake like this, and the boss won¡¯t be so forgiving! In the midst of the turmoil downstairs, Hannah slipped away unnoticed. ¡± Lorenzo reached out, his handnding on Charlie¡¯s shoulder with a smug look in his eyes. ¡°You better think long and hard about what¡¯ll happen if she sneaks in and catches wind of anything!¡± Charlie had already mulled over this possibility. The moment the ruckus broke out downstairs, he suspected Hannah might use the distraction to sneak up to the second or third floor. Furrowing his brow, he turned to Lorenzo. ¡°There had to be a fourth person in that room just now. ¡± ¡°Still thinking about poking around on the third floor? Think again. If you cross the wrong people up there next time, you might not make it out alive!¡± ¡°Well, they won¡¯t be sticking around Jade Paradise for long. ¡± Charlie¡¯s Lips parted slightly as he spoke. ¡°Have our folks and yours stay sharp. The moment that fourth person exits with them, find a reason to intercept. ¡± As Lorenzo recalled where he had seen the man before, his heart skipped a beat. He realized the person who had coborated with Hannah at ckeye was likely Bryson! Knowing Bryson wasn¡¯t one to mess with, Lorenzo didn¡¯t want trouble. He shrugged and decided to let Charlie take the fall. ¡°No, we still haven¡¯t identified the troublemakers from downstairs, and the boss is seething. We need tob through the first floor for any trace of Hannah. You handle the second and third. ¡± With that, Lorenzo evaded me in a few swift sentences before leading his crew downstairs. Only once Lorenzo and his crew disappeared did the person behind Charlie dare to speak up. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s the n now?¡± Gazing up the stairway, Charlie frowned. ¡°Keep watch on the third floor. I refuse to believe they¡¯ve vanished into thin air like this!¡± In the private room¡­ Bryson approached the bathroom door, tapping it gently with his finger. Chapter 1237 Creak¡ª The door swung open, and Hannah emerged. ¡°Are they gone?¡± ¡°Yeah,e on over and take a seat. ¡± Bryson guided her back to the table and settled in himself. Kohen¡¯s gaze held a hint of curiosity as he studied Hannah. ¡°Bry seems pretty protective of you. Is there more to your rtionship?¡± Bryson shot him a sharp look. ¡°Are you prying now?¡± ¡°Oh, Bry¡¯s getting defensive. ¡± Kohen raised his hands innocently, turning to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I overstepped. Didn¡¯t mean to intrude. ¡± Hannah waved it off graciously. ¡°No worries. We¡¯re all friends here. I don¡¯t mind. ¡± ¡°Hey, Bry! Your girlfriend¡¯s quite friendly. Quit acting so tough. ¡± After exchanging a nce with Kohen, Bryson turned to Hannah. ¡°So, what brings you here tonight?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been itching to explore. I heard Jade Paradise in Caditown was worth checking out, so here I am. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Bryson arched an eyebrow. ¡°So there¡¯s something going on, and you¡¯re keeping me out of the Loop?¡± Hannah cast a yful nce at Bryson, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. ¡°Have you been keeping secrets from me?¡± Their eyes locked in a silent exchange, a flicker of electricity passing between them, momentarily quieting Kohen¡¯s restless presence. Observing the dynamic between them, he couldn¡¯t help but specte. Initially presuming Bryson and Hannah were romantically involved, the palpable tension suggested a more intricate narrative. Bryson yielded to Hannah¡¯s probing gaze, a helpless gesture as he rubbed his forehead. ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I heard some members of the organization were stationed here, so I decided to pay them a visit. ¡± Bryson wasn¡¯t buying it. ¡°Did you really need two guys downstairs to create a diversion while you snuck up to the second floor?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a naturally curious person,¡± Hannah replied nonchntly, though Bryson doubted she¡¯d unveil any truths tonight. Reluctant to press her further, he nced downstairs, observing the vignt guards patrolling the booths below.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°They¡¯re keeping watch. You¡¯ve made it upstairs, but leaving may prove tricky. ¡± Hannah followed his gaze, observing the diligent guards under the subdued Lighting. Four of them stationed near the stair entrance added an extrayer of security. Chapter 1238 She would be caught by the guards on the second floor if she left the third level. Kohen, injecting his thoughts into the conversation, proposed, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Miss Moore has done us a favor. She can apany us when we leave. ¡± Bryson hesitated, then shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it won¡¯t be that simple. ¡± His gaze fell, drifting downward to the lower floors. ¡°The intruder suspects she¡¯s here. Leaving now would just hand them her location on a silver tter. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I could slip past the guards and find my way downstairs. I¡¯ll manage. ¡± Suddenly, Hannah¡¯s phone buzzed, breaking the tense silence. She quickly checked, finding two messages waiting for her. One from Winston, the other from Trent. Winston¡¯s message read, ¡°Miss Moore, where are you? Do you need assistance?¡± Trent¡¯s update came in next, ¡°We¡¯ve diverted the guards¡¯ attention but can¡¯t Linger in Jade Paradise. We¡¯re out on the street now. Any leads?¡± After reading the messages, Hannah locked her phone and tucked it away.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Her mind raced with possibilities. The once perilous spot now felt like a haven for her. Earlier, Alessandra had hinted at a staff passage leading upstairs. With no surveince on the third floor, Hannah decided to seek out this hidden route. She nudged Bryson, determination shing in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m Leaving. It¡¯s risky for you if I stay any longer. ¡± As she rose, Bryson caught her arm. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous alone. Let me escort you out. ¡± ¡°That¡¯ll only draw attention. I won¡¯t be the reason Jade Paradise falls tonight. ¡± Stepping back, Hannah regarded Bryson on the sofa. An impulse seized her. She reached out and pinched his cheek, but Bryson caught her yful fingers. His intense gaze locked with hers, leaving her uncertain of his thoughts. The warmth of his touch made her want to retreat. ¡°I¡­ I really should go. Enjoy yourpany. ¡± Flushed with embarrassment, Hannah remembered the presence of another man in the room. She quickly withdrew her hand from Bryson¡¯s grasp and headed for the door. Watching their interaction, Kohen nodded with confidence. It seemed his hunch was right. Love was in the air. Chapter 1239 Bryson¡¯s gaze lingered on the exit as Hannah left the room. When he turned back, he found Kohen nodding. His expression darkened. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Kohen assessed Bryson with a smirk, his eyes glinting mischievously. ¡°How does a guy like you manage to snag such a beautiful girlfriend? Luck must be on your side. ¡± ¡°cut the crap. ¡± The joy that had briefly touched Bryson¡¯s features dimmed. ¡°Don¡¯t forget your promise to me. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never let you down before, have I? The unreliable ones have been reced, and I¡¯m still standing. It just shows we run a tight ship. Oh, by the way. ¡± Kohen tapped his forehead as if struck with sudden insight. ¡°Word is, the Lyons family is nning a gathering, inviting all six families to discuss cooperation. ¡± His gaze met Bryson¡¯s gravely. ¡°It¡¯s surprising enough that the six families would consider coboration, but what¡¯s even more unexpected is that the Holmes and Mitchell families have also received invitations. The Lyons suddenly cozying up to the Mitchell Group for a five-billion-dor investment is quite the eyebrow-raiser. That amount of money could resurrect a sinking ship. And you, Bryson, are the sole representative from the Mitchell family-the only Mitchell invited. Doesn¡¯t that strike you as odd?¡± ¡°If it surprises you, there¡¯s likely more to it,¡± Bryson replied evenly. ¡°The invitation reeks of ulterior motives. You¡¯d be wise to decline,¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Kohen urged. ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson tapped the armrest of the sofa thoughtfully. In the dim Light, his eyes seemed to deepen. ¡°I¡¯ve epted. ¡± ¡°What? Are you serious?¡± Kohen¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief; a rare sight indeed. ¡°It¡¯s clear the organizer has nefarious intentions. Why on earth would you attend?¡± Bryson¡¯s smirk widened into a knowing smile. ¡°If I decline, they¡¯ll simply find another way to reveal their true colors. ¡± ¡°Just make sure you¡¯re not alone. Caleb alone won¡¯t cut it. I¡¯ll send some of my best men,¡± Kohen insisted. But Bryson shook his head. ¡°Caleb alone is enough. Your men might not be able to contain their tempers when they see Rodrigo. ¡± Kohen¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Rodrigo is the assassin who tried to take me out. I can¡¯t let him slide. ¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been patient this long. A little more won¡¯t hurt,¡± Bryson advised. ¡°Rodrigo is ambitious. He won¡¯t remain loyal to anyone,¡± Bryson continued. ¡°He¡¯s been scheming behind the Lyons Group¡¯s back. We don¡¯t need to intervene. Once he¡¯s exposed, Remington¡¯s men will handle the fallout. ¡± Bryson¡¯s mind raced as he contemted the guest List, noting Hannah¡¯s name among them. Convincing her not to attend would be futile. Chapter 1240 With a tap of his finger, he resigned himself to attending as well, just in case trouble found her before he could intervene. ¡°Bry? Bry?¡± Kohen¡¯s voice snapped him back to reality. ¡°What¡¯s eating you? What¡¯s your take on my suggestion?¡± His mind elsewhere, Bryson met Kohen¡¯s gaze. ¡°What suggestion?¡± Kohen said, ¡°I suggested you ponder my proposal. It¡¯s not just the Lyons family attending the gathering; other formidable families will be there too. They¡¯ll undoubtedly bring forth their best talents, handpicked from their elite training programs. Taking only Caleb with you is not a wise decision. ¡± Bryson replied, ¡°There¡¯s been simmering tension among those families. Conflict is bound to arise. Remington wouldn¡¯t be primed for any moves against me. ¡± A smirk yed on Kohen¡¯s lips as he caught on to Bryson¡¯s strategy. ¡°You intend to capitalize on the chaos, don¡¯t you? Bold move. Very well, it¡¯s a deal,¡± he agreed with a resolute expression. ¡°While my men won¡¯t apany you inside, they¡¯ll stand guard outside the venue. When you send the signal, we¡¯ll move swiftly to ensure your safe escape. ¡± Bryson offered a sly smile, toasting Kohen with his goblet. ¡°I appreciate your cooperation. ¡± Throughout their conversation, Bryson kept an eye on the crowd below but failed to spot Hannah. A crease formed on his brow, a hint of concern shadowing his features. Meanwhile, Hannah¡¯s quest led her to an unmarked door on the third floor, concealing an elevator reserved for staff use. ¡®s BunnyBookery Without hesitation, she pressed the button, and entered the elevator. But just as her finger hovered over the button to descend, she hesitated, a sudden uncertainty gripping her. As she contemted her escape, she weighed her options carefully. Guards likely awaited her in the staff¡¯s passage, ready to pounce at the slightest hint of movement. The elevator presented another risk; descending would surely lead to capture. With no clear path to safety, she faced a daunting decision. Her eyes lingered on the panel, fixating on thest button which led to the enigmatic second floor in the basement. Thoughcking explicit instructions, a subtle sense of peril emanated from that button. Yet, amidst limited choices, each fraught with danger, Hannah opted for the unknown path, yearning for a glimmer of survival.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. With a hesitant press, she initiated her descent to the basement¡¯s depths. The elevator hummed to life, carrying her into the abyss of uncertainty. Anxiety coursed through her veins as she braced for whaty ahead. Tinkle! The sound of arrival heightened Hannah¡¯s unease. Chapter 1241 Stepping into the unknown, the dim, decaying atmosphere overwhelmed her senses. Darkness and dampness hung in the air, prompting an anxious anticipation of a potential dead-end. Every step forward felt like a gamble, her heart a steady drumbeat of trepidation. As she cautiously advanced, the elevator¡¯s tinkle echoed again, signaling the arrival of another. Hannah¡¯s instincts kicked into overdrive as she sought refuge behind a nearby wall, her breath caught in her throat. The doors parted, casting a dim light that pierced the darkness Like a de. Hannah pressed herself against the wall, a silent observer in the shadows. ¡°Did you see the elevatore down just now?¡± A hushed exchange echoed through the chamber, sending shivers down Hannah¡¯s spine.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°Why would I lie? The boss wants us to keep an eye on it. She might try to slip past us. Saw it myself ¨C down to the second floor in the basement. ¡± Click! A beam of light pierced the darkness as two figures approached. ¡°Have you spotted anyone? The boss sent us down here for a reason. ¡± ¡°Let¡¯s search every corner. We can¡¯t afford to let her slip through our fingers. ¡± ¡°They know valuables are stored here, yet no one guards them. Why send us?¡± One of them grumbled as they swept the area, shlight beams cutting through the gloom, The first waiter scanned their surroundings, his voice hushed. ¡°Quit your griping. Focus on the task at hand. It¡¯d be a lot simpler if that woman hadn¡¯t slipped in. ALL I want is to crawl back into my own bed. ¡± ¡°Yeah, well, I had ns to meet my buddies for cards tonight. And yet here I am, stuck on duty. Damn it! Who¡¯s the bitch anyway? She better hope I don¡¯t catch her. ¡± ¡°Enough chatter. Let¡¯s keep moving. The boss and the others areing down now. We need to give them a report. ¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s move. ¡± The two waiters inspected the surroundings, but Hannah remained elusive. They proceeded to the innermost section, unaware of being trailed. Hannah trailed them stealthily, tiptoeing along. After about ten minutes, she caught sight of a wider passage illuminated faintly by a shlight. She halted abruptly, retreating into the shadows. As the two waiters advanced, they extinguished the shlight. After ensuring no one trailed them, one produced a key. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go in. ¡± They unlocked the door, and Hannah seized the opportunity to slip inside unnoticed. The room was dimly lit, but she could discern the metallic tang of blood hanging in the air. Chapter 1242 Alert, she tightened her grip on the gun as she faintly heard a woman¡¯s cries echoing ahead. Faint cries of a woman reached her ears as she ventured forward cautiously. Suddenly, the two waiters ahead came to a halt. Hannah quickly ducked behind a pir, eavesdropping on their conversation. ¡°It seems Lorenzo has sent quite a shipment again. Didn¡¯t he im it was difficult to procure?¡± ¡°These goods are from elsewhere. It¡¯s always dicey pulling this off here. ¡± Their voices lowered as they continued to discuss the cargo, and Hannah strained to catch every word. ¡°The big boss must have caught wind of something. Madam is treading carefully. There haven¡¯t been many neers this year. Let¡¯s stop wasting time. Move! Further in!¡± Hannah followed them deeper into the second-floor basement, catching sight of the ¡°goods¡± they spoke of. Iron cages lined the dark corridor, containing women with bound hands and blindfolds. Many were weeping silently; their sobs muted by fear. As she trailed them, the stench of blood grew stronger, causing Hannah to slow her pace. She heard the sickening sound of a whip cracking, instinct urging her to pause. Concealed behind a pir, she listened intently. The whipping ceased as the two waiters entered another room, their voices resuming. ¡°Did you see a womane down here?¡± ¡°No, we haven¡¯t. Willis must have been mistaken. ¡± As they conversed, Hannah¡¯s gaze wandered upward to a window. With a quick assessment, she felt the rough texture of the pir beneath her fingertips and concluded that climbing wouldn¡¯t pose much of a challenge. With determination, she began to scale the pir. Reaching the top, she peered through the window and was met with a sight that froze her in horror. The one who was whipped turned out to be Charlie. He was stripped bare from the waist up, bound by chains and blood stained his skin. Beside him stood Amelie, her expression devoid of emotion. ¡°Charlie, you¡¯ve disappointed me. ¡± Charlie hung his head, silent. Blood trickled down his hair. Chained u Alert, she tightened her grip on the gun as she faintly heard a woman¡¯s cries echoing ahead. Faint cries of a woman reached her ears as she ventured forward cautiously. Suddenly, the two waiters ahead came to a halt. Hannah quickly ducked behind a pir, eavesdropping on their conversation. ¡°It seems Lorenzo has sent quite a shipment again. Didn¡¯t he im it was difficult to procure?¡± ¡°These goods are from elsewhere. It¡¯s always dicey pulling this off here. ¡± Their voices lowered as they continued to discuss the cargo, and Hannah strained to catch every word. ¡°The big boss must have caught wind of something. Madam is treading carefully. There haven¡¯t been many neers this year. Let¡¯s stop wasting time. Move! Further in!¡± Hannah followed them deeper into the second-floor basement, catching sight of the ¡°goods¡± they spoke of. Iron cages lined the dark corridor, containing women with bound hands and blindfolds. Many were weeping silently; their sobs muted by fear. As she trailed them, the stench of blood grew stronger, causing Hannah to slow her pace. She heard the sickening sound of a whip cracking, instinct urging her to pause. Concealed behind a pir, she listened intently. BunnyBookery The whipping ceased as the two waiters entered another room, their voices resuming. ¡°Did you see a womane down here?¡± ¡°No, we haven¡¯t. Willis must have been mistaken. ¡± As they conversed, Hannah¡¯s gaze wandered upward to a window. With a quick assessment, she felt the rough texture of the pir beneath her fingertips and concluded that climbing wouldn¡¯t pose much of a challenge. With determination, she began to scale the pir. Reaching the top, she peered through the window and was met with a sight that froze her in horror. The one who was whipped turned out to be Charlie. He was stripped bare from the waist up, bound by chains and blood stained his skin. Beside him stood Amelie, her expression devoid of emotion. ¡°Charlie, you¡¯ve disappointed me. ¡± Charlie hung his head, silent. Blood trickled down his hair.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Chained up, he appeared lifeless, a stark contrast to the troublemaker he had been just a while ago. Hannah was puzzled. Charlie was on their side, yet here he was, beaten and battered, leaving her wondering about the reason. p, he appeared lifeless, a stark contrast to the troublemaker he had been just a while ago. Hannah was puzzled. Charlie was on their side, yet here he was, beaten and battered, leaving her wondering about the reason. Chapter 1243 Right away, Amelie¡¯s words made it all clear. ¡°Charlie, remember how you got to be the head of the Lust branch? I spoke highly of you to Wace. Keep that in mind, will you?¡± Charlie slowly raised his head, his face half-covered in blood. ¡°Yes. ¡± ¡°Good. Then, you understand you have no reason to be upset with me over this. ¡± Amelie nced at her nails, then looked back at Charlie. ¡°Jade Paradise doesn¡¯t keep anyone around who doesn¡¯t pull their weight. I¡¯ve always believed in you. Yet, you¡¯ve botched every single task I¡¯ve entrusted to you. I¡¯ve overlooked your failures, time and again, all because of my faith in you. But you¡¯ve let the troublemakers get away. Tell me, why should I keep you around any longer?¡± Charlie seemed too drained to even lift his head. With a raspy voice, he pleaded, ¡°Madam¡­ could you please give me one more chance?¡± Faustina, standing nearby, couldn¡¯t help but taunt him when he was already down. ¡°Another chance? Sorry for my bluntness, but you¡¯ve messed up every task Madam¡¯s given youtely. You knew Hannah wasing to cause trouble, yet you let her slip into Jade Paradise. you have really put Madam in a tough spot. ¡± Amelie sighed, her gaze icy. ¡°I¡¯ve always kept work and personal matters separate. I think it¡¯s time for you to step down and let someone more capable take your ce. ¡± Charlie, with his eyes shut, made a desperate plea. ¡°Madam, I beg you! I¡¯ll do anything you ask¡­ I don¡¯t mind starting from the bottom again¡­ Please, spare my family. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Amelie responded with a light chuckle. ¡°You¡¯ve been with me for many years. I won¡¯t turn my back on you or make things difficult for your family. Faustina will take over your duties. I know you¡¯ve made mistakes and you¡¯ve been badly hurt. You¡¯re not fit to lead the branch anymore. ¡± She then looked at Faustina. ¡°Faustina will fill in Wace. But don¡¯t worry. Once you¡¯re healed, you¡¯ll still manage the security at Jade Paradise. ¡± Faustina¡¯s face lit up with eagerness. She quickly assured Amelie of her dedication. ¡°You can count on me, Madam. I won¡¯t disappoint you. ¡± After making the arrangements, Amelie turned to the two waiters. ¡°Go and get more guards. Look everywhere for that woman. After you¡¯ve made sure she¡¯s not hiding here, you can go back to your jobs.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± ¡°Understood, Madam. ¡± Once they had left, Hannah turned her attention to Charlie. Inside the room, Charlie was hanging in chains, and a man left behind by Amelie approached him. He took out a dagger and walked towards Charlie. ¡°Look, boss, I don¡¯t want you to hold this against me. You must have realized what Madam was getting at. Your family can only be saved if you die. I¡¯m just following orders. ¡± Charlie, who had turned his back on Wace to work for Amelie, had braced himself for something like this. He slowly lifted his head, meeting the approaching man¡¯s gaze with a dark look in his eyes. Feeling guilty, the man lifted the dagger, shut his eyes, and aimed it at Charlie¡¯s neck. Charlie clenched his fists and tightly closed his eyes. Bang! But the pain Charlie anticipated never came. Instead, he heard the sound of something hitting the floor. Opening his eyes, Charlie¡¯s gaze sharpened. Chapter 1244 He saw the edge of a burgundy dress. Hannah was bending down, removing the needle from the man holding the dagger. Then, she looked up into Charlie¡¯s eyes, her smile wide with triumph, clearly delighted to see him in this state. ¡°Hey there, Charlie. Only a few hours passed. What happened to you?¡± Charlie stared at Hannah, his eyes wide with shock. ¡°How did you find this ce? So, they¡­ they weren¡¯t wrong after all. ¡± ¡°Ha ha¡­¡± He let out a weak chuckle, his gaze locked on her. ¡°You¡­ you won¡¯t be able to leave. The only way out is back through the first floor¡­¡± ¡°Enough of that. ¡± Crossing her arms, Hannah stared back at Charlie. ¡°I just saved your life, didn¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Humph!¡± Charlie snorted, a shadow crossing his gaze as he met her eyes. ¡°Saved my life? You¡¯re only helping because you want something from me. I¡­ Ahem! Ahem! I won¡¯t tell you anything. If you don¡¯t manage to kill me today¡­ I¡¯ll tell everything to Madam tomorrow. ¡± A mischievous glint in her eyes, Hannah said, ¡°If you think about calling for help, the two waiters searching for me will be back in a sh. ¡± When she saw Charlie gearing up to shout, Hannah quickly said, ¡°It doesn¡¯t bother me. I managed to slip in here, and I can slip out just as easily. I¡¯m not making this up. But you, you¡¯re in a different boat. You¡¯re smart. If Amelie Chadwick decides you¡¯re a loose end, she¡¯ll make sure you and your family are not a problem in the future. ¡± Charlie¡¯s eyes, bloodshot, turned a deeper shade of red after hearing Hannah¡¯s words. He yanked at the chains around his wrists with all his might, the veins in his neck standing out. Yet, he stopped himself from screaming. In a hoarse whisper, he asked Hannah, ¡°What are you getting at?¡± ¡°You know exactly what Amelie Chadwick is capable of.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. If she wants you gone, she won¡¯t think twice about your family. You get what I¡¯m saying, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible! Madam would never break a promise to me. Don¡¯t try to turn us against each other!¡± Hannah clicked her tongue. ¡°Believe me or not, I really don¡¯t care. You¡¯re going to die soon anyway and won¡¯t get to see what happens to your family. Let¡¯s drop it. I don¡¯t have time to waste trying to convince you. ¡± She waved her hand dismissively at Charlie. ¡°Since you put so much trust in her, just sit tight and wait for her to make good on her promise. I¡¯ve got things to do. Excuse me. ¡± As Hannah turned to leave, Charlie didn¡¯t dare to shout after her. Instead, he rattled the iron chains in desperation. ¡°Please, don¡¯t leave!¡± he whispered, hoping to make her stay. As expected, Hannah paused and looked back at him. ¡°What is it, Charlie? Do you have somethingst-minute to say?¡± Charlie struggled to lift his head. ¡°I know a way out of here¡­ There¡¯s a¡­ A secret passage that no one else knows about. ¡± Chapter 1245 Hannah raised an eyebrow slightly. ¡°If you escape with me tonight, you¡¯ll be turning your back on Amelie Chadwick. There¡¯s no going back after that. ¡± ¡°Humph!¡± Charlie scoffed, his eyes filled with determination. ¡°You¡¯re right. It doesn¡¯t matter to me who¡¯s using me. As long as my family stays safe, I¡¯m willing to be used by you too. ¡± Hannah effortlessly unchained Charlie. Once she was done, she gave him a quick nce and asked, ¡°Can you walk?¡± ¡°Ehn. ¡± Charlie pressed his chest and whispered, ¡°Follow me. ¡± He stumbled ahead, and Hannah trailed behind. She kept a sharp eye on their surroundings as they walked ahead. As they entered a room, she didn¡¯t inspect it closely. Along the path, she noticed numerous cages housing locked-up women.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Are those¡­¡± Hannah started, but Charlie cut her off, ¡°Save your questions forter. We can talk once we get out of here. ¡± He led the way and chose a different route than the one she came from. This time, he made two turns after leaving the punishment room. Charlie suddenly halted-Hannah figured they must have reached a dead end. The wall under the dimmp confirmed her suspicions. Although she had saved Charlie¡¯s life, trust wasn¡¯t automatic. Standing behind him, Hannah kept her gun ready, prepared to shoot if he made a suspicious move. Charlie, on the other hand, seemed oblivious. He continued forward until he reached the apparent dead end, cing his hand on the onlymp. Click! Charlie twisted the light switch, and at the end of the road, a door slid open. H e turned to Hannah and motioned for her to follow. ¡°Come on, this way!¡± Unexpectedly, another secret door stood before them. Hannah hesitated for a moment, but after a while, she decided to join him. The stark brightness of light immediately greeted her sight as she walked out the door. There were noises of the hustle and bustle, too. Hannah surveyed the environment around her. Hannah took in her surroundings, realizing they were now outside the building, surrounded by vehicles and the lively chatter of passersby. Curious, she nced back at the wall they had just passed through-seamless, with no indication of the hidden path. ¡°Stop looking. We¡¯re already out of Caditown, Charlie, now pater, informed her. It was then that Hannah noticed blood staining his hand, covering his chest. The bleeding needed to be addressed. ¡°You can¡¯t go back to the Compton family. I¡¯ll take you to the Imperial Pce Hotel,¡± she dered. At the mention of the hotel, Charlie looked hesitant. Nevertheless, Hannah pressed on, and he had no choice but to follow her. Chapter 1246 Hannah had been to the Imperial Pce before. She took charge, driving them there and securing a room. Hannah left Charlie alone as soon as she entered the room, rummaging for bandages and a first-aid kit. ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡­¡± Charlie, looking ghostly pale, leaned against the couch, blood still seeping from his wounds. ¡°The bleeding can¡¯t be stopped¡­ Don¡¯t waste¡­¡± Before he could finish, Hannah reappeared in the Living room with a first-aid kit. ¡°Take off your clothes,¡± she ordered firmly. Charlie couldn¡¯t believe his ears, staring at her in disbelief. ¡°What¡­ What did you say?¡±Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Tsk. Do I have to say it again?¡± Hannah grumbled, tearing apart the cor of Charlie¡¯s dress, exposing the injured skin. The bloodstains on his dress had turned sticky, and as the cor was torn, Charlie winced in pain. ¡°Is this¡­ Is this your payback?¡± ¡°What? I¡¯m not that petty. ¡± Hannah opened the first-aid kit and carefully sterilized his skin. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll die from losing too much blood. I can¡¯t deal with your corpse. ¡± After tending to his wounds, Hannah frowned at his chest. ¡°The wound is too deep. It needs to be stitched. I don¡¯t have any anesthetic here. Endure the pain. ¡± Hannah said it like it was nothing. If Charlie had the strength, he would have jumpe d up and left. ¡°No! Wait¡­ You don¡¯t have to do that. I¡­ I can tough it out without stitches¡­¡± Charlie protested, but as he spoke, he caught sight of Hannah raising a needle. The next thing he knew, he cked out. Hannah, ready to sterilize the needle, blinked helplessly at the unconscious Charlie. Charlie felt sharp pain all over his body after waking up. It felt like his chest was going to explode from the immense and searing pain. When he opened his eyes in a haze, he subconsciously said, ¡°Water¡­¡± A bottle of water with the lid already off appeared before him. He was gently helped to sit up, feeling a bit more at ease. Charlie¡¯s sole focus was on the water. He snatched the bottle and guzzled it down, realizing he had survived as the cold water flowed down his throat. The cold soothing liquid made him feel a little bit better. He grasped for breath, and he surveyed his surroundings. Then, he nearly tossed away the water bottle with what he saw. ¡°Jesus! Why the hell are you all here?¡± Chapter 1247 Winston stood by the window, shooting Charlie a cold nce upon hearing his voice. Keith, who had handed Charlie the water, grinned while crossing his arms. ¡°We care about you. ¡± ¡°Right. When we heard you were injured, we had no choice but toe over to see you,¡± Trent added with a creepy smile. Charlie clung to the headboard, his senses on high alert. ¡°Where¡¯s Hannah?¡± he demanded, scanning the room eagerly. Before anyone else could respond, the door lock beeped twice and swung open. Hannah and Bryson entered with bags of food.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re up,¡± Hannah remarked, catching sight of Charlie. She set the bags down on the coffee table. ¡°We¡¯ve been running around all night. You should eat something first. You must be famished. ¡± The other men in the room gravitated toward the spread. Charlie caught sight of Bryson, and he narrowed his eyes at his presence. He still remembered Bryson¡¯s imposing presence and steely demeanor. But Bryson seemed oblivious to Charlie¡¯s scrutiny. ¡°You should grab something to eat too,¡± he told Hannah. ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯ll pass,¡± Hannah replied, passing a Lunchbox to Bryson. ¡°You go ahead. I¡¯ll check on him. ¡± She pulled out a bag of rolls and tossed it to Charlie. ¡°Eat up. ¡± Charlie caught the bag, still wary. ¡°Why¡¯d you bring everyone here? ¡°They¡¯re your pals, aren¡¯t they? No need to be nervous,¡± Hannah reassured him. Feeling a mix of relief, exhaustion, and hunger, Charlie tore into the food without a second thought. He ignored any concern about his appearance, all he wanted to do was gobble down something filling. As Hannah joined Bryson, she brought up something that caught Charlie¡¯s attention. ¡°Charlie, I heard what Amelie Chadwick said. She¡¯s out for blood because you¡¯ve botched yourst few gigs. Is she always this intense?¡± ¡°That¡¯s just an excuse,¡± Charlie replied through a mouthful of food. ¡°The recent jobs I had? I messed them up on purpose. ¡± After a pause, he looked up at Hannah. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to go against you. After all, you saved my subordinates. ¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Hannah¡¯s confusion was palpable. ¡°When did this happen? Who did I save?¡± Charlie had a serious expression as he said, ¡°Thest time, Winston¡¯s sister was also sent there. ¡± Chapter 1248 He was talking about the incident rted to ckeye. Hannah immediately caught onto what he meant and frowned. ¡°Didn¡¯t you warn me in the base a few days ago? Why are you telling a different story now?¡± ¡°I worked for Amelie. She wanted to warn you, but of course, she would never do it herself. Those people escaped from me, so I was the most suitable one to threaten you. ¡± After saying that, Charlie coughed, his hands covering his mouth. ¡°Most people in the team that day were my subordinates. In the past, Jade Paradise would have selected girls on their own. But many of their girls were gone a few months ago. That¡¯s why Amelie wanted to use my subordinates to fill up those vacant positions. On that day, even if you hadn¡¯t stopped the car and saved them all, I would still have tried my best to rescue them. Charlie¡¯s coughing got intense as he spoke, and his face had also turned pale. Winston looked at him without any emotions in his eyes. ¡°Miss Moore, you must not believe his words. He has always been loyal to Madam. I¡¯m afraid he is pretending to be on your side to deceive you. ¡± The next second, Charlie raised his hand and pointed at Winston. In doing so, he stretched the wound in his chest, causing him to suck in his breath. ¡°Winston! If it weren¡¯t for you, why would I have ended up working for Amelie? You stole my chance. Who do you think you are to judge me?¡± Trent was about to finish his supper. Hearing Charlie¡¯s story, he stood up and walked around the bed. ¡°I think Winston is right. Charlie is probably ying a victim and acting pitiful just to gain your sympathy. Who knows, he might be working secretly for Amelie. He has done many evil things for Amelie Chadwick in the past. I f you trust him blindly, he¡¯ll probably betray you one day. ¡± Sitting at the coffee table, Keith also nodded. ¡°I agree with what they are saying. He has betrayed Amelie, so he will also betray you one day. Besides, he has been working for Amelie for so many years. How is it possible that he helps us all of a sudden?¡± ¡°Humph! You think you three have done less evil things than I have? The only difference between you and me is that we are working for different bosses. ¡± Despite his pale face, Charlie couldn¡¯t help sneering. ¡°You can kill me now if you don¡¯t believe me. ¡± Hannah turned to Bryson who had been keeping silent all the time. ¡°What do you think?¡± Bryson looked over at Charlie before casting his eyes on Hannah. ¡°It¡¯s up to you. I¡¯ll support your decision, no matter what you choose to do. ¡± Hannah turned her head back at Charlie and said, ¡°I trust you. ¡± Looking straight into Charlie¡¯s eyes, she continued, ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t doubt you and your words. I only trust you because of what Amelie said to you in that dungeon. ¡± Charlie raised his head and looked at Hannah, his eyes showing a glint of hope.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Chapter 1249 ¡°I want to know some information. Who are those women locked in the cages? Also, what information did Amelie ask you to obtain from the organization?¡± Hannah added, ¡°I only want the truth. But I won¡¯t force you if you¡¯re unwilling to tell me. ¡± Charlie replied, ¡°Those women in the dungeon were bought either from the ck-market or human traffickers. Either way, only beautiful ones will be chosen for Jade Paradise, and they are to entertain the patrons. I can say that those chosen ones are luckypared to the ones who are not chosen because if they are not chosen, they will be dumped like a piece of trash. Recently, the boss has been paying strict attention, so Madam does not dare to do many things openly. Most of her channels have also been blocked. As a result, the number of women that are sent to Jade Paradise is falling down. Therefore, Madam Amelie targeted orphanages, wishing to find teenage girls who are approaching adulthood for the sake of Jade Paradise. After saying too much without taking a break, Charlie¡¯s physical condition got worse, and he started coughing fiercely. ¡°Wait a minute! Now that I think about it carefully, the trainees sent to the base don¡¯t have that much of talent in performance recently. Is it because of Amelie?¡± Trent asked doubtfully. ¡°Yes and no. Amelie is partially responsible for that. But it isn¡¯t all her fault. ¡± Charlie cleared his throat, and his eyebrows curled into a frown as he said, ¡°In recent years, the organization has been corrupted by other forces. Only stupid people like you haven¡¯t realized the situation. ¡± Trent, the so-called stupid one, nodded while gritting his teeth. ¡°We¡¯re not working for the organization anymore. How could we have known about the crisis? Besides, you are supposed to work for our boss. But your loyalty was to Amelie. Shame on you. ¡± Charlie curled his lips into a faint smile. ¡°The organization has been declining gradually, far less prosperous than before when the boss was in charge. Do you still think the organization is as tough as it used to be? The boss also should have known it, but he is turning a blind eye. As for what Amelia asked me to get from the organization¡­¡± Charlie continued after a pause, ¡°Besides dealing with Jade Paradise¡¯s matters, she wanted me to get some information about the six influential families. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Hearing him mention the six families again, Hannah narrowed her eyes, asking, ¡°What about the six influential families?¡± When she asked, Bryson also became solemn, his dark eyes fixed on Charlie. ¡°The most recent and the biggest news is that the six families are going to work together. I guess you also know about it. The Chadwick family wants to get involved in that. ¡± Charlie took a pause, meeting Bryson¡¯s gaze in mid-air. A smile touched his lips as he continued, ¡°The seventh family on the rank hasn¡¯t been invited, but the Mitchell family has already been invited. It has never happened before. ¡± Bryson nced at Charlie with his cold eyes but remained silent. Since the topic was about Bryson, Hannah asked another question, trying to change the topic in a different direction. ¡°So, what does she want?¡± Chapter 1250 ¡°The power of the Chadwick family will be weakened again if the six families work together. Although the Chadwick and the Compton families have united with each other by marriage, the marriage of Amelie and the boss has been in name only. The boss is always on alert and guards against her, and the Chadwick family is very much annoyed by that. ¡± Charlie¡¯s gaze fell on Hannah. ¡°Your appearance was also quite unexpected. Madam feels very bothered and tried to eliminate you several times, but she had no chance. ¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t surprised to hear it as she had expected Amelie to make a move. ¡°I¡¯m not an obstacle for her. What is it that she has against me?¡± Charlie responded, ¡°No. You are definitely in her way. You are the boss¡¯s only biological daughter. Now that you¡¯ve returned, he will probably leave all his assets to you. Do you think she would sit still and watch you take over the business? She has been dormant in the Compton family for years. Suddenly, you showed up and took away her power. Anyone like her would feel angry and anxious. ¡± As soon as he finished talking, the room fell into dead silence. No one spoke up, which meant that everyone agree with what Charlie had said. Right after returning to the Compton family, Hannah was doted on by her father very much. Besides, she ignored the kindness that the Chadwick family showed and was against Amelie. As a vicious woman, Amelie wouldn¡¯t let go of her easily. ¡°I¡¯ll Let you know some more information. You don¡¯t have to give me anything for that. ¡± A big smile appeared on Charlie¡¯s face as he asked in a strange tone, ¡°When you were still in your home country, you encountered people from the Garza family, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery At the mention of the Garza family, Hannah disclosed, ¡°Yeah. However, we didn¡¯t have any open conflicts. It was onlyter that I learned my mother had been the adopted daughter of the Garza family. Despite that, I never confronted them. I only knew that my mother had once been a shareholder in the Enchantment Casino in my home country. However, before I came abroad, they had secretly dispatched an assassin to take me out. ¡± As Charlie listened to her, he sneered, ¡°Naturally, the Garza family wouldn¡¯t want you spreading your wings abroad. If you stumbled upon the truth, it would be detrimental to their interests. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze sharpened as she picked up on Charlie¡¯s tone. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder how much he knew about her mother. ¡°What exactly do you know?¡± ¡°I¡¯m privy to quite a bit, and even¡­ Charlie paused deliberately, locking eyes with her. ¡°I might even possess information that the boss isn¡¯t aware of. But Miss Moore, what can you offer in exchange?¡± Bryson interjected, his gaze cold. ¡°You are hardly in a position to negotiate with her. ¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I understand your influence domestically, but you are in foreign territory now. No matter how formidable you are, you won¡¯t be able to find what she wants. ¡± Charlie spread his hands wide. ¡°All I have left now is my life. You can either end it here or ship me back to Jade Paradise. Death awaits me either way. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Winston stepped forward, pressing his gun against Charlie¡¯s temple. ¡°You think you are scaring anyone with your threats? Quit bluffing!¡± ¡°Ha-ha. ¡± Charlieughed as he lifted his chin defiantly under the gun¡¯s pressure. ¡°Go ahead. Pull the trigger if you dare. ¡± ¡°Calm down, Winston. There is mo need for violence,¡± Hannah intervened. ¡°We don¡¯t have to resort to killing him over a minor issue. ¡± Addressing Charlie, she continued, ¡°State your conditions. ¡± Chapter 1251 Charlie held up three fingers and said, ¡°I have three conditions. If you agree, I¡¯ll divulge information about the Garza family. ¡± ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll agree to your terms as long as it¡¯s within my power. ¡± Hearing her pledge, Charlie fixed his gaze on her with intensity. ¡± ¡°First and foremost, you must ensure the safe rescue of my family. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± ¡°Secondly, I insist on retaining leadership of Lust. ¡± He was clearly ambitious. Observing him closely, Hannah asked, ¡°Why do you still want to be the leader? By siding with me, you are painting a target on your back. Are you ready for that?¡± Charlie¡¯s expression changed, a mixture of determination and apprehension flickering in his eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. If I don¡¯t protect my team, they will fall into the clutches of Madam. That¡¯s not the fate I wish upon them. ¡± Hannah hadn¡¯t expected his strong sense of camaraderie. With a nod, she affirmed, ¡°Alright, I promise you. What about the third condition?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t decided yet,¡± Charlie admitted, meeting her gaze squarely. ¡°But you owe me a favor. ¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± His words left Hannah feeling somewhat helpless. ¡°I agree to all three conditions. Now, tell me what you know. ¡± Charlie shook his head. ¡°Not yet. ¡± Growing impatient, Keith ran a hand through his hair and pointed at Charlie usingly. ¡°Don¡¯t push your luck! She has given you her word on everything.N?velDrama.Org content rights. How dare you turn her down!¡± Charlie suddenly let out a series of coughs. He cleared his throat and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Please be patient. I will uphold my end of the bargain. Miss Moore, help me with the first two conditions, and then I will divulge what I know about the Garza family. ¡± He kept insisting on his terms, much to Keith¡¯s irritation. ¡°Charlie, do you really think you are indispensable? If I tell the boss what you have done over the years¡­¡± Charlie nced up at him defiantly, showing no signs of being intimidated by Keith¡¯s threat. ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Hannah intervened. ¡°I promise you. You will stay here to recover for the next few weeks. No one is allowed to enter except my people. ¡± After saying that, she turned to herpanions and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± When they exited the room, Charlie doubled over, clutching his chest as a fit of coughing wracked his body. Chapter 1252 His facade of calmness shattered, reced by a grimace of pain. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, staining his shirt. With clenched fists, he muttered, ¡°I pray I haven¡¯t chosen the wrong person this time¡­¡± After departing from the hotel, Hannah and the men didn¡¯t go back to the Compton Manor.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Instead, they drove straight to Bryson¡¯s current residence. Stepping into the house, Keith couldn¡¯t hold his tongue any longer. ¡°I¡¯m with Winston on this one. Charlie has always been a schemer. He has schemed against us several times. You can¡¯t trust him. ¡± Winston maintained hisposure as he said, ¡°Madam probably sent him to work undercover on our turf. ¡± ¡°That might not necessarily be the case,¡± Trent said, taking a seat on the sofa. ¡°While he has been in cahoots with Amelie Chadwick for years and has caused us asional headaches, he has never really crossed the line. He is not like Lorenzo, who has done us serious harm. ¡± Meanwhile, Hannah and Bryson made their way to the bar, leaning against it as they listened to the men¡¯s debate. Finally, the silence from Hannah prompted the men to nce in her and Bryson¡¯s direction. Meanwhile, Hannah grumbled about her hunger to Bryson. Bryson¡¯s grin widened as he locked eyes with her. Rolling up his shirt sleeves with a flick of his wrist, he asked, ¡°What do you want to eat?¡± ¡°I have been craving dishes from our home countrytely. Can you whip up two dishes for me?¡± ¡°Consider it done,¡± Bryson assured her before disappearing into the kitchen. The three men opposite were left speechless. Under the scrutiny of the three men, Hannah nced over and said, ¡°Charlie uses me, and I¡¯ll use him in return. Don¡¯t fret over him. I never suspect those I use. That¡¯s all for this matter. ¡± The men exchanged knowing looks. Winston said, ¡°Miss Moore, he is an orphan like us, raised in the orphanage sponsored by the Compton family. He has no family. All he wants is to evoke your sympathy. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow and suddenly changed the topic. ¡°Winston, where is your sister? I haven¡¯t seen her around since earlier. ¡± ¡°I was worried about her safety. When you didn¡¯t respond to my messages, I decided to send her to a secure location. ¡± ¡°Ah, I see,¡± Hannah responded casually. ¡°Keep a close eye on her. After all, she was rescued from Jade Paradise. Amelie Chadwick will surely have her in her sights. ¡± Winston nodded solemnly. ¡°Rest assured, Miss Moore. That ce is safe. ¡± Recalling his sister¡¯s plea from earlier, Winston hesitated before speaking. ¡°Miss Moore, my sister wants to stay by your side. She is willing to be your maid to repay you for rescuing her. ¡± Hannah waved off his concern. ¡°Tell her not to worry. I didn¡¯t do her a favor. I merely honored the promise I made to you. I just kept my word, that¡¯s all. ¡± Chapter 1253 ¡°I tried to persuade her, but she¡¯s as stubborn as a mule,¡± Winston confessed, his gaze softened with affection as he spoke of Alessandra. ¡°Ever since we were taken in by the Compton family after our parents passed, she¡¯s been like that. I reckon she won¡¯t budge an inch for anyone. ¡± Keith chimed in, ¡°Hannah, Alessandra¡¯s a decent girl. She had no choice but to stick around Jade Paradise before.N?velDrama.Org content rights. She¡¯s not got many skills to her name. Why not keep her close?¡± Trent nudged him and muttered, ¡°Quit sticking your nose where it doesn¡¯t belong!¡± But Hannah¡¯s lips curved into a smile at Winston¡¯s words. ¡°She¡¯s been through a lot, working under Amelie Chadwick¡¯s thumb. We ought to find her a safe ce. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve pondered on it. ¡± Winston scratched his hair, looking bitter, which was pretty rare. ¡°She insisted on staying here without leaving. She wants to be with me. ¡± After a moment¡¯s contemtion, Hannah nodded in understanding. ¡°Let¡¯s take her in. The Compton territory is under my watch. Chadwicks won¡¯t dare to touch her here. ¡± Their discussion was interrupted by the tantalizing aroma wafting in from the kitchen. Hannah gestured towards the kitchen, saying, ¡°Why don¡¯t you head home now? I¡¯ll make my own way back to the vi. ¡± The three men exchanged knowing nces and wisely took their Leave. On the tabley Hannah¡¯s favorite dish, honey garlic ribs. As she looked at the sulent sauce and inhaled its fragrance, she could practically taste the deliciousness. Unable to resist, she dug in, savoring the tender, vorful meat without hesitation. Beside the ribs sat a te of tomato bacon squares, a colorful mix of chopped tomatoes, bacon, onions, and bell peppers atop a crisp pizza crust. It was a delight for the senses. Resting her chin on her hand, Hannah watched as Bryson rolled down his sleeves. ¡°Your culinary skills havee a long way since our travels. ¡± ¡°I have to improve them for your tastes, don¡¯t I?¡± Bryson looked at her, taking a seat across from her. Hannah took another bite, arching an eyebrow at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to eat?¡± ¡°Not hungry,¡± Bryson replied, his gaze fixed on her. Their journey had been fraught with danger, leaving little time for moments like these. Hannah savored another bite of the tomato bacon square, relishing its familiar taste. ¡°This is just what I needed!¡± Looking at her intoxicated smile, Bryson¡¯s lips curved into a smile. Chapter 1254 ¡°You¡¯re easily pleased. ¡± ¡°Do you think I¡¯d let you off the hook after cooking me such a feast?¡± Hannah teased, poking at her food with her fork.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°So, what took you and Kohen to Jade Paradise today?¡± ¡°It was a coincidence,¡± Bryson replied casually. ¡°Jade Paradise offers the best privacy in Caditown. Even their crew can¡¯t roam the third floor freely. ¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Hannah mused, a yful glint in her eyes. ¡°And what about today?¡± Bryson hesitated for a moment before admitting, ¡°It was a mishap. They probably didn¡¯t want you causing trouble on the third floor. A clumsy move on their part. ¡± Resting her chin on her hand, Hannah scrutinized him. ¡°Are you being truthful with me, Bryson?¡± Bryson frowned slightly. ¡°Are you doubting me?¡± ¡°Not really,¡± Hannah replied, a smile ying on her lips. ¡°Just curious. You were there for a business deal with the K Group leader. Why Jade Paradise instead of the Imperial Pce Hotel? It is, after all, his most secure zone. Howe you had to choose Jade Paradise?¡± The atmosphere between them shifted as Hannah posed her question, the dining room falling into silence. After Bryson¡¯s prolonged silence, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, her eyes dropping with a hint of mischief. ¡°You¡¯re keeping secrets, huh? Well, I¡¯ve got a few tucked away myself! It¡¯s not a colossal matter, but I¡¯d rather not be taken for a fool. ¡± With a sudden tter, Hannah¡¯s fork hit the table, her smile fading as she fixed Bryson with a serious gaze. ¡°I didn¡¯t aim to keep things from you deliberately. There are just some matters I can¡¯t talk about right now. ¡± Bryson, sensing Hannah¡¯s rising frustration, couldn¡¯t maintain hisposure any longe r. ¡°The truth is, I had a different agenda when I headed to Jade Paradise. ¡± Giving him a narrowed nce, Hannah managed a faint smile. ¡°Let¡¯s call it water under the bridge. But mark my words, pull a stunt Like this again, and you¡¯ll see me properly riled!¡± Bryson shook his head in surrender. ¡°Fair enough. ¡± Returning her attention to her meal, a flicker of unease passed through Hannah¡¯s eyes. After supper, Bryson offered Hannah a lift back to Compton Manor. En route, Bryson¡¯s phone buzzed, and he answered via the car¡¯s system. Caleb¡¯s voice crackled through the speakers. ¡°Evening, Boss. Charlie gave me the scoop, and I¡¯ve located where those folks are holed up. Turns out it¡¯s an abandoned Loony bin, and there¡¯s a crowd stuck in there. ¡± Bryson and Hannah exchanged a knowing look. Bryson spoke up, his tone casual. ¡°Can you get them out?¡± Caleb sounded hesitant. ¡°I¡¯m afraid not. Guards are posted, keeping watch. Can¡¯t risk a forceful extraction. ¡± Chapter 1255 Bryson¡¯s mind raced, a n forming. ¡°Round up some reinforcements. Let¡¯s divert those guards¡¯ attention. ¡± ¡°Do you have enough men? I¡¯ll have Dotson rally his crew to lend a hand,¡± Hannah chimed in. Caleb acknowledged the n. ¡°Thanks, Miss Moore. I¡¯ll need all the help I can get. ¡± ¡°OK. I¡¯ll ask them to contact you soon. Tonight is the perfect opportunity to save those folks. The more time that passes, the greater chance of being detected. ¡± ¡°Got it, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah hung up the phone and sent Dotson a message, telling him to get in touch with Caleb and make ns. As the car pulled up to the gates of Compton Manor, the night enveloped them, the only illuminationing from distant streetmps. Through the window, they surveyed the darkened estate, a palpable silence hanging in the air. As Hannah unbuckled her seatbelt, Bryson caught her wrist. ¡°Hold on a sec¡­¡± She turned, finding his gaze locked with hers, his face approaching. ¡°You. Unconsciously, Hannah held up her hand. But Bryson had anticipated her reaction, seized it, and pressed down to the opposite side of the seat. Hannah instinctively slumped into the seat beneath his force, realizing what he wanted.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Gazing upward at him, sheined, ¡°You always pull this move. Can¡¯t you mix it up a bit?¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow teasingly. ¡°Oh? And what kind of innovation were you hoping for?¡± His emphasis on ¡°innovation¡± elicited a yful giggle from Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re toeing the line there, mister!¡± Bryson¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Well, that depends on¡­¡± He massaged her forehead and, after a pause, asked, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°I¡¯m pondering¡­¡± Hannah leaned in and gently pressed her Lips against Bryson¡¯s, which felt a tad cold. All of a sudden, she gave his lip a sharp bite! ¡°Ouch!¡± At the sound of Bryson¡¯s grunt, Hannah pulled away. Seeing his lips now red and puffy, she shed a grin and warned, ¡°Try lying to me again, and I¡¯ll really take a chunk out of you!¡± Bryson couldn¡¯t help butugh. He rxed his hold on Hannah¡¯s wrist and lightly brushed her lips with his finger. ¡°You¡¯re quite the fierce one. ¡± Chapter 1256 ¡°I can handle lies from anyone else, but not from you. ¡± As Bryson gazed at Hannah, he turned back and grabbed the steering wheel. ¡°Alright, you have my word. ¡± Gazing at the side of Bryson¡¯s face, Hannah blurted out, ¡°Bryson. ¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Bryson answered, turning his head to meet her gaze. Hannah leaned in and softly ki*sed Bryson¡¯s lips. After the ki*s, she tried to pull away, but found herself held in ce by a strong arm! Bryson returned her ki*s passionately, making the air in the car warm up. Finally, he released Hannah, both of them catching their breath. Under the moonlight, her lips looked red and shiny. Bryson lifted his hand to gently touch her cheek. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking. It might not be a good idea for you to ept Remington¡¯s invitation. ¡± ¡°Why?¡± While still resting her arm on Bryson¡¯s shoulder, Hannah¡¯s eyes, once clouded, began to clear. ¡°I need a reason. ¡± Bryson turned to face her and exined, ¡°I have this feeling it¡¯s a setup meant for you. ¡± ¡°That can¡¯t be. ¡± To her surprise, Bryson shared her suspicion, yet Hannah kept her face unreadable. ¡°Even if it is a trap, it¡¯s probably because of the Compton family. With my people and you, we can handle it. If I don¡¯t show up, Joselyn will take my ce.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Then, I might end up in a weaker position. ¡± Bryson looked deeply at Hannah, then slowly nodded. ¡°When we¡¯re there, I won¡¯t be able to openly watch out for you. Just make sure you¡¯re careful. ¡± Hannah smiled and said, ¡°I know. I had no idea you were so worried before. ¡± Bryson fell silent for a brief moment after hearing her words. He lifted his gaze, eyes deep, and looked at Hannah intently. What he left unsaid was his own surprise at how dangerous their situation had be. ¡°Go ahead,¡± Bryson uttered with a hint of detachment. ¡°I¡¯ll be here watching you. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah opened the car door, stepped out, and waved to Bryson through the window. She then turned and walked towards the entrance of Compton Manor. As Hannah¡¯s figure vanished through the gate, Bryson nced down and started the car to leave. He then called Caleb. ¡°Send me the location of the mental hospital. I¡¯m heading over now. ¡± Chapter 1257 ¡°Boss, we¡¯ll handle it.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. It¡¯s way too risky for you. . ¡°Just send it now. ¡± With that, Bryson ended the call. Upon receiving the message, Bryson quickly found the location and pressed the gas pedal, speeding off to the mental hospital. The abandoned mental hospital was quite a distance from the city, and the closer he got, the quieter the surroundings became. Bryson could only make out a faintly lit building in the distance through the headlights of his car. He pulled over and quickly sent his exact location to Caleb. Soon after, Caleb emerged from the forest with his crew in tow, greeting, ¡°Boss. ¡± Dotson, who stood next to Caleb, eyed Bryson with curiosity. Sensing Dotson¡¯s stare, Bryson returned it with a cold look. Caleb quickly stepped in, exining, ¡°Boss, Dotson is here on Miss Moore¡¯s behalf. ¡± Feeling Bryson¡¯s cold gaze, Dotson stood his ground confidently. He gestured towards his team and stated, ¡°Miss Moore has asked us to assist. We¡¯re skilled at rescuing people. ¡± Bryson didn¡¯t respond further. Instead, he asked Caleb to share his surveince findings and the security details he observed. Caleb reported that the first floor was Lightly guarded, mostly by nurses, while the second floor seemed to house individuals appearing to suffer from mental illnesses. The exact condition of the second floor remained unclear, as Caleb and his team found it too heavily guarded to infiltrate. Caleb spected, ¡°It seems like they¡¯re trying to create confusion. The real patients are on the first floor, while the sane individuals are detained on the second floor. ¡± Dotson chimed in, ¡°We could distract the staff on the first floor while others rescue those on the second floor directly!¡± ¡°No. ¡± Caleb shook his head. ¡°We don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on on the second floor. Charging in to save them is too risky. ¡± ¡°So, what¡¯s our n?¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was cold and detached. ¡°Create a distraction downstairs. I¡¯ll take a team, and we¡¯ll climb up to the second floor from the back, getting in through a window. ¡± He then turned to Dotson. ¡°When you¡¯re rescuing, try to avoid shing with the guards too much. ¡± Dotson, not exactly thrilled to follow Bryson¡¯s Lead butpelled by Hannah¡¯smand, nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll follow the n. Let¡¯s get moving!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± Caleb, armed with ropes and gear for the rescue, led his group to the front, while Bryson, Dotson, and their team positioned themselves at the back of the mental hospital. Chapter 1258 More than 10 minutester, lights flickered on in the building, and the sounds ofmotion drifted from downstairs. Bryson and Dotson exchanged nces. ¡°Time to go!¡± Dotson was quick on his feet. ustomed to missions and adept in physical agility, he effortlessly reached the water tank on the second floor and soon was by the window. He nced back, hoping to impress Bryson. After all, he didn¡¯t expect a wealthy guy like Bryson to¡­ To his surprise, Bryson was already ahead, having pried the window open with ease and slipped inside. Dotson¡¯s pride took a hit. No time for showing off now. He hurried up! The roomy in darkness, and no one was confined. Bryson approached the door, grabbed the knob, and slowly turned it.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Peering through the door¡¯s slight opening, he scanned the outside. It looked like there was a guard posted outside almost every room. ¡®s BunnyBookery Despite themotioning from below, none of them headed downstairs. This suggested the person held upstairs had to be of significant importance. Bryson touched the small of his back, realizing sneaking someone out today wouldn¡¯t be as straightforward as he¡¯d hoped. Yet, just as he prepared to make his move, a loud boom echoed from downstairs! Startled, the second-floor guards drew their weapons and hurried downstairs. Seizing the moment, Bryson swung the door wide open and, gun in hand, approached a room that was supposed to be secure. To his astonishment, the door wasn¡¯t locked, and the room held a young woman. Even more startling was how much she resembled Hannah! The woman¡¯s face lit up with surprise when she saw him, quickly reced by a smile. ¡°Wow, you managed to break in here?¡± Bryson just looked at her with a frosty expression, unable to ept that she looked so much like Hannah by mere coincidence. ¡°Who are you?¡± he demanded. The woman c@@ked her head, a yful smile dancing on her lips. ¡°Funny, you break into my ce and then ask who I am. Seems like I should be asking you that question. Who are you?¡± Bryson sensed she was not going to be easy to crack and decided not to press for answers. He turned to leave. Chapter 1259 ¡°Wait! Sewell Mitchell!¡± At the mention of his name, Bryson¡¯s hand on the doorknob paused. He looked back at her, his gaze intensifying in the dim light. The woman kept smiling. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not going to hurt you. It turns out I know a bit about your past. ¡± Bryson moved closer to her, his tone icy. ¡°What do you know?¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I know plenty, just not sure where to start. ¡± The woman, now only a few steps away from Bryson, gestured for him toe closer. ¡°Come here. ¡± Bryson hesitated, freezing in ce with his guard still up. ¡°Who are you, anyway?¡± ¡°Maybe you¡¯re wondering why I look exactly like Hannah Moore, aren¡¯t you? Aren¡¯t you curious about my name?¡± Bryson stayed quiet. The woman didn¡¯t wait for Bryson to answer. ¡°I¡¯m Maryam, Hannah¡¯s real sister. ¡± She emphasized ¡°real sister¡± deliberately, trying to gauge Bryson¡¯s reaction. But Bryson¡¯s face remained unreadable, his stare icy. ¡°So you look like her. Why should I believe anything you say?¡± Maryam stood, moving closer. ¡°Take a good look at me. Do you really think I have no connection to her?¡± ¡°And if you¡¯re really her sister, what are you doing here?¡± Bryson challenged. Maryam came even closer. ¡°Right after we were born, I was taken away and brought here. I¡¯ve been trapped in this dark ce ever since. They don¡¯t let me leave ore and go as I please, but I still hear news from the outside . I saw her growing up, living freely in Cadilind. I¡¯ve always been jealous. I even know about you two, how you used to be together but not anymore. ¡± Her voice turned softer, almost as if she was trying to charm Bryson. She reached out, attempting to caress his face. ¡°I know you still have feelings for her. Just think of me as her. I really wouldn¡¯t mind. ¡± Before Maryam could touch Bryson¡¯s face, a sharp pain shot through her wrist. ¡°Argh!¡± she screamed involuntarily. Bryson grabbed her wrist tightly. ¡°You think you¡¯re her equal?¡± Immediately after, he grabbed Maryam¡¯s neck harshly. A deadly re shed in Bryson¡¯s eyes. ¡°They kept you here. What do they want?¡± Struggling to breathe and her face turning red, Maryam forced a smile and said, ¡°You won¡¯t kill me. I know too many of your secrets. ¡± Chapter 1260 Bryson saw through the ws in her statement and didn¡¯t believe her. Yet, he wasn¡¯t ready to kill her just then. His grip on her neck tightened. Bryson stared at her with an icy look, unmoved by her increasing difort. A woman who looked Like Hannah being kept here made Bryson wonder if it was all a setup. He didn¡¯t let go. Maryam¡¯s face grew pale as she gasped for air, panic rising in her. Her eyes widened. ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re really going to kill me¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t until then that Bryson released her. The next moment, Maryam fell to the floor, coughing violently. Holding her neck, she looked up at Bryson, her eyes full of silent reproach, ¡°I thought you were actually going to strangle me. ¡± Bryson gazed down at her emotionlessly. ¡°How do you know the name of Sewell Mitchell?¡± Believing she had leverage with her knowledge, Maryamughed confidently. ¡°Want in on the secret? Then you need to get me out of here. I know a lot about you, and I¡¯ve got dirt on Hannah too. Free me if you want to know them. ¡± As they spoke, the sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor outside. Maryamughed lightly. ¡°It¡¯s toote now. Are you going to take me away, or are we ending this here?¡± Bryson simply stared at her, saying nothing. As their eyes met, the room grew quiet. After saving the others, Dotson and Caleb regrouped. ¡°We¡¯ve got them out. Time to go. ¡± ¡°Wait a second!¡± Caleb, holding his injured arm, gave Dotson a worried look. ¡°Where¡¯s my boss?¡± ¡°Your boss?¡± Dotson nced back toward the mental hospital. ¡°Hasn¡¯t he left? He went in with us. ¡± Caleb¡¯s worry deepened. ¡°No, he hasn¡¯t made it out yet. I have to go back for him.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡± Just as Caleb was about to rush off, Dotson grabbed him, nodding at his wounded arm. ¡°You¡¯re badly hurt. Going back might get you caught. Hold on. I¡¯ll go check for him. ¡± As Dotson prepared to leave, Bryson emerged from the shadows, carrying an unconscious woman. Dotson strode up to him. ¡°Where have you been? Why did you bring back a woman? You¡­¡± Before he finished asking, Bryson tossed the fainted woman towards him. Subconsciously, Dotson caught the woman. He lowered his head and was startled, almost losing his bnce. ¡°Miss Moore!¡± Chapter 1261 Caleb also approached. Seeing the fainted woman in Dotson¡¯s arms, he was taken aback. ¡°Why is Miss Moore here?¡± Bryson gave Dotson a serious look. ¡°You don¡¯t recognize your own boss?¡± Reminded by Bryson, Dotson flinched. He took a closer look at the woman¡¯s face. Indeed, she resembled Hannah so closely he almost couldn¡¯t tell them apart by starlight. ¡°What¡­ What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Caleb, take her away and keep her confined. She raises too many questions. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson then addressed Dotson, ¡°Inform Hannah about this. It¡¯s up to her to decide whether she wants to see this woman or not. ¡± ¡°Understood. Dotson gained a newfound respect for Bryson. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head back, then. ¡± The following morning, before Hannah left for Wace, Dotson and the others arrived at her vi. As Dotson described the woman, Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°She looks exactly like me?¡± Dotson¡¯s eyes went wide as he nodded vigorously. ¡°It was too darkst night to see clearly. But she¡¯s the spitting image of you, boss. ¡± ¡°What exactly did Bryson say?¡± ¡°He said it was up to you whether you fancy meeting that woman or not,¡± Dotson said. Hannah¡¯s intuition kicked in-Bryson wouldn¡¯t bring that woman back if there wasn¡¯t something fishy about her.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Just then, Winston, Keith, and Trent arrived. Trent said, ¡°Hannah, time¡¯s ticking. Let¡¯s shuffle off to see Father. ¡± ¡°Wait. Since you¡¯re here, I have something to tell you,¡± Hannah interjected, telling Dotson to tell them about their ordeal at the loony bin, including the strange encounter with the woman. ¡°Do you reckon I should see this woman?¡± Winston, mulling it over, asked, ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t you find it all a tad too coincidental? You were treated badly when you visited Jade Paradise. You eventually saved Charlie¡¯s life. You epted his terms and saved those people from the psychiatric institution. There, Mr. Mitchell met a woman who looked just like you and imed to be your biological sister. ¡± Connecting the dots, he couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that they could have walked right into a trap. Keith hissed in frustration, ¡°Have we all been yed by Charlie? He didn¡¯t aim to save those people?! Did he orchestrate this whole thing to lure Bryson into meeting that woman who¡¯s a dead ringer for you?¡± Hannah shook her head, countering calmly, ¡°I highly doubt it. Charlie couldn¡¯t have predicted Bryson¡¯s move to the mental hospital. ¡± Winston¡¯s expression remained skeptical. ¡°Perhaps he didn¡¯t target Bryson specifically, but anyone stumbling upon that woman would be thrown off guard. Therefore, it would only be natural to fall into their traps. ¡± They¡¯d just visited Jade Paradise, but already things seemed out of hand. Chapter 1262 I¡¯ll meet her regardless. Let¡¯s see what game they¡¯re ying. ¡± Keith immediately said, ¡°I¡¯ll tag along. ¡± Trent nodded. ¡°Count me in too. ¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not dilly-dally. We¡¯ll meet Wace first,¡± Hannah said, turning to Dotson and Winston. ¡°Wait for us here. ¡± ¡°Got it, Miss Moore,¡± they chorused in unison. When they made their way into the main house, they found Amelie and Joselyn seated on the sofa. ncing at them, Hannah led Keith and Trent upstairs. But before they could ascend, Joselyn¡¯s voice dripped with disdain as she spoke. ¡°Hannah, are you blind? Can¡¯t you see we¡¯re here?¡± Hannah paused, shooting a pointed look at Joselyn. ¡°I only see humans!¡± The other twodies were insulted by her inference. When Hannah fought people verbally, she never showed pity. ¡®s BunnyBookery It sparked anger in Joselyn, who rose to her feet. ¡°Hannah Moore! Mom wasn¡¯t mad at you for going to cause problems at Jade Paradise. How dare you say that!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean her.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Why are you trying to make it look so?¡± Hannah remained unfazed, her smile sweet but sharp. ¡°And I wasn¡¯t talking about you, but if the shoe fits¡­¡± ¡°You!¡± Joselyn sputtered in rage, unable to find a suitableeback. Amelie drawled with an air of sophistication, ¡°Hannah, my dear, you¡¯re still in the bloom of youth, relishing those Lively moments. I¡¯m thrilled you fancy Jade Paradise. But, sweetheart,st night, you took it a bit too far. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± Hannah, feigning innocence, turned around, batting her eyshes. ¡°What went downst night? I went to Jade Paradise out of sheer curiosity about Caditown¡¯s grandest watering hole. I settled the tab for the drinks. Oh¡­¡± Hannah pretended to realize something. ¡°If it¡¯s about me throwing a punchst night, my apologies. Someone rubbed me the wrong way. And I tried to keep my cool, but s! You can ask the other patrons; I wasn¡¯t angling for trouble initially. ¡± Amelie¡¯s eyebrows twitched. She scowled at Hannah. ¡°You know darn well I¡¯m not talking about that!¡± Chapter 1263 ¡°I¡¯d love to know what you¡¯re hinting at. ¡± Feigning ignorance, Hannah¡¯s act wore thin, prompting Joselyn to snap, ¡°Can you swear on your mother¡¯s grave that you didn¡¯t ask those two to stir the pot so you could sneak off to the second floorst night?¡± ¡°Cross my heart, hope to die. The second floor wasn¡¯t on my agenda. ¡± Truth be told, Bryson had taken her to the third floor, so she wasn¡¯t telling lies. Hannah grinned. ¡°Besides, after the little episodest night, I beat it from Jade Paradise. I didn¡¯t want to cause any inconvenience to you. Concerning the bloke I socked, does he want to be paid? I¡¯ll take care of it. ¡± Narrowing her gaze, Amelie smiled at Hannah. ¡°Alright then, that was our mistake. There¡¯s ass who tiptoed into Jade Paradise, and we¡¯re yet to find her. ¡± ¡°Did she take anything valuable?¡± Hannah asked, feigning curiosity with a wide-eyed look. ¡°Not exactly treasure, but losing it would stir up a ho¡¯s nest. It doesn¡¯t matter, though. I¡¯m d you¡¯re in the clear. Don¡¯t worry about the chap you thumpedst night. He had iting. I¡¯ve dealt with him. ¡± Hannah curled her lips, grinning ear to ear. ¡°Thanks a bunch. Mind if I go upstairs to see Dad now?¡± Amelie raised her hand. ¡°Go on. He is waiting for you. ¡± Watching the three ascend, Joselyn sat down restlessly. ¡°Mom, did you just let her off the hook like that? Look at her! She¡¯s the one who sneaked inst night!¡± ¡°We¡¯re onto her, but what¡¯s the y? She denies it, and her tale holds water. Can you find a crack in it?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Joselyn stumbled, opting to keep quiet. With the news of those people¡¯s escape from the mental hospital in mind, Amelie snorted.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Charlie¡¯s escape probably has Hannah Moore¡¯s fingerprints all over it! She¡¯s been a thorn in my side for too long. It¡¯s time to oust her. ¡± ¡°Mom, you should¡¯ve done it ages ago. You should¡¯ve taken a swing the moment she set foot in Lightby!¡± Amelie shot her a nce and snorted. ¡°Had you not been a tad dumb, handling Hannah Moore would¡¯ve been a cakewalk! Have you ever aplished one task I tossed your way?¡± Joselyn couldn¡¯t help but shiver,cking the courage to read Amelie¡¯s expression. ¡°Father has greenlit the union between Maloney and her. I¡­ I slipped a mickey into his drink at that party, but Hannah swooped in and took him away. ¡± ¡°You numbskull!¡± Amelie¡¯s slender fingernail prodded her forehead. ¡°What good was drugging him without a follow-through?¡± Feeling the icy touch of a fingernail, Joselyn shivered. ¡°Mom, I know I¡¯ve messed up. Can you show me how to do it?¡± ¡°Humph I¡± Amelie pulled back her hand, ncing at her nails. ¡°He doesn¡¯t give you a second thought. What¡¯s there for me to do? Hannah came and immediately charmed Maloney. She knows what she¡¯s doing. ¡± Chapter 1264 Grabbing Joselyn¡¯s chin, Amelie made her meet her gaze. ¡°What are you good at, huh?¡± Joselyn struggled to find the words, but nothing came out. Impatiently, Amelie let go of her chin. ¡°In terms of appearance, you¡¯re no match for her. In terms of skills, there¡¯s no point even talking about it, right? And her family background¡­ she¡¯s your dad¡¯s own daughter. He adores her. So, tell me, how do you n topete with that?¡± Every word Amelie uttered seemed to sting Joselyn deeply. Yet, Joselyn didn¡¯t talk back.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Instead, she quietly took a seat. ¡°Joselyn, do you remember the high hopes I had for you when I decided to take you in as my adopted daughter?¡± ¡°Mother, please, I¡¯m begging for another chance. I promise I won¡¯t disappoint you again. ¡± Amelie nced towards Wace¡¯s study on the second floor. ¡°This is your final shot. In two days, we¡¯re going to a party hosted by the Lyons family. The Pierce family will be there too. You know what you need to do, don¡¯t you?¡± Joselyn replied in a soft voice, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll do my best to get close to Maloney¡­¡± Amelie cut her off, ¡°I¡¯ve already called you foolish. Are you trying to prove me right? Maloney isn¡¯t the only one in line for the Pierce family fortune. Since he¡¯s clearly not into you, why don¡¯t we support someone else for the role?¡± Meanwhile, Trent, Keith, and Hannah were gathered in the study, enveloped in a heavy silence that lingered for quite some time. Trent and Keith stood to the side, holding their breaths, worried they might get in trouble. Wace sat in front of hisputer, showing no emotion. He stared at the screen without giving them a single look. ¡°Aren¡¯t you busy? Or do you just want to ignore me and waste time?¡± Hannah sat on the sofa, flipping through the books on the coffee table. She looked up at Wace and added, ¡°I¡¯ve got something to say. If you¡¯re not going to listen, I might as well leave. ¡± Trent and Keith looked at each other, feeling a chill down their spines. Seeing Hannah talk to Wace always made them anxious and scared for her. Wace finally looked away from hisputer to Hannah sitting on the sofa. ¡°You¡¯re really brave, causing trouble in Jade Paradise!¡± ¡°I was just passing time there. ¡± Hannah met his stare without flinching. ¡°Why would I dare cause any trouble? Since I¡¯ve been back, I haven¡¯t caused you any problems, right?¡± Wace, unable to really confront his own daughter, just gave her a cold look. Then, he turned his attention to Trent and Keith. ¡°She¡¯s ignorant. What about you guys?¡± Trent, feeling the chill, quickly answered, ¡°We were just keeping Hannahpany, nothing more. ¡± ¡°Exactly! That¡¯s all it was!¡± Keith nodded. ¡°We just wanted Hannah to see the city, get a feel for the ce. ¡± ¡°Ehn. ¡± Chapter 1265 Wace gave a mocking smile. ¡°Nice. So now you¡¯re making up stories to cover for her, huh? You guys are something else. ¡± The two men¡¯s legs gave out, almost bringing them to their knees. Just in time, Hannah chimed in, ¡°Something minor happenedst night, but it wasn¡¯t my fault. I know Amelie is in charge of Jade Paradise. Why would I go there to cause you trouble? Last night, a few guys wouldn¡¯t leave me alone. At first, I tried to just bear with it, hoping to avoid any drama. ¡± Hannah gestured towards the Compton brothers. ¡°They were there. They can back me up. And if you¡¯re still not convinced, I¡¯m sure there are other ways you can check. Eventually, those guys got bolder when they saw I was on my own. I had no choice but to defend myself. ¡± ¡°Absolutely. Absolutely,¡± Keith quickly agreed. ¡°We¡¯re both witnesses to what she¡¯s saying. ¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Wace gave Keith a quick look. Then he turned his attention back to Hannah, giving her a secret once-over. ¡°Are you okay? Did you get hurt?¡± ¡°Nope, I¡¯m fine. But I did cause quite the stir. I ended up hitting a guy over the head with a bottle. Turns out he¡¯s from some big-shot family, or else he wouldn¡¯t have gone whining to you. ¡± Wace let out a derisiveugh. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them. Even if that guy had been seriously hurt, I¡¯d have your back. They had the nerve to bother youst night. I¡¯ll make sure they regret it. They won¡¯t dareeining to me again. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°Really, Mr. Compton? And how am I supposed to trust you wouldn¡¯t pin it on me? I tried talking to you this morning, but you were anything but weing. ¡± Wace pointed a finger at her. ¡°Unbelievable! You ungrateful girl! I knew exactly what went downst night. I was upset because those two idiots dragged you to that ce. And you, just going along with it carelessly. What if something had happened to you?¡± The two Compton brothers stood by awkwardly, at a loss for words. It was clear to them their father was overly indulgent with his real daughter. Despite knowing Hannah was the instigator, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to scold her. Instead, he shifted all the me onto them. Trent stepped forward, taking responsibility. ¡°Dad, it¡¯s on us. We didn¡¯t think things through. We¡¯re ready for whatever you decide. ¡± Hannah went on, ¡°Nothing happened, right? I really pushed for them toe along with me. You know how I am. They couldn¡¯t convince me otherwise, and they couldn¡¯t say no toing with me. Please, don¡¯t hold it against them. I¡¯m here to talk about something important.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Seriously. ¡± Wace nced at her. ¡°What¡¯s this important thing you¡¯re talking about?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve joined the organization but I¡¯m not part of any of the seven branches yet. Recently, a lot of new people came on board. I need to know where I stand in the organization. ¡± Hannah brought up a concern rather than sticking up for Charlie. She didn¡¯t hide her ambition as she posed her question. Naturally, Wace got her point. He tapped the desk and looked straight at Hannah. Rather than giving her an answer, he questioned, ¡°So, what position are you hoping to get in my organization?¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t ask for much. Just the authority to dismiss a branch leader. ¡± Chapter 1266 ¡°Ha! Wace burst outughing. His gaze turned sharp. ¡°Isn¡¯t that asking for a lot? Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a bit ambitious?¡± Hannah blinked. ¡°So¡­ are you going to grant me that power or not?¡± Wace looked over at the other two men, who suddenly found something very interesting on the floor, pretending they heard nothing. He asked, with a serious tone, ¡°Why are you asking me for power all of a sudden?¡± ¡°I need to stand out from the rest, don¡¯t I?¡± Hannah replied. ¡°Alright then. ¡± Wace found it hard to say no to Hannah¡¯s request. ¡°I¡¯ll make a formal announcement. ¡± ¡°Thanks in advance, Mr. Compton. ¡± Hannah got up, ready to leave the room. Wace, with his hands sped, sat backfortably and said, ¡°Hannah, I agreed because you¡¯re my daughter. But if you keep addressing me as Mr. Compton¡­¡± Wace trailed off, leaving his point hanging in the air, yet the meaning was clear. The Compton brothers, off to the side, wished they could just disappear. Hannah turned back to Wace, fighting back her annoyance, her gaze sharp. ¡°Father. ¡± Even though she only called him ¡°father¡± because he prompted her, it nearly brought Wace to tears. He gestured dismissively at them. ¡°Okay, you two can go. Hannah, you stay. ¡± The two men let out a sigh of relief. Casting a look at Hannah, they left the study. Once the door shut behind them, Wace said, ¡°You might fool others with your thoughts, but not me. You didn¡¯t visit Jade Paradise without a reason. If you don¡¯t want to share it, I won¡¯t press you. ¡± He fixed his gaze on her. ¡°I¡¯m aware you¡¯re not fond of Amelie, but remember, she¡¯s a Chadwick. The support and interests surrounding her are not simple. The Chadwick family may not be among the elite families, but they¡¯re influential. It would be wise to steer clear of Jade Paradise from now on. ¡± His tone wasn¡¯t warning. Rather, he seemed to be revealing something on purpose. Hearing this, Hannah slightly lifted her eyebrows. ¡°Is that why you left my mother for her? Because of her family¡¯s influence?¡± Wace¡¯s brow furrowed at once, a sh of anger in his eyes, his voice turning icy. ¡°Who told you so?¡± ¡°No one,¡± Hannah retorted, her expression hardening. ¡°I put two and two together. My mom was already expecting me when she had to marry into the Moore family. Where were you then?¡± Bang!Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Wace mmed his hand on the desk, staring at her with a chilling look. ¡°How much do you actually know about the past?¡± he demanded, the room falling into a tense silence. Wace realized his words were too sharp and turned to look out the window in the study, closing his eyes. Chapter 1267 ¡°I was wrong before. I owe your mother an apology. But there are things you don¡¯t know. ¡± ¡°What I don¡¯t know? Why can¡¯t you just tell me what really happened?¡± Hannah shook her head, clearly puzzled. ¡°I¡¯m lost. Why won¡¯t you share the details with me?¡± Wace took a deep breath, his voice softening. ¡°Look, the issue with your mother is old news. Let¡¯s leave it in the past. ¡± ¡°I just can¡¯t follow your logic,¡± Hannah said with a scoff. She looked down, trying to control her feelings. ¡°It makes me wonder if you ever loved my mother as much as you say. You haven¡¯t even figured out how she died. You can¡¯t im you loved her without knowing the truth. ¡± Wace got up, his gaze on Hannah more intense than ever. ¡°Who do you think I¡¯ve been doing all this for? I had no other option back then. I had to send your mother back to her country. If she had stayed, you wouldn¡¯t be here now. ¡± Hannah was noticeably startled. ¡°What really happened?¡± she pressed. With his fist against his forehead, Wace appeared drained. ¡°I don¡¯t want to dwell on the past or drag the younger ones into this mess. Just know this. I will avenge your mother. That¡¯s a promise. ¡± After a bit, Hannah¡¯s demeanor changed, and she looked at Wace, her voice gentler. ¡°I understand you might have had your reasons. I just hope you weren¡¯t dishonest with me. I¡¯m sorry for how I acted earlier. Father, please, don¡¯t be upset about it. ¡± With those words, Hannah turned and left the study. Wace, realizing Hannah had genuinely called him ¡°father,¡± felt his spirits lift. He looked at a photo frame on his desk. He touched it gently, his eyes showing a warmth and affection rarely seen by others. ¡°Prisci¡­¡± he whispered. As Hannah stepped out of the study, the Compton brothers quickly gathered around her. ¡°How did it go? Are you alright?¡± ¡°Did father get mad at you?¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°He didn¡¯t say much. I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s head to the base. I¡¯ve got something important to announce. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Trent gave Keith a yful wink, signaling him to drop the questioning. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving. ¡± At the base, Faustina had just handed in some paperwork. ¡°Starting now, I¡¯m your new branch leader. You¡¯ll need to report everything to me. ¡± Not everyone was fond of Faustina. Hearing her deration, murmurs spread among the members. ¡°Come on! How did she end up recing Charlie?¡± ¡°Is she even telling the truth? Nobody told us there¡¯d been a change in leadership. How can she just im she¡¯s in charge now?¡± ¡°Exactly! And Charlie hasn¡¯t evene back yet.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. If there¡¯s a change in leadership, he should be here to confirm it. That¡¯s when we¡¯ll ept it. ¡± They weren¡¯t trying to keep their voices down, so Faustina heard them loud and clear. Looking irritated, she remarked, ¡°Here¡¯s the letter of appointment. I don¡¯t see why you need to debate this. ¡± A daring member questioned her, ¡°Where¡¯s Charlie? Why hasn¡¯t he shown up at the base today?¡± ¡°Exactly. Even if you¡¯ve been given the role, Charlie ought to show up and hand it over personally. We¡¯ve only got your word for it. Chapter 1268 Expect us to ept you as our new leader? No way!¡± Faustina¡¯s face, usually calm andposed, now showed signs of anger. ¡°Madam signed the letter of appointment. Whether he¡¯s here or not, I am now your branch leader. If anyone has a problem with that, feel free to take it up with Madam!¡± The branch members looked at each other, unsure of what to do next, and fell silent. Faustina smiled, feeling victorious. ¡°Any more objections? If you have something to say, say it now. Just remember, causing trouble or not following my orders from here on out isn¡¯t a good idea. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I have something to say. ¡± A voice came from the doorway. Faustina¡¯s mood shifted as she turned to Look. Hannah stood there, smiling at her. ¡°Sorry to interrupt, but I can¡¯t support this decision. ¡± Seeing Hannahe, Faustina¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t I be here?¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows at Faustina¡¯s ugly expression as she entered the room with Keith following behind. Hannah could feel the gazes of the people present in the training room, watching her every move. After taking a quick nce at them, she turned to Faustina and asked, ¡°Or could it be that you have something so unpresentable that you can¡¯t let me see?¡± ¡°I have nothing unpresentable!¡± Although Faustina said so, her tone betrayed her words, and her expression was turning more and more uneasy. Hannah happened to show up at this particr moment. Did it mean that there was something wrong with Mrs. Chadwick? Putting up a tough face, Faustina tried to conceal her anxiety.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. She said to Hannah, ¡°Miss Moore, if you have nothing else to say, please leave this room. I have something to announce. ¡± ¡°You want to be the leader of the branch, right?¡± Hannah came close to her calmly and said, ¡°I don¡¯t like that. ¡± Faustina couldn¡¯t control her emotions any longer. She turned to Hannah and said, gnashing her teeth, ¡°Miss Moore, what are you talking about? This is the matter within our branch! You have no right to interfere!¡± ¡°Oh. ¡± Hannah gave a simple response, but she didn¡¯t move at all. Faustina looked in her direction again and urged, ¡°Miss Moore!¡± Immediately, Hannah waved to someone behind her. Then, Trent came over and took out his phone. He showed thetest message in the thread to Faustina, saying, ¡°This is the announcement from the big boss. He has sent a message to all the group members. Haven¡¯t you seen it?¡± As soon as Trent finished speaking, everyone took out their phones and saw thetest message on the internal app. Hannah didn¡¯t belong to any branch of the organization, but her father had seen her excellent performance several times. So, he had officially given her the authority to supervise the internal affairs of the organization. Hannah now had the power to adjust and change the positions of the branch leaders within the organization. This message was just like a drop of water touching the boiling oil, leading to an uproar. Chapter 1269 ¡°Miss Moore just said that she didn¡¯t agree to Faustina bing our boss. Does she mean that she wants to be our boss?¡± ¡°It¡¯s impossible. Although she is the biological daughter of the big boss and has passed internal tests, she is not qualified to Severed be our branch leader. ¡°Then why would she step in?¡± Seeing the internal message, Faustina almost crushed her phone. Her eyes were filled with resentment as she looked at Hannah. ¡°Hannah! Did you do it on purpose?¡± At this time, Faustina stopped pretending. She stared at Hannah coldly and said, ¡°You want to make my day miserable on purpose!¡± Hannah looked at her with a smile. ¡°How could it be? If I want to make you miserable, I would have done it a long time ago. I don¡¯t have to wait up to this point. I just think that you don¡¯t have the qualities to be the leader of this branch. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Faustina was so angry that her face was turning red.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Gritting her teeth, she asked Hannah, ¡°You have no right to say that I am not qualified! It was Mrs. Chadwick¡¯s decision to choose me as the leader of the branch! If you don¡¯t Like it, you can directly go to Mrs. Chadwick and make your opinion clear!¡± Hannah looked at Faustina with a faint smile. She asked, ¡°What are you saying? Do you really think that what Amelie said is much more important and powerful than what my father said?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Faustina¡¯s voice became stuck. She rolled her eyes and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that! Don¡¯t put the me on me!¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Since you think it¡¯s unfair, I¡¯ll give you a chance. ¡± Then, she looked at the other group members next to her and said, ¡°If you agree to change your boss, I will respect your opinions and make Faustina your boss. ¡± There was a moment of silence in the training room, and someone immediately objected! ¡°We don¡¯t agree to that either! Our boss is great. Why would we want to change and let her be the boss?¡± Now that someone had spoken up, the rest of the people were also motivated to do so, and everyone¡¯s objection could be heard throughout the room. ¡°Yes! We don¡¯t agree!¡± ¡°I want our boss back! We don¡¯t want her to be our boss!¡± Faustina didn¡¯t expect those people to react so adversely against her bing the leader. Anger overwhelmed her, making her teeth grit hard. With her hands pointed at the people, she said, ¡°We used to get along well with each other. Why don¡¯t you want me to be your boss? Why?¡± Get along well with each other? Bullshit! If you be the boss, you will exploit us to the bone directly!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. You always asked us to do a lot of dangerous missions. You hadn¡¯t even be the boss yet, but you treated us like that. Who knows what will happen if you be the boss?¡± Chapter 1270 ¡°Our boss is so kind to us. We can¡¯t betray him!¡± ALL of a sudden, Faustina felt an immense pressure from a lot of people. She didn¡¯t expect that these people would be so harmonious and conspire against her to vote her out. Her eyes darkened. ¡°Do you think your boss cane back?¡± The people who were talking quieted down all of a sudden and looked at Faustina. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Yes! What do you mean?¡± Faustina couldn¡¯t help sneering. She said, ¡°Your boss failed to carry out the task without any harm and has been given up by Madam. Otherwise, why wouldn¡¯t hee back today?¡± ¡°What? What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Everyone was shocked! Faustina then looked at Hannah and said, ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ve told you that this is the matter within our branch. Please don¡¯t interfere. ¡± ¡°Who says I can¡¯te back?¡± Charlie¡¯s hoarse voice sounded from behind. Hearing the familiar voice, everyone looked towards the door. Someone eximed in surprise, ¡°Boss! You are back!¡± Hannah turned around in surprise as well.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Charlie approached the two women slowly. His usual long hair was now cut off into a short, neat one. The heavy makeup on his face was taken off as well, revealing his original delicate face. His hands were still wrapped inyers of bandage. Although he Looked like a messpared to an ordinary man, there was an unprecedented light in his eyes. For a moment, Faustina thought she was hallucinating and couldn¡¯t believe what her eyes were seeing. Emotions swirled inside her, and she blurted out, ¡°You¡­ How could you. . Charlie walked slowly to her side and gave her a mocking smile. ¡°How could I be alive? Right?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± At this moment, Faustina felt her back sweating profusely. If no one had saved him, he couldn¡¯t have escaped from the dungeon! Faustina suddenly looked up at Hannah and widened her eyes. The realization hit her hard as if she was struck by a Lightning. The smile on Hannah¡¯s beautiful face seemed wicked to her eyes, and all the hair on her body stood on end. It was Hannah! It was her who saved Charlie?! Chapter 1271 How did she save him?! Faustina frantically turned around, nning to turn to Amelie. Seeing the reaction of Faustina, Hannah¡¯s Lips curled up into a smirk. She asked, ¡°Why are you in such a hurry? Don¡¯t you want to be the branch leader anymore?¡± Faustina turned around and stared at Hannah with her vicious eyes. ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re in big trouble. Just wait and see!¡± Looking at her with a smile, Hannah said, ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I want to say to you. I hope you won¡¯t be out of luck. ¡± Faustina then left in a hurry. Charlie watched her leave until she was out of everyone¡¯s sight. Then, he turned to Hannah with a sincere expression and said, ¡°Thank you. ¡± Charlie¡¯s intense gaze sent shivers down Hannah¡¯s spine, triggering a wave of unease within Hannah. As she stole a nce at him, she pondered whether his demeanor would truly undergo a transformation. Indeed, he seemed like a different person overnight. ¡°Are you feeling feverish? You¡¯re acting a bit unusual today. What¡¯s up?¡± Hannah inquired. Charlie shook his head and shifted his focus to his team members. ¡°I¡¯ll be absent from the base for some time. Gianna, ensure things run smoothly while I¡¯m away. ¡± Only then did his team encircle Charlie, their expressions filled with concern. ¡°Boss, what happened to you? Why are you injured?¡± ¡°Yes, boss. What made you decide to get your hair cut?¡± Charlie gave one of them a reassuring pat on the shoulder before turning to Hannah. ¡°In the future, make sure you listen to Miss Moore as well as me. She saved me yesterday. Without her, I wouldn¡¯t be standing here today. ¡± Gianna fixed her gaze on Hannah before shifting her attention to Charlie. ¡°Boss, rest assured. Moving forward, we¡¯ll only follow your and Miss Moore¡¯s instructions, nobody else!¡± A voice of apprehension emerged within the group regarding Faustina. ¡°Boss, if Faustina fails to secure your position, she¡¯s bound to seek revenge.N?velDrama.Org content rights. It¡¯s not safe for her to remain in the branch. ¡± ¡°Agreed! Let¡¯s bring this to the attention of our superiors and ensure she¡¯s removed from our branch to prevent any potential trouble. ¡± Hannah interjected, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be practical to remove her, especially with Amelie backing her up. ¡± Upon hearing this, Charlie nodded and concurred, ¡°Miss Moore has a point. It might be wise to keep her in our branch for now. Gianna, make sure to watch her closely. If you notice anything suspicious, let me or Miss Moore know right away. ¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Gianna nodded affirmatively. ¡°Boss, no need to worry. Chapter 1272 We¡¯ll keep a close eye on her. Just focus on taking care of yourself. We¡¯ll be here waiting for your return. ¡± As they exited the training grounds, Charlie turned to Hannah with a tone of apology. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯m so sorry to get you into going against Amelie. ¡± With a faint smile adorning her lips, Hannah cast a nce at Charlie and inquired, ¡°Are you feeling embarrassed now?¡± Charlie grinned coyly. ¡°Let¡¯s put what happened before behind us. Miss Moore, I hope you won¡¯t hold onto it. ¡± ¡°Wow, Charlie, you¡¯ve changed a lot since you got your hair cut. ¡± With his arms folded across his chest, Keith paced around Charlie,menting, ¡°You seem very masculine now. It¡¯s almost like I¡¯ve forgotten what you looked like as a guy. ¡± He appeared markedly younger than his former self, with his long locks and thick makeup now gone, resembling a mered. Hecked the cunning aura he once exuded. Had it not been for the faint familiarity of his face, Hannah might have mistaken him for an entirely different individual. ¡°I believe it¡¯s important to demonstrate sincerity, especially since we¡¯re relying on Miss Moore¡¯s support,¡± Charlie stated. ¡°Furthermore, I¡¯m currently not on good terms with Amelie. I simply want to demonstrate my loyalty to Miss Moore. ¡± Trent let out a chuckle. ¡°You¡¯ve got a silver tongue. It¡¯s no surprise they¡¯ve put you in charge of the Lust branch. ¡± Though they argued, Hannah remained silent. ¡®s BunnyBookery Based on the information unearthed by Bryson the previous day, Charlie¡¯s peculiar demeanor could indicate an underlying issue. However, the paramount concern now wasn¡¯t Charlie¡¯s behavior but rather the woman who bore a striking resemnce to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ve heard that my family has been rescued. Could you allow me to visit them?¡± Charlie cast a wary nce at Hannah, filled with apprehension. He feared she might detain his family after she had saved them. He dreaded the possibility of her exploiting his family, much like Amelie did, to coerce him into doing her bidding. ¡°Sure, you can visit them whenever you want, and you can also put them in a location you feel is safe,¡± Hannah responded. Then, she turned to Trent. ¡°I¡¯ll send you both the address. Trent can apany you. Charlie¡¯s injured at the moment, so it¡¯s not wise for him to be targeted. ¡± ¡°Understood. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± Trent nodded in agreement and remarked, ¡°With the two of us, everything will be fine.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡± Upon her return to her modest vi, Hannah encountered Winston and Dotson. ¡°Both of you, join meter to meet Bryson. I¡¯m curious about the woman who looks a lot like me. ¡± Winston nodded in agreement. Alessandra, d in a dusty pink dress, darted in with a smile. ¡°Hannah!¡± Hannah nodded at her, wearing a smile. Chapter 1273 Alessandra blinked innocently and directed her gaze to her brother. ¡°Winston, are you apanying Miss Moore?¡± ¡°Indeed. ¡± Winston replied, his demeanor softening. He affectionately tousled Alessandra¡¯s hair. ¡°Stay here. Don¡¯t walk around, okay?¡± ¡°Winston, I want toe with you. ¡± Clutching Winston¡¯s arm, Alessandra pleaded softly, ¡°You¡¯re hardly at home during the day. I¡¯m a bit scared of being alone. I promise not to cause any trouble! ¡°No way!¡± Winston¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°We¡¯re not going for fun. We can¡¯t just take you there without a proper reason. ¡± ¡°I won¡¯t cause any trouble. ¡± Alessandra implored. Then, she looked up at Hannah and pled, ¡°Hannah, please Let me apany Winston. I¡¯ll stick close to you both and won¡¯t do anything foolish!¡± Dotson harbored a disdain for Alessandra¡¯s timid demeanor. Folding his arms, he fixed his gaze on her.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°If anything happens to you, who will protect you? During that time, our priority is to protect our boss. Do you feel confident in being able to protect yourself if something happens?¡± Alessandra cowered behind Winston, her eyes betraying a hint of fear, and stammered, ¡°I¡­¡± Observing Alessandra being scolded, Winston felt a pang of sympathy and shot Dotson a cold nce. ¡°You¡¯ve frightened her. ¡± ¡°Ha hal¡± Rolling his eyes, Dotson retorted, ¡°Is she feeling scared? She just mentioned she wouldn¡¯t be a bother. She seems quite timid. It might not be safe for her toe along with us. ¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Hannah intervened, putting an end to the tension between the two. ¡°Stop arguing! Dotson, just go and drive. ¡± Aware of Hannah¡¯s impending ire, Dotson refrained from further argument. He promptly nodded and dashed out. ¡°Winston. ¡± Alessandra grasped the hem of Winston¡¯s clothes. ¡°Take me with you. I¡¯ll be obedient!¡± Hannah raised her hand and gave Winston¡¯s shoulder a reassuring pat. Her captivating gaze swept over his face. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you outside. ¡± With that, Hannah exited the vi. It was only then that Winston gazed at his sister with aplex expression in his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s extremely risky out there. I¡¯ve done all I can to protect you before. I really don¡¯t want anything to happen to you. Do you understand?¡± ¡°I do! Winston, you¡¯re the best brother ever!¡± Alessandra smiled sweetly, clutching Winston¡¯s arm tighter. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, I¡¯m afraid I would never¡­ see you again. I just want to be by your side. I can¡¯t bear to be apart from you!¡± Alessandra held him even closer! Chapter 1274 Winston merely raised his hand to tousle Alessandra¡¯s hair but didn¡¯t acquiesce to her request. ¡°Wait for me here. ¡± ¡°Winston?¡± Alessandra was stunned that Winston had rejected her request. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I have other things to take care of with Miss Moore. I¡¯ll take you out when I¡¯m free, I promise,¡± Winston said, his voice firm and serious. Alessandra pursed her lips, a look of reluctant eptance on her face. ¡°Free?¡± she repeated, her voice tinged with doubt. ¡°And when exactly will you be free? You seldom visited Jade Paradise before, and now that I finally have the chance to be with you, you¡¯re pushing me aside! You¡¯re always too busy to make time for me!¡± Feeling the weight of the debt he owed her, Winston lowered his eyes and spoke in a resigned tone. ¡°When I return this time, I¡¯ll ask Miss Moore for time off and spend some quality time with you. Is that okay?¡± Her eyes widened, her face lighting up with surprise. ¡°Really?¡± she breathed, hardly daring to believe what she¡¯d just heard. ¡°Yes. ¡± ¡°Okay, then!¡± Alessandra¡¯s smile broke through her earlier shock. ¡°You¡¯d better go now, Winston,¡± she said, the happiness evident in her voice. ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting. ¡± Bang! Winston slipped into the car and the door closed behind him with a solid thunk. As the engine purred to life, the car pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street. ¡°Miss Moore¡­ Settling back into the seat, Winston paused for a moment before turning to her. ¡°I have a request,¡± he said, his voice sounding small in the quiet of the car. Hannah, who¡¯d been absorbed in thetest information on the Dark Web, looked up from her phone and met Winston¡¯s gaze. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°Since my sister was rescued, she¡¯s been suffering from severe separation anxiety.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Once this case is closed, I¡¯d like to request some time off to spend with her, maybe take her out for some fresh air and a change of scenery. ¡± Hannah turned off her screen and arched an eyebrow. ¡°Okay, you don¡¯t have to wait until this is over. I¡¯ll give you the time off when we get back tonight. Go home and be with you sister. I hope one month will be enough. ¡± ¡°Wow, you¡¯re being so generous, Miss Moore. Thank you so much,¡± Winston said, his voice full of gratitude. ¡°You¡¯re wee. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze lingered on the back of his head as she spoke, her voice devoid of emotion. Her eyes dropped back to her phone, and she swiped through the messages on the Dark Web without uttering another word. The car made its way down a road that Hannah was unfamiliar with, the vehicle bumping along the uneven pavement. Dotson, the driver, nced at a map on his phone and announced, ¡°We¡¯re here, boss. ¡± A vi nestled among the trees in the midst of the wild forest, its stone walls and nted roof a stark contrast to the natural beauty around it. The autumn leaves swirled in the wind, their bright colors scattered like confetti. Chapter 1275 Hannah stepped out of the car, the crunch of Leaves underfoot adding to the feeling of seclusion and istion. She led the way to the door of the vi. Knock, knock, knock! The door swung open after three knocks, revealing a man in a dark suit. Recognizing Hannah, Caleb said without preamble, ¡°Miss Moore, our boss has been expecting you. ¡± Hannah entered the living room and saw Bryson standing there, his expression inscrutable. She c@@ked her head to one side and asked, ¡°Where is she?¡± Bryson rose from his seat and gestured for Caleb to lead the way his voice emotionless. ¡°She¡¯s in the room at the end of the hall. ¡± As the door swung open, Hannah¡¯s eyes were drawn to a figure huddled on the bed, hands and feet bound tightly. The woman¡¯s head was down, her long hair obscuring her face. Maryam¡¯s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Hannah, but her expression quickly shifted to a smile. ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s been ages!¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes scanned the woman, taking in every detail. She looked exactly like her. Hannah stood there without a word, a meaningful smile ying on her lips. As silence stretched on, Maryam turned to Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I can¡¯t possibly run away from here. There¡¯s no need to tie me up Like this. ¡±Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed, his expression stony. He turned to Hannah, his voice hard. ¡°She said she knows too much about us,¡± he said, his eyes never leaving Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°Yes, I do know. ¡± Maryam¡¯s smile seemed to suggest that she knew exactly what was weighing on Hannah¡¯s mind. ¡°I know everything, including what happened to our mother,¡± she said, her voice soft but firm. Hannah¡¯s footsteps echoed in the silence as she strode towards Maryam, her face hard with rage. She bent down until they were at eye level, her hand curling around Maryam¡¯s jaw with a steely grip. Her eyes zed like daggers, boring into Maryam¡¯s. ¡°You¡¯re lying. I¡¯m an only child. I don¡¯t have a sister. I know my family history better than you do. ¡± Maryam was forced to look up at Hannah, who still towered over her. Despite the situation, her lips still curled into a sly smile. ¡°You can¡¯t deny that we look simr. There must be some connection between us. ¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Hannah¡¯sugh was sharp and cold, cutting through the silence like a knife. ¡°We can draw her blood and do a paternity test. If she really is my sister, I¡¯ll take her in. But if she¡¯s not¡­¡± Her eyes were zing, her mouth twisted into a cruel sneer. She paused for a moment, letting the silence hang heavy in the air. Finally, she spat out the words, her voice shaking with barely contained fury. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡± As herposure crumbled, Maryam¡¯s face paled. For a moment, she looked like a deer caught in the headlights, her eyes wide with fear. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like to know what really happened to mother?¡± ¡°You have no right to call her your mother! You have no right!¡± Fury pulsed through her veins, and she raised her gun to press the barrel against Maryam¡¯s forehead. ¡°Tell me the truth! Who are you, really? If you don¡¯t speak, I¡¯ll pull the trigger now!¡± Winston and Dotson stood frozen in horror, too scared to intervene as Hannah¡¯s anger boiled over. Chapter 1276 Bryson¡¯s voice was steady and even, a stark contrast to Hannah¡¯s unbridled fury. He gently but firmly pressed her hand down, his gaze unwavering. ¡°We have time,¡± he said, his words cutting through the tension like a knife. Hannah¡¯s chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, her voice quivering with barely concealed rage. ¡°Tell me what you know!¡± Maryam struggled to catch her breath as she raised her head, a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead. Her eyes met Hannah¡¯s, and she said in a voice barely above a whisper, ¡°Wace¡­ He was the one who killed your mother. ¡± The air seemed to freeze at that moment, and a deafening silence descended over the room. Hannah¡¯s eyes were like frozen chips of steel, and her voice was eerily calm. ¡°Evidence,¡± she repeated, the wording out Like a low growl. ¡°I want proof. ¡± Maryam said, her voice trembling slightly, ¡°He kept you from finding out the truth about your mother¡¯s death. He wouldn¡¯t let you get close to the case, no matter what you did, right? He killed her because she knew too much. She had information he didn¡¯t want anyone to know. And I lied. I¡¯m not your sister. Amelie and Wace had memitted. They kept me locked away in the psychiatric hospital, ready to use me whenever they needed a recement for you. Because we look so simr, they wanted to rece you with me, and no one would ever know. They kept me there, waiting for the right moment. ¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Winston eximed, his voice urgent. ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t believe her. I¡¯ve been working for Mr. Compton for years. He¡¯s been searching for you all this time, because he wanted to protect you. He¡¯ll never find anyone who can rece you. ¡± ¡°Ha ha!¡± Maryam¡¯sugh was cold and mocking. ¡°You¡¯re still in the dark, Winston. You don¡¯t know the whole story. Mr. Compton has been searching for her for years, but not to protect her. He just wants her to bepletely under our control. I just wanted to get away from them, so I used Mr. Mitchell as my escape n. I knew he would be drawn to me, so I yed on that to get him to help me. ¡± Maryam turned to Hannah, her face a mask of defiance. ¡°You can doubt my words and dismiss them as lies. You can even kill me now, if you want. ¡± As Hannah holstered her gun, she shot Maryam a cold look, then turned on her heel and left the room. ¡°Lock her up,¡± she ordered, her voice ice-cold. As she stepped out of the vi, Winston hurried to catch up to her. ¡°Miss Moore! Do you really think she was telling the truth?¡± ¡°There may be some truth to what she said. I think we should hear her out, but with caution,¡± Dotson said. ¡°No way! The big boss is certainly not like that!¡± Winston said at once. Bryson emerged from the vi and looked at Hannah. With a wave of his hand, he sent Caleb away. He approached the car and rested his hand on the door. He stopped Hannah as she reached for the handle, his gaze fixed on her face. ¡°What do you make of her story?¡± he asked. Hannah shot Bryson a quick Look before turning away and sighing. ¡°Her story¡¯s full of holes.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Believing her would make me an idiot. I¡¯m just too pissed off. I¡¯m not dumb enough to fall for her crap. ¡± Winston breathed a sigh of relief at her words. Looking their way, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s the n now? Do we finish off her?¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°Obviously, Amelie¡¯s behind this. Killing her now would only make things too easy for Amelie. ¡± Hannah added, ¡°Killing her off won¡¯t stop Amelie; she¡¯ll just find another way toe at me. Let¡¯s hold off. I¡¯m intrigued to see what other tricks she¡¯s got up her sleeve. ¡± Chapter 1277 Casting a look at the trio nearby, Hannah said, ¡°You guys head to the car. I need a word with Bryson. ¡± Once the three were in the car, Hannah turned to Bryson. ¡°I need you to watch her closely. ¡± Bryson stopped blocking her path to the car. Raising an eyebrow, he nced her way. ¡°When did you start asking so nicely?¡± Hannah shot him a re. ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for your jokes right now. ¡± ¡°Got it. She¡¯s under my watch; she won¡¯t cause any issues. Plus. Bryson paused, then told Hannah, ¡°She was adamant about tagging along and tried hard to mislead you. She¡¯s not stopping till she gets what she wants. ¡± The situation was getting more tangled by the minute. Hannah frowned. His chilly fingers brushed between her brows, snapping her back to reality as she looked up at Bryson standing before her. Bryson tapped between her eyebrows and gazed down at her. ¡°Be wary of Charlie for now. Remember, we ran into Maryam while trying to save his folks. I reckon they¡¯re on to something. The world ain¡¯t full of coincidences. ¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll watch my back. ¡± Bryson lifted his hand to ruffle Hannah¡¯s hair. ¡°No worries. I¡¯ve got your back, always. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a kid, you know. I can look after myself. ¡± Hannah red at Bryson but didn¡¯t pull away from his touch. Peering at her phone, Hannah told him, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Time for me to head back.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡± ¡°Okay, catch youter then. ¡± Watching the car take Hannah away, Bryson¡¯s smile vanished. He headed back into the vi. Caleb stood in the room. ¡°Boss, guards are all set up. Plus, I¡¯ll check on her daily myself, make sure she doesn¡¯t bolt. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stress it. I¡¯m not nning to bolt,¡± Maryam¡¯s voice chimed in, a smile in her tone despite being bound. ¡°I asked toe along with you, didn¡¯t I? Why would I take off? If Miss Moore finds truth in my words, she¡¯ll be back. No running from me. ¡± Bryson shot Maryam an indifferent nce before turning to leave. Maryam called out to Bryson, ¡°Don¡¯t you wanna know what went down with your dad?¡± Bryson¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Watch it with the mouth!¡± Bryson stopped at the door, turning to give Maryam a frosty look. ¡°If you weren¡¯t still of use to Hannah, you think you¡¯d still be breathing?¡± With that, Bryson nced at Caleb, instructing, ¡°Keep tabs on her. ¡± ¡°You got it, boss. ¡± Chapter 1278 Keith elbowed Trent, giving him a nudge to break the silence. Casting a look at Keith, Trent cleared his throat before saying, ¡°You know, that woman probably wasn¡¯t telling the truth. You don¡¯t hold it against dad, right? We might not know the full story of the past, but we¡¯re sure dad couldn¡¯t have been how she portrayed him!¡± From the passenger seat, Hannah responded with indifference, ¡°No need for exnations. I¡¯m aware of what I¡¯m about to do. ¡± The others in the car were left feeling unsure after her remarks. They recognized Hannah¡¯s sensitivity regarding her mother. Maryam¡¯s assuredments about her mother today might linger on Hannah¡¯s mind. Keith was about to speak but Trent stopped him, shaking his head as a silent cue to drop the topic. Upon returning to the vi, Winston was ready to leave again, this time with Alessandra. ¡°Are we heading out today?¡± Alessandra inquired, puzzled. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Yeah, start packing. Miss Moore¡¯s granted me a month¡¯s leave. I can be with you throughout. ¡± Alessandra¡¯s face showed a brief change before she smiled and linked arms with Winston. ¡°I can¡¯t hog all your time, especially with you being so vital to Miss Moore now. A single day out with me would suffice. A whole month off seems excessive. ¡± Winston was moved by her consideration, feeling guilty. ¡°Back when we were kids and stuck here, I never managed to take you out for fun. This time around. I intend to make up for that. ¡± Winston conveyed these words with sincere earnestness in his gaze towards Alessandra. Alessandra was momentarily lost for words upon seeing Winsto n¡¯s earnest look. ¡°Winston. Just then, Hannah and Dotson happened to walk in. Quickly shifting the subject, Alessandra dashed over to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore!¡± Hannah, mid-conversation with Dotson, turned to Alessandra, querying, ¡°Yes, what is it?¡± ¡°My brother mentioned you¡¯ve given him a month off. ¡± Hannah offered a smile to Alessandra, confirming, ¡°Indeed. It¡¯s important for Winston to spend more time with you. He¡¯s been heavily involved with work for my father, but with ample support now, he should take this opportunity to be with you. ¡± Clinging to Hannah¡¯s arm, Alessandra expressed, ¡°Miss Moore, it would be selfish of me to keep him to myself. He¡¯s better off assisting you. I¡¯m fine on my own. If he can spare just a day for me, I¡¯d be grateful. You need him more than I do.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± With a gentle nudge, Alessandra leaned into Hannah¡¯s arm, a small smile ying on her lips. ¡°I¡¯m really happy that I can stick around with my brother now. ¡± Hannah replied with a lukewarm smile, ¡°You¡¯re always thinking of others, aren¡¯t you? You deserve to have your own life, you know. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of help around here. Winston¡¯s been dying to hang out with you. Please, don¡¯t say no,¡± Alessandra pleaded, holding Hannah¡¯s gaze. Chapter 1279 Hannah shifted her attention to Winston. ¡°I mentioned you¡¯d have a month off. But if you find yourself yearning more time off, just give me a call. Your vocation can stretch on as much as you need. ¡± Alessandra¡¯s eyes widened in panic. ¡°Miss Moore! I really don¡¯t want to go anywhere!¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Seemingly confused, Hannah looked down at Alessandra and asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you ask your brother to spend more time with you today?¡± Winston stepped in, gently guiding Alessandra beside him. ¡°Alessandra, let¡¯s not give Miss Moore a hard time. ¡± Alessandra bit her lip nervously, her eyes pleading as she looked up at Hannah. ¡°I just¡­ I don¡¯t want to leave you, Miss Moore. ¡± Dotson fired off a sarcastic remark, ¡°Since when did you be Miss Moore¡¯s little shadow? Can¡¯t stand to be away from her, huh? Not buying it for a second. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore saved my life, okay? Of course, I¡¯m gonna stick close to her. Or should I be clinging to you instead?¡± Alessandra sulked. ¡°I¡¯d love to travel with my brother, but what about Miss Moore¡¯s safety?¡± ¡°Oh, please. ¡± Dotson, rolling his eyes, retorted, ¡°I¡¯ll take good care of Miss Moore. We¡¯ll manage perfectly fine without you. ¡± ¡°Dotson! What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡± Winston red at Dotson, infuriated. ¡°You get my point,¡± Dotson snapped back, visibly frustrated. ¡°Your sister¡¯s clueless and keeps sticking to Miss Moore! It¡¯s annoying! It¡¯s frustrating! What are you gonna do about it?¡± Winston shielded Alessandra and shot Dotson a severe look. ¡°Has my sister done anything to provoke you? You¡¯re way out of line! How dare you insult her like that?¡± With his hands casually in his pockets, Dotson met Winston¡¯s gaze and remarked, ¡°Oh, I can insult her plenty more. She¡¯s a deadweight, always glued to Miss Moore¡¯s side! And now she¡¯s trying to tag along with us. She¡¯s just holding us back!¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve talking about my sister like that!¡± Winston, at his limit, balled his fists in anger. ¡°It¡¯s the truth! I¡¯m just telling it like it is! Your sister is useless. Miss Moore only tolerates her because of you. But now she¡¯s pushing her luck, constantly rejecting Miss Moore¡¯s generosity!¡± Seeing Alessandra tremble behind Winston, Dotson challenged, ¡°You really don¡¯t wanna ditch Miss Moore, huh? Looks like you¡¯re just asking for trouble, aren¡¯t you?¡± Bang! The moment Dotson¡¯s words hung in the air, Winston swung at him!N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Dotson was hit in the left cheek. Quick to respond, hended a punch on Winston. Before long, they were locked in a full-blown brawl! ¡°Winston, stop!¡± Alessandra cried out, panicked at the sight of the fight! When Keith and Trent entered, a vase was flying their way! They dodged just in time. ¡°Damn! What¡¯s going on here?¡± Chapter 1280 Bang! Crack! The vase soared past, and smashed into pieces on the ground! Dotson and Winston had wrecked anything in the Living room that was breakable! Clearly, both were wounded. They were tangled inbat, with no signs of backing down. ¡°No way¡­¡± Keith murmured in disbelief. ¡°We just left for the base not long ago¡­ They were cool then.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. What sparked this fight?¡± Alessandra pleaded for their help. ¡°This is on me! If this goes on, my brother¡¯s gonna get seriously hurt. Can you guys help break it up?¡± Trent might not have grasped why they were fighting, but it was clear Dotson and Winston were dead serious in their sh this time. Continuing to brawl with such ferocity, they were bound to suffer more than mere bruises. Trent and Keith exchanged nces before stepping in to intervene. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough!¡± Dotson shook off Trent¡¯s restraining hand, a conspicuous bruise marring his face. Pointing at Winston, he announced, ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯d hesitate to take you down just because you¡¯re in Miss Moore¡¯s good graces!¡± With his hair disheveled and bruises dotting his arms, Winston maintained a steely demeanor as he retorted, ¡°Do it, I dare you!¡± ¡°Winston, are you alright?¡± Alessandra, worry etched on her face, inspected Winston¡¯s bruised arm. ¡°I¡¯m okay. ¡± Winston shot Dotson a frosty look before saying to Alessandra, ¡°Let¡¯s leave!¡± Keith was ready to step in with a plea for calm, yet he couldn¡¯t prevent Winston and Alessandra from de parting. Surveying the chaos in the living room, Trent shifted his attention to Hannah, who stood silently aside. ¡°We were only gone briefly. What urred? Couldn¡¯t you have prevented their fight?¡± Hannah blinked and gestured helplessly. ¡°They began brawling before I could intervene. Stopping them is beyond me; they don¡¯t heed my words. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s true¡­¡± Trent, eyeing the clutter, appeared troubled. ¡°Still, we can¡¯t allow such things to happen here. ¡± Oblivious to his misstep, Dotson massaged his face, telling Hannah, ¡°This injury¡¯s work-rted! My face is my fortune, insured and all. Any harm means you owe me double pay!¡± Narrowing her eyes, Hannah scoffed at Dotson. ¡°What more do you want from me? I can throw you out this instant!¡± Lifting her hand, she ordered, ¡°Alright, leave now. I¡¯ll have someone tidy up the living room. ¡± Chapter 1281 Concurrently, Winston, with Alessandra¡¯s help, reached her ce. ¡°Winston, take a seat. I¡¯ll fetch the first-aid kit. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Winston lingered in the living room. Shortly, Alessandra hastened down from the upstairs room, medical kit in hand. She meticulously dipped a cotton swab in iodine, gently cleansing his arm wounds. ¡°Is it painful?¡± Tenderly blowing on the abrasions, Alessandra raised her eyes to Winston, filled with worry. ¡°Does it still hurt?¡± ¡°Not at all. Don¡¯t fret,¡± Winston reassured, smiling. ¡°How can I not be concerned?¡± Alessandra¡¯s expression was a mix of worry and sadness. ¡°I feel so helpless, from start to finish, you were injured defending me. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true at all. You¡¯re far from useless. You¡¯re my sister Winston assured earnestly. ¡°Ignore Dotson¡¯sments. His opinion doesn¡¯t represent how others view you. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± With her head bowed, Alessandra spoke with a hint of dejection. ¡°Miss Moore didn¡¯t stand up for you earlier. She just observed your confrontation with Dotson. Does she, too, think I¡¯m of no value?¡± ¡°No, she won¡¯t. ¡± Winston reached out his uninjured hand and gently stroked Alessandra¡¯s head. ¡°Miss Moore will never see you as useless, I promise. ¡± Alessandra lifted her head, tears pooling in her innocent eyes. ¡°Winston, whatever happened today, it¡¯s all my fault. If I hadn¡¯t insisted on going out earlier, Miss Moore wouldn¡¯t have given you time off. If I had just kept quiet, none of this would have happened¡­¡± Winston¡¯s voice remained gentle. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Alessandra. No one mes you. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll take you out. ¡± ¡°No. ¡± Holding onto Winston¡¯s hand, Alessandra looked up at him with a serious expression. ¡°You should stay here and help Miss Moore. I¡¯ll stay in the vi and promise not to cause any trouble. ¡± ¡°Alessandra,¡± Winston said, his tone concerned. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Alessandra met Winston¡¯s gaze, tears welling up in her eyes. She wiped them away and smiled sweetly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll be fine. ¡± Winston looked into Alessandra¡¯s eyes. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want me to spend some quality time with you?¡± Alessandra beamed. ¡°Winston, you don¡¯t need to make special ns for me. Being with you is enough.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. And honestly, I¡¯d rather you didn¡¯t request a whole month off just to spend time with me. ¡± Chapter 1282 Once she finished wrapping up Winston¡¯s arm, Alessandra tidied up the meds back into the box, mentioning, ¡°Miss Moore is short on help. It¡¯s clear to me she only approved your leave because of me. ¡± Alessandra turned to Winston. ¡°Miss Moore¡¯s always been there for me, so I owe it to her to be useful too. ¡± After a thoughtful pause, Winston made his decision and assured Alessandra, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have a word with Miss Moore. ¡± Getting to her feet with the medicine box in hand, Alessandra said, ¡°Just give me a sec to put this away. Then we can head out for dinner. ¡± ¡°Sure thing. ¡± Winston¡¯s smile slowly disappeared as he watched Alessandra cheerfully carry the medicine box away. Right after dinner, the moment Hannah went upstairs and set her phone down, it rang. Hannah picked up the call when she saw it was Trent. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Winston and Dotson are at it again! They¡¯re over at the training base. Hannah, get over here quickly! We can¡¯t pull them apart!¡± Hannah remainedposed, got up, slipped into her coat, and headed out. ¡°Any idea why they¡¯re fighting again?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a bit much to exin right now. Just hurry over!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Alright, I¡¯m on my way. ¡± Hannah ended the call and made her way to the training base. That evening, the base was mostly quiet, save for a crowd outside, drawn to the spectacle of Dotson and Winston¡¯s fight. ¡°What¡¯s everyone doing out here?¡± The ce was buzzing. As soon as they realized it was Hannah, the crowd parted for her. Making her way through, Hannah entered the training ba se to find not just her crew, but also the organization¡¯s branch leaders, Conor included, inside. Alessandra was next to Winston, in tears. The chaos left Hannah clueless about the situation. Luckily, with plenty of folks around, they managed to break up the fight. Dotson and Winston only ended up with a few cuts near their mouths and cheeks. ¡°Didn¡¯t they take it too far this time?¡± Though not a branch leader, Faustina always seized any chance to hassle Hannah. ¡°The organization¡¯s rules are clear-the training base is for training, not personal beefs! For years, these rules stood unbroken. Miss Moore, ever since you showed up, your lot¡¯s been bending them. What kind of discipline are you running?¡± As the inner turmoil of the Compton family intensified, so did the Remington family¡¯s sway. With that in mind, Conor, who was beside her and preferred to remain uninvolved,mented, ¡°Miss Moore, the fallout from this scenario doesn¡¯t look good. They had an outright brawl in the training base.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. There needs to be consequences. ¡± Hannah walked over and fixed her eyes on Dotson and Winston. Speaking with a serene yetmanding tone, she inquired, ¡°You had a row at my house, and now you¡¯re at it again in the training base? Have you lost your minds?¡± Chapter 1283 Winston and Dotson hung their heads in silence. ¡°Not talking, huh? Is it because you¡¯re scared? But you weren¡¯t too scared to fight, were you? Keep quiet, and I might just cut your tongues out-solves the talking issue for good!¡± At this, Dotson reluctantly looked up and imed, ¡°He was the one who initiated the brawl! It wasn¡¯t me who egged him on!¡± Hannah then faced Winston and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s your side of the story?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Winston replied, ¡°Alessandra attempted an apology to him, which he rN?velDrama.Org owns all content. ejected, throwing harsh words instead. I lost my patience and struck him. ¡± Dotson spoke up. ¡°I¡¯m not to me! She sought me out at the training base for an apology. Yet, in full view of everyone, she portrayed it as though I had harassed her! She broke into tears before even finishing her apology. I hadn¡¯t said a word! And suddenly, I¡¯m the one needing to justify myself!¡± Faustina, rolling her eyes, remarked, ¡°All this fuss and wasting everyone¡¯s time at the training base over something so petty?¡± Dotson, clearly irritated, snapped back at Faustina, ¡°Wasting time? Who asked you to show up and spectate our fight?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about me!¡± Faustina snapped, ring at Dotson. ¡°It¡¯s about keeping some order around here! How the heck did a newbie like you even make it past our organization¡¯s test and end up sticking around?¡± She took the opportunity to throw some shade at Hannah for herx hiring practices, adding, ¡°Whatever the reason, it¡¯s no excuse for brawling on the training base!¡± Hannah gave Winston a cool nce. ¡°This mess is on you, Winston. People with no business here aren¡¯t allowed on the training base. You kn ow that, right? Your sister set foot in here, breaking the rules. And then you go and throw the first punch. Smooth move. ¡± Winston lowered his gaze. ¡°Yeah, I screwed up. ¡± Faustina couldn¡¯t hold back her frustration. ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s obvious you¡¯re ying favorites with the newbie. Are you trying to shield him?¡± ¡°Why are you so worked up? Are you worried about Winston getting punished?¡± Hannah shot back, eyeing Faustina. ¡°He¡¯s my responsibility. How I handle him is none of your business. ¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Faustina fumed, lost for words, her teeth clenched in frustration. Alessandra wiped away her tears and marched over, tugging at Hannah¡¯s clothes. ¡°Miss Moore, this mess isn¡¯t my brother¡¯s doing. It¡¯s all on me. ¡± Hannah remainedposed, her expression cool. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to grasp theplexities of the situation. But your brother screwed up royally in front of everyone. I can¡¯t just let it slide. ¡± Then, she turned her gaze to Winston, delivering her verdict. ¡°Starting today, all your tasks are suspended. Someone else will handle your responsibilities from now on. ¡± Winston was being demoted, big time, and removed from the main members spearheading the crew. Chapter 1284 Everyone in the organization understood the weight of Hannah¡¯s decision. Winston had been the right-hand man for ages. No matter what mess he got into, he¡¯d never faced consequences this severe! Alessandra¡¯s face drained of color. She clung tighter to Hannah¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Miss Moore¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to plead his case to me. ¡± Hannah turned to Winston, her tone firm. ¡°Just get your sister out of here!¡± Without a word, Winston grabbed Alessandra and hustled her out of the training base, not bothering to argue. Before anyone could react, Hannah turned her steely gaze on Dotson. ¡°You really think you did nothing wrong?¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. Dotson remained stubborn. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything. You saw it yourself. I didn¡¯t break any rules!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah nodded and reached down to grab the baseball bat lying on the ground. The onlookers held their breath, unsure of what Hannah was about to do. With a determined look on her face, she swung the bat towards Dotson¡¯s calf! Bang! The sound echoed through the air, followed by a sharp cr ack! The wooden bat connected with Dotson¡¯s calf, snapping in two upon impact! Dotson grunted in pain, dropping to his knees. ¡°Hiss!¡± The spectators gasped in astonishment. None of them had anticipated Hannah¡¯s sudden attack on Dotson! The hit seemed to hurt a lot. It was a shock to see Hannah strike Dotson that hard! Hannah discarded the remaining piece of the bat she was holding and red at Dotson, saying, ¡°You also chose to pick a fight with Winston. You¡¯re not innocent in this!¡± In the midst of the onlookers, Dn saw Hannah take his brother down with a baseball bat and felt a rush to step in right away. Dn clenched his hands, trying hard to stay calm. Dotson, head bowed, seemed to be struggling to keep his anger under control. He admitted, ¡°I get it. ¡± ¡°Stand up and leave. Don¡¯t embarrass yourself further. ¡± ¡°Understood, Miss Moore. ¡± Supporting himself with one hand, Dotson got up and hobbled off. Keith and Trent, shocked, rushed to assist Dotson, but he shrugged them off. Chapter 1285 Finally, Hannah turned to Faustina and asked, ¡°Are you happy now?¡± Faustina, taken aback by Hannah¡¯s harshness, nced at the broken bat pieces and attempted to regain herposure. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®happy¡¯? It¡¯s just how things are done around here!¡± Having said that, Faustina quickly made up an excuse to leave, with many others in the training room following suit. Conor walked over to Hannah, wearing a mischievous grin, and said, ¡°I¡¯ve always thought you and I are the same. We¡¯re both willing to go to great lengths against those who¡¯ve been with us for so Long. ¡± ¡°Iam nothing like you. ¡± Hannah shot him a frosty look before responding, ¡°Mind your own business. ¡± Just as she was about to walk away, she caught Conor¡¯s gloomy words trailing her, saying, ¡°You¡¯ve been part of the Compton family for a long time. Remember why you came back in the first ce. ¡± Without turning around, Hannah responded with a cold detachment, ¡°The promise I made to him hasn¡¯t slipped my mind. You don¡¯t have to keep reminding me. ¡± Meanwhile, after Winston and Alessandra left the training ground, Winston saw Alessandra home. He then announced his intentions to leave. ¡°Winston, are you leaving me?¡± Alessandra clutched at Winston¡¯s clothes, shaking like a frightened deer. Gently patting Alessandra¡¯s hand, Winston reassured, ¡°I need to gather my belongings and move elsewhere. ¡± ¡°Winston, it¡¯s not fair how Miss Moore treats you. You didn¡¯t do anything to deserve it¡­¡± ¡°Stop it. And don¡¯t me yourself. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong here. ¡± Winston reached over to tenderly pat Alessandra¡¯s head. ¡°Make sure you get some rest tonight. ¡± Alessandra gave a small nod. ¡°Please, don¡¯t argue with Miss Moore. Even if she was unjust this time, I¡¯m sure it wasn¡¯t intentional. ¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Winston whispered back. As soon as Hannah pulled into the driveway of her home and passed through the gate, she was met with the sounds of Dotson wailing from the Living room. ¡°It hurts! Could you be a bit more careful? I swear, you¡¯re going to snap my leg in half! Be gentle, will you?¡± ¡°Just a minute ago, you insisted you didn¡¯t need my help. Stop yelling!¡± The moment Hannah stepped into the living room, she saw Trent wrapping Dotson¡¯s calf with a towel, attempting to stabilize it as a makeshift splint. With a grimace, Dotson was sweating heavily, biting down on a towel. A momentter, Trent let go of his grip and swiftly wiped his forehead. ¡°Alright, try moving your leg. ¡± Dotson shook his leg, feeling a sudden ease. ¡°ALL good now!¡± ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re back¡­¡± Keith, who was standing close by, was the first to catch sight of Hannah.N?velDrama.Org content rights. He stuttered, taken by surprise. Chapter 1286 Dotson and Trent, lounging on the couch, turned their heads towards Hannah at the same time. Trent got to his feet quickly and exined to Hannah, ¡°I brought him here out of concern for his injuries. I¡¯m about to take him away¡­¡± While he was talking, Trent leaned over, attempting to help Dotson stand. However, Dotson, seatedfortably on the couch, refused to get up. Facing Hannah, Dotson pleaded, ¡°Boss! I¡¯ve put everything into this performance! It nearly cost me my leg!¡± Seeing his reaction, Hannah couldn¡¯t resist Laughing. ¡°Come on, that was a toy baseball bat. It¡¯s not strong enough to break your bones. ¡± ¡°My calf popped out of ce! Boss, you hit me so hard! I was this close to yelling!¡± Dotson grumbled, massaging his sore calf. ¡°If the hit wasn¡¯t convincing, how would anyone believe our disagreement was real?¡± In the midst of their conversation, Trent cut in. ¡°Hold on¡­¡± Positioned between them, Trent gestured towards Dotson, then looked at Hannah with a bewildered expression. ¡°Was this all just for show? Is that what this was?¡± Keith was equally confused. ¡°So, there wasn¡¯t an actual fight between Dotson and Winston? What was the reason for staging this act?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Just then, before Hannah could respond, Winston entered from outside the vi and walked up to Dotson. ¡°How are you holding up? All good?¡± While sitting on the couch, Dotson looked up at Winston with irritation. ¡°Where did this toy baseball bate from? Luckily, Miss Moore didn¡¯t use all her strength; otherwise, my leg would¡¯ve been in real trouble!¡± With a serious look, Winston replied, ¡°Without realistic props, how can we make anyone believe our story?¡± ¡°What? This was all an act?¡± Trent gestured between Dotson and Winston. ¡°So, you guys weren¡¯t actually looking to fight each other? There were no genuine issues between you two? Why did you stage a fight here today? Was it all just for our benefit?¡± ¡°To put it simply, their scuffle wasn¡¯t a spectacle for your amusement,¡± Hannah exined. But before she could say more, there was a knock at the door. Hannah peeked towards the entrance and pulled out her phone to check the surveince app. Standing at the doorway was Dn. After Hannah unlocked the vi¡¯s door, Dn peered around with caution, stepping inside only after confirming that no one else was there. ¡°Dn? What brings you here?¡± Dotson expressed his surprise. As Dn made his way into the living room, he shot a nervous look at Dotson before making a heartfelt appeal to Hannah, saying, ¡°Boss, I¡¯m aware he¡¯s made a terrible mistake this time.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Please, hold back your anger, boss. Feel free toy into me instead to release your anger. Just spare Dotson, and he swears not to repeat his mistake!¡± At this, someone couldn¡¯t hold back and let out a loudugh. Chapter 1287 Laughter echoed through the room. Dotson burst intoughter upon seeing the serious look on Dn¡¯s face. Trent and the rest soon joined him, filling the room withughter. Dn, bewildered by the sudden outburst ofughter, finally pieced together that it was all Hannah¡¯s doing. A bit embarrassed, he scratched his head and asked, ¡°This was your scheme, wasn¡¯t it, boss?¡± ¡°Dn, when have you seen our boss actually resort to violence against us? How could you be so naive? You¡¯re with the Dark Web, after all!¡± Hannah grabbed a pillow off the sofa and tossed it at Dotson. ¡°It¡¯s one thing for the rest tough, but tough at your own brother¡¯s concern? Dn was genuinely worried for you!¡± Hit by the soft pillow, Dotson gave an awkward smile and admitted with a guilty conscience, ¡°Sorry, boss. I just can¡¯t help it. ¡± ¡°Let¡¯s talk about the real issue here. ¡± Trent looked towards Hannah, asking, ¡°What was the motive behind your staged drama?¡± Winston¡¯s face lost its smile, adopting aplicated expression. ¡°The act was all for my sister. ¡± Keith was bewildered. ¡°Hold on. Are you telling me this whole act was put on for Alessandra? But for what reason?¡± Trent asked immediately, ¡°Is there a problem with Alessandra?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Despite his reservations, Winston replied with a nod, saying, ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a serious problem with her. ¡± Keith was still confused. ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± While rubbing his calf, Dotson nced at Keith and said, ¡°Keith, has your life of privilege from childhood to now made you clueless? Can¡¯t you see what¡¯s obviously wrong with her?¡± Ignoring Dotson, Trent turned to Hannah with curiosity, asking, ¡°Hannah, when did you first be aware that something was off with her?¡± ¡°It was probably the moment she begged me to allow her to stay at the vi,¡± Hannah answered. It might have been shortly after Hannah rescued Alessandra. Trent pondered, surprised that Hannah had doubts about Alessandra so soon.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What made you notice?¡± Keith chimed in, ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m wondering. There doesn¡¯t seem to be anything suspicious about her. Could we be misunderstanding the situation?¡± Hannah said to them, ¡°You¡¯re not aware of what happened back then. But do you remember the day we went to Jade Paradise?¡± ¡°Yes, I remember that day. What about it?¡± Hannah gestured with her chin towards Winston, prompting him to share the story. Chapter 1288 Winston exined, ¡°On that day, Miss Moore was nning to visit Jade Paradise, and my sister decided to apany her. Both of you should recall that. ¡± Back then, Alessandra pointed out that she knew something about Jade Paradise. So, her joining them made sense. Keith agreed. ¡°Yes, I recall. But what does that mean?¡± Winston added, ¡°So, you should realize the extent of my sister¡¯s hardship in Jade Paradise. Had it not been for who I am, she would have been treated no better than a ve. ¡± Winston nced at Trent and Keith. ¡°I don¡¯t have to exin what being a ve entails for you two, right?¡± The young women in Jade Paradise were mostly brought up by orphanages from when they were kids until they were grown up. Alternatively, they might be the ¡°ves¡± trained by Jade Paradise, hidden behind the tall curtains on the second floor, where they were seen as fragile toys for the entertainment of men. Girls who didn¡¯t have the skills for fighting or secret missions, like Alessandra, were meant to be ves. In the past, Lorenzo treated the girls as tools for bargaining with those looking to make deals at ckeye. He didn¡¯t care at all about their well-being. ¡°If that was you, would you ever consider going back to such a nightmare of a ce?¡± After hearing that, Keith stayed quiet for a bit, as though he was thinking hard about something. Someone who got away from Jade Paradise would want to keep as much distance as possible from it, yet Alessandra actually asked Hannah to bring her back! ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Keith didn¡¯t want to believe Alessandra had bad intentions. ¡°Could it be because Hannah saved her, and she feels a need to show her gratitude?¡± Hannah said slowly, ¡°This is what baffles me the most. I told her I just wanted to check out Jade Paradise for a bit. I don¡¯t need her gratitude, unless. She left her sentence hanging, but Trent chimed in, ¡°Unless she was sure you were going to stir up trouble for Jade Paradise. ¡± Winston added, ¡°We split up into different teams that night. I got a message from Miss Moore, so I took my sister and left. While we were leaving, my sister asked me where Miss Moore was. Just then, I got another message from Miss Moore. She instructed me to reveal to my sister that she was on the third floor. Soon after, Charlie and his crew hurried to the third floor to find Miss Moore. ¡± That evening, Keith and Trent were trying to distract their enemies, unaware of what was happening elsewhere. ¡°So, Charlie headed to the third floor that night because Alessandra tipped him off?¡± Trent was trying to piece things together. Hannah said with a nod, ¡°Yes. ¡± Keith looked at Hannah, clearly worried. ¡°Hannah, why didn¡¯t you tell us sooner? These are serious issues. Why didn¡¯t you share this with us?¡± When this was brought up, Hannah offered a smile and exined, ¡°I apologize. I had my doubts about you two initially. ¡± ¡°Why would you think we were up to something?¡± Keith gave a resigned smile. ¡°You¡¯re being very cautious, aren¡¯t you, Hannah?¡± Hannah said with confidence, ¡°Definitely. You both belong to the Compton family, after all. I need to be sure you¡¯re truly on my side. ¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1289 Hearing this, Keith ced his hand on his chest, pretending to be heartbroken. ¡°Ouch, you¡¯ve hurt me deeply. That¡¯s going to leave a mark. ¡± Seeing his exaggerated reaction, Hannah smiled slightly and said, ¡°If you prefer, you can leave anytime. No one¡¯s going to hold you back. ¡± ¡°Ahem!¡± Keith coughed awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯m okay. Please, continue. What happened next?¡± Hannah continued, ¡°I purposely took you both to see Charliest time because I wanted to check if it was you who had informed him in advance. Since it wasn¡¯t you, it must have been Alessandra who did. ¡± Winston, with a look of mixed feelings, added, ¡°I was hesitant to think of her as a traitor, but then Miss Moore granted me a month off to spend quality time with Alessandra, which she refused. It started to seem like she was the one who betrayed us, so Miss Moore had me and Dotson put on a show to test her. If she didn¡¯t try to stir up trouble among us, we might have been wrong about her from the start. I didn¡¯t realize the problem was this serious. ¡± Trent questioned, ¡°But how can Winston deal with her? She is his sister, after all. ¡± Everyone fell silent. Though they now all knew Alessandra was a traitor, she was still Winston¡¯s sister. And Winston was known as Hannah¡¯s mostpetent assistant. Reuniting after such a long time brought Winston and Alessandra face to face with many hurdles. If Alessandra turned out to be their enemy, Winston would struggle to decide on his next move. Trent looked at Winston with a mix of emotions. ¡°So, what¡¯s your n now?¡± Winston shook his head. He had been willing to give his sister the benefit of the doubt several times, yet she had disappointed him time and again. It was as if he was being slowly drawn into a dark pit, one step at a time. He nced over at Hannah, almost without thinking, and said in a quiet, r ough voice, ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s up to you to decide my sister¡¯s fate. ¡± At that, everyone in the room turned their attention to Hannah, wondering what her decision would be. Dotson said suddenly, ¡°There¡¯s no room for hesitation. We must deal with this issue once and for all!¡± Dn pushed him, urging him to cut out the nonsense. Yet, Dotson¡¯s words carried weight. Keeping a toxic person close was a ticking time bomb. Winston remained silent upon hearing Dotson, his gaze locked on Hannah. After listening to them, Hannah remained quiet. Finally, when Winston questioned her, she spoke softly. ¡°She¡¯s your sister. I promised I¡¯d help save her, so I¡¯m willing to give her one more chance. ¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Boss!¡± Dotson was quick to express his dissent. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time to go soft!¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t about being soft. ¡± Facing Dotson, Hannah rified, ¡°Before, we didn¡¯t know who she really was; she was hidden, making her hard to handle. But now that we¡¯re aware of her true identity, she¡¯s the one in the dark. We can prepare and protect ourselves in many ways. I¡¯m doing this for Winston; she¡¯s the only family he has left. I can¡¯t just turn my back on him. ¡± Chapter 1290 Winston¡¯s hands tightened into fists before he rxed them, his expression weary. ¡°Miss Moore, about this¡­ It¡¯s my fault. Had it not been for me, you wouldn¡¯t be in this mess. ¡± Hannah gave a small shrug and a casual smile. ¡°Ever since I traveled abroad, I¡¯ve been dealing with one issue after another. One more won¡¯t make a difference. ¡± She then looked at Winston with a serious expression. ¡°I¡¯ve canceled all your assignments and wiped your identity this time so you and Alessandra can leave this ce. Winston, this is the best I can do for you. I hope she will mend her ways and leave with you. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Taking a deep breath and shifting his gaze from Hannah, Winston said, ¡°I¡¯ll get her out of here as soon as we¡¯re ready to leave. ¡± They stayed at Hannah¡¯s vi even after Winston had finished packing and left. Hannah nced over and said, ¡°Why are you still here? Were you hoping I¡¯d cook dinner for you?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Now you mention it¡­¡± Dotson, lounging on the couch, grinned at Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m kind of hungry. ¡± Hannah found herself at a loss for words. Seeing Hannah¡¯s less than pleased look, Dn nudged Dotson and urged, ¡°Let¡¯s go, hurry! I snuck out. If Conor finds out, I won¡¯t hear the end of it As they were about to leave, Hannah turned to Dn with a reminder. ¡°Since you¡¯re working with Conor, tread carefully. He¡¯s sharp and tricky. Don¡¯t let him catch on to you. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss. I¡¯ve been on edge about this. Next time, I¡¯ll reach out in secret. ¡± Afterwards, only Keith and Trent were left in the living room. They had stayed back deliberately. Realizing they wanted a private word, Ha nnah sat back down and said, ¡°Now that we¡¯re alone, let¡¯s have an open chat. ¡± Trent looked at Hannah and asked, ¡°Are we on your team now?¡± With a smile, Hannah replied, ¡°You could say that. ¡± Trent, unsure how to handle Hannah¡¯s vague answers, shook his head in exasperation. ¡°Next time you¡¯re nning something, could you clue us in a bit earlier? Give us a moment to prepare, at least. ¡± ¡°I think the way you guys reacted was perfect. Itpletely foolelessandra. ¡± Keith chuckled, ¡°That wasn¡¯t even pretending. For a moment there, we thought we were in real trouble!¡± Trent, however, was more worried about another matter. ¡°What about Charlie? Is he another one of Amelie¡¯s nts?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Hannah admitted with a frown, still uncertain. ¡°But at the end of the day, it might not even matter. The organization¡¯s filled with traitors at every turn. Even if Charlie is with Amelie, he¡¯s not our biggest problem. ¡± Then, trying to lighten the mood, Hannah joked, ¡°Here¡¯s something funny for you. The Compton family¡¯s security is supposed to be imprable, right? Yet here we are, discussing how easily it¡¯s beenpromised. ¡± At her attempt at humor, both men went red, touching their noses awkwardly. They were taken aback by the realization of how many infiltrators from different factions were within the Compton family. Without Hannah¡¯s intervention, they dreaded to think what could have happened. Hannah rested her chin on her hand, musing, ¡°With the organization¡¯s mix of allies and adversaries, maintaining the current bnce is crucial. ¡± Chapter 1291 She was primarily here to delve into the Leviathan mystery, who seemed to have vanished from the organization¡¯s radar. Leviathan had a knack for escaping tight spots by any means necessary. His prolonged absence suggested he had gone to great Lengths to remain undetected this time. ¡°I worry the Lyons family banquet in two days might bring trouble. With so many family members there, there¡¯s a chance they might target you,¡± said Trent. Hannah shed a confident smile. ¡°No need to worry. The Comptons and Pierces will be there, and Bryson too. I¡¯m curious to see who¡¯d dare cross me. And even without Winston around, I¡¯ve got Dotson. You two are like protective spirits, one on each side. Who could possibly harm me?¡± ¡°You make a good point,¡± Trent agreed. ¡°Guess I shouldn¡¯t be concerned. ¡± Hannah gestured towards the door. ¡°Okay, off you go. It¡¯ll all work out. Anyone thinking of crossing me will regret it first!¡± After settling everything, Winston and Alessandra did leave the Compton estate. With minimal belongings, Winston carried a small suitcase for both of them as they headed to the port. Gazing at the vast sea ahead, Alessandra turned to Winston. ¡°Are we really leaving all this behind?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Winston¡¯s gaze lingered on the horizon, now tinged with the light of dawn, and he asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you wish to start anew?¡± ¡± Alessandra found herself hesitating. ¡°I¡¯ve been saving up for years, thinking we could leave the Comptons behind. We have enough to start over somewhere peaceful. ¡± Winston faced Alessandra and continued, ¡°Why stay? We can have a life of our own. Doesn¡¯t that sound nice?¡± Alessandra forced a smile, awkwardly brushing her hair aside to avoid Winston¡¯s gaze, and asked, ¡°But Winston, can you truly walk away from Miss Moore?¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Winston¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Her actions yesterday were clearly to protect someone else. I have no reason to stay any longer. ¡± Realizing her words had significantly impacted Winston, Alessandra clenched the suitcase handle, feeling a rush of panic. She had intended to drive a wedge between them, not to push Winston into leaving with her so suddenly! No way! Alessandra bit her lip, thinking desperately. She had to find a way to stay! ¡°Winston! I really think Miss Moore was just upset back then. It¡¯s all Faustina¡¯s fault! She¡¯s the one who got Miss Moore into trouble by bringing up the organization¡¯s rules. Miss Moore had no choice but scold you publicly in front of everyone. ¡± Alessandra grabbed Winston¡¯s sleeve and continued, ¡°Winston, what if I go and talk to Miss Moore? She will understand us!¡± Winston looked into Alessandra¡¯s eyes. ¡°Allie, you¡¯ve been wanting to leave this ce, right?¡± Chapter 1292 He posed the question to Alessandra, but instead of a direct reply, she expressed her concerns. ¡°Winston, I¡¯m worried about you and Miss Moore. I¡¯m scared that once you leave, you¡¯ll be constantly worried about her safety. But I¡¯m even more scared that Miss Moore will be in danger once you¡¯re not around. ¡± Winston¡¯s disappointment was evident in his voice, which turned chilly. ¡°She¡¯s surrounded by people.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. I¡¯m not the only one looking out for her. Allie, I¡¯ve already bought the ship tickets. ¡± He had reached into his pocket a moment ago, and now, he pulled out two tickets and offered them to Alessandra. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about everyone else. Just tell me if you¡¯re ready to leave this ce with me. ¡± Alessandra looked at the tickets in Winston¡¯s hands, her eyshes quivering. She reached out slowly and took the tickets from him. When Alessandra took the tickets, Winston felt his heart flutter slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged everything for getting off the ship. You won¡¯t have to worry about a thing when we get there. ¡± Alessandra held the tickets tighter, tears filling her eyes. She hugged Winston tightly and started crying. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you, Winston!¡± Winston hugged her back tightly, patting her back gently, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Allie. I¡¯ve got you covered from here. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± As the evening set in, the ship¡¯s lights sparkled brightly. Slowly, the cruise ship started to move away from the city. Then, a phone rang. The sound of the ringing phone broke the quiet in the room. Hannah looked at the caller ID and picked up. ¡°Has she decided to go with you?¡± Silence from the other end, with only the sound of waves crashing heard in the background. She waited before speaking again. ¡°She chose not to go with you, didn¡¯t she?¡± Hannah inquired. ¡°Yes. ¡± The crashing waves nearly drowned out the voice on the other end of the phone. Winston stood at the edge of the water, phone in hand, staring out at the sea with a heavy heart. He said, ¡°I really thought she had changed her mind and would leave with me. I never expected things to turn out exactly as you said they would, Miss Moore. ¡± On the other line, Hannah held the phone, silent for a moment, her feelings a mix of emotions. She didn¡¯t want to think of Winston¡¯s sister as an enemy. ¡°Where is she now?¡± ¡°She said she lost her ticket and went back to the hotel room to look for it. She hasn¡¯te back yet,¡± Winston answered. Chapter 1293 Hannah sighed and massaged her forehead. ¡°You might have to deal with this yourself. Let me know if you manage to sort things out. ¡± ¡°WiLL do. ¡± The call ended, and Winston¡¯s arm, still clutching the phone, fell to his side. Just then, he heard Alessandra¡¯s voice calling from afar. She hurried back, panting, her cheeks red and her hair slightly disheveled. ¡°Winston!¡± Looking troubled, Alessandra admitted, ¡°This is all my fault. I can¡¯t find the ticket anywhere. I must have lost it when we went out for dinner!¡± Under the cover of night, Winston turned to Alessandra with a calm demeanor. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The ship has already left. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Alessandra looked towards the sea¡¯s horizon in the darkness and softly said, ¡°Then, what do we do next?¡± ¡°I could get us tickets for tomorrow,¡± Winston suggested, smiling. A look of concern crossed Alessandra¡¯s face as she clutched at Winston¡¯s clothing. ¡°Winston, maybe we¡¯re not meant to leave. Could my losing the ticket today be a sign?¡± ¡°Why would you say that?¡± Winston inquired, keeping his voice even. Alessandra bit her lip. ¡°I¡¯m not sure.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. It¡¯s just a feeling. Winston, let¡¯s stay, alright? I really don¡¯t want to say goodbye to Miss Moore. ¡± Winston looked at Alessandra for a moment, making her feel almost alien to him. Then, slowly, he reached out and tenderly stroked her hair. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll stay. ¡± On their walk back, Winston was quiet. Even Alessandra, who had been keen on returning, felt that something wasn¡¯t right. She peeked at Winston walking beside her and ventured, ¡°Winston, do you think I¡¯m being too selfish?¡± Sitting in the back seat, Winston didn¡¯t turn around. He just stared out at the night rushing by and said simply, ¡°No. ¡± ¡°Winston, do you still hold a grudge about me losing the ticket?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just forget about the past. ¡± Winston¡¯s voicecked the warmth it once had. It sounded tired and distant. Unfortunately, Alessandra, caught up in her thoughts, didn¡¯t pick up on this. When they got to the Compton estate, lights were still on at Hannah¡¯s vi. Everyone was gathered in the living room. Seeing Alessandra walk in, Dotson couldn¡¯t hide his sarcasm. ¡°What brings you back here?¡± Alessandra went straight to Hannah, her voice full of hope. ¡°Miss Moore, please, don¡¯t kick me and my brother out. I know I messed up before, and I¡¯m ready to face whateveres. ¡± Hannah stared at her quietly, then leaned back on the sofa with a smile. ¡°Alessandra, I don¡¯t hold it against you. But your brother broke our rules. I have to deal with him. You¡¯re not part of this, though. ¡± Chapter 1294 Hannah kept her polite smile, even though she could tell Alessandra was trying to ease the mood. ¡°Then¡­ Miss Moore, could you possibly give my brother a chance to fix his mistakes?¡± Hannah turned her gaze to Alessandra, filled with curiosity. ¡°Why do you want to stay with me so much?¡± Alessandra locked her clear eyes on Hannah and answered sincerely, ¡°Ms. Moore, to tell you the truth¡­ from the moment you saved me, I¡¯ve always wanted to be by your side. ¡± Dotson gave a dramatic shrug. ¡°So, you fell for our boss just Like that? To some, it might sound like the ssic story of a hero saving a damsel, but boss, for you, it¡¯s something new and exciting. ¡± ¡°Cut it out,¡± Hannah snapped, shooting Dotson a sharp look. Dotson quickly fell silent. Trent chimed in, ¡°Actually, Hannah isn¡¯t against you returning. The incident in the training room was seen by many. Although Winston was punished, if Hannah hadn¡¯t taken a stand, nobody would respect her authorityter on. ¡± Keith added, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been tough on Hannah too. ¡± Alessandra started to cry, looking truly upset. Hannah tapped her fingers on the sofa, then raised her eyes to the quiet Winston. ¡°Winston, you know, we do have some openings in security. Maybe you could fill one of those positions for a while. ¡± Hannah¡¯s proposal was a clear p in the face for Winston. Before this job with Hannah, who stands to inherit everything from the Compton family, the top boss had always looked favorably on Winston. Now, Hannah had decided to make Winston stand guard outside her vi, which seemed like a pointed attempt to humiliate him. Dotson gave Winston a gloating look and said with a sneer, ¡°Can Winston really be content being a mere security guard? Seems like a huge waste of his skills, right? Wasn¡¯t he a favorite of the big boss? I dare say he wouldn¡¯t agree to be a security guard, right?¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Alessandra bit her Lip and looked at Winston with hope in her eyes, murmuring, ¡°Winston¡­¡± With a self-mocking smile, Winston responded, ¡°Alright. ¡± Hannah impatiently waved her hand, saying, ¡°Since you two don¡¯t want to leave, you can go back to where you lived before. No one has been arranged to live there for the time being. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, thank you for giving my brother a second chance!¡± Hannah fixed her gaze on Alessandra and said, ¡°Alessandra. Stay away from ces like the training base from now on. ¡± ¡°Okay! Alessandra nodded repeatedly, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Moore. I won¡¯t be a bother to you again!¡± ¡°Hold on. There¡¯s something else I need from you,¡± Hannah said to Alessandra. Alessandra gave a nod. ¡°Just let me know what you need, Miss Moore. I¡¯ll help however I can!¡± Chapter 1295 ¡°I¡¯ve got this party at the Lyons family¡¯s ce tomorrow. Since the vi will be empty these days, I was hoping you could watch over it for me. ¡± Without hesitation, Alessandra agreed. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll make sure everything is taken care of, Miss Moore. ¡± Then, Winston and Alessandra made their way out of the vi. The rest of the group kept a straight face, except for Dotson. In a tone full of glee and a bit of joke, Dotson said, ¡°Alessandra¡¯s really good at hiding what she¡¯s feeling. If we hadn¡¯t known she was a spy, we would have beenpletely fooled by her!¡± Keith gave a dismissive snort in Dotson¡¯s direction. ¡°You were all in on trusting her before. Without Hannah, you¡¯d be clueless about her true colors. ¡± Dotson, brimming with pride and puffing up his chest, said, ¡°Exactly. My boss gets me. I¡¯ll always stand by her and support her, no matter what!¡± Hannah was speechless about Dotson¡¯s excessivepliments. Keith couldn¡¯t help but mock, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone so good at ttering. ¡± Dotson responded with a hint of pride, ¡°No, you¡¯ve got it all wrong! I genuinely mean every word!¡± Feeling a migraineing on, Hannah raised her hand to her forehead. She found herself missing the peace of her days at home with Bryson. ¡°The two of you are making too much noise. ¡± Trent couldn¡¯t hold back either, suggesting, ¡°Let¡¯s get on with nning for tomorrow. ¡± At two o¡¯clock in the morning, a woman slipped out of the window of Hannah¡¯s vi.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Alessandra scanned her surroundings and, seeing no one, vanished into the darkness. Moments after Alessandra¡¯s departure, Winston showed up, looking towards where she had disappeared in the shadows. Three knocks echoed through the room. Alessandra pushed the door open and walked in. The only light in Amelie¡¯s room came from a dim bedsidemp. She was so absorbed in her book she didn¡¯t bother to look up. ¡°What a perfect chance today was. Your brother even secured a ticket for you. Aren¡¯t you tempted to escape far away with him?¡± Alessandra smiled sarcastically and said, ¡°He was convinced I¡¯d go with him. I tricked him into thinking that I lost the ticket and had to go back for it. He suspected nothing even after the ship was long gone. ¡± Amelie set her book aside. Chapter 1296 Looking keenly at Alessandra, she asked, ¡°He didn¡¯t get suspicious at all?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Madam. I know my brother like the back of my hand. Hepletely trusts me. If it were otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have received so much information from me over the years. ¡± Amelie chuckled. She ced her book down and said, ¡°Alessandra, I¡¯ve always respected you for your tenacity. I want you to apany me to the Lyons family¡¯s event. I¡¯ve heard they¡¯re hosting a car race. Would you consider representing the Chadwick family in it?¡± ¡°Of course, Madam. However. . After hesitating for a moment, Alessandra said, ¡°Hannah will be there too. If I enter the race, I¡¯m worried she might uncover who I really am. ¡± Amelie¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll provide you with a false identity. All you¡¯ll need to do is wear a mask when you appear. ¡± ¡°Understood, Madam. ¡± ¡°You should head back now. Just make sure you don¡¯t draw any unnecessary attention. ¡± Alessandra gave a nod. ¡°Understood, Madam. ¡± The following morning, Hannah was tasked with choosing a few members from the organization to join the Compton family on their visit to the Lyons family¡¯s manor. Rubbing her eyes and stifling a yawn, Hannah was awakened by Keith. ¡°Why do I have to deal with these trivial matters? Does my dad really expect me to take over everything?¡± Recalling what Wace had mentioned, Keith scratched his head and replied, ¡°Dad said you asked for more authority.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. After all, the greater the power, the greater the responsibility you must bear. ¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t make any sense at all. ¡± With another yawn, Hannah muttered, ¡°Let¡¯s head to the base. ¡± Determined to face the Lyons family head-on, Hannah decided to take along her most reliable aides. She was also tasked with selecting a few capable individuals from the organization to apany them. In the past, for significant gatherings, Wace would usually delegate the leadership to either Winston or Conor. With Winston staying behind at the vi, Conor was the obvious choice this time around. Hannah picked Conor¡¯s team and, for the first time, she also picked Charlie¡¯s group. It was a move no one sawing. In the midst of all the confusion, Hannah didn¡¯t think twice about stirring the pot even more. As they left the training grounds, Hannah caught the sarcastic tone in Conor¡¯s voice. ¡°I never thought you¡¯d choose me, and Charlie? That¡¯s even more surprising. ¡± Chapter 1297 ¡°You¡¯d be surprised at a lot of things.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah gave him a smile. ¡°You should¡¯ve seen iting that I¡¯d pick you, shouldn¡¯t you? We¡¯re off to the Lyons family¡¯s manor. Without you, who else would join me in shaking things up for the Compton family?¡± Conor¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Miss Moore, I stay out of your disputes with others. Just remember, who is it that you¡¯re here working for?¡± ¡°For myself, of course. ¡± Hannah gave him azy look. ¡°Remington and I, coborate to secure what we want and to ensure we bothe out on top. ¡± Then, turning to Conor with a yful smile, she asked, ¡°I wonder why you¡¯ve decided to work for him. Do you like being his puppet?¡± Not perturbed by Hannah¡¯s deliberate sarcasm, Conor stared at her and said, ¡°Miss Moore, if you persist in ying with fire, you will inevitably get burned one day. Be careful not to be engulfed by the mes!¡± ¡°Wace¡¯s got more faith in me these days. Say, if I spill the beans about your Remington gig, would he still trust me enough to give you a good telling off?¡± Hannah teased Conor, her grin full of mischief. Conor chuckled, nodding in agreement. ¡°You¡¯re gutsy, Miss Moore. No wonder Mr. Lyons has a soft spot for you. ¡± Hannah cut to the chase, her tone firm. ¡°Quit the nonsense. Round up your crew and hit the road, now. ¡± Hannah had nned to ride out with the Compton crew but Maloney had decided to chauffeur her himself. He cruised up in a shy Ferrari, catching everyone¡¯s attention. By pure chance, he crossed paths with the Comptons as they were leaving. With a slick maneuver, Maloney parked right in front of Hannah. All eyes were on the bold driver. Who had the nerve to park in front of Hannah like that? Stepping out of the car, Maloney greeted Hannah with a smile. ¡°Hey there, Miss Moore. ¡± Seeing Maloney, Joselyn tensed up immediately. ¡°Maloney?¡± Wace looked mildly surprised. ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to be heading to the Lyons¡¯ ce today? What brings you here?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here to fetch Miss Moore. Thought she might fancy joining me at the Lyons¡¯ bash. What do you say, Mr. Compton?¡± Maloney asked with a smile. Wace grinned and gestured, saying, ¡°Sure thing, take her along. I¡¯ll give you lovebirds some space. ¡± With a faint grin, Maloney sidled to the passenger side, opening the door for Hannah. Leaning against the car, he shed a smile and beckoned. ¡°After you, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t know what he was up to. Dotson almost jumped in to halt Maloney¡¯s move, but Hannah subtly signaled him to hold back, just by flicking a strand of hair. Trent and Keith exchanged nces, watching as Hannah approached Maloney. Chapter 1298 Amid curious stares, Hannah settled into Maloney¡¯s car. Thunk! She slid into the seat and shut the door. Joselyn, her Lips pressed together, looked a tad uneasy. Beside her, Amelie caught Hannah¡¯s departure and quipped, ¡°Well, isn¡¯t that something? Maloney¡¯s ying chauffeur for her!¡± ncing at Joselyn, Amelie sneered, ¡°Are you clueless? Didn¡¯t I warn you? Seems like it went in one ear and out the other!¡± Joselyn quickly assured, ¡°Mother, I get it¡­ I won¡¯t go against you. ¡± She stole a nce at Wace, who seemed oblivious to their conversation. Then, in a hushed tone, Joselyn murmured, ¡°It¡¯s a shame. Maloney¡¯s the sharpest tool in the Pierce shed. Doubt they¡¯ll let him slip away that easy. ¡± ¡°Humph I¡± Watching the fast sports car ahead, Amelie¡¯s eyes gleamed with icy determination. ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of tricks up my sleeve to keep Maloney from inheriting the Pierce empire. Stick to my n, and you¡¯ll be the pride of the Compton n and the bride of the Pierce heir. ¡± Joselyn nodded meekly, her gaze downcast. ¡°I¡¯ll do as you say, Mom. ¡± In the neighboring car, after they¡¯d driven a good distance, Hannah nced at Maloney, behind the wheel. ¡°What¡¯s the deal with you fetching me? Everybody from the Compton crew saw you. ¡± Maloney gripped the steering wheel, cryptic. ¡°I can¡¯t spill the beans just yet. ¡± He shot Hannah a knowing look. ¡°It¡¯s a surprise. You¡¯ll see when we get there. ¡± ¡°Is this supposed to be a mystery?¡± Confusion clouded Hannah¡¯s face as she nced at Maloney. ¡°The Lyons are throwing their party today. Please, no drama.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Me, cause trouble?¡± While driving, Maloney offered her a reassuring nce and said, ¡°Rx. I won¡¯t let any trouble find its way to you. ¡± Hannah let out a skepticalugh, her hand resting thoughtfully on her chin. ¡°That¡¯s a tough one to swallow. ¡± They sped away from the bustling city streets. Outside a car center, Maloney brought the car to a gentle stop. Hannah stepped out, her confusion evident. ¡°What are we doing here?¡± With a motion of his hand, Maloney encouraged, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go in. ¡± Upon entering, Hannah¡¯s gaze fell on a single car under the spotlight. There stood a Bugatti, its appearance breathtakingly transformed with a coat of dark red. Its sleek lines and curves demanded attention. Chapter 1299 Even with its new color and the tweaks to the exhaust and tail wings, Hannah recognized the car immediately. ¡°This is a Divo, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Wow, Miss Moore, you really know your stuff. ¡± Maloney was impressed. As Hannah caressed the car¡¯s sleek surface, she looked over at Maloney and half¡ªjoked, ¡°This isn¡¯t a gift from you, is it?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Maloney admitted, grinning as he walked up to the sports car. ¡°Any ideas on who might have sent this beauty your way?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for guessing games. ¡± With a quick nce at Maloney, Hannah reached for the door and swung open the driver¡¯s seat, and said, ¡°This was Bryson¡¯s doing, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Maloney just shrugged and gave the sports car a gentle pat. ¡°You got it, but why didn¡¯t you think I might be the one to surprise you with it?¡± Hannah gave him a weary look, then turned her attention back to the car, inspecting it closely. This car blew her modified sports cars out of the water with its performance, and the professional touch on the mods made it clear Bryson had put serious thought into it. Hannah¡¯s smile was subtle, and catching it, Maloney asked, ¡°Catch that?¡± ¡°I did. ¡± Regaining herposure, Hannah exined, ¡°The Divo is Bugatti¡¯s racing beast, made to hug corners like a dream. Finding one these days is tough, especially one so finely tuned. I doubt you could snag such a gem even if you tried. ¡± Maloney sighed, a bit defeated, ¡°Yeah, Bryson¡¯s just the type to pull off something like this for you. ¡± The thought of helping Bryson was starting to make Maloney second-guess himself. But Hannah didn¡¯t press on. She checked her phone then turned to Maloney. ¡°If he wanted me to have this car, why didn¡¯t he drop it off himself?¡± ¡°He knew today would have too many eyes on you. Bryson showing up would only stir the pot and cause issues.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. So, he sent me instead. It keeps things low-key. ¡± Understanding, Hannah motioned towards the car and said, ¡°Alright, hop in. Let¡¯s take my new ride for a spin. ¡± ¡°No, I think it¡¯s best if I stick with my own car. ¡± Hannah looked at him, a hint of surprise in her expression. ¡°Really?¡± Maloney gave a firm nod, a bit confused by her reaction. ¡°Yeah, why? Is there a problem?¡± ¡°Alright then. ¡± With a yful grin, Hannah warned, ¡°You¡¯ll have to try hard to keep up. ¡± Maloney returned the smile. He spun on his heel and waved back at Hannah as he made his exit. ¡°Don¡¯t sell me short, Miss Moore. ¡± However, the moment they left the car center, Maloney lost sight of Hannah¡¯s taillights almost immediately. He stepped on the elerator, only to see Hannah¡¯s car pull away with ease, leaving him trailing behind. Chapter 1300 That¡¯s when Maloney realized the truth behind Hannah¡¯s earlier words. Driving with such freedom and thrill hadn¡¯t been part of Hannah¡¯s life for quite some time, making today¡¯s ride particrly enjoyable. Then, her phone buzzed. It was Bryson on the line. Picking up, Hannah¡¯s voice was full of happiness. ¡°This was your n all along, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Bryson leaned back in his seat, his hand resting on his forehead. The sound of Hannah¡¯sughter made him break into a grin. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Originally, I wanted to wait for your birthday, but since we¡¯re going to the Lyons family¡¯s party and they¡¯ve got a race, I thought, why not give it to you now?¡± he said. Hannah felt at ease behind the wheel, sensing the care Bryson had taken in choosing the car. ¡°Driving this, winning isn¡¯t everything. ¡± He nced away, a tender smile ying on his lips. ¡°In my eyes, you¡¯re always the winner. ¡± Hannah was touched by Bryson¡¯s words, noticing the softness in his voice she seldom heard. A blush crept up her cheeks, prompting her to steer the conversation elsewhere. ¡°I should focus on the road; we can talkter. ¡± ¡°sure,¡± he responded, his smile lingering as he ended the call. Bowen, seated up front, didn¡¯t look back. His tone was mysterious. ¡°She¡¯s the one the Comptons brought home, isn¡¯t she?¡± Bryson¡¯s answer was brief. ¡°Yes. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s engaged to Maloney, at least that¡¯s the story they¡¯re telling. With all these big names showing up today, don¡¯t stir up any trouble,¡± Bowen warned, his tone serious. Bowen continued, ¡°Who you¡¯re with is your choice, but tangling with the Comptons could get messy. ¡± The smile vanished from Bryson¡¯s face. Looking out the window, he replied coolly, ¡°The Comptons mean nothing to me. She¡¯s all I care about. ¡± ¡°Keep that mindset. The Lyons family has put you on the guest list and is getting cozy with the Mitchells.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. It Looks Like they¡¯re ying a long game,¡± Bowen noted. Bryson¡¯s expression turned icy. ¡°A bunch of clueless folks are running the show at the Mitchells¡¯. Their investment choices are their problem, not mine. I¡¯ve got our bases covered back home. If they¡¯re throwing money around, it¡¯s not going to be a problem for me. ¡± Hannah arrived at the party early and waited around fifteen minutes before she saw Maloney¡¯s car pull up. Maloney got out of the car, trying to hide his astonishment. ¡°You got here quick. ¡± Chapter 1301 ¡°Not as quick as I would¡¯ve liked. I slowed down asionally for you to keep up with me, but you were too slow,¡± Hannah retorted, arching an eyebrow. As they spoke, a well-dressed butler from the mansion came out to greet them, inviting them inside. Parking attendants carefully parked their cars inside the parking lot. Following this, the butler led them to a tour vehicle, offering insights into the Lush surroundings. ¡°This event marks the first assembly of the six prominent families in two decades. Mr. Lyons has paid great detail to its nning, selecting this estate specifically for its significance. During the event, family leaders will engage in discussions about potential partnerships and ventures. We¡¯ve also arranged numerous leisure activities for our guests. ¡± The estate sprawled over an extensive area, surrounded by a vast expanse of mountainous forest. As they drove along the main road, a grand vi emerged from behind the greenery. An impressive artificial swimming pool,rge enough to host a yacht,y in front of the vi, making it appear as if it were nestled by the sea. The butler added, ¡°The arrivals from other families are expected shortly. Let¡¯s head inside the vi; today is perfect for you to acquaint yourselves with it. Once you¡¯re settled, feel free to explore as you wish. ¡± The tour vehicle halted at the vi¡¯s entrance, where the butler ushered Hannah and Maloney through the doors. Receiving an iPad from the servant, the butler disyed its screen to them. ¡°Go ahead and pick the rooms you like,¡± he invited.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The vi spans five floors with 208 rooms in total, excluding six specially marked rooms. You¡¯re free to choose any two rooms outside of those. ¡± Hannah browsed the iPad, noting the fifth floor had fewer rooms than the others. She chose a room near the stairs on the fifth floor with a simple tap. Passing the iPad to Maloney, he chose a third-floor room, then handed it back to the butler. Observing their room choices, the butler couldn¡¯t help but nce at them, a hint of curiosity in his gaze. Maloney caught the butler¡¯s fleeting look and questioned him, ¡°Is there a problem?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± the butler muttered, swiftly averting his gaze. He shut off the iPad, then looked up again with a returning smile. ¡°An attendant will join you to activate the fingerprint locks on your rooms. I trust that your stay will be enjoyable. ¡± With those words, the butler departed. Hannah trailed behind Maloney, heading upstairs. The servant led the way as Maloney leaned in to murmur, ¡°That butler¡­ something doesn¡¯t sit right with me. ¡± Climbing the stairs, Hannah took a quick nce down. Catching a glimpse of someone moving past the vi¡¯s entrance, she pursed her lips and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s just leave it be. ¡± Once they had separated into their rooms, Hannah wasted no time in texting Bryson the details of her location. After sending the text, she walked over to the French window, lost in the view stretching beyond. From her vantage point, Hannah could see several structures scattered around the vi, their presence contrasting with the pervasive quiet. The absence of security patrols outside was unusual to her. She and Maloney had been the first to reach the estate. Gradually, other families trickled in, with most arriving around five in the afternoon. Chapter 1302 Hannah lingered in the hallway of the fifth floor, peering over the banister at the individuals gathering below. The most recent arrivals belonged to the Juarez and Delgado families. Just a handful from these families had made the journey, all seeming to be of the younger set.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Deep in thought, she suddenly felt the weight of a stare. Turning swiftly, she met the eyes of the onlooker. There stood Remington, d in a blue velvet tuxedo, blending with the old-world charm of the manor like a noble from a bygone era. On the fringe of the gathering, his green eyes locked onto Hannah, and he greeted her with a smile. Hannah mustered a polite smile, inwardly rolling her eyes. Despite the casual nature of today¡¯s event, Remington was dressed to the nines. She nced at the room adjacent to hers, noting the unimed sign still dangling on the door. Bryson was nowhere to be seen among the guests, and Hannah wondered about his whereabouts and the reason for his dy. ¡®s BunnyBookery Returning to her room, as she stood by the expansive window, her gaze fell upon a group making their way to the building behind hers. Just as she was about to take a closer look, her phone rang. Dotson was on the other end. She answered and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Boss, they¡¯re not letting us into your vi. We¡¯re being directed to a different one. Are you alright by yourself over there?¡± Hannah held the phone, her gaze drifting to the people outside the window, observing the bodyguards of each family being ushered towards the building behind hers. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Keith and Trent are with me. There won¡¯t be any trouble. But keep your eyes open on your end,¡± she responded, her voice steady. ¡°No rash moves, I promise,¡± came Dotson¡¯s reassurance. Right after she ended the call, a knock at the door broke the silence! Hannah quickly wrapped up the call and went to open the door. Remington stood on the other side, offering a warm nod and smile as soon as she appeared. ¡°Miss Moore,¡± he greeted. Hannah, keen not to seem two-faced after theirst encounter, returned his greeting. ¡°Quite the surprise, Mr. Lyons. ¡± ¡°I chose the room next to yours on purpose. ¡± With a gentle smile, Remington told Hannah, ¡°As my guest, it¡¯s my job to take good care of you. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but feel skeptical, doubting his sincerity. She silently scoffed, her eyes catching the missing sign on the door next to hers. A pang of regret hit her. If only she hadn¡¯t been peering down from upstairs earlier, Remington wouldn¡¯t have noticed her. And now, with him as her neighbor, her options felt limited. Chapter 1303 ¡°Let me give you a tour now that you¡¯re here,¡± Remington offered. Remington extended the invitation, and Hannah couldn¡¯t find a reason to say no. ¡°Sure. I¡¯m free today. A walk sounds nice. ¡± As they headed down the stairs, they bumped into Maloney, who was justing out from the third floor. Maloney looked them over with a cheeky smile. ¡°Hannah, got any ns with Mr. Lyons?¡± ¡°We¡¯re going to explore a bit. Mr. Lyons offered to show me around. ¡± ¡°That sounds like a n. ¡± Approaching with a grin, Maloney chimed in, ¡°I was about to look for you. Thought we could go for a walk. ¡± He turned to Remington with a hopeful look. ¡°Mind if I tag along?¡± Maloney always knew how to intrude, and his boldness made Remington¡¯s smile falter. The silence that followed was heavy, with Remington staying mute. The mood got noticeably tense. Then, from the stairs, someone broke the quiet with a frosty, ¡°Excuse me. ¡± Hannah turned to see Bryson. She made way for him. As Bryson made his way upstairs, Remington caught up with him, offering, ¡°Bry, wannae for a walk with us?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Not feeling it. ¡± Bryson quickly had a servant activate his room¡¯s fingerprint lock, then went straight inside. Bryson showing up eased the awkwardness. Remington looked at Maloney and said, ¡°Mr. Pierce, you¡¯re wee toe with us. ¡± Hannah¡¯s thoughts were elsewhere as they meandered through the garden. Stepping out of the vi, she kept looking towards where Dotson and the others had gone. The dense greenery obscured her view of the buildings beyond, Leaving her to glimpse them faintly through the trees. Pointing towards a distant road, Hannah asked Remington, ¡°What¡¯s out that way?¡± Remington followed her gaze and nonchntly replied, ¡°That¡¯s a golf course. Past that, a bunch of vis serve as amodations. That¡¯s also where tomorrow¡¯s race will be. Tomorrow¡¯s race is set beyond those vis. ¡± Remington turned his attention to Hannah and said, ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ve heard you have quite the knack for driving.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll get to see your skills in action. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re giving me too much credit; I just enjoy driving,¡± Hannah responded with humility. Maloney, overhearing her, struggled to keep hisments to himself. Was she being serious? Upstairs in the vi, Bryson watched from his window as the trio conversed and strolled together. Chapter 1304 He briefly looked down to send Hannah a text, then set his phone aside, continuing to watch them from above. Feeling her phone vibrate, Hannah read the new message and her face clouded over. Remington, who had been observant of Hannah¡¯s reactions, caught the change in her expression. ¡°Everything okay, Miss Moore?¡± he inquired, noticing her concern. Hannah quickly hid her phone screen and faced Remington with a forced smile. ¡°Just my cousin stirring up trouble again. It¡¯s nothing serious; I¡¯ve got it under control. ¡± As they moved forward, Hannah¡¯s grip on her phone tightened. Bryson¡¯s message was brief but startling enough to disturb her. He hinted at a scheme by the Lyons family to ensure the sess of their coboration with other powerful families. This ce, under the Lyons¡¯ influence, seemed perfectly staged for them to dominate the visiting family heads. Hannah pondered the implications. It exined why Dotson and the others were housed so far away. Firstly, in case of an emergency, they couldn¡¯t quickly get help; secondly, clustering them in this vi made it easier for the Lyons family to maintain control. ¡°Remington!¡± Suddenly, a girl with golden hair approached Remington. She looked like a fairy tale princess in her stunning dress. The man trailing her was clearly taken by her charm, yet Remington¡¯s face stayed neutral. ¡°Remington, you forgot my graduation present. ¡± The girl¡¯s excitement shone brightly as she clung to Remington¡¯s arm. ¡°I might be studying far away, but you¡¯re always on my mind. ¡± Gently freeing his arm, Remington positioned himself closer to Hannah, showing a cool demeanor. ¡°Your visit was unexpected. ¡± Curiosity lit up the girl¡¯s face as she turned to Hannah. ¡°And who might you be?¡± At that moment, William Austin, the man who had been trailing her, stepped forward. He looked at Hannah with a hint of scorn. ¡°She¡¯s the one the Compton family reimed. You missed their banquet. ¡± The girl gave Hannah a warm smile. ¡°Ah, the Compton family¡¯s prodigal daughter. Pleasure to meet you. I¡¯m Elsa Austin. ¡± After a brief moment, Elsa¡¯s gaze returned to Remington, filled with intensity. ¡°I¡¯m engaged to Remington.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows slightly. She returned the smile to Elsa and said, ¡°Pleasure¡¯s mine. Hannah Moore. ¡± Hearing Elsa proim their engagement, Remington¡¯s face clouded over, yet he chose not to respond, aware of thepany around them. Chapter 1305 ¡°It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve been here. How about a tour, Remington?¡± Elsa¡¯s voice took on a flirtatious tone as she spoke to Remington. Hannah offered a supportive smile towards Remington. ¡°Why not show Elsa around? Maloney and I can manage on our own. ¡± Caught unprepared by Elsa¡¯s sudden appearance, Remington hesitated. He looked at Hannah, contemting. Eventually, he looked away, agreeing softly, ¡°Alright. ¡± Once they had departed, Hannah¡¯s facade fell away, revealing a steely demeanor. Maloney, puzzled by the turn of events, looked at her and said, ¡°That was¡­ interesting, to say the least. ¡± Maloney quirked an eyebrow, studying Hannah¡¯s facade of innocence before a knowing grin danced on his lips. ¡°You got a message earlier. It¡¯s from Bryson, isn¡¯t it? Since we¡¯re allies now, secrets won¡¯t do. ¡± Hannah let out a scoff, her wordsced with defiance. ¡°I wasn¡¯t hiding it. So, how many of the Pierce brigade are gracing us with their presence this time?¡± Maloney¡¯s surprise flickered momentarily at her abrupt shift in conversation. ¡°My old man and my two younger brothers. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m after. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze bore into Maloney¡¯s, her tone cutting. ¡°I want to know how many of your hired muscle tagged along this time. ¡± ¡°Not too many, just a dozen. ¡± Maloney furrowed his brow at Hannah¡¯s puzzling inquiry. ¡°Something on your mind?¡± With a shake of her head, Hannah fished out her phone, thrusting the screen towards Maloney. ¡°Arm yourself. I¡¯ve got a gut feeling that the Lyons family¡¯s hounds might try to spring a trap if we don¡¯t y nice. ¡± Maloney¡¯s instinctual rebuttal came swiftly. ¡°You really think they¡¯ve got the guts for that? Would they be that foolish?¡± Hannah¡¯s lips curled into a sneer as sheid a patronizing hand on Maloney¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You truly underestimated them, didn¡¯t you? They¡¯re far more cunning than we ever imagined. ¡± Turning on her heel, she cast a nce towards the endless expanse of the forest before pivoting back towards their path. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we forge ahead?¡± Maloney trailed after her. ¡°With Remington out of the picture, there¡¯s no urgency to push forward. I¡¯d rather retreat for now and recharge. Tomorrow¡¯s race demands a clear head and a rested body,¡± she reasoned, her gaze involuntarily drifting up to Bryson¡¯s window.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Observing its emptiness, she quickly averted her eyes, adding, ¡°Tomorrow promises to be eventful. ¡± As they strolled side by side, Maloney¡¯s tone carried a hint of nonchnce. ¡°What¡¯s there to worry about? With or without the Compton family¡¯s guards, you have Trent and Keith to watch over you. Nothing¡¯s going to happen. ¡± ¡°Even in their absence, I¡¯m quite capable of fending for myself,¡± Chapter 1306 Hannah insisted with a tight smile. ¡°Mr. Pierce, perhaps you should be more concerned about your own well-being. ¡± A wry chuckle escaped Maloney¡¯s lips. ¡°You possess Bryson¡¯s sharp tongue, you know. ¡± Hannah shot him a pointed re. ¡°And perhaps I¡¯ll use it against you someday, when you least expect it. ¡± Their conversation carried them towards the door of the vi, their strides synchronized. Just as they entered, a figure emerged, nearly colliding with them in the process. Acting swiftly, Hannah pivoted to avoid impact, watching as the man stumbled awkwardly to the ground. Recognition dawned as she realized who it was. Peterson? Remington¡¯s half-brother, often the target of his bullying tactics. A well-dressed woman hurried out anxiously, bending down to assist the man sprawled on the ground. She whispered urgently, ¡°Peterson, are you alright?¡± Before Hannah could respond, a figure emerged slowly and pointed usingly at the woman and Peterson. ¡°You lowly peasants don¡¯t belong here with us! Take your mother and leave this ce! Find somewhere else to live!¡± Yet, his audacity faltered as Hannah stepped into view. His attempt to maintain a sneer copsed under the weight of recognition; he was visibly stiffened in shock. Memories of his injured fingers from the garden incident still haunted him, causing a tremor in his hands even now. As soon as he locked eyes with Hannah, he withdrew his hand and took a couple of cautious steps backward. Hannah¡¯s gaze remained cool as she addressed the man with a slight smile, ¡°It seems you haven¡¯t learned your Lesson. Is your wrist fully healed now?¡± Protecting his wrist instinctively, the man turned abruptly and retreated into his room. He knew better than to provoke the woman any further. Watching him leave, Hannah then turned her attention to Peterson, who was being helped up by his mother, Dana Wagner. Dana looked at her gratefully. ¡°Thank you, Miss. ¡± Hannah nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside. ¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°No, thank you. ¡± Dana took a step back, holding onto Peterson protectively. ¡°We¡¯ll find another ce to stay. ¡± Despite being part of the Lyons family, they still faced disdain from the household staff. It made them feel unwee. As they prepared to leave, Hannah interjected calmly, ¡°But where else will you go?¡± They hesitated. Peterson turned back, undeterred by the recent confrontation. ¡°There are other amodations nearby. ¡± ¡°If you leave because of them, you¡¯ll only continue to endure this mistreatment. Deep down, you know that, don¡¯t you?¡± Hannah warned gently. Dana nced at her son and responded on his behalf, ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. We appreciate your concern, Miss, but we¡¯ll manage. ¡± Chapter 1307 Hannah surveyed them with a piercing gaze before speaking. ¡°For nearly two decades, he¡¯s been subjected to those bullies¡¯ torment. You should know by now enduring in silence changes nothing. ¡± With those final, pointed words hanging in the air, Hannah turned on her heel, hermand clear. ¡°Follow me inside. ¡± She stepped into the opulence of the vi, her suspicions confirmed as the butler appeared. This was no mere coincidence; Peterson and his mother had been systematically marginalized. Addressing the butler, her tone was decisive. ¡°The second floor, that¡¯s where their rooms are, aren¡¯t they?¡± With a respectful, albeit wary nce towards Peterson and Dana trailing behind Hannah, the butler confirmed, ¡°Yes, on the second floor. ¡± ¡°Good,¡± Hannah continued, her mind already mapping out her next move. ¡°The fifth floor should have a number of vacant rooms, correct?¡± The butler, caught off guard by her assertiveness, could only nod in agreement. ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. Move their rooms to the fifth floor,¡± Hannah dered, her words echoing a finality that brooked no opposition. The butler¡¯s surprise was palpable, his expectations upended by Hannah¡¯s audacious request. A fleeting look towards Dana hinted at his reluctance, yet no objection was voiced. Hannah¡¯s voice took on a sharper edge. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Stumbling over his words, the butler hurriedly assured her, ¡°It¡¯s not about unwillingness, ma¡¯am. The arrangements¡­ they¡¯re already made. It¡¯s just that changing them now would be¡­plex. ¡± ¡°Very well, then. ¡± Hannah¡¯s tone remained firm. ¡°I shall request the room change myself. Will that suffice, or would you prefer I consult Mr. Remington Lyons?¡± At the mention of Remington, the butler paled slightly, realizing he had little ground to oppose. With a nod, he dispatched a servant to enact the room change for Peterson and his mother. ¡°Head upstairs,¡± Hannah instructed Peterson and Dana, her voice softer but imbued with authority. ¡°My room is the first beside the staircase. Should you need anything, I¡¯m there. ¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Her statement, made in the butler¡¯s earshot, was a clear warning ¡ª a protective gesture meant to shield Peterson and Dana from further trouble. The butler¡¯s response was to bow his head, a silent spectator to the unfolding drama. As Peterson brushed past, a whisper of gratitude escaped his Lips, barely audible yet clear to Hannah. ¡°Thank you. ¡± Hannah looked at him, but he didn¡¯t meet her eyes. He and Dana ascended the staircase without looking back. Hannah followed suit, with Maloney in tow, climbing the stairs to the heart of the vi. Maloney¡¯s voice broke the silence, his tone teasing yet probing. Chapter 1308 ¡°You¡¯ve thrown him a lifeline before, and here you are again, stepping into the fray. Is there a particr reason? Perhaps, a hidden affection?¡± ¡°Are you nuts?¡± Hannah cast Maloney an incredulous look before adding, ¡°He¡¯s still a kid. Do you think I¡¯m a pedophile? If I tell Bryson about this, you¡¯ll be in trouble. ¡± Undeterred, Maloney continued to tease, ¡°I doubt that. He¡¯s possessive, so he¡¯ll probably be mad at you first. ¡± Not having it, Hannah rolled her eyes at him in response and ascended the stairs. Upon returning to her room, Hannah Lay on the bed and turned over, facing the window. The sky outside was gloomy, signaling an iing storm. She turned over to the other side, where arge bookshelf sat across from her on the bed. The books disyed were mostly old. Hannah stared at them long enough to notice something unusual with one of the books in the third row. Curious, she climbed out of the bed and grabbed the book. It was thick and had a ck cover. It Looked normal, but Hannah couldn¡¯t shake off the suspicion in her heart. Examining the book closely, she discovered a pinhole camera in its spine! The red light was flickering, which meant it was recording. Hannah immediately extracted the pinhole camera from the book¡¯s spine and held it close to her face. It was so tiny that she wouldn¡¯t have noticed it if she hadn¡¯t looked carefully. She took out her phone, took a photo of the pinhole camera, and sent it to Bryson with an apanying message, saying, ¡°I found this in my room. You probably have one in yours too. Look for it carefully. ¡± Bryson¡¯s reply was quick, saying, ¡°I found it already. It¡¯s on the wall painting, but I didn¡¯t take it down. I¡¯m afraid it might arouse suspicion and get you in trouble if I remove it after you. For now, let¡¯s act like nothing is wrong and wait for Remington¡¯s next move. ¡± After reading Bryson¡¯s reply, Hannah shifted her gaze from her phone to the pinhole camera in her hand. Without hesitation, she dropped the camera on the floor and stepped on it, crushing it to pieces. Regardless, Remington would still know she had discovered the camera. Soon, it waspletely dark outside. Hannah had just finished changing into a long ck dress when a knock came on her door, She took ast nce at her reflection in the mirror before walking to the door and opening it. Outside the room stood the butler. He bowed slightly to acknowledge her and dered, ¡°Dinner is ready, Miss Moore. Please follow me to the dining room. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah replied curtly.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. In the dining room, almost everyone was settled on their seats. Thus, when Hannah entered, all eyes were on her. More than her presence, it was her appearance that caught their attention. Aside from the host¡¯s seat, only two chairs were unupied: one beside Bryson and the other beside Remington. Chapter 1309 Maloney sat between Keith and Trent, which made Hannah wonder what miracle took ce for them to sit together. Before Hannah could utter a polite greeting, a sweet voice came from behind her. ¡°Am Ite?¡± Elsa chirped, walking past Hannah and iming the seat next to Remington. It left the seat next to Bryson as the only unupied one, aside from the host¡¯s seat. Leaning against the chair, Maloney cast a gloating look at Hannah¡¯s predicament. The others poked her inquisitive and disdainful looks too, making the center of attention for a hot minute. Elsa followed Remington¡¯s gaze on Hannah. With a raised brow, she asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to sit down, Miss Moore? The food will be served soon. ¡± After hesitating, Hannah walked toward the table. Watching her walk in the direction of the empty seat beside Bryson, Remington tapped the table with his fingers heavily. His long face showed he was in a foul mood. Just when everyone thought Hannah would sit next to Bryson, she walked past him and took the host¡¯s seat. Everyone was stunned. The elders didn¡¯t even hold back at giving her dirty looks. The members of the Pierce and Lyons families remained silent, but displeasure was evident on their faces. The first person to reproach Hannah was the head of the Austin family. ¡°You! That¡¯s the host¡¯s seat! Even Remington knows it¡¯s disrespectful to take that seat.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. What makes you think you can?¡± Raul Delgado, the patriarch of the Delgado family, seated on the other side of the long table, chimed in, ¡°You¡¯re not abiding by the rules, sweetheart. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Then he turned to Wace and grumbled, ¡°I understand this daughter of yours didn¡¯t grow up with you, but you should have taught her some manners when she returned to avoid this kind of incident. It¡¯s disrespectful, Wace. ¡± Because of what happened at the partyst time, Bagot knew bett er than to castigate Hannah for her questionable choices. Trying to remedy the tension, Bagot winked at his father to get his attention and said lightheartedly, ¡°It¡¯s just a seat, Dad. No rules are broken or disrespected. Let¡¯s not make a big deal out of it. ¡± Raul was seldom invited to such a special gathering, so he would always try to make an impression on others whenever an opportunity arose, but Bagot¡¯s interjection deted his act. Pissed off, Raul blurted out, ¡°What do you know? Rules are rules! They should be followed, not disregarded!¡± Sharing the same close-minded ideology, the elders of the other families at the table voiced their displeasure at Hannah¡¯s actions. Having a beef with the Comptons, the Austins reveled at the opportunity to throw stones at them to smear their image. ¡°No one has ever taken that seat because of the rules, but that girl did because she¡¯s ignorant, which is her father¡¯s fault for not teaching her proper etiquette,¡± one of the eldersmented harshly. Chapter 1310 Wace was incredibly calm in the face of their hurtfulments. ¡°Come on, people. It¡¯s just a seat. Taking it doesn¡¯t mean my daughter is disrespecting the rules or has bad manners. It¡¯s been twenty years since thest time we¡¯ve had this kind of gathering, so we should cut each other some ck, especially over such a minor mistake. Besides, I know you¡¯ve always wanted to take that seat but couldn¡¯t because you uphold the rules like they¡¯re a cult manifesto. My daughter just happens to be more unsuspecting and open-minded than most of us. ¡± Then, responding to theirments about his daughter, Wace¡¯s expression became grim. ¡°I know she can be careless, but I don¡¯t reprimand her over trivial matters. ¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± The head of the Austin family blurted out, clearly offended by Wace¡¯s words. The rest of the Austins were outraged but couldn¡¯t retort. The Comptons had always been regarded as superior among the four prominent families. While the other families were crumbling down, the Comptons retained their strength and influence. The Lyons managed to im their prestige, but even their current strength fell short against that of the Comptons. This was why the Austins could only suck their anger up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Hannah. We won¡¯t hold this against you,¡± Amelie butted in, sitting next to Wace. ¡°You¡¯re not familiar with our ways yet, so it¡¯s not surprising that you would act thoughtlessly. ¡± Her tone might be amicable, but her words wereced with disdain. As she spoke, she winked at Joselyn to signal something. Getting Amelie¡¯s message, Joselyn chimed in, ¡°Aren¡¯t we here for a casual dinner? Let¡¯s not spoil the night, people. Hannah, dear, please take the seat next to Bryson for now. I know it¡¯s confusing, but let¡¯s just follow the rules and not ruin other people¡¯s nights. ¡± Just like Amelie, Joselyn¡¯s words were meant to humiliate Hannah. Hannah had been silent the whole time, but now, she turned to Joselyn. Meeting Joselyn¡¯s gaze, Hannah retorted unflinchingly, ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s just a casual dinner, so sitting here shouldn¡¯t be a big deal, right?¡± Joselyn¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Hey, Hannah, you¡¯re flipping the script!¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Ignoring Joselyn, Hannah turned to Raul. ¡°Why is it wrong to sit here?¡± ¡°My dad¡¯s a bit of a tough cookie. Sorry about that, Miss Moore!¡± Bagot jumped in before his dad could butt in. The Austins didn¡¯t want to mess with Wace, but they had no problem being jerks to Hannah. ¡°Rules are rules! No exceptions!¡± ¡°Speaking of rules, what¡¯s the deal with sitting in this spot?¡± Chapter 1311 Hannah arched her eyebrows at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t we here to talk business today? So, my father is the top dog among the big ns, right?¡± Nobody spoke up to challenge her. Hannah grinned. ¡°Silence means consent, huh?¡± I know you¡¯ve got some serious cash and assets, both at home and abroad. But let¡¯s keep it real in our business dealings. No high and mighty attitudes mixed with greed. ¡± Leaning back, Hannah propped her chin on her hand, tapping her cheekzily. ¡°The rich have the final say, right? My old man is the top dog among the ns. He¡¯s already named me as his sessor. So me being here? Totally legit, right?¡± Although she sounded casual, she remained seated, firm as a rock, showing no signs of budging. Yet, her c@@ky demeanor and beaming face weren¡¯t off-putting at all. ¡°It looks Like Miss Moore¡¯s onto something. ¡± Remington¡¯s poker face didn¡¯t betray him but he shot Hannah a smile. ¡°We haven¡¯t met like this for years. It¡¯s a rare opportunity. It¡¯s all about business and mutual benefit. Arguing over who sits where is pointless. ¡± The Austins were even more riled up seeing Remington go against them. ¡°So, what, rules don¡¯t matter now?¡± Remington grinned at the elder who spoke up. ¡°If we stuck strictly to the rules, we wouldn¡¯t have six ns instead of four now, right?¡± Just as he finished, silence fell, and even the Austins looked taken aback!Original content from N?velDrama.Org. By bringing up the unspoken past, Remington had everyone wearing different expression s. Bryson, too, reclined in his seat, sneaking nces at Hannah now and then. Feeling the tension rise, Hannah chimed in coolly, ¡°Hey, it¡¯s just dinner. There¡¯s no need for all this drama. If any of you all think I¡¯m out of line, I¡¯ll say sorry right here. But hey, I¡¯m kind of hungry. How about we eat first?¡± Sitting beside her, Maloney struggled to contain hisughter. Hannah was a champ at irritating others. Would the old stick-in-the-muds just bail on the spot? Indeed, the elder Austins were growing increasingly furious. Meanwhile, Remington pped his hands. ¡°Bring out the food!¡± The tension lingered even as they ate. The vibe around the table was seriously grim. Yet, Hannah and the other youngsters savored the meal, unfazed by the drama. After dinner, Wace called Hannah aside. Following him into the room, Hannah leaned against the desk, silent. Chapter 1312 ¡°You¡¯re being way tooid-back. It¡¯s not cool!¡± Wace sank into the sofa, eyeing Hannah. ¡°I got your back in front of everyone but you shouldn¡¯t have snagged that seat today! We¡¯re at the Lyons family¡¯s ce. Stirring the pot Like that here is a risky move!¡± Hannah seemed distracted, scanning the room, not really hearing Wace. The spy cam had been hidden masterfully. Even after a thorough search, Hannah couldn¡¯t spot it. Wace¡¯s voice broke through again. ¡°Are you even listening?¡± ¡°Yeah, got it,¡± Hannah respondedzily. ¡°I¡¯m just being real here. If they want to throw shade over this, they¡¯re being petty. ¡± Even Wace couldn¡¯t hide his frustration at Hannah¡¯s nonchnt attitude. ¡°You might not know these folks, but I do! Poking the bear here is like ying with fire!¡± Hannah shed a grin at Wace. ¡°Dad, you¡¯ve been around the block in the business world. Seen all sorts of scenarios. You scared this time?¡± The conversation between Hannah and Wace got captured by a sneaky pinhole camera. Over in the control room, Remington watched calmly. He wasn¡¯t surprised by Hannah¡¯s audacity. Hannah was always a wild card, caring little for others¡¯ opinions. She was his most valuable yer. When someone switched the surveince to Hannah¡¯s room, they found the screen ck. ¡°Mr. Lyons, we¡¯ve got a glitch!¡± Then they retrieved the footage. Thest thing they saw was Hannah pulling out the pinhole camera from a book! Remington¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Check the other rooms. See if anyone else found something. ¡± After a thorough sweep, the monitor operator reported, ¡°Only thisdy caught it. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s sharp, no doubt. ¡± Remington arched an eyebrow, not fazed by it.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. If anything, he found himself more intrigued by Hannah. Well, the pinhole camera had been discovered. Even if they set up another, it¡¯d be useless now. Remington ordered, ¡°Keep an eye on the others. There¡¯s no need to watch her room anymore. ¡± ¡°Got it, Mr. Lyons. ¡± After the scolding in Wace¡¯s room, Hannah was dismissed. She went back to her room. The night dr@ped the manorpletely, making it hard to see beyond the shadows outside. Chapter 1313 Just as Hannah reached to draw the curtains, she heard the door being unlocked. It swung open. Despite that, she continued pulling the curtains and turned to face the door. Bryson shut the door behind him, locking eyes with Hannah. She grinned, sauntering towards him. ¡°Impressive. You cracked my code pretty easily. ¡± Meanwhile, downstairs in the hall, Remington nced up and caught sight of Bryson entering Hannah¡¯s room and shutting the door. His gaze narrowed. Was that a man sneaking into Hannah¡¯s room, or was he seeing things? ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to crack the password so quickly. ¡± In the room, Hannah couldn¡¯t resist a yful jab at Bryson. Without warning, Bryson lifted his hand, gently messing up Hannah¡¯s hair before drawing her close. Caught off guard by his sudden embrace, Hannah found herself leaning into his chest.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. She reached up to pat him on the back. ¡°What¡¯s up? You okay?¡± ¡°Drop out of thepetition tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Gently pushing Bryson back, Hannah¡¯s confusion was clear. ¡°Why are you telling me to drop out all of a sudden?¡± But before Bryson had a chance to exin, a knock interrupted them. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Hannah called out, her voice firm. ¡°It¡¯s me. ¡± As soon as Remington¡¯s voice filtered through the door, Hannah¡¯s grip tightened around Bryson¡¯s wrist. ¡°His timing could not be worse!¡± she whispered urgently. In a rush, Hannah pulled Bryson toward the wardrobe and yanked the doors open. By some stroke of luck, it was bare. Shoving Bryson inside, she whispered urgently, ¡°Just stay here for a bit. I¡¯ll handle him and then you cane out. ¡± After saying that, Hannah spun to leave, yet Bryson caught her hand, pulling her into the closet with him. Off-bnce, Hannah tumbled into Bryson¡¯s embrace, and they both crashed against the closet wall with a loud bump. ¡°Are you all right. . Hmm. . Chapter 1314 Hannah began to ask Bryson if he was okay, but before she could finish, Bryson¡¯s fingers gently lifted her chin, drawing her into a ki*s. The fervor of Bryson¡¯s ki*s left Hannah without the will to pull away; instead, she let herself sink deeper into the moment. Bang! Bang! Bang! The persistent knocking at the door snapped Hannah out of the reverie. She quickly stepped back from Bryson and left the closet. She made sure the closet doors were shut. Just as they clicked closed, Hannah caught a glimpse of Bryson¡¯s gaze in the dim light-a look that sent her pulse racing. Despite the urge to delve deeper into that moment, now was not the time. She secured the closet and made her way to the door, opening it to find Remington there. ¡°Mr. Lyons? It¡¯s quitete. What brings you here?¡± ¡°I need to discuss something with you. ¡± Remington loomed in the doorway, peering into Hannah¡¯s room. ¡°What took you so long to answer?¡± ¡°Nothing much. ¡± Hannah maintained herposure, stepping aside to let Remington in. ¡°I was in the bathroom. That¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t answer right away. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Remington c@@ked his head, eyeing her. ¡°Taking a shower, huh? Looks like my timing¡¯s off. ¡± As Hannah fetched a ss of water for Remington, she brushed off thement. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. I was just freshening up. ¡± She offered the ss to Remington, smoothly shifting the conversation. ¡°So, what¡¯s up? What did you need to talk about?¡± Remington epted the ss, then dove into his query, ¡°I heard there was a bit of a scene with some kids outside the vi today. ¡± ¡°They weren¡¯t hassling me, it was Peterson they were after. I was just lending a hand. ¡± Remington seemed caught off guard by her candor. He probed further, ¡°How well do you know Peterson?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve only met him twice.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. I first saw him at the Compton¡¯s banquet,¡± Hannah mentioned to Remington. ¡°Oddly enough, I happened upon him in the garden getting picked on, and I stepped in. Today, it was the same guy I had to straighten out before. This time he just saw me and bolted-I didn¡¯t even need to step in. ¡± ying with her hair, Hannah cast her gaze downward. ¡°Mr. Lyons, if you have a problem with what I did, just say it. There¡¯s no need for subtlety. ¡± Raising her gaze to meet his, she challenged, ¡°Or should I be the one saying sorry?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got the wrong idea. I¡¯m not here to get an apology out of you. ¡± There was a flicker of unexpected emotion in Remington¡¯s green eyes before he offered a smile. ¡°I¡¯m just taken aback, that¡¯s all. ¡± ¡°You are surprised that I would help Peterson?¡± Hannah looked at Remington, her curiosity piqued. ¡°I have heard a few things about your family. And the tale of Peterson¡¯s struggles within your household¡­ you¡¯re aware of them, aren¡¯t you?¡± Chapter 1315 Remington moved closer with measured steps. As the gap between them narrowed, Hannah felt the air grow heavier. ¡°So, if I¡¯m so clued in, what should I do about it, in your opinion?¡± Hannah met his gaze coolly and offered a sly blink. ¡°Doing nothing wouldn¡¯t be out of character.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. After all, I chose to work with you, knowing full well you¡¯d stop at nothing to get what you want. Why would you spare a thought for those who don¡¯t matter to your ns?¡± At her words, Remington couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle. ¡°Is that considered apliment where youe from?¡± With a yful tilt of her head and a beaming smile, Hannah retorted, ¡°Could be, couldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Actually¡­¡± Remington paused, his hand reaching up to lightly graze Hannah¡¯s cheek. His thumb and forefinger gently captured her chin, prompting her to look at him. ¡°Given the choice, I¡¯d pick you as my partner. You¡¯re sharp and driven. Together we¡¯d be¡­¡± He didn¡¯t finish, but his implication was enough to send a shiver through Hannah! There was a green-eyed monster lurking in the closet, surely overhearing every word. This thought made Hannah instinctively step back, just as a noise came from the closet! Remington¡¯s gaze snapped towards the sound. ¡°What was that?¡± ¡°What ?¡± For the first time, Hannah found herself fumbling over her words. ¡°I ~ I just knocked into the couch. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it. ¡± Remington turned and made his way to the closet. ¡°That noise came from the closet. Is there someone in here with you?¡± ¡°Of course not. ¡± Hannah shadowed him closely, her hand discreetly clutching a silver needle, ready to act in a pinch to knock Remington out! Just as Remington reached for the closet door, a gunshot rang out from outside. Hannah, her attention diverted, asked, ¡°What was that?¡± ¡°That sounded Like a gunshot. ¡± Remington, now drawn to themotion outside, halted his advance and headed for the door. ¡°I need to check that out. ¡± Hannah cast a quick nce back at the closet before trailing after Remington. ¡°I¡¯ming with you. ¡± They had barely opened the door when a sharp scream echoed from outside! ¡°Someone is injured! Hurry up!¡± ¡°Catch him! He¡¯s gone out the window!¡± Chapter 1316 ¡°Ahhh! Ahhh! There¡¯s blood everywhere! Someone was killed. ¡± Thest cry came from a room down the corridor. Hannah recognized it instantly; it was Elsa¡¯s voice. Elsa emerged from the room, her face etched with horror. Gathering the folds of her dress, she dashed toward them! Coincidentally, they emerged simultaneously. Spotting Remington, Elsa rushed to him and threw herself into his arms. ¡°I was so scared! Thank goodness you¡¯re here!¡± Remington was in no mood for tenderness. He brusquely pushed Elsa aside, his tone firm. ¡°It¡¯s not safe for you here. It would be best if you went downstairs. Miss Moore,e with me to assess the situation in the room. ¡± ¡°Okay.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± Hannah followed Remington to the scene of the ident. But just as they were about to enter, Elsa suddenly grabbed Hannah¡¯s wrist, her eyes wide with suspicion. ¡°Wait! Why did Remingtone out of your room? What were you two doing in there?¡± The once delicatedy morphed into a different persona upon realizing they were at Hannah¡¯s room door! She bombarded Hannah with questions incessantly! ¡°Let¡¯s try to stay calm. ¡± Noting Elsa¡¯s agitation, Hannah sought to reassure her. ¡°There was a gunshot just now. It¡¯s extremely dangerous. Please go downstairs first. We can discuss thister. ¡± ¡°No, I won¡¯t!¡± Elsa¡¯s grip on Hannah¡¯s hand tightened, her tone unyielding. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere until you tell me straight! Why was Remington in your room?¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± Remington intervened, forcefully pulling Elsa¡¯s arm away. A stern expression reced his usual gentlemanly demeanor. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll tolerate your behavior just becaus e you¡¯re from the Austin family!¡± Elsa¡¯s jaw dropped. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Remington¡¯s anger. Though she wanted to confront him, the malice in his eyes made her instinctively recoil. ¡°Humph! You¡¯ll regret letting Remington treat me Like this!¡± With that, Elsa turned and ran downstairs in tears, giving Hannah a fierce look before leaving. Watching her receding figure, Hannah felt speechless and drained from the encounter. She had no energy to continue the conversation with such difficult people. ¡°Let¡¯s head to that room first,¡± Remington said, leading the way down the corridor. Just as they were about to enter the room in the corridor, a sudden movement from Hannah¡¯s room caught Remington¡¯s eye. He stopped and turned to look at the stairs, his expression serious. Hannah noticed his change in demeanor and stopped to follow his gaze. ¡°yihat¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Let¡¯s go inside and see what¡¯s going on,¡± Remington replied. Chapter 1317 When Remington opened the door, his heart sank when he saw the pool of blood staining the carpet before him. The room was chaotic, with people scrambling to help and stem the bleeding of the person lying on the ground. The person at the center of attention, surrounded by the frantic efforts of those around him, groaned in agony. Remington strained to see who it was, but the identity remained elusive in the chaos. ¡°The bleeding won¡¯t stop. Where is that damn doctor?¡± a voice pierced the chaos,den with dread. Nearby, the butler stood pallid and trembling, hisposure shattered. ¡°I¡¯ve sent for him. He¡¯s on his way here. ¡± ¡°Get out of my way. ¡± Remington¡¯s voice boomed with authority, devoid of mercy, as he demanded the onlookers to retreat. With determined resolve, he forcefully pushed his way through the crowd. It wasn¡¯t until Hannah joined him that she realized the injured person was Bagot. There was a deep gash to his leg, a testament to a vicious attack inflicted by a de at the threshold. Despite his efforts to seek refuge indoors, a gunshot wound seared his shoulder. Hannah recognized the severity of the gunshot injury. She knew that if she didn¡¯t stop the bleeding quickly, Bagot¡¯s life would hang in the bnce. Amidst her thoughts, the man who had been staunching Bagot¡¯s bleeding cried out, ¡°His heart¡¯s stopped!¡± Hannah snapped into action without hesitation. ¡°Make some room. Let me attend to him!¡± When the onlookers saw Hannah, their faces contorted with disdain and doubt, their skepticism palpable in the charged atmosphere. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for grandstanding, Miss Moore! He¡¯s on death¡¯s door. You¡¯d best go find safety yourself,¡± one of them remarked grimly. Hannah only nced at him with no time to waste arguing before pushing past. She quickly unbuttoned Bagot¡¯s cor and put her two fingers on his throat. ¡°I feel a faint pulse. He¡¯s lost a lot of blood and has gone into shock. Bring more quilts and nkets. The bleeding won¡¯t stop. He needs to be kept warm. ¡± Hermand rang out, clear and decisive, demanding action in the face of urgency. Despite Hannah¡¯s rity, the onlookers hesitated, exchanging doubtful nces that spoke volumes of their disbelief in her assessment. Remington¡¯smand broke the deadlock.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What are you waiting for? Move it, everyone! Miss Moore¡¯s got a handle on things. Let her lead for now!¡± As Remington¡¯s directive spurred them into reluctant action, they hurried off searching for quilts, nkets, and warmth, theirpliance tinged with uncertainty. With a practiced eye, Hannah examined the wound on Bagot¡¯s thigh, finding it to be less severe than she had initially feared. However, the shoulder injury presented a more daunting challenge, the blood still flowing freely from the bullet hole. Just then, Keith and Trent arrived, offering their assistance. ¡°The two of us were worried when we heard you were still in the room, so we came over to see if we could help?¡± Chapter 1372 Hannah released her grip, saying, ¡°I won¡¯t stoop to killing you. We live in a society underw. Do you really think I¡¯d disregard life like you do?¡± ¡°Cough, cough, cough, cough, cough!!!¡± Joselyn choked, her legs buckling as she fell, gasping for air and coughing violently! Between coughs, she panicked, asking, ¡°What¡­ What do you mean?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb. Your tricks won¡¯t work on me,¡± Hannah retorted. ¡°Elsa and I may not get along but she wouldn¡¯t do this,¡± Hannah exined. ¡°You¡¯re just looking for trouble with her because you need a scapegoat, aren¡¯t you?¡± Shocked, but stubborn, Joselyn denied it. ¡°Hannah, what are you saying? How could I hurt you, I¡­¡± ¡°AHI! I¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Hannah showed no mercy, pressing her foot onto Joselyn¡¯s shoulder, her gaze co Her words cut through Joselyn like a knife, cold and sharp. ¡°You might not know but your room¡¯s under watch. A simple check can reveal what Elsa said to you that day. ¡± Joselyn tensed at Hannah¡¯s words, too scared to even look up. ¡°What else could she have said¡­ Obviously, she nned to hurt you!¡± Still wrestling with disbelief, Joselyn thought Hannah was just bluffing. ¡°Hannah, I took a risk today, speaking up for you. Without me, you¡¯d have no proof against her!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hannah withdrew her foot, giving Joselyn a cold stare. ¡°So, I owe you, huh?¡± Struggling to stand, Joselyn met Hannah¡¯s gaze. ¡°Hannah, I know you aren¡¯t fond of me, I¡¯ve always known. I used to target you, fearing you¡¯d snatch Dad¡¯s love. But now, I get it, we¡¯re kin, and I hope we can get along. . ¡± Cutting her off, Hannah interrupted her. ¡°So, it was Elsa trying to harm me, and you stopped her?¡± ¡°Absolutely !¡± Joselyn lied smoothly. ¡°We¡¯re family, Hannah. I¡¯d never hurt you!¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll check the surveince and we¡¯ll see what Elsa really said that day. ¡± As she turned to go, Joselyn, lost in thought, didn¡¯t notice. Hannah paused and nced back, a smirk ying on her lips. ¡°You didn¡¯t think I was bluffing about the room¡¯s surveince, did you?¡± She swung the door open and stepped out. With a sharp click, reality snapped back into focus for Joselyn. Chapter 1373 She hurried to intercept Hannah. ¡°Hold on¡­ Wait a second!¡± Seeing Joselyn blocking her path, Hannah arched an eyebrow. ¡°Have you got more to say?¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Joselyn, face drained of color, dropped to her knees before Hannah, her forehead touching the cool floor, ¡°Please¡­ Please don¡¯t tell Dad about this! I was just¡­ I lost my way! And you¡¯re okay now, aren¡¯t you? If Dad finds out, he won¡¯t go easy on me!¡± Looking at the tearful figure on the ground, Hannah scoffed internally, but she was flexible. ¡°I might keep quiet, depending on how sincere you are?¡± ¡°Sis, name it, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes!¡± Joselyn, now desperate, clung to Hannah¡¯s clothes, caring Little about taking sides. If Hannah spilled this to Dad, even if Amelie wanted to save her, her father would never let her off. Amelie wouldn¡¯t protect someone of so little worth anyhow. Joselyn finally showed some sense, trying to strike a deal with Hannah. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll give you a shot to prove yourself. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah grinned, leaning in to whisper a few words in Joselyn¡¯s ear. Listening to Hannah, Joselyn¡¯s expression shifted. Her teeth clenched but then she nodded vigorously. ¡°Sis, trust me, I¡¯ll handle this. No one else will know. ¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes, straightened up, and warned, ¡°No tricks. Mess up, and you know what¡¯sing. ¡± Joselyn agreed to the terms. Hannah left, leaving Joselyn to copse to the ground, catching her breath. Despite knowing it was a trap, Joselyn had no choice but to dive in. Her eyes darkened, Joselyn still held Amelie¡¯s secrets. If push came to shove, she¡¯d drag everyone down with her! She had to fight for her own chance! Night fell and the heads of families and key members gathered in the living room. Remington and Wace waited for Rhett, who hadn¡¯t arrived yet.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Remington checked his watch, frowning, then instructed, ¡°Get Rhett here pronto!¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Lyons. ¡± Chapter 1374 Unnoticed, Hannah and Bryson messaged each other quietly from opposite ends of the sofa. Bryson, his hand propping his forehead, saw Hannah¡¯s message, smiling as he replied, ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it, I¡¯ve got a n to stall him from signing that contract tonight. ¡± Hannah nced at her phone, idly tapping on it, catching Bryson¡¯s message. She replied yfully, ¡°How do you n to stall him? Another ident likest time? Perhaps a fake terrorist attack?¡± Just as she hit send, screams erupted from upstairs! ¡°Ahhh!!! 1¡± The once-empty living room now echoed with men¡¯s terrified cries. Everyone¡¯s gaze shot upstairs, drawn by the suddenmotion. The man Remington sent to investigate stuck his head out. There was shock etched on his face. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ There¡¯s someone dead in the room! There¡¯s someone dead in the room!¡± The living room fell silent for a beat. Hannah and Bryson locked eyes and rose to their feet simultaneously. The Austins were in disarray, Remington leading the charge upstairs! Upon reaching the scene, they found the man sent to investigate, legs shaky, propped against the corridor wall. Remington, though already anticipating the answer, asked sternly, ¡°Who¡¯s dead in there?¡± The man slumped on the ground and struggled to speak. ¡°Rhett¡­ The Austin family¡¯s son¡­ He is dead!¡± ¡°How in the world could that happen?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°This can¡¯t be real!¡± ¡°How could a perfectly healthy man just drop dead? Move aside! Let us through!¡± Chaos erupted among the Austin family members, each pushing to get inside. As Elsa approached, the news hit her like a ton of bricks, and she let out a feeble scream before copsing behind them! The doorway was packed, everyone consumed by panic, their voices merging into a cacophony of shouts and cries! ¡°Everyone, hold it right there!¡± Hannah¡¯s voice cut through the chaos, her firm grip holding back those attempting to rush in. Remington capitalized on the moment to instruct his bodyguards to block off most of the people outside. Chapter 1375 Hannah continued, ¡°We don¡¯t know what really happened inside, and yet you all want to barge in! Do you not value your lives?¡± A few who had been attempting to force their way through reluctantly backed off after hearing Hannah¡¯s words. Hannah swiftly made her way to the entrance, shooting a pointed Look at Remington. ¡°A life has been lost; it¡¯s time to call the police. ¡± ¡°But this ce is miles away from the city; it¡¯ll take hours for the police to arrive,¡± Remington countered. ¡°Moreover, it¡¯s an internal matter among our six major families¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed as she interjected, ¡°Just because it¡¯s internal, should we ignore thew and handle it ourselves?¡± She looked at the crowd and noticed the mix of fear and panic etched on their faces. ¡°Furthermore, the deceased is a member of the Austin family. If we can identify the perpetrator now, we might just save ourselves the trouble of involving the police. ¡± After saying that, Hannah strode into the room without a backward nce. When they saw her enter the room, a murmur rippled through the crowd again. ¡°Why does she get to go in while we are stuck out here?¡± ¡°She just returned to the Compton family. Who gave her the audacity to order us around?¡± ¡°Let us through! I need to see my son! Did you do something to him? Did Hannah hurt him?¡± ¡°You have been holding a grudge since this afternoon! You are the reason my son¡¯s in trouble, and now you won¡¯t let us in? Are you trying to hide the evidence?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. As Hannah walked into the room, she abruptly came to a stop and turned aro und to look at the crowd standing at the door. Half of her immacte face was cloaked in the darkness, the other half bathed in the Light spilling in from outside. Her dark eyes gleamed with a chilling intensity as she spoke, her voice cutting through the tension. ¡°How did such a fool end up bing the head of a family? After the copse of the Moreno family and the split into two major families, it¡¯s no surprise that only the Austin family is on the decline!¡± The moment those words left her lips, a palpable chill settled over the room. The stares from the Lyons family and Austin family bore into Hannah. It was as if they wanted to tear her apart with their eyes. For years, nobody had dared to dredge up the past since the fall of the Moreno family. And now, this woman had the nerve to do so. Wace, who had been leaning against the wall, frowned when he heard Hannah¡¯s words. His gaze couldn¡¯t help but flicker toward her through the crowd. Amelie seized the opportunity to stoke the mes. ¡°Has Hannah overstepped her bounds? She might have stirred up trouble today. Perhaps we should consider dealing with her?¡± ¡°There is no need. ¡± Wace¡¯s expression darkened, but he said with assurance, ¡°Whatever mess she has made, I¡¯ll clean it up. What¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m afraid, but this is the Lyons¡¯ family territory after all¡­¡± Chapter 1376 Wace¡¯s gaze bore into Amelie, his voice low but intense. ¡°With someone already dead from the Austin family, do you really think they would dare to make a move against us here?¡± Amelie¡¯s smile remained unperturbed as she replied, ¡°You are right. I might have been too hasty. ¡± A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd outside the room. However, Hannah didn¡¯t wait for them to react. She continued, ¡°If I had wanted to harm him, I wouldn¡¯t have waited until now. I¡¯m not some magician who can waltz in and tamper with evidence under everyone¡¯s noses. My hesitation stems from a fear that someone might tamper with the scene. ¡± Turning to address the stern-faced Remington at the door, she added, ¡°The surveince footage from his room should still be essible. Could you please arrange for someone to review it?¡± ¡°Surveince footage?¡± ¡°How could there be surveince cameras in the room?¡± Confused by Hannah¡¯s words, the crowd outside bombarded Remington with questions. ¡®s BunnyBookery Remington clenched his jaw, shooting a fleeting re at Hannah before instructing someone to retrieve the footage immediately. When Hannah turned around, she found herself inplete darkness, with only the moonlight streaming through the living room¡¯s floor-to-ceiling windows illuminating the figure lying on the floor. Instead of entering, she addressed the group behind her. ¡°Get me a pair of gloves and another person to assist. Until the police arrive, nobody enters!¡± Momentster, a pair of gloves appeared by her side. As she reached for them, she turned around and saw Bryson¡¯s worried gaze. Raising an eyebrow, she epted the gloves from his outstretched hand. Lowering her voice, she asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°Let me help. I can¡¯t shake this feeling of unease. ¡± Bryson also adjusted his gloves over his well-defined fingers and raised his voice so that everyone in the room could hear. ¡°Miss Moore, just say the word if you need assistance. I¡¯m here to help. ¡± Hannah looked at him and swiftly flicked on the room¡¯s Light.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The sudden flood of light filled the room, causing Hannah and Bryson, who had grown ustomed to the darkness, to squint in difort. Rhett¡¯s lifeless formy sprawled in front of the couch, a knife embedded in his chest, blood pooling around him. With the Light turned on, everyone outside the room was able to see the scene inside. ¡°My son! Oh no, my son!¡± A cry of anguish pierced the air, followed by a cacophony of shocked voices and franticmotion. With her focus solely on the tragedy before her, Hannah barely registered the chaos outside. As she approached Rhett¡¯s body, something caught her eye. ¡°What is this? A mask?¡± Chapter 1377 The unexpected sight drew a sharp gasp from her lips. This is not something she had expected to find. The mask, identical to the one she had seen on the surveince footage earlier that day nowy at her feet. Following Hannah¡¯s gaze, Bryson saw the strange mask and asked in confusion, ¡°What¡¯s with this mask?¡± ¡°Do you recall me mentioning that Bagot had been injured by a person wearing a mask?¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze lingered on the mask, realization dawning. ¡°So, it¡¯s the same one?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Hannah crouched on the other side of the body and retrieved the mask, which was still stained with dried blood from the floor. After scrutinizing it closely, she met Bryson¡¯s gaze and said, ¡°There is no doubt about it. It¡¯s the exact same mask. ¡± Before Bryson could say anything, Remington¡¯s voice broke the silence from behind them. ¡°We found the surveince footage, but it¡¯s useless. ¡± Standing upright, Hannah held up the mask in her hand, her gaze shifting past Bryson to address the gathering outside. ¡°The surveince camera didn¡¯t capture his face, did it?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Remington shook his head as he stepped into the room, eyeing Bryson. ¡°That guy knows about the room¡¯s camera. He removed it as soon as he came in. ¡± Spotting the mask in Hannah¡¯s hand, a memory clicked for Remington. ¡°That¡¯s the mask we spotted on the surveince,¡± he recalled. Hannah asked him, ¡°When will the police arrive?¡± Remington checked his watch. ¡°They¡¯re on the road probably an hour out. ¡± ncing at the body on the floor, Remington noticed a dagger in Rhett¡¯s chest. There were no other injuries. It seemed he was killed with a single stab, the fatal wound being this one to the chest. The angle of the knife was downward, indicating that the murderer had been probably taller than Rhett. Seeing Hannah¡¯s silent contemtion of the corpse, Remington suggested, ¡°Since there will be quite some time before the cops arrive, how about you and Mr. Mitchell make a break for it? Leave this mess to them. ¡± The situation was already a mess and Hannah wasn¡¯t eager to dive deeper. ¡°Sounds good, I¡¯ll bail,¡± she agreed. With the mask in hand, Hannah subtly motioned to Bryson with her eyes, out of Remington¡¯s view. Exiting with the mask, she passed it to Remington, saying, ¡°Here¡¯s the evidence. Take care of it, Mr.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Lyons. ¡± Chapter 1378 Remington gestured for his men to secure the mask. With Rhett¡¯s father out cold, most of the crowd had scattered. Those remaining were mostly young folks from prominent families. ncing at Bryson, Remington remarked, ¡°Mr. Mitchell¡¯s always ready to lend a hand. ¡± Bryson shot him a nod and a grin, replying, ¡°Sure thing. Helping others helps oneself, right? Who¡¯s next in line for trouble around here?¡± His words made sense, prompting those watching themotion outside to also nce at each other. His words resonated, causing murmurs among the crowd. A brave soul spoke up, ¡°We¡¯ve barely settled in, and already we¡¯ve got a big drama. It¡¯s got us all on edge. ¡± ¡°Even though the road¡¯s a haul, we¡¯ve got plenty of backup. Shouldn¡¯t be an issue heading back now, right?¡± Others began to agree. Agreement rippled through the group. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve got the numbers. As long as someone leads, we¡¯ll follow. ¡± ¡°With all this chaos, it¡¯s best we clear out and let things settle. ¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got a point. Remington, It¡¯s not about disrespect but the Juarez crew¡¯s been stirring up troubletely! The media¡¯s been buzzing about this ce, especially after the racetrack incident. You guys know what¡¯s brewing outside. Tonight¡¯s mess is a headache for the Lyons family. We¡¯d rather steer clear. ¡± Remington¡¯s eyes, dark green and sharp like a snake¡¯s, locked onto the group. ¡°Do you really think you can just walk away now?!¡± His stare and words sent shivers down everyone¡¯s spines! Maloney leaned against the railing, rolling his eyes. ¡°Oh,e on, Remington. Quit trying to spook us. If we wanted out, you couldn¡¯t stop us!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery With Mr. Pierce backing them up, the Delgado and Chadwich crews felt emboldened. ¡°Exactly! You trying to keep us penned in, Mr. Lyons?¡± someone shot back. Remington, annoyed by Maloney¡¯s defiance, red at him. But Maloney wasn¡¯t one to back down, even against Remington¡¯s icy stare.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. He just smiled back. Remington then turned his gaze to Bryson, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Itching to hit the road too, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°Nah, I¡¯m not in a hurry. ¡± Bryson didn¡¯t take Remington¡¯s bait. ¡°The killer¡¯s gunning for your six families,¡± he pointed out. Bryson¡¯s easy grin stayed put. ¡°Guess I¡¯m not on the hit List yet. Lucky me. ¡± Chapter 1379 ¡°You know,¡± he continued, his eyes taunting Remington. ¡°The real sweating should be happening for the killer right now. ¡± Remington huffed, finally shifting his focus to the group. ¡°So, until we capture the killer, none of you are sneaking out before the cops show!¡± ¡°Anyone itching to bolt can! But the first foot out of this joint gets tagged as the murderer and gets a bullet!¡± His threat sealed the deal; no one dared to suggest an exit strategy now. With the crowd dispersing nervously, Hannah casually approached Remington. ¡°Hey, about that Chadwich racer from the other day, did they spill anything useful?¡± ¡°No, they only said they were focused on winning the race, even if it meant ying dirty. ¡± Remington shrugged. Seemed like dead ends were all they had. Hannah turned to Remington. ¡°Mind arranging a chat with that racer for me?¡± Remington nodded. ¡°Sure thing, they¡¯re still around. I¡¯ve got some other business to tackle. Someone will escort you there, and if the cops show, we¡¯ll give you a heads up. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± With Bryson and Maloney nking her, Hannah headed off. As they strolled, Remington motioned to halt Bryson. Bryson nced at Remington¡¯s hand. ¡°Do you need something else?¡± ¡°Why not stick around and lend a hand, Mr. Mitchell? No need to join the crowd. ¡± Bryson smirked. ¡°Do you need my expertise for something else, Mr. Lyons?¡± Remington¡¯s expression hardened, his voice dropping a notch.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°I didn¡¯t invite you here to y games. I wanted us both to benefit. Things didn¡¯t go as nned, but I¡¯d rather mend fences than keep butting heads. ¡± Bryson stood firm, unfazed by the tension. Ignoring Remington¡¯s implied threat, he shot back, ¡°Do you remember the cruise ship? Your goons weren¡¯t exactly friendly. You having a change of heart?¡± Remington grinned, nodding. ¡°In Cadilind, they say more friends mean more opportunities, more enemies mean more obstacles. I¡¯ve seen what you¡¯re made of, carving your niche here all those years ago. You¡¯re no run-of-the-mill guy!¡± His gaze, loaded with implication, bore into Bryson. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be smarter to team up, be pals instead of foes, Mr. Mitchell? What do you say?¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow. ¡°Sorry, but what I¡¯m about to say might not be what you want to hear. ¡± Remington squinted. ¡°So, you¡¯re straight-up saying no to me?¡± ¡°Did I actually say that?¡± Chapter 1380 Bryson looked calm but cold. ¡°You ask me to y ball on your turf, don¡¯t expect a different answer. Do you think I¡¯m all about honor, huh, Mr. Lyons?¡± Remington grinned. ¡°Honor¡¯s not my thing. I do what I have to for my goals. ¡± It seemed like he was backed into a corner. Bryson¡¯s stare grew icy. ¡°What if I decline? That person lying in there, I¡¯ll share his fate, right?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery The tension skyrocketed between them. Then, footsteps thundered upstairs. Seeing the tension, the neer slowed down, staying quiet. Remington¡¯s tone turned cold. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°The cops are outside, in twos. It looks like they¡¯ve got different agendas. Rodrigo¡¯s stirring up trouble out there!¡± As if things weren¡¯t messy enough, that idiot was adding to it! Bryson grinned at Remington. ¡°It seems you have pressing matters to handle. My thing¡¯s trivial so I won¡¯t hold you up. ¡± Remington¡¯s gaze darkened briefly, lingering on Bryson, ¡°We¡¯ll chatter about the matter!¡± Watching Remington stroll away, Bryson nced at the room where the death had urred. ¡°I didn¡¯t figure you¡¯d be the casualty here. Tough break. ¡± Meanwhile, on the first floor¡­ Hannah ushered in Maloney, with Keith and Trent trailing behind, and they all entered the room. Inside was a young guy of about twenty, who jumped up when they walked in. Hannah gave him a once-over and frowned. ¡°Is he the Chadwich family¡¯s racer?¡± The one leading them nodded. ¡°Yes, and we haven¡¯t been able to extract any useful information from him. ¡± The guy met Hannah¡¯s eyes, his face briefly avoiding her gaze. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me. ¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°You were the racecar driver that day?¡± Hannah asked. ¡°Yes,¡± he responded, still avoiding eye contact with Hannah. Hannah settled on the sofa, Maloney and Keith joining her. The guy across from them grew visibly tense. ¡°Miss Moore. . I messed up with the race. I just wanted the win, didn¡¯t think it¡¯d blow up like this¡­¡± he stammered. Chapter 1381 ¡°No need to apologize to me. The Juarez n¡¯s the one you should be worrying about. ¡± She lounged on the sofa with her legs crossed, eyeing the guy. ¡°Whether you spill or not, Mr. Juarez getting messed up because of you is a solid fact. ¡± He flinched, butposed himself quick. ¡°I¡¯ll apologize to Mr. Juarez right away and the Chadwich family will sort out all the bills. ¡± ¡°Is that what Amelie fed you?¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°I guess you missed that the Juarez family are furious over this. The Juarez head wants 200 million or you. Do you reckon you¡¯re worth that?¡± Stuck here for days, the man had no clue what was brewing outside. Hannah¡¯s words hit him Like a ton of bricks and panic set in. Using his fluster, she remarked, ¡°Plus, it wasn¡¯t even you behind the wheel. Why shoulder the me?¡± ¡°Right, it wasn¡¯t me who-¡° In his panic, he blurted out, then shut up real quick. Caught in Hannah¡¯s smirk, he broke into a sweat. ¡°Miss Moore, please, no jokes¡­ I was the one racing. ¡± ¡°Alright, if you¡¯re tight-lipped, I won¡¯t push. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah rose, motioning to Maloney. ¡°I gave you a shot but you missed it. Let¡¯s go. ¡± Trent, thest up, reminded the guy, ¡°Something big happened tonight. We¡¯re out of heree morning. Oh, and Chadwich family won¡¯t be riding to your rescue. After tonight, the Juarezes will take you. You may not believe it, but you¡¯ll see for yourself in the morning. ¡± As he wrapped up, the guy¡¯s eyes darted to Hannah¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°IU talk! I¡¯ll tell everything! It wasn¡¯t me!!¡± At the door, Hannah halted, spinning back. ¡°Who was behind the wheel then?¡± The guy spilled, no dawdling this time.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°It was a professional tight with Amelie, it was Alessandra!¡± Keith and Trent, caught off guard by the name, froze for a second. Despite the shock, Hannah kept her cool. ¡°If what you¡¯re saying checks out, you¡¯re free tonight. ¡± With that, she led the others out. The guy Remington sent Hannah¡¯s way still loitered outside. Hannah addressed him. ¡°Round up Alessandra from the Chadwich family. If they won¡¯t hand her over, just tell them straight: if the Chadwich family try to cover this with a scapegoat, I¡¯ll spill the beans to Juarezes. After you take her, bring her straight to my room. ¡± The guy nodded. ¡°Got it, Miss Moore. ¡± Chapter 1382 The living room buzzed with folks. It was a night doomed for no sleep. With Rhett gone, who knew if more would follow? Once everyone left, Hannah turned to her crew. ¡°Maloney, you and the others stay put here. I have some stuff to chat with Alessandra. ¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Maloney agreed. ¡°Watch your back, though. ¡± Keith looked uneasy. ¡°Maybe we should hover by the door, just in case. ¡± Hannah grinned. ¡°Rx, nothing¡¯s going to happen. ¡± They settled in the living room as Hannah climbed back upstairs. Each step on the staircase felt heavy. The silence was eerie. On the fifth floor, she pushed the door open to find Bryson chilling on the sofa. Closing the door behind her, she approached Bryson. ¡°You are getting gutsier by the minute. Sneaking into my turf with everyone downstairs. Aren¡¯t you worried Lyons might catch on?¡± Bryson smirked as she neared. ¡°He¡¯s suspected me before. Plus, he¡¯s busy with the cops outside. ¡± Hannah, after all she¡¯d been through, found sce only in Bryson¡¯spany. Sitting beside him, she whispered, ¡°They¡¯re bringing someone over; you should hide. ¡± Bryson, intrigued, asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t I supposed to meet them?¡± ¡°She¡¯s Winston¡¯s sister, Amelie¡¯s ally. It won¡¯t be good if she sees us together. ¡± Bryson, leaning back, toyed with Hannah¡¯s hair, lost in thought. ¡°Are you even listening?¡± Hannah turned and lightly pped Bryson¡¯s yful hand, but he caught her wrist instead. ¡°I heard you. ¡± Bryson grinned, intertwining their fingers. ¡°I¡¯lly low when she shows up. ¡± Hannah, captivated, didn¡¯t resist. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°After we depart tomorrow, keeping secrets gets harder. ¡± Understanding dawned on Hannah.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°It won¡¯t just be us facing trouble. With the six big families gathering and the Austins¡¯ loss, it¡¯s major gossip. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice wavered, meeting Bryson¡¯s gaze. ¡°By the way, if tonight hadn¡¯t gone south, how would you have dodged the contract?¡± Bryson held her hand tighter, his tone firm. Chapter 1383 ¡°Are you ming me for the Austins¡¯ mess?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care who dies. ¡± Hannah withdrew her hand from Bryson¡¯s grip, meeting his gaze atst. There was a faint grin on her lips. ¡°I just don¡¯t want you getting tangled in this mess. ¡± Bryson¡¯s icy stare softened a tad, though he was clearly irked, scoffing, ¡°Are you doubting me now? What¡¯s left to say?¡± ¡°Quit with the moping,¡± Hannah chided, feeling at a loss with Bryson. Even his shrink couldn¡¯t crack him! His unpredictability always threw her for a loop, making it a real head-scratcher to figure him out. ¡°Do you remember that family bash? You stirred up quite the storm. Did I ever throw shade at you for it?¡± Their bond had be more fragile after that debacle. Despite their trust, there were mysteries they couldn¡¯t unravel, holding them back from progress. In the end, Hannah caved first, sighing. ¡°Okay, my bad. I shouldn¡¯t have grilled you like that, let alone doubted you because of history. I get you¡¯re freaked that doing this could put a bullseye on us from the other families. ¡± Bryson reassured, ¡°If I¡¯d really done it, I wouldn¡¯t keep it under wraps. ¡± Indeed, she had been confused. Hannah massaged her temples, feeling the ache throb, slumping wearily against the sofa, eyelids drooping shut. ¡°I¡¯m just wiped out. ¡± Out of the blue, a shadow loomed over her. Hannah¡¯s eyes snapped open, finding Bryson¡¯s handsome mug in front of her. ¡°You¡­¡± Bryson gently touched her forehead, his voice smooth but a tad softer. ¡°ALL good, there¡¯s no fever. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m tougher than that. ¡± Hannah chuckled, swatting Bryson¡¯s hand away. Bryson slid in a tease. ¡°With all the chaos, I am just looking out for you. ¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. As the tension eased, a knock interrupted. Chapter 1384 Knock, knock, knock! Hannah nced at the door, her smile fading. ¡°I guess they¡¯re here. Better hide for now. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± Bryson rose, vanishing into Hannah¡¯s room. Once the door clicked shut, Hannah swung open the suite door. The Lyons family¡¯s servants stood respectfully, Alessandra silent by the side. ¡°Thank you for bringing her. There is a chat I need to have with her solo. ¡± The visitors nodded. ¡°Miss Moore, go ahead. Master Remington wants you downstairs after. ¡± ¡°Okay, I got it. ¡± After their talk, Hannah turned to Alessandra. ¡°Step inside. ¡± Alessandra entered without a word, and Hannah closed the door behind her. ¡°Have a seat. ¡± Hannah sauntered forward, the room hushing for a beat. She nced back to see Alessandra still rooted by the door, statue-still.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d suss out the phony racecar driver, or didn¡¯t think I¡¯d shoot you an invite?¡± Hearing Hannah, Alessandra slowly lifted her gaze, a strange look crossing her face. ¡°When did you clock I was one of Madame¡¯s crew?¡± ¡°Probably when Amelie got tipped off when I visited Jade Paradise. That¡¯s when I started sniffing around you. ¡± Hannah sank into the couch, eyeing Alessandra. ¡°If you¡¯re on Amelie¡¯s payroll, why were you sent to the ckeye?¡± ¡°Heh. ¡± Alessandra let out a soft chuckle, bitternesscing her gaze as she locked eyes with Hannah. ¡°Isn¡¯t it standard procedure in a joint Like Jade Paradise to shuffle folks around? You¡¯ve hit up Jade Paradise too. That day they couldn¡¯t find you and you swooped in to save Charlie. You have seen the real deal there, right?¡± Hannah furrowed her brow. ¡°Evening from an orphanage, with your brother with Wace, why not hit him up for help?¡± Alessandra¡¯s emotions red. ¡°Don¡¯t even mention that failure to me!¡± Alessandra¡¯s eyes welled with bitterness and resentment. ¡°Why¡¯s he the golden child, living it up with the Comptons! While I was stuck in Jade Paradise! It was all his fault! My time there¡¯s been a nightmare! What good is his cash when he drops by? Can he really shield me?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t know their whole saga but she sensed Winston genuinely cared for his sister. ¡°If you¡¯re suffering that bad, why noty it out straight to your brother?¡± Alessandra¡¯s voice spiked as she stormed towards the sofa, visibly riled. ¡°You think I haven¡¯t tried? I¡¯ve begged him to bail me out of Jade Paradise, but what¡¯s his response?¡± ¡°Haha. ¡± Alessandra snorted. ¡°He tells me to tough it out a little longer, to grin and bear it¡ª- I¡¯m fed up! I¡¯ve heard that spiel for years!¡± Chapter 1385 ¡°He couldn¡¯t save you because Amelie had been threatening him with your life. Amelie? She¡¯s a master at ying nice in front of my father,¡± Hannah remarked. ¡°The Compton-Chadwich alliance only made the Chadwich family more daring. You think he¡¯d risk you for anything, just being my father¡¯s right-hand man?¡± Alessandra¡¯s furious face froze. ¡°If he tried to get you out of Jade Paradise, Amelie would never let him off the hook. He¡¯s stuck with my father¡¯s errands; he can¡¯t watch over you all the time,¡± Hannah pointed out. ¡°Being with the Comptons won¡¯t guarantee your safety. And where else could he send you?¡± Alessandra shook her head, looking bewildered.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°You¡¯ve barely scratched the surface! You don¡¯t know a thing!¡± ¡°Why do you reckon we¡¯d be having this chat if you weren¡¯t Winston¡¯s sister?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze met Alessandra¡¯s, her lips tight. ¡°He reached out to me for help, remember? To save you. Without being Winston¡¯s sister, you think you¡¯d have dodged that close call heading to the ckeye? If you weren¡¯t Winston¡¯s sister, I¡¯d have just let the Juarez family handle you however they pleased!¡± Shaking, Alessandra red at Hannah, bravely speaking up. ¡°Then go ahead, hand me over! It was me who tried to hurt you first!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s wrong. Isn¡¯t it natural to fight for survival?¡± With a bitter grin, Alessandra retorted, ¡°Do you think I was dragged into the ckeye against my will? No! I made the choice myself! I told Madam if I made it through, I¡¯d ask for a shot at redemption, and she agreed! At that moment, Winston found me. I was a mess, crying about going to that ce. He promised to rescue me, but I doubted him. ¡± Biting her lip, tears streaming down her face, Alessandramented, ¡°He never kept his word all these years. Why should I trust him now?¡± Hannah silently observed as Alessandra poured out her feelings. After letting it all out, Alessandra sank to her knees, hiding her face and sobbing. ¡°I¡¯m not in the wrong¡­ I just want to survive! I¡¯m not wrong!!¡± Hannah¡¯s stoic face softened as she looked at Alessandra. ¡°If you ended up here, it means Amelie has given up on you. She¡¯s willing to sacrifice one to save the whole Chadwich family. She doesn¡¯te out at a loss,¡± Hannah concluded. ¡°Heh. ¡± Alessandra, tears streaking her cheeks, met Hannah¡¯s gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve made my call, no regrets. Just hand me over to the Juarez family!¡± ¡°Did you ever think about how your brother would react to this bombshell?¡± Hannah¡¯s question hung in the air. A heavy silence followed Hannah¡¯s inquiry, Alessandra lost in thought. ¡°You were just following orders; me falls on the Chadwich family, not just you,¡± Hannah reassured. Alessandra¡¯s puzzled stare met Hannah¡¯s, trying to make sense of her words. Resting her chin on her hand, Hannah pondered, ¡°The Chadwich bunch is trouble. I can¡¯t make them vanish, but I can sure make them sweat. ¡± A chill ran down Alessandra¡¯s spine, feeling Hannah¡¯s power. ¡°What¡­ What kind of trouble have you got in mind for the Chadwiches?¡± Hannah¡¯s grin widened. ¡°That¡¯s up to you. Are you willing to y ball?¡± ¡°I¡­ The Chadwich fallout¡¯s will be no joke¡­ I am not scared of death¡­ Just worried about dragging my brother into this. ¡± Chapter 1386 Hannah touched her cheek, a sly smirk forming. ¡°Oh? But you had no problem getting close to me for intel, risking your brother then. ¡± Alessandra blushed slightly, admitting, ¡°Well, because I figured¡­ even if it got out, you wouldn¡¯t reallye after him. ¡± The two faced off, Hannah breaking the silence casually. ¡°Do I seem like a super generous type to you?¡± ¡°No! I know you¡¯re a good person¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m certainly not a good person. ¡± Cutting in, Hannah got straight to the point. ¡°You¡¯ve got one shot to expose the Chadwich family or face the Juarez family. Pick your poison. ¡± Not budging just because Alessandra was Winston¡¯s kin, Hannah¡¯s stare stayed chilly. ¡°Once the cops show up, you¡¯ll be out of luck. ¡± Alessandra, kneeling, pondered before raising her head. ¡°I¡¯ll spill the truth. But, please, Miss Moore, grant me one favor!¡± Hannah peered down. ¡°Spit it out. ¡± ¡°If I rat on Amelie, I¡¯m as good as dead. Spare my brother, please! He¡¯s helped you a ton!¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow casually. ¡°Your brother helps because he¡¯s my dad¡¯s guy, doing his job. It¡¯s as simple as that. ¡± Alessandra paled at Hannah¡¯s response; it seemed help wasn¡¯t on the table. ¡°Miss Moore, my brother¡¯s got your back! Don¡¯t punish him for me!¡± Then, with a curious look, Hannah tilted her head. ¡°People areplicated, huh? If you hate your brother so much, wouldn¡¯t life be easier without him?¡± ¡°No! I just¡­ I just wanted payback, not his life!¡± Hannah waved it off, not interested in hearing more. ¡°As long as you keep your word, I¡¯ll y along. ¡± Alessandra pushed herself up, wobbling a bit. ¡°Alright, we have a deal!¡± ¡°Head out for now. When it¡¯s time, you¡¯ll get the signal; you know the drill. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± Alessandra shuffled out, drained.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Bang! As the door shut, Hannah sank into the sofa, rxed. Click. Chapter 1387 Bryson emerged from the bedroom, striding over. ¡°You¡¯re not saving her?¡± ¡°Everyone¡¯s got their own path. She chose Amelie¡¯s side and so she must deal with the fallout. ¡± ¡°Fair enough. ¡± Bryson c@@ked an eyebrow, doubtful. ¡°Are you seriously going to let her die?¡± Lounging on the sofa, feeling drowsy, Hannah eyed Bryson. ¡°I guess I¡¯m the picture of virtue in your book, huh?¡± ¡°You¡¯re no saint. ¡± Bryson leaned in, tapping Hannah¡¯s forehead. ¡°You are just not cut out for the bad guy gig. ¡± His words jolted Hannah awake. ¡°You¡¯ve got a way with words, you know. ¡± As they leaned closer, lips almost touching, a sudden knock on the door interrupted them. ¡°Miss Moore, Master Remington wants you downstairs, pronto!¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Bryson nced toward the door, his eyes betraying a flicker of impatience. Hannah tenderly grasped Bryson¡¯s face, steering him back to face her; she then brushed a soft ki*s at the edge of his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s take care of business first. ¡± After Hannah rose, Bryson smoothly made his way into the bedroom. Beep beep! The door¡¯s lock released with a click, and Hannah swung it open to find Remington¡¯s usual entourage waiting. As Hannah stepped through the doorway, they greeted her with respect. ¡°Miss Moore, pleasee downstairs with us. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Hannah stepped out, shut the door, and descended the stairs behind them. The living room was bustling with police officers, yet something felt amiss. She noticed immediately upon entering the living room that the officers seemed split into two distinct factions. One faction was overly deferential to Remington, while the other was adamant about everyone heading to the police station to provide statements. Standing near Remington, a senior police officer eyed the others protectively. ¡°Do you understand the gravity of who these people are? We couldn¡¯t handle the fallout if things went awry!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s take the statements here!¡± Atst, the portly high-ranking officer, attempting to modte his tone, whispered, ¡°These individuals are too influential for us to challenge!¡± The opposing, slender young officer remained unyielding, his expression severe. ¡°We must follow procedure! Imagine the chaos if everyone disregarded the rules. ¡± Chapter 1388 ¡°Can¡¯t you show some flexibility? Rules are crafted by people, after all. Special circumstances call for special measures. Why can¡¯t you see that?¡± The young officer surveyed the crowd in the living room before his eyes settled on the older officer. ¡°Is it their power that scares you?¡± Caught off guard, the older officer was silent for a moment, cursing silently. These were members of influential families, individuals they, as low-ranking officers, could not afford to cross; tonight¡¯s involvement was simply procedural. If they actually detained all these influential figures for questioning, their superiors would be outraged. Rubbing his temples, the older officer wondered aloud who else had been foolish enough to summon him. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I¡¯ve taken over this situation; you can go back now. ¡± He waved his hand dismissively. ¡°I was dispatched in response to the emergency call. ¡± The young officer insisted, ¡°The Juarez family called the police, and I was dispatched in response as well. ¡± As the tension continued to simmer, Hannah entered the Living room. ¡°Master Remington, Miss Moore has arrived. ¡± Remington, seatedfortably on one side of the sofa, ignored the bickering officers and gestured for Hannah toe over. Hannah approached and took a seat, noticing that only the younger family members were gathered in the living room. ¡°The family heads and elders avoid such disturbances; they remain upstairs, resting. ¡± Remington, acknowledging Hannah, remarked, ¡°The Juarez family has also called the police, so this matter won¡¯t be resolved quickly. The forensic team is upstairs, investigating Mr. Austin¡¯s cause of death. By the way, the race car driver sent by the Chadwich family was an imposter, right?¡± Hannah, seeing no need for secrecy, responded affirmatively, ¡°I¡¯ve found the real driver and uncovered some additional information. With the police here, it¡¯s an opportune moment to clear things up. ¡± Remington, intrigued by her confidence, asked, ¡°What did you learn from her?¡± At that moment, Hannah caught the young officer¡¯s eye. ¡°The race car incident was no ident; it was deliberate. ¡± Turning back to Remington, she added, ¡°Given the persistence of the Juarez family, tonight might be our chance to provide them with some answers. ¡± Hannah then shifted the topic to another pressing issue. ¡°As for Mr. Austin¡¯s case, catching the killer will hinge on the capabilities of the police and Mr. Lyons¡¯s expertise. ¡± Remington chuckled. ¡°Well done, Miss Moore. You¡¯ve managed to find the real racer so quickly. ¡± Hannah suppressed the thought that Remington¡¯s failing to find the real racer was due to his ipetence. Instead, she offered Remington a mock smile. ¡°However, there¡¯s one matter where I¡¯ll need Mr. Lyons¡¯s assistance. ¡± ¡°Say it. ¡± ¡°The Chadwich family isn¡¯t naive; they don¡¯t mourn without seeing the body. I need your people to help draw someone out.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡± Chapter 1389 Remington tapped his fingertips on the sofa, eyeing Hannah intently. ¡°Since you¡¯re drawing her out, why not invite your father as well?¡± Hannah¡¯s face betrayed no emotion. ¡°I¡¯m only aiming to trouble the Chadwich family. If you wish to involve my father too, I¡¯m on board. ¡± At that moment, the presence of the Compton family¡¯s two adopted sons and Maloneyplicated matters, making discretion essential. Remington thought for a moment, then leaned over to whisper to someone nearby before dismissing them with a quick wave. Maloney and the other young masters from various families sat opposite, catching only the visual of Hannah¡¯s conversation with Remington but none of the words. ¡°What are they discussing?¡± Keith nudged Trent¡¯s arm and inquired. Uninterested, Trent nced at his brother. ¡°If you¡¯re so curious, go over and listen. ¡± Keith grimaced. ¡°Forget it, I¡¯m not eager to meet my maker just yet. ¡± As their conversation faded, Amelie and prominent members of the Chadwich family entered the living room. Hannah greeted them with a smile, noticing Joselyn trailing behind Amelie. Joselyn caught Hannah¡¯s gaze and felt a searing jolt, promptly dropping her eyes to the floor. The task Hannah had given her echoed in her mind, sending her heart racing. Fear gripped her so tightly that a shiver almost escaped her control. Amelie, catching the smile on Hannah¡¯s face, her own expression grew cautious. ¡°It¡¯s quitete; what do you want with the Chadwiches at this hour, Mr. Lyons?¡± ¡°I need to rify something with your family. ¡± Remington, ever the paragon of decorum, extended an invitation to the Chadwiches. ¡°Please, take a seat on the sofa, and perhaps our two officers would like to join us for a ss of water. ¡± An attendant approached the officers; the older one, weary from the dispute, gratefully epted the offer and made his way to the sofa. The younger officer, however, stood firm, his piercing gaze locked on Remington. His voice carried clearly across the room. ¡°I¡¯ll pass. epting a drink here might just be the precursor to further demands. ¡± The senior officer, looking deted, started to rise but was stilled by a slight gesture from Remington. ¡°Officer, regardless of who summoned the police, we intend to cooperate with the investigation. You¡¯re here about the racing incident, aren¡¯t you? Please, ask your questions, and we¡¯ll provide candid responses. ¡± Never before had Remington¡¯s smile appeared so measured, so cordial. The young officer, visibly irked and loathing the political dance, advanced a step. He swept his gaze over the assembled group. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, it would be best if you all apanied me to the station. ¡± ¡°Hey, don¡¯t mistake kindness for weakness!¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The portly police officer couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. He got up, marched over, and grabbed the younger cop¡¯s wrist, keeping his voice low to hold himself back. ¡°You don¡¯t want to tick off the Lyonses! They aren¡¯t ones to mess with!¡± Chapter 1390 But before the young cop could say anything, a smooth, feminine voice chimed in from behind. ¡°We¡¯re not against going to the station for statements but you¡¯ve kept us waiting for hours already. Dragging us all there would just waste more time, right?¡± The tension instantly eased and both cops turned to see who spoke. Hannah grinned at them. ¡°We¡¯re all here at the vi. You can ask whatever you need right here, can¡¯t you?¡± Quick to agree, the chubby cop nodded. ¡°Exactly! Taking statements here works just fine. The main thing is solving the case!¡± The young cop stayed quiet. He was not entirely sold on Hannah¡¯s idea but he didn¡¯t push back either. ¡°How about this? I¡¯ll go first. Ask me whatever you need. ¡± After all the statements were done, the sky started to brighten outside. The youngds slouched against the wall, yawning away, ditching their usual formal vibe. Even Bryson, who¡¯d been chilling upstairs, was questioned in the living room. Thest person finished up their questions and a few others got up. ¡°Can we go now?¡± ¡°Seriously, we¡¯ve been doing this all night! Is it never-ending?¡± After a whole night of interviews, the chubby cop still had zero leads on the murder. But when the young cop emerged, he headed towards the living room with two others trailing behind. ¡°I¡¯ve cracked it. The race thing was no ident. The Chadwich family nned a murder. We need to hit the station for more digging. ¡± The chill morning vibe turned icy in an instant. They thought it was just routine but now, the Chadwich crew was getting hauled off. ¡°What¡¯s the deal? Wasn¡¯t it called an ident before? How¡¯s it murder now?¡± ¡°The cops said it. They me the Chadwiches. I always said mixing them in with us was trouble!¡± ¡°Now that the Comptons are here, the Chadwiches are in for it!¡± Wace stayed quiet, his eyes drilling into Amelie, making her squirm. Amelie rushed to exin, ¡°I swear, this isn¡¯t on me! I don¡¯t know how this mess happened!¡± But Wace just gave her a cold stare, not saying a word.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Chapter 1391 Despite feeling a twinge of panic, Amelie kept her cool and turned to the officer. ¡°You said cooperate, and we did. Now we¡¯re suspects? What gives?¡± ¡°The racer you brought in, he was not the one from race day. We tracked down the real racer. She spilled, saying you set it up. ¡± As the young officer wrapped up, they ushered Alessandra out. At the sight of Alessandra, Amelie¡¯s eyes widened, her grip tightening. How¡¯d she get caught?! Alessandra nced at Amelie, unfazed as the cops nudged her along. ¡°There¡¯s more. The horse Miss Moore rode was poisoned. Apparently, on Mr. Austin¡¯s orders. But guess whose name popped up on the poison purchase? Your subordinate, Ms. Amelie Chadwick. We need answers on that too. ¡± Joselyn, nearby, struggled to keep it together at the officer¡¯s bombshell. She stayed quiet, siding with Hannah to expose Amelie but avoiding open conflict, opting for sneaky trouble instead. Luckily for Joselyn, Amelie was too wrapped up with Alessandra to suspect her. ¡°Alessandra! I¡¯ve been good to you. How could you turn on me to the cops?¡± Amelie yed the victim, staring at Alessandra with hurt. ¡°You begged for a shot at racing, to prove yourself. I told you straight up, being Winston¡¯s sister and tight with Hannah, you didn¡¯t need to beg. What¡¯d you say then? You said Hannah dissed you because you weren¡¯t up to snuff. I agreed to lend a hand so you could prove yourself. And now, you pull this, making up stories!¡± The whole mess was a huge embarrassment, and the Chadwich crew wasn¡¯t eager to own up to it. Chadwich members rallied to defend Amelie, insisting Alessandra was talking trash! Then, the young officer dropped a bomb. ¡°Check this recording. It proves she was taking orders from Ms. Amelie Chadwick before the incident. ¡± Amelie hadn¡¯t seen Alessandra¡¯s backup ning. She shot her a venomous re. Alessandra, ready for whatever fallout, stayed cool, unbothered by the stares. Finally, Wace spoke up. ¡°Amelie, after all I¡¯ve done for you and the Compton family, you plotted against my daughter. I won¡¯t forget this. ¡± Amelie went pale as a ghost. There was no chance to argue as the cops escorted her and the Chadwich crew out. But Rhett¡¯s murder wasn¡¯t wrapped up yet, even with surveince catching a suspect¡¯s silhouette.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. The chubby cop had grilled everyone in the vi when Rhett got killed. All had alibis for the evening. But Bryson, the loner type, caught his eye. He kind of matched the shadowy figure in the security video so the cop wanted a chat with him. When word got out, Hannah, Lounging on the couch, busted outughing, grabbing everyone¡¯s attention. Chapter 1392 ¡°Way before you showed up yesterday, I¡¯d already been to the scene, checking the wounds and time of death. When we got there, the body hadn¡¯t started stiffening yet. Rigor mortis kicks in about thirty minutes to two hours after death. When I checked, it was just starting, so I figure the guy croaked about an hour before we found him. ¡± Yesterday, folks thought she was either showing off or messing with evidence. But today, after what she said sunk in, they saw her in a whole new Light. Even Maloney and Trent were floored, not knowing Hannah had that kind of know-how. The chubby cop scowled. ¡°Miss Moore, why reveal all this now? Sneaking into a crime scene is a big no-no!¡± Hannah dismissed the warning from the stout police officer and continued, ¡°The things I mentioned should have been clear to the forensic expert you brought in yesterday. Given that the victim died within the hour, we need to track down anyone without an alibi for that time. But an hour before the incident, most of us were in the living room discussing business coborations since he never showed up, and we ended up waiting a long time for him. No need for anyone to confirm this; the surveince video from the living room can support my im. ¡± The officer nodded in agreement. ¡°You¡¯re correct; our initial focus was on thosecking alibis. ¡± Hannah looked puzzled. ¡°Then if you are aware of this, why are you taking him away?¡± Everyone turned to where Hannah was pointing. Their gaze fixed on Bryson. Bryson, lounging on the sofa with his hand resting on his cheek, gave a casual shrug under the scrutiny of the room. ¡°He spent the entire evening in the living room; how could he be in two ces at once?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah¡¯s logic struck a chord, stirring a wave of uncertainty among the onlookers. The stout officer shared a secretive look with Remington and cleared his throat. ¡°Let¡¯s remember, this is only a preliminary conclusion. Everyone here remains a suspect and could be called inter. ¡± He then turned to Hannah, shifting the topic. ¡°Miss Moore, you shouldn¡¯t have entered the crime scene. If we decide to bring you in for questioning, it would be warranted. ¡± Wace¡¯s expression darkened with a surge of anger. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± The officer recoiled slightly. Wace¡¯s wealth and influence were formidable, and provoking him was not something the police could afford to do lightly. Though the officer had the backing of the Lyons family, challenging the Compton family outright was beyond his means. As he searched for an exit strategy, a voice oozing with sarcasm piped up beside him. ¡°The officer here is merely upholding the rules. I trust Mr. Compton wouldn¡¯t dream ofplicating matters for the police?¡± The room erupted with usations. ¡°We saw herst night! She went into Rhett¡¯s room before the cops got here!¡± ¡°There¡¯s no reason for us to lie, is there?¡± The speakers, young men from the Lyons family¡¯s distant branches, harbored resentment toward Hannah for her past aid to Peterson. Now, they seized the chance to stir up trouble for her. Remington¡¯s frown deepened, ready to chime in, when Hannah¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Your department hires many forensic experts on a contract basis, and these contracts are logged in your records. A few years back, I helped with a case. That information should be in your database.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± Chapter 1393 The whispers in the room hushed as Hannah¡¯s voice fell silent. The stout officer, visibly taken aback, signaled for a colleague to check the mobile database. ¡°There it is,¡± eximed the policeman. ¡°A high-profile case from four years ago. The name and photo are a match. Miss Moore was a med student then, recruited for her forensic expertise. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Upon hearing the im, the portly officer promptly snatched the mobile from the policeman, scrutinizing the information before ncing up at Hannah. The resemnce was unmistakable, and the record of the case she had contributed to made his eyelids flutter with intense surprise. The stout officer sensed a warning within; this was not a person he could risk provoking. Handing back the phone with a forced smile, he addressed Hannah, ¡°Had you shared this sooner, Miss Moore, we could have avoided such a mix up!¡± Hannah shifted the topic away from herself, ncing toward Bryson. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°And what about him?¡± ¡°This. ¡± The officer¡¯s eyes darted toward Remington, seeking an ally. Hannah caught the nce and turned her head, her curiosity piqued. Remington, engrossed in his own diversion, twiddled with an object in his hands, feigning ignorance. Realizing he wouldn¡¯t get any support from Remington, the officer made a quick decision. ¡°We need to reassess the situation back at the station. We¡¯ll be in touch if we need anything else. ¡± As the officer¡¯s words hung in the air, confusion swept through the crowd, and the assembly began to break apart. Once the police had departed, the guests dispersed into the night, each with their own thoughts andpany. On the vi¡¯s front steps, Remington caught up with Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, may I have a word with you in private?¡± Bryson swept by them then, a slight hitch in his stride the only sign he¡¯d heard them, before he disappeared into the evening without a backward nce. Hannah halted, facing Remington. ¡°What is it?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. His eyes searched hers, weighing her. ¡°You haven¡¯t forgotten your promise, have you?¡± ¡°You brought this up yesterday, and I gave you a clear answer. Isn¡¯t that proof enough?¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing you need to prove,¡± Remington replied, his gaze intensifying. ¡°I trust that you¡¯ll earn Wace¡¯s confidence and seed him as head of the Compton family. But why defend Bryson today?¡± At his question, Hannah¡¯s lips curved into a knowing smile. ¡°In this game, there are neither permanent allies nor adversaries, and I prefer to remain indebted to no one. Bryson did me a favor at the racetrack; I haven¡¯t forgotten. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was steady, her expression serious. ¡°Today, I¡¯ve settled that ount. ¡± Chapter 1394 She paused, the light in her eyes dimming. ¡°Mr. Lyons, I¡¯m rifying this because we¡¯re allies in business. ¡± Her gaze hardened. ¡°But let¡¯s get one thing straight-we are strictly business partners. I value my privacy and don¡¯t appreciate other meddling in my personal life. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze on Remington grew colder. ¡°Or perhaps, Mr. Lyons, you perceive me as someone you can easily intimidate? Do you always have to have the upper hand?¡± Remington faced her icy look. ¡°Ms. Moore, I meant no offense. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s good that you didn¡¯t. We can¡¯t afford to let personal misunderstandings jeopardize our work together. ¡± Remington conceded, a rare urrence. ¡°You¡¯re right. I crossed a line. ¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Hannah¡¯s response was dismissive. ¡°Let¡¯s leave it at that. You¡¯ve got enough on your te with the Rhett situation. I won¡¯t add to your problems. ¡± She nced away, her parting words a deliberate jab, then offered a superficial smile and a wave. ¡°I should be going. Enjoy sorting out your dilemma. ¡± As she turned to leave, Remington gestured to someone in the shadows. ¡°Check on the station and ensure they¡¯re on top of things. ¡± ¡°Understood, Master Remington. ¡± Vehicles slowly vacated the premises. As she approached her car, Keith called out from the passenger seat, ¡°Hannah, over here!¡± ¡°Hmm. ¡± Acknowledging him with a nod, she felt her phone buzz. It was a message from Bryson: ¡°Heading back to the Imperial Pce Hotel to deal with a situation¡ªit involves the woman we picked up from the psychiatric facility. ¡± Hannah had just finished reading the message and was about to respond when a voice from behind interrupted her train of thought. ¡°Miss Moore! Hold on a second!¡± Hannah turned her head, taken aback to find Peterson struggling for breath as he caught up. ¡°Why are you here? Is everything all right?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± Peterson paused to catch his breath, clutching something in his hand, and slowly advanced. ¡°This is for you. ¡± Approaching closer, Hannah discerned a peculiarly shaped key in his hand. The key featured a pyramid-like apex, etched with an eye, and had a triangr, weathered appearance, cast in bronze with a dusty finish. It dangled from a delicately wrought, slim gold chain that appeared mismatched. ¡°This is¡­¡± Hannah observed the key in his hand but refrained from reaching out to ept it. Chapter 1395 With a slightly uneasy expression, Peterson kept his hand extended. ¡°You¡¯ve rescued me twice. I have nothing to give in return, so this is the best token I can offer, a gift for you!¡± The gold chain was exquisitely crafted and seemed valuable, yet Hannah smiled and declined. ¡°I never expected anything in return. Retrieve and safeguard it cautiously; exposure to those individuals might provoke unwanted schemes. ¡± Then, Hannah suddenly inquired, ¡°Do you recall the phone number I provided previously?¡± Peterson promptly nodded. ¡°Absolutely!¡± ¡°Excellent. In case of need, reach out anytime. Since aiding you could draw trouble my way, they might focus on you if they can¡¯t reach me. ¡± Noticing Peterson¡¯s bewildered nod, Hannah chuckled and gestured him away. ¡°You should return now. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery As she turned to depart, he seized her wrist!Original content from N?velDrama.Org. When Hannah faced him, the chilly object was pressed into her palm! ¡°Miss Moore, take this! Regard it as a protective charm!¡± With that, Peterson swiftly retreated. By the time Hannah reacted, he was already a considerable distance away. She blinked, gazing briefly at the key ne in her hand before slipping it into her pocket, then proceeded towards her car. Upon opening the car door, she entered and promptly directed Trent, ¡°Let¡¯s depart; we¡¯re heading back. ¡± Trent started the car¡¯s engine, steering away from the Lyons¡¯ mansion. Seated beside Trent, Keith couldn¡¯t resist inquiring of Hannah, ¡°What was Peterson¡¯s business with you just now?¡± ¡°Nothing significant, he stopped by to express gratitude. ¡± Keith simply nodded, then, recalling something, he mentioned to Hannah, ¡°By the way, Maloney mentioned he¡¯s returning to Cadilind next month for business discussions and inquired if you¡¯d like to apany him. The Compton family holds interests there as well. ¡± She hadn¡¯t been back to Cadilind in quite some time; seizing this opportunity seemed worthwhile. Hannah inquired, ¡°Did he mention the duration of his stay?¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t inform me; you¡¯ll need to inquire with him when the timees. ¡± ¡°Okay, I understand. ¡± On their return journey, Hannah abruptly inquired of Trent, ¡°Are you aware of the location of the police station where Amelie was taken?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s not too far from here. ¡± Trent nced at the rearview mirror and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Chapter 1396 ¡°Let¡¯s pay a visit there. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± The car halted outside the police station, and both Keith and Trent apanied Hannah as she exited. ¡°Hannah, why are we here? Are you intending to witness Amelie¡¯s predicament?¡± Keith queried. ¡°No, Alessandra was also detained here; we need to secure her release. ¡± While the three approached the police station, Trent finally questioned, ¡°She betrayed you and Winston. Why are you saving her?¡± A faint smile crossed Hannah¡¯s lips. ¡°She¡¯s not mine to betray. As for her involvement with Winston, we still need to facilitate her release and allow him to handle the matter. ¡± Upon entering the police station, Hannah approached a young policewoman stationed at the entrance. ¡°Good day. I¡¯m here to inquire about a young girl named Alessandra who was brought in today. I wish to visit her. ¡± The officer scrutinized Hannah before asking, ¡°What is your purpose in seeing her?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I¡¯m here to determine if I can pay her bail. ¡± Understanding Hannah¡¯s intention to post bail, the officer nodded. ¡°Please follow me; she¡¯s currently in the detention area awaiting processing. You¡¯ll need to sign the bail paperwork. ¡± Hannah lightly tapped Trent¡¯s arm. ¡°You can apany her shortly. ¡± Acknowledging Hannah¡¯s signal, Trent nodded and signaled back affirmatively. Inside the detention center, the young officer conversed briefly with the door guard. After a brief conversation, she came back to the entrance. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged entry for you. Alessandra is in cell number five. Let¡¯s proceed with the bail process. ¡± Trent promptly offered, ¡°I¡¯ll apany you. ¡± The young officer motioned and proceeded ahead. ¡°Proceed this way. ¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Following the greeting, Hannah gained ess through the door, while Keith remained outside. Hannah approached cell number five, finding Alessandra curled up in a corner on a small wooden bed, her head buried in her knees. ¡°This room is really small. ¡± Alessandra was startled by Hannah¡¯s voice, quickly lifting her head! Her tear-streaked face looked up at Hannah with disbelief. ¡°Miss¡­ Miss Moore!¡± Chapter 1397 Alessandra rose from the bed and stumbled towards the iron door. ¡°Why are you here¡­¡± Peering through the bars, Hannah surveyed Alessandra¡¯s disheveled state and shook her head in disbelief.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Why this fear?¡± ¡°I won¡¯tst much longer¡­ Once they decide on my transfer, someone will surely arrange for my demise in the prison. ¡± Hannah¡¯s lips slightly curved, her tone nonchnt. ¡°Even if death is what you seek, I won¡¯t permit it. ¡± Alessandra halted, her voice tense. ¡°Miss Moore, what are you implying? Aren¡¯t you¡­¡± ¡°I want you to expose Amelie, not meet your demise. ¡± Alessandra gripped the iron door¡¯s side, herplexion drained. ¡°I¡­ shouldn¡¯t owe you for this. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not your savior, don¡¯t presume. I aim to deepen Winston¡¯s loyalty,¡± Hannah coolly dered. Aware of Hannah¡¯s tough exterior and kind heart, Alessandra¡¯s eyes welled up, but she shook her head. ¡°You can¡¯t rescue me; the Juarez family won¡¯t allow it. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression remainedposed. ¡°That¡¯s not your concern. ¡± As she finished, a person arrived with keys. ¡°Cell number five, you¡¯ve been bailed out; follow me. ¡± The young policewoman, holding paperwork, entered. Her demeanor toward Hannah had improved, nodding and smiling before opening the door. After releasing Alessandra, the officer informed her, ¡°Thatdy has posted a million for your bail. Pleasee with me toplete the necessary paperwork. ¡± Alessandra gazed incredulously at Hannah, her desire to speak halted. Hannah motioned, ¡°Let¡¯s continue our conversation outside. ¡± Following the necessary formalities and signatures, Alessandra¡¯s handcuffs were removed, and she was escorted out by Hannah. Seated in the car, Alessandra murmured in disbelief, ¡°How is this even possible¡­ The Juarez family is adamant about not letting this go, even Amelie faced consequences¡­ How could they possibly release me, the alleged instigator?¡± Keith, from the front seat, scoffed sarcastically, ¡°While you¡¯re no saint, if we¡¯re talking about instigation, it¡¯s certainly not you!¡± Hannah sat on the opposite side of the car, gazing out the window, removed from the ongoing conversation. ¡°But¡­ the Juarez family won¡¯t let this slide. ¡± Alessandra twisted her fingers, her nerves evident. ¡°You should thank Hannah for her forgiveness. She gave the son of the Juarez family a call, and asked he to let you off the hook. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Alessandra turned abruptly towards Hannah, who remained focused on the scenery outside. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡­¡± Hannah cut her off. ¡°No need to thank me. I didn¡¯t do this for you. ¡± Chapter 1398 Alessandra bowed her head. ¡°I understand. I have information about Jade Paradise. I¡¯m ready to share everything I know.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡± Hannah¡¯s interest was piqued at the mention of Jade Paradise. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m all ears. Tell me what you know. ¡± This was in addition to the valuable information Hannah had already received from Winston and Trent. The Chadwich family¡¯s arrogance in Caditown stemmed from their ties with Local gangsters. Despite their alliance with the Compton family, the Chadwich family struggled to match the influence of the six great ns. To gain more power, the Chadwich family turned to criminal gangs for support, despite the unwritten rule between the six ns and the gangs to avoid interfering in each other¡¯s affairs. This rule, however, didn¡¯t deter the restless Chadwich family, which had already linked up with a gang years before. This gang provided the Chadwichs with illegal ¡°goods. ¡± They kidnapped young women from around the world and sent them off to the Jade Paradise. ¡°That¡¯s not right,¡± Keith said, expressing his concern. ¡°Every year, many people are sent to the orphanage. It¡¯s one thing for Amelie to run such a business on the sly. But involving a gang? Sooner orter, she¡¯s bound to get caught doing something like this with a gang. If Father finds out, the Chadwich family will be in deep trouble. ¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°Haven¡¯t you noticed the decline in the quality of recruits entering the Compton organization over thest two years?¡± Hannah¡¯s reminder jogged Keith¡¯s memory about thest time they had watched the rookie selection test together. Back then, they had joked about how this year¡¯s candidates seemed even less promising than those from the previous year, with hardly anyone worth choosing. ¡°Could the Chadwich family be part of the reason?¡± Hannah responded with a light tone, ¡°That could exin half of it. ¡± The influence of the Chadwich family was significant. Due to Wace¡¯s decentralization, Amelie was growing increasingly audacious. The candidates they sent were below par. The other reason stemmed from Remington seizing the chance to promote his own people and letting Conor take charge, which created an opening for them to exploit. ¡°The ones who end up at the orphanage will be selected by the Chadwich family based on merit once they¡¯re adults. But most kids sent there are too young. It¡¯ll be over ten years before they¡¯re ready. Amelie needs young people now, and the orphanage kids aren¡¯t enough. ¡± Alessandra nodded in agreement and added, ¡°Exactly, as Miss Moore pointed out, Jade Paradise is expanding. Since they¡¯ve established themselves in Caditown, their need for people has increased, prompting them to resort to desperate measures. ¡± Keith then turned to Alessandra and asked, ¡°Do you know which criminal group the Chadwich family might be coborating with?¡± After a moment of hesitation, Alessandra answered, ¡°It¡¯s the Bloody Gang. ¡± Once she finished, a tense silence fell over the car. No one had responded for quite some time. Sensing something was amiss, Hannah nced at Alessandra, then turned her attention to the two men seated in front of her. ¡°Is this Bloody Gang really that strong? Why is everyone so quiet?¡± Chapter 1399 Trent, who seemed the mostposed, gripped the steering wheel tighter and took a deep breath. ¡°They aren¡¯t one of the top gangs around here. They¡¯re definitely not the strongest. ¡± Intrigued by Trent¡¯s exnation, Hannah leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. ¡°Then why do you all seem so worried?¡± ¡°They¡¯re troublesome enough,¡± Keith replied, his expression stern. Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°More troublesome than us?¡± Keith gave a weary smile and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t make light of it. Unlike other criminal gangs that find legitimate ways to earn, these guys thrive on shing over profits or territories. They don¡¯t hesitate to prey on ordinary folks, and they bully weaker gangs into joining them to boost their influence. And if they ever go up against a truly formidable gang, they won¡¯t think twice about sacrificing key resources or items just to keep their heads above water. The Bloody Gang is cruel to outsiders and even crueler to their own. ¡± As Trent continued driving, he spoke up once Keith had finished. ¡°Hannah, trust me on this. Stay away from anything to do with Jade Paradise. ¡± ¡°Indeed. ¡± Keith nodded in agreement. ¡°You should stay away from this. The Bloody Gang is ruthless and deceptive, and they¡¯re involved in every type of crime you can imagine. Getting mixed up with them will only bring endless trouble. Even though we¡¯re not scared of them, it would still be tough to handle if we actually got on their bad side. ¡± Alessandra chimed in, her voice filled with concern, ¡°The Bloody Gang has connections with the Chadwich family, but they still betrayed them harshly. During their partnership, they initially agreed to share profits 70/30, but the gang leader changed his mind and demanded a 50/50 split. When the Chadwich family refused, they ended up suffering greatly. Now, it¡¯s a 40/60 split in favor of the gang. ¡± Her eyes glinted with a hint of fear as she added, ¡°The Bloody Gang ended up with 60, and the Chadwich family with 40. They settled the issue quietly. ¡± Hannah tapped her finger against the window, lost in thought as she listened to them. The car was filled with silence, the trees outside blurring past. Keith nudged Trent, signaling him to join in and try to convince Hannah. After a brief pause, Trent uttered, ¡°You know, there might be another way.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. We don¡¯t have to go head-to-head with them. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s just the Bloody Gang,¡± Hannah responded slowly, a yful spark in her eye. ¡°Why not just take over their hideout? How hard can it be?¡± Excitementced Hannah¡¯s voice, causing Keith to involuntarily swallow. A nagging suspicion that he was missing something about Hannah crept into his mind. In the corner, Alessandra had retreated, her eyes wide with fear as she watched Hannah. It was terrifying. Luckily, she hadn¡¯t done anything too extreme, and she came around early. ¡°Well¡­ um. . ¡± Keith¡¯s expression stiffened as he remembered the time Hannah had blown up the den during a standoff at ckeye. ¡°Hannah, let¡¯s not do anything rash. If we sh with the criminal gang and drag the Compton family into this, things will getplicated. The six great ns and the gangs have kept the peace for years by staying out of each other¡¯s business. If you take down the Bloody Gang, the other gangs will definitely retaliate. ¡± Hannah blinked and let out a derisive snort. ¡°If the gang can secretly team up with the Chadwich family and pull off such dirty tricks, why can¡¯t I fight back? There¡¯s no way I¡¯m just standing by!¡± Chapter 1400 Just as Trent was debating whether to inform their father, Hannah took a seat behind him and said in a deliberate tone, ¡°You two, don¡¯t go behind my back and tell Wace about this, or I¡¯ll be upset. ¡± The two sitting in front of her instantly broke into a cold sweat! Keith quickly affirmed his loyalty. ¡°That¡¯s out of the question. How could we even consider informing Father? Hannah, as long as you keep this quiet, no fifth person will learn about it. Right?¡± Trent nodded in agreement. ¡°Absolutely, Hannah. We¡¯re all with you. ¡± Behind them, Hannah smiled. ¡°Good. ¡± The pair in front exchanged looks, aware they couldn¡¯t afford to upset Hannah at that moment. They returned to the Compton family¡¯s home after spending four or five days at the Lyons¡¯s vi. Upon entering her vi, Hannah was met by Winston, who looked troubled. ¡°Miss Moore, my sister has disappeared! She was gone shortly after you left. I¡¯ve searched for days but still no sign of her!¡± Hannah witnessed Winston¡¯s panic for the first time. Observing this, Keith and Trent exchanged knowing smiles. Hannah was direct. ¡°She¡¯s here,¡± she announced, lifting her hand to signal Alessandra, who walked forward, her head bowed. Winston, taken aback, hadn¡¯t anticipated Alessandra woulde with Hannah. He stammered, ¡°What¡­ what¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s sit down and talk,¡± Hannah suggested. They moved to the sofa. Winston, now calm, was told the events from a few days ago. His face expressionless, he fixed a stern gaze on Alessandra. ¡°How could you do such a thing?¡± Alessandra, intimidated by Winston¡¯s stern tone, took refuge behind Hannah and stammered, ¡°I know I messed up! Really!¡± ¡°It¡¯s all behind us now. There¡¯s no need to scold her further. But¡­¡± Hannah suggested. ¡°It¡¯s time for you to take Alessandra away. The police won¡¯t hold Amelie at the station much longer. They can only cause her a bit of trouble. If she returns, she definitely won¡¯t spare Alessandra.Original content from N?velDrama.Org. And keeping her with us will only bring more issues. ¡± Winston nodded emphatically. ¡°I understand, Miss Moore. I also wanted to thank you for releasing my sister for my sake. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. It¡¯s better you thank Rnd than me. Luckily, he woke up with nothing serious. Given that I treated him in time, he turned a blind eye and allowed me to bring Alessandra back. ¡± After she finished speaking, Hannah turned to Winston. ¡°Do you have a safe ce to house her?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Winston nodded. ¡°There¡¯s a safe spot over there, thanks to my friends. Madam won¡¯t find it, that¡¯s for sure. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah gave a nod. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a few days off. You can return after sorting out your sister¡¯s matters. ¡± After expressing his gratitude to Hannah, Winston quickly left with Alessandra. Once the issue was resolved, Hannah turned to the two men beside her and announced, ¡°We can rest for a few days. We¡¯ll need to handle the affairs of Jade Paradise soon. It¡¯s going to be busy. ¡± Chapter 1401 Keith and Trent exchanged nces, uncertain if there was any wiggle room left. Neither wanted to speak first. They stood there, exchanging meaningful looks, until Hannah noticed and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Do you have something else to say?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± Keith was jostled sharply by Trent, causing him to exim, ¡°I was wondering¡­ could wee with you when you go back to Cadilind?¡± He wasn¡¯t able to utter what he really desired to. ¡°Let¡¯s get to the point,¡± Trent said, giving Keith¡¯s arm another firm nudge. ¡°You say it then!¡± Keith murmured in a low voice. ¡°Why do you always make me say the tough stuff?¡± Hannah looked over at them and demanded, ¡°What are you whispering about? Just out with it!¡± This time, Keith nudged Trent back, urging, ¡°Hannah asked you. Just say what you need to say. ¡± Trent turned to Hannah and exined, ¡°It¡¯s about what Keith just mentioned. Could you take us with you when you return to Cadilind?¡± Raising her eyebrows, Hannah asked, ¡°Why would you two want toe with us? Maloney invited me to discuss business. ¡± ¡°Being with you, we could learn a lot!¡± Seeing the odd behavior of the two, Hannah frowned and remarked, ¡°Okay, whatever. It doesn¡¯t matter how many people I bring back. ¡± ¡°Alright, then we¡¯ll head back first. ¡± ¡°Just head back. I¡¯ll text you if anythinges up. ¡± ¡°Alright, Trent said, then turned and led Keith out of the vi. ¡± Once outside, Keith started panicking. ¡°What are we going to do? What am I supposed to do? The Bloody Gang is tough to handle! If something goes wrong, how will we exin this to our father?¡± Trent looked at Keith impassively and said resignedly, ¡°Don¡¯t panic. Nothing¡¯s happened yet. ¡± ¡°But I have to tell dad about this!¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That¡¯s not an option!¡± Keith quickly replied. ¡°If we tell dad right after agreeing to Hannah¡¯s request, Hannah would definitely have our heads! Plus, if we were really going to tell dad, we shouldn¡¯t have promised Hannah we¡¯d keep it a secret. I can¡¯t break my promise now!¡± ¡°Do you think I would be that happy to snitch?¡± Trent uttered. Although younger than Keith, Trent carried himself with a sophistication andposure that exceeded his years. ¡°What if we end up responsible?¡± Trent continued, his concern evident. Chapter 1402 ¡°We don¡¯t look after Hannah well. Being punished isn¡¯t the end of the world, but if something serious happens to her, that¡¯s a real problem!¡± After Trent spoke, Keith paused, uncertain. ¡°Then¡­ what do you think we should do?¡± Trent sighed, resigned. ¡°There¡¯s no better option right now. We need to tell dad about it!¡± He turned to leave but was stopped by Keith¡¯s sudden interjection. ¡°Wait, not necessarily! There might be a way to handle this without too much trouble!¡± Keith caught up to Trent, his eyes bright with an idea. ¡°Let¡¯s bring Bryson into this. Hannah always listens to him. ¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Trent hesitated, weighing the suggestion. That was a decent n. Bryson and Hannah were close. If she wouldn¡¯t listen to them, she might listen to him. But then Trent shook his head. ¡°I think Bryson has always taken Hannah¡¯s side. If Hannah decides to stick with her n, Bryson might just help her through it. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s even better,¡± Keith muttered. ¡°With Bryson¡¯s help, Hannah might not have to get her hands dirty. ¡± Trent gave him a long, wordless look. ¡°If Bryson gets involved, do you really think Hannah will forgive us for leaking it?¡± ¡°Well¡­ Forget it¡­¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Sighing deeply, Trent pulled out his phone. ¡°I¡¯ll call Bryson first to see where he stands. ¡± Getting through took longer than expected. ¡°Help! Someone, please!¡± Trent¡¯s phone rang, and a woman¡¯s scream erupted from the receiver, startling him. Surprised, Trent instinctively moved the phone away from his ear. Baffled, he stared at the phone, then cautiously brought it closer, unsure of what to expect. ¡°Who¡¯s calling?¡± Bryson¡¯s voice sounded puzzled on the other end. Tiooo tooo Booo? Trent was too shocked to respond immediately, the woman¡¯s cry still ringing in his ears. Bryson, noticing Trent¡¯s hesitation, frowned as he took the phone and nced at the missed call before ending it with a decisive tap. Trent held the phone, puzzled by the busy tone on the other end. Chapter 1403 Standing beside him, Keith waved his hand urgently and questioned, ¡°Hey, why the freeze? Shouldn¡¯t we give Bryson a call?¡± ¡°Just heard a woman scream from his end. I ¡± Trent blinked, struggling to articte. ¡°A scream?¡± Keith grabbed the phone from Trent¡¯s grip. ¡°Let me call him!¡± Keith dialed Bryson¡¯s number again. Bryson picked up promptly, a touch of impatience in his voice. ¡°If this is some prank, knock it off. ¡± ¡°No prank. It¡¯s Keith, Hannah¡¯s brother. Remember me? We hung out at Remington¡¯s vi.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± A pause followed, then Bryson¡¯s tone softened a bit. ¡°Yeah, I remember. What¡¯s up? Everything okay with Hannah?¡± ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s good. We just need to chat with you alone. When¡¯s a good time?¡± ncing at the disheveled woman on the floor, Bryson squinted coldly. ¡°Tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. We¡¯ll catch up then. Got some important stuff to discuss. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Keith let out a relieved sigh and handed back the phone. ¡°Alright, all set. We¡¯ll meet him tomorrow. ¡± Only then did Trent snap out of it. ¡°Did you hear anything strange just now on the call?¡± ¡°Nah, didn¡¯t catch any scream like you mentioned. Maybe just some noise from TV or something?¡± ¡°Not sure. Trent shook his head, then shrugged. ¡°Forget it. Tomorrow it is. ¡± Meanwhile, on the other end, Bryson tossed the phone aside and sank into the sofa. Caleb stood nearby, his arm wrapped in a bandage, head bandaged too, indicating serious injuries. On the floor, Maryamy, her arm badly cut, blood flowing freely, her condition looking dire. As Bryson settled into the sofa, he tossed the bloody dagger away and said, ¡°Trying to run and hurting my men? Looks like your time¡¯s up. ¡± His tone t, Maryam, still in pain, lifted her head and clutched her wounded arm. ¡°You can¡¯t kill me! I¡¯m valuable to you!¡± ¡°Hmph¡± Bryson snorted coldly. ¡°All you¡¯ve got is insider information. How dare you hurt my people! Even if I know nothing, it¡¯s no loss for me. Caleb, deal with her. ¡± Only when Caleb readied himself did fear grip Maryam. ¡°You don¡¯t want to know the truth? What about Miss Moore?¡± Chapter 1404 ¡°Just kill her! We don¡¯t want to know anything about the past!¡± Maryam moved back, desperate. ¡°You can¡¯t! You can¡¯t Bryson¡¯s voice remained indifferent. ¡°You¡¯ve given me no reason to spare you. ¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Maryam stumbled back in panic. Bryson¡¯s voice turned icy. ¡°Caleb, fire. ¡± Bang! A bullet tore through the air,nding dangerously close to Maryam! She flinched, copsing to the ground in panic. ¡°I have something! Something about you!¡± Maryam¡¯s plea made Caleb pause, seeking Bryson¡¯s nod. Bryson, lounging on the sofa, smirked, his hand supporting his head. ¡°Alright, speak. If it¡¯s worth my time, maybe I¡¯ll spare you. Otherwise, I won¡¯t hesitate to kill you. ¡± Maryam trembled, fear gripping her.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. ¡°I. I¡¯ve seen your picture. I don¡¯t know who you are, but you¡¯re no ordinary person! Because I recognize the woman in the photo with you. She¡¯s tight with the head of the Compton family!¡± Bryson¡¯s expression hardened as he gestured to Caleb, signaling for his phone. He held up a photo and passed it to Maryam. ¡°Take a good look. Is this the woman you mentioned?¡± Maryam¡¯s eyes lit up with recognition. ¡°Yes! That¡¯s her! I¡¯ve seen her before! No doubt about it!¡± ¡°Where did you see her?¡± Bryson¡¯s tone grew stern as he pressed for details. ¡°Six¡­ Six years ago, when I was taken to the Compton family. I ran into her a few times. She was always with the head of the Compton family. ¡± Maryam¡¯s voice trembled as she continued, mixing truth with lies. ¡°But it¡¯s been ages since Ist saw her. Heard she got sent back by the Mr. Compton and vanished without a trace. ¡± Bryson remained silent, listening. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ That¡¯s all I know¡­¡± ¡°In that case, you¡¯re no use to me. Caleb, fire. ¡± ¡°Wait! Maryam pleaded, meeting Bryson¡¯s gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve said so much. Why do you still want to kill me?¡± Bryson leaned back on the sofa, his voice cold. ¡°So much? You expect me to spare you over vague gossip?¡± Chapter 1405 Maryam bit her lower lip, her gaze steady on Bryson. ¡°Wait, there¡¯s something else! Mr. Compton¡¯s study is full of secrets, including ones about that woman! We might even find clues about Hannah¡¯s mother there!¡± Bryson motioned for Caleb to stand down, his hand raised. ¡°Would¡¯ve saved time if you¡¯d mentioned that earlier. ¡± Maryam let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Can¡­ Can someone help with my wound?¡± Bryson inspected her arm without a word, then gestured to Caleb. ¡°You harm my people again, you won¡¯t just get a bandage. Caleb, ask someone to give her first aid. ¡± ¡°Yes, boss. ¡± As Bryson and Caleb left the room, Maryam¡¯s tension eased.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Outside the vi, Bryson opened the car door, ncing at Caleb. ¡°You¡¯re badly hurt. Take a break for a few days. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll manage, boss. ¡± Before getting in, Bryson paused at Caleb¡¯s words. ¡°Do you want to risk your life?¡± Caleb examined the bruises and cuts that marred his skin, dismissing them as trivial. He was about to speak again when Bryson cut him off. ¡°Let others handle this ce for now. She shouldn¡¯t be running around in her condition. ¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± The day after their return to the manor, Wace summoned Hannah to his study. Wace set aside his work as Hannah entered. ¡°I only got back yesterday, so we haven¡¯t had a chance to discuss business. Please, take a seat. ¡± Hannah noticed the sofa nearby and took a seat without hesitating. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°You caused the mess in the Chadwich family, didn¡¯t you?¡± Hiding anything from Wace was futile, especially since Hannah had no desire to conceal her actions. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me. Aren¡¯t they aware of their own deeds?¡± Wace¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Could you consult with me before you make such decisions? Did you consider the repercussions of targeting Amelie and the Chadwich family?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve considered the consequences. ¡± Hannah offered a wry smile. ¡°It willplicate things between the Compton and Chadwich families. Since Amelie is your official wife, this could cause you a lot of trouble. ¡± ¡°Is that what you think this is about?¡± Wace¡¯s tone was icy. ¡°You instigating things with them ces you in a precarious position. ¡± Chapter 1406 The smile vanished from Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°I understand. ¡± ¡°Then why proceed with it? You¡¯re only making Amelie miserable now. Engaging in battles you can¡¯t decisively win is unwise. ¡± ¡°She has targeted me repeatedly. Why shouldn¡¯t I respond? Just because she attacks, doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t retaliate. I don¡¯t have your patience, Dad. Unlike you, I won¡¯t wait to seek revenge after being wronged. If someone gets me in trouble and I don¡¯t get back at him, I won¡¯t be Hannah anymore. ¡± The stubborn and relentless nature of Hannah was a legacy from Wace himself. Wace considered this silently, his face giving nothing away.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Do you understand that if the other branches of the Compton family learn of this, they will create problems too? The Compton and Chadwich families are connected by marriage, almost as one. Should the Chadwich family face difficulties, the Comptons will also suffer. ¡± Hannah spoke with ease. ¡°Ultimately, it¡¯s the Chadwich family that will bear the disgrace. Dad, you are the patriarch of the Compton family. You are the decision-maker. Surely, theints of others don¡¯t sway you?¡± Wace, perceiving the sarcasm in Hannah¡¯s tone, struggled to contain his irritation. ¡°Alright, I will resolve this issue. Do not interfere further. ¡± Hannah rose with a smile. ¡°Thank you for handling thisplicated affair. ¡± Wace gestured dismissively, unaware of the fortingplications she would initiate. As Hannah approached the doorway, Wace remarked, ¡°By the way, Maloney said he¡¯s bringing you back to Cadilind next month. Did he mention that to you?¡± ¡°The news came from my brothers. I¡¯m all set for the trip. ¡± Wace paused before suggesting, ¡°After your business discussions back home, if you decide not to return here, that might be best. The Compton family operates several businesses there; I can arrange a position for you. ¡± Hannah turned to face Wace. ¡°Dad, are you suggesting this because you think I¡¯ll continue to be a problem here?¡± Wace looked at her directly. ¡°I believe it¡¯s safer for you in Cadilind, away from the threats here. ¡± ¡°Ha ha. ¡± Hannah chuckled softly. ¡°Back home, they haven¡¯t left me alone either. Since my identity was exposed, I haven¡¯t enjoyed a day of peace. ¡± As she finished speaking, Wace¡¯s face grew somber, and she added, ¡°I¡¯m leaving now. I won¡¯t be an eyesore to you any longer. ¡± Bang! The door mmed behind her as she exited. Momentster, Wace removed his sses and flung them onto the desk, leaning back in his chair, his eyes closed. He pinched the bridge of his nose and murmured, ¡°Prisci, no wonder she¡¯s our daughter. She¡¯s so much like me. ¡± Wace slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. ¡°It¡¯s exactly because she¡¯s like me that I worry about her. ¡± As soon as Hannah returned to her own ce, she decided to initiate contact with someone back in the country for the first time. Checking her phone, she noted the time. It was about eight in the evening back home; she wouldn¡¯t be interrupting Edwin¡¯s work. She then made a video call to Edwin using herputer. The call connected almost instantly. Chapter 1407 Edwin¡¯s face filled the screen, his smile beaming. ¡°Hannah! You finally decided to call. I was starting to think you had disappeared. ¡± ¡°Stop it, you doomsayer. I ought to thump you for that. ¡± From off¡ªcamera, a cheerful female voice interjected, and a hand yfully smacked Edwin on the head. Edwin clutched his head, feigning pain. ¡°Have you no shame? I invited you over for dinner, and this is how you treat your host?¡± As he shifted, Hannah caught sight of her old friend Lydia in the background. Lydia hadn¡¯t changed; she still made a big deal over the little things, which somehow always felt heartwarming. ¡°Hannah¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s voice wavered as she looked into the camera, her eyes welling up. ¡°When are youing back? Both Grace and I miss you terribly. ¡± The camera shifted slightly, and Hannah could see Grace sitting beside Lydia, holding a piece of cake. Grace looked somewhat ufortable at being seen on the screen. Hannah gave Grace a warm smile. ¡°Grace, it¡¯s been so long. Don¡¯t you recognize me?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Grace moved closer to the screen, her cheeks flushing pink. ¡°I. I miss you too, Hannah. ¡± Seeing the familiar faces made Hannahugh wholeheartedly. ¡°Why are you all gathered there?¡± Lydia grabbed the phone from Edwin, giving him a yful look. ¡°Why are you still hovering? Go help in the kitchen. Didn¡¯t you invite us here for dinner? Better get moving. ¡± Edwin rolled his eyes and mimicked Lydia in jest. ¡°Go help in the kitchen. I know you¡¯re just trying to enlist help for Brayden. But my cousin¡¯s also in the kitchen-he¡¯s quite the chef. ¡± Regaining control of his phone, Edwin addressed Lydia with mock indignation. ¡°Besides, Hannah called me. Why are you hijacking my phone?¡± Edwin then turned his attention back to the screen, his smile wide and genuine.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Since you left, we¡¯ve been meeting up in our spare time, mostly to catch up on news about you. ¡± Lydia squeezed her face next to Edwin¡¯s and said with a hint of sarcasm, ¡°But Hannah, I didn¡¯t expect you¡¯d be so busy that you couldn¡¯t even drop us a call or a message. ¡± ¡°Things did get a little dicey on my end, which is why I didn¡¯t contact you guys. ¡± ¡°We¡¯re aware,¡± they replied. Lydia added, ¡°Your racing incident has made headlines nationwide. It¡¯s impossible for us not to hear about it. ¡± Hannah, slightly taken aback, questioned, ¡°Wasn¡¯t this news supposed to be blocked? How did you all find out?¡± Edwin squeezed in, saying, ¡°They only provided verbal descriptions, no pictures or videos. Those of us who know you could tell something had happened just from those words. ¡± Lydia pursed her lips. ¡°You had a major ident and didn¡¯t inform us? We were worried sick and couldn¡¯t contact you. ¡± Hannah offered a weak smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be back soon, and we can catch up then. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Lydia eximed, elevating her voice. ¡°You¡¯reing back? That¡¯s wonderful. I¡¯ve been incredibly bored at home. ¡± Chapter 1408 Edwin, visibly pleased, inquired, ¡°Hannah, are you nning to stay after you return this time?¡± ¡°No, I still have some business to handle here. In fact, I don¡¯t have to go back right away this time, but I¡¯ve missed you all. I thought it would be a good time to visit. ¡± Lydia scoffed. ¡°At least you remember us now. It¡¯s been ages since youst visited. ¡± Hannah chuckled. ¡°Well, you¡¯ll have to treat me to a couple more meals then. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty saved up. When you get back, I¡¯ll reserve a high-end restaurant for the whole month. You won¡¯t go hungry, that¡¯s for sure. ¡± In a soft tone, Grace interjected, ¡°Hannah, how is my brother doing? Will he return with you this time?¡± ¡°Your brother is fine. I haven¡¯t discussed it with him yet. He probably misses you as well. If I tell him I¡¯m going back, he¡¯ll likelye with me. ¡± On the other end of the phone, Lydia hugged Grace and said, ¡°Grace is very worried about you, Hannah. ¡± Hannah smiled faintly. ¡°Please take good care of her for me. I¡¯ll be back soon. ¡± After the conversation, Hannah inquired about local events. ¡°Has anything major happened in the countrytely?¡± ¡°Nothing serious. After the previous events, Den has been behaving. The Shaw family is on the decline, having been overtaken by the Glyn family. They¡¯re not as influential as before but are legitimate businesspeople now. Layne has approached me for several business deals. When he found out you were away, he asked me to get in touch with him upon your return. ¡± Layne Cartwright? Hannah was surprised he was still seeking her out. ¡°Okay. Please help me get in touch with him when I return. ¡± Edwin nodded before bringing up the Mitchell family. ¡°The Mitchells have been quiet since Bryson went abroad, but they¡¯ve recently received arge investment from overseas. Tyshawn has taken temporary control of thepany and has be rather arrogant again. ¡± Previously, Hurst had tried to cause trouble but was restrained by Bryson, who managed the situation discreetly without escting it. Hannah was taken aback that Tyshawn, that fool, was running thepany in Bryson¡¯s absence. ¡°The investment came because of Bryson. Why does Tyshawn get to be so arrogant?¡± Hannah asked sharply. ¡°What?¡± Edwin appeared stunned and clearly puzzled. ¡°You mean it¡¯s because of Bryson?¡±Original content from N?velDrama.Org. From Edwin¡¯s reaction, Hannah sensed there was more to the story. ¡°What have you heard?¡± ¡°ording to local news, the daughter of the financial group has taken a liking to Tyshawn, prompting their hefty investment in the Mitchell family¡¯spany. ¡± Chapter 1409 The capital injection seemed deliberate on Remington¡¯s part. How could it be rumored at home that a financial group¡¯s daughter was smitten with Tyshawn? It was well-known that the Lyons family members were forbidden from marrying outsiders. Could this also be part of Remington¡¯s scheme? ¡°Hannah, what are you thinking? Is something not right?¡± Shaking her head, Hannah responded, ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing. Just steer clear of the Mitchell family for now. I¡¯m concerned it might cause trouble for you. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The White family holds as much sway as the Mitchell family. If we avoid provoking them, they won¡¯t dare retaliate. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s reassuring. I called mainly to discuss this issue. I won¡¯t keep you from your gathering any longer. We can talk more when I get home. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hearing this, Edwin smiled. ¡°Then I¡¯ll meet you at the airport. ¡± After ending the call, Hannahy down on her bed, rolling around infort. With domestic affairs handled, she thought about her next move. Her expression turned steely. It was time to confront the Jade Paradise and drive out the Bloody Gang. The following afternoon, Trent and Keith scheduled a meeting with Bryson at their cafe. Keith and Trent arrived early, anxiously awaiting Bryson¡¯s arrival. ¡°Let¡¯s walk through our discussion points and check for any mistakes. It¡¯s important we don¡¯t say anything out of line. ¡± Keith advised with caution. Trent nced at Keith and asked, ¡°Back in Cadilind, you seemed unfazed by Bryson. Why do you seem increasingly anxious about him now that we¡¯re in Newfort?¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery Unashamed, Keith replied to Trent, ¡°It¡¯s not fear, it¡¯s just being sensibly wary. Don¡¯t you find it peculiar that Bryson was invited to the gathering? At the six-family gathering, even the Chadwich family¡¯s invitation came through the Comptons. What makes Bryson an exception?¡± Trent pondered then replied, ¡°It¡¯s pretty standard. Remington and Bryson seem to have their own dealings. Remington organized this event, so he gets to call the shots. Inviting Bryson isn¡¯t odd for him. ¡± Keith pointed out an oversight. ¡°You¡¯re missing the bigger picture. Bryson was also there when the families united for business. Doesn¡¯t that strike you as odd?¡± Trent was taken aback, recalling Bryson¡¯s presence during their coborative discussions. The Mitchell family was prestigious in Cadilind, and Bryson had numerous international ventures, but his involvement seemed beyond what would normally interest Remington. As they grappled with these thoughts, a knock at the private room¡¯s door interrupted them. The waiter announced, ¡°Mr. Mitchell has arrived. ¡± With the door swinging open, the waiter ushered in the guest. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, right this way, please. ¡± After Bryson entered the private room, the waiter exited and gently shut the door behind him. He sat down opposite Trent and Keith, giving them a measured look. ¡°So, what¡¯s the topic of discussion today?¡± The irony of their previous conversation about Bryson wasn¡¯t lost on them, leaving them momentarily disconcerted. Trent recovered first, clearing his throat. ¡°We need to talk about Hannah. ¡± At the mention of her name, Bryson¡¯s rxed demeanor shifted slightly, his gaze sharpening. ¡°What about her?¡± Chapter 1410 Bryson, seated across from him, paused for a moment before replying, ¡°I know bits and pieces, not the whole picture. ¡± Trent wasn¡¯t surprised; it seemed Bryson wasn¡¯t well-versed in the affairs of the Chadwich family. A hint of concern shed across Trent¡¯s face, unsure whether to involve outsiders in this matter. Noticing Trent¡¯s hesitation, Bryson narrowed his eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t invite me out just for small talk, did you? Spit it out. ¡± ¡°Alright, here¡¯s the thing. ¡± Keith proceeded to recount the tumultuous history between the Chadwich family and the notorious Bloody Gang. He mentioned Hannah¡¯s determination to confront the gang. ¡°We need you to talk some sense into her. This is serious-we can¡¯t afford any missteps. ¡± Bryson¡¯s expression remained unreadable, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on his knee. ¡°I don¡¯t necessarily think she¡¯s wrong. ¡± Anticipating this response, both Trent and Keith fell silent. Eventually, Trent broke the silence. ¡°Dealing with the Bloody Gang is no joke. Hannah could be in over her head. Please, help us convince her otherwise. ¡± ¡°You know Hannah. Just because I talk to her doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯ll listen to anything I say. If she¡¯s made up her mind, convincing her otherwise won¡¯t be easy,¡± Bryson replied evenly. Trent exchanged a look with Keith. ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re asking for your help. ¡± Bryson arched an eyebrow. ¡°And you think she¡¯ll listen to me?¡± Keith cleared his throat and adapted a serious tone. ¡°Maybe. But we can¡¯t afford to let her take unnecessary risks. Surely, you agree, Mr. Mitchell?¡± After a pause, Bryson retrieved his phone and dialed Hannah¡¯s number. Once connected, he hit the speaker button. A chill silence floated the room until Hannah finally answered. ¡°Hello? What¡¯s going on?¡± Bryson softened at her voice. ¡°I hear you¡¯re nning to stir things up at Jade Paradise?¡± There was a pause on the other end after he spoke. On a nearby sofa, Keith and Trent exchanged nervous nces, beads of sweat forming on their brows. They could almost picture Hannah¡¯s reaction, and it didn¡¯t bode well. They could feel the brewing storm.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Did Keith and Trent spill the beans?¡± Bryson lifted his head only to meet Keith waving nervously. He grinned and said, ¡°They¡¯re right here. Want to chat with them?¡± Chapter 1411 After saying that, he put the phone on the table and slid it towards the pair. But Keith and Trent mmed up, their faces pale and mouths shut tight. ¡°It seems they¡¯re not up for a chat,¡± Bryson said casually, sliding the phone back. ¡°If you¡¯ve got something to say, Hannah, I¡¯m all ears. ¡± Hannah took a breath. ¡°Are you trying to talk me out of it too?¡± ¡°No, absolutely not,¡± Bryson replied, leaning in. ¡°If you¡¯re set on causing a stir at Jade Paradise, better do it soon; say in a couple of days. Once the Chadwich family¡¯s folks are out, it¡¯ll get sticky. The K Group can lend a hand. Just name the time, and I¡¯ll bring my crew. ¡± Keith wondered if they¡¯d all lost their minds. ¡°Alright then. I¡¯ll give you a call tonight once I¡¯ve set things in motion,¡± Hannah responded. As Bryson hung up, he turned to Keith and Trent with a reassuring smile. ¡°Feeling better now? Hannah¡¯s in good hands with me. ¡± The two men exchanged worried nces, unsure of whaty ahead. Trent fixed Bryson with a serious gaze. ¡°Messing with the Chadwich family is one thing, but crossing paths with the Bloody Gang? That¡¯s a whole different ball game. ¡± Bryson didn¡¯t care much about it. His eyes gleamed with determination. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Then let¡¯s make that gang disappear from here forever. ¡± Bryson and Hannah exuded an air of arrogance that made obedience seem like an alien concept to them. ¡°ALL right, since you¡¯ve made your decision,¡± Trent began, his tone tinged with resignation, ¡°I have one request. We¡¯ll assist you, but we need to devise a meticulous n, or we¡¯ll find ourselves in serious trouble. ¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Bryson nodded curtly. ¡°Understood. See you tonight. ¡± Once Bryson departed, Keith let out a relieved sigh beforeunching into a tirade against the duo. ¡°Now that Bryson¡¯s involved, there¡¯s no way we can handle this properly. What should we do?¡± Trent cast a weary nce at him. ¡°Apart from tagging along with them and causing trouble at Jade Paradise, our only other option is to report Hannah to Dad. Which do you prefer?¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Keith slumped back dramatically, his gaze fixed upward with a ssy-eyed stare. ¡°If only I¡¯d known earlier, I wouldn¡¯t have let Hannah join the Compton family. I thought we were doing the right thing by inviting her to join us, for Dad¡¯s sake and ours. I never imagined she¡¯d run into Remington so soon. Not only did she get mixed up with Remington, but now she¡¯s in for a world of trouble. ¡± Straightening up abruptly, he turned to Trent. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s a geomancy problem? Maybe we should find a master to adjust geomancy for the Compton family?¡± ¡°I think there¡¯s something wrong with your logic,¡± Trent retorted with exasperation. ¡°Keith, do you realize what time it is? Is this kind of joke supposed to be funny? It¡¯s clear someone¡¯s targeting Hannah. But that might work in our favor. Once this blows over, Hannah cany low for a while back in Cadilind. ¡± Keith nodded in agreement. ¡°You¡¯re right. But we are in a tight spot. If we mess this up, we won¡¯t be able to exin it to Dad. ¡± Trent sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s assess the situation before we decide our next move. Our priority is protecting Hannah. ¡± Chapter 1412 Meanwhile, in the vi, Hannah deftly navigated theputer to ess the Dark Web, a realm she hadn¡¯t ventured into in a while. Instantly, several messages flooded her inbox. ¡°Boss, how are Dn, Dotson, and Kite holding up with you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard they train relentlessly every day, yet they rarely ess the Dark Web. Are the Comptons really that fearsome that they need 24/7 training?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve got an update on Leviathan. Confirmed, the signal source isn¡¯t within the Comptons¡¯ premises. We¡¯ll keep tracking. ¡± Hannah swiftly replied them. ¡°I¡¯m not sure about Dn¡¯s training. Dotson and the others don¡¯t have specific assignments. Lately, we¡¯ve been in Remington¡¯s territory, so we can¡¯t risk logging onto the Dark Web and being traced. ¡± ¡°Keep tabs on Leviathan. Also, gather intel on the Bloody Gang for me. ¡± Soon enough, a reply came through. ¡°I¡¯ll send you the data immediately. Boss, hang tight. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± Capitalizing on the moment, Hannah summoned Dotson and Kite to the vi via themunication device. She also synced the Dark Web messages to their devices. ¡°Here¡¯s the scoop on the Bloody Gang. Take a Look. ¡± Dotson essed themunication device on his wrist, scanning through the transmitted information. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of this gang. They¡¯re not well-known, but their methods are gruesome. ¡± ¡°Boss, have they crossed you?¡± After digesting the information, Kite fixed his gaze on Hannah. ¡°Give the word, and I¡¯ll raid their hideout immediately. ¡± Dotson smirked and deactivated his device. His eyes gleamed with excitement. ¡°It¡¯s been too long since I¡¯ve been in action. Let me handle this job. ¡± Kite looked at him with icy eyes. ¡°Do you really n to storm the Bloody Gang¡¯s stronghold by yourself?¡± Dotson snorted. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal? I once went solo on a mission to take down an entire gang. Dealing with the Bloody Gang will be a walk in the park!¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you looked at the intel? Though they¡¯re not the most formidable, the Bloody Gang is tricky; moreover, their base location remains unknown. There¡¯s nothing on our Dark Web about their base. How do you think you¡¯ll handle them if you can¡¯t even pinpoint where they are?¡± Dotson challenged Kite. ¡°And you? It¡¯sughable that you want the Boss to send you. Sure, you¡¯re great at digging up info, but I¡¯m the one who takes action!¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Hannah cut through their bickering. ¡°You won¡¯t have to face them alone this time. Juste with me. ¡± At that moment, the two men snapped out of their quarrel. They turned to Hannah in unison and inquired, ¡°Boss, are you thinking of taking on the Bloody Gang yourself?¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°I want to handle this personally. ¡± Chapter 1413 ¡°No way!¡± Dotson protested. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be the one to face the Bloody Gang! Let Kite and me take the risks. ¡± Kite was puzzled. ¡°Boss, this minor task doesn¡¯t warrant your involvement. We¡¯ve got this covered. Is there another reason you¡¯re stepping in?¡± Hannah was firm. ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind. Kite, your job is to pinpoint the exact location of their base. ¡± ¡°Okay, understood. I¡¯m on it!¡± Kite promptly exited. Watching Kite depart, Dotson grew anxious. ¡°Boss, you¡¯ve given her an assignment. Are you suggesting I just stay back and guard?¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°Of course not. Your task is crucial; it¡¯s tied to the sess of our n B. ¡± Dotson blinked. ¡°n B?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll delve into thatter tonight. Until Kite returns, we won¡¯t know if we¡¯ll need to implement n B,¡± exined Hannah. ¡°Besides that, there¡¯s something else I need you to handle, though it¡¯s not as pressing. ¡± Dotson¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Boss, I¡¯m prepared to do anything for this cause, even if it means sacrificing my life. ¡± Hannah looked at him and shook her head with a gentle sigh. ¡°There¡¯s no need for such drastic measures. What I really need right now is for you to pick up ingredients for hot pot. I¡¯ve been craving one ever since we got here. Tonight¡­¡± She paused for a moment and then smiled. ¡°We¡¯re expecting quite a few guests. It¡¯s important to have plenty of food ready. ¡± Though Dotson was unclear about who these guests might be, he nodded obediently. ¡°I¡¯ll head out and get the food immediately!¡± Once alone in the living room, Hannah took out her phone and noticed a new friend request on her messaging app. She tapped on it, revealing a simple profile with a name represented by a single capital letter: B.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery Recognizing the name on the friend request message, Hannah epted the friend request. Instantly, a new message appeared: [Miss Moore, thank you for your assistance during the unpleasantness at the vi. My father regrets his harsh words. Once I¡¯ve recovered, I intend to thank you in person. ] Bagot was good at dealing with people. Hannah lowered her gaze and typed a response: [No formalities are needed. I was a doctor once; aiding those in need was simply my responsibility. ] Then another message arrived: [I understand Miss Moore is an alumna of a renowned local university. Could you share which one?] Hannah studied the message, unsure if he was probing her or merely making small talk. [It¡¯s not a renowned university, Mr. Delgado. Please, don¡¯t worry about it. ] Her response effectively halted Bagot¡¯s line of questioning. From his hospital bed, although still pale, Bagot was mentally sharp. He passed his phone to the man beside him and remarked, ¡°She¡¯s very cautious; we won¡¯t get anything from her. ¡± Chapter 1414 The man, dressed in a neatly tailored business suit and with his hair perfectly styled, scrutinized the phone. ¡°Mr. Delgado, it seems she¡¯s not interested in continuing this conversation. Perhaps you should try again. ¡± ¡°You speak with her,¡± Bagot suggested, waving his hand dismissively. ¡°If we want to find out who attacked me, she¡¯s our only lead. ¡± Realizing the conversation had stalled, Hannah was about to exit the chat when a new message appeared. [I heard that Remington has yet to gather any concrete evidence to arrest those who attacked us. The Juarez family has been exerting pressure on Remington and his family. ] Hannah¡¯s frown was slight but noticeable. Another message quickly followed. [The Austin family and the Lyons family are locked in a severe dispute over the death of an heir. Miss Moore, have you seen thetest headlines?] Her expression grew stern. [I¡¯ve seen them, but I¡¯m not involved, so I haven¡¯t paid much attention. ] The person on the other end seemed to anticipate her response, replying almost immediately.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. [Miss Moore, you previously inquired about the masked man. Surely, you must know something about him, right? I heard from the news that the masked man who attacked me also killed Rhett. Were you aware of that?] Staring at her phone screen, Hannah suddenly smiled. [Mr. Delgado, you¡¯re beating around the bush. You¡¯re trying to ask about that man, but I¡¯m sorry to say that even the police are at a loss about his identity, let alone myself. ] The suited man typing for Bagot paused upon seeing Hannah¡¯s message, then reported, ¡°Mr. Delgado, it appears we won¡¯t be able to extract any information from her. ¡± ¡°Mr. Yates, please test her once more to ensure she isn¡¯t coborating with Remington. ¡± Hannah was already irritated that Bagot was testing her, but then another message arrived. [I apologize, Miss Moore. I had no idea there were cameras all over Remington¡¯s vi, even in our rooms. It¡¯s surprising that we still couldn¡¯t catch him with all that surveince. ] It was clear that Bagot suspected Remington and Hannah were conspiring to obscure the truth about the attack. Hannah quickly typed a barrage of replies, her tone less than polite. [If you truly felt sorry, Mr. Delgado, you wouldn¡¯t have asked such a pointed question. ] [Even 360-degree surveince cameras didn¡¯t catch the suspect. So, why would you think to question me, of all people?] [I¡¯ve mentioned that my duty is to aid those in need. Mr. Delgado, do you take that seriously, or do you think I should also be spearheading the investigation? That¡¯s absurd. ] Upon reading the flurry of messages from Hannah, Cowan Yates, Bagot¡¯swyer, felt a chill. He quickly passed the phone back to Bagot, saying, ¡°Mr. Delgado, it seems Miss Moore is quite upset. ¡± Chapter 1415 Bagot checked his phone and saw several messages from Hannah, all brimming with impatience. He set the phone aside without responding and turned to Cowan. ¡°How long until I can leave the hospital?¡± ¡°The doctor mentioned it should be by next week,¡± Cowan replied. Bagot nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Once I¡¯m discharged, please arrange some valuable gifts. We¡¯ll pay a visit to the Compton family together. ¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Delgado. I¡¯ll get the gifts ready,¡± Cowan affirmed before exiting the room, leaving Bagot alone with his thoughts and his phone. A peculiar expression danced in his eyes as Bagot read the messages again. Meanwhile, Hannah, having sent her series of messages on the app, logged out without a second thought about Bagot¡¯s potential response. With a sense of detachment, she retreated to her room, hoping to indulge in a peaceful nap. However, an unsettling restlessness lingered within her, refusing to grant her the sce of sleep. Sitting up abruptly, she shook her head as if to dispel her unease, and wandered toward the bathroom. Ssh! The sound of rushing water filled the space as she turned on the tap, her gaze lost in the swirling vortex of the filling tub. Events of the past days cascaded through her mind, each more taxing than thest. She felt overwhelmed, stretched too thin. Absentmindedly, she trailed her fingers through the warm water, before finally shutting off the tap and submerging herself into the bath. The back of her head rested against the porcin rim, and she exhaled a deep, weary sigh. Steam rose in ghostly wisps, veiling the mirror and cloaking the room in a foggy embrace. The warmth of the bath seeped into her bones, coaxing her into a vulnerable slumber. But as she drifted off, the water¡¯s embrace grew colder, an icy chill creeping into her body. Her eyes snapped open. Panic surged-a tidal wave of cold dread. For a heart-stopping moment, she was a child again, floundering in the deep, dark waters of the sea. ¡°Help!¡± The word tore from her throat, raw and desperate. Her childhood terror, the memory of nearly drowning, flooded back with merciless rity. The line between past and present blurred, and when she blinked open her eyes, she saw not the safety of her bathroom but the ominous, unending depths of the ocean. Above her, the surface rippled, distorting the faces of spectral onlookers peering down at her from the shore. ¡°Hannah! Wake up!¡± Plop!Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1416 It felt like Hannah was being yanked from the depths of the sea. She struggled to pry open her eyelids, reaching out toward the shadowy figure. ¡°Hannah! Wake up!¡± In his formal suit, Bryson stormed into the bathroom, scooping Hannah out of the tub without a second thought. Water droplets clung to Hannah¡¯s cheek as Bryson cradled her in his arms. She weakly rested her head against his arm, unresponsive to his calls. Droplets continued to trickle from her damp hair, her wrist limp at her side. Despite Bryson¡¯s urgent pleas, she remained still. ¡°Hannah! Wake up!¡± Realizing his efforts were in vain, Bryson checked for her breath, relieved to find she still breathed on her own. He swiftly lifted her from the tub. cing her on the bed, he prepared to perform CPR when she suddenly stirred. ¡°Help¡­ me¡­¡± Bryson grasped her arm, drawing her close. ¡°Hannah, can you hear me?¡± It was as if she was reaching for the light above her. She clung to Bryson¡¯s hand as if pulling herself from deep waters. ¡°Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!¡± Coughing racked her body as her eyes fluttered open. Bryson soothed her, stroking her back, giving her room to catch her breath. As her vision cleared and she realized the warmth around her, a sense of safety enveloped her. But as she gained her bearings, she found herself wrapped tightly in someone¡¯s arms. Instinctively, she tensed, ready to escape.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. But her urge to rise was thwarted by the firm grip on her arms. Hannah¡¯s gaze turned sharp as she looked up at the man beside her. Bryson met her gaze, water droplets still glistening on his handsome face. ¡°That re could kill, you know?¡± ¡°Why are you here?¡± Hannah¡¯s cheeks flushed as she realized her nakedness before Bryson. ¡°Clothes. I need clothes. ¡± Effortlessly, Bryson lifted her, wrapping her securely in the quilt before setting her down. Then he straightened, the picture of nonchnce. ¡°Where do you keep them?¡± Clutching the quilt to her chest, Hannah curled into a ball, her voice small. ¡°Back right cab. There are dresses on the top shelf ~any will do. ¡± Chapter 1417 ¡°Got it. ¡± Bryson turned to fetch her clothes. His back turned to her, a wave of embarrassment washed over Hannah. She bit her lip. ¡°You still haven¡¯t told me what you¡¯re doing here. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing urgent. I just wanted to be here a bit early. ¡± Bryson rummaged through the wardrobe, his hands brushing against fabric after fabric. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to find this. ¡± Hannah massaged her temples wearily. ¡°I fell asleep in the bath. I didn¡¯t expect¡­ things to get this out of hand. ¡± He finally pulled out a long, ck dress. He turned, holding the dress, his face etched with concern. ¡°What if I hadn¡¯t shown up today?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze fell to the floor. ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯d have died.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. What else?¡± Bryson¡¯s response was swift; he reached out, pinching her chin, his tone icy. ¡°Do you find that funny?¡± Hannah blinked, offering no resistance, and murmured an apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m just exhausted. ¡± Bryson dropped the dress, his grip on her chin softening. ¡°Did you dream about drowning in the ocean again?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Hannah rubbed her forehead again, a sigh escaping her lips. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since thest one. Maybe it¡¯s the stress. ¡± ¡°Then no more baths alone,¡± Brysonmanded. Hannah took the dress from him, her brows arching in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re banning me from bathing alone now? Really, Bryson, must you be so overbearing?¡± ¡°Overbearing?¡± Bryson clenched his jaw, a sneer tugging at his lips. ¡°If I didn¡¯t need to worry about finding you underwater, would I have to make such rules?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice tinged with embarrassment. ¡°It was an ident. . ¡± ¡°How many idents until one takes your life? If it weren¡¯t for me, you would have died for f@ck¡¯s sake! Imagine the headlines, Hannah: ¡®Heiress to the Compton fortune found drowned in her bathtub. Isn¡¯t that a disgrace?¡± Hannah inhaled sharply, clutching the dress tighter. His words were harsh, cutting through her defenses. ¡°Fine, I get it. I¡¯ll avoid baths when I¡¯m too tired. ¡± Sensing the guilt in her words, Bryson¡¯s expression softened slightly. ¡°Good, as long as you understand. ¡± Chapter 1418 Just as Hannah was about to ask him to leave, a thought struck her. ¡°Wait. How did you get in here?¡± Her eyes darted to the window. Sure enough, it was wide open, curtains flung aside. She fixed him a re. ¡°Why can¡¯t you ever use the front door? What¡¯s with you and windows?¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Bryson spread his hands,cing his defense with righteousness. ¡°Going through the front door would dy me. Considering your knack for trouble, would you still be alive when I got here?¡± His words left her momentarily speechless, ring at him in frustration. Bryson¡¯s lips quirked into a smile. ¡°Dress up. I¡¯ll wait outside. ¡± Bang! The door was closed. Hannah rolled her eyes towards the door, then cast her gaze downward. She couldn¡¯t rx at all. She had intended to take a bath, yet unexpectedly, the day took a drastic turn. If not for Bryson¡¯s sudden appearance today, she feared that she was really going to die. Hannah closed her eyes briefly, got dressed, smoothed her hair, and stepped out. Bryson was waiting, leaning against the wall outside her room. Noticing her, he observed her damp hair and asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you dry your hair beforeing out?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not so fragile,¡± Hannah replied, waving her hand dismissively. Noticing Bryson¡¯s suit was also marked with water stains, she suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. After all, it was her who made Bryson so embarrassed. ¡°I¡¯ll get someone to fetch you a fresh set of clothes so you can change. If we¡¯re going out tonight, those wet clothes won¡¯t befortable for you. ¡± Just as Hannah was about to leave, Bryson said to her with a serious tone, ¡°Are you sure you want to go ahead with your n against Jade Paradise?¡± Hannah paused, turned around, and faced Bryson, her expression questioning. ¡°You¡¯re not trying to talk me out of it, are you?¡± The man leaning against the wall shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s just that Jade Paradise has connections with influential people. Some big shots owe Jade Paradise favors. If you really n to make a mess there tonight, it could put some of them in a difficult position. ¡± Although Bryson mentioned some people, Hannah understood he was hinting at the Compton family. Hannah smiled slightly. ¡°The Chadwich and the Compton families are tied by marriage. I don¡¯t need to destroy Jade Paradise. I just want to draw out the Bloody Gang. Having them around is a lurking threat. It would be beneficial to take control of Jade Paradise while Amelie is away. ¡± Chapter 1419 Bryson raised an eyebrow, approving of Hannah¡¯s n. ¡°That¡¯s smart. I thought you were set on wrecking the ce as your brothers suggested. ¡± ¡°We don¡¯t need to demolish Jade Paradise, all we need to do is just weaken it. The key is to deal with Amelie¡¯s trusted assistants. ¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°Without Jade Paradise, let¡¯s see what she can do then. ¡± Then, as she headed downstairs, she said to Bryson, ¡°Since you¡¯re here early, if you¡¯ve got nothing else nned, you can hang out with me.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. We¡¯re expecting more peopleter. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Bryson replied, following her downstairs. ¡°I¡¯ve also invited Maloney. ¡± Hannah was taken aback. She turned to Bryson and inquired, ¡°Why did you call him?¡± The smile on Bryson¡¯s face was clear. ¡°If we¡¯re going to make a scene, shouldn¡¯t your fiance be here to help sort out the mess?¡± Hannah clicked her tongue and narrowed her eyes. ¡°Why do I detect a hint of jealousy?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Bryson yfully pulled up his sleeve, sniffed it, and then looked at her with a smile. ¡°I only seem to smell the scent of your bath water. ¡± ¡°f@ck off!¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t relieve her frustration by scolding Bryson, so she scolded him again, ¡°You pervert. ¡± Just then, as they reached downstairs, Dotson and the others returned with groceries. Coincidentally, Dotson overheard Hannah¡¯s sharp words. He entered the living room and called out loudly, ¡°Who¡¯s troubling my boss? I¡¯d say they¡¯re looking for trou¡­¡± Dotson halted mid-sentence, clutching two bags of groceries, as the man behind him bumped into him. Bang! The items the man was carrying tumbled to the floor. ¡°Dotson, why¡¯d you stop all of a sudden?¡± The man behind Dotson grumbled. As he bent down to pick up the fallen items, he noticed the two people in the living room and froze. The rest of Dotson¡¯s intended threat got stuck in his throat. ¡°Boss¡­¡± Hannah touched her forehead in resignation and gestured them inside. ¡°Dotson, please find some clothes suitable for action. His outfit is wet and impractical. ¡± ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll do it right now. ¡± Dotson quickly set down the groceries in the living room and signaled to hispanion. ¡°Let¡¯s step outside for a moment. ¡± After they left, Dotson breathed a sigh of relief. Hispanion, unable to contain his curiosity, eagerly inquired, ¡°What¡¯s the deal with the guy inside and our boss?¡± Chapter 1420 ¡°Shh!¡± Dotson became nervous at once. He turned around and found that no one followed him out. Then he warned the man, ¡°Don¡¯t ask what you shouldn¡¯t ask. Just pretend like you know nothing about him. Now, go on with your tasks. I need to get some clothes for the boss. ¡± ¡°Okay. Seeing the serious look on Dotson¡¯s face, the man gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°Take care. ¡± Dotson maintained hisposure and responded, ¡°Okay. ¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. By the time Dotson returned with the clothes, Hannah and Bryson had finished ying a game. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve brought the clothes. They¡¯re brand new. They should fit Mr. Mitchell perfectly. ¡± Hannah, without looking up, instructed Bryson, ¡°Try these on. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Dotson approached and handed the clothes over to Bryson. As Bryson walked into a room to change, Dotson let out a relieved sigh. Sensing something was wrong with Dotson, Hannah looked up at him and asked, ¡°Why do I get the feeling you¡¯re a bit scared of him?¡± ¡°I¡­ I am not. ¡± Dotson looked away subconsciously and didn¡¯t dare to look into Hannah¡¯s eyes. Catching this subtle reaction, Hannah found it amusing. ¡°I can¡¯t believe the fearless Dotson is actually scared of someone. ¡± Dotson remembered a night when Bryson had swiftly ascended the stairs and managed to kidnap someone from a dangerous situation without any harm. Dotson couldn¡¯t resist remarking about Bryson, ¡°He¡¯s exceptional. ¡± Hannahughed heartily at thement. ¡°Yes. ¡± She nodded in agreement. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right. He¡¯s definitely not Like a normal person. ¡± ¡°Then what am I like?¡± Bryson¡¯s voice suddenly interrupted them from nearby, prompting Hannah and Dotson to turn around. Bryson appeared in a in white T-shirt and ck sports pants, which entuated the length of his legs. His hair, neatly styled before, now casually fell across his forehead, softening his usual sharp demeanor. Bryson looked like a college student who hadn¡¯t graduated yet. This scene had a huge impact on the heart of Dotson. Holding a ck sports jacket casually over one arm, Bryson walked over to the sofa with aid-back stride. He squinted at Hannah, leaning one hand against the back of the sofa. ¡°Miss Moore, what exactly is so unusual about me?¡± Bryson had overheard Hannah¡¯s earlierments. Without missing a beat, Hannah acted clueless, grabbed tworge bags from the coffee table, and headed toward the dining room. ¡°I need to start cooking. Please, stay out of my way. ¡± Chapter 1421 But before she could get far, Bryson stopped her by wrapping one hand around her waist and taking the bags with the other. ¡°Let me help. ¡± With Dotson standing there, Hannah¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She instinctively tried to pull away, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll cook myself. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. However, Bryson held on, not letting her go. He looked down into her eyes and said, ¡°If you don¡¯t let go, then neither will I. ¡± Noticing the two were in a stalemate, Dotson grabbed the remaining two bags from the table and said, ¡°Boss, let me take these to the kitchen for you!¡± With only the two of them left in the living room, she struggled. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Hannah said, trying to free her wrist. Bryson took the things from her hands and said, ¡°Let Dotson stay in the kitchen and help me. You stay here. ¡± He tossed his coat onto the sofa, turned, and carried the things to the kitchen. Hannah leaned back against the sofa, watching Bryson walk away. She smiled softly to herself. As night descended, the light in the sky faded Little by little. The guards outside the vi made their way back one by one. Maloney and Charlie arrived at the vi one after the other, and all the people except for Kite were there. At the dining room table, three steaming hot pots released a delicious scent of butter into the air. The table also had an array of dishes and several drink bottles. Walking through the dining area, Maloney eximed, ¡°Unbelievable! You¡¯re serving hot pot today? I¡¯ve never had it here before. ¡± ¡°The butter hot pot is a special creation. ¡± Hannah, lounging on the sofa, said to Maloney, ¡°You should give it a try then. ¡± Charlie approached, looking at the hot pot with curiosity as the water bubbled inside. ¡°How do you eat this?¡± Maloney, noticing Charlie¡¯s interest, asked him, ¡°Have you never tried hot pot?¡± ¡°Never,¡± Charlie replied. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen it either. ¡± ¡°That makes sense. You train with missions every day. It¡¯s difficult to find such food. ¡± After saying that, Maloney looked around and questioned, ¡°Bryson asked me toe here. Why didn¡¯t he show up himself? Is he going to be thest one?¡± Just then, Bryson, dressed in a ck apron, came out of the kitchen carrying two tes of exquisite fish. ¡°Are you looking for me?¡± Seeing Bryson dressed almost like a domestic husband, Maloney burst outughing, pointed at him, and said, ¡°That outfit really suits you. ¡± Chapter 1422 Bryson set down the fish, looked up, and said, ¡°Watch your mouth, or I¡¯ll break your fingers!¡± ¡°You¡¯re actually threatening me?¡± Maloney casually pulled out a chair and sat down, saying, ¡°Miss Moore, you might want to keep an eye on your man. ¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner. Hannah was engrossed in ying games with Dotson and others, leaving her no time to chat with Maloney. ¡°It¡¯s none of my business that you mess with him. ¡± About ten minutester, the ingredients for the hot pot were ready. Bryson removed his apron and said, ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner. ¡± ¡°But Kite hasn¡¯t returned yet. Before Dotson could finish, Kite appeared like a ghost. ¡± Yet, Kite¡¯s expression was troubled. She copsed onto the sofa and admitted, ¡°Boss, I failed you. I couldn¡¯t locate the base camp of the Bloody Gang. ¡± Dotson looked at Kite with a smirk, saying, ¡°Is there really news that you can¡¯t uncover?¡± ¡°ALL right. I guess so. ¡± Hannah stood up, offering a reassuring smile to Kite. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Dinner¡¯s ready. Let¡¯s eat. ¡± ¡°Boss, why don¡¯t you scold her? It seems her skills have regressed. She couldn¡¯t even find the Bloody Gang¡¯s base camp!¡± Anger red within Kite. She rolled up her sleeves and lunged towards Dotson, shouting, ¡°What the hell are you talking about! Go ahead and say it again! I dare you!¡± ¡°My ears! Let go of me!¡± Despite Dotson typically being moreposed than Dn, he still acted childish in front of an acquaintance. He covered his ears and pleaded with Hannah for help, ¡°Boss! My ears hurt! Help me!¡± Without looking back, Hannah walked to the table, sat down, then turned to Dotson with a smile, saying, ¡°You pissed of Kite with your bitchy tongue. There¡¯s nothing I can do. You¡¯re on your own. ¡± ¡°The boss won¡¯t be of any help to you. Today, you¡¯re in trouble!¡± Dotson cried out and covered his ears with his hands. ¡°Kite, this is all my fault! I¡¯m really sorry!¡± ¡°Since you¡¯re asking for forgiveness, I¡¯ll let it slide this time. ¡± Kite loosened her hand and sat down in front of the table. When the other people saw that Dotson was given a lesson, they were secretlyughing at him. Once everyone had arrived, Bryson sat next to Hannah and started to enjoy the meal. He was mostly helping to serve food to the people around him, They all talked andughed during the meal until Kite said, ¡°Boss, I couldn¡¯t find their base camp this time. It¡¯s my fault. ¡± Hannah smiled and reassured her, ¡°It¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t have to me yourself. The Bloody Gang has so many enemies, it¡¯s not easy to find their base. I have another n to draw them out. ¡± Maloney grew more confused as he listened. He put down his fork and asked, ¡°What is this Bloody Gang? Why are you going to Jade Paradise?¡± Hannah looked at Bryson who was sitting next to her, and questioned, ¡°Why doesn¡¯t he know anything? What did you tell him?¡± Chapter 1423 ¡°I told him we invited him to dinner to discuss some business. ¡± Narrowing her eyes, Hannah asked, ¡°You tricked him intoing here?¡± Bryson smiled at Maloney and replied to Hannah, ¡°If I had told him the truth, do you think he would havee?¡± ¡°Wait a minute!¡± A chill ran down Maloney¡¯s spine. ¡°You¡¯ve been whispering right in front of me. Don¡¯t you think you owe me an exnation?¡± After they exined everything to Maloney, they could see the veins bulging on his forehead! Bang! Maloney mmed his hand down on the table and his expression turned stern. ¡°How dare you keep such a significant matter from the head of the Compton family? Don¡¯t you realize the consequences?¡± Hannah faced him squarely. ¡°We didn¡¯t tell him because it was a serious matter.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re getting me involved just so you can use my family¡¯s influence?¡± ¡°No, thanks. I don¡¯t want to put your family in a tough spot. If things escte, your family might get dragged into this. I want you to be prepared mentally. This way, your family can deal with public rtions in time, in case there is big news that throws your family into a panic. ¡± Taking a deep breath, Maloney felt deceived. ¡°Should I be thanking you for the heads-up?¡± Hearing the frustration in Maloney¡¯s voice, Hannah smirked and said, ¡°Even if it affects your family, it¡¯ll likely just be a rumor. If your family handles it well, it shouldn¡¯t be a major issue. Plus, this could be your chance to get out of that marriage. ¡± ¡°Ha ha. ¡± Maloney forced a fake smile and said, ¡°My family doesn¡¯t just scramble to save face when trouble hits. But if you¡¯re really set on going against Jade Paradise, you might find yourselves in big trouble. ¡± Hannah shrugged nonchntly and said, ¡°That¡¯s why I was against Bryson including you in. Now you know, so better stay out of it. ¡± ¡°Now that I know, how can I just walk away?¡± Bryson turned to Maloney and said, ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous. We can¡¯t involve you. ¡± Bryson raised his eyebrows slightly, ¡°That¡¯s why I really didn¡¯t n on bringing you along for this mission. ¡± At first, Maloney was furious because he thought he had been manipted. But now, his anger was due to their decision to exclude him. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take me with you?¡± Just as Maloney spoke, Dotson, who had been focused on his meal, started choking! ¡°Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!¡± Dotson looked up at Maloney, his face flushed. ¡°Mr. Pierce, weren¡¯t you just upset about being set up by my boss?¡± Chapter 1424 ¡°That¡¯s a different mattet¡± Maloney red at Bryson with annoyance. ¡°I¡¯m aware of what¡¯s going on. Why don¡¯t you take me with you?¡± However, Bryson responded indifferently, ¡°I¡¯m not trying to manipte you. It¡¯s just that Hannah needs a way out. ¡± Maloney calmed down and nced at the two people sitting across from him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I have my own selfish reason, I admit. With the Pierce family¡¯s help, Hannah will be safer. ¡± Bryson nced at Hannah and continued, ¡°However, she¡¯s correct. The Pierce family should stay out of this. She doesn¡¯t want to cause friction between the families. ¡± Suddenly, Maloney felt much of his anger melt away. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if he really takes advantage of the Pierce family, the Pierce family won¡¯t break ties with the Compton family. ¡± Hannah nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I didn¡¯t want to drag you into this. Head home early today. If there¡¯s any fallout in the next couple of days, start handling the public rtions immediately. ¡± Maloney agreed and responded, ¡°Okay. If this gets out, I can¡¯t promise the head of the Compton family won¡¯t hear about it. ¡± Hannah gave a knowing smile. ¡°If it esctes, it¡¯ll be hard for him not to find out. ¡± After eating, they settled on the sofa to strategize over the Jade Paradise issue. ¡°Unless you take a drastic approach to dismantle Jade Paradise from the inside, it remains property of the Chadwich family, even with Amelie under investigation. Why not just destroy it? Blow the whole thing up. I¡¯ll support you,¡± Maloney proposed. Hannah¡¯s expression wavered briefly. She nced at Maloney and responded, ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving soon? Why did you give me an idea?¡± ¡°I just want to be prepared for whatever n you have, so I know how to manage the PR when it¡¯s necessary. ¡± Dotson agreed with Maloney. ¡°I agree with Mr.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Pierce. If we¡¯re going to make a scene, we might as well make it big. ¡± Noticing Bryson¡¯s silence, Hannah leaned towards him and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind? Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± Bryson turned to Hannah and replied, ¡°I¡¯m waiting to hear your n. ¡± ¡°To draw out the Bloody Gang, we need to cut off their financial routes. We shouldn¡¯t worry about the guests on the surface. We still need to target the location where they¡¯re holding the girls. Charlie, you know Jade Paradise well. You¡¯ll need to lead the way. ¡± Charlie, who was adjusting his hair with a handheld mirror, responded to Hannah by flipping the mirror in his direction and smiling. ¡°I¡¯ll guide you. No worries. ¡± Hannah nodded and added, ¡°The orphanages Amelie runs are all funded under my father¡¯s name. Even if I take back control now, no one will say anything about it. ¡± Then turning to Bryson, she asked, ¡°Do you have anything else to add?¡± Bryson responded, ¡°I¡¯ll handle the upper floors of Jade Paradise. You focus on the rescue. I¡¯ll keep the bigwigs calm and try to prevent this situation from escting further and alerting the Bloody Gang. ¡± Satisfied with the n, Hannah nodded and said, ¡°We¡¯ll do as you suggested. I¡¯ll have Dotson and the others back you up. ¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Bryson declined, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve got the right people for this job. Bringing some people in from the K Group might smooth things over. ¡± Chapter 1425 Hannah didn¡¯t press Bryson further. ¡°Alright, you handle the top floors. I¡¯ll concentrate on saving the people below. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson responded nonchntly. ¡°We¡¯ll move tomorrow night. I¡¯ll set something up with Kohen. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Although Charlie had switched back to men¡¯s wear, he still paid attention to his appearance, adjusting the mirror repeatedly. ¡°But Miss Moore, I must warn you, even without Amelie there, the lower area is heavily guarded. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be afraid of,¡± Dotson said. ¡°Or we could just rescue the girls and then blow the ce up. ¡± Charlie was left speechless. Looking at Dotson, Charlie felt helpless. ¡°Why don¡¯t we just blow up the Chadwich family¡¯s house? It would save us a lot of trouble. ¡± Dotson snorted. ¡°If blowing it up was an option, Miss Moore wouldn¡¯t even need to be involved. I¡¯d just take my team and do it. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Alright, although we¡¯re really going to make a move, we don¡¯t need to actually destroy the ce. ¡± Hannah raised a hand to her forehead. ¡°Charlie knows the Jade Paradise best. Dotson, follow his lead and don¡¯t do anything rash. ¡± Hearing this, Dotson sighed and nodded. ¡°Got it, Boss. ¡± At that moment, Hannah¡¯s phone suddenly rang. It was Trent calling. She picked up. ¡°How¡¯s everything?¡± The line was a bit noisy, but Trent¡¯s voice came through clearly. ¡°As usual, there is nothing special about the Jade Paradise. ¡± ¡°Alright. Keep an eye on it for one more day, and we¡¯ll make a move tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, leave it to us. You don¡¯t have to worry about this small matter. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± With all the nsid out, Hannah instructed everyone to head home. She would let them know the exact timing of tomorrow¡¯s operation in advance. Everyone headed towards the door, except Bryson, who stayed behind, leaning on the sofa. Hannah turned to see he didn¡¯t move and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up? Are you nning to stay over tonight?¡± ¡°Is that a problem?¡± Chapter 1426 Leaning against the sofa, Bryson raised his headzily with a smile at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Staying here saves me the trip back tomorrow. ¡± Bryson¡¯s response was yful, prompting Hannah to roll her eyes. Overhearing the exchange, Maloney turned back to chime in teasingly, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, surely it¡¯s not just themute you¡¯re trying to avoid, right?¡± Bryson just gave Maloney a nonchnt look and remained silent. Maloney looked into Bryson¡¯s eyes, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said, ¡°Forget it. Just pretend I didn¡¯t say anything. I¡¯m leaving now. ¡± Hannah led Dotson and the others out of the vi. She advised them to rest that night, not to stand guard outside the vi, and to save their energy for the next night. ¡®s BunnyBookery After everyone had left, Hannah nced at Maloney, who was still standing at the door. ¡°Mr.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Pierce, was there something else?¡± Maloney nced back into the vi and replied, ¡°Considering I¡¯m now coborating with Bryson, and our families are connected, I¡¯ll certainly support you. ¡± Knowing that the character Maloney showed on the surface was not the same as the character he was, Hannah smiled at him and said, ¡°Thank you. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯m taking a big risk to help you, and all I get is a thank you?¡± Hannah looked at Maloney calmly. ¡°Would you like me to get Bryson so he can thank you again?¡± ¡°Forget it. I don¡¯t want to upset either of you. ¡± While speaking, Maloney mentioned their engagement. ¡°Once this is sorted, you¡¯ll be returning to Cadilind. When youe back to Newfort, you need to think about how we can call off our engagement. ¡± Hannah turned and walked back into the vi. As she did, she waved her hand and said, ¡°That¡¯s something for you and my father to work out. ¡± When Hannah got back inside the vi, Bryson was no longer on the sofa. She heard noisesing from the dining room and went to investigate. There, she found Bryson collecting the dishes from the table with his sleeves rolled up. She paused and watched him from afar. Bryson¡¯s demeanor was much more submissive than before, sparking her curiosity. Noticing her stare, Bryson looked up and saw her smiling at him from a distance. With a twinkle in his eye, Bryson asked, ¡°What¡¯s with that Look?¡± Hannah approached, her arms folded across her chest. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you like this. You¡¯ve piqued my curiosity. ¡± Bryson nced at his T-shirt, then turned to carry the tes into the kitchen. He asked, ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Just today, I started thinking you might actually make a good family man. ¡± She teased him deliberately. Chapter 1427 Unruffled, Bryson paused, his hands carrying the dishes. He looked up and offered a grin. ¡°That¡¯s fine. You bring in the money; I¡¯ll find ways to spend it. I see no downside here. ¡± She had expected her words to provoke him, but his frank eptance was unexpected. This left Hannah feeling somewhat deted. She snorted, ¡°A cleaner wille for the vi tomorrow. You don¡¯t need to bother with any of this. Get some sleep-there¡¯s a lot on our te tomorrow. We can¡¯t afford any dys. ¡± As Bryson set the dishes down, the sound of water running and his voice carried from the kitchen. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your work won¡¯t be dyed by me, Miss Moore. ¡± Returning from the kitchen, Bryson¡¯s fingers were dotted with water.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. He suggested, ¡°You should head to bed early as well. ¡± Avoiding his gaze, Hannah turned toward the living room. ¡°I¡¯ve got other things to sort out. Better you hit the sack early. ¡± The kitchen lights went out. Passing the living room, Bryson saw Hannah seated on the sofa, her back to him. Bryson raised his hand and retrieved his coat from the sofa. Neither of them spoke another word. Only after Bryson had entered his room did Hannah turn to gaze at the closed door. She yawned after a moment, shut herptop, and headed upstairs. Gradually, a deep silence enveloped the vi. Suddenly, a figure disturbed the night¡¯s stillness. The door closed gently. Standing at the door, Bryson looked toward the second floor in the darkness. Upstairs was silent, illuminated only by the dim light from the staircase. Bryson slipped out of Hannah¡¯s vi, unnoticed. ¡°It¡¯s our turn to stand guard. You guys go get some rest. ¡± During the night, a new set of bodyguards took their positions outside Wace¡¯s vi. They knew each other well and exchanged greetings. ¡°Why are you here so early today?¡± ¡°Mr. Compton wants us extra vignt these next couple of days, probably because of what happened before. ¡± Their conversation faded into whispers. Chapter 1428 ¡°You¡¯re talking about that time when the Lyons family threw a party, and it ended with most heirs of the six major families getting hurt and Mrs. Compton at the police station?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Compton doesn¡¯t think this is over, so he¡¯s asked all of us on duty to stay sharp. ¡± Unaware of the eavesdropper, they continued talking. Though they spoke softly, Bryson could still make out their words. Bryson took two steps back and leaned against the courtyard wall outside Wace¡¯s vi, his eyes betraying a cold intensity. While the guards continued their conversation, Bryson scaled the courtyard wall silently and settled into a discreet corner. He had visited the vi previously and was familiar with its blind spots; he slipped inside without a sound. Bryson entered through a rear window, navigating by the glow of a few dim lights scattered through the vi. Recalling hisst visit, he remembered Wace¡¯s study was on the second floor, tucked away in the farthest corner. Bryson approached the study door, leaning against it to listen. Hearing nothing inside, he gently turned the knob. The door was locked. Pressing his body against the wood, he deftly used a passkey to unlock it and eased the door open. Once inside, he quickly locked the door from within, pulled out his phone, and switched on the shlight to search the room. He remembered something Maryam had mentioned previously. Although he was wary of trusting her, her words had seemed credible.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Moving silently, Bryson drew a wooden box from a desk drawer. Just as he was about to open it, he heard the door handle turn. His expression hardened, and he swiftly concealed himself behind the curtains. Wace¡¯s voice echoed from the doorway. ¡°Have I ever taken your concerns lightly?¡± Suddenly, the lights in the study flickered on. Wace moved to theputer desk, took a seat, and rubbed his nose. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in cooperating. Luckily, due to otherplications, we haven¡¯t finalized anything this time. ¡± ¡°Although it¡¯s a big deal this time, he won¡¯t back down easily. He¡¯s bound to stir up trouble soon,¡± Wace continued. The person on the other end of the line said something. Chapter 1429 Wace paused, then responded, ¡°That¡¯s beyond my control. There was an incident then, and you took him. Hannah just returned to me after years away, and she matters to me. ¡± From his hiding ce behind the curtain, Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed at Wace¡¯s words. It was clear that the conversation involved him. ¡°Don¡¯t you know who I am? After all these years, have you ever heard me disclose anything about Bryson? I always keep quiet about his matters.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. His business is my business,¡± Wace asserted. His expression grave, Wace said, ¡°Now is not the time for this. If we bring him into our families, we¡¯ll be inviting serious trouble. ¡± Bringing him into their families? Hearing his name, Bryson knew they were discussing him. Yet, the words ¡°bring him into our families¡± sparked a whirl of questions in Bryson¡¯s mind. What was the intent behind Wace¡¯s words? As Bryson grappled with the implications of ¡°bring him into our families,¡± Wace¡¯s voice brought Bryson back to reality. ¡°Alright, now that Amelie¡¯s away, let¡¯s reconvene in a few days. ¡± Wace lingered in the study after ending the call. He remained seated briefly before making his way deeper into the room. Peering through the curtain, Bryson caught only a shadowy glimpse of Wace proceeding inward. Click! A distinct click reached Bryson¡¯s ears, his eyes narrowing instinctively. Through a sliver in the curtain, he saw Wace slipping behind the cab in the study. Once the secret door shut, all was silent. Bryson realized why his search had been fruitless: a hidden spacey beyond the cab. Seizing the moment, Bryson emerged from his cover and exited the study, closing the door quietly behind him. He recognized that another chance to explore would have to wait for a more opportune time. After dodging a few patrols, Bryson made it back to Hannah¡¯s vi. This time, he entered through the front door. A sudden pause in the living room; he sensed a presence. His brow furrowed, he called out, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± p! p! The person seated on the living room sofa softly pped her hands, and the room was abruptly bathed in light. Shielding his eyes from the re, Bryson deepened his frown. Chapter 1430 There sat Hannah on the sofa, dressed in a long-sleeved white nightgown, her smile as insincere as it was polished. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you really are quite the night owl, aren¡¯t you?¡± Maybe because Bryson hadn¡¯t anticipated Hannah to be awake, his expression momentarily froze. Leaning against the sofa, Hannah greeted Bryson with a smile that refused to wane. ¡°Didn¡¯t think I would still be up, did you?¡± ¡°Yeah, I honestly didn¡¯t think you would still be up at this hour. ¡± Approaching the sofa, Bryson asked, ¡°Were you waiting for me here on purpose?¡± ¡°Who else would I be waiting for? But you haven¡¯t answered my question yet,¡± she pointed out. Taking a seat beside her, Bryson exined, ¡°Just couldn¡¯t seem to fall asleep, so I decided to take a little stroll. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°You went out for a walk because you couldn¡¯t sleep? For a moment there, I thought you were up to no good behind my back. ¡± As Bryson sank into the sofa beside her, Hannah turned to him, smiling but saying nothing. Sensing that Hannah might have caught on, Bryson simply smiled back and leaned against the sofa in silence. ¡®s BunnyBookery A standoff ensued between them until Hannah broke the silence. ¡°Remember when you said we shouldn¡¯t keep secrets from each other? Why does it feel like you are hiding something now?¡± Bryson turned to meet her gaze. ¡°What could I possibly be hiding from you?¡± Their eyes locked, and after a beat, Hannah chuckled, averting her gaze. ¡°How would I know what you are hiding from me? If you are dead set on keeping it a secret, I will not find out even if I tried. ¡± Bryson rose to his feet and gave Hannah¡¯s head a gentle rub. ¡°I had tomorrow on my mind and couldn¡¯t seem to nod off before I decided to take a walk.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Don¡¯t dwell on it too much. Get some sleep early. It¡¯s gettingte. ¡± The smile on Hannah¡¯s face dimmed as she watched Bryson¡¯s retreating figure. It was crystal clear to her that Bryson was keeping something from her. There was evidently more to his presence here today than met the eye. Whatever he had been up to outside didn¡¯t weigh heavily on her mind. She had faith he wouldn¡¯t bring her harm, no matter the circumstance. However, the knowledge that he was hiding something gnawed at her, stirring a deep sense of unease. In the room, Bryson leaned against the door, his fingers grazing his forehead. He couldn¡¯t help but chide himself for being too impulsive. The following day, Hannah woke up at noon. She had tossed and turned for what felt like an eternity before finally drifting off to sleepst night. Upon waking up, she berated herself for overthinking things so much. A soft knock on the door interrupted her reverie. Chapter 1431 Hannah nced towards the door and padded barefoot across the carpet to open it. Upon opening the door, she found Bryson standing there. With a subtle expression, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I have prepared lunch for you. Since you didn¡¯t answer the door earlier, I didn¡¯t want to disturb you. Are you hungry?¡± Hannah met Bryson¡¯s serious gaze as she looked up at him. Hannah met his eyes, silently acknowledging the unspoken agreement to avoid discussing the previous night¡¯s events. She waved him off, saying, ¡°No, I¡¯m not hungry. You go ahead and eat. ¡± Bryson gently caught her wrist, his grip firm yet gentle. ¡°We have something important to do tonight. You should at least have a little something to eat. ¡± She nced back, noticing Bryson¡¯s hand still sping hers. ¡°Alright, got it. You can release my hand now. ¡± Upon hearing her words, he released her hand and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± The pair descended the stairs one after the other, and it was only then that Hannah noticed two people still seated in the dining room. Trent and Keith were already tucking into their lunch when they spotted Hannah¡¯s arrival and greeted her warmly. ¡°Hannah, join us for lunch. I had no idea Mr. Mitchell¡¯s cooking was this impressive,¡± Keith said. ncing at Bryson, Hannah made her way to the table and took a seat. Just as she was about to reach for a bowl, Bryson beat her to it. Bryson calmly scooped some oatmeal into her bowl and ced it before her. Though there lingered a slight tension between them after the events of the previous night, to outsiders, Bryson¡¯s actions seemed worthy of scrutiny. Keith exchanged a knowing nce with Trent, and they nudged each other¡¯s arms yfully. Picking up her spoon, Hannah began to stir the oatmeal in the bowl. ¡°Come on, you two, eat up. I¡¯m not blind; I can see your little movements. ¡± Her words caused Keith and Trent to momentarily pause their movements. Keith continued eating as he recounted the events of the previous night at Jade Paradise.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Amelie got taken in for questioning, but it hasn¡¯t seemed to disrupt their operations at all. Trent and I did some discreet probing around therest night. It seems like the second and third floors have temporarily halted their reception services. I suppose some big shots won¡¯t be received for the time being due to Amelie¡¯s investigation. ¡± Trent chimed in, ¡°This could be our chance. Tonight might just be the perfect time to make our move. ¡± After Trent and Keith scouted out the enemy¡¯s territory, they brimmed with confidence as if a gust of motivation had swept them up. After finishing her meal, Hannah felt a sense of relief in her stomach, and her mood improved. ¡°You two should follow Bryson tonight. ¡± Chapter 1432 Trent and Keith turned their gazes to Bryson simultaneously, brows furrowing in confusion. Noticing their shared bewilderment, Bryson simply shrugged and Looked at Hannah. Voicing the question on both their minds, Keith asked, ¡°Why should we follow Bryson and not you?¡± ¡°Charlie knows the terrain there like the back of his hand. I have only been there once. I¡¯ll take Dotson and a few other fighters to handle the situation downstairs. ¡± She continued, ¡°You will apany Bryson and assist him in stirring up trouble upstairs. You are well-versed in this matter and did amendable jobst time. ¡± Keith¡¯s lips twitched wryly. ¡°So, we are just pawns, huh?¡± Upon hearing this, Hannah shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m certain Father will catch wind of this once it¡¯s all over. I can¡¯t allow you to put yourselves in harm¡¯s way. I¡¯ll shoulder the me if he gets upset. ¡± Trent reassured Hannah, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We are in this together. If Father decides to pursue it, we will share half of the responsibility. ¡± As they conversed, Dotson and the others returned from outside. ¡°Boss, everything is set. Tonight, Kite and several others will head to the orphanage to take care of Amelie¡¯s people,¡± Dotson reported. Bryson said, ¡°The K Group¡¯s people will lend a hand tonight. Put on the bracelet. They will contact you through it to coordinate the n and choose a suitable location. ¡± Bryson tossed the bracelet to Dotson. Dotson smoothly caught it and passed it to Kite. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Bryson acknowledged the gesture with a silent nod, his expression unreadable. After a satisfying lunch, everyone dispersed for a well-deserved break. Bryson settled onto the sofa and closed his eyes to rest.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The cushion beside him suddenly dipped, prompting Bryson to peek through half-closed lids. Sitting cross-legged beside him, Hannah opened the game interface. Bryson couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Are you nning to keep an eye on me while you y games?¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you are overthinking. I just enjoy gaming on this sofa. ¡± Hannah clicked on the gaming interface without lifting her head. Bryson knew she was still furious because she addressed him as Mr. Mitchell in a sarcastic tone. ¡°Why don¡¯t you join me?¡± Bryson leaned against the sofa, resting his hand on his forehead as he closed his eyes. ¡°No, I think I¡¯ll pass. I could use a bit more rest, so I¡¯ll skip the game for now. ¡± In the quiet of the living room, the only sound was the sporadic blips and beeps from Hannah¡¯s phone as she yed her game. Chapter 1433 After several rounds, her attention shifted from the screen to Bryson, who had been feigning sleep, his eyes closed and his breathing even. Despite the noise, he seemed undisturbed. Hannah studied him intently, a small frown creasing her forehead. Even after all this time together, Bryson remained an enigma to her. ¡°Am I that fascinating to look at?¡± Bryson murmured without opening his eyes, catching Hannah off-guard. Hannah¡¯s cheeks warmed, and she turned her attention back to her phone with a huff. ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. ¡± One eyebrow arched, Bryson finally opened his eyes, meeting her gaze with a yful spark. ¡°Why not? Might as well consider me a narcissist. ¡± ¡°Humph!¡± was all Hannah managed, her mock annoyance failing to mask her embarrassment. As the evening crept in, around 7 o¡¯clock, Hannah slipped into a sharp, tailored suit. She pulled her hair back into a sleek, high ponytail and settled a peaked cap on her head, her beautiful eyes the only feature fully visible beneath its brim. Bryson opted for a casual look, a ck sports coat that toned down his usuallymanding presence. To any onlooker, he might have passed for a college student, his youthful features belying his true age. Together, they looked more prepared for a leisurely spring outing than a visit to the ndestine Jade Paradise. Hannah and her associate Charlie took the lead, driving off to a secluded spot. Once parked, Charlie adjusted his hat and turned to Hannah with a serious tone. ¡°Miss Moore, give me a moment to ensure everything is secure.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. When I signal with one finger, make your way in through the same entrance we usedst time. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Charlie exited the vehicle and surveyed the area with practiced caution. After a few tense moments, he turned and gave the agreed-upon signal. Hannah unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Dotson and the others crammed in the back. ¡°Let¡¯s move. ¡± They slipped out of the car and into the night; the coast was clear. As they entered the familiar tunnel, darkness enveloped them, the path ahead swallowed by shadow, as if stepping into the mouth of some great beast. Charlie immediately flicked on his shlight, casting eerie shadows against the damp walls. He hushed hispanions with a stern whisper. ¡°Keep it down from here on. We¡¯ve got fewer guards, but they¡¯re not your garden-variety brutes. They¡¯re lethal. Noise is our enemy; it¡¯ll turn us into cornered mice in a heartbeat. ¡± Beside him, Hannah walked in silence, her thoughts as dark as the corridor they navigated. Dotson, peering nervously into the oppressive darkness, couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°Does anyone else feel like we¡¯ve stepped into a dungeon?¡± ¡°It¡¯s precisely that,¡± Hannah responded grimly, her thoughts drifting to the images of caged women she¡¯d seen before. ¡°It¡¯s a prison in all but name. ¡± ¡°Shh! Wait!¡± Chapter 1434 Charlie¡¯s hand shot out to switch off the shlight as they neared the end. He dropped his voice to a whisper strained with tension. ¡°Movement ahead. Silence now!¡± They pressed their backs against the cold, wet wall of the tunnel as a pair of voices approached, illuminated intermittently by a wandering beam of Light. ¡°The colleagues upstairs get holidays, yet here we are, stuck on guard,¡± grumbled one guard to another. ¡°It¡¯s all because our boss got nabbed by the cops. Without her, we¡¯re stuck pulling these endless shifts. ¡± ¡°Still no word on the boss? It¡¯s been two days. Is there anything wrong?¡± ¡°Pfft! She¡¯s a Chadwich. She¡¯s got the Compton family in her corner. Who¡¯d dare touch her?¡± ¡°You¡¯re out of the loop. Haven¡¯t you heard? The Chadwich family¡¯s got both the Juarez and the Delgado families breathing down their neck. ¡± As their conversation continued, the guards casually scanned the area with their shlights, oblivious to those lurking in the shadows. ¡°ALL the heavy hitters have been pulled out from upstairs. What¡¯s the point of us being down here alone?¡± ¡°Quit your bellyaching. Once the boss is back, we¡¯re golden,¡± the first guard retorted. Sensing the guards closing in, Hannah gave Charlie¡¯s shoulder a firm, urgent tap. Her voice was a hushed, barely perceptible whisper, ¡°Shift behind me. ¡± They swapped ces smoothly. The circle of light from the guards¡¯ drew nearer. Hannah¡¯s hand into her her shlight slipped pocket, fingers wrapping around the cool metal of a dagger. With a practiced flick, she sent it spinning through the air. The dagger struck with a resonant ¡®ng!¡¯ The faint tter of the metal hitting the ground interrupted the conversation outside-not a loud noise, yet enough to jolt the two individuals into sudden silence. A pause.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. The beam of the shlight faltered, its jittery dance across the tunnel walls ceasing as the man holding it stiffened. ¡°Did you hear that?¡± Outside, the two figures instantly tensed, their senses on high alert. One scanned their surroundings while the other spoke cautiously. ¡°I heard something fall. Let¡¯s check it out. ¡± So they ventured a couple of steps forward into the tunnel. The one leading directed his shlight to the ground. ¡°There it is. ¡± He stooped to retrieve the fallen knife. ¡°Where did thise from? Look¡­¡± As he turned to hand the dagger to hispanion, his beam of Light revealed a figure in a peaked cap-Hannah. Chapter 1435 ¡°You!¡± His eyes widened in disbelief, but before he could react, Hannah swiftly jabbed a needle into his neck. He staggered and copsed, unconscious. Hannah picked up the dagger from the ground. She and her partner dragged the two unconscious men deeper into a nearby tunnel, where they secured and gagged them. Dotson shined his shlight on the subdued figures. ¡°Boss, what should we do with them? Just kill them here?¡± ¡°No, not yet. ¡± Hannah nced at their captives. ¡°Muffle them. Someone else will handle themter. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± Dotson bent down and quickly stuffed something into the mouths of the two of them. Then he checked again and roped them tightly. ¡°ALL set, boss. ¡± Then quietly, they navigated through the tunnels, encountering several groups along the way and swiftly neutralizing them without a sound. Finally, they reached the main tunnel they had been tracking. The tunnel gleamed under the harsh re of lights, making it harder for them to conceal themselves. As they neared a door that promised peril, Charlie turned, his voice low and urgent. ¡°Miss Moore, allow me to take the lead. It¡¯s strange how many people we¡¯ve encountered on the way here. Amelie must have left them deliberately to keep an eye out for trouble. There will likely be more guards where those girls are held. I know these corridors like the back of my hand; I should lead the way. We¡¯ll draw too much attention moving as a group. ¡± Hannah checked her phone. ¡°It¡¯s eight-ten now. If I don¡¯t hear from you by eight-thirty, I¡¯ll send Dotson and the others in. ¡± ¡°I understand. ¡± While this underground rescue ticked on with palpable tension, Bryson and Kohen had blended into the morous crowd on the first floor. The second floor and third floor were dark. Obviously, there was no one. Keith let out a low chuckle, swirling his drink. ¡°Amelie¡¯s thought of everything, hasn¡¯t she? Shutting down the second and third floors to avoid bringing trouble to the bigwigs. ¡± Bryson, cradling his ss with an air of nonchnce, agreed. ¡°It works in our favor. Makes our job here simpler. ¡± Kohen, grinning broadly, raised an eyebrow.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Miss Moore is a force to be reckoned with. Barely back in town and she¡¯s already stirring the ho¡¯s nest at Jade Paradise. ¡± Bryson smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. ¡°Courage is her calling card. Remember the octagonal cage bouts at ckeye? She didn¡¯t just participate; she dominated. ¡± ¡°Truly,¡± Kohen nodded, admiration clear in his tone. ¡°Hannah Moore is, without doubt, one of the bravest souls I¡¯ve encountered. ¡± Keith, raising his ss to his lips, interjected with a smirk. ¡°Save your praises forter, gentlemen. ¡± His gaze shifted past his ss to the elevator. ¡°Guys, several people just entered the elevator-think there¡¯s trouble brewing for Hannah?¡± Bryson carefully ced his wine ss on a nearby table and shifted his gaze toward the elevator, where he noticed several bodyguards from Jade Paradise descending. Chapter 1436 ¡°You two stay upstairs,¡± he instructed firmly. ¡°Sending too many people might attract unwanted attention. If you don¡¯t hear from me in 20 minutes, contact them to initiate an arrest. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± From the corner of his eye, Trent watched the elevator and warned, ¡°Be cautious out there. ¡± Despite the closure of the second and third floors, the first floor of Jade Paradise buzzed with its usual vibrancy. The thrumming music and haunting vocals wove a mesmerizing spell under the dim lights.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery Unnoticed, two silhouettes advanced toward the elevator. Reaching a corner near the elevator, which was still under surveince by a vignt bodyguard, Bryson stepped forward to press the call button but was immediately intercepted. ¡°ess to the second and third floors is restricted to outside guests for the next two days. Please step back,¡± the guard stated firmly. Bryson fixed a cold stare on the man blocking his path. ¡°And what if I need to go up?¡± The guards at the door immediately tensed and stepped in front of Bryson. ¡°Sir, please don¡¯t make things difficult for us. ¡± At that moment, Kohen walked over and deliberately asked, aiming to divert the attention of the two guards, ¡°What¡¯s the problem here?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve closed off the upper floors to visitors for the next couple of days,¡± Bryson replied. Upon seeing Kohen, one of the guards rxed slightly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. We-¡° Before the guards could finish their sentences, Kohen and Bryson quickly neutralized them with swift, precise strikes. They dragged the unconscious guards into the dressing room and secured them tightly. With no further obstructions, Bryson and Kohen made their way back to the elevator and descended to the basement¡¯s second floor. Meanwhile, in the tunnel, Hannah nced anxiously at her phone. ¡°Time¡¯s up. Charlie hasn¡¯t sent any messages yet. We should go in and check. ¡± Dotson nodded, ready to lead. ¡°Boss, follow behind me. There might be an ambush ahead. ¡± Upon reaching the door, Hannah and Dotson positioned themselves on opposite sides of the door. They exchanged a nce and nodded in agreement before simultaneously pushing the door open. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! A sudden burst of gunfire erupted from within. ¡°Ahhh! Ah. ¡± ¡°Help! Help! Help!¡± Chapter 1437 Women¡¯s screams followed the chaotic sounds. Luckily, Hannah and Dotson had approached cautiously; their dy had spared them from immediate harm. ¡°Shut up! If I hear another sound, I swear I¡¯ll shoot,¡± a harsh voicemanded from inside. Following this threat, the noise inside gradually subsided. The armed men, realizing no one was entering, yelled towards the entrance, ¡°Anyone out there bettere in here this instance. If you don¡¯t, we¡¯ll have no choice but to get rough with your friend. ¡± The man next to Charlie pressed a gun to his forehead. ¡°I¡¯m losing my patience. I¡¯ll count to three.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. If you don¡¯t show yourselves, he dies. ¡± ¡°Three!¡± Dotson, poised by the door, was about to intervene when Hannah, on the opposite side, stopped him. ¡°Two!¡± Hannah signaled to Dotson that she would go first. Dotson¡¯s eyes widened in protest, but before he could react, Hannah stepped forward. ¡°One¡­¡± Just as the captor was about to execute Charlie, he noticed a figure at the doorway. The four gunmen inside quickly aimed their weapons at Hannah. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s just a woman. ¡± Charlie was taken aback to see Hannah at the doorway. He blurted out, ¡°Miss Moore, run. Just leave me!¡± ¡°Shut the f@ck up!¡± Bang! The man raised his gun and shot at Charlie¡¯s leg. ¡°Ah!¡± The bullet struck Charlie¡¯s leg, causing him to copse to his knees with a groan of pain. The shooter looked up at Hannah with a sinister smile. ¡°If you even think about leaving, he¡¯s dead. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not nning on running. ¡± Hannah raised her hands to show she was unarmed and began to advance slowly into the room. Chapter 1438 She took her time entering, her eyes carefully scanning the four men positioned around the room. Seeing her apparent surrender, the gunman¡¯s alertness waned. ¡°You two, go and tie her up. ¡± Tworge men approached Hannah with a rope in hand. Meanwhile, Dotson remained just outside the door, gun in hand, poised to intervene at a moment¡¯s notice. As they reached her, the men brandished a rope. ¡°Cooperate with us,¡± they urged. ¡°Let¡¯s keep this clean. ¡± Hannah nodded and lowered her hands. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll cooperate,¡± she responded with a faint smile. As she spoke, the man with the gun noticed the two men standing motionless in front of Hannah. His brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°What¡¯s the holdup? Tie her up and bring her over here!¡± he demanded. Despite hismands, the two men remained unresponsive, their backs still turned to him. Sensing something was amiss, he turned to another aplice.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Check on them¡­¡± Before he could finish, Hannah swiftly sidestepped and fired two shots, one hitting the man¡¯s wrist and the other his shoulder. ¡°Ah! Damn it! Shoot him now!¡± The man cried out as he copsed, still urging his associate to fire. The other man quickly aimed his gun at Charlie, who was still kneeling on the ground. However, before he could pull the trigger, Hannah¡¯s bullets struck his arm and shoulder. His face contorted in shock and pain, and he copsed without a sound. Hannah holstered her gun and gave a dismissive push to the two petrified men in front of her. Bang! Bang! They toppled backward onto the floor. At that moment, Dotson and others burst into the room, guns ready. Hannah turned her attention to Charlie, still kneeling and bleeding from a gunshot wound to his calf. ¡°Can you stand?¡± Sweat beaded on Charlie¡¯s forehead as he pushed against the floor, trying to rise. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Dotson moved quickly to assist Charlie to his feet. Examining the wound, he said, ¡°Miss Moore, his leg looks pretty bad. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Charlie insisted, taking a staggering step back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Help them first. ¡± Chapter 1439 As he spoke, the women previously silenced by fear in the surrounding iron cages began to weep. ¡°Help us! Please save us!¡± ¡°We can¡¯t endure being trapped here any longer. Please, save us. ¡± ¡°Yes, help us out. We don¡¯t want to be Locked up here anymore. ¡± The man Hannah had shot was sprawled on the floor, ring at her with fierce resentment. ¡°You have no right toe here and cause trouble. The proprietress will make you pay for this when she finds out. ¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Hannah pointed her gun at the man on the floor. ¡°I came here specifically to disrupt her operations. Frankly, I¡¯m banking on her not having the nerve to retaliate. ¡± ¡°You shoot one of my men and I shoot you back. Fair deal, right?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was calm yet firm. Without hesitation, she squeezed the trigger. Bang! The bullet found its mark, striking the man¡¯s shin with a sickening thud. ¡°Ahhh!¡± echoed the agonized cry, filling the dungeon. Despite the pain, the man remained conscious, his eyes filled with defiance. ¡°You think you¡¯re leaving here today? Forget it. I¡¯ve alerted our superiors. They¡¯ll be here soon. You can¡¯t escape. ¡± At that moment, the door burst open. Grim determination shed in the man¡¯s eyes as hey on the floor. ¡°You¡¯re done for. ¡± ¡°Protect the boss!¡± Dotson and hisrades sprang into action, training their guns on the doorway. Hannah¡¯s gaze lifted toward the entrance. Bryson and Kohen emerged, guns drawn, signs of a fierce struggle evident on their faces. Upon entering, Bryson immediately spotted Hannah standing nearby, firearm in hand. Surveying the scene and finding no immediate threat, he holstered his gun. ¡°We took care of the ones trying to sneak in to help. ¡± ¡°Good timing,¡± Hannah replied, a hint of relief in her smile. ¡°Keith spotted some suspicious activity near the elevator. We couldn¡¯t let you handle it alone. ¡± Chapter 1440 With a nod, Bryson sent a quick text to theirrades upstairs before turning back to Hannah. Hannah cast a disdainful nce at the fallen man. ¡°Looks like your backup won¡¯t be joining us. ¡± The man red at her, unable to move. ¡°You¡¯ve sealed your fate. The boss won¡¯t forgive this. ¡± Ignoring his empty threats, Hannah gestured to Dotson and the others. ¡°Release them from the cages. ¡± She crouched down, swiftly retrieving the keys from the man¡¯s pocket before tossing them to Dotson. Without hesitation, Dotson and the others rushed to unlock the cages nearby. Meanwhile, Hannah stepped aside to examine Charlie¡¯s injured shin, her brow furrowing with concern. ¡°Charlie, you¡¯re in bad shape. We need to get you to the hospital as soon as we¡¯re out of here. ¡± Charlie waved off her concern. ¡°No, Miss Moore. My leg is fine. We need to focus on our next move. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, Charlie. I¡¯ll decide what¡¯s best for you,¡± Hannah insisted firmly. Bryson inspected Charlie¡¯s wound and turned to Kohen. ¡°Your men are waiting outside, correct?¡± ¡°Yes, they¡¯re on standby. If anything goes down, they¡¯ll surround Jade Paradise,¡± Kohen confirmed. ¡°Good. ¡± Bryson ced a reassuring hand on Kohen¡¯s shoulder. ¡°There¡¯s nothing more we can do here. Charlie needs immediate medical attention. Take him to the hospital. ¡± Kohen looked at Charlie. ¡°Can you walk?¡± Charlie winced in pain but managed a nod. ¡°I think so¡­¡± Before he could finish, Kohen scooped him up onto his back.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Just show me the way. We¡¯ll get you out. ¡± Once the women were freed, they followed Hannah and the others cautiously. Dotson surveyed the mess around him. ¡°Boss, what about these girls? Should we take them along?¡± Hannah shook her head decisively. ¡°That¡¯s not our concern. Let the authorities handle them. ¡± Just then, Bryson checked his phone. ¡°Our ride¡¯s here. Let¡¯s move. ¡± They hurried toward the exit, but a frightened woman caught up with them. ¡°Can you take us with you?¡± Hannah paused, looking back at the terrified women behind them. They seemed to expect something from her. She retraced her steps, picking up a discarded pistol from the floor. The woman backed away nervously as Hannah approached. Chapter 1441 Despite her trembling hands, she epted the gun from Hannah. ¡°Use this to protect yourself,¡± Hannah said firmly. ¡°If that man on the floor tries anything, defend yourself. Shoot him. It¡¯s your survival at stake. ¡± The woman nodded, her fear palpable. ¡°Can¡¯t wee with you?¡± Hannah shook her head, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be right. Be honest when help arrives. You won¡¯t face any repercussions. ¡± Grateful, the woman nodded again. ¡°Thank you, Miss. ¡± Their departure was briefly dyed by the conversation. Hannah hastened her steps, leading her team through a concealed exit out of Jade Paradise.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Emerging from the concealed doorway, Hannah and Bryson were immediately greeted by the ring sirens of police cars heading towards the main entrance of Jade Paradise. The cars screeched to a halt outside, and armed officers poured out, advancing towards the gate. Bryson¡¯s voice broke through the tension, ¡°Let¡¯s get going. Time to go back. ¡± Hannah nodded, leading the way towards the parking lot. Inside the car, Keith and Trent were already waiting. The engine started as soon as Hannah and Bryson got in. ¡°We left a little surprise for the police. They¡¯ll find the basement soon,¡± Trent remarked. Keith added, ¡°Too bad there was no one on the third floor. Imagine the headache it¡¯d give Amelie if the police nab some big shots tonight. ¡± Hannah stared out the window, her gaze steely. ¡°The best way to unsettle her is to dismantle the Bloody Gang once and for all. The Jade Paradise is just her money-making front. Taking out her supplier will hit her where it hurts. ¡± Bryson turned to her. ¡°I¡¯lle with you to take down the Bloody Gang. ¡± This time, Hannah didn¡¯t refuse. ¡°Alright. ¡± When they arrived at the vi, Hannah received a text from Kite. ¡°Boss, our people have secured all the orphanages. Amelie¡¯s associates have been ousted. The Bloody Gang caught wind of this quickly. They sent someone to investigate and our people caught him. What do we do now?¡± The news didn¡¯t faze Hannah. ¡°Give him some information and then let him slip away. He won¡¯t be able to resisting after us. ¡± ¡°Understood, Boss. ¡± ¡°They¡¯re aware of our ns. They might make a move tomorrow. ¡± Keith, in the driver¡¯s seat, expressed concern. ¡°Should Ie with you tomorrow? I don¡¯t want anything to happen to you. ¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Hannah nced at Bryson. ¡°The two of us should be enough, right, Mr. Mitchell?¡± Chapter 1442 Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm, silencing the men in the front seats. Seemingly unaware of the shift in atmosphere, Bryson smiled at her. ¡°Absolutely.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. I¡¯ll protect you at all costs. ¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes, a smile ying on her lips. ¡°You make me feel safe, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± In the front, Keith and Trent exchanged bemused nces as the atmosphere shifted unexpectedly. Then Hannah¡¯s voice drifted from the back. ¡°Since there¡¯s nothing urgent tonight, Mr. Mitchell, I won¡¯t keep you at my ce. It might not be convenient. ¡± Bryson had stayed at Hannah¡¯s ce yesterday, but it wasn¡¯t convenient for him to stay there today? Keith and Trent were curious about the change but refrained from saying anything. Bryson simply smiled and said, ¡°Since you mentioned it¡¯s not convenient, Miss Moore, I won¡¯t disturb you today. ¡± ncing at Keith, who was driving, Bryson added, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Could you drive me back, Mr. Compton?¡± Keith was about to respond when Hannah interjected, ¡°Why ask him to take you back? You¡¯re free to choose any car here. Take whichever one you like and drive back tomorrow. ¡± The tension between them was palpable. Keith quickly fell silent, not wanting to escte the situation further. ¡°Alright,¡± Bryson replied calmly, his expression unchanged. ¡°I¡¯ll take this car back then. ¡± Hannah opened the door and instructed, ¡°Please step out of the car and let Mr. Mitchell use it. ¡± Keith and Trent exchanged nces, swiftly unbuckling their seat belts and exiting the car. Meanwhile, Bryson leisurely stepped out of the car and waved to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ll take this one then, Miss Moore. ¡± Keith watched as the car sped away, disappearing down the road. Keith nced at Hannah tentatively and asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you two used to get along well? What happened?¡± Hannah replied sharply, ¡°Who said we were getting along?¡± After resolving the issue concerning Jade Paradise, Hannah was clearly upset with Bryson¡¯s behavior. Bryson had gone out the previous night, and it seemed there was more to it than met the eye. Hannah felt that Bryson wasn¡¯t being honest with her despite his insistence on transparency. This man really had double standards. Seeing his sister¡¯s angry expression, Keith blinked twice and chose to remain silent. Chapter 1443 To lighten the mood, Trent spoke up, ¡°Dotson went to the hospital to keep Charliepany. We¡¯ll keep you updated if we hear anything from the police. ¡± ¡°Thank you for your support. ¡± As Hannah walked back to the vi alone, Keith couldn¡¯t help but ask Trent, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we try tofort Hannah?¡± ¡°This is between Hannah and Bryson. It¡¯s not our ce to intervene no matter how much we want to. They need to work it out themselves. ¡± The next morning, before Hannah woke up, she received a phone call. She answered the phone with her eyes still closed. ¡°Hello?¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hello, is this Ms. Moore?¡± The voice on the other end of the line immediately snapped Hannah back to attention, and she opened her eyes. ¡°Yes, speaking. What¡¯s the matter?¡± Identifying himself as calling from the police station, the man informed Hannah, ¡°We have a Ms. Chadwick here who wishes to see you. Would it be possible for you toe?¡± ¡°Yes, of course. ¡± Hannah sat up, her tone bing more alert. ¡°Our visiting hours are from nine to ten. Please n your visit during this time. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah nced at the time on her phone. It was nearly half-past eight. She swiftly freshened up, changed into a new outfit, grabbed her coat, and headed downstairs to her car. Momentster, she was on her way. The car pulled up in front of the police station just two minutes shy of nine. Afterpleting the necessary formalities, a policeman escorted Hannah to a room. Amelie was impably dressed as usual, seated across from Hannah, appearing as though she had been waiting for quite some time. When Amelie caught sight of Hannah, she offered a smile. ¡°Hannah, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be so prompt. ¡± Hannah pulled out a chair and settled into it, studying Amelie carefully. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be faring so welltely. ¡± ¡°I simply have to cooperate with the investigation. They can¡¯t trample on my rights, can they?¡± Amelie retrieved a cigarette and ced it between her fingers, her gaze fixed on Hannah. ¡°But that¡¯s not why I asked you toe. ¡± The lighter flicked, dancing mes igniting the cigarette, tendrils of smoke rising. Chapter 1444 ¡°You are really something else. I can¡¯t believe you managed to stir up such chaos in my absence. ¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes, feigning innocence. ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re referring to. Care to enlighten me?¡± ¡°What do I mean? Miss Moore, don¡¯t have the nerve to own up to it? You caused quite a scene at Jade Paradise yesterday, and now you¡¯re too cowardly to admit it. ¡± ¡°Oh. ¡± Hannah drummed her fingertips on the table. ¡°So that¡¯s what this is about.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± She met Amelie¡¯s gaze squarely. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the police rescued some innocent girls from the basement of your Jade Paradise yesterday. Ms. Chadwick, I had no idea you were involved in such shady dealings. You¡¯re already under investigation, and now this situation? You are digging yourself an even deeper hole. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Amelie nearly lost herposure before regaining control. She spoke slowly, her tone icy. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t think you can outmaneuver me. You¡¯re in serious trouble now. ¡± Hannah maintained her calm demeanor as she looked at Amelie. ¡°I¡¯ve never shied away from trouble. I¡¯m more concerned that you won¡¯t have any way out of this. Given the number of people rescued yesterday, I imagine you¡¯ll have quite a few usations lining up against you, won¡¯t you?¡± Hannah nced at her phone deliberately before speaking slowly. ¡°If I recall correctly, you could¡¯ve posted bail and walked free today. What a shame. ¡± She offered a pointed smile at Amelie before continuing, ¡°With the discovery of the captivity and abduction of numerous young girls at your establishment, it seems you won¡¯t be leaving here anytime soon, will you?¡± Struggling to maintain herposure, Amelie fought to keep her voice steady. ¡°Do you realize that your actions will also bring harm to the Compton family? Do you think they could live peacefully if I suffer?¡± With a glint of satisfaction in her eyes, Hannah replied to Amelie with deliberate calmness, ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about the Compton family¡¯s troubles. As long as you¡¯re suffering, I¡¯ll be content. Even if the Compton family faces challenges, Wace will handle it. They¡¯ll be just fine. ¡± Resting her chin on her hand, Hannah fixed her gaze on Amelie. ¡°Once the charges against the Chadwick family are proven true, do you think Wace will continue to defend you?¡± Amelie seethed with anger, rendered speechless by Hannah¡¯s words. ncing at her phone, noting it was only half-past nine, Hannah rose from her seat. ¡°My time is valuable. I won¡¯t waste it here with you. ¡± After her statement, Hannah turned on her heel, ready to leave. Amelie¡¯s resentful voice pierced the air behind her. ¡°You think you can bring me down like this? The Chadwick family won¡¯t let you off. You¡¯ll only make enemies of us by doing this. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah halted, pivoted, and gave Amelie a scornful look. ¡°Then I¡¯ll eagerly await it. Don¡¯t hold back on my ount. ¡± With a loud bang, the door shut. With Hannah no longer in the room, Amelie struggled to contain her boiling emotions, feeling a sense of turmoil within. As the policeman escorted Hannah out, he delivered some promising news. The majority of the girls rescued from Jade Paradisest night are willing to testify that Amelie held them captive in the basement. Even if they couldn¡¯t directly implicate Amelie, this testimony could still spell trouble for her. Hannah shed a grateful smile and thanked the policeman before driving off. Her journey was smooth until she reached a bridge. ncing at the rearview mirror, her expression darkened. Since leaving the police station, four ck cars had trailed her without fail. It was clear they were after her. Chapter 1445 To confirm her suspicions, Hannah floored the gas pedal and weaved her car through the congested traffic. Her car surged ahead, leaving her pursuers in the dust after a series of daring overtakes. The four cars tailing her vanished from view. However, as she sped over the bridge, they reappeared, right on her tail. ncing in her rearview mirror, she muttered, ¡°Just as I thought¡­¡± Sticking to the far rightne, she approached a fork in the road. Without hesitation, she swung sharply to the left at thest second, sliding into the leftmostne. She managed to tricked the closest cars into the rightne, leaving only two persistent ck vehicles in pursuit. The road narrowed, nked by buildings. Luckily, the streets were empty as she swerved into an alley. By the time she emerged from the narrow passage, her followers were nowhere to be seen. She made another quick turn, only to be met with a sudden impact. Crash! Her car jerked forward. Quick reflexes on the wheel and brakes prevented a full collision. The ck car that struck her was now blocking her path from the front, with another behind, boxing her in. Six men emerged from the ck cars, encircling Hannah¡¯s vehicle. Their leader rapped on her window. ¡°Step out of the car. ¡± Hannah peered out cautiously. Each man held an iron bar. Sensing the imminent danger of the iron bar crashing through her window, she acted swiftly. She lowered the window with deliberate slowness, her heart pounding in her chest. Leaning to the side, she met the gaze of the men outside. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The leader remained cold. ¡°Out of the car!¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Resignedly, Hannah opened her door. ¡°You crashed into me. Care to exin?¡± They were taken aback. The woman had some guts! Remembering his boss¡¯s orders, the leader spoke up. ¡°Our boss wants to see you. Come with us. ¡± Before the situation could escte further, the roar of an approaching car broke the tense standoff. A sleek white sports car barreled toward them, engine growling, and showing no signs of slowing down. Chapter 1446 ¡°Everyone, duck!¡± Themand rang out, and instantly, all figures darted to the sides. The white sports car glided to a stop beside Hannah. Bryson emerged from the driver¡¯s seat, concern etched on his face. ¡°Are you okay?¡± But before he could reach her, he was grabbed by burly men, seized by the shoulders, iron bars pressed against him. The leader of the group fixed his gaze on Hannah. ¡°Can youe with us now?¡± Hannah nced at Bryson, now held captive, and reluctantly nodded. ¡°Yes. ¡± Forced into the backseat of the car, she and Bryson were closely watched by a stern man while the others piled into apanying vehicles. As the driver sped off, the leader dialed his boss. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve located her. Heading back now. ¡± Forced into the back seat together, Hannah found herself pressed against Bryson in the cramped car space. ¡°How did you find me?¡± she whispered. Despite his predicament, Bryson appeared nonchnt. He raised an eyebrow yfully. ¡°Take a guess. ¡± Hannah¡¯s hands clenched, longing to retaliate against Bryson¡¯s calm demeanor. She took a deep breath to suppress her frustration.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Suddenly, a realization dawned on her. ¡°Funny how you knew exactly where to look,¡± she said, studying Bryson. ¡°Did you nt a tracker in my car?¡± Bryson nodded. ¡°Just a precaution, but it turned out to be useful today. ¡± Useful? They were captured together! In a moment of quiet contemtion, Hannah reconsidered. Bryson wouldn¡¯t have been so careless. With his strength, he could easily overpower these men, Leaving them grasping at thin air. She nced at him, now seemingly absorbed in the passing scenery. Did he have a n? Did he want to get caught, just like she did, to get a closer look at the Bloody Gang? Chapter 1447 The road grew increasingly deste. The leader handed two ck cloths to the rear, instructing his associate, ¡°Blindfold them. ¡± Hannah and Bryson were quickly masked from the world, enveloped in darkness. They couldn¡¯t see anything. The car finally came to a halt after what felt like an eternity. The cloth covering Hannah¡¯s eyes was yanked away, and she blinked against the harsh sunlight. ¡°Quickly, get out of the car!¡± a man barked. They were surrounded by crumbling buildings, a scene straight out of an abandoned wastnd. Hannah and Bryson stepped towards the camp¡¯s gate, but the man stopped them abruptly. ¡°Hand over all your devices. ¡± Hannah, with her hands tied, raised them in defense. ¡°I can¡¯t hand them to you like this, now can I?¡± The man eyed her skeptically and moved to search her. Bryson¡¯s expression turned steely, poised to make a move, but Hannah interrupted, she warned. ¡°If you touch me, you¡¯ll regret it. ¡± The man scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re already caught. Stop pretending. ¡± Hannah smirked. ¡°Try me. ¡± Their standoff was interrupted by another man rushing from the camp. ¡°Felix, the boss wants them inside. ¡± Felix shot Hannah a disdainful look before relenting. ¡°Bring them in. ¡± The camp¡¯s interior was surprisinglyvishpared to the deste exterior. They were led through a maze of corridors until they reached a room.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. A knock on the door heralded their arrival. ¡°Felix, the boss¡¯s been waiting. ¡± A man opened the door and told Felix. Only upon stepping inside did Hannah take in the opulent surroundings of the entire room. ¡°Boss, they¡¯re here,¡± the man announced. A man in a burgundy suit reclined on a leather couch, his eyes opening slowly. It was then that Hannah noticed his artificial left eye. The one-eyed man, Herman Donn, looked at Hannah and then at Bryson standing next to her. ¡°Who is he?¡± Chapter 1448 ¡°He tried to intervene when we brought her,¡± Felix exined. ¡°Ah,¡± Herman waved dismissively. ¡°Take him away. Kill him. ¡± His nonchnt attitude of deciding a person¡¯s death was no different from butchering livestock. After the man received the order, he raised his hand to grab Bryson¡¯s cor when Hannah suddenly spoke. ¡°He¡¯s my man. Shouldn¡¯t I have a say in this?¡± Herman chuckled. ¡°You¡¯ve got nerve. I know who you are, Hannah Moore. The precious daughter Wace just brought back from abroad. We know quite a bit about you. ¡± Herman crossed his legs and fixed his gaze on Hannah. ¡°You cut off my source of wealth and dismantled my connections. What makes you think I won¡¯t kill you right here, right now? Look, your family ties won¡¯t help you here. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true. ¡± Hannah smiled back. ¡°If you really wanted me dead, I wouldn¡¯t be here. ¡± ¡°Boss¡­ Herman¡¯s man hovered beside Bryson, poised to slit his throat. However, Herman intervened with a wave of his hand. ¡°Release their ropes first. ¡± The man hesitated, his tone uneasy. ¡°Boss, I¡¯m not sure. . ¡± ¡°Just follow my instructions!¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± With that, the ropes binding Bryson¡¯s and Hannah¡¯s wrists were loosened. Herman gestured for them to move, his tone now more conciliatory. ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there. Take a seat. Let¡¯s have a chat. ¡± Hannah and Bryson made their way to the sofa opposite Herman and sat down. Herman¡¯s subordinate approached, eyeing Hannah and Bryson cautiously. ¡°Now that you are here, let¡¯s get down to business. ¡± Facing them, Herman addressed Hannah directly. ¡°However you n to handle the Chadwich family, you have overstepped your bounds. You can¡¯t put the Bloody Gang¡¯s interests at risk. Our channel for moving goods has been cut off. There is plenty of business, but we are not seeing any profit. So, what do you think we should do?¡± Hannah smiled faintly and said, ¡°If the Chadwich family truly falls apart, other rtives will be ready to step in for Amelie. It¡¯s only natural that someone would seek your cooperation. So, why the hurry?¡± Herman let out a derisive snort. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m oblivious to the fact that the Compton family is eyeing Jade Paradise now that they have terminated their partnership with the Chadwich family. You don¡¯t need to resort to trickery with me. If I haven¡¯t wronged you, it¡¯s because I¡¯m interested in discussing business with you. ¡± Although Herman didn¡¯t say it clearly, Hannah understood what he meant. ¡°So, you are proposing a partnership?¡± Herman gazed at Hannah with admiration. ¡°Seems Like conversing with sharp minds is effortless. You have seized control of Jade Paradise and the orphanage. Partnering with you is the path of least resistance and minimal coteral damage. ¡± Suddenly, Hannah burst intoughter. Her eyes sparkled with disdain as she looked Herman in the eye. ¡°Now that you know I¡¯m the one who took down the Jade Paradise and reimed the orphanage, you should know I¡¯m not interested in dirty deals like this. ¡± ¡°How dare you speak to our boss like that?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The man beside Herman seemed eager to stand out, but Herman¡¯s stern gaze shut him down. His eyes bore into Hannah¡¯s, darkening with intensity. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ll address you with civility for the Compton family¡¯s sake. If anyone else dares to disrupt my affairs like this, I won¡¯t hesitate to take drastic measures. ¡± With a grim smile, Herman turned his attention to Hannah. ¡°In the past, I used to im a substantial portion of profits from the Chadwich family coboration. Should you choose to coborate, we could split the earnings evenly this time. ¡± Chapter 1449 Herman believed Hannah would show some signs of wavering since he hadpromised to this extent. After all, the Jade Paradise business promised lucrative returns. A 50% share would yield exponential profits. He didn¡¯t think this young woman would remain steadfast. However, Herman miscalcted Hannah¡¯s resolve and overestimated his influence. In response, Hannah reclined in her seat, casting a thoughtful nce at Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what¡¯s your take on this business? Is it worth pursuing?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Having sat quietly beside them for a while, Bryson finally spoke up, his words deliberate. ¡°I don¡¯t see the value in it. Even if Amelie has been diligently managing Jade Paradise, she¡¯s only entitled to thirty percent of the profits. Meanwhile, the Bloody Gang imed seventy percent simply by supplying the goods. If you start with a fifty-fifty split, the Bloody Gang will inevitably be more demanding over time. If they insist on maintaining seventy percent control, you¡¯ll essentially be under their thumb, won¡¯t you?¡± ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Herman¡¯s subordinate approached Bryson menacingly, brandishing a firearm. He disengaged the safety and pressed the gun against Bryson¡¯s temple. ¡°Are you asking for trouble?¡± This time, Herman didn¡¯t intervene. Turning to Hannah, he said, ¡°Miss Moore, it seems you are no longer interested in negotiating with me. You disagreed with the fifty-fifty split earlier. So, if you still value his life, agree to cooperate with me. How about we settle for a 60-40 split?¡± Hannah maintained herposure, offering no reaction as Herman slowly extended five fingers towards her. ¡°Take your time to mull it over. After five counts, your friend here will meet a rather unfortunate fate. ¡± With deliberate slowness, Herman began his countdown. ¡°Five, four, three, two¡­¡± He expected to see fear in Hannah¡¯s eyes, but her expression remained stoic, much to his dismay. His expression darkened abruptly. ¡°Since you seem unconcerned about your man¡¯s well-being, I don¡¯t have to show any mercy. One. ¡± Suddenly, a gunshot resounded through the room. The firearm slipped from the man¡¯s grip into Bryson¡¯s hand in a swift motion. The bullet grazed the sofa behind Bryson, his reflexes so quick that he had the gun in hand before the other man could react. With practiced ease, Bryson swiftly flicked the safety catch on the firearm. Slowly, he raised the gun and pointed it directly at the man¡¯s head. Cold sweat dripped from the man¡¯s forehead as he stood frozen. ¡°Boss¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s lips curved into a serene smile. ¡°Apologies, but I don¡¯t take kindly to threats. ¡± Herman¡¯s expression darkened as he realized he had underestimated Bryson¡¯s capabilities. Though he toyed with the idea of calling for backup, his pride prevented him from admitting defeat so easily.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I came here to negotiate. If you refrain from causing trouble for the Compton family in the future, we will part ways amicably. ¡± Herman snorted, eyeing the gun in Bryson¡¯s grasp. ¡°Do you think you can leave this ce after killing me?¡± Hannah blinked, interjecting, ¡°I didn¡¯te here to fight with you. I came to make peace. Do you have any inclination to do the same?¡± Chapter 1450 ¡°I don¡¯t make peace in this way,¡± Herman retorted coldly, his gaze unwavering. ¡°If you have the nerve, go ahead and end me right here. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s too bad. ¡± Hannah sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Since you refuse to seek reconciliation, you leave me no choice. ¡± Hannah reached into her pocket, prompting Herman to train a gun on her immediately. Suddenly, Bryson aimed his gun squarely at Herman¡¯s head. Hannah swiftly withdrew her phone, casting a reassuring nce at Herman. ¡°Mr. Donn, there is no need for rm. I am unarmed. I just want you to watch a video. ¡± With a gentle push, she slid her phone across the table to Herman. ¡°Watch this video. After that, we will talk about making peace. ¡± With a hint of skepticism, Herman picked up the phone from the table. What he saw was footage Hannah had captured in the basement of Jade Paradise the previous night. After she had sessfully rescued everyone from the underground, a hush fell over the entire space. Then, the camera angle shifted to reveal Hannah¡¯s face. In the subdued lighting, her features appeared particrly striking. Despite the circumstances, a subtle smile graced her lips as she spoke. Herman found himself captivated by the video, leaning in to catch every word. Yet, even with the volume turned up, Hannah¡¯s voice was barely audible, frustrating him. He pressed the phone to his ear, fully engrossed in the voice on the line. As he listened, his expression shifted, shedding its arrogance.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Returning the phone to Hannah in a daze, Herman locked eyes with her, a mix of surprise and realization dawning in his gaze. Taking her phone back, Hannah shed a warm smile at Herman. ¡°Mr. Donn, do you think this video could pave the way for peace with the Compton family?¡± ¡°You may leave now,¡± he suddenly said as he took a seat on the couch. His abrupt statement caught even his own men off guard. ¡°Boss!¡± With a dismissive wave, Herman signaled to his men. ¡°Stand down. ¡± The man standing beside Hannah and Bryson looked at them before returning to Herman¡¯s side with a heavy sigh. Turning to Bryson, Hannah suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you hand over the gun?¡± Brysonplied, cing the firearm on the table before rising to his feet. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. ¡± Observing their imminent departure, the henchman leaned in close to Herman, his voice a hushed murmur. ¡°Boss, are you really going to let them go?¡± Herman remained impassive, his gaze fixed on a point in the distance, his expression indiscernible. ¡°Let them go. ¡± Chapter 1451 As the door swung open, curious eyes turned towards Hannah and Bryson. Undeterred, they strode out without a backward nce. Once the pair had left, key members of the Bloody Gang wasted no time entering the room. ¡°You just let them go? Did you strike a deal?¡± one of them demanded, incredulity coloring his tone. Herman lifted his head, a glint of something unreadable flickering in his eyes. ¡°Shut the door and gather round. There is something you need to know. ¡± As Hannah and Bryson walked out, Hannah¡¯s eyes took in the deserted ce. ¡°I¡¯ll send a message to Dotson and ask him to pick us up. ¡± When she lowered her head, her eyes caught the car keys shaking in front of her. She looked up at Bryson and asked, ¡°Where did you get it?¡± Bryson only smiled at her.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll drive you home. ¡± ¡°You¡¯ll drive me? Do you even know the way?¡± Hannah asked as she followed him. ¡°Sure, I do. Get in. ¡± Bryson pressed the key, unlocking a ck car. The headlights shed, and two sat inside. The engine gave a low hum as Bryan started the car. Then, he drove away. Hannah¡¯s gaze lingered in the direction of the camp. Based on her estimation, the time was almost up. She lowered her eyes, taking out her phone and deleting the video. Then she looked at Bryson and said, ¡°You were blindfolded when you came here. Are you sure you know the way?¡± With his hands maneuvering the steering wheel, Bryson shed her a confident smile. ¡°Ye of little faith. I have an excellent sense of direction. I can even remember routes longer than this one. ¡± ¡°Haha. Sure, if you say so. ¡± Hannah leaned against the side and let out a chuckle. ¡°You¡¯re really something else, Mr. Mitchell. You can even tell directions with your eyes covered. ¡± What a pretentious man! Although her words praised Bryson, Hannah inwardly scoffed at him. Still driving, he nced at Hannah. Bryson couldn¡¯t help himself¡ª a grin broke over his face. ¡°Thanks for thepliment, Miss Moore. Although I hope you¡¯re not cursing me too much in your mind. ¡± Was this man a mind reader? Hannah¡¯s hand flew to her face. Her face didn¡¯t give her away, did it? The small movement didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Out of the corner of Bryson¡¯s eye, he caught sight of Hannah touching her face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I can¡¯t read minds,¡± he said Lightly. Chapter 1452 Hannah gritted her teeth. Since their fight, Bryson seemed to be even meaner than before. ¡°Where did you get their keys?¡± Hannah asked again. Bryson shrugged nomittally and answered casually, ¡°I just took a gun from that man. The keys just happened to get pulled along with it. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but make some jabs of her own. ¡°Even if yourpany closes down in the future, I don¡¯t think you would have anything to worry about, Mr. Mitchell. This special skill of yours will always save you from ever going hungry. ¡± ¡°I could say the same about you, Miss Moore Bryson said. ¡°That video you showed him let us get out, didn¡¯t it?¡± Hannah kept her face carefully nk as she sat in the passenger seat. ¡°I¡¯m nowhere as smart as you. All I did was y a little trick. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery They were still some distance away. As they drove to the Compton family¡¯s vi, Hannah¡¯s phone rang. She picked up and was met with Trent¡¯s voice, his tone edged with anxiousness. ¡°Hannah, where are you right now?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on my way. I¡¯ll be there soon. ¡± At her words, Trent lowered his voice, ¡°Don¡¯te back here yet!¡± ¡°Why? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Trent threw a nce at the police in the vi and Wace, who was sitting on the sofa with a darkened face. Trent tried his best to keep his voice down. ¡°Father found out that we had gone to Jade Paradise. The vi is full of policemen. Just now, the leader of the Bloody Gang died, along with several members. The others have called the police and you¡¯re one of the suspects. Don¡¯te here!¡± Hannah¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change even upon hearing the news of the Bloody Gang leader¡¯s death. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything. I¡¯m not scared of going back.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Trent cupped a hand over his mouth as he answered, his voiceing out more harshly. ¡°ording to the statements, he died after you left. You will definitely get dragged into this. ¡± Trent knew that Hannah was going to kill the people of the Bloody Gang. He had thought that she had already wiped them out, so he tried his best to stop her froming back. Sitting inside the car, Hannah looked into the distance and saw several police cars in the Compton Manor. After she hung up, Bryson also spotted the police cars parked inside. ¡°What happened?¡± he asked. Hannah shrugged her shoulders indifferently. ¡°Trent called me. He said that not long ago after we left, the leader of the Bloody Gang died, along with several important people. ¡± The car slowed to a stop behind one police car. Bryson looked at Hannah and said, ¡°What a huge coincidence. ¡± ¡°Yes, which is why the police came here. Apparently, I¡¯m one of the main suspects. ¡± Hannah unbuckled the seatbelt. ¡°You can go back first. I can handle this. ¡± Without waiting for his answer, she got out of the car. Bryson was quick to follow her. ¡°I was kidnapped along with you,¡± he began. Chapter 1453 ¡°Your alibi would be more believable if I also gave my statement. ¡± She looked at Bryon, then at the car keys in his hand. ¡°Believable. Really? With those stolen car keys?¡± Bryan¡¯s eyes followed her gaze and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t steal it. I was just borrowing it. I¡¯ll return the carter. ¡± His shamelessness was nothing new. With a snort, she turned, continuing her way back to the Compton family¡¯s main vi. ¡®s BunnyBookery As soon as she entered the living room, Hannah was surrounded by her men. A policeman also walked up to her. ¡°Miss Moore, we have received a report about you. You have toe with us. ¡± Trent and Keith stubbornly came to her defense. ¡°We¡¯ve already told you. It has nothing to do with our sister! You¡¯re not taking her anywhere!¡± Dotson, Kite, and several others blocked them, forming a wall around Hannah. The unmistakable tension made the policeman¡¯s expression harden. It would be impossible to take Hannah away by force when she had her men protecting her like guard dogs, not to mention the fact that she was a member of the prestigious Compton family in Caditown. Hannah scanned the crowd, her eyes finding Wace, who was sitting on the sofa. His face was set in an unreadable expression, not giving anything away. He met Hannah¡¯s gaze, then said to his sons, ¡°You¡¯re getting in the way of the police investigation. ¡± His voice was so dignified that the two men who had all but bared their teeth at the policemen quieted down. Wace stood up and walked towards Hannah. ¡°Where have you been?¡± ¡°I had juste back from the Bloody Gang,¡± she answered just as seriously. A frown creased Wace¡¯s forehead. ¡°And what did you go there for?¡± Looking a little aggrieved, Hannah said, ¡°It¡¯s not like I wanted to go. Amelie wanted to see me, so I went to the police station today. On my way back, I noticed that several cars were tailing me. I tried to get them off my trail, but I found myself in an alley and the next thing I knew, two cars blocked my way. Then these men holding sticks started surrounding me, forcing me out of the car and dering that they were members of the Bloody Gang. ¡± As she recounted the events, she nced at Bryson and said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell happened toe across us. He wanted to help, but unfortunately, we were caught and taken to the gang¡¯s hideout. We somehow managed to escape and drove back here. ¡± Bryson offered a serious nod in confirmation of her words. ¡°It¡¯s true. ¡± Then, he raised the car keys in his hand. ¡°It was a remote area, so I had to borrow one of their cars to drive back. These are the keys. ¡± The policeman next to him took the car keys from his hand, watching Bryson carefully as he put the car keys away.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯m sure you two would have no problem cooperating anding with us. Right, Mr. Mitchell and Miss Moore?¡± Trent shouted at Wace anxiously, ¡°Dad!¡± One word from Wace and the police would scram like rats. Wace looked at Hannah. ¡°Hannah, the leader of the Bloody Gang is dead, and the police are asking for your cooperation with the investigation. I¡¯ll let you decide. If you don¡¯t want to go with them, you can refuse. ¡± Chapter 1454 At that moment, all eyes were on her. Keith kept nodding at Hannah, wordlessly beckoning her to stay. The policeman turned to her next. ¡°Miss Moore, think it over. There is a CCTV camera in the room where it happened. We would see everything clearly. ¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± Hannah said approvingly. Hannah suddenly said, ¡°I¡¯m also afraid that you can¡¯t make a case against them forck of evidence. Let¡¯s go to the police station now; it¡¯ll save me another trip, too. ¡± Before anyone could react, she and Bryson were already on their way. Keith hurried over to Wace and asked, ¡°What should we do?¡± Wace quickly replied, ¡°You and Trent follow them to the police station and help with whateveres up. ¡± Hearing this, Keith nodded and responded, ¡°Understood. We¡¯re on our way I¡± Hannah had just visited the police station that morning, so her return felt all too soon. This time, however, instead of meeting with people, she was led into an interrogation room. She and Bryson were separated into different rooms to ensure their statements could be independently recorded.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. In the interrogation room, Hannah sat propping her chin with one hand while idly tapping the table with the other. Across from her, in another room, Bryson leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, seemingly unfazed by the station¡¯s tense atmosphere. Suddenly, the door mmed open. Two police officers entered and sat across from Hannah. ¡°We need you to rify some matters, Miss Moore,¡± one of them said as he turned on aptop and yed a video. It showed Bryson and her being ushered into a room by gang members. ¡°We found this in the surveince footage of the scene,¡± he continued. ¡°It¡¯s clear that you and Mr. Mitchell were kidnapped and forced in there, Miss Moore. However, we need you to exin this. ¡± The other officer then showed her footage of her giving Herman the phone, which he inspected closely. Hannah watched the video intently until it ended, then looked up at the officers. ¡°What is it that I should exin?¡± she asked. The officer responded, ¡°What did you show him, Miss Moore? Why did he decide to let you two go after seeing that?¡± ¡°I still have the video I showed him,¡± Hannah said as she took out her phone and began scrolling through her album. After a moment, she found the video and slid her phone across the table to the officers. The officers picked up the phone and watched the footage from Jade Paradise the previous night. Looking up from the screen, one officer queried, ¡°Were you the one who called the policest night?¡± Chapter 1455 ¡°Yeah!¡± Hannah nodded, then borated, ¡°I made the call anonymously because I didn¡¯t want to attract attention or invite trouble. ¡± ¡°This was the only video you showed him?¡± another officer questioned. Hannah paused, slightly confused. ¡°Could there be another video? He kidnapped me because he wanted my assistance with some illegal activities. I showed him this video to indicate that I was aware of everything he thought was hidden. I believe he let us go because he felt threatened. ¡± At first, the officers considered Hannah¡¯s story usible. However, upon further reflection, they recognized inconsistencies. The local police were familiar with the Bloody Gang¡¯s activities. While the Bloody Gang dabbled in numerous shady dealings, their actions tiptoed around the bounds of legality. This left the police grappling with ack of concrete evidence and an inability to locate the gang¡¯sir, forcing them to overlook the gang¡¯s activities. The notion that the Bloody Gang would release Hannah simply because of a menacing video was far-fetched. Members of the gang were not known for their benevolence or charitable acts. Despite their doubts, the officers were not yet convinced that Hannah was lying. One officer passed the phone to his colleague and requested, ¡°Can we examine your phone further, Miss Moore?¡± ¡°Go ahead. ¡± Hannah leaned back, her tone casual yet confident, ¡°As long as my privacy is respected, you¡¯re wee to look at whatever you need. ¡± Understanding the implication, the officer nodded to his colleague, who promptly exited the room with the phone, closing the door behind him. In another interrogation room, two officers faced Bryson, who proved more evasive than Hannah. Though he was willing to speak, he consistently denied any significant knowledge. The officers struggled to extract meaningful information, circling around the core issue. ¡°Miss Moore mentioned that you met by chance that day. Is that true, Mr. Mitchell? However, our observations show your route was consistently following Miss Moore¡¯s car. Can you exin why?¡± Without any pretense, Bryson admitted, ¡°I ced a tracker on her car, and I was indeed directly following her. ¡± The officers were taken aback by Bryson¡¯s candid admission, sharing a stunned nce. ¡°Do you realize that tracking someone else¡¯s car vites privacy rights?¡± one officer asked. Bryson nodded. ¡°I¡¯m aware of that. Feel free to inform Miss Moore and see if she wants to press charges. ¡± One officer, clenching his jaw, presented another piece of evidence. ¡°You took someone else¡¯s car keys. That¡¯s theft, do you understand?¡± ¡°I saw it as merely borrowing the keys,¡± Bryson answered, his expression earnest. He continued, ¡°Considering we were kidnapped, I believed it was instinctual to look for an escape. I took the keys, thinking there might be a chance to get Miss Moore and myself to safety if things escted.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. And besides. . ¡± He leaned back and stared at the policemen with a yful smirk. ¡°I did hand over the keys and exined everything promptly, didn¡¯t I?¡± Bryson¡¯s defense seemed airtight. Chapter 1456 His stubbornness left the officers with no new leads. The chill in the room grew colder with their frustration. Meanwhile, the officer who had left with Hannah¡¯s phone came back. She sat down, leaning in to whisper to her colleague, ¡°IT confirmed nothing¡¯s been deleted recently from this phone, and the video¡¯s authentic. ¡± She passed the phone back to Hannah. Hannah epted her phone smoothly, sliding it into her pocket. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Anything else you need?¡± Considering the information the other officer had just ryed, the policeman across from Hannah pondered the situation and decided not to release her just yet. ¡°We have another video for you to see, Miss Moore. ¡± With a click of his mouse, the officer brought up a new video on the screen. The footage showed the room, now empty of Hannah and Bryson. Key members of the Gang stepped into view, questioning Herman¡¯s decision to let Hannah walk free without a struggle. Herman¡¯s face was a mask, taut and unreadable. He motioned to those nearby to shut the door. Once it clicked shut, a rapid session of gunshots shattered the silence. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Within moments, several members crumpled to the ground, wounded by Herman¡¯s unexpected gunfire. He remained eerily motionless, gun still poised and ready. A confederate, shocked at the scene, spun around to flee but was met with a bullet from Herman. The shot struck the back of his head, and he dropped instantly, lifeless. Caught off guard, the room fell into disarray; the notion that Herman would turn on them was inconceivable. In the ensuing struggle, three of them managed to return fire, wounding Herman amidst the tumult. Blood stained Herman¡¯s arms and shoulders, but he showed no sign of pain. With grim determination, he eliminated the remaining three who had tried to defend themselves. As one injured man clutched at his wound, he cried out, ¡°Herman, have you lost your mind? We are¡­¡± His protest was cut short as Herman aimed and fired once more.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Bang!In an instant, the man¡¯s life ended, his final words lost in the echo of the shot. Chapter 1457 With a merciless thoroughness, Herman fired again and again, ensuring no survivors. Then, weary from the carnage, he copsed onto the sofa, his expression vacant. He raised the gun to his temple with a trembling hand¡­ Bang! The bullet created a gruesome hole in Herman¡¯s head. His eyes lost their life as they widened, and his hand was still clutching the gun, dangling uselessly. As the video yed, the policeman observing Hannah¡¯s face was searching for any sign of emotion. After noting her unchanging expression, he switched off the video. ¡°Miss Moore, do you have anyments on this video?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows and replied, ¡°It appears to be a typical gang in-fighting scenario ending with the leader¡¯s suicide. I don¡¯t have anyments on this video. ¡± The policeman leaned forward, cing his hands on the table and invading Hannah¡¯s personal space with his oppressive stance. ¡°Miss Moore, you seemedpletely unfazed by what you just witnessed. ¡± ¡°Should I have been surprised?¡± Hannah leaned back, her expression one of confusion as she stared up at the policeman. ¡°Isn¡¯t it fairlymon for such conflicts to ur within gangs?¡± The policeman interpreted Hannah¡¯s reclined posture as a sign of defensiveness, thinking he had pinpointed a weakness. He pressed on. ¡°So, the murder scene didn¡¯t shock you at all?¡± Hannah smiled lightly and responded earnestly, ¡°I¡¯ve seen many deaths, various kinds of them. If my calm demeanor disturbs you, I apologize. ¡± The policeman¡¯s frustration with Hannah¡¯s aloofness peaked, and he mmed his hand on the metal table. ng! The table made a resonant nging noise and shook slightly. His anger red as he perceived her as someone who trivialized human life and defied authority. ¡°You show contempt for human life and challenge the police. Are you aware that your attitude could be grounds for legal action?¡± The policewoman rose quickly and intervened, saying, ¡°She belongs to the Compton family.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± Hannah¡¯s demeanor chilled instantly. ¡°Then tell me, how should I react? How should I feel when you make me watch such a video? Should I cry out in agony or tremble in fear?¡± Hannah paused, her voice icy as she continued, ¡°Or perhaps you¡¯d prefer I react in another specific way?¡± ¡°You!¡± Chapter 1458 The visibly annoyed policeman was about to retort, but a knock at the interrogation room door halted him mid-sentence. This interruption eased the room¡¯s escting tension.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. The policewoman promptly answered the door, greeted by a colleague who said, ¡°Sheriff, Mr. Oswald Lynn is here to bail out Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Shock reced the anger on Sheriff¡¯s face upon hearing the name Oswald Lynn. He turned to face Hannah with a look of disbelief. ¡°Why would Mr. Oswald Lynne to bail you out?¡± Gone was the iciness in Hannah¡¯s demeanor; she replied with a slight smile, ¡°Surprised? A thorough review of my file might have spared you the shock. ¡± Outside the interrogation room, an inspector stood deferentially next to Oswald. Oswald was a portly elderly man with curly hair. His usually genial round face was now marred by irritation. ¡°Didn¡¯t you check who she was before arresting her? Are you that stupid?¡± A supervisor mopped his brow and responded obsequiously, ¡°There was a report. We acted in haste and didn¡¯t have time to verify. . ¡± Irritated by their ipetence, Oswald paced back and forth. ¡°Bring her out this instant!¡± ¡°She¡¯s on her way out. ¡± A breathless policeman emerged from the interrogation room. Behind him, Hannah was escorted by two officers, walking with poise through the corridor. Upon seeing her, Oswald quickly approached her. ¡°Hannah. ¡± Greeting him with an even brighter smile, Hannah inquired, ¡°Mr. Lynn, what brings you here?¡± ¡°If the Research Institute hadn¡¯t notified us, we wouldn¡¯t have known you were back,¡± Oswald remarked, his tone softening as he looked at Hannah, resembling a concerned elder rather than a colleague. Hannah reassured him, ¡°I returned due to family matters. I didn¡¯t mean to involve you. ¡± ¡°How can you say that?¡± Oswald chuckled. ¡°You think you¡¯re bothering us? It¡¯s more like you care about Saul more than any of us. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± Hannah responded, her tone mixed with resignation. ¡°I didn¡¯t inform you because I feared causing any trouble. It seems I¡¯ve ended up doing just that. ¡± Oswald scoffed, casting a nce at the police officers around them. ¡°Nonsense! You¡¯ve caused me no trouble. You¡¯re with the Research Institute. It¡¯s only right that we assist you in times of need. ¡± The inspector approached and offered an apologetic smile. ¡°Miss Moore, I sincerely apologize. We were unaware of your affiliation with the Research Institute. Had we known, this misunderstanding wouldn¡¯t have urred today. ¡± Chapter 1459 Hannah responded with a forgiving smile, ¡°It¡¯s fine. You were acting in ordance with your duties. ¡± As Oswald prepared to escort Hannah out, she halted him with a gentle touch on his arm. ¡°I need to wait for a friend who¡¯s still inside. We¡¯ll have to leave a bitter. ¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Oswald replied, visibly pleased as he pulled her aside for a private conversation. Sheriff watched them with a noticeably ashen face. He muttered, ¡°It¡¯s clear that Hannah Moore is a person of interest. How can we just let her walk away like this?¡± The inspector¡¯s earlier obliging demeanor vanished as he faced Sheriff with a stern look. ¡°You¡¯ve seen the surveince footage yourself. Those gang members ended their own lives. Are you aware of the repercussions of detaining her without sufficient cause? If the Research Institute pressures us, who will bear the consequences? Do you have any idea who that man is?¡± he remarked. After making his point, the inspector whispered instructions to his colleagues, then turned and strode away. Sheriff red toward Hannah, his disdain for her privileged position evident. ¡°Just because Oswald is from the Research Institute doesn¡¯t mean he can just whisk away suspects whenever he pleases. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hearing this, a fellow officer¡¯s expression turned grave, and he hurriedly tugged at Sheriff¡¯s sleeve, whispering urgently, ¡°Lower your voice. The Research Institute where Mr. Lynn works is renowned for its substantial contributions to scientific research. ¡± He quickly essed the police database, pulling up records on a tablet which he handed to Sheriff. ¡°I checked earlier. Miss Moore was once the youngest fellow at the Research Institute and significantly contributed to numerous major projects. She¡¯s also assisted the police on various cases, and her expertise in forensic science marked many files from significant cases. ¡± Scanning the details of Hannah¡¯s involvement inplex and high-profile cases, Sheriff¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. He flipped through the records, his skepticism apparent. ¡°She¡¯s been pivotal in all these cases? Can a woman really achieve all this on her own? Isn¡¯t someone backing her or fabricating her credentials?¡± Sheriff¡¯s words were rather stern to the fellow officer, so he said, ¡°I don¡¯t believe it. Miss Moore couldn¡¯t have staged anything at the Research Institute unless she nned to leave the medical field. Also, someone as authoritative as Oswald is backing Miss Moore; it¡¯s unlikely this whole thing is fake. ¡± Sheriff clutched the tablet tightly, looking both puzzled and embarrassed. Then he casually passed it back to the policeman.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You stay put and keep watch. I¡¯ve got something to handle, so I¡¯ll head back to the office. ¡± Holding the tablet, the policeman was puzzled by Sheriff¡¯s demeanor. He muttered, ¡°Why does Sheriff seem to have it out for this Miss Moore?¡± About 20 minutester, Bryson was still inside the interrogation room. Hannah nced at her watch and frowned. She had just stood up when six bodyguards in suits entered the front door of the police station. The bodyguards positioned themselves on either side of the entrance as a man walked through the doorway. Hannah wondered who was causing such amotion at the police station. Out of curiosity, she nced over, and her eyes widened slightly. Wasn¡¯t this Bowen, who had been at her family banquet? Chapter 1460 He was the patriarch of the Holmes family. Bowen looked smart in his sharp suit, and his hair was on point. You couldn¡¯t tell how old he was at all. It appeared Bowen noticed Hannah¡¯s look. Upon entering, he directed his gaze toward her. When he spotted Hannah, he approached and greeted her, ¡°Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°Hello, Mr.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Holmes. ¡± ¡°I know your father. No need for formalities; just call me uncle,¡± Bowen offered warmly. Hannah nodded in agreement. ¡°Uncle Bowen. ¡± Bowen nodded. He waved to the people behind him and requested their help with something. Then he took a seat on the bench. ¡°How did you two end up in trouble with the Bloody Gang?¡± Hannah responded with a partial truth, ¡°It¡¯s because of what happened at Jade Paradise. They lost their ie source and came after me. Bryson got involved trying to help me. ¡± Bowen crossed his legs, looked up at Hannah thoughtfully, and said, ¡°I heard you were the one who exposed the Jade Paradise affair. ¡± ¡°Yes, I called the police. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not concerned with the Compton family¡¯s internal affairs, but Bryson must note to harm,¡± Bowen cautioned Hannah. She was about to respond with a smile when Oswald, sitting beside her, interrupted, ¡°I¡¯ve been holding back for too long. I just can¡¯t keep silent anymore. ¡± Oswald cared a lot about Hannah. He turned to Bowen, sitting beside him, and said, ¡°I was really touched when Hannah¡¯s friend showed up to help her. But why does it seem like you¡¯re trying to impose your values on her? Hannah is a victim here, too. Are you suggesting this is somehow her fault? If you¡¯re so concerned about Bryson, why not just keep him indoors to ensure he stays out of trouble?¡± Oswald was visibly upset, losing hisposure. Sensing the tension escting, Hannah quickly stepped in to mediate. ¡°Please, no arguments. ¡± Both Oswald and Bowen act out of a desire to protect-Oswald for Hannah and Bowen for Bryson. Any further confrontation at the police station would be embarrassing. Just then, Bryson was escorted out. He strolled out at a leisurely pace, appearingpletely unaffected. Bryson approached them, his eyes fixed on Bowen. ¡°What¡¯s the reason for your visit?¡± Seeing Bryson was okay, Bowen stood up and left without saying. Chapter 1461 ¡°Since your issue¡¯s sorted, I¡¯ll head out. You should go home early. ¡± Seeing Bowen avoid an argument with Oswald, Hannah sighed in relief. Sensing the tension, Bryson turned to Hannah and said, ¡°What just happened? Did he give you a hard time?¡± Oswald was about to retort, but Hannah intervened, ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. You should head home now. ¡± Although Bryson sensed something was amiss, Hannah was not forting, so he didn¡¯t force her. Bryson nodded and didn¡¯t inquire about the identity of the older man with Hannah. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll head off then. ¡± After Bryson departed, Hannah and Oswald left together. Keith and Trent had been waiting in Oswald¡¯s car for a while. When they saw Hannah climb in, they smiled. ¡°Hannah, if we had known you had such influential support, we wouldn¡¯t have worried so much. ¡± Seated up front, Hannah buckled her seat belt, amused. ¡°Even without these connections, I would¡¯ve been okay. They brought this on themselves. The police have it all on video. ¡± From the back seat, Oswald cheerfully said, ¡°The old fellows at the Research Institute can¡¯t wait for me to bring you back. How about joining them for dinner tonight?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± It wasn¡¯t a good time for Hannah to decline. ¡°Can I bring my two brothers along?¡± Oswald was in high spirits today. He chuckled and said, ¡°Bring as many people as you like. We old men don¡¯t eat much; we just enjoy yourpany. ¡± It had been years since they hadst seen each other. Hannah didn¡¯t want to let them down, so she readily agreed. As Keith stepped into the private room, he froze as if shocked. These big shots had made headlines before. They were all top-notch at the Research Institute. How did they all know Hannah? Moreover, they gathered around Hannah, asking about her health and showing affection for her. After mingling for a bit, Hannah noticed her two overwhelmedpanions. ¡°Oh, I forgot to introduce you two. ¡± Turning to Keith and Trent, Hannah said, ¡°These are my brothers from the Compton family. ¡± Under the watchful eyes of several big shots in medical research, Keith and Trent had never felt more nervous than they did at that moment. Almost simultaneously, they stood up and lifted their sses. ¡°Hello, everyone. We are Hannah¡¯s brothers. My name is Keith, and this is Trent.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± A bit moreposed than Keith, Trent added, ¡°Mr. Oswald Lynn, thank you for supporting Hannah today. ¡± Oswald shook his hand and said, ¡°Hannah is one of the most promising talents in medicine we¡¯ve ever seen. It¡¯s truly a loss that she left after graduation, and we still regret it. ¡± Chapter 1462 Another person echoed, ¡°At one point, Oswald was ready to put her on a pedestal. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s an exaggeration. I simply wanted to treat her like my cherished granddaughter. ¡± The group of seniors reminisced, all lively and cheerful. This was when Trent and Keith realized the extent of Hannah¡¯s achievements.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Back when Hannah was in Cadilind, Trent thought she was mysterious. Now, he was even more surprised. On the drive back, with Trent behind the wheel and Hannah in the back seat, Trent couldn¡¯t resist and asked, ¡°If you were so aplished in Newfort, why didn¡¯t you stay there?¡± It had been a long time. Hannah¡¯s gaze turned somber as she looked out at the darkeningndscape. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice back then. ¡± ¡°Why?¡± Sitting in the passenger seat, Keith asked curiously, ¡°You had such status and freedom here. Who could possibly make you feel Like you had no choice?¡± The car fell silent before Hannah responded slowly, ¡°My mother¡¯s possessions were still home. Wyatt used this to ckmail me into returning. But¡­¡± Hannah sighed deeply. ¡°I¡¯m to me. After I returned, I misjudged someone I thought I cared about and ended up entangled with the Edwards family for a few years. You¡¯ve done your homework on me. You probably know all about my life here, right?¡± Keith coughed ufortably. ¡°Well, we only caught bits and pieces¡­ Honestly, we¡¯re not that well-informed. ¡± Hannah turned away from looking out the window, her gaze yful as she looked at Keith. ¡°What¡¯s making you so embarrassed?¡± Keith absently rubbed the tip of his nose. ¡°We never wanted to investigate you. ¡± ¡°I know, Keith. I¡¯m not ming you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s lips curved into a knowing smile. ¡°If I had any hard feelings, I wouldn¡¯t have waited until now to bring them up. ¡± From the driver¡¯s seat, Trent interjected with a question that had been gnawing at him. ¡°Hannah, when you got caught, I half-thought it was part of your n. Around that time, rumors flew that the Bloody Gang¡¯s leader had died. We were still scrambling to figure out how to cover for you. ¡± ¡°And then,¡± Trent continued, eyes on the rearview mirror, ¡°the Leader massacred his own people and topped it off with a suicide, right after you walked free. We caught the aftermath on video. What spurred that madness?¡± The light in Hannah¡¯s eyes shifted, a hint of something darker flickering as she spoke. ¡°All I did was show him a video I¡¯d taken at the Jade Paradise-as a warning. His suicide was¡­ unexpected. ¡± Keith leaned back, his voice a mixture of relief and disbelief. ¡°Well, it¡¯s a good riddance. It saves us a lot of trouble. If today¡¯s events hadn¡¯t unfolded as they did, and he had detained you, things could have been far worse. Now without him, the Bloody Gang¡¯s threat has practically dissolved. Seems even fate¡¯s on our side. ¡± Trent, at the wheel, furrowed his brow in thought. ¡°I can¡¯t shake the feeling that his suicide was too convenient, though. Something doesn¡¯t add up. ¡± Keith shrugged it off. ¡°It doesn¡¯t concern us. Best not to dwell on it. ¡± Their conversation faded into the hum of the car engine, oblivious to Hannah¡¯s distant gaze in the backseat. Upon their arrival at the Compton estate, a servant immediately approached her. ¡°Lady Hannah, Master requests your presence in the study upon your return. ¡± Normally, an invitation to Wace¡¯s study only came when matters were pressing-a sure sign of his displeasure. Chapter 1463 ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll head there now,¡± Hannah responded as she made her way toward the imposing structure of the vi. Trent and Keith moved to follow, but the servant blocked their path. ¡°Sirs, Master specified he wishes to see only Lady Hannah. ¡± ¡°What ?¡± Keith began to protest, but Trent interrupted him. He ced a restraining hand on his brother¡¯s arm. ¡°Then we¡¯ll head back. We¡¯ll wait until Hannah¡¯s done talking to Dad. ¡± With a reluctant nod, Keith allowed Trent to lead him away, his puzzled nce lingering on Hannah¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°Why are we leaving? Shouldn¡¯t we be with Hannah?¡± ¡°Obviously, Dad doesn¡¯t want us eavesdropping on their conversation. Let¡¯s notplicate things. ¡± Hannah stood poised outside the study, her hand raised in a brief moment of hesitation before she knocked. ¡°Come in,¡± Wace¡¯s voice, firm and clear, invited from within. She entered, finding Wace not at his desk as usual but on the sofa. He looked up, his gaze immediately intense, beckoning her to join him with a wave of his hand. As she settled into her seat, Wace wasted no time in getting to the point. ¡°I believe it¡¯s time you exin recent events to me. ¡± Hannah leaned back, meeting his scrutiny head-on, unflinching. ¡°You would have found out soon enough. Trent and Keith were just doing me a favor by not involving you sooner. Don¡¯t hold this against them. ¡± Wace¡¯s imposing presence was palpable, even seated. ¡°You seem quick to take their side. Are you prepared to shoulder their consequences as well?¡± A small smile yed on Hannah¡¯s lips. ¡°This is my doing. Why drag them into it?¡± ¡°Did you consider the ramifications this might have on our family¡¯s ties with the Chadwichs?¡± Wace¡¯s voice was low, weighted with implication. Hannah¡¯s eyebrows arched defiantly. ¡°I¡¯ve considered it. But frankly, I don¡¯t care. Amelie has crossed me one too many times. Naturally, I¡¯m not inclined to show mercy after her first assault, yet I¡¯ve held back. I¡¯ve spared her again and again. Why do you think that is, Dad?¡± Her index was now tapping on the armrest. Wace¡¯s expression darkened, a storm gathering in his eyes. ¡°If you¡¯re in trouble, you should havee to me. There¡¯s no need to handle everything yourself. ¡± The corner of Hannah¡¯s mouth twitched as her smile faded. ¡°And if I hade to you, would you have risked our rtionship with the Chadwich family for my sake?¡± She shook her head slowly, her voice tinged with bitterness. ¡°No, you wouldn¡¯t have. You let it slide at Remington¡¯s vi. ¡± Wace stared at her for a moment. In his eyes, Hannah was a capable yet impulsive young woman. As for her usation, the expression on his face barely changed. ¡°Strategic patience, Hannah.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. We strike hard when the moment is ripe, so that we get it done once and for all. You¡¯re impulsive, young. Yes, we¡¯ve gained ground with the orphanage and Jade Paradise, but now you¡¯re at open war with the Chadwichs. ¡± Chapter 1464 Hannah¡¯s response was dismissive, with a light tone. ¡°As long as they¡¯re only my enemies and not yours, I¡¯m not concerned about Amelieing after me. ¡± Wace¡¯s voice turned grave. ¡°Nevertheless, you will return to Cadilind at the start of next month. I¡¯ve arranged with Maloney for you to go back early and stay stateside to handle some business before you consider returning here. ¡± Hannah blinked in disbelief, her voice rising slightly. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. Dad, are you suggesting I run and hide? That¡¯s not happening. ¡± Surprisingly, Wace didn¡¯t refute her. ¡°Just consider it a strategic retreat. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. Not now. ¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t a suggestion, Hannah. It¡¯s an order. You can¡¯t stay here even if you refuse to go back. I know what you¡¯re capable of. If you truly insist on staying, you¡¯ll have your ways to hide, but¡­¡± The authority of the family patriarch radiated from him. ¡°Remember¡ªI have ways to bring you back, even if I must drag you myself. ¡± Hannah suddenly found herself drained of the will to argue with Wace. Raising her beautiful eyes, she gazed directly into Wace¡¯s gaze. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ve had enough. You don¡¯t need to hold me back. I¡¯ll go willingly. ¡± With those words, she rose and turned towards the door. Behind her, Wace¡¯s voice drifted faintly. ¡°The flight¡¯s booked for the day after tomorrow. Maloney will get in touch with you. ¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Without a word, Hannah walked out and shut the door behind her. Only after the door clicked shut did Wace¡¯s expression fall. He stared at the photograph on the desk, looking worn out. Copsing onto the sofa, he let out a long sigh. His murmured question lingered in the empty study. ¡°Was it a mistake to ask her toe back?¡± It waste by the time Hannah left the vi. Despite the surrounding lights, darkness seemed to stretch out before her. She lifted her gaze to the moon in the sky and made her way back to her own vi in silence. As soon as she entered, the two figures on the sofa sprang up. ¡°Hannah, there you are. ¡± ¡°How did it go? Did Dad chew you out?¡± Hannah shook her head wearily as she looked at them. ¡°Why are you two here?¡± Chapter 1465 ¡°We were worried about you. ¡± Keith persisted, ¡°We thought Dad might punish you. We were ready to intervene on your behalf. ¡± ¡°No need. He didn¡¯t punish me. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice carried a hint of exhaustion. ¡°He called me over to say I should return to Cadilind the day after tomorrow. ¡± Keith looked surprised. ¡°But wasn¡¯t the n for you to return at the beginning of next month for the business cooperation? Why did he let you return so many days early?¡± Standing beside Keith, Trent suddenly understood. He nudged Keith¡¯s shoulder discreetly to silence him. ¡°It¡¯s better to go back early so you¡¯re not jetgged and exhausted for the business meetings. ¡± Keith persisted again at that awkward moment, ¡°Then we¡¯ll book tickets for the day after tomorrow and return with you. ¡± Wace hadn¡¯t made a decision yet. If Keith made the call without permission, he would be furious when he found out. . Trent gave Keith a subtle shoulder poke. ¡°Keith, let it go. ¡± ¡°You should stay here. This trip back is strictly business for me. Maloney will take care of everything,¡± Hannah assured. Trent started to apologize. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Hannah. It¡¯s not that we don¡¯t want toe with you¡­¡± But Hannah cut him off. ¡°No need to apologize, Trent. This sudden return wasn¡¯t your doing. Clearly, Dad prefers I don¡¯t return with you two. ¡± Keith interjected optimistically, ¡°If we talk to father, he¡¯ll understand. He¡¯s concerned about you being in Cadilind. ¡± Hannah shook her head firmly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing much to worry about in Cadilind. I¡¯ll manage with the White family¡¯s assistance. You two can head back without any concerns.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± As she walked away, Keith nudged Trent, a worried look on his face. ¡°Something¡¯s not right with her since she came back from father¡¯s ce. What did father say to her?¡± Trent guided Keith outside. ¡°I suspect things have escted, and father realized she¡¯d face more trouble abroad. That¡¯s why he used the cooperation discussion as a way to persuade her to return. ¡± Alone in her room, Hannah shut the door behind her, took a deep breath, and felt a headacheing on. After a refreshing shower, washing away her weariness, she sank into bed and snuggled against the soft pillow. Grabbing her phone, she noticed a message from Bryson. ¡°See you at the airport in two days, okay?¡± Hannah was surprised but replied nheless. ¡°How did you know about my flight? That¡¯s impressive. ¡± Bryson¡¯s response was swift. ¡°Maloney spilled the beans, as usual, haha. ¡± Hannah pursed her lips, staring at the message. Chapter 1466 Maloney was indeed terrible at keeping secrets. Bryson waited anxiously for a response, but as the silence stretched on, he couldn¡¯t resist sending ¡°Are you really so mad that you won¡¯t even fly back with me? That¡¯s a bit harsh, don¡¯t you think?¡± He deftly redirected the conversation, tossing the question back to Hannah. Hannah¡¯s reply came swiftly, her expression icy as she tapped out a message before tossing her phone aside, burying her face in the soft pillow, determined to ignore any furthermunication. ¡°Yes, yes, I guess I¡¯m just that petty!¡± On the other end, Bryson couldn¡¯t help but grin at Hannah¡¯s response, but his smile faded quickly, and he didn¡¯t bother replying.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Later that day, thoughts of Bowen¡¯s cautionary words lingered in Bryson¡¯s mind. Bowen had been there, witnessing everything he had been up totely. And when Bryson had mentioned his ns to head home, Bowen had only offered a cryptic warning. ¡°Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Getting too fixated on oues only brings misery to everyone involved. ¡± Bryson nced down at the photos on his phone. The more Bowen¡¯s advice kept reying in his mind, the more he found himself entertaining the possibility that Maryam might have been onto something. He needed answers about his past; about his birth and the tangled web connecting his mother and Wace. On the day Hannah was scheduled to fly out, Wace was conspicuously absent. Instead, it was Keith, Trent, and Dotson who saw her off to the airport. Coincidentally, Maloney and Bryson were waiting outside when they arrived. ¡°Hannah, take care on your journey. Let us know once you¡¯ve reached home safely,¡± Trent said solemnly. Hannah nodded gratefully, dragging her suitcase toward the departure hall with Maloney and Bryson trailing behind. Dotson followed silently, but Keith halted him with a firm hand. ¡°You wait here. You can¡¯t go inside. ¡± Hannah paused, shooting a questioning look at Dotson. ¡°You should go with them. ¡± But Dotson calmly produced his passport and ticket. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ming back with you. ¡± Hannah was taken aback. When they glimpsed the flight details on Dotson¡¯s phone, they were all stunned into silence. ¡°Hold on,¡± Hannah peered at the ticket in Dotson¡¯s hand. ¡°When did you arrange all this?¡± ¡°I knew you¡¯d be heading home, so I took care of it in advance. ¡± Chapter 1467 Keith shook his head in amazement. ¡°That¡¯s slick. Wish I¡¯d thought of that sooner!¡± Realizing she couldn¡¯t dissuade him, Hannah sighed. ¡°What about leaving Kite behind?¡± Dotson reassured her, ¡°We¡¯ve sorted things out with Dn. It¡¯ll be fine. ¡± Then, lowering his voice to a whisper, he added, ¡°Everyone in the Dark Web is keeping an eye on the Leviathan news. Boss, you have nothing to worry about. ¡± It was evident that everything had been meticulously arranged. ¡°Let¡¯s get going. Don¡¯t want to miss the boarding,¡± Hannah urged, moving towards the airport. As they made their way to the ne, Hannah remained silent, her gaze fixed ahead, ignoring Bryson beside her. Their tickets boasted first-ss luxury for three, while Dotson found himself relegated to economy after ast-minute booking. Upon reaching their seats, Hannah moved to Lift her suitcase, only to find it effortlessly hoisted by Bryson, who settled it onto the overhead shelf with ease. Wordlessly, Hannah settled by the window after sizing up Bryson. Coincidentally, Maloney appeared, his seat conveniently in front of theirs. He attempted to charm Hannah with his seating arrangement. ¡°So thoughtful of me, I¡¯ve nabbed two seats for you two,¡± he boasted. Hannah offered a strained smile. ¡°Should I thank you?¡± she quipped, turning her attention away. Perplexed, Maloney nced at Bryson, who merely smiled back, focusing entirely on Hannah. Baffled by the dynamic between them, Maloney shook his head and took his seat. Before takeoff, Hannah shot a message to Edwin.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°I¡¯ll bending at 4 p. m. Someone¡¯s apanying me. No need to pick us up. ¡± With her message sent, she powered down her phone, settling against the window for a nap. The ne soared into the air, and the cabin plunged into silence. Though Hannah¡¯s eyes were shut, sleep eluded her. She remained vignt, attuned to the slightest sound of the man beside her. Yet Bryson remained silent, a calming presence beside her throughout the journey. Finally, exhaustion caught up to her and she drifted off, lulled by the hum of the engines. She didn¡¯t know how long she had slept when the ne suddenly lurched. The stewardess¡¯ voice rang out in the cabin, reassuring passengers that the turbulence was normal and there was no cause for concern. Hannah was jolted awake by turbulence, Bryson¡¯s arm instinctively reaching out to shield her. Chapter 1468 As their eyes met, he withdrew his arm, concern etched on his face. ¡°Hungry?¡± Hannah shook her head, avoiding his gaze. ¡°No, not hungry. ¡± Once the turbulence subsided, she slumped back into her seat, ready to sumb to sleep once more. The icy st from the ne¡¯s air conditioning left Hannah feeling a chill creeping into her sleep. She huddled herself together, trying to ward off the cold. In response, Bryson dr@ped his jacket over her, cocooning her in his warmth as she drifted back to sleep. When she stirred again, the ne was preparing tond. She sat up, the suit jacket that had been dr@ped over her shoulder falling onto herp. She picked it up, eyes darting to Bryson, who looked quite rxed in a white shirt against the chair. His striking facial features were impossible to ignore, and the dim lighting in the cabin only entuated the sharpness of his facial lines. Just as Hannah gingerly leaned over to return the jacket on Bryson¡¯sp, he stirred awake. Bryson gently grasped her wrist. ¡°You¡¯re awake now?¡± Hannah withdrew her hands instinctively and murmured, ¡°Thank you for your coat. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Bryson replied nonchntly, grabbing his coat. ¡°Why are you so polite to me all of a sudden?¡± Hannah turned away, clearly not in the mood for conversation. Bryson didn¡¯t press further, opting for silence instead. As they disembarked the ne and walked towards the exit passage at the airport, Hannah wore a visibly sour expression. Maloney deliberately slowed his pace, falling into step beside Bryson. ¡°I can¡¯t help but notice something is off between you and Miss Moore. ¡± With one hand guiding his suitcase, Bryson cast a chilly nce at Hannah walking ahead of him and said, ¡°You seem quite fond of gossip. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not gossiping. Just showing concern for my partner¡¯s well-being.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Maloney nudged his suitcase aside and interjected, ¡°Ensuring our partners¡¯ contentment is just the first step towards fostering fruitful cooperation, after all. ¡± Bryson scoffed, refusing to talk to him further. Once outside, Hannah saw Edwin and the others waiting for them. Chapter 1469 ¡°Hannah!¡± ¡°Hannah! I missed you so much!¡± ¡°Hannah! I missed you!¡± In a flurry of excitement, three figures rushed toward Hannah. Seeing the sudden approach of the trio towards Hannah, Dotson instinctively assumed a protective stance, positioning himself in front of her. ¡°What on earth are you doing?¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. As the three individuals rushed towards Hannah, they abruptly stopped in their tracks. ¡°Don¡¯t be rude, Dotson. They are my friends and my cousin,¡± Hannah said gently. Realizing his brusqueness, Dotson eased back. He couldn¡¯t help but be curious as he looked at the three people. Curiously, they all turned their attention towards Dotson. The first to snap out of the momentary daze was Grace. She flung herself into Hannah¡¯s embrace, eximing, ¡°Hannah!¡± Grace carried a scent akin to fresh flowers, instantly melting Hannah¡¯s expression. She enveloped Grace in a hug, tenderly patting her on the head. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be in ss?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Grace¡¯s eyes danced with excitement as she nestled closer to Hannah. A smile tugged at Hannah¡¯s lips as she turned her attention to Edwin. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to bother picking me up?¡± Grace said, ¡°Don¡¯t me Edwin, Hannah. He informed me of your return today, so I pleaded with him to let me apany him in picking you up. ¡± Standing beside Edwin, Lydia gazed at her with reddened eyes. Once the most outgoing of the group, she now seemed unusually quiet. Seeing Lydia¡¯s tearful expression, Hannah couldn¡¯t suppress augh. ¡°Look at you. Why are you crying?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not crying,¡± Lydia insisted, though tears shimmered in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just thrilled you are back safe and sound. ¡± Noticing Brayden¡¯s absence, Hannah asked, ¡°Where is your husband?¡± ¡°He has a meeting at thepany today. He will join uster,¡± Lydia exined, her tone warm. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the vi first. We will catch up over dinner and enjoy some quality time together. ¡± Their conversation was interrupted by Maloney¡¯s voice from behind. Chapter 1470 ¡°Miss Moore, are these your friends?¡± As Maloney and Bryson strolled out of the airport, they instantly became the center of attention, drawing the gaze of many passersby. Together, they formed a striking pair that turned heads effortlessly. A murmuring crowd gathered around them, their voices filled with admiration. ¡°Ah! They are¡­ They are so handsome!¡± ¡°They look like celebrities, right?¡± ¡°I would love to go over and ask for their number, but I¡¯m a bit nervous. ¡± Seeing the handsome stranger, Lydia couldn¡¯t help but tug at Hannah¡¯s sleeve, curiosity evident in her voice. ¡°Hannah, who is that?¡± Meanwhile, Grace, nestled in Hannah¡¯s arms, darted towards her brother upon spotting him. ¡°Bryson!¡± Bryson affectionately ruffled her hair, his gaze softening as he asked, ¡°How has your health been Lately?¡± ¡°I¡¯m nearly back to full health. The doctor Hannah arranged for me said that the toxins in my system are almostpletely flushed out. ¡± Grace nced up at the man beside her brother with a mix of happiness and confusion. ¡°Bryson, who is he?¡± Maloney nced at Grace and turned to Bryson. ¡°Are you two siblings?¡± Grace nodded with a sweet smile.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Yep!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t really look alike. I would have thought your sister would be just as stoic,¡± Maloney teased Bryson. Grace blinked, then looked up at her brother. With an unchanged expression, Bryson simply said, ¡°Ignore him. ¡± The man appeared to share a close bond with both Hannah and Bryson. Edwin couldn¡¯t help but be curious. ¡°Hannah, who is this guy?¡± Hannah nced at Maloney but kept her exnation brief. ¡°His name¡¯s Maloney Pierce. He is¡­¡± Before she could finish, Maloney interjected with a mischievous grin. ¡°I¡¯m Hannah¡¯s fiance. ¡± A stunned silence hung in the air for what felt like an eternity. Edwin¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a knife. ¡°What? What did you say?¡± Chapter 1471 Lydia stared at Maloney in disbelief, then at Bryson. ¡°He is¡­ He is Hannah¡¯s fiance? But then¡­¡± Grace furrowed her brow in confusion. ¡°Bryson, why did he say he is Hannah¡¯s fiance? Did you and Hannah break up?¡± Shock rippled through everyone. Why did Hannah return from abroad with a fiance who wasn¡¯t Bryson? Hannah shot Maloney a frosty re. ¡°If you don¡¯t stop spouting nonsense, I¡¯ll make sure you regret it. ¡± However, Bryson stood beside them and showed no signs of anger regarding the situation. He remained aloof as if he were merely an onlooker. Edwin and Lydia exchanged knowing nces, sensing there were hidden secrets at y. Silently nodding to each other, they nned to discreetly ask Bryson and Hannah to depart first so they could discuss matters further. ¡°Let¡¯s not stand here. Why don¡¯t we head back?¡± Edwin smoothly changed the subject. ¡°Hannah, the vi is all set up. How about joining us for dinner tonight?¡± ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Hannah readily agreed. Edwin then turned to Maloney and asked, ¡°Mr.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Pierce, care to join us?¡± Maloney epted with a nod, saying, ¡°Since you have invited me, I¡¯ll dly ept. ¡± ¡°Who invited you?¡± Edwin wondered to himself, though he didn¡¯t dare voice his thoughts in front of Hannah. However, Hannah looked at Maloney and said, ¡°Where do you think you are going? Edwin was just being courteous. We have arranged a five-star hotel for you, Mr. Pierce. It¡¯s more fitting for your tastes Arching his eyebrows, Maloney teased, ¡°Miss Moore, why are you always so mean? Since there are so many of you, just count me in. ¡± With a yfulugh, Hannah quipped, ¡°I reckon the gathering might get a bit crowded if we include you. ¡± Sensing the tension, Lydia turned to Bryson and invited, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, would you like to go with us to the vi?¡± Bryson nced at Hannah before agreeing, ¡°Sure. ¡± Upon hearing Bryson¡¯s answer, Hannah didn¡¯t decline outright. Instead, she simply stood by silently. ¡°In that case¡­¡± Edwin scratched his nose awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for someone to take Mr. Pierce to the hotel. ¡± Given their familiarity, Maloney¡¯s earlier statement about joining them was just a joke. ¡°Alright, Hannah. I¡¯ll pass on joining you at the vi. ¡± After resolving the issue, Edwin let out a relieved sigh. He looked at Dotson and asked, ¡°Should I arrange for him to go to the hotel?¡± ¡°There is no need,¡± Hannah replied firmly. ¡°He ising back to the vi with us. ¡± Maloney chuckled at the disparate treatment. Through gritted teeth, he said, ¡°I don¡¯t even get treated half as well as him. ¡± As Bryson strolled past Maloney with Grace in tow, he said, ¡°If you keep spouting nonsense, I guarantee you won¡¯t even stay in a five-star hotel next time. ¡± Bryson¡¯s and Hannah¡¯s knack for issuing veiled threats was uncanny. Chapter 1472 Realizing he had irked the two, Maloney conceded defeat. ¡°Since I have managed to upset you two, I might as well avoid you,¡± Maloney said as he pushed his suitcase. With Maloney¡¯s departure, the group of six dispersed, splitting into two cars as they left the airport. Once seated in the vehicle, Edwin couldn¡¯t resist delving into gossip about the rtionship between Maloney and Hannah.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s the story between you and Mr. Pierce?¡± Edwin wasn¡¯t the only curious one; Grace and Lydia were also intrigued. ¡°It¡¯s a long story, I¡¯ll spill the teater,¡± Hannah replied. ¡°Huh?¡± Lydia shook Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°Stop keeping us in suspense! You¡¯ve been away for so long, and now you return with a fiance. Spill the teal¡± Grace joined in, also shaking her arm. ¡°Spill it! Did you kick my brother to the curb without telling us?¡± Hannah shot Bryson a side-eye in response to Grace¡¯s jab. He remained cool as ice. ¡°This whole situation is crazy. I¡¯ll spill the beans once we¡¯re back home,¡± Hannah promised. After that, her friends stopped bombarding her with questions. The wheels rolled up to the White family¡¯s vi, where the butler and some other servants were already waiting outside. As the car stopped, the butler was excited to see Hannah step out. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re back! Mr. White has been eagerly awaiting your return!¡± Hannah followed the butler into the vi, scanning the surroundings. ¡°How¡¯s Grandpa doing?¡± ¡°He¡¯s feeling better, all¡¯s good,¡± the butler reassured. The vi looked just as she remembered it, giving her a cozy feeling. Hannah felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she stepped inside. Indoors, Byrum was in themon area, chatting with Jalen. The butler was thrilled. ¡°Mr. White! Miss Moore is back!¡± Hannah locked eyes with Byrum, who was beaming, and it brought a smile to her face. Chapter 1473 ¡°Grandpa!¡± She sidled up to him. ¡°Missed you tons!¡± Byrum chuckled. ¡°Sweet talk, but if you missed me that much, why no calls from overseas?¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Grandpa. ¡± Hannah nudged closer. ¡°Quit teasing your granddaughter!¡± ¡°Alright, alright. ¡± Byrum tapped her hand. ¡°Just messing with you. ¡± Jalen added, ¡°I filled Grandpa in on your overseas adventure. It had him a bit worried. ¡± ¡°No worries, Grandpa, I got it covered. ¡± Mid-chat, Edwin and the others strolled in. As more people arrived, Byrum stood up. ¡°You young ones chat, I¡¯ll stay out of it. ¡± ¡°Wait, Grandpa, I¡¯ll help you to your room,¡± Hannah offered. But Byrum stopped her. ¡°I¡¯m fine, you guys catch up. It¡¯s been a while. ¡± ¡°Got it, Grandpa. ¡± After Byrum headed to his room, Jalen quickly got the servants to bring out the food. Once they were seated at the dining table, Hannah asked Jalen, ¡°Hey, where¡¯s everyone else?¡± Edwin jumped in, ¡°Since you left, the troublemakers stirred up more trouble, and Grandpa kicked them out. Heid down thew, saying only you, me, and Jalen can stay here. ¡± Hannah was surprised to learn about all the drama that had unfolded back home in less than six months. Jalen reassured her, ¡°Rx, it¡¯s all good, no need to stress. ¡± As they were getting settled, Brayden barged into the living room. ¡°Oops, fashionablyte!¡± He strolled in, bncing a massive doubleyered cake! Lydia ribbed him, ¡°If I didn¡¯t bug you, when were you nning on showing up? You gonna make us wait forever?¡± Brayden, sidestepping the me, said, ¡°Work¡¯s been a real paintely. ¡± Seeing Bryson, he changed tunes. ¡°Enough about me, it¡¯s all about celebrating Miss Moore and Bryson¡¯seback, let¡¯s keep it breezy!¡± As everyone gotfy, Dotson observed, feeling right at home. These were the folks Hannah mentioned, her family and friends. Chapter 1474 ncing at Hannah, Dotson noticed how much more cheerful she seemed herepared to elsewhere. ¡°Okay, time for intros,¡± Hannah dered. She introduced Dotson, ¡°This is my buddy from abroad, Dotson.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Surprised by Hannah¡¯s sudden mention, Dotson was momentarily at a loss for words. Everyone¡¯s gaze warmed toward him. Hannah smiled, gesturing to two guys. ¡°These are my cousins, Jalen and Edwin. And this is my bestie, Lydia, and her partner. ¡± She continued introducing, ¡°You know her, she¡¯s Mr. Mitchell¡¯s sister. ¡± Dotson was still enjoying the warmth of being referred to as a friend by Hannah, patiently awaiting the end of the introductions. Feeling the room¡¯s warmth, he even shed a goofy grin, a side of him rarely seen. ¡°I¡¯m Dotson. ¡± He finally spoke up. ¡°Hannah¡¯s my hero! If you need a hand, I¡¯m your guy!¡± Lydia chuckled at Dotson¡¯s antics. ¡°This guy¡¯s a riot! So loyal to you, Hannah. Shouldn¡¯t you keep him around?¡± Before Hannah could reply, Brayden nudged Lydia. ¡°What are you talking about? Bryson¡¯s right here!¡± Bryson, unfazed by the banter, sat quietly eating, without a hint of a smile. Lydia teased Brayden, ¡°No joke, Hannah¡¯s brought home a fancy fiance this time. ¡± ¡°What?!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The news left Jalen and Brayden baffled, just like Lydia when she first saw Hannah and Maloney at the airport. Jalen, as blunt as ever, turned to Hannah. ¡°So, you and Mr. Mitchell are done?¡± Hannah was about to reply, then SNAP! Bryson dropped his fork, expression nk. ¡°I¡¯m done eating, take your time. ¡± He stood up, heading for the door. ¡°Bryson?¡± Grace followed him. Hannah¡¯s mood darkened. Chapter 1475 So he was angry now, huh? But did he even have the right to vent his anger in front of everyone? He imed to be honest, yet he was hiding things from her and now getting upset. Frustrated, she gripped her spoon tightly. With a loud click, the spoon broke. The onlookers, already surprised by Bryson, were now even more stunned by Hannah¡¯s strength. Edwin, wide-eyed, wondered if Hannah had been practicing kung fu while abroad. Luckily, he learned his lesson now. If he messed around again and Hannah felt the need to give him another lecture, she might knock his teeth out with a single p! The folks were all too scared to even breathe. Jalen finally suggested, ¡°Hannah, Mr. Mitchell seems upset, maybe go check on him?¡± ¡°Leave him be. If he wants to be angry, let him. ¡± Hannah tossed the broken fork into the trash. ¡°Let¡¯s eat. Just ignore him,¡± she said sharply, trying to change the subject. ¡°Hannah, did you two have a spat over something? Something to do with this fiance perhaps?¡± Edwin asked, earning a discreet nudge from Lydia. ¡°Drop it, Ed,¡± Lydia murmured. It was her first day back, and the atmosphere was meant to be joyous. Hannah didn¡¯t want to dampen it. She took a deep breath, suppressing her frustration. ¡°It¡¯s fine. This argument isn¡¯t about that. As for my fiance¡­¡± Hannah paused and exined to them. She felt she had to disclose it regardless. There seemed no point in postponing it and risking misconceptions among everyone. After divulging what had urred, Hannah added, ¡°Bryson¡¯s frustration has nothing to do with Maloney. He¡¯s aware of everything. As for why we argued, that¡¯s between us.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Fair enough. ¡± Edwin nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right, Hannah. ¡± Her rification eased the tension a tad bit, and Hannah smoothly changed the subject. ¡°How¡¯s everyone been managing thepany in my absence? I wasn¡¯t at home watching you. I hope you haven¡¯t been cking off. ¡± ¡°Hannah!¡± Edwin looked surprised. ¡°Do you doubt me that much? I¡¯ve been swamped with work at thepany. I hardly have time for anything else. ¡± Jalen chimed in with a grin. ¡°I can vouch for him. He¡¯s been buried in work. No time for mischief. ¡± ¡°And besides, it¡¯s not mischief,¡± Edwin interjected, slightly irritated. Chapter 1476 Everyone was chatting about Edwin, their voices easing into casual tones, purposefully skirting around the recent incident. ¡°Let¡¯s change the subject,¡± Hannah said, turning to her friend. ¡°How¡¯s life been since you married Brayden? Are you getting used to it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even mention it. ¡± Lydia let out an exasperated sigh and yfully punched Brayden¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We had a good time the first few months. But Brayden¡¯s been so swampedtely I feel like I haven¡¯t seen him in ages. ¡± ¡°It took you guysing back for him to make time. Who knows what the man has been up to all week,¡± she teased, tweaking Brayden¡¯s ear. ¡°Who knows if he¡¯s been hitting the bars like he used to before we tied the knot. ¡± Brayden, his ear gently pulled, looked slightly put out. ¡°I¡¯ve been buried with work, ¡° he defended himself. ¡°The Davies-Mitchell coboration has been my focus, buttely, things with the Mitchell family¡­¡± He trailed off as he suddenly realized the precariousness of his topic choice.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Mentioning the Mitchell family now, with Hannah¡¯s recent tension regarding Bryson, would undoubtedly sour the mood. ¡°Anyway, Let¡¯s not talk shop. Tonight is about catching up. Let¡¯s eat. ¡± However, Hannah pressed. ¡°What¡¯s going on with the Mitchell family?¡± Brayden hesitated, weighing his words carefully. ¡°Actually¡­ It¡¯s not a big deal, really. Just a bit of a hassle. Since Bryson went abroad, I¡¯ve been handling things with the Davies-Mitchell coboration. Last month, the Mitchell Group suddenly got a $6 billion cash infusion. Soon after, Tyshawn, Bryson¡¯s second uncle¡¯s son, swooped in as CEO. He¡¯s been swaggering around thepany, handling major cooperation matters and thepany¡¯s affairs. Later on, I learned from Yosef that shortly after the Mitchell Group received the capital injection, Tyshawn suddenly acquired a girlfriend. The new girlfriend is from a powerful family¡ªapparently the same folks who pumped all that cash into the Mitchell Group. Quite something if you ask me. ¡± As Edwin listened to the gossip, he leaned in towards Hannah. ¡°I mentioned this woman in our video call, right? His girlfriend isn¡¯t exactly discreet. Word¡¯s out about her big demand for a ruby ne at some exhibition. Three hundred million, can you believe it? It caused quite a stir in their social circle. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°Three hundred million? She¡¯s really unting it, huh?¡± Edwin nodded knowingly. ¡°Oh yes, she¡¯s been busy branding herself and Tyshawn as the golden couple, iming he spent extravagantly just to see her smile. ¡± Brayden, who had been listening in, scoffed. ¡°Extravagant spending? Tyshawn usedpany funds for that ne. He doesn¡¯t have that kind of cash. ¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± In recent months, Edwin had been swamped with work, more of a passive observer in the unfolding drama. ¡°He usedpany funds to buy his girlfriend a ne? What was he thinking?¡± Brayden shrugged, a cynical smirk ying on his lips. ¡°Three hundred mil. Even if he sold everything he owned, he wouldn¡¯t fetch that much. If he¡¯s not dipping into thepany¡¯s coffers, where else is he getting the cash to keep his girlfriend happy?¡± Hannah furrowed her brow, troubled by the news. The memory of Tyshawn¡¯s humiliating confrontation with Bryson lingered in her mind. She always pegged Tyshawn as nothing more than a shy, unreliable yboy, all show and no substance. Apart from his knack for pretense, he seemed utterly useless. Something had always felt off during their video calls. Suddenly curious, she turned to Edwin. ¡°Remind me, which family is behind this woman again?¡± Edwin shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t pay much mind to it, but every time she talks at her dinner parties, it¡¯s all about being the youngest Lyons daughter. ¡± Chapter 1477 Hannah¡¯s frown deepened. Edwin had mentioned this before, but she hadn¡¯t paid it much mind. Now, the pieces were starting to fit together, and it didn¡¯t sit right with her. Brayden noticed her expression. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss Moore. Bryson won¡¯t let Tyshawn get away with this now that he¡¯s returned. Tyshawn acts strong, but he¡¯s weak inside. ¡± He continued with disdain, ¡°Since Tyshawn took over, the Mitchell family¡¯s been hemorrhaging orders, losing nearly a billion. Yosef filled me in on how thepany directors have been displeased with Tyshawn for a while now. But because of his girlfriend¡¯s status, they¡¯re still entertaining him. And rumor has it, his girl¡¯s promised him a 3@ billion dor dowry once they¡¯re hitched. ¡± Though everyone was present, silence descended upon the room at the mention of such an exorbitant dowry. Lydia couldn¡¯t help shake her head in disbelief. ¡°Thirty billion as a dowry? Is she blind? That¡¯s a dowry of 3@ billion dors, not 3 million dors. Is Tyshawn even worth it?¡± ¡°People have their own tastes, I suppose. ¡± Brayden shrugged dismissively. ¡°Not much else exins it. ¡± Hannah interjected, her curiosity piqued. ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s truly a Lyons?¡± Brayden hesitated, caught off guard. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with the Lyons family abroad.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. They¡¯re very selective about marriage; they only marry into nobility. It seems odd they¡¯d have a daughter involved with Tyshawn. ¡± Brayden¡¯s eyes widened as he realized the implications. ¡°You think there¡¯s more to this? Some kind of conspiracy? After all, they did inject six billion into thepany. ¡± Hannah¡¯s head was spinning, but she pushed the thoughts aside. ¡°Let¡¯s eat first. I¡¯m not up for conspiracy theories right now. I¡¯ve just returned, and I¡¯d rather not dwell on it. I¡¯ll stay at home for a period of time. If there is a chance, I should meet that girl. ¡± At this time, outside the vi, Grace was clinging to Bryson¡¯s arm, to prevent him from leaving. She led him to the garden swing, concern etched on her face. ¡°Bryson, what was with the outburst at dinner? You seemed off. ¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Bryson said calmly. ¡°You should return now. ¡± ¡°How can I go back with you in this state?¡± Grace pouted angrily. ¡°How will I face Hannah if I go back?¡± She continued talking for a while, but upon seeing her brother¡¯s continued silence, she approached, took Bryson¡¯s hand, and guided him to the swing! Standing before Bryson, Grace asserted, ¡°Bryson, I¡¯m not a child anymore. I¡¯ve noticed the tension between you and Hannah since your return from the airport. Do you think I¡¯m oblivious? Though I¡¯ve never been in love, I understand that genuine love involves disagreements and misunderstandings. It¡¯s crucial to rify these promptly; otherwise, regrets will follow. ¡± Bryson lifted his head and gazed at his sister, unable to suppress a smile as he pinched her cheek. ¡°Where did you pick up this wisdom?¡± Grace snorted, ¡°I should know how fish swim, even if I am not one of them. ¡± ¡°Well, don¡¯t concern yourself with us; go back and have dinner. ¡± ¡°How can I stop worrying?¡± Grace kicked the pebbles under her feet in frustration. ¡°She¡¯s supposed to be my sister-inw. If she ends up with some other guy, you won¡¯t feel like my brother anymore!¡± Chapter 1478 Bryson burst intoughter. ¡°Am I your brother, or is she your sister?¡± ¡°Of course she¡­¡± Grace paused, then blinked her bright eyes and smiled at Bryson. ¡°Of course, you¡¯re my brother. But Hannah has other admirers.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. If she marries someone else one day, don¡¯t hide away and cry. ¡± Upon hearing this, Bryson¡¯s despondency lightened. He smiled, ¡°She won¡¯t. ¡± Just then, Hannah emerged from the vi after dinner and spotted them conversing in the garden. She hade out to check on something, not expecting Bryson to still be around. Grace, standing by the swing, waved excitedly at Hannah. ¡°Hey, Hannah. Come over here. ¡± At the mention of her name, Bryson instinctively turned his head towards her. Without disying any emotion, Bryson turned back as Grace called out again, ¡°Hannah, over here!¡± Hannah paused briefly before approaching them. ¡°I presumed you had departed. ¡± ¡°Not yet. ¡± Grace beamed. She sped Hannah¡¯s arm, assuming a petnt air. ¡°Do you have any food, Hannah? I¡¯m famished. ¡± ¡°Of course. Ask Edwin to prepare something for you. ¡± ¡°Sounds good. ¡± Grace¡¯s enthusiasm grew, her gaze flitting between Hannah and Bryson. ¡°I¡¯ll go fetch a bite. You two can catch up. ¡± Intentionally leaving them alone, Grace dashed off swiftly. Night had fallen, casting a subdued glow across the garden. The ambient light was gentle, the surroundings tranquil. Hannah nced at Bryson seated on the swing. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten much either. You should return and have a meal. ¡± The she turned to depart. Bryson remained seated, speaking softly. ¡°I didn¡¯t intend to keep it from you. But until I have rity, I prefer not to burden you with needless concerns. ¡± Hannah halted and turned, finding Bryson¡¯s serious gaze devoid of deceit. She pressed her lips together. ¡°You¡¯re only saying that because you refuse to disclose what you¡¯re hiding from me. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s true. ¡± Bryson nodded. ¡°I prefer not to discuss it at the moment. ¡± Normally incensed, Hannah remained calm. ¡°If you¡¯re not ready, then let it go. I shouldn¡¯t have pressed. ¡± ¡°I actually wanted to ask you something,¡± Hannah mentioned Remington¡¯s investment in the Mitchell Group. ¡°Are you aware of this?¡± Bryson rose from the swing. ¡°Yes, I knew from the start. ¡± Chapter 1479 If so, the woman iming to be the Lyons¡¯ youngest daughter was legitimate. Could Brayden be right? Was the Lyons family conspiring against the Mitchells? Hannah was perplexed once more. ¡°Remington has always opposed you. Why would he suddenly invest $6 billion in the Mitchell family?¡± Could it be that he¡¯s backing Tyshawn to secure a higher position? This scenario was not new for Remington.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Their coboration stemmed from Remington¡¯s desire for Hannah to rece the Compton family¡¯s leader, bing a Lyons family pawn. ¡°What do you mean by supporting Tyshawn for a higher position?¡± Bryson asked, confused by Hannah¡¯s statement. Hannah, baffled, replied, ¡°You knew about the investment. Don¡¯t you realize that the major Mitchell Group projects are now under Tyshawn¡¯s control?¡± ¡°In regards to that,¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow. ¡°Brayden informed me Tyshawn lost over one billion dors in a month. Good for him. ¡± ¡°Now is not the time for your sarcasm. ¡± Hannah frowned. ¡°Aren¡¯t you concerned that Remington is backing a puppet against you?¡± Bryson chuckled, patting her head. ¡°The six billion dors is indeed a trap. It was initially aimed at me, but I didn¡¯t expect Tyshawn, the fool, to fall into it. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Now, it was apparent that Hannah was struggling to grasp the situation. She seemed overwhelmed by the flood of information from both sides. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Bryson rified, ¡°The six-billion-dor investment is not straightforward. Remington intended for me to sign severalrge orders designed by him. He expected me to invest two to three billion, after which he would use the excuse of thepany not meeting expectations to withdraw the full six billion, causing significant damage to thepany. ¡± Hannah realized the current situation aligned with Bryson¡¯s exnation. Although Bryson hadn¡¯t made the mistake, Tyshawn had indeed caused thepany to lose over a billion dors. ¡°So Remington is holding off on withdrawing the investment because he wants Tyshawn to incur more losses?¡± Bryson nonchntly nodded. ¡°With such a fool falling into the trap, Remington can avoid trouble. Why doesn¡¯t Remington take advantage of such a fool in the Mitchell Group to set them up?¡± Observing that Bryson was aware of the situation yet took no action, Hannah was perplexed. ¡°You understand it¡¯s a trap. So why didn¡¯t you intervene? With Tyshawn falling into it, won¡¯t it harm the Mitchell Group¡¯s interests? Don¡¯t you care about that?¡± Bryson smirked slightly in the darkness as he regarded Hannah. ¡°The Mitchell Group has be ustomed to a life of ease. If they¡¯re determined to support Tyshawn, they must face the consequences. ¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows, feeling a mix of confusion and relief. ¡°So, you¡¯re nning to meet trick with a trick?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not trying to match their shenanigans with anyplicated scheming,¡± Bryson replied with a smirk. Chapter 1480 ¡°I¡¯m just toozy to worry about their games,¡± he added nonchntly. Hannah was taken aback by his se attitude, a look of disbelief painted across her features. ¡°But the Mitchell Group is something you poured so much effort into all these years. Are you really okay with letting them jeopardize it all?¡± she probed, her voice tinged with incredulity. Bryson remained unfazed, shrugging his shoulders with a casual attitude. ¡°If something does happen, I¡¯ll deal with it then,¡± he dered confidently. Hannah nodded, understanding his point of view. ¡°Then you must also know about Tyshawn¡¯s girlfriend, Madeline. She has been with himtely, right?¡± she asked, curious about his knowledge of the situation. ¡°Certainly!¡± A faint smile curved Bryson¡¯s lips as he revealed to Hannah, ¡°She¡¯s not who she says she is. ¡± ¡°For real?¡± Hannah blinked in disbelief. Bryson nodded, his expression turning serious. He ced his finger to his lips in a gesture for silence. ¡°Don¡¯t breathe a word of it to anyone just yet. There¡¯s something off about her. Let¡¯s observe her for a while longer. ¡± Hannah understood and nodded, her curiosity piqued. ¡°Alright. I understand. ¡± As their conversation shifted to business, Hannah¡¯s simmering anger and resentment dissipated, as though they were never there to begin with. After they were done talking, she peered at Bryson with concern. ¡°You should go in and eat some more. You haven¡¯t eaten much tonight. ¡± Bryson shook his head, dismissing her concern with a wave of his hand. ¡°I¡¯m fine. ¡± ncing down at his watch, Bryson said, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I might have to deal with a contract with Brayden within the next few days, so I¡¯ll head back now. Let Grace stay with you for a while. Can you look after her?¡± Despite his earlier dismissal of thepany¡¯s matters, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but snicker inwardly at his request for a favor. ¡°Alright, seeing as you¡¯re asking me for help, maybe you could give me some money for my troubles?¡± In a swift movement, Bryson tossed something towards Hannah, who reflexively reached out to catch it. It was a bank card. ¡°Spend as you wish,¡± he instructed, his voice calm and casual. A mischievous sparkle lit up Hannah¡¯s eyes as she held the card between her fingers. ¡°You¡¯re saying I can swipe as much as I want? If I go wild with it, you¡¯ll be out on the streets,¡± she warned yfully. Bryson remained unfazed, his expression conveying a sense of shamelessness. ¡°If I go broke, you¡¯ll support me, right?¡± he asked, a cheeky grin ying on his lips Hannah rolled her eyes, responding with a snarky retort. ¡°Dream on! Who¡¯d want to support you? Are you really that eager to leech off me? You are the CEO of the Mitchell Group, after all,¡± Hannah challenged, raising an eyebrow.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Bryson met her gaze, his eyes burning with an intensity that took her aback. ¡°Yes, I¡¯d love to Live off you,¡± he replied. As his words hung in the air, Hannah¡¯s face flushed a light shade of pink. She clutched the bank card tightly in her hand, not wanting to let Bryson see the effect his words had on her. With a sharp turn, she walked away, her toneden with anger as she spoke over her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m going to drain that card dry tomorrow!¡± Chapter 1481 Bryson gazed at her retreating figure, a small smile ying at the corners of his lips. ¡°Spend it all,¡± he murmured to himself. ¡°That¡¯s what it¡¯s there for, anyway-for you. ¡± In the absence of Hannah and Bryson, who had stepped outside, an air of unease permeated the vi. The upants began to worry, wondering if the two might have started a heated argument outside. However, after a while, no sound of a quarrel could be heard. Lydia paced back and forth in the living room, her brow furrowed with concern. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Hannahe back yet?¡± she questioned, her anxiety mounting. As Lydia voiced her worries, Brayden remained cool andposed, lounging on the couch and leisurely enjoying some fruit. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, honey,¡± he said, nonchntly shrugging off Lydia¡¯s concern. Unamused, she red at him fiercely. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry. It s not your best friend out there. ¡± Hannah, attempting to ease Lydia¡¯s worries, assured her, ¡°We¡¯re fine. Everything has been settled. ¡± As her gaze fell upon the dining room, where Grace was still having dinner with Edwin, she called out in their direction, raising her voice slightly. ¡°Grace, you can stay here. I¡¯ll drive you to and from school. ¡± Her voice was warm, butced with a trace ofmand, making it clear that her offer was a firm decision, not a mere suggestion. Grace, a glimmer of confusion flickering in her eyes, turned her attention to Hannah.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Where¡¯s my brother?¡± she asked, curious about his whereabouts. Hannah¡¯s response was matter-of-fact, her tone warm but firm. ¡°He¡¯ll be busy with work for the next couple of days, so he¡¯s asked me to look after you for now. ¡± Grace¡¯s voice was filled with enthusiasm. ¡°Alright!¡± she eximed happily. ¡°We have Sunday off. Hannah, will youe with me for some fun? My ssmate is having a birthday party, and he¡¯s invited us toe to their resort for a pic with our families. ¡± Hannah¡¯s response was measured, not wanting tomit to the idea just yet. ¡°I¡¯ll have to see if I¡¯m avable. If I can make it, then I¡¯lle with you. ¡± Grace, seemingly unaffected by the hesitation, dropped her fork and ran to Hannah¡¯s side Like an eager sparrow, attempting to cajole Hannah in her sweetest voice. ¡°Please, Hannah! Everyone¡¯s gonna be there and they¡¯re bringing their families. My brother is gonna be super busy, so I won¡¯t have anyone to go with. You¡¯re the only one I can count on!¡± Hearing that, Hannah sighed, a small smile still on her lips as she replied, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go with you. ¡± ¡°Now, it¡¯s time to finish up your dinner,¡± Hannah coaxed, her voice warm and reassuring. ¡°I¡¯ll ask the housekeeper to prepare a room for you. You need to get some sleep now. It¡¯s a school night. ¡± Grace responded cheerfully, ¡°Okay, Hannah!¡± After that, she hurried back to the dining room, chatting with Edwin and resuming her lively conversation. ¡°Come with me,¡± Hannah said as she approached Dotson, who was engrossed in his phone in the living room. ¡°I¡¯ll find a room for you to stay here in the vi. ¡± Dotson was surprised by Hannah¡¯s generosity, not expecting to be offered a room in her vi. ¡°Boss, I can stay in a hotel by myself. Please don¡¯t go through the trouble,¡± he protested. Nheless, she dismissed his concern with a dismissive wave of her hand. As they were conversing, Lydia¡¯s voice suddenly rang out, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Hannah, we should head home. You¡¯ll need to take Grace to school in the morning, and we¡¯ll meet in Wealth za afterwards. We¡¯re going shopping!¡± At the utterance of the words ¡°go shopping¡±, Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed, and she turned around to confront Lydia. ¡°Can¡¯t you give me one day off?¡± she asked, frustration seeping into her tone. ¡°The second Ie back, you¡¯re ordering me to go shopping with you! Chapter 1482 Lydia, undeterred by herints, pressed on. ¡°There¡¯s a party organized by a luxury brand in a couple of days, and you need toe with me. And there¡¯s that ind project I told you about, remember? You have toe with me to check it out. ¡± Hannah suddenly felt a wave of defeat wash over her. She was supposed to be on a break, but it seemed Lydia was ready to put her right back into the thick of things. She sighed in resignation, turning her head to face the direction of the door. ¡°Alright. Just call me tomorrow,¡± she murmured in exhaustion. Lydia nodded, understanding her friend¡¯s defeat. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll be on our way then. See you tomorrow. ¡± As Hannah showed Dotson to the third floor, she provided him with a detailed rundown of the amenities. ¡°This floor has a gym room next door, and your room has aputer with ess to the Dark Web,¡± she exined. ¡°No one lives up here, so you¡¯ll have plenty of peace and quiet. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll give you a tour. You didn¡¯t bring any luggage, so I¡¯ll see about getting you some clothes. ¡± ¡°Thank you so much for everything. I really appreciate it. ¡± For Dotson, every aspect of Hannah¡¯s vi was a breath of fresh air. Having been previously confined to an environment that was less than ideal, his sense of curiosity and excitement were heightened in this new ce. Meanwhile, Amelie was released on bail. She was dressed to the nines and looked as pretty as a picture, her makeup just perfect. It seemed that being in trouble with thew hadn¡¯t shaken her one bit. But with Amelie out and about, the question was, what would she do next? And what trouble might she stir up for Hannah and the people close to her? Outside the prison, a sleek ck car awaited Amelie, its doors held open by her personal bodyguard. Shielded by his hulking presence, she glided into the vehicle, herposure unfazed by the recent events. The interior of the car was eerily quiet as the engine roared to life. From the front passenger seat, a cold voice cut through the silence. ¡°Hannah has single-handedly annihted the Bloody Gang. The Jade Paradise has been temporarily shut down by the police. The leader of the Bloody Gang is dead. There¡¯s no sense in pleading guilty. We can drag this out! The police will have no choice but to drop the charges, as the only witness against you is gone. ¡± Amelie¡¯s face was a mask of cold fury, her long nails digging into the leather of the seat as if she was trying to choke the life out of Hannah through sheer willpower alone. Her voice was a low, dangerous growl as she spat out her rival¡¯s name. ¡°Hannah Moore! You¡¯ve dug your own grave by crossing my path!¡± ¡°Madam, Hannah boarded today¡¯s flight and should have arrived in Cadilind by now. ¡± Amelie scoffed. ¡°She¡¯s evading quickly. I believe she¡¯s afraid that I might harm her. ¡± The individual in the passenger seat remained silent momentarily before remarking, ¡°Hannah was preemptively sent back by the head of the Compton family. Perhaps he did so to keep her out of your reach. ¡± Amelie¡¯s long-contained emotions erupted entirely upon hearing the passenger¡¯s words. ¡°Why would Wace do this to me? What have I done to deserve his actions? He¡¯s publicly shaming me for a daughter who left him two decades ago. He fears I¡¯ll seek revenge on Hannah. Does he truly believe she¡¯ll be safe by sending her away?¡± Amelie, in the back seat of the car, eximed hysterically. The passenger spoke calmly. ¡°Although Hannah is now in Cadilind, we can still take action. Choosing individuals here with clean records to discreetly eliminate her in Cadilind is far preferable to conducting the deed in Newfort. Investigating killers from abroad poses significant challenges. Even if we engineer an ident, it mustn¡¯t lead back to us.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Amelie¡¯s demeanor eased as she spoke. ¡°Ensure to send a group unseen by Hannah for the mission. Be certain that Hannah remains unaware of their affiliation with us. We must exercise heightened caution this time. If those individuals are exposed by Hannah, act swiftly to ensure their demise. ¡± Chapter 1483 ¡°Understood. Will you be returning to the Comptons¡¯ residence tonight?¡± Amelie¡¯s countenance hardened. ¡°Return to face the cold reception? I shall abstain from returning tonight, keeping a low profile for a few days. Wace disapproves of me and will undoubtedly cause trouble upon my return. I¡¯ll have my father approach himter to gauge his sentiments. ¡± ¡°Yes, Madam. ¡± The following morning, Hannah transported Grace to school. Subsequently, she drove Dotson to Wealth za, a location referenced by Lydia. Upon parking, Hannah and Dotson exited the car. Dotson disyed curiosity throughout the area. ¡°This domestic mall is different from my expectations. ¡± ¡°What did you envision a mall to resemble?¡± Hannah guiding Dotson inside with a smile. ¡°This is the White family¡¯s establishment, constructed by my grandfather. Today, feel free to purchase anything and charge it to my ount. ¡± Upon hearing this, Dotson¡¯s youthful eyes brightened as he asked, ¡°May I procure gifts for my brother and Kite?¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°Absolutely, I¡¯ll cover the expenses today. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Boss. ¡± After about half an hour of shopping, Dotson grew weary from carrying numerous items in his hands. ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve purchased numerous items. Why hasn¡¯t Miss Phillips arrived yet?¡± Hannah checked her watch with a sense of helplessness. ¡°She¡¯s consistently tardy. Expect her shortly. ¡± Her phone rang promptly after she spoke. Hannah picked up the call deliberately. ¡°Miss Phillips, I feared you might cancel our appointment today. ¡± Lydia¡¯s voice, full of ttery, responded from the other end of the line. ¡°How could I? I¡¯m stuck in traffic. I¡¯ll arrive shortly. ¡± ¡°You always use that excuse to fool me. ¡± ¡°We¡¯ll wait for you at the coffee shop by the entrance,¡± Hannah added. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be there shortly. ¡± Lydia¡¯s promise to arrive soon was fulfilled, and she didn¡¯t keep Hannah waiting for much longer. Five minutester, Lydia entered through the door and said to Hannah, ¡°Let¡¯s go inside. ¡± Hannah handed a cup of coffee to Lydia and said, ¡°OK. ¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Observing Dotson next to Hannah, Lydia teased, ¡°Looks like it¡¯s just the two of us shopping, with you bringing a bodyguard along. ¡± Chapter 1484 ¡°Let¡¯s not jest. Dotson is temporarily tagging along; he didn¡¯te prepared with the essentials, so I¡¯m giving him a tour. Besides, it¡¯s his inaugural visit to the country, and I promised to show him around for a bit. ¡± Linking arms with Hannah, Lydia mentioned, ¡°Early next month, we¡¯re scouting an ind¡¯s development. Dotson can join us. ¡± The three entered the shopping mall. Hannah inquired of Lydia, ¡°Are there inds in Valmere actually worthy of development?¡± Lydia replied, ¡°No, the ind we n to develop is located in Palmetan. That city is surrounded by the sea on three sides and by mountains on the other, making it an exceptionally beautiful environment. It¡¯s an ideal location for living and traveling. Interestingly, there¡¯s a partially developed ind there that has been abandoned. I believe it holds significant promise for development and is definitely worth exploring. ¡± Hannah frowned slightly. ¡°Despite its promising future, why was the development abandoned halfway?¡± Lydia said, ¡°I heard that the buyer of the ind had passed away, leading to the project being halted. Now, his son intends to auction the ind as hecks the funds to continue its development and wishes to sell it. ¡± The rification was satisfactory to Hannah, who refrained from further inquiries and simply agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll apany you at the start of the uing month. ¡± ¡°I have faith in you. ¡± Lydia approached Hannah with a coffee in hand, embracing her. Hannah apanied Lydia to purchase a substantial amount of cosmetics before they approached the sole upscale boutique in the mall specializing in luxury dinner dresses. ¡°My custom evening gown has arrived. Please assess the fit and make any necessary adjustments,¡± Lydia requested, ushering Hannah into the shop. ¡°Of course. ¡± Upon entering, a shop assistant approached, her expression shifting upon seeing Hannah. ¡°B¡­¡± Noticing others in the shop, Hannah gestured discreetly to prevent further conversation. The attentive shop assistant quickly adjusted her statement. ¡°ALlow me to guide you inside for a viewing. ¡± Lydia politely informed the shop assistant, ¡°I had my evening gown tailored here on the fifth. I received a call notifying me that the gown had arrived at the store. Please locate it for me. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Very well, Miss. Pleasee with me. I will verify your phone number. ¡± The three entered the store. Hannah apanied Lydia to the reception desk.Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Dotson proceeded alone to the VIP area, set down his belongings, and sat patiently awaiting their return. Before long, Dotson¡¯s striking appearance caught the eye of the shop¡¯s clientele. ¡°Look! That young man is quite handsome. He appears to be from abroad. ¡± ¡°He¡¯s charming. I was tempted to approach him. But he seems unapproachable with that cold expression¡­¡± Tyshawn, feeling bored with his phone, overheard the girls¡¯ whispers nearby and nced over involuntarily. Indeed, he caught sight of Dotson¡¯s chiseled features, dressed in casual attire. Tyshawn scoffed, ¡°Just because he has a prominent nose andrge eyes? he¡¯s considered handsome?¡± The girls seated near Tyshawn fell silent, though inwardly they were filled with curses. ¡°If this boy isn¡¯t attractive, then are you?¡± they thought. It wasmon knowledge that Bryson stood as the most handsome of the Mitchell family. Compared to Bryson, the remaining Mitchells appeared unremarkable; only Bryson exuded charisma. Yet the girls had no option but to specte. Rumors abounded about Bryson¡¯s extended business trip overseas, leaving him absent from their midst. During their hush, Hannah and Lydia approached with a store assistant. ¡°Madam, this is our exclusive fitting room for VIPs. Please step inside and try on the dress. ¡± Lydia turned to Hannah. ¡°Hannah, kindly wait for me outside. I¡¯ll join you shortly. ¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Hannah replied, finding a seat nearby. When Tyshawn glimpsed Hannah¡¯s profile earlier, he felt a twinge of recognition. Hearing Lydia address her as Hannah only solidified his certainty. He kept his gaze fixed on Hannah. When she turned toward him, his eyes widened involuntarily. Her beauty had notably surpassed his previous memory of her. Tyshawn¡¯s heart warmed involuntarily. As he wielded power in the present, memories of his time under Bryson faded, reced by a growing sense of arrogance. Hannah approached and took a seat beside Dotson. Before either could speak, a shadow fell across them. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Miss Moore. I didn¡¯t anticipate encountering you in this ce. ¡± Chapter 1485 Hannah lifted her gaze to find Tyshawn wearing an ominous grin. What brought him to Hoijery? Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be in Valmere? Hannah harbored strong dislike towards Tyshawn. ncing briefly at him, she turned away. Tyshawn sensed his pride wounded. His expression darkened. ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s your problem?¡± Hannah¡¯s response was curt. ¡°I have no interest in talking to you. ¡± Tyshawn snorted and gave Hannah a once-over. ¡°I heard you went abroad. Were you forced to return because you¡¯ve crossed the wrong people?¡± Hannah was here as Lydia¡¯s shoppingpanion. She aimed to steer clear of any potential conflict, so she said inly, ¡°Why does it matter to you?¡± Tyshawn thought he¡¯d hit the nail on the head. He smirked, believing he had the upper hand. Tyshawn¡¯s voice took on a slick tone. ¡°What¡¯s the point of choosing Bryson over me? Now I oversee the entire Mitchell Group! He is now on the edge of the group. Do you regret that¡­ you didn¡¯t choose me?¡± Hannah lifted her head and grinned at Tyshawn.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Do you not own a mirror at home?¡± Observing Tyshawn¡¯s visage darken abruptly, Hannah¡¯s smile grew brighter. ¡°Take a good look in the mirror. How can you evenpare yourself to Bryson?¡± Upon hearing this, Tyshawn couldn¡¯t resist reaching out to grasp Hannah¡¯s wrist. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? How dare you!¡± However, before his hand could make contact with Hannah, a surge of pain shot through his wrist. ¡°Damn it!¡± Desperate to retract his hand, Tyshawn found it tightly ensnared and impossible to withdraw. Dotson, previously seated beside Hannah, now stood beside her. With one hand gripping Tyshawn¡¯s, he examined him sternly. ¡°Is this how men behave in Cadilind?¡± ¡°Men from Cadilind don¡¯t bear the me. ¡± Hannah rested her chin on her hand, gazing at Tyshawn¡¯s contorted expression with a smile. ¡°Release me! You bastard!¡± Tyshawn¡¯splexion paled with agony. ¡°Who do you think you are? Do you know who I am? How dare youy hands on me?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s wrist rattled. Dotson applied sudden pressure, causing Tyshawn to scream in sharp pain as his wrist throbbed. Chapter 1486 ¡°Ah! How dare you!¡± Dotson¡¯s expression remained resolute. ¡°I dare to touch anyone except my boss. ¡± ¡°What are you doing? Let him go! Now!¡± During their standoff, a woman¡¯s tense voice echoed nearby. Exiting the fitting room, a woman in an evening dress noticed Tyshawn¡¯s struggle, her smile fading instantly. Gathering her skirts, she hastened toward Tyshawn, casting fierce res at Dotson. ¡°I warn you! Release him now! Do you understand who I am? And who my fiance is?¡± The couple fitted each other perfectly; Hannah hoped they¡¯d stay together forever. Observing them, Hannah conceived a n. ¡°Dotson, let him go. ¡± At her words, Dotson promptly released Tyshawn¡¯s hand, retreating behind Hannah. The woman grasped Tyshawn¡¯s hand, concerned. ¡°Tyshawn, are you alright? Let me check your hand. ¡± Her voice sent shivers down Hannah¡¯s spine. Tyshawn winced as he felt his wrist throbbing. His expression darkened, but in the presence of the woman beside him, he managed to force a smile and reassure her, ¡°I¡¯m alright, Malvina. ¡± Noticing the slight redness and swelling on Tyshawn¡¯s wrist, Malvina turned her gaze towards Hannah, evidently looking to stir up trouble. ¡°Do you even know who you just hit? We could call the police right now!¡± Hannah responded calmly, ¡°Go ahead, call them. ¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯sck of fear, Malvina grew increasingly irritated by her demeanor. She pulled out her phone, ready to call the police. It was the first time in a while Malvina felt so wronged.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. She couldn¡¯t contain her frustration. At that moment, several clerks noticed the disturbance and promptly approached to intervene. ¡°I apologize, miss. If there¡¯s an issue, we can resolve it here in the shop. We¡¯re here to assist you. ¡± Malvina¡¯s rudeness escted as she pointed at Hannah, snapping at the clerk, ¡°Is your store open to just anyone? Remove her from this ce before I lose my temper!¡± The shop assistant nced at Hannah with unease. ¡°Well¡­ ALL our customers are valued patrons here. Our supervisor¡¯s directive is not to eject them without cause. ¡± ¡°Then summon your supervisor! Is this the Level of service you offer? If my instructions are disregarded, I will not return next time!¡± Chapter 1487 Tyshawn seethed with anger and frustration. Clutching his wrist, he shouted at the shop attendant, ¡°Quickly! If you upset my fiancee, I¡¯ll ensure your superior personally apologizes to me!¡± Hannah apuded slowly. ¡°This is absurd. You came here to purchase a dress. Do you truly believe you are God? If you¡¯re dissatisfied, simply leave! This store isn¡¯t exclusive to you for shopping. ¡± Hannah¡¯s words redirected everyone¡¯s focus toward Malvina. ¡°Ha ha!¡± Tyshawn¡¯s sneer was sharp as he dered, ¡°I demanded he kneel and apologize; therefore, he mustply. I could purchase the entire mall if I desired. Should he refuse to apologize, I¡¯ll have him escorted out. ¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes and remarked, ¡°You certainly are something else. ¡± Tyshawn, clearly misinterpreting Hannah¡¯s tone, arrogantly responded, ¡°Hannah, I¡¯m merely acknowledging your presence out of courtesy. If you don¡¯t respect me, don¡¯t expect me to show restraint. What if you¡¯re the granddaughter of the White family? I am now the ruler of the Mitchell family. If you encounter me, you should bow down without question!¡± Was this person delusional? He had held a position of no real authority for just a few weeks, yet his self-importance knew no bounds. Taking Tyshawn¡¯s arm, Malvina looked down at Hannah with arrogance, stating, ¡°My fiance is the heir of the Mitchell family, and I am the youngest daughter of the Lyons family. How dare you offend us!¡± With disdain, she added, ¡°If you¡¯re afraid, kneel and apologize, and we¡¯ll consider the matter resolved. As ady of high birth, I prefer not to engage in disputes. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but snort withughter. ¡°Who do you im to be? A deceiver?¡± Malvina¡¯s expression swiftly changed. She immediately raised her voice. ¡°What did you just say?¡± ¡°Did I make an incorrect statement?¡± Hannah blinked at her. ¡°You imed to be part of the Lyons family. Is it the renowned Lyons family from Newfort?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Malvina promptly lifted her chin. ¡°That¡¯s peculiar,¡± Hannah remarked. ¡°But I¡¯ve encountered members of the Lyons family abroad. I¡¯ve understood that they exclusively marry individuals of noble status. Are you special?¡± ¡°Oh, right. ¡± Hannah assessed Malvina from head to toe and remarked, ¡°There¡¯s one more thing. While I¡¯ve crossed paths with them previously, I never saw you. ¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. At once, Tyshawn regarded Malvina with a puzzled expression. Malvina¡¯s heart sank. Sheposed herself and replied, ¡°I wasn¡¯t there at that time. How could you have seen me?¡± Rolling her eyes, she quickly fabricated another story. ¡°I intended to maintain a low profile, but evidently, that¡¯s unnecessary now. ¡± Tyshawn pressed, ¡°Malvina, what are you saying?¡± Malvina assumed a look of superiority, as if about to divulge something but then hesitated. Eventually, she revealed, ¡°Tyshawn, I lied to you because I didn¡¯t want my true identity to rm you. ¡± ¡°In truth¡­ I am merely the goddaughter of the Lyons family. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Who¡­ Who are you?¡± Chapter 1488 Without allowing him to interject, Malvina added, ¡°Actually, my real identity ties me to the Compton family, one of the six great ns. I am Wace¡¯s biological daughter. ¡± Dotson¡¯s anger red instantly. ¡°Speak nonsense again, and I¡¯ll¡­¡± Before he could finish, Hannah intervened. Tyshawn was astonished, tuning out the surrounding noise. He grasped Malvina¡¯s hand and inquired, ¡°Are you telling the truth?¡± Malvina nodded shyly. ¡°I didn¡¯t intend to reveal myself. I wished to remain discreet. ¡± Speaking with a hint of disdain, she cast a nce at Hannah. ¡°Yet someone is so oblivious that she compelled me to reveal my true identity. Now she¡¯s speechless. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯s excitement was overwhelming; he regarded the figure before him as a dynamic, radiant peak. Taking Malvina¡¯s hand, he ki*sed it repeatedly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°Malvina! You should have informed me sooner. ¡± ¡°I was fearful. I didn¡¯t want to unveil myself early. Please, don¡¯t be upset with me, okay?¡± Tyshawn grasped Malvina¡¯s hand firmly, gazing at her with tenderness. ¡°How can I harbor any resentment towards you? It¡¯s your prerogative whether to discuss it or not, and I deeply respect your decision. ¡± Hannah found the behavior of these two theatrically affectionate individuals so repulsive that she could barely keep her eyes open. Hannah averted her gaze silently. If these two proimed themselves the best in the world in terms of shamelessness, no one would dare to suggest otherwise. Amidst their cloying disy, Lydia emerged from the VIP fitting room in her evening gown. Lydia lowered her head, smoothing the dress¡¯s hemline. ¡°Hannah,e and assist me with this waistline. Something feels off whenever I nce at it. ¡± Upon saying that, Lydia lifted her head and noticed Hannah and Tyshawn nearby. Quickly adjusting her dress hemline, Lydia proceeded to walk over to them. ¡°Tyshawn! What brings you here?¡± Standing before Hannah, Lydia inquired cautiously, ¡°Are you here to cause trouble for Hannah?¡± Tyshawn nced sharply at Lydia and sneered. ¡°Miss Phillips, are you still so inactive? The partnership between the Davies family and the Mitchell family has failed on multiple asions. Doesn¡¯t Brayden concern you?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s remarks provoked Lydia. ¡°That¡¯s because you reneged when you signed the contract. Do you realize those were multimillion-dor agreements you broke?¡± ¡°And so?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s expression remained disdainful. ¡°I never finalized the signing. How can you call it a breach? Furthermore, aren¡¯t they just some multimillion-dor contracts? Even if I terminate them, I canpensate you ten times. The Mitchell Group can certainly afford it. ¡± His demeanor nearly inmed Lydia¡¯s anger immediately. Malvina scoffed, ¡°They¡¯re merely contracts worth millions, not hundreds of millions. Poor people remain poor. Youck foresight entirely.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. If you genuinely desire to coborate with Tyshawn, then demonstrate your sincerity and plead with us. Perhaps if Tyshawn is pleased, he might offer you a few million dors. ¡± Chapter 1489 Lydia clenched her hands and gritted her teeth. ¡°I really can¡¯t tolerate this anymore. ¡± Just as she was about to lose her temper, Hannah pulled her back. Hannah maintained her calm demeanor. ¡°You im to be from the Compton family.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Can you provide evidence?¡± ¡°Why should I prove it to you?¡± Confronted by Hannah, Malvina appeared somewhat uneasy. Avoiding eye contact, Malvina replied, ¡°My father instructed me to maintain a low profile in public. Revealing my identity today is a significant departure from my usual low-profile approach. Who do you think you are to demand proof of my identity?¡± Holding onto Tyshawn¡¯s arm, she held her chin high with arrogance. In an unattended corner, a man sat holding a magazine in his hands. Upon Malvina¡¯s remarks, the man lowered the magazine and stared silently at her. Meanwhile, Malvina, engrossed in her aggression, remained oblivious. However, Hannah sensed a disturbance. Reacting swiftly, Hannah turned toward the source of the man¡¯s gaze. However, in the vicinity, only two women sat quietly while another person read a magazine, nothing amiss. As Hannah pondered this, Malvina¡¯s sharp voice interrupted her thoughts. Malvina¡¯s gaze fixated on Lydia¡¯s evening dress. Malvina gestured towards Lydia¡¯s evening dress and then nced at the nearby shop assistant. ¡°I¡¯ll take this dress. I¡¯ll purchase this dress at triple the marked price. ¡± The shop assistant, feeling somewhat embarrassed, nced towards Hannah before addressing Malvina, ¡°I apologize, Miss. This dress has been customized specifically for Miss Phillips. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind whether it¡¯s customized or not. ¡± Malvina¡¯s expression turned cold as she dered, ¡°I¡¯ll take this dress and pay five times the price. Just hand it over to me. ¡± Fixing Malvina with a cold Lydia interjected with frustration, stare, isn¡¯t You. ¡°Money everything. ¡± Before Lydia could finish her sentence, Hannah raised her hand to silence her. Smiling at Malvina, Hannah calmly stated, ¡°I¡¯ll offer ten times the price. ¡± At this deration, all eyes in the store turned towards their conversation. Sensing the attention, Malvina remained defiant. ¡°I¡¯ll pay thirteen times. ¡± Chapter 1490 ¡°Then I¡¯ll pay fifteen times,¡± Hannah responded firmly. Malvina¡¯s expression briefly twisted. ¡°I¡¯ll increase the offer twenty times. ¡± Beside Malvina, Tyshawn gently tugged her and nced at Hannah. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t pretend to be wealthy. Don¡¯t assume you can deceive me with this trick. We might ept further price hikes, but can you truly afford this dress?¡± Tyshawn remained unaware of the dress cost. If Malvina continued raising her bid, it would deeply trouble him. Hannah arched her eyebrows. ¡°I never mentioned raising the bid further. Why are you so worried?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worried. ¡± Tyshawn dr@ped his arm around Malvina¡¯s shoulder, appearing slightly flustered after Hannah exposed his intention. ¡°I¡¯m simply concerned you might face embarrassmentter if you can¡¯t afford it, tarnishing the White family name. ¡± Refusing further discourse with Tyshawn, Hannah turned to the nearby shop assistants. ¡°You overheard them. They offered to pay twenty times the original amount for my friend¡¯s dress. In that case, we will give the dress to them. ¡± Hannah then addressed Lydia, ¡°Lydia, please change your attire. ¡± Lydia, seething with anger, stifled a snicker at the situation with the two fools. Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s directive, Lydia promptly adjusted her dress and headed for the dressing room. ¡°I¡¯ll change right away. ¡± Meanwhile, the shop attendant handed the bill to Tyshawn and informed him, ¡°Sir, thedy¡¯s garment is custom-made and carries a higher price tag than our off-the-rack items. ¡± ¡°How much more expensive could it be? Do you doubt my ability to pay? Go ahead and process the payment. ¡± Tyshawn presented his card, which the shop assistant epted. ¡°Of course, sir. The original cost of the dress is $2. 91 million. With a 20-times markup, the totales to $58. 2 million. If you have no problem with it, I¡¯ll proceed with the transaction. ¡± ¡°$58. 2 million dors?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s face flushed with anger. Tyshawn snatched the bill from the shop assistant¡¯s hand, his voice rising uncontrobly, ¡°Are you trying to rob me?¡± ¡°I apologize, sir. The prices are clearly marked in our store. If you find it expensive and choose not to purchase, I¡¯ll wrap this dress for thedy over there. ¡± The shop assistant¡¯s tone remained pleasant, but it only deepened Tyshawn¡¯s scowl. Beside them, Hannah burst intoughter. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, do you truly believe it¡¯s expensive? Weren¡¯t you just saying you¡¯d spare no expense for your fiancee? It¡¯s just 5@ million dors. Surely, that¡¯s not too much for you?¡± Malvina, holding onto Tyshawn¡¯s arm, didn¡¯t want to lose face in front of Hannah. ¡°Tyshawn, it¡¯s only $50 million. Are you unwilling to buy me this dress?¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± Tyshawn replied with a forced smile.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I just feel it¡¯s unnecessary to spend so extravagantly on a dress. . ¡± Malvina, noticing Hannah¡¯s amused gaze, unhappily added, ¡°It¡¯s only 5@ million dors. My family has invested billions in the Mitchell Group. If you¡¯re unwilling to spend this amount for me, how can we consider a union between our families?¡± Pretending to be offended, Malvina turned away. ¡°Never mind. It seems your earlier words were just to cate me. You don¡¯t take this seriously at all. I won¡¯t ept the dress. Perhaps we should reconsider our families¡¯ rtionship. ¡± Chapter 1491 With that, she began to leave. Tyshawn couldn¡¯t let such an important opportunity slip away over something trivial. He quickly pulled her back and cajoled, ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m unwilling to buy you the dress. You deserve such luxury. ¡± Fearful of losing Malvina, he turned to the shop assistant. ¡°Please proceed with the payment. ¡± The assistant nodded promptly. ¡°Certainly, sir. Let¡¯s process the payment now. ¡± Once Tyshawn settled the bill, the elegant evening gown that Lydia had worn was neatly packaged for Malvina. Approaching Tyshawn with the beautifully wrapped dress and the receipt, the shop assistant said, ¡°Sir, your payment has beenpleted, and the dress is ready. ¡± Watching Tyshawn ept the dress, Malvina nced disdainfully at Hannah. ¡°Some people shouldn¡¯t pretend to be affluent if they can¡¯t afford it. ¡± Hannah overheard her words but chose to ignore her, allowing the pair to leave the store without furtherment. ¡°She said who doesn¡¯t have money?¡± Lydia fumed. ¡°I just want to teach them a lesson. ¡± Hannah grinned knowingly. ¡°Their luck will run out soon enough. Just watch. ¡± Just then, a shop assistant approached Hannah. ¡°Boss the design for this dress has been updated. Could you take a look?¡± Hannah took the tablet from her, reviewed the dress design, and made a few adjustments. ¡°Looks good. Tell them to hurry with the production. I want it in two days. Double their pay and bonuses. ¡± ¡°Of course, Boss. I¡¯ll notify the design team immediately. ¡± Lydia¡¯s frustration eased a bit at the news. ¡°Thank goodness you own this ce. I¡¯d be furious if that $50 million went elsewhere. ¡± Hannah chuckled.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°I made a neat $5 million profit. Let¡¯s celebrate with lunch. It¡¯s on me. ¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s a fancy meal for me. ¡± As they left the shop, Hannah¡¯s gaze flickered towards a corner. Two women remained seated, but the person reading a magazine had vanished. Hannah frowned. ¡°Dotson, did you notice anything odd in the shop just now?¡± ¡°Miss Moore, when those two left, someone followed them out after a while. Looks like they¡¯re tailing them. ¡± Hannah paused briefly. She didn¡¯t want to bother with bystanders; the person wasn¡¯t after them anyway. ¡°Let¡¯s head to the car. ¡± Meanwhile, Tyshawn and Malvina reached the underground parking lot. They hopped into the car, but as Tyshawn started the engine, they heard a thud. Chapter 1492 Startled, Malvina grabbed her seatbelt. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Tyshawn reassured her. ¡°I¡¯ll check it out. Stay here. ¡± Stepping out, he inspected the car and quickly realized the issue. Three tires were t. He felt a wave of frustration wash over him as he stared at the deted tire. Despite all the money he¡¯d spent, he hadn¡¯t managed to defeat Hannah today. In a fit of anger, he kicked the t tire. Malvina, noticing his action, swiftly exited the car. ¡°What¡¯s going on¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Tyshawn let out a gut-wrenching scream, copsing to the ground in agony. Startled, Malvina rushed to his side, her heart pounding with fear. ¡°Tyshawn. What happened?¡± ¡°My leg¡­ It¡¯s my leg. ¡± Malvina bent down, her gaze catching a long silver nail embedded in Tyshawn¡¯s shin, blood trickling down onto the pavement. She couldn¡¯t help but cry out in shock. ¡°Oh my God!¡± Before they could react, three masked figures emerged from the shadows, closing in on them with menacing intent. Realizing the danger, Malvina¡¯s instinct was to flee, to seek refuge in the safety of the car. If only she could quickly hop onto the driver¡¯s seat and screech away. But it was toote. As her hand reached for the door handle, a sharp whoosh sliced through the air. An arrow whizzed past, grazing her arm and shattering the car window. ¡°Ahhh! Ahhh!¡± Her grip on the car door loosened and she squealed in a moment of terror. Pain shot through Malvina¡¯s arm as she recoiled, blood gushing from the wound. ¡°Help! Somebody help!¡± Even in her panic, she tried to assert her authority. ¡°Do you know who I am? Do you know who he is? You¡¯ll regret this if you harm us!¡± The leader, his voice low and menacing, aimed his air gun at her. ¡°We know exactly who you are. And what we want¡­ is your life.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± ¡°Ahhh!¡± Malvina screamed, shielding her face as the gunman took aim. Chapter 1493 The leader pulled the trigger, but the shot veered off, hitting the car instead. Bang! The tter of the gun hitting the ground drew Malvina¡¯s attention. In the distance, she saw Hannah kick the weapon away and coldly pin down one of the assants. The other two assantsy unconscious, thanks to Dotson¡¯s intervention. Looking at Malvina like a fool, Lydia interjected, ¡°Why are you ordering us around? Hannah just saved you!¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Cut the crap. ¡± Ignoring thement, Malvina maintained hermanding tone. ¡°Help us, now!¡± Hannah exchanged a nce with Dotson before meeting Malvina¡¯s gaze with a cool detachment. ¡°Whether you live or die is no concern of mine. ¡± While dragging two unconscious individuals, Dotson disappeared into the distance. Hannah gazed down at the man beneath her boot, noting his Lingering consciousness. Pressing down on his neck, she demanded, ¡°Who sent you?¡± Despite the pressure, he managed a defiant chuckle, ring up at Hannah¡¯s icy stare. ¡°You won¡¯t get anything from me,¡± he rasped. With that, he twisted his head sharply, letting out a final gasp before his body went Limp. Hannah¡¯s expression darkened. She knelt beside him to check if the man was still breathing. Had he just taken his own life? From afar, Malvina witnessed the scene and screamed, ¡°Murderer! I saw what happened! I¡¯m calling the police. You¡¯ve killed him!¡± Hannah shot to her feet, her re sharp as she retorted, ¡°Keep quiet, or I¡¯ll make sure you can¡¯t make any more trouble. ¡± Ignoring Malvina¡¯s escting panic, Hannah muttered, ¡°I should¡¯ve stayed out of this. It¡¯s none of my business if you die here. ¡± Even though Malvina was about to break down in fear, she figured that Hanna wouldn¡¯t dare to do anything to her. Thus, she raised her voice and said, ¡°There are security cameras all over! The police will see everything. You can¡¯t get away with murder!¡± Hannah dismissed Malvina¡¯s threat with a scoff, turning her attention away from the nonsensical usations. Lydia, regaining herposure, approached Hannah. ¡°We¡¯rew-abiding people. There¡¯s nothing for us to gain by killing anyone. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother arguing, Lydia. Let¡¯s just go. ¡± Hannah dialed Bryson¡¯s number as she and Lydia made their way to where they had parked the car. As they walked away, Malvina mustered her strength and hoisted the unconscious Tyshawn from the ground. ¡°Why won¡¯t you help him? Are you just going to let him die like that?¡± she screamed desperately. Chapter 1494 Despite Malvina¡¯s cries echoing behind them, Hannah acted as if she didn¡¯t hear a thing. Soon, Bryson picked up the phone. ¡°What happened?¡± he inquired immediately. Surprised by his direct approach, Hannah hesitated before responding, ¡°Can¡¯t I just call you without a reason?¡± ¡°Given the tension between us, I assume you wouldn¡¯t call unless it¡¯s important,¡± he replied. Hannah paused for a moment, deciding not to refute his statement. ¡°You¡¯re right.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. I¡¯m actually in a bit of a situation here,¡± she admitted. She briefly exined the recent events to Bryson, then added, ¡°You know Officer Stevenson, could you get in touch with him for me? I need his assistance with what just urred. ¡± Bryson was silent for a moment after hearing her ount. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying Tyshawn¡¯s fiancee was nearly killed today?¡± he finally said. ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah replied tersely. ¡°But I have reasons to believe the real target was me. ¡± Bryson¡¯s tone deepened with concern. ¡°What makes you so sure?¡± Hannah exined, ¡°I ran into her at the mall earlier today, and she was loudly iming her ties to the Compton family. I noticed someone watching us closely while we were inside the store, and that suspicious attention vanished the moment she left. But since I didn¡¯t think I was their target initially, I didn¡¯t give it much attention. Now, running into them again in the parking lot under such circumstances¡­¡± Hannah stopped in her tracks and added, ¡°That¡¯s too much of a coincidence. It doesn¡¯t feel right. Moreover, the assassins were efficient and seemed determined to eliminate all evidence. It¡¯s clear they were professionally trained, likely from abroad. ¡± After hearing her statement, Bryson asked, ¡°If it¡¯s Amelie¡¯s doing, how could her people have mistaken Malvina for you?¡± Hannah was puzzled by that too. ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet. Dotson managed to subdue two of the attackers, but I¡¯m not certain they¡¯re still alive. ¡± She requested, ¡°Please have Officer Stevenson head to the underground parking lot to handle the situation. ¡± ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll ring him up right away. You should leave there now,¡± said Bryson. ¡°Thanks. ¡± Thereafter, Hannah ended the call, leading Lydia back to where her car was parked. Upon their arrival, they saw Dotson leaning against the vehicle, with two lifeless bodies slumped against the wall nearby. Dotson straightened up, his expression tense as he met Hannah¡¯s gaze. ¡°Sorry, Boss. I wasn¡¯t vignt enough, and they ended up killing themselves right in front of me. This is on me. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. ¡± Hannah dismissed the apology with a quick nce at the deceased. Chapter 1495 ¡°I¡¯ve contacted someone to deal with it. The guy over there is dead too. Let¡¯s get in the car. ¡± She drove swiftly out of the parking lot, and only as they emerged into the sunlight did Lydia exhale deeply, relieved to be alive. Lydia clutched Hannah¡¯s arm tightly from the back seat. ¡°Hannah, what just happened? I was terrified!¡± Hannah nced down, her voice somber as she replied, ¡°It¡¯s probably what I mentioned on the phone. Though, I¡¯m not entirely sure. ¡± She then turned to meet Lydia¡¯s eyes. ¡°Staying close to me isn¡¯t safe right now, Lydia. Better if you don¡¯t visit me again before the banquet, okay?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s face creased with worry.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Will you be okay on your own?¡± A faint smile crossed Hannah¡¯s lips. ¡°This isn¡¯t new to me. I¡¯m safer here than out there, so no need to fret over me. We will take you home now. Let¡¯s just keep in touch over the phone. ¡± Nodding with understanding, Lydia responded, ¡°Got it! And remember, call me if you need anything at all!¡± ¡°I will, don¡¯t worry. ¡± After dropping Lydia off at her home, Dotson and Hannah drove off. As they drove, Dotson broke the silence. ¡°Boss, those thugs were definitely after you. I¡¯ve alerted Dn through the Dark Web; he¡¯s on it now. ¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Hannah murmured, rubbing her temple. Had Malvina not lied, she could have been the actual target. Letting Malvina chase after such a perilous title seemed just fine to Hannah. Hannah¡¯s face turned grim. She wasn¡¯t obligated to stop someone who¡¯d willingly throw themselves under the bus for her. Hannah checked the time, then instructed Dotson, ¡°Let¡¯s head to the school. I need to pick up Grace. ¡± ¡°Right away, Boss!¡± They soon pulled up at the school gate, just as sses were ending. Hannah dialed another number on her phone. Elsewhere, in a vi, Trent was interrupted at dinner by his buzzing phone. ncing at the disy, he muttered, ¡°A call from Hannah?¡± Keith couldn¡¯t contain himself. ¡°Answer it! And put it on speaker!¡± Without hesitation, Trent responded to the call, ¡°Hannah? How are things with you?¡± ¡°Not bad,¡± Hannah replied tly. Then, she asked, ¡°Amelie should have been released from the police station and back with the Compton family by now, right?¡± Chapter 1496 Trent hesitated, sensing theplexity of the situation. ¡°Well¡­ it¡¯s not exactly that simple. ¡± ¡°Yeah, so? I¡¯m still gonna tell her. ¡± Keith grabbed the phone. ¡°Hannah! She was bailed out the day you returned to Cadilind, but she never came here after that!¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows. ¡°Wait, she hasn¡¯te back since then? What happened?¡± Keith replied, ¡°How could she have the audacity toe back? She brought trouble upon two young masters of the six major families. Father showed leniency for the sake of the Chadwich family, which was already quite generous. ¡± Trent took his phone back and calmly told Hannah, ¡°Don¡¯t pay attention to Keith¡¯s words, Because of you, the Jade Paradise lost its profitable ways, and the Bloody Gang disbanded. The Chadwich family now harbored resentment towards our father. But¡­ Father refuses to make amends to the Chadwich family, which is why Amelie hasn¡¯t returned yet. Currently, tensions between the Compton and Chadwich families are high. ¡± This revtion surprised Hannah. She had believed that Wace had insisted she returns to Cadilind partly to protect her from Amelie¡¯s vengeance and partly to ease tensions with the Chadwich family. She hadn¡¯t anticipated his firm stance against the Chadwich family. Hannah shook her head, clearing her thoughts. ¡°With all this going on, I almost forgot to ask about what truly matters. Amelie hasn¡¯t returned to the Compton household recently. Have you noticed any of her movements?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been closely monitoring Amelie¡¯s activities due to concerns about potential trouble,¡± Trent said. ¡°However, she hasn¡¯t made any moves from yesterday until now. After returning to the Chadwich home, she hasn¡¯t been seen outside. ¡± Certain matters didn¡¯t necessitate Amelie¡¯s direct involvement. Hannah nodded in understanding. ¡°What about Joselyn? Have you noticed any unusual behavior from her?¡± ¡°Her?¡± Trent thought for a moment. ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be anything unusual. Since returning from Remington¡¯s manor, she seems to have kept out of trouble. ¡± It appeared that there was nothing new or significant to gather from their responses. ¡°I see. I¡¯ll let you know if anythinges up. I¡¯m hanging up now,¡± Hannah said indifferently. ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Keith hurriedly interjected. ¡°Hannah, you¡¯ve asked us a lot this time. Is something going on in Cadilind?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t want to cause unnecessary concern and simply replied, ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. I just called to rify something. Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s gettingte there, you should rest early.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± After ending the call, Keith and Trent exchanged nces across the dining table. Keith started, ¡°It seems Hannah is keeping something from us since she returned to Cadilind. ¡± ¡°I agree. ¡± Trent added, ¡°It¡¯s odd that she suddenly asked about that woman. ¡± After a moment of silence, Keith suggested, ¡°Wasn¡¯t Dotson with Hannah when she went back? Maybe I should ask him. He must know what¡¯s going on if he¡¯s with her!¡± Chapter 1497 ¡°Good idea, find a time to talk to him.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Meanwhile, after hanging up the phone, Hannah leaned against her car in silence. Noticing students exiting the school in the distance, Dotson turned to Hannah and said, ¡°Boss, looks like the school¡¯s out. ¡± Hannah nced towards the school gate and instructed Dotson, ¡°Go greet Grace at the school gate. ¡± ¡°Right away. ¡± Dotson exited the car and crossed the street to meet Grace at the school gate. Barely had he exited the car when two individuals approached Hannah¡¯s car window. One of them Lightly tapped on the ss beside where Hannah sat and inquired, ¡°Excuse me, may I speak with you?¡± The young man outside the window was neatly attired and spoke with courtesy. Hannah lowered the window, her gaze icy as she regarded them. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°Hello, Miss Moore. ¡± The man presented Hannah with a business card. ¡°Our young master learned of your return to Cadilind and wishes to arrange a meeting. ¡± epting the card, Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. The first person to seek her out upon her return was Merlin Garza? Though she had encountered Merlin only once before, the memory of him Lingered. She encountered him during an incident with Edwin, where she inadvertently found herself on an upper floor and discovered him in a wheelchair. Holding the business card, Hannah fell silent. The Garza family harbored a long-standing grudge against her and had kept tabs on her even before she departed the country. Hannah remained uncertain of Merlin¡¯s motives for seeking herpany. However¡­ She recalled how Merlin had facilitated Edwin¡¯s release during theirst encounter. ¡°Miss Moore?¡± The individual outside observed as Hannah examined the business card. He spoke again. ¡°May I inquire if you¡¯re avable to meet with Master Merlin?¡± Returning the business card, Hannah replied, ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with Mr. Garza. What is the purpose of the meeting?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a private matter, not suitable for discussion here. ¡± Chapter 1498 Hannah smirked coldly at the person outside the car and replied, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m unavable. ¡± The individual maintained a polite smile, seeming unsurprised by Hannah¡¯s response. He remainedposed outside the car, stating calmly, ¡°Miss Moore, as our note indicated, we respectfully request your presence. But¡­ If you choose not to cooperate, we may need to consider alternative, less courteous actions. ¡± ¡°What specific uncivil actions are you contemting?¡± Hannah¡¯s tone chilled, her stare at the individual outside turned icy. ¡°Are you suggesting abduction?¡± Before the person outside could reply, a dagger, of moderate Length, was already at his throat. Dotson, returning with Grace, also overheard the end of their conversation. He was ustomed to handling matters directly overseas, without hesitation! The dagger hovered a mere inch from the man¡¯s throat. With a subtle movement of Dotson¡¯s hand, it could cleanly sever his throat! The person behind him moved to intervene but was halted by a gesture from him. Even with a de at his throat, his demeanor remainedposed. ¡°Miss Moore, our approach was intended to be polite. Was that truly necessary?¡± Hannah sneered, ¡°Just moments ago, you threatened me with impolite actions if I refused toply. I don¡¯t yield to threats. Since you prefer rudeness, I¡¯ll start. ¡± With those words, Dotson¡¯s de made contact with the man¡¯s throat. Hannah narrowed her eyes slightly, observing the scene with detached interest. Despite this, the man remainedposed, maintaining his smile. ¡°I apologize for my earlier presumption, Miss Moore. Nevertheless, Master Merlin is eager to meet you. I hope you¡¯ll reconsider. ¡± Hannah turned away, her tone icy. ¡°I want no involvement with the Garza family. Regardless of Mr. Garza¡¯s intentions, I won¡¯t apany you. ¡± After expressing his regret, the man refrained from further insistence, stating, ¡°I apologize for upsetting you today, Miss Moore, and I will not trouble you again. ¡± Stepping back cautiously to avoid the de, he inclined his head slightly, ¡°Please give my request your consideration. ¡± Hannah responded icily, ¡°Next time, I won¡¯t show any mercy!¡± After she said that, the group instinctively stepped back, widening the gap between them and the car. Noticing their reluctance to approach, Dotson firmly shielded Grace as they climbed into the vehicle. With a swift motion, he swung open the driver¡¯s door, slid behind the wheel, and revved the engine, propelling the car forward with a determined push of the elerator. As the car disappeared into the distance, the man outside maintained his stoic expression. He quickly dialed a number, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone. ¡°Master Merlin, just so you know, Miss Moore declined the invitation.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡± ¡°Okay, no problem. ¡± The voice on the other end soundedposed. ¡°We¡¯ll catch her another time. Come back for now. ¡± Chapter 1499 ¡°Alright, Master Merlin. ¡± In the racing car, Grace upied the backseat, her face etched with worry. Gripping Hannah¡¯s hand, she asked, ¡°Hannah. What was up with those people outside? Were they troubling you? Should I tell my brother?¡± Hannah reached out, gently patting Grace¡¯s head. ¡°It¡¯s all good; don¡¯t stress. No need to involve your brother. They weren¡¯t causing trouble; I just said no to their invitation. ¡± Grace remained skeptical. ¡°They didn¡¯t look exactly like they were inviting you.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah reassured her. ¡°Trust me; it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll keep you safe. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not scared!¡± Grace held onto Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯m worried about you, Hannah. I know of your capabilities. Even if my brother never talks about them, I¡¯ve heard bits from Lydia about your adventures abroad. It sounded risky. I¡¯m worried evening back won¡¯t bring peace. ¡± Hannah tousled Grace¡¯s hair gently. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Just focus on school. ¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Hannah hesitated. ¡°I can handle things, and you don¡¯t need to worry. ¡± Then she turned to Dotson. ¡°Dotson, while I¡¯m here, you¡¯re in charge of ensuring Grace¡¯s safety. You¡¯ll be the one driving her around. ¡± Dotson, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, reassured Hannah. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss! I¡¯ll make sure nothing happens to this youngdy, even if it means putting my life on the Line!¡± ¡°Who said anything about sacrificing your life!¡± Hannah replied irritably. ¡°With those people showing up when we picked up Grace, I¡¯m worried they might try something sneaky since I turned down their invitation. Just keep a close eye on Grace¡¯s movements. They wouldn¡¯t dare do anything obvious to her; I¡¯m just afraid she might fall for their tricks. ¡± Grace blinked innocently. ¡°Me? Fall for tricks? I¡¯m not that naive!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about you being naive; it¡¯s about me being concerned for you!¡± Hannah said gently. They returned to the vi that evening. At the dinner table, Hannah, not feeling hungry, only picked at her food. ¡°You go ahead and eat; I¡¯m not very hungry. I¡¯ll head upstairs. ¡± Watching Hannah disappear upstairs, Edwin cast a nce at her nearly untouched meal. His eyes then turned to Dotson and Grace. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her? She barely ate, and she looked upset. ¡± Grace, holding her bowl, shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s because of what happened when she came to pick me up, but it¡¯s bothering Hannah. ¡± When he heard her words, his expression sharpened. ¡°What happened?¡± After giving Edwin a quick rundown of the afternoon¡¯s events, Grace set down her fork. ¡°Hannah must be worried about it. ¡± Edwin mmed his hand on the table. ¡°How dare they! Forcing someone to ept an invitation?¡± ¡°Easy there,¡± Jalen interjected, staying calm despite his worry. ¡°Did you find out who¡¯s behind this invitation to Hannah?¡± Chapter 1500 ALL of a sudden, Dotson chimed in. ¡°I may not have heard what they were saying, but I definitely caught something. ¡± He paused, cing his fork down carefully, his gaze fixed on Jalen ¡°I spotted the name ¡®Garza¡¯ on the business card he handed my boss. ¡± ¡°yhat? Garza?¡± Jalen and Edwin eximed simultaneously. Edwin¡¯s voice sounded urgent. ¡°Someone from the Garza family, you say?¡± Dotson shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with this Garza person, but the boss seemed on edge about them. ¡± ¡°That settles it!¡± Edwin took a deep breath, his appetite evaporating instantly. ¡°I need a moment alone. You guys go ahead and eat.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡± Without waiting for a reply, Edwin rose swiftly, his face drained of color as he hurried upstairs. Perplexed by Edwin¡¯s sudden departure, Dotson and Grace turned to Jalen. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± they asked. Jalen shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it; let¡¯s just eat. ¡± Then he cast a worried nce upstairs. Meanwhile, in her room, Hannah flung her phone onto the bedside table and copsed onto the bed. It seemed like trouble followed her everywhere. Sinking into the cozy bed, Hannah closed her eyes, reying the events from the underground parking lot in her mind. If that woman hadn¡¯t stirred up trouble, none of this would have happened. The attackers didn¡¯t seem to recognize her. Could they really be working for Amelie? And encountering someone from the Garza family today-could they be connected? Hannah buried her face in the pillow, took a deep breath, and pushed away her own thoughts. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. ¡± The people sent by the Garza family to abduct her before had targeted her instantly; they wouldn¡¯t randomly attack someone else, would they? While Hannah was lost in her thoughts, her phone suddenly buzzed on the bedside table. Snatching up the phone, she nced at the screen, noting an unfamiliar number, but decided to answer it anyway. Chapter 1501 ¡°Hello?¡± A flick of a lighter sounded on the other end, followed by a man¡¯s voice. ¡°Miss Moore, I didn¡¯t expect our next chat to involve a crime. ¡± Recognizing the voice, Hannah replied, ¡°Officer Stevenson, you don¡¯t waste any time, do you?¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± On the other end, Alfredo took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly, a bitter smile on his face. ¡°If we were any slower, this could¡¯ve turned into a mess. You always find trouble, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah chuckled. ¡°I prefer to see it as acting bravely this time. Instead of a bravery medal, I get a scolding from you, Officer Stevenson?¡± Alfredoughed. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it like that. Don¡¯t goining to Bryson about me. Ignoring thement, Hannah continued, ¡°Trouble seems to have a knack for finding me; I don¡¯t have to go looking for it. ¡± ¡°So, what have you gotten from the three of them?¡± Hannah asked. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°They took drugs that were forbidden, but something about this situation isn¡¯t right,¡± Officer Stevenson mused, his tone betraying his unease. His face was etched with concern as he scrutinized the folder in front of him. Equally perplexed, she leaned forward and queried, ¡°What¡¯s strange about this, Officer Stevenson?¡± ¡°I was informed by our forensic team that this drug was once used in medicine. But, it was banned because it was so powerful, and it hasn¡¯t been seen for quite a while. Here in our city, we keep a tight hold on banned substances, so how could these three have this drug in their system?¡± Hannah weighed the information for a moment before she responded, ¡°The answer is simple. They must have taken the drugs before entering the country. ¡± Officer Stevenson, however, shook his head in disagreement. ¡°We¡¯ve looked into it, and there¡¯s no record of theming into the country. ¡± Hannah¡¯s face remained stoic. ¡°People like this have all sorts of sneaky ways to slip into a country, all for the purpose of hiding who hired them. ¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Officer Stevenson¡¯s frustration was palpable over the phone. ¡°These guys are real bad news! Don¡¯t you worry, we¡¯ll investigate this to the fullest extent of thew. ¡± However, Hannah was unfazed. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t surprise me if you don¡¯t find anything. The less we know about their identities, the more I¡¯m certain they¡¯re connected to outside powers. ¡± Her eyes shone with a steely determination. Officer Stevenson leaned back, bringing his cigarette to his lips and releasing a plume of smoke as he spoke with a serious tone. ¡°Miss Moore, I must warn you that the trouble you¡¯re dealing with now is much more serious than anything you¡¯ve encountered before. You¡¯re not just dealing with regr folks here,¡± he said gravely, the cigarette dangling from his lips. ¡°Whatever it is you¡¯ve done, Miss Moore, you¡¯ve got these people riled up, and it¡¯s clear they¡¯re not ying nice. As a police officer, and as a friend of Bryson, let me warn you. Making deals with the devil is no joke. ¡± ¡°I know the risks, Officer Stevenson, but sometimes you have to take the bad with the good in business,¡± Hannah said thoughtfully. With a sudden burst ofughter, she teased Officer Stevenson, ¡°Even now, you can¡¯t help but lecture me on thew, Officer Stevenson?¡± He chuckled in response. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s in our job description. ¡± Hannah took a deep breath, shaking her head at his persistence. ¡°I won¡¯t break thew, Officer Stevenson,¡± she assured him. ¡°But if I¡¯m pushed into a corner, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do. ¡± Hannah¡¯s words hung in the air for a moment before Officer Stevenson responded. ¡°Rx, Miss Moore. Their deaths have been taken care of. The files have been sealed, and you¡¯re in the clear. ¡± Chapter 1502 He hesitated, his voice taking on a somber tone. ¡°There¡¯s another issue, though. The Mitchell family has filed a report. Their young master has been hospitalized, and they¡¯re iming you killed someone, demanding the police arrest you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s tone turned icy. ¡°If you had bothered to check the surveince footage from the underground parking lot, you¡¯d have seen that we saved her life. ¡± She shook her head in disbelief. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for us, she¡¯d be dead by now. We shouldn¡¯t have saved her. ¡± Officer Stevenson took a deep breath, the weight of Hannah¡¯s words bearing down on him. ¡°For now, I¡¯ve suppressed this issue, but if the Mitchells stir up more trouble, it¡¯ll be difficult to keep it under wraps. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed in determination.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure she doesn¡¯t talk. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, you said yourself you wouldn¡¯t engage in illegal activity!¡± Officer Stevenson protested. ¡°Rx, I¡¯m not going to sew her mouth shut,¡± Hannah shot back, a cold smile on her lips. ¡°I was speaking figuratively, Officer Stevenson. Don¡¯t get your panties in a twist. ¡± ¡°Who knows what you might do?¡± he said, his voice sharp with warning. ¡°You and Bryson have both shown that you¡¯re capable of anything. ¡± ¡°With your high moral standards, Officer Stevenson, why would you befriend people you consider crazy? Is it because the Mitchell family holds so much power in Valmere that even you can¡¯t resist their bribes?¡± Officer Stevenson let out a dismissive chuckle. ¡°You underestimate me, Miss Moore. If you have no further questions, I¡¯ll hang up now. I have other cases to handle. ¡± ¡°Fine. I have no more questions,¡± Hannah said. She hung up the phone, her face a mask of concentration as she considered her next move. Officer Stevenson¡¯s words confirmed what Hannah already suspected-those people were definitely from outside. Her mind raced, but there was no time to waste. She massaged her temples, trying to put the puzzle pieces of this case into ce. Just as she was about to dive deeper into her thoughts, there was a soft knock at the door, like a distant echo. The interruption jolted her attention back to the present. With her voice clear and confident, she said, beckoning the visitor to enter, ¡°Come in. ¡± Creak! The door inched open, revealing a familiar face, Edwin¡¯s. ¡°Hannah,¡± he said tentatively, as if unsure of his wee. Hannah¡¯s Lips curved into a small smile. ¡°Come on, you don¡¯t need to tiptoe around me. What¡¯s going on?¡± Edwin, a tall but unassuming figure, stepped into the room. He looked uneasy, but settled into a seat when Hannah gestured for him to do so. ¡°Hannah, do you have a moment?¡± Despite the passage of time and the many changes he¡¯d undergone, in Hannah¡¯s presence, Edwin was still the same. Chapter 1503 ¡°Hannah,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He settled himself on a stool, his unease palpable as he struggled to find the right words. She set her phone aside, her expression bing one of concern. ¡°Come on, Edwin. Just tell me what¡¯s bothering you. ¡± ¡°I was wondering¡­¡± he began, his voiceced with a hint of apprehension. ¡°Did she¡­ Did Jenny from the Garza family cause trouble for you again because of me?¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Mentioning Jenny¡¯s name stirred something in him, something unpleasant. The mere thought of her brought back memories of the gathering, a nightmarish event that had scarred him physically and emotionally. He¡¯d avoided women ever since. ¡°No. Not at all,¡± Hannah replied, her voice level and reassuring. Relief washed over Edwin¡¯s face, and yet, he remained visibly shaken. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay. ¡± His voice trembled with emotion, his words weighed down by the memory of what had happened. Edwin¡¯s gaze darted nervously towards Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re sure it wasn¡¯t her?¡± he asked again. His voice was heavy with apprehension and worry. Hannah tapped her finger against the bedside table, an eyebrow raised. ¡°Would I lie to you?¡± ¡°No, of course not. It¡¯s good that it wasn¡¯t her. ¡± Edwin let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders sagging with relief. ¡°If not Jenny, then why would the Garza family be after you?¡± Hannah¡¯s smile was thin, barely there. ¡°It¡¯s a long story, one I¡¯d rather not go into. ¡± Edwin¡¯s trust in Hannah wavered as he sensed her brush-off. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t joke with me,¡± he said, his voice tight with hurt. Hannah looked away, her face a mask of indifference. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about things that aren¡¯t your concern. ¡± Then, changing the subject, she gave him a rare smile, one that didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°I saw thepany¡¯s financial report forst month. You¡¯re managing things well, and your profits are good. ¡± At the mention of hispany, Edwin heaved a sigh, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ¡°Hannah, if I¡¯d known being responsible was such a pain, I¡¯d have stayed home and lived the life of a prodigal son! Partying was more my style, after all. ¡± Hannah¡¯s handshed out, striking him on the head. ¡°Ouch!¡± he cried out, rubbing his head with a wounded expression. ¡°Hannah, why?¡± Hannah nced at him dismissively, ¡°Is that all you aspire to?¡± Chapter 1504 ¡°You know how I am,¡± Edwinmented, hanging his head. ¡°After taking over thepany, I finally understood the struggles Jalen faced when our grandfather was ill. ¡± He looked up at Hannah with genuine admiration. ¡°And I finally realized your decisive actions during that time were truly remarkable! ALL those old shareholders in thepany are so crafty. ¡± A hint of frustration crept into his voice. ¡°I feel powerless against them. ¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows, recalling Edwin¡¯s initialints about thepany when she first went abroad. ¡°Have you dealt with Dexter yet?¡± she asked. Edwin grimaced. ¡°Don¡¯t mention him. He¡¯s in league with those old shareholders. It takes serious skill to maintain power around here. ¡± He sighed deeply, leaning on the table with a intive look. ¡°Hannah, maybe you shoulde back and take charge. ¡± ¡°What would you do if I never return?¡± Hannah challenged. Edwin was visibly startled by her words, his expression freezing momentarily. ¡°Are you leaving ast will or something?¡± he asked, blinking rapidly. ¡°What are you talking about?!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Hannah delivered another smack to his head! Thud! The sound reverberated through the room, louder than before. Edwin instinctively held his head, cheeks flushing red. ¡°Hannah, are you serious?!¡± Hannah red at him icily. ¡°That¡¯s what you get for spouting nonsense. Think before you speak next time. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Hannah!¡± Edwin whimpered, tears welling in his eyes as he nursed his throbbing head. ¡°It¡¯s not my fault. Your words were too misleading. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have misunderstood¡­¡± Arms crossed, Hannah continued to stare him down. ¡°What I mean is, I won¡¯t be able to help forever. What¡¯s your n for the future?¡± I need to figure it out,¡± Edwin stammered, scratching his head. ¡°Dexter¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes lowered, a faint murmur escaping her lips. ¡°What mischief has he stirred up now?¡± Edwin¡¯s expression darkened visibly at the mention of Dexter, clearly pissed off by the man¡¯s offenses. Edwin seethed, clenching his fists. ¡°It¡¯s bad enough he¡¯s taking kickbacks! Remember that time he brought in that problematic partnership? If I hadn¡¯t caught wind of it, we¡¯d have lost a significant amount of money! And then he had the nerve to act like it was all justified. He probably thought because of my position in the White family, I wouldn¡¯t make a fuss if nothing catastrophic happened. ¡± Edwin¡¯s fist mmed onto the table, his chest rising and falling with each breath. ¡°And now he¡¯s in cahoots with those old-timers, and I feel powerless to stop him! Recently, he¡¯s been pushing boundaries even further. I heard whispers that he¡¯s plotting to team up with Tyshawn from the Mitchell family. He¡¯s not risking his own money; instead, he ns to usepany funds to strike a deal with the Mitchells. If it works, he stands to gain a lot; if it fails, he walks away unscathed. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed with understanding. ¡°So he¡¯s exploiting the group¡¯s resources for personal gain?¡± Edwin nodded grimly. ¡°Exactly. I¡¯m aware of it all, but technically, it¡¯s not embezzlement. And I have no clue how much he¡¯s pocketing from those kickbacks. I feel utterly trapped!¡± Chapter 1505 He clenched his fists tighter. ¡°I¡¯m powerless to act against Dexter. ¡± Hannah¡¯s lip curled into a sneer. ¡°He¡¯s trying to outwit the White family. Let¡¯s see how far his cunning takes him. ¡± Beside her, Edwin¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Do you have a n, Hannah?¡± Hannah shook her head slightly. ¡°No need to rush. The trap isn¡¯t ready. We¡¯ll wait until he steps right into it. ¡± She nced up at Edwin. ¡°Anything else?¡± Edwin scratched his head. What was he here for again? He blinked, remembering his purpose. ¡°Hannah, if the Garza family gives you any trouble, leave it to me. I¡¯ll handle it. ¡± He pounded his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of Jenny Garza!¡± Hannah didn¡¯t say anything, just waved him off, telling him to leave. Obediently, Edwin rose and exited, closing the door behind him with a soft click.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Hannah sat perched on the bed, her fingers drumming a light rhythm on the edge of the bedside table. ¡®s BunnyBookery The room had fallen intoplete silence, and she couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. Her gaze shifted towards the window. ¡°Are you nning to stay glued to the window sill forever? Should I kick you out?¡± In a swift motion, a figure slipped into the room through the window. Hannah couldn¡¯t help roll her eyes at this habitual entrance. ¡°This isn¡¯t the Compton estate, you know. You could use the door like a regr person. No one¡¯s going to call the cops on you. ¡± It surprised her how someone d in a suit could be so agile. Bryson leaned casually against the wall. ¡°Trouble with the Garza family again?¡± It was evident Bryson had been listening to their conversation for more than a moment. Hannah sighed, slightly annoyed. ¡°Do you enjoy eavesdropping, Mr. Mitchell? It¡¯s bing rather¡­ unsettling. ¡± ¡°Do you want me to handle it?¡± Bryson asked, ignoring her yful jab. Intervene with the Garzas? Hannah shook her head. ¡°Not yet. They haven¡¯t made a move; it¡¯s not the right time. ¡± ¡°Why haven¡¯t you returned to Valmere yet? Take advantage of Tyshawn¡¯s absence while you can. You should go back and assert control over the Mitchell Group. ¡± It was evident Bryson had little interest in the Mitchell Group now. Chapter 1506 He walked over and sat beside Hannah, looking pensive. Hannah turned to him, noticing a shadow over him. His mood seemed off today. She ced a gentle hand on his shoulder. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± It was as if Bryson snapped out of his trance when Hannah¡¯s hand touched his shoulder. He turned towards her, their faces close, his eyes studying her features. His hand lifted to trace the contours of Hannah¡¯s face. ¡°You really¡­¡± Hannah noticed a hint of sadness in Bryson¡¯s eyes, leaving her puzzled. She hadn¡¯t seen him so vulnerable in a while.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! When did this change begin? Was it during his recent illness? His ¡°second personality¡± appeared suddenly, altering his usual demeanor. He now disyed more emotional depth, causing Hannah to question her earlier diagnosis of him. Was this ¡°second personality¡± genuine? Though his actions seemed symptomatic at first nce, something felt subtly different. Hannah¡¯s thoughts were interrupted as Bryson¡¯s handsome face drew closer. His voice was low and distinctive near her ear. ¡°What are you daydreaming about?¡± Hannah was about to speak when Bryson¡¯s ki*s stopped her words in their tracks. Initially rmed, she resisted him briefly before relenting. As Hannah sank into the soft bed, she felt dizzy. Bryson¡¯s advances overwhelmed her, and partway through, she began to cry softly. Muffled sobs broke through her restraint. Hannah hastily covered her mouth with her hand, closing her eyes and turning her head aside. The man gripped her waist firmly, showing no signs of easing his hold. The intense encounter gradually blurred Hannah¡¯s senses, and soft moans slipped through her fingers. Her gaze was unfocused as Bryson leaned over, brushing her hair from her face and scrutinizing her closely. Chapter 1507 His expression grew stern. He gently pinched Hannah¡¯s cheek, forcing her to look at him. ¡°Hannah. ¡± His voice snapped her back to the moment. She felt weak in her waist and legs,pletely vulnerable to the man before her. Bryson drew nearer, his intense gaze locked on hers. ¡°Do you love me?¡± Overwhelmed by the pleasure, she struggled to form words. Distracted, she whispered, ¡°Yes, I¡­ I do¡­¡± Bryson paused, satisfied with her response, and intensified his movements.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°Ha¡­ Ah!¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t hold back, so she screamed and gripped Bryson¡¯s back tightly with her fingers. The man above seemed unaffected by the pain and nestled his face into her neck. He repeated his question softly, insistently, as if needing affirmation. ¡°Do you love me?¡± ¡°Do you love me?¡± ¡°Do you love me?¡± His repeated questions, like an unexpected downpour, filled Hannah¡¯s ears. At that moment, Hannah found it impossible to concentrate on Bryson¡¯s questioning. Suddenly, a knock resounded at the door! Knock! Knock! Knock! The sound startled Hannah from her trance, causing her to tighten her grip on Bryson¡¯s shoulder in shock. Bryson let out a low groan and looked up, his face a mask of restraint. ¡°Who¡­ Who is it?¡± Hannah did her best to sound normal, trying to keep her voice steady. Outside the door, Jalen asked with concern, ¡°Are you alright? I heard a noise from your room. Is everything alright?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah responded quickly. ¡°I just bumped into the corner of the table. It¡¯s nothing serious!¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good. Try to get some sleep,¡± Jalen advised from behind the door, his worry evident. Chapter 1508 ¡°Got it. ¡± After a lingering silence outside the door, Hannah remained tense. Bryson gently squeezed her cheek with his warm fingers. His voice was a bit rough, but his eyes and smile had a yful sparkle.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t be so tense. You¡¯re holding on too tight. It hurts,¡± he teased. Boom! It felt like fireworks exploded in Hannah¡¯s head. Her cheeks, already flushed, deepened to a vivid red as if they might burst! She clearly grasped the hidden meaning in Bryson¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯ll be happier if you suffer more pain!¡± she eximed. Hannah turned her head away and gripped Bryson¡¯s shoulder tightly. ¡°If you try any tricks on me again, I will. ¡± Before she could finish speaking, Bryson kept thrusting forcefully, not letting her say another word! After a long and eventful night, Bryson helped Hannah to the shower, and she drifted off to sleep, utterly worn out. Now dressed and tidy, Bryson emerged from the bathroom and sat at the edge of the bed, watching the sleeping woman. Water dripped from his hair as he softly traced Hannah¡¯s cheek with his fingers, his eyes brimming with gentle affection. Buzz¡ª Suddenly, Bryson¡¯s phone vibrated, snapping him out of his moment of tenderness. He answered the phone with a nk expression, saying, ¡°Go ahead, talk. ¡± ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve finished checking. Even though it was long ago, what Maryam imed is true. In the few years before your mother passed, the head of the Compton family really did travel to Cadilind frequently. ¡± Bryson¡¯s hand tightened into a fist, and his expression turned cold. ¡°Keep digging. I want to know everything that woman knows!¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Caleb quickly replied. After ending the call, Bryson¡¯s hand, still clutching the phone, turned a shade paler. His gaze settled once more on Hannah¡¯s peaceful face. ¡°What should I do?¡± Bryson whispered to himself. Chapter 1509 He had a wild and surprising idea in his mind! But if his suspicions were wrong, what else could it be? With this thought, Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed. He raised his hand to his temple as a throbbing pain started to build. Careful not to wake Hannah, he stood up shakily and moved towards the window. Opening the window let in a st of cold air, instantly easing his headache. Bryson¡¯s thoughts were all over the ce, like pieces slipping through his fingers. Finally, he nced at Hannah and disappeared into the growing Light of the night. Hannah felt as if she had slept for an eternity. Shezily opened her eyes, slowly sitting up after feeling dazed. The soreness in her waist and back filled her with difort. She looked around the room. Bryson, that jerk! He must have sneaked off while she was asleep! Hannah grew even more frustrated. Why did she always have to be at his mercy? Hannah ran her fingers through her hair, muttering angrily, ¡°Bryson! You¡¯d better stay away for a while! Or else, I swear I¡¯ll kick you twice!¡± After getting ready, Hannah checked her phone and saw it was already 10:30 AM. She noticed five missed calls, all from Maloney. Stepping outside, Hannah dialed back as she walked. Maloney answered quickly, ¡°You¡¯re always hard to reach. Decided to pick up atst?¡± ¡°I was asleep and had my phone on silent. What¡¯s up?¡± Hannah asked. ¡°What do you think? We came to Cadilind this time to talk business, right?¡± Maloney responded. Hannah asked, ¡°But wasn¡¯t that deal set for early next month? Has the schedule changed?¡± Meanwhile, Maloney was enjoying the sun on the beach, clinking sses with others. ¡°No, it¡¯s a different opportunity. It seems like a safe investment with guaranteed returns. Interested in hearing more about it Maloney proposed. ¡± ¡°Safe investment with guaranteed returns?¡± Hannah was puzzled and said, ¡°What sort of business is it?¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Maloney exined, ¡°It involves some new technologies and products in the biomedical field. They seem promising. You know more about this stuff than I do. Could you take a look at it?¡± Chapter 1510 ¡°Biomedical medicine?¡± Hannah sounded confused. ¡°Is the Pierce family involved in biomedical medicine now?¡± She recalled that the Pierce family¡¯s business was predominantly in finance, focusing on investment banking and equity funds. She wondered how they had branched into a partnership with a biomedicalpany. Maloney¡¯s voice,ced with amusement, came through the phone, saying, ¡°The pharmaceutical sector could be a promising direction. It¡¯s wise to start early. Plus, even if I¡¯m out of my depth, I have you to assess the project and determine if it¡¯s worth pursuing. ¡± Hannah was silent for a moment; she hadn¡¯t been very busy since her recent return anyway. Then there was Bryson¡­Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Her thoughts briefly lingered on him; he had seemed unusualst night, and she pondered what might have urred. Hannah shook her head as she held the phone, not wanting to deal with that awful man! After having her and not saying a word, he just ran away! The more she thought about it, the more enraged she became, biting her lip in frustration and resolving to confront him if they crossed paths again! After a lengthy pause with no reply from Hannah, Maloney pulled the phone from his ear to check if the call had ended. Realizing it was still connected, he brought the phone back to his ear and asked, ¡°Are you listening?¡± ¡°Tam. ¡± Snapping back to reality, Hannah responded calmly, ¡°No, I won¡¯t attend. This is your deal to discuss. I don¡¯t want to get involved. ¡± Anticipating Hannah¡¯s refusal, Maloney nced at a woman nearby, his lips curled slightly. ¡°There¡¯s another matter here that might pique your interest. ¡± Hannah was skeptical. ¡°Usually when you say something will interest me, it means you¡¯re scheming to get me involved, right?¡± Maloney¡¯s tone turned slightly hurt. ¡°You¡¯re misunderstanding me. I¡¯m serious. You¡¯ll regret noting. ¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Indifferently, Hannah said, ¡°Then¡­ you¡¯ll just have to wait for my regret. ¡± Seeing that she wasn¡¯t budging, Maloney clicked his tongue. ¡°You¡¯re the expert on biomedical stuff; why not give me a hand?¡± Still on the phone, Hannah responded, ¡°If I¡¯m helping, it¡¯s not going to be for free. ¡± ¡°Of course, that¡¯s no problem,¡± Maloney replied. ¡°If you help me assess the project, I¡¯ll give you twenty percent of the profits. ¡± His generous offer seemed to lift Hannah¡¯s spirits slightly. ¡°Alright, should I head over right now?¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Maloney checked the time and said, ¡°I¡¯ll be around for a few more days. The surroundings here are lovely. Call me when you arrive, and I¡¯ll pick you up. ¡± Lovely surroundings? Chapter 1511 Hannah pondered quietly, then said, ¡°Okay, I understand. ¡± After ending the call, she received a text from Maloney. Fragrant Sea Resort. Why was he discussing business in such a ce? Hannah frowned silently. Nevertheless, she put it aside, turned off her phone after a moment of thought, and then went downstairs to have breakfast, which brightened her mood. At this time, except for the servants, everyone else in the house was out and busy. Rxed, Hannah walked over to the living room sofa and sat down. Having just returned to the country, she needed to check in with Ro and the others. She sent a message to Ro to let him know she was back home safely, and almost instantly, he called her. She smiled and answered, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be in ss right now? How do you have time to call me?¡± Ro stepped outside with his phone after closing the door behind him. ¡°Today is ab day.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. I just finished my experiment and saw your message. My legs have healed. Thank you for connecting me with Professor Campbell. Otherwise¡­ I could¡¯ve been in a wheelchair forever. ¡± Hannah was pleasantly surprised by Ro¡¯s recovery. ¡°Saul hasn¡¯t updated me yet. So, your legs arepletely healed?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Ro replied calmly, ¡°Professor Campbell has finished all my rehabilitation sessions. Professor Campbell said my legs are just like anyone else¡¯s now, no issues, and I¡¯ve been really good with the treatment. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes lit up with happiness. ¡°It seems I made the right call, sending you to Saul!¡± Ro¡¯s voice was steady, saying, ¡°I¡¯m now considered one of Professor Campbell¡¯s students. He thinks I have a knack for medicine. I¡¯ve been thinking, and I want to pursue a career in medicine. I want to study medicine just Like you. ¡± Hannah was surprised by Ro¡¯s decision and then smiled. ¡°The medical path is a challenging one. I must warn you. So, be prepared not to give up halfway. ¡± ¡°I won¡¯t!¡± Ro¡¯s voice was strong, saying, ¡°The path you¡¯ve chosen is the one I stand behind! I¡¯ll dedicate myself to studying medicine and ensure I don¡¯t disappoint Professor Campbell or you. ¡± Ro had matured significantly in just a few months, and Hannah felt immense pride. ¡°That¡¯s great. I have faith in you. ¡± After discussing his future, Ro hesitated before asking, ¡°Hannah, have you wrapped up everything overseas? Can you stay here now?¡± Hannah¡¯s tone softened. ¡°No. I¡¯m only back to handle some business. Once I¡¯ve sorted everything out here, I¡¯ll have to return. ¡± Ro pondered before replying, ¡°I¡¯ve met those people just once, and I could tell they¡¯re tough to handle. Hannah, you¡¯ve been dealing with them for a long time overseas, everything has been okay, right?¡± Reflecting on her time abroad, Hannah shook her head and smiled. ¡°As long as I¡¯m still breathing, I don¡¯t consider it real trouble. ¡± At her words, Ro hesitated and said, ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t make jokes at a time like this. If it¡¯s too dangerous, maybe you shouldn¡¯t go back. ¡± ¡°I have to. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was soft yet decisive. ¡°I originally went abroad to find out what happened to Bryson. Surprisingly, I found myself with the Compton family, and there¡¯s more to my mother¡¯s death. I won¡¯t rest until I find out the truth!¡± Chapter 1512 Sensing the determination in Hannah¡¯s voice, Ro didn¡¯t try to persuade her further and switched topics to lighten the mood. ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t mention it again. If you¡¯ve got a moment before you go, how about we grab some food together?¡± Hannah¡¯s mood lightened and said, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll make sure to find time for that. ¡± After she hung up, Hannah felt Like all her energy had vanished. She leaned on the sofa, not feeling like moving at all. Her mind wanted to shut off. She had hopeding home would be rxing, yetplications kept arising! So, Hannah spent the afternoon doing nothing in the vi¡¯s Living room. Hannah and Dotson went to pick up Grace. Returning to the vi, Grace stepped out of the car and nced at Hannah, who remained inside. ¡°Are you noting out, Hannah?¡± Hannah turned to her with a smile and said, ¡°I still have some things to take care of; you go ahead. Oh, and please tell Jalen that I won¡¯t be home for dinner tonight. Tell them not to wait for me. ¡± Grace nodded obediently outside, shut the car door, and said, ¡°I understand, Hannah. Be safe on the road, ande back soon!¡± Hannah waved her hand inside the car, and then Dotson started the car and drove off. Once they had exited the vi area, Dotson finally broke the silence, saying, ¡°Boss, is there a mission?¡± Hannah dipped her head to text Dotson the location, instructing him, ¡°Drive there. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± Upon receiving the address, Dotson activated the navigation and steered the vehicle towards the Fragrant Sea Resort. The resorty quite a distance from the bustling city center, and even with Dotson driving fast, it still took them nearly an hour to reach their destination. Upon their arrival, the sun was on the verge of dipping below the distant mountain peaks. The descending sun bathed the sky in a golden hue, casting a breathtaking disy of twilight across the clouds, which danced gently in the breeze, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the resort emanated a tranquil atmosphere that swiftly calmed their minds. After Hannah mentioned Maloney¡¯s name, the security at the gate swiftly granted them ess, allowing their car to glide smoothly onto the premises. When Dotson parked the car, Hannah called Maloney, who answered immediately, ¡°Have you arrived?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m in the parking lot. Where are you? I¡¯lle find you. ¡± ¡°I¡¯lle fetch you.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. I¡¯ll be there shortly. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah stepped out of the car. She was greeted by a rush of fresh air tinged with the fragrance of earth and foliage, which instantly eased her tension. Dotson followed suit, taking in the surroundings with a curious gaze. Chapter 1513 Their parking spoty diagonally opposite a grand fountain adorned with a graceful sculpture of a woman holding a vase. Water cascaded from the vase, filling the pool below and giving the illusion that the sculpture was gracefully floating on the water. Beside them, the fountain danced with changing water patterns, its gentle trickle providing a distant serenade. As they stepped into the courtyard, ancient buildings greeted them, each boasting the charming elegance of traditional Chinese architecture. ¡°What¡¯s the task, Boss?¡± Dotson asked, his curiosity peeking through. Hannah shook her head. ¡°You are always focused on tasks. There is nothing for you to do here in Cadilind. Just rx. Maloney called me and mentioned a coboration he wanted me to check out, so I decided to bring you along. ¡± ¡°Oh, got it. ¡± Dotson nodded, visibly rxing. Maloney emerged by the fountain and approached Hannah. He said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll lead you to your amodations. ¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to review the contract?¡± ¡°There is no rush. We have a dinner nned for tonight. We will discuss everything then. ¡± They trailed after Maloney to their amodations at the resort, which sported a sleek, modern design that starkly contrasted with the ancient vibe of the surroundings. Approaching the front desk, Maloney requested, ¡°Two more rooms, please. ¡± ¡°Of course, sir,¡± replied the attendant with a nod. After receiving the room keys, Maloney led them to the twelfth floor. When they arrived, Maloney used the room card to unlock the door and push it open. The room overlooked a lush forest, boasting expansive floor-to- ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views. Maloney inserted the room card into its slot and turned to Hannah with a grin. ¡°Well, what do you think? I have ensured both rooms are identical. Are they to your liking?¡± Hannah hadn¡¯t brought it up, but as she walked into the room and surveyed her surroundings, she turned to Maloney and asked, ¡°Weren¡¯t we supposed to discuss a coboration? Why do I need to stay overnight?¡± ¡°It¡¯s already seven o¡¯clock. By the time we finish dinner and get down to business, it will be around nine or ten. Do you really want to drive back with Dotson at that hour?¡± Hannah paused, mulling over his words in silence. ¡°I have already sorted everything out.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worried,¡± Hannah said, shooting him an indifferent nce. ¡°I¡¯m just curious about what¡¯s so interesting. ¡± Maloney adopted a coy demeanor as he sat on the sofa. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a guess?¡± Chapter 1514 Hannah¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m in the mood for games?¡± Noticing that she was in low spirits, Maloney looked at her with concern. ¡°Miss Moore, did Mr. Mitchell get under your skin again?¡± Suddenly, Hannah¡¯s stare sharpened, cutting through the air Like a de. ¡°Are you trying to read my mind now?¡± Maloney chuckled. ¡°Looks like I hit the nail on the head, huh?¡± Weary of his banter, Hannah rose to her feet. ¡°If there is no serious business, I¡¯ll ask Dotson to drive me back. ¡± ¡°Hey, why are you always in a rush?¡± Maloney extended his arm to block her exit, a spark of interest dancing in his eyes. ¡°I bumped into the daughter of the Compton family here. ¡± Hannah furrowed her brow. ¡°Which Compton family?¡± Lounging on the sofa, Maloney raised an eyebrow. ¡°Which other Compton family we know?¡± His words triggered a sudden realization in Hannah, deepening her frown as a foreboding feeling crept in. ¡°Who exactly are you cooperating with today?¡± Maloney shrugged casually. ¡°I¡¯m cooperating with someone from the Mitchell Group, that big shot¡­ What¡¯s his name¡­¡± He tapped his forehead, then met Hannah¡¯s gaze. ¡°Ah, right, Tyshawn. He is the CEO of the Mitchell Group now.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah felt the urge to ask Maloney if he had lost his mind. She turned around and approached Maloney. ¡°Correct me if I¡¯m wrong, but aren¡¯t you cooperating with Bryson? And now you are looking to strike a deal with Tyshawn. What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s somewhat uncontroble expression, Maloney felt a mischievous urge to tease her. ¡°Nobody explicitly said it wasn¡¯t allowed, right? I¡¯m cooperating with Bryson and Tyshawn. They are all from the Mitchell Group. What¡¯s the problem?¡± Detecting the hint of amusement in Maloney¡¯s eyes, Hannah simply nodded. ¡°Fine. Who you choose to partner with is your business, not mine. ¡±¡±¡±¡±¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this,¡± Hannah said coldly, her tone final. ¡°I¡¯m Leaving. ¡± Seeing that she was about to leave, Maloney¡¯s smile faltered momentarily. Only someone as unyielding as Hannah could handle him. Rising to his feet, Maloney moved to intercept her. ¡°Hold on. I¡¯m not joking. Don¡¯t go just yet!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s have a serious discussion,¡± he urged. ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious to meet the person who has been impersonating you?¡± Hannah looked at him with a frosty nce. ¡°I have already met her. ¡± ¡°yihat?¡± Chapter 1515 Maloney sounded taken aback. ¡°How did you meet her?¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t be bothered with exining the intricacies of the situation. ¡°Enough of this nonsense. I¡¯m leaving. ¡± ¡°Just wait a moment,¡± Maloney implored. ¡°You might not be interested in her, but what about a business deal with a 20% profit margin? It wasn¡¯t Tyshawn who reached out to me initially. I only found out they were from the Mitchell Group when I arrived here to discuss the cooperating.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± He continued, ¡°But their biotech project¡­ I reviewed it. It has great promise. I can¡¯t just walk away from it, can I?¡± Hannah took a deep breath, her gaze reflecting a mix of emotions as she looked at Maloney. ¡°Do you know the Mitchell Group well?¡± Maloney replied, ¡°I can¡¯t im familiarity with them, but my acquaintance with the Mitchell Group blossomed during my coboration with Bryson. ¡± Hannah quipped, ¡°Since you¡¯ve acquainted yourself, you must be aware of the Mitchell Group¡¯s focus on financial and real estate ventures, right?¡± Maloney affirmed, ¡°Indeed, that¡¯s my understanding. ¡± ¡°So, why dip your toes into a biopharmaceutical endeavor without a seasoned team or prior experience? What prompted you to consider partnering with them?¡± Hannah¡¯s inquiry prompted a moment of contemtion from Maloney before he replied, ¡°Initially, I was unaware it was a Mitchell Group undertaking. I perceived the project as viable, only discovering its Mitchell originster. It appeared trustworthy, so I didn¡¯t scrutinize it much. ¡± Hannah gave him a skeptical nce and said, ¡°I wonder how the Pierce family managed to expand their business. ¡± Offended by Hannah¡¯s sarcasm, Maloney retorted, ¡°Are you doubting my project selection skills?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not doubting; I¡¯m reaffirming. Exining much, yetprehension seems elusive,¡± Hannah remarked bluntly. ¡°Tyshawn merely serves as a figurehead. Without Bryson, the Mitchell family¡¯s ascent wouldn¡¯t be possible. A venture uncharted, coupled with Tyshawn the fool-this doesn¡¯t strike me as a favorable proposition. ¡± Hesitation crept over Maloney upon hearing Hannah¡¯s words. Just as he prepared to respond, a voice broke the silence nearby. ¡°Mr. Pierce! There you are! Our boss grew anxious during your prolonged absence and dispatched me to check on you. ¡± A dashing young man hastened towards them, his gaze alternating between Maloney and Hannah in confusion. ¡°And who might this be?¡± Maloney said, ¡°This is the individual I¡¯ve enlisted to aid in negotiations. ¡± The man extended a cordial greeting to Hannah: ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Mr. Tyshawn Mitchell¡¯s assistant. ¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s nod, the man swiftly led the way. ¡°Let¡¯s proceed. The boss has reserved a high-end restaurant nearby and awaits your arrival. ¡± Maloney¡¯s previous uncertainty dissolved as he turned to Hannah and said, ¡°We¡¯re here already; shall we proceed?¡± Though hesitant to encounter anyone associated with the Mitchell family, Hannah couldn¡¯t ignore Maloney¡¯s gesture. Moreover, if he foolishly inked a deal with Tyshawn, who knew what repercussions awaited? Hannah nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± The high-end restaurant perched above a meandering brook, its ambiance enhanced by the evening breeze and gentle murmurs of the water. Chapter 1516 Reserved by Tyshawn for the asion, only a handful of Mitchell Group members upied the premises upon their arrival. Malvina, previously engaged in conversation with Tyshawn, was visibly tensed at Hannah¡¯s approach! ¡°Why is she here?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s gaze shifted towards the approaching figure, a hint of surprise flickering before his brows furrowed. Spotting this woman, his injured leg throbbed anew, a reminder of a wound not too severe but still irksome! Such humiliation was unprecedented for Tyshawn! His bandaged leg bore witness to his difort, adding to his displeasure. As Maloney and Hannah neared the dining table, Maloney greeted them with a smile and said, ¡°Apologies for our tardiness, Mr. Mitchell. I trust it¡¯s not an inconvenience. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Tyshawn remained seated, his disdainful gaze sweeping over Hannah. ¡°So, Mr. Pierce, are you acquainted with her too?¡± Maloney, with a smile, turned to Hannah and asked, ¡°Is there an issue with that?¡± At that moment, Malvina, clinging to Tyshawn¡¯s arm, interjected hastily, ¡°Mr. Pierce, don¡¯t be misled by her! She¡¯s callous and indifferent, she¡¯s hardly a virtuous person! Don¡¯t be deceived by appearances, Mr. Pierce!¡± Hannah smirked coolly. ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ll take that as apliment. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Flushed with anger, Malvina found herself frustrated by Hannah¡¯s misinterpretation of her words. Maloney graciously pulled out a chair beside him for Hannah and said, ¡°I understand her better than you, naturally. ¡± ¡°You have no clue! This woman, she¡­ Hiss!¡± Emotions running high, Tyshawn aggravated his leg wound, eliciting a wince of pain. ¡°Thest encounter, not only did she attempt to steal from Malvina, but during the time when we were assaulted in the parking lot, she feigned ignorance!¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow. ¡°If I had truly ignored it, we wouldn¡¯t be here conversing now. ¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Gazing at the faint scar on Malvina¡¯s cheek, Hannah¡¯s eyes gleamed with a cold edge. ¡°Had it not been for me, your injury would¡¯ve been more than a mere scr@pe. ¡± Shaken by Hannah¡¯s words, Malvina trembled, memories of the parking lot altercation flooding back. Biting her Lip, her indignation palpable, she said, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you drive us to the hospital when I requested it back then?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not your guardian, why should I save you only to be bossed around?¡± Hannah taunted with a raised brow, ¡°You¡¯re still alive, aren¡¯t you? Sitting here in one piece. ¡± Tyshawn attempted to rise, only to be supported by his assistant. ¡°Careful, boss!¡± Chapter 1517 Incensed by Hannah¡¯s presence, Tyshawn¡¯s chest heaved as he red at Maloney. ¡°Mr. Pierce, observe! Her true colors emerge!¡± Seated next to Hannah, Maloney¡¯s smile remained unwavering: ¡°She¡¯s always been straightforward; I understand her. ¡± Straightforward, he said?! Tyshawn cursed inwardly, refraining from overt displeasure to maintain the partnership with Maloney. Baffled by Hannah¡¯s closeness to Maloney, Tyshawn simmered with frustration. Convinced that Hannah had seduced Bryson during their initial encounter, he now suspected her of employing simr tactics on Maloney. Although harboring such thoughts, Tyshawn¡¯s irritation grew, and his gaze fixed on Hannah. Never having sumbed to his charms, she remained an enigma, leaving him to wonder what set him apart. She hadn¡¯t even attempted to ensnare him, and yet he longed to assert dominance over her. Noticing Tyshawn¡¯s disdainful stare, Maloney lifted his ss to his lips, his voice murmuring, ¡°Looks like she¡¯s caught your interest. ¡± Such a malevolent gaze only chilled Hannah¡¯s demeanor further, her tone was ominouslyposed. ¡°If you don¡¯t value your eyes, I¡¯ll pluck them out for you!¡± Malvina shifted her gaze toward Tyshawn, noting his fixed stare at Hannah and instantly souring her expression. However, unwilling to lose face, she directed a re at Hannah. ¡°How would you know he was looking at you if you weren¡¯t peeking at Tyshawn yourself? Who¡¯s to say you weren¡¯t sneaking nces at him she retorted. ¡± At that moment, Tyshawn also snapped out of his reverie, averting his gaze and echoing Malvina¡¯s question, ¡°When was I even looking at you?¡± ¡°Ha,¡± Hannah scoffed icily, her tone sharp but subdued. ¡°He who stared at me earlier may find himself tumbling into the brookter. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Tyshawn was left speechless by Hannah¡¯seback.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Stepping in at the opportune moment, Maloney intervened, ¡°Hannah, no matter the circumstances, Mr. Mitchell is here to discuss business with us. Please maintain a more courteous demeanor. ¡± Straightening his suit as if regaining control, Tyshawn red at Hannah. ¡°Just because Mr. Pierce brought you here, don¡¯t assume you hold any significant status! We all know your true purpose for being here, so drop the pretense!¡± Clutching Tyshawn¡¯s arm, Malvina mocked, ¡°Even if you¡¯ve managed to waltz into this dinner with Mr. Pierce, your status remains Leagues apart from ours; you realize that yourself. ¡± With a slightly squinted gaze and an enduring smile, Maloney questioned, ¡°How exactly is her status different from ours?¡± Unaware and arrogant, Tyshawn persisted in exposing Hannah. ¡°She was nothing but a pawn sold to the Edwards family for marriage before she wed her way up bytching onto our family. And now, after seducing men from our family, she¡¯s eyeing you, Mr. Pierce, you¡¯ve been ensnared by her!¡± Hannah¡¯s expression remained impassive, as if listening to someone else¡¯s tale, offering no reaction. Intrigued, Maloney nodded, turning to Hannah. ¡°No wonder you mentioned this deal wouldn¡¯t be worthwhile; it seems it involves two fools. My mistake. ¡± Chapter 1518 Reacting swiftly to Maloney¡¯s words, Tyshawn frowned deeply. ¡°Mr. Pierce, what exactly do you mean by that?¡± Remainingposed and smiling, Maloney replied, ¡°If you¡¯re intent on besmirching my fiancee¡¯s name, do you think there¡¯s any need to continue discussing cooperation?¡± ¡°Fiancee?!¡± Tyshawn incredulously turned to Hannah and asked, ¡°How could she possibly be your fiancee?! Hannah, are you juggling two men at the same time?¡± Nearly consumed by jealousy, Malvina, who had been silent, found herself incredulous! How could this woman ascen d to the Pierce family¡¯s ranks? Word had it that the Pierce family¡¯s overseas ventures were even more formidable than the Mitchells¡¯ domestic ones. Biting her lip and stealing a nce at Tyshawn, Malvina¡¯s heart raced! Hannah, with a sly grin, dered, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m juggling two men at the same time, and I¡¯m quite content with it; what about it?¡± A scientist in ab coat, sensing the tense atmosphere, rose to intervene. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, Mr.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Pierce! We¡¯re all gathered here for business; let¡¯s not allow a misunderstanding to spoil it!¡± ¡°This project is a rare opportunity, and Mr. Pierce had great expectations for it; let¡¯s not allow this issue to derail our coboration!¡± Two other scientists joined in, attempting to mediate. Realizing the deal could secure nearly $800 million in financing from the Pierce family, Tyshawn didn¡¯t want to miss out. ¡®s BunnyBookery Gritting his teeth, Tyshawn conceded, ¡°It was my fault. Let¡¯s apologize to Miss Moore; they¡¯re right, we shouldn¡¯t let this deal slip away over a trivial matter!¡± Maloney, turning to Hannah, asked, ¡°What do you think, Hannah?¡± ¡°Let it be, I¡¯m not one for petty squabbles. Business is business,¡± Hannah replied. Though Tyshawn clenched his teeth, it seemed he had yed into her hands! Observing Maloney¡¯s willingness to stay, the scientists urged Tyshawn¡¯s assistant to provide a series of reports and research findings for review. epting the documents, Maloney barely nced at them before passing them over to Hannah. ¡°Take a look, I¡¯m no expert in this. ¡± About to mock Hannah for herck of understanding, Tyshawn refrained, considering the recent altercation, and impatiently stayed silent. Hannah skimmed through the research findings and reports, then queried, ¡°Where are the experimental data?¡± The scientists exchanged nces, with the lead scientist offering an excuse: ¡°This drug is fully developed and ready for market use, no experimental data is necessary. ¡± ¡°No need for data?¡± Hannah nearly chuckled, meeting the scientists¡® gazes. ¡°Your drug purportedly regenerates cells and eradicates cancer cells. A potent drug indeed, but have you conducted any trials? Where are the trial results?¡± Chapter 1519 Feeling challenged, the scientists deliberated on their response while Tyshawn interjected. ¡°Miss Moore, if youck understanding, refrain from questioning. Biomedicine falls within their purview, not yours. Why bother with so many questions, pretending to understand when these are the true professionals? They¡¯ve ced their trust in the Mitchell Group!¡± Trust in the Mitchell Group? Hannah regarded Tyshawn with disdain, considering him the easiest to deceive. Clearing his throat, a scientist addressed Hannah, ¡°Miss, our drug employs cutting-edge technology and is overseen by the esteemed Professor Saul Campbell; it¡¯s aprehensive technology-no room for doubt. ¡± Their evasion signaled a reluctance to delve into substantive scientific discourse. Hannah studied the report in her hands, finding it seemingly legitimate, albeit devoid of supporting data. This report resonated with her past experiences, having delved into the same matter while assisting Saul. However, that drug she recalled wasn¡¯t ideal and was unsuitable for medicinal application, as they posed potential harm to humans at different levels. Perusing the report, Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed increasingly, it bore a striking resemnce to the experiment she had encountered before. Impatient, Tyshawn tapped the table. ¡°Are you done? Have you seen enough?¡± Hannah finally set aside the documents, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve seen all I need to see. ¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s sign the contract. ¡± Tyshawn gestured casually. ¡°Mr. Pierce, rest assured, this drug will bring us both wealth. ¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Whether it would indeed prove lucrative remained uncertain, Hannah thought sarcastically. Taking such a semi-finished product to market, only divine intervention could avert disaster. Not one to be fooled, Maloney, noting Hannah¡¯s skeptical expression, opened the contract, scanned it briefly, then closed it. Setting aside the pen and the contract, he remarked, ¡°I believe our coboration warrants further consideration. ¡± The scientists¡¯ expressions shifted upon hearing this, while Tyshawn¡¯s demeanor turned grim. ¡°Mr. Pierce, are you going back on your word?¡± Maloney reclined in his chair, his demeanor unaltered. ¡°Going back on my word? Initially, I did think the project had potential, but when did I ever explicitlymit to working with you?¡± His tone remained level, yet his presence seemed slightly altered. ¡°Coboration is a mutual agreement, isn¡¯t it? Mr. Mitchell, it seems you¡¯re trying to coerce a partnership. ¡± Beside Tyshawn, Malvina chimed in with a hint of usation, ¡°Mr. Pierce, we¡¯ve treated you with considerable hospitality, yet you reject our coboration outright?¡± As she spoke, her eyes cast a scornful nce toward Hannah. ¡°Mr. Pierce, surely as a mature businessman, you aren¡¯t letting a woman¡¯s opinions sway your decision-making, are you?¡± Maloney countered with a dismissive smirk, ¡°In the realm of business, decisions aren¡¯t influenced by gender; rather, they are driven bypetence. It¡¯s fascinating, you undermine women, yet here you are yourself. What¡¯s your role then?¡± His tone was dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Are you merely for decoration?¡± His words cut sharply through the air, prompting Hannah to raise her eyebrows in acknowledgment of Maloney¡¯s increasingly pointed remarks. Chapter 1520 This remark Left Malvina infuriated. ¡°Do you realize who supports me? How dare you address me in such a manner!¡± ¡°Who exactly is behind you?¡± Maloney asked, his interest barely piqued. ¡°Is it the Lyons family you boasted about earlier, or perhaps you¡¯re iming to be the lost heir of the Compton family?¡± Malvina retorted with a huff, ¡°Good, at least you¡¯re aware. Don¡¯t assume that the Pierce family¡¯s international clout extends here! You¡¯ve just made an enemy of the Compton family. I¡¯ll make sure my father hears about this, and trust me, the Pierces will regret crossing us!¡± Her bravado was almostedic, and Maloney could barely contain hisughter. He now understood why Hannah didn¡¯t lift a finger in exposing her. With something this amusing, there was no sense in spoiling the fun out of exposing her. Buoyed by Malvina¡¯s deration, Tyshawn wore a self-satisfied smirk. ¡°Oh, really?¡± Maloney questioned with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Our family has long-standing ties with the Comptons. When exactly did they acquire a daughter Like you?¡± A flicker of doubt crossed Tyshawn¡¯s face as he observed the exchange. Malvina¡¯s confidence wavered momentarily, and there was a sh of uncertainty in her eyes. ¡®s BunnyBookery However, she quickly masked her panic with bravado, convinced Maloney was merely bluffing. Sneering, she retorted, ¡°I wasn¡¯t aware my father had any connections with the Pierce family!¡± Her defiant statement momentarily quieted the room, even Tyshawn who was not the sharpest tool in the shed, sensed a discrepancy. Puzzled, he turned to her and countered, ¡°Malvina, shouldn¡¯t the five major ns be well-acquainted with each other?¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Malvina¡¯s confidence wavered visibly as she hastily improvised an exnation. ¡°What I meant to say was that¡­ I¡¯ve only recently reconnected with the Compton family. I haven¡¯t yet had the chance to meet anyone from the Pierce family. My father is closely allied with the Lyons family; they¡¯ve taken me in as a goddaughter, which is how I came to know them. ¡± Her justification sounded stretched, but Tyshawn, ever gullible, epted her words without suspicion. Tyshawn faced Maloney and defended Malvina. ¡°Mr. Pierce, it¡¯s not her fault that you two haven¡¯t met. That¡¯s on you. ¡± Before Maloney could respond, Hannah subtly pressed his wrist under the table, signaling him to hold back. She quickly stated, ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the matter at hand-the potential coboration. We need not delve into the intricacies of her family connections. ¡± Frustrated by her statement, Tyshawn countered, ¡°Mr. Pierce, this biopharmaceutical venture is a golden opportunity. Are you sure you want to dismiss it so Lightly?¡± The attending scientists eyed Maloney intently, awaiting his decision. In a deliberate move, Maloney stood up and dered, ¡°I¡¯ve got more than enough projects at the moment, and my fiancee¡¯s reservations about this one are enough for me to step back. We¡¯ll pass on this coboration. ¡± Hannah stood alongside him, and together, they prepared to Leave. ¡°Mr. Pierce, mark my words: you¡¯re going to regret this!¡± Tyshawn blurted out with bitterness evident in his tone. ¡°This meeting was supposed to solidify our families¡¯ coboration. It¡¯s unfortunate it turned out this way! You¡¯ll be footing the bill for today¡¯s meeting!¡± Maloney and Hannah ignored his parting shot and descended from the lofty restaurant. Chapter 1521 Below them, the antique pavilion sat quietly under the night sky, the gentle breeze diffusing the day¡¯s tensions. Choosing not to venture further, Hannah settled by the pavilion, resting her head in her hands while she admired the moonlight dancing on the river¡¯s surface. ¡°This is all your fault, Hannah. Not only have I lost a project, but I also have to foot the entire bill,¡± Maloney jested. ¡°Are you going to pay half of that bill?¡± he added. Absorbed in the tranquil scene, Hannah didn¡¯t bother to look his way as she retorted, ¡°Tens of thousands for the bill versus the potential hundreds of millions for the project-consider which loss is greater. Missing out on this deal might actually be a blessing in disguise. Who knows, it might have led to entanglement in a legal mess someday. ¡± Maloney¡¯s expression mirrored his surprise as he eximed, ¡°Seriously? It¡¯s that bad?¡± Hannah replied with a hint of frustration, ¡°I kept quiet earlier, but honestly, Tyshawn¡¯s naivety in believing such deceit doesn¡¯t affect me. ¡± She leaned in slightly and continued, ¡°The patent and research they showcased aren¡¯t entirely bogus, but the product is far fromplete. And besides¡­ I believe it¡¯s stolen from ab I¡¯m familiar with. ¡± Maloney was taken aback by the severity of Hannah¡¯s im. ¡°Stolen?¡± he repeated in a voice tinged with disbelief. ¡°They¡¯re presenting an iplete, possibly illicit product so brazenly?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. ¡± Hannah kept a steady gaze at Maloney as she exined, ¡°It¡¯s designed to trap those whock expertise in the field-people like you. These unfinished and potentially fraudulent products aren¡¯t something non-specialists can easily spot. Neither the Pierce nor the Mitchell families specialize in biopharmaceuticals, so it¡¯s simple to dupe you with a well-presented but unqualified researcher. ¡± Reflecting on the earlier encounter, she added scornfully, ¡°Did you notice how the researchers woreb coats to the meeting? It¡¯s theatrical, designed to lend credibility where there is none. ¡± Maloney absorbed her words in silence, then admitted, ¡°There are indeed countless deceptions in the local market. ¡± Hannah corrected him gently yet firmly, ¡°It¡¯s a misconception to think it¡¯s just locally. In the biopharmaceutical field,cking firsthand experience can leave even a powerful family like yours vulnerable to scams, no matter the setting. ¡± Maloney shrugged. ¡°My bad for making youe all this way for nothing. But since you said this tech was stolen from someone you know, aren¡¯t you gonna do anything?¡± ¡°Obviously, I n to do something about it,¡± Hannah replied. ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s still a while away before that business meeting, I have time. ¡± Maloney nodded. ¡°Cool, I get that you¡¯re busy back in Cadilind. I¡¯ll reach out to you only if I really need to. ¡± Hearing this, Hannah snorted. ¡°You¡¯d better not if it¡¯s for this kinda stuff again. I won¡¯t be responding. ¡± Maloney helplessly replied, ¡°Okay, okay, it won¡¯t happen again. ¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. As they were about to leave, they heard footsteps upstairs. Tyshawn and his group came down the stairs. Tyshawn, looking a bit tipsy, was being held up by an assistant as he stumbled down. Seeing the two still lingered here, Tyshawn sneered, ¡°Toote for regrets! I ain¡¯t working with you no more!¡± Did he really think he was that big of a deal like everyone would be dying to work with him? Chapter 1522 Hannah and Maloney watched him leave, giving him cold stares. Walking past, Malvina adjusted her hair and nced at them. ¡°You missed your chance to make good money! It seems the Pierce family ain¡¯t all that special after all!¡± Watching her walk away, Maloney muttered, ¡°First time I¡¯ve truly despised a woman. ¡± Unnoticed, Hannah held a silver acupuncture needle. Maloney turned to her, eyeing the needle in her grasp. ¡°What are you¡­¡± Before he could finish, Hannah flicked her wrist, sending the needle flying straight into Malvina¡¯s calf! Hannah calmly ordered, ¡°Shut her trap. ¡± Her calf went numb, and she fell forward uncontrobly! In a state of panic, Malvina tried to grab onto something nearby, as anyone would in that situation! Both Hannah and Maloney watched as Malvina lunged forward, trying to grab ahold of Tyshawn but instead ended up pushing him into the river! The pathways along the shore were only bordered by ornamental bamboo railings for aesthetics. Tyshawn, caught off guard, was shoved from behind and went straight into the river without a single stumble! The assistant, almost pulled into the river by the force, was fortunate as the railing halted him and someone swiftly supported him, preventing him from suffering the same fate. Ssh! Tyshawn dove into the water, creating a big ssh! The assistant, still trembling from the close call, swiftly recognized the emergency. ¡°Help, someone¡¯s drowning! Help! There¡¯s someone in the water!¡± Malvina, frightened by her idental shove, attempted to stand but found her legs too weak to hold her up. Hannah approached, appearing to assist Malvina, but secretly removed the needle from her leg.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Malvina shook off Hannah¡¯s hand and hurried to the railing. ¡°Tyshawn, Tyshawn!¡± Tyshawn, now in the water, struggled violently, unable to cry out, surrounded by non-swimmers, forcing him to wait for resort staff toe to his aid. In that brief moment, Tyshawn¡¯s struggles in the water visibly eased. He slowly started sinking deeper into the river! The assistant watched nervously. ¡°Boss, hold on! The resort¡¯s rescue team is almost here!¡± Resort rescuers quickly arrived, and seeing the urgency, two of them plunged into the water toward Tyshawn. Chapter 1523 Before long, Tyshawn, soaked and unconscious, was pulled onto the shore. Malvina quickly knelt beside him, pretending concern. ¡°Tyshawn, are you okay? That was really scary!¡± ¡°Excuse me, please move aside, we need to perform emergency procedures on this man!¡± Tyshawn¡¯s belly bulged under his suit, suggesting he had ingested a lot of water. The rescuers approached and swiftly began the required procedures. Soon, Tyshawn coughed up water and groggily opened his eyes. Seeing him awake, Malvina shoved the rescuers aside and leaned in. ¡°Tyshawn, are you okay?¡± Initially dizzy from drinking, falling into the river had surprisingly sobered him up. After coughing twice, he yelled angrily, ¡°Who pushed me? Who tried to kill me?!¡± Malvina, overhearing, looked away awkwardly, too scared to speak. Tyshawn suddenly remembered walking past Hannah and Maloney earlier. Assuming Hannah pushed him, he sat there and angrily used, ¡°Hannah! Did you push me into the water?! Do you think I wouldn¡¯t call the police on you?¡± ¡°I must be quite skilled if you believe I could push you into the river all the way from up here. ¡± Hannah approached him alongside Maloney. The crowd parted to allow them through. Tyshawn appeared disheveled, his wet hair stered to his face, presenting a rather unsightly sight. His suit clung to his body like a soaked rag, emphasizing his less- than-ideal physique. Hannah frowned. ¡°Instead of falsely pointing fingers, you¡¯d be better off heading home and catching some shut-eye. ¡± ¡°Who else but you would dare shove me into the river?¡± Tyshawn retorted. The assistant cast a wary nce at Malvina before speaking cautiously. ¡°Boss, it¡¯s possible that Malvina inadvertently caused the incident. ¡± Tyshawn turned to Malvina beside him, disbelief evident in his expression.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Malvina?¡± With tears brimming in her eyes, Malvina looked at Tyshawn with a pitiful expression. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to¡­ I didn¡¯t intend to¡­ Perhaps I sat for too long, my legs buckled. Just as I was losing my bnce, I reached out for support, but identally pushed you instead¡­¡± Rage surged within Tyshawn, igniting his eyes with fury. He yearned to unleash his anger on Malvina, but considering her family situation, he clenched his jaw, suppressing his words, his throat searing with the exertion. Chapter 1524 Tyshawn¡¯s cheek twitched slightly. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it was an ident¡­¡± Observing Tyshawn¡¯s restraint, Maloney couldn¡¯t help but marvel. ¡°He certainly knows how to rein it in. ¡± Hannah smirked, whispering for their ears only, ¡°He thrives on challenges, and there¡¯s no shortage of obstacles ahead. ¡± Knowing that it was Malvina who pushed him into the water, Tyshawn could only hold back his anger. As he was helped to his feet, he sent a fierce re toward Hannah¡¯s direction. However, Tyshawn¡¯s appearance was far from intimidating¡ª instead, he looked a littleical. Hannah felt the sharpness of his stare. She gave him a mocking smile, riling him up. From not far away, Tyshawn¡¯s chest heaved with fury. In the end, he didn¡¯t say anything and was escorted by the resort staff to the car waiting outside. ¡°There¡¯s nothing fun here anymore. Let¡¯s go,¡± Maloney said. He and Hannah returned to the hotel where they stayed. When the receptionist saw theming over, she immediately called out to them. ¡°Sir, Ma¡¯am, excuse me. ¡± They stopped in their tracks and the receptionist continued, ¡°Mr. Mitchell said that you need to pay your room fees yourself. This gentleman¡¯s expenses yesterday, along with the two new rooms today amounted to a total of twenty-eight thousand dors. How would you like to pay?¡± Maloney sneered, ¡°He¡¯s so petty. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s a good thing he didn¡¯t charge you for the meal yesterday,¡± Hannah said casually. Then, she walked forward and handed over a ck credit card. ¡°You can charge it on my card. ¡± The receptionist took the card from Hannah and said politely, ¡°Okay, Ma¡¯am. Please wait a moment. ¡± Maloney stepped forward and leaned against the front desk. ¡°Is this what it feels like to be a sugar baby?¡± At his words, the two receptionists¡¯ gazes went to him, their eyes crinkled at the corners as they tried to stifle augh. Hannah turned to him and said, ¡°You can just transfer your share of the expenses to me. ¡± ¡°But Miss Moore, I¡¯m your¡ª¡± ¡°Finish that phrase and see what happens. Your tongue isn¡¯t of much use anyway, so I¡¯ll dispose of it. ¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Maloney cleared his throat. ¡°You¡¯re not that stingy, are you?¡± Hannah took back her card. ¡°No, actually I am. You¡¯re only realizing it now?¡± The two entered the elevator together. Maloney looked at Hannah and asked about Bryson. Chapter 1525 ¡°The Mitchell family has announced another CEO, but Bryson is keeping quiet. He hasn¡¯t made any move since he returned to Cadilind. ¡± Thinking of Bryson¡¯s uncharacteristic behavior, Hannah frowned slightly. ¡°I guess he doesn¡¯t want to involve himself in the affairs of the Mitchell Group now. He was the one who handled all their profitable domestic projects. Tyshawn, on the other hand, has been screwing up one thing after another since the 6-billion dor investment. ¡± Throwing out a guess, Maloney asked, ¡°He¡¯s not afraid that Mitchell family will be ruined?¡± ¡°Bryson¡¯s businesses are abroad. He has those projects with you as a partner, remember? Even if the Mitchell family goes bankrupt, he wouldn¡¯t be affected,¡± Hannah answered. Ding. The elevator door opened and Hannah walked out. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry. With the rtionship between the Pierces and the Comptons, I won¡¯t harm you. And you¡¯re Bryan¡¯s partner. I have no reason to deceive you. ¡± In the corridor, Dotson was smoking. Spotting the two of them he stubbed out his cigarette and walked over to them. ¡°Boss. ¡± Hannah nodded at him. ¡°The rooms are paid for. Let¡¯s just stay here for the night. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Dotson agreed. ¡°If you need anything, just knock on the door. I¡¯ll be there at any time, Boss. ¡± With that, he entered his room. Hannah then looked at Maloney. ¡°You should go back early too. I¡¯ll leave first thing in the morning, so I¡¯m not going with you. ¡± Hannah went to her room and looked out the floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, the moonlight poured down on the trees, making the Leaves shimmer and painting a quiet and serene world. Before she went to take a shower, she checked her phone. There was still no message from Bryson. This would have been unimaginable in the old days. Hannah started typing a message on the dialog box but stopped. Forget it. He hadn¡¯t even sent her a single message, Why shouldn¡¯t she do the same? She deleted all the words and then put her phone on the counter outside. Then, she went to the bathroom to take a shower. Hannah felt much better after. She flopped down on her bedzily and yed with her phone. When she opened the messaging app again, she saw that there was a message from Bryan half an hour ago. ¡°I¡¯ve been busy with thepany¡¯s affairs recently. I¡¯ll see you at the dinner party. ¡± He was probably talking about thepany he set up abroad. After reading the message, Hannah hadn¡¯t meant to reply to him. But she couldn¡¯t stop herself from sending one angry reply. ¡°I thought you had gone missing. It turns out you¡¯re perfectly fine.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± Chapter 1526 Meanwhile, Bryson was working on some files. When he heard the vibration from his phone on the desk, he lowered his head and picked it up. His eyes scanned Hannah¡¯s message, a smile curving on his lips. He could almost see the dissatisfied expression on her face. But as quickly as his smile arrived, it disappeared the next moment, his eyes bing deeper. He couldn¡¯t divulge his suspicions to Hannah before he found out the truth. ¡®s BunnyBookeryContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! What was more, as soon as he came back, Remington¡¯s men began to go after his foreign business. Remington¡¯s people had injected 6 billion dors into the Mitchell Group, but they weren¡¯t satisfied. They wanted to attack him from both sides. With a cold look in his eyes, Bryson sent a message to Hannah. ¡°Go to bed early. Good night. ¡± Hannah read Bryson¡¯s text on the other side, then threw her phone in anger. ¡°Damn you,¡± she couldn¡¯t help cursing. ¡°It¡¯s so like him to say all these vague things. ¡± Shey down on the bed and buried herself in the covers, simply ignoring the message in favor of sleep. She didn¡¯t know how long she had been sleeping when a knock suddenly came from the door. Hannah turned over in annoyance, wanting to ignore the noise and continue sleeping. However, the knocking became more urgent. She was left with no choice but to take a look. ¡°Who is it?¡± She sat abruptly and blinked her dry eyes. The whole room was still dark. Taking out her phone, she looked at the screen and checked the time. It was only 3:40 in the morning. She was already annoyed that her sleep was interrupted, and her irritation only grew after seeing the time. Hannah walked over and opened the door, her eyes sharp with a re. ¡°Who is it?¡± She never expected a flustered hotel staff and Doston to be in front of the door. When she saw them, her annoyance turned to confusion. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked. Doston had his fists clenched, looking as if he was about to get ready to kick the door open. The hotel staff moved to the other side, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw Hannahe out. ¡°Ma¡¯am, is there anyone else in the room with you?¡± she asked nervously. Frowning, Hannah turned to look at her room, then looked back to the staff. ¡°No. Why?¡± Chapter 1527 With a concerned expression, the hotel staff filled Hannah in. ¡°There¡¯s been amotion, ma¡¯am. The guests upstairs were attacked by a thief who had broken into their room. The security hurried to the scene, but the thief ran away before they arrived. We don¡¯t know where he took off, so we¡¯re checking every room.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°The guest upstairs?¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. Actually, they seem to be a couple. Fortunately, they have bodyguards with them. Otherwise, they¡¯d be in grave danger,¡± the hotel staff said, then nodded his head politely to excuse himself. ¡°If mo one broke in here, I¡¯ll go and check another room, ma¡¯am. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Yes, no one broke in. You can go ahead. ¡± The hotel staff bowed lightly at her before taking his leave. After the hotel staff left, Hannah leaned against the door frame and looked at Dotson with a serious expression. ¡°Go and find who those guests are. ¡± Dotson nodded. ¡°Okay. You can go back to sleep, boss. I¡¯ll be guarding your room, so you don¡¯t have to worry. ¡± Hannah sneered. ¡°Breaking in here is like asking for death, so good luck to that thief if he shows up here. ¡± After sending Dotson away, Hannah closed the door and strode back to the bedroom. As she neared the bed, a smile crept across her face. She wasn¡¯t sure earlier, but it seemed the thief really had a death wish. Pretending she hadn¡¯t noticed anything, Hannah climbed on the bed, covered herself with the nket, and steadied her breathing to appear sleeping. Just then, a figure came out of hiding from a corner and slowly approached the bed. In the dusky confines of the bedroom, a shadowy silhouette loomed by the bed, clutching a gleaming dagger poised towards Hannah with an eerie hush. However, the sharp tipnded on the pillow as Hannah deftly rolled over to the other side, avoiding the attack and taking the intruder by surprise. Hannah swiftly turned on thempshade on the bedside table, illuminating the room. Startled, the intruder covered his face with his arms and turned around to flee. However, Hannah was quick on her feet. Grabbing thendline phone on the bedside table, she threw the receiver at the intruder in the head. The intruder was knocked down to the floor with a loud thud. As he tried to get up, Hannah wrapped the bathrobe belt around his neck from behind, obstructing his breathing and blurring his vision. Tightening her grip on the belt, Hannah knelt behind the man and snarled, ¡°How dare you break into my room?¡± Gritting his teeth, the intruder frantically cut off the fabric around his neck with the dagger in his hand. When he seeded, he swiftly turned around and aimed the dagger at Hannah. Chapter 1528 Anticipating the intruder¡¯s next move, Hannah grabbed his wrist, twisted his arm, and shoved him face up to the floor, stopping his attack at once.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! As the intruder lost strength in his arm, the dagger slipped from his hold and fell to the floor. Pinning the intruder to the floor with her knee on his back, Hannah picked up the dagger and pressed it against his throat from behind. ¡°You think you can take me down with your inept skills? Who sent a loser like you to kill me? Speak!¡± The intruder hissed, trying to get away, but Hannah didn¡¯t give him the chance to. In a swift move, she stood up and stepped on the intruder¡¯s ankle so hard that he screamed in pain. ¡°So you can make a sound? I thought you were mute. ¡± Hannah scoffed, then let out a dramatic sigh. ¡°Killing someone isn¡¯t in my itinerary for tonight, so I¡¯ll just ask you a few questions. If you answer them honestly, I¡¯ll let you go. ¡± The intruder refused to say a word and only looked daggers at Hannah. Unfazed by the intruder¡¯s murderous re, Hannah bent down and broke his other arm without warning. ¡®s BunnyBookery The cracking sound of dislocated bones filled the room, followed by the intruders painful howl. Only then did Hannah lifted her foot on his ankle. Crossing her arms, she said, ¡°I had no choice. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll hurt me if I left you unscathed, so I broke your arms. ¡± Pulling a chair from the side, Hannah sat down before the intruder and asked coldly, ¡°Who sent you?¡± Except for his whimpers, the intruder refused to open his mouth to answer. ¡°Why are they after me?¡± Hannah continued to ask unhurriedly. The intruder only red at her. ¡°Forget it. I wanted to give you a chance, but you wouldn¡¯t take it. ¡± Hannah tapped her fingers on the chair gently, an oddity she had picked up from Bryson. Tilting her head to the side, Hannah regarded the intruder with a raised brow and said, ¡°Drop the act. I know you understand me. Did Amelie or the Garza family send you?¡± Keenly observing the intruder¡¯s expression, Hannah noted, ¡°So it¡¯s the Garzas. Let me guess. They told you I was here, but you got the wrong room, so you missed the perfect opportunity to finish me off. Is that what happened?¡± When the intruder still didn¡¯t answer, Hannah continued, ¡°Who from the Garzas sent you to kill me? Is it Merlin? Seems not. Jenny? Looks like it¡¯s not her either. ¡± Realizing Hannah tried to decipher him through his reactions, the intruder closed his eyes and turned his head away. Hannah scoffed, regarding him coldly. ¡°That¡¯s no use. Even if you don¡¯t tell me, I¡¯ll know who¡¯s behind it, so you¡¯re wasting your chance to save your life bying clean right now. ¡± The intruder opened his eyes and red at Hannah. ¡°You¡¯ve offended someone you shouldn¡¯t have. I might have failed to kill you today, but they¡¯lle for you no matter what!¡± Hannah chuckled coldly and shook her head. ¡°You think I¡¯m scared?¡± Chapter 1529 Just then, a knock came on the door. Hannah and the intruder turned to the door at the same time. It must be Dotson. Straightening her back, Hannah walked to the door. Seeing the opportunity, the intruder stood up with a struggle and ran toward the window. Hannah looked over her shoulder and sighed. ¡°You¡¯re just wasting your energy. ¡± She took a silver needle from her pocket and poked it into his shin. The intruder instantly fell to the floor, immobile. After making sure the intruder wouldn¡¯t attempt to escape again, Hannah continued her way to the door and opened it. Dotson wasn¡¯t alone outside the door. Beside him was Maloney, who was yawning. ¡°I¡¯ve got the information about the guests upstairs. They¡¯re Tyshawn and his femalepany,¡± Dotson reported. Hannah didn¡¯t look surprised. ¡°I knew it. Come in. I have to show you something. ¡± She led them to the bedroom, where they found the intruder struggling to crawl his way to the window. Alerted, Dotson dashed to the intruder¡¯s side and grabbed his hair. ¡°Who is this man, boss? How did he get in?¡± Gesturing to the window, Hannah said, ¡°I think he broke in through the window. But it doesn¡¯t matter. I broke his arms. He¡¯s harmless for the time being. ¡± Tightening his grip on the intruder¡®s hair, Dotson asked coldly, ¡°What should we do with him, boss?¡± As Hannah nced at the man in Dotson¡¯s grasp, a sly smile yed on her lips. ¡°Take him to the police station. I want no part in any trouble with the Garza family, especially after what happened here. ¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t shake off the memory of how the Garza family had targeted her. Dotson ushered the man outside. Hey helpless on the ground, yelling at Hannah, ¡°You¡¯ll regret this! You¡¯ve crossed the Garza family. ¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Hannah shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Dealing with the Garza family isn¡¯t new to me. I¡¯m prepared for it. ¡± Watching Dotson escort the man away, Maloney turned back with aplex expression. ¡°Miss Moore, it seems you have quite a target on your back. Enemies overseas and at home. ¡± Hannah replied calmly, ¡°I have no choice. I¡¯ve umted many enemies. But at least I¡¯m alive. I won¡¯t lose sleep over it. ¡± Maloney nodded in acknowledgment. He always recognized Hannah¡¯s capability, so he harbored no concerns for her. ¡°You¡¯re still not nning to inform Bryson about this?¡± Chapter 1530 The mention of Bryson made Hannah raise her eyebrows. She then remarked, ¡°Just hearing his name is enough to piss me off. I¡¯d rather not talk to that guy. ¡± ¡°Oh¡­ did you two fight or something?¡± Hannah shot Maloney a cold nce and replied, ¡°Enough with the gloating!¡± Acting as though he did nothing wrong, Maloney answered, ¡°Alright. Your matters with him are none of my concern. I¡¯ll return to sleep. ¡± Once he had left, Hannah found the world unusually serene. Later, she slept through the night undisturbed by the earlier events. Upon awakening and freshening up, Hannah stepped out and encountered Dotson waiting outside. ¡°Why are you here waiting for me?¡± ¡°There¡¯s amotion downstairs at the front desk, but I¡¯d rather wait up here for you than get involved. ¡± Hannah nced towards Maloney¡¯s closed room nearby. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Dotson said, ¡°Tyshawn and his fiancee are causing a scene at reception. Last night, I escorted the man to the police station. By the time I made my statement and left the police station, daylight had arrived. Upon returning to the hotel hall, I witnessed the two of them shouting amidst several bodyguards. They imed that an almost-ident urred due to a security issue, insisting that the resort ept full responsibility and refund the entire amount they had spent over the past few days-around four hundred thousand dors, from what I gathered. ¡± Hannah sneered. ¡°Pathetic. Let¡¯s leave. It¡¯s time to go. ¡± They rode the elevator downstairs, the distant echoes of argumentation from the front desk growing louder. More people seemed to be gathering, resort staff attempting to restore order. Hannah avoided the chaos, guiding Dotson toward the exit. Suddenly, someone hurried towards them. Instinctively, Hannah retreated a pace, casting a disapproving nce at the man before her. Judging by the man¡¯s attire, Hannah discerned that he likely worked for the resort. ¡°Miss, It was the gentleman beside you yesterday who sent the suspect to the police station. Could you please help me exin? I¡¯m sorry. Everyone is quite agitated now, fearing for their safety and expecting things to escte. ¡± ncing at Dotson beside her, Hannah shook her head in response to the man. ¡°That individual has already been taken to the police station. If you need assistance, please contact the authorities. ¡± Their conversation had attracted the attention of the two individuals at the front desk. Malvina stormed over, her eyes zing with anger. ¡°It¡¯s you again. Every time we encounter you, misfortune follows. Last time at the mall, Tyshawn was injured.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Yesterday, before you came to the resort, everything was perfectly normal, yet trouble began as soon as you arrived. First, Tyshawn fell into the water. Later, we were nearly attacked at night. You bring bad luck wherever you go. We¡¯re cursed by your presence. ¡± Tyshawn stood by Malvina¡¯s side, ring coldly at Hannah. ¡°Indeed. Misfortune seems to follow wherever you appear. You owe us for the distress you¡¯ve caused. ¡± Did these two individuals even understand what they were saying? Why did they consistently leave Hannah with the impression of their ipetence? Chapter 1531 Hannah sneered. ¡°If you find yourself inexplicably unlucky, are you considering iming millions in emotional distress damages from the? Perhaps what you truly require is an appointment at the hospital¡¯s psychiatry department. ¡± Then, fixing her gaze on Malvina, Hannah pressed on, ¡°Firstly, he was so unlucky to fall into the waterst night, allegedly due to your actions. There are resort surveince videos avable; I could arrange for them to be reviewed if you¡¯d like. Secondly¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s smile grew tight. ¡°If the two of you have been experiencing such relentless misfortune, it might be wise to reflect on your conduct. Have you engaged in activities or falsehoods that you now regret?¡± Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s words, Malvina rolled her eyes, her conscience weighed down with guilt, and responded, ¡°I don¡¯tprehend what you¡¯re referring to.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Every time I encounter you, something unfortunate urs. ¡± ¡°In that case, the sentiment is mutual,¡± Hannah retorted. Hannah remainedposed. ¡°Every time we meet, luck seems to escape me. But it¡¯s inconsequential. ¡± Hannah shrugged and addressed Malvina in a t tone, ¡°I haven¡¯t absorbed any of your misfortune. ¡± ¡°You!¡± Once more, Malvina was silenced by Hannah¡¯s words. ¡°You! I suggest we avoid crossing paths again. ¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°Actually, if possible, it might be best for you to avoid attending any significant events. Otherwise, you¡¯re bound to run into me. Alternatively, you could leverage your influential father to ensure myplete removal from the Hoijery circle. ¡± Malvina¡¯s lip nearly bled from biting it, yet she maintained herposure. ¡°My father doesn¡¯t concern himself with minor characters like you. ¡± Fearing Tyshawn¡¯s suspicions, Malvina grasped his arm and departed. ¡°Tyshawn, let¡¯s leave. Don¡¯t engage with such individuals. ¡± Observing the distant chaos, Hannah wasted no time and spoke. ¡°Let¡¯s depart, Dotson. ¡± They bypassed the White family residence entirely. Hannah directed Dotson to drive straight to Valmere. The potential impact of the experiment¡¯s results leaking could vary significantly. Even though this drug was merely a semi-finished product, some irresponsiblepanies wouldn¡¯t hesitate to promote and market it, and those in need might end up with financial ruin and irreversible physical impairment or even death. Hannah was eager to resolve this issue without dy. By the time they reached Valmere, it was nearly noon. Just before arrival, Hannah dialed Saul¡¯s number. After several rings, Saul picked up, his voice filled withughter. ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Are you currently at theb? I need to speak with you about something. ¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Saul suggested over the phone, ¡°I have an open ss today at school. Why don¡¯t youe directly to my campus?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Hannah replied, eager not to dy. ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon. ¡± She then pointed out a spot to Dotson and asked him to drive straight to the college Chapter 1532 Once they arrived, Hannah and Dotson exited the car and walked toward the college, chatting briefly with the guard at the gate. The sses had just finished, and many students were heading toward the yground. The lively chatter brought a smile to Hannah¡¯s face. It reminded her of her early days teaching at the college. Lost in reminiscence, Hannah was suddenly brought back to the present by an enthusiastic voice. ¡°Miss Moore! Miss Moore, is that you?¡± the voice asked. Upon turning, Hannah saw two girls with ponytails, their faces alight with excitement. Recognizing them immediately, she greeted them with a warm smile, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. Scarlett, Sofia, have you just finished your sses?¡± ¡°No, ma¡¯am,¡± Scarlett Smith and Sofia Lee chorused as they approached. ¡°We still have afternoon sses, but we¡¯re heading to the canteen for lunch now.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, you look even prettier than when you were still a professor,¡± theyplimented her warmly. Just then, a flood of students poured out of a nearby building. Scarlett raised her voice, calling out to the crowd, ¡°Everyone, look! Miss Moore is here!¡± Scarlett¡¯s loud voice drew the attention of everyone, and all those who knew Hannah, along with those who didn¡¯t, stared at her. Curious nces and whispered discussions spread among the crowd, while others approached with excitement. ¡°Who is that stunning woman over there?¡± ¡°She¡¯s gorgeous. She must be a senior!¡± ¡°Are you deaf? Didn¡¯t you hear her say Miss Moore is back?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such a beautiful teacher at our college. Where did shee from?¡± Amid the animated chatter, Hannah found herself encircled by a group of students eager to greet her Caught off guard by the fervent crowd, Dotson was jostled roughly aside. Hannah was a well-respected teacher back in her hometown? ¡°What on earth is happening? And why are there so many people out here?¡± a girl with long hair dr@ped over her shoulders asked, standing not far from themotion. She was apanied by six others. Among them was Hannah¡¯s old acquaintance, Sadie. The Edwards family was now in turmoil, and Sadie who was once revered as a ¡°princess¡± now found herself reduced to running errands for others. Upon seeing Hannah, Sadie clenched her teeth, trying to hold back her anger. ¡°How dare Hannah, the woman who had almost destroyed my family, appear here?¡± she muttered under her breath. ¡°I¡¯m asking you. Are you deaf?¡± The girl standing next to Sadie looked at her, clearly displeased. Chapter 1533 This girl was Victoria Archer, the eldest daughter of a family that ran an entertainmentpany. Victoria had transferred to this college less than four months ago and had quickly won over a group of influential girls. The girls with Victoria were all respected figures in Valmere. They often belittled Sadie. Sadie had no choice but to swallow her anger. After all, her decision to humble herself and run errands for Victoria was the reason she had been epted into their circle. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose Victoria¡¯s support at this time. Thus, she quickly spoke up to smear Hannah. ¡°She¡¯s the woman I told you about. She married my brother to cheat the Edwards family out of their shares. After divorcing my brother, she shamelessly hooked up with a big shot from the Mitchell family. He had a fiancee, but she ruined that too.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Victoria eyed Hannah with evident revulsion. ¡°It¡¯s repulsive how she chases after other people¡¯s boyfriends. ¡± Sadie added more fuel to the fire. ¡°It¡¯s not just that. She enjoys using men, seducing them, and making them give her everything she wants. That woman didn¡¯t earn her ce here honorably. She secured her position at our college through sleeping around!¡± Filled with disdain for such behavior, Victoria was adamant about keeping her distance. ¡°I think it¡¯s best we avoid her altogether. ¡± To Sadie¡¯s surprise, Victoria showed no interest in confronting Hannah directly. Observing the situation, Sadie hatched a spiteful n. She leaned close to Victoria and murmured, ¡°We should get out of here. Who knows if she¡¯ll actually return to teaching at the college?¡± Victoria responded with a scornfulugh, ¡°She doesn¡¯t deserve the honor of being a teacher. ¡± ¡°If she tries toe back, we¡¯re stuck. She has powerful connections,¡± Sadie remarked. ¡°My father can handle it. No matter who backs her, she won¡¯t teach here if I have anything to say about it,¡± Victoria dered confidently. As they moved through the crowd, they overheard a student approach Hannah with enthusiasm. ¡°Miss Moore, will you being back to teach us?¡± ¡°Yes, we really miss your sses. The current teachers just don¡¯t engage us the same way. ¡± ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re all so boring. None of us like being in their ss!¡± Hannah responded with a gentle smile, ¡°If you say things like that, you¡¯ll hurt your teachers¡¯ feelings. Even Saul might refuse to teach you. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, we apologize. We¡¯ll be more careful with our words,¡± the students responded. ¡°But Miss Moore, you still haven¡¯t answered us. Are you nning to return to teaching?¡± ¡°Yes, are youing back? If you do, we¡¯ll throw a big wee back party for you!¡± As the students¡¯ enthusiastic voices filled the air, Victoria couldn¡¯t contain her disdain. She raised her voice and stated, ¡°Why should she be a teacher at Halliday University?¡± Her words reached everyone¡¯s ears, silencing the nearby students who turned to look in her direction. Unfazed by the sudden attention, Victoria fixed her gaze on Hannah, who was encircled by supporters, and asked, ¡°Am I wrong?¡± A moment of silence followed, then the students confronted Victoria. Chapter 1534 ¡°ihy are you being so harsh on Miss Moore?¡± ¡°Yeah, why are you doing this? Miss Moore was here teaching long before you transferred. What makes you think she doesn¡¯t deserve to be here?¡± ¡°We know youe from a wealthy family, but that doesn¡¯t give you the right to say whatever you want. ¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Miss Moore hasn¡¯t done anything to you. If you¡¯re upset, you should leave. No one here will put up with your attitude. ¡± Victoria was surprised that the students turned on her after what she had said. Her face flushed with anger as she pointed at Hannah. ¡°She only got into this college through underhanded connections. Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know, just because I¡¯m new here. ¡± The area fell into an uneasy silence following her usation, and the students exchangedplex looks. Using the moment, Sadie discreetly slipped behind Victoria and the others, using them as a shield. Convinced of her stance, Victoria crossed her arms and looked at Hannah disdainfully. ¡°Yound jobs by sleeping around. How is that a skill?¡± From within the crowd, Hannah pointed to her temple and tilted her head, replying sharply, ¡°Listen,dy. If you¡¯ve got an issue with your head, I suggest you consult a psychologist as soon as possible. ¡± Victoria, the cherished princess of the Archer family, had been coddled from birth. Never before had anyone dared to challenge her as Hannah had, nor had anyone tantly called her insane. ¡°What did you say?!¡± Victoria¡¯s voice escted sharply. ¡°Repeat that!¡± At that moment, her entourage rallied to her defense, their indignation palpable. ¡°Is this how a teacher behaves? Calling a student insane is outrageous!¡± one of them cried out. ¡°Look at who Victoria is! Do you really think you can afford to offend her?¡± said another. ¡°You¡¯ll regret crossing Victoria; we can make you vanish from Valmere by tomorrow!¡± another threatened. These threats sparked a surge of amusement in Hannah. It seemed ever since her return to the country, everyone was keen to unt their status at her. Hannah tilted her head, her voice cool and steady. ¡°I won¡¯t repeat myself. If you didn¡¯t hear me the first time, perhaps you should get your hearing checked along with your brain. ¡± Her retort was utterly disparaging. Victoria was usually surrounded by ttery and adoration, so she found herself speechless in this moment and unable to conjure a harsh enough rebuke for Hannah. ¡°You! Argh!¡± she sputtered, overwhelmed by frustration. Meanwhile, some students began defending Hannah. Chapter 1535 ¡°You haven¡¯t ever met Miss Moore before. Are you going to start rumors just because you¡¯re a privileged heir?¡± one student questioned sharply. ¡°She thinks she can just throw us out of school with her tricks and influence. How can we possibly stand up to her?¡± another student remarked sarcastically. Victoria¡¯s face turned crimson as she absorbed the mocking tones of the students. ¡°You!¡± she burst out furiously. ¡°You lowlifes! How dare you mock me?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze turned icy as she countered, ¡°They are lowlifes? And what makes you think you¡¯re a princess?¡± She wondered whether Victoria would remain so bold when she crossed someone more influential than the Archer family. Still, Hannah decided it was futile to engage further with Victoria. Victoria had no ties to her, so she had no obligation regarding the former¡¯s fate.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Unperturbed by Victoria¡¯s growing irritation, Hannah turned to the students with a reassuring smile. ¡°We haven¡¯t met in a long time. Since everyone¡¯s gathered here, it¡¯s on me-let¡¯s enjoy a _ meal together on the second floor of the cafeteria!¡± ¡°Miss Moore! That was amazing!¡± the students cheered joyfully. ¡°Yeah! I knew Miss Moore cared about us!¡± another student chimed in warmly. Hannah¡¯s smile broadened as she dered, ¡°If you know of anyone who¡¯s free and isn¡¯t here right now, give them a call. Let¡¯s all eat together. ¡± ¡°Got it! We¡¯re gonna call them right now!¡± the students responded enthusiastically. Victoria watched the cheerful group from a distance, a knot of envy tightening in her throat. She scoffed disdainfully, ¡°A simple meal in the school cafeteria hooks you all? Are you all stuck in poverty? Look at yourselves, so easily bought!¡± Her continual taunts only deepened the students¡¯ annoyance. Cutting through the growing tension with a calm smile, Hannah proposed, ¡°If it¡¯s so trivial, why don¡¯t you treat us?¡± ¡°Victoria stammered, her face flushing with anger. ¡°Why should I pay for them?!¡± Hannah nodded in agreement and said, ¡°If you can¡¯t afford a meal in the school cafeteria, how can you call others poor?¡± ¡°Who said I can¡¯t afford it?!¡± Victoria retorted defensively. ¡°I¡¯m just wondering why I should treat them for no reason!¡± Her friends quickly supported her. ¡°Exactly! Why should Victoria even treat them to dinner?¡± Hannah looked at them squarely and countered, ¡°If you won¡¯t cover the bill, how can you criticize our dining options?¡± unm¡­¡± They were left speechless once more. In a voice dripping with sarcasm, Hannah remarked, ¡°Maybe you should avoid dining out entirely. Wouldn¡¯t want the humble settings to tarnish your esteemed standards. ¡± Losing interest in prolonging the interaction, she guided her group of students toward the cafeteria. Chapter 1536 ALL Victoria could feel was frustration, and her anger was about to burst. Her friends noticed how infuriated she was, and they all kept their mouths shut. They nced at each other and nudged Sadie forward. ¡°Sadie, what¡¯s wrong with you? You didn¡¯t defend Victoria just now! You stirred the pot with those rumors before, now you¡¯re just going to stand back and watch? Did you just use Victoria as your shield?¡± As Victoria¡¯s eyes red up, she turned to Sadie and grunted, ¡°Are you using me?¡± Sadie felt the usation like a physical blow, causing her to wince and discreetly pinch herself to regainposure. ¡°Why would you say that? I would never use you!¡± Sadie raised her eyes to meet Victoria¡¯s, her voice tinged with a hint of fear. ¡°I¡¯ve already mentioned my brother¡¯splicated issues with her. How could I possibly speak up? Standing out today would only make her use my brother¡¯s situation against me, leading to more trouble than we can handle. This woman is cunning! If I get entangled with her, you¡¯ll be dragged into this mess too, Victoria. I don¡¯t want you involved with her.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡± Victoria scrutinized Sadie with a wary eye. ¡°Are you being honest?¡± ¡°Absolutely! It¡¯s the truth!¡± Sadie responded earnestly. ¡°I have no reason to hurt you, Victoria. You know that. ¡± Seemingly convinced by Sadie¡¯s plea, Victoria scoffed, ¡°No matter how crafty she is, it won¡¯t work against me. I¡¯ll remember her! She better stay out of my sight for life! If she dares provoke me again, I¡¯m going to make her life a living hell!¡± Meanwhile, Hannah led the students to the cafeteria on the second floor, covered the cost of their meal, and spent time engaging in light conversation. One of the student named Scarlett, who was particrly talkative, took the seat next to Hannah and animatedly recounted various events that had transpired since Hannah hadst been at school. Hannah rested her cheek on her hand and listened intently before inquiring, ¡°As medical students, have any of you heard about someone being exceptionally admitted by Professor Campbell this year?¡± ¡°Professor Campbell?¡± Scarlett paused to think, then replied, haven¡¯t heard anything. He usually doesn¡¯t take on students, does he?¡± Her eyes were alight with curiosity as she leaned forward. ¡°Did Professor Campbell say something to you, Miss Moore? Is he nning to ept students again this year?¡± Scarlett¡¯s enthusiastic query drew the attention of the other students, who turned to listen to Hannah¡¯s response. ¡°No,¡± Hannah rified gently. ¡°I was merely curious. Having just returned from abroad, how would I know his ns regarding new students?¡± ¡°That¡¯s understandable. So, Miss Moore, are you nning to stay and teach us this time around?¡± Hannah smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll disappoint you. I¡¯m only here to discuss some business matters and will be leaving soon. ¡± A look of disappointment appeared on Scarlett¡¯s face. ¡°Does that mean we won¡¯t be seeing you for a long time again?¡± At that moment, one of the students chimed in, ¡°Since Miss Moore is here for a bit, why don¡¯t we organize a gathering? It would be nice to spend more time together while she¡¯s still around. ¡± Many students were moved by this statement. ¡°Absolutely! Miss Moore, would you like to join us for dinner and karaoke? Are you free?¡±Seeing the hopeful expressions, Hannah replied, ¡°Sure. The schedule is flexible. ¡± Chapter 1537 ¡°Oh, Scarlett, I already have your number. ¡± Hannah nced down, retrieving her phone from her bag. She located Scarlett¡¯s contact and tapped on it. ¡°I¡¯ve sent ten thousand dors to you for our party expenses. If that¡¯s insufficient, feel free to let me know. ¡± Scarlett quickly pulled out her phone from her pocket, confirming the receipt of ten thousand dors from Hannah. Scarlett was flustered. ¡°I can¡¯t ept this money. We were the ones who invited you to the party. How can we let you foot the bill?¡± ¡°Just keep it,¡± Hannah insisted lightly. ¡°Even if you¡¯re treating me to dinner, it¡¯s not fair for you to cover the expenses. As your teacher, it¡¯s only right for me to foot the bill for this party. ¡± Scarlett scratched her head, feeling a bit embarrassed. ¡°Actually, we don¡¯t need to spend any money. Aikin and his friends know you¡¯re back, and they¡¯ll join us as soon as they can. We don¡¯t need to spend anything. ¡± Aikin Gray. Hannah had a vivid memory of him. He was a troublesome student from a wealthy family, often skipping ss and associating with other affluent students. She disciplined them rigorously, and they finally behaved themselves and didn¡¯t dare to skip her ss. Hearing this, Hannah ¡®aised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Did they start skipping sses again Scarlett coughed awkwardly and said, ¡°Um, after you left, they became uncontroble, and the older, traditional teachers couldn¡¯t handle them. The teachers are frustrated, but they can¡¯t do much. After all, their families¡­ Over the past few years, their families have donated swimming pools and a stadium to the school. Rumor has it that they¡¯ll be donating a new campus. The school administration holds them in high regard. ¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t particrly surprised by this revtion. She was rendered speechless. She checked the time on her phone, then rose from her seat.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Feel free to keep eating. Professor Campbell¡¯s ss should be ending soon, and I need to go visit him. ¡± After that, Hannah nced at Scarlett and gestured with her phone. ¡°Once you set the date, feel free to give me a call. ¡± Scarlett nodded vigorously. ¡°I understand, Miss Moore. You can rely on me. ¡± When Hannah exited the canteen and arrived at the ssroom, the students were gradually leaving one by one. The elderly man remained upied with his worksheet. Standing outside the door, Hannah smiled. ¡°Saul?¡± Professor Campbell, in the midst of packing up, turned at the sound of his name and saw Hannah. He promptly set aside his work. As he walked towards Hannah, a gentle breeze tousled his hair, adding to the pleasant atmosphere. With a joyful expression, Saul eximed, ¡°Let¡¯s head back to myb. ¡± On their way, Saul inquired, ¡°Where¡¯s your boyfriend? He usually sticks close to you. ¡± Hannah was behind the wheel. At Saul¡¯s jest, she was torn betweenughter and tears. ¡°He¡¯s got his own matters to handle when he¡¯s back. He can¡¯t always be by my side. ¡± Chapter 1538 ¡°You¡¯re too humble. ¡± Resting against the car door, Saul reminisced about the past. ¡°Back at home, he was always looking out for you. I witnessed it all. ¡± Hannah pursed her lips, focusing on the road ahead, attempting to calm herself. She hummed softly under her breath. ¡°Is everything alright? Why do you seem uninterested in him?¡± Saul¡¯s expression turned serious, and his demeanor became more intense. ¡°Has he upset you?¡± Was it really that apparent? How could anyone see that she was unhappy about this issue? Hannah shifted gears mentally and redirected the conversation. ¡°I¡¯m not unhappy. I just had something on my mind. Saul, have we brought in any new memberstely?¡± The topic suddenly shifted, leaving Saul stunned and puzzled as to why Hannah asked this question. He asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Do you have a potential candidate for ourboratory? It¡¯s been a while since west hired anyone for the researchb. Your two ssmates are still upied. As for the other three, you know their situations-they¡¯re all engrossed in their own research projects. After you left, there was a vacancy in your position, but I didn¡¯t entertain the thought of recing you with anyone else. But if you have a suitable candidate in mind, I will consider allowing them to join ourb after conducting a thorough investigation. ¡± As soon as Saul finished speaking, Hannah pondered for a moment and was on the verge of responding. Suddenly, the old man sighed and rubbed his forehead as if a realization had struck him. ¡°Ah, yes! I recall your friend, Ro, showing promise in medicine. I¡¯ve been considering mentoring him. I¡¯ve brought him to the research room asionally. He¡¯s sharp and picks things up quickly. I¡¯m thinking of having him skip a few grades in high school to provide more extensive training. ¡± Ro? As soon as this idea came to her mind, Hannah immediately dismissed it. Ro could never be the one who stole the experiment results. She trusted Ro¡¯s character. Moreover, she didn¡¯t believe that the person who stole the unfinished product did so by chance; there must have been a deliberate motive behind it. ¡°Saul, that¡¯s not what I meant. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°Do you remember the unfinished drug in theb from a few years back?¡± Saul raised a hand to scratch his head, deepening the wrinkles on his forehead. ¡°Which one are you referring to?¡± At the mention of the name, Saul¡¯s memory was jogged, and he sighed. ¡°I haven¡¯t revisited the research on that medicine in years. Why bring it up now?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression grew grim. ¡°Because the experiment results for that medicine have been leaked. It¡¯s now being touted as an effective anti-cancer drug and is set for mass production. ¡± ¡°What? How could that happen?¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. The old man¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°If the medicine is mass-produced now, it could lead to numerous fatalities!¡± Saul furrowed his brow, his thoughts racing to a more pressing matter. Chapter 1539 ¡°Even though it¡¯s iplete, it¡¯s still ab secret. How could it have leaked? This is serious, Hannah. Are you certain it¡¯s X5?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah affirmed with a nod. ¡°Even though its name has changed, you know I¡¯ve been working on this medicine with you for many years. I could recite the research findings upside down without making a mistake. ¡± Saul¡¯s expression gradually darkened, and he stated firmly, ¡°The theft of the experimental results is a serious matter. We shouldn¡¯t jump to conclusions. Come with me to theb. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s odd¡­¡± With a grave expression, Saul asked, ¡°How did the secret of ourboratory get out?¡± It seemed Saul hadn¡¯t anticipated a breach. From the driver¡¯s seat, Hannah asked, ¡°Who else in ourboratory could ess our earlier experimental data?¡± ¡°The data from the researchboratory is essible to everyone internally. The records we previously held are open to¡­¡± Saul paused and frowned. ¡°Hannah, are you suggesting someone from the researchboratory leaked the information?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze was steady. ¡°Saul, do you see any other way the secret could have gotten out?¡± This left Saul silent. The research data was kept secret from the public, but everyone within theboratory could ess it.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°But¡­ The staff in our researchboratory are students I¡¯ve mentored for years-ones I¡¯ve watched grow up. It¡¯s hard for me to imagine them stealing information from theboratory. ¡± Hannah paused briefly, then responded, ¡°I don¡¯t want to use anyone unjustly, but if you believe that only someone internal could ess the data, then that¡¯s the conclusion we must consider. We need to identify who took the data. Firstly, regardless of whether it was right for him to steal the research results and sell them, this drug is only halfway through its development. If he were to openly sell this drug to the public, something would definitely go terribly wrong. ¡± Saul nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. ¡°Yes, I see the urgency, but identifying the culprit will be challenging. ¡± Hannah tapped her fingertips on the steering wheel thoughtfully. Then, a smile crossed her face as she had an idea. ¡°I have a n. I need your help. Since we can¡¯t figure out who that person is by secretly investigating, let¡¯s tempt them out and see if they take the bait. ¡± Saul¡¯s stern look softened, and he pointed at Hannah and said, ¡°You¡¯re full of evil ns. Tell me what I need to do. ¡± The two of them discussed strategies throughout the drive. Once Hannah parked the car, Saul stepped out cheerfully and led her into the Research Institute. The Research Institute had three floors. The first floor was for guests to rx, and the second floor was for entertainment and dining. The third floor contained theirboratory. Upon entering the Research Institute, the staff greeted Saul with warm smiles. Saul returned their greetings cheerfully. ¡°Continue with your work. I¡¯m heading back to theboratory. Hannah,e with me. ¡± The two entered the elevator. Saul swiped his card and pressed the button for the third floor. ess to this floor was restricted to Saul and a few research staff. The elevator ascended slowly. Saul said, ¡°While there are various roles within the Research Institute, they don¡¯t have clearance to ess the third floor. Even if someone managed to steal an ID card and reach the third floor, they wouldn¡¯t pass the facial recognition at the door. Plus, I¡¯ve strictly forbidden bringing any outsiders up here. You were aware of all this during your time here. ¡± Chapter 1540 Hannah nodded. During her time in the country, Saul¡¯sboratory was under strict security, so she hadn¡¯t suspected those individuals. Ding. The elevator doors slid open. Saul and Hannah exited it. Looking around, Hannah noticed that the interior of the researchboratory hadn¡¯t changed much since she¡¯d left. There are threeboratories on each side with transparent ss doors and windows, filled with lots ofbware and equipment. Saul led Hannah to thestboratory on the right, pushed the door open, and entered. The group inside all turned to look at Saul. ¡°Hannah! You¡¯re back?¡± A tall girl with a ponytail ran towards Hannah excitedly. She hugged Hannah tightly, causing Hannah to pat her on the back. ¡°Bob, I can¡¯t breathe¡­¡± Only then did the girl release her, pat Hannah on the back, and ask, ¡°Why did you return without telling us?¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. The others gathered around, too. ¡°Hannah, why didn¡¯t you tell us you were back?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Move aside. Have you finished your experiments? Why are you all gathered here?¡± Saul pretended to be dissatisfied and sent everyone away. ¡°Did you finish the data from thest experiment?¡± Everyone shuffled and muttered, then Judy chuckled and said, ¡°Mr. Campbell, don¡¯t scare them. We can¡¯t rush the experimental data. We¡¯ve been working on it for days. Now that Hannah¡¯s back, how about giving us a half day off?¡± Saulughed and scolded, ¡°All you think about is vacation. Hannah didn¡¯te back for leisure. She¡¯s here on business. ¡± After hisment, Saul looked around and noticed someone was missing from theboratory. ¡°Where¡¯s Lewis? Where has he wandered off to?¡± ¡°Lewis went downstairs to eat,¡± the man with a crew cut called from a distance. ¡°He was up all night working on the experiment. When we arrived this morning, he was still at it. He only slept for about four hours. ¡± Saul frowned. ¡°The experiment¡¯s crucial, but his health matters too. Make sure to keep an eye on him, guys. ¡± Judy nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Campbell, I¡¯ll look out for Lewis. You mentioned Hannah is back for business. What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s wait for Lewis to return before we discuss it. You all can rx and chat for a bit. There¡¯s no rush. ¡± Saul gave Hannah a knowing wink and added deliberately, ¡°I need to organize some lesson ns. Let me know when Lewis gets back. ¡± ¡°I understand, Mr. Campbell. ¡± Chapter 1541 There was a lounge area next to theboratory. After Saul left, Judy pulled Hannah aside to catch up. In the Research Institute, Judy was one of Hannah¡¯s closest friends.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Judy was outspoken and extroverted and often started conversations with Hannah, which led to their friendship. Hannah nced at Phoenix Shaw, the man with the crew cut. He was among Saul¡¯s favored students. Phoenix usually didn¡¯t talk with people in theboratory, but he was polite and professional when discussing experiments. Hannah¡¯s most significant interactions with Phoenix had been during joint experiments. She found him to be a pleasant colleague. ¡°Hannah? Hannah? Did you catch that?¡± Hannah shook herself out of her thoughts and realized she was too lost in them. She hadn¡¯t heard what Judy said. ¡°Judy, what did you say? I missed it. ¡± Judy sighed. ¡°I was asking if you n to stay in Cadilind. ¡± ¡°No, I just came back to handle some things. I haven¡¯t finished mymitments abroad, so I can¡¯t stay here full-time. ¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± After a pause, Judy suddenly called out to a girl by the window, Ste, why don¡¯t we all go out for a meal with Hannah today?¡± Ste Bains looked up, her expression distant and indifferent, and replied coldly, ¡°I won¡¯t go. It¡¯s a waste of time. ¡± Judy scrunched up her face in confusion, not sure why Ste was being so grumpy. ¡°But why don¡¯t you want to go? It¡¯ll be fun! Besides, Hannah¡¯s here now. That means dinner together, remember?¡± Ste¡¯s face didn¡¯t show any emotion, but she nced over at Hannah. ¡°We don¡¯t usually eat together, so why should we just because she¡¯s back? I¡¯m not used to eating with other people, and I don¡¯t know her that well. I don¡¯t want to pretend to have a close rtionship with her just for the sake of a dinner. ¡± As soon as Ste finished speaking, the atmosphere in theb felt colder than the wind on a winter night. Everyone looked a bit ufortable. The two other students, who¡¯d only been in theb for a little while, kept their heads down and worked quietly on their experiments, not wanting to get caught up in the awkwardness between Hannah and Ste. Hannah kept her expression calm and didn¡¯t react to Ste¡¯s harsh words. After all, she had always been like this-super direct, even if it was a bit rude sometimes. However, what she said was true. The other two students, who were still pretty new to theb, knew Hannah better than she did. While Ste wasn¡¯t exactly the friendliest person around, there was a reason Saul had invited her to be part of his team. She was very good at her job. Phoenix, who was busy working on his experiments, could sense the tension in the room. He put his work down and spoke up. ¡°Hey, no fighting, okay? If Mr. Campbell finds out, he¡¯s not going to be happy about it. ¡± His voice had a calming effect as he suggested, ¡°Judy, if you want to have dinner with Hannah, please go ahead. Mr. Campbell said our current experiments are crucial, so Ste and I will stay here and keep working. We won¡¯t be having dinner with you. ¡± Then, he turned his gaze to Ste. ¡°And you, I know you didn¡¯t mean to offend anyone, but your words came out a little too harshly. ¡± Chapter 1542 Ste realized toote that she¡¯d said something she shouldn¡¯t have. Phoenix¡¯s words made her understand that she¡¯d made the situation awkward for everyone. Although she didn¡¯t show much expression on her face, she did look down and reply in a quieter voice. ¡°I spoke without thinking, and I understand what I said was unpleasant. But I¡¯m really notfortable with having dinner. ¡± Hannah blinked and gave a small smile, as if nothing had happened. ¡°I¡¯m here to discuss something with Mr. Campbell, so it¡¯s not Like I¡¯m here to bother you all. ¡± Judy whispered in Hannah¡¯s ear, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about Ste. I know how she can be, but I still suggested we all eat together. That was my mistake. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Hannah replied, her tone cating. Ste heard what they both said, but she pretended she didn¡¯t. Ste looked up at Hannah for a brief moment before quickly looking back down at her work. ¡°Lewis and I will join you once we¡¯re finished,¡± Judy said. She then turned to the other two students in theb and asked, ¡°Will you twoe with us?¡± The other two students really liked Hannah and were happy to hang out with her. When Judy suggested getting food together, they nodded excitedly and said, ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll go with you! But I¡¯m not sure if Hannah has time to eat with us. ¡± Hannah smiled and answered, ¡°If I¡¯m not too busy talking about work, I¡¯ll join you guys for dinner. ¡± Just then, someone walked into theb. It was none other than Lewis. He stretched and announced, ¡°I slept so well! I¡¯m full of energy now! Ready to dive back into the experiment!¡± Phoenix looked up at Lewis and grinned. ¡°Mr.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Campbell came back earlier and didn¡¯t see you. He asked for you to take care of yourself,¡± he said, his tone yful. Lewis chuckled. ¡°Oh, I see! Well, I¡¯m in perfect health! Maybe I¡¯ll even Live for another 500 years! Who knows?¡± Judy burst intoughter ¡°You¡¯ll be an old siren in 500 years! Maybe I¡¯ll study you then. ¡± ¡°If I be an old siren, you¡¯ll be the first person I eat, no doubt. ¡± Lewis, now grinning ear to ear, turned to tease Judy, and then he spotted Hannah sitting next to her. He immediately walked over, his smile widening. ¡°Beautiful, what are you doing in our humble abode?¡± Judy bared her teeth in a forced grin, her eyes narrowed. ¡°You better watch your mouth, or I¡¯ll tell Mr. Campbell what you said!¡± Lewis chuckled and shook his head as he said, ¡°Judy, you¡¯re an adult. You¡¯re still thinking about tattling like a kid?¡± Chapter 1543 Hannah watched Lewis with a quiet and analytical gaze, taking in his behavior and mannerisms. He was an enigma-brilliant and talented, but challenging to handle. She had seen him in theb before, usually yful and light-hearted, but when it came to research, he transformed into a focused, driven scientist.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Lewis¡¯s family situation was also troubled. As a matter of fact, it was perhaps the most dire of all the students¡¯. Hannah had learned of his circumstances through Saul, who mentioned that Lewis¡¯ family was struggling. To help out, Saul provided him with arger portion of the project¡¯s budget. Before his family home was demolished, they¡¯d been given three apartments and $800, @0@ inpensation. For a time, they were quite well-off. However, Lewis¡¯s father had be addicted to gambling, squandering the money and losing the apartments in quick session. The gambling debts he had incurred reached $3 million, and in the end, he took his own life by jumping to his death. Lewis¡¯s mother had worked tirelessly to support his education, in addition to caring for his younger sister, who was still in middle school. But when she fell ill, the creditors began to hound Lewis once more. Saul, generous as ever, provided the family with $1 million to save Lewis¡¯ mother¡¯s life and help them keep their heads above water. Eventually, Lewis managed to pay off the remaining $2 million, leaving his family more financially secure than ever. It just couldn¡¯t be him. Or could it? Lewis waved his hand in front of Hannah, a roguish smile on his face. ¡°Hey, Hannah, why are you giving me that look? Do you have a crush on me or something?¡± ¡°Bah!¡± Judy immediately stepped in, her voice full of disdain. ¡°Don¡¯t be so gross, Lewis. Hannah already has a boyfriend. ¡± Lewis Laughed it off, his amusement undeterred. ¡°I¡¯m not even allowed to joke about it? You¡¯re so touchy!¡± Hannah only blinked, ignoring his attempt at flirting. ¡°Well, since you¡¯re all here, I¡¯m going to go find Mr. Campbell to discuss business. ¡± As soon as Hannah left, the rest of the team shifted their focus towards her retreating figure. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about flirting with Hannah,¡± Judy warned, pointing a finger at Lewis. ¡°She just got back. Watch your tongue!¡± She then gave Lewis a light punch on the shoulder. ¡°Ouch!¡± he cried out, rubbing his shoulder. ¡°So what¡¯s up with her? When did she even return?¡± he continued. However, Judy didn¡¯t let up. ¡°You ask too many questions! We¡¯ll know when Hannahes back. ¡± Chapter 1544 After a brief absence, Saul and Hannah returned to theboratory. Taking a quick survey of the room, Saul wasted no time. ¡°Looks like everyone is here. Let¡¯s get down to business. ¡± Turning to Hannah, he announced, ¡°Hannah has brought back some cutting-edge tech from overseas, along with a research project that is almost wrapped up. Hannah intends to share this research with our institute. If we pull it off this time, everyone at our research center will get double bonuses!¡± Judy pped enthusiastically and turned to Hannah, eximing, ¡°I always knew you were the most promising among us!¡± Lewis chimed in with a yful jab, ¡°Absolutely. Hannah is our professor¡¯s pride and joy. ¡± Even though Ste had paused her experiment, her expression remained stoic, unmoved by Saul¡¯s announcement. Phoenix beamed at Hannah, expressing his enthusiasm. ¡°This is fantastic news. We are looking forward to learning from you, Hannah. ¡± ¡°You are too kind,¡± Hannah responded with a smile. ¡°Since the research is almostpleted, I¡¯ll need your assistance in a few areas. Thank you all for your support during this process. ¡± With a warm smile, Phoenix turned to Hannah and said, ¡°We are all the professor¡¯s students and have spent endless hours together in the sameb. Don¡¯t think twice about asking for help. We are here to support you. ¡± Suddenly, Ste interjected with a blunt refusal. ¡°Count me out. I won¡¯t be contributing and don¡¯t want any share of the bonus. ¡± Her t tone dampened the mood in an instant. With Little emotion, Ste exined, ¡°I have my own experiments to focus on.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. I simply can¡¯t spare the time to help you. Moreover, your project is nearly finished, and I doubt I would be much help. It¡¯s best if I sit this one out. ¡± Hannah nodded understandingly. ¡°That¡¯s perfectly fine. We are offering this as a gesture of goodwill. Our institute operates as a team, and your bonus will be issued as usual. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll pass, thanks,¡± Ste replied adamantly. ¡°I can¡¯t just sit back and take a bonus for doing nothing. Don¡¯t include me in the payout. ¡± Saul shook his head in silent disagreement with Ste¡¯s decision but refrained frommenting. Breaking the silence, Lewis chimed in, ¡°If she¡¯s passing on the bonus, count me in! I¡¯ll dly take it! Hannah, if there is anything I can do to lend a hand with your experiment, just Let me know. Since I¡¯m taking her bonus, I¡¯ll put in double the effort!¡± ¡°Seriously? Don¡¯t you have your own experiments to handle?¡± Judy rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one pulling an all-nighterst night?¡± Lewis shrugged nonchntly. ¡°I can juggle helping Hannah during the day and working on my experiments at night. It¡¯s not a problem. ¡± Saul finally intervened, ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough. Are you some kind of machine? Don¡¯t add to the chaos. ¡± Once the formalities concluded, Saul handed a document to Judy, saying, ¡°Here is the experimental data. Get it Logged into our system, please. ¡± ¡°Consider it done, professor,¡± Judy assured him. Looking at the tired group of students, Saul waved his hand and said, ¡°You all have earned a half-day off today. No loitering in theb. Go home, unwind, and recharge. The third floor will be locked this afternoon, so no excuses for staying behind. ¡± With that, Saul nodded to Hannah and made his exit. ¡°Yay!¡± eximed Judy, visibly relieved. Chapter 1545 Judy turned to Hannah and looped her arm through hers, suggesting, ¡°Let¡¯s celebrate with some barbecue tonight. I know this new restaurant nearby that¡¯s supposed to be amazing!¡± ¡°Sounds perfect,¡± Hannah agreed with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s my treat. ¡± ¡°Hannah, you are a gem!¡± Judy eximed, enveloping Hannah in an exaggerated hug. She turned to Lewis and asked, ¡°Hannah¡¯s treating tonight. Do you want to join us?¡± Lewis nodded. ¡°I can¡¯t say no to a free meal. ¡± ncing at Ste and Phoenix, he asked, ¡°What about you two? Are youing?¡± At that moment, Ste had already packed up, her coat dr@ped over her arm. ¡°No thanks. You guys go ahead. ¡± As Ste left, Phoenix offered a gentle smile and replied, ¡°Have fun. I¡¯ll sit this one out. ¡± In the end, only Judy, Lewis, and two other girls ended up going to the barbecue joint. As they settled into their seats, Judy couldn¡¯t help but vent, ¡°Honestly, since you left, ourb¡¯s efficiency has taken a nosedive. Because of this, Mr. Campbell keeps drawingparisons between you and us. There were some hups in our research for a while, and he was pretty upset about it. ¡± Puzzled, Hannah asked, ¡°But you are just aspetent as I am. How could there have been any issues?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short. Your departure showed us that you were the only one who could keep pace with Mr.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Campbell¡¯s train of thought. We have a long way to go to match you. ¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, ask him yourself. Don¡¯t you agree, Lewis?¡± Judy added, casting a nce at him with a sigh. Lewis simply shrugged. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not the brightest in the research institute. However, Phoenix has taken the brunt of Mr. Campbell¡¯s ire more times than I can count. ¡± ¡°Phoenix got scolded by Saul?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised, ¡°But his research work has rarely had any problems. ¡± A junior colleague piped up, ¡°We all got an earfulst time, but Phoenix got the worst of it! We were on the brink of sess, and one slip-up from Phoenix brought the whole project crashing down. Mr. Campbell stepped in to salvage the situation, taking full responsibility for the error, which is why Phoenix managed to keep his position here. ¡± Hannah hadn¡¯t heard about this from Saul before, and it made her pause in contemtion. Judy nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, it was quite the ordeal at the time. But with you being overseas, it¡¯s understandable that you don¡¯t know about it. ¡± When the meat arrived, Lewis grabbed a te and silently served everyone. As the meat hit the grilling te, it let out a satisfying sizzle, filling the air with its mouthwatering aroma. With each passing moment, the tension melted away, and the group grew more at ease. Seizing the opportunity, Hannah asked, ¡°So, what happened with the final project?¡± Judy let out a heavy sigh, propping her chin up with her hand. ¡°Unfortunately, it had to be scrapped. There was just no other option. We couldn¡¯t let Mr. Campbell shoulder the burden of that loss alone. Times were tough, the institute¡¯s funding was dwindling, and expenses were mounting. Each of us pitched in 500, @00. It might have seemed like a drop in the bucket, but it made a difference. ¡± ncing teasingly at Lewis, Hannah couldn¡¯t resist a yful jab. ¡°It must have been a breeze for everyone else toe up 500, 000, but I bet you struggled with that, didn¡¯t you?¡± Lewis pursed his lips, his expression serious. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate me, Hannah. My father¡¯s debts have long been settled, and Mr. Campbell generously covered my mother¡¯s medical expenses. I have managed to save up quite a bit over the years. Contributing wasn¡¯t as tough for me as it was for them!¡± Judy awkwardly ran her hand through her hair, nodding in agreement. ¡°It¡¯s true. Lewis might not seem like the dependable type, but he was the first to contribute the money. ¡± Chapter 1546 Intuition alone wouldn¡¯t be enough to judge who the traitor was.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Neither Judy or Lewis looked like the traitor. Who would it be in the end? The trap had already been set, lying in wait for someone to take the bait. Hannah sighed. She didn¡¯t expect it to be from anyone here. They were all Saul¡¯s students. ¡°You seem to be in a bad mood. What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Nothing. ¡± Hannah forced a smile. ¡°I just came back. Must be the jetg. ¡± Lewis gave her a cheeky grin. ¡°Found a new romance abroad?¡± ¡°Lewis! Stop talking nonsense!¡± Sitting next to him, Judy grabbed his ear¡­ ¡°Hannah has a boyfriend. ¡± The two girls alsoughed and said, ¡°What¡¯s up with Lewis today? He has a lot of questions about Hannah today. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s true. I wonder what he¡¯s nning. ¡± ALL at once, they burst intoughter. As big of a tease Lewis was, he couldn¡¯t take what he dished out and would get shy the moment he was the butt of the jokes. ¡°If rumors go spreading around, I¡¯m holding you two responsible. ¡± Their fun was infectious. Seeing themugh happily, Hannah couldn¡¯t help butugh along. The dinnersted until eight o¡¯clock in the evening, and it was Judy who ate the most. She touched her stomach, saying, ¡°I can¡¯t eat anymore. I¡¯m too full. ¡± Lewis snorted. ¡°If you can¡¯t eat enough, no one can. ¡± Judy red at him. ¡°I¡¯m warning you, Lewis. I¡¯m full now and I don¡¯t want to hit you, but one more word and I¡¯ll sew up your mouth. ¡± A night breeze was blowing gently. Hannah stood by the door, afortable feeling settling over her. People wereing and going, the low hum of sounds livening up the atmosphere. She looked up at the starry sky. Now that she had returned home, she realized what greatfort the familiar hustle and bustle brought her. Later, she sent everyone off by taxi, then strolled along the street on a whim. She hadn¡¯t been here for quite some time. In less than half a year, many of the shops she had known were gone. Time had taken with it many things. She ambled slowly, taking in the surroundings. Then, she came to a stop. Chapter 1547 A familiar figure stood in front of her. The man had his back to her and was standing outside a luxurious restaurant as he chatted with another man. The next moment, the door of the restaurant was pushed open, revealing a tall woman. She walked out with a smile, naturally taking the man¡¯s arm and joining the conversation. Hannah remained still, neither leaving nor making a sound. A Maybach stopped. Bryson nodded and watched the man get on.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Then, he took his arm from Melina with a cold expression. ¡°I told you to stay out of my business. Who asked you to help me negotiate that deal privately?¡± ¡°The Mitchell family¡¯s power is now in the hands of Tyshawn. I just didn¡¯t want all your effort to be for nothing. ¡± Melina looked at Bryson with determined eyes. ¡°My father wants me to get in touch with Tyshawn, but you and I grew up together. That means a lot to me. You¡¯ve been abroad for so long. I¡¯ve been waiting for a long time, hoping that you¡¯d make the right choice when youe back. ¡± Bryson smirked and narrowed his eyes at her. ¡°The right choice?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Melina nodded. ¡°You know what I¡¯m talking about. Hannah will never be the best fit for you. You know better than anyone just how much distance there is between the two of you. ¡± ¡°Besides, the Mitchell family would be supporting Tyshawn to take your position. The only way you can keep it is by marrying someone from the Glyns. ¡± Melina chattered on, not noticing the shift in Bryson¡¯s expression. His face had grown dark, and it was only getting worse. ¡°Even if she was found by the White family again, her origin is questionable. The Mitchell family will never allow her to be with¡ª¡± The rest of her words died on her lips when she finally caught sight of Bryson¡¯s face. ¡°Bry¡­ Bryson. ¡± His face was drawn in harsh, impatient lines. ¡°For the sake of the Glyn family, I¡¯ll ignore everything you said. But I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t push your luck. ¡± Without giving her a chance to answer, Bryson continued, his eyes cold and menacing. ¡°Whatever is between me and Hannah, it¡¯s our own business. Stay out of it. ¡± Bryson hadn¡¯te back to the Mitchell family¡¯s house, but the good news reached Melina. She tried her best to contact Bryson. It was a golden opportunity. With how things were with the Mitchells, she thought she could use the Glyn family to tie him down to her. She never thought things would go this terribly. ¡°The Mitchell family?¡± Bryson snorted, ¡°Even if Mitchell family goes bankrupt now, I don¡¯t give a shit about it. ¡± His cold eyes were fixed on her as he continued. ¡°Melina Glyn, I don¡¯t have a very good temper. Stop toeing the line. I won¡¯t be as nice next time. ¡± After saying that, Bryson turned around, his eyes widening when he saw Hannah standing not far away. For a moment, he was rooted to the spot. He had never imagined that she would appear here today. Chapter 1548 She was dressed casually, wearing a ck floral skirt. She had tied up her hair when she was eating barbecue, and some strands hung loosely around her face. Her figure was bathed in shadows, and he couldn¡¯t see her face. At this point, even Bryson could admit that her appearance had thrown him into a panic. He walked to her with quick steps, all his attention focused on her. When Melina turned around, she saw Hannah as well. ¡°Miss Moore, what a coincidence. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see you here,¡± she greeted Hannah first. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. I¡¯m here for business with Bryson. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery They were not too far away, and Hannah picked up bits and pieces of their conversation. Her face remained neutral as she watched them walk over to her. She didn¡¯t respond to Melina and looked only at Bryson. Bryson wanted desperately to exin, but things were soplicated. His eyes met hers, but she dodged his gaze. The atmosphere quickly turned tense. It was almost as if Melina was air, with how Hannah ignored her. She tried talking to Hannah again. ¡°Miss Moore, have you eaten? We¡¯ve just finished dinner. How about we go to a nearby cafe? It¡¯s on me, to wee you back. ¡± ¡°No, thanks.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡± Suddenly, Bryson¡¯s hand closed over Hannah¡¯s wrist. Without turning his head to Melina, he said in a cold voice, ¡°We have something else to do. If you want coffee, you can go by yourself. ¡± Hannah acquiesced as Bryson sped her wrist gently, leading her forward, her lips sealed in silence. Observing Bryson¡¯s refusal, Melina refrained from uttering any words that would jinx his mood. She stood rooted to the spot, observing the departing pair with an enigmatic glint in her eyes. After a stretch of walking, Hannah broke the silence. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, where exactly are we headed?¡± Bryson nced at her, noting the absence of expression on her face, a telltale sign of her underlying vexation. ¡°Why are you here today?¡± Bryson countered instead of addressing her query directly. ¡°Does this street belong to the Mitchell family exclusively? Are others prohibited from trespassing?¡± Sensing the tension in her tone, Brysonpsed into silence momentarily before responding, ¡°No. ¡± This sentence marked the conclusion of their exchange. With that, Bryson maintained a tight hold on Hannah¡¯s hand as they strolled together for quite some time. Gradually, the mor of the streets faded behind them. The trees cast intricate patterns of shade beneath the glow of the streetlights, enveloping them in a serene ambiance. Hannah¡¯s wrist, held firmly by Bryson¡¯s grasp, tingled with a faint numbness. She contemted freeing herself, but Bryson, attuned to her movements, tightened his hold. Chapter 1549 ¡°Release me,¡± she demanded, her voice firm. Bryson maintained his hold on her wrist, propelling them forward in silence.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! A bubble ofughter threatened to escape Hannah¡¯s lips. ¡°Bryson, do you fancy yourself quite the authoritarian, especially with thedies?¡± At her words, Bryson halted, turning to face her. ¡°If you desire a scolding, I¡¯m more than willing to oblige before we proceed. ¡± It felt like punching through a cloud of cotton. Suppressing a smirk, Hannah shook off Bryson¡¯s grasp and strode ahead. Bryson trailed after her, their exchange dwindling into silence as they meandered aimlessly through the streets, his presence a constant shadow at her side. Hannah pivoted on her heels, her gaze aze with frustration, as she confronted Bryson. ¡°How much longer do you n on trailing after me?¡± ¡°I¡¯LL depart once I¡¯ve escorted you back. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t require your escort. ¡± Hannah brandished her phone before Bryson. ¡°I¡¯LL call someone to pick me up. ¡± With resolve, she began to lower her gaze to dial, only to have her phone snatched from her grasp. Startled, she lifted her head, reaching instinctively for her device. ¡°Give that back!¡± Bryson hoisted the phone above his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ¡°If you can retrieve it, it¡¯s yours. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed in exasperation. ¡°Bryson, are you truly so juvenile? Is this your idea of fun?¡± Unyielding, Bryson maintained his position, undeterred by her scolding, his arm still raised defiantly. He met Hannah¡¯s gaze, a faint smirk ying at the corners of his lips. ¡°It¡¯s amusing. ¡± Unable to contain her frustration any longer, Hannah snapped, ¡°If it amuses you, feel free to indulge alone. You can keep the phone. I¡¯m leaving. ¡± Seeing the genuine distress in her eyes, Bryson relented, his hand dropping as he returned the phone to her. Snatching it back from him, she pivoted on her heel and strode away without sparing him a second nce. Yet, Bryson persisted in trailing after her, steadfast in his reluctance to part ways. Pausing to gather her thoughts, Hannah drew a deep breath. It was time to address the tension simmering between them rather than prolonging the standoff. Halting abruptly, she turned to face Bryson, who mirrored her actions. She said, ¡°You vanished without a wordst time. A couple of brief remarks two days ago, then silence. I understand you¡¯re busy, and I don¡¯t want to intrude. If you have othermitments, I won¡¯t detain you. However, Mr. Mitchell, it appears you¡¯re not entangled in pressing affairs. Or maybe you¡¯re absorbed in business affairs, leaving no time for trivial encounters like ours. ¡± Chapter 1550 Hannah regarded him with sarcasm. ¡°Then why persist in trailing me today? Let¡¯s clear the air. I detest ambiguous rtionships. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice resonated with a somber tone. ¡°You know there¡¯s nothing between Melina and me. ¡± ¡°Did I inquire about that?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze turned icy. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to justify your rtionships to me.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! That¡¯s your business. What concerns me is your stance towards me now. I detest murky, undefined connections. You know that. ¡± This was uncharacteristic of Hannah, but the gravity of the situation demanded rity. ¡°If not for this, I wouldn¡¯t have decisively severed ties with the Edwards family. ¡± Bryson found himself caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, rendered speechless by the weight of the moment. As he remained silent, a twinge of disappointment crept over Hannah. ¡°If you¡¯ve been wanting to end things, you could¡¯ve done so with dignity,¡± she expressed, her frustration palpable. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have pressed you. Your lukewarm demeanor only serves to irritate me. I¡¯m not particrly skilled at handling emotional turmoil. When confronted with an insurmountable issue, I prefer to swiftly sever ties. ¡± Her words hung in the air, and Bryson regarded her with a furrowed brow, detecting the underlying resentment in her eyes. ¡°Do you truly cherish our rtionship? How could you discard it so easily?¡± Hannah¡¯s anger red. She no longer wished to conclude things amicably. ¡°Must I emte your lukewarm approach and remain silent when I sense something amiss in our rtionship? Does that solve anything? I value what we have, but have you ever respected it? You withhold your thoughts and feelings, leaving me in the dark. Is that how you treat me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s because¡­¡± Bryson hesitated, his voice faltering. ¡°Because I can¡¯t articte it. ¡± Hannah¡¯s anger red, fueled by Bryson¡¯s inability tomunicate. Fury surged through Hannah, contorting her smile into a grimace of resentment. ¡°Fine. If you can¡¯t tell me, then don¡¯t ever bother. ¡± Damn, Bryson! Damn, Bryson! The curse echoed in Hannah¡¯s mind as she stormed away, leaving Bryson in her wake. Sensing his impending pursuit, she whirled around, jabbing a finger in his direction. ¡°Try following me again. ¡± Though Bryson could easily ignore hermand and trail after her, he chose instead to heed her unspoken plea, and opted for silence, unwilling to further upset her. As he watched her retreating form, his fists clenched in frustration. Just days ago, he had convinced himself to maintain a semnce ofposure. Yet, upon encountering Hannah, all his carefully constructed defenses crumbled. Deep within, he acknowledged his inability to part ways with her, let alone lose her. Humans were indeed fickle creatures. After pushing someone away, they often found themselves consumed with regret. Chapter 1551 The weight on his heart felt like a ticking time bomb, triggered anew each time he crossed paths with Hannah. He couldn¡¯t predict when it would detonate, fragmenting their delicate bond into irreparable shards. With a weary sigh, Bryson closed his eyes, grappling with the turmoil within. ¡°What am I supposed to do?¡± he whispered, his voice heavy with uncertainty. After storming off, Hannah nced back to ensure she wasn¡¯t being followed.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Now that she was alone, she allowed her emotions to bubble up to the surface. ¡°Bryson Mitchell, mark my words! I swear, I¡¯m done talking to you¡­ forever!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery As Hannah stewed over Bryson¡¯s recent unsettling behavior, her irritation deepened. Although she hadn¡¯t reacted outwardly upon seeing Melina with Bryson, she understood his twisted sense of decorum. Yet, his act of pulling her away reignited her smoldering anger. It was their issue, irrelevant to others. Still, the simplicity of the emotional turmoil made it even more maddening for Hannah. He hadn¡¯t exined anything. His evasive attitude was infuriating. ¡°Damn you, Bryson! You¡¯re the worst!¡± Cursing under her breath, Hannah forcefully cleared her mind of him. She had plenty to handle without his disruptions clouding her thoughts. Upon returning to the hotelte, exhaustion overwhelmed her. After a quick wash and change, she copsed into bed and fell into a troubled sleep. Her rest was short-lived, however, as it was disrupted by the incessant ringing of her phone. She was barely able to drift into sleep and it made her feel irritable. And to make matters worse, her phone just kept on ringing. Ring! Ring! Ring! Irritated by the disturbance, Hannah snatched up the phone and snapped, ¡°Who the f@ck is it?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± Recognizing the voice, she paused before asking, ¡°Bryson?¡± Knowing that she was still groggy, Hannah checked the caller ID again before cautiously cing the phone to her ear. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what is it?¡± she asked. ¡°I¡¯m downstairs and I brought you some breakfast,¡± he answered. Sitting upright in bed, Hannah eximed in disbelief, ¡°What on earth is wrong with you?¡± On the phone, Bryson adopted a tone with a calmness that contrasted sharply with Hannah¡¯s rising irritation. ¡°Well,e downstairs and have breakfast. It¡¯s getting cold. ¡± ¡°I won¡¯te down! Bryson, are you stalking me? How did you know which hotel I¡¯m staying at?¡± Chapter 1552 In the hotel¡¯s resting hall downstairs, Bryson grinned, unbothered. ¡°This hotel belongs to me. I made a point of checking the nearby hotelsst night and figured you were here. ¡± Last night, they had a horrible fight, and they parted on bad terms. This morning, Bryson had shown up ostensibly to offer breakfast, his attentiveness tinged with uncertainty about his motives. ¡°No, thanks. The hotel provided a breakfast voucher, and I don¡¯t usually eat breakfast. ¡± Hannah promptly hung up the phone, switched it to airne mode, and went back to sleep. Awakening naturallyter, she grabbed her phone to check the time. It was almost noon. She quickly packed up her things, ready to head to Saul¡¯s Research Institute. Exiting the elevator and walking towards the hotel¡¯s exit, Hannah spotted a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see Bryson approaching in a neatly tailored gray suit, his demeanor casual as he said to her, ¡°Were you able to sleep well?¡± ¡°Why are you still here?¡± asked Hannah. Running out of patience, she grunted, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you that I don¡¯t want to eat breakfast? Why didn¡¯t you just leave me the hell alone?¡± Taking her frustration lightly, Bryson replied, ¡°It¡¯s already lunchtime! We better get something to eat. Come on, it¡¯s my treat. ¡± ¡°I said I don¡¯t want to eat!¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but wonder when Bryson had be so shameless. Bryson slightly raised his eyebrows and responded with confidence, ¡°I will never stop trying to persuade you, and I¡¯m sure you know that by now.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Despite revealing her true feelings, Hannah¡¯s face remainedposed as she replied, ¡°I won¡¯t join you. You can eat alone. ¡± ¡°I have other ns. We¡¯re heading in different directions, so I¡¯ll take my leave now. ¡± Hannah exited the hotel, intending to catch a taxi, but Bryson intercepted her. ¡°Where are you headed? I can give you a lift. ¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°What¡¯s this now? Mr. Mitchell, thepany head, moonlights as a taxi driver?¡± Bryson shook his head and countered, ¡°I don¡¯t enjoy being a taxi driver, but I do think I¡¯d do great as your personal chauffeur. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Can¡¯t you ever speak inly?¡± Bryson chose not to respond further to herment. Instead, he walked over, opened a car door, and gestured to Hannah. ¡°Get in, I¡¯ll drive you. ¡± Chapter 1553 ¡°I told you over and over again, I need nothing from you!¡± Thereafter, Hannah gged down a taxi that had just pulled up. As the taxi driver rolled down his window to speak, he was startled to find his door suddenly opened. The driver turned, surprised by the sight of a well-dressed, wealthy-looking man on the other side, wearing a grim expression. Unsure of what to say, the driver stammered, ¡°Sir, what are you¡­¡± ¡°Step out of the vehicle. I need to borrow your car,¡± Bryson stated coldly. The taxi driver was taken aback. ¡°What? But, sir, I¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯LL pay you a hundred thousand to rent this car for the day,¡± said Bryson. The taxi driver quickly unbuckled his seatbelt when he heard thevish offer of one hundred thousand dors for a day¡¯s use of his car. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll clear out right now. ¡± Hannah overheard the bizarre conversation he was having with the driver. She began to wonder whether Bryson had gone insane. Was he serious about what he was doing? As the driver began to exit the vehicle, Hannah halted him. ¡°Wait!¡± The taxi driver paused and looked at her, puzzled. He was already about to leave the vehicle. ¡°What¡¯s the problem, Miss?¡± ¡°Actually, you don¡¯t need to do that. I decided that I won¡¯t be taking the taxi. You can leave. ¡± Disappointed at the sudden loss of a lucrative deal, the taxi driver grumbled as he resettled into his seat, ¡°You two are a couple, aren¡¯t you? Is this some kind of prank?¡± Eager to resolve the awkward situation without further embarrassment, Hannah pulled out a few hundred dors from her wallet. ¡°Here, for your trouble,¡± she said, leaning over to hand the cash through the passenger window. She leaned towards the driver and murmured, ¡°He¡¯s not right in the head. It¡¯s best not to engage with him. ¡± Hannah gestured towards her temple as she spoke. ¡°Here¡¯s something for your troubles. Please, drive off quickly. I¡¯m not sure what he might do next. ¡± Initially, the taxi driver was merely annoyed to see the five hundred dors that Hannah handed him. But her warning about the man¡¯s mental state changed his perspective. Considering the substantial amount, he realized it was enoughpensation to avoid any potential drama with the seemingly unstable man outside.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. He nodded at Hannah with a grateful smile. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be on my way!¡± Before departing, the driver gave Bryson a sympathetic look. It was unfortunate, he thought, that such a well-dressed man had issues. He offered Bryson a friendly piece of advice. ¡°Head home, sir. ¡± With that, he pressed down on the elerator and drove off, leaving the scene behind. Chapter 1554 Although Hannah¡¯s voice was quiet, Bryson, who was standing across the car, heard every word. After the taxi drove off, Bryson approached Hannah and questioned, ¡°Do you think I¡¯m insane?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± Hannah retorted, raising her head in defiance. She extended her hand towards Bryson and said, ¡°You owe me $50 because of your antics. Time to pay up. ¡± Bryson looked down at her outstretched palm and remarked, ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a bit harsh to demand money from a man you just called insane?¡± ¡°Haha, since when have I been known for my empathy?¡± she scoffed. She was about to lower her hand when Bryson grasped it, saying, ¡°Wait a minute¡­¡± Bryson stepped closer and said once more, ¡°Where are you headed? I¡¯ll give you a lift. ¡± ¡°I told you, I don¡¯t need a lift,¡± she answered. But before she could finish, Bryson had already swung open the passenger door and turned to her. ¡°If you¡¯re set on taking a taxi, I¡¯ll make sure you do. I¡¯ve got all day. ¡± Faced with his stubbornness, she finally conceded. ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t argue with someone who¡¯s lost their senses. ¡± Hannah then climbed into the car, and Bryson shed a grin at her before shutting the door behind her. Once inside, he started the engine and asked, ¡°Where to?¡± ¡°Halliday University,¡± she responded tersely, turning away to avoid further eye contact. Thereafter, Bryson drove on in silence, focusing on the road. ¡®s BunnyBookery However, the silence in the car only heightened Hannah¡¯s difort. Feeling uneasy about Bryson¡¯s intentions, she turned to gaze out the window, deliberately ignoring him. Soon, they arrived at Halliday University. Once the car stopped, she unfastened her seatbelt, stepped out, and walked away without looking back. Bryson unexpectedly got out of the car. Surprised, Hannah watched him. ¡°Thank you, Mr.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Mitchell, for the ride. You can leave now,¡± she said firmly. Instead of responding to her statement, he looked towards the school gate and replied, ¡°I haven¡¯t been here for a long time. I¡¯ll walk in with you. ¡± Hannah was taken aback by his response. ¡°We are not going in together, Mr. Mitchell. If you want to visit Halliday University, you should feel free to do it, but remember to register at the gate. ¡± Just as Hannah was about to walk away, someone stopped her. Chapter 1555 ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen Mr. Mitchell. Did you bring him here to see me?¡± It was Saul. She blinked in surprise and asked, ¡°Saul, do you have sses today?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an open ss day. Why don¡¯t you bring Mr. Mitchell along to sit in?¡± Saul smiled teasingly. ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯m here to meet the principal,¡± she replied. ¡°When I was herest, I promised the principal that I would help those outstanding students who are about to graduate with their graduation theses. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here today,¡± she exined. ¡°I see. ¡± Saul nodded, his expression brightening.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Then, after my ss, will you bothe back to the research institute with me?¡± Hannah knew the research institute was unrted to Bryson and she didn¡¯t want to involve him. Shaking her head, she replied, ¡°Mr. Mitchell will not be going. You go back to the institute after your ss. I¡¯ll head there alone after my meeting with the principal. ¡± ¡°Okay, then I¡¯ll see youter. ¡± Saul waved the files in his hand and walked towards the ssroom with his hands sped behind his back. Hannah started walking towards the school gate. Bryson followed her, asking, ¡°When you say you¡¯re returning to the institute, are you saying that you¡¯re nning to stay here for a while?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it matters to you if I do, does it?¡± As they reached the gate, Hannah smoothly entered while Bryson was stopped by the guard. ¡°Qutsiders need to be registered,¡± the guard stated firmly. Turning around, Hannah swept her hair over her shoulder and waved at Bryson with a mischievous smile. ¡°Bye. You can handle the registration yourself. ¡± Bryson nced at the registration book and told the guard confidently, ¡°The Mitchell family has made an appointment with the principal. ¡± Upon hearing that Bryson was associated with the Mitchell family, the guard quickly moved aside, apologizing as he gestured inward. ¡°Sorry, sir. Please,e inside. ¡± Seeing Bryson gain easy ess, a twinge of disappointment washed over Hannah. She turned back around and headed towards the faculty building. Bryson quickly caught up with her, asking, ¡°Sorry, did I take too long?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t waiting for you, you evil capitalist!¡± Hannah grunted. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t deny that I am, but so are you,¡± Bryson countered. Bryson and Hannah¡¯s verbal sparring continued relentlessly, each refusing to concede an inch. At that moment, Sadie and her friends noticed them heading toward the faculty building. Victoria¡¯s eyebrows knitted together in disapproval. ¡°Why is she here again?¡± Chapter 1556 ¡°I think they¡¯re on their way to the faculty building,¡± Sadiemented standing next to Victoria. ¡°The man with Hannah was once the CEO of the Mitchell Group, whom she became involved with after her divorce. Do you think she¡¯s nning to return to our school as a teacher?¡± ¡°That simply cannot happen,¡± Victoria stated firmly. She then looked at her friends, determination in her eyes, and urged Sadie, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go see what she¡¯s up to. ¡± By the time they reached the faculty building, Hannah and Bryson had already ascended in the elevator. Victoria noticed the elevator indicator halt at the fifth floor and furrowed her brow. ¡°What¡¯s on the fifth floor?¡± Sadie was more familiar with theyout, so she responded promptly, ¡°That¡¯s where the principal¡¯s office is!¡± ¡°I see. She¡¯s trying to bribe her way back to the position,¡± Victoria muttered under her breath. Recalling her previous embarrassment at Hannah¡¯s hands, Sadie¡¯s expression hardened. Victoria hit the elevator button with resolve and dered, ¡°Follow me. If she¡¯s aiming for a position at Halliday University, I¡¯ll be the first to oppose it. If she seeds, I¡¯ll change myst name from Archer!¡± Meanwhile, Hannah and Bryson had just stepped into the principal¡¯s office. Surprised, the principal greeted Bryson warmly, but his eyes lingered curiously on Hannah. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what brings you here?¡± he inquired with a hint of curiosity. ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson responded with a calm demeanor, ¡°I apanied her. ¡± Caught somewhat off guard, Hannah managed a smile towards the principal and exined, ¡°You mentioned needing help with the graduation theses. I¡¯ll start by reviewing the submissions. ¡± ¡°Excellent!¡± The principal nodded, his enthusiasm apparent. ¡°I¡¯ve already highlighted the top submissions from the medical school. I spoke with Professor Campbell about the two remaining spots for the graduate programme. He¡¯s overwhelmed with work at the Research Institute and decided to pass on them. Hannah, could you assist in selecting the two candidates?¡± ¡°Certainly. ¡± Taking the documents from the principal, Hannah began to sift through the papers. Meanwhile, the principal engaged Bryson in conversation. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, the construction of the branch school¡¯s dormitory isplete. Your generosity towards Halliday University is trulymendable. ¡± As Victoria and her group approached, they overheard the principal¡¯s words just outside the door. In a hushed tone filled with conviction, Victoria¡¯s friend murmured, ¡°It seems Victoria was correct. He¡¯s definitely used his donation of a dormitory building as a bribe to get his girlfriend the teaching position. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, Mr. Ramsey. It¡¯s already a thing of the past,¡± Bryson replied in a nonchnt tone. ¡°Despite it being a thing of the past, I must extend my gratitude to you, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± As they conversed, Hannah selected two student graduation theses.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°I believe these two are the strongest contenders. The professors may want to consider them. ¡± Observing the names chosen by Hannah, the principal nodded approvingly. ¡°The professors do seem to hold them in high regard. Miss Moore, if you have faith in their work as well, I feel reassured. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s no trouble. Regarding thesis guidance, they can reach out to me through remote courses. I¡¯m avable for assistance anytime. ¡± Chapter 1557 The principal felt somewhat embarrassed and remarked, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m concerned it might inconvenience you. ¡± Hannah offered a reassuring smile. ¡°Not at all. It¡¯s amitment I made previously. ¡± The conversation inside reached the ears of those outside. They didn¡¯t catch every word, but they heard the principal express relief at having Hannah assist in thesis selection. However, they could also observe the proceedings from outside while concealing themselves. Upon hearing these remarks, Sadie rolled her eyes and conceived another bad-advised n. ¡°It appears they¡¯re not returning to school but assisting those students in gaining entry into the graduate programme! They approached the principal discreetly and even contributed to the construction of a dormitory. I suspect it¡¯s because of those two students who had to resort to unconventional methods that they received certain privileges!¡± Victoria epted it unquestioningly. The more she contemted the situation, the more convinced she became. ¡°It is unfair to others Victoria eximed, eager to confront them. ¡°No, I must go in and expose them!¡± Sadie quickly restrained her and whispered, ¡°We cannot act impulsively now!¡± ¡°If you confront them without evidence, they won¡¯t confess. ¡± ¡°Then what do you suggest?¡± Victoria asked impatiently. Sadie pointed to Victoria¡¯s phone and suggested, ¡°Capture a photo of them. We also overheard their conversation today. Share this evidence on the forum and see if they can still gain entry through ndestine means!¡± As Sadie boasted about her n, Avianna Burke, Victoria¡¯s closest friend, scoffed and remarked, ¡°It seems you¡¯re aware of what needs to be done. ¡± Victoria embraced the idea and swiftly pulled out her phone, capturing several photos of them. She then instructed them to leave. Once they exited the elevator and stepped out of the teacher¡¯s building Victoria turned to Sadie.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Since this was your idea, I¡¯ll leave the next steps to you. If you manage to get Hannah in trouble, I¡¯ll reward you with two limited edition bags. ¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes sparkled with determination. ¡°You can count on me, Victoria. I¡¯ll make sure she faces serious consequences. Just wait and see!¡± Returning to the teaching building, Sadie nced back at the faculty building with a steely gaze. ¡°Hannah Moore!¡± Sadie thought to herself vindictively. ¡°I¡¯m no longer the Sadie who was constantly manipted by others! Now, you¡¯re at my mercy Just wait and see!¡± As they stepped into the teaching building, they encountered Scarlett and a group of girls animatedly discussing ns for the uing weekend party. ¡°Miss Moore gave me ten thousand dors and requested that I organize a party. I don¡¯t wish to spend such arge sum on it. I¡¯ve arranged a nice venue for singing. We can enjoy music and food there. I believe the atmosphere will be delightful. ¡± The girls expressed their delight. ¡°Miss Moore is so generous. It¡¯s a shame she¡¯s not returning as a teacher. ¡± Upon hearing this, Victoria interjected impatiently, ¡°That¡¯s absurd! She doesn¡¯t deserve to teach for the rest of her life!¡± Scarlett, displeased by Victoria¡¯s remark, retorted, ¡°Miss Moore didn¡¯t offend you. Why are you being so harsh?¡± ¡°True, she didn¡¯t offend me, but her moral integrity is questionable. What¡¯s the significance of her giving you ten thousand dors? How easily she tries to buy you off with such a small amount. ¡± Victoria held the title of princess within an entertainment corporation, and typically, individuals refrained from provoking her. Chapter 1558 Today, Victoria scolded Hannah, and Scarlett couldn¡¯t let it pass. ¡°You are from a wealthy family. Ten thousand dors might not mean much to you, but you never share any with us to enjoy. ¡± ¡°Why should I give you money?¡± Victoria scoffed, remarking, ¡°I¡¯d prefer giving it to others rather than to you!¡± ¡°Nonsense! You persist in boasting about your capabilities. Compared to Miss Moore, your aplishments are merely superficial. ¡± In the school, there were numerous affluent youngdies and gentlemen, yet few of them exhibited such illiberality as her.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Scarlett remarked before departing with her ssmates. Victoria, perturbed, promptly halted her, ¡°Do you dare to repeat that?¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± Scarlett paused, mindful of her ssmates¡¯ presence, unafraid of Victoria. ¡°If you possess thepetence, demonstrate it to us. Let us genuinely acknowledge it!¡± ¡°Very well!¡± Victoria, biting her lip, responded, ¡°Pierson Miller¡¯s schedule is full. You n to host a party on Sunday, right? What will you do if I manage to bring him along?¡± The renowned star, Pierson Miller?! That promising young actor! Surrounding students gazed upon them w ith admiration. Sadie added, ¡°You¡¯re unaware. Pierson¡¯s coborating with Victoria¡¯spany. She can summon him with a mere phone call!¡± Scarlett¡¯s countenance darkened, her eyelids drooping. Observing her frustration, Avianna sneered, ¡°Lost your voice, have you? Do youck the courage to make a bet? Or are you too cowardly to speak in defense of Miss Moore?¡± ¡°Who says I don¡¯t dare!¡± Scarlett¡¯s fists clenched, her frame trembling slightly. ¡°I¡¯ll provide the address! ¡°If you¡¯re capable, simply invite him over this weekend. If he doesn¡¯t show up, you¡¯ll refrain from speaking ill of Miss Moore any longer¡­ ¡°Humph!¡± Victoria snorted with disdain, dismissing Scarlett¡¯s challenge. ¡°I can certainly extend the invitation. But what then?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Scarlett hesitated, meeting Victoria¡¯s gaze. ¡°Just tell me¡­ What¡¯s your condition?¡± After pondering for a moment, Victoria¡¯sughter turned sinister. ¡°Should you fail, you¡¯ll publicly dere yourself a fool with a loudspeaker in the yground three times and scrub the men¡¯svatory for a month!¡± As soon as she uttered those words, the girls surrounding them burst intoughter. ¡°That¡¯s great! That¡¯s great! It¡¯s quite amusing to imagine you cleaning the men¡¯s Lavatory!¡± Scarlett¡¯s face flushed red, then drained of color. Her ssmates rallied to her defense. ¡°You¡¯re imposing two conditions. It¡¯s not fair!¡± Chapter 1559 Initially wearing a smile, Victoria narrowed her eyes at Scarlett. ¡°Fine, just the men¡¯svatory duty for a month.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Do you dare to bet?¡± Scarlett couldn¡¯t fathom how things had taken such an unexpected turn. The students around her all stared, leaving her with no way out. She finally said, ¡°Why not? If you manage to bring Pierson here, then you win. But if you fail, you¡¯ll stop badmouthing Miss Moore, agreed?¡± Victoria snorted with contempt and, without acknowledging Scarlett¡¯s challenge, turned to leave with her friends. Sadie mocked Scarlett, ¡°Better start getting ready to clean the men¡¯s restroom!¡± Once they were gone, Scarlett¡¯s friends gathered around her, worried. ¡°What are you going to do now?¡± Feeling a bit intimidated, Scarlett knew Vic toria came from a powerful family and could actually manage to bring the big star. Acting on impulse would havended her in real trouble. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it outter. ss is starting, let¡¯s head back. ¡± Meanwhile, after her discussion with the principal, Hannah headed out of the school with Bryson. As they passed the gate, Bryson was puzzled. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me about studying biological medicine projects when you were abroad?¡± Hannah chuckled. ¡°There¡¯s a lot you don¡¯t know about me. I don¡¯t have to report everything, right?¡± The principal had mentioned to Bryson that Hannah had returned to the research institute because of a biopharmaceutical project. Bryson felt there was more to the story. ¡°Are you keeping something from me?¡± ¡°Huh. ¡± Suddenly, Hannah smiled. She looked up at Bryson. ¡°Do you have secrets you¡¯re keeping from me, Mr. Mitchell?¡± Hannah gestured to Bryson. ¡°Let¡¯s wrap things up here. You don¡¯t need to worry about anything else. ¡± This time, when she turned and walked away, Bryson stayed put. Back at theb, Hannah organized the data and worked on the project by herself. Soon, there was a knock at the door. Hannah, still wearing protective sses, looked up. ¡°I brought you some coffee. Need any help?¡± Lewis entered, holding two cups of coffee. ¡°I¡¯m here to help. ¡± ¡°No, I never drink in theb. ¡± Hannah removed her sses. ¡°There¡¯s not much to help with here, just need to run these data a few more times. ¡± ncing at her watch, Hannah added, ¡°Maybe you can help me finish up these data? I have some personal errands this afternoon. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Lewis set down the coffee and replied, ¡°Go ahead with your ns. I¡¯ve got this covered. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± Chapter 1560 Hannah nced back significantly as she left theb and made her way to the elevator. As the elevator door slid open, Hannah nearly collided with someone stepping out. Phoenix quickly stepped back. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah replied, sidestepping smoothly. ¡°Heading back to work on the project?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m swamped these next couple of days. I might not be able to lend a hand. ¡± Hannah smiled casually. ¡°No worries. Lewis is helping me . ¡± Phoenix adjusted his sses and returned her smile. ¡°Then I¡¯ll head back up. ¡± They walked past each other. After bidding him farewell, Hannah exited the research institution. Once outside, she immediately called Maloney. ¡°I¡¯m sending you an address. Have Dotson drive you here. ¡± ¡°What address?¡± Maloney felt a bit lost. ¡°Where should I instruct him to drive me?¡± ¡°Just head over. There¡¯s a promising deal to discuss. ¡± Maloney scowled. ¡°What benefits you might not benefit me. ¡± ¡°Enough with the babbling. Get here before nightfall. ¡± Hannah sent Maloney the address of Rising Bar in Valmere, then hailed a taxi to the bar. The Rising Bar looked unchanged. It appeared to be closed still. The entire signboard was unlit. After stepping out of the taxi, Hannah approached the door and rang the bell. The bell echoed. A whileter, a bartender, yawning, opened the door. ¡°Sorry, we¡¯re closed right now. You cane back at half past seven. ¡± As he started to close the door, Hannah blocked it. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Clive. ¡± The mention of Clive snapped the bartender to attention.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! He sized up Hannah. ¡°Are you involved with Mr. Wainwright? Is he your boyfriend?¡± The sight of an attractive woman looking for Clive made the bartender assume another love interest was involved. Without any fuss, Hannah stated, ¡°Just tell him Hannah is here and he¡¯ll want to see me. ¡± Realizing her certainty, the bartender quickly swung the door wide open. ¡°Oh! You¡¯re a friend of Mr. Wainwright. Please,e in and wait. I¡¯ll fetch him for you. ¡± Chapter 1561 ¡°Okay. ¡± The bartender guided Hannah to a private room before he hurried to the manager¡¯s office and knocked on the door. He knocked several times, but when no one responded, he gathered his nerve and twisted the doorknob. ¡°Mr. Wainwright¡­¡± Suddenly, a pillow hurtled through the air and thudded against the door. Clive, clearly still groggy and irritated from sleep, red at the bartender. ¡°There had better be a good reason for you to disturb my sleep!¡± The bartender hesitated, then said, ¡°Mr. Wainwright, there¡¯s a woman named Hannah here to see you.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. I thought I should¡­¡± At the mention of Hannah, the annoyance faded from Clive¡¯s eyes. He got to his feet, grabbed his coat, and stepped out. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so sooner?¡± The bartender muttered to himself, realizing Clive hadn¡¯t given him a chance to exin. ¡°Where is she?¡± he asked sharply. The bartender quickly responded, ¡°She¡¯s in a private room. I¡¯ll show you the way. ¡± When they reached the private room, Clive swung the door open to find Hannah already there, seated and waiting. He hesitated for a moment before turning to the bartender beside him. ¡°Could you bring me our finest liquors?¡± ¡°Of course, sir. ¡± Clive sat down across from Hannah and remarked, ¡°You¡¯ve been out of touch for quite a while. Mr. Vargas was convinced you were wrapped up in some major deal. Is there anything you need my help with this time?¡± With Clive, it was always straight to the point. Hannah shed a smile. ¡°I always have a reason for my visits. I need a favor from you. ¡± Clive nodded. ¡°Go ahead and ask. Even if I¡¯m reluctant, Mr. Vargas would certainly step in. ¡± He spread his hands with a slight grimace. ¡°You¡¯re the one in charge here, after all. ¡± Noticing his tone, Hannah chuckled and probed, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? It¡¯s only been half a year since west met. Is there something bothering you about me?¡± Clive averted his gaze, unwilling to meet Hannah¡¯s probing eyes, and replied stiffly, ¡°No. ¡± Hannah, undeterred, gestured emphatically toward the table. ¡°If you have something to say, just spit it out. Enough with the secrets. You know what bothers me the most. ¡± ¡°Fine. Since you¡¯re adamant, I¡¯ll cut to the chase,¡± Clive said, a flicker of resentment clouding his features. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you speak up when our boss reached out to you earlier?¡± ¡°I was abroad. I couldn¡¯t reach out because of safety concerns, so I changed my number,¡± Hannah exined. ¡°ALL right. Then I¡¯ve got nothing more to add,¡± Clive conceded, his demeanor deted. Chapter 1562 ¡°Even if you¡¯ve got nothing to add, you owe me an exnation. What¡¯s the real reason?¡± Hannah pressed. Clivepsed into silence for a moment before finally speaking, ¡°Something serious went down a while back. We lostrades, and Mr. Vargas nearly¡­ nearly didn¡¯t make it out alive. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah¡¯s brows furrowed in disbelief. ¡°Were you involved in some shady business without my knowledge?¡± Upon hearing this, Clive flinched, his silence unbroken. Hannah¡¯s frustration peaked at his reaction. ¡°Fine, if you won¡¯t tell me, I¡¯ll contact Franklyn right now. ¡± Seeing her reaching for her phone, Clive acted swiftly to halt her. ¡°Don¡¯t call Mr. Vargas!¡± He the exined, ¡°Actually¡­ It¡¯s not Mr. Vargas¡¯ fault. His men depend on him for their livelihoods, but his business has hit a rough patch recently. You warned us to steer clear of the gray market. For the past half a year, we¡¯ve been living off our past earnings to support our team. Mr. Vargas took a job from an old client out of desperation¡ªwe had no other options. It was supposed to be quick money: five million dors in three days for just providing some muscle as bodyguards. But we never anticipated how deadly it would be. Mr. Vargas took a dozen men; only he and three others made it back. ¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed, her mind racing. Did Franklyn venture into Muvrand? Muvrand was notorious for its unpredictable nature. She and Bryson also had their share of tumultuous experience there. ¡°What exactly did you do for this client?¡± Hannah inquired. Clive¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Mr. Vargas imed it was a gambling event on an ind. It seemed harmless at first, but by the end, the stakes had escted to their very lives! They were stranded on the ind without a means of escape and were coerced into gambling for their lives. ¡± ¡°Where is this ind?¡± Hannah pressed for more information. Clive opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, a knock sounded at the door. The bartender entered, bearing bottles of wine. ¡°Mr. Wainwright, here¡¯s the wine you requested. And the guests have arrived. ¡± As the bartender served the wine, Maloney and Dotson entered one after the other. Maloney nodded at Clive before taking a seat beside Hannah, while Dotson settled in nearby. ¡°We can discuss thister,¡± Hannah suggested, addressing the group. ¡°But first, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Pierce and Dotson. They¡¯re friends of mine.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± After exchanging nods, Hannah delved into the recent events at the research institute. Maloney¡¯s expression turned slightly shocked. ¡°You¡¯re so quick to confirm it¡¯s from your institute?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no one else it could be,¡± Hannah replied firmly. Clive interjected, ¡°Then what¡¯s the next step? Should we restrain them and interrogate them?¡± His suggestion elicited puzzled looks from the others. ¡°What? Am I wrong?¡± Maloney turned to Hannah, inquiring, ¡°Is Cadilind really in such disarray?¡± Chapter 1563 Hannah took a moment topose herself before responding, ¡°We live in a society governed byw now. We can¡¯t take matters into our own hands and risk legal repercussions. ¡± Clive ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. ¡°Then what do you suggest? They won¡¯t admit to anything, and we can¡¯t do anything to them. ¡± ¡°I have a n, which is why I¡¯ve called upon your assistance,¡± Hannah exined. ¡°Clive, you have extensive connections. Leak to a few specific individuals the news that a research in Saul Campbell¡¯s research institute is about to seed,¡± she instructed. She then directed her attention to Maloney. ¡°Do you still have contacts of those fake researchers?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Maloney replied. ¡°Give Clive their contact information. ¡± Hannah added, ¡°And Clive, make sure they don¡¯t suspect anything. ¡± Clive affirmed, ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. I¡¯ll be discreet. ¡± She continued, ¡°Once they take the bait, inform them that the buyer is willing to offer a good price, but he is cautious and knowledgeable about biological medicine. ¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Clive affirmed. ¡°Are we aiming for a straightforward capture?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah affirmed, her expression grave. ¡°We can¡¯t afford to wait around. Apply pressure and expedite the process. ¡± Clive assured her, ¡°Consider it done. I know what to do.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡± As their conversation neared its end, Maloney inquired, ¡°What¡¯s my role in all of this?¡± Hannah turned to him, patting his shoulder reassuringly. ¡°Just y the fool. ¡± The term didn¡¯t sit well with Maloney, but he kept his thoughts to himself. With their ns in motion, Hannah handed Clive a new phone number. ¡°I won¡¯t change this number. Contact me on this if you need to reach me. ¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Clive acknowledged as he escorted them out into the darkness. Once they were gone, Hannah motioned for Dotson and Maloney to get into the car first. She had some final words for Clive. As they stood at the door, Hannah queried, ¡°Where is that ind you mentioned earlier?¡± Clive hesitated before responding, ¡°Let¡¯s leave the past behind, Miss Moore. There¡¯s nothing to gain from dredging up old memories. ¡± Contrite for his earlier behavior, Clive offered an apology, ¡°I was in a bad mood earlier. Mr. Vargas made some mistakes too. I apologize for my outburst. ¡± ¡°We can¡¯t simply brush it aside,¡± Hannah insisted. ¡°I might have overlooked it before, but now that I¡¯m aware, I won¡¯t turn a blind eye. ¡± Clive shook his head, resigned. ¡°It¡¯s futile. The ind was ted for auction not long ago, and the person in charge will be changed soon. ¡± An ind up for auction? The notion struck a chord with Hannah. It felt eerily familiar, reminiscent. ¡°Is this ind located in Palmetan?¡± she inquired. Clive appeared taken aback. ¡°Miss Moore, you know about that?¡± ¡°One of my acquaintances is interested in bidding on that ind and has invited me to attend the auction with her,¡± Hannah exined. Clive¡¯s smile was rueful. ¡°What a coincidence! But please, Miss Moore, let it be. There¡¯s no need to get involved. ¡± Hannah remained silent, retrieving a card from her pocket and handing it to Clive. ¡°There¡¯s sixty million dors loaded onto this card. Give it to Franklyn as a temporary measure. Let him know that I¡¯m aware of what transpired on that ind. ¡± ¡°No!¡± He protested. ¡°I can¡¯t ept this card!¡± ¡°It¡¯s meant for Franklyn, not you,¡± Hannah rified, pushing the card back toward Clive. ¡°Just make sure you convey my message to him. ¡± Chapter 1564 Clive held the bank card in his hand and watched as Hannah walked away, lost in thought. Hannah opened the back door and climbed into the car. Dotson turned to her and asked, ¡°Boss, where to next? Go back to Hoijery?¡± ¡°No, we¡¯ll stay in Valmere for a few days. We¡¯ll leave once everything is settled. ¡± Maloney chimed in, ¡°Since I¡¯ve served as your decoy, how about a little something for my trouble?¡± ¡°I do have a patent on a medicine. ¡± Hannah turned towards Maloney and proposed, ¡°You¡¯re free to use it for three years. You might take this as a chance to consider whether to venture further into the biological pharmacy business. ¡± Maloney saw no reason to decline such an enticing offer. He nodded and said, ¡°That seems fair. I¡¯ll definitely help you. ¡± Hannah directed Dotson to drive them back to her hotel and arranged for both of them to stay for a week. As the elevator doors opened, her phone began to ring. She pulled out her phone and saw it was Scarlett calling.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Hannah answered the call. ¡°Scarlett, what¡¯s going on?¡± There was no reply, but Hannah could hear crying from the other end. ¡°Scarlett? Are you crying?¡± With a frown, Hannah used her room card to open the door, walked inside, and shut it behind her. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Miss¡­ Miss Moore¡­ I think I¡¯ve gotten you into trouble. And I¡¯m in quite a mess myself. ¡± Hearing the distress in Scarlett¡¯s voice, Hannah reassured her softly, ¡°It¡¯s alright. Just tell me what happened. If you can¡¯t handle it, I will. ¡± It was only after Hannah¡¯sforting words that Scarlett began to calm down. Scarlett, speaking through a nasal voice, ryed to Hannah all the events of the day. ¡°At that time, I was quite upset¡­ Later on, I realized I was in deep trouble and it was beyond me to fix it. Miss Moore, I honestly did not intend to ce such a bet with her. My thoughts were in a mess at the moment. She baited me into agreeing. Now, it¡¯s toote for regrets¡­¡± Victoria was always stirring up problems. Given the slightest opportunity, she would cause chaos. Since Victoria was still a student, Hannah initially chose to pass over her rude remarks. But now an opportunity arose for Hannah to teach her a lesson. As silence filled the other end of the line, Scarlett gripped the phone with anxiety. ¡°Miss Moore¡­ Are you upset?¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not entirely to me. ¡± Hannah responded calmly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Rest well. I¡¯ll take care of it. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Scarlett faltered. From the other end, Hannah¡¯s voice came softly, reassuring her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Everything will work out. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore. I¡¯m sorry to trouble you. ¡± Chapter 1565 After ending the call, Hannah pondered briefly before dialing Pierson¡¯s number. The phone rang several times before someone answered. The man¡¯s voice was gentle as he said, ¡°Hello, may I know who is calling?¡± This was Hannah¡¯s new number; she had never used it to call Pierson before. She had assumed he might not pick up the call, nning to reach him through an app if that happened. But, to her surprise, he picked up. ¡°It¡¯s me. I¡¯m¡­¡± They hadn¡¯t contacted each other in a long time. Before she could finish, Pierson interrupted with a joyful surprise in his voice, ¡°Hannah! It¡¯s you! It¡¯s been a while since west talked. I remember asking you about participating in a film project, and you didn¡¯t reply. I worried I might have upset you. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was swamped with things back then. Plus, I traveled abroad and it slipped my mind. ¡± Pierson smiled and didn¡¯t care at all. ¡°That¡¯s okay. You¡¯re not in the entertainment business, so I understand if you¡¯re not keen on filming. ¡± ¡°Oh, right. ¡± Pierson inquired, ¡°Can I help you with something?¡± ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a bit of trouble. ¡± After Hannah shared her situation, there was a noticeable pause on the line. ¡°So, you reached out because of this. ¡± Pierson was mumbling to himself on the phone, his face twisted in displeasure. ¡°If this is a hassle for you, just forget it. ¡± ¡°No issue at all. ¡± Pierson responded, ¡°I had no intentions of attending. ¡± Suddenly, Pierson¡¯s tone turned cold. ¡°I got a call from Archer Group¡¯s entertainmentpany for a business meeting. It turned out to be a ruse to get me there. I wondered why they picked a singing venue for business. ¡± Hannah realized that even artists face tough situations. ¡°If Archer Group is going to pressure you, feel free to turn down my suggestion. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s merely a business coboration. ¡± Pierson wasn¡¯t bothered. He had started his ownpany over thest six months. He was well-regarded, drawingrge audiences in both films and TV shows. Tired of acting, he was eager to shift his career focus to directing and behind-the-scenes work. Yet, Pierson didn¡¯t share these thoughts with Hannah. Instead, he assured her in a warm tone, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Hannah. Although I¡¯m shooting a program here in Valmere, I won¡¯t attend. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll treat you to dinner when we¡¯re both free. ¡± Pierson burst into Laughter on the other end of the phone and asked directly, ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re not just being polite, are you? Does that mean you¡¯ll always be busy?¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Chapter 1566 Her polite facade slipped suddenly, leaving Hannah a bit embarrassed. ¡°Well¡­ No. ¡± Pierson chuckled at Hannah¡¯s response. ¡°Hannah, no need for excuses. I can see you feel bad. Well, I¡¯m actually busy with a showtely, so I really can¡¯t make it for dinner. You¡¯ll have to owe me that meal. When I¡¯m free, you¡¯ll have to pay it back. ¡± Upon hearing this, Hannah promised, ¡°I owe you a meal.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. It¡¯s on me next time you¡¯re free. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s a date. ¡± ¡°You have my word. ¡± After hanging up, Hannah let out a sigh of relief. She tossed her phone onto the bed and went to take a shower. In another room of the hotel, Maloney had just finished his shower and stepped out, only to find someone unexpectedly in his room. ¡°You! How did you get in here? Bryson!¡± It was the first time Maloney showed such an exaggerated reaction. Dressed in just a bath towel, he was drying his hair when he looked up and was shocked by the person lounging on the sofa across from him. The man was nonchntly flipping through a magazine. Bryson closed the magazine with his slim fingers and looked up. ¡°I walked in. ¡± Gritting his teeth, Maloney tossed the towel he used to dry his hair aside and said, ¡°I mean, why are you in my room?¡± Bryson, standing his ground confidently, responded, ¡°I swiped the room card and came in. ¡± Maloney, feeling exasperated by Bryson¡¯s shameless demeanor, closed his eyes and inquired, ¡°From where did you get the room card?¡± ¡°I own this hotel. ¡± Just because he was wealthy, could he act with impunity? Suddenly, Maloneyprehended why Hannahbeled Bryson a_ ruthless capitalist. She was right! ¡°You broke into my room at night. I hope you have a valid reason for being here. ¡± Maloney approached Bryson and took a seat across from him. ¡°Or else, I¡¯ll inform Miss Moore that you uwfully entered my room in the dead of night with malicious intent. ¡± Bryson remained unfazed by Maloney¡¯s warning. ¡°You may inform her now. ¡± ¡°Okay, okay, I surrender. Just enlighten me on your purpose for being here. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s the recent scheme between you and Hannah?¡± Chapter 1567 Maloney arched an eyebrow in surprise. ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re here to investigate Hannah. But it¡¯s confidential. I can¡¯t divulge. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze chilled. ¡°I may choose to cooperate with your Pierce family, or I may not. ¡± ¡°Tut. ¡± Seated across from Bryson, Maloney tutted disapprovingly to convey his dissatisfaction. ¡°You can issue threats, but I¡¯m not allowed to?¡± Maloney avoided engaging in an argument with Bryson. ¡°But I genuinely can¡¯t disclose this n to you. Miss Moore explicitly instructed me to maintain secrecy, even from you, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Had she anticipated his return to inquire for information from Maloney? Bryson¡¯s fingertips twitched imperceptibly, his gaze darkening. ¡°Did she specifically mention including me?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± During their discussion at the Rising Bar, Hannah cautioned them against disclosing the n to anyone. ¡®s BunnyBookery Although Hannah emphasized the need for secrecy, she hadn¡¯t explicitly mentioned including Bryson. Nheless, Maloney hesitated to voice this thought. Instead, he replied, ¡°It¡¯s not to be shared with anyone, not even you, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°Even if I could assist, you wouldn¡¯t inform me?¡± Maloney said, ¡°We don¡¯t need your help, Mr. Mitchell.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. It¡¯s not a big deal. Stop poking into Miss Moore¡¯s business. If you want to know, ask her yourself. ¡± Bryson lifted his gaze, his expression icy. ¡°If I could easily ask, would I be here now?¡± That was true. Maloney arched an eyebrow. ¡°Well, I won¡¯t spill the beans. It wouldn¡¯t bode well for me. I¡¯d rather not incur Miss Moore¡¯s wrath because of you. Besides, you and her have a knack for dragging me into trouble, so I¡¯ll maintain my silence to keep myself out of hot water. ¡± Bryson rubbed his nose in response to the absurdity. Despite theck of information from Maloney, Bryson was confident that Hannah¡¯s ns weren¡¯t overly perilous. Unable to obtain an answer, he decided to dispatch his men to covertly continue protecting her. With this in mind, Bryson rose from his seat and headed for the door. Seizing the moment, Maloney couldn¡¯t resist teasing, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, leaving so soon? I¡¯ll be terribly lonely without yourpany. ¡± By then, Bryson had reached the door. Turning the knob, he cast a cold nce at Maloney. ¡°You should count yourself lucky that firearms are prohibited in Cadilind, or you might find yourself on the receiving end of a bullet. ¡± Then, there was a loud m. Chapter 1568 Bryson had mmed the door shut. Seated on the sofa, Maloney smiled and muttered, ¡°What a fiery temper. ¡± When Hannah woke up in the morning, she found a message from Clive and multiple missed calls. Clive had already shared the news and was eagerly anticipating a response. No doubt, those missed calls were from Franklyn. Instead of returning the calls, Hannah texted Clive: ¡°Inform your boss not to concern himself further. I have everything under control. ¡± Following the message, Hannah called Lydia. ¡°Lydia, do you have any information about the ind you mentioned earlier? Could you send it to me?¡± ¡°Certainly. I¡¯m at the office. I have all the details about the ind ready. I¡¯ll send them to you immediately. ¡± ¡°Great, I¡¯ll take a look right away. ¡± After ending the call, Lydia swiftly emailed an abundance of ns and information about the ind, including its initial state. ¡®s BunnyBookeryN?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Faced with the multitude of documents, Hannah summoned room service for breakfast before delving into the materials. She went over the ns and information. They were all very basic designs, nothing remarkable about them. Although the ind remained unpurchased, Lydia was eager to make ns for developing it. After sifting through the lengthy ns and information, Hannah discovered the original state of the ind. The ind¡¯s photos depicted clear views of its semi-developed, subsequently forsaken state, aligning with her expectations. Despite the lush vegetation, the ind appeared well-kept and inviting in the images. The man-made developmentprised only a handful of hotels and leisure amenities. The so-called partial development epassed solely the ind¡¯s front side, while the rear remained untouched. Hannah looked for a few photos but failed to locate the casino Clive had mentioned. These entertainment facilities were merely fundamental amenities for people to unwind and enjoy themselves. There was nothing objectionable about them. Lost in thought, she was interrupted by a knock on the door. Setting aside her phone, Hannah approached the door to answer it. To her surprise, it was Maloney who had pushed the cart to her doorstep. Chapter 1569 ¡°Are you from room service?¡± Hannah inquired as she peered through the door. ¡°I happened to have something to discuss with you. I noticed a waiter delivering a cart, so I took the liberty. ¡± Hannah stepped aside, granting Maloney entry. ¡°Please,e in. ¡± Indeed, she felt a pang of hunger. With a sandwich in hand, Hannah resumed her seat, scrolling through the ind information on her phone. ¡°Go on. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°It¡¯s significant, very significant. ¡± Hannah raised her head inquisitively.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°What¡¯s the issue? Is the Pierce family facing financial ruin?¡± Maloney¡¯s lips twitched slightly. Bryson had a shared trait with Hannah. They were both adept with words. ¡°The twopanies we were scheduled to meet at the beginning of next month have decided to discontinue their cooperation with us. ¡± Hannah was taken aback for a moment, but she didn¡¯t disy any further reaction. ¡°It¡¯s significant, but it¡¯s not overly substantial,¡± she remarked. ¡°It¡¯s concerning that someone is deliberately sabotaging our deals, isn¡¯t it?¡± Maloney exined, ¡°They¡¯ve intentionally undercut prices to rival us. ¡± The corporate rivalries amounted to nothing more than a rehash of old tactics. Hannah nced at her phone screen and remarked, ¡°Their technology doesn¡¯t hold a candle to ours. Even if they lower the price, what¡¯s the point?¡± ¡°Their offer was about 2@ percentage points below ours. ¡± ¡°2@ percentage points?¡± Hannah lifted her head, her expression registering surprise. ¡°Are they running a business or a charity?¡± Maloney remarked, ¡°I can only affirm that ourpetitors are keen to seize our business, but I¡¯ve never seen apany that promptly offers a 20% profit share. I believe this agreement is on the verge of copsing. We should reconsider our approach and head back sooner. However, your father¡¯s primary objective was to keep you away from Mrs. Compton. I suggest you postpone your return. ¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow subtly and inquired, ¡°Why? Are you doubting our abilities? Do you believe the contract negotiations are doomed to fail? The other party hasn¡¯t sealed the deal yet, so we still have an opportunity to contest it, don¡¯t we?¡± Maloney wasn¡¯t reassured and continued, ¡°To cement the partnership, it¡¯s bound to entail a negotiation tug-of-war on profit sharing. We¡¯ll have to propose a 25% profit share, and I anticipate the opposing party will insist on a 30% share. ¡± Maloney was correct in his assessment. It was evident they were in the crosshairs, and the opposing party wouldn¡¯t pass up the chance to haggle for improved terms. ¡°Have you discovered whichpany ispeting with us?¡± Hannah asked. ¡°I obtained the information promptly,¡± Maloney stated as he passed his phone to Hannah. ¡°It turns out to be a subsidiary of the Garza Group based in Valmere. ¡± Chapter 1570 Upon seeing thepany name, everything clicked for Hannah. It was a familiar entity lurking behind the scenes. Understanding the situation, she said with a discerning look, ¡°Provide me with the contact details of the person in charge. I will handle themunication. ¡± Maloney expressed doubt. ¡°You¡¯re not nning to sabotage theirpany, are you?¡± ¡°So you see me as someone who resorts to violence to solve problems?¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah handed the phone back to Maloney, reminding him, ¡°Remember, if there¡¯s any update from Clive, you need to act immediately. ¡± ¡°Okay, I must say, I¡¯m quite impressed with both of you,¡± Maloney conceded nonchntly, muttering to himself in secrecy. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hearing hisment, Hannah frowned slightly. ¡°Both of us?¡± Recognizing his mistake, Maloney swiftly rectified, ¡°No, you misunderstood. Catch youter. ¡± He skillfully evaded the question, firmly shutting the door to her room before Hannah could seek rification. The following days passed uneventfully as they awaited updates. It wasn¡¯t until the weekend evening that Hannah joined a gathering of Halliday University students. Scarlett had secured a big private space, but it was filled to the brim with students. When Hannah entered the room, Scarlett immediately approached her. ¡°Ms. Moore, you made it!¡± ¡°I¡¯m here. I¡¯m no longer teaching, so there¡¯s no need for formality. If the funds fall short, I¡¯ll take care of it today,¡± Hannah responded. The crowd burst into cheers and apuse. ¡°Ms. Moore is the best!¡± ¡°I want to dedicate a song to Ms. Moore!¡± ¡°Forget it! Your terrible singing might scare off our beloved Ms. Moore!¡± Amidst the jubnt ambiance, the door swung open, admitting a neer. Victoria, dressed in a short gray skirt and a glimmering short-sleeved shirt from Miu Miu, cast a contemptuous nce at the upants of the private room. ¡°What a collection of uncultured bumpkins! Opting for such a venue for their gathering is truly beneath your standards!¡± Her entourage naturally trailed behind her, echoing her sentiments. ¡°Precisely, a ce like this. If you had invited us under usual circumstances, we wouldn¡¯t have attended. ¡± Scarlett confronted them, a trace of trepidation evident in her eyes, yet she stood her ground. ¡°No one invited you. If you find it disagreeable, feel free to leave. ¡± ¡°But if I don¡¯t show up here, how else will I defeat you and make you clean the boys¡¯ restroom for a month?¡± Victoria taunted Scarlett with a smirk. Chapter 1571 ¡°I¡¯ve invited him. Are you prepared to clean the restroom for a whole month?¡± ¡°To¡± The jovial atmosphere was shattered, and silence enveloped the private room. Hannah casually positioned herself before Scarlett and addressed Victoria with a smile. ¡°So, where is he?¡± Victoria strode confidently to an unupied seat, crossing her arms as she provocatively stared at Hannah. ¡°He¡¯ll be arriving shortly. ¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Hannah nodded, feigning ignorance of Victoria¡¯s gaze, and turned her attention to the group. ¡°Let¡¯s make the most of this. ¡± Hannah¡¯s words prompted everyone to return to their previous lively state. Feeling neglected, Victoria grew annoyed and signaled to Sadie, who stood behind her. Sadie grasped the signal instantly and exited the room, leaving everyone curious about her intentions. As everyone enjoyed themselves, Scarlett felt a pang of anxiety. Leaning toward Hannah, she whispered, ¡°Ms. Moore, what if that superstar actually shows up?¡± Hannah smiled softly and whispered reassuringly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he won¡¯t show up. ¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Scarlett eximed, surprised. Is. Moore, how can you be so sure he won¡¯te?¡± With a cryptic smile, Hannah responded, ¡°That¡¯s ssified information, I can¡¯t divulge it just yet. ¡± Despite lingering doubts, Scarlett ced implicit trust in Hannah and joined the fun with the others. Time passed swiftly as they engaged in yful antics. At first, Victoria had been rather pleased with herself, but her countenance gradually darkened. ¡°Sadie! I tasked you with contacting them, did youply or not?¡± she demanded. Sadie hastily responded, ¡°I followed your orders and reached out to them. They informed me that Mr. Miller is currently upied and unavable. We may need to exercise some patience. ¡± Victoria could no longer contain her frustration. She stood up abruptly, her expression darkening. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it myself. ¡± She stepped outside into the corridor and ced a phone call. ¡°Have you sorted everything out for me or not? Why hasn¡¯t Pierson arrived yet?¡± The voice on the other end sounded somewhat helpless. ¡°He¡¯s not our star. He¡¯s a leading actor from a coboratingpany. We can¡¯t pressure him, can we?¡± ¡°Even top actors are ountable to their employers!¡± Victoria dismissed any reservations and insisted, ¡°I don¡¯t care! You mustpel him to arrive within ten minutes, or else I¡¯ll terminate all cooperation projects for next year. ¡± This demanding demeanor wasn¡¯t unfamiliar, and the individual on the other end of the line appeared ustomed to it. However, this time, they didn¡¯t yield to her. ¡°Victoria, allow me to rify. Pierson is a surefire guarantee for box office sess and ratings. We can¡¯t afford to offend him. ¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°He¡¯s merely a celebrity. Ourpany still holds significant influence over him. Do you realize how humiliating it will be for me if he fails to show up today?¡± Chapter 1572 The man on the other end pinched the bridge of his nose, sounding mildly exasperated. ¡°If you¡¯re concerned about your reputation, I can assist you next time. But if Pierson declines, my hands are tied. ¡± ¡°Fine! If you won¡¯t help me, I¡¯ll handle it on my own!¡± Victoria snapped, hanging up in frustration without waiting for a reply. She clenched her phone tightly and pivoted to push the door open, but someone from inside beat her to it, walking out. Hannah and Victoria came face-to-face. Victoria¡¯s expression soured, and she turned to force the door open. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want to further embarrass yourself, would you? I believe it¡¯s time to put an end to this,¡± Hannah interjected suddenly. Victoria¡¯s hand rxed on the doorknob as she swiveled to confront Hannah with a sharp look. ¡°What exactly are you implying?!¡± Hannah responded calmly, ¡°You¡¯re also a student, and I¡¯d rather not create a scene. If you leave now, we can both handle this quietly. But if you push forward, it might get messy, and it won¡¯t end well for you. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Victoria, however, stood her ground and challenged, ¡°Why should I be the one to leave? It¡¯s clear you¡¯re just trying to cover for Scarlett. You think she¡¯s already lost, and you want me to leave to spare her the embarrassment,¡± she used. Having grown weary of the argument, Hannah decided not to engage further.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! She had attempted to reason with Victoria, but it seemed Victoria was determined to escte the situation on her own. Hannah saw no point in stopping her any longer. ¡°Alright, then. Go inside,¡± Hannah stated with a calm demeanor. Victoria was momentarily taken aback by Hannah¡¯s tranquil smile and found herself unable to let go of the doorknob. Her brother¡¯s earlier phone conversation had already hinted that Pierson might not show up. Leaving now would seem like a concession that she couldn¡¯t bring him, whereas staying might lead to her own humiliation if he indeed failed to appear. Fuelled by these thoughts, Victoria felt her resentment towards Hannah intensify. Before she could decide on her next move, Hannah entered the door first, leaving her with a partingment. ¡°Think it over. ¡± Shortly after, Sadie emerged quietly from the room, looking puzzled. ¡°Victoria, is Piersoning?¡± she inquired. ¡°He¡¯s noting!¡± Victoria snapped, her face twisting in frustration. ¡°Just get everyone out, and let¡¯s go. ¡± Taken aback by the sudden turn of events, Sadie surmised that they wouldn¡¯t manage to embarrass Hannah today. Thus, she proposed, ¡°Victoria, maybe it¡¯s time we implement the n I mentioned before to really put her in her ce. ¡± Recalling the photos they¡¯d snapped earlier, Victoria¡¯s resolve hardened. ¡°Edit those photos right away and post them online! I want her to suffer immensely!¡± Sadie¡¯s eyes shimmered wickedly as she nodded in agreement. ¡°Consider it done, Victoria. She won¡¯t even know what hit her!¡± Chapter 1573 With that, Sadie quickly turned to summon the other two girls who hade with Victoria, and they all departed the scene with heavy hearts. As the event neared its conclusion, Scarlett suddenly remembered Victoria and her clique. She looked around and saw no trace of them. Anxious, she approached Hannah and inquired, ¡°Ms. Moore, did Victoria and her friends really leave?¡± Hannah, seemingly unsurprised by Victoria¡¯s absence, reassured her, ¡°Yes, your confrontation with her is off. She won¡¯t be troubling you anymore. ¡± Scarlett¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as she pondered Hannah¡¯s tactics. ¡°Ms. Moore, how did you manage to dissuade her from the bet?¡± Being careful not to disclose her acquaintance with Pierson, Hannah fabricated a usible exnation on the spot. ¡°I had a look at Pierson¡¯s schedule and realized he¡¯s tied up withmitments here in Valmere. It¡¯s unlikely he¡¯d risk his reputation for a minor dispute, even with apany he¡¯s working with. I figured he¡¯d most likely not show, which is why I gave you an assurance,¡± Hannah exined. Scarlett was taken aback, her expression one of disbelief. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the situation,¡± Hannah replied with a shrug. Scarlett blinked, struggling to align this reality with Hannah¡¯s fanciful exnation. Wasn¡¯t it supposed to be like she had imagined, where Ms. Moore and the celebrity were acquaintances, and the celebrity would swoop in to save the day? Noticing that Scarlett was daydreaming, Hannah yfully tapped her on the forehead, bringing her back to reality. ¡°Snap out of it, what are you imagining?¡± Scarlett covered her head and stuck out her tongue, looking a bit sheepish. ¡°I really wasn¡¯t thinking about anything¡­ honestly!¡± Hannah gave her some advice.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Let¡¯s forget about this ordeal. If you see Victoria at school, it¡¯s best not to mention this incident to avoid provoking her. ¡± ¡°I have no desire to provoke her, but it¡¯s strange, she loses her temper whenever your namees up, Ms. Moore. She can¡¯t stop ndering you!¡± Scarlett responded. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to such nonsense. I doubt she¡¯ll trouble you again,¡± Hannah reassured her. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take your advice, Ms. Moore!¡± With the matter settled, Hannah watched the students head back to school and then called Dotson to pick her up. While she waited, her phone rang. It was Maloney on the other end. As she answered, Maloney¡¯s voice came through clearly, ¡°You were right. The leaker is dodging a meeting. I pushed them by threatening not to buy the patent unless professionals were there to exin it. I also said that if the patent is authentic, I will raise my offer to buy it. Given Clive¡¯s influence, they didn¡¯t suspect a thing. Driven by greed, they¡¯ve agreed to meet tomorrow evening at the Rising Bar. ¡± They had walked into the trap easily, without even a hint of caution. ¡°I¡¯ve got it. Once I find out who¡¯s behind this, I¡¯ll make sure our entire institutees to see who this person really is!¡± Hannah responded. Chapter 1574 Meanwhile, the research institute was engulfed in darkness. A shadowy figure stealthily descended the stairs and merged with the night. After securing the copied documents, the figure quickly sought out the previous buyer. ¡°Here¡¯s all the technology and information you need. There are a few minor issues, but they won¡¯t impact the production or sales of the drugs. ¡± The two individuals he met were the same fake researchers Hannah had previously seen. One of them inspected the item thoughtfully before nodding to hispanion. ¡®s BunnyBookery Then, the person turned to the man across from them and proposed, ¡°There¡¯s an additional task we need your help with. For this, we¡¯re willing to increase the payment by two million dors. ¡± The man¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, and he licked his lips. His involvement in these risky ventures was driven not only by financial gain but also by a perverse sense of pride. ¡°What do you need me to do?¡± ¡°The buyer we¡¯re meeting tomorrow night is highly knowledgeable. We can¡¯t manage him alone. Last time, his associates nearly had me at a loss for words. If it weren¡¯t for that fool from the Mitchell family stepping in, it could have cost us millions!¡± exined one of the fraudsters. ¡°You must apany us tomorrow night for the deal. Your exnations need to be convincing enough to persuade him!¡± ¡°That¡¯s out of the question!¡± the man responded hastily, his anxiety apparent. ¡°My role is limited to handling the sale of the biopharmaceutical technology.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. I refuse to be dragged into any other schemes!¡± The two fraudsters shared a look before fixing their menacing gaze on the man. ¡°Then perhaps we should disclose your illicit activities and your theft of projects!¡± ¡°How could you break your promise?¡± The man across from the fraudsters was clearly upset. ¡°I told you I¡¯d sell you my project and you¡¯d pay up. I¡¯m not showing up in front of anyone else. You promised me!¡± The two swindlers exchanged looks and then focused on the man. ¡°Honestly, this time the sucker¡¯s offering more money than before. And he¡¯s sharper, too. We need to handle this wlessly. We¡¯re talking about a deal worth hundreds of millions; our promise to you is minor inparison. ¡± One swindler gently tapped the arm of the other, then turned back to the man and exined, ¡°You want money, and so do we. If we close this deal, we¡¯ll give you 3 million dors, making it 8 million in total. Why not consider it?¡± Eight million dors. That figure was alluring. The man across from them fell silent for a moment, considering. ¡°Alright, I agree, but I want half of it in advance. ¡± ¡°Done. I¡¯ll wire the money tomorrow morning and have a car pick you up in the evening. ¡± The following afternoon, Hannah came to the research institute. When Lewis spotted Hannah, he greeted her, ¡°I¡¯ve been working on that program you wanted, running several experiments over the past few days. There are still a few loose ends to tie up, but don¡¯t worry, it should be ready soon. ¡± Judy added, ¡°He¡¯s been at it day and night; I can vouch for that. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about work right now. I know you¡¯ve all been swamped with the projecttely. Since my project¡¯s been a headache, I thought I¡¯d treat you to dinner tonight. ¡± They had just attended a gathering two days ago, and Hannah¡¯s new invitation puzzled everyone. Ste was quick to decline. ¡°I¡¯m not into parties. I¡¯ve mentioned this before. Plus, I haven¡¯t resolved everything with the project yet. I¡¯d rather not go out for dinner. ¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t taken aback. She then asked Phoenix, ¡°How about you?¡± Chapter 1575 Phoenix adjusted his sses and gave Hannah a regretful smile. ¡°I haven¡¯t been much help. Also, we¡¯re deep into a project right now. I¡¯ll pass on the party tonight. ¡± ¡°Alright. Anyone else interested in joining me?¡± While most who dined with herst time were willing, Lewis opted out this time. ¡°The experiment is nearing a breakthrough. I should stay at theboratory tonight. ¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah smiled reassuringly at him. ¡°I¡¯ve been working on this project overseas for a long time. A few more days won¡¯t hurt. Professor Campbell will be joining us tonight. It¡¯ll be a nice break. ¡± After some persuasion, Lewis agreed toe alongter. Hannah spent the rest of her time in theboratorypiling data reports. At around 7 o¡¯clock, Hannah received a text from Maloney, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve already set it up. The leaker will excuse themself soon on your end. ¡± Hannah texted him back, opened the door, and went to theboratory, where everyone was gathered. Just as she entered, she ran into Phoenix, who was on his way out. Noticing he had changed out of hisboratory attire, Hannah asked, ¡°Why are you heading out so early today?¡± Phoenix seemed slightly surprised by her sudden appearance, but quicklyposed himself and answered, ¡°There¡¯s a situation at home today. I need to get back early. ¡± After saying this, he hurried out, paused, and turned back with a smile. ¡°Enjoy the party tonight. ¡± Hannah watched him go and replied with a smile, ¡°Sure, we will. ¡± After he left, Hannah walked into theboratory to find only Ste immersed in her work. The sound of ssware clinking filled the otherwise silentboratory. Ste didn¡¯t look up until Hannah asked, ¡°Where are Judy and the others?¡± Ste looked up at Hannah, her expression unreadable. ¡°Lewis said he wanted to elerate your research results, so he took them to anotherboratory to conduct experiments. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡±¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to join us for dinner tonight?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not interested. ¡± Ste was steadfast in her ways. It seemed she wouldn¡¯t join unless Hannah was upfront with her. ¡°What if something interesting were to happen? Would youe then?¡± Upon hearing this, Ste gave Hannah another look. ¡°I doubt anything exciting will happen when we dine together. ¡± Hannah asked, ¡°Would you like to see the traitor in our research institute get caught tonight if I told you it was happening?¡± Chapter 1576 ¡°A traitor in our research institute?¡± Ste¡¯s face showed her skepticism and shock. ¡°What kind of traitor would be in our research institute?¡± Hannah¡¯s voice turned stern. ¡°A traitor who stole research from Professor Campbell.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Crash! The sound of ssware shing echoed. It was the first time Ste couldn¡¯t keep the instrument steady, and she nearly broke it. No longer detached, Ste asked in astonishment, ¡°Who is the traitor?¡± ¡°Even if I tell you now, you might not believe me. ¡± Hannah faced Ste and exined, ¡°You need to see it for yourself to believe it. So, are you interested in joining us for dinner tonight?¡± Theboratory fell silent for a long while. Ste gently set down what she was holding and replied, ¡°Sure, I¡¯lle with you. ¡± Around 7:30, a luxury car pulled up outside a restaurant. The two swindlers exited the car first, followed by a slender man. ¡°Here we are,¡± one of them announced. ¡°The sucker is already inside. Let¡¯s go. ¡± Phoenix hesitated at the entrance; his legs felt like lead. The swindlers walked ahead and, noticing Phoenixgging, turned back with a frown. One of them grabbed Phoenix¡¯s arm. ¡°Come on, why are you just standing there?¡± Phoenix adjusted his sses, unsure, and admitted, ¡°I think¡­ This isn¡¯t a good deal. ¡± Upon hearing this, one of the conmen became irritated. ¡°You mean you won¡¯t help us? We¡¯ve already transferred 5 million dors to you today! How can you back out now? Listen, if you pay us 1@ million, we¡¯ll let you go immediately. ¡± How could he possiblye up with that much money? Now he finds himself in a dilemma. ¡°Don¡¯t intimidate him. ¡± Another man approached and reassured Phoenix, patting him on the back. ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous. I¡¯m not asking you to lie. You know this project well. Just exin how it works and trick the fool. ¡± Chapter 1577 He coaxed Phoenix in a gentle voice, ¡°After tonight, you can leave with the 8 million dors, and no one will be able to trace you. ¡± Phoenix clenched his jaw. Now was not the time to give up. He gave a slight nod and followed the two men inside. The waiter escorted them to a private room. As they entered the room and caught sight of Maloney, the two swindlers quickly put on courteous smiles. ¡°This is Dr. Shaw, who has been deeply involved in biomedicine for years. He led this project. ¡± Upon spotting Phoenix, Maloney nodded cordially. ¡°Have a seat, please. There¡¯s no rush to dive into business. This ce serves excellent food. We can order something and discuss the details over the meal. ¡± Dotson, who had been sitting silently next to Maloney all along, kept a stealthy watch on Phoenix from across the table. ¡®s BunnyBookery Once they had ordered, one of the swindlers inquired, ¡°Isn¡¯t your advisor joining us?¡± ¡°She¡¯ll be a bitte, but that¡¯s alright. I¡¯d like to hear about your project first. ¡±Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! The swindlers exchanged a nce and then turned back to Phoenix. ¡°Let¡¯s have Dr. Shaw fill you in. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Leaning back in his chair, Maloney smiled at Phoenix and said, ¡°Dr Shaw, could you borate for us?¡± Phoenix spent quite a while exining. Maloney, clueless about biomedicine, posed numerous questions, which began to disorient Phoenix. Feeling increasingly anxious and now somewhat irritable with the barrage of inquiries, Phoenix finally snapped, not really thinking, ¡°If you don¡¯t understand, maybe wait for someone who does. ¡± Just then, Dotson mmed his hand down on the table, his expression turning fierce. ¡°How could you talk to my boss like that?¡± he snapped with intensity. The three people seated across from him were too frightened to utter a word. Maloney¡¯s face remained stoic. He gently patted Dotson on the shoulder and reassured him, ¡°Calm down. Dr. Shaw makes a valid point. I genuinely don¡¯t know anything. Since I¡¯m clueless about this, I¡¯ll end the deal. Let¡¯s go. ¡± With that, he rose from his seat, signaling his intention to exit. However, the two swindlers quickly got up, eager to retain him. With forced smiles, they apologized, ¡°This is Dr. Shaw¡¯s first attempt at negotiating a deal, and he¡¯s not yet familiar with how things work. We hope you¡¯ll overlook this. ¡± Phoenix, feeling the piercing gaze of one of them, felt unnerved. He promptly stood and said, ¡°My apologies. Let¡¯s not end our coboration over this incident. I confess, eloquence isn¡¯t my strong suit. I¡¯m deeply sorry. ¡± Maloney, aiming to smooth over the tension and avoid a more ufortable situation that he¡¯d have to justify to Hannah, sat back down and smiled warmly. ¡°I¡¯m quite reasonable to interact with. It seems Dr. Shaw¡¯s exnations may have been a bit unclear. ¡± He thumbed through the project documents casually and mused. ¡°This leads me to wonder whether Dr. Shaw is actually behind this project. Could there be an issue here?¡± Phoenix felt a sharp sting at the remark. He sprang to his feet, eximing loudly, ¡°Of course this is my research! No question about it!¡± The two swindlers beside him flinched at his intense response and hastily signaled for him to sit down. Maloney fixed a stern, pointed gaze on Phoenix. ¡°It was just a question, Dr. Shaw. Why are you taking it so personally?¡± Chapter 1578 ¡°I¡­ I just can¡¯t stand being used falsely. I¡¯ve poured everything into this project. I¡­ I¡­ Phoenix stumbled over his words, visibly choked up. Heposed himself and asserted, ¡°Regardless, this project is sound. ¡± ¡°Alright, then let¡¯s go ahead and sign the contract now, without waiting for my advisor,¡± Maloney suggested. At these words, the two swindlers eagerly whipped out the contract. With a sigh of relief, Phoenix slumped back into his chair, looking dazed. Maloney took the contract, read through it carefully, then reached for the pen beside him. In the private room, all eyes turned to the pen that Maloney held poised above the paper. Suddenly, the pen halted its descent. Maloney raised his head to look at Phoenix and said, ¡°Dr. Shaw, before I sign, I need to ask you something. ¡± Phoenix¡¯s eyes met his. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°How serious is the crime of stealing someone¡¯s research project?¡± At this, Phoenix visibly panicked. He stood up quickly and demanded, ¡°What are you implying?¡± Maloney raised an eyebrow and replied smoothly, ¡°Dr. Shaw, it was just a question. Why are you so upset?¡± ¡°You¡­ you think I stole someone else¡¯s work?¡± Phoenix was deeply upset. ¡°I refuse to sign this! I can¡¯t agree to any deal if you doubt my integrity!¡± His deration of not signing heightened the tension in the room for the two swindlers. ¡°Phoenix, what are you saying? Are you going back on your word?¡± Chaos erupted in the room. But Phoenix ignored everyone and rushed toward the door. At this point, the tension in his mind finally snapped. Phoenix suddenly flung the door open. Outside, a group of people stood, led by Hannah. Shocked, he staggered back a few steps and nearly lost his bnce. Hannah, standing just beyond the threshold, shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s you. I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s really you. ¡± The expressions on the faces of the others wereplex. Disappointment marred Saul¡¯s features as he said, ¡°I hoped it would be someone else. I never imagined it would be you. Phoenix, why?¡± Saul¡¯s words seemed to weigh Phoenix down.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. He slumped into a chair, unable to stand. Chapter 1579 At this tense moment, the two swindlers grabbed their belongings, nning a quick escape. Hannah, blocking the doorway, looked up sharply. ¡°Dotson. ¡± Within 5 seconds, the two swindlers standing before them had already yelled and copsed, unable to stand. Hannah¡¯s gaze dropped coldly to the two men now sprawled at her feet. She stepped over them as if they were mere debris. ¡°Drag them out and call the police. ¡± ¡°Understood, boss. I¡¯ve got this. ¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. After escorting the two people out, Dotson closed the door attentively. The screams grew fainter in the distance. Phoenix, seated on a chair, shivered uncontrobly. Next to him, Hannah tapped her fingers on the table and asked, ¡°Why did you steal the project from theb?¡± The room fell silent. Phoenix clenched his teeth, refusing to answer. With a cold tone, Ste interjected. ¡°Saul saw you as his heir. Do you think you deserved his trust?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Her words struck Phoenix deeply. He erupted in fury, shouting, ¡°He saw me as his heir? Is that why he kept the best projects from me? He only handed me the failures. That¡¯s his version of trust!¡± His eyes, red with rage, fixed on Hannah. ¡°In his eyes, there¡¯s only one true protege, you! There¡¯s no room for us! None at all!¡± ¡°What about all those cool projects? Any of theme your way? Man, how many slipped through your fingers?¡± Phoenix scanned the room at his fellow researchers, his eyes sharp and chilly. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever feel like things aren¡¯t fair?¡± he questioned, his voice tinged with bitterness. ¡°Why does Hannah always hog the limelight? Why does she get all the dough for projects? What¡¯s her secret sauce?¡± Phoenix voiced his frustration. Pointing emphatically at himself, he added, ¡°I busted my chops at a fancy university, got myself a master¡¯s degree. What makes her think she¡¯s better than me?¡± The room fell silent, tension thick enough to slice through. Hannah, cool as a cucumber, opted for silence, her expression unreadable. Saul¡¯s reaction was swift. He jabbed a finger at Phoenix, his hand trembling. ¡°ALL those cool projects? They¡¯re all Hannah¡¯s doing. Can¡¯t you see that? I always let you always get first pick of projects at the research institute! Then, whatever scraps remained, I handed out to the others. ¡± Phoenix¡¯s sudden outburst hit Saul like a punch to the gut. After all these years in the research institute, he hadn¡¯t seen thising. It stung. But Phoenix, driven by what seemed like madness, erupted. ¡°We¡¯ve been ving away for peanuts! And she¡¯s getting all the glory and top-notch projects, just because you favor her!¡± ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± To Hannah¡¯s surprise, it was Ste who spoke next. In that moment, Ste¡¯s calm facade shattered, reced by a hint of anger. Chapter 1580 ¡°Is that why you¡¯ve been pinching and peddling our research findings?¡± Phoenix shot Ste a wild look. ¡°Don¡¯t act innocent. You¡¯ve got it in for Hannah too, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I treat everyone fairly. She¡¯s just a colleague, but I do respect her talents. Many of the previous projects were her doing. Think about it; could you have managed them?¡± Ste¡¯s expression turned frosty. ¡°Even if you¡¯re feeling jealous, resorting to stealing and selling our research isn¡¯t the answer. ¡± Phoenix sneered. ¡°Now you¡¯re all taking her side. I bet you¡¯re all her fans. Now that everything¡¯s out, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve already snitched to the police. I¡¯ve said my piece!¡± Judy seethed. She stomped in frustration. ¡°What do you mean you¡¯ve said your piece? You stole and sold our work, and now you¡¯re acting like it¡¯s nothing!¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°It¡¯s not just theft anymore,¡± Hannah spoke calmly. ¡°Last time, he sold an unfinished version of drug X5, which Saul and I hadn¡¯t even finished. The drug was supposed to help with tumors, but it failed in the final tests, and so it got put on hold. He sneakily sold off this project, and once it¡¯s out there, it¡¯s going to cause a lot of trouble. ¡± In theb, they were all top-notch, picked by Saul. Even the newbies got it, understanding Hannah¡¯s words. Lewis frowned. ¡°So¡­ If this drug hits the market, it could ruin our institute¡¯s rep!¡± A weight settled in the room. Only Phoenix stayed seated, lost in thought. Ste asked, ¡°Did they seal the sale contract?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah said. ¡°Someone unsuspecting signed it, and they might start making it soon. ¡± Judy red fiercely at Phoenix, then turned to Hannah, her expression filled with concern. ¡°What do we do now?¡± ¡°First, let¡¯s take Phoenix to the police station. I¡¯ll handle the rest,¡± Hannah replied calmly. Questions hung in the air, but the police arrived, swiftly escorting Phoenix away. Saul shared his worries with Hannah. ¡°This is serious, Hannah. With the contract signed, this drug¡­¡± ¡°Saul, trust me,¡± Hannah interjected firmly. ¡°I won¡¯t let this batch of drugs hit the market, even if I have to bend the rules. ¡± Saul¡¯s expression grew grave at her words. ¡°You can¡¯t take risks like that. We can¡¯t resort to illegal tactics. ¡± Hannah offered a reassuring smile. ¡°I was just teasing, Saul. It¡¯ste; everyone should head home and get some rest. ¡± Chapter 1581 Despite resolving the situation, Hannah felt no relief. After all, she still had Tyshawn to deal with, and she wanted nothing to do with those two troublemakers. Dotson remained absent, while Maloney asked, ¡°Why are you still so tense? Didn¡¯t we catch him?¡± ¡°The contract mess isn¡¯t sorted yet. That Mitchell guy treating our half-baked product like it¡¯s pure gold and churning out copies will be a total disaster. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice was tinged with concern as she said that.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded from the doorway. ¡°He¡¯s going to take a massive hit on his wallet. ¡± Hannah looked up to find Bryson leaning casually against the doorframe, a faint smile ying on his lips. ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asked, ncing quickly at Maloney. Maloney shook his head vigorously. ¡°I swear, I didn¡¯t say a word!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah turned back to Bryson. ¡°You¡¯ve been shadowing me, listening in on our conversations. When did you begin to get involved in such shady dealings?¡± Ignoring Hannah¡¯s sarcasm, Bryson replied, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t stumbled upon this today, what was your n?¡± This time, Hannah fell silent. When push came to shove, she was ready to do whatever it took. Yet, she harbored no intention of confiding in Bryson. ¡°I call the shots here. You can¡¯t boss me around, can you?¡± ¡°No need to stress over it. I¡¯ll handle things, and the contract will be scrapped. ¡± Bryson assured her and turned to go. ¡°Just hold off on any actions. ¡± Sensing something awry, Hannah swiftly rose, blocking Bryson¡¯s path. ¡°What¡¯s your game n? You¡¯re practically sidelined in the Mitchell Group now. How much clout do you really have?¡± A faint smirk yed on Bryson¡¯s lips as he met Hannah¡¯s gaze, exuding confidence. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try guessing how sure I am about convincing them to cancel the contract?¡± Hannah squinted. She¡¯d seen Bryson¡¯s tactics in action before. His methods were unpredictable, yet¡­ After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Hannah said, ¡°This is a big deal. It involves billions. He won¡¯t give in easily. ¡± Bryson¡¯s smile faded. ¡°He¡¯s got no choice. Plus, thepany¡¯s bleeding money thanks to his blunders and extravagance. ¡± This revtion caught Hannah off guard. Tyshawn¡¯s retaliation was swift indeed. ¡°That¡¯s six billion dors! How could there be such hefty losses already?¡± Chapter 1582 Bryson scoffed, ¡°I didn¡¯t even have to scheme against him. He foolishly invested in several failing projects. It wouldn¡¯t have mattered if he lost only a billion. Recently, he¡¯s been traveling to various ces with his fiancee, misusingpany funds. And now, with this biopharmaceutical project, he¡¯s hemorrhaging money. No amount of capital will keep it afloat. ¡± It was clear from Bryson¡¯s detailed knowledge that his previous ims of disassociation with thepany were deceptive. Hannah shook her head at Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you clearly have a bone to pick. I can¡¯t discern the truth in your statements. ¡± Bryson responded with sincerity, ¡°You can trust that I mean you no harm, regardless of whether you believe me or not. ¡± He left swiftly after his deration, casting a long look at Hannah before departing. Hannah remained still, watching him leave with mixed feelings. After the argument had evidently subsided, Maloney stepped out from the balcony, asking, ¡°Have you two finished arguing?¡± Taking a moment topose herself, Hannah replied, ¡°Let¡¯s return to our amodation for now. We¡¯ll continue this discussion tomorrow. ¡± The next morning, Hannah was jolted awake by aggressive knocking at her door, the sound echoing like a death knell in her ears. Still groggy and annoyed, she approached the door.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Outside, two figures were talking, their words muffled. Opening the door, Hannah¡¯s voice was cold and sharp. ¡°This had better be important, disturbing my sleep like this. ¡± Dotson stepped back and silently warned Maloney with a nce, ¡°I told you it¡¯s not the right time to disturb my boss. This could turn bad for you-¡° Despite the caution, Maloney handed his phone to Hannah, urging her, ¡°Check this out and see if it¡¯s worth the interruption. ¡± Hannah nced at the phone and was startled to see news of the Mitchell Group¡¯s stock plummeting by 30% overnight-a shocking drop. Realizing the gravity of the situation, she remarked, ¡°This must be Bryson¡¯s handiwork. Well, I¡¯ve already passed this issue to him. It¡¯s out of my hands now. ¡± She continued, ¡°Yesterday, I reached out to the twopanies we¡¯re looking to partner with. They¡¯re open to further discussions with us. ¡± Maloney looked doubtful, questioning the terms of the potential partnerships. ¡°What terms did you propose? Are we going to sacrifice more profits than ourpetitor?¡± Resting against the doorframe, Hannah dismissed his concerns with a wave. ¡°The strategy I used is confidential and not for external ears. If there¡¯s nothing more, I¡¯m going back to bed. Please, no more interruptions. ¡± With that, she mmed the door shut. Maloney and Dotson exchanged looks. Touching his nose thoughtfully, Maloney mused, ¡°Am I considered an outsider as well? After all, I am Hannah¡¯s supposed fiance, aren¡¯t I?¡± Dotson inhaled sharply and stepped back, sping his throat as a warning. ¡°Mr. Pierce, discussing this in front of my boss could lead to a dire oue. ¡± ¡°Are you implying a more horrific death awaits?¡± Maloney questioned, his smile beaming. ¡°Fear not, your boss wouldn¡¯t dream of harming me. ¡± Dotson¡¯s lips twitched in response. ¡°You ought to be grateful this civilized society has spared you. ¡± Amidst this brief exchange of banter, the Mitchell Group was facing turmoil. Chapter 1583 The board of directors convened a meeting with all shareholders to address the unfolding chaos. In the meeting room, Tyshawn casually embraced Malvina, seemingly oblivious to the seriousness of the situation. He was unaware of the extent of the trouble his actions had caused. Tyshawn¡¯s notorious lifestyle-marked by recklessness, opulence, maniption, and financial misdeeds¡ª-had already put him on thin ice. During the shareholder meeting, despite warnings from some attendees, he dismissed their concerns, adding fuel to the fire with his defiant attitude. Atst, a director could no longer contain his frustration. He banged the table forcefully. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, this time you have made a significant error, and I expect you to ept responsibility voluntarily, or else¡ª¡± ¡°Or else what?¡± Tyshawn replied coolly, his expression unfazed. ¡°Listen, if you choose to pull your investments, it¡¯s your funeral, not mine. The financial losses will fall squarely on your shoulders!¡± Tyshawn¡¯s arrogance was palpable as he boasted, ¡°The Mitchell Group still boasts a capital infusion of 6 billion dors, all thanks to my fiancee! How quickly you forget your praises when you appointed me to this role. Now, you turn your backs on me with criticism and condemnation!¡± Beside him, Malvina seemed oblivious to the gravity of the situation, dismissing the concerns with, ¡°It¡¯s merely a few billion. My family has contributed so much, what¡¯s a minor loss?¡± ¡°This is utterly futile,¡± a director snapped, visibly irate. ¡°Are you even aware of the consequences of a 30% plunge in stock value?¡± Tyshawn scoffed at their worries. ¡°You¡¯re all novices on the grand stage of finance. Such fluctuations are minor. Our stock will recover. There¡¯s nothing to fear. ¡± ¡°It will not recover!¡± another director interjected, pulling up data on therge screen. The disy revealed significant problems with the biopharmaceutical project Tyshawn had recently acquired, underscoring the gravity of their situation. ¡®s BunnyBookery Public sentiment continued to worsen, with the stock price still on the downswing. This finally rattled Tyshawn, who eximed in disbelief, ¡°How can there possibly be problems with this project?¡± His fierce inquiry was met with silence. None of the shareholders, including the directors, responded. The room fell deathly quiet. Impatient, Tyshawn mmed his hands on the table and shouted, ¡°Can nobody hear me?! I ordered you to address our public rtions issues at once!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see the need for public rtions,¡± came a calm,manding voice. Bryson, impably dressed, came in confidently, immediately drawing the room¡¯s focus.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. nked by Yosef and a group of senior executives, Bryson exuded authority, overshadowing Tyshawn who upied the principal seat. Spotting Bryson, Tyshawn¡¯s demeanor shifted sharply. ¡°What are you doing here? You¡¯re not wee at the Mitchell Group!¡± he blurted. Without hesitation, Bryson gestured dismissively. Someone promptly pushed Tyshawn and his chair aside. ¡°I¡¯m obviously here to sort out the chaos you¡¯ve caused,¡± Bryson dered coolly. Tyshawn made a sudden move to stand, his intentions clear, but the firm hands of those standing beside him pushed him back into his chair, restraining his freedom. Chapter 1584 ¡°Stop pretending you¡¯re still the CEO of our group!¡± Tyshawn bellowed towards Bryson, his voice tinged with both anger and disbelief. ¡°You can¡¯t boss people around anymore! Unhand me this instant or IIL call security!¡± In the midst of thismotion, Malvina assumed amanding presence, her gaze sharply turning to Bryson. ¡°This is our group¡¯s conference room. Just who do you think you are, storming in here like you own the ce?¡± she challenged, her voice dripping with contempt. Meanwhile, Bryson, ignoring the verbal onught, coolly signaled to someone behind him. In response, Yosef, with deliberate steps, approached from the back, his hands clutching documents. ¡°These documents outline the projects that have driven the Mitchell Group into the red and the assets that are bleeding internally. ¡± As Bryson spoke, every eye in the conference room darted to the papers Yosefid out on the table. The documents were a detailed chronicle of missteps and financial mismanagement under Tyshawn¡¯s leadership. Expressions around the room darkened as the shareholders and directors absorbed the information. The grim realization that thepany had hemorrhaged approximately two billion dors under Tyshawn¡¯s tenure was shocking enough. But the financial statementsid bare even more dire news¡ªthe losses, with the current downward trajectory of stock prices, were projected to surpass three billion. After letting the severity of the situation sink in and observing the array of troubled expressions, Bryson¡¯s voice cut through the tension once more, his tone remarkably calm amidst the storm. ¡°Today, I¡¯m here to make a decisive announcement. I¡¯ve decided to step back. The group will now be entirely in Tyshawn¡¯s hands. ¡± Tyshawn couldn¡¯t help but let a smug smirk spread across his face, satisfied with the seeming victory. Around him, however, the reactions were mixed, and a palpable tension filled the room; no one else seemed eager to voice their thoughts. Emboldened, Tyshawn leaned back, his voice dripping with arrogance. ¡°d to hear that! We don¡¯t need you here!¡± he dered, as if to cement his authority over the room. However, his triumph was short-lived. An elder director, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat and addressed Bryson with a note of urgency. ¡°Mr. Bryson Mitchell, I beg to differ!¡± He continued, bringing a sense of order to the chaotic sentiments, ¡°When you were absent, Mr. Tyshawn Mitchell took over thepany, but now that you¡¯re back, we should return to normal operations. ¡± His words seemed to resonate with the other shareholders, who quickly found their voices. ¡°Yes, we adhered to his directives in your absence. But with your return, it¡¯s crucial that you resume leadership!¡± ¡°We¡¯re facing a crisis now; you cannot simply stand by. You¡¯d put in so much effort in thispany. ¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. It was clear that these people weren¡¯t oblivious; they had chosen to ignore certain realities, opting instead to support whatever served their interests best. Aware of this, Bryson merely sneered, his expression betraying a mixture of disdain and amusement at the sudden shift in their Loyalty. Tyshawn¡¯sposure shatteredpletely as he turned his re towards the directors who had spoken up. His voice,ced with outrage and disbelief, boomed across the room. Chapter 1585 ¡°Hey! What do you mean by that? You were the one championing my leadership. Now that you think I¡¯m used up, you¡¯re ready to throw me out, just like that? Huh? Think again!¡± His arrogance escted as he leaned in, a sneer forming on his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, I still have an ace up my sleeve!¡± he boasted loudly. ¡°Malvina¡¯s dad leads the mighty Compton family. With just a flick of his wrist, he could easily transfer not just six billion, but ten billion into our ounts!¡± Bryson couldn¡¯t help but let out a sardonic smile, his expression one of amused disdain. ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± he responded with a heavy dose of skepticism. Turning his attention towards Malvina, he challenged Tyshawn¡¯s assertion directly. ¡°Then why don¡¯t you have your illustrious father-inw solve this little financial crisis your fiance has stumbled into?¡± Caught suddenly in the crossfire, Malvina¡¯s expression faltered drastically. Despite Tyshawn¡¯s grand ims, the reality was starkly different-far from ten billion, she was in no position to scr@pe together even 100 thousand at the moment. ¡°I¡­ Now that¡­ my godfather¡¯s investment has gone south, I wouldn¡¯t even know how to begin asking my dad for money!¡± She moved closer to Tyshawn, Lowering her voice to a whisper, ¡°If my dad finds out how much you¡¯ve lost, he¡¯ll be furious. And if he decides he doesn¡¯t approve of us¡­ I might be sent back abroad!¡± Tyshawn¡¯s expression darkened at the thought. He had invested so much in securing Malvina¡¯s affection and allegiance-too much to let it all crumble now. ¡°You¡¯re right, you absolutely can¡¯t tell him about this. I¡¯ll figure something out.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery It was then that Bryson¡¯s cool, measured voice cut through the tension. ¡°Do you have any other solutions?¡± he asked pointedly. Three billion. The sum was colossal, a gap that even Bryson himself couldn¡¯t bridge swiftly without touching the overseas assets, let alone Tyshawn. Tyshawn¡¯s face shifted through a range of emotions, each revealing his growing desperation. The reality of their financial crisis was stark. In fact, even robbing one bank wouldn¡¯t suffice. Amid the tense silence, the same director who had been vocal earlier couldn¡¯t restrain himself any longer. He broke the impasse with a decisive statement. ¡°Tyshawn, if you can¡¯t handle this, let Bryson take over. Clearly, youck an understanding of our operations. Under your leadership, every project has bled money. We¡¯re businesspeople, not phnthropists willing to watch our investments disappear into your failures!¡± Another chimed in, reinforcing the point, ¡°Exactly, even if you miraculously cover today¡¯s losses, what about tomorrow? Are we expected to continually bail out one disaster after another?¡± Cornered by their logic, Tyshawn clenched his teeth, his frustration evident. With no counterargument at hand, he turned his anger towards Bryson. ¡°Even if I step down, do you have a n to save the group?¡± Bryson responded with a cold, dismissive smile. ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern now. ¡± ¡°How can it not be my concern?¡± Tyshawn shot back, his anxiety spiking. ¡°I still hold 8% of the shares here!¡± His voice carried a mix of defiance and panic. As the tension in the room escted, the focus shifted squarely back to Bryson. Chapter 1586 One of the directors addressed him directly, emphasizing the dire circumstances in hopes of changing his mind. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you understand our situation better than anyone. Without your leadership, we¡¯ll soon be on the brink of bankruptcy!¡± Bryson, meanwhile, maintained a calm demeanor, his hand propping up his chin as he casually tapped his fingers on the table. His silence andck of immediate response seemed to weigh heavily in the room, adding to the suspense. ¡°Tyshawn, if you¡¯re truly resistant to stepping down and allowing Bryson to lead, we¡¯re heading towards a catastrophe. ¡± ¡°Bryson¡¯s standing in the businessmunity is unparalleled! We¡¯ve all witnessed his sharp business instincts. A single statement from him could send our stock prices soaring again!¡± At these words, Tyshawn¡¯splexion turned ashen. The endorsements for Bryson not only highlighted his own shorings but also illustrated the dwindling confidence the board had in his ability to steer thepany away from impending disaster. The undercurrents in the room had shifted from implicit to explicit, and Tyshawn felt the push against him intensifying. He raised his eyes, scanning the room filled with directors, his voice tinged with a mix of usation and realization. ¡°So, this is it? You¡¯re all banding together to push me out?¡± Bryson watched the scene with a cool, dispassionate gaze, observing the escting tension without intervention. Tyshawn¡¯s frustration boiled over as he felt the constraints of his position tightening around him. His voice grew louder, his tone more threatening. ¡°I¡¯m warning you-don¡¯t test my patience! If you push me, I swear I¡¯ll drag everyone down with me. No one wille out of this unscathed!¡± The roompsed into an ufortable silence until a director spoke up again, a hint of fluster evident in his tone. ¡°Mr. Tyshawn Mitchell, we would never dream of forcing you. It¡¯s simply a suggestion. You know our financial situation. If we don¡¯t fix it soon, the losses will only worsen!¡± He looked around at the others for support. ¡®s BunnyBookery They quickly nodded in agreement. ¡°Mr. Tyshawn Mitchell, please consider our wellbeing!¡± ¡°Of course, if you can turn the situation around, we won¡¯t insist on your resignation. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯s gaze naturally shifted to Malvina. He understood that getting money from her was the most viable option. Since he had her under his control, persuading her to ask her father for money should be a breeze. After all, she had mentioned her father¡¯s penchant for spoiling her and likely wouldn¡¯t turn down her request. With this idea in mind, Tyshawn shook off the hands holding him and approached Malvina. ¡°Darling, upon reflection, I believe we could really use your father¡¯s help. ¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Malvina¡¯s heart plummeted. Her entire identity was built on lies. How could she possiblye up with such arge sum of money? She hesitated, her eyes flitting nervously. ¡°But¡­ As I mentioned before, if I were to ask him¡­¡± ¡°But he adores you. He won¡¯t deny your request!¡± Tyshawn interjected, his grip on her shoulders tightening. ¡°You have to help me!¡± When Malvina saw the desperation in his eyes, fear crept into her heart. ¡°I¡­ I want to help, but¡­¡± Before she could concoct an excuse, Tyshawn¡¯s gaze turned cold. Chapter 1587 ¡°Malvina, are you refusing to help me now? Didn¡¯t you im your father likes me and would invest 50 billion if necessary?¡± Malvina¡¯splexion drained of color in an instant, her heart sinking as her web of lies threatened to ensnare her. ¡°Her mind scrambled to find an escape route. ¡± Suddenly, Bryson interjected, his voice cutting through the tense silence. ¡°Are you hesitant to help, or is it that your father simply can¡¯t scr@pe together 10 billion? Maybe your identity is fake too. ¡± His words hit like a rock hurled into calm waters, sending waves of doubt rippling through the room. ALL eyes turned to look at Malvina. Beads of sweat formed on Malvina¡¯s forehead as she responded hastily, ¡°My dad can definitelye up with the money! Ten billion is nothing to him? I¡¯ll give him a ring right now!¡± She gripped her phone tightly, struggling to keep herposure. Tyshawn¡¯s face lit up with hope. ¡°I knew you could do it, Malvina!¡± However, Malvina hesitated to make the call. Her smile, though present, seemed strained. Knocking out the enemy with one hit was just not as thrilling. It was far more entertaining to see them squirm like a frog in heating water,fortable at first butter unable to escape the scorching heat until they werepletely worn out. As Bryson watched this, he arched an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Why haven¡¯t you made the call yet? Are you afraid?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll make the call outside. It¡¯s not suitable here,¡± she stammered. Bryson didn¡¯t stop her, signaling for security to let her through. Gripping her phone tightly, Malvina stepped out, her thoughts racing. Outside, she punched in a number, her hands trembling slightly. After what felt like an eternity, the call finally connected. ¡°Hello? Is it done?¡± ¡°There is a problem. The Mitchell Group is in deep trouble, and Tyshawn expects me to¡­ He wants me toe up with 1@ billion to help! My identity is a sham. Where on earth am I supposed to conjure up that kind of money? If I fail, they will find out everything!¡± The voice on the other end let out a cold chuckle. ¡°I warned you to take the money and leave. But you got greedy. You wanted to marry him and share his wealth. And now, you havended in trouble!¡± Malvina gripped the phone tighter, lowering her voice to a near whisper.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What¡¯s the use in pointing fingers now? You are the one who chose the target. I have given you millions. Are you seriously thinking of abandoning me now?¡± The voice on the other end remained rxed. ¡°You brought this upon yourself. I¡¯m not to me for your choices. How can you use me of abandoning you?¡± ¡°You!¡± Malvina knew he wouldn¡¯t own up to it. She bit her lip, frustration bubbling up. ¡°I have put my life on the line countless times and handed over more than half of what I earned! If you ditch me now, I¡¯ll reveal the truth! Neither of us will get off scot-free! Understand?¡± As Malvina grew increasingly frantic, the person on the line attempted to calm her down. ¡°Why are you panicking? Did I ever say I wouldn¡¯t help you? Listen, tell them that 10 billion is too much to get immediately, but it will be ready by next Monday. I¡¯ll arrange an escape for you, with a new identity, so you can get out of there. However, forget about the money. You won¡¯t be able to take it with you. I¡¯ll leave you enough money to get by for a while. ¡± Chapter 1588 When it came down to it, her safety trumped any amount of money. Malvina recognized this as the most viable option. She bit her lip. ¡°Okay, we will stay in touch. ¡± After concluding the call, she took a moment topose herself, smoothing down her hair and gathering her thoughts before stepping back into the room. With her usual air of confidence, she waved her phone for emphasis and said, ¡°I just spoke with my dad. He is willing to give Tyshawn another shot and invest an additional 10 billion. ¡± ¡°Really? That¡¯s fantastic!¡± Tyshawn¡¯s face lit up like a Christmas tree. He hurried over and nted a ki*s on her cheek in front of everyone. ¡°Sweetheart, you have made me so proud! I love you!¡± With his arm dr@ped around Malvina, Tyshawn turned to Bryson with a smug grin. ¡°Did you hear that? That¡¯s a cool 1@ billion! What do you have to match that, huh?¡± Bryson simply shed a knowing smile. ¡°When did I ever give the impression I was itching toe back? Wasn¡¯t it crystal clear from the get-go that I was fully withdrawing?¡± That was true. Despite the ongoing arguments with the board, Bryson had never expressed any desire to return. Tyshawn found himself speechless, his expression darkening by the second. One of the directors then turned to Malvina and asked, ¡°So, when can we expect the money?¡± Malvina maintained her confident demeanor. ¡°Dad mentioned there might be a slight dy. But rest assured, the money will be here by next Monday. ¡± Bryson fixed Malvina with a prating gaze. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if this group can hold it together until next Monday. ¡± Feeling the pressure mounting, Tyshawn asked urgently, ¡°Is there any way to expedite the process? We really need it as soon as possible!¡± ¡°Well¡­ Malvina hesitated, clearly reluctant to change her tune. ¡°My dad said Monday is the earliest. ¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Having aplished his goal, Bryson saw no need to stay any further. As he rose from his seat and passed by Tyshawn, thetter said sarcastically, ¡°Oh, Bryson, just wait for my grandeback!¡± ¡°Sure thing. ¡± Bryson didn¡¯t bother to nce back. ¡°I¡¯ll be here when you hit rock bottom. ¡± Tyshawn was beyond frustrated with Bryson but felt powerless. His anger was so intense that his chest heaved and he pointed at Yosef, eximing, ¡°You are fired! Go to the financial department and collect your sry. Leave immediately!¡± Despite the situation, Yosef maintained his usualposure and replied, ¡°Yes, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± He then turned and left the room. Tyshawn felt Like he was punching cotton, his anger having no outlet. The blue veins on his forehead were visibly throbbing! Yosef returned to Bryson and reported, ¡°Boss, the stock price is dropping. If this continues, even taking over might not revive it. ¡± Chapter 1589 Bryson, with his typical indifference, asked, ¡°Hasn¡¯t he reacted yet?¡± Knowing Bryson was referring to his own grandfather, Yosef responded, ¡°No. Franco hopes you will return to the mansion. Though Tyshawn currently leads the Mitchell Group, Franco doesn¡¯t n to let him stay in charge. ¡± Franco was always clever and strategic, which was why Bryson wasn¡¯t surprised he opposed Tyshawn¡¯s leadership. ¡°Well, I see. You can take paid leave and return after things settle,¡± Bryson told Yosef. ¡°Yes, sir. There is another thing. Franco wants you back.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. What do you¡­¡± Yosef paused, giving Bryson a moment to think. Bryson simply nodded and replied, ¡°I see. ¡± After leaving thepany, Bryson called Franco. The phone rang for a long while before Franco answered with a mix of irritation and affection, ¡°You brat! You still remember to call me!¡± Bryson and his family in Cadilind weren¡¯t very close, so losing touch while he was abroad seemed normal. Surprisingly, Franco sounded annoyed this time. Bryson mentioned casually, ¡°I¡¯ll go back to the mansion to see you tonight. ¡± Franco snorted in response. ¡°You¡¯d better. And bring Miss Moore with you tonight. ¡± Bryson paused before replying, ¡°I¡¯lle alone. She¡¯s busy. ¡± Franco pressed further, ¡°Is she really busy or does she just not want to see me? I didn¡¯t like her initially, but I¡¯ve epted your rtionship. I won¡¯t make it hard for her. ¡± Worried that Hannah might refuse to apany him, Bryson pinched the bridge of his nose and exined, ¡°She can¡¯te tonight. I need to discuss something else with you, so it¡¯s not the right time to bring her. ¡± ¡°I have something important to tell you, so make sure shees tonight, no matter what!¡± Franco demanded. Before Bryson could object, he hung up. Listening to the dial tone, Bryson rubbed his forehead and dialed Hannah¡¯s number. The line connected amidst background noise. ¡°Are you free now?¡± he asked. As the noise around her subsided, Hannah, who was at the police station, responded, ¡°It¡¯s too noisy here. What did you say?¡± Bryson repeated. ¡°Do you have time now?¡± ¡°No, but if it¡¯s important, I can make some time,¡± Hannah replied. Bryson informed her that Franco wanted to see her. ¡°Where are you now? I¡¯lle to pick you up,¡± he offered. ¡°I didn¡¯t agree to go to the Mitchell Mansion with you,¡± Hannah rified. She nced at the clock in the police station and added, ¡°Besides, I¡¯m still dealing with yesterday¡¯s incident, so I can¡¯te with you. ¡± It seemed like a clear refusal, yet Bryson, undeterred, continued, ¡°I¡¯ve sorted out the contract. The deal with those fake researchers that Tyshawn signed is off, and it won¡¯t hit the market. ¡± Chapter 1590 Hannah, already aware of this development, arched an eyebrow and remarked, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, that decision came at a steep price. The stock of the Mitchell Group has taken a massive hit in just one day. As the situation esctes, thepany will face serious trouble. ¡± Bryson¡¯s lips curled into a wry smile as he responded, ¡°The Mitchell Group¡¯s crisis should be Tyshawn¡¯s to manage. After all, his fiancee, ady from the Compton family, promised in front of shareholders and directors to inject another 10 billion. ¡± This news caught Hannah off guard. She couldn¡¯t understand how Malvina was so confident. On the other side of the line, Bryson mused with a hint of sarcasm, ¡°I wonder if Mr. Compton will actually give his daughter 10 billion dors. ¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Catching the sarcasm, Hannah smiled and replied, ¡°If she can reach out to Wace, then maybe. She seemed quite sure of herself. Hasn¡¯t she considered what might happen if she can¡¯te up with the money?¡± If she fell short, the shareholders and directors would be unforgiving. Bryson, less concerned about Malvina¡¯s predicament, steered the conversation back to Hannah. ¡°So, will youe to the mansion with me?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t involve me, right, Mr. Mitchell?¡± Hannah countered, distancing herself from the unfolding drama. ¡°It doesn¡¯t involve you, but I hope you¡¯ll ept Grandpa¡¯s invitation,¡± Bryson said slowly. Hannah nced at her surroundings and responded indifferently, ¡°Just this once. I won¡¯t do it again. ¡± ¡°Okay, where should I pick you up?¡± ¡°Meet me at the traffic light on Harvile Road,¡± she instructed. After ending the call, Hannah returned to the bustling activity inside the police station. The Research Institute¡¯s project had been severelypromised, and a case had been filedst night. The institute members were present. As the investigation neared its conclusion, they started to disperse. The silence among them as they exited the police station was palpable. Hannah looked around and said, ¡°I knew the experiment project was stolen in advance at the Research Institute, but I honestly didn¡¯t know who did it. I brought back a new project to test everyone. Please don¡¯t me Professor Campbell. ¡± Judy, clearly disheartened, replied, ¡°I won¡¯t me Professor Campbell or you. It¡¯s hard to believe this happened at our institute. ¡± Lewis, typically enthusiastic, remained quiet. The air was heavy with an odd silence among the group. Saul, somewhat sad yetposed, tried to uplift their spirits. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t look so down. At least we have the contract back, and no one was hurt because of this. ¡± Removing his sses wearily, he added, ¡°The Research Institute will be suspended for a while. Take this time to rx. ¡± It wasn¡¯t until Saul mentioned the suspension that Ste spoke. ¡°Does this mean our previous projects arepletely halted?¡± ¡°Due to Phoenix¡¯s involvement, the Research Institute¡¯s projects have been temporarily suspended. But rest assured, they will resume once the case concludes,¡± Saul reassured. Surveying the group, he continued, ¡°It¡¯s best if we all leave this ce now. Hannah, you¡¯reing with us. ¡± Chapter 1591 Hannah shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m staying. I¡¯ve got an appointment this afternoon and some matters to attend to. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Saul relented, nodding. ¡°We¡¯ll head back now. I¡¯ll keep you informed if anything happens.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± With that, everyone followed Saul, except for Ste, who remained rooted in ce. Hannah nced at her, prompting, ¡°Is there something on your mind?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Ste paused, her expression troubled. It appeared as though she had something to say, but she struggled to find the words. ¡°ihat¡¯s the matter?¡± Hannah asked gently. ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t hold any hatred towards you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s smile widened. ¡°You trusted me when it mattered, and I knew you harbored no ill will. That¡¯s just who you are. There¡¯s no need to exin,¡± she reassured warmly. Hannah gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°Saul has great faith in you, and so do I. I know you won¡¯t let him down. ¡± Hannah gestured toward the group nearby. ¡°You should join them. They¡¯re waiting for you. ¡± Ste¡¯s smile reached her eyes for the first time as she nodded in agreement. ¡°Alright. ¡± After seeing them off, Hannah walked alone down Harvile Road. As soon as she arrived, a ck Bentley stopped directly in front of her. The passenger-side window slid down, revealing Bryson¡¯s impassive profile. He turned to Hannah, shing a bright smile. ¡°Please, Miss Moore, step inside. ¡± Hannah hesitated upon witnessing hisposed demeanor. She remained outside the car, resisting his request. ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve just remembered an urgent matter that requires my attention. Please proceed without me. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, a sly smile ying on his lips as he quipped, ¡°Should I step out and tether you to the car?¡± Bryson was perhaps the only one bold enough to utter such words openly. She held no doubt that Bryson was fully capable of carrying out his joke. With resolve, she slid into the car, swiftly buckling her seatbelt before dering, ¡°Let¡¯s proceed. ¡± Shortly afterward, a message from Scarlett popped up on her phone. ¡°Miss Moore, check out the post on our school forum! There¡¯s been an incident!¡± Below the message were several screenshots from the forum and a brief video clip. Chapter 1592 The video was recorded secretly, capturing a conversation among the principal, Hannah, and Bryson. While the conversation¡¯s audio was clear, it appeared to have been tampered with, sounding somewhat unnatural. The footage purportedly shows Bryson¡¯s use of money to influence the school on Hannah¡¯s behalf. Additionally, it hinted at a ¡°special method¡± employed in certain students¡¯ theses, although the specifics remained unclear. Nevertheless, upon its release, the post swiftly rose to the forum¡¯s top spot. Manyments below spected about the meaning behind the post. ¡°In other words, the school epted bribes and offered preferential treatment to certain students. ¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it unfair to us? Wealthy individuals can ess resources that ordinary people can¡¯t simply by donating a building. ¡± ¡°I advocate for sending this video directly to the authorities. They need to investigate it. ¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°It¡¯s strange. With such evidence, why didn¡¯t the poster anonymously submit it to the authorities instead of posting it on the school forum? What¡¯s the purpose?¡± ¡°The video appears to have been edited. Could this be a deception?¡± ¡°I¡¯m familiar with this teacher. She¡¯s outstanding! I refuse to believe she could be involved in such behavior. ¡± Initially, some people watched with amusement, and some pledged to uncover the truth entirely. However, as time passed,ments in support of Hannah began to dominate the conversation. Victoria, who had been monitoring the post closely, nearly dropped herptop in astonishment. ¡°I instructed you to moderate thements. Look at this post-it¡¯s flooded with support for her! Have you even made an effort to moderate them?¡± Her followers, their voices trembling slightly, responded, ¡°We¡¯ve been flooding thements, but there¡¯s still a significant number of supporters for her on the post! We¡¯ve done all we can. ¡± Victoria¡¯s eyes, bloodshot from scrutinizing thements, fixed on the screen. ¡°Call Sadie immediately!¡± Sadie, already anticipating the situation, presented Victoria with a dubious n as soon as she entered the dormitory. ¡°We should hire more paid supporters to disseminate favorable news for us and negative rumors about her. I doubt she can reverse the situation. ¡± Victoria regarded her skeptically. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Sadie nodded vigorously. ¡°Absolutely! However, ites at a price. ¡± ¡°Money isn¡¯t an issue for me. If it brings Hannah distress, I¡¯ll spare no expense!¡± Seeing Victoria¡¯s willingness, Sadie cautiously disclosed, ¡°It¡¯ll cost around $300, 000, But I assure you, everything will be taken care of. ¡± Chapter 1593 Victoria¡¯s expression remained unchanged. $300, 000 was a trifling sumpared to her daily allowance. Without further inquiry, she promptly transferred $300, 000 to Sadie¡¯s ount. Upon receiving the payment, Sadie was ecstatic, though she maintained aposed facade. ¡°Rest assured, Victoria. Everything will proceed smoothly. ¡± Sure enough, the tension escted, and the situation took on a peculiar turn. Seemingly out of nowhere, rumors and gossip about Hannah began to inundate thement section. Some asserted she had served time in prison, while others spected she was a mistress, suggesting she had ensnared several affluent individuals across two generations at the same time. In summary, thements section was chaotic. Upon viewing it, Hannah was bombarded with nonsensical remarks, numbering in the hundreds.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Rather than anger, she felt a sense of helplessness. What purpose did spreading these false rumors serve? She had encountered simr situations during her tenure in the school. This time, however, she was ustomed to it and perused the forum withposure. Bryson felt that something was off, and he asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Don¡¯t you want toe to the mansion with me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not your concern. I have personal matters to attend to. ¡± Hannah swiftly tapped on the screen, forwarding the forum¡¯s website address to Dotson, requesting his assistance in resolving the issue. Bryson ceased questioning and pressed on the elerator, driving her back to the mansion. The mansion buzzed with activity that day, hosting not only Melina but also Makenna, Tyshawn¡¯s mother. Guided by the butler, Bryson and Hannah entered the mansion. Upon seeing them, Melina chuckled. ¡°What a surprise, Bryson. You and Miss Moore are both here. I¡¯m free today. I came here to deliver a project n to Franco. Coincidentally, I ran into Mrs. Mitchell, so we ended up chatting for a bit longer. ¡± Beaming, Makenna grasped Melina¡¯s hand affectionately. ¡°No need for formality, dear. You can call me Aunt Makenna. After all, we¡¯re family. ¡± Hannah had barely arrived when Makenna began to feign pleasantness, likely with the intention of provoking her. Ignoring Makenna entirely, Hannah directed her attention to the butler. ¡°Is Franco avable?¡± ¡°Just a moment, Miss Moore,¡± Melina interjected calmly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid Franco is upied at the moment,¡± Melina continued, gesturing with the file in her hand. ¡°He¡¯s currently in a meeting with a guest, causing a dy in the project. ¡± Hannah avoided talking to Melina, but Melina persistently annoyed her. Chapter 1594 Hannah nced at Melina and stated calmly, ¡°Do you understand why Franco can¡¯t see you right now? It¡¯s because he¡¯s meeting with me as his guest. So, Miss Glyn, please be patient a little while longer. ¡± Melina¡¯s smile faltered. Suddenly, Makenna interjected, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Miss Moore, what exactly are you implying? Melina was simply offering you a reminder. How could you be so unappreciative?¡± ¡°I beg to differ. ¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows slightly. ¡°You know whether it¡¯s genuine kindness or deliberate intent. Further discussion is pointless. I¡¯m not here to interact with you today. It would be wise not to squander my time. ¡± Turning to the butler, Hannah asked, ¡°Could you please take me to where Franco is?¡± The butler nced instinctively in Bryson¡¯s direction. Catching Bryson¡¯s gaze, the butler swiftly turned to Hannah and said, ¡°Miss Moore, please follow me. ¡± As they ascended the stairs, a sense of resentment flickered in Melina¡¯s eyes. Makenna, irritated by Hannah¡¯s haughty demeanor, remarked, ¡°Does she really believe she can marry into the Mitchell family? Such arrogance!¡± After venting her frustration about Hannah, Makenna turned to Melina with a ttering smile. ¡°Melina, I truly believe you and Bryson are perfect for each other. It¡¯s a shame you¡¯re not together.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. That woman doesn¡¯t deserve to marry into the Mitchell family!¡± Melina offered a polite smile as she remarked, ¡°Bryson seems to be solely focused on Miss Moore at the moment. Unfortunately, there¡¯s little I can do about it. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s a solution!¡± Speaking in hushed tones, Makenna revealed, ¡°I¡¯m nning to attend a luxury brands¡® evening dress party. You should take advantage of this excellent opportunity. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Melina hesitated, her uncertainty evident. Makenna reassured Melina with a gentle pat on the back of her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t fret. I¡¯ll handle it. I¡¯ll ensure they¡¯re separated immediately. Once that¡¯s aplished, we can rid ourselves of her entirely. ¡± Upstairs, the two individuals were unaware of the scheming happening downstairs against them. The butler knocked on the door before gently pushing it open. ¡°Sir, Master Bryson has returned. ¡± Franco remained seated at the desk, appearing unaffected by thepany¡¯s troubles, as if he hadn¡¯t been impacted negatively in the slightest. He raised his hand in a deliberate manner, signaling for the butler to leave and shut the door. With a click, the door closed. Franco turned his attention to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that you¡¯ve located your biological father,¡± he stated. Uncertain of how much information Franco had gathered, Hannah remained cautious. Chapter 1595 Nheless, she had no intention of concealing the truth. ¡°Yes. I returned for business matters,¡± she confirmed. Franco nodded thoughtfully. ¡°So, it seems the woman alongside Tyshawn is operating under a false identity, correct?¡± Caught off guard by Franco¡¯s awareness, Hannahpsed into silence, unsure of how to respond. Bryson interjected, ¡°If you¡¯ve alreadypleted your investigation, why question her?¡± Only then did Franco turn his gaze to Bryson. ¡°I¡¯m conversing with Miss Moore presently. Please refrain from interrupting,¡± he asserted. ¡°You¡¯ve uncovered the truth, yet you¡¯ve taken no action to halt it. So, what purpose does questioning Hannah serve?¡± Bryson maintained an indifferent demeanor, seemingly unfazed by Franco¡¯s demeanor. Hannah, too, wondered why Franco didn¡¯t intervene despite being aware of Malvina¡¯s false identity. Unable to resist her curiosity, Hannah inquired. Franco, upon hearing her query, merely smiled and responded, ¡°Sometimes, problem-solving isn¡¯t straightforward. It¡¯s like separating the rotten rice grains from the good ones before cooking. ¡± If he had exposed this issue, he might not have been able to see clearly thepany¡¯s current state. He had meticulously calcted every move. Hannah nodded in understanding. ¡°But isn¡¯t the cost too high?¡± ¡°Of course, Bryson will devise a solution. There¡¯s no need for concern on my part,¡± Franco assured. Bryson scoffed. ¡°How can you be certain that I desire the betterment of the Mitchell Group? What if I say I don¡¯t care?¡± It appeared that Franco was aware of what Bryson was contemting. He smiled and remarked, ¡°The Mitchell Group is the result of my hard work, not theirs. I trust you won¡¯t truly allow the Mitchell Group to crumble. However, that¡¯s not the reason I summoned you here today. ¡± Having said this, Franco redirected his attention to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, the purpose of your presence here today is to discuss your marriage to Bryson. ¡± The sudden shift in conversation, from business matters to marriage, caught Hannah off guard. She blinked, taken aback by the sudden turn of events. Bryson¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°There¡¯s no rush. We haven¡¯t made any ns to marry yet,¡± he stated coldly. ¡°You impudent child. Is it you who hasn¡¯t made marriage ns, or Miss Moore?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Hannah replied earnestly. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it¡¯s the right time, and¡­¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Before she couldplete her sentence, Bryson abruptly interrupted, ¡°I agree. It¡¯s premature to discuss this now. I¡¯ll ensure thepany¡¯s affairs are managed effectively. You don¡¯t have to worry so much. ¡± Lost in their own thoughts, they failed to detect the mischievous grin spreading across Franco¡¯s face. Chapter 1596 ¡°Very well, I¡¯m getting on in years. I no longer wish to interfere in your affairs. However, you two must resolve the problems Tyshawn has caused,¡± Franco dered. These words seemed to create a bond between Bryson and Hannah. Though Hannah initially wanted to speak up, she ultimately decided against it. What was the use of refuting? After all, their rtionship had been quite ambiguous in the public eye. ¡°Alright, Grandpa,¡± Bryson responded, turning to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ll escort you out. ¡± ¡°Just a moment. ¡± Franco stopped Bryson and said, ¡°Miss Moore, you may leave now. I have something to discuss with this rascal. ¡± Hannah nodded and, with a polite smile, walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. Only then did Franco remove his sses, revealing a hint of fatigue in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve been away for so long. What discoveries have you made?¡± he asked. Bryson¡¯s face clouded with confusion as he replied, ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re getting at. ¡± Franco¡¯s piercing gaze locked onto Bryson as he said, ¡°We¡¯re alone here, no need for secrets. You can be honest with me.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. I might be able to keep things from you for a while, but secrets never stay hidden forever. You would uncover the truth eventually. ¡± Bryson¡¯s heart skipped a beat as Franco¡¯s words struck a chord. Hisposure cracking, he asked, ¡°What exactly do you mean by that?¡± Franco pulled out a yellowed file folder from the drawer and ced it in front of Bryson, his movements slow and deliberate. ¡°Open it first. ¡± Bryson hesitated, his hand hovering over the folder for a moment, before finally reaching out and taking it. The papers inside the file folder had yellowed with age, their once- white sheets now bearing a soft, golden hue. As Bryson¡¯s eyes scanned the contents, they widened in shock, his gaze frozen on the revtionsid out before him. The document was a DNA test report regarding Bryson and his father, revealing a shocking truth. He had already suspected as much, based on the clues he had uncovered. But when he saw the DNA test report, he was speechless, the truth hitting him hard. Franco¡¯s gaze met Bryson¡¯s, and he said gently, ¡°You¡¯re not a Mitchell by blood. I¡¯ve known that from the start. ¡± The news caused a stir, like ripples on water. ¡°ihy?¡± Bryson asked in confusion. The secret Franco had kept hidden in his heart for so long was finally unveiled. Chapter 1597 His voice was rough with emotion as he revealed, ¡°Your mother came to me when you were just 7 years old, and she was already three months pregnant. At that time, if I hadn¡¯t taken her in, she would have been left with no other option but tomit suicide. I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of my old friend¡¯s child meeting such a fate. As such, I arranged for her to enter into a contractual marriage with your father. I thought this ordeal would soon be over, but I never expected the foreign forces to pursue her all the way to Cadilind. Your father left the country, and your mother ultimately couldn¡¯t evade her fate. Then, I took you in and was stricter with you. Later on, I sent you abroad to protect you from the powerful forces at home. ¡± Bryson¡¯s face contorted in pain. He grasped his forehead and eximed, ¡°No! I can¡¯t remember any of these! If my mother and I really escaped to Cadilind when I was just 7 years old, why can¡¯t I remember anything about it? And I remember very well that I was taken back to the Mitchell familyter!¡± Franco shook his head and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know the details. ALL I remember is that after your mother and you returned to Cadilind, there were many visitorsing to see you in the early years. After your mother passed away, you struggled to remember your past. I took you to see a doctor, but unfortunately, it didn¡¯t help you regain your memories. After that, I made sure others didn¡¯t mention anything about your past in your presence.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± No! That couldn¡¯t be! Bryson struggled to recall his past, which caused him immense emotional pain. This memory was erased like a drawing rubbed away by an eraser, leaving no trace behind. He couldn¡¯t recall it at all! Based on the photo he had seen while abroad and Franco¡¯s confirmation, Bryson was convinced that it was the truth. But despite this revtion, his memories remained aplete nk! ¡°Tom¡± Bryson¡¯s forehead was etched with blue veins as he gritted out, ¡°I saw a photo abroad of my mother and¡­ Hannah¡¯s biological father, Wace Compton. Do you remember him?¡± Franco thought for a moment, then shook his head, replying, ¡°It¡¯s been too long. I can¡¯t recall who met your mother. Is this connected to Miss Moore¡¯s biological father?¡± ALL the clues seemed to point to Wace. He was the only one who could unlock the truth. ¡°I¡¯m not certain. I¡¯m just assuming,¡± said Bryson. ¡°Your mother once confided in me, hoping I could keep your true identity hidden forever. But she also instructed me that if I couldn¡¯t keep the secret any longer, I should reveal the truth to you. ¡± Franco then retrieved a peculiar, old key from the drawer. The key resembled a fish tail, its bronze surface now weathered to a dark patina from years of aging. Bryson epted the key and inquired, ¡°What does it unlock?¡± ¡°Your mother didn¡¯t reveal its purpose to me. She simply entrusted it to my care. As for where to use it, that¡¯s for you to discover,¡± Franco replied. With the key clutched in his hand, Brysonpsed into a contemtive silence. ¡°You might not be my biological grandson, but my love and care for you are genuine and true,¡± Franco added, despite their subtle rtionship. Bryson felt a wave of relief wash over him, d to finally have answers to past misunderstandings. He was ready to move on. He suddenly smiled and said, ¡°I consider you my true grandfather, and I wouldn¡¯t have stayed with the Mitchell family if I didn¡¯t feel that way. ¡± Chapter 1598 They exchanged warm smiles, and with that, the past wasid to rest. Just then, Hannah came downstairs to find the two women still chatting and smiling in the living room. Makenna rolled her eyes at Hannah, clearly disapproving of hering downstairs alone. Melina smiled and asked, ¡°Miss Moore, are you done? Do you need a ride back? I¡¯m not in a rush to leave. ¡± ¡°No, thank you. Mr. Mitchell will drive me backter,¡± Hannah said. Hannah was brief in her responses, clearly not interested in engaging in a conversation with her. ¡°No need to wait, Miss Moore. Bryson might be a while, so I¡¯ll have the driver take you home first. I can ride with Brysonter, that way we won¡¯t be wasting time. ¡± Hannah shot her a chilly look and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve got all the time in the world. By the way, Miss Glyn, I appreciate your subtlety, but I don¡¯t need constant hints about your rtionship with Bryson. I¡¯m not interested in knowing how close you two are. ¡± Hannah¡¯s strides towards Melina radiated amanding aura that was both powerful and intimidating. This unexpected presence made Melina¡¯s heart momentarily falter in surprise. It had been ages since their encounter with the gang in Muvrand, and the stark image of Hannah aiming a gun towards the thug outside their car had faded from her memory. Now, as Hannah closed the distance with deliberate aggression, those chilling memories surged to the forefront of Melina¡¯s mind. ¡°You. What do you want to do? This is the ancestral home of the Mitchell family!¡± Yet, her attempt to halt Hannah proved futile. Standing before Melina, Hannah¡¯s demeanor was icilyposed, her height entuated even more by her high heels, making her seem even more imposing. A slight curl of her lips betrayed her indifference. ¡°You¡¯d better abandon your clumsy ploys. I¡¯ve witnessed too much, and frankly, I¡¯m weary of it. Miss Glyn, if you truly cherish Bryson, I suggest you demonstrate your affection openly, rather than trying to rival me,¡± Hannah advised coolly. Her smile then turned frosty. ¡°If you persist in this interference, I can¡¯t assure you of the consequences. ¡± Meeting Hannah¡¯s steady gaze, Melina¡¯s voice wavered, ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± Hannah replied smoothly, her hand reaching out to caress Melina¡¯s hair softly. She twirled a lock around her finger gently, her tone soothing yet chilling. ¡°Miss Glyn, consider this a friendly reminder. Why would you think it¡¯s a threat?¡± The gesture made Melina stiffen, a sinister chill creeping up her spine as she anticipated a sharp tug at her scalp.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. At that moment, Makenna stood, her voice dripping with contempt. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, Bryson would have loved Melina. If you had refrained from meddling, there wouldn¡¯t be so many problems. Bryson¡¯s affection for you is but a transient fascination. Given time, he¡¯s sure to discern the ideal partner for marriage. ¡± Hannah had not engaged in any confrontation for ages. During her time abroad, she tackled disputes head-on. Now, fueled by an impulse to resolve matters physically, she pondered whether her response shouldnd on Makenna¡¯s left or right cheek. Sensing the storm brewing within Hannah¡¯s stare, Makenna¡¯s intuition screamed caution. Chapter 1599 But she didn¡¯t like Hannah. She seized the chance and mocked, ¡°Why are you staring at me? I¡¯ve encountered my fair share of bitches eager to wreck other people¡¯s homes. I ought to have banished you at once; this is no stage for your charades!¡± Melina, regaining herposure, interjected, ¡°Makenna, please, let¡¯s remain civil. Miss Moore is, after all, Franco¡¯s guest. ¡± ¡°What sort of guest is she! Had my son been here, he¡¯d have kicked her out. ¡± Makenna¡¯s eyes narrowed. Her son was now the CEO, and Makenna swelled with pride. Unaware of the inner workings of thepany, she still paraded around with confidence. Hannah could barely conceal her amusement. ¡°Your son has caused thepany to lose billions and is now desperately trying to salvage his position. I¡¯ve heard he¡¯ll be ousted if he can¡¯t secure 10 billion by Monday. ¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Hannah feigned shock. ¡°You weren¡¯t aware of this, were you?¡± Makenna¡¯splexion turned a shade darker with worry. ¡°What are you implying? How could it even be possible? 1@ billion! Do you think it¡¯s 1 million?¡± ¡°Well.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow, ¡°it appears you¡¯re uninformed. You¡¯ll discover the delightful details tonight. Besides, if Miss Glyn and Bryson were truly meant for each other, wouldn¡¯t they have united long before now?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze then shifted to Melina. ¡°If it weren¡¯t me, it might have been someone named Harley or Hebe-who knows? Regardless, it would never be you, Miss Glyn. Wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± Since they liked calling her bitch, Hannah decided to dial up her bitchiness towards Melina. Melina¡¯s expression grew stormy, yet she remained silent. ¡°You! You wench! You are such a liar!¡± Makenna burst out. ¡°As if disgracing my son wasn¡¯t enough, now you spew such hatred! Get out of here right now!¡± ¡°Is this your home? You have no right to ask me to leave. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression remained unflustered. ¡°No matter how harsh, I am free to speak my mind. I find a certain pleasure in voicing truths you¡¯d rather not hear. Your son is on the brink of costing thepany 10 billion; I¡¯m not here to squabble with you. ¡± Her smile then brightened, piercing through Makenna¡¯sposure Like a dagger. Before Makenna could retort, Hannah¡¯s attention had already shifted to Melina. ¡°Miss Glyn, given your close ties with thisdy, surely you wouldn¡¯t stand by idly when she and her son are struggling for 10 billion, would you?¡± As she spoke, Makenna¡¯s eyes instinctively flickered towards Melina, who nearly cursed out loud in frustration. She managed to choke back her words, but just barely. After all, they were talking about 10@ billion- not a mere million. Despite the Glyn family¡¯s market value well exceeding this sum, their liquid assets weren¡¯t as readily essible. And even if she had the funds, what right did she have to dump such a vast amount into the abyss of Tyshawn¡¯s debts? The stalemate among them was palpable when Bryson descended from the second floor. He observed the scene¡ª-Hannah with her back to him, confronting Melina and Makenna. From his elevated vantage point, he could see that the expressions on the faces of the two women were far from pleasant. His handsome brows knitted together slightly. Chapter 1600 ¡°What are you doing?¡± The cool edge in Bryson¡¯s voice cut through the tension, prompting Melina and Makenna to finally look up at him. Melina¡¯s face momentarily shifted to a look of grief. ¡°Bryson.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± Her expression implied that Hannah had brought her considerable distress. Upon Bryson¡¯s arrival, Makenna¡¯s sharp voice pierced the air, ¡°Bryson! You don¡¯t even realize how Miss Moore has been harassing Melina in your absence!¡± By the time she finished her usation, Bryson had already moved to stand beside Hannah. He nced towards Hannah, noted herposed demeanor, and maintained an expression of cool indifference. As if Makenna¡¯s words had fallen on deaf ears, Bryson turned to Hannah and inquired, ¡°Are you ready to leave? I¡¯ll drive you home. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go. ¡± Since his arrival, Bryson¡¯s attention had been solely on Hannah, which unsettled Melina. She looked at Bryson, her face shadowed by a trace of sadness. ¡°Bryson, it seems I¡¯ve somehow offended Miss Moore. ¡± She had hoped Bryson would take into ount the longstanding rtionship between their families and persuade Hannah to relent. However, she hadn¡¯t anticipated hisplete disregard for her maneuvers. Bryson¡¯s gaze was icy and unyielding as it settled upon her, his expression stern and impassive. In the hopeful depths of Melina¡¯s eyes, he delivered his words, devoid of any warmth. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you apologize?¡± Melina¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as she processed Bryson¡¯s words. Had he genuinely requested her to apologize? ¡°You¡­ You want me to apologize to Miss Moore?¡± Melina¡¯s voice trembled slightly, her confusion evident. Bryson merely nodded. ¡°Didn¡¯t you admit to making Hannah unhappy? Shouldn¡¯t you apologize then?¡± The realization hit Melina like a ton of bricks; she had indeed erred. With a heavy heart, she clenched her teeth and managed, ¡°Miss Moore, if I have wronged you in any way, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness. I¡¯ve known Bryson since childhood, and our families¡ªthe Glyns and the Mitchells-have been friends for generations. Please, let there be no misinterpretation of our bond. ¡± Hannah responded with cool detachment, ¡°There has been no misunderstanding, not before, nor now, nor will there be in the future. ¡± She paused briefly, then added, ¡°Miss Glyn, I would urge you to assert yourself more vigorously. ¡± With those parting words, Hannah brushed past Melina, announcing her departure without further ado. She was clearly not interested in prolonging the confrontation, and Bryson, too, refrained from further dialogue. Chapter 1601 As he made his way to the exit, Makenna intercepted him abruptly. ¡°Bryson, that wen¡­¡± She caught herself mid-sentence, her words faltering under the intensity of Bryson¡¯s re. Swiftly correcting her tone, she queried, ¡°Was Miss Moore truthful when she imed you demanded Tyshawn raise ten billion dors? I understand your reservations about him holding the CEO¡¯s office. But he¡¯s your cousin¡­¡± Bryson¡¯s lips twisted into a sardonic smile. ¡°Tyshawn has been divertingpany funds and sanctioning subpar projects, costing thepany billions and arousing significant ire among our shareholders. He himself pledged the ten billion. Should you have any questions, I advise you to take them up directly with him. ¡± With that, Bryson exited, brushing past Makenna¡¯s futile attempts to block his path. Stunned, Makenna turned to Melina, gripping her hand tightly. ¡°Melina, you will help me with this, won¡¯t you?¡± It was ten billion dors. How could Melina possibly assist Makenna with such a staggering sum? Melina thought it was not good for her to irritate Makenna at this time. Melina reluctantly held Makenna¡¯s hand back and said, ¡°Makenna, don¡¯t worry. If something really happens, the Glyn family will help. Our families have always been close; my parents won¡¯t just stand by if the Mitchells are in trouble. Moreover, there might still be a way to maneuver this situation. Doesn¡¯t Tyshawn have a wealthy fiancee?¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Melina¡¯s reminder seemed to ignite a spark of hope in Makenna. Indeed, Tyshawn had once confided in Makenna that marrying Malvina would bring him a dowry of thirty billion dors. It was clear Malvina¡¯s family was immensely wealthy, and to them, ten billion dors might not seem such an astronomical figure. Realizing this, Makenna exhaled a deep sigh of relief and smiled, ¡°Look at me, getting all worked up when you¡¯ve just reminded me of Malvina¡¯s dowry. I¡¯m sure Tyshawn wouldn¡¯t have agreed to this without being confident about his n. We¡¯ve been overthinking this. ¡± ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right,¡± Melina agreed, ncing at her watch. ¡°Oh, I just remembered I have anothermitment today. I¡¯ll visit Bryson¡¯s grandfather tomorrow. I need to leave now, Makenna. ¡± Makenna, still distracted by her own thoughts, barely registered Melina¡¯s departure. She nodded and said, ¡°Okay, be careful on your way. ¡± Meanwhile, Bryson was driving Hannah back to her hotel. The atmosphere in the car was charged, heavy with unspoken words hanging between them like a dense fog. Neither seemed eager to break the silence. The car came to a smooth stop outside the hotel. Hannah instinctively reached for the door handle, only to find it locked unexpectedly. She turned to Bryson, a frown forming on her brow. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what do you mean by locking the door?¡± Bryson hesitated, uncertain whether to share the troubling news he had received from his grandfather. His gaze wasden with a turmoil of emotions as he looked at her. After a moment, he decided to divert the conversation slightly. ¡°Did Melina cause any trouble for you today?¡± ¡°Even if she makes trouble for me, it¡¯s all because of you, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Hannah tilted her head slightly, her expression unwavering. ¡°You really hurt Miss Glyn today. ¡± Bryson¡¯s face remained impassive, his voice t. ¡°There¡¯s no possibility of anything between Melina and me. ¡± Chapter 1602 ¡°Oh. ¡± Hannah¡¯s response was nonchnt, her interest seemingly waning. She turned back towards the door. ¡°That has nothing to do with me. ¡± As she unlocked the door and was about to open it, she felt Bryson lean in closer from behind. Before she could react, his hand covered hers, preventing her from opening the door. ¡°I have always been loyal to you,¡± Bryson stated firmly. Hannah stared back at his handsome features, and rolled her eyes. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I really can¡¯t stand your honeyed words these days. ¡± The tension between them seemed to soften slightly with Bryson¡¯s candid admission, but the atmosphere remained charged. ¡°Excuse me, Mr. Mitchell. I¡¯m getting out of the car. ¡± Yet Bryson did not move his hand, clearly not intending to let her exit the car just yet. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Gee,¡± Hannah clicked her tongue in frustration and pushed against his shoulder, her gaze piercing as she finally addressed him with a serious tone. ¡°What exactly do you want to do?¡± ¡°You know best what I want to do,¡± Bryson replied, his wordsden with ambiguity, sparking wild imaginations. Hannah¡¯s expression turned icy as she clearly misinterpreted his intent. ¡°Bryson, I¡¯m not a pawn at yourmand. Try messing with me again, and you¡¯ll regret it. ¡± She turned to leave, her hand reaching for the door handle once more, but Bryson was quick to rify, his hand pressing gently on her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think. I just want to talk, to exin things properly. My love for you has never wavered. ¡± Hearing Bryson¡¯s earnest words, Hannah halted her escape and turned to face him, scrutinizing his expression. The sincerity she saw there made her pause. ¡°Then tell me,¡± she said after a brief silence, ¡°what is this thing you¡¯ve been hiding from me all this time?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell you,¡± Bryson confessed, his voice tinged with regret. ALL right. He repeated the same elusive answer each time the subject arose. When probed, he invariably insisted that he couldn¡¯t disclose the details.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Seeing the shift in Hannah¡¯s expression, Bryson quickly tried to reassure her. ¡°It¡¯s unrted to our rtionship. Could you possibly give me a bit more time?¡± Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion washed over Hannah. Everyone harbored their own secrets; why was she so insistent on uncovering his? ¡°If you don¡¯t want to talk about it, I won¡¯t ask again. ¡± Chapter 1603 Hannah flexed her fingers, a subtle sign of her readiness to leave. ¡°Can I get out of the car now?¡± Bryson noticed her continued frustration and hesitated to release her. ¡°Are you still angry?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Hannah sighed, rubbing her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m just really tired today. ¡± Sensing the need to lighten the atmosphere, Bryson slowly withdrew his hand, attempting to bridge the gap between them. ¡°Will you be attending the evening dress party?¡± Two days loomed until the grand evening dress party¡ªa soiree where alliances were forged and deals sealed. Among the guests were Maloney¡¯s two potential business partners, each with their own agenda. Despite her reluctance, Hannah knew attendance was non-negotiable. A no-show would gift-wrap the project for the Garza dynasty, a risk she couldn¡¯t afford. With a resigned nod, she acquiesced. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll be there. ¡± She exited the car and mmed the door shut, the sound echoing her frustration. She bent over to peek at Bryson and waved a farewell. ¡°Thanks for the ride, Mr. Mitchell. No need to wait. I won¡¯t keep you. ¡± Without a backward nce, Hannah marched towards the hotel entrance, determination in her stride. As Bryson watched her retreating figure, a sense of unease settled in his gut. It wasn¡¯t until his phone jolted with an iing call that he snapped out of his reverie. ¡°Grace,¡± he answered. ¡°Bryson, something¡¯s wrong¡­¡± Her shaky voice was barely audible. Bryson¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Slow down. What¡¯s happened?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not me. It¡¯s Hannah. ¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Bryson¡¯s mind raced, just moments ago he had seen Hannah safely to the hotel. What could possibly have gone wrong so quickly? ¡°What is it?¡± he prodded. ¡°Bryson, check the screenshot I sent. I haven¡¯t been on campustely, but when I peeked at the forum today, guess whose faces I saw stered there? You and Hannah!¡± Bryson flicked on the speaker and tapped open the chat window with Grace, his pulse quickening with anticipation. Sure enough, there it was: Grace¡¯s message, apanied by a screenshot and a video clip. Chapter 1604 The video was footage of hisst encounter with the principal, back when he¡¯d apanied Hannah to his office. But it only captured a snippet of their conversation, Leaving enough room for misinterpretation. It was enough to twist and paint Bryson as the viin with bribery allegations. Meanwhile, Grace¡¯s voice crackled with urgency through the phone. ¡°This situation¡¯s spiraling out of control. I¡¯m not on campus. I¡¯m clueless about what¡¯s happening, so I¡¯m reaching out for your help. They¡¯re smearing Hannah¡¯s name, spreading rumors like wildfire. Should we involve the authorities?¡± In a sh, Bryson recalled the tense atmosphere in the car, the way Hannah¡¯s gaze had been glued to her phone screen. It just didn¡¯t feel right. ¡®s BunnyBookery Maybe she¡¯d already caught wind of the scandal brewing on the forum. Maybe she¡¯d chosen to keep him in the dark. A chill crept into Bryson¡¯s gaze. ¡°No need for cops just yet. ¡± Grace was still shaky. ¡°Then¡­ what¡¯s the n?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on top of it. I won¡¯t let this blow up any further. ¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. A wave of relief washed over Grace. Her voice was even lighter. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll trust you to handle it. ¡± At that time, Hannah was making her way back to her hotel room. She found Dotson standing in the hallway, waiting outside her door. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Hannah asked catching the man¡¯s grave demeanor. ¡°Haven¡¯t you managed to clear things up on the forum?¡± ¡°It seems they¡¯ve beefed up the forum¡¯s defenses with some sort of firewall,¡± Dotson replied solemnly. ¡°Our usual tricks couldn¡¯t cut it this time. Hannah¡¯s eyebrows shot up in surprise. The Dark Web was their yground; few digital fortresses could withstand their onught. Yet here they were, thwarted by a mere university forum. It appeared Halliday University had upgraded its security measures. With a resigned sigh, she motioned for Dotson to follow her inside. ¡°Come in first. Let me take a crack at it. ¡± As she powered up herputer, her phone buzzed insistently. Bryson¡¯s name shed on the screen. She hesitated for a while before she answered, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what¡¯s thetest?¡± Chapter 1605 ¡°Don¡¯t rush to delete that forum post,¡± Bryson advised urgently. Hannah froze, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. How did he know she was about to hack into the forum? Sensing her silence, Bryson continued, ¡°Even if you delete the post, the problem won¡¯t vanish. It might even fuel rumors that the university epted a bribe to take it down forcefully. ¡± The onlinemotion buzzed through the forum like a crowded marketce. Everyone was voicing their own opinions and motives. ¡®s BunnyBookery Amidst the chaos, Hannah felt a pressing need to take down the post, to end this once and for all. But Bryson continued to dissuade her. ¡°Being good sometimes means waiting for the right moment,¡± his voice chimed through the phone. ¡°I¡¯m off to Halliday University. Hold off on tampering with the forum, Hannah. ¡± Sensing the gravity of the situation, Hannah interjected hastily, ¡°Let¡¯s not escte matters and drag the university into this. ¡± ¡°Understood.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. I¡¯ll be careful,¡± Bryson assured before disconnecting the call, leaving Hannah to wrestle with mounting apprehension. Bryson, undoubtedly, had seen the forum post. What did he intend to do when he reached Halliday? The unknown gnawed at her peace like a persistent itch. Sensing her distress, Dotson inquired, ¡°What¡¯s going on, Miss Moore?¡± Hannah shut herptop with a decisive click. ¡°We¡¯re heading to Halliday University. Now. ¡± Meanwhile, across town, Bryson¡¯s entourage arrived at Halliday university¡¯s entrance. It was mid-afternoon, a bustling time on campus. The presence of seven luxury cars turned heads, whispers rippling through the crowd like a gust of wind. Phones were raised, capturing the moment in snapshots shared with friends and university chat groups. The chauffeur opened the car door, and Bryson stepped out. He stood stoically beside a towering figure in a suit, his dark eyes betraying no hint of emotion as the man addressed him. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I perused the materials and evidence on the way here. The post on the forum has garnered tens of thousands of retweets and views. It seems we¡¯vended ourselves in a Legal tangle. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Bryson nodded curtly. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with. ¡± Together, they made their way through the university campus towards the principal¡¯s office building, a small entourage trailing behind them. The gazes and whispers from passing students were inevitable. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Bryson Mitchell from the Mitchell Group in the video? What¡¯s he doing here?¡± ¡°Could it be about that forum scandal? I heard he¡¯s heading straight to the president¡¯s office to sort it out. ¡± ¡°Do you think he¡¯s here to grease the principal¡¯s palms with a few more buildings?¡± ¡°I doubt it. If he wanted to bribe the principal, why bring an entourage?¡± Amidst the chatter, a mysterious figure slipped away unnoticed from the crowd. Meanwhile, in a bustling ssroom, Victoria reveled in her newfound power. The forum post was gaining traction, and Hannah¡¯s reputation was taking a serious hit. In just a couple of days, Hannah¡¯s voice would be drowned out by the tide of public opinion, even if she wanted to exin. She smirked, confident that her investment in the scandal had paid off handsomely. She doubted Hannah would dare to cross her again after this. Just then, one of Victoria¡¯s friends burst into the ssroom, breathless and panting. ¡°Victoria Victoria¡¯s brow furrowed in irritation. ¡°What¡¯s all the fuss about? Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m busy?¡± ¡°I just saw the man who was with Hannah in that video we secretly recorded in the principal¡¯s office. He¡¯s brought a whole bunch of people to the principal¡¯s office. ¡± What? Bryson? Sadie, seated at the back of the ssroom, tensed at the mention of his name. If Hannah was stirring up trouble, she figured she was ready to handle it. The thought of Bryson¡¯s involvement sent a shiver down her spine. She had faced setbacks because of him before. Quietly, she rose from her seat, intending to slip out of the ssroom unnoticed. But Victoria stopped her in her tracks. ¡°Sadie, where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Chapter 1606 Sadie was stunned. She turned around and managed a smile. ¡°Cathleen just said that Bryson went to the principal¡¯s office. I wanted to check on that myself. ¡± Victoria, who had been watchful, rxed. She scoffed and said, ¡°It¡¯s pointless even if they do see the principal. The news is all over the forum. Even if she tries to donate more buildings, it won¡¯t make a difference. ¡± She was sure of her scheme and unconcerned about Bryson¡¯s possible actions. ¡°Yes, everyone on the forum fully believes you,¡± Sadie quickly agreed. ¡°Even if she tries to exin, nobody will listen!¡± But Cathleen was clever. She expressed her concerns anxiously, ¡°I heard Bryson from the Mitchell Group holds a significant position in Valmere¡¯s business circle. We should be cautious about provoking him. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to worry about!¡± Sadie reassured her, almost ingratiatingly.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Victoria¡¯s family tops the entertainment industry!¡± Cathleen frowned, not convinced by Sadie¡¯s reassurances. She had been trying to sway Victoria. Victoria, however, was already buoyed by the praises of her friends. ¡°Cathleen, don¡¯t fret. If anything happens, I¡¯m here. ¡± Just then, a teacher entered the ssroom, cutting their conversation short. ¡°You can go back first. We¡¯ll talk more after ss,¡± Victoria suggested, giving Cathleen a wink. Meanwhile, the principal, who was in the office, saw Bryson and his entourage and grew nervous. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, what brings you here?¡± Bryson walked over to the sofa and sat down. Hiswyer followed, handing the principal a stack of documents and screenshots from the forum. ¡°Well¡­¡± The principal was sweating after seeing the screenshots from the forum, discovering the identity of the poster and the real names of students who had left harshments. He had heard rumors about Hannah through school channels recently, but he hadn¡¯t delved into the details. He had dismissed it as minor, a decision he now regretted. Several of the students involved had influential families, cing him in a tight spot. He realized toote that he should have been more proactive about monitoring the forum to prevent the situation from escting. Now, he was caught off guard. Lost in thought, the principal was jolted back to reality when Bryson spoke. ¡°Call the police directly. The evidence is solid, and we¡¯ve identified the culprits. Your school needn¡¯t be involved in handling this. ¡± ¡°No!¡± the principal responded hastily. ¡°Mr. Mitchell! Could we possibly resolve this internally? These were just student pranks! Escting this to the police would reflect poorly on the school. ¡± His aim wasn¡¯t to shield the students but to pacify Bryson and safeguard the school¡¯s reputation. However, Bryson was adamant. ¡°As you¡¯re aware, this issue arose from the school¡¯s forum, which receives a lot of traffic. The school ignored it. If my memory is correct, a simr incident urred before, and it was not resolved internally. Now, the same issue has resurfaced, and thousands have seen and spread these rumors. Yet, you suggest we shouldn¡¯t involve the police. ¡± Bryson¡¯s firm stance left the principal perspiring more profusely. He struggled to find the words to convince Bryson. Chapter 1607 At that moment, Bryson¡¯swyer spoke softly. ¡°Mr. Ramsey, we understand your predicament, but if this issue isn¡¯t resolved, we won¡¯t back down. Moreover, this not only tarnishes Miss Moore¡¯s reputation but also Mr. Mitchell¡¯s. The Mitchell Group values its reputation highly. Remember, Mr. Mitchell donated a building to the school on his sister¡¯s behalf. However, the current rumors suggest Miss Moore manipted her way back into position, cing us in a difficult situation. If you don¡¯t address this, the potential damage to the Mitchell Group could be substantial. ¡± Despite thewyer¡¯s gentle tone, his words struck the principal Like a dagger. He knew he couldn¡¯t afford to upset Bryson. Failing to manage this properly could lead to actions from Bryson that the school might not withstand. ¡°Well¡­ We can resolve this. Mr. Mitchell, there¡¯s no need for drastic measures¡ª¡± Bryson looked up sharply and cut him off, ¡°I just need a clear answer. Can I take her away or not?¡± The principal wiped the sweat from his forehead and answered nervously, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, please understand my position. You know who that student is, right? If I let you take her away, I¡¯m caught between a rock and a hard ce. I can¡¯t afford to alienate either side. ¡± Bryson, visibly annoyed, interrupted again, ¡°I¡¯m asking if I can take her away. ¡± ¡°I¡­¡± The principal paced the office anxiously. ¡°Even though you¡¯re asking, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s not within my power!¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson replied indifferently. Upon hearing this, thewyer immediately made a call. ¡°Hello, 9117¡å After a brief conversation, he hung up and turned to Bryson respectfully, ¡°Sir, the police will be here soon. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson acknowledged and prepared to leave the office. The principal hurried after Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell! Mr. Mitchell! Perhaps we could discuss this privately?¡± ¡°No,¡± Bryson replied without turning. ¡°There¡¯s no room for negotiation. ¡± Even the principal shivered under his stern gaze. ¡°May I apany you to find her?¡± ¡°ihatever,¡± Bryson responded, not slowing his pace. Meanwhile, in the ssroom, the teacher was engaged in a lesson, writing on the ckboard. A sudden knock on the door drew everyone¡¯s attention. It was the principal, standing at the threshold. Observers could notice his face was slightly pale. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to interrupt your ss,¡± he said. ¡°Miss Victoria Archer, pleasee out with me. ¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. The teacher, acknowledging the principal¡¯s presence, addressed Victoria, ¡°Please step outside, Victoria. ¡± Clearly, the principal hade regarding the issue on the forum. With a slight snort of disdain, Victoria remained unshaken. The forum, operating with a real-name system, allowed easy identification of anyone who posted. Likely, he was there to coax her into deleting her controversial post to calm the waters. She thought to herself that the decision would ultimately be hers. Chapter 1608 Rising to her feet, Victoria confronted the principal directly, ¡°Mr. Ramsey, please be straightforward. ¡± Upon seeing her reaction, the principal¡¯s expression soured. He had intended to negotiate with Bryson to avoid a scene. The prospect of police extracting her from ss would certainly provoke rumors, potentially involving the school and drawing unwanted attention from the Archer family. Though Bryson had initially acquiesced to his request, Victoria¡¯s resistance was unexpected. Unable to maintain hisposure, the principal snapped, ¡°Miss Archer,e out right now!¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Victoria felt her irritation rise. Her father¡¯s substantial donations to the school were meant to ensure her well-being. Why then was the principal treating her this way? Was it possible that Bryson had influenced him with a more attractive offer to act against her? Visibly annoyed and standing her ground by her desk, she retorted, ¡°Mr. Ramsey, whatever you need to say can be said here. What¡¯s so pressing that it can¡¯t be discussed in front of everyone else?¡± Curiosity piqued, the other students shifted their attention to the principal. Leaning casually against the wall outside the ssroom, Bryson overheard Victoria¡¯s defiant response and allowed himself a cold smile. He had already extended some courtesy to the principal, so there was no point in prolonging the matter. He signaled to hiswyer with a hand gesture. Understanding immediately, thewyer entered the ssroom. ¡°Apologies, Miss, but you¡¯ve posted defamatory remarks on the school forum that meet the threshold for legal action. My client has filed awsuit against you. Please cooperate with the investigation,¡± thewyer stated clearly. Following his statement, two policewomen approached Victoria, repeating, ¡°Please cooperate with the investigation. ¡± It was only then that Victoria¡¯s confidence wavered, and she began to tremble with fear. She was terrified. Hadn¡¯t she expected the principal to simply ask her to delete the forum post? Why were the police involved? ¡°I¡­¡± Victoria faltered, gripping her resolve. ¡°My father is the CEO of Archer Entertainment! How dare you arrest me! I will have my father and mywyer intervene!¡± Behind her, several students snickered and whispered among themselves. ¡°Can the head of an entertainmentpany get her out of this?¡± ¡°She always ims others use their connections. She mentions her dad all the time. Surely, she¡¯s no different. ¡± ¡°She¡¯s just a rich girl, so arrogant. ¡± Victoria heard theirments but was too overwhelmed to respond. Chapter 1609 Anxiety and fear gripped her. Nearby, Bryson¡¯swyer maintained a courteous demeanor and said with a smile, ¡°If you wish to contact yourwyer, you must firstply with the investigation. It would not reflect well on you to be escorted out forcibly. ¡± Being dragged out in front of her peers would certainly be humiliating-a prospect Victoria dreaded deeply. Clenching her teeth, Victoria fixed thewyer with a steely gaze and demanded, ¡°Did Hannah pay you a lot of money to embarrass me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss. The intiff in this case is Mr. Mitchell. The rumors you spread have seriously damaged ourpany¡¯s image.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Please cooperate with us,¡± thewyer replied, a hint of a smile ying at the corners of his mouth. Victoria had intended toplicate things for Hannah, but she hadn¡¯t anticipated finding herself in this predicament. Herplexion paled, her lips quivered, and she remained silent, refusing to move. The policewoman next to her then asked, ¡°Do you need assistance stepping out?¡± It was clear that if she did not move soon, she might be forcibly removed. With fists clenched, Victoria lifted her chin and dered defiantly, ¡°Fine! I haven¡¯t done anything wrong!¡± Her voice was firm, but her legs trembled. As she walked out of the ssroom, Bryson was nowhere to be seen. Escorted by the police, Victoria was led out of the academic building. Students milled about after ss, casting curious nces her way. Amidst the whispers, several more students were escorted by the police from different buildings. Their expressions ranged from despondent to fearful. Some cried and pleaded, not wanting to be taken to the police station. The principal, following them downstairs, saw the unfolding scene with a grim expression. It was clear this was bing a significant issue. As Hannah and Dotson reached the campus gate, they witnessed a line of students being escorted out by the police. Hannah was just stepping out of the car, ready to rush toward the entrance, when Bryson halted her. ¡°Head straight to the police station to find out what¡¯s happened,¡± he advised. Turning around, Hannah saw Bryson leaning casually against the car, a faint smile on his face. She had intended to ask Victoria to delete the post, but now, a headache was beginning to form. She walked over to Bryson and asked, ¡°Was it really necessary to create such a spectacle?¡± Chapter 1610 Bryson looked at her quizzically and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t you usually confront those who have wronged you? I¡¯ve seen thements on the school forum. They¡¯ve escted to personal insults and attacks. Can you just ignore that?¡± Hannah turned away, starting to say, ¡°This is my issue, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± But Bryson cut her off, ¡°It¡¯s my issue too. I know you didn¡¯t want to escte things because they¡¯re just students. You wanted to give them a chance. But did they offer you the same courtesy?¡± Hannah met his intense gaze and found herself at a loss for words. ¡®s BunnyBookery At that moment, the principal spotted her outside the school and hurried toward her. ¡°Miss Moore! Miss Moore!¡± he called out anxiously. ¡°The forum¡¯s issues are partly the school¡¯s fault too. We didn¡¯t intervene in time. With so many students being detained, it could tarnish the school¡¯s reputation, and exining this to the parents will be difficult. ¡± Then, softening his tone, he added, ¡°Professor Campbell also teaches at our school. For his sake, could you please help minimize the fallout from this incident?¡± Although the principal was subtle, it was clear he hoped Hannah would not press the matter further. Just as Hannah was about to respond, Bryson interjected sharply, ¡°Are you trying to emotionally manipte the victim? You admit the school mishandled things. I forgot something- I should not only sue the students but also your school. ¡± Hannah gently nudged his arm with her elbow, signaling him to tone down his aggression. ¡°Mr. Ramsey didn¡¯t mean that,¡± she said calmly. ¡°He didn¡¯t anticipate this situation. It¡¯s not necessary to me him entirely. ¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Encouraged by Hannah speaking up for him, the principal saw an opportunity to appeal further. ¡°Ms. Moore, I understand you¡¯ve been deeply affected by this issue. The responsible students will receive demerits, and those who have egregiously crossed the Line will remain under observation at the school. Thew can not be enforced when everyone is an offender. Please, could you consider giving them another chance?¡± Bryson scoffed, his expression icy. ¡°You acknowledge her suffering, yet you have the audacity to ask her for leniency. Thew can not be enforced when everyone is an offender? Do you believe their errors can simply be erased?¡± He nodded with a hint of menace. ¡°That¡¯s interesting. ¡± The principal shuddered, sensing a deeper, more ominous implication in Bryson¡¯s tone. Hannah, catching on to Bryson¡¯s intent and sensing his darker inclinationsing to the fore, turned to the principal and stated, ¡°I won¡¯t unnecessarilyplicate things for them. ¡± The principal exhaled in relief at her words, but his respite was short-lived. Bryson¡¯s cold voice cut through the air once more. ¡°However, I will not let the instigators off the hook. ¡± After his suggestion, he turned and opened the car door for Hannah. ¡°Get in the car. We¡¯ll go to the police station together. ¡± Looking at the open door, Hannah shook her head. ¡°I¡¯d better take my own car. It¡¯s morefortable,¡± she replied and walked toward Dotson. Bryson, unfazed, smiled casually and shut the door. The principal felt a twinge of nervousness, but his main concern now was not the students already on their way to the police station. He needed to manage the school¡¯s public image and ensure that the controversial posts were deleted from the forum. Chapter 1611 As he was mulling over these priorities, he turned to leave, but Bryson¡¯s voice stopped him cold. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about deleting those forum posts. ¡± The chill in his tone made the principal¡¯s hands tremble. He turned back with a forced smile, only for Bryson to add, ¡°If you tamper with the evidence, you¡¯ll be receiving a subpoena from us. ¡± After Bryson drove off, the principal sighed bitterly. It seemed he had significantly upset Bryson this time, who had previously been a generous donor to the school. With the rumors now swirling, he feared the Mitchell family might no longer support the school as they had before. Outside the police station, Hannah¡¯s and Bryson¡¯s cars pulled up. Inside, the atmosphere was chaotic.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Crying students, anxious parents arriving in distress, and some students being taken aside for questioning filled the scene. Most of the students involved had merely spread rumors and were receiving just a stern lecture from the police, with the promise of release soon. But as Hannah entered the police station, the atmosphere shifted. The parents, learning that she was the victim in the case, looked on in a mix of surprise and confusion. Among the crowd, a rather stout woman in mboyant attire with curly hair was clutching her son. She scrutinized Hannah from head to toe with evident disdain. ¡°Bah! Why are you saying my son spread rumors about her? Look at her! She looks like a tramp! I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if thements on the forum were true! My son doesn¡¯t lie! Now you¡¯ve dragged him here, and it¡¯s breaking his heart! You owe uspensation!¡± The woman, her lips painted a bright red, continued her tirade unabated. Her vitriol was so intense that even the surrounding police officers seemed at a loss on how to handle her. She vehemently defended her son and directed all her me towards Hannah. ¡°If she were innocent, why would so many people talk? She must be guilty!¡± Hannah, who had encountered her fair share of unreasonable people, remainedposed despite the insults. In that tense atmosphere, Bryson interjected sharply, ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one used of murdering several husbands for their inheritance?¡± The room fell silent for a few seconds following his usation. The woman, caught off guard, flushed with anger as she regained herposure. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? My husband is alive. How dare you spread such rumors about me?¡± Bryson responded icily, ¡°Would I make such a im if it weren¡¯t true?¡± He effectively turned her own logic against her. The woman¡¯s face flushed crimson, and she pointed at Bryson, too flustered to speak. ¡°My husband is the CEO of Kinkarvis Company. If you offend us, you will regret it!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow and replied, ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of Kinkarvis Company. ¡± Chapter 1612 Frustrated by Bryson¡¯s dismissive attitude, the woman boasted, ¡°It is the fifty-fifthrgest enterprise in Valmere!¡± Just then, Bryson¡¯s Lawyer approached. Ignoring herment, Bryson gestured towards the woman and instructed hiswyer, ¡°Sue Kinkarvis Company as well. ¡± Thewyer, without questioning the directive, simply nodded and affirmed, ¡°Yes, boss. ¡± ¡°What?! Do you realize my husband is the CEO of Kinkarvis Company? Are you insane?¡± the woman eximed in disbelief. Thewyer smiled at her and responded, ¡°I am aware. Thewsuit will be addressed to your husband. Please be assured, we handle our cases professionally and will not mistake the identity of the defendant. ¡± The woman felt like she was punching at a cloud-her anger and frustration yielding no impact. Overwhelmed, she blurted out, ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± With polite formality, thewyer introduced Bryson, ¡°This is my boss, the CEO of the Mitchell Group, and also the intiff in this case. ¡± The revtion hit the woman hard. She staggered backward, barely catching herself. ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re the CEO of the Mitchell Group?¡± The woman was taken aback to discover that the man standing before her was the CEO of the Mitchell Group. Moments earlier, she had unknowingly offended him. She impulsively eximed, ¡°Mr. Mitchell! Mr. Mitchell! You must reconsider. My husband¡¯spany coborates with the Mitchell Group!¡± Bryson arched an eyebrow and said icily, ¡°Is that so? Then our coboration ends here. ¡± The woman¡¯s protest faltered. ¡°What¡­ No!¡± The woman was taken aback, her disbelief evident.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°You can¡¯t terminate the contract! We. ¡± ¡°We¡¯ll cover the damages. The Mitchell Group doesn¡¯t engage with individuals of your kind. ¡± Before she could protest further, the reality of her surroundings hit her. She was in a police station; any further outburst would earn her a warning. Bryson then took Hannah aside, just as a middle-aged man entered with a group of people. The police officer, after making inquiries, approached Hannah and Bryson. ¡°Victoria Archer¡¯s father wishes to discuss mediation. ¡± Bryson assessed the man, who offered a conciliatory nod. ¡°If mediation isn¡¯t an option, we¡¯ll proceed with the formalities,¡± Bryson said to Hannah as he turned to look at her. Hannah, not wanting to escte the situation, shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s enough. We need to find a way out. This is in Cadilind. The Archer family holds some sway in capitalist circles. While the Mitchell family isn¡¯t afraid, there¡¯s no need to create unnecessary business enemies over this. ¡± Chapter 1613 Bryson smiled at Hannah¡¯s gesture. ¡°So, you¡¯re conceding for my sake?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so full of yourself,¡± Hannah replied, ncing at him. ¡°I just want to avoid unnecessary drama. ¡± They all eventually convened in the mediation room, apanied by their respectivewyers. An uneasy silence filled the room as neither side spoke up. It was Rex Archer, Victoria¡¯s father, who broke the silence, lighting a cigarette and speaking slowly. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I understand your influence in Valmere. I¡¯m not here to shift me for my daughter¡¯s actions. Let¡¯s get to the point. What are your terms for a settlement?¡± Hannah remained silent, choosing not to get involved. Bryson, his fingers tapping on the table, replied, ¡°I don¡¯t need money. I just want an apology. That¡¯s not unreasonable, is it?¡± Rex was taken aback by Bryson¡¯s request. He looked to hiswyer for confirmation before extinguishing his cigarette. ¡°Fair enough.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. She did wrong, so she should face consequences. ¡± Bryson continued, ¡°She should write an apology letter, record an apology video, post it on the school forum, and pin it to the top. Is that okay?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery This was a public punishment. Rex knew his daughter¡¯s stubborn nature; convincing her to apologize would be challenging, let alone publicly. His expression darkened. ¡°That¡¯s excessive. ¡± ¡°Is that too much to ask?¡± Bryson raised his hand, and thewyer promptly sent the screenshots and videos of the forum to Rex. ¡°Why didn¡¯t she consider it excessive when she posted these rumors online?¡± Rex, who had a vague understanding of the situation before, was surprised by the magnitude of the issue. He exchanged a nce with hiswyer, who spoke on his behalf, ¡°This incident has had a significant impact on the Mitchell Group, and we are prepared to paypensation for the emotional distress caused. Mr. Mitchell, if you propose a reasonable amount, my client is willing toply. ¡± Bryson shifted in his seat, resting his chin on his hand. ¡°I¡¯ve made it clear from the start that I don¡¯tck money. ¡± Rex sneered, ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t youck money, Mr. Mitchell? I¡¯ve heard the Mitchell Group is facing financial troubles, with stock prices plummeting. Are you sure money isn¡¯t an issue?¡± Bryson found amusement in Rex¡¯s words. He met Rex¡¯s gaze with a steady look. ¡°Perhaps the Mitchell Group is facing financial challenges, but I am not. The Mitchell Group and I are separate entities. Besides, even if the Mitchell Group is short on funds, what difference would yourpensation make?¡± Bryson¡¯s pointed remark visibly unsettled Rex. ¡°What are you suggesting then?¡± Rex¡¯s tone turned colder, his patience wearing thin. Bryson shrugged nonchntly. ¡°That¡¯s my only request. If you agree to it, we can sign a memorandum of understanding immediately. If not, then there¡¯s nothing more to discuss. ¡± Rex hesitated, ncing at hiswyer, who appeared equally serious. Chapter 1614 ¡°I need some time to think,¡± Rex said, motioning for hiswyer toe near him. Thewyer nced at Hannah, who sat beside Bryson, and murmured something to Rex. Simultaneously, Rex looked at Hannah and nodded. After consulting with hiswyer, Rex said to Hannah, ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯m aware of the video my daughter posted and the ensuing events. On her behalf, I apologize for the false rumors against you. We can discuss appropriatepensation for you. Regarding the apology video¡­ could we revisit that? She¡¯s still a student. Please spare her from further humiliation. ¡± Rex attempted to use Hannah as a means to soften the situation by lowering himself.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡®s BunnyBookery However, Bryson took the lead in responding to Rex¡¯s approach. ¡°So, you believe we deserve to be humiliated? Or do you think your daughter can use her student status as an excuse to behave however she pleases?¡± Bryson¡¯s reaction surprised Hannah. Normally indifferent to such matters, he seemed unusually confrontational today. She opted to remain silent, silently concurring with Bryson¡¯s stance. Rex frowned and turned to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, what is your perspective? As a young woman, surely you can empathize with my daughter¡¯s position. ¡± Hannah met Rex¡¯s gaze. ¡°That¡¯s precisely my point. When she started those rumors, did she consider the repercussions? If it wasn¡¯t me she was spreading rumors about, but other students without influential parents like you to support them, what kind of situation would those students be facing?¡± The school leaders would sweep the matter under the rug, Leaving those students to continue facing bullying at school. Rex grasped Hannah¡¯s point, yet his expression remained somber. ¡°So, both of you are unwilling to reconcile?¡± Hannah shook her head firmly and stated, ¡°We are open to reconciliation. Mr. Mitchell mentioned that we¡¯re not seeking money but an apology video. If that¡¯s not possible, it doesn¡¯t seem Like you¡¯re ready to settle. ¡± Bryson, noticing Hannah¡¯s assertiveness, felt a sense of relief and settled into his chair morefortably. He addressed Rex directly, ¡°Mr. Archer, settling isn¡¯t necessary. I brought my Lawyer here today not to negotiate. ¡± As the standoff intensified, Rex¡¯swyer leaned in and whispered urgently, ¡°Boss, we need to ept their terms. Their case is solid with a strong chain of evidence. If this goes to court, we¡¯ll lose, and it will impact Miss Archer severely. ¡± Rex¡¯s face soured, but ultimately, he nodded in acquiescence. ¡°Okay, I agree to your conditions. As long as it ensures my daughter¡¯s well-being, the apology video will be posted on the school forum as agreed. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson responded, then turned to Hannah. ¡°Do you think we should settle? If you¡¯re not satisfied, we can still proceed with thewsuit. ¡± His statement was designed to unsettle Rex further. As expected, Rex¡¯s expression tensed, and he looked anxiously at Hannah. Suppressing a sigh, Hannah nodded and replied, ¡°Let¡¯s go ahead as you proposed. ¡± Upon leaving the reconciliation room, they saw Victoria being escorted by two police officers, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Spotting her father, she rushed toward him, eximing, ¡°Dad!¡± Overwhelmed by the ordeal, she had never felt so wronged in her entire life and had envisioned seekingfort in her father¡¯s arms. Chapter 1615 Unexpectedly, she felt a sharp p across her face. She hadn¡¯t anticipated that her father would hit her, and she stumbled to the floor in shock. Her face burned as she looked up at Rex, tears streaming down her face. ¡°Dad! You hit me?! Why did you hit me?¡± Rex red down at her, frustration evident in his tone. ¡°Do you realize the mess you¡¯ve caused? If we hadn¡¯t settled this, would your mother and I be visiting you in prison?¡± It was the first time Rex had ever been so furious with her. Victoria trembled in fear. She covered her face with her hands, her eyes filled with grievance and resentment. ¡°She started it. She humiliated me first!¡± Rex then turned his displeasure towards Hannah, using, ¡°You¡¯re a teacher. You shouldn¡¯t be getting involved in disputes with a student, right?¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t want any conflict with her.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Despite her repeatedly causing trouble, I¡¯ve never sought to humiliate her,¡± Hannah responded calmly. Victoria, still on the floor, lifted her head and cried out hysterically, covering her face. ¡°You¡¯re lying! You embarrassed me at the club. ¡± ¡°That happened because you made a bet, insisting that the other girl had to clean the men¡¯s restroom for a month if she lost. The male star you bet on didn¡¯t show up, leaving you embarrassed. I only warned you not to go to the club to avoid further embarrassment. How is that me humiliating you?¡± Upon hearing this, those present quickly understood that Victoria had been stirring up trouble without cause. Rex¡¯s expression grew even darker. The mention of the bet and the male star reminded him of how Victoria had asked Pierson to meet her recently. Frustrated, Rex snapped, ¡°No wonder Pierson¡¯s studio has cut back on working with ourpany. It¡¯s all because of your actions! Haven¡¯t I told you not to use thepany¡¯s resources to show off? Have you forgotten everything?¡± His temper was fierce, and his words left Victoria trembling, her earlier defiancepletely evaporated. Seeing her shaken, Rex¡¯s tone softened slightly. ¡°They¡¯ve agreed to settle this time, but you need to upload an apology video to the school forum. ¡± ¡°No way!¡± Victoria screamed in hysteria. ¡°I can¡¯t post that video! It would turn me into aughingstock at school. Dad, I just can¡¯t do it! I can¡¯t humiliate myself like that!¡± Rex rubbed his forehead wearily and dered, ¡°I¡¯ve decided that you won¡¯t go to school for now. After you post the apology video, I*1L arrange for your transfer. ¡± ¡°Dad¡­¡± Victoria was stunned. She couldn¡¯t fathom why her father would choose to transfer her rather than defend her. ¡°Enough! That¡¯s final! If you don¡¯t want to transfer, you can stay at Halliday University! If you refuse to apologize, I won¡¯t be able to protect you when the Mitchell Group sues you!¡± Rex shouted. Tears rolled down Victoria¡¯s cheeks as she pleaded, ¡°Where¡¯s my Mom? I want my Mom. ¡± Rex responded with an icy tone, ¡°It¡¯s no use calling for your Mom. I¡¯ve made up my mind, and even she won¡¯t change it! Now, decide. Will you apologize, or will you stay here?¡± His stern gaze made Victoria recoil, stepping back in shock. Thankfully, someone caught her, preventing another fall. ring bitterly at Hannah, Victoria realized she had no other options left. She had been thoroughly defeated. Reluctantly, she agreed, ¡°I¡¯ll delete all the posts on the forum, make an apology video, and leave the school. ¡± Relieved yet stern, Rex said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. Come back with me. ¡± ¡°Wait! Hannah interjected. ¡°May I speak with Victoria alone for a moment? Chapter 1616 Victoria faced Hannah defensively and retorted, ¡°I have nothing to talk with you about. ¡± ¡°Just a minute. With so many people around, do you think I¡¯m going to do something to you?¡± Hannah replied, her smile easing the tension slightly. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid!¡± Victoria snapped back, her lips pressed tightly together as she approached Hannah. Noticing Bryson nearby, Hannah nced his way, and he discreetly stepped back, giving them space. Victoria halted in front of Hannah, her voice tinged with defiance. ¡°Are you satisfied now? You¡¯ve finally gotten rid of me!¡± Hannah looked past the bitterness in Victoria¡¯s words and spoke softly. ¡°Sometimes, the path you take isn¡¯t wrong because of your choices, but because others have steered you that way. Changing schools might actually be good for you. I hope youe to understand what I¡¯m trying to say. ¡± Confused by Hannah¡¯s implication, Victoria demanded, ¡°Can you rify what you mean?¡± Hannah simply shook her head and remained silent. However, Victoria mistook this for mockery and snapped, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Did you ask me toe here just to say that?¡± ¡°Yes. You can leave now,¡± Hannah replied, nodding solemnly. ¡°How could you!¡± Victoria eximed, visibly upset by Hannah¡¯s demeanor. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she said, ¡°Fine! Just hope you never see me again!¡± As Victoria and Rex exited the police station, Bryson approached Hannah and remarked, ¡°Sometimes people fail to appreciate your kindness. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t expect her to appreciate it,¡± Hannah replied, shrugging her shoulders. She turned to Bryson with a calm expression and added, ¡°She was manipted by someone. It¡¯s pointless to me her directly. I know who the real instigator is. ¡± ¡°Who?¡± Bryson asked, curious. Hannah looked at him and countered, ¡°Why are you so eager to know? Are you nning to stir up more trouble?¡± ¡°Is it stirring up trouble?¡± Bryson responded, questioning her implication. He gazed at Hannah intently before nodding. ¡°Even so, I think you should tell me who is causing the trouble.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡± Hannah had previously sensed his intentions weren¡¯t entirely straightforward, so she decided not to disclose that Sadie was involved. Before she had gone abroad, she had dealt firmly with Den and hadn¡¯t heard anything concerning since her return. Now, it seemed Sadie was the one stirring things up, but Hannah chose to remain passive for the moment. After all, Allison had shown her kindness in the past, and for her sake, Hannah refrained from taking action against Sadie. After a brief pause, Hannah stood and made for the door, saying, ¡°Forget it. Since everything¡¯s resolved, let¡¯s head back. ¡± Meanwhile, in the car outside, Victoria was overwhelmed with emotion. Sitting in the back seat, she covered her face and sobbed quietly. Chapter 1617 She had never been struck before, and the incident left her feeling deeply upset and resentful towards Hannah. As she sat stewing in her anger, Rex¡¯s calm voice broke through. ¡°iihat did Miss Moore say to you in private?¡± Initially, Victoria wanted to dismiss his question. However, feeling the sting of the p, she meekly replied, ¡°She was just ying games with me!¡± Rex frowned, pressing for a clearer answer, ¡°I need to know exactly what she said to you. ¡± ¡°She¡­ she said something really vague!¡± Victoria struggled to exin, recounting Hannah¡¯s words. ¡°She told me sometimes it¡¯s not about choosing the wrong path but being mislead by others. She mentioned changing schools might be good for me and hoped I would understand her point. How am I supposed to grasp what she meant by that? Maybe she was just taking revenge and mocking me!¡± Rex, however, grasped the meaning immediately. With a frown, he eximed, ¡°Who on earth did you inherit your brain from? You certainly don¡¯t take after your mother or me!¡± Caught off guard by the sudden rebuke, Victoria looked at Rex with a hurt expression. ¡°Dad! What¡¯s the problem?¡± ¡°The problem is you! You¡¯re being taken advantage of and you¡¯re still helping the other person count their money. Do you even realize that?¡± Rex¡¯s words were sharp. Shocked by his blunt criticism, Victoria blinked back tears that started to spill over. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. . ¡± Seeing her distress, Rex¡¯s tone softened. He rubbed his forehead, a sign of his frustration easing slightly. ¡°Who encouraged you to behave like this?¡± Guilty and unsure, Victoria averted her eyes and remained silent. Rex¡¯s frustration red again. ¡°Are you going to tell me, or should I find out myself? Are you covering for the person who advised you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m trying to protect her!¡± Victoria protested. ¡°I acted on my own. It has nothing to do with her. She just follows my lead. I told her toe up with a n because I wanted tosh out. It¡¯s all my fault. ¡± Though often spiteful, she wasn¡¯t inclined to shift the me onto others. However, Rex thought differently and said, ¡°You think she was advising you, but in fact, she was using you to further her own goals! Miss Moore told you that because she realized someone was misleading you!¡± Hearing this, Victoria shivered, looking up at Rex in disbelief. She was about to object when a memory shed through her mind, rendering her speechless. She recalled a conversation days ago where Sadie had spoken negatively about Hannah, seemingly urging her to despise Hannah. Victoria felt a chill, as if she had fallen into an icy cavern. ¡°How could she set me up like this?¡± Realization dawned, and Victoria¡¯s anger red. ¡°I¡¯m going to Halliday University right now! I need to confront her and find out why she would do this to me!¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Rex¡¯s voice boomed as he saw her furious expression. ¡°Even if you confront her, what will you say? Do you have any proof? You¡¯ve been deceived this time. You need to learn from it and stop being so conceited! Not everything revolves around you! You¡¯re too naive!¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Despite her frustration, Victoria had no choice but to curb her anger and sit quietly. Rex then added, ¡°Miss Moore didn¡¯t even argue with you and tried to exin things to you. If it weren¡¯t for her, I¡¯m mot sure I could have gotten you out of the police station today!¡± He sighed deeply and said resolutely, ¡°Your mother and I have talked it over and decided to send you abroad. You¡¯ve been relying on the resources of our family here, but once you¡¯re overseas, you¡¯ll need to stand on your own two feet. Aside from your tuition and living expenses, we won¡¯t provide any further assistance. ¡± Victoria turned to him in disbelief. ¡°My mom agreed to this?¡± She was shocked that her mother, who had always doted on her, supported the decision to send her abroad. Rex met her gaze firmly and reiterated, ¡°Yes, we both agreed on this. The decision is final!¡± Chapter 1618 The news struck Victoria like a bolt of lightning, leaving her deted and silent, slumped in her seat as the car rolled forward. Meanwhile, Hannah was on her way back to the hotel in Dotson¡¯s car. After a few moments of driving, Dotson nced in the rearview mirror and remarked, ¡°Boss, it looks like Mr. Mitchell¡¯s car is trailing us. ¡± From the passenger seat, Hannah tilted her head slightly and peered into the rearview mirror. Sure enough, Bryson¡¯s car was following not far behind. She couldn¡¯t fathom what was going on with him. He¡¯d been acting strangely ever since he started causing trouble at the school. Rubbing her forehead, Hannah sighed. It was rush hour, and the road was clogged with cars. She could instruct Dotson to lose Bryson¡¯s car. But what was the point? Even if they shook him off, he would still find out where she was staying. ¡°Ignore him. Just drive. ¡± ¡°Got it, boss!¡± Upon arriving at the hotel, Hannah stepped out of the car, with Bryson not far behind. He quickly caught up to her. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, is there something you need to discuss since you¡¯ve followed me all this way?¡± she asked, arching an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯m here to stay the night,¡± Bryson replied. Hannah gave him a puzzled look. ¡°Why don¡¯t you stay at your own ce?¡± Bryson offered no exnation but trailed her into the hotel. ¡°I saw a psychologist recently. He told me I¡¯m under too much stress and need to lighten my mood. ¡± Hannah was baffled by Bryson¡¯s behavior. ¡°And staying in a hotel is how you n to Lighten your mood?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Bryson locked eyes with her. ¡°Seeing you is what lightens my mood. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes. ¡°Good grief!¡±Material ? N?velDrama.Org. She gave him a stern look and chided, ¡°If you¡¯re really so idle, maybe you should focus on solving your Mitchell Group¡¯s crisis. ¡± Bryson shrugged nonchntly. ¡°That¡¯s Tyshawn¡¯s problem, not mine. ¡± Chapter 1619 As they entered the hotel lobby, Bryson continued to follow her, bypassing the front desk and heading straight to the elevator with her. Dotson joined them inside the elevator. With a shameless grin, Bryson said, ¡°For the sake of my mental health, I need to stay with you for a few nights. ¡± Hannah shot him a look of mock sympathy and retorted, ¡°Dream on! I don¡¯t have room for you. ¡± ¡°But you are the best remedy for my stress. Miss Moore, you¡¯re sopassionate. Surely you won¡¯t refuse to help me?¡± Bryson pleaded. The gall of this man! Hannah was ready with a retort, but the smile on Bryson¡¯s face left her momentarily speechless. Just then, Dotson chimed in with a puzzled expression, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, are you out of a ce to stay because yourpany is on the brink of copse? No need for excuses. We all know what¡¯s happening with the Mitchell Group. Why don¡¯t we share a room?¡± He turned to Hannah and asked, ¡°Boss, can Mr. Mitchell bunk with me?¡± Stifling herughter, Hannah replied, ¡°Of course.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Mr. Mitchell, feel free to stay with Dotson. You¡¯re more than wee!¡± At that moment, the elevator doors slid open, and Hannah was the first to step out. Dotson followed closely, waving at Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell,e with me!¡± As soon as they exited the elevator, they spotted Maloney leaning against the corridor window. ¡°Finally, you¡¯re back. ¡± Seeing Bryson, Maloney raised an eyebrow and greeted, ¡°Mr. Mitchell. ¡± It was clear he had been waiting for their return. Hannah didn¡¯t waste any time, ¡°Is there an issue with the partnership?¡± ¡°No, nothing¡¯s wrong. They¡¯ve agreed with your terms and haven¡¯t reached out to me recently, so I assume it¡¯s going smoothly. By the way, your friend called and asked you to call him back. ¡± ¡°My friend?¡± Hannah asked, puzzled. Maloney showed her the call log. ¡°It was Clive. ¡± Upon seeing the caller ID, Hannah instinctively reached for her phone, only to find it had powered off. ¡°My phone died. No wonder he contacted you. Alright, I¡¯ll call him myself,¡± Hannah said, pulling out her room key to unlock the door. She opened the door and walked in, with Bryson close behind. Dotson stopped him. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, my room is this way. Come along. ¡± Chapter 1620 Bryson stood firm at the door, his gaze icy. ¡°No, I want to stay here. ¡± Hannah, already inside, turned back upon hearing this and said firmly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you¡¯re not wee in my room! If you don¡¯t want to room with Dotson, you¡¯ll need to figure something else out. ¡± With that, she waved dismissively, turned around, and shut the door, leaving the three men in the hallway, exchanging looks. Maloney, noticing Hannah¡¯s reaction, smirked at Bryson. ¡°If you¡¯d rather not stay with Dotson, I can share my room with you. It¡¯s quite close to Miss Moore¡¯s. ¡± The moment the door closed, Bryson¡¯s demeanor grew colder. At Maloney¡¯s suggestion, Bryson shot him a frosty nce, walked to the room next to Hannah¡¯s, and pulled out a room key from his pocket. ¡°No need. ¡± Opening the door, Bryson held up the room key. ¡°This room is the closest to hers. ¡± Once the door closed, Maloney turned to Dotson. ¡°How did he get a room key?¡± Dotson shrugged. ¡°Probably because he owns this hotel. ¡± Dotson patted Maloney on the shoulder. ¡°Good bye, Mr. Pierce. ¡± Inside her room, Hannah plugged in her phone to charge it. When it powered on, she saw several missed calls from Franklyn. His sudden outreach was likely about the ind. Hannah called him back, and he answered quickly, his voice urgent. ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t go to the ind!¡± ¡°yihat?¡± His abrupt warning left her bewildered. From his tone, she sensed something was seriously wrong. ¡°Is it safe for you to talk? If so, take your time. ¡± There was silence, punctuated by the sound of wind. Just as Hannah thought he could hang up, Franklyn spoke again. His voice was slower, rough with tension. ¡°We were attacked at the Rising Barst night. Even though we were prepared, a few of our guys got hurt. ¡± ¡°Was it because of what happened on the ind?¡± Hannah quickly connected the incident to their recent misfortune.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1621 ¡°You¡¯re right, Miss Moore. The attackst night was carried out by individuals from the ind. ¡± There was an unsettling feeling in the air. Previously, Clive had told her about the rampant gambling that took ce on the ind, and she understood that survival meant they would be out of harm¡¯s way. Yet, why were they now targets of those same ind dwellers? Noticing her puzzlement, Franklyn exined further, ¡°They are on a search for something. It was pure chance that we got away. We only just discovered that a friend of mine had been killed in secret. They searched him but found nothing, so now they¡¯re after us to reim whatever they Lost. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression grew concerned. ¡°Any idea what they¡¯re looking for?¡± With a bitter smile, Franklyn replied, ¡°If I had any clue, escaping wouldn¡¯t be necessary. ¡± Silence fell over Hannah as she digested his words. He had a point. If he had known their motive, perhaps they could have avoided this desperate situation. Changing the subject, she asked, ¡°How are you holding up? Have you managed to shake them off?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve got several badly injured associates currently hidden in Safe House No. 1. There are quite a few of us, and we need to keep a low profile, so I¡¯ve found separate hiding spots for the others who are less injured. For now, they can¡¯t find us. ¡± Hannah felt a slight relief knowing they were momentarily safe. ¡°And Clive? Is he okay?¡± ¡°I sent him to Muvrand two days ago,¡± Franklyn said. ¡°For the time being, those people won¡¯t search for him. They¡¯re really only after me. ¡± Hannah reminded Franklyn, ¡°That friend of yours is dead, and now they¡¯re targeting you. Anyone close to you is at risk. ¡± ¡°I understand,¡± he replied. A determined glint appeared in Franklyn¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll ensure they¡¯re safe and then I¡¯ll leave for a while. They won¡¯t be dragged into this. ¡± ¡°Hiding won¡¯t help,¡± Hannah countered. ¡°Once we hang up, I¡¯ll send you an address. Get rid of your current SIM card ande to me as soon as you get it. ¡± ¡°No!¡± Franklyn protested vehemently. ¡°That would put you in danger. ¡± ¡°The best thing now is for you to be with me,¡± Hannah insisted. ¡°I know how to keep them from finding you. I have to go to the ind. If I don¡¯t, my friend will, and I can¡¯t let her go alone. ¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. After her words, a heavy silence fell. The wind itself seemed to pause as Franklyn considered the risks of bringing such danger to her doorstep. Hannah understood his hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m asking you toe here for personal reasons. Unless you¡¯re seriously injured, I need you to go to the ind with us. You know it better than anyone. ¡± ¡°My injury is mot a concern,¡± Franklyn finally said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. If you¡¯re going to the ind, I¡¯ming with you. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Hannah responded firmly. ¡°Thene to me. Come alone. ¡± ¡°IT understand. ¡± Outside, darkness enveloped everything. Hannah¡¯s phone remained silent. Two hourster, the doorbell echoed through the suite. Chapter 1622 Though it might be Franklyn, Hannah approached the door with caution, ready to verify the visitor through the peephole. There, in the dim light, stood Franklyn. His face was pale, his left arm cradled protectively. Before Hannah could open the door, the door next to hers swung open. Instantly, Franklyn found himself staring at Bryson¡¯s cold expression, feeling the intense aggression emanating from him. Danger loomed. Acting on a sharp instinct, Franklyn cautiously retreated two steps upon encountering Bryson. Observing Franklyn¡¯s actions, Bryson narrowed his eyes and asked with a menacing tone, ¡°Who are you?¡± His voice boomed, deep andmanding. Franklyn, maintaining his caution, stepped back again, gauging the distance between them. ¡°Who are you?¡± Bryson repeated, his gaze dropping to the wound on Franklyn¡¯s arm, his voice icy. ¡°Trying to fake your own injury?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°What?¡± It seemed Franklyn was confused by Bryson¡¯s usation. Upon hearing Bryson¡¯s voice, Hannah quickly swung the door wide open, peering out at them. ¡°Come in, both of you. Don¡¯t just stand there outside,¡± she instructed. Hearing her, Bryson checked his anger, turned, and entered the suite. ¡°Who is he?¡± he inquired sharply. ¡°He¡¯s my friend. Please be polite,¡± Hannah responded. Bryson raised an eyebrow. ¡°I assumed the assassins hade up with a new scheme. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes. ¡°Why don¡¯t you stay in your room? Whye out?¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°I heard someone at your door and got worried,¡± Bryson exined. When Franklyn, using his uninjured hand, closed the door, he overheard Bryson¡¯s further remarks. ¡°I¡¯m concerned you might be in danger, so I wanted to take care of it beforehand. ¡± Having a serious conversation with Bryson proved difficult for Hannah. Choosing to ignore him, she directed Franklyn to the sofa. ¡°Let me take a look at your arm. ¡± Franklyn didn¡¯t hesitate. He sat down and removed his coat with a sharp intake of breath and a grimace. The blood had dried, sticking to his skin, and the movement of the jacket made the pain worse. Once the coat was off, a deep and clearly prating wound was revealed, likely caused by something like a dagger. Hannah gently pressed around Franklyn¡¯s arm. ¡°Luckily, it doesn¡¯t seem like the bone is affected. We need to stop the bleeding. But, I don¡¯t have any tools here for anesthesia or suturing. I-¡° Before she could finish, Bryson, who had been leaning against the wall, interjected, ¡°I¡¯ll make a call and get everything you need. ¡± Chapter 1623 Hannah looked up at him and listed. ¡°Thank you. I need gauze, alcohol, anesthetic, medical stitches, and anti-inmmatory drugs. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson responded, then made a call. After a _ brief conversation, he ended the call with, ¡°The supplies will be here in ten minutes. ¡± In the meantime, Hannah cleaned Franklyn¡¯s wound with cold water to prevent infection. Once she had finished, Bryson, with a hint of usation in his tone, demanded, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you go to the hospital with such a serious injury? Whye here instead?¡± Franklyn clenched his teeth, ncing at Hannah, unsure of how to respond. Hannah interjected, ¡°I asked him toe here. ¡± ¡°He is being pursued. It¡¯s safest for him to stay with me.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Bryson felt a slight difort for reasons he couldn¡¯t pinpoint. He stared icily at Franklyn and challenged, ¡°You¡¯re being pursued as well. How is it any safer for him with you around?¡± While tending to Franklyn¡¯s injuries, Hannah nced over at Bryson and exined, ¡°Someone is brave enough to risk themselves for me out there. For now, I¡¯m safe, but he¡¯s not. Without a ce to hide, they¡¯ll capture him eventually. ¡± She looked up at Bryson with a hopeful smile. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I implore you, could you possibly shelter him for a few days?¡± Bryson¡¯s sneer greeted her forced smile. ¡°Miss Moore, you didn¡¯t exactly rush to offer me shelter for a few days. ¡± Hannah responded with a blink. ¡°But this is your hotel, right? Surely you can stay as long as you please. ¡± Their bickering seemed to briefly lighten Franklyn¡¯s difort from his injury. He observed Bryson closely and realized, ¡°You must be the Mr. Mitchell that Miss Moore frequently mentions. ¡± Raising his eyebrows, Bryson inquired, ¡°Does she really mention me that often?¡± With a nod, Franklyn confirmed, ¡°Indeed, Miss Moore speaks of you quite often, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°I see,¡± Bryson responded quietly, then offered Hannah a sincere smile. At a loss, Hannah remained silent. She was puzzled by the turn of events. Suddenly, a knock came from the door. Bryson walked over and opened it to find a man dressed casually, medical kit in hand. Bryson nced at the medical box and inquired, ¡°Have you brought everything we need?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Mitchell,¡± Willie Torres responded, clearly fatigued from his journey. Shaking the medicine box, he added, ¡°Let¡¯s hurry. I only have ten minutes. Where¡¯s the patient?¡± Bryson stepped aside and directed him, ¡°He¡¯s inside. ¡± Entering the room, Willie spotted Hannah and Franklyn seated on the sofa, noting Franklyn¡¯s wound that had been initially cleaned with clear water. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll take it from here!¡± Willie dered as he ced the medicine box on the table, rolled up his sleeves, and examined Franklyn¡¯s wound closely. It was a typical dagger wound, something any trained doctor could recognize at a nce. Chapter 1624 With years of experience, Willie didn¡¯t need details about how the injury urred. He opened the medicine box and began to prepare the wound for disinfection and treatment. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this,¡± Hannah insisted, taking the medicine box to carefully disinfect the wound herself. However, as she was about to start stitching, she realized there was no anesthetic. ¡°No anesthetic?¡± she asked, looking puzzled. Willie nced at the deep wound. ¡°Well, the hospital has strict rules about not removing anesthetics casually¡­¡± Hannah nodded in understanding, then turned her attention back to Franklyn. ¡°Alright, Franklyn, brace yourself. ¡± She picked up the necessary supplies to begin suturing. Just as Hannah was about to start, Willie¡¯s eyes widened in rm, and he intervened, ¡°No, no, no! This will be excruciating for him! He¡¯ll likely need more than twenty stitches!¡± ¡°Yes, you are right. ¡± Hannah lowered her head, took a new roll of gauze from the medicine box, and handed it to Franklyn. ¡°Bite on this to distract yourself,¡± she instructed. What? Willie was speechless! That wasn¡¯t what he meant at all. He was about to intervene when Bryson asked, ¡°Do you have a better idea?¡± ¡°I¡­ He should go to the hospital!¡± Willie blurted out. Bryson just nced at him and remained silent. ¡®s BunnyBookery Willie felt a bit embarrassed, cleared his throat, and added, ¡°If only he could go to the hospital!¡± ¡°Not bad,¡± Bryson murmured, then turned his attention back to Hannah. After ensuring Franklyn was prepared, Hannah began stitching him up swiftly.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The sound of the needle piercing through the flesh filled the quiet room, sending a shiver down Willie¡¯s spine, despite his experience. Yet, Hannah remainedposed and skillful in her work. Franklyn clenched the gauze tightly, beads of cold sweat rolling down his jaw, yet he remained silent throughout the procedure. Willie, though usuallyposed, felt a mix of admiration and fear. If the situation weren¡¯t so grim, he would have given them both a thumbs-up for their bravery. Then, he realized that Hannah¡¯s technique was even more professional than that of a doctor. Intrigued, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Are you a doctor as well?¡± As she finished bandaging Franklyn¡¯s wound, Hannah replied casually, ¡°No, but thank you for sending me the medicine box. ¡± Willie was brimming with questions, but when he caught Bryson¡¯s stern gaze, he understood the unspoken message. He picked up the medicine box somewhat resentfully and muttered, ¡°I suppose I¡¯m redundant now, right? I¡¯ll just call Brayden and let him know what¡¯s going on!¡± Bryson simply raised his hand, signaling Willie to leave. After watching Hannah bandage Franklyn, he pulled her aside. ¡°Are you going to let him stay here?¡± Bryson asked. Hannah nodded. ¡°Only within your ce can those people not dare to make a move. ¡± Chapter 1625 Bryson gazed at Hannah with a twinkling in his eyes and asked, ¡°So, how do you n to repay me, Miss Moore?¡± Hannah gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes in response. ¡°Why don¡¯t you suggest something, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°Then I have to think it over. I can¡¯t waste this opportunity,¡± Bryson said. Hannah rolled her eyes. ¡°Fine, go back to your room and think about it. I¡¯m going to bed. ¡± Bryson remained still, ncing over at Franklyn, who was sitting on the sofa. ¡°What about him?¡± he asked. Hannah followed his gaze. ¡°I¡¯ll get him a new room. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother,¡± Bryson replied. He walked over and tossed his room card to Franklyn. ¡°He can stay in my room. ¡± Franklyn caught the card and looked to Hannah for approval. ¡°If he stays in your room, where will you sleep?¡± Hannah asked Bryson. Bryson met her eyes, irritation creeping into his voice. ¡°I¡¯ll manage here tonight. ¡± Hannah sneered. ¡°Clever. ¡± Bryson chuckled, his dissatisfaction evident. He turned to Franklyn, signaling him to leave. Franklyn, however, looked at Hannah, waiting for her confirmation. Not wanting to waste more time, Hannah sighed. ¡°Alright, his room is safer. Call me if anything happens. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Franklyn replied. Clutching his wound, he stood up, thanked Bryson, and left with the room card. After the door closed, Hannah ignored Bryson, who was sitting on the sofa. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a shower. You can sleep on the sofa tonight,¡± she said. The sofa was spacious, equipped with an electric back that could recline t into a bed. ¡°Are you really going to make me sleep on the sofa?¡± Bryson asked, leaning back and watching Hannah walk toward the bedroom. ¡°Are you seriously going to treat me like this?¡± Hannah paused at the bedroom door and turned to face him. ¡°This hotel belongs to you, Mr. Mitchell. If you don¡¯t want to make do with it, you¡¯re free to get another room. ¡± With that, she turned and walked into the bedroom, mming the door behind her. Bryson chuckled and murmured to himself, ¡°What a temper. ¡± After taking a shower, Hannah rolled around on the bed, feeling unusually cheerful. The bedroom door remained closed.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Apparently, Bryson hadn¡¯t tried toe in. At least he had the decency not to intrude. Chapter 1626 Hannah turned over and stared nkly at the door. With many things now resolved, her mind drifted aimlessly. Details she had previously ignored now flooded her thoughts. She had made several attempts to dig out things Bryson was keeping from her. Though he always refused to tell her anything with the same excuse, her anger had kept her from thinking too much about it. Now, in the quiet of the moment, it struck her as odd. What could be so important that Bryson would rather argue than reveal it? She clutched her head and rolled on the bed, frustrated that she couldn¡¯t figure it out. Bryson¡¯s mind always worked differently from others¡¯. ¡°Forget it,¡± she muttered to herself. She didn¡¯t have the energy to guess. Bryson had promised he would tell her soon. She could wait a little Longer. Lost in various fancies and conjectures, Hannah eventually drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep. When she woke up, it was already 10 o¡¯clock in the morning. She sat up, smoothing her hair, surprised at howte she had slept. She picked up her phone and saw several messages from Lydia. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯ll arrive in Valmere around 2 o¡¯clock this afternoon. I¡¯ve got the dress you ordered for me. Let¡¯s go shopping for some essories this afternoon. What do you say? Brayden came with me. Ask Bryson out, and we can have dinner together! Grace also came back with us. We can go shopping together this afternoon. My treat. ¡± It sounded perfect. Hannah wanted to gauge Lydia¡¯s opinion about the ind. She quickly tapped out a response and sent it off, then tossed her phone aside. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and left the room. There was no one outside the bedroom. Hannah¡¯s eyes fell on the sofa, which looked untouched. It didn¡¯t seem like anyone had slept on it. ¡°Did he leave?¡± she wondered aloud. Bryson must have left either during the night or early in the morning, so she didn¡¯t pay too much heed to this. She called Dotson to Franklyn¡¯s room and instructed him, ¡°You don¡¯t have to follow me around. Just stay with him and make sure he¡¯s safe. ¡± Dotson studied Franklyn¡¯s unfamiliar face carefully. ¡°Okay, boss, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll guarantee his safety. ¡± ¡°He should be safe here, but if someone doese for him, you need to hide him and make sure he¡¯s always protected.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Do not get into a one on one fight with anyone. When you¡¯ve safely hidden him, find a way to contact me. Do not try to act like a hero. These are dangerous people we¡¯re dealing with. ¡± Dotson nced at Franklyn one more time as he heard what Hannah had just said. Hannah¡¯s unusually cautious demeanor didn¡¯t go unnoticed. Even when she was chased abroad in the past, she had never been this vignt. ¡°Got it, boss. ¡± Dotson said, his voice grave. ¡°Any updates from overseas?¡± she inquired. ¡°Dn mentioned another group entering the country, but I haven¡¯t heard anything since. Not sure if they¡¯re after that imposter again,¡± Chapter 1627 Dotson replied. The mention of Malvina made Hannah pause. Despite Malvina¡¯s deception in swindling the Mitchell family, Hannah stopped herself from passing any judgment because Malvina had helped her out unwittingly. ¡°My business isn¡¯t the priority right now. Just focus on protecting him. Don¡¯t worry about following me. ¡± ¡°Got it, boss. But if you don¡¯t bring anyone with you, I¡¯m concerned. Hannah shook her head, ¡°I managed just fine without you for many years. ¡± ¡°Alright, then. I¡¯ll stay put!¡± After everything was settled, Hannah took the elevator down to the hotel lobby. She scanned the area but didn¡¯t spot Bryson anywhere. ¡°Did he really leave?¡± she murmured to herself. As she made her way towards the exit, a voice called out from behind her. ¡°Looking for me?¡± Hannah turned around, expecting to see Bryson, but instead, she was met with the sight of Maloney, casually dressed. Surprised, she blurted out, ¡°Why are you here?¡± Raising an eyebrow, Maloney teased, ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re not looking for me. Who were you searching for then?¡± ¡°What does it matter to you who I¡¯m searching for, Mr. Pierce?¡± Hannah asked, her voice tinged with annoyance. ¡°Nothing, but I¡¯m just wondering. Are you trying to find Bryson?¡± She fixed Maloney with a cold stare. ¡°If you¡¯re so free, why don¡¯t you review the cooperation agreement? See if there¡¯s anything that needs to be changed. Don¡¯t waste your time guessing pointless things. ¡± ¡°Hannah, we all need to mix work with a bit of rest,¡± Maloney replied. Hannahughed mockingly and red at Maloney.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve been working hard? Let¡¯s talk about that biological medicine fraud project you nearly wrapped up. Thanks a lot, Mr. Pierce. You almost gave our money away for nothing. ¡± Her words cut deep! When he first met her, she seemed like a skilled and dependable teammate. However, as he got to know her better, Maloney couldn¡¯t ignore her biting remarks. ¡°If you have nothing more to add, I¡¯m leaving,¡± Hannah said before walking out of the hotel without looking back. Maloney hurried after her. ¡°Hold on, where are you going? I¡¯ll join you. ¡± Chapter 1628 Hannah looked at him, puzzled. ¡°Why should I take you with me?¡± Maloneyughed. ¡°Mr. Compton asked you to look after me while I¡¯m here. You can¡¯t keep ditching me, can you?¡± Was he nuts? Hannah felt like snapping at him. ¡°I never listen to him, and you know it. You¡¯re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. Why do you insist oning along?¡± Maloney shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re the only person I know in Cadilind. You can¡¯t keep leaving me behind, can you?¡± As they talked, Hannah walked straight to her car. Maloney reached for the passenger door. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m your so-called¡ª¡± ¡°Stop right there!¡± Hannah interrupted, her eyes cold. ¡°Can youe up with a better excuse?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ Maloney hesitated, then said, followed you back to Cadilind. You need to look after me, right?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been here for business plenty of times. You can manage. I have other things to do, so I need to go. ¡± Before he could respond, Hannah slipped into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°I¡¯m leaving now, Mr. Pierce. ¡± As her car sped away, Maloney let his hand drop and sighed. He pulled out his phone and dialed Wace. ¡°Mr. Compton, things are alright, but Miss Moore still doesn¡¯t trust me. I can¡¯t be with her constantly. ¡± Wace showed no surprise; he understood his daughter¡¯s cautious nature. ¡°As long as she¡¯s safe. About the issue with Amelie allegedly hiring someone to harm her, I¡¯m looking into it. I haven¡¯t found out anything against Amelie yet. I¡¯ll keep investigating discreetly. Please keep an eye on Hannah in Cadilind. ¡± Maloney refrained from mentioning that Hannah was doing well in Cadilind and didn¡¯t need his care. Instead, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Compton. I brought her back here, and I¡¯ll make sure she¡¯s looked after. ¡± Before Lydia showed up, Hannah took care of the forum issues at Halliday University. Victoria swiftly apologized, deleting the previous post and posting a video apology.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Comments were disabled, and new guidelines were enforced on the forum. The incident sparked discussions across the university, bing a hot topic. As the university took action against the rumor-mongering students, gossip quieted down on campus. Approaching the principal, Hannah handed back the theses of the outstanding students. ¡°I figure it¡¯s best if I stay out of school matters since I¡¯ve left. Here is the contact information of one of my seniors. She is also Saul¡¯s student. She can help tutor these students in the future. ¡± The expression on the principal¡¯s face was a jumble of emotions as he epted the theses, letting out a heavy sigh. Chapter 1629 ¡°Hannah, I get it. The forum incident must have stung, but I¡¯ve had my own struggles. I¡¯d be upset too if I were you. I just hope you can forgive me this time. ¡± However, Hannah shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not mad. I just feel that teaching isn¡¯t my thing. Really, this ce holds a special spot in my heart. I don¡¯t want you feeling awkward. ¡± Relieved by Hannah¡¯s understanding, the principal let out a breath. ¡°That¡¯s a relief. I¡¯ve disciplined those students-they¡¯re on probation.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. It¡¯s the least I could do to make it right. ¡± However, Hannah brushed off the situation. Among those facing consequences, Sadie was absent-the true culprit behind it all. Rather than seeing others punished, Hannah desired to see her held ountable. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. You don¡¯t need to me yourself. ¡± With a heavy sigh, the principal said, ¡°Actually¡­ I need to ask for your assistance. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Hannah asked, concerned. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Struggling to articte his request, the principal hesitated before speaking up. ¡°I hate to ask, but. Mr. Mitchell hasn¡¯t been returning my calls, so I need your help. ¡± When the principal mentioned Bryson, Hannah realized the nature of the principal¡¯s request. Bryson¡¯s intense reaction seemed to have rattled the principal, leading him to seek Hannah¡¯s aid. Unable to reach Bryson by phone, the principal likely turned to Hannah to avoid furtherplications. ¡°I know Mr. Mitchell must be upset about the forum incident. Could you talk to him on behalf of the school?¡± With a reassuring smile, Hannah replied, ¡°Mr. Ramsey, don¡¯t worry. Now that the issue is resolved, Mr. Mitchell won¡¯t dwell on it. ¡± ¡°But¡­ I¡¯ve called Mr. Mitchell several times, but he hasn¡¯t answered. . I¡¯m worried I¡¯ve really upset him this time. ¡± As Hannah mulled over Bryson¡¯s recent behavior, she remained silent for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll pass on your message. Don¡¯t worry. As long as he¡¯s not too angry, everything will be okay. ¡± The principal breathed a sigh of relief as Hannah offered her help, his face Lighting up with gratitude. ¡°Thanks. ¡± ¡°Well, I better head off. ¡± ncing at her watch, Hannah realized Lydia and the others would soon arrive. With a wave to the principal, she made her exit. After a short wait at the cafe outside the mall, Lydia and her crew finally arrived. ¡°Hannah! ¡° Chapter 1630 ¡°Hannah! ¡° Lydia and Grace, dressed alike, bounded towards Hannah and took their seats beside her. Carrying their bags, Brayden followed suit, settling across from them. Grace, gripping Hannah¡¯s arm, scanned the area, puzzled. ¡°Where¡¯s my brother?¡± she asked. Hannah hadn¡¯t reached out to Bryson. Perhaps he hadn¡¯t told her about his departure because he was tied up with something. Consequently, Hannah chose not to disturb him at that moment. Instead, she quickly found a reason and said in a dismissive tone, ¡°Let¡¯s have a girls¡¯ day out shopping. ¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Grace agreed without hesitation, nodding, ¡°You¡¯re right. My brother isn¡¯t fond of shopping. ¡± Across from them, Brayden interjected, ¡°I¡¯m a guy too. Why should I tag along for shopping?¡± Lydia shot him a stern look. ¡°What¡¯s the problem? Don¡¯t you want to apany me?¡± Instantly, Brayden¡¯s demeanor softened, and he shed a grin at Lydia. ¡°Of course not! It would be my pleasure to carry your bags!¡± Pleased, Lydia responded with a smile, ¡°That¡¯s more Like it!¡± During their shopping trip, Hannah was noticeably distracted. While the others were busy picking out jewelry, she rarely chimed in, instead sitting quietly, her thoughts elsewhere. ¡°Hannah!¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The sound of her name snapped her back to reality. Lydia extended her hand towards Hannah and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze locked onto Lydia¡¯s fingers as she asked, ¡°Could you repeat what you just asked?¡± ¡°Do you prefer this pink diamond or the sapphire?¡± Lydia questioned, fluttering the two rings on her fingers in front of Hannah. ¡°The pink diamond looks better on you,¡± Hannah responded, eyeing the rings. ¡°It matches the dress I designed for you perfectly. ¡± Reflecting on her bespoke dress, Lydia agreed, ¡°You¡¯re right, how did I overlook that? You¡¯re so dependable. ¡± She then turned to the saleswoman to have the pink diamond ring boxed. Spotting Grace browsing curiously nearby, Lydia looked back at Hannah and probed, ¡°You seem distracted today. What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just tired, I guess. ¡± Chapter 1631 Hannah shrugged, massaging her nose as if to refocus. Lydia¡¯s concern deepened. ¡°Is it the stress from the party tomorrow? Both of your luxury brands are showcased there. Is that wearing you out?¡± ¡°Not exactly,¡± Hannah replied, shaking her head. She received an invitation to the party as a brand owner, although few attendees were aware of her actual role. ¡®s BunnyBookeryMaterial ? N?velDrama.Org. Her identity was documented by the organizers, yet it didn¡¯t reveal her true connection to the brands. She had founded her brands independently, without leaning on the reputation of the Edwards family. Launching the brands was merely a hobby; she had no desire to leverage her family¡¯s name for sess. Surprisingly, both of her brands flourished beyond expectations, a fact known only to Lydia. Observing Hannah lost in thought, Lydia remarked, ¡°I understand. You mentioned you didn¡¯t want to be recognized at the party as the designer. So, what¡¯s on your mind now?¡± Hannah responded with a gentle shake of her head and a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on the past. ¡± While they conversed, Grace approached, her eyes sparkling as she showcased a pair of diamond earrings. ¡°Hannah, do these look good?¡± The earrings featured a heart-shaped outer ring assembled from numerous splints, encasing a pristine, whole diamond at the center- perfect for someone as delightful as Grace. Smiling, Hannah responded, ¡°They¡¯re stunning. Go ahead, I¡¯ll pay for it. ¡± ¡°No way!¡± Grace protested, clutching the earrings tightly. ¡°You can¡¯t always treat me! I¡¯ll get some money from my brother this time!¡± Grace narrowed her eyes mischievously and dered, ¡°My brother will have to pay for it!¡± Hannah, unable to suppress her amusement, responded, ¡°Sure, whatever you say. ¡± They enjoyed a pleasant afternoon together. Trailing behind with all the bags, Brayden grumbled, ¡°Lydia, you didn¡¯t get me anything. You just shopped for yourselves and now I¡¯m stuck carrying everything!¡± Lydia couldn¡¯t contain herughter and replied, ¡°That¡¯s exactly why I brought you along. ¡± Overhearing their yful argument, Hannah turned and offered with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ll drop you off at the hotel first, then we can go out for dinner on me. ¡± ¡°We¡¯re not staying at the hotel,¡± Lydia interjected. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since we¡¯ve been back in Valmere. I need to visit Brayden¡¯s mother with him. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Hannah nodded, then looked towards Grace and inquired, ¡°What about you, Grace? Do you need a ride back to the Mitchell Mansion, or would you rather stay at the hotel tonight?¡± Grace blinked, nced at Hannah, and queried, ¡°Where¡¯s my brother staying? He¡¯s not at the hotel tonight, is he?¡± Reflecting on this, Hannah asked, ¡°He might be heading back to the Mitchell Mansion. Do you want a ride?¡± Chapter 1632 ¡°Sure!¡± Grace replied, her face lighting up. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen my brother and grandpa!¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Hannah agreed, before turning to Lydia. ¡°You two go ahead. I¡¯ll drop Grace off and then head to the hotel.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡± Lydia gave a nod of understanding. ¡°We¡¯ll meet for the party tomorrow, then. I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the hotel entrance in the evening. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± With that, they went their separate ways, Hannah escorting Grace to the car. Once they were both securely fastened in their seatbelts, Hannah started the engine. It was then she recalled the reason she had gone out. It was to discuss the ind with Lydia. She cursed her forgetfulness silently. Furrowing her brow, she tried to quell the rising anxiety within her as she drove in silence. The quiet in the car seemed to weigh heavily, prompting Grace to nce at Hannah and ask, ¡°Is something bothering you? You seemed a bit distracted earlier. ¡± Was it that noticeable? Hannah simply reassured her, ¡°No. ¡± Grace, treading carefully, inquired, ¡°Is this about the school forum? I checked it again. The person who started it posted an apology. The original post that attacked you has been taken down. ¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s all resolved. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Hannah responded. She was driving at a moderate speed, blending seamlessly into the flow of traffic. However, as they conversed, Hannah nced in the rearview mirror and spotted a car trailing them. It was an unremarkable ck sedan, easily overlooked in the busy traffic. Yet, it drew her attention. Positioned behind two other vehicles, it seemed to mask its true purpose. But soon, Hannah¡¯s instincts screamed that something was amiss. She hit the brakes abruptly! The car halted at a traffic light! Casting a wary eye on the red signal ahead and the ck car in the mirror, Hannah¡¯s casual demeanor shifted to one of concern. ¡°Grace, sit tight!¡± she warned. ¡°What?¡± Grace was unaware of the situation. She nodded and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Chapter 1633 With only 15 seconds left before the light turned green, Hannah exined quickly, ¡°A car is following us. Once the light changes, I¡¯m going to drive fast, so hold on tight. ¡± Hearing this, Grace¡¯s heart raced- not out of fear, but from excitement. She gripped the handrail tightly and blushed with anticipation. Turning to Hannah with excitement in her eyes, she asked, ¡°Hannah, are we going to race again?¡± Hannah felt a bit exasperated at Grace¡¯s excitement. She was an innocent child who wasn¡¯t afraid of anything. When the light turned green, Hannah¡¯s car sped off quickly. She immediately left the trailing car far behind. Although the Mitchell family home was just two major roads away, Hannah took many side streets to shake off their pursuers, which required a lot of effort. Fortunately, the chase was unsessful for their pursuers. They lost Hannah after just three intersections. Hannah sharply turned onto a small road and began to slow down. By this time, the sun was setting. Focused on driving moments earlier, Hannah now noticed a thin Layer of sweat on her body as she started to rx. She rolled down the window, letting the evening breeze tousle their hair, and finally feltpletely at ease. Keeping her hands on the steering wheel, Hannah nced at Grace and asked, ¡°Are you okay?¡± Grace looked pale, leaning against the window. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m fine. ¡± Hannah smiled and said, ¡°You don¡¯t look so great.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. ¡± Grace leaned against the window, letting the breeze cool her down. ¡°It was exciting, but¡­ I almost threw up. ¡± Hannah found Grace¡¯s cuteness irresistible and burst intoughter. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to race next time?¡± ¡°I do¡­¡± Despite her difort, Grace replied weakly, ¡°I want you to take me racing again. ¡± The flickering light ahead signaled that they were nearing the Mitchell family home. Chapter 1634 With a smile, Hannah said, ¡°I¡¯ll take you to a real race car next time. This one doesn¡¯t count. ¡± Although Grace looked a little pale, she gazed at Hannah with admiration and said, ¡°That¡¯s a deal. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah parked the car in front of the Mitchell family home and watched as Grace undid her seatbelt. ¡°We¡¯re here. You can go inside. ¡± Grace hesitated, opening the door and looking back at Hannah. ¡°Hannah, aren¡¯t youing in with me?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯ste, and I need to go back to the hotel,¡± Hannah replied, smiling. ¡°Okay. ¡± Grace epted and got out of the car. Hannah remained in the car, watching Grace as she entered the house. Just as Grace opened the door, she nearly collided with someone exiting. ¡°Hey? Are you blind? Can¡¯t you look where you going?¡± Tyshawn snapped. He was storming out of the house after being scolded by Franco. As he walked outside, he bumped into someone. In the dim moonlight, he couldn¡¯t see who it was and was about to kick Grace. Reacting quickly, Hannah unbuckled her seatbelt and rushed out of the car, pulling Grace away just in time to avoid Tyshawn¡¯s kick. ¡°Damn it! How dare you dodge?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s irritation was clear. ¡°You almost hit me. How dare you move?¡± Tyshawn reached out to grab Grace. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Don¡¯t you need your arm anymore?¡± A chilling voice cut through the quiet night, causing Tyshawn to shiver and retract his hand. Recognizing the voice, Tyshawn¡¯s anger gave way to fear. He slowly looked in the direction of the voice. In the dim light by the door, it was only then that Tyshawn noticed Hannah standing in front of Grace.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. She cast a cold gaze at him, leaving him unsure of what she was thinking. Tyshawn was well aware of Hannah¡¯s character. With Bryson¡¯s recent dominance over him, he dared not lose his temper. Despite his reservations, Tyshawn didn¡¯t want to lose face. Grinding his teeth, he red at Hannah and asked, ¡°Why are you here again? Damn it!¡± Hannah sneered, ¡°Grace, go back and wash off the bad luck. ¡± Chapter 1635 ¡°It¡¯s bad luck just to see him,¡± Grace agreed, stepping closer to Hannah and grasping her arm. ¡°You need to do the same when you go back. Don¡¯t let his bad luck rub off on you. ¡± Spending so much time with Hannah had made Grace have a sharp tongue. Their banter irritated Tyshawn. He felt the urge to hit them. However, when his eyes met Hannah¡¯s, he felt a chill. Remembering the blows he had received from Hannah previously, Tyshawn started to feel a dull ache in those previous injuries. Hannah shot Tyshawn a cold look before turning to Grace with a gentle tone. ¡°You can now head inside. ¡± ¡°Okay. Send me a message once you¡¯re back at the hotel,¡± Grace replied. ¡°I will. ¡± Hannah remained until she ensured Grace had safely entered the house. Tyshawn caught up to her quickly but kept his distance, calling out, ¡°Hannah!¡± However, Hannah drove away without ncing in his direction.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Being ignored only fueled Tyshawn¡¯s anger, and he cursed under his breath. ¡°Damn it!¡± As he was cursing, a figure emerged from the darkness. ¡°Tyshawn, it seems like you¡¯re quite unhappy with Miss Moore. ¡± Tyshawn only then noticed the person stepping out of the shadows. He frowned and asked, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not good to talk here. Someone might see us. My car is just parked nearby. If you don¡¯t mind, we can go there, so we can talkfortably,¡± the person said. Tyshawn had nothing to lose. So, without any hesitation, he followed her in the dark. Soon enough, they arrived at the car. As they got in, the sound of doors closing rang in the midst of the quiet night. There was no light inside, so they couldn¡¯t really see each other quite well. Sitting on the passenger seat, Tyshawn spoke impatiently, ¡°Melina, don¡¯t beat around the bush. Just tell me what you want!¡± Sitting in the driver¡¯s seat, with her long hair draping over her shoulders, Melina said in an indifferent tone, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Well, I want us to cooperate on something. ¡± ¡°Cooperate?¡± Tyshawn raised an eyebrow in suspicion and asked with a slight sneer, ¡°Isn¡¯t the Glyn family only want to coborate with Bryson when ites to business projects? So, what¡¯s this now? Did you break up with him that you have no choice but to go to me?¡± With a mocking smile, Melina replied in a condescending tone, ¡°Did I say that I was talking about cooperating on projects? I know your ability, Tyshawn. There¡¯s a reason why the Glyn family doesn¡¯t want any part on projects involving you. ¡± Tyshawn knew that he was tantly insulted just now. His face instantly darkened, unable to suppress his anger. ¡°What the hell do you mean by that? Did you just call me here to mock me?¡± Chapter 1636 ncing at him, Melina snorted and said, ¡°Don¡¯t get too worked up. I really do need your help for something else. You know I like Bryson, right? But there is that annoying person who¡¯s almost always around him, Let me get this straight. I want to get rid of her, and I need your help to do that. Will you cooperate with me?¡± Tyshawn ¡®s eyes narrowed as he looked at Melina suspiciously. ¡°You want to get rid of Hannah? And why would you think I¡¯ll agree to help you? What¡¯s in it for me?¡± ¡°Really? Use your head!¡± Melina then burst intoughter and continued, ¡°First and foremost, if I can be with Bryson, I can persuade him to give up the right to the inheritance of the Mitchell family. By now, you should know that no matter how capable your fiancee is, she couldn¡¯t change the fact that Bryson has more than 40% of thepany¡¯s shares. So, are you and your fiancee just going to ept that you won¡¯t be able to take control of the Mitchell Group?¡± Hearing this, Tyshawn¡¯s expression changed slightly. Indeed, he was in an awkward position at the moment. Many people in thepany were dissatisfied with his performance. Although he firmly believed that Malvina was capable of earning more than enough money, he was too anxious recently, not knowing what could happen next. Bryson had alreadye back, and his grandfather had always been partial to Bryson. Needless to say, getting a firm foothold in the Mitchell Group was close to impossible. But of course, he couldn¡¯t show how he really felt. At least, he couldn¡¯t let Melina see how ashamed he was. ¡°Ha! Malvina won¡¯t let me down! Securing thepany is not a big deal!¡± Melina smiled and nted doubts in his mind. ¡°What makes you so sure that she can take out so much money? And let¡¯s assume that she can. But is it a bad thing for you to have a backup n? Don¡¯t be too ignorant. You know that the more Hannah stays with Bryson, the disadvantage on you gets bigger as well. Don¡¯t act Like you don¡¯t know this. She hates your guts so much that she might suddenly make a move and urge Bryson to ruin your life to the point that you cannot start over. ¡± Melina¡¯s words got to him, and he wasn¡¯t able to speak for a long time. He waspletely persuaded, knowing that she was right. He knew that Hannah was indeed a huge obstacle that must be taken care of. Having beenpletely manipted by Melina¡¯s words, Tyshawn turned to her anxiously and said, ¡°Fine! What do you want me to do?¡± When Melina saw the eagerness on his face, a hint of triumph shed through her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s actually very simple that even you won¡¯t have no problem doing it right. Just listen carefully to my instructions. ¡± After saying that, Melina picked up the bag on her side and took out a tube of medicine. Then, she continued, ¡°See this drug? It is colorless and tasteless when mixed with wine. But upon drinking it, she willpletely lose her mind within the next twenty minutes, doing some indescribable things. ¡± The more she spoke, the more her voice sounded bewitching. It was as if her idea was a sure thing. ¡°This is our opportunity to make everyone witness her shameful side. The moment Bryson saw her Like that, I highly doubt that he¡¯ll still want her by his side.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± Looking intently at the bottle of medicine in Melina¡¯s hand, Tyshawn felt his heart beating very fast. ¡°Wait. Isn¡¯t that a crime? What if Bryson finds out? Did you think about the consequences of these actions?¡± Melina looked at him sarcastically and answered with a shrug, ¡°Are you for real? Those who yearn for great sess must have the courage to bear the consequences. That¡¯s how it is. Besides, as long as we do our respective tasks ordingly, even Bryson won¡¯t be able to trace it to us. ¡± She then handed the medicine to Tyshawn and added in a rxed voice, ¡°You don¡¯t need to give me your answer right now. I¡¯ll give you time to think, but I hope I can get your reply before the banquet tomorrow. ¡± Looking at the medicine in his hand, Tyshawn couldn¡¯t help swallowing hard as she clenched his fists tightly. With a fierce look in his eyes, he asked, ¡°What about you? What are you going to do?¡± With a sly smile, Melina replied indifferently, ¡°Me? I will attract everyone¡¯s attention, so that you can do your job. I¡¯ll find a way to make a fool out of Hannah at the party. Once their attention is on her, that should give you enough time to finish your task. ¡± After thinking deeply for a while, Tyshawn made up his mind. ¡°Alright. You don¡¯t need to wait until tomorrow for my answer. I¡¯ll do it!¡± Chapter 1637 He thought that the setup was advantageous for him. He would be responsible for working behind the scenes, so no one should suspect him. Knowing that Tyshawn would agree, Melina wasn¡¯t really surprised. ¡°Okay then. Take the medicine, and I¡¯ll contact you tomorrow for further instructions. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± After their conversation, Tyshawn got out of the car, while Melina drove away. Tightly holding the drug in his hand, Tyshawn turned around and started walking back with mixed emotions in his heart. Soon, he arrived at the Mitchell Mansion and happened to meet Bryson who had juste back. As soon as Bryson got out of the car, he noticed Tyshawn walking on the road, but he looked a bit absent-minded. At first, Bryson wanted to just ignore him, but Tyshawn walked straight toward him without even noticing him. This made Bryson frown with suspicion. ¡°Hey, Tyshawn. ¡± Bryson¡¯s low, deep voice instantly snapped Tyshawn out of it. Startled, he subconsciously hid his hand, which was holding the drug, behind his back. Then, he looked up at Bryson and asked in an unfriendly tone, ¡°Why are you back so soon?¡± Noticing what Tyshawn just did, Bryson¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°Why? Do I have to report to you when I wille back?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­ I didn¡¯t say anything like that!¡± Tyshawn didn¡¯t dare start an argument with Bryson at this moment.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. With the drug still in his hand, his guilt was very much heightened. ¡°I just asked casually after I saw you. ¡± Bryson didn¡¯t really care why he asked him that. But when he walked past Tyshawn, he briefly stopped in his tracks and asked coldly, ¡°What¡¯s in your hand?¡± His words made Tyshawn feel a sudden chill down his spine. As he gazed up, he met Bryson¡¯s chilly eyes. As if he saw something very scary, Tyshawn¡¯s legs went limp. He could only force a smile and avert his gaze. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just some personal stuff¡­¡± However, Bryson didn¡¯t seem too convinced, and it was as if he deliberately wanted to make things difficult for Tyshawn. He stood still in front of Tyshawn and pried further. ¡°Really? Then why did you hide your hand behind your back as soon as you saw me?¡± With his quick-thinking, Tyshawn answered, ¡°It¡¯s a gift I bought for Malvina. I thought you were her, so I instinctively tried to hide it. ¡± Upon saying this, Tyshawn lowered his hand and put it on his side. But his tightly clenched hand easily exposed his panic before Bryson. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going ahead. ¡± Chapter 1638 Without waiting for Bryson¡¯s reply, Tyshawn turned around and walked briskly, wanting to get out of there as soon as he could. At the same time, Bryson didn¡¯t try to stop him. It was pretty dark outside that even with the lighting from the vi, Bryson couldn¡¯t see what really was in Tyshawn¡¯s hand. Nheless, Bryson thought that Tyshawn couldn¡¯t have stolen something from the vi. So, he let go of this matter and went straight to the vi. As soon as he entered the living room, Bryson heard the sound of Grace and Francoughing heartily. ¡°Oh, Bryson. You¡¯re back!¡± Grace had been looking outside the living room windows from time to time, waiting for Bryson to arrive. So, seeing him finally return, she excitedly said, ¡°I was just telling grandpa that I want to go on a trip after graduation. ¡± Bryson was a little tired, but he didn¡¯t forget to gently pat her on the head. ¡°Can you continue chatting with Grandpa first? I just have something else to do. ¡±Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°I see. Then I won¡¯t bother you anymore. ¡± Letting him go, Grace added with a smile on her face, ¡°Oh, by the way, Hannah escorted me back today. ¡± Hearing Hannah¡¯s name, Bryson stopped in his tracks and asked, ¡°Well, what did you girls talk about on your way here?¡± Knowing what exactly was on his mind, Grace pursed her lips and said, ¡°If you¡¯re wondering, she didn¡¯t ask about you. Come on, you two. Are you still in the middle of a fight?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Learning that Hannah didn¡¯t even mention him, Bryson felt a little disappointed. Was she really that angry? Didn¡¯t she care about him at all? He felt utterly frustrated that he could only go upstairs in silence. Covering her mouth, Grace softly snickered and ran to her grandfather. Seeing her naughty smile, Franco couldn¡¯t help Laughing as well. ¡°You little girl, what are you so happy about?¡± ¡°My brother can really be too dense at times. He doesn¡¯t even understand his own heart. But I¡¯m not going to tell him anything. He needs to figure it out by himself!¡± In fact, Franco had overheard the siblings¡¯ conversation just now. He had the same thought as Grace¡¯s, remembering the strange vibe between Bryson and Hannah a few days ago. ¡°I agree with you. This is something that should be solved by them, so we¡¯d better not get involved. ¡± After chatting for a bit more, Grace held Franco¡¯s arm and said, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, grandpa. Let me help you go back to bed, so you can take a rest. ¡± They seemed to be having a good time here, but it wasn¡¯t the same for Hannah. This time, Franklyn had really been unlucky. The moment she arrived at Franklyn¡¯s room, she saw his leg hung high, fully enveloped in ster. Nheless, he looked very energetic for someone who was seriously injured. Maloney was also in the room. When he saw Hannahe in, he immediately stood up and defended himself. ¡°It has nothing to do with me. ¡± Ignoring him for now, Hannah¡¯s gaze fell on Dotson. Chapter 1639 Dotson slowly raised his hand and lightly scratched the tip of his nose, acting a little awkward. Then, he finally said, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s my fault either¡­ I tried to persuade him not to go out, but he insisted on doing so. This was on him¡­¡± Without saying a word, Hannah walked to the bed, maintaining the cold expression on her face, and took a look at Franklyn¡¯s hanging leg. Then, she blurted out, ¡°If you¡¯re tired of living, I can ask someone to deal with you immediately. ¡± It was very difficult for Franklyn to move in his condition. He could only force a smile and say, ¡°It¡¯s really my fault this time. I have no excuses. It¡¯s just that I had no choice but to go out. My underlings¡¯ hideout has been found. After learning that several of them were seriously injured, I just couldn¡¯t leave them alone. ¡± ¡°When did I ask you to leave them alone?¡± Hannah¡¯s tone suddenly rose, and her voice grew fiercer. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you that I¡¯ll deal with your affairs? But what did you do? You ignored all of my orders. ¡± Seeing that Hannah was fuming in anger, Dotson stood up stealthily and walked to a corner in fear that he would incur her wrath. On the other hand, Maloney just sat downfortably, enjoying the developing scene. Frightened by her serious tone, Franklyn stammered greatly, ¡°Y-yes. I was wrong¡­¡± After humbly admitting his fault, he lowered his head silently. This time, Hannah turned to Dotson and asked with eyebrows raised, ¡°And you¡­ Didn¡¯t I specifically ask you to stop him from leaving the hotel? What did you promise me?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Her menacing tone made Dotson swallow hard. He didn¡¯t have the guts to make any more excuses and apologized instantly, ¡°Yes, boss. It¡¯s my fault. I¡¯m sorry. ¡± Hearing this, Franklyn immediately tried to cover for him. ¡°Boss, don¡¯t take it out on him. He already did his part, and I was the one who stubbornly insisted to go out. He did go with me, but there were too many people to deal with. My injured hand wasn¡¯t of much help, and so I ended up identally injuring my leg as well. Dotson tried his best to help me. I¡¯m the one to me. ¡± Hannah sighed deeply and closed her eyes for a while, feeling rather helpless. As she got silent, the atmosphere in the room just became even more suffocating. Dotson tried his best to signal at Maloney, but thetter didn¡¯t mean to say anything to defend their case. Finally Dotson could only openly make gestures, asking for his help to appease Hannah. After a few moments, Maloney stood up and walked up to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, what¡¯s important is that Franklyn is fine. Please let it go.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. I¡¯m sure they won¡¯t dare do such a reckless thing again. ¡± As he spoke, he made eye contact with Franklyn who was lying on the bed. Immediately understanding Maloney¡¯s gesture, he nodded eagerly and said, ¡°Yes! Of course! I really dare not!¡± Then Maloney looked at Hannah with a faint smile, attempting to divert the topic. ¡°There will be a banquet tomorrow, and it has gotten toote. We should rest and go to bed soon. ¡± Hannah took a deep breath and looked over at Franklyn and Dotson, who were almost shivering in nervousness. She suddenly let out a sigh of relief and said, ¡°Yeah, forget it. But next time, don¡¯t me me if I totally lose my temper!¡± Dotson instantly revealed a look of delight and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss! I promise to keep an eye on this stubborn man! I won¡¯t let him out of my sight!¡± Chapter 1640 Hannah chuckled and took another look at Franklyn¡¯s hanging leg and teased. ¡°Well, he¡¯s badly injured right now.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. If you still let him out of your sight while he¡¯s like this, I think you should go back to the Compton family and train again!¡± Dotson¡¯s almost got teary eyes as he promised, ¡°Boss, I swear! It will never happen again!¡± Hannah then waved her handzily and said, ¡°Okay. I¡¯m going back now. ¡± Maloney left with her. After closing the door behind them, he walked beside her and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the matters abroad. The head of the Compton family is currently investigating Amelie. ¡± Hearing this, Hannah abruptly stopped in her tracks, and so did Maloney. She then turned to Maloney and asked in a straight face, ¡°Are you spying on me for Wace?¡± Shrugging his shoulders, Maloney let out a yful smile. ¡°I thought you already knew. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t say a word; she gave him a cold look and moved past him. Just as she opened the door, Maloney spoke up behind her. ¡°You know, sometimes you can trust Mr. Compton. He won¡¯t hurt you. ¡± ¡°I only trust myself in this world,¡± Hannah replied tly, still facing the door, her fingers gripping the knob. ¡°If he really loves me, why hasn¡¯t he told me how my mother died? Every detail about her has been hidden from me. I¡¯ve been searching for years, and now he shows up and says he¡¯s my father?¡± She let out a sarcasticugh. ¡°Where was he all these years? If things keep going like this, will I ever find out the truth?¡± After she broke away from the Edwards family, her life had been full of unexpected twists. Surrounded by uncertainty, the path ahead felt like a never-ending dark tunnel with no end in sight. But once she had entered this darkness, there was no turning back. Maloney, feeling the chill of Hannah¡¯s despair, fell silent. ¡°Maybe. After a long pause, he finally said, ¡°Mr. Compton has his reasons. ¡± Hannah, weary of hearing the same excuse, replied, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that too many times before. I¡¯m tired. I need to rest. ¡± She marched inside and mmed the door. Maloney stood there, looking down at his phone with a troubled expression. For the first time, he didn¡¯t report back to Wace. The next morning, Hannah had finished getting ready to head out. Then a message from Bryson appeared on her phone. It read: ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up for the party tonight. ¡± Her expression didn¡¯t waver as she picked up her phone and replied: ¡°No, thanks. Lydia will take me. ¡± Bryson, expecting her refusal, let the matter drop. Chapter 1641 ¡°When are you leaving?¡± he asked. Hannah figured Bryson woulde over despite her resistance and prepared to turn him down again. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. She stopped typing and headed to answer it.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Thinking it might be Maloney or Dotson, she opened the door without hesitation. To her surprise, three people stood there, each holding a gift box. The woman in front shed a polite smile. ¡°Hello, are you Miss Moore?¡± Hannah, confused, nodded. ¡°Yes, I am. Who are you?¡± Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from Bryson: ¡°I found a dress that suits you perfectly. It¡¯s almost time. So I¡¯m worried you¡¯ll miss it if you go out. ¡± Hannah nced back at the gift boxes, then at the woman. ¡°Mr. Mitchell sent us to deliver this dress,¡± she exined. ¡°Please let us help you get ready. ¡± Standing by the door, Hannah feltpelled to oblige. Without a word, she motioned for the trio to enter. Only when she slipped into the dress did she realize the woman who had spoken to her was Laurie Cullen, the brain behind Minimalism Design! This brand had climbed to the top 5 in Cadilind¡¯s fashion scene. Their style had a unique national touch, captivating the upper-ssdies. Hannah hadn¡¯t imagined Laurie, a top designer, woulde in person. It seemed Bryson held some sway. When Laurie saw Hannah in the dress, her amazement was evident! ¡°Wow, it¡¯s stunning!¡± she eximed. Looking at Hannah, Laurie said seriously, ¡°I knew I made the right choice. You bring out the best in my clothes! This dress was made just for you!¡± The dress had a ssic cut that hugged her figure and brought out her elegant charm. The ck dress, adorned with golden pine motifs, perfectlyplemented her tall stature, making her shine in the light. Chapter 1642 Her exposed shoulders were smooth, softening her appearance and adding a touch of nobility. Looking at herself in the mirror with her hair down, Hannah felt a bit out of ce. Dressing so elegantly was a rarity for her, not really her usual style. But before she could object, Laurie gestured to her team and said, ¡°I already know the perfect makeup and hairstyle for you, Miss Moore. Please, take a seat. ¡± As a skilled designer, Laurie styled Hannah¡¯s hair into a chic side ponytail and a bun, entuating it with a peach blossom hairpin. The makeup artist applied a light foundation, enhancing Hannah¡¯s naturally healthy skin with a subtle touch. Given Hannah¡¯s already wlessplexion, the makeup artist didn¡¯t need to do much to achieve a polished look. Finishing up, she said, ¡°Miss Moore is even lovelier without makeup. ¡± Laurie¡¯s pleased nod followed. ¡°Impressive. I definitely made the right choice!¡± Meeting Laurie¡¯s gaze, Hannah responded, ¡°Thank you. ¡± ¡°No problem. You¡¯re a real gem,¡± Laurie said warmly. Curiosity sparkling in her eyes, Laurie asked, ¡°Ever thought about modeling for me? I can pay you whatever you desire!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryN?velDrama.Org (C) content. Hannah politely declined with a smile, saying, ¡°Thanks, but modeling isn¡¯t my thing. It¡¯s not about the money. Hope you understand. ¡± Laurie had expected as much. She nodded. ¡°I understand. With Mr. Mitchell as your boyfriend, money¡¯s likely not a worry. Still, it¡¯s a pity you won¡¯t model for me. I¡¯ve got loads of designs you¡¯d rock. Such a pity! But Miss Moore, how about being my model once in a while? Just once in a while!¡± Their good rapport with Bryson prompted Hannah to agree. ¡°Sure, once in a while. But I¡¯m going abroad soon, so I might not have time for that now. ¡± Upon hearing this, Laurie quickly fetched her phone, offering it to Hannah as if she¡¯d been nning this. ¡°No worries. Let¡¯s exchange numbers. Give me a buzz when you¡¯re free!¡± Touched by Laurie¡¯s eagerness, Hannah couldn¡¯t resist adding her as a friend. Grinning with satisfaction, Laurie took back her phone, giving Hannah a yful wink. ¡°See you tonight, Miss Moore. ¡± At about seven o¡¯clock in the evening, Hannah received a call from Lydia. When she stepped out of the hotel, she immediately drew the attention of the people around her. The evening had already turned dark, and the moonlight, coupled with the hotel¡¯s lights, made the golden threads of Hannah¡¯s dress sparkle brilliantly. Her exquisitely delicate face caused many to pause and admire her as she walked by. As soon as Hannah opened the door and got into the car, Lydia, seated in the back, hugged her tightly. ¡°Hannah! Oh my god! You look so different tonight! Your dress is stunning and is absolutely beautiful on you!¡± Lydia¡¯s voice was loud with excitement, making Hannah turn her head away with a helpless smile. Chapter 1643 ¡°Lydia, you¡¯re pushing it now. ¡± ¡°No, really! It¡¯s true!¡± Lydia insisted, leaning back and gently bumping her friend¡¯s shoulder. ¡°This outfit is perfect for you! I thought you¡¯d wear one of your own designs. Whose dress is this?¡± ¡°I was going to wear my own design,¡± Hannah sighed softly, exining to Lydia that Bryson had picked out her dress. Realization dawned on Lydia. ¡°Oh! It¡¯s from Minimalism Design. Their dresses are always so exquisite. Bryson really put a lot of thought into this. ¡± She yfully nudged Hannah¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Only he could choose something that suits you this perfectly. I still remember when you first met him. He gave you that incredible evening dress!¡± Lydia¡¯s words brought back memories for Hannah. When she first met Bryson, he was a formidable, feared by everyone in the business world. ¡®s BunnyBookery Cold and decisive, he was nothing Like the more rxed and yful man he had be. He was shameless around her now! Hannah couldn¡¯t help but smile, her lips curling at the thought. Seeing Hannah¡¯s smile, Lydia couldn¡¯t help but tease her. ¡°Talking about him makes you look Like you¡¯ve tasted honey. So, have you two made up?¡± ¡°No,¡± Hannah replied, snapping back to reality and gazing out of the window. ¡°It wasn¡¯t really a quarrel. ¡± They chatted as the car made its way to the banquet venue. Hannah held two invitations. One for the White family, and the other for the clothing brand she founded under a pseudonym. Wanting to keep her identity hidden, she used the White family invitation.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Arriving early, they found the grand banquet hall mostly empty. Lydia, holding onto Hannah¡¯s arm, guided them inside. ¡°There aren¡¯t many people here yet. Let¡¯s grab something to eat. I¡¯m starving!¡± Turning to Brayden, she said, ¡°Hannah and I will head over there first. Feel free to look around. ¡± Brayden curled his lips. ¡°Now that you have Hannah, you¡¯re tossing your dear husband aside?¡± ¡°I see Hannah much less than I see you. Of course, she¡¯s the priority tonight,¡± Lydia replied, pulling Hannah away with a yful tug. The two sat at a table for a while as more and more people arrived at the banquet. With a small cake in one hand and a ss of champagne in the other, Lydia was enjoying herself. Hannah watched her helplessly. ¡°Why are you so hungry? Didn¡¯t you have anything before you came here?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all because of that ind. I¡¯ve been running myself raggedtely and almost missed qualifying for the auction,¡± Lydia exined. Hannah¡¯s eyes shifted with interest, ready to ask more about it, when a mocking voice interrupted them. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you two managed to get in here. ¡± Malvina stood nearby, dressed in a bright red haute couture gown that, while meant to be striking and elegant, looked oddly out of ce on her. Malvina, not tall enough for the floor-Length gown she had chosen, struggled to make up for it with high heels that barely helped. She nced at the small cake in Lydia¡¯s hand with disgust on her face. ¡°You¡¯re here to attend the party, not to eat free food. ¡± With a sneer, she continued, ¡°But I can¡¯t me you. People like you have probably never attended such a high-end banquet. ¡± Chapter 1644 Turning her gaze to Hannah, Malvina added, ¡°Only gold diggers Like you think you can climb the socialdder and cross ss boundaries. ¡± Hannah and Lydia exchanged nces, both silently acknowledging that Malvina was just a big f@cking idiot. What was wrong with this woman? Her identity was about to be exposed, yet she was strutting around as if she owned the ce. Her shamelessness and nerve were truly one of a kind. With a faint smile, Hannah looked away, choosing to remain quiet. But Malvina wasn¡¯t done. Eyeing Hannah¡¯s dress, she sneered, ¡°I wonder what kind of cheap dress she¡¯s wearing. Isn¡¯t she embarrassed of herself?¡± Hannah somehow held herposure, but Lydia couldn¡¯t take it anymore. She put down her ss of champagne and, still clutching her small cake, began to retort. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything, do you? ALL you can do is stand here and shout! You can¡¯t even recognize quality when it¡¯s right before you. You¡¯re probably wearing a fake if you can¡¯t even tell the brand of her dress. ¡± Nalvina¡¯s face twisted with anger as she snapped back, ¡°You¡¯re the one wearing fakes! You¡¯re insane! How dare you spread such rumors?¡± Lydia put her hands on her hips, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the problem? You think it¡¯s okay to spread rumors about others wearing cheaper brands, but you can¡¯t handle it when someone calls out the truth about you?¡± ¡°You! f@ck you, you f@cking bitch!¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong? What are you quarreling about?¡± Tyshawn appeared beside Malvina, putting an arm around her shoulder. His eyes narrowed as he looked in Hannah¡¯s direction. Then a greedy expression spread across his face. ¡°Are you two bullying her together?¡± Malvina immediately leaned into Tyshawn¡¯s arms, ¡°They both said that what I¡¯m wearing is fake!¡±? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. Tyshawn¡¯s expression darkened, his voice sharp. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Lydia rolled her eyes and retorted, ¡°I said that, so what? She was the first to use us of wearing cheaper brands. We were just giving it back to her. Mr. Mitchell, are you here to stand up for her?¡± Hannah turned her cold gaze on Tyshawn but remained silent, herposure unshaken. Tyshawn felt a chill under Hannah¡¯s stare, but his desire resurfaced when he took in her appearance. Thinking about the possibilities for the night, he licked his lips. ¡°I warn you! Don¡¯t bully my people anymore. You won¡¯t like what happens to you if you keep up with this! Let¡¯s go!¡± He turned around and left with Malvina in his arms. Lydia stared at the retreating figures of Tyshawn and Malvina, a look of disbelief on her face. She turned back to Hannah, shaking her head. ¡°Are those two crazy? They just came over out of nowhere and started their nonsense!¡± Hannah watched them walk away, noticing how they stopped to exchange heated words. She narrowed her eyes slightly, focusing on Tyshawn¡¯s lip movements. It seemed like he was warning Malvina to be cautious. ¡°Interesting. It looks like there is way more to these two than meets the eye,¡± Hannah thought with a smile. Tyshawn pulled Malvina to one side. He looked at Hannah in the distance before addressing Malvina. ¡°Don¡¯t create problems for her. ¡± Malvina nervously bit her lip, finding it hard to ept that Tyshawn was supporting Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re helping her now? I¡¯m your fiancee. Tyshawn! Are you still interested in my dad¡¯s assistance?¡± Chapter 1645 They had just two days left until Monday, the deadline they had set. So, Malvina abandoned her pretense of being gentle and understanding, pressuring Tyshawn. ¡°If you¡¯re not genuine with me, my dad won¡¯t invest this money. ¡± Sensing the opportunity slipping away, Tyshawn became anxious. ¡°I¡¯m not aiding her. I¡¯m warning you not to interfere with her because someone else will. ¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Malvina nced at him, confused. ¡°What do you mean?¡± As he was about to rify, Tyshawn nced up and caught Hannah¡¯s amused gaze. A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively lowered his head. Had she been observing them all along? Was their n now revealed?? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. He was lost in contemtion. Malvina frowned, waiting for an exnation. ¡°Why are you silent? What do you mean by that?¡± Tyshawn raised his head once more and spotted Hannah. He exhaled slowly, reassuring himself that his earlier panic was unwarranted. Tightening his hold around Malvina¡¯s waist, he turned away from Hannah and whispered, ¡°Someone intends to humiliate her tonight, so stay out of it. ¡± Hearing this, Malvina¡¯s mood improved. She would be pleased as long as Hannah faced trouble. Her luck had been on the decline since she encountered Hannah. She had not only been pursued without exnation but had also narrowly escaped a recent abduction. Luckily, she was leaving in a few days. Sacrificing her life here for money wasn¡¯t worthwhile. ¡°Who¡¯s going to handle her?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t disclose that. Just ensure she faces no issues tonight,¡± Tyshawn responded. Seeing that Malvina was content with his assurance, Tyshawn then broached the topic of the 10 billion dors. ¡°Malvina, when precisely will the $10 billion be here?¡± Malvina¡¯s smile briefly faltered. ¡°Why the rush? My dad confirmed Monday, so it¡¯s Monday. ¡± She softened her expression and encircled her arm around his. ¡°Would my dad deceive you? Let¡¯s not discuss this at the party. Once the funds arrive on Monday, you can assert dominance over Bryson. ¡± Chapter 1646 The idea of showcasing his sess before Bryson on Monday brought a smile to Tyshawn¡¯s face. He held Malvina tighter and pecked her cheek. ¡°Malvina, you¡¯re exceptional. Hannah pales inparison to you. ¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Malvina dered proudly, lifting her chin. ¡°How could she even bepared to me?¡± Meanwhile, nearby, Lydia observed them, holding food. ¡°He¡¯s scheming, isn¡¯t he?¡± Hannah nonchntly shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I sense he¡¯ll stir up some trouble tonight. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Lydia bit into her cake and chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll inform my husband to watch over Tyshawn and prevent him from causing any issues for you. ¡± Inspired by her words, Hannah conceived a n. She leaned closer and whispered something to Lydia. ¡°Excellent n! Trust me,¡± Lydia responded, clinking her ss with Hannah¡¯s.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°I¡¯ll locate my husband and return shortly. ¡± ¡°Agreed. ¡± After Lydia left, Hannah casually scanned the guests. Some were yet to arrive, including Bryson and Grace. Presumably, they would arrive fashionablyte. Lowering her gaze, she spotted someone in a wheelchair nearing her. It was Merlin. He wore a white suit, his soft hair falling over his forehead. He looked younger and less gloomy today. His bodyguard maneuvered the wheelchair toward Hannah. He looked up at her, a faint smile gracing his pale face. He signaled for the bodyguard to step back. The bodyguard retreated to a safe distance, ensuring he couldn¡¯t eavesdrop on their conversation. ¡°Miss Moore, you are certainly hard to reach. It seems I had toe to you personally. ¡± Hannah held her wine ss, looking down at him. ¡°Mr. Garza, your way of inviting needs a lot of improvement. Are you trying to invite me or kidnap me?¡± Merlin¡¯s smile didn¡¯t quite reach his somewhat pale face as he Lifted his gaze to her. ¡°If I had intentions of kidnapping you, Miss Moore, you wouldn¡¯t be here conversing with me. ¡± Hannah reciprocated his smile. ¡°Feel free to try, Mr. Garza. ¡± They locked eyes, and the air was heavy with unspoken tension. If res could inflict harm, they would have started a battle already. Merlin¡¯s smile widened, betraying his good spirits. ¡°Miss Moore, you remain as intriguing as ever. Recall thest incident when Edwin was ensnared, and you were almost ensnared too. Remember, I was the one who rescued you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s tone was light and almost indifferent, Like someone who had forgotten a favor. ¡°It¡¯s funny, I remember it was your sister who trapped me and caused trouble for my cousin. ¡± Merlin responded, his smile stead y. ¡°My sister simply fancies him. That doesn¡¯t constitute trouble, does it?¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze turned frigid. ¡°Is drugging someone an appropriate demonstration of affection?¡± ¡°Well, your statement is worth thinking about. ¡± Merlin tapped his chin contemtively with his slender fingers, feigning reflection on her words before meeting her gaze again. ¡°Personally, I see nothing wrong with that. We get what we want and achieve our goals, no matter the means. ¡± His smile broadened. ¡°Such is our family principle. Do you take issue with it, Miss Moore?¡± Hannah learned much about the past from her grandfather. Her mother had beenpelled to return to the country and couldn¡¯t contact the White family. As a result, the Garza family took her in as an adopted daughter by name only. Later, in an attempt to escape the Garza family and be aware of her pregnancy, her mother reluctantly married Wyatt, the husband arranged by them. Even after the marriage, they continued to exert control over her mother, a fact Hannah only discoveredter. She narrowed her eyes, her stunning amber eyes now brimming with icy contempt. ¡°I do take issue with it. What are you going to do about it?¡± Chapter 1647 ¡°Miss Moore, what on earth are you suggesting?¡± Merlin¡¯s innocent gaze met hers. ¡°You seem unhappy with the Garza family, not me. I was just curious. Miss Moore, please don¡¯t take it personally The Garza family can¡¯tpete with you. ¡± Uncertain of Merlin¡¯s motives, Hannah responded coolly, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m really not happy with the Garza family. But let me be clear, I don¡¯t like you either. ¡± Merlin remained unfazed by her frosty words, as if he had anticipated her animosity. With a knowing smile, he remarked, ¡°Even if I offered to help you take down the Garza family, you wouldn¡¯t entertain the idea of teaming up with me, would you?¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Had he lost his marbles? Why was he openly dering his intention to target the Garza family in front of her? ¡°Have you had your head examinedtely? I think you should get your brain checked. ¡± Merlin chuckled, clearly amused. ¡°Miss Moore, you love to joke around. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression remained stern. ¡°I¡¯m not joking. I mean it. ¡± Merlin shrugged off her seriousness. ¡°I¡¯m not joking either. I sincerely propose to help you with the Garza family. ¡± A silence lingered before Hannah spoke, ¡°You just mentioned that you¡¯ll do whatever it takes to reach your goal. So, why are you helping me? What¡¯s in it for you?¡± Merlin¡¯s smile turned faint, his lips pale as he replied, ¡°I like talking to smart people, so let¡¯s not waste any time and get straight to the point. I want you to cure my legs.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only That¡¯s my goal and my condition. ¡± As he finished, Hannah¡¯s gaze drifted to his legs. ¡°Your Garza family is powerful and influential. You should be able to find a skilled doctor to cure your legs easily. Whye to me?¡± ¡°Because you are the Phantom Healer,¡± Merlin replied deliberately. With an unwavering stare, he presse d on, ¡°No need to rush to deny it. If I can figure out your identity, it means I¡¯ve done my research thoroughly. I understand you don¡¯t want it revealed, so I haven¡¯t told anyone else. ¡± He truly had a knack for digging up secrets. Despite her unveiled identity, Hannah¡¯s demeanor remained unchanged. ¡°I admit that I¡¯m Phantom Healer, but I don¡¯t know if I can cure your legs. ¡± ¡°You have a friend named Ro. ¡± Merlin inclined his head and retrieved a photo from his pocket, capturing Ro strolling at school. ¡°I discovered that his legs were disabled, and you helped him stand up again Narrowing her eyes, Hannah shifted her scrutiny from the photo to Merlin¡¯s countenance. ¡°But you should understand that if you truly can¡¯t stand up, I¡¯ll have no other option. ¡± At her deration, the smile at Merlin¡¯s lips waned slightly. His tone turned chilly as he said, ¡°Then please, Miss Moore, try to think of a solution. If you¡¯re able to heal my legs, I can assist you with handling the Garza family and also share some secrets they¡¯ve kept hidden for over twenty years. ¡± Upon hearing this, Hannah set aside her ss, casting a deliberate nce at him. ¡°I¡¯m just a bit curious. Would you really betray the Garza family just to heal your legs? They¡¯re your family. How could you let go of that?¡± A peculiar grin crept across Merlin¡¯s face. ¡°They¡¯ve already abandoned me. Why should I remain Loyal to them? Moreover, there are many branches of the Garza family. They hurt and kill each other for interests. I¡¯m just betraying them to aplish my goal. It¡¯s not a big deal. ¡± His righteous attitude made Hannah silent. Merlin¡¯s fundamental values justified his behaviors. If he didn¡¯t think for himself, he would be hurt by others. Chapter 1648 Hannah harbored no intention to intervene excessively, nor did she intend to acquiesce to his terms immediately. She simply responded, ¡°It¡¯s not the right ce to examine your legs here. Let¡¯s schedule a private appointment for next time. ¡± In high spirits, Merlin grinned and inquired, ¡°So, have you epted my terms?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Hannah shook her head, stating firmly, ¡°If I can¡¯t heal your legs, I won¡¯t agree to coborate with you. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± Merlin nodded, his fingers grazing the wheelchair as he eased backward. ¡°But, Miss Moore, if you were unable to cure my legs, it would pose a bit of a problem. Though the Garza family may find it challenging to confront you at the moment, they¡¯ll undoubtedly devise alternative schemes. Rest assured, if I don¡¯t step in to assist you, the Garza family will undoubtedly make your life difficult. ¡± Merlin¡¯s gaze held a hint of menace. Despite his unchanged expression and soft-spoken tone, his words reverberated ominously. ¡°If you haven¡¯t misced the business card I gave youst time, feel free to reach out to me anytime, Miss Moore. ¡±Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. With that, Merlin edged backward slightly, prompting his bodyguard to step forward and steady the wheelchair. Watching him depart, Hannah furrowed her brow in thought. Just as she turned, a collision sent her reeling into a passing waitress. The tray she carried spilled towards Hannah, wine sses shattering! Despite Hannah¡¯s swift evasion, her clothes were grazed by the spill, droplets staining her attire. The waitress, clearly flustered, was on the verge of tears as she hastily apologized, ¡°Miss, I¡¯m terribly sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to! Let me clean it up for you right away!¡± ¡°No, thank you. It¡¯s my fault. I didn¡¯t notice it,¡± Hannah reassured calmly. Inspecting her dress, Hannah reassured the waitress, ¡°It¡¯s ck anyway. It¡¯ll hardly show. I¡¯ll take care of it in the restroom. ¡± The waitress regarded Hannah with gratitude and offered, ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll apany you to the bathroom. ¡± ¡°No, I know where it is. I can go on my o wn. ¡± As Hannah went far, the flustered expression on the waitress¡¯ face faded away. She nodded to the person standing in the dark not far away and left in a hurry. Hannah ced her handbag on the wash basin, moistened a tissue with water, and carefully wiped the hem of her dress. Fortunately, there weren¡¯t many wine stains, and they easily came off the ck fabric. As she concentrated on cleaning her dress, she sensed someone approaching. Instinctively, Hannah lifted her head and noticed Melina standing beside her, dressed in a stark white high-necked gown. Melina simply gazed at her reflection in the mirror without uttering a word to Hannah. Despite the many vacant spots nearby, Melina had chosen to stand right next to her. Hannah chose not toment, redirecting her attention to her dress. Chapter 1649 Hearing the voice beside her, Hannah didn¡¯t even raise her head as she responded, ¡°Then don¡¯t. ¡± After a brief pause, Melina turned to face her and said, ¡°Even if I shouldn¡¯t say it, I have to make it clear to you today. I told you that you and Bryson are not from the same world. You are destined not to be together. ¡± Melina turned on the tap, washed her hands, and continued as she looked at Hannah through the mirror, ¡°I¡¯m not joking, Miss Moore. You¡¯d better have a clear understanding of yourself. ¡± After wiping the wine stains from her dress, Hannah tossed the tissue into the trash can next to her.Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Only then did she turn to face Melina, meeting her gaze with icy eyes, ¡°I thought I made it clear that if you have time to argue with me here, you¡¯d be better off talking directly to Bryson. ¡± Hannah stepped forward, fixing Melina with a cold stare despite her elegant appearance, ¡°You¡¯re not visiting him. Is it because he doesn¡¯t want to see you?¡± ¡°How could you!¡± Melina eximed, visibly embarrassed and angry. Seeing her reaction, Hannah sneered, ¡°I don¡¯t have time to waste here with your nonsense. ¡± She smoothed the hemline of her dress and added firmly, ¡°Stop repeating the same thing to me. ¡± After saying that, Hannah grabbed her bag and was about to leave, but Melina suddenly seized her wrist! Melina, now visibly agitated, challenged her, ¡°Isn¡¯t it all because of you that Bryson and I have reached this point?¡± Taking a step back, Hannah swiftly grabbed Melina¡¯s wrist in turn and said coldly, ¡°This has nothing to do with me. If you continue to pester me, I don¡¯t care whether you¡¯re thedy of the Glyn family or not. ¡± She pushed Melina back against the wash basin and added, ¡°If you want to make a fool of yourself at the party, I can help you!¡± Hannah strode past Melina, grabbed her bag, and exited the bathroom. Left alone, Melina straightened herself up from the wash basin. Turning to face the mirror, she smoothed out her disheveled hair and smiled at her reflection. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t me me for being cruel,¡± she murmured, touching up her lipstick with a crazed, unsettling smile. ¡°Tonight, I will make sure you can¡¯t recover!¡± As Hannah walked out of the bathroom, she felt a nagging sense of unease. Melina¡¯s sudden appearance and her excessive reaction were out of character. A thought shed through her mind, but before she could ponder further, a sharp, distinct sound caught her attention. ¡°Hannah!¡± Dressed like a little princess, Grace hurried towards her, lifting the hem of her dress. ¡°Grace,¡± Hannah greeted, her face warming into a gentle smile. Chapter 1650 Grace reached Hannah and clung to her arm, her voice bubbling with excitement, ¡°My brother is also here! He¡¯s talking to people over there. ¡± Hannah followed Grace¡¯s pointing finger and locked eyes with Bryson, who was holding a ss of wine. Hannah had to admit that Bryson possessed an unapproachable aura when engaging with unfamiliar people. Seeing that she was looking at him, Bryson smiled and raised his ss to her. Hannah turned her head away, feigning ignorance, and pulled Grace aside for a chat. As the clock neared 8:00 PM and almost everyone had arrived, the host announced themencement of the banquet. The exhibition hall¡¯s center was reserved for disying outstanding items, including clothes and jewelry. Attendees interested in purchasing could discuss directly with the designers. However, Hannah¡¯s interest was not in the disy. She was merely apanying Grace, who seemed keen to explore. Suddenly, amotion erupted among the attendees admiring the exhibition. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Why is this showcase empty?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t this the showcase for Master MurrR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ay? There is the name of Master Murray on it. Why is there nothing in it?¡± The host hurried over and was immediately panicked upon seeing the empty showcase. He quickly summoned the staff to ascertain the situation. It was confirmed that a valuable diamond had been in the showcase before the banquet began, sparking widespread discussion among the guests. ¡°It was put in the showcase before the party began. Was it lost after the party started?¡± Murmurs of confusion and suspicion filled the air. ¡°That means some guest stole it?¡± someone suggested tentatively. ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense. Who would go through so much effort to steal a diamond?¡± As the crowd debated, a woman¡¯s voice cut through the noise from not too far away, ¡°Not necessarily! We are all respectable people here. We wouldn¡¯t take such a big risk for a diamond. But¡­¡± Melina paused, her gaze shifting pointedly in Hannah¡¯s direction, and continued, ¡°Not everyone thinks the same way. ¡± She made her way through the crowd, closely followed by a woman d in a sleek ck velvet dress. ¡°Isn¡¯t this Master Murray?¡± Chapter 1651 ¡°Master Murray must be very angry. Who on earth did it? How dare they steal things at the banquet!¡± ¡°Exactly! It¡¯s appalling!¡± ncing at the empty showcase, Melina turned to the crowd and announced, ¡°In fact, Master Murray and I have identified the person who took the diamond. Master Murray is willing to give this person another chance. If she steps forward and returns the diamond, he won¡¯t hold her ountable this time. ¡± As she spoke, her eyes were fixed intently on Hannah. Hannah met her gaze with a faint smile. It was clear now that Melina was attempting to frame her. Hannah thought to herself how Melina¡¯s tactics were bing increasingly stupid. However, Hannah didn¡¯t feel the need to engage in such a petty game. She was above this baseless usation. Master Murray was a middle-aged woman, around 4@ years old. She appeared well-maintained and pleasant. Even when her diamond went missing, she showed no signs of irritation. After Melina finished her statement, Master Murray began slowly, ¡°Thank you for admiring the diamond I designed. I think the person who took it probably didn¡¯t mean any harm. Perhaps she was just captivated by the design of the diamond. However, I do hope it can be returned. Sometimes to truly appreciate something, you don¡¯t have to possess it. ¡± Melina held Master Murray¡¯s arm and said, ¡°Madam, the thief isn¡¯t likely to have a change of heart. You¡¯ve been gracious enough, but it seems she has no intention of returning the diamond. I¡¯m afraid she might disappoint you. ¡± Observing the scene, Grace sighed to Hannah. ¡°Can you believe a diamond went missing at such a grand event?¡± Hannah just smiled without respondin g. Nearby, Bryson stood with a wine ss in hand. He seemed uninterested but still cast a stern nce at the showcase. At that moment, Melina gestured to the side, and the waitress who had identally spilled wine on Hannah¡¯s gown approached timidly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Just repeat what you told me earlier,¡± Melina instructed gently, seeming tofort the waitress. The waitress then slowly lifted her head, looked at Hannah, pointed at her while trembling, and said, ¡°It¡¯s her. It¡¯s thatdy¡­ I saw her take the diamond. ¡± ALL eyes turned in the direction she indicated and focused on Hannah. The crowd became very noisy. ¡°What? Did Miss Moore steal the diamond? Really?¡± ¡°No way! Hannah is from the White family. Surely, they can afford a diamond?¡± ¡°Exactly. The White family is wealthy. She wouldn¡¯t need to steal. ¡± ¡°Why not? Didn¡¯t she divorce just to hook Mr. Mitchell? It¡¯s not surprising for someone like her, who¡¯s after money, to steal a diamond. ¡± Chapter 1652 The person who began spreading the rumor was very close to Bryson and he heard everything.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Bryson approached them, his cold presence startling the whispering crowd into silence. ¡°Say that again. ¡± The man was still talking with his neighbor when he heard this and quickly responded, ¡°Okay! I¡¯ll repeat it! I said she was just a gold¡­¡± He froze as he met Bryson¡¯s cold gaze. He was so shocked that his legs went weak, nearly causing him to kneel. ¡°Mr¡­ Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Bryson¡¯s stare was cold, his thoughts u nreadable. ¡°Continue. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery His words caused the man¡¯s teeth to shake. ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I made a mistake, Mr. Mitchell¡­¡± Bryson ignored the man¡¯s pleas for forgiveness and walked over to Hannah. Seeing everyone¡¯s attention on Bryson, Melina¡¯s expression changed, and she walked towards Hannah too. Bryson held Hannah¡¯s wrist, saying, ¡°Come with me. ¡± ¡°No. ¡± Hannah stood her ground, looking directly at Bryson. ¡°If I leave now, I can¡¯t clear my name. ¡± Despite Bryson¡¯s nk expression, Hannah sensed his irritation. She smiled and asked Bryson, ¡°Do you trust me? I never took that diamond. ¡± Without hesitation, Bryson met her gaze and said, ¡°I have never doubted you. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s all I need. ¡± Melina, having caught up and overheard their conversation, struggled to keep herposure. ¡°Miss Moore, we¡¯re friends, and I don¡¯t want this to be awkward for you, but the diamond is missing. I think you should clear this up. ¡± After Melina spoke, Bryson turned and gave her a piercing look. ¡°Do you have any proof?¡± ¡°Absolutely. ¡± Melina turned to the waitress standing by her side and said, ¡°She ims she saw Miss Moore take the diamond. Isn¡¯t that proof enough?¡± With Bryson also present, people who were discussing it kept their voices low. Chapter 1653 ¡°Exactly. Isn¡¯t that proof?¡± ¡°If someone saw her take it, it must be true. ¡± ¡°But Mr. Mitchell will defend her. I doubt anything will happen to Miss Moore.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. ¡± Bryson scoffed, ¡°There are no cameras in the banquet hall, just this witness. She can say whatever she likes. ¡± Staring down the waitress with his cold eyes, Bryson asked, ¡°Are you certain you saw Miss Moore took the diamond?¡± Intimidated by hismanding presence, the waitress felt a dryness in her throat and her legs quivered slightly. She cast her gaze downwards and stuttered. ¡°I¡­ I did see¡­ I think I¡¯m correct. ¡± Melina, Looking defeated, said to Bryson, ¡°I know you care about Miss Moore and want to protect her. But this is serious. If she took the diamond, she just needs to return it. ¡± Bryson gave her a cold look and said, ¡°I could also use you of stealing the diamonds and setting up Hannah. ¡± Melina¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Bryson, how could you suspect me? Miss Moore and I are friends. I have no reason to frame her. ¡± ¡°First off, we are not friends. ¡± Hannah stepped aside and approache d Melina. ¡°Secondly, you have a motive to frame me. I¡¯m aware you have feelings for Bryson. I know you grew up with him. If you like him, you should earnestly pursue him. That¡¯s eptable. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression hardened, and her voice grew cold. ¡°But I despise scheming the most. Do you understand the consequences of plotting against me in this?¡± Hannah took charge in their confrontation, holding the advantage. Observing Hannah¡¯s behavior, the crowd started to question the validity of the waitress¡¯s ims. Hearing Hannah¡¯s emphatic words, Master Murray frowned and turned to Melina, ¡°Melina, I don¡¯t believe thisdy is a thief. Could there be a mistake?¡± As the room seemed to sway in Hannah¡¯s favor, a determined gleam appeared in Melina¡¯s eyes. ¡°A thief will never confess to stealing. Hannah! If you im you didn¡¯t take the diamonds, would you let everyone see what¡¯s in your possession?¡± She was convinced the diamond was in Hannah¡¯s bag. Hannah¡¯s smile grew wider. Today, she was intentionally walking into Melina¡¯s trap. She wanted to see what Melina would do next. Whoosh! Hannah unzipped her bag and looked at Melina with a smile. ¡°I dare to show it, do you dare?¡± Observing the confidence etched across Hannah¡¯s face, Melina felt a twinge of uncertainty. However, surrounded by so many prying eyes, she masked her own guilt. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I dare? I didn¡¯t steal Master Murray¡¯s diamond. ¡± Chapter 1654 ¡°Alright,¡± Hannah responded indifferently. ¡°I¡¯m willing to empty my bag right here, but you must do the same. That¡¯s only fair, isn¡¯t it?¡± Melina¡¯s expression eased at Hannah¡¯s proposal. ¡°Fair enough. Miss Moore, please proceed and empty your bag. ¡± Without any hesitation, Hannah approached a table cluttered with drinks. The attention of everyone in the room was riveted on her, specting whether she indeed possessed the missing diamond. Hannah grasped her unzipped bag and, with a swift motion, turned it upside down. A loud crack echoed as the contents scattered across the table. Inside, there were only a few items- two Lipsticks, a cosmetic mirror, and Hannah¡¯s cell phone. Significantly, Master Murray¡¯s alleged stolen diamond was nowhere to be seen. The rity of the revtion sparked a flurry of discussions among the onlookers. ¡°No diamond in there? It seems she didn¡¯t take it. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been saying, it couldn¡¯t have been Miss Moore who took it. Maybe the waiter was mistaken. ¡± ¡°If she didn¡¯t steal the diamond, why would the waiter im to have seen her do it? There must be some basis for it. ¡± Someone scoffed, ¡°It¡¯s easy to falsely use someone. Her bag is empty. How can you still use her?¡± The man recalled Bryson¡¯s earlier caution to another and chose to remain silent, not daring to speak further. ¡®s BunnyBookery The conversation made Melina go pale. How could this be happening?R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only She was certain she had ced the diamond in Hannah¡¯s bag! In a burst of agitation, Melina snatched Hannah¡¯s bag from her! She emptied the bag and felt along the Lining, but it was indeed empty. ¡°How can this be¡­¡± Melina whispered so softly that almost no one heard her. Hannah stepped up and took back her bag from Melina. Suddenly, a tiny, reflective object slipped from her fingers and dropped into Melina¡¯s slightly open purse. Everyone was engrossed in the unfolding scene, oblivious to this subtle urrence. But Bryson, who was positioned behind the group, saw Hannah¡¯s action. Chapter 1655 He merely arched an eyebrow and fixed his gaze on Hannah, choosing to remain silent. ¡°It¡¯s time for Miss Glyn to open her bag for everyone, isn¡¯t it?¡± Hannah suggested. It was only then that Melina recalled the request. Clutching her purse tightly, she retorted, ¡°I haven¡¯t stolen anything. Why should I have to show you my bag?¡± Hannah¡¯s smile broadened, ¡°I haven¡¯t stolen anything either. To prove my innocence, I showed everyone my bag, right? Miss Glyn, weren¡¯t you confident earlier? Do you want to back out now, in front of all these people?¡± Her words, delivered with a disarming smile, caused everyone¡¯s attention to pivot toward Melina. Even Master Murray, who had been quiet until then, turned to observe. ¡°Fine! There¡¯s nothing to hide in my bag!¡± Melina dered, unwittingly stepping deeper into Hannah¡¯s snare as thetter¡¯s smile grew even wider. Melina strode over, swung open her bag, and turned it upside down, mimicking Hannah¡¯s actions. With a loud crack, its contents spilled out, exceeding Hannah¡¯s array. The itemsy strewn across the table, initially indiscernible to the onlookers. Melina, seemingly indifferent, challenged, ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡± She began scooping her belongings back into her bag. However, midway, her movements halted, and her expression stiffened. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of a diamond lying beneath her powderpact. Her hands shook uncontrobly. Why was the diamond in her bag?! By now, the crowd had also noticed the glittering gem on the table. A voice from among them rang out. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the diamond crafted by Master Murray? It was in her bag! Look!¡± The crowd pressed in closer, their eyes fixed on the radiant stone. Gasps of disbelief echoed around. ¡°So, Miss Glyn was the thief all along! And she was the one calling for the thief to be caught?¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°I doubt that¡¯s the case. The Glyns are incredibly wealthy. Why would Miss Glyn need to steal a diamond? Plus, she and Master Murray get along so well. It doesn¡¯t add up that she would do something Like this!¡± ¡°Interesting, you¡¯re full of doubts now. You didn¡¯t question things this much when Miss Moore was the suspect!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just caught off guard, that¡¯s all. ¡± Chapter 1656 Melina stepped back, her face ashen, and eximed in dismay, ¡°It wasn¡¯t me! I didn¡¯t take the diamond!¡± ¡°If you didn¡¯t steal it, then why was it found in your bag?¡± Hannah inquired with a nonchnt tone. Thinking that if Melina enjoyed such deceit, she deserved to fall into the same snare! ¡°I¡­ How should I know why it ended up in my bag¡­¡± Before Melina could finish, her eyes widened in shock. She pointed a trembling finger at Hannah and used, ¡°It was you! You nted the diamond in my bag to set me up! It had to be you!¡± She quickly found an excuse and turned to face Master Murray. ¡°Master Murray, please believe me. I didn¡¯t steal your diamond! It was Hannah! She realized we were onto her, so she hid the diamond and slipped it into my bag to set me up!¡± Master Murray remained silent, her eyes briefly flicking to the diamond on the table before returning to Melina with a look of disappointment. A shiver ran down Melina¡¯s spine, and she turned to re at Hannah. ¡°You did this, didn¡¯t you? Is it because of Bryson?¡± The onlookers relished the drama, eager to see a sh over a man. They watched intently, hoping for a confrontation. However, Hannah wasn¡¯t about to o blige them. She shed a smile and responded, ¡°Miss Glyn, not everyone is as desperate for men as you seem to be. First, you use me of theft, yet no diamond was found in my bag. Then, when it turns up in yours, you im I nted it there. How could I possibly have slipped the diamond into your bag?¡± Melina retorted immediately, ¡°It was when you had my bag! That¡¯s when you did it!¡± Hannah shrugged nonchntly, spreading her hands. ¡°I touched your bag in front of everyone. How could I have managed that without being seen?¡± ¡°You! You!¡± Melina felt sweat trickling down her forehead as she heard Hannah¡¯s words. ¡°So, only your version of events is true, and everyone else¡¯s is false?¡± Hannah questioned.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Master Murray, not wanting to escte the situation, stepped forward and retrieved the diamond. ¡°It seems I unknowingly left it with Miss Glyn. I had taken the diamond earlier. Perhaps I forgot to return it. I was engrossed in conversation with Miss Glyn and must have forgotten about the diamond. My apologies for causing a false rm. ¡± People weren¡¯t naive. They could see that Master Murray was attempting to cover for Melina. Thus, it seemed likely that Melina had indeed taken the diamond. Melina¡¯s expression darkened, her body trembling as she turned to face Master Murray. ¡°Madam. ¡± She tried to speak but was cut off by Master Murray. Master Murray, not wanting to create a scene, spoke quietly to Melina. Chapter 1657 ¡°Forget about it. Now that the diamond has been found, let¡¯s just move on. ¡± Feeling unjustly used, Melina found herself unable to defend her actions. It was as if an invisible hand had gripped her throat, leaving her breathless. Melina was convinced it was Hannah. It had to be her who found the diamond and then employed a trick to frame her. Melina lifted her head to re at Hannah, but Hannah¡¯s smile sent a chill down her spine, leaving her feeling suffocated. She didn¡¯t dare to meet Bryson¡¯s gaze. Master Murray spoke to Hannah. ¡°I apologize, Miss Moore. I misjudged you because of this incident. Please ept this diamond as a gesture of apology. ¡± Her words sparked amotion among the onlookers. Everyone knew that Master Murray¡¯s exhibition diamonds were not for sale, yet here she was offering one to Hannah. As Hannah examined the diamond offered by aster Murray, she smiled and shook her head. ¡°I can tell that you¡¯ve poured a great deal of thought into this diamond, from its cut and design to its craftsmanship. I don¡¯t believe you were offering this diamond for sale. I appreciate your kindness, but I can¡¯t ept this diamond. ¡± Master Murray was momentarily taken aback by Hannah¡¯s refusal but then smiled warmly. She approached Hannah, gently taking her hand and cing the diamond within it. Locking eyes with Hannah, she spoke softly, ¡°I believe this diamond was meant for you. I have no intention of selling it. Instead, I want to give it to you. ¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡®s BunnyBookery Master Murray¡¯s words silenced the room. Melina, still reeling from embarrassment, was astonished. How could Master Murray offer the diamond to Hannah so readily? Despite the expectation that Hannah would ept the diamond, she returned it to Master Murray. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot ept the diamond. ¡± Hannah¡¯s refusal caught everyone¡¯s attention, even Bryson¡¯s. Despite the scrutiny, Hannah remainedposed. ¡°I understand its significance to you. You should keep it. ¡± Her words sounded authoritative to everyone present. Master Murray had a sudden realization upon hearing Hannah¡¯s words. Holding the diamond, she simply smiled and shook her head in resignation. ¡°I apologize for any inconvenience caused today. I¡¯ll be more careful with my belongings in the future. ¡± With this resolution, everyone soon left, and no one dared to mention the incident involving the Glyn family¡¯s daughter. At that moment, Melina¡¯s gaze met with the man standing nearby, and her expression shifted once again. ¡°Hannah!¡± Melina called out, stopping Hannah, who was on the verge of leaving. ¡°You know perfectly well that I didn¡¯t steal the diamond. ¡± Chapter 1658 Hannah and Bryson both turned to face Melina. Bryson spoke first, his gaze icy as he addressed her. ¡°You¡¯re aware Hannah isn¡¯t responsible for the theft, yet you¡¯ve still implicated her. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my fault. I thought the waitress was telling the truth. ¡± ¡°So, you can casually nder her?¡± Grace retorted, her tone sharp with anger. Melina clenched her teeth, unwilling to confess. ¡°I didn¡¯t intend it. Everyone makes mistakes. Now that the diamonds have been found in my bag, I¡¯m facing public scrutiny. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± Hannah regarded her icily. ¡°So, what did you call out to me for?¡± Melina hesitated, her gaze shifting. When she noticed a waitress approaching nearby, she abruptly spoke up. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be your enemy. I don¡¯t want to cause any more trouble. Hannah, I don¡¯t want our conflict to continue like this. ¡± Sensing Melina¡¯s insincerity, Hannah remained unmoved. ¡°Fine, whatever. I don¡¯t wish to quarrel with you either. ¡± Seeing Hannah about to depart, Melina c alled out, ¡°Wait!¡± Hannah frowned, growing impatient. ¡°Melina, I don¡¯t want to cause a scene at the party, but my patience is wearing thin. If you persist, I¡¯ll p you. ¡± At that moment, a waitress carrying sses of wine happened to pass by. Melina casually took two sses of wine from the tray, approached Hannah, and offered her one ss. ¡°I¡¯ve lost. I admit I can¡¯tpete with you. Let¡¯s put an end to our feud by drinking this ss of wine together. ¡± Her demeanor, previously agitated, had now shifted significantly. Hannah doubted Melina¡¯s sudden change of heart and genuine intentions. Gazing at the wine in Melina¡¯s hand, she replied with a slight smile, ¡°I¡¯m hesitant to drink the wine you¡¯re offering. I fear you may have tampered with it.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. ¡± Melina felt a pang of guilt as Hannah¡¯s words struck a chord. Clutching the ss tighter, she insisted, ¡°I merely took it from the waitress. You can see for yourself. Why would I drug you? I¡¯m being sincere. I¡¯ve decided to stop. I won¡¯t target you anymore. ¡± In a gesture of sincerity, Melina downed the wine in one gulp. She then turned to Hannah and affirmed, ¡°I¡¯m being honest. ¡± Without epting the wine, Hannah nodded and replied, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll trust you this time. ¡± She turned away, ready to leave. Anxious, Melina blocked her path. ¡°If you trust me, why won¡¯t you drink this ss of wine?¡± Hannah regarded her coolly. ¡°Why should I drink the wine you gave me?¡± Hannah edged closer to Melina, her gaze dropping to the ss in Melina¡¯s hand. ¡°You¡¯ve been against me since this party started. Think I can¡¯t tell?¡± She lowered her voice, leaning in slightly. ¡°You tried to trap me with a pathetic trick, and now you want to make up? Who do you think you¡¯re fooling?¡± Chapter 1659 ealizing she couldn¡¯t keep up the act, Melina dropped the charade and stared at Hannah with a cold look. ¡°I plotted against you before, but I¡¯ve also epted defeat. When I said I didn¡¯t want to fight anymore, I meant it. ¡± She took a sip from her ss, then offered it to Hannah. ¡°See? I drank it first. It¡¯s harmless. And I just hope this doesn¡¯t mess up the deal between the Glyn and Mitchell families. ¡± Hannah¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile as she eyed the ss Melina held out. Hannah figured she didn¡¯t need to be kind when someone was practically asking for trouble. But just as her hand moved to take the ss, Bryson¡¯s hand shot out, stopping her in her tracks. ¡°I¡¯ll drink it for her. ¡± He snatched the ss from Melina¡¯s hand. Hannah stared, momentarily frozen in surprise. But as she saw Bryson start to lift the ss, realization hit her, and she quickly grabbed his wrist. The wine was Likely drugged with something, though Hannah wasn¡¯t sure what. Since Melina had been willing to drink it herself, it probably wasn¡¯t something that would cause serious harm. However, Hannah couldn¡¯t let Bryson drink it so impulsively. If something happened to him, she wouldn¡¯t be able to bear the guilt. Staying calm, she gently took the ss back from Bryson. ¡°Miss Glyn offered this wine to me as a sign of kindness. It¡¯s only right that I should drink it. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Clutching the ss, Hannah downed the wine in one swift gulp, shing a grin at Melina. ¡°Satisfied, Miss Glyn?¡± she asked, her voice challenging. Melina¡¯s tense demeanor melted away as she watched Hannah finish the wine. A smile crept onto her lips. ¡°Let¡¯s agree to keep our distance from now on, Miss Moore. No more trouble. ¡± ¡°Actions speak louder than words, Miss Glyn. ¡± Setting the ss aside, Hannah turned on her heel and walked away, Bryson trailing behind. Melina¡¯s eyes smoldered with anger as she red at Hannah¡¯s departing figure, longing tosh out. Once they were a safe distance away, Hannah whispered to Bryson without turning back, ¡°Is Melina still following us?¡± Bryson subtly tilted his head, feigning a gesture of adjusting Hannah¡¯s hair while discreetly scanning the area for any sign of Melina. Finding the coast clear, Bryson remained vignt, scanning the surroundings before replying in a hushed tone, ¡°She¡¯s gone. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression shifted suddenly. ¡°I¡¯ve got to go to the bathroom. ¡± ¡°Need somepany?¡± Bryson asked. Spotting a hint of distress in Hannah¡¯s demeanor, Bryson stuck close by, his worry palpable as he feared for her safety, trailing her steps with unease. Chapter 1660 In the bathroom, Hannah hurried into a stall and retched, expelling the wine she¡¯d hastily swallowed. Staring at her reflection, she saw that her face had drained of color, her eyes reddened. Tears welled up and trickled down her cheeks. After washing her hands, Hannah dabbed at her cheeks, her throat raw from the alcohol¡¯s burn. Though it wasn¡¯t healthy, it was the only way to outsmart Melina. When Hannah returned from the bathroom, Bryson immediately tell what she had done. Without a word, he produced a blue silk handkerchief from his pocket, stepping forward to shield her with his tall frame. Hannah met Bryson¡¯s gaze as he approached with the handkerchief. Its touch against her skin felt cool and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine. ¡°Seems like there was something in that wine,¡± Bryson remarked, more statement than question. epting his gesture, Hannah allowed him to dab at her face with the cloth. ¡°Possibly. I can¡¯t say for sure what was in it,¡± she replied honestly. Bryson¡¯s demeanor didn¡¯t fault Hannah for her impulsive actions; instead, his expression grew colder as he pocketed the handkerchief. His gaze bore into Hannah, growing increasingly frosty. ¡°I don¡¯t see the point in partnering with the Glyn family. ¡±? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org. Understanding his unspoken concern, Hannah shook her head with a reassuring smile. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. I wouldn¡¯t want anyone to mistake me for an easy target. ¡± Meanwhile, Lydia approached, her expression grave. ¡°Hannah, Brayden and I kept an eye on Tyshawn. Amid your confrontation with Melina, he discreetly signaled a waitress and exchanged a few words. Later, Brayden and I split up. I kept an eye on Tyshawn while Brayden followed the waitress. Brayden just told me that after talking to Tyshawn, the waitress took the wine to you and Melina. ¡± Lydia¡¯s worry grew more evident with every word. ¡°Brayden¡¯s convinced there¡¯s something wrong with the wine. Did you drink it?¡± Hannah nced at Bryson, their suspicions confirmed. The wine was definitely harmful. Turning back to Lydia, Hannah gave a small wink. ¡°Yes, I drank it¡± ¡°Then we need to go. ¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes widened as she grabbed Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°We have to get you to the hospital to pump your stomach. Who knows what they slipped into your drink? It might be something toxic. ¡± ¡°Hey, slow down,¡± Hannah said, gently pulling Lydia back. ¡°It can¡¯t be poison. Melina drank it too. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes widened, her mind racing to catch up. Hannah then exined how she had tricked Melina into drinking the same wine. Lydia¡¯s tension eased a bit. ¡°Well, it¡¯s good to know it¡¯s not poison. Do you feel any better after throwing it up?¡± Hannah¡¯s head swayed gently. ¡°Not yet. There¡¯s one more thing I need from you guys. With the show going on, if I don¡¯t show up and set things right, it¡¯s Like I¡¯m not even Hannah anymore. ¡± After about 15 minutes, Tyshawn kept checking his watch nervously from his spot in the corner. Feeling it was time, Tyshawn suddenly stood up and began scanning the room for Hannah. It took him a moment, but eventually, Tyshawn spotted Hannah and Lydia huddled in the corner, deep in conversation. Chapter 1661 However, Hannah had already caught sight of him skulking about. With a nce at Lydia, Hannah murmured, ¡°He¡¯s here. Let¡¯s get ready to kick things off. ¡± Lydia acted quickly, raising her hand and grabbing a tissue to pat Hannah¡¯s cool forehead.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hannah, are you alright? Don¡¯t scare me like this. You seemed fine just a moment ago. Why do you suddenly feel dizzy? Did you drink too much earlier?¡± Tyshawn walked around and took a seat behind them, using the sofa as a shield for his body and managed to overhear Hannah¡¯s response. ¡°I guess I did have a bit too much tonight. I¡¯m okay, really. Don¡¯t worry about me. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°How can I not worry when you¡¯re like this?¡± Lydia¡¯s worry was evident in her voice as she nced back, half-tempted to confront Tyshawn. Hannah¡¯s voice was weak as she lifted her hand to rub her forehead. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me. I just need some rest. Why don¡¯t you go and keep your husbandpany? I¡¯ll stay here and maybe grab some drinks to help settle my stomach. ¡± Lydia hesitated for a moment. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll find Bryson and have hime sit with you. ¡± This time, Hannah didn¡¯t object. She simply smiled and remained silent. Meanwhile, Tyshawn strained to listen in, catching Lydia¡¯s words as she prepared to leave. ¡°I¡¯ll head out then. Call me if you need anything. ¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯m fine. Go ahead. ¡± Soon after, the sound of Lydia¡¯s heels echoed softly as she walked away. Tyshawn looked up once Lydia was out of sight. He didn¡¯t immediately seek out Hannah. Instead, he sat back and waited. He waited until the sounds around him ceased before he ventured towards the front. Even in the dim light, he could see an unusual blush on Hannah¡¯s cheeks. She was slumped against the sofa, her head drooping slightly as she held a ss of juice, looking rather frail and uneasy. ¡°Miss Moore?¡± Tyshawn called out tentatively. Hannah looked up hazily, her eyes barely focusing. She tilted her head as she regarded him, her expression one of unfamiliarity. This vulnerable side of her seemed to charm Tyshawn. He swallowed hard and leaned in closer. ¡°Miss Moore, you don¡¯t look well. Would you like me to help you get some rest?¡± Hannah appeared to ponder his question. Her reactions were sluggish. She nodded, then shook her head, leaning heavily to one side. Tyshawn¡¯s lips were dry, and he nced at her pale skin. The drug Melina had provided was evidently effective. He reached down, took Hannah¡¯s arm, and helped her up. Her body felt limp in his grasp, her warmth intoxicating as he tightened his hold. Walking toward the banquet hall¡¯s resting room, Tyshawn felt a secret thrill, He was d he hadn¡¯t heeded Melina¡¯s advice to find someone else for the evening. The thought of anyone else with Hannah made him feel like he was missing out. Chapter 1662 Unbeknownst to him, he was under observation. Bryson¡¯s grip on his ss tightened, his knuckles whitening as if he might crush it at any moment. Brayden ced a hand on his shoulder, urging him, ¡°Calm down. Don¡¯t ruin Miss Moore¡¯s n. ¡± If the tension around Bryson could have materialized, it would have manifested as a dark aura enveloping him. Watching Tyshawn¡¯s hand on Hannah¡¯s arm, Bryson gritted his teeth and muttered, ¡°I¡¯m gonna disable his hand. ¡± Beside him, Brayden remained silent, casting anxious nces at Lydia, unsure of what to say next. Lydia pretended not to notice the tension, quickly lowering her head to check her watch. ¡°I should go find the heroine. You guys stay here and keep an eye on things. ¡± After speaking, Lydia turned and gently patted Grace on the shoulder. With a serious expression, she instructed, ¡°Grace, I¡¯m leaving your brother in your hands. Tell him not to do anything rash. ¡± Grace nodded earnestly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure he stays calm. ¡± Catching a glimpse of Bryson¡¯s troubled face, Lydia quickly Looked away, shivered, and hurried away from the scene. Meanwhile, Tyshawn had taken Hannah into the lounge and locked the door from the inside. He supported Hannah to the sofa. Noticing her nearly unconscious state, he loosened his tie, his eyes trailing greedily over her slender, smooth calves. As his gaze lingered, his thirst grew. He removed his suit jacket and tie, then leaned toward Hannah abruptly. ¡°You always act so aloof and virtuous, dismissing me. But today, you¡¯ll experience pleasure at my hands. ¡± Just as his hand reached for the button of Hannah¡¯s blouse, a wave of dizziness overcame him. He felt like he was about to pass out. Suddenly, Hannah¡¯s eyes snapped open. As he leaned in, she kicked him off the sofa. Bang! Tyshawn hit the carpet hard, knocked unconscious by the force of the fall. Hannah¡¯s initially hazy eyes sharpened, her gaze icy as she stared at Tyshawn lying motionless on the floor. The chill in her eyes deepened. She pulled out her phone, sent a quick message, then smoothly adjusted her hair and leaned back leisurely on the sofa. About ten minutester, a soft knock sounded at the lounge door. When Hannah opened the door, she saw Lydia assisting a faint Melina into the room, followed closely by Bryson and the others. ¡°Why are all of youing in?¡± Hannah asked, her brow furrowing slightly. ¡°It¡¯s quite conspicuous. ¡± Bryson, ncing at the man sprawled unconscious on the floor, replied with a cold, casual tone, ¡°No one noticed use in. There are no cameras here. ¡± Lydia, setting Melina down on the sofa and rubbing her sore shoulder, exined, ¡°When I found Melina, she was already out cold. It seems the wine did its job better than she expected. ¡± She turned to look at the unconscious Melina and scoffed, ¡°What goes around,es around. She¡¯s only reaping what she sowed. ¡± Hannah walked over and discreetly removed a small silver needle from Tyshawn¡¯s neck.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°The drug¡¯s effects won¡¯tst long. I¡¯ve removed the needle from Tyshawn¡¯s neck. He¡¯ll wake up soon. Let¡¯s head out. ¡± Chapter 1663 After everyone else had left, Hannah was thest to exit the Lounge. She thoughtfully turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness. Pausing in the dim light, she looked in Melina¡¯s direction and said softly with a smile, ¡°I hope you have a pleasant night. ¡± The door clicked shut softly, plunging the lounge back into darkness. Hannah stepped out into the cool night air, where Bryson waited, leaning casually against the wall. He extended a ss of wine toward her. ¡°What did the Garza family say?¡± Hannah epted the ss, her eyes narrowing slightly as she Looked at him, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, it¡¯s rude to spy on others. ¡± Bryson¡¯s lips curled into a faint smirk. ¡°I wasn¡¯t spying. I just can¡¯t seem to take my eyes off you. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes at his worn-out line. Seriously? Her smile was tight, more out of politeness than genuine amusement. ¡°You haven¡¯t answered me yet, Hannah. What did they want?¡± he pressed. Hannah took a sip of the wine, savoring the taste before replying. ¡°I believe I have the right to keep that to myself, don¡¯t you think?¡± She ced the ss on a nearby round table, turning to face him fully.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Besides,¡± she squinted yfully, ¡°aren¡¯t you keeping secrets from me too?¡± A tense silence settled between them before Bryson finally looked away. ¡°That¡¯s different. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Forget it. ¡± Hannah rubbed her forehead as if warding something off. ¡°Let¡¯s leave the past where it belongs. I let myself get caught up in your world, and I need to step back. I¡¯m not in the mood for the show anymore. It¡¯s evente. I think I should head home. ¡± She turned to leave, but Bryson grabbed her wrist gently. ¡°Let me drive you. I¡¯m feeling bored with this ce too. ¡± Before she could respond, a figure stepped into their path, blocking their way. Malvina was standing theremanding all the space. She was gazing at Hannah wildly. ¡°Where is Tyshawn? Tell me, Hannah!¡± Another crazy woman. Another confrontation. Great, Hannah thought, rolling her eyes. Hannah dismissed her with a ce before turning to leave, but Malvina stepped in front of her, clearly not ready to back down. Hannah sighed. Her patience was thinning. She lifted her winter-cold eyes to stare back. ¡°What the hell do you want from me?¡± Malvina flinched but held her ground. ¡°Where is Tyshawn?¡± she repeated, her voice edging on desperation. ¡°How should I know?¡± Hannah snapped. ¡°I¡¯m not his mother. Do I need to follow him around everywhere he goes?¡± Chapter 1664 Malvina was fuming. Her chest was heaving fast. ¡°He said he needed to talk to you. Now you¡¯re here, and he¡¯s not. What did you do to him?¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°I¡¯ve been with Bryson the whole time. I haven¡¯t seen Tyshawn. Maybe he lied to you about seeing me so that he can hide out somewhere. Ever think of that?¡± Her words hit Malvina Like a punch to the gut. She was pissed now. She took a step back, her eyes widening in shock. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare nder him!¡± she spat, though her voice was shaky. Her mind was racing. She needed money from Tyshawn, and fast. The threat hanging over her was real and terrifying-if she didn¡¯te up with a hundred million dors tonight, she knew she¡¯d be hunted down no matter where she fled. She was growing desperate now that it was clear Tyshawn was gone. So she started tosh out. ¡°This is your fault! You seduced Tyshawn! Oh you think I don¡¯t know?¡± Hannah, sensing Malvina was about to say something she couldn¡¯t take back, swiftly mped a hand over her mouth. ¡°Mmmph?!!¡®¡± Malvina muffled a protest, eyes widening in shock. Hannah leaned in closer, like a venomous snake against her ear. ¡°You treat him like he¡¯s something special, but to me, he¡¯s nothing. You wanted me to shut up, so now I¡¯m telling you-watch what you say. ¡± Her eyes continued to harden into icy blue stones. She tightened her mp over Malvina¡¯s mouth and hissed, ¡°Don¡¯t think I won¡¯t rip your mouth apart right here!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Malvina¡¯s legs buckled, terror rooting her to the spot. She knew Hannah meant every word, and if she kept babbling, her mouth wouldn¡¯t be hers much longer. Seeing Malvina¡¯s petrified expression, Hannah added in a cold smile. ¡°Good, you¡¯re scared. It means there¡¯s some sense in you after all. Find Tyshawn and get out of here together! If I hear any more nonsense from either of you, I won¡¯t be so forgiving next time!¡± With a dismissive shove, Hannah released Malvina, who stumbled backward, clutching the table for support, her entire body trembling. Hannah, still seething with rage, barely noticed Bryson until he grasped her wrist and lifted her hand gently.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only She turned to watch the man, head bowed, meticulously wiping her hand with a handkerchief. The simple act calmed her stormy emotions. She tugged her hand gently as if pulling away. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t bother. ¡± But Bryson ignored her, continuing to clean her palm and fingertips with delicate precision. ¡°Dirty,¡± he said tly. Malvina, still reeling, heard hisment and her face nched. Chapter 1665 ¡°Are you calling my mouth dirty?¡± Bryson finished and tossed the handkerchief onto the table, not even ncing at her. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll take you home,¡± he said to Hannah. Before they could leave, a cacophony of screams and shouts erupted from behind them. Hannah didn¡¯t need to turn around to know that someone had discovered what had transpired in the lounge. Resigned to the inevitable spectacle, she nced at Bryson. Their eyes met. Without a word, they knew they had to head there. Outside, a throng of people had gathered.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Heated murmurs floated through the air as Bryson and Hannah approached. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the Glyn family¡¯s daughter?! What¡¯s she doing in the lounge with Tyshawn?¡± The voices shifted and ovepped. ¡°How did they end up together?¡± ¡°Damn it! Unbelievable! Right in the banquet lounge. without even locking the door!¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t she like Bryson? What¡¯s she doing with Tyshawn?¡± ¡°And Tyshawn has a fiancee! She¡¯s right outside! She doesn¡¯t even know what¡¯s happening. . ¡± Hannah had no desire to push through the throng to witness the scene firsthand. But Malvina, driven by rage and desperation, shoved her way into the crowd. ¡°Move! Get out of my way!¡± she screamed. When the crowd saw Malvina pushing through, they stepped aside to let her pass. Bryson, holding Hannah¡¯s hand, followed Malvina. Surprised that Bryson would push through the crowd to watch, Hannah blinked at him. Bryson turned to Hannah with a smile. ¡°Since we¡¯re already here, it would be a waste not to watch the show up close. ¡± At this moment, Malvina had burst into the lounge. The sofa was in disarray, and the air was filled with an intriguing scent. Although the two people inside were notpletely naked, they had very few clothes on. Tyshawn was fully awake. With the light in the lounge now on, his eyes, ustomed to the darkness, struggled to adjust. He lifted his arm to shield his eyes and yelled at the people outside, ¡°Leave!¡± Then, he specifically called out, ¡°Hannah, are you okay? Cover up!¡± Chapter 1666 After he spoke, the person next to him didn¡¯t answer, and the people outside went quiet. The lounge fell into silence. It was so still that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard. Who did Tyshawn just call out to? Everyone held their breath and exchanged nces. It seemed he was calling out to Hannah. Hannah continued to smile, but her eyes betrayed a_ fierce determination. Bryson stood beside her. Those who were closer to him, aside from Hannah, instinctively stepped back in fear. It was clear Bryson was in a foul mood. No one dared to provoke him. ¡°Tyshawn Mitchell!¡± Malvina called his name, each word sharp and deliberate. Tyshawn was startled, sensing something was amiss. He struggled to open his eyes and gazed at Malvina, who stood in the lounge. ¡°Malvina!¡± He hastily grabbed the nearby trousers and put them on. ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand. It¡¯s Hannah who seduced me. I didn¡¯t want to¡­¡± Before he could finish, a cold voice cut him off. ¡°I seduced you? Then exin to everyone how I seduced you. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. In that moment, Tyshawn¡¯s gaze shifted from Malvina¡¯s countenance to the door. ¡°You!¡± Tyshawn¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Pointing usingly at Hannah, he eximed, ¡°Impossible! Why are you outside the room?¡± After saying that, he suddenly turned his head to look at the person lying on the sofa. Melinay unconscious, her injuries severe. MeLina? How could this be? How could this have happened? What happened here? Once Tyshawn understood what had happened, he pointed at Hannah in anger. ¡°Hannah, you tricked me!¡± ¡°I tricked you?¡± Hannah sneered. ¡°Had I left, I might have been the one tricked by you. ¡± The murmurs of the crowd filled the room. Chapter 1667 ¡°What¡¯s he insinuating? Melina¡¯s the one with him. Why use Miss Moore?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve known for a while that Tyshawn isn¡¯t a good man. He even harbors such filthy thoughts about Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°How dare he im that Miss Moore set him up? I think he¡¯s shameless!¡± In a barely audible whisper, someone said, ¡°Bryson is still around. Tyshawn is using Miss Moore. Bryson won¡¯t let him off easily. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was cold as he spoke slowly. ¡°Tyshawn, if you can¡¯t handle this matter properly today and it ends up in the news tomorrow, affecting the Mitchell Group, then pack your things and leave the group immediately. ¡± Fear gripped Tyshawn, but the thought of Malvina¡¯s mentioned 10 billion dors jolted him.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Losing 10 billion dors, let alone his standing in the Mitchell Group, was unthinkable. ¡°Malvina, please, you have to believe me. I¡¯ve been framed. ¡± But Malvina wouldn¡¯t hear him out. She seized the moment to manipte him to give her the money she needed. Tears welled in her eyes as she fled. ¡°Malvina, wait!¡± Tyshawn hastily pulled on his pants, ready to leave. However, under Bryson¡¯s stern gaze, he hesitated, realizing he needed to address Melina first. Now that Melina had fainted, Tyshawn was at a loss for what to do. He decided to cover her with his clothes and arrange for a private doctor toe and check on her. Bryson pivoted, his gaze icy as it swept over the assembled guests. The guests quivered under Bryson¡¯s stern demeanor, avoiding his piercing gaze. Someone smart enough to respond immediately said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t say a word about what happened today. I promise!¡± Following his lead, everyone nodded in agreement. No one dared to incur Bryson¡¯s wrath. In this moment, they refrained from acting rashly. Bryson wordlessly grasped Hannah¡¯s wrist, leading her away. The situation was graver than anticipated, yet Melina remained unconscious. Fortune seemed to favor her for now. Bryson ushered Hannah towards the waiting car. ¡°Please enter. ¡± Hannah snapped back to reality and nced up at Bryson, who stood next to the car. ¡°What about the others?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve asked Brayden to take Grace back earlier. It¡¯s not appropriate for her to witness this scene. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± As Hannah settled into the car, Bryson closed the door firmly from the outside. Chapter 1668 Suddenly, a message appeared on Hannah¡¯s phone screen. The sender was unknown, and the message was simple. The message read: ¡°The Garza family and certain shareholders of the Enchantment Casino are banding together against you. While some dissent, if the Garzas persist, others may align against you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s heart sank at the dire warning. Hannah swiftly replied to the unknown sender. ¡°When can we meet? I need to assess your condition. ¡± Within moments, a reply arrived, containing only a time and location. ¡°See you on the ind in Palmetan, where the auction is going to be held next Friday,¡± it read. What? What were the odds? Hannah was stunned. How could Merlin be involved in the ind¡¯s auction? Did he know about the ind¡¯s history? Was this a deliberate invitation? Hannah¡¯s mind raced with possibilities, her expression growing increasingly grave. ¡°What¡¯s troubling you?¡± After getting into the car, Bryson noticed that Hannah seemed lost in thought. Observing the perplexed expression on her face, he started the car and inquired, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind? Are you worried about something?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. After contemting for a moment, Hannah decided there was no reason to keep it from Bryson. She fastened her seatbelt and inquired, ¡°Have you heard of the ind being auctioned in Palmetan?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bryson replied. As the car pulled out onto the road, Bryson gripped the steering wheel and stated casually, ¡°But I¡¯m not interested in it. ¡± ¡°Are you interested in the ind in Palmetan?¡± Hannah¡¯s question alerted Bryson to her curiosity. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a bit interested,¡± Hannah replied. Bryson cautioned her, ¡°You¡¯d better stay away from that ind. ¡± Hannah looked at him sharply and asked, ¡°What do you know?¡± Bryson gave a meaningful smile. ¡°Not much, but enough. Your friend was injured because he crossed the people who control the ind. ¡± Chapter 1669 It seemed Bryson was more informed than Franklyn.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Hannah was silent for a moment, then admitted, ¡°He got involved unintentionally, and the person who hired him is dead now. The people on the ind. they would let him go, right?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t say for sure,¡± Bryson responded casually. ¡°The ind will be auctioned, but it won¡¯t be sessful. ¡± Hannah frowned at his certainty. ¡°Why are you so sure?¡± Bryson stopped the car at a red light and turned to Hannah. ¡°Because the real power behind it has no intention of selling. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°But I heard from Lydia that the ind¡¯s owneres from a wealthy family, and he¡¯s ipetent. He wants to sell now. Is he just pretending?¡± The light turned green, and the car surged forward into the night. ¡°The real power behind it isn¡¯t him. ¡± Hannah quickly pieced things together. ¡°The person behind the ind isn¡¯t that rich guy? Who could it be then?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know who he is,¡± Bryson admitted in a low tone, his voice clear in the quiet of the car. ¡°Even if the ind was trouble-free, I wouldn¡¯t be interested. I just knew about it,¡± he added, revealing more than usual, a rarity unless he was talking to Hannah. Bryson began, ¡°Since you¡¯re interested, I¡¯ll share everything I know. The wealthy man¡¯s father died under mysterious circumstances, though it was officially ruled an idental death. After his passing, his son inherited everything but didn¡¯t investigate the cause of his death; instead, he squandered his fortune on pleasures. His family, which could have made the rich List, is now in decline. I suspect he knows nothing about this ind. He¡¯s urgently selling it because he¡¯s run out of money to maintain hisvish Lifestyle. He¡¯s reluctant to sell, but he has no choice. ¡± As Bryson recounted the past, H annah listened intently. ¡°So, he¡¯s oblivious to the business dealings on that ind? Hasn¡¯t he heard anything over the years?¡± Bryson gave a faint smile. ¡°No, he¡¯s too caught up in his indulgences. He steers clear of gambling and illegal activities, which is probably why he¡¯s still alive. If he knew the ind¡¯s secrets, he would¡¯ve been killed long ago. ¡± Hannah was puzzled. ¡°If the man behind the ind is so powerful, why didn¡¯t he kill him sooner?¡± ¡°Good question,¡± Bryson acknowledged as they approached the hotel. He parked the car and turned to Hannah in the moonlight. ¡°Consider this: if you were in charge, and the ind¡¯s operations were well-established, and the owner was a fool who knew nothing, would you rashly kill him?¡± Bryson¡¯s question made her think. The apparent owner was in the spotlight, making it difficult to trace the true mastermind. The illicit activities on the ind meant none of its patrons were innocent, and none would dare involve the police. On the other hand, removing the oblivious owner could disrupt the bnce,plicating matters further. Without a clear owner, the ind might fall into other hands or be a local management issue, creating instability that those behind the scenes would find undesirable. Chapter 1670 Hannah¡¯s expression turned grave as she analyzed the situation. ¡°Settling matters on this ind won¡¯t be easy. ¡± Bryson nodded, ¡°I have no interest in such unfinished business. The White family won¡¯t be of any use to you even if you pursue this ind, so stay out of it. ¡± Hannah pressed her forehead, closing her eyes. ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t go, but Lydia is involved in the auction. She won¡¯t easily back down. These are all unconfirmed rumors, and while you and I believe them, the Phillips family will be harder to convince. Now that Lydia has a say in herpany, she¡¯s unlikely to pass up this chance. ¡± ¡°Okay, I see,¡± Bryson replied. He offered no objection to Hannah¡¯s decision. ¡°It¡¯s your choice. I won¡¯t try to persuade you. ¡± Suddenly, he gently touched her hair and said, ¡°It¡¯ste.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. You should go back and get some rest. There¡¯s business at Mitchell Group tomorrow, and I need to get back early. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah unbuckled her seatbelt and gave Bryson onest look before stepping out of the car. She watched as Bryson¡¯s car drove away, then turned and walked towards the hotel. Shortly after Hannah exited the car, Bryson¡¯s phone began to ring. He nced at the vibrating phone on the passenger seat and chose not to answer, despite the persistent calls. His expression remained stoic as he drove quickly. It wasn¡¯t until he parke ade the caller on the other end hesitate to express any frustration. Makenna, taken aback by his frosty demeanor, faltered. ¡°Bryson, where are you now?¡± ¡°It has nothing to do with you,¡± he replied curtly. Bang! Bryson exited his car and mmed the car door shut, striding toward the vi. Meanwhile, in the hospital hallway, Makenna wiped the cold sweat from her brow, her demeanor far from her usualposure. ¡°Bryson, something has happened to Tyshawn. You need toe to the hospital now. ¡± Bryson scoffed, ¡°What does his ident have to do with me?¡± Makenna, growing desperate, tried to keep her tone steady. ¡°Your grandfather¡¯s phone isn¡¯t reachable. I had no other option but to call you. Please,e quickly. ¡± The butler opened the door for Bryson as he entered the vi. Unmoved, Bryson dismissed the urgency. ¡°I don¡¯t want to waste time on meaningless things. ¡± After ending the call abruptly, Bryson didn¡¯t wait to hear Makenna¡¯s response. He simply hung up, ignoring her protests. Beside him, the butler cleared his throat. ¡°Mr. Bryson Mitchell, Mr. Franco Mitchell has been waiting for you for a long time. ¡± Chapter 1671 ¡°Alright, I understand. I¡¯ll go see Grandpa now,¡± Bryson replied, heading upstairs. Meanwhile, in the hospital, Makenna was left reeling from Bryson¡¯s abrupt end to their call. She wandered through the corridors, feeling utterly lost. Afterpleting all the necessary paperwork, she hurriedly made her way upstairs. Just outside the ward, she saw Tyshawn. He was a disheveled mess-his tie was missing, his suit shirt was ripped and askew, and his cheeks were swollen and bruised, evidence of multiple ps. Dejected, he stood there under the watchful eyes of several burly bodyguards, unable to move. Makenna had never seen her son in such a miserable state. Seeing the sight of him made her heart ache. Furious and clutching the payment slip, she lunged forward. ¡°How dare you hit him! How can you do this?¡± she shouted. She tried to reach Tyshawn, but the bodyguards blocked her path, raising their hands to stop her. Tyshawn looked up, and a spark of hope flickered in his eyes when he saw his mother. ¡°Mom, did you reach Grandpa?¡± Makenna¡¯s anxiety deepened, her expression shifting. She stopped iling and said, ¡°I couldn¡¯t get through to him. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Then Bryson¡­¡± he began, but Makenna cut him off, shaking her head. ¡°He has no intention of meddling in this matter at all,¡± she said. Tyshawn¡¯s eyes were filled with resentment. ¡°This was all caused by Hannah. Why is he abandoning me now?¡± He struggled against the bodyguards, trying to break free, but they pinned him against the wall, their grip unyielding. esperationcing her words as she rushed towards them. ¡°Is this all my son¡¯s fault? Doesn¡¯t Melina share any of the me?¡± Makenna¡¯s scream was sharp, piercing the air. Despite it being a VIP ward, her outburst attracted attention from the people on the same floor, who curiously peeked out to see what was happening. ¡°Why are you so noisy?¡± Amanding voice cut through themotion, silencing Makenna. A woman in a ck dress emerged from the ward, her resemnce to Melina striking. Anger etched her features as she shut the door behind her and red at Makenna with cold intensity. ¡°How are you going to exin today¡¯s incident to me? My daughter is innocent and pure, and now her reputation is tarnished. The Glyn family will not stand for it. ¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Makenna trembled at the woman¡¯s words. Despite her outward show of strength, Makenna was a woman who crumbled under real pressure and bullied only those she deemed weaker than herself. Confronted by a formidable adversary, she would be utterly intimidated. Adeline Glyn, Melina¡¯s mother, surveyed Tyshawn¡¯s swollen face with a look of pure malice. ¡°I wonder if you can withstand the fury of the Glyn family,¡± she said. Makenna¡¯s legs grew weak with fear. Desperate, she shifted the me to Hannah. ¡°It was all Hannah¡¯s doing! She set my son up. He was framed!¡± Not everyone was as gullible as Makenna, blindly epting whatever others told her. Chapter 1672 Adeline had already conducted her investigation into the events of that night. She knew Melina and Tyshawn had orchestrated the n to humiliate Hannah, but they ended up entangling themselves instead. But the Glyn family had no intention of epting responsibility. Adeline was determined to ce the me squarely on Tyshawn. ¡°I have both eyewitnesses and material evidence,¡± she dered, her voice steady and unyielding. ¡°You can¡¯t just pin this on someone else. ¡± She held her phone aloft, threateningly. ¡°Or we can call the police to resolve this problem. ¡± ¡°No way,¡± Tyshawn interjected, panic evident in his voice. If Adeline called the police and he couldn¡¯t win Malvina back, the consequences would be disastrous. Tyshawn had gone to great lengths to cate Malvina, transferring eighty million dors to her. Losing his leverage with Malvina meant he¡¯d be ousted from the Mitchell Group by tomorrow. He couldn¡¯t afford that. ¡°Let¡¯s handle this privately, Mrs. Glyn,¡± Tyshawn said, his voiceced with desperation. ¡°Name your terms. I¡¯ll agree to them. ¡± Adeline turned to him and said, ¡°I won¡¯t ask for much. Since you¡¯ve slept with my daughter, you must marry her as soon as possible. ¡± ¡°What? No¡­¡± Tyshawn attempted to protest, but Adeline¡¯s intimidating stare silenced him before he could voice his objections. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea. I have a fiancee. ¡± He tried again to reason, but Adeline brushed aside his concerns. ¡°I don¡¯t care about that. You will get the marriage certificate with Melina immediately,¡± Adeline insisted, her tone unwavering. ¡°And tonight, you will draft an agreement and pay the Glyn Group sixty million dors aspensation. Then we can consider this matter settled. ¡± ¡°Sixty million dors?¡± Makenna¡¯s incredulous outcry filled the tense air. ¡°Are you selling your daughter?¡± Adeline sneered, her eyes narrowing in disdain as she Looked at Makenna. ¡°Selling my daughter? Do you think you can buy a member of the Glyn family for a mere sixty million dors? You¡¯re delusional. The Glyn family refrained from involving the police out of consideration for Franco. All I¡¯m asking for is fairpensation. I¡¯ve been lenient with you. ¡± Makenna and Tyshawn fell silent, the gravity of her demands sinking in. Adeline¡¯s patience wore thin as she waited. ¡°What¡¯s your decision? If you refuse, we¡¯ll handle this legally. ¡± Tyshawn weighed his options carefully, knowing that dying until tomorrow could secure him ten billion dors. He needed the money first and foremost. As for marrying Melina, he hesitated to outright refuse the proposition.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Scanning the room, Tyshawn considered the Glyn family¡¯s influence in Valmere. Perhaps tying himself to Melina wouldn¡¯t be such a disadvantageous move after all and an alliance through marriage could benefit him. Maybe he could harness the power of ing before him, and with determination, he agreed to Adeline¡¯s terms. ¡±Okay. I agree. I¡¯ll transfer the money to you right now and draw up a contract. ¡± Makenna watched him in disbelief. ¡°Tyshawn, that¡¯s sixty million dors. ¡± His irritation red, and he snapped, ¡°Mom, stay out of it. I know what I¡¯m doing. ¡± With determination, Tyshawn swiftly transferred the amount, leaving only a fraction of his liquidity untouched. The bulk of his funds now rested in Melina¡¯s ount. Money was no Longer a concern for him; he was thinking on a grander scale. Tomorrow, with ten billion dors in his ount, he¡¯dmand respect like never before. Meanwhile, Malvina waited anxiously in the airport¡¯s departure lounge, clutching her ticket and passport. The clock ticked closer to her 1:00 a. m. flight. With trembling hands, she checked her phone¡¯s bnce repeatedly. One hundred and thirty million dors stared back at her. With this hefty sum, she could disappear for a considerable time. As the announcement for her flight¡¯s check-in echoed through the terminal, Malvina hurriedly wheeled her suitcase towards the boarding gate. Relief washed over her as she handed her ticket to the staff, anticipating her imminent departure. But her relief was short-lived. Just as she prepared to step onto the ne, the ticket inspector approached her apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am. There seems to be an issue with your ticket. Could you pleasee with me?¡± Chapter 1673 Malvina snapped to attention at once. With a nervous nce at the ticket inspector, she remained still. ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± she asked. The inspector, maintaining his politeness, responded, ¡°Pleasee with me. You won¡¯t be able to board if there¡¯s an issue with your ticket. ¡± Knowing she had to resolve this or miss her flight, Malvina gritted her teeth, grabbed her suitcase, and followed him to a side area for a more thorough inspection. The following morning, Tyshawn repeatedly tried to call Malvina, only to find her phone still off. He paced his vi¡¯s living room, restless as an ant on a hot skillet. It was already 8:30, and his board meeting would start in just thirty minutes! With increasing irritation, he tried her number once more, only to hear the same recorded message. ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please try againter. . ¡± Frustrated, he eximed, ¡°Damn it!¡± He threw his suit jacket onto the sofa, ruffling his freshly styled hair. His cheeks, barely recovered from swelling, still showed faint handprints, adding to his look of agitation. ¡°What¡¯s going for?¡± he muttered. At that moment, Makenna hurried down from upstairs, rmed by Tyshawn¡¯s state. ¡°Isn¡¯t the shareholder meeting today? Why haven¡¯t you left?¡± she asked. Tyshawn red back, teeth clenched. ¡°Meeting, my ass! That woman took 8@ million from me and now her phone is off!¡± ¡°What? Seriously?¡± Makenna¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Didn¡¯t you cate her properly yesterday? Let me try calling her.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Maybe she¡¯s just ignoring you. ¡± She dialed Malvina¡¯s number, only to be met with the same automated message. ¡°Oh my¡­ She even blocked me! How dare she block her future mother-inw!¡± ¡°Enough, Mom!¡± Tyshawn snapped, his impatience evident. ¡°Right now, we need to find her to get that 10 billion! Or I can¡¯t regain control of the Mitchell Group!¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Makenna nced at her phone. ¡°There¡¯s only half an hour until the meeting. If she¡¯s blocked us both, how are we supposed to find her?¡± Tyshawn sneered, his face twitching with frustration. ¡°I know what hotel she¡¯s staying at. We¡¯ll go find her there!¡± The car raced out of the vi, heading straight for the hotel where Malvina was supposed to be. In the hotel lobby, Tyshawn mentioned Malvina¡¯s name, saying he needed to find her. After a search, the receptionist apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we don¡¯t have a record of a guest by that name. ¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Tyshawn frowned. ¡°Check again. Maybe she checked out. I¡¯ve dropped her off here multiple times. You must remember me. ¡± The receptionist hesitated but checked the records again. ¡°I¡¯ve checked the checkout records too, and I¡¯m sorry, but there¡¯s no record of her stay here. Perhaps you could check another ce?¡± A cold sweat broke out on Tyshawn¡¯s forehead. Could it be that Malvina had never actually stayed at this hotel? Had she been deceiving him all this time? As these thoughts raced through his mind, his phone rang abruptly. He quickly answered, ¡°Malvina! Why is your phone off? I came to the hotel, and they said you never stayed here! What¡¯s going on?¡± He felt like he was on the verge of madness. On the other end, Malvina¡¯s voice carried a tone of annoyance. ¡°My phone had some issues. I¡¯m already at thepany. Why aren¡¯t you here yet?¡± Chapter 1674 Realizing she was at the office, Tyshawn¡¯s anger melted away instantly. ¡°You¡¯re there already? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± ¡°I knew you¡¯d being today, so I went straight to the office. The meeting¡¯s about to start. Where are you?¡± Without addressing the confusion about the hotel, Tyshawn quickly grabbed Makenna and rushed out of the hotel. ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon. Wait for me!¡± In the car, Makenna felt uneasy. ¡°Son, something doesn¡¯t feel right.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Didn¡¯t the receptionist say Malvina never stayed at the hotel? Have you never asked her about it?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Driving, Tyshawn dismissed the concerns. ¡°As long as she gives me the money, I don¡¯t care where she stays. ¡± Meanwhile, at around 8:50, Bryson sat in the conference room, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his expression stoic and inscrutable. Yosef stood behind him, silent and stoic. The initially calm board members were now beginning to murmur among themselves. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Mr. Tyshawn Mitchell? Why isn¡¯t he here yet?¡± ¡°When is he ever on time for meetings? Let¡¯s give him a bit more time. ¡± ¡°Do you think he¡¯s avoiding us because he can¡¯te up with the 10 billion?¡± Bryson overheard the whispers but remained seated at the head of the table, his expression unreadable, as if oblivious to the murmurs. Just after 9:00, Tyshawn burst into the conference room, gasping for breath. As he entered, all heads turned toward him. Adjusting his tie, Tyshawn caught Bryson¡¯s eye. ¡°Bryson, you¡¯re here too. Well, I. ¡± His voice faltered as he looked around the room, his expression turning rigid when he realized Malvina was absent. Standing in the doorway, he qu ickly dialed her number. ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please try againter. ¡± His hands shook and his heartbeat quickened. Switched off? ¡°Aren¡¯t you going toe in?¡± Bryson called out, his rxed tone edged with a smirk that sent a shiver through Tyshawn. Clutching his phone, Tyshawn hesitantly stepped into the room. Impatience was evident in the voice of one of the directors who couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. ¡°Mr. Tyshawn Mitchell, it¡¯s already Monday. Have you secured the funding you promised?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Tyshawn¡¯s mouth felt dry. Nervously licking his lips, he grabbed his phone once more. ¡°She¡¯s not here yet. Let me try calling her again. ¡± Despite his repeated calls, he was met with the same message every time. The phone was switched off. Hisplexion grew paler by the moment. A growing sense of unease prompted another director to ask, ¡°Mr. Tyshawn Mitchell¡­ Does this mean you haven¡¯t secured the 10 billion you assured us of?¡± Tyshawn was irritated by his words and shouted, his veins bulging, ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant! But I can¡¯t get through. What can I do?¡± Trembling, he dialed the number repeatedly, only to be greeted each time by the same mechanical voice. Just as he was about to smash his phone in frustration, Bryson asked calmly, ¡°Can¡¯t you find your fiancee?¡± Chapter 1675 Suddenly, an idea struck Tyshawn. He walked quickly over to Bryson and used him, ¡°Did you hide Malvina? You are so cruel, trying to stop me from bing CEO with such despicable tactics!¡± Before he could get close, Yosef, standing behind Bryson, raised his arm to block him. Undeterred, Tyshawn continued to yell. ¡°I look down upon you! No one in thepany will respect you if you resort to such low methods!¡± Bryson leaned back against the backrest and regarded Tyshawn with a piercing gaze. After a moment, he looked away and askedzily, ¡°Tyshawn, is your brain even working?¡± Meanwhile, the board of directors began to murmur among themselves. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Tyshawn, where¡¯s the 10 billion dors?¡± ¡°Why have you been spouting nonsense since you arrived? Are you trying to confuse us?¡± ¡°It¡¯s no joke. Although the stock price of the Mitchell Group is stable now, the situation is still dire.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± In his anger, Tyshawn continued to shout. ¡°If you don¡¯t hand over Malvina, I¡¯ll tell Grandpa! I¡¯ll tell him how you wanted the Mitchell Group to go bankrupt!¡± ¡°Do you really want to see her?¡± Bryson raised his eyebrows slightly, his tone skeptical. ¡°Won¡¯t you regret it? Although Tyshawn sensed something odd about Bryson¡¯s demeanor today, he was past the point of no return. He needed the money today. ¡°So, you¡¯ve been holding Malvina. Release her now!¡± Having achieved his objective, Bryson no longer paid any attention to what he considered foolishness and turned to give Yosef a nce. Yosef modded, understandin g immediately, and pped his hands. ¡®s BunnyBookery Momentster, the door to the meeting room swung open with a gentle creak that captured everyone¡¯s attention. Malvina was ushered into the room by two bodyguards. Her face was ghostly pale, and her lips were tightly pressed together in silence. Upon seeing her, Tyshawn¡¯s demeanor brightened as if he had seen his lifeline. He rushed over and asked, ¡°Malvina, are you okay?¡± Lifting her head with effort, Malvina looked dreadful but managed a silent nod, not uttering a word. Tyshawn, thinking she must have been intimidated by Bryson, immediately turned towards the seated man and used, ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far!¡± He then quickly turned back to Malvina, his tone urgent. ¡°Malvina, do you have the money?¡± His question caused Malvina to tremble. She averted her eyes and hesitated before responding, ¡°The money will take some time to be transferred into the ount. I¡­¡± Tyshawn¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say the money would be transferred on Monday? Why is there a dy again?¡± Malvina swallowed hard, unable to continue her deception. Last night, when the staff took her away, she was very anxious. She wanted them to finish the check quickly so she could leave as soon as possible. However, in the examination room, she encountered someone who chilled her to the bone! Yosef was there, smiling at her. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you here for a long time. Where are you heading by ne at thiste hour?¡± Chapter 1676 Malvina did her best to appear calm. ¡°I have something to take care of. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Yosef¡¯s smile remained unchanged. He neither believed nor dismissed her words outright, which unsettled Malvina. She turned to the airport staff nearby. ¡°My ticket should be fine. I¡¯ll be going now. ¡± As she moved to leave with her suitcase, two bodyguards appeared at the door, blocking her way. Malvina faced Yosef, her confusion evident. ¡°What does this mean?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Tomorrow is thest day of the deadline. My boss wants to avoid any unforeseen events. If you have matters to attend to, please wait until after tomorrow¡¯s board meeting. Regarding your ticket, my boss will cover the loss. ¡± This newspletely threw Malvina off bnce. She shook her head and protested, ¡°No! I have to go today!¡± ¡°Is it because you can¡¯t cover the 1@ billion dors?¡± Yosef¡¯s smile sent a shiver down her spine. At that moment, Malvina realized denial was futile. She knew being taken back to Tyshawn would end badly. Collecting herself, she looked at Yosef and negotiated, ¡°I will go back with you, but only under one condition!¡± Suddenly, Malvina¡¯s train of memories was interrupted, and she was jolted back to the present. She was protected by the bodyguards, soTyshawn couldn¡¯t get close to her. He could only speak with urgency from a distance. ¡°Malvina, this is serious! Call your father again and ask him to transfer the money today!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have money,¡± Malvina said, closing her eyes. ¡°What? What are you talking abou t?¡± Tyshawn was incredulous, thinking he had misheard. He stared at her in disbelief and said, ¡°Don¡¯t joke around, Malvina¡­¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I¡¯m not the daughter of the Compton family. I have nothing to do with the Lyons family either,¡± she revealed. Her deration caused a stir in the meeting room. ¡°What?! If she¡¯s not the daughter of the Compton family, where did she get the 6 billion dors?¡± ¡°If she doesn¡¯t have the money, what should we do?¡± ¡°People shouldn¡¯t pretend to be wealthy if they¡¯re not! What about Tyshawn¡¯s embezzlement of public funds?¡± The room erupted into a heated debate. The voices ovepped and grew so loud that it was headache-inducing. Bang! Bryson mmed the folder onto the table, instantly silencing the noisy meeting room. He cast a cold nce around the room and said, ¡°What are you arguing about?¡± His tone, cool and detached, made everyone hesitate to speak again. Tyshawn¡¯s thoughts were in disarray. ¡°That¡¯s impossible! The 6 billion dors was indeed invested by the Lyons family!¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true,¡± Bryson responded in a low, nonchnt voice.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1677 ¡°But they invested because of me, not you. ¡± This revtion was a profound shock to Tyshawn, filling his eyes with resentment. He felt an overwhelming urge to confront Malvina. ¡°How dare you lie to me? How could you deceive me just to get money?¡± Malvina recoiled in fear, but then, bolstered by the presence of her bodyguards, she retorted sharply, ¡°You approached me because you were greedy for money! I never asked you to give me anything! If you were deceived, you only have yourself to me!¡± Her words fueled Tyshawn¡¯s fury, and he lunged towards her, gasping with anger.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯ll end you today! You treacherous woman!¡± ¡°Ah¡± Startled by Tyshawn¡¯s sudden move, Malvina hastily retreated. Two bodyguards quickly intervened, preventing Tyshawn from reaching her. But now, Tyshawn seemed to have lost all reason, his eyes zing with murderous fury. ¡°You two, move! I¡¯m going to kill her!¡± he shouted. Terrified, Malvina pressed herself against the door, peering past the bodyguards at Bryson. ¡°You promised me! Let me leave Valmere safely!¡± she pleaded. Bryson, sitting still, raised a finger with a show of impatience. Observing this, the two security guards tightened their hold on Tyshawn, rendering him immobile. Struggling in their grasp, Tyshawn turned and yelled at Bryson. ¡°Bryson! You¡¯re the one who set me up! You knew she was deceiving me, yet you did nothing! The Mitchell Group is in chaos because you plotted against me, regardless of thepany¡¯s well-being! You don¡¯t deserve your position! Had you been honest, the Mitchell Group wouldn¡¯t be facing such a dire crisis!¡± Hearing Tyshawn¡¯s usations, the directors began murmuring among themselves, clearly displeased. ¡°Tyshawn is right. You k new from the start that they invested because of you, yet you told no one. Did you want to see thepany suffer?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think thepany should be dragged into your personal affairs, right?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about our interests. If your internal conflicts harm thepany, we are the victims here. ¡± Their grumbling was cut short by a sneer. ¡°Victims?¡± Bryson, resting his chin on his hand, surveyed the room with icy detachment. ¡°No one here is innocent. While I was abroad for six months, you¡¯ve all been nibbling away at thepany¡¯s assets. Not only did you subtly usurp my authority, aiding Tyshawn¡¯s rise, but embezzlement was not his action alone. ¡± As Yosefid documents on the desk one by one, Bryson¡¯s tone remained frigid. ¡°And because of that investment, you supported Tyshawn¡¯s bid for CEO, aiming to secure more benefits for yourselves. Every misdeed is documented here. ¡± Pausing, Bryson¡¯s next words hung heavily in the air. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you pay for your illegal gains!¡± The room fell deathly silent. A director swallowed hard, his teeth chattering, unable to speak. Each director sat absorbed in their own guilty thoughts, silent about what they could not publicly admit. After a tense exchange of looks, one director finally spoke up. ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re making too much of this. We all acted in what we believed was thepany¡¯s best interest, though we did cross some lines. Regarding Tyshawn, we indeed made an error in judgment. But the reality was stark. The Mitchell Group had hemorrhaged so much money that it teetered on the brink of disaster. Tyshawn¡¯s failed investment and his embezzlement ount for two-thirds of the six billion investment. We must address this crisis immediately. ¡± Chapter 1678 The director was eager to pin the me squarely on Tyshawn. After all, it was Tyshawn who had lost the majority of the money, not them! Bryson remained silent, and the tension in the meeting room thickened palpably. Tyshawn, previously so threatening, now stood to the side, visibly stunned as if doused with cold water upon hearing the usations from Bryson and the directors. Abandoned, he realized he stood no chance of redemption with the directors. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of the funds, a thought struck Tyshawn. If he married Melina from the influential Glyn family, perhaps their support could help him reverse his fortunes. Lost in his thoughts of salvation, the meeting room door suddenly swung open. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, the 2 billion dors Miss Moore invested in the Mitchell Group has been sessfully transferred to the ount,¡± announced a voice gently, sending a wave of shock through the room. ¡°Twenty billion?¡± someone eximed. The neer continued, ¡°The significant influx of capital, coupled with the announcement of your return to the Mitchell Group, Mr. Mitchell, has resulted in a strong recovery of thepany¡¯s stock. ¡± Everyone scrambled to check their phones, witnessing the recovery of the Mitchell Group¡¯s stock firsthand. Not only was the stock market rebounding, but there was also a noticeable upward trend. Public opinion was swiftly shifting. ¡°Mr. Mitchell is incredible. Only he can bring about such a triumphant moment!¡± they murmured in awe. ¡°Miss Moore can afford 20 billion dors. It looks like she¡¯s fullymitted to supporting the Mitchell family. ¡± ¡°Their partnership will significantly impact Valmere and Hoijery. ¡± Tyshawn was so infuriated by the news of Hannah¡¯s investment that he nearly choked on his own rage! Meanwhile, a phone call roused Hannah from her sleep. ¡°Hello?¡± she mumbled groggily, her head buried in the pillow as she shut her eyes again. From the other end, Edwin¡¯s voice burst with excitement. ¡°Hannah! Are the White family and the Mitchell family really going to cooperate?¡± Slowly turning over, Hannah opened her eyes and stared nkly at the ceiling. ¡°No. ¡± ¡°Then¡­ is the news false?¡± Edwin sounded puzzled. ¡°I just saw a report iming you invested 20 billion dors in the Mitchell Group on behalf of the White family! Could it be fake news? It¡¯s everywhere. ¡± Recliningfortably on her bed, Hannah respondedzily, ¡°It¡¯s true. I did invest 20 billion dors in the name of the White family. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Edwin¡¯s astonishment returned. ¡°Hannah, the White family is in the medical sector, and the Mitchell family is in real estate. We¡¯re inpletely different industries. I know the Mitchell Group has been struggling, but¡­ isn¡¯t investing 20 billion a bit rash?¡± Hannah¡¯s lips curled into a smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t invest just to help him. I have other motives. As for the cooperation between our two families, it¡¯s not essential.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. I solely made an investment under the White family¡¯s name. You don¡¯t need to feel burdened. ¡± If Hannah hadn¡¯t made the investment as a White, she would have had to do so as a Compton. That would have meant openly opposing Remington, given their current alliance. It wasn¡¯t the right time for such a confrontation. ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± Edwin sighed. ¡°I was about to call Mr. Mitchell today. I¡¯m d I spoke to you first!¡± Chapter 1679 Hannah now felt wide awake. She tossed aside the covers and climbed out of bed, her feet touching the cool, soft carpet. She spoke reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. Just focus on taking care of thepany and grandpa. ¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll start with the paperwork. ¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Hannah interjected. She was aware that the White family was entrenched in the pharmaceutical industry. Nevertheless, she ventured to ask, ¡°Is the White family nning to bid on that ind in Palmetan that¡¯s being auctioned off soon?¡± ¡°Hannah, you know about the auction too?¡± The excitement in Edwin¡¯s voice made Hannah uneasy. On the other end of the call, Edwin added, ¡°I¡¯ve been considering visiting the ind. It¡¯s priced much lower than others and could serve as an excellent site for our medical research. ¡± But Hannah quickly shut down the idea. ¡°Stay out of it! You should not visit there. ¡± She reinforced her point. ¡°Why don¡¯t you focus on managing Pecicine Pharmacy instead?¡± Edwin was confused by her vehement response, yet he typically followed her advice. ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t visit. ¡± Still puzzled, he inquired, ¡°Hannah, why shouldn¡¯t I go?¡± ¡°The situation isplex. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to exin, but it¡¯s ratherplicated. Just trust me-stay away from that ind. It¡¯s too dangerous! I couldn¡¯t stand it if something happened to you. ¡± Edwin heeded her advice and responded, ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t go. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± ¡°Okay.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah sighed in relief, but then another call came through. She nced at the caller ID-it was Bryson. Raising her eyebrows, she answered and set the phone on Loudspeaker before heading to the bathroom. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, are you calling to thank me?¡± Initially, Bryson had everything under control, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated Hannah¡¯s move- her investment of 20 billion d ors. As the sound of water filled the background, Bryson asked with a neutral tone, ¡°You had already nned on investing at that time, hadn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I needed to demonstrate the close ties between the White family and the Mitchell family to gain an advantage,¡± Hannah exined. Brysonughed lightly. ¡°I was so naive to let you outmaneuver me. ¡± After washing her face, Hannah studied her reflection in the mirror. Water dripped from her face as she reached for a towel, drying herself off. ¡°How can you say that? Twenty billion dors resolved Mr. Mitchell¡¯s immediate issues. We call that a mutual benefit. I know 2@ billion isn¡¯t much to you, but since I made the first move, you should save your ace forter. ¡± Alone in the meeting room, Bryson stood by the window, gazing out. After a pause, he shifted the conversation. ¡°I sent Malvina away. ¡± ¡°Okay, Hannah replied, unsurprised. She then asked, ¡°Did you find out anything from her?¡± ¡°Someone hired her, but I haven¡¯t yet uncovered who it was. She exchanged all her money for her safety. ¡± Bryson slightly Lowered his eyes, his emotions unreadable, and added, ¡°But I don¡¯t know how long she can stay safe. ¡± From his tone, Hannah suspected there was more to the story. Merlin had mentioned that the Garza family had targeted her. Perhaps Malvina was also being used by them. Nheless, she chose not to disclose anything about the Garza family to Bryson. ¡°Okay, thank you for the update, Mr. Mitchell. I¡¯ll hang up now unless there¡¯s anything else. ¡± Chapter 1680 ¡°There is one more thing. Be wary of the Glyn familytely,¡± Bryson warned. Since Melina¡¯s ns had failed, she would likely cause trouble for Hannah. Taking a deep breath, Hannah replied with a cool detachment, ¡°I¡¯m not concerned. If they think they can harm me, let them try!¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I will arrange for bodyguards to apany you for the next few days. Try to stay inside the hotel,¡± Bryson suggested. Hannah consented and then hung up, muttering to herself, ¡°Now I¡¯ll just die of boredom in this hotel. ¡± Meanwhile, in the hospital, Melina was wreaking havoc, smashing anything within reach. Ever since she had awakened, her mood had been wildly erratic. The doctors had administered several tranquilizers, but each time she awoke, she became uncontroble. Her father had stopped visiting after the first few times. Only her mother, Adeline, visited asionally. One day, Adeline entered the chaotic ward to find the floor littered with debris again. Melinay on the bed, staring out the window in an eerie silence. Adeline handed her sunsses to someone nearby and surveyed the room. Fixing her gaze on Melina, she spoke in a frosty tone. ¡°When will you stop this nonsense? I¡¯m your mother, I know what¡¯s really going on. You¡¯re not sick at all. ¡± Turning her head slowly, Melina fixed a steady gaze on Adeline and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m your daughter!¡± ¡°Yes, you are my daughter,¡± Adeline replied, walking closer and looking at Melina from a short distance. ¡°That¡¯s why Ie to see you every day. ¡± Melina suddenly sneered, a look of despair in her eyes. ¡°I heard what you said that day. To you, I¡¯m just worth 60 million! You want to marry me off to Tyshawn for 60 million!¡± Then she erupted hysterically, ¡°You know I like Bryson! Why would you marry me off to that bastard Tyshawn? Why?¡± Adeline maintained herposed expression and responded, ¡°I know you like Bryson, and that¡¯s why I¡¯ve tried to bring you two together. But you¡¯ve really disappointed me. Has he fallen in love with you after all these years? Franco refused the engagement between our families. And now, with such a scandal surrounding you, do you think Bryson will ever marry you?¡± Stung by her mother¡¯s words, Melina leapt from the bed, her eyes bloodshot with fury. ¡°He will! I have other ways to make him marry me!¡± Mrs. Glyn¡¯s gaze was icy as she looked at Melina. ¡°You¡¯ve had ample time, but you still haven¡¯t managed to be with Bryson. Your father is very disappointed. ¡± She perched on the edge of the bed, tenderly caressing Melina¡¯s cheek, but her words were chilling. ¡°You must prove useful to your father so we can maintain our standing in the family. If he brings that illegitimate daughter into the household, our position will bepromised. ¡± Staring intently at Melina, she continued, ¡°By marrying into the Mitchell family, you ensure the union between our families. You¡¯ll still hold value to him. ¡± To the outside world, the Glyn family¡¯s daughter seemed to lead a morous life, but behind closed doors, she was a puppet, her strings tightly controlled by her family¡¯s ambitions. Melina¡¯s bitterugh echoed in the room. ¡°Mom, am I just some pawn in your game?¡± Mrs. Glyn showed no sign of guilt. ¡°Darling, in high society, it¡¯s all about benefits. If you lose your value as a marital asset, we will discard you. That¡¯s the harsh reality. ¡± Chapter 1681 She gently stroked Melina¡¯s head. ¡°I know you want revenge, and marrying into the Mitchell family is the perfect way to achieve it. I¡¯ve dug into Hannah¡¯s background. It turns out she¡¯s from the Compton family. No matter how eager you are, you can¡¯t touch her now. Only by joining the Mitchells can you create chaos from within and tear them apart!¡± Mrs. Glyn continued, ¡°This is for our benefit, but also for you. ¡± Melina found a strange calm washing over her as her mother¡¯s words sank in. She turned to look out the window, deep in thought, remaining silent. Seeing her daughter calm down, Mrs. Glyn stood up. ¡°For now, stay here and avoid further trouble. Your father is losing patience. Use this time to win his sympathy, not his disdain. Get some rest. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow. ¡± With that, Mrs. Glyn left the room with her entourage. As she made her exit, Melina¡¯s voice cut through the air, cold and resolute. ¡°I understand now. I¡¯ll follow father¡¯s and your instructions. ¡± Finally, a smile graced Mrs. Glyn¡¯s lips as she turned back to her daughter. ¡°I knew you¡¯d grasp the gravity of the situation. My visit wasn¡¯t in vain Meanwhile, Hannah obediently remained holed up in her hotel room.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Maloney, always preupied, had little time for conversation. Franklyn, with his injuries on the mend, turned his room into a makeshift gym, tirelessly working on his rehab exercises. As theynguished in Franklyn¡¯s room, boredom crept in for Hannah and Dotson, their only respite the monotonous flipping through TV channels. ¡°Boss, it¡¯s been five days. Are we really going to stay holed up in this room the whole time?¡± Dotson¡¯s inquiry broke the silence, his tone reflecting the growing restlessness. ¡°We did go out a few days back,¡± Hannah replied casually, idly flicking through the channels. ¡°Does that even count? With an entourage like that, it was hardly going out,¡± Dotson said dryly. ¡°Ha! Ha! Ha!¡± Hannah replied with a coldugh. ¡°That¡¯s precisely why I refuse to go out and be a spectacle. I¡¯d rather remain within the confines of this hotel. ¡± She hadn¡¯t nned to be sopliant, but Bryson¡¯s extreme measures caught her off guard. The army of bodyguards was meant to ensure her safety, but it felt more like being trapped in a gilded cage! A knock interrupted their con versation, prompting Dotson to open the door eagerly. ¡°Mr. Pierce, haven¡¯t seen you in days!¡± Maloney strode into the room. ¡°I¡¯m here on business, unlike your boss, who¡¯s been holed up in the hotel every day. ¡± His voice echoed in the room, drawing his attention to Hannah, who sat flipping through TV channels with an air of boredom. ¡°Seems when she¡¯s not busy with other matters, she¡¯s here watching TV. ¡± Hannah, without even looking up, fired back, ¡°Yeah, just wasting away, unlike you, Mr. Pierce, with your jam-packed schedule!¡± In the realm of sharpebacks, Hannah reigned supreme, leaving Maloney momentarily speechless. He took a seat on the sofa opposite her. ¡°Miss Moore, can¡¯t you take a joke?¡± Chapter 1682 Hannah finally turned to look at him. ¡°Seems Like you¡¯re the one who can¡¯t take a joke. ¡± ¡°Okay, okay. ¡± Maloney raised his hands in concession, ¡°I can¡¯t win an argument against you. But I might need your help with a business deal in two days. A potential client who almost went with ourpetitor wants to meet and assess whichpany is more sincere. ¡± Hannah asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t negotiating deals your specialty? Why would you need my assistance?¡± Maloney reclined on the sofa. ¡°I don¡¯t have a widework here. You can¡¯t expect me to handle all negotiations solo, can you?¡± ¡°In two days. . ¡± Hannah paused thoughtfully. ¡°I can¡¯t. I¡¯m apanying a friend to Palmetan. ¡± This intrigued Maloney. ¡°I¡¯m also heading to Palmetan for business in two days. Perhaps after you¡¯re finished with your friend, you could join me for the deal. ¡± Dotson blinked in surprise. ¡°Really? Where are you meeting?¡± ¡°It¡¯s on a private ind. They haven¡¯t specified the exact location. Someone will pick me up when I arrive.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± After Maloney finished speaking, an awkward silence enveloped the room. ¡°Is there something I need to know?¡± Maloney¡¯s brows furrowed, puzzled by the sudden hush. He nced at Hannah, whose expression had darkened, then at Franklyn, engrossed in his rehab exercises. Franklyn remained silent. ¡°Why the sudden silence?¡± Mal ney asked Dotson. Dotson¡¯s demeanor turned grave. ¡°Because we¡¯re headed to that ind too. ¡± ¡°Well, isn¡¯t that a good coincidence?¡± Maloney attempted to Lighten the mood with a smile. ¡°We can tackle both matters together. ¡± ¡°Do you truly believe that?¡± Hannah¡¯s tone was sober as she set the remote down, her expression turning serious. ¡°I tend to disagree. ¡± Maloney, unaware of the ind¡¯s background, felt a sense of unease at her serious demeanor. ¡°Not a coincidence? Then enlighten me!¡± ¡°There are too many coincidences here,¡± she replied, her eyes reflecting a deeper concern. Hannah proceeded to exin recent events and the ind¡¯s secrets to Maloney. ¡°Many influential people from those cities are converging because the ind is going up for auction. I have a feeling some people are going there with ulterior motives, not just for business. ¡± She didn¡¯t borate further, but Maloney grasped her implication. ¡°You mean they have other agendas?¡± Chapter 1683 ¡°Although I¡¯m not sure of their intentions yet, I doubt there¡¯s much genuine interest in inviting you to the ind for business,¡± Hannah said, her gaze sharp. ¡°You¡¯re engaged in serious business. Is it really necessary for them to discuss deals on an ind?¡± Maloney furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m not certain either. That man from the Mitchell family took me to a resort and proposed a significant business venture. ¡± ¡°The resort is owned by the Mitchell family, so it makes sense for him to invite you there,¡± Hannah reasoned. She looked intently into his eyes and added, ¡°But there¡¯s a malevolent presence on this ind. Would a straightforward person go through such lengths just to discuss business with you?¡± Hannah¡¯s words seemed to spark a realization in him. Weighing the situation, he asked, ¡°What do you suggest we do?¡± ¡°Suspend the cooperation. Don¡¯t go to the ind. ¡± It was the best course of action Hannah could think of. However, Maloney shook his head and revealed, ¡°You just said you were nning to visit that ind. ¡± Hannah¡¯s expression tightened slightly as she rified, ¡°My situation is different. A friend of mine is interested in purchasing the ind, so I need to apany her. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Maloney nodded, his expression nk. ¡°I¡¯m your friend, right? You can go with your friend, but why can¡¯t 1?¡± Dotson, clearly upset, interjected, ¡°Do you even care? Our boss is worried about your safety! You should steer clear of that ind, or you might end up risking your life!¡± Maloney smiled lightly and responded, ¡°So, you¡¯re concerned for my safety, are you?¡± Hannahughed softly, gave him a mockingly affectionate look, and replied, ¡°Of course. After all, if something happened to you, I¡¯d have a hard time exining it to the Pierce family. ¡± How merciless she seemed! The corners of Maloney¡¯s mouth twitched as he dropped his facade and said, ¡°But my curiosity grows. Can you take me with you when you go to the ind?¡± Dotson looked at him, astonished, and said, ¡°This isn¡¯t a vacation it¡¯s very dangerous. Mr. Pierce, you¡¯d better value your life.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Maloney burst intoughter and countered, ¡°It¡¯s not just about business. Remember at the base? I covered for you so you weren¡¯t found. You haven¡¯t forgotten that, have you, Miss Moore?¡± While it was true Maloney was skilled inbat, Hannah was still reluctant to bring him along. Seeing Hannah¡¯s hesitation, Maloney pressed on, ¡°You can refuse me, but someone else will surely bring me there. And you think only Dotson is enough to protect your friend on the ind?¡± Just then, Franklyn approached and offer ed, ¡°I can apany Miss Moore. ¡± Maloney nced at Franklyn¡¯s still-bandaged leg and scoffed, ¡°Forget it. I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯d be a help or a hindrance there. ¡± He then turned to Hannah and added, ¡°Of course, I assume you don¡¯t n to involve Bryson in this. An extra person means more security, right?¡± Hannah knew from a conversation in the car that Bryson had no intention of visiting the ind. Although Lydia was certain to bring Brayden along, Hannah doubted their ability to handle an emergency on the ind. ¡°Come on, it would be a smart move to take me with you. ¡± Hannah eyed him with suspicion and asked, ¡°Why are you so eager about this?¡± Maloney raised his eyebrows and hands in a gesture of innocence and exined, ¡°I¡¯m just curious. I don¡¯t have ulterior motives. If I did, I wouldn¡¯t let you go to that ind with me. I haven¡¯t had any fun outings for a while. I just want to see what makes that ind so special. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes at him and retorted, ¡°Curiosity killed the cat. You¡¯d better be careful. ¡± Chapter 1684 Maloney snorted dismissively, ¡°I¡¯m not a cat. I won¡¯t die that easily. ¡± ¡°Alright, then we¡¯ll leave the day after tomorrow. ¡± He was always a challenge to manage. That evening, Hannah texted Bryson to inquire about his schedule for the uing days. He responded quickly, ¡°The Mitchell Group is undergoing reorganization, and there are many contracts to be signed. I¡¯ve been quite busytely. ¡± Shortly after, he sent another message. ¡°What? Do you miss me?¡± Hannah clicked her tongue in annoyance at his reply. ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. Just focus on your work. ¡± She sent her response and then ced her phone on the table, sighing in relief. Fortunately, Bryson was tied up, so she didn¡¯t have to worry about involving him. Meanwhile, Bryson couldn¡¯t suppress a smile upon reading her message. He then turned his attention back to hisputer, where the screen disyed advertising information about the ind. After Bryson hung up the phone, Yosef continued his report. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve done a thorough investigation of the ind, both overtly and covertly. Many have died there. While there¡¯s no conclusive evidence, it¡¯s all very suspicious. The auction might just be a trap. ¡± Bryson had his suspicions confirmed. As he had hinted to Hannah the day before, he suspected the real owner might use the ind¡¯s auction as a lure. ¡°Since it¡¯s going to be auctioned, let¡¯s see what happens,¡± Bryson said nonchntly, though his eyes betrayed his calcting nature. Yosef frowned, concerned.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Boss, the identities of those on the ind are unknown, We should be cautious¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Bryson interjected, raising his hand to silence him. Yosef caught on quickly, nodding in agreement. ¡°I¡¯ll prepare the materials tomorrow, then. ¡± Once the door closed behind Yosef, Bryson reclined in his chair, the glow from theputer illuminating his thoughtful expression. He stared at Hannah¡¯sst message, a mix of emotions flickering across his face. As the appointed day arrived, Lydia drove to the hotel to pick up Hannah. Hannah emerged, nked by Maloney and Dotson. As they settled into the car, Lydia couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°Wow, Hannah, you travel with bodyguards every time. ¡± Hannah offered a resigned smile and yed along with Lydia¡¯s lighthearted banter, careful not to mention anything about the ind. ¡°They both were curious about a private ind auction and insisted on tagging along, so I didn¡¯t really have a choice but to bring them,¡± she exined. ¡°No problem,¡± Lydia responded, still oblivious to the potentialplexities. ¡°The more, the merrier, and Mr. Pierce shouldn¡¯t be any trouble, right?¡± From the front passenger seat, Maloney grinned and said, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be. ¡± Hisment made Brayden, the driver, nce over at him briefly. Their eyes met before Brayden returned his attention to the road. Maloney, still smiling faintly, turned to look out the window. Chapter 1685 As they drove towards Palmetan, Lydia enthusiastically shared her ns for the ind with Hannah. After outlining her vision, she grabbed Hannah¡¯s arm and gave it an excited shake. ¡°Do you think I have a good shot at winning the auction?¡± Hannah believed that if it were merely about outbidding some affluent heir, Lydia would Likely seed. However, she had a nagging feeling that this auction might not be so straightforward. ¡°Hannah, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Lydia finally noticed her friend¡¯s preupation. ¡°You¡¯ve seemed distracted ever since we got in the car. Don¡¯t you want toe?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not that,¡± Hannah quickly reassured her. ¡°If I didn¡¯t want toe, I would have told you outright. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That¡¯s true. ¡± Lydia blinked, puzzled. ¡°Then why do you seem so out of sorts?¡± Hannah harbored a vague sense of unease, worried about what might await them on the ind. Yet, considering the gathering of affluent guests, she hoped any potential threats would tread carefully. Her expression softened. ¡°I just woke up too early and I¡¯m still feeling a bit sleepy. My reactions are a bit slow today. ¡± Taking the cue, Lydia suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you rest a bit in the car? I¡¯ll wake you when we get there. ¡± ¡°Okay¡±. Hannah closed her eyes to rest, but sleep eluded her. As the car came to a stop, Hannah¡¯s eyes snapped open before Lydia could even speak. They had arrived at the dock leading to Palmetan¡¯s ind, with the vast sea stretching before them. As they got out, a staff member weed them and guided them towards the ferry. ¡°Since this is a private ind, the port only operates two ferries daily and isn¡¯t open to the public. Before we board, I should remind you that the ind is only partially developed, so cell service might be unreliable. But don¡¯t worry. The ind has plenty of entertainment facilities and our staff will assist you upon arrival. ¡± Walking beside the staff, Hannah listened intently. Then she inquired, ¡°We¡¯re here for the ind auction. Will there be a ferry avable to take us back once it¡¯s over?¡± The staff member turned to her with an apologetic smile. ¡°As I mentioned earlier, Miss, there are only two ferries per day. If the auction runste, you might have to stay overnight. But don¡¯t worry. Our amodations and dining are first-rate. ¡± Meanwhile, Lydia was already lost in thoughts of the ind. ¡°Look, Hannah! You can just make out the ind over there!¡± Following Lydia¡¯s excited gaze, Hannah looked up. The breeze Lifted her hair as she caught the faint scent of the sea. The ind, lush with green vegetation, was just a small speck in the distance. The staff continued, ¡°Though only half of the ind is developed, our boss has invested significantly in it. We have skilled staff and emergency medical personnel on site to ensure everyone¡¯s safety. ¡± Despite the staff¡¯s reassuring wo rds, Hannah remained cautious. Her tension eased only slightly as they boarded the ferry. But then, her eyesnded on an unexpected figure. Bryson? What was he doing here? The ferry was spacious, offering two seats per passenger, a luxurypared to previous cruise ships they had traveled on. Despite its function as a simple transport to the ind, the ferry boasted luxurious appointments. The upper deck was designed for seating and sightseeing, while the lower deck was busy with staff preparing desserts and drinks. Before Hannah could explore the ferry further, her gaze met with a pair of dark eyes. Bryson was sitting by the window, the seat opposite him vacant. Soon after she noticed him, everyone else did too. ¡°Your man is staring at you. Shouldn¡¯t you go over and talk to him?¡± Lydia nudged Hannah¡¯s arm lightly. ¡°I have a feeling he wants to speak with you. ¡± Maloney, standing next to Hannah, seemed unsurprised by Bryson¡¯s presence. ¡°Looks like I guessed right after all. ¡± Hannah cast a brief nce at Maloney before making her way toward Bryson. Even as she sat down opposite him, his intense gaze remained fixed on her. After she settled into her seat, Bryson broke the silence first. Chapter 1686 ¡°Want something to drink?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want anything,¡± she replied coolly, trying to keep her irritation under control. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Bryson cast a discreet nce at Maloney, who had settled into a nearby seat. ¡°You chose to bring him instead of me. ¡± His voice carried a hint of unspoken hurt, perhaps even a touch of jealousy. Hannah thought hispany¡¯s troubles must be getting to him. She leaned back with a sigh. ¡°The ship hasn¡¯t left yet. You can still get off. Don¡¯t you have a mountain of work? Why insert yourself into this situation?¡± ¡°I want to be involved in anything that concerns you,¡± Bryson replied steadily. Before Hannah could answer, the ferry¡¯s horn red, and the vessel began its slow departure. Bryson gave a slight smile. ¡°Well, it seems it¡¯s toote for me to leave now. ¡± Faced with various personalities regrly, Hannah usually knew how to handle them, but Bryson always proved challenging. With him already on the ferry, there was no use in holding onto her frustration, She finally asked, ¡°When I mentioned the ind the other day, had you already nned to be on this ferry?¡± Bryson affirmed honestly with a nod. ¡°Yes. ¡± Taken aback by his swift admission, Hannah drew in a deep breath. He knew exactly how to rile her up! ¡°Then why keep it from me until now? ¡°True, I was aware. I sensed you preferred I stayed behind, so I opted not to disclose it beforehand. I figured you¡¯d turn down the idea,¡± Bryson confessed. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he added, ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. ¡± Hannah rolled her eyes at him, settling beside him and casting azy gaze towards the ind. The wheel churned the water, creating waves.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. The once-distant ind gradually loomed closer to them. Bryson nced towards the ind and said, ¡°This is my first visit here. ¡± Furrowing her brows, Hannah finally voiced her concerns, ¡°Had you not joined us, we could¡¯ve sought your assistance if things went awry. ¡± She turned to Bryson, her expression serious, and continued, ¡°But now that you¡¯re involved, what if. . ¡± Before Hannah couldplete her thought, Bryson seized her wrist, halting her mid-sentence. He winked at her, and they both fell into silence. Hannah grasped his implication. Someone was listening in! Chapter 1687 Shortly after, a stout man approached from behind and positioned himself next to the table where the two sat. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I didn¡¯t anticipate this ind catching your eye. It seems the ind really is appealing,¡± he remarked, addressing Bryson. ncing at Hannah, he then turned back to Bryson, adding, ¡°Having apetitor as formidable as you, I might as well give up hope. ¡± Hannah recognized him immediately; he was Coen Sullivan, the CEO of a listedpany in Valmere. He was known for his hical business practices. Disinterested, she looked away. Bryson, without acknowledging Coen, replied icily, ¡°I have no interest in this ind. ¡± His sole reason for being there was for Hannah¡¯s sake; the ind itself held no allure for him.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Coen, however, perceived Hannah¡¯s apparent fondness for the ind and assumed Bryson intended to purchase it to please her. Hoping to engage in business with Bryson, he attempted ttery, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, if Miss Moore has taken a liking to this ind, we¡¯ll graciously step aside. We won¡¯tpete for the bid. ¡± Hannah found his words amusing; even if he did bid, he stood no chance against Bryson. Bryson scoffed, ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. ¡± Coen¡¯s expression darkened. H e had hoped to establish rapport with Bryson in front of onlookers, but Bryson¡¯s dismissive demeanor left him seething with resentment. However, aware of Bryson¡¯s high social standing, he dared not act impulsively. He could only wipe the sweat from his forehead and hastily walk away. There were always those overly confident individuals who presumed they deserved respect. Once Coen had left, Hannah shifted her gaze, scanning the ferry. She didn¡¯t spot Merlin, though the staff had told her the ferry would only make two round trips. Trusting Merlin wouldn¡¯t break her promise to meet there, Hannah spected that he might already be on the ind or would catch the next ferry. As Hannah was lost in thought, the ferry¡¯s horn sounded, signaling its gradual deceleration. Turning her attention outside, she observed they were nearing the shore of the ind. Contrary to the densely vegetated backside of the ind, whaty before them was a fully developed resort, replete with various entertainment amenities. Once off the ferry, they were escorted to their amodations. Nestled amidst mountains and rivers, the air was fresh and invigorating, inducing a sense of rxation in everyone. The living conditions exceeded expectations, with well-appointed rooms. As Hannah swiped her key card and stepped into her room, she was met with a refreshing aroma that hung Chapter 1688 Setting down her bag, she approached the window and slid it open. The gentle sea breeze lifted the gauzy curtains, while the wooden window frames bore unique ind characteristics. The room bore the distinct ambiance of the ind, tailored to its perpetually damp climate. Once the fragrance of the air freshener faded, a subtle scent of the sea permeated the air, characteristic of the ind¡¯s coastal surroundings. The bed in the room felt slightly damp, likely due to the ind¡¯s humid conditions. However, a moisture trap had been provided to mitigate this issue, ensuring afortable stay. The thoughtful amodations left her feeling appreciative. If she were on vacation, she would have considered it an excellent destination. Despite the inviting surroundings, she found herself unable to fully enjoy them at the moment. Hannah, on high alert, carefully inspected every corner of the room, even checking under the bed. Having been deceived by a pinhole camera before, she had developed a habit of thorough inspection upon entering a new space. To her surprise, there was no sign of surveince equipment in the room, no pinhole cameras or audio monitors. The room resembled a normal resort amodation. Despite the absence of any surveince devices, Hannah couldn¡¯t shake off her unease; instead, it seemed to intensify. Hannah cautiously entered the bathroom, intending to wash her hands, but recoiled in shock when she turned on the tap- dark red water gushed out, sttering the pristine white basin like blood. Despite the chilling sight, she forced herself to remainposed. Slowly, she scooped up a handful of wat r and sniffed it. The silence amplified the sound of her own heartbeat. Though initially startled, she carefully examined the water and realized it was not blood but likely rusty due to the pipes¡¯ disuse. Her focus was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Startled, Hannah turned off the tap and approached the door. A hotel staff member stood outside and said gently, ¡°Madam, if you already had a good rest, I will take you to¡­¡± Before she could finish her sentence, she was startled to see the dark red water on Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°Madam, what happened?¡± she asked, visibly rmed. Hannah replied casually, ¡°I wanted to wash my hands. Didn¡¯t you check the tap in your hotel room? It¡¯s rusty. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m terribly sorry, Madam. Let me arrange another room for you,¡± the staff member apologized sincerely. With that, Hannah took her bags and left the room. The staff led her to another room. In the monitoring room, a man with a slightly pale face leaned back in his chair, a chilling smile spreading across his lips. Chapter 1689 ¡°Interesting, very interesting. ¡± The building had only three floors designated for residential use. The staff escorted Hannah to the third floor, which contrasted starkly with the livelier floors below. As they ascended, the quietude of the third floor enveloped her, making her feel slightly uneasy. Both the third and second floors were styled in vintage decor, meticulously clean throughout, yet something about the ambiance on the third floor made Hannah ufortable. As she turned around, Hannah¡¯s eyes were drawn to the paintings lining the corridor walls-portraits of figures from ancient times. What should have been romantic depictions somehow appeared eerie. ¡°Miss,¡± the staff member prompted, bringing Hannah back to the moment. They continued to the end of the corridor. ¡°This is your room. Would you like to go in and check if everything is to your satisfaction?¡± ¡°No, thanks. ¡± Hannah epted the room key from the staff, giving the corridor¡¯s paintings a final, curious nce before stepping into her room. Inside, everything appeared normal, simr to the rooms downstairs. She turned on the faucet, relieved to find the water running clear, unlike the situation she had encountered downstairs. Perhaps it was the ind¡¯s isted atmosphere, or maybe just her nerves, but Hannah couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of being watched ever since their arrival. After settling in, she stepped out of her room to find the corridor bathed in sunlight, which offered her a sense offort. As she walked toward the stairs, Hannah paused inexplicably in front of one particr painting. Compelled, she turned and approached it, reaching out to touch the frame. To her surprise, the painting was uncovered, allowing her to feel the texture of the canvas directly. The surface of the painting felt grainy under Hannah¡¯s fingertips. Just as she was about to touch the depicted face, a voice echoed from the stair corner. ¡°Miss. ¡± Hannah paused and looked towards the stairs where the familiar staff member stood, her smile perfunctory, her eyes notably cold. Hannah lowered her hand and faced her. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Your friend is looking for you downstairs,¡± the staff informed her. ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah nodded and walked calmly towards the stairs. Just as she was about to descend, the staff¡¯s voice followed, colder now. ¡°Miss, I should remind you. The paintings are all prized by my boss. He values them greatly. Please refrain from touching them. ¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Hannah stopped and turned, her gaze indifferent. ¡°If he cherishes these paintings so much, perhaps he shouldn¡¯t disy them in a corridor where they can easily be touched. ¡± Chapter 1690 The staff¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but her tone was sharp. ¡°Our boss believes that paintings are to be shared with others. It is unusual for someone to touch them as you did. ¡± Humph. Hannah felt a spark of amusement at the sarcasm. ¡°Really?¡± She smiled. ¡°I couldn¡¯t even tell which famous artist painted this. Ah! Perhaps your boss purchased a counterfeit?¡± With that, she continued down the stairs, pausing briefly to add over her shoulder, ¡°But of course, it doesn¡¯t really matter if it¡¯s a fake. As long as he loves it, that¡¯s what counts. ¡± After her remark, Hannah descended the stairs without further conversation. The staff member watched her go, her expression mixed as the button on her chest glowed red. Once Hannah was out of sight, a voice crackled through the earpiece the staff wore. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything unnecessary. She is vignt. It¡¯s her first day on the ind. We can¡¯t let her discover anything. ¡± ¡°Yes, boss,¡± she responded. Outside the hotel, the atmosphere buzzed with activity, but Hannah¡¯s friends were nowhere in sight. Unhurried, she nced toward the beach and noticed a few people surfing, seemingly wealthy vacationers enjoying the ind. Disinterested, Hannah found a shaded spot to sit and gaze at the coastline. Suddenly, a figure obscured her view. Looking up, Hannah saw Bryson, casually dressed in a ck T-shirt, looking every bit like a model. ¡°Where are the others?¡± he asked as he sat down beside her. ¡°They went to find a ce to have dinner,¡± she replied. Enjoying the rare break, Hannah leaned backzily on the sofa, preferring silence. Bryson also reclined, the breeze gently tousling their hair. ¡°I¡¯ve checked the room but didn¡¯t find anything suspicious,¡± he mentioned. Hannah, staring ahead with a rxed demeanor, responded, ¡°So far, I haven¡¯t found anything either. Maybe we are overthinking this.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°I hope so,¡± Bryson said, narrowing his eyesfortably. ¡°But I doubt we can leave here tomorrow. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t y the doomsayer here,¡± Hannah added lightly, enjoying the brief respite. She turned to look at Bryson with a smirk. ¡°If we can¡¯t leave tomorrow, you¡¯ll just have to swim back. ¡± Bryson smiled back at her. ¡°Are you really that cruel to me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s me being nice. ¡± Chapter 1691 As they bantered, Lydia approached with her arms full of food. ¡°Hannah, I was looking for you. I knocked on your door earlier, but the staff said you had moved to the third floor. ¡± She set the food on the table and sat next to Hannah. ¡°The tap in my room was rusty and unusable, so I had to request a room change. ¡± ¡°I might ask to change my room to the third floorter then,¡± Dotson chimed in. Hannah shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t bother. ¡± Bryson, seizing the opportunity to flirt, added, ¡°If you¡¯re worried about being on the third floor alone, I could stay with you. ¡± His tone was increasingly yful, which Hannah dismissed with a Light smile, ¡°I¡¯m not that scared. If you are, maybe you should ask Dotson to keep youpany. ¡± Maloney, joining in, said slowly, ¡°I can keep youpany, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Lydia covered her mouth to hide herughter. ¡°Or let Brayden keep youpany. I¡¯m fine being alone. ¡± Brayden, who had been quietly eating fruit, looked up bewildered. ¡°Okay, Bryson, if you¡¯re scared, I¡¯ll join you tonight. ¡± Bryson gave him a cold nce. Brayden immediately choked on his juice and started coughing. The mood lightened as they all Laughed. ¡°Miss Moore, you didn¡¯t break your promise. ¡± From a short distance away, the sound of Merlin¡¯s voice carried over, drawing a smile from Hannah as she turned to face him. Merlin approached, a faint smile gracing his features. He surveyed the assembled crowd and remarked, ¡°It¡¯s quite the lively gathering here. Mr. Mitchell, do you find this ind intriguing?¡± Bryson reclined slightly, giving Merlin a chilly look. ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern. ¡± ¡°Indeed, it isn¡¯t,¡± Merlin agreed, his smile unwavering. He then cast a nce at Hannah and continued, ¡°I understand, perhaps you wish to keep Miss Moorepany. It¡¯s clear the two of you share a deep bond. However, I have a small favor to ask, Mr. Mitchell. I hope you don¡¯t mind.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Bryson¡¯s demeanor remained frosty and detached, typical when dealing with strangers. ¡°I¡¯d rather you didn¡¯t. ¡± He had this uncanny knack for shutting down conversations with just one sentence. His few words could leave people speechless. Undeterred, Merlin maintained his focus on Hannah, not even ncing sideways. ¡°Miss Moore, could you assist me with a matter?¡± Chapter 1692 ¡°Of course,¡± Hannah responded, then rose to her feet. She addressed Bryson, ¡°I need to handle something quickly. You all carry on without me. ¡± Just as she was about to leave, Bryson reached out and grasped her arm. ALL eyes in the room turned to them. Bryson remained seated but looked up earnestly at Hannah. ¡°Can you not go?¡± Hannah nced over at Merlin, who was still waiting in the distance, then shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid so. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Though his face remained impassive, Bryson tightened his hold on her arm and stood. ¡°Then I¡¯ll apany you. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you really don¡¯t need to be so cautious around me,¡± Merlin interjected, his voiceced with a mild smile. ¡°In my current condition, I hardly think I pose a threat to Miss Moore. She is, after all, a capable adult. Aren¡¯t you perhaps watching over her a bit too closely?¡± Bryson¡¯s grip on Hannah¡¯s arm grew firmer, a clear sign of his irritation with Merlin¡¯sments. Sensing the tension escal ating and fearing Bryson might lose his temper, Hannah swiftly intervened. She sped Bryson¡¯s hand, turned sharply, and addressed Merlin with a frosty tone, ¡°There¡¯s nothing about me he shouldn¡¯t hear. ¡± Once she had rified her stance, Merlin offered no resistance. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I have no objections. Miss Moore, as long as you¡¯re on board, the more the merrier to keep watch. ¡± With a subtle gesture, Merlin signaled his bodyguard, who then wheeled him toward the guesthouse. It was only after Merlin¡¯s departure that Hannah feltfortable releasing Bryson¡¯s hand. She turned to gauge his mood. Catching her nce, Bryson looked down at her and questioned, ¡°Do you think I¡¯m too meddling?¡± Hannah grasped his wrist and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s head upstairs and check things out.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Their exit seemed to lift the heaviness in the air. Lydia, who had refrained from eating until they left, murmured quietly, ¡°I don¡¯t recall Hannah ever mingling with the Garza family. How did she end up dealing with Merlin?¡± Curious, Maloney inquired, ¡°Does she have some sort of feud with the Garza family?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a bitplicated to get into,¡± Lydia replied, nibbling on her chips. ¡°ALL I can say is there¡¯s a significant bad blood between them. ¡± Maloney stared in the direction they had gone, deep in thought. The staff directed Merlin, who arrived a bitte, to a room on the second floor. It appeared that almost everyone arriving this time was assigned to the second floor, except for Hannah, who was ced on the third floor. Chapter 1693 The staff, taken aback, instinctively nced towards Hannah. She caught the look and questioned, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Are you going to tell me the third floor is fully booked?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not it,¡± the staff quickly regainedposure. ¡°The only publicly avable room on the third floor is currently upied by this guest. Sir, you¡¯re wee to switch with her if she agrees. ¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Hannah smiled. ¡°What a small world! It¡¯s funny that there¡¯s only my room that¡¯s avable. ¡± She then yfully addressed Bryson, ¡°If you really prefer the third floor, I suppose you can have my room. ¡± Before Bryson could respond, the staff interjected, ¡°I apologize. There¡¯s been a slight mix-up. Our manager just confirmed that your assignment to the third floor has been documented and room swaps can¡¯t be done. ¡± ¡°But it was you who just offered the possibility of switching rooms, and now you¡¯re saying it¡¯s not allowed. What¡¯s going on with your management?¡± Hannah deliberately challenged, aiming to provoke a reaction from the staff. His face momentarily betrayed anger before smoothing back intoposure. ¡°I apologize, but this is our boss¡¯s ce. The rulese from our boss. Your actions now ce me in a difficult position. I have no other options. ¡± ¡°Fine. ¡± With an unmistakable air of haughtiness, Hannah dered, ¡°I demand to see your boss immediately. This ind is set to be auctioned soon. It¡¯s possible I might end up owning it. I¡¯m curious to know why he imposes so many rules. ¡± Her confrontational tone visibly troubled the staff member. Seizing the opportunity, H nnah pressed on, ¡°What? Does your boss only have the courage to trouble us from the shadows? Is he too scared to meet me face to face?¡± The room fell silent momentarily as the staff member seemed to listen intently to something through his earpiece. He then forced a conciliatory smile. ¡°Please, Miss, calm down. We admit our mistake and offer our apologies. Tonight, our boss will extend a gift to you as a gesture of apology. He exined that if it was meant to be, there¡¯d be a possibility for you two to meet. ¡± Hannah scoffed, dismissing their words as overly mysterious. Narrowing her eyes thoughtfully, she watched as the staff member excused himself and shut the door behind him. Merlin sat beside her, his gaze fixed on Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, you seem quite different today. Getting a bit feisty, are we?¡± ¡°Enough,¡± Hannah snapped, her expression icy. She shot a nce at the bodyguard standing next to Merlin andmanded, ¡°Let him out. ¡± The bodyguard, appearing on edge, stepped closer. ¡°I can¡¯t do that. It¡¯s not safe to leave you alone with Mr. Garza. ¡± ¡°Are you questioning my intentions?¡± Hannah asked, her sneer tinged with indifference. ¡°Just leave,¡± Merlin interjected from his wheelchair, his voice rxed. He shed a smile. ¡°I trust that Miss Moore has no intentions of harming me here. ¡± ¡°But Mr. Garza¡­¡± the bodyguard started. Merlin cut him off with a cold look. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me?¡± Chapter 1694 ¡°Got it. ¡± The bodyguard dared not say anything more. He nced at Hannah silently and left the room Hannah strode towards Merlin, leaned over, and gently pinched his legs beneath the nket. ¡°You!¡± For years, no one had dared to touch his legs. Instantly, Merlin¡¯s face clouded with nerves and wariness, the abrupt sensation silencing him mid-sentence. Hannah squatted down, her gaze lifting to meet his. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? If I don¡¯t examine your legs, how will I determine your condition?¡± ¡°Nothing. ¡± Merlin¡¯s features softened into an expression of awkward resignation. He rxed slightly and murmured, ¡°Please, continue. ¡± As Hannah¡¯s hands explored his calves, the gravity of his condition became apparent. Long periods in a wheelchair without movement could lead to severe muscle atrophy. The man before her was a sta rk illustration of this, his muscles having withered rmingly. His legs appeared as mere covers of skin stretched over bones. Hannah could visualize the severe atrophy without even lifting the nket. A profound silence enveloped the room while she conducted her examination. Bryson sat quietly aside, careful not to disturb the delicate process. After a lengthy silence, Merlin¡¯s voice broke through, tinged with a mix of hope and despair, ¡°Will my legs ever recover?¡± Standing up, Hannah faced him squarely. ¡°I can¡¯t guarantee full recovery, but there¡¯s a possibility we can improve your condition. The nerves in your legs are intact. There might be another way to help you stand. ¡± She paused, choosing her next words carefully. ¡°But I must be frank- regaining your ability to walk will demand an extraordinary amount of effort. It will be painful, and it will be hard. ¡± For the first time, a flicker of something other than defiance sparked in Merlin¡¯s eyes.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°As long as there¡¯s a chance, I¡¯m willing to endure whatever it takes. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± As Hannah turned to leave, a soft utterance from Merlin stopped her. ¡°Did you know that Malvina is dead?¡± The news made Hannah stop in her tracks in surprise. Even Bryson turned around, a trace of surprise evident on his features. Seeing their expressions, Merlin smiled and revealed, ¡°It seems that you didn¡¯t know. She died on a ne while traveling abroad. ¡± Chapter 1695 Given that it was Merlin who ryed this information, Hannah immediately suspected that there was more to the story. She frowned and turned to look at Bryson. Bryson¡¯s expression was simpler than Hannah¡¯s, more direct. He stared at Merlin and asked, ¡°I had my men escort her onto the ne. Are you suggesting she was murdered during the flight?¡± Merlin didn¡¯t deny it; he simply offered a sly smile. ¡°Let me share another piece of news. The person who killed her is from abroad. Mr. Mitchell, you believed it was your men who secured her passage, but it was also because of them that she became a target. ¡± Merlin¡¯s gaze shifted back to Hannah. ¡°After all these incidents, she¡¯s still your scapegoat, Miss Moore. But such secrets won¡¯t stay hidden for long. They¡¯ve killed the wrong person. Once they realize their mistake, there will be consequences. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll face difficulties in the near future. ¡± Bryson¡¯s face hardened. ¡°I won¡¯t let anything happen to her,¡± he stated firmly. ¡°Okay. ¡± Merlin nodded. ¡°I know, Mr. Mitchell. But can you stay with Miss Moore all the time? The Garza family is prepared to leverage the might of Muvrand to deal with you. Miss Moore, I suggest you exercise caution. ¡± Despite the gravity of his warning, Hannah remained unshaken, having navigated far too manyplex situations to be intimidated now. She fixed her gaze on Merlin and reminded him, ¡°You said you would help me if I managed to heal your legs. ¡± ¡°Yes. I did say that,¡± Merlin acknowledged, gesturing towards his immobile legs. ¡°But as you see, I haven¡¯t stood up yet. I know you don¡¯t fully trust me, and I can¡¯t say Ipletely trust you either. If you want my faith, you¡¯ll have to cure me first. ¡± Hannah said, ¡°I won¡¯t deceive you, and I don¡¯t intend to. It will take at least six months for your legs to recover. Even with your full cooperation, standing unaided might not happen for another four months. Must I wait four months for your assistance? In four months, the Garza family could devise numerous ways to target me. What happened to Malvina could very well happen to me. ¡± Merlin offered a teasing smile, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You are under Mr. Mitchell¡¯s protection. He¡¯s vowed to ensure your safety. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not his responsibility . I don¡¯t want him entangled in this,¡± Hannah asserted, her voice firm. After a moment of contemtion, Merlin conceded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯IL simplify my conditions. As soon as my legs get better, I promise to assist you against the Garza family. ¡± Hannah nodded, her expression softening slightly. ¡°This time, I¡¯ll trust you. ¡± The two walked out of the room, enveloped in a thick silence that neither seemed eager to break. As they stepped out of the house, Bryson reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. I won¡¯t let anything happen to you. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worried about that. ¡± Hannah smiled back, her voice steady and light. ¡°I¡¯ve been forced to leave the country before. Surviving there was more perilous than anything I face now. Since I wouldn¡¯t die then, I won¡¯t die now. ¡± ¡°Besides, her tone took on a steely edge, ¡°I haven¡¯t avenged my mother yet. I can¡¯t afford anything happening to me at this juncture. ¡± It was nearing afternoon, and the sun was beginning its descent in the west. On the ind, Hannah gazed into the distance toward the setting sun, her figure almost merging with the sea bathed in the evening light. Theughter and chatter of a group of vacationers cut through the gloom that had settled over the ind. Chapter 1696 Lydia, who had been ying beach basketball nearby, jogged over to Hannah when she spotted her. ¡°Why did you twoe out sote? Just now, Atticus Pearson said he was hosting tonight¡¯s entertainment. He¡¯s the owner of the ind. ¡± ¡°Did he bring forward the auction of the ind?¡± Hannah inquired, her curiosity piqued. Lydia paused, struck by the question. ¡°That¡¯s right.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. We haven¡¯t seen him all day, and he hasn¡¯t mentioned the auction to us. Maybe he ns to discuss it at dinner? After all, that¡¯s when everyone will be there. ¡± Did Atticus know the ind¡¯s secret from the start? Did he orchestrate this entire scenario just to lure them here and buy time? Bryson, standing beside her, advised cautiously, ¡°Regardless, you shouldn¡¯t participate in the auction. It¡¯s best if you avoid the party tonight. ¡± ¡°No way!¡± Lydia clung to Hannah¡¯s arm, her voice taking on a pleading tone. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Then I¡¯ll only have Brayden with me. Please,e with me, Hannah. ¡± Finding it hard to refuse Lydia¡¯s earnest request, Hannah nodded with a resigned sigh. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll go. You head off and have fun first. I need to discuss something with Mr. Mitchell. ¡± After Lydia bounded away, Hannah turned to Bryson, her tone firm. ¡°You¡¯re not going to the party tonight. ¡± Bryson, taken aback by her assertion, raised his eyebrows in surprise. ¡°Why?¡± he asked. ¡°Don¡¯t ask when you already know the answer. ¡± Hannah gazed at Bryson with a sense of defeat and continued, ¡°You think there¡¯s some thing off about the dinner party, which is why you don¡¯t want me to attend, right?¡± ¡°How could I possibly let you go there by yourself? Do I seem Like a coward to you?¡± Such an exasperating man! Hannah, keeping her voice low, tried to reason with him, ¡°If something were to happen, at least you¡¯d be there to help. I never nned to snoop around the ind, but if Pearson is looking for trouble, I won¡¯t just stand by and watch!¡± Surveying the ind, Bryson shrugged casually and suggested, ¡°Then why not just set the ind on fire?¡± Bryson was one of the few who could leave Hannah utterly speechless. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, if you¡¯re nning on going to jail, please leave me out of it. ¡± Without showing any remorse, Bryson replied, ¡°I¡¯m just offering a solution that could end this once and for all. If you don¡¯t like it, we¡¯ll drop it. ¡± Was it really a matter of liking it? With a heavy sigh, Hannah looked at Bryson earnestly and said, ¡°I think your condition is worsening. Are you taking your medication properly?¡± Avoiding her gaze, Bryson replied with a hint of guilt, ¡°Yes. ¡± Chapter 1697 ¡°I don¡¯t believe you!¡± Hannah¡¯s voice rose as she pointed usingly at Bryson¡¯s chest with her delicate finger. ¡°You need to rid yourself of those terrible thoughts immediately!¡± Bryson caught her finger gently and smiled. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll listen to your advice. ¡± What a sweet talker! Hannah swiftly withdrew her finger and turned away, trying to escape his view. ¡°Make sure you do,¡± she retorted. The evening had fully settled into darkness by the time the staff ushered them towards the banquet hall. Suddenly, Bryson was nowhere to be seen. Amid the crowd, his absence went unnoticed by the staff. Only Hannah, walking close to Lydia, realized that since their arrival, there appeared to be just one staff member attending to them on the ind. They had assumed the banq As twilight deepened, the dim lighting made the path increasingly obscure. Given their status, these dignitaries would typically hesitate at a mere ten-minute walk. After walking for what felt like an eternity, murmurs of discontent began to surface among the crowd. ¡°Wasn¡¯t there supposed to be a dinner party? Where are we even heading?¡± ¡°Does this ind even have a spot suitable for a dinner party?¡± ¡°It¡¯s such a long trek. Where did your boss decide to have the dinner? On a mountain?¡± Voices ofint echoed through the dark. Even Lydia couldn¡¯t help but voice her concerns quietly to Hannah. ¡°Where is he taking us? It feels like we¡¯re heading deeper into nowhere, doesn¡¯t it? I heard this ind isn¡¯t fully developed yet. Are we really having a dinner party up in the mountains?¡± Hannah, blessed with sharp eyesight, spotted a faint light in the distance under the moonlight. She whispered back reassuringly, ¡°I think it¡¯s just ahead. Don¡¯t worry. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Then, turning to Dotson and Maloney who were walking a short distance behind, she advised, ¡°Once we get there, stick close to me. Don¡¯t wander off on your own. ¡± Arching his eyebrows, Maloney asked in an irksome tone, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Miss Moore? You¡¯ve always been fearless. Are you scared now?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a bit scared. ¡± Bathed in moonlight, Hannah looked stunning. However, her eyes were strikingly cold as she replied, ¡°I¡¯m scared of what might happen if you leave me. ¡± Chapter 1698 doubt that will happen. ¡± Maloney nced around andmented, ¡°I¡¯ve been watching the ind all day and haven¡¯t noticed anything wrong. ¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to be here on business today? Where¡¯s the other party?¡± Hannah inquired. Lifting his chin, Maloney responded, ¡°The chubby guy staggering in front of us. ¡± Coen? ¡°Coen? What a coincidence!¡± Hearing Hannah¡¯s remark, Maloney turned to her with a puzzled expression and asked, ¡°You know him?¡± Unbeknownst to Maloney, he had been outside the cabin during Hannah¡¯s earlier altercation with Coen and had missed their exchange. Hannah had not mentioned it directly, but she warned, ¡°If you¡¯re thinking about doing business with him, it¡¯s best to act as if you don¡¯t know me. ¡± ¡°Forget it,¡± Maloney replied without emotion. ¡°I¡¯ve looked into his products; they¡¯re nothing like the wonders he ims to sell overseas. Let those who want them have them. I¡¯m not interested inpeting with those guys. ¡± As he spoke, Hannah¡¯s expression shifted. She nodded, turned away, and remained silent. ¡®s BunnyBookery Maloney squinted slightly, asking, ¡°Why do I get the feeling that you¡¯re looking at me with a certain admiration?¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That¡¯s correct. I¡¯m relieved that you see him for the liar that he is. ¡± ¡°Liar?¡± Maloney echoed, his tone filled with disbelief. Lydia, who had been listening, covered her mouth and leaned forward. Her voice was hushed yet audible to Maloney. ¡°He¡¯s always boasted about his products. He¡¯s swindled money from many seniors. He was incarcerated before and became more cautious after his release. Then he started a briefcasepany. Honestly, hecks real talent and just misleads you young folks who aren¡¯t familiar with the industry. His rise to wealth is really just fueled by those born into money. ¡± Maloney turned to Hannah for confirmation. Hannah met his gaze and nodded affirmatively. ¡°Lydia is right. It¡¯s true. Stay out of it. ¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t they scared of the consequences for engaging in such hical dealings?¡± Maloney questioned. Hannah scoffed, ¡°People like that? They don¡¯t fear consequences at all. ¡± As they conversed, the staff member finally escorted them to a door. The door was wooden, weathered, and groaned as it opened. Light spilled out. The staff member, standing by the entrance with a forced smile, announced, ¡°Wee to the ind¡¯s dinner party. Please,e inside. ¡± The guests grumbled about the setting, reluctant to enter. ¡°This is terrible!¡± ¡°I think we should head back. There was food where we were staying before. ¡± ¡°Yes, what a rundown ce! Let¡¯s go back!¡± Despite theirints, the staff member maintained a smile and added, ¡°Our boss has promised that tonight¡¯s dinner will exceed your expectations. If you are not satisfied, he is willing to reduce the transaction price for the ind by 20%!¡± Chapter 1699 ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°Reduce the transaction price by 20%?¡± Upon hearing this, everyone stopped in surprise. Such a discount was too good to ignore. It was a significant amount of money, and only a fool would pass up the opportunity. Lydia was shocked and whispered to Hannah, ¡°A 20% discount just for staying for dinner? What could Pearson be ying at?¡± Hannah suspected that the person behind the offer might not be Pearson, but she kept her thoughts to herself. She didn¡¯t want to worry Lydia without proof. The crowd was enticed by the offer, and their objections faded away. One person stepping through the door triggered a chain reaction, with everyone following suit. Hannah and her group hung back, waiting for most people to enter before deciding what to do. Seeing only a few stragglers remaining, Lydia asked in a whisper, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we go in?¡± At that moment, the staff member looked at Hannah and asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you joining us?¡± Hannah smiled wryly. ¡°I¡¯ve thought it over, and I¡¯m not that desperate for a 20% discount. Let them enjoy their dinner. Come on, let¡¯s leave,¡± she replied, turning to leave. Wide-eyed, Lydia hurried to catch up. ¡°Wait. . ¡± But before she could finish, the staff member called after them, ¡°Ladies, perhaps I wasn¡¯t clear. If you leave now, you¡¯ll miss the chance to bid tomorrow. Those who don¡¯t attend the dinner party tonight won¡¯t have the opportunity to bid tomorrow. ¡± Lydia turned around, perplexed. ¡°You never mentioned that skipping the dinner party would disqualify us from bidding. What¡¯s going on? Are you trying to manipte us?¡± Direct and impatient, Lydia didn¡¯t mince words. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, we¡¯ll opt out of the auction altogether! We¡¯ll leave on the first boat tomorrow. We have no reason to stay in this forsaken ce. ¡± She firmly held onto Hannah¡¯s hand. ying into Lydia¡¯s assertiveness, Hannah nodded and began to walk away. However, the staff had no intention of letting them leave. ¡°Ladies!¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. The staff¡¯s voice echoed, sending a chill through the night air. ¡°If you leave now, you¡¯ll be left hungry. We don¡¯t offer any other meals besides what¡¯s served at this dinner party. It¡¯s just a meal. What¡¯s the fuss?¡± His insistence even made Dotson uneasy. He tensed, his fists clenching as he looked at Hannah. ¡°Boss, should we do something?¡± Hannah shook her head. Chapter 1700 It wasn¡¯t the right moment to start a confrontation. Theycked all the necessary information, and engaging in a fight could worsen their situation on this ¡°dangerous¡± ind. Besides, she had refused to attend the party in order to test the staff¡¯s attitude, and she had got what she wanted. Hannah said, ¡°I¡¯m hungry too. Let¡¯s go eat, Lydia. A dinner that reduces the auction price by 20%? It seems like a good deal. ¡± Picking up on the cue, Lydia yed along. ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve convinced me. I¡¯ll join you. ¡± As they passed the staff member, Hannah shot him a nce. He met her gaze briefly, his expression tinged with malice. Unprepared for Hannah¡¯s turnaround, he swiftly concealed his expression with a courteous smile. ¡°Is there anything else I can assist you with, Miss?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°No, I¡¯m okay,¡± Hannah replied with a smile, leading Lydia through the door. Inside, the ambiance was far different from their expectations. Soft lighting and soothing music created an atmosphere of elegance. What had seemed dpidated from the outside now felt like a grand pce within. A straight corridor stretched ahead, guiding them effortlessly. Though dimly lit, Hannah could see the paintings adorning the walls. Mostly portraits, simr to those outside her room on the third floor. Their footsteps echoed softly in the long hallway. Feeling uneasy, Lydia clung to Hannah and Brayden, sandwiching herself between them. ¡°Hannah. . . ¡± Her voice trembled. ¡°The further we go, the more eerie it feels¡­ And it¡¯s so cold. ¡± Hannah nced at Lydia, trying to reassure her. ¡°It¡¯s probably just the air conditioning. The host seems to have aimed for a medieval castle vibe, and they¡¯ve seeded in creating an atmosphere. Don¡¯t let your imagination run wild. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my imagination¡­ it¡¯s just that the further we go, the weaker my legs feel. Why is it so quiet?¡± Lydia expressed her unease. Brayden tried to reassure her. ¡°This hallway is so long that it muffles any other sounds. Miss Moore is correct. Don¡¯t let your imagination run wild. ¡± He nced at Hannah, silently appreciating her efforts to calm Lydia. Hannah gently squeezed Lydia¡¯s hand. ¡°The lighting is dim here. Watch your step and hold onto me. ¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Lydia replied, findingfort in Hannah¡¯s touch. ¡°Pearson sure has peculiar tastes, hosting a banquet in such an unusual ce¡­¡± As she finished speaking, the lights ahead suddenly zed to life without warning. Chapter 1701 ¡°oh my!¡± Lydia shrieked, instinctively jumping into Brayden¡¯s arms. ¡°What¡¯s going on? What¡¯s happening? My goodness!¡± Her already heightened anxiety reached a peak, and she squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to open them.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Hannah remainedposed, though she squinted against the sudden brightness. Dotson swiftly moved to shield them, his gaze scanning their surroundings vigntly. ¡°It¡¯s just motion-sensor lights,¡± Hannah exined, peering up at the bright lights above. ¡°They activate when they detect movement. There¡¯s no need to be frightened. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery She gently patted Dotson¡¯s shoulder, signaling for him to step aside. With a clearer view now, she noticed a dark brown wooden door not far ahead. ¡°It seems we¡¯ve reached the banquet hall. ¡± Hearing Hannah¡¯s soothing voice, Lydia finally opened her eyes and looked ahead, her heart still pounding. Note: All membership owners kindly join this Whatsapp group for new uing stories and updates. . ¡°Are we¡­ Are we there yet? I can¡¯t handle much more of this suspense,¡± Lydia asked breathlessly. ¡°Yes, we¡¯ve arrived,¡± Hannah replied. Dotson cautiously stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯ll open the door. ¡± He proceeded carefully, apprehensive of what might be on the other side. ¡°Stay back for now. Once I¡¯ve opened it, you cane in. ¡± The weighty wooden door creaked as Dotson pushed it ajar, the sound echoing through the space. As the dim light from inside began to spill out, Hannah felt a wave of relief wash over her. Thankfully, no unwee surprises awaited them beyond the door. Leading Lydia and the others, Hannah entered the banquet hall. Upon arrival, the distant murmur of conversation and clinking sses reached their ears. As they rounded a corner, they saw the assembled guests seated at a lengthy table that spanned about ten meters. They appeared quite at ease with each other, engrossed in their conversations and meals. Hannah instinctively nced towards the head of the table, finding it vacant. Neither Pearson nor any other notable figure had arrived. Chapter 1702 Their entrance went unnoticed by the other guests, a fact that didn¡¯t bother Hannah. As they took their seats, the soft background music ceased. A voice emanated from the speaker that had been ying the music. ¡°I know you¡¯re all here for the ind. I¡¯ve poured my heart and soul into this ce, and I really don¡¯t want to part with it. But circumstances have painted me into a corner. Tonight, I¡¯ve gathered you not just for the auction, but for something more. Before we begin, I want to ensure that whoever takes over truly loves and appreciates this ind. ¡± His words set off a storm among the attendees. What could he possibly mean? They came for an auction, not some whimsical search for an ind enthusiast. Some muttered curses under their breath, branding Pearson as utterly bonkers. If he wanted to sell, he should just sell, none of this theatrical disy of attachment. Yet, before the chaos could escte, the voice from the speaker interjected. Note: All membership owners kindly join this Whatsapp group for new uing stories and updates. . ¡°I¡¯d prefer to sell this ind to the right person. ¡°If you can ovee all the challenges and emerge victorious, I might consider giving this ind to the right person. ¡± The announcement ignited an even wilder frenzy. ¡°Wait! He¡¯s giving it away?¡± ¡°A golden opportunity, right here, right now!¡± Some skeptics chimed in, ¡°Is he serious? Giving away a fully developed ind?¡± ¡°He wants to give it away? Is there anything wrong with this ind?¡± Hannah arched an eyebrow, impressed by the unexpected twist. This wasn¡¯t the move of a typical clueless heir. Giving away an ind for free? That was a plot twist worth paying attention to. As the chaos unfolded, Hannah and herpanions remainedposed, quietly observing the spectacle while enjoying their meal, unfazed by the drama unfolding around them.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°There¡¯s definitely no problem. We¡¯ll y whatever game he wants,¡± someone in the crowd shouted. ¡°Exactly! Why doesn¡¯t hee out and show himself?¡± another added. ¡°Why is the owner hiding behind a speaker? It¡¯s cowardly!¡± The dissatisfaction spread, and soon, people were banging on tables and shouting toward the speaker. Chapter 1703 ¡°Stop testing us! If you¡¯re truly willing to give the ind away, why bother announcing an auction in the first ce?¡± ¡°Yeah, exactly!¡± Another person rose to their feet, equally discontented. ¡°You promised an auction, that¡¯s why we¡¯re all here. And now you¡¯re saying there¡¯s no auction, just a giveaway to the right person? I think you¡¯ve already chosen someone and just want the rest of us to leave!¡± As the crowd grew rowdy, with everyone shouting and protesting, only Hannah¡¯s group of five remained quiet, continuing to eat as if nothing was happening. In the control room, the man watched the scene unfold on the screen, a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°She really is interesting. I¡¯ve put her through numerous tests, but she hasn¡¯t fallen for any traps. ¡± The staff who had been outside joined him. He stood beside the man, lowered his head, and said, ¡°She might be suspicious of us. ¡± The man shrugged indifferently. ¡°So what if she is suspicious? Does suspicion mean she can escape the ind? Look at those people. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen such arrogance!¡± ¡°Boss, it¡¯s not easy to get rid of them. These are all influential people. If something happens to them here, it could get messy,¡± the staff member cautioned. The man¡¯s finger tapped the screen, zooming in on Hannah¡¯sposed figure. ¡°Did I ever say I wanted to get rid of them?¡± he mused, a glint of amusement in his eyes. ¡°Greed has a way of pushing people to foolish extremes, and they can¡¯t me me for that. ¡± ¡°I now understand you. ¡± As he observed Hannah calmly eating amidst the chaos, a smirk yed on the man¡¯s lips. ¡°She¡¯s an exception,¡± he murmured. ¡°If she¡¯s smart enough, I might just let her live. ¡± Sensing something amiss, Hannah suddenly Looked up at the speaker, her gaze locking onto a faint red dot of a hidden camera. Note: All membership owners kindly join this Whatsapp group for new uing stories and updates. . She then calmly continued eating, unfazed by the discovery.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. She picked up her water ss and said softly to herpanions, ¡°We¡¯re being watched. Don¡¯t get involved. Let them be. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Lydia¡¯s eyes darted nervously towards the increasingly agitated crowd. ¡°This is getting out of hand. ¡± Before they could discuss further, the speaker red to life once more, its volume drowning out the angry murmurs of the crowd. ¡°Rest assured,¡± the voice boomed, cutting through the tension. ¡°Having a predetermined winner doesn¡¯t benefit me. I just want to y a friendly game. Even if you don¡¯t win the ind, you could walk away with hundreds of millions. It¡¯s a win-win. ¡± The crowd quieted down, momentarily intrigued yet cautious. ¡°What do you mean? Make it clear to us!¡± someone demanded. The voice from the speaker remained cool andposed. ¡°y a game with me. If you win, you¡¯ll get a five-billion-dor prize. You can divide it equally. ¡± Chapter 1704 The crowd, previously calmed, erupted like a drop of boiling water hitting a pot of hot oilpletely boiling over! ¡°Five billion?! There are eighteen of us here. If we divide it equally, each of us will get about three hundred million!¡± ¡°Stop daydreaming. Aren¡¯t we here for business?¡± ¡°Yes, but he just said he was going to give the ind to someone, and now he¡¯s promising us five billion. What on earth is he nning?¡± ¡°Who knows what his ns are? He can so easily promise us five billion dors and now he wants us to y this strange game. You¡¯re always out of sight; how can we trust your words?¡± Silence hung in the air after the Loudspeaker went quiet. Momentster, the side door beside the room swung open, and a figure emerged. It was the only staff member present, and he distributed a stack of agreements to everyone. It wasn¡¯t until the agreement was in front of her that Hannah nced down at it. The content was straightforward: all participants had the chance to equally share five billion dors, and the document rified that the money was given voluntarily, meaning it could not be reimed. This meant that if they won the game, they would indeed receive the five billion. The contract stated that upon signing, it woulde into effect. Initially skeptical, many fell silent upon reading the contract. Though everyone hade for the ind, the prospect of walking away with hundreds of millions of dors without securing the ind seemed equally lucrative. Note: All membership owners kindly join this Whatsapp group for new uing stories and updates. . Each person had their motives. As they saw others signing, they followed suit. With the agreement in hand, Lydia leaned over to Hannah and whispered, ¡°Could there really be such a good thing? Just by winning the game, we get to share five billion equally? I can hardly remember why we came to the ind. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch in this world,¡± Hannah murmured as she scrutinized the agreement, easily spotting its ws. Everyone¡¯s attention had been focused on the promise of voluntarily given money, but they hadpletely overlooked the previous sentence. The terms also stipted that they were agreeing to participate in the game and could not withdraw once it had started. This use alone made Hannah acutely aware that something was amiss. ¡°Hannah, are we going to take part in the game?¡± Shaking her head, Hannah replied, ¡°Don¡¯t sign it, Lydia. I don¡¯t know what kind of game he¡¯s nning to y.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. If anything happens, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to protect you. ¡± ¡°Aha. ¡± Across from them, Maloney chuckled as he shook the paper in his hand. ¡°I thought it looked interesting, so I signed it straight away. ¡± Chapter 1705 Hannah looked up at him sharply and retorted, ¡°You are different, Maloney. You can look after yourself; I don¡¯t care whether you sign it or not. ¡± After saying that, to Lydia¡¯s shock, Hannah picked up a pen and signed the agreement! Lydia immediately grabbed her hand, her expression flustered. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say that this game could be dangerous? Forget it, Hannah. Let¡¯s not get involved!¡± Just then, the staff member who had distributed the agreements approached them. He happened to overhear Lydia¡¯s concerns. Clutching a stack of documents, he offered her a reassuring smile and said, ¡°Please rest assured, Miss. It¡¯s just a game. We really hope that you will have a pleasant experience on the ind. It¡¯s just a game. If you lose, there¡¯s no real loss. If you win, you make money. ¡± Lydia opened her mouth to respond, but Hannah gently held her wrist, silencing her. Hannah eyed the staff member as she handed him the agreement. ¡°So what about the auction? You said we couldn¡¯t participate in the auction of the ind tomorrow if we didn¡¯t attend tonight¡¯s dinner party. If my friend decides not to participate in this game, are you going to say she can¡¯t bid at the auction tomorrow?¡± Taking the agreement from Hannah, the man nced down and then smiled politely. ¡°You misunderstood. All those who attended the dinner tonight are eligible to participate in the auction of the ind tomorrow. It¡¯s just a game. We won¡¯t force anyone to take part. Your friend may opt out of the game if she chooses. ¡± Hannah nodded at Lydia. With a decisive motion, Lydia raised her hand and handed the nk agreement back to the staff. ¡°I quit. ¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Following her lead, Dotson and Brayden also opted out. Lydia had thought that aside from their trio, no one else would opt out. Unexpectedly, only twelve people ultimately signed the agreement. In other words, aside from the three of them, there were still three others who did not participate in the game¡ª two men and one woman. This was expected by Hannah; these three were not young, and they hade to the ind strictly for business purposes. Given that the older people tended to be more cautious, it was normal for them not to sign the agreement hastily. After collecting the agreements, the staff member stood at the table and offered a respectful bow. ¡°We hope you have a good night. The game will officially start tomorrow. ¡± With that, he retreated through a small door and vanished into the darkness. The twelve individuals who had signed the agreement stood to gain nearly five hundred million each if they could equally share the five billion. The atmosphere warmed as they enjoyed dinner and engaged in lively conversation. ¡°Just a random game could us about five hundred million each. How can there be six people who don¡¯t want to participate?¡± ¡°They are all big shots who aren¡¯t desperate for money like us. Would they really lower their status to participate in a game just for a few hundred million?¡± It was Coen who spoke, his voice dripping with sarcasm and his lips oily. He nced at Hannah, intentionally or otherwise. ¡°I thought someone didn¡¯t care much about money. It seems that she¡¯s just so-so. ¡± Chapter 1706 Unperturbed by Coen¡¯s words, Hannah picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of her mouth,pletely ignoring the people next to her. In the monitoring room, the scene shifted. The staff collected the documents, discarding the unsigned ones into a trash can and carefully handing over the signed documents to his boss. ¡°Boss, only twelve people have signed the agreement, and Miss Moore is among them,¡± he reported. The man took the agreement from the top of the stack, noting that the first signature was Hannah¡¯s. ¡°There are six people who didn¡¯t sign. What do you think is the reason?¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. The man¡¯s voice was cold. After reading the agreement, he slowly nced at the person standing beside him. The staff member lowered his head, his body trembling slightly. ¡°The three older people are very cautious¡­ As for the other three¡­¡± He ryed what he had observed. ¡°They are actually very cautious too, but Miss Moore and the man sitting opposite her signed the agreement directly. I don¡¯t know what they n to do. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± the man replied, his finger lightly touching Hannah¡¯s signature on the agreement. ¡°Forget it. I won¡¯t make things difficult for you. But these six people who don¡¯t want to participate in my game, it makes me a little angry. Tonight, give one of them some punishment as a warning. Do you understand what I mean?¡± Suddenly overwhelmed by a chill, the staff member nodded vigorously and assured, ¡°Boss, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll handle it perfectly. But¡­ Out of these six candidates, whom do you prefer?¡± Peering at the monitor screen, the man shed a sly grin and suggested, ¡°How about her? I¡¯m curious to see what unfolds if she encounters misfortune. ¡± The staff member nced at the selected image, his face betraying a hint of unease before he responded, ¡°Yes, boss. ¡± As the bizarre dinner party concluded, they emerged from the gloomy room. Lydia inhaled the crisp air and eximed, ¡°I was practically gasping for breath in there. It felt so oppressive, as though eyes are constantly watching us. ¡± Hannah offered no reply. Lydia was correct. Someone had indeed been observing them. Silently, Hannah followed the group out. Lydia continued to chatter away to Brayden as they walked. Hannah raised her gaze to the dark sea ahead. The ferryy moored at the shore, its interior shadowed and still, resembling a dormant beast that could never be stirred. When Hannah thought about it, her brow furrowed slightly. Suddenly, an idea struck her. She was eager to test it but would have to wait until nightfall. One by one, the others retired to their rooms. Alone, Hannah made her way to the third floor. Chapter 1707 Concern etched on her face, Lydia offered, ¡°Hannah, why don¡¯t I stay with you tonight? I¡¯m worried about you being up on the third floor by yourself!¡± ¡°You should stay with Brayden tonight. It¡¯s really just me up there; you might get scared,¡± Hannah responded. ¡°That won¡¯t happen!¡± Lydia, realizing her concern was obvious, coughed awkwardly and added, ¡°As long as you¡¯re there, I won¡¯t be scared. ¡± Hannah gave a reassuring smile and nced at Brayden. ¡°You should stick with Lydia tonight. Don¡¯t let her stay alone. ¡± Brayden wrapped his arm around Lydia¡¯s shoulder and nodded. ¡°No worries, I¡¯ll look after her. Just be careful yourself, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Dotson, always the protector, chimed in, ¡°Boss, you shouldn¡¯t be up there alone. I can guard your door. If anyone tries anything, they¡¯ll have me to reckon with!¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Dotson, could you tone down the violence? Just look after yourselves and leave Miss Moore to her peace,¡± Maloney interjected, shaking his head. Grasping the handrail, Hannah nced downwards and murmured, ¡°Go back. Let me know if you need anything. ¡± This time, as she began her ascent, she proceeded directly to the third floor, not once ncing back. Nightfall rendered the third floor even more silent than during the day. Dim corridor lighting cast shadows, each of Hannah¡¯s footsteps eliciting a soft creak from the aged floorboards.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Thankfully, Hannah was resolute, otherwise, the atmosphere might have unnerved her. Moonlight spilled through the corridor windows, casting long shadows. As Hannah passed the row of paintings, she paused briefly to look at them. She arched an eyebrow but refrained from touching the artworks. Instead, she continued on her way and reached her room¡¯s door. She unlocked the door with ease. Upon opening it, Hannah instantly felt the presence of someone inside. Without pausing, she turned and shut the door behind her. Flicking on the light, she saw Bryson sprawled on the sofa, his eyes shut, feigning sleep. The loud noise of her entrance hadn¡¯t stirred him. Approaching the sofa, Hannah said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, enough with the act. You weren¡¯t sleeping, were you?¡± However, Bryson remained still, his breathing even. Chapter 1708 ¡°Is this your idea of fun?¡± Hannah bent down, her hand poised to flick his forehead. But as she extended her hand, she suddenly felt a firm grip around her waist! She lost her bnce and tumbled directly into Bryson¡¯s arms. Bryson opened his eyes, which seemed particrly intense at that moment, and peered at the woman he now held. ¡°Why did you get back sote? What happened?¡± The couch wasrge, yet they were remarkably close.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. She could distinctly catch the crisp scent emanating from him. The room¡¯s window was open, allowing the sea breeze to waft through. The cool air did little to soothe Hannah¡¯s sudden warmth. She looked up into Bryson¡¯s eyes. ¡°Can you let me go now?¡± They maintained their embrace for a moment longer. Eventually, Bryson released her. Note: All membership owners kindly join this Whatsapp group for new uing stories and updates. . Hannah stood, moved to the side, and poured herself a ss of water. As she sipped, she recounted the evening¡¯s events to Bryson. ¡°Franklyn mentioned that his former boss made a fortune here but was pursued the moment he left the ind. Sounds like he got tangled in the same mess. ¡± ¡°uh-huh. ¡° Bryson listened to Hannah in silence, offering noments. It was a rare moment. Hannah fixed her gaze on Bryson and pressed, ¡°Why are you so silent?¡± ¡°I believe you¡¯re onto something,¡± Bryson began thoughtfully. ¡°From what you¡¯ve described, it seems this man has orchestrated everything from the start. He must be deeply invested in this game, going to great lengths and offering substantial rewards to ensure your participation. ¡± Hannah nodded, her expression solemn. ¡°That¡¯s true. Initially, nobody wanted to attend. Then he enticed everyone with a reduction of the ind¡¯s transaction price. We had no interest in his game initially, but then he dangled a five billion incentive to get us to sign the agreement. ¡± After a pause, she turned to Bryson and asked, ¡°But even knowing all this, what can we possibly do?¡± Bryson leaned forward, his tone earnest. ¡°Think about it. Why didn¡¯t his people follow up when you refused to sign the agreement? Six of you didn¡¯t sign, yet there was no coercion. Doesn¡¯t that strike you as odd?¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed as she grasped Bryson¡¯s implication. ¡°You mean¡­¡± She seemed reluctant to voice it. Nodding gravely, Bryson added, ¡°I fear something might happen to one of the six tonight. ¡± ¡°No, that can¡¯t happen!¡± Hannah eximed, standing abruptly, her face etched with worry. ¡°I can¡¯t let anything happen to Lydia!¡± Chapter 1709 Bryson immediately grabbed Hannah¡¯s wrist, forcing her to stop. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine since she¡¯s with Brayden. ¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°No,¡± Hannah replied, her voice tinged with worry. ¡°That man is very shrewd. I don¡¯t know what else he will do tonight. Even if the possibility is small, I can¡¯t let Lydia take the risk. ¡± Bryson tightened his grip on Hannah¡¯s wrist, his gaze steady. ¡°You can¡¯t go there now or you¡¯ll alert the enemy. I¡¯ve sent a message to Brayden, asking him to stay with Lydia tonight and not fall asleep. If anything happens, he will inform me. ¡± Hannah¡¯s racing heart began to slow at Bryson¡¯s words. She had been so worried that it felt like she was losing her mind. Touching her cold forehead, she asked, ¡°You¡¯ve already known about it, so you¡¯ve prepared for it?¡± Bryson shook his head slightly, ¡°Of course not. I just had a feeling that things might not be entirely safe tonight, so I asked him to be careful and make ns in advance. ¡± Bryson took a look at his watch. It was already nine o¡¯clock. ¡°Go to sleep. I¡¯ll stay here. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to sleep, and you don¡¯t have to stay with me,¡± Hannah replied. Bryson raised an eyebrow slightly. ¡°Regardless, I¡¯m not leaving tonight. If you¡¯re not going to sleep, do you want to sit on the sofa with me all night?¡± Hannah quickly turned around, feeling a bit flustered. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯m going to bed. Don¡¯t disturb me unless it¡¯s important. ¡± As she walked to the bedroom door, she paused and turned back, ¡°By the way, don¡¯t disturb me even if you have something important. ¡± With a decisive bang, Hannah closed the door behind her. Bryson chuckled softly and closed his eyes to rest. Despite her words, Hannah found herself wide awake. She came out of the bathroom, her hair half-dried, and sat on the bed without a trace of sleepiness. The window was half-open, allowing the sea breeze to drift in. What should have been aforting breeze felt ufortably chilly, sending shivers down her spine. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah closed the window, and the noise of the sea reduced significantly. She smoothed her hair, her mind reying the events of the evening, and she couldn¡¯t help feeling flustered as she thought things over. Note: All membership owners kindly join this Whatsapp group for new uing stories and updates. . She was about to text Lydia when she heard some noiseing from the living room. Was that Bryson? The sound was low and rustling, as if someone was moving carefully. Bryson was in the living room, so it couldn¡¯t be an intruder. Still, her curiosity got the better of her. She leaned quietly against the door, listening intently. The room¡¯s retro wooden door wasn¡¯t very soundproof, making it easier to catch the subtle sounds from outside. A small click echoed through the silence. Judging by the noise, Bryson had just gone out. Hannah nced at her phone. It was almost eleven o¡¯clock, and they had no idea what was waiting outside. What could be so urgent that Bryson had to leave at this hour? Hannah curiously opened the door to the darkened living room. Under the moonlight, Hannah noticed that the sofa where Bryson had been resting was now empty. ¡°He told me to sleep, but what is he doing out sote?¡± she murmured to herself. Hannah quickly put on her clothes, opened the door, and stepped out into the dim corridor. Bryson was nowhere in sight. The lights had been turned off, and only a few patches of moonlight filtered through the windows. Hannah walked cautiously down the dark corridor, her footsteps echoing despite her efforts to move quietly. She used her phone¡¯s shlight for help, the small beam cutting through the darkness. As soon as she reached the corner of the stairs, a pair of hands reached out to her. Chapter 1710 Hannah immediately reacted, taking two quick steps back. However, she didn¡¯t intend to simply dodge; she grabbed the man¡¯s wrist as she retreated, trying to bend it behind his back. Unfortunately, the person anticipated her move. With a swift motion, he pulled her forward, bringing her into the corner. Hannah raised her hand to strike, but it was quickly enveloped by a warm, familiar grip. ¡°Why did youe out?¡± Even in the darkness, Hannah recognized Bryson by his voice. She rxed slightly. ¡°You sneaked out alone. Why can¡¯t Ie out to see what¡¯s going on?¡± Bryson didn¡¯t question her further. He released her wrist and said in a low voice, ¡°Since you¡¯re out, let¡¯s check things out together. ¡± They walked down to the second floor, and Bryson raised his hand, signaling for her to stop.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°Wait,¡± he whispered. The second floor, much like the third, was shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see the end of the corridor. ¡°Just wait here and see if we can find our guy. ¡± There were no monitors in this part of the building, so they stood in silence, waiting. Half an hour passed, but no one appeared. The silence and darkness heightened their tension, every small sound amplifying their anxiety. As time dragged on, Hannah began to think no one would show up. Then, suddenly, they heard footsteps on the stairs. Instantly, they turned towards the sound, straining their eyes to see through the darkness. The footsteps were apanied by the sound of something dragging along the ground, but they could see no one. Note: All membership owners kindly join this Whatsapp group for new uing stories and updates. . As the noise grew louder, Hannah¡¯s heart pounded in her chest. She slowed her breathing, afraid even the slightest sound would give away their position to whoever it was. Finally, Hannah saw a vague figure appear on the second floor. The figure was dragging a huge axe and walking toward the guest rooms. ¡°It¡¯s the person who received us,¡± Hannah whispered, recognizing the man despite the dim light. ¡°Should we make a move?¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes followed the figure closely. ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see what he¡¯s here for. ¡± Walking around with an axe at midnight, even an idiot could tell what he was here for. Hannah¡¯s heart pounded as she fixed her gaze on him. ¡°That room¡­ it¡¯s Lydia¡¯s room!¡± Hannah realized with a jolt of horror, clenching her fists. Just then, the man suddenly stopped and turned his head back. The man sensed something in the shadows and peered intently at their hiding spot. Hannah held her breath for a split second. It was absolutely silent. The quiet was oppressive. Both of them pressed against the wall, frozen, as was the figure in the hallway afar. It seemed a standoff, each side waiting to see who would break cover first. The man, clutching an axe, scanned the murky corridor and eyed the corner. He had the unsettling feeling of being watched from that corner! Chapter 1711 It might not have been just his imagination; the cornercked windows and was swathed in shadows, making it impossible to visually confirm anyone¡¯s presence. Suddenly, he called out, ¡°Excuse me, it¡¯s veryte. Why not go back to sleep? What seems to be the problem?¡± His voice, calm yet eerie, cut through the darkness. Did they get caught? Hannah felt a surge of shock, yet something didn¡¯t sit right. Hidden in darkness, they weren¡¯t supposed to be found. Had he truly seen them, surely he would have acted rather than stood there, baiting them. Hannah gripped Bryson¡¯s arm and carefully etched two words into his palm. ¡°Don¡¯t move. ¡± Bryson froze upon reading the message. Meanwhile, the man wielding an axe spoke up again, his voice carrying a hint of bewilderment. ¡°Excuse me, are you sure you don¡¯t need anything?¡± He started edging towards the stairwell corner. ¡°Let me help you,¡± he said in the gloom, advancing toward them step by step. Despite the ominous sight of the axe, Hannah felt a surge of confidence with Bryson by her side, certain they could ovee the threat. She had no intention of fleeing. Instead, she locked her gaze on the advancing figure, ready to engage in battle at any moment. However, halfway down the corridor, the man abruptly stopped and didn¡¯t proceed further. The second floor remained shrouded in darkness, eerily silent, as if he grew suspicious. Then, he turned and retraced his steps. Eventually, he halted in front of a particr door. Hannah¡¯s instincts had been correct; the man had indeed chosen Lydia. Just as the man lifted his axe to strike the door, Hannah readied herself to leave. But abruptly, a startling tune erupted from the corridor! It appeared to emanate from the axe-wielding man. He hesitated, then lowered his axe slowly. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone and answered respectfully, ¡°Boss?¡± ¡°Idiot. ¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1712 The brief reply came, making the man visibly tremble. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s wrong?¡± In the monitoring room, the boss drummed his fingers on the table and replied, ¡°The tenant from the third floor just left. It looks like you won¡¯t bepleting your task tonight. ¡± The man paused, his eyes darting toward the stairwell. ¡°Are they by the stairwell?¡± With these words, he gripped his axe and dashed toward the second- floor stair corner with remarkable speed. To his surprise, no one was there! The man, lost in his thoughts, murmured, ¡°Boss, no one¡¯s here. ¡± The boss ceased his rhythmic tapping on the table and shifted his gaze to the monitor. He had just witnessed her descending from the third floor, yet she failed to appear on the second or make her way into the Lobby on the first. She was likely concealing herself somewhere on the second floor. The man let out a mockingugh. ¡°Come back, Eagle.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. This is boring. We¡¯ll wait for tomorrow¡¯s game. ¡± Eagle responded promptly, ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± With the axe in hand, he exited significantly quicker than when he had ascended. Hidden in a corner on the third floor, two figures eavesdropped on the exchange with rity. It was fortunate that Hannah and Bryson had ascended to the third floor earlier when the phone call came through; otherwise, confronting him might have posed a challenge. Spotting a monitor along the corridor, Hannah pointed out, ¡°Look, there¡¯s a window here. Let¡¯s jump!¡± They silently made their escape through the window,nding softly on the first-floor grass. Thankfully, the curtains provided a makeshiftdder. Brushing off her hands, Hannah suggested, ¡°You should head back now. ¡± ¡°Where will you go?¡± Bryson inquired. ¡°I¡¯m heading to the ferry to check something out. ¡± Hannah cautiously sidestepped the grass as she made her way outside. Following closely, Bryson asked, ¡°What¡¯s on the ferry that you¡¯re looking into?¡± ¡°I have a suspicion I need to verify. Previously, Franklyn mentioned their cell phones were dead and the boat was grounded. I suspect the ferry might bepromised as well. ¡± Once they were a safe distance from the house, Hannah raised her voice. Chapter 1713 ¡°It must be that man¡¯s perverse scheme. Whether or not we joined his game tonight, he nned to strand us here. ¡± Walking alongside Hannah, Bryson remarked, ¡°His methods are too extreme to safeguard this ind. Even if it doesn¡¯t sell at the auction this time, it¡¯s bound to attract attention eventually. I¡¯m not sure what he¡¯s aiming for. ¡± Once they boarded the ferry, Hannah noted, ¡°Everyone whoes here has deep pockets.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. He stands to make a fortune. I doubt he will give 5 billion to us, but coercing these wealthy individuals for 20 billion isn¡¯t beyond him. With nomunication and no way off the ind, if we y his game, we¡¯re trapped, with no way out. ¡± Hannah stumbled upon the cabin and immediately began searching for a way tomunicate with the maind. She located amunication device and activated it, but was greeted only by faint, unintelligible sounds. ¡®s BunnyBookery It was just as she had anticipated. Undeterred, Hannah tried to power up the ferry, but as expected, there was no response. Observing her efforts, Bryson rolled up his sleeves and approached her. ¡°Let me give it a shot,¡± he offered. He inspected the ferry thoroughly, then his expression turned grave. ¡°The cables controlling the ferry arepletely severed, and it seems the power generator is damaged too. Even with experts on hand, fixing this ferry would be out of the question. ¡± Hannah, though braced for bad news, inhaled sharply and gazed toward the twinkling shoreline. ¡°It looks like leaving by ferry isn¡¯t an option,¡± she concluded. The ferry was nearly in ruins. Bryson suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s head back. We can revisit this mess tomorrow. ¡± Just as they prepared to leave, the ferry trembled slightly and someone appeared on deck! Hannah and Bryson exchanged a swift nce and quickly ducked into a nearby cabin outside the control room. The neer¡¯s footsteps were steady, distinctly different from those of the man they had encountered in the corridor earlier. Hannah was about to peek out, but Bryson pressed her back against the wall. ¡°Stay put!¡± he whispered urgently. The individual who boarded the ferry under cover of darkness clearly hadn¡¯t anticipated anyone else¡¯s presence on board. He made his way directly to the helm and began haphazardly manipting the controls. When the ferry failed to respond, frustration got the better of him, and he smacked the console sharply. The sound reverberated through the night air. Bang! The noise echoed in the control cabin, unmistakable to Hannah and Bryson, who were outside. They quickly surmised that this person wasn¡¯t the mastermind of their predicament. His aim appeared to be simply to navigate the ferry out into the darkness. ¡°f@ck!¡± he swore loudly. ¡°I should¡¯ve left during the day. These fools are no help at all. I wonder if I¡¯ll even make it off this ind tomorrow. Damn it! If I do escape, I¡¯m going to make sure this ce is wiped off the map!¡± Chapter 1714 He continued to curse under his breath as he struggled with the controls. Hannah and Bryson exchanged a look, a silent agreement passing between them. With a quiet determination, Hannah rose and took the lead, stepping forward. ¡°Who are you?¡± Her voice was so soft, it bordered on a whisper, more a gentle probe than a confrontation. The man in the operating room was taken aback. He quickly turned around and demanded, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Upon recognizing a woman, his tension eased. He scrutinized Hannah from head to toe and queried, ¡°What brings you here at midnight? Were you invited to this ind as well?¡± Instead of responding, Hannah returned his scrutiny and remarked, ¡°I didn¡¯t notice you around the ind today. Were you invited? I find that hard to believe. You weren¡¯t at the dinner party this evening. Though some were absent, I¡¯m sure you weren¡¯t one of them. ¡± As the boat remained inoperative, the man reclined against it. ¡°You¡¯re full of questions. What does it matter if I was invited or not?¡± His guard lowered in the presence of what he perceived as a harmless woman. ¡°Should I inform the owner about an intruder? Does this mean there¡¯s a thief among us?¡± ¡°Thief?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. The manughed heartily. ¡°You clearly don¡¯t know who I am. This ind belongs to me. I don¡¯t need anyone¡¯s permission to be here. ¡± Hannah blinked in surprise and ventured, ¡°Are you Atticus Pearson?¡± ¡°That¡¯s me,¡± Atticus confirmed briskly. ¡°You should go now. I have other matters to attend to and can¡¯t keep you. ¡± Hannah remained motionless. ¡°You didn¡¯t invite us to y a game with you tonight, did you?¡± Atticus¡¯s expression faltered, his gaze flickering uncertainly. ¡°Well. . Hannah cut to the chase. ¡°I¡¯m aware of the ind¡¯s secrets. No need for lies to fool me. You¡¯re here in the dead of night for the same reason I am. You want to escape using this ferry, right?¡± Her sharp deduction momentarily silenced Atticus. Evaluating him, Hannah continued, ¡°You¡¯re only free to move now because he doesn¡¯t see you as a threat. After luring you to the ind, he concocted some story to strip you of any real power here. ¡± Atticus, caught off guard, stammered, ¡°You. . ¡± ¡°I used to think you were nothing but a dumb rich fe. It appears you do recognize danger. You¡¯re not as foolish as I thought. ¡± ¡°Hey! Watch your mouth!¡± Atticus¡¯s expression grew stormy. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®foolish¡¯?¡± Hannah responded icily, ¡°If you were wise, why haven¡¯t you uncovered the ind¡¯s mysteries after years of running your father¡¯s empire?¡± Chapter 1715 ¡°Because I didn¡¯t care about it!¡± Atticus shot back. He strode forward, his indignation palpable. ¡°I¡¯ve lived well in Palmetan. Why would I even notice this forsaken ind? How was I to know there would be such issues here?¡± It was clear that enjoying life had been his only skill. ¡°How did youe to realize someone was manipting you?¡± Hannah inquired. I had no idea he was exploiting me. ¡± After admitting this, Atticus¡¯s demeanor shifted to one of wariness. He eyed Hannah with suspicion and asserted, ¡°You don¡¯t need to hang on my every word. I know nothing. ¡± ¡°Now that you¡¯re here, you have two choices: tell me the truth, or¡­ I¡¯ll inform the mysterious man about your actions on the ferry. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Are you out of your mind? Huh? Do you think he¡¯ll let you off if you rat me out?¡± Atticus¡¯s voice rose in anger. Hannah remainedposed. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re not going to discuss it, we¡¯re stuck. This ferry¡¯s dead in the water. At this rate, we might just end up dying together. No one¡¯s escaping this ind. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re insane¡­ Truly insane! What the hell are you even saying?¡± Atticus¡¯s eyes bulged as he jabbed a finger towards Hannah. ¡°I thought you were just a pretty face. I expected some sense from you. Never figured you for a lunatic. ¡± Hannah cracked a smile. ¡°Thanks for thepliment, though it doesn¡¯t help us here. If you don¡¯t tell me, I¡¯m not letting you go. ¡± ¡°Ha-ha. ¡± With a c@@ky twist of his wrist, Atticus retorted, ¡°Oh, really? Think you can stop me? I¡¯m not telling you anything. What can you possibly do to me?¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll just reveal it now. We¡¯ll see who regrets it more. ¡± She feigned departure. With a single step forward, she sensed Atticus charging from behind. As expected, his patience snapped, and he lunged to seize her. Yet, she didn¡¯t turn back.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. She merely halted after stepping past the control panel. As his hand nearly sped her wrist, Atticus sneered, ¡°You¡¯re not getting away¡­¡± Before he could finish his sentence, someone with greater strength seized his wrist! Atticus¡¯s head spun. Before he could utter a word, he was hurled to the floor by an overwhelming force. ¡°Damn it! Who dares to attack me? Who are you?¡± Bryson had handled the situation efficiently. After pinning Atticus to the floor, he rxed his hold and stared coldly at the prone figure struggling to rise. Atticus, still reeling, managed to roll over. Blinking open his eyes, he saw Bryson and Hannah standing over him. Chapter 1716 He ceased his efforts to get up andy back, exasperated. ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t know anything. Can you stop this?¡± Hannah looked down at him, a smile ying on her lips. ¡°I¡¯ve offered you two choices. Which will it be?¡± Finally, Atticus gave in. ¡°Can I get up first?¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°No one¡¯s stopping you. ¡± Clumsily, Atticus got to his feet, brushed himself off, and eyed Bryson-tall and formidable. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯ve heard so much about you. I never expected our paths to cross like this. ¡± Bryson remained impassive and didn¡¯t react to Atticus¡¯s words. Even though Atticus was ignored, he didn¡¯t mind. He brushed the dust off his arm and leaned back. ¡°I don¡¯t know much. But I can tell you on one condition that you must agree to.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do you understand the situation we¡¯re in? You want to negotiate?¡± Atticus swallowed. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to make things difficult. I just want¡­ If you manage to get out of here, you must take me with you. ¡± Atticus¡¯s request sounded absurd, which made Hannahugh. She asked, ¡°We can¡¯t even protect ourselves right now. You actually think we can save you?¡± ¡°I know you are capable,¡± Atticus replied, ncing at Bryson. ¡°This Mr. Mitchell next to you is also very powerful. If you two can¡¯t escape, those others stand even less of a chance. ¡± What Atticus said was logical. After a brief silence, Hannah said, ¡°Alright, I agree to your condition. If we can escape, we¡¯ll take you with us. ¡± With that promise, Atticus seemed relieved. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll tell you everything I know. I arrived on the ind a few days before you. I had four bodyguards with me initially, but they disappeared the day after we got here. Then I met the man who signed the contract with you. You are right, he deceived me from the start. He imed to work for my father and said he was managing my father¡¯s business on the ind. ¡± Atticus scratched his hair and said, ¡°At first, I was curious about the business on this half-built ind. Then he showed me the ind¡¯s ie, and I¡­¡± He swallowed, lost for words. Hannah finished his thought, ¡°You wanted the money?¡± Atticus¡¯s arrogance faded as he lowered his head. ¡°I was blinded by the money. He promised that all this money would be credited to my ount if I left the ind under his control. We¡¯re talking tens of billions of dors. Who could resist that?¡± Atticus became agitated and looked at them eagerly. ¡°Could you resist? So I agreed to give him the auction rights for the ind. It could make so much money. I even advised him not to sell it. However, his reaction was strange. He insisted that the sale of the ind would proceed as nned. I suspected he was just attempting to entice you all to the ind. ¡± After a brief pause, Atticus continued, ¡°Yesterday, I identally found a basement. I went down out of curiosity¡­¡± He seemed shaken by his memories, swallowing again and stammering, ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I saw my four bodyguards¡¯ bodies. ¡± Hannah wasn¡¯t surprised by this revtion. She listened quietly as Atticus spoke. He continued, ¡°Their limbs were missing, and they died horribly. But I could still recognize their faces. I wanted to confront him, but I overheard him talking about a killing game on the ind. I was so scared that I hid in my room and pretended I didn¡¯t know anything. Then, when you arrived and the ferry docked, I wanted to sneak onto the ferry. But it was too crowded, and his men were watching. I didn¡¯t dare to escape. So I came here now to see if I could start the ferry and leave. But it wouldn¡¯t start. ¡± Atticus scratched his head in frustration. ¡°If we had a captain, we could sail out of here and solve everything. ¡± ¡°Unfortunately that can¡¯t happen,¡± Hannah said indifferently. ¡°We¡¯ve checked the control room. All the power has been cut, and themunication equipment is destroyed. In short, this ferry is useless. There¡¯s no way to escape the ind with it. ¡± Chapter 1717 Atticus¡¯s eyes brightened as he quickly pulled out his phone. ¡°Then let¡¯s call the police toe help us. ¡± Hannah looked at him with pity. ¡°You¡¯ve been on the ind for days before us. Haven¡¯t you tried to contact the outside world?¡± As Atticus dialed, he replied, ¡°I was terrified yesterday. I didn¡¯t think to call the police. Why can¡¯t I get through?¡± After several failed attempts, Atticus¡¯s expression darkened.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°There are signal blockers here. We¡¯ve tested it. We canmunicate among ourselves on the ind, but getting a message out or calling for help is impossible. ¡± Bang! The phone slipped from Atticus¡¯s hand and fell on the floor as he looked up in shock. ¡°So¡­ we¡¯re just going to wait for our death here?¡± Hannah replied, ¡°It¡¯s not exactly waiting for death. The fact that we signed the agreement means he isn¡¯t nning to kill us outright. He sees this as a twisted game, which shows he¡¯s cold-blooded and indifferent, treating human life as a mere ything. I think we¡¯re dealing with someone who has serious mental issues, a real psychopath!¡± Atticus shook his head vehemently. ¡°No! No! If he were truly mentally ill, I¡¯d be able to tell. He seemed like a normal person. ¡± ¡°He¡¯s not intellectually impaired. It¡¯s more like he has a mental disorder akin to an antisocial personality. He may seem perfectly normal on the surface, maybe even highly intelligent. ¡± When Atticus heard Hannah¡¯s exnation, his legs trembled. ¡°So, we¡¯re just going to be yed to death by him here. ¡± Seeing his fear, Hannah offered ¡®kind¡¯fort, ¡°I suggest you don¡¯t panic. Since you haven¡¯t signed the agreement, if he decides to kill you, it¡¯ll likely be after us. But if you show any signs of suspicion, you¡¯re guaranteed to die before us. Let me be clear, if you die before us, don¡¯t me me for not escaping the ind with you. ¡± Atticus gulped loudly. He looked at Hannah with eyes full of fear, trembling slightly. How could she say such chilling words so matter-of-factly? Was she starting to seem more like the one with a sociopathic personality? Bryson, who had been silent, spoke up, ¡°Of course, if you die, we could technically fulfill your condition by taking your corpse with us when we escape. ¡± Who the hell were these people? Atticus thought. Atticus gritted his teeth in frustration, seething with anger internally, yet he masked it with a forced calmness. ¡°Let¡¯s set aside this discussion for now. Can we focus on devising an escape n?¡± ¡°Themunication signals are blocked, and the boat is out ofmission,¡± Hannah exined with an even tone. ¡°Our only choice is to participate in tomorrow¡¯spetition. We must figure out a way to win that game if we¡¯re going to secure our escape. ¡± A glint of mischief appeared in Atticus¡¯s eyes. ¡°Or perhaps we don¡¯t have to. Mr. Mitchell is exceptionally adept. What if we slipped back tonight, overpowered the individual behind this, and forced him to disable the blocking? We could escape without needing to win any game!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a bad idea,¡± Hannah responded, her face expressionless. ¡°However, the ind is riddled with surveince cameras. And although we¡¯ve only encountered one staff member so far, there¡¯s no telling how many more might be lurking unseen. I prefer not to take rash actions without a full grasp of the situation. Unless, of course, you¡¯re offering to be the decoy?¡± Atticus¡¯s expression shifted to difort. ¡°Uh¡­ on second thought, let¡¯s forget that n. ¡± Realizing Atticus had reconsidered, Hannah pressed on, ¡°Just ensure you don¡¯t reveal anything. If you slip up, we might not be able to rescue you. ¡± Chapter 1718 ¡°Understood!¡± Atticus responded eagerly, his tone hurried. ¡°I¡¯ll head out now. ¡± Once he was gone, Hannah turned her attention to Bryson. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect we¡¯d stumble upon some valuable insights today. ¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow in query. ¡°Aren¡¯t you concerned he might disclose our ns to the schemer?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worried,¡± she assured him confidently. They scanned their surroundings cautiously as they prepared to disembark. ¡°Despite his carefree demeanor, Atticus isn¡¯t foolish. If he betrays us, he implicates himself as well. Even if we¡¯re caught first, he won¡¯t find himself in any less trouble. ¡± The ind was now enveloped in darkness, giving it an even more unsettling and ominous vibe. Instead of using the front door, they ascended to the third floor through a back window. The room was deathly quiet, suggesting it had been empty for a while. Just as they were gettingfortable, their phones rang at the same time. Messages from Lydia and Brayden appeared on their screens. They looked at each other and settled onto the living room sofa. Hannah opened Lydia¡¯s frantic messages. ¡°Hannah, I can¡¯t sleep at all! There was this bigmotion outside! Oh my gosh! I checked it out and Brayden¡¯s up too. He mentioned Mr. Mitchell asked him to watch over me. Someone tried to force their way into my room! Brayden made a sound and they backed off! It terrified me! So creepy! Are you alright, Hannah? Are you still asleep? If you¡¯re up, please text me back. I¡¯m staying awake all night!¡± Hannah could almost see the fear in the texts she received, painting a clear picture of Lydia¡¯s panic. She responded swiftly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m fine. Just went out for a while. Came back and got your messages.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Lydia¡¯s reply was immediate. ¡°You went out? Did you bump into anyone? You scared me to death! I¡¯m so relieved you¡¯re alright. Oh my!¡± As Hannah crafted her response, Bryson spoke up beside her. ¡°¡°Brayden mentioned another attack after we left. ¡± ¡°Yes, I got that from Lydia¡¯s barrage of messages. ¡± Hannah finished typing and faced Bryson with a grave look. ¡°Good thing you told Brayden to be alert, or tonight could have been worse. ¡± Bryson appeared unconcerned. ¡°It¡¯s evident now that whoever is orchestrating this is running low on manpower. They couldn¡¯t even muster more than one person to take down Brayden and Lydia. It shows they are desperate. ¡± His voice, deep and calming, filled the shadowy room. ¡°This individual is c@@ky, clever yet wed. ¡± ¡°I think I have a n that might work. ¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hear it. ¡± Chapter 1719 The two spent the remainder of the night in the room, alternating between periods of rest. Early the next morning, Hannah was nestledfortably against Bryson¡¯s shoulder, deeply asleep. The abrupt sound of knocking jolted the silence.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bryson¡¯s eyes flew open, a cold re directed at the door. Gradually, Hannah stirred, feeling the stiffness in her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± she murmured. ¡°No, I¡¯ll handle it,¡± Bryson countered firmly. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ve got it. ¡± Overriding his objection, Hannah made her way to the door and pulled it open. There stood the staff member they had encountered the previous day, the one who had carried an axe. His expression was now polite, a stark contrast to the menacing look he had the day before. ¡°Breakfast is ready, pleasee downstairs when you¡¯re ready,¡± he announced with a professional smile. ¡°No, thanks,¡± Hannah responded with a cool detachment. ¡°I usually skip breakfast. ¡± Even as she declined, the staff member¡¯s eyes darted past her into the room. ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Her tone was sharp as she shifted to obstruct his view. The staff¡¯s eyes flickered away, and his smile remained. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you be then. Just a reminder, the game willmence following breakfast. ¡± ¡°Understood,¡± she acknowledged. Once the designated breakfast time had concluded, they made their way downstairs. To everyone¡¯s surprise, those who had missedst night¡¯s dinner party and hadn¡¯t signed up for the game were all there. The hall was buzzing with people discussing the uing game. Hannah noticed Merlin across the room; his bodyguards close by, signaling he hadn¡¯t been the target of any recent threats. Merlin caught her looking, offered a brief smile, and then Looked away. ¡°Hannah!¡± Lydia sprinted over and embraced her tightly. ¡°I¡¯m so relieved you¡¯re safe! Last night was horrifying!¡± Chapter 1720 Her words were hushed, but the fear in her voice was unmistakable. Hannahforted her with a reassuring pat on the shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m here now. You¡¯re sitting out the game today, so you¡¯ll be safe. ¡± Dotson and Maloney approached, their faces more somber than the day before. ¡°Boss, there was an attempt to break into Miss Philips¡¯s roomst night.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. I arrived just as the intruder fled. This kind of trouble concerns me. If I spot anyone suspicious, I might just take them down on the spot!¡± Dotson dered. Maloney warned, ¡°Remember, our enemy is concealed while we are out in the open. We can¡¯t predict their next move. Let¡¯s not act hastily. ¡± ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Hannah agreed. ¡°No rash moves. We need to evaluate the situation carefully. ¡± Their conversation wasn¡¯t the only one about the disturbances. Others in the hall were also sharing their experiences. Anyone who wasn¡¯t sound asleep would have heard the noise from the second floor. ¡°Did you hear all that noisest night? Someone was pounding on doors. This ce might as well have paper walls!¡± ¡°I heard it too. I went out to check, but there was no one. I wanted to curse them out, but I couldn¡¯t find anyone!¡± ¡°Howe I heard nothing? Were you all just dreaming?¡± ¡°You sleep so soundly, it¡¯d be a miracle if you heard anything at all. ¡± Each remark added ayer to the chaotic chorus, filling the air with questions and usations. Meanwhile, Coen, perched at the front, betrayed his impatience through nces at his phone, frustration etched on his features. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t the game started yet?¡± He grumbled, his toneced with irritation. A nearby voice, seeking to soothe the tension, chimed in, ¡°Why so impatient, Mr. Pearson? Already figured out how to win those billions?¡± Coen, the epitome of self-assurance, shed a wide grin, radiating confidence and ambition. ¡°When ites to games, I never lose. Even if I don¡¯t win the ind, making a few billion would be just fine. ¡± His words sparked a chorus of agreement, echoing his sentiments with fervor. Among them, those who hadmitted to the contract shared a unified anticipation for the promised rewards. Amidst the fervor, a lone staff member entered from outside, casting a hush over the room. ¡°Everyone, quiet down. Our boss has arrived. ¡± Hannah turned her gaze towards the entrance, her curiosity piqued by the enigmatic figure orchestrating the event. A figure cloaked in darkness, adorned with a rabbit-headed mask, stepped into the room, casting an eerie aura that unsettled Hannah. The mask, an unsettling amalgamation of the familiar and the grotesque, emitted an uncanny presence, stirring a sense of difort within her. Yet, her surprise peaked as she recognized the figure trailing behind. Atticus. His customary arrogance was gone, reced by a subdued demeanor as he followed silently. His eyes, however, betrayed a glimmer of excitement as they met Hannah¡¯s and Bryson¡¯s, almost prompting an eager wave from him. Chapter 1721 Hannah¡¯s subtle gesture halted him in his tracks, prompting Atticus to withdraw quietly, settling into a seat across from the assembled crowd. The entrance of the enigmatic figure, adorned in a rabbit mask, sent ripples of curiosity through the room, momentarily hushing the murmurs that had filled the halt.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°What¡¯s with the costume? Are we in some kind of cosy convention?¡± ¡°Why hide behind a mask? Can¡¯t the boss show his face like a normal person?¡± another chimed in. ¡°Is this all just a grand entrance, or is there a point to it?¡± questioned a third. ¡°When will the game begin? Let¡¯s cut to the chase already,¡± another impatient participant demanded. As the rabbit-masked man settled at a sleek ck table, the eager anticipation in the air was palpable. His tone sounded raspy and distorted as he began to address the gathered crowd. ¡°Since you¡¯re all itching to get started, allow me to exin the rules. ¡± His voice was muffled, likely altered by some device concealed within the depths of the mask. Hannah¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the masked figure. With a deliberate sweep of his gaze, the man locked eyes with her before addressing the assembly. ¡°The game is simple, a familiar one to most of you. We¡¯ll be ying ckjack. Each yer receives two cards, one face-up and one face- down. You can choose to draw additional cards, aiming to get as close to twenty-one as possible without exceeding it. ¡± His words carried a sense of familiarity; after all, ckjack was a staple in casinos, a game Hannah had encountered countless times. Yet, despite its simplicity, its oue hinged on a delicate bnce of psychology and chance. But skill, too, yed a role. Those adept in the art of reading opponents and blessed with a stroke of luck could emerge victorious. Yet, it also demanded nerves of steel to navigate the game¡¯s twists and turns. Surveying her fellow yers, Hannah pondered their chances against such a cunning adversary. As the rabbit-masked man pressed on, his challenge hung heavy in the air. ¡°The game is simple, so I hope you can all beat me. The winner will share in the five billion. I believe I¡¯ve made myself clear. Any queries?¡± Though murmurs rippled through the crowd, none dared to voice their uncertainties. These were seasoned businesspeople, all well-versed in the realm of casual gambling. Most of them were intimately familiar with ckjack and its intricate rules. With no questions forting, the man behind the rabbit mask pressed on, ¡°Since there are no inquiries, let¡¯s proceed with the game¡­¡± ¡°What happens to those unfortunate enough to lose?¡± Suddenly, a voice interrupted him, cutting through the anticipation in the room. Chapter 1722 The rabbit-masked man, his smile concealed by the eerie facade, directed his attention to Hannah with a subtle nod of acknowledgment. ¡°To lose is to forfeit,¡± he replied cryptically, relishing the tension that hung in the air. ¡°The chance to im a portion of the five billion slips through your fingers, and yes, there is a cost to bear. ¡± Hannah¡¯s stare bore into him, unyielding. ¡°What price? We should know before we begin. ¡± ¡°Ah, of course,¡± he chuckled lightly. ¡°The fee is merely financial. ¡± His casual admission ignited a storm of protest among the gathered participants, their voices rising in a chorus of indignation. ¡°You never mentioned this when we signed up!¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°A tant deception! This is outrageous! We demand to withdraw from this farce!¡± ¡°Yeah! This contract is null and void! We refuse to be swindled!¡± Yet the masked figure remained unperturbed, reclining with an air of detachment as the uproar reached its peak. ¡°By all means, you¡¯re wee to withdraw from the game,¡± he remarked, his tone dripping with casual indifference. ¡°Should the numbers dwindle to fewer than five, those remaining will im the prize outright. So, who among you want to forfeit their chance?¡± A heavy silence descended upon the room, each individual¡¯s gaze darting nervously between their peers, secretly hoping that someone else would volunteer to bow out. But in the face of the tantalizing prospect of a share of five billion, the allure of victory proved too potent to resist. ¡°Well, have you decided who¡¯s leaving? The game is about to start. ¡± Yet, not a soul volunteered to bow out. It was a testament to the inherent greed woven into human nature-when the odds seemed favorable, none were willing to relinquish the chance. Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Coen seized the opportunity. ¡°I¡¯ll go first!¡± The rabbit-masked man acknowledged his bold move with a nod, gesturing for him to take a seat opposite. ¡°Please, be seated. Let the gamemence. ¡± For Coen, a seasoned veteran of the gambling world, the prospect of ckjack posed no daunting challenge. Brimming with confidence, he settled into his seat with a self- assured grin. ¡°They call me the Casino Scourge. Sorry, but I¡¯m going to win this!¡± Unperturbed, the masked man motioned to begin. ¡°Let¡¯s deal the cards. ¡± With a swift motion, the first card was revealed. A nk card with the digit twelve written in bold ink sat before the masked man. Across from him, Coen¡¯s card mirrored the simplicity, bearing the digit eight in bold script. Chapter 1723 Confusion creased his brow as he examined the unconventional cards.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°What¡¯s this? These aren¡¯t ying cards. Why are the numbers handwritten?¡± The man in the rabbit mask remarked, ¡°I forgot to mention, my deck contains numbers from 1 to 15. I¡¯ve designed a rather intriguing game. It all hinges on our luck. Now it¡¯s your turn to decide whether to draw the third card. ¡± The number 12 had already shown up in y, and the remaining high cards were 13, 14, and 15. If Coen drew the highest card, he would lose. However, drawing a lower card might not bring his total to 21, making the decision more challenging than in typical card games. ¡°I¡¯ll pass on the third card. ¡± With his decision made, Coen clenched his jaw and revealed his own card. It was a 10. His total was 18, a rtively safe bet, which brought him a sigh of relief. The man in the rabbit mask grinned, revealing his second card but opting not to draw a third. His highest card was a 15, bringing his total to 27, which was more than 21, so he lost. A smug smile crept across Coen¡¯s face. ¡°Looks like luck wasn¡¯t on your side. You drew the high cards. ¡± As he stood up, the masked man signaled for someone to collect the cards and said, ¡°Congrattions, sir. Care to go another round?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve won already. Why would I y again?¡± Coen responded. The masked man seemed confident that Coen would ept his challenge. With a hoarse, amused tone, he said, ¡°Win another round, and your winnings will double. ¡± True to expectations, Coen leaned back and dered, ¡°Let¡¯s start. ¡± Their casual approach in the first round left the audience unimpressed and restless. After a few moments, Lydia whispered to Hannah, ¡°It¡¯s just a silly game. Where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± Watching the gamblers intently, Hannah squinted and murmured, ¡°I have a feeling something big is about to unfold. ¡± Initially, the masked man drew a 1, while Coen pulled a 5. Both faced the decision of whether to draw more cards. Coen eyed his card, uncertain. If he drew a 15, he would secure a win this round. However, drawing a lower number and stopping the bids might give the masked man a chance to overturn the game. Chapter 1724 After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he clenched his jaw and decided to draw another card. The second card flipped was a 3. Coen exhaled in relief. Adding the card had been the right move, or he would have stood no chance in such a tight spot. The masked man also opted to draw more cards, revealing an 11 for his second draw. Coen had eight and the man held eleven. They opted not to draw additional cards this time. The man, going first, confidently flicked his wrist and a ten Landed on the table, bringing his total to a perfect twenty-one. Everyone around the table could clearly see the unfolding drama. Unless Coen¡¯s final card was miraculously thirteen, his defeat was imminent. Coen¡¯s face fell as he realized the man had hit twenty-one. He hesitated, his final card still face down in front of him. After what felt like forever, the masked man broke the silence. ¡°Sir, if you choose not to reveal your card, I¡¯ll take it as you giving up.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Coen knew he still had a sliver of hope. To fold now would guarantee his loss. Believing in his luck, he flipped over his card. It was a twelve. They were so close to a tie! Disappointment washed over him. It had been such a fortunate evening thus far; he had won the first round and almost tied this one. ¡°Sir, you lost,¡± a staff member dered as he approached to collect the cards from the deted Coen. The man went on, ¡°Your share of the five billion will be reimed. Please leave now. ¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Coen called out, refusing to depart. He couldn¡¯t afford to lose everything. With a forceful m of his hands on the table, he produced a resounding bang. ¡°Who says I¡¯ve lost? You proposed adding another round after the first one. Can¡¯t I propose a third round?¡± It seemed the masked man had anticipated Coen¡¯s response. A gleam flickered in his eyes beneath the mask. ¡°Certainly, we aim to amodate our guests¡¯ wishes. I won¡¯t hinder you from ying an additional game. However, should you lose again, the consequences will be yours to bear. Consider this carefully. ¡± His voice was hoarse yet carried a yful undertone, causing Hannah to frown in concern. She realized that Coen was walking straight into the trap set by the masked man. Coen, driven solely by the thought of victory, didn¡¯t even inquire about the potential cost. ¡°Okay!¡± Coen nced at the nearby staff member, who wore a well- practiced smile, and instructed, ¡°Be thorough with the shuffle. Deal the cards again!¡± The staff member¡¯s expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded and began shuffling once more. Chapter 1725 The masked man drew a 15 in the opening round. Coen, on the other hand, started strong with a 7. The masked man opted not to draw another card, while Coen decided to take one. Revealing his second card, Coen saw it was a 6, bringing his total to 13. With a confident grin, he taunted the masked man, ¡°The 6 you were hoping for is in my hand. Looks like luck isn¡¯t on your side this round!¡± The man responded with a courteous smile and said, ¡°Please, flip your final card first. ¡± If Coen¡¯s final card was an 8, victory was assured. Taking his time, Coen reached for the final card on the table and flipped it over with a dramatic gesture. It was a five. His total now stood at neen, which was close to twenty-one. The deck had few low cards left, minimizing the masked man¡¯s chances of winning. Coen was unfazed. ¡°I have enough cards to beat you!¡± he dered confidently. With a five and a six in his grasp, he felt victory was inevitable against the masked man. Silently, the man revealed his next card. It was a four. Their totals matched at neen. The round ended in a draw, nullifying the game. This unexpected tie stirred a wave of anxiety in Coen, who had been certain of his win. Impatiently, he yelled, ¡°Deal the cards! What are you waiting for?¡± Lydia observed Coen¡¯s mounting frustration and leaned towards Hannah, whispering, ¡°Do you think there¡¯s something off with him?¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. Hannah remained serene, her experience in the casino lending her insight. She noted, ¡°He¡¯s hooked on gambling. This masked man knows how to make people want to gamble!¡± In subsequent rounds, the previously lively hall gradually descended into silence. Despite numerous attempts, Coen never emerged victorious in any game. It appeared as though fate and chance were in collusion against him, teasing him with near wins only to snatch them away at the final moment . This relentless string of almost-wins drove him to the brink of madness, resulting in the loss of all his assets. Hispany¡¯s assets, including liquid funds and thepany itself, were all squandered in these few games. Seated across from him was the figure donning a rabbit mask. ¡°You¡¯ve lost all there is to lose. The game ends here for you. ¡± ¡°No! No! No!¡± Chapter 1726 Driven to hysteria by his losses, Coen was now desperate. ¡°I still have my life! I¡¯ll bet with my life! Just one more game! If I win, you must return everything to me! I mean everything!¡± Coen rose, pointing at the nearby staff member. ¡°I don¡¯t trust his shuffling! I¡¯ll shuffle and deal the cards myself for the final round!¡± The masked figure nodded slightly. ¡°As you wish. ¡± The audience reacted with shock and disbelief. ¡°A few more games and he¡¯s bankrupt? And now he¡¯s betting his life?¡± ¡°Is he insane? Losing his fortune is one thing, but staking his Life?¡± ¡°Someone, stop him before it¡¯s toote!¡± Despite attempts to pull him away, Coen was consumed by his gambling fervor. He sat down with determination, eyes fixed on the masked figure. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Give me the cards! I¡¯ll deal them myself!¡± ¡°Sure. We will honor the guest¡¯s request,¡± the masked man said, signaling for the staff to hand all the cards to Coen. ¡°He¡¯s up for another loss,¡± Hannah suddenly whispered, catching the attention of those nearby. ¡°Why?¡± Lydia asked quietly. ¡°Isn¡¯t this game purely luck-based? If luck favors him, he could stille out on top. So, Coen might have a chance of winning this round, right?¡± Bryson¡¯s expression shifted, but he remained silent. ¡°There¡¯s more to it.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. The numbers on the cards are tampered with. The rabbit-masked man can manipte them to his advantage. It¡¯s amon cheating method in casinos, but he¡¯s so adept at it that it¡¯s nearly undetectable,¡± Hannah borated. Lydia gasped. ¡°That¡¯s deceitful!¡± ¡°Even if it is, weck evidence,¡± Hannah continued, her focus on the yers unwavering. ¡°That¡¯s why I said he won¡¯t seed, even if he handles the cards himself. ¡± As if her words had cast a spell, the game wrapped up with Coen losing by just a point once more. He sat there, stunned, unable toprehend his defeat yet again. In his daze, the staff member approached him, presenting a small, delicate knife. ¡°This is for you. It¡¯s extremely sharp. A single cut, and it will be painless. ¡± Coen gazed at the shining de, trembling as reality sank in. He sprang up from his chair, his voice fraught with disbelief. ¡°Are you serious? Do you truly intend to take my life? Come on! It¡¯s just a game! Are you really considering killing me?¡± Chapter 1727 Everyone was taken aback by this sudden esction, rising in shock. They couldn¡¯t fathom that Coen, in a life-or-death wager, had led to such a grave circumstance. These affluent heirs were ustomed to a life of luxury and trivial misdeeds, not witnessing potential homicide firsthand. Their expressions paled with dread. ¡°This is a civilized society! Murder is a criminal offense!¡± ¡°Overlook this just this once! Losing his life over a game? That¡¯s going too far!¡± ¡°Yes, he acted impulsively. Let¡¯s not escte this. ¡± The murmurs from the crowd all pleaded for the masked man to spare Coen. However, the man remained unperturbed, sitting calmly as he listened. ¡°He made the choice to stake his life. What concern is that of mine? I didn¡¯t coerce him into it, but oncemitted in my games, there¡¯s no retreat,¡± he said, his tone icy and resolute, instantly quelling the voices raised in Coen¡¯s defense. Seizing the moment of distraction, Coen tried to flee. The staff member moved with lightning speed, grabbing the knife from the table and driving it into Coen¡¯s thigh. ¡°Ah! No!¡± Coen¡¯s scream echoed through the room as the de pierced his flesh. He crumpled to the ground, blood spreading rapidly around him, his agonized cries chilling the room. Initially poised to leave, everyone froze in their tracks, gripped by fear. ¡°You¡­ This is premeditated murder!¡± someone weakly protested. The masked man chuckled, ¡°I¡¯m simply ensuring he doesn¡¯t evade ountability. ¡± Bang! A metallic sound rang out as another knife was thrown at Coen¡¯s feet.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. The staff member maintained a smile. ¡°Go ahead, sir. Take your own life. ¡± The masked man looked towards the crowd. ¡°Next yer, step forward. ¡± No one dared move, fearing they might face a simr fate. The masked man sighed, ying with a ring on his finger. ¡°If no one volunteers, I¡¯ll have to randomly select someone. ¡± Chapter 1728 ¡°TUL go. ¡± A clear female voice spoke from the back. The crowd parted, revealing Hannah sitting calmly with a slight smile. ¡°can 1?¡± she asked. The masked man stared at her for a while before he replied in a raspy voice, ¡°You could have waited a little Longer. ¡± Interesting people were best saved untilst, to be thoroughly toyed with. But Hannah stood up and approached the table. ¡°I¡¯m a bit impatient. ¡± As she took her seat, the staff nced at the still-motionless Coen, about to intervene, when Hannah¡¯s voice stopped him. ¡°Before the game begins, I need to rify something. ¡± The man in the rabbit mask gestured with his hand, granting permission. ¡°Proceed. ¡± ¡°You mentioned fulfilling all guests¡¯ requests, correct?¡± The rabbit-masked man remained silent for a moment upon hearing Hannah¡¯s question. Observing Hannah through the mask, he acknowledged her as an intriguing and intelligent person. A wrong move could potentially ensnare him in her scheme. After thinking for a while, the man in the rabbit mask responded, ¡°Indeed, we endeavor to amodate our guests¡¯ requests. However, we cannot fulfill unreasonable demands. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s too much to ask. I just need you to take 15 nk cards, let me write the numbers on them, and then we can y the game with this pair of cards,¡± Hannah said with a smile. Pausing, she fixed a sharp gaze on the rabbit-masked man. ¡°I trust it¡¯s not excessive, correct?¡± Speaking loud enough for all to hear, Hannah¡¯s strange request caught everyone¡¯s attention.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Nobody understood why she made such a strange request, but she was the first to take action, which temporarily quieted the others. Despite their desire to leave, they were frozen in ce when they saw the sharp de held by the staff in front of them. Coen¡¯s scream prompted everyone to gradually return to their seats. Positioned in the back row, Bryson kept a keen eye on Hannah. He was prepared to act swiftly should the staff make any moves. The rabbit-masked man appeared momentarily taken aback by Hannah¡¯s request, but his silence was brief. ¡°Very well, this request is reasonable. Proceed with the preparations. ¡± Upon hearing this, the staff member, previously poised for conflict in front of Coen, hastily sheathed his knife and exited the room. Chapter 1729 While they waited, Hannah continued, ¡°If I win the first round, he¡¯ll be spared. It doesn¡¯t seem unreasonable, does it?¡± The man finally responded, pressing a finger against his mask as he regarded Hannah with curiosity. ¡°So, you want to y the hero? I must remind you that many peoplee here with the same intention, but now¡¯s not the time for heroics. If he loses the bet and suffers consequences, it¡¯s not on you. ¡± In a lower, colder tone, the masked man added, ¡°But if you¡¯re determined to defend him, then his fate rests in your hands. If you lose, you¡¯ll be the one to end his life. ¡± The masked man spoke at greater length, likely due to finding Hannah intriguing. Following his remark, he smirked deviously. ¡°This request is within reason for me. If you choose this, I¡¯ll acquiesce. Have you made up your mind?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Hannah responded calmly, her smile faint. ¡°Regardless, he faces death. I¡¯m offering him a lifeline. He ought to be grateful. Yet, you raise a valid point; we should seek his input. ¡± Hannah raised her foot and delivered a swift kick to Coen¡¯s shin, prompting a yelp. ¡°Ow!¡± The kick made Coen scream again, but Hannah¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°Tell me, what do you think?¡± she asked calmly. Despite the sharp pain, Coen was aware of the situation. He knew he was doomed to die anyway and had noints about Hannah betting his life. Refusing her meant no chance of survival, but with her bet, there was at least a fifty percent chance. Coen immediately shouted, ¡°Yes! I will!¡± Hannah narrowed her eyes, smiling faintly. ¡°Very well, let¡¯s test your luck. ¡± With that settled, she turned to the rabbit-masked man. ¡°He¡¯s consented. Does our bet stand?¡± ¡°In that case, if there are no objections, then I concur. ¡± The staff who went to get the cards hadn¡¯t returned by the time their conversation ended. The hall fell silent for a long time. Removing his fingers from his mask, the man spoke up. ¡°As the game hasn¡¯t started, I have a question for you. ¡± Hannah reclinedfortably and replied, ¡°Ask away. ¡± ¡°What prompts you to save this man? He swindled countless individuals, and hispany is fraudulent, holding many people¡¯s savings. Is he truly deserving of salvation?¡± His inquiry implied he didn¡¯t kill for mary gain, suggesting Hannah should consider his motives. ¡°What he did has nothing to do with me. I don¡¯t have any sense of morality about it. I can¡¯t say that someone like him should be punished by thew. I just dislike losing control of the situation, and I dislike your superior attitude, as if you have everything under control. ¡± With her back to the crowd, everyone could only hear her rxed tone; her calm smile was hidden from view. ¡°You want to kill him, but I don¡¯t want it to go as you wish. ¡± Hannah¡¯s unexpected deration left the masked man momentarily befuddled, prompting a bewildered blink and a moment of silence. Meanwhile, the staff reappeared with nk cards and pens in hand.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Chapter 1730 cing the pen and cards on the table, he was then called back to the side of the rabbit-masked man. Hannah picked up the nk cards on the table and examined the pen. With a smile, she said to the rabbit-masked man, ¡°Is there any problem with your pen? The numbers I write won¡¯t disappear or change into something else, right?¡± The masked man grinned. ¡°Indeed, there won¡¯t be any such issue. ¡± ¡°Forget it. Just a joke. ¡± Hannah discarded the pen and opted for the dagger instead. ¡°I¡¯m a tad wary. I dislike deceitful tactics. ckjack is merely a game of chance. Let¡¯s keep it simple. ¡± Eyeing the dagger in Hannah¡¯s grasp, the rabbit-masked man whispered, ¡°What¡¯s your intention?¡± Ignoring him, Hannah raised her hand and scratched her finger with the dagger. Blood gushed out immediately. Unfalteringly, she inscribed the numbers on the cards using her own blood. After writing on 15 cards, she ced them on the table one by one. The blood gradually dried, turning brown, which looked particrly terrifying. The staff¡¯s demeanor shifted to one of panic. He didn¡¯t expect that someone would do that, and his n¡­ Before he could say anything, the rabbit-masked man abruptly turned to him and gave him a stern look. ¡°Let¡¯s start the game!¡± The hall reverberated with the chilling voice. The staff member, hesitant to speak, gathered the cards written with blood from the table. The sequence was now disrupted, rendering any potential markings ineffective. Hannah had refused to adhere to the prearranged sequence, transforming this match into a genuine test of luck and psychology. In the first round, mirroring Coen¡¯s previous game, she emerged victorious decisively. She achieved a wless 21, while the rabbit-masked man went bust. cing her cards on the table, Hannah regarded the man. ¡°It seems luck favored me this time. ¡± ¡°Yes, it often proves auspicious for yers in the first round. ¡± His words appearedden with implication, yet Hannah simply arched an eyebrow. ¡°Since I won, what about him?¡± ¡°The wager is sacred. I won¡¯t go back on my word,¡± the man in the rabbit mask said with a smile.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°His life is spared. ¡± Chapter 1731 The tension in the room dissipated as the others realized he was true to his word. Hannah turned slightly. ¡°Could someone attend to his wound and escort him out?¡± At that moment, the staff member interjected, ¡°The game has officiallymenced. No one is permitted to leave the hall until it concludes. ¡± ¡°Is that the case?¡± Hannah replied smoothly. ¡°Since you¡¯re permitted to leave, could you fetch some bandages and medicine for us?¡± Her unforeseen request momentarily bewildered the staff member. He cast a nce at the man, seeking direction. ¡°Boss¡­¡± ¡°ede to the guest¡¯s request,¡± the man instructed. The staff member obediently left the room. Hannah drummed her fingers on the table. ¡°Let¡¯s proceed. Since we don¡¯t have a designated dealer, you wouldn¡¯t mind if I selected someone to deal for us, would you?¡± This time, the man didn¡¯t concede so readily. For some reason, he sensed she was guiding him. ¡°If you prefer to deal yourself, that¡¯s eptable. However, audience members aren¡¯t permitted to deal. ¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°I have no such intention. ¡± The man nodded. ¡°So, you wish to deal yourself?¡± ¡°No,¡± Hannah said, pointing to Atticus, who sat quietly behind the masked man. ¡°I choose him. ¡± Atticus, who had been attempting to blend into the background, appeared on the verge of panic upon hearing that. His eyes widened in shock, and his trembling finger pointed at himself. ¡°Me? Really?¡± The man also turned to gaze at him. In that moment, Atticus felt as if he were being scrutinized by a venomous snake, his blood turning to ice.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Damn it! Was Hannah attempting to get him killed? Atticus, feeling scared, was about to say no, but then he noticed the cold smile on her face. ¡°My request isn¡¯t unreasonable, is it?¡± Hannah inquired. The man didn¡¯t respond immediately. He scrutinized her before questioning, ¡°Why did you select him?¡± Hannah blinked innocently. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t allow me to pick from the audience, and I prefer not to deal myself. He¡¯s the only option avable. He doesn¡¯t appear overly clever, so he likely won¡¯t attempt any card tricks, correct?¡± Atticus, trembling with fear, was wounded by Hannah¡¯s insult and nearly uttered a rebuttal. Chapter 1732 ¡°Fine,¡± the man replied, his tone even more somber, clearly displeased. As his mood soured, Hannah¡¯s spirits soared. She motioned to Atticus. ¡°Come, deal the cards. ¡± Atticus, experienced in gambling but inexperienced in dealing, approached the table anxiously. Hannah observed his trembling fingers as he shuffled the deck. The masked man¡¯s first card was a 10, whereas Hannah¡¯s initial card was 15. With her high starting card, there was a significant risk of her exceeding 21. Atticus, sweating nervously, dealt the next round of cards face-down. Eyeing her card of 15, Hannah addressed the man. ¡°My risk of busting is considerable. I propose increasing the stakes with an additional card. Will you agree?¡± The man remained unfazed. ¡°There¡¯s no need for persuasion. If we both exceed 21, it results in a tie. My likelihood of winning is superior. My apologies. ¡± ¡°How uneventful,¡± Hannah sighed. ¡°Apart from reaching 21, there¡¯s always a risk of both yers exceeding 21. Draws will be frequent, wasting time. I suggest a more thrilling rule: If both yers bust, the one with the higher bust total loses. What¡¯s your opinion?¡± This rule would add excitement to the game, as it would decrease the number of draws and increase the pressure on the yers. The man considered her proposal.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. This rule would heighten her risk. Knowing Hannah to be a strategic yer, he wondered if she had a hidden agenda behind proposing this rule. He masked his thoughts behind his mask, his mood growing darker as he contemted her intentions. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°Scared?¡± ¡°Very well, I agree,¡± he responded, his tone low and menacing from behind the smiling mask. ¡°Proceed with another card. ¡± Both yers simultaneously revealed their second cards. Hannah obtained a 5, bringing her total to 20. Meanwhile, the man with the rabbit mask drew a 12, causing him to exceed 21 with a total of 22. He exceeded 21 with just the second card! Hannah nced at his cards with a hint of amusement. ¡°It appears luck is on my side today. ¡± The man, even though he was wearing a mask, looked like he was smiling too. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t suggested that rule, you would¡¯ve won already. But now we both have to show our third card. Luck could still change,¡± he said, sounding a bit creepy. Hannah remained calm and confident. ¡°I¡¯m feeling lucky, so I¡¯m confident I have the upper hand. ¡± Chapter 1733 With a total of 2@ in her hand, Hannah¡¯s fate hung in the bnce¡ªa card value of anything other than 1 would spell defeat. As the third card was slowly revealed, the man in the rabbit mask narrowed his eyes, his gaze intensifying with anticipation. The card in front of Hannah showed a 1, written in dark red blood. ¡°Quite a coincidence. ¡± With a triumphant smile, Hannah picked up the card and gloated, ¡°I¡¯ve won again. ¡± The man in the rabbit mask hesitated, his hand hovering over the third card, but he didn¡¯t flip it over. The cards were swiftly gathered up, and the man in the rabbit mask repeated his move, asking Hannah, ¡°Shall we y another round, Miss? The third, perhaps?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Hannah¡¯s determination grew. ¡°I¡¯m on a roll today, so I¡¯ll keep pushing my luck!¡± But the tables soon turned, and the subsequent rounds became a grueling struggle, shattering the illusion of an easy victory. Her luck had drastically reversed, and she suffered a devastating losing streak, dropping four consecutive rounds and umting a staggering debt of nearly 7 billion to the man in the rabbit mask. The fifth round failed tomence, and the hall was suddenly enveloped in an unsettling silence, the air thick with tension as the crowd held its collective breath in anticipation. The staggering sum of seven billion was a debt toorge for even the affluent White family to pay off in such a short span. If she risked another round and suffered yet another defeat, she would be doomed to suffer the same fate as Coen. The crowd watched Hannah with bated breath, their silence deafening. The atmosphere was tense, as if everyone¡¯s fate hung in the bnce. The masked man showed no signs of urgency. Instead, he turned to Hannah and asked in a measured tone, ¡°Will you proceed with the fifth round, or will you concede? If you continue, you risk losing everything. ¡± Despite losing four rounds in a row, Hannah remained surprisingly calm.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org. She addressed the masked man, her voice steady, ¡°If I lose the final round, I will surrender the White family¡¯s assets to you. But if I emerge victorious, I ask only one thing-a ship to ensure our safe passage home. ¡± The masked man scoffed, his voice devoid of empathy, ¡°You want me to release all of you, simply because you win one round? That¡¯s hardly a fair trade, Hannah. ¡± ¡°If I lose, the White family¡¯s wealth and the $7 billion will be all yours. Isn¡¯t it fair enough?¡± The masked man¡¯s headshake was resolute, his voice firm. ¡°Not enough. This offer is not enough to sway me. ¡± After the masked man finished, Bryson¡¯s loud voice rang out across the hall. ¡°Would including Mitchell Group be sufficient?¡± His cold voice sent a chill through the hall. A few brave people turned to face him. Chapter 1734 He exuded tranquility, his face a picture ofposure as he engaged in a calcted game of negotiation with the man. The masked man¡¯s gaze narrowed, his mind weighing the offer. After a brief pause, he responded, ¡°Tempting, but I need more. ¡± He demanded a ridiculously high price, trying to take advantage of their desperation and make them give up. In unison, Lydia and Brayden dered, ¡°We offer the Phillips and Davies families¡¯ wealth as coteral, willing to risk everything for one final gamble with you. ¡± Having previously remained on the sidelines, they now entered the fray, as the stakes escted and the game grew increasingly perilous. With a confident gesture, Hannah raised her hand and knocked on the table. ¡°Are our four families insufficient?¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. The masked man exuded confidence, his eyes gleaming with a sense of certainty. He was convinced he had the upper hand and would emerge victorious in this final round. To him, the woman was just another yer. ¡°Alright, then. ¡± With a low, raspy tone, he sneered, ¡°You¡¯re so eager to gamble? Fine, I¡¯ll grant you onest game. But don¡¯t expect mercy. ¡± Atticus dealt the cards again, but his confidence faltered as the staff returned and watched him with an intense gaze. His hand began to shake, revealing his nerves. Hannah drew a 2, while the masked man got a 13. The massive gap between Hannah¡¯s 2 and the masked man¡¯s 13 made him hesitant to take another card, so he chose to stand, opting for a cautious approach in the final game. Hannah drew another card, revealing a 14 as her second card. With a total of 16, she was now at risk of busting if she drew another card, the odds heavily against her. The room was tense with anticipation as everyone held their breath, eager to see the oue. The masked man revealed his hand first, showing a 7 as his final card, making a total of 2@-a strong hand, just one away from ckjack. With his total of 20, the masked man had a strong advantage over Hannah¡¯s uncertain hand, the odds favoring him to emerge victorious. ¡°It seems luck is favoring me tonight. ¡± The masked man¡¯s voice was low and ominous, his smile seeming to mock them as he spoke, sending a shiver down the spines of all who listened. ¡°Not necessarily. ¡± With a fierce grin, Hannah countered, ¡°I¡¯m the one who¡¯s feeling lucky tonight. ¡± With a dramatic flourish, she slowly raised her hand, revealing her third card-a 5! ck Jack! Hannah¡¯s luck held out, and she emerged victorious by a hair¡¯s breadth. With a smile, she tossed the cards down, and asked, ¡°Can we go now?¡± Chapter 1735 ¡°Haha!¡± In an instant, the manughed weirdly.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Ha-ha! Ha-ha! This is so interesting! I¡¯ve never met a yer who dared to challenge me like this. You¡¯re a rare find!¡± Hannah¡¯s expression darkened as the man¡¯s sanity seemed to unravel. Was he losing his grip on reality? Just as suddenly as it had begun, the man¡¯s manicughter ceased. His voice returned to its smooth, velvety tone. ¡°Miss Hannah, I find you quite interesting. I¡¯m willing to consider your proposal, but I have one non-negotiable condition. ¡± Hannah¡¯s instincts screamed warning, and she hesitated, unsure if she could trust him. How, her curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, her voice measured, ¡°What¡¯s your condition? If it¡¯s not too outrageous, I might consider it. ¡± ¡°Okay. The masked man smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll free them, but you must y one more game with me. This time, the loser forfeits their life. ¡± Behind the mask, his eyes burned with an unsettling intensity. ¡°One round, Hannah. One chance to seal your fate¡­ Or mine. ¡± She had been waiting for the moment when he would propose the ultimate wager, his life, and now there it was! Her face remained impassive, but her voice wasced with a hint of sarcasm. ¡°Oh, how generous of you to offer your life. But I think I¡¯ll pass. Let¡¯s just y the game instead. But I¡¯ll modify the terms. Instead of your life, I want something far more valuable, your ill-gotten gains. If I win, you¡¯ll repay everyst cent you¡¯ve swindled from the people you¡¯ve cheated in this den of deceit. ¡± The masked man¡¯s smile faded, and he hesitated, considering her proposal. Her eyes sparkled with determination, her silence daring him to ept the new terms. He wanted to kill but now was not the time. The masked man¡¯s eyes narrowed, his voice low and menacing. ¡°Are you trying corner me? Leaving me no way out?¡± ¡°Do you think I am?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression changed from confusion to scorn. ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s been gambling with lives, and you dare to say I¡¯m cornering you? All I want is for you to return what you¡¯ve stolen, and you act like I¡¯m the one backing you into a corner!¡± ¡°Okay! That¡¯s the bet!¡± dered the masked man, nodding to the staff beside him. Understanding the cue, the staff member promptly walked over and opened the hall door, allowing people to exit. While everyone else seemed eager to rush out, Hannah¡¯s group remained seated, calmly waiting. The man in the rabbit mask scanned the room before his gaze settled on Hannah. ¡°The scene will get bloody soon. You wouldn¡¯t want to see your friends die, would you?¡± he taunted. ¡°Hannah won¡¯t die!¡± Despite her trembling, Lydia managed to assert confidently, ¡°She will definitely defeat you. And get out of here fair and square!¡± Chapter 1736 Hannah smiled, feeling the supportive gazes from behind her. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down. ¡± She lifted her head towards Atticus. ¡°Deal the cards. ¡± This time, Hannah was dealt an 8 and the masked man a 7. With such close initial numbers, both chose to draw another card. The next cards were revealed; Hannah got a 12, while the masked man got a 13. It seemed like fate was at y. Both stood at 20 points-a high chance of busting with the final card, yet differing in potential oues. The masked man addressed Hannah, a smirk beneath his mask, ¡°I believe in luck, but I don¡¯t believe you¡¯re so fortunate to consistently hit 21!¡± With a confident gesture, he flipped his next card-a 2, just over the edge! This brought him closest to 21. If Hannah drew anything other than an ace, she would lose the game outright. ¡°Sorry, but I think I¡¯m winning this round,¡± Hannah stated calmly as she touched the back of the card. ¡°My sixth sense is always spot on. I believe my card is an ace. ¡± Underneath his mask, the rabbit-headed man¡¯s expression remained hidden, but a sinister chuckle escaped. ¡°Really? I think you¡¯re about to fail. ¡± Meanwhile, Atticus, standing to the side, wiped the sweat from his forehead with trembling hands. He had wanted to leave with the others earlier, but now, frozen in the face of this life-or-death moment, he didn¡¯t dare move, feeling the sweat soak through his clothes. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, Hannah flipped her card-it was indeed an ace. She smiled and said, ¡°It seems that my sixth sense is more reliable than you thought. ¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Across from her, the man in the rabbit head mask seemed unable to ept the turn of events. His eyshes fluttered under the mask, betraying his shock. ¡°How is that possible?¡± He then fixed his gaze on Hannah and asked usingly, ¡°Did you y some tricks?¡± Just like Coen before him, the masked man Lost hisposure in the face of defeat, his mind racing with doubts about the integrity of the game. Hannah spread her hands ¡°You prepared the cards. Although I wrote on them, they are still¡­¡± Her voice trailed off as she slowly raised her finger, cut by the dagger, showing it to the masked man. ¡°Do you think there¡¯s something wrong with my blood? If you like, I can draw a tube for you to check. ¡± If there was no problem with her writing, how could he lose twice in a row in thest two games?! The face of the man with the rabbit head mask darkened. He even began to suspect that Hannah had deliberately set a trap for him by losing several times before! As he remained silent, contemting, Hannah pressed further, ¡°So, are you going to break the contract?¡± Chapter 1737 He had the right to break the contract, the power to kill anyone here if he chose. For the first time, a murderous glint flickered in his eyes. Just then, Bryson stood up from behind the group, walked up to Hannah, and dered, ¡°You should admit defeat for the bet. ¡± His cold, firm voice reached the ears of the masked man, instilling a sense of formidable presence that was not to be trifled with. ¡°Okay, I will definitely keep my promise!¡± He turned to the staff standing next to him andmanded, ¡°Call the ship and ask it toe this way. ¡± ¡°Yes, boss. ¡± It seemed too easy for Hannah to get out, which gave her an eerie, surreal feeling. She pointed at Atticus, who was standing behind the masked man, and dered, ¡°I want to take him with me. ¡± The masked man slowly turned his head to look at Atticus, then back to Hannah, and asked skeptically, ¡°Do you know who he is?¡± Without directly answering his question, Hannah replied firmly, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who he is. I¡¯m taking him away now. Is this too much to ask?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Though Hannah was resolute, Atticus felt a twinge of nervousness, afraid that the capricious masked man might not let him Leave. ¡°You have won the game, so you can take everyone away. ¡± Hannah nodded. As she stood and was about to leave, the man with the rabbit head mask said, ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re truly impressive. We still have plenty of time ahead, and our paths will cross again. ¡± Hearing this, Hannah stopped and turned to look at him coldly. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll have the chance to meet again. ¡± When they stepped out of the hall and into the sunlight, everyone finally rxed. Lydia, holding Hannah¡¯s arm, confessed how shocked she had been by the recent events. She wouldn¡¯te into such an unknown situation anymore! Their mission to secure the ind had failed, and they had nearly lost their lives; panic was an understatement. Outside, as they waited for the boat on the shore, most people looked at Hannah¡¯s group with respect and kindness. Merlin gave Hannah a meaningful nce, which she deliberately ignored as her eyes found Coen lying on the ground among the crowd. He was ghostly pale, lying motionless like a lifeless dog, devoid of any will to struggle. In an instant, Hannah looked away and spoke to Lydia. ¡°The phone signal has been restored. Let the people outside know that you are safe first. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Chapter 1738 As a gust of cold wind brushed by, Hannah turned to Bryson, who stood silently beside her. ¡°What do you think he meant by hisst sentence?¡± ¡°No matter what he meant, I won¡¯t allow anything bad to happen,¡± Bryson asserted, locking eyes with her intently. ¡°After we Leave here, someone will go to the ind to arrest him. ¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows slightly, impressed by Bryson¡¯s ability to always arrange everything so meticulously. As the cruise ship approached, everyone¡¯s spirits lifted. They boarded the ship and headed towards Palmetan. It was only after they had left the ind that they began to talk more openly. Amid the conversation, Bryson and Hannah received a message simultaneously. Bryson¡¯s expression changed subtly as he read it. ¡°The peopleing to arrest them reported that there was no one on the ind. ¡± Hannah handed her phone to Bryson, showing him the message that read, ¡°I have said that we will definitely meet again! My guest!¡± After checking the message on her phone, Bryson swiftly got in touch with Officer Stevenson and urged him to intensify the search on the ind. Reiming her phone, Hannah addressed Bryson, ¡°I¡¯m going to send him a message. Could you ask Officer Stevenson to track the signal? If he responds, it might help them pinpoint his location. ¡± Next, Hannahposed a message to the mysterious person. ¡°Who are you?¡± She hardly expected a reply so soon. ¡°Leviathan wants me to say hello to you. Stay safe during this time. ¡± Hannah felt her mind whirl in confusion and excitement. ¡®s BunnyBookery She had been tirelessly searching for Leviathan, and now suddenly, he seemed closer than ever. Noticing her perturbed expression, Bryson¡¯s brows knitted together in concern. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Hannah replied hastily, turning off her phone¡¯s screen to keep Bryson from seeing the message. The more she behaved this way, the stronger Bryson¡¯s suspicion grew, yet he refrained from questioning Hannah immediately. Once the ship docked, everyone disembarked safely, greeted by the sight of waiting ambnces. A line of police cars also stood ready, providing reassurance to those stepping off. This incident Left only Coen injured. He was promptly taken to the hospital in an ambnce as soon as he left the ship.N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Apart from Hannah and her group, the others appeared visibly shaken. Hannah, remaining the mostposed, and with Officer Stevenson at her side, watched as the others dispersed gradually, leaving them thest to be questioned. Chapter 1739 Merlin, seated in his wheelchair, maintained a serene demeanor. After his own questioning, he wheeled over to Hannah. Officer Stevenson, rolling up his sleeves, waved his hat to generate a breeze. ¡°It¡¯s hard to fathom the amount of trouble you all stir up just bying here. This isn¡¯t my district, but after briefing them on your situation, support is on its way. I¡¯ve had the tech team check thest known signal location on the ind. It was 10 kilometers from its sea level. They¡¯ve scoured the area but found nothing out of the ordinary. I guess they¡¯ve mapped out an escape route already. Since they¡¯ve allowed you all to return, it seems they aren¡¯t nning to strike this time. ¡± Hannah and Bryson exchanged nces. Clearly, neither was inclined to sit back idly. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have attempted to confront Coen. Perhaps they feared that engaging with such arge group would only escte their troubles. Yet, these were mere spections. Hannah chose not to disclose these thoughts to Officer Stevenson. Instead, she advised, ¡°It might be wise to have your team monitor Coen closely. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Officer Stevenson reassured her. ¡°We¡¯re still looking into his other involvements. Someone anonymously submitted evidence against him. He¡¯ll face charges once he¡¯s medically cleared. ¡± As they were discussing, Merlin¡¯s voice unexpectedly cut in. ¡°Miss Moore, I shall take my leave now. Please, do not forget our agreement. ¡± Turning to Merlin, Hannah noticed his confident, unwavering smile. ¡°I remember,¡± she acknowledged with a nod. With a final smile at the group, Merlin was escorted away by a bodyguard. Once they were a distance away, the bodyguard voiced his concerns anxiously, ¡°Mr. Garza, things have taken a serious turn. Your father is aware now. He was incensed to learn that Hannah was on the same ship. He demands you return and speak with him immediately. ¡± Seated calmly in his wheelchair, Merlin responded, ¡°No, just inform him that I¡¯m too shaken up and need a few days to recuperate. ¡± ¡°Buta¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is he going to kill me?¡± Merlin inquired in a hushed tone. ¡°Remember, you¡¯re on my payroll. Are you going to spill everything to my father about what went down on the ind these past few days?¡± The bodyguard felt a cold shiver run through him as he tightened his grip on the wheelchair. ¡°I would never betray you, Mr. Garza! The incidents on the ship were severe, but I kept them under wraps. ¡± A smile yed on Merlin¡¯s lips. ¡°Why so tense? I¡¯m merely making inquiries. I¡¯m aware of your Loyalty, but I¡¯m counting on you not to disappoint me. ¡± Merlin¡¯s gaze grew icy. ¡°I¡¯ll handle my father. ¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Garza. ¡± Meanwhile, after a round of questioning, Officer Stevenson dered, ¡°Alright, you¡¯re free to go back and await further updates. I¡¯ll keep you posted on any developments here. Oh, and one more thing!¡± Officer Stevenson¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°You need to be careful. I¡¯m worried someone might target you for revenge soon. Call me right away if anything happens. We can¡¯t guard you around the clock, and it¡¯s best if you stay indoors unless necessary. ¡± After that, Officer Stevenson and the other officers were preparing to board a boat to the ind to investigate the situation. As Hannah and the others were about to depart, Atticus approached. ¡°Miss Moore, Mr. Mitchell!¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1740 He appeared quite distressed, his clothes stained with sweat and sand. Everyone paused and turned toward Atticus. Lydia, taken aback, moved to stand behind Brayden and whispered, ¡°Isn¡¯t he the one who was dealing the cards for you? Watch out, Hannah!¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. ¡± Hannah gestured to him reassuringly. ¡°Come over here. Is_ there something else you need to tell us?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Atticus seemed ufortable, hesitating as he noticed someone else was with them. He fumbled for the right words. Seeing his struggle, Hannah reassured him. ¡°These are all trusted friends. You can speak freely. ¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Atticus licked his lips, feeling a wave of embarrassment. ¡°Hmm¡­ I just wanted to say¡­ the n for ind auctioning fell through. I can¡¯t hold on to this ind any longer. After such a scandal, I doubt anyone would dare buy it. ¡± He nced at Bryson, then at Hannah, hesitating. ¡°I¡¯m wondering if Miss Moore and Mr. Mitchell are still interested?¡± Before anyone could respond, Maloney cut in sharply, ¡°After such a huge incident, who would dare? Are you trying to y the sympathy card to unload this ind at a bargain price?¡± Atticus¡¯s face drained of color. Though disturbed by Maloney¡¯s uracy, he managed a sly smile. ¡°It seems you guys are my only hope now. ¡± With a sense of resolve, he added, ¡°Make me an offer! As long as it¡¯s reasonable, I¡¯ll consider it. ¡± Suddenly, Hannah¡¯s lips curved into a smile as she turned to Lydia.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Lydia, it seems this trip wasn¡¯t a waste after all. ¡± Lydia blinked, puzzled by Hannah¡¯s remark. ¡°Do you still want to buy the ind?¡± Hannah asked her. Atticus looked expectantly at Lydia, waiting for her to respond. It took a moment, but Lydia finally snapped back to reality, pondering briefly before nodding in agreement. The ind¡¯s drawbacks didn¡¯t deter her. She had ns to develop it, envisioning a project that wouldmence a few years down the line when Palmetan¡¯s tourism industry matured and property values rose. By then, any negative news about the ind would have faded from memory, rendering it insignificant to her ns. Moreover, acquiring the ind at a discounted rate seemed an excellent opportunity. Chapter 1741 The ind¡¯s previous valuation was 8. 5 billion. Resolute, Lydia held up five fingers to Atticus. ¡°Would you consider selling at this price?¡± Five billion?! It was a sharp cut from the original asking price. Atticus¡¯s face twitched, his expression a mixture of surprise and contemtion, yet he didn¡¯t immediately refuse. Faced with the necessity of reducing the price further to attract buyers, he felt cornered. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, marked by thoughts of the burdensome process ahead, Atticus clenched his jaw and nodded in agreement.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s finalize the paperwork today!¡± Lydia, slightly taken aback by his quick eptance, felt a twinge of regret. Perhaps she could have pushed for a lower price. Turning to Hannah, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll start the paperwork with Brayden. Let me know when you¡¯re ready to leave. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah replied. ¡®s BunnyBookery With that, the deal was concluded. However, Hannah looked troubled. They sat in silence in the car for an extended period. Hannah had decided against staying in the hotel any longer. She had checked out and nned to stay with the White family for a while. Her next step was to go abroad to investigate her mother¡¯s situation once everything was settled. And then there was Leviathan¡­ Just the thought of him sent a thrill through Hannah¡¯s heart! His presence alone was enough to disrupt any tranquility. Hannah intertwined her fingers and fidgeted nervously. Bryson, sitting in the driver¡¯s seat, noticed her difort and turned to her. ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner together tonight. ¡± His invitation was sudden. ¡°Grace has been missing you. She¡¯s always asking when you¡¯lle over for dinner at the Mitchell family residence. ¡± If it were up to her, Hannah would prefer to avoid visiting the Mitchell family. The dynamic between her and Bryson was nuanced. Outwardly, nothing seemed to have changed. Yet, they both were acutely aware that they were drifting apart due to certain unspoken issues. ¡°No, thanks,¡± she declined. Chapter 1742 Hannah¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°I¡¯m a bit worn out.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. I need to head back and rest. ¡± ¡°We could grab dinner in a few days, then,¡± Bryson suggested. Dotson cut in awkwardly from behind. ¡°What she means is she doesn¡¯t want to have dinner with you. ¡± His words hung in the air, followed by an awkward silence that settled in the car. Maloney turned his head slowly, gave a thumbs up, and mouthed silently, ¡°You were amazing!¡± Bryson remained stoic, only pausing to stop the car at a red light. He then turned to Hannah and said, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to visit the Mitchell family, just say no. How about we n a meal together in a few days?¡± Hannah had already thought of an excuse to avoid the dinner and see Graceter. But unexpectedly, Bryson confronted her directly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to dodge Grace just to avoid me, do you?¡± ¡°I¡­ When did I ever avoid Grace¡­ to stay away from you?¡± Hannah retorted, flustered. Bryson rarely saw Hannah flustered, and he couldn¡¯t help but grin. ¡°So, you mean after a few days¡¯ rest, you might join me for dinner?¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t believe his audacity. Hannah gritted her teeth. Every time, she seemed to walk right into his schemes! ¡°Fine, it¡¯s just dinner. I¡¯lle!¡± But then she added with emphasis, ¡°I¡¯m bringing Dotson and Maloney with me. ¡± Maloney immediately backed away, shaking his head. ¡°No way. I¡¯m not getting involved in your dinner date. ¡± He knew better. Whenever he got dragged into these situations, trouble followed. And with Bryson¡¯s jealous streak, it was a recipe for disaster! Dotson, on the other hand, didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I¡¯ll be there. If the boss says to go, I go. ¡± Maloney often wondered if Dotson was simply oblivious or if he enjoyed making everyone ufortable. Honestly, he felt like knocking some sense into Dotson right now, seeing him stand there so cluelessly. Catching Maloney¡¯s stare, Dotson turned to him and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Maloney replied, managing a smile. ¡°Just hoping your evening goes smoothly. ¡± No sooner had he finished speaking than the traffic light flipped to green. Chapter 1743 It was unclear whether Bryson had timed it deliberately. While the light shone green, Dotson was deep in conversation with Maloney. However, Bryson didn¡¯t hesitate. He hit the gas and the car shot forward. Hannah was securely buckled in, and Maloney was alert, but Dotson, caught mid-sentence, was thrown back against his seat with a loud thud! ¡°Ah!¡± Dotson winced, the pain evident on his face. Maloney, empathizing deeply, turned to gaze out the window. He couldn¡¯t help but think that Dotson¡¯s rough times were just beginning. After dropping off Hannah and Dotson at the White family¡¯s residence, Bryson set off for Valmere. As Maloney started to get out, Bryson halted him. ¡°There¡¯s still space at the Mitchell ce. Would you like toe back with me?¡± Though it sounded like an invitation, Maloney sensed there was no room for refusal. Without further ado, Maloney settled back into his seat and turned to Hannah. ¡°That works. I¡¯ll head back and discuss our coboration with Mr. Mitchell. Don¡¯t worry about me, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah replied, her tone distant. ¡°Take care on your way. ¡± After parting ways with Hannah, Maloney turned to Bryson and remarked, ¡°It seems Miss Moore has been quite distracted since leaving the ind. Has something happened between you two?¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing amiss between us,¡± Bryson replied, his voice and eyes as cold as the steering wheel he gripped. ¡°She got a message but didn¡¯t show me what it said. She¡¯s been acting oddly since. ¡± ¡°A message? Who sent it?¡± Maloney inquired, his curiosity piqued. Bryson responded, ¡°All I know is that it was likely from the man with the rabbit head mask. ¡± ¡°What? That man?¡± Maloney eximed, a sudden thought striking him. ¡°Do you want to find out what the message said?¡± Peering at Maloney through the rearview mirror, Bryson asked with a hint of suspicion, ¡°What are you scheming?¡± ¡°Not scheming, really,¡± Maloney replied, touching his nose thoughtfully.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m just thinking of borrowing her phone to take a quick look. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly at the suggestion. ¡°If you¡¯re looking to get yourself killed, leave me out of it. ¡± Bryson turned his head away, neither agreeing nor objecting. ¡°It¡¯s just a quick peek, nobody will even notice. With a little cunning, Dotson could be persuaded to assist us,¡± Maloney dered with assurance. Bryson gave a dismissive snort. ¡°He¡¯d better be helping you. ¡± Maloney, always scheming, grinned slyly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got a n to bring him around. ¡± At that moment, Hannah and Dotson were walking into the White family mansion. Just as they entered, Dotson¡¯s phone rang. Chapter 1744 ¡°Boss, I need to answer this,¡± he told Hannah, pausing in the garden to take the call. ¡°Mr. Pierce, what¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I need a favor. ¡± Maloney¡¯s voice came from the other end. As Dotson listened, his brow furrowed and his eyes looked distantly ahead. Hannah, having switched her shoes, walked into the living room and soon was out of sight. After a moment, Dotson responded, ¡°I can¡¯t be involved in this. ¡± Maloney seemed to expect such a reply and continued speaking. As he listened, Dotson¡¯s face went through a range of emotions before he fell silent. Sensing an opportunity, Maloney pressed on, ¡°It¡¯s for your boss. She¡¯s in danger, surrounded by adversaries. You wouldn¡¯t want anything to happen to her, right?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Dotson paused, his voice tinged with uncertainty. ¡°If the boss finds out, we¡¯re in for some serious trouble. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a quick peek at her phone. We¡¯re not messing with anything. She¡¯ll never know. Just check the messages and tell us what they say.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. It¡¯s really that simple,¡± Maloney coaxed. After a brief pause, Dotson replied, ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do. If it works out, I¡¯ll give you a call. ¡± In the passenger seat, Maloney held up his phone to Bryson, dering, ¡°ALL set. ¡± Bryson, who was focused on driving, didn¡¯t respond. Two hourster, they reached the Mitchell family estate in Valmere. Bryson hadn¡¯t intended toe back, but recent turmoil in Palmetan had led to an urgent call from their butler, imploring his return. As they exited the car, the butler greeted them promptly. ¡°Master Bryson, you¡¯re back,¡± he greeted. ¡°Yes,¡± Bryson responded, his tone detached. The butler looked over at Maloney and hesitated briefly before asking, ¡°And this gentleman is¡­?¡± ¡°He¡¯s a guest of mine, staying for a few days,¡± Bryson exined smoothly. Pleased, the butler smiled warmly. ¡°Please, as Master Bryson¡¯s guest,e inside. ¡± Maloney, now presenting himself with an air of refinement, nodded courteously. The yful demeanor he exhibited in the car was reced by a gentlemanly grace. As they walked through the garden, the butler leaned closer to Bryson, whispering, ¡°Master Bryson, just so you know, Master Tyshawn and Miss Glyn are here today. They¡¯re discussing the engagement¡­¡± The butler spoke cautiously, careful not to provoke him. Chapter 1745 Yet Bryson showed no sign of disturbance, merely nodding as he entered the living room. Inside, Franco¡¯s expression was stern. He sat quietly on the sofa. Tyshawn, on the other hand, was lively. ¡°Grandpa, Melina and I are in love and getting engaged. It¡¯s going to be a major event in Valmere! It needs to be spectacr. Anything less would be a disgrace to our family. ¡± Makenna chimed in, ¡°Franco, you can¡¯t favor Bryson alone. Tyshawn is your grandson too. They should be treated equally!¡± Franco scoffed, visibly annoyed. ¡°Favor? How dare you speak of favoritism? Your son nearly ruined our century-old family business. How much money and reputation did we lose? Thanks to Bryson¡¯s efforts, we were saved. Without him, where would we be? Hmph!¡± Chastened by the reprimand, Makenna nudged Tyshawn with her elbow. Tyshawn, always slightly fearful of the old man and aware of his fault, shifted his gaze around, not daring to speak. Watching these two disappointing figures, Melina was filled with intense frustration. If not for her thirst for revenge, she would never consider marrying someone as worthless as Tyshawn. He couldn¡¯t even win the old man¡¯s favor. What good was he, then? Despite her inner conflict, she kept a polite smile intact. ¡°Franco, I know he¡¯s stumbled many times before, but I believe he will grow. Our family will stand by him. You can be at ease. ¡± Franco noticed Bryson¡¯s arrival but didn¡¯t summon him right away. Instead, he gazed at Melina with a knowing grin. His keen eyes seemed to unveil her concealed intentions. ¡°Melina, you and Bryson have been close. Though not childhood sweethearts, you both grew up together. I recall you once fancied him. Why the sudden shift to Tyshawn?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Melina tightened her grip, fighting to hide the bitterness in her gaze. ¡°I¡¯vee to many realizations. My attachment to Bryson was merely an infatuation. My affection for Tyshawn is true. I want to leave the past behind. I¡¯ve erred greatly myself, and Bryson has found someone he cherishes now. I wish not to interfere. ¡± ¡°Very well. ¡± Franco nodded with approval. ¡°Bryson, since you¡¯re here,e and join us. ¡± The others on the sofa turned their heads towards the door. Bryson stood a short distance away, his demeanor as aloof and detached as always. He had overheard everything yet seemed utterly disinterested. When Franco called out to him, Bryson didn¡¯t budge. ¡°Grandpa, my friend has arrived. You go on with your discussion.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. I¡¯ll show him to a room upstairs. ¡± Franco didn¡¯t press further, simply gesturing for Bryson to proceed. Nearby, Melina shivered, her fingers tensely knotted to the point of nearly breaking her own delicate skin. Chapter 1746 From the moment she had looked over, Bryson hadn¡¯t spared her a single nce. She detested him for it! She despised his icy indifference! ¡°Melina? Melina?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s voice,ced with concern, snapped her out of her reverie. ¡°Grandpa has given his blessing for the engagement. Let¡¯s head back to your family to sort out the details. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Melina mustered a weak smile, rose, and gave Franco a respectful nod. ¡°Franco, I¡¯ll leave you to your conversation. ¡± After ending the call, Dotson felt increasingly uneasy as he entered the White family residence. Maloney¡¯s earlier words echoed in his mind, troubling him. Hannah guided him to a room upstairs. ¡°You¡¯ll stay here for now. If it isn¡¯t to your Liking, I¡¯ll have the butler prepare another. ¡± ¡°Of course not!¡± Dotson immediately felt a pang of guilt. ¡°Uh¡­ Boss, may I use your phone? Mine has run out of battery. I need to call Dn to see how he¡¯s doing overseas. ¡± Without any suspicion, Hannah handed over her unlocked phone. ¡°Go ahead and make the call, but please return it to the study afterward. I need to get some work done. ¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± A wave of relief washed over Dotson as he watched her leave. He quickly bowed his head and started browsing through the text messages. Luckily, she had not erased any recent messages. One of the Latest messages caught his attention. ¡°Leviathan? Oh my!¡± Dotson gasped, then covered his mouth fast and looked towards the study. ALL was quiet, signaling Hannah was deeply absorbed in her work and had not heard him. Although relieved, Dotson still felt uneasy as his thoughts raced. Could Leviathan have actually escaped to Cadilind? It felt like there was no way it could happen. Yet, holding the phone tightly, he remembered Maloney¡¯s instructions. He quickly moved to another room, closed the door behind him, and dialed Maloney¡¯s number. Meanwhile, at the Mitchell mansion, Bryson led Maloney to a secluded room on the third floor. ¡°Nobody usuallyes here, and the butler won¡¯t disturb you. You¡¯re free to explore as you wish. ¡± The room was spacious and brightly lit, withrge windows that Maloney found appealing.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Not bad¡­¡± He was going to speak more, but then his phone rang. He pulled out his phone and saw Dotson¡¯s name on the screen. Chapter 1747 Showing Bryson, he answered the call and switched it to speaker mode. ¡°Did you see the message?¡± Dotson¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°This is significant. Very significant!¡± Maloney and Bryson looked at each other, both wearing expressions of concern. ¡°Take it easy. What¡¯s going on?¡± Dotson whispered, ¡°I can¡¯t get into the details right now, but it¡¯s serious. I¡¯m going to stay close to my boss for her safety. Think of it this way¡­ there¡¯s another group out to get her! I know Mr. Mitchell is with you. Mr. Mitchell, we don¡¯t have as much strength here as we do overseas. I¡¯m hoping we can join forces to keep my boss safe!¡± With those words, Dotson quickly hung up. On the other end of Line, Maloney and Bryson were left in silence. What secrets was Hannah keeping? Not just people from Cadilind were after her but she was also targeted internationally. Now, an additional group was after her as well. They were surrounded from every direction. Whichever path they chose, it would end up bad. Bryson, who was initially hesitant to call in his forces from Muvrand, saw things were getting out of hand and decided to move forward with his ns. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I will reach out to the head of the Compton family and inform him. He can secure our borders against external threats, ensuring Miss Moore is safe here. ¡± As Bryson¡¯s face hardened, Maloney added, ¡°Between your forces and her own defenses, she should be safe for the moment. ¡± Remembering how Hannah reacted to seeing the message on the boat, Bryson¡¯s expression grew more intimidating. ¡°I¡¯m worried that she might not manage if a bigger threat emerges.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± Bryson urately guessed what Hannah was thinking. In her study, she logged onto the dark web. It was usually a reliable source for hidden information, yet despite a thorough search, she found nothing new about Leviathan. Just then, Dotson walked in with her phone. ¡°Boss, I¡¯m done with the phone. Here it is. ¡± He ced the phone on the desk and started to leave, clearly anxious. Hannah picked up the phone, nning to call Dn, but a recent number in the call log caught her attention. Her expression turned stern. She looked up at Dotson. ¡°Dotson, who did you just call?¡± Dotson stopped at the door. Gathering hisposure, he turned back. Chapter 1748 ¡°I called Dn, boss. Is something wrong?¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah¡¯s face was unreadable as she held up the phone. The call log showed no recent outgoing calls. ¡°How exactly did you manage to make that call?¡± A sense of dread washed over Dotson. Darn it! Caught up in the urgency to get in touch with Bryson, he hadpletely forgotten to pretend to call Dn! ¡°Well, um¡­ I charged my phone. After it turned on, I ended up using my own phone instead of yours. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Huh?¡± Hannah reached out her hand towards Dotson. ¡°Let¡¯s see the call history on your phone. ¡± Her voice carried a coldness that made Dotson tremble. Noticing his hesitation, her face grew even sterner. ¡°I can¡¯t stand being lied to, especially by those I trust. Dotson, you¡¯ve never deceived me before. ¡± Her words shattered Dotson¡¯s defenses. He walked up to the desk looking defeated, unable to make eye contact. ¡°I¡­ I ended up reading the messages on your phone. ¡± Hannah looked at the message mentioning Leviathan. She tapped her fingers lightly on the desk. ¡°Who put you up to this? You wouldn¡¯t have lied to me on your own. ¡± Dotson swallowed hard and confessed, ¡°It was Maloney¡¯s idea! We¡­ We¡¯re just really concerned about your safety, boss¡­¡± ¡°Nonsense!¡± Hannah mmed her phone down on the desk, her expression seething with anger. ¡°So, you thought it was eptable to snoop into my phone? And did you actually tell them what you found? Did you?¡± Dotson quickly shook his head, panic evident. ¡°No, no! I only told them¡­ You were in danger. I didn¡¯t mention Leviathan at all!¡± Hannah ced her hand on her forehead and took a deep breath. ¡°Dotson, how should I handle this? You were swayed by a few persuasive words and allowed yourself to be manipted. Perhaps you should consider buying a ticket and heading back home. ¡± Dotson¡¯s eyes widened in panic. ¡°Boss! I truly understand my mistake Given a thousand chances¡­ I wouldn¡¯t make the same mistake again Hannah, visibly exhausted, maintained her hand on her forehead. ¡± Maloney and Bryson were now together. If Maloney knew, then Bryson knew as well. She had worked tirelessly to keep this secret from Bryson, anxious about his impulsiveness. Now, her closely held secret was revealed. Chapter 1749 Dotson, his hands shaking, sought to calm her concerns. ¡°Boss, have Ipletely ruined everything?¡± Hannah cautioned, ¡°This time it¡¯s not your fault, but if it happens again, I won¡¯t let it slide so easily. ¡± Dotson responded with a quick nod, ¡°Understood, boss. It won¡¯t happen again. There won¡¯t be a next time!¡± Hannah gestured dismissively, signaling for Dotson to leave. She then spent some time exploring the Dark Web but discovered no new information about Leviathan. Out of frustration, she powered off herputer. Sending another message seemed pointless since the recipient was unlikely to reply. Keeping the SIM card would only make it easier for the police to track him, Unfortunately, this also meant that she had lost thetest information about Leviathan. On the bright side, she had at least unearthed a clue. On the downside, Leviathan was still alive. Hannah¡¯s expression grew grim. The thought of this lunatic still being alive and within the country was rming. Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, her phone rang. It was Officer Stevenson calling. She answered. ¡°Officer Stevenson, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I have some bad news. It seems everything you mentioned earlier might indeed be true. ¡± Hannah stood and walked over to the window. ¡°Did you find anything on the ind?¡± ¡°You mentioned some issues with the third floor of the building you were staying in,¡± Officer Stevenson began, his tone serious.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°Our team checked it out, and they found a problem. Do you recall the paintings in the hallway on the third floor?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Yes ¡°Hannah replied, a frown creasing her brow. ¡°They seemed odd to me. ¡± Officer Stevenson paused, weighing his next words carefully. ¡°You were right to be suspicious. My team removed the paintings today, and discovered that each one concealed a pinhole camera. ¡± Hannah¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she recalled how close she had been to those paintings that night. The thought that someone had been observing her made her skin crawl. This was troubling. Trying to steady her nerves, Hannah closed her eyes briefly. ¡°I see. ¡± Stevenson looked grim as he continued, ¡°There¡¯s more. We conducted searches across the ind and uncovered a hidden basement. It was filled with skeletal remains. It looks like it¡¯s been used as a storage for bodies for about five years. We¡¯ve matched the remains to fifty-eight missing people. ¡± Taking a deep, steadying breath, Hannah processed the information. It was exactly the sort of atrocity Leviathan wouldmit. Five years ago, he seemed to have faked his own death overseas, only to resurface in this country under a new identity. Hannah experienced a shiver down her spine for the first time. The realization struck her hard; this person had been near her all these years, yet she had remained oblivious. Chapter 1750 ¡°Miss Moore, Miss Moore, are you still with me?¡± Officer Stevenson¡¯s voice on the phone jolted her back to reality. Clutching her phone, Hannah¡¯s reply was a bit rigid. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Listening. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This is a significant case. Although the details are currently under wraps, rest assured, the police will uncover the truth. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re a friend of Bryson¡¯s, Officer Stevenson. I trust your judgment,¡± Hannah responded, her faith evident in her tone. Officer Stevenson, soaked in sweat, waved his hand in front of his face to cool off. ¡°For your safety, I¡¯d advise you to stay indoors for the time being. If you really need to go out, ensure you¡¯re apanied by more bodyguards. ¡± Hannah¡¯s tone grew more solemn. ¡°I understand. Thanks for the heads- up, Officer Stevenson. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah gazed out the window of her study, her thoughts a tangled maze. Meanwhile, outside an inconspicuous house, a young man arrived with a bag full of groceries. ¡°I¡¯m back,¡± he announced, his voice slicing through the quiet as he shut the door, casting the room into a soft glow. ¡°The police have destroyed our base in Palmetanpletely. It¡¯s too risky now. We need to maintain a low profile and remain here for the time being. ¡± He set the bag down on the table, announcing, ¡°I picked up some fast food on the way here. It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯ll do. ¡± He pulled out a sandwich and settled onto the couch, peeling back the wrapper to take a bite. The person in the office chair, turned away from him, remained motionless. Undeterred, he continued, addressing the chair¡¯s back, ¡°There¡¯s still over ten billion dors in the ount. That should cover us for the next few years. ¡± Slowly, the office chair pivoted to face him. A middle-aged man, his figure gaunt and his hair white and curly, sat in the chair.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. One eye was a foggy gray, obviously sightless. Given his appearance, few would recognize him as the once-dreaded Leviathan, notorious for causing havoc across the city. His voice raspy, the man fixed his one functioning eye on Quentin. ¡°Quentin, where¡¯s the person you were supposed to handle?¡± Quentin, still chewing, nced up. ¡°Oh, the guy with the number for a name? What was it again? Forget it, it slips my mind. We should really start using more memorable names. I left him in the ocean. Dead men tell no tales. We¡¯ll pick someone more dependable next time. ¡± His offhand manner suggested that taking a life was as mundane to him as throwing away an old newspaper. Leviathan¡¯s face darkened. ¡°I won¡¯t hold this against you. But back on the ind, you had a chance to kill her. Why didn¡¯t you?¡± Quentin stretched out, dismissively tossing the remnants of his sandwich. ¡°You expected me to go down with them? Sacrifice myself just to kill her? Interesting idea. But in those circumstances, even if I had died, you wouldn¡¯t have seeded in killing her. Her allies are formidable. Even with additional manpower, it wouldn¡¯t have been a simple task,¡± he said, a smile ying on his Lips. Quentin disyed neither respect nor fear towards Leviathan. Chapter 1751 His smile was constant, a mirror to the eerie grin of the rabbit mask. Even without it, Hannah would have instantly recognized the unsettling simrity between Quentin¡¯s smile and the mask¡¯s grin. ¡°For now, let¡¯s keep a low profile. You can¡¯t afford another exposure of your current identity. ¡± Leviathan¡¯s eyes burned with madness. ¡°I¡¯m sick of hiding. I want her dead! I want her dead now!¡± Quentin crossed his legs. ¡°Well, there¡¯s little I can do. The authorities are closing in on me too. I¡¯m not looking for trouble.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡± Leviathan¡¯s stare intensified. ¡°You dare defy me?¡± Quentin shrugged, his smile unwavering. ¡°Boss, remember, we¡¯re the ones who got you out. The Dark Web is under Hannah¡¯s control now, and all your ns were only possible because of our support. Are you really considering cutting us loose now that you think you don¡¯t need us anymore?¡± he questioned. In the dimly lit room, the air was thick with tension for what felt like an eternity. Leviathan slouched in the office chair. He finally appeared to relent, gesturing feebly at Quentin. ¡°Go, and tell them to seize the opportunity to eliminate Hannah. Once she¡¯s gone, I¡¯ll disclose everything you wish to know. ¡± Quentin¡¯s smile turned genuine. ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± Following her return from the ind, Hannah¡¯s days passed without incident. ¡®s BunnyBookery Everything remained tranquil and uneventful. Even Edwin kept his distance, and the White Group prospered. However, Hannah felt increasingly suffocated after spending several days at the White family¡¯s estate. She had neither contacted Bryson nor heard from him since his return to Valmere. It wasn¡¯t just Bryson; she hadn¡¯t received any news from Maloney either. A sense of foreboding grew within her. One early morning, she sat on the garden swing, gently rocking back and forth. Eventually, she resolved to call Grace, hoping to subtly learn more about Bryson. ¡°My brother?¡± Grace sounded taken aback by Hannah¡¯s inquiry. ¡°He mentioned yesterday he had business with thepany and would be tied up with a friend for a few days. He won¡¯t be returning soon. I was nning to call you and invite you to lunch after he got back, but it looks like you beat me to it. ¡± ¡°Wadt!¡± Hannah¡¯s anxiety intensified. ¡°Do you know where they went?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. He never discusses his business dealings with me,¡± Grace answered, her tone reflecting her curiosity. ¡°Is something wrong, Hannah?¡± ¡°No,¡± Hannah said, her voice steady, aimed at keeping the girl from panicking over events that hadn¡¯t urred. ¡°I just need to reach him for something. ¡± Chapter 1752 ¡°Why don¡¯t you just call him? He¡¯s probably free now. ¡± ¡°Okay, I will. ¡± With that, Hannah ended the call and immediately dialed Bryson¡¯s number. A cold, mechanical voice informed her that his phone was powered off. rm bells went off in her mind. Something was wrong. Bryson never turned off his phone unless it was absolutely necessary. Trying to maintain herposure, Hannah then called Maloney, only to be greeted by the same lifeless voice: the phone was powered off. This couldn¡¯t just be a coincidence. Just then, Jalen appeared.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hannah, breakfast is ready¡­¡± ¡°Please, could you ask Dotson toe downstairs?¡± Hannah interrupted, her voice tense. ¡°Tell him I¡¯ll be waiting in the car. Have hime down immediately. ¡± She didn¡¯t wait for a response, instead dashing towards the car. ¡°Hey!¡± Jalen called out, puzzled but hurrying to fetch Dotson. Within minutes, Dotson was buckling himself into the passenger seat. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s the rush?¡± Hannah mmed her foot on the elerator and the car lurched forward. ¡°I¡¯ll fill you in on the way!¡± Once the car hit the road, Hannah inquired, ¡°Did they seem off to you when you called the other day?¡± ¡°No¡­ Not really,¡± Dotson responded, his memory searching for details. ¡°Mr. Mitchell was there. I reminded him about your safety. That¡¯s about it. Nothing out of the ordinary. ¡± Peering into the rearview mirror with a frosty gaze, Hannah announced, ¡°Wle¡¯re being tailed. Brace yourself. We¡¯ll make our move soon. ¡± ¡°Got it!¡± They were still outside the city¡¯s bustling center, where the crowds thinned. Hannah swerved onto a less-traveled side road, careful to keep their follower in sight without speeding away. She maneuvered the car into a narrow alley behind an abandoned factory, parking so that the car¡¯s rear slightly jutted out into thene. The vehicle tailing them halted as well. Momentster, four or five men in ck emerged cautiously from the other car. Without wasting much time, they sent two men forward into the alley. It was eerily silent, the alley a dead-end and the parked car mute, engine off. Chapter 1753 he two men crept up to the car, peering into the front seats from either side. Finding it empty, they straightened up, about to retreat, when suddenly a powerful force mmed them against the wall. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Hannah and Dotson had sprung from their hiding spots, catching the men by surprise. They quickly overpowered them. ¡°Following us, are you? Nice try. ¡± ¡°No, no! That¡¯s not it!¡± one of the men protested. ¡°We¡¯re here to protect you!¡± ¡°Protect me?¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°You call this protection?¡± Pressed against the wall, the man had no other option but to exin urgently. ¡°Really! Mr. Mitchell sent us!¡± At the sound of themotion, three other men outside quickly entered, only to freeze upon seeing their colleagues restrained. One of the cornered men called out swiftly, ¡°Miss Moore misunderstood. Show her your IDs!¡± Snapping back to reality, one of the men hastily showed their work IDs. ¡°Miss Moore, we¡¯re private bodyguards.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡± Upon seeing their IDs and their reactions, Hannah finally rxed. ¡°Let them go, Dotson. ¡± Visibly embarrassed, the two men apologized. ¡°We¡¯re sorry for startling you, Miss Moore. Mr. Mitchell asked us to secretly protect you. ¡± ¡°Why would he send you to protect me?¡± The bodyguards exchanged worried nces, then shook their heads. ¡°We¡¯re not sure. Our assignment was simply to ensure your safety. ¡± ¡°Do you have any idea where he might be now?¡± They looked at each other once more, shaking their heads. ¡°We¡¯re not privy to client details. It¡¯s a strict rule. ¡± Hannah sighed, suspecting that Bryson and Maloney might be caught up in something risky. They had left her in Hoijery and had these bodyguards follow her to guarantee her safety. Noticing Hannah¡¯s contemtive silence, the bodyguards grew anxious. One of them cautiously approached her, asking, ¡°Miss Moore, may we continue to apany you?¡± Knowing it was their duty, Hannah didn¡¯t want toplicate matters. ¡°Fine, you may follow us. Dotson, we should get going. ¡± Chapter 1754 Now aware of who had been tailing them, Hannah drove towards Valmere without any further hesitation. Dotson, still confused, questioned, ¡°Boss, why would Mr. Mitchell do this? Do you think they¡¯re in trouble?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression darkened as she pieced together Bryson¡¯s intentions. ¡°They¡¯ve gone out together; there shouldn¡¯t be any major issues. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Leviathan was after her, so he wouldn¡¯t harm Bryson or the others for now. Both the Garza and Chadwich families had set their sights on her. She just hoped Bryson wouldn¡¯t got himself and Maloney in the fray. ¡°Dotson, try calling them again. ¡± ¡°Right away!¡± Dotson redialed the number, but again, there was no answer. It appeared that they had been unreachable for the past few days. ¡®s BunnyBookery Franklyn was still recovering from his injuries, and his crew was likely taking a break, rendering them unavable. After a moment¡¯s thought, Hannah rang Clive, who picked up immediately. ¡°Miss Moore, how have you been?¡± Clive asked. ¡°I¡¯ve brought Mr. Vargas back to recover. We¡¯re all aware of the ordeal on the ind. Thanks to your intervention, those who were pursuing us have been dealt with. ¡± This was indeed wee news. After a brief pause, Hannah inquired, ¡°How are things with the Rising Floor?¡± Clive responded, ¡°We¡¯ve had to abandon the Rising Floor. Mr. Vargas insists we relocate. Staying here isn¡¯t an option anymore. We need to keep a low profile and regroupter. ¡± ¡°Has he chosen a new location?¡± Hannah asked, her focus steady on the road. A silence lingered on the other end before Clive continued, ¡°Mr. Vargas is still undecided. I meant to call you earlier, Miss Moore, but he was concerned you might be too upiedtely, so he advised against it. ¡± ¡°Why note to Hoijery? Forget about the Rising Floor for now. Hoijery has plenty of hospitals. I can make arrangements for your team to get medical attention,¡± Hannah suggested. ¡°Once you¡¯re all better, you can stay at a ce I¡¯ll set up for you temporarily. Don¡¯t stress over the finances. Staying out of the spotlight is what matters most right now. ¡± Clive, overwhelmed by her support, replied, ¡°Money isn¡¯t the issue. But Mr. Vargas feels guilty forplicating your affairs. He doesn¡¯t want to impose any further. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s not solely on you. The incident on the ind was targeted at me, too,¡± Hannah reassured him. ¡°Just bring your people to Hoijery. I¡¯ll have someone there to meet you. Laying low isn¡¯t wise at this juncture. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore,¡± Clive expressed his gratitude. After making her statement, Hannah quickly got to the point. ¡°Does Franklyn have connections in Muvrand?¡± Muvrand was home to all sorts of people, and Clive instantly knew that ¡°connections¡± here didn¡¯t mean just anyone. Chapter 1755 ¡°Boss¡­¡± He hesitated, then quickly corrected himself. ¡°Mr. Vargas does have some connections there. But they¡­ But they¡¯re not the easiest people to deal with. Miss Moore, if you¡¯re nning to meet them alone, it could be quite dangerous. It¡¯s a gray area there, not fully under police control. . Hannah nodded in understanding. She had visited Muvrand before and the memories of that visit were not easily forgotten. ¡°Let¡¯s set aside this discussion for now. Move on to Hoijery as I instructed. I¡¯ll send you an address where someone will be waiting for you. ¡± ¡°Okay, thank you, Miss Moore. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee. ¡± After ending the call, Hannah continued driving towards Valmere, sticking to her nned route. No one was sure where Bryson had gone. However, Franco might have some insight. She decided to give it a shot. At the same time, Bryson and Maloney had made their way to Muvrand. Contrary to Hannah¡¯s worries of themnding in trouble, they were actually enjoying a meal at a local restaurant. ¡°When is the guy you mentioned supposed to show up?¡± Maloney inquired. Reclining on the sofa, Maloney Looked out at the stunning view below. ¡°I get the feeling you¡¯ve been set up,¡± he said thoughtfully. Bryson sipped his coffee and nced at his phone. ¡°Just be patient. ¡± ¡°Patient? We¡¯ve been here over two hours. Who are you waiting for that¡¯s worth this wait?¡± Maloney pressed, his tone a mix of curiosity and annoyance. No sooner had Maloney spoken than a voice neared them. ¡°I apologize for my tardiness. It seems someone has run out of patience. ¡± The owner of the clear, confident voice appeared every bit the business professional as he approached them with a congenial smile. He sat down right beside Bryson. ¡°Sorry I¡¯mte. Got held up with a business deal. I appreciate your patience. Dinner¡¯s on me to make up for it. ¡± If Hannah were here, she would be surprised to recognize the neer as someone she knew. Maloney noticed arge, brownish-red stain on the cuff of the man¡¯s suit. ¡°Your cuff is dirty,¡± he pointed out. The man lifted his arm to inspect it and responded with nonchnce, ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that. I rushed over and didn¡¯t have time to change before I arrived.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. It¡¯s a bit embarrassing. ¡± The man grabbed a damp tissue from the table and began wiping his sleeve. The stain faded somewhat with the moisture. Upon closer inspection, Maloney realized it wasn¡¯t just a stain. It was blood! He felt a surge of rm. However, the man seemed oblivious to the true nature of the mark. Chapter 1756 After discarding the wet tissue on the table, he turned to Bryson. ¡°You mentioned Miss Moore is in trouble. Let¡¯s discuss the details at my ce. ¡± Bryson met his gaze and offered a nod, agreeing, ¡°Okay. ¡± They made their way to a luxurious apartment in the heart of the city, equipped with cutting-edge technology. The building¡¯s security system even included high-level bulletproofing. If anyone attempted a break-in, themunity¡¯s defense mechanisms would spring into action, ensnaring the intruders in a web of trouble-a fact they learned from the man¡¯s briefing. Maloney found the entire situation absurd as he listened. He couldn¡¯t resist asking, ¡°Are all your neighbors high-profile? Why the need for such an borate defense system?¡± The man he was speaking to pressed the elevator button and responded, ¡°Not exactly. Things can get pretty chaotic around here. Plus, mypany specializes in this type of technology.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. We¡¯re in our own apartment, so naturally, we use the best tech. ¡± They rode the elevator to the top floor, where there was a single apartment secured with iris recognition technology. Soon, they stepped inside. Maloney was keen to look around, but Bryson cut straight to the chase. ¡°Is there any way to undermine the Garza family?¡± ¡°They¡¯re deeply entrenched here,¡± the man replied. ¡°I understand your influence, Mr. Mitchell, but it won¡¯t be easy for us to topple them, even together. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°If you can¡¯t help with that, then this conversation is pointless. ¡± Yet, the man smiled slightly. ¡°However, I do have an option. Miss Moore was a great help to me in the past, and we¡¯re old friends. I can¡¯t just ignore her plight. ¡± ¡°You know Hannah?¡± Maloney interjected, caught off guard. Layne Cartwright was a young and promising leader in the IT industry, whom Hannah had encountered before. However, she hadn¡¯t expected Layne to have any connection with Bryson. Layne scrutinized Maloney and asked, ¡°Are you a friend of Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ You can consider me one,¡± Maloney responded, rubbing his nose. The nature of their rtionship wasplicated, and he didn¡¯t bother to borate. Layne nodded. ¡°I have a strong rtionship with the Garza family. Mypany has coborated with them to develop many technologies. However, that doesn¡¯t mean the Garza family trusts mepletely. If you¡¯re nning to take down the Garza family in Muvrand, the only strategy I can suggest is to destabilize them from within. I often work with the Garza family and am aware of the conflicts between their members. Yet, I¡¯ve tried to distance myself from their social gatherings as much as possible, so I¡¯m not well-versed in the gossip surrounding these affluent families. ¡± Maloney walked over to the vast French window. ¡°So you¡¯re not much help, huh? I¡¯d be better off contacting the head of the Compton family. ¡± Bryson, who had been quiet throughout the conversation, suddenly spoke up. ¡°It¡¯s pointless to contact him now. His people are abroad. Even if he can dispatch some individuals to protect Hannah, it won¡¯t address the root issue. ¡± Turning around, Maloney leaned against the French window and frowned. Chapter 1757 ¡°Do you think there¡¯s a better way?¡± Disorganize them from inside. Bryson mused, recalling a young man in a wheelchair he had once met. The man had promised that as soon as his legs were healed, he would help her destroy the Garza family, though Bryson couldn¡¯t tell if he had been serious. ¡°Do you know Merlin?¡± Bryson asked, looking up at Layne. ¡°I know. ¡± Layne nodded, his expression serious. ¡°I have a vivid memory of him. He¡¯s aputer genius. ¡± ¡°What a pity¡­¡± Layne¡¯s eyes seemed lost in thought. ¡°He has a peculiar character, and the Garza family¡¯s attitude towards him has always been quite odd. We never had many interactions. If he had joined my team, he might have made significant strides in the technology sector. His leg issue, however, caused his own family to sideline him. ¡± This revtion confirmed that Merlin¡¯s actions were unconventional and that he might indeed be opposed to the Garza family. ¡°Can you find him?¡± Layne shook his head, his expression doubtful. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I rarely see him, and I¡¯ve heard he doesn¡¯t live in Muvrand anymore. It¡¯s difficult to track him down, Plus, if I try to approach him through the Garza family, it might alert our adversaries. ¡± While they were discussing, an idea suddenly struck Maloney. ¡°I have an idea,¡± he announced, capturing the attention of both Layne and Bryson. ¡°Get me a sniper rifle. Mr. Cartwright can lure the head of the Garza family out under the guise of business. I¡¯ll kill him! Even if he¡¯s surrounded by bodyguards, they¡¯ll never expect a sniper from a distance. ¡± Maloney¡¯s statement was delivered with chilling seriousness, filling the room with an air of uncertainty. Layne turned his gaze towards Bryson andmented with a hint of irony, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, your friend here is quite formidable. Be cautious when you apany him. The two of you might just find yourselves behind bars. ¡± Aware of Layne¡¯s mocking tone, Maloney touched his nose and retorted, ¡°Isn¡¯t it a good idea, though?¡± Bryson merely nced at him and chose silence over further discussion.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡®s BunnyBookery He sat down, lit a cigarette, and held it pensively between his fingers. Although he didn¡¯t smoke, he sat there in brooding silence, his expression deepening into an unprecedented quiet thatpelled Layne and Maloney to fall silent as well. ¡°Actually,¡± Layne eventually broke the silence, coughing slightly to clear his throat, ¡°his idea isn¡¯t entirely without merit. If we truly find ourselves cornered, we might have to consider taking such a risk. ¡± Bryson looked up sharply. ¡°He is crazy. Are you nning to go mad alongside him?¡± Layne looked away silently, as if he hadn¡¯t said that. ¡°I¡¯m not insane. But tell me, if it really came down to it, would you rather they die, or Miss Moore?¡± Maloney¡¯s words hung heavily in the room, silencing everyone once more. Bryson was the first to break the quiet. ¡°I won¡¯t let anything happen to her, but she would never condone such a n. ¡± ¡°You knew it¡­ Then why did you sneak over¡­ And ask us to turn off our phones?¡± Maloney muttered. ¡°I guess Miss Moore will burst into anger as she can¡¯t get through to us. ¡± He was spot-on. Although Hannah appearedposed on the surface, internally, a fire had already been kindled, fanned by her mounting frustration. Chapter 1758 They had ventured out on their own and even had the audacity to turn off their phones! Hannah wanted to find the two and beat them to death! Driving on the expressway, her car¡¯s speed escted, morphing into a mere shadow as it outpaced other vehicles and the blur of the scenery on either side. Dotson, sitting beside her, swallowed hard, not daring to reach for the handles. The silence in the car was oppressive, heightening the terror of the speeding environment. He attempted several times to break the silence, but each try fizzled into the roaring noise of the engine. Finally mustering his courage, Dotson took out his phone. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ll call them again. Maybe they can get through now!¡± Internally, he prayed fervently for the call to connect this time. Please answer it this time! His boss would press the elerator even harder if they didn¡¯t. Hannah nodded tersely, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the road ahead. Perhaps the prayers of Dotson were indeed heard. This time, as he called Bryson, the phone connected after just two rings. ¡°Hello?¡± Dotson, overwhelmed by relief, almost burst into tears as he blurted out, ¡°Mr. Mitchell! You finally answered the phone. Our boss is so worried about you!¡± ¡°Ha-ha. ¡± Hannah, who was still at the wheel, sneered. ¡°Well, it seems that I¡¯m worried too much. He¡¯s still alive. ¡± Bryson, hearing the sarcastic tone from the other end of the line, smiled resignedly. She was clearly angry. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m still alive. Sorry to make you worried. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worried,¡± Hannah retorted coldly. ¡°Tell me the address, and I¡¯ming to bury your body. ¡± Silence fell on the other end of the phone, the gravity of her words hanging in the air. Meanwhile, Maloney, who had overheard the conversation, couldn¡¯t contain his amusement, his shoulders shaking with suppressed Laughter. Then Hannah¡¯s voice came through again, sharp as a knife, ¡°Oh, and Maloney, wait for me to bury your body too!¡± Maloney, having been poised to witness the unfolding drama, subtly twitched the corner of his mouth. Why was he getting dragged into this? Yet he dared not voice a word.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Speaking up might only earn him a harsher rebuke. Chapter 1759 As the designated heir of the Pierce family, shouldn¡¯t he show more backbone? Layne suppressed a chuckle, remaining quiet. It appeared Hannah had grown even bolder since theirst encounter. ¡°We haven¡¯t done anything severe. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Bryson reassured her. In thepany of others, Bryson cleared his throat, his voice gentler, and asked, ¡°Where are you now?¡± ¡°On the way to Valmere,¡± Hannah replied, her anger cooling after a brief tirade. ¡°Alright then,¡± Bryson agreed. ¡°We¡¯ll head back tomorrow. You should¡­¡± She quickly cut in, ¡°I¡¯m stopping by to see Grace and Franco first. Call me once you¡¯re back. ¡± After they ended the call, Maloney rubbed his nose and queried, ¡°We¡¯re not facing any danger if we return, are we?¡± Bryson nonchntly dismissed his concern. Turning to Layne, he suggested, ¡°If we get another opportunity to mingle with the Garza family, it¡¯d be good to pick up some useful intel. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do. Miss Moore is a friend of mine. I¡¯ll definitely lend a hand if she¡¯s in trouble,¡± Layne responded. Then, addressing both men, he offered, ¡°My ce is empty. You two can stay there for now. In this part of the city, I can assure you it¡¯s the safest spot. ¡± After Layne departed, Maloney posed a serious question, ¡°Can we really trust him? Considering how vtile it is here, and your choice to ally with those dubious characters, don¡¯t you worry he might turn against Miss Moore?¡± Bryson looked up, his expression unppable. ¡°Businessmen put their interests first. The advantages I offer him significantly surpass anything the Garza family might,¡± he exined. Maloney pondered this in silence for a brief moment, almost ready to express his admiration. ¡°I have to admit, your dedication to Miss Moore is impressive,¡± Maloneymented. ¡°You really are something special to Miss Moore. ¡± This caught Bryson¡¯s attention, and he fixed his gaze on Maloney. ¡°What are you implying?¡± he inquired. With a yful lift of his eyebrow, Maloney replied, ¡°Spelling it out would spoil the mystery. I prefer to stay out of whatever you two have been brewing. ¡± Meanwhile, after ending a phone call, Hannah felt a mix of relief and annoyance, reassured yet irritated about their situation. Twenty minutester, she reached the Mitchell family¡¯s grand mansion. The security guards, recognizing her immediately, swung the gates open without hesitation. Franco had already cleared her for unrestricted ess, so there was no need for further checks. As Hannah and Dotson walked through the lush front garden, a voice halted them.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Chapter 1760 ¡°Hannah! ¡° She turned around to see Melina standing there, an unexpected figure. Melina wore a professional suit today that highlighted her figure and gave her an air of sophistication. However, the cold, resentful re she directed at Hannah revealed the bitterness in her heart. Hannah, on her part, was no more weing. The events of the past had long eroded her patience with Melina. ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± Hannah inquired, her tone neutral as she made no move to bridge the distance between them for idle chit-chat. Their rtionship had deteriorated to a point where pleasantries were forsaken. Melina was blunt in her response, ¡°Don¡¯t some people have a sense of shame? You weren¡¯t invited, yet here you are sneaking around. Have you no self-respect?¡± ¡°Show some respect to my boss!¡± Dotson interjected. He didn¡¯t wait for a reply but positioned himself protectively in front of Hannah. Melina, however, snorted at this. ¡°You¡¯re always by her side. Are we really supposed to believe you¡¯re just a bodyguard? A lover is a lover. Why pretend he¡¯s anything else?¡± Although Dotson often spent time overseas, he was quick to pick up on Melina¡¯s insinuating tone, suggesting something inappropriate about his closeness to Hannah. He was ready to retort but Hannah stopped him. ¡°Don¡¯t bother with her. Let¡¯s head inside,¡± she said, dismissing Melina with a wave of her hand. ¡°Franco doesn¡¯t have time for you today!¡± Melina called out after them, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°The Mitchell family¡¯s mansion is not a yground for your recklessness! The gate guards are worthless. How did they even allow someone like you through? After I marry Tyshawn, I¡¯m firing them all!¡± Hannah had no initial desire to engage with this madness. Yet, the more she restrained herself, the more Melina tested her Limits. As pressures mounted, Melina unwittingly stepped into her crosshairs. Enough was enough.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°Hold still,¡± Hannah instructed Dotson. He nodded and watched as his boss walked determinedly toward Melina. Melina¡¯s confidence waned at the sight. She yelled, ¡°Hannah, what are you nning to do? This is Mitchell territory. If you darey a finger on me, I¡¯ll scream for¡­ Ah!¡± Her threat was cut short as Hannah¡¯s hand connected sharply with her cheek. The force unbnced her, and she teetered, almost tumbling onto the nearbywn. Quick as a sh, Hannah yanked her back by the hair with a strong pull. Feeling a sudden, sharp pain in her scalp as she intended to copse, Melina instinctively raised her hand and began iling wildly, screaming, ¡°Let me go!!! Let go! Oh! You f@cking bitch! How dare you hit me! I¡¯m going to call the police! I¡¯ll call them right now!¡± Chapter 1761 Hannah released her grip, her voice carrying a faint trace of innocence, ¡°I saw you about to stumble, so I thought I¡¯d lend a hand. I grabbed your hair in a moment of panic, but see, you¡¯re on your feet now. I¡¯m sorry if it hurt you. ¡± ¡°Are you insane?¡± Melina yelled once more. Her hair, previously neat and styled, nowy in disarray from Hannah¡¯s grasp. She pointed frantically at Hannah, who stood across from her, and argued, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t hit me, would I have ended up falling?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve misunderstood,¡± Hannah countered, stepping back with her hands raised defensively. ¡°There was a mosquito on your face, and I tried to swat it away. I admit I didn¡¯t gauge my strength properly. How could you think I meant to harm you, Miss Glyn? Despite your harsh words, I would never turn to violence. ¡± The noise had grown increasingly loud until finally, someone emerged from the house. ¡°What¡¯s all thismotion? What¡¯s that noise outside?¡± Tyshawn had been deeply engrossed in ironing out the details of the engagement party with Franco. However, things hadn¡¯t been going as nned, and he felt his patience wearing thin. The booming voice from outside drew his attention, and as he stepped outside, he spotted Hannah standing there, with Melina holding her cheek. He quickly descended the steps to Melina¡¯s side and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Pointing at Hannah, Melina eximed, ¡°She just hit me! Get her out of here now! Immediately!¡± Turning to Hannah, Tyshawn began, ¡°You¡¯d better¡­¡± He paused, locking eyes with Hannah. A chill ran down his spine. ¡®s BunnyBookery His past encounters with Hannah had always been challenging, and the memories of theirst confrontation still lingered, unsettling him. ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯ve barged into someone else¡¯s home uninvited and resorted to violence. Don¡¯t you think an apology is in order?¡± he questioned. ¡°Like I told Miss Glyn, it was an ident. I¡¯ve apologized to her already. If she won¡¯t ept it, that¡¯s not my problem,¡± Hannah responded, her Lips curling into a smirk. Behind Tyshawn, Melina¡¯s anger red at Hannah¡¯s dismissive attitude.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Unable to contain herself, she shoved Tyshawn and burst out, ¡°I told you to throw her out! Didn¡¯t you hear me?!¡± ¡°This is the Mitchell family¡¯s house,¡± Hannah stated, facing Melina. ¡°This isn¡¯t just Tyshawn¡¯s ce. How does he have the right to ask me to leave?¡± Tyshawn, initially silent and nervous, grew agitated at Hannah¡¯s challenge. ¡°Miss Moore, this is my family¡¯s house. I certainly have the right to ask you to leave! You arrived without an invitation. You might disturb my grandfather¡¯s rest, so please leave immediately!¡± Just then, a firm voice interrupted the escting tension. ¡°I invited her here. Are you really going to throw her out?¡± Franco, leaning on Grace for support, appeared at the entrance to the inner courtyard. Tyshawn¡¯s demeanor shifted immediately. ¡°Grandfather, why are you out here?¡± he asked, his voice filled with concern. Chapter 1762 ¡°Hmph!¡± Franco grunted, clearly displeased. ¡°You two should leave now. We¡¯ll talk about the engagementter. Miss Moore, pleasee inside,¡± Franco directed firmly. Grace, standing next to Franco, gave Hannah a wink, urging her to follow them inside quickly. Turning to leave, Franco seemed to recall something and faced a shocked Tyshawn again. ¡°The engagement is postponed. I¡¯ve already told you not to visit during this time. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯splexion paled. Franco, supported by Grace, walked toward the living room. Hannah smiled at Melina. ¡°It looks like you¡¯re the one who should be leaving. Make sure the door doesn¡¯t hit you on the way out. ¡± Melina and Tyshawn, who had originally nned to embarrass Hannah that day, found themselves being dismissed by Franco instead! Melina looked at Tyshawn with evident annoyance. ¡°Why are you so useless? You couldn¡¯t even convince your grandfather to finalize our engagement!¡± ¡°You can¡¯t pin this on me!¡± Tyshawn retorted angrily. ¡°Your family asked for an absurd amount of money just for the engagement. It¡¯s only logical that my grandfather would hesitate!¡± ¡°Are you really that naive? What are you even talking about?¡± she snapped back. Melina¡¯s disdain was evident. ¡°If our engagement doesn¡¯t create a stir, how will anyone in the city take you seriously? Do you even have a ce in the Mitchell family after being ousted from the Mitchell Group due to past incidents? Who would want to coborate with you now?¡± Her words stung because they held truth. Without the alliance with the Glyn family, Tyshawn¡¯s chances of reiming his status were slim. Tyshawn swallowed his pride and responded, ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll find another way to win grandfather¡¯s favor. ¡± ¡°You need to. Use your head for once!¡± Melina retorted sharply as she stormed out of the Mitchell residence. Tyshawn remained standing, fists clenched. If he didn¡¯t need Melina for strategic reasons, he would never endure such indignity! Meanwhile, inside the living room, Franco motioned for Hannah to take a seat. ¡°You came to see Bryson, didn¡¯t you? He¡¯s not back yet,¡± Franco stated. Hannah shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m aware. My visit today was to see you and Grace. ¡± Franco looked at the evening sky, then back at Hannah with skepticism. ¡°You¡¯re not being honest. You didn¡¯t travel from Hoijery at this time just to visit us, did you?¡± Resigned, Hannah admitted with a smile, ¡°There was an issue, but it¡¯s resolved now. My main intention was to check on both of you. It was such a hurried visit that I didn¡¯t bring any gifts. ¡± Franco dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. ¡°We don¡¯t need anything.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. But tell me, what was that argument with the woman from the Glyn family about earlier?¡± Hannah chose her words carefully to avoid upsetting Franco. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. We just don¡¯t get along, so I had to set things straight with her. ¡± Chapter 1763 Franco responded with a heartyugh, ¡°You¡¯re always so straightforward. ¡± ¡°I see no reason to hold back the truth from you. If she hadn¡¯t provoked me, there wouldn¡¯t have been any trouble,¡± Hannah exined. Grace¡¯s expression clouded with concern. ¡°I can¡¯t understand what¡¯s gotten into Melina. She¡¯s be so difficult since her engagement to Tyshawn. She used to be different. ¡± Hannah and Franco exchanged a look, deciding silently to keep the reasons from Grace. Franco then suggested, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Why don¡¯t you both stay over tonight? I¡¯ll have the butler prepare two rooms. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need, Franco. We¡¯ve spent enough time. We wouldn¡¯t want to impose any further,¡± Hannah declined. Grace grabbed Hannah¡¯s arm, imploring her, ¡°Please stay, Hannah! Just the other day, I suggested to my brother that we should have dinner together. Even if he can¡¯t make it tomorrow, we could still go out. ¡± Grace¡¯s pleas grew more insistent as she noticed Hannah¡¯s reluctance. ¡°Stay the night, please, Hannah!¡± Franco chided lightly, ¡°Grace, aren¡¯t you a bit old to needpany to sleep?¡± Grace, not letting go of Hannah, yfully stuck her tongue out at Franco, ¡°It¡¯s rare for Hannah toe by. I just want to spend more time with her. ¡± Hannah finally agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll stay tonight. ¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Grace¡¯s face lit up with joy. ¡°I¡¯ll have the butler get a room ready for your friend. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± After settling in, Hannah and Grace enjoyed some yful time together. It was nearly 10 PM when they decided to settle down for the night. Resting her head on Hannah¡¯s shoulder, Grace shared, ¡°Hannah, my brother really likes you. He¡¯s never cared about anyone as much as he does you. ¡± Hannah, feeling at ease squeezed Grace¡¯s cheek gently. ¡°Your brother loves you dearly too. ¡± Grace¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°It¡¯s different with you, though. My brother treats you specially. If he ever upsets you, will you forgive him and give him another chance? He often struggles to express himself. ¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°I understand,¡± Hannah responded. ¡°So, you asked me to stay over to help your brother persuade me?¡± A bit sheepish, Grace snuggled closer to Hannah. ¡°Will you?¡± As Hannah was about to respond, her phone interrupted the moment. ¡°One second, I need to take this call. ¡± Hannah excused herself and checked the caller ID-Officer Stevenson. Chapter 1764 Concerned, Hannah answered, ¡°Officer Stevenson, what¡¯s the urgency thiste?¡± ¡°The individual you saved on the ind has been dered dead at the hospital today. ¡± Hannah gasped in disbelief. ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Hannah then blurted out, ¡°I saw his wounds. He was stable for days thanks to prompt medical attention. How could he just suddenly die?¡± ¡°It was deliberate. ¡± Officer Stevenson spoke evenly. ¡°Someone slit his throat with a scalpel-a clean cut. It was Likely done by someone who sneaked into the hospital posing as a doctor. I¡¯m calling to warn you, not to frighten you. You might be their next target. ¡± Hannah took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. ¡°Thank you, Officer Stevenson. I¡¯ll stay alert. ¡± ¡°We¡¯ll also check the surveince tapes and do everything we can to find the perpetrator,¡± he assured her. ¡°Understood. ¡± After hanging up, Hannah sat on the bed, lost in thought.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Grace propped herself up, looking at Hannah with concern. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Hannah reassured her. ¡°The police just shared some updates. Go back to sleep. I need to make a phone call. ¡± Grace¡¯s anxiety was palpable as she clutched at Hannah¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Please, don¡¯t go. Make your call here. I don¡¯t mind the noise. ¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll stay here with you. ¡± Once Grace drifted off, Hannah quietly exited the room and tapped on the adjacent door. Dotson, who was still awake, answered immediately, ¡°Boss, what¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I need you to keep an eye on Grace tonight. I have some matters to attend to. ¡± As he nced toward Grace¡¯s closed door, worry creased Dotson¡¯s face. ¡°Boss, where are you headed?¡± Hannah ced a reassuring hand on his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t do anything reckless. Just look after her. ¡± Dotson gave a firm nod. ¡°Understood, boss. ¡± Beneath the night sky, Hannah slid into her car and dialed a number. The phone rang persistently before finally being picked up amid a backdrop of loud music and raucous voices. Chapter 1765 It sounded like a bar. Atticus¡¯s boisterous voice broke through, ¡°Who is this?! You¡¯re cutting into my drinking time!¡± He sounded intoxicated and overly enthusiastic. The background was noisy, then a woman¡¯s yful voice came through. ¡°Who is it, Atticus?¡± Hannah¡¯s face showed no emotion as she asked, ¡°Where are you right now?¡± ¡°The bar, obviously. And who might you be? Checking up on me?¡± It was clear from his tone that Atticus didn¡¯t recognize Hannah¡¯s voice. The womanughed, adding, ¡°Checking up on you? Is she your girlfriend, maybe? Hahaha. ¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Laughter spread among the crowd, and Atticus scoffed, ¡°Girlfriend? I don¡¯t even know who this is. ¡± Hannah¡¯s response sliced through the mor sharply. ¡°If you value your life, get out of that bar now!¡± Atticus¡¯s tipsiness seemed to fade somewhat as he recalled the recent ind incident. He had nned to drown his sorrows tonight, not anticipating a wake -up call from Hannah. ¡°You!¡± Atticus stared at his phone, shocked to see Hannah¡¯s name disyed. ¡°Miss Moore?!¡± His senses sharpened, and he quickly moved away from the crowd of women. ¡°Hey, Atticus!¡± ¡°ihat¡¯s happening? Why did you dash off?¡± Someone quipped, ¡°Looks like his girlfriend really did check up on him. ¡± Atticus escaped to the bar¡¯s restroom for some quiet. ¡°Miss Moore, what do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Just what it sounds like,¡± Hannah responded icily. ¡°Coen passed away in the hospital. I think you might be next. ¡± For a moment, there was a sudden silence on the other end of the line. The only sound audible was Atticus¡¯s short breath. Atticus trembled uncontrobly with fear. For over two decades, he had led a carefree existence, devoid of any such harrowing experiences. While he had once whiled away his days in leisure, never engaging in wrongdoing, Atticus couldn¡¯tprehend how he found himself in such a predicament. Chapter 1766 ¡°Miss¡­ Miss¡­ Miss Moore!¡± Atticus¡¯s hand trembled as he clutched the phone, his voice quivering. ¡°W-what do I do now?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re in Palmetan, find a secure location to hide,¡± Hannah instructed as she started the car. ¡°Then send me the address. I¡¯lle get you. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not in Palmetan!¡± Atticus eximed anxiously. ¡°My friend just opened a new bar in Valmere. It¡¯s downtown. I¡¯m unfamiliar with the area. I don¡¯t know where the safest ce is. What should I do now, Miss Moore?¡± In Valmere? ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah¡¯s eyes narrowed. What a stroke of luck! ¡°I¡¯m in Valmere too. Send me the address, and I¡¯ll be there in no time. ¡± Atticus breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Hannah¡¯s response. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll send it to you right away. ¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Wait,¡± Hannah interjected before hanging up. ¡°You¡¯d better stay in a crowded ce. It¡¯s safer that way. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Atticus swallowed nervously. ¡°I¡¯ll return to the private room and wait for your call, Miss Moore. After ending the call, Atticus emerged from the bar¡¯s bathroom. Upon returning to the private room, he seemed somewhat absent-minded. His friends noticed his demeanor shift upon his return from the call. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You seem troubled,¡± one of his friends remarked, draping an arm around Atticus¡¯s shoulders. ¡°With all these beauties around, aren¡¯t you having a good time?¡± ¡°Exactly. We chose these girls based on your taste. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Your ind¡¯s big news, it¡¯s all over the ce. It¡¯s cause for celebration. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s got you so down after that call?¡± With a smirk, a man pped Atticus on the shoulder and inquired, ¡°So, is your girlfriend actuallying to check up on you?¡± Atticus waved dismissively, stating, ¡°You guys carry on. I¡¯d rather be left alone tonight. I¡¯ll cover the expenses. ¡± His words were met with immediate cheers from those around him. ¡°Mr. Pearson is really treating us tonight. ¡± ¡°Thanks for the generosity, Mr. Pearson!¡± ¡°Alright,dies! Let¡¯s have a st tonight, courtesy of Mr. Pearson!¡± The room erupted with cheers from both men and women. Chapter 1767 They dispersed to drink and engage in games, while Atticus remained seated in a corner, devoid of any enthusiasm. Hannah¡¯s earlier words echoed relentlessly in Atticus¡¯s mind, chilling his heart with each repetition. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that death was drawing nearer with every passing moment, casting suspicion on everyone around him. He felt on edge as a stunning woman in a seductive dress approached him, holding a drink in her hand. ¡°Mr. Pearson, why are you all by yourself? Aren¡¯t you here to join in the fun?¡± The woman¡¯s fingers, delicate and soft, gently wrapped around Atticus¡¯s neck as she spoke with a sweet and alluring voice. Offering the ss of wine to Atticus¡¯s lips, she inquired, ¡°Care to have a drink with me, Mr. Pearson?¡± At that moment, Atticus couldn¡¯t fathom indulging in a drink with her. Without a second thought, he pushed her hand away, asserting, ¡°No, I¡¯m not interested. Please keep your distance. ¡± She hadn¡¯t expected Atticus¡¯s sudden change from easy-going to this. The woman froze, but she wasn¡¯t ready to leave just yet.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. She lingered near Atticus, unwilling to leave. ¡°Why are you still here?¡± Atticus¡¯s expression darkened as he questioned her presence. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me?¡± Clearly unsettled by Atticus¡¯s stern demeanor, the woman awkwardly retreated, clutching the ss as she left. Atticus felt increasingly ufortable as he waited for Hannah. Even amidst the lively atmosphere of the room, he couldn¡¯t muster any enthusiasm. It wasn¡¯t until his phone rang again that Atticus seemed to perk up slightly. Hastily answering the call, he asked with caution, ¡°Miss Moore! Have you arrived?¡± Hannah parked her car outside the bar and replied, ¡°Yes,e out. ¡± ¡°Miss Moore, I hate to ask, but could youe pick me up?¡± Following a brief silence, Hannah¡¯s voice turned cold as she asked, ¡°Did I hear correctly?¡± Hannah¡¯s chilly demeanor left Atticus feeling helpless and intimidated. He pleaded, ¡°Miss Moore¡­ I¡¯m genuinely afraid. Please, I implore you. After all, I sold that ind to your friend at a rock-bottom price. I¡¯m not profiting from it at all. Could you pleasee inside and fetch me, for the sake of everything?¡± Hannah found the situation rather bothersome. While Hannah wasn¡¯t one to easily show mercy, she realized that Atticus¡¯s potential demise could lead to widespread panic. It was likely that the person behind this scheme intended to sow chaos, making it difficult for the police to gather clues. With this in mind, Hannah responded quietly, ¡°I understand. Just let me know the room number. I¡¯ll be there shortly. ¡± Atticus breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that Hannah had agreed to retrieve him. ¡°Inform the waiter of my name, and they¡¯ll escort you upstairs. ¡± Chapter 1768 ¡°Understood. ¡± Hannah opted not to say anything further. After ending the call, she stepped out of the car and entered the bar. The waiter respectfully escorted Hannah upstairs after she mentioned Atticus¡¯s name. As the waiter approached the door, Hannah intervened, saying, ¡°There¡¯s no need to knock. ¡± With that, Hannah pushed the door open and entered the room. Everyone who was drinking and having fun turned to see her. The men¡¯s eyes sparkled with interest as they caught sight of Hannah. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Oh, my! Who brought this stunningdy?¡± ¡°Beauty, join me for a drink!¡± Atticus quickly approached Hannah, cutting off their casual banter. ¡°Miss Moore, let¡¯s leave!¡± Atticus paid no attention to the men. His sole focus was on leaving the venue with Hannah as quickly as possible. However, the men were reluctant to see Atticus leave. ¡°Hey, Mr. Pearson! Is this your girlfriend? She¡¯s stunning!¡± ¡°Indeed, we¡¯ve never seen your girlfriend around. We were curious about your odd behavior earlier. ¡± A few of Atticus¡¯s friends approached, cing their hands on his shoulders in an attempt to detain him. ¡°Invite your girlfriend to join us. Don¡¯t leave so soon. ¡± Atticus felt anxious and struggled to free himself from their grasp. ¡°She¡¯s not my girlfriend. I have other ns for today. You guys carry on. ¡± Upon hearing this, they exchanged nces and directed their attention to Hannah standing at the door. ¡°Oh, I see. Miss, Mr. Pearson is a fine gentleman. You better seize the opportunity and say yes to him before it¡¯s toote. ¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°That¡¯s right. We¡¯re his pals. If you ept him now, we can all share in your happiness. ¡± ¡°ept him! ept him! ept him!¡± The chorus of voices overwhelmed Atticus with a sense of unease. Trembling, Atticus nced at Hannah. Her cold gaze made him feel as though his fate was sealed. Just as Atticus was about to speak, Hannah¡¯s cold voice cut through the air from the doorway. Chapter 1769 ¡°Come out immediately!¡± Atticus shuddered, mustering unexpected strength as he broke away from his friends and staggered toward the door. ¡°I¡¯ming!¡± he announced. His departure triggeredughter among his friends. ¡°Mr. Pearson, since when have you been such a tterer?¡± one teased. ¡°She speaks to you like that and you don¡¯t even get mad?¡± Atticus whispered a warning. ¡°Don¡¯t mess with her!¡± ¡°Oh, Mr. Pearson is still defending her. She¡¯s so defiant, doesn¡¯t y by the rules. This is ssic hard-to-get behavior. You shouldn¡¯t let her manipte you so easily,¡± another friend chided. Then, one of them approached to grab Hannah¡¯s arm, taunting, ¡°You woman! Just because Atticus likes you, don¡¯t think you can strut around here. ¡± ¡°Do you realize how many are vying for Mr. Pearson¡¯s attention, and yet you boss him around?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Atticus, frightened, attempted to intervene. ¡°Don¡¯t-¡° He was too slow. Before the man could grasp her wrist, Hannah swiftly caught his hand. Confusion crossed the man¡¯s face, followed by a scream as Hannah applied pressure, causing a sharp crack from his wrist. The man¡¯s hand went limp, dropping as he yelled out in pain, then crouched, clutching his wrist. ¡°You!¡± The other friends of Atticus¡¯s were taken aback, and the lively mood in the room quickly faded into silence. Atticus turned away, unable to watch, and reiterated his earlier advice. ¡°I told you not to mess with her!¡± He remembered her formidable presence on the ind. She was like a beautiful but deadly carnivorous nt, and he knew all too well that anyone who crossed her would likely regret it deeply. Hannah had no patience for idle chatter. She nned to take Atticus out and avoid furtherplications. She fixed a stern gaze on Atticus and demanded, ¡°Are you leaving or not?¡± ¡°I¡¯m leaving!¡± he quickly responded. Atticus hastened to offer an apology.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°I¡¯m sorry my friends upset you. Please don¡¯t take it to heart¡ª¡± Hannah dismissed the group with a frosty look. ¡°They¡¯re not worth the trouble. ¡± She then walked away. Chapter 1770 Atticus scrambled after her, while his friends called out in a mix of protest and fear, ¡°You¡¯re just going to walk away after hurting someone?¡± Their voices echoed, but Hannah¡¯s swift, decisive actions had already instilled fear in them. Without looking back, her voice drifted from outside. ¡°It¡¯s just a dislocation. Take him to the hospital.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Atticus, following Hannah, tried to mend fences. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯m to me today. Let me make it up to you with a meal sometime. ¡± ¡°You¡¯d better just focus on making it through the next few days,¡± Hannah replied nonchntly, her tone sending chills down his spine. Atticus, suddenly anxious, asked, ¡°Miss Moore, you will protect me, right?¡± ¡°The police are there for that, not me,¡± Hannah retorted. ¡°I came to you today because your death benefits me in no way. ¡± Atticus grasped her implication. ¡°So, my survival is in your interest as well. ¡± Hoping for her assurance, he added, ¡°So you¡¯ll protect me during this time, won¡¯t you?¡± Hannah paused, then looked back at Atticus with a dismissive nce. ¡°You might want to get your head checked when you find the time. I don¡¯t have the Luxury to waste worrying about you. ¡± Once they were in the car, Hannah informed Atticus, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll take you to a rtively safe hotel. It might be wise for you to hire a few more bodyguards for protection. ¡± Atticus looked like he wanted to ask Hannah something more, but her expression suggested she might not entertain further questions. He simply nodded and remained quiet. Hannah¡¯s tone was stern as she advised, ¡°You¡¯re better off relying on yourself than on others. I can assist you this once, but don¡¯t expect my help constantly. ¡± ¡°Of course, I understand,¡± Atticus murmured in agreement. The drive to the hotel was uneventful at first. However, as they neared their destination, Hannah¡¯s demeanor shifted. She instructed sharply, ¡°As soon as we arrive, run straight into the hotel. ¡± Atticus¡¯s anxiety grew. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± ¡°We¡¯re being followed. It could be dangerous for either of us,¡± Hannah revealed. ¡°What should we do then?¡± Atticus asked, his voice tense. Chapter 1771 Hannah kept her focus on driving and responded, ¡°Hopefully, they¡¯re after me, not you. That might give you a chance to escape tonight. ¡± Atticus gulped, feeling overwhelmed, as he noticed multiple cars trailing them. ¡°It looks like several cars are following us. I¡¯m in real trouble!¡± ¡°Once I stop the car, you need to dash for the hotel,¡± Hannah instructed. ¡°The hotel has top-notch security. They won¡¯t be able to follow you inside. ¡± Reassured slightly, Atticus nodded, then a concern struck him. ¡°And what about you, Miss Moore? What will you do?¡± Hannah remainedposed and said, ¡°You still have time to worry about me? Focus on saving yourself first. ¡± The lights of the hotel ahead flickered, casting brief shes of hope in the enveloping darkness. ¡°When I count to one, you need to exit the car immediately,¡± she instructed as she decelerated. ¡°Three¡­ Two¡­ ¡° Atticus, caught off guard, panicked, ¡°The car- it hasn¡¯t stopped yet!¡± ¡°One!¡± Hannah announced. At her signal, Atticus flung open the door and bolted out before the car had fully halted. He summoned every ounce of strength he never knew he had and sprinted towards the hotel, not daring to nce back. ¡®s BunnyBookery Simultaneously, Hannah brought the car to a stop and stepped out. As soon as she did, two cars that had been following them also came to a halt, and seven or eight individuals d in ck attire,plete with hats and masks, emerged.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. They showed no interest in pursuing Atticus inside the hotel. Their focus was on Hannah. Leaning casually against her car, Hannah challenged them without a hint of fear. ¡°Are you sure you want to do this right here?¡± She gestured towards the hotel. ¡°There are surveince cameras all around. ¡± Ignoring her, the group advanced towards her. However, before they could get close, they were suddenly encircled by a group of bodyguards. With a nonchnt blink, Hannah remarked, ¡°Sorry, I forgot to mention that I brought quite a few people with me. ¡± There were significantly more supporters on Hannah¡¯s side than on the opposing side. As they began to close in on her, a sharp whistle cut through the air. The encroaching crowd, evidently well-trained, dispersed instantly into the surrounding darkness without a second nce at their parked cars. ¡°Got them!¡± The bodyguards efficiently apprehended two of the aggressors. Chapter 1772 Hannah, however, did not inquire about their backgrounds. To her, gangsters employed to capture others likely knew little of consequence. ¡°Send them to the police station. ¡± Looking up, Hannah¡¯s gaze fell on the hotel gate where Atticus still stood. Catching her eye, he waved enthusiastically. ¡°By the way¡ª¡± Hannah began, turning back to the bodyguards. ¡°Inform the police about the situation here and request their immediate presence to protect Atticus. ¡± ¡°Yes, Miss Moore. Shall we escort you back to the Mitchell residence now?¡± one of the bodyguards asked.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°No, thanks,¡± Hannah declined. ¡°I need to speak with him. You proceed with your duties. ¡± The bodyguards hesitated to leave her unattended. ¡°Some of us will send the captured men to the station first. The rest can wait for you here,¡± the leader of the bodyguards suggested. ¡°Mr. Mitchell insisted that you should not be left alone, no matter the circumstances. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Hannah acquiesced, aware that they were under Bryson¡¯s orders. Waving them off, she had no time to waste and turned to enter the hotel lobby. As soon as she stepped inside, Atticus hurried over to her. ¡°Miss Moore! I saw two people were caught. Am I safe now?¡± ¡°You¡¯re safe for the time being,¡± Hannah told Atticus. ¡°The police will likely need your statement soon. I suggest you apply for police protection; otherwise, these people won¡¯t give up easily and will keep harassing you. ¡± Atticus rubbed his hands anxiously. ¡°Why are they targeting me? I own that ind, but it¡¯s already been sold. What could they possibly gain from killing me?¡± Hannah shrugged, her tone casual yet informative. ¡°Perhaps their aim is simply to vent their frustrations, much like they tried with me. A friend of mine faced a simr situation once. If you try to hide, you¡¯ll remain a target until they seed. ¡± Atticus was the epitome of a wealthy young man, his days typically filled with leisurely pursuits. Yet, he found himself bewildered by his sudden entanglement in such perilous affairs. He swallowed hard, overwhelmed by a sense of desperation. ¡°Ickbat skills. If they decide to strike, it will be all too easy for them to kill me. ¡± Reflecting on his vulnerability, Atticus cast a pleading look towards Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, please help me. I¡¯m willing to pay whatever it takes!¡± ¡°You¡¯d better keep the money for self-defense,¡± Hannah said to Atticus. ¡°As I said, living here can ensure your safety for the time being. However, once you step beyond these confines, I cannot assure your safety. ¡± It was only then that a realization dawned on Atticus. He spun around and dashed toward the front desk, calling out as he ran, ¡°I need a suite! Book it for the next six months!¡± With the immediate crisis managed, Hannah exited the hotel. Her bodyguard was already positioned by the car, ready to assist. ¡°Miss Moore, I¡¯ll drive you back now. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Chapter 1773 The bodyguard courteously opened the back door for her, and once Hannah wasfortably seated, he started the engine. He then updated her on their current situation, ¡°We¡¯ve transferred the two men to the police. The officers are expected to arrive at the hotel within the next ten minutes. ¡± ¡°Okay.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡± Sitting in the back seat, Hannah closed her eyes to rest. ¡°You haven¡¯t informed Mr. Mitchell about this, have you?¡± ¡°It¡¯ste at night and the situation had been urgent, so we have yet to discuss this matter with our boss,¡± the bodyguard replied. ¡°For the time being, don¡¯t tell him about it. ¡± Upon hearing Hannah¡¯s directive, the bodyguard appeared conflicted. ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Just follow my instructions. If he inquires afterward, I¡¯ll handle all the consequences. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Yes, Miss Moore. ¡± Early the next morning, Bryson and Maloney¡¯s ne touched down. As Bryson switched on his phone upon disembarking, he noticed an absence of messages from Hannah or updates from the bodyguards he had assigned to protect her. Standing beside him, Maloney yawned and observed, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you seem unusually restless this early in the morning. Has something happened to Miss Moore?¡± ¡°No,¡± Bryson responded curtly, turning off his phone¡¯s screen and pushing his suitcase ahead indifferently. ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± Suspicious, Maloney took a step back and mumbled softly, ¡°Judging by the look on your face, it seems there¡¯s definitely something amiss¡­¡± The previous night, after concluding her business, Hannah had stealthily returned without alerting anyone. It waste, and consequently, she didn¡¯t rise early. Hannah didn¡¯t make her way downstairs until Bryson and Maloney had returned. It happened to be Saturday, and Grace, having no sses, was at home. She was in the kitchen, baking cakes. Catching sight of her brother, she eximed excitedly, ¡°Bryson!¡± Before she could wipe the flour from her hands, Grace rushed forward and embraced Bryson enthusiastically. ¡°You¡¯re back! Did you know we were all worried about you?¡± Bryson raised his hand to gently rub Grace¡¯s head, his eyes scanning the living room with a faint smile. ¡°Is Hannah not here?¡± he wondered silently. Catching her brother¡¯s inquisitive nce, Grace smiled knowingly. She gestured upstairs and asked, ¡°Are you looking for Hannah? She must have been exhausted yesterday; she hasn¡¯t woken up yet. ¡± Chapter 1774 ¡°Okay. ¡± Bryson reached out to brush the flour off Grace¡¯s face and handed his luggage over to the waiting butler. Loosening his tie, he announced, ¡°I¡¯m going upstairs to change my clothes. ¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Maloney called out, suitcase in hand. ¡°If you¡¯re going upstairs to change, what should I do?¡± Bryson turned to nce indifferently at Maloney. ¡°Wait in the Living room for a while,¡± he instructed, then turned and headed upstairs. Maloney couldn¡¯t help but grumble, ¡°Come on!¡± The butler, ever attentive, stepped aside with a smile. ¡°Sir, let me take your suitcase. If you need to change your clothes or take a shower, I can prepare a room for you. ¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ve changed my clothes beforeing here. I¡¯m not as particr as Mr. Mitchell,¡± he replied casually. With a wave of his hand, he handed the suitcase to the butler, then settled himself on the living room sofa. ¡°I¡¯ll wait here. ¡± ¡°Okay. If you wish to have breakfast, please feel free to let me know at any time. ¡± Bryson ascended the stairs and changed intofortable grey leisure wear. He approached the bedroom, his hand pausing at the doorknob. After a moment of hesitation, he decided against barging in and gently knocked instead. Inside, Hannah was deep in sleep, undisturbed by the sound outside her door. Bryson knocked again, more persistently this time, but still received no response. Did she go out alone again? With a mix of concern and curiosity, he finally opened the door and stepped inside. The bedroom scene was serene. Hannahy on the bed, her hair slightly tousled and sticking to her cheek. She was cozily nestled in the quilt, with only half her face visible, her features rxed in peaceful slumber. Bryson paused at the doorway, his gaze Lingering on her lips, finding her simplicity utterly endearing. He stepped forward and gently poked her cheek with his finger. At this touch, Hannah stirred slightly. She frowned, clearly reluctant to wake up, and murmured, ¡°Who is it?¡± Hannah opened her eyes slowly, murmuring with impatience. On seeing Bryson, she blinked and asked, ¡°Why have you returned so soon? What time is it?¡± ¡°Just after 9:00 am,¡± Bryson replied. As Hannah sat up in bed, bracing herself with her hands, he inquired, ¡°Was your sleep troubledst night?¡± ¡°It was somewhat restless. ¡± She rubbed her neck as she ryed to him the events ofst night, causing his brow to furrow. ¡°They didn¡¯t inform me. ¡± ¡°I requested they keep it from you. You were in Muvrand, and knowing would have only caused you unnecessary worry. I arranged for the young guy to stay at a hotel owned by the Mitchell Group. For now, he should be safe.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. The police visited there yesterday. I believe he¡¯s all right. ¡± Chapter 1775 ¡°Okay, Bryson responded softly. ¡°Don¡¯t concern yourself with the Garza family. I¡¯ll assist in resolving the issue. ¡± ¡°I hold no concerns about the Garza family. Should Merlin attempt any mischief, I¡¯ve prepared a means to ensure his legs won¡¯t heal. ¡± Hannah, eyebrows raised, queried Bryson, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, did you discover anything else during your trip to Muvrand?¡± ¡°Nothing of significance to report,¡± he admitted. Bryson moved to sit beside her on the bed. ¡°There¡¯s both good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?¡± With a hand resting on her cheek, Hannah Laughed Lightly. ¡°Since when did you start leaving me in suspense?¡± Imitating her, Bryson rested his chin on his hand and gazed at her. ¡°So, which one do you want to know first?¡± ¡°Tell me the bad news first. I want to be prepared for it. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson began. ¡°The woman who resembles you closely has escaped. She injured Caleb. Though not gravely, he was still hurt badly. ¡± The woman had meticulously nned and patiently awaited her opportunity to flee, showcasing her remarkable resourcefulness. Hannah was not very surprised. ¡°What¡¯s the good news?¡± ¡°The good news,¡± Bryson continued, ¡°is that Caleb called me yesterday. He¡¯s located the woman and sent me a photo and a video of her meeting with Amelie. ¡± ¡°She hasn¡¯t abandoned this n yet,¡± Hannah frowned. ¡°There¡¯s still some benefit to that woman¡¯s presence,¡± Bryson remarked. ¡°Should anything happen to you, she could seamlessly assume your identity and be the legitimate daughter of the Compton family. ¡± ¡°Are you really so casual about saying such dreadful things?¡± Hannah nced at him. ¡°Send me the video and the photo. I¡¯ll forward them to Keith and Trent and have them show our unreliable father,¡± she instructed. The news quickly reached Hannah¡¯s brothers, who were abroad. After confirming the message had been sent, Hannah stretched and mentioned, ¡°I¡¯m free today. I promised Grace I¡¯d join her for a meal. Let¡¯s bring them along. ¡± Bryson turned to look at her, his gaze intense and unwavering. Feeling a chill from his stare, she narrowed her eyes. ¡°Bryson, why do you look at me like that?¡± ¡°I just wanted to see your courage,¡± he replied.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°You know there are so many people watching, yet you boldly n to go out for a meal. ¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, my boldness stems from your presence. ¡± Hannah moved closer to Bryson, her voiceced with sarcasm. ¡°Didn¡¯t you promise to protect me and ensure my safety?¡± Before she could finish, Bryson pulled her closer. The atmosphere between them grew charged as they stood close together. Bryson looked down at Hannah and asked, ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t you n on paying me any interest?¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I doubt the little I could offer would interest you,¡± she replied. Chapter 1776 Subconsciously, Hannah tried to pull away, but Bryson¡¯s grip was firm. His fingertips Lightly traced her lips as he said, ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t pretend to be naive with me. ¡± As the tension grew, Hannah found herself gradually rxing. Just as they were about to ki*s, there was a knock at the door. ¡°Hannah, is my brother in there?¡± Startled by the interruption, Hannah quickly pushed Bryson away! He was left speechless by the sudden change. What a coincidence¡­ He walked to the door and opened it. Grace blinked in surprise. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Bryson, you are really here in Hannah¡¯s room!¡± As she peeked inside, Bryson gently touched her head and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Grace stopped at the doorway by Bryson, pouted and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t we agree to go out for a meal today? I noticed you were taking a long time to get ready, so I came to find you. I didn¡¯t expect you to be here. ¡± ¡°We won¡¯t go out today,¡± Bryson told her as he rubbed her head. ¡°I¡¯ll cook, and we¡¯ll eat at home. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Grace eximed, clearly taken aback. She seemed crestfallen as she blurted out, ¡°Didn¡¯t you promise we were going out for a meal?¡± After freshening up and changing her clothes, Hannah stepped out and caught the tail end of Grace¡¯s remark. ¡°If you¡¯d like, I can either cook for us or we can go out,¡± she offered. Grace¡¯s face brightened at the sight of Hannah. ¡°Okay! Hannah, it¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve had your home-cooked meals. Staying in sounds perfect! It¡¯s rare for both of you to be free. It would be wonderful to spend the day at home together!¡± Bryson chuckled, slightly surprised. He tousled Grace¡¯s hair and said, ¡°You change your mind so quickly! Weren¡¯t you just set on going out?¡± Grace stuck her tongue out at Bryson yfully. ¡°No! I just want to enjoy the meal Hannah cooks!¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Bryson rolled up his sleeves and turned to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯ll help you. And, could you invite Brayden and Lydia too?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah nodded and responded. She dialed Lydia¡¯s number as she walked down the stairs. Lydia, on the other end, apologized politely, saying she couldn¡¯t make it. ¡°I really want to join, but I¡¯m swamped with thepany¡¯s project. I won¡¯t be free for a while. Even though we secured the ind at a great price, the news has spread, and its poprity is booming. Brayden and I are tied up with public rtions. I¡¯m sorry, Hannah. ¡± Hannah offered words offort, ¡°It¡¯s okay, your business muste first. We¡¯ll n a dinner when you¡¯re less busy. ¡± After hanging up, Hannah saw Maloney lounging in the living room. As soon as he saw Bryson, he stood up and inquired, ¡°Shall we go now?¡± Confused, Hannah turned to Bryson. ¡°Where were you nning to go?¡± ¡°Actually¡­¡± Maloney nced at Bryson and decided to keep quiet. Chapter 1777 They had nned to visit the police station to look for more clues. However, seeing Bryson like this, Maloney figured he probably wasn¡¯t up for it. ¡°No big deal,¡± Maloney said. ¡°I was supposed to meet someone, but they were super busy today and asked me toe by tomorrow instead. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Since you¡¯re free, why don¡¯t we grab a meal together?¡± ¡°That sounds great. ¡± Maloney agreed. ¡°I rushed back and didn¡¯t get a chance to eat anything. ¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content. They got into the car with Dotson driving and Maloney in the passenger seat. Grace, Hannah, and Bryson sat in the back. Just as she settled in, Hannah got a message from Keith. He informed her that the Compton family was keeping an eye on the Chadwich family. There was still no news about the person they were discussing. Keith also mentioned that her father was taking this matter very seriously. If the truth came out, it could cause a major power shift in Caditown. Seeing the message, Hannah thought for a moment before replying, ¡°Got it. ¡± She knew he was subtly advising her to avoid traveling abroad for her own safety. Locking her screen, she gazed out the window, knowing that her situation at home wasn¡¯t much safer than being overseas. Noticing Hannah¡¯s silence, Bryson nced over at her. Maybe he sensed she didn¡¯t want to talk, so he kept quiet. The car was pretty quiet. Maloney couldn¡¯t stand the silence and broke it. ¡°What are we going to eatter?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll go grocery shopping,¡± Hannah replied. ¡°I¡¯ll cook today. ¡± ¡°yihat? No way!¡± Maloney turned around and said, ¡°If you had told me you were nning to cook, I wouldn¡¯t have agreed toe along. ¡± Hannah gave a forced smile, her voice teasing. ¡°Why do you think you¡¯re the only one with no tasks? You should go to the supermarket to help me carry the bags and guard me. I¡¯m in grave danger. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m the heir of the Pierce family. I have to stoop to shopping with you. You should appreciate this rare opportunity,¡± Maloney said, clearly amused. Hannah rolled her eyes. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just get ¡®I¡¯m the eldest son of the Pierce family¡¯ tattooed on your forehead?¡± Since they had been friends for so long, Maloney was used to teasing her like this. Suddenly, Bryson said seriously, ¡°He doesn¡¯t dare. ¡± Chapter 1778 Curious, Hannah turned to Bryson. Just as she was about to ask why he said that, Bryson added, ¡°If he actually got it tattooed on his face and then got assassinated, the heir of the Pierce family would be reced by someone else.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah closed her eyes, trying not tough. Did Bryson even realize how funny it was to say something so absurd with such a serious tone? Grace, who was sitting next to them, couldn¡¯t hold back her Laughter anymore. She turned her head, doing her best to stifle her giggles. Maloney could tell Bryson was teasing him with his serious tone, making it clear he was just joking around. Maloney clenched his teeth and finally turned away. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like talking to you anymore. Bryson, you¡¯re such a smooth talker. Sooner orter, you¡¯ll end up offending everyone around you. ¡± Bryson narrowed his eyes and grinned. ¡°I don¡¯t care, you know. ¡± They reached the nearest big shopping mall. Since it was the weekend, the ce was packed with more people than usual. ¡°Hannah, what do you like to eat? I¡¯ll cover the billter,¡± Grace said, as Hannah patted her head and handed her a cart. Then she turned to Maloney and said, ¡°You can go with Grace. Pick whatever you want to eat. It¡¯s on me today. ¡± Maloney walked up to Grace and grumbled, ¡°Hannah, that¡¯s really generous of you. ¡± He hurried to the snack section with Grace, both of them in high spirits. Hannah, speechless, took Dotson and Bryson to the vegetable aisle. Hannah reached for a shopping cart, but Bryson beat her to it, stepping in to help and positioning himself behind her, with Dotson on one side and Bryson on the other. He really was acting like her bodyguard, making sure she was safe. She walked in front of the cart, picking up some vegetables, then turned around to drop them into the cart. Suddenly, Hannah stumbled, caught off guard by an unexpected push! Bryson quickly steadied her and shot a cold re at the guy who had bumped into her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m really sorry!¡± the man in ck sses said, looking genuinely apologetic. After identally bumping into Hannah, he kept apologizing with real regret. Hannah shrugged it off, not too bothered by the minor collision. She looked up at the man and waved her hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s alright. ¡± ¡°Thank you, thank you so much. I¡¯m really sorry again!¡± The man rushed past them, his panic disappearing. He spoke into his earpiece. ¡°Target located. Get ready to move out!¡± Hannah walked over to the frozen food section. As she reached out to touch the freezer, a slight frown creased her brow. She nced back in the direction the man had gone, but he was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Bryson asked, looking at Hannah. Chapter 1779 Hannah shook her head. ¡°I feel like something¡¯s off, but I can¡¯t put my finger on it. ¡± ¡°Do you think someone¡¯s watching us?¡± Bryson asked, bending down to grab some instant food from the fridge and slipping it into the cart discreetly. In a low voice, he added, ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s not ready to back down just yet. ¡± Dotson stepped up. ¡°Boss, I¡¯ll head to the back and keep an eye out, just in case we get caught off guard. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± The three of them quickly agreed. Dotson turned and walked off, looking like he was just browsing the seasoning aisle. Sure enough, not long after Dotson left, those people around them started getting a bit impatient! As Hannah and Bryson continued on, they noticed people closing in from all sides. The two of them weren¡¯t in a rush. They had seen thising. So, they acted Like they didn¡¯t notice the people around them and kept walking. Hannah gave a small smile and said, ¡°There are a lot of bystanders here. If we start a fight, they might get hurt. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Let¡¯s try to keep them safe,¡± Bryson said, putting the items he was holding into the shopping cart. ¡°The toy section is just up ahead. It¡¯s less crowded there. Let¡¯s head over.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± But as soon as they agreed, the people around them closed in even faster! It was impossible to reach the toy section with over a dozen people blocking their way, browsing through items. Hannah nced at Bryson, then shouted, ¡°Someone¡¯s been killed! Someone¡¯s been killed here!¡± It was a perfect hit. As soon as the people heard ¡°Someone¡¯s been killed,¡± they dropped their carts and bolted for the exit, no matter if it was true or not! A few people still hanging around were watching intently, craning their necks to look at Hannah. As soon as the assassins realized Hannah was onto them, they quickly pulled out daggers from their sleeves and charged toward her! The onlookers, who had been shooting, quickly tucked their phones away and ran for the exits as soon as they saw those assassins pull out knives! ¡°It¡¯s a murder! Call the police!¡± Seeing that the ce had emptied out, Hannah found her stress easing. Standing before the frozen section, she regarded the cluster of assassins surrounding her with a cool gaze. ¡°You¡¯re in the territory of a major business tycoon, with surveince cameras abound. There¡¯s no escaping consequences if you inflict harm upon us!¡± ¡°Enough with the talk! Just take them down!¡± Chapter 1780 ¡°Boss!¡± Dotson shoved aside the two individuals nearby and rushed toward Hannah with all his might! However, with the crowd thickening, two more figures promptly emerged to engage Dotson! Bryson positioned himself in front of Hannah, pushing a shopping cart toward their adversaries! Several were knocked down as the cart crashed into them. However, the remaining assants swiftly sidestepped the hurtling shopping cart and lunged forward, brandishing daggers at Bryson! Bang! Just as Bryson prepared to evade, the assant charging him abruptly copsed to the ground! Bryson nced at the figure beside him. Hannah held a frozen fish by its tail, and knocked the man down. She remarked, ¡°Who knew a frozen fish could prove so handy?¡± She fetched another from the freezer and extended it to Bryson.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°Fancy one? Despite the chill, it¡¯s quite an effective weapon. ¡± Bryson was at a loss for words. Seeing Hannah strike down the assant with a frozen fish left the rest of the group stupefied. No one had witnessed such unconventional weaponry. Moreover, the resounding impact and the prolonged stillness of the fallen man left them wary. Fixing their gaze on the fish in Hannah¡¯s grasp, they surmised it must inflict considerable injury. ¡®s BunnyBookery Observing their hesitation, Hannah brandished the fish. ¡°Are we not fighting? Why are you just standing there?¡± Annoyed by Hannah¡¯s challenge, they rallied their resolve and resumed their assault. Using the fish as a baton, Hannah darted among them, engaging inbat ! Since returning to Cadilind, she hasn¡¯t truly fought. Now, vexed by these persistent adversaries, she unleashed her fury! Gripping the fish tail with both hands, she deftly avoided sharp des! Then, in a fluid motion, she swung her arms, the frozen fish striking with force against a man¡¯s face! Bang! The man¡¯s knife was dislodged, and he crashed heavily to the ground! Hannah, carried away by her sess, continued to strike the assassins with whatever was at hand! Chapter 1781 asionally ncing over, she observed Bryson effortlessly dispatching his foes. These adversaries seemed inept, relying solely on their numbers. After neutralizing thest assant on her side, Hannah¡¯s attention wavered. Spotting someone attempting to nk Bryson, she eximed, ¡°Watch out!¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. In an instant, she seized the nearby shopping cart and swung it toward Bryson¡¯s assant! The assant was sent airborne, producing a small bottle mid-flight and hurling it at Hannah! Instinctively, she raised her arm to shield herself, yet the liquid within still sshed into her eyes! Instantly, her vision blurred, and objects were reduced to mere outlines and halos! Nheless, she maintained her grip on the cart, sending the assant hurtling into the nearby freezer! ¡°Ahh!¡± The assant cried out in agony, copsing to the floor. ¡°Hannah! Are you alright?¡± Having subdued all adversaries on his nk, Bryson approached Hannah, gently grasping her shoulder. ¡°They won¡¯t be getting back up. Are you feeling alright?¡± Hannah shut her eyes tightly, concealing her impairment. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Go check on Grace and the others!¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Bryson nodded. ¡°Take care. I¡¯ll return once I¡¯ve found them. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Dotson, having dealt with his adversaries, approached Hannah. ¡°Boss! Are you okay? Is everything alright?¡± ¡°Everything¡¯s fine. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes fluttered open, seeking out Dotson¡¯s direction. Only a faint halo remained where Dotson stood, his outline nowpletely obscured from Hannah¡¯s sight. Struggling to maintainposure, she gripped the shopping cart with one hand, endeavoring to conceal her unease. ¡°Keep a close eye on these people. Don¡¯t let them get up again. ¡± Dotson, preupied with her safety, failed to notice anything amiss. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, boss. I¡¯ve got your back!¡± About two minutester, Dotson whispered, ¡°Boss, the police have arrived and Mr. Mitchell has returned. ¡± Hannah opened her eyes; the figures before her were now mere halos. ¡°Are Grace and Maloney safe?¡± Chapter 1782 Yes. Mr. Pierce seems to have sustained a minor arm injury, nothing too serious,¡± Dotson replied. As they approached, Maloney, his shirt stained with blood, grumbled, ¡°And what do you mean by ¡®nothing too serious¡¯? You¡¯re all unscathed, and here I am, injured! Miss Moore¡¯s beau shows no sympathy, I tell you. ¡± Dotson scratched his head. ¡°It¡¯s just a scratch. We¡¯ve had worse during training. It¡¯s truly nothing serious. ¡± They congregated, exchanging light banter. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s all my fault,¡± Gracemented. ¡°If not for me, Maloney wouldn¡¯t have been hurt. ¡± Maloney turned, offering a reassuring smile. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. Protecting you is my duty.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. Just a jest. ¡± Noting Hannah¡¯s absentmindedness, Bryson approached her with concern. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Are you truly alright?¡± Hearing his query, Grace hurried over. ¡°With so much happening, are you hurt, Hannah?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. ¡± Hannah raised her hand, intending to tousle Grace¡¯s hair, but her aim was off. It appeared that the position she sensed with her ears was slightly off. Bryson observed Hannah¡¯s odd behavior, on the verge of saying something, when the police rushed in. Spotting the injured, they directed the girls and the wounded Maloney to the waiting ambnce outside. Bryson and Dotson, unharmed, remained to provide statements. Bryson reassured Hannah, ¡°I¡¯ll pick you from the hospital once things are sorted here. ¡± Hannah nodded faintly in his direction, then was led away by Grace. In the ambnce, medical staff tended to Maloney¡¯s wound. Hannah lowered her gaze, maintaining silence. She didn¡¯t know the nature of the substance the assant had thrown at her. Though she was notpletely blind, she could only discern a foggy halo before her. In the dimness, she felt utterly sightless. Breaking the silence, Maloney interjected, ¡°Hey, Hannah. My arm¡¯s broken. Where¡¯s my ¡®thank you¡¯?¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Hannah replied tly. Maloney faltered, then withdrew something from his pocket. ¡°Got this off them. It seems to be something incriminating. Recognize it?¡± He extended his hand to Hannah, who reached out slowly at the sound of his voice. Chapter 1783 She clenched her fist, finding nothing! Observing her action, Maloney attempted to speak, but upon meeting her vacant gaze, he recoiled. ¡°Hannah! You¡­ Can¡¯t you see? What¡¯s happened to you?¡± Maloney¡¯s question caught the attention of the medical team and Grace. Everyone turned to look at Hannah. ¡°Hannah?¡± In a state of rm, Grace grabbed Hannah¡¯s arm. ¡°How can you not see anything? You were perfectly fine at the grocery store earlier!¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± Hannah raised her hand soothingly, bringing a calm to the noticeable tension in the ambnce. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°It¡¯s only temporary. Try not to worry too much. ¡± Maloney was at a loss for words. How could they not be concerned for her? It was serious that she was having trouble seeing! Maloney said, ¡°I¡¯m going to call Bryson right now and ask him toe here. ¡± ¡°Wait. ¡± Hannah interrupted Maloney. ¡°He mentioned he¡¯d visit us at the hospital after he finishes his work. There¡¯s no need to call him now. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Just then, the doctor came over with a small shlight. ¡°I apologize for the interruption. Let me check her eyes first. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Hannah tilted her head up and looked straight ahead. Suddenly, she noticed a ck, shimmering object before her eyes. A sharp light shed into her eyes. Despite the lingering blur and halo obscuring her vision, her surroundings seemed much brighter than before. The doctor¡¯s expression showed concern. ¡°After shining a light into your eyes, there¡¯s barely any reaction of the pupils. I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s definitely a problem with your vision. We should have assigned someone to monitor your condition since your admission. ¡± Even after the doctor¡¯s assessment, Hannah remainedposed. ¡°Thank you, doctor. ¡± Grace was clearly distressed, tears almost spilling from her eyes. ¡°What should we do now? Will your eyesight recover? It¡¯s my fault. Why did I push for you to cook? If we hadn¡¯t gone out, this wouldn¡¯t have happened!¡± Hannah reached out and gently touched Grace¡¯s arm. Holding it softly, she reassured, ¡°There¡¯s no need to me yourself for this. If it wasn¡¯t today, I would have needed to go out tomorrow. I can¡¯t stay indoors for the rest of my life. ¡± Sheforted Grace further, ¡°I can still see some shapes, albeit blurry. Let¡¯s see what the doctors say after the examination. ¡± Grace calmed down, tenderly grasping Hannah¡¯s hand, and whispered, ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll be here to help you while you can¡¯t see things. ¡± Chapter 1784 Hannah smiled. Maloney¡¯s face held a trace of difort as he looked at Hannah. Just as he was about to pull out his phone to message the Compton family, Hannah stopped him. ¡°Mr. Pierce, please don¡¯t inform the Compton family about this. ¡± Hearing her voice, Maloney halted and turned his attention to her, seated opposite him. ¡°It¡¯s really not a big deal. There¡¯s no need for them to know,¡± Hannah said, her eyes flickering as she spoke. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal?¡± Maloney frowned. ¡°What if you end up losing your sight permanently?¡± Hannah responded with a self-assured smile. ¡°Perhaps I won¡¯t be able to see for a while, but I¡¯m confident I can recover on my own. ¡± Normally, Maloney might dismiss such a im as bragging. However, when Hannah made such a statement, he found himself believing her without question. ¡°Alright. ¡± After a moment of hesitation, Maloney replied, ¡°I¡¯ll keep this to myself for now. But if there¡¯s no improvement in your condition, you¡¯ll need to return with me. The head of the Compton family will ensure you receive the best possible care. ¡± If she couldn¡¯t heal herself, then she was confident no one else could restore her vision either. ¡°I understand,¡± Hannah replied. As they spoke, the ambnce pulled into the hospital. The doctor directed Maloney and Hannah to different examination rooms, while Grace stayed outside under the watch of bodyguards. It turned out Maloney only had a bruised arm, which needed simple bandaging. Hannah underwent a thorough examination that explored every aspect of her condition with great precision. She went through several tests, including having five or six vials of blood extraction. Following this, she was given a private room at the top of the hospital.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Once the doctor had given his orders and left, Hannah made herselffortable on the bed, taking in the new experience. She hadn¡¯t realized that losing sight would heighten her hearing so significantly. ¡°Well, don¡¯t just stand there at the door. Come on in. ¡± Crack. Chapter 1785 The door handle turned, and Maloney along with Grace stepped into the room. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you have such sharp hearing that you can detect noises through the door,¡± Maloney said. Hannah thought to herself, ¡°Well, if both my eyes and ears fail me at the same time, I¡¯d really be in trouble. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m so scared, Hannah,¡± Grace said, rushing into Hannah¡¯s embrace. ¡°Oh, you silly thing. ¡± Hannah smiled warmly and caressed her head. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be frightened of. I¡¯m going to be alright. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± Before the results of the tests were released, Bryson and Dotson made their way to the hospital. As they chatted in the room, Hannah suddenly stopped and looked towards the door. Even with her impaired vision, Hannah could clearly detect the sound of two men approaching the door. ¡°Your brother and Dotson are here,¡± Hannah said to Grace. Right after she spoke, someone pushed the ward door open from outside. Bryson slowed down as he entered and saw Hannah. Noticing Hannah sitting on the bed, Bryson¡¯s breathing quickened for a moment. He approached her and, looking into her unfocused eyes, asked gently, ¡°Are you feeling any difort?¡± His voice, with its subtle maism, enveloped the space above her head. Hannah slightly lifted her head. Though she couldn¡¯t see the person in front of her, she felt a subtle shift in the Lighting. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Everything¡¯s alright. ¡± Looking into Hannah¡¯s vacant eyes, Bryson felt a wave of anger rise within him. He gently touched the skin near the corner of her eyes with his hand. Watching her blink at his touch, he felt the anger in his heart subside. ¡°The medical staff here might not have the expertise we need. Once we get the test results, I¡¯ll arrange for you to be seen at a specialized eye hospital. ¡± Hannah shook her head.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°This isn¡¯t something doctors can fix. I don¡¯t think the hospital will find anything. You might want to get help from Saul. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Bryson nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it. ¡± While they were discussing, the doctor knocked on the door. ¡°Excuse me, Mr. Mitchell. Could you step outside for a moment?¡± Chapter 1786 Holding up the examination report, the doctor added, ¡°I need to talk to you about the patient¡¯s test results. ¡± Bryson nodded, turned around, and closed the door behind him as he left, the soft click echoing down the sterile hospital corridor. Once they were far from the hospital room, the doctor stopped and faced Bryson, his expression grave. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, we¡¯ve conducted all the necessary tests. However, we haven¡¯t identified the root cause of the patient¡¯s blindness. We would rmend the patient stays in the hospital for further observation or get an appointment with a more specialized optician. ¡± Bryson had anticipated this inconclusive oue. He sighed and took the report from the doctor¡¯s hand, a mix of frustration and determination brewing within him. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back. ¡°Besides her eyes, does she have any other health issues?¡± The doctor shook his head. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that, Mr. Mitchell. Other than her eye condition, she¡¯spletely healthy. ¡± ¡°Alright, I understand,¡± Bryson replied. He returned to the hospital room, the report in his hand feeling like a lead weight. Inside, the three people waiting looked up, their faces etched with anxiety and hope. Grace was the first to speak, her voice trembling.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Bryson, what did the doctor say? Can Hannah¡¯s eyesight be restored?¡± Bryson, holding the report tightly, walked over to Hannah. He spoke gently but with a firm resolve. ¡°I¡¯m going to discharge you today. We¡¯re going to see Professor Campbell. He might be able to help. ¡± His words hung in the air, a quiet acknowledgment of the hospital¡¯s inability to diagnose or treat Hannah¡¯s condition. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken fears. Hannah chuckled softly, breaking the tension. ¡°I told you they wouldn¡¯t find anything, but you didn¡¯t believe me. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Grace hesitated, her grip tightening on Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°Do you think Professor Campbell can help you regain your vision?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Hannah replied. Her calm demeanor masked the uncertainty she felt. ¡°I¡¯m not hoping for a miracle. I just want Saul to assess my condition. ¡± Bryson stepped forward and gently helped Hannah to her feet. ¡°Can you walk?¡± he asked, his concern evident. He had considered carrying her out of the hospital, but he wanted to see if she could manage on her own. He respected her pride and didn¡¯t want to burden her with his worries. ¡°Of course. ¡± Hannah straightened, but she kept hold of Bryson¡¯s arm. ¡°Great. ¡± Bryson guided Hannah out of the room and nced at Maloney. ¡°Can you and Dotson look after my sister?¡± Maloney waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Sure, we¡¯ve got it covered. ¡± As Bryson and Hannah walked out in silence, the hum of hospital machinery and distant conversations faded. They didn¡¯t speak until they reached the entrance, the cool air a wee contrast to the stuffy corridors. Chapter 1787 ¡°There are steps ahead. Take it slow,¡± Bryson reminded her. ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah responded softly. As they descended the steps, Hannah broke the silence. ¡°What¡¯s the situation with the police?¡± Guiding her carefully, Bryson replied, ¡°The attackers were hired thugs, all with criminal records. On my way here, Officer Stevenson called. He mentioned they were merely hired hands, unaware of their employer¡¯s identity. ¡± Hannah¡¯s response wasposed. ¡°I suspected as much. We may never uncover who hired them. ¡± ¡°But I have other avenues to explore,¡± Bryson said. If Hannah could see, she¡¯d notice the determination gleaming in his eyes. ¡°For now, you¡¯ll stay at the mansion. I¡¯ll handle any matters that arise. You must inform me beforehand if you n to leave. ¡± Walking steadily with Bryson¡¯s assistance, Hannah appeared to outsiders as though her blindness were inconsequential. Sensing the gentler tone in Bryson¡¯s voice, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯m not a child. Do I really need to report every outing?¡± ¡°Yes, given your current condition, you must entirely rely on me for assistance.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡± Despite his authoritative words, Bryson¡¯s tone remained gentle, and Hannah didn¡¯t take offense. ¡°Understood,¡± she replied casually. ¡°I¡¯ll lean on you and Grace for now. ¡± Her nonchnt demeanor belied the gravity of her situation. Upon returning to the Mitchell family¡¯s mansion, Bryson promptly contacted Saul. When Saul learnt about Hannah¡¯s condition, he was ready to drop everything ande over immediately. Hannah quickly interjected, ¡°My eyes aren¡¯t an urgent matter, Saul. Whether they get better or not, it won¡¯t change overnight. I just want you to evaluate my condition so I have a clearer understanding of what¡¯s going on. There¡¯s no need to rush. ¡± Saul¡¯s voice crackled with frustration. ¡°You silly girl! If this isn¡¯t urgent, what is? Your eyes are no trivial matter. ¡± Hannah shrank back slightly, feeling chastised. ¡°Got it. I¡¯ve had a long day. It¡¯ste now, soe over tomorrow. ¡± Saul nced at his watch, realizing it was already past 6 p. m. He had already left hisb and removed his sterile gown. ¡°Fine, just make sure Bryson sends me the address tomorrow. I¡¯lle by and check on you. ¡± ¡°Alright, I will. ¡± After hanging up, Bryson helped Hannah sit on the bed. He knelt beside her, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his gaze filled with concern. ¡°What would you like for dinner? I¡¯ll cook tonight. ¡± Chapter 1788 ¡°Anything is fine. I don¡¯t have quite an appetite,¡± Hannah replied softly. Bryson raised his hand, intending to yfully pinch her cheek, but hesitated and withdrew it. ¡°Even if you¡¯re not hungry, you should eat something. You haven¡¯t had anything all day. ¡± Before Hannah could respond, Bryson had already left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Feeling a sense of istion, Hannah reached out to the table beside her, fumbling until her hand found her phone. Slowly, she brought it to her face. With a soft beep, the phone was unlocked, and Hannah navigated through her contacts by memory, her fingers tracing familiar patterns. She dialed a number, recognizing the voice on the other end. ¡°Hello? Miss Moore?¡± Hannah listened carefully before responding. ¡°Officer Stevenson, are you avable?¡± ¡°Just wrapping up,¡± came the reply. Officer Stevenson exhaled deeply, sinking into his chair and reaching for a ss of water. ¡°I heard there was an incident. Are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Hannah replied, her tone steady despite the turmoil within. She omitted to mention her blindness. ¡°I wanted to inquire if you found a small ss bottle at the crime scene. ¡± ¡°ss bottle?¡± Officer Stevenson¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion at her query. After a moment of contemtion, the muffled sound of papers shuffling echoed through the phone. ¡°Hold on, let me check. I don¡¯t recall offhand. The forensics department might have found it. ¡± A momentter, the rustling stopped, and Officer Stevenson spoke again. ¡°Actually, we did find one!¡± ¡°Hmm, let me take a look. ¡± Stevenson examined the information and frowned. ¡°The report mentions that the surveince footage shows the attacker sshing liquid on you. That¡¯s the small bottle he¡¯s holding. ¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. He paused before continuing, ¡°If you¡¯re really okay, why would you call me to ask about the bottle¡¯s location? What really happened? You need to tell me the truth. Even though Bryson is a friend, I¡¯m also a police officer. If they harmed someone, it needs to be reported. ¡± Hannah said calmly, ¡°I can¡¯t see anything now. ¡± ¡°What? Really?¡± Stevenson was taken aback. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier? Their attempted murder charge is serious enough for a conviction, but your injury needs to be documented for the case. ¡± Realizing he might have sounded too stern, he added, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Moore. As a police officer, I¡¯m concerned about your safety as a victim. ¡± ¡°Never mind,¡± Hannah said. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have ignored it. Officer Stevenson, you¡¯re right. I won¡¯t do it again. ¡± Her grave tone made Stevenson feel a bit embarrassed. ¡°Oh, by the way, what do you want to do with this bottle?¡± Hannah asked. ¡°I think your police station can also find out if there¡¯s residue of the drug in this bottle. I want you to check it for me, as it may help me recover my eyesight. ¡± ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll inform you as soon as we get the results,¡± Chapter 1789 Stevenson promised. Hannah smiled and said, ¡°Thank you, Officer Stevenson. ¡± After lying quietly in the room for a while, she heard footsteps outside. When the door opened, Hannah sat up. Bryson quickly walked up to Hannah with a te in his hand. As he approached, the aroma of the meal wafted toward her.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°It smells so good,¡± Hannah said, inhaling the fragrance. ¡°I¡¯m really hungry. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Bryson ced the te on the table, scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it, and held it to Hannah¡¯s lips. ¡°Have a taste. ¡± Hannah fumbled forward, sitting down on the edge of the bed. She reached out for the spoon and said, ¡°I can do it myself. ¡± ¡°You can¡¯t see right now. Let me help you. Open your mouth,¡± Bryson said firmly. When the warm spoon touched her lips, Hannah couldn¡¯t help but open her mouth and take a sip. The shrimp soup was fresh and tasty, with a hint of tofu. It was perfectly cooked, with a mellow and smooth taste. Bryson scooped up another spoonful and held it to her lips. ¡°Try this again. ¡± Hannah took a sip, and the soup slid down her throat. A strong taste of tomato filled her mouth, instantly fueling her appetite. ¡°It¡¯s really good. It seems Mr. Mitchell put a lot of effort into it,¡± Hannah praised. ¡°I think today¡¯s soup tastes better than what¡¯s served in the top-notch restaurants. ¡± Bryson smiled slightly and offered Hannah another bite. ¡°You¡¯ve only praised me once in all these days. ¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows slightly and retorted, ¡°You cooked the meal and fed it to me. Of course, I have to say something nice to coax you, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Bryson fed her another spoonful. ¡°Okay, wrap it up and hit the sack early tonight. Professor Campbell¡¯s dropping by tomorrow, so don¡¯t stay up toote. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± After dinner, Bryson carried the te towards the door. Just as he was about to switch off the light, he paused, ncing back at Hannah. ¡°Would you Like me to turn off the light or leave it on?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter whether you turn it off or not. I can¡¯t see it anyway,¡± replied Hannah, her gaze directed towards the sound of Bryson¡¯s voice. ¡°But you can turn it off. I¡¯m hitting the hay early. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Bryson flicked off the light with a quick motion of his hand. He lingered at the door, gazing into the darkness where Hannah was, before finally pivoting and leaving. Seated on the bed, Hannah sensed the door inching shut. Chapter 1790 Once the door closed, she blinked and realized she truly couldn¡¯t see anything. Hannah reclined on the bed, rolling onto her back. It was oddlyforting. She seemed to adjust to this newfound ease rather swiftly. Downstairs, Dotson and Maloney spotted Bryson descending. Dotson inquired, ¡°How¡¯s my boss? In a bad mood?¡± Maloney asked, ¡°Is Miss Moore down about her eyes?¡± ¡°No,¡± Bryson replied. Bryson requested the vi¡¯s housekeeper to handle the dishwashing. Upon his return and seating himself, his countenance had cooled noticeably. Maloney could sense his discontent. ¡°I understand you must feel upset about Miss Moore¡¯s injury, but don¡¯t let it consume you. ¡± Although Bryson looked calm now, he could have easily lost his cool for a spell. He¡¯d once witnessed it abroad. With his thoughts spinning, Maloney reasoned with Bryson, ¡°Think about it, we¡¯re in Cadilind. Miss Moore¡¯s eyes are a hindrance, she needs proper care now. ¡± Even though Dotson was also eager to seek justice for Hannah, he concurred with Maloney¡¯s viewpoint. ¡°Yes, we still haven¡¯t identified who these individuals are. It¡¯s best not to act impulsively for now. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got a lead on where we might learn who¡¯s behind this. ¡± Bryson lifted his gaze and regarded the two with his profound eyes. ¡°Do you want to join me? It¡¯s your call. ¡± Maloney and Dotson exchanged nces. Dotson inquired, ¡°Where to?¡± Bryson exined, ¡°There¡¯s an underground joint in Valmere. Money talks there; we¡¯ll get what we need. Chances are, that¡¯s where they¡¯re from. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Dotson quickly weighed the pros and cons. ¡°Considering the diverse group involved, there¡¯s likely a mastermind orchestrating things behind the scenes. If we confront them together, I doubt the underlings will divulge information about their employer. They likely have strict rules and won¡¯t risk exposing their benefactor. If they vite these rules, they¡¯ll lose credibility and business. ¡± ¡°As long as we¡¯ve got the cash. ¡± Bryson¡¯s tone turned icy. ¡°It¡¯s all about what matters more to them: rules or cash. ¡± Nightfall dr@ped the city, neon lights flickering like restless spirits. The three of them quickly reached a consensus to take action that night. Dotson promptly drove them to the bar. The bary tucked away, hidden from prying eyes. After navigating several alleys, they arrived at an ancient-looking building. The decor inside was simple yet exquisite, reminiscent of an old mansion or ancient pce. Two lifelike stone lions guarded the entrance, giving it an aura of regality. Several tall men dressed in ck stood at the door of the bar, bowing respectfully as they approached. ¡°Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Chapter 1791 Maloney blinked in surprise. ¡°Is this the underground bar you mentioned? It doesn¡¯t seem very underground at all. It¡¯s quite conspicuous. ¡± Bryson led Maloney and Dotson inside without uttering a word. The main hall was elegantly decorated with Luxurious rosewood chairs and lengthy tables. The walls were adorned with paintings, and rows of fine porcin vases cast a gentle radiance.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°This doesn¡¯t seem like a bar,¡± Maloney said as he looked around. ¡°It¡¯s more like a private mansion. ¡± Just as he finished hisment, a woman d in a red dress appeared from across the hall. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, pleasee this way. ¡± Bryson nodded, signaling Dotson and Maloney to follow. As the two men caught up with Bryson, Maloney whispered, ¡°Have you been here before?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bryson responded, his voice tinged with nostalgia. ¡°I used toe to this ce frequently when I first came back to the country. ¡± The woman in the red dress guided them toward the right side of the hall, to an elevator. Upon entering, Maloney noticed the only button was for the basement level. ¡°So, this leads to the actual underground bar?¡± The woman nodded and exined, ¡°Yes, the upper levels are the residence of the owner. We only allow ess to those we trust. ¡± As they descended, the area grew darker, and the sound of loud music began to fill the atmosphere. Bryson said directly to the woman, ¡°I¡¯m here to see your boss. ¡± ¡°Of course, the boss isn¡¯t busy right now. I¡¯ll take you to him,¡± she responded, leading them through a series of corridors until they reached their destination. Just as Maloney felt he was losing track of their path, the woman halted and said, ¡°Here we are. Please wait here while I notify the boss. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± After the woman went inside, Maloney looked around. There was a small fountain. The area was notably quietpared to the earlier noise. The sound of the fountain was soothing. The surroundings here contrasted sharply with the noise they had heard earlier. But they didn¡¯t know where they were. They seemed to have walk a long distance. Maloney leaned in and whispered to Bryson, ¡°Something feels off here. Keep your guard up when we go in. ¡± Dotson stayed alert, quietly scanning the surroundings. Chapter 1792 Bryson eyed the heavy door ahead but remained silent. Shortly after, the woman reappeared. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, the boss is ready to meet you now. ¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Bryson said, taking the lead. Dotson and Maloney exchanged wary looks before trailing behind him. They passed through several ornately designed iron doors until they reached a room. It was guarded by two serious-looking men in suits. The woman opened the door. Inside, a man in his fifties sat on a sofa surrounded by five younger men. Two were smoking, one sat at the far end of the sofa, and three with noticeable scars on their faces and arms stood nearby. As the door swung open, all eyes fixed on Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you¡¯ve finallye to see me. What brings you here today?¡± the older man asked. ¡°I¡¯m not one to beat around the bush,¡± Bryson replied as they walked in. The door shut heavily behind them. ¡°I need you to identify some individuals,¡± Bryson said. Dotson moved forward and ced several photographs on the table. The man at the center, Toby Webster, looked over the photos with a frown. ¡°What have these individuals done to upset you?¡± Bryson¡¯s expression remained unchanged.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°I just need to know if they belong to your group. ¡± Toby studied the pictures, his expression uncertain. The five men around him eyed Bryson carefully, their looks filled with suspicion. Bryson waited calmly for Toby¡¯s answer. After a pause, Toby finally said, ¡°Yes, the people in these photos are part of my group. Since Mr. Mitchell hase here, it suggests they¡¯ve caused some offense. ¡± Toby looked at Bryson, unflustered, and added, ¡°We¡¯ve coborated before, and you¡¯re familiar with my policies. If you¡¯re here to demand that I hand them over, that¡¯s not going to happen. ¡± ¡°These men are already detained by the police, so there¡¯s no need for you to hand them over,¡± Bryson replied sharply. Toby¡¯s frown deepened, yet he held his silence. His men suddenly became agitated. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Dotson was experienced in dealing with such situations. He stepped aside to block their view of Bryson. Chapter 1793 ¡°Your men assaulted my boss at a supermarket earlier today. They¡¯re already at the police station, so rx!¡± Dotson eximed, visibly annoyed. ¡°Do you really think we¡¯re here just to stir up trouble?¡± The men looked at each other, their faces showing confusion. Toby¡¯s expression darkened as he grasped the situation. ¡°Apologies, we were simply carrying out orders. We didn¡¯t realize who was involved. If there was any harm done, tell us how much you need to settle it. ¡± Bryson walked forward slowly, each step increasing the pressure on the men. The men nearly rose but were restrained by Toby, who didn¡¯t want to escte the situation with Bryson. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯m sincere in my offer. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need money,¡± Bryson said, settling onto a small sofa. ¡°I came here to do business, not cause trouble. ¡± Toby¡¯s throat tightened, sensing the gravity of Bryson¡¯s terms. Before he could decline, Bryson interjected, ¡°I only need you to tell me who gave the order. Name your price. ¡± The five other men in the room looked at Toby. He took a deep breath and addressed Bryson in a negotiating tone, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, we¡¯ve worked together many times before. You should know our rules. We never disclose the identity of our clients, no matter what. I don¡¯t know anything about the jobs they took. How about this? Name your price, and we canpensate you-¡° Before he could finish, Bryson interrupted him, ¡°Thirty million dors. I just want the name of the person who hired them. ¡± The room fell silent instantly. ¡°Fifty million. ¡± Bryson countered calmly, showing no sense of urgency. Toby remainedposed, but his men started to lose their cool. ¡°We can¡¯t agree to that! It would ruin our reputation!¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t verify the jobs you took and ended up targeting the wrong person. Isn¡¯t that already damaging your reputation?¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze fixed on Toby. ¡°Your own rules say not to involve clients¡¯ associates. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Toby couldn¡¯t argue with that. They had indeed set such a rule to avoid harming their clients inadvertently. ¡°You don¡¯t have to take this deal,¡± Bryson said, rising to leave. ¡°I have a good idea of who hired them. I came here to confirm it. It seems I¡¯m wasting my breath. ¡± As he turned to leave, Toby called out, ¡°Mr. Mitchell! We¡¯ll take the deal. ¡± ¡°Boss!¡± Toby¡¯s men couldn¡¯t help but protest. ¡°This i: ¡°It¡¯s decided,¡± Toby said firmly. ¡°I have one condition.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. After this deal, you, Mr. Mitchell, will no longer be regarded as a client of ours. ¡± Bryson merely raised an eyebrow, unconcerned. ¡°Agreed. ¡± Once the terms were agreed upon, Bryson and his team departed. Chapter 1794 Left behind, Toby¡¯s men couldn¡¯t hide their dismay. ¡°Boss, have you lost your mind?¡± ¡°Boss, there¡¯s no reason to fear him. Why should we disclose the client¡¯s identity to him?¡± Toby ignited a cigarette, exining, ¡°You¡¯re missing the point. We¡¯re at fault here. His associates were harmed, yet he spared us any retribution. That alone is a favor. He¡¯s more than just another affluent individual. Provoking him could lead to far graver consequences than this. ¡± Disbelief colored one man¡¯s response. ¡°Boss, the Mitchell family won¡¯t take over our operations. ¡± ¡°I have no desire to see mutual destruction,¡± Toby dered sharply, eyeing the skeptical speaker. ¡°Moreover, I doubt we could even manage that against him. Choosing this path, severing ties with Bryson Mitchell even at a loss, is preferable to turning him into an adversary. ¡± As they exited the building, Dotson muttered, ¡°The Garza family is courting disaster. They will pay for it. ¡± ¡°No rush. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was icy. ¡°First, cut off their business. Then we can root them outpletely. ¡± Hannah was unaware of their activities that night. She woke up early, rubbing her eyes and recalling her blindness. She groped her way to the bathroom.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. After washing up, she managed to navigate her room without bumping into anything. As she sat down on the bed, Bryson entered the room carrying a bowl of oatmeal. ¡°You¡¯re awake? Have some oatmeal to warm up,¡± he offered. Hannah tilted her head. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you¡¯re up early today?¡± Bryson¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Yes, I have work at the office and can¡¯t stay with you today. ¡± Hannah epted the oatmeal, took a sip, and dismissed him lightly. ¡°Go on with your work. Though I¡¯m blind, helplessness isn¡¯t in my nature. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Bryson responded, observing her as she finished her oatmeal before he collected the bowl. ¡°I¡¯ve enrolled Grace in boarding school. It¡¯s currently safer for her there. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s a wise decision. She¡¯s better off where it¡¯s populous,¡± Hannah agreed. ¡°I¡¯ve ensured the school will boost its security,¡± Bryson added. He then mentioned offhandedly, ¡°Maloney will apany me on some business matters for the next few days. ¡± Hannah perceived nothing unusual and nodded. ¡°Okay. ¡± Noticing herposed response, Bryson experienced a hint of disappointment. ¡°You don¡¯t have anything to say to me?¡± Chapter 1795 ¡°hat?¡± Confusion crossed Hannah¡¯s face as she turned towards him. ¡°Oh, right,¡± she said gravely. ¡°The people who attacked me are persistent. If they return, you could be dragged into this. Please, be careful at work. ¡± Bryson felt an urge to pinch her cheek for her apparent indifference but held back, mindful of her blindness. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m aware.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡± He then suggested, looking into her eyes, ¡°I think you might need a professional caregiver for daily assistance. ¡± ¡°No!¡± Hannah rejected the idea instantly. ¡°I¡¯m managing well. Plus, isn¡¯t Saul visiting today? I don¡¯t need a caregiver. ¡± Bryson didn¡¯t press further. ¡°Alright, just call me if you need anything. ¡± ¡°Okay, go on now. ¡± After Bryson departed, Hannah Lay back on the bed for a moment, rolled around, then dressed and made her way downstairs. ¡°Miss Moore! Let me assist you!¡± a servant offered upon seeing her navigate the staircase alone. ¡°No, I need to familiarize myself with theyout here on my own. ¡± ¡°Alright, but let me know if you need anything. ¡± Hannah nodded. ¡°Is Franco here?¡± ¡°Master and Madam will spend a few months each year at their old suburban residence. We¡¯re not permitted to apany them. Miss Moore, if you need anything, you can inform him through the butler. ¡± Hannah shook her head, dismissing the offer. ¡°No need to trouble the butler. Carry on with your duties. I¡¯ll reach out if necessary. ¡± ¡°Understood, Miss Moore. ¡± As the staff member left the Living room, Hannah made her way to the yard, where the delicate scent of flowers greeted her. Since losing her sight, her other senses, including smell, had be more acute. Navigating by memory, Hannah found her way to the swing, her movements steady and sure. Running her fingers along the swing¡¯s post, a smile tugged at her lips. It seemed her sense of direction remained intact. Sitting on the swing, she tilted her head upward, attempting to gaze at the sky. Under normal circumstances, she would squint against the sun¡¯s re, but now, all she perceived was a radiant circle of light. As she swayed gently, the sound of heated exchange reached her ears~ bodyguards engaged in a dispute with individuals outside. Pointing assertively at the two bodyguards, Tyshawn spoke with an air of arrogance, his voice carrying over themotion. ¡°Did my grandpa say we can¡¯te in? He just hinted we shouldy off visiting so often; that doesn¡¯t mean you get to y gatekeeper! Are you really going to keep me from going inside my family house? Do you even know who I am? I¡¯m Tyshawn Mitchell. Mitchell? Does that name ring a bell? If you dare to stop me again, you¡¯ll be looking for a new job!¡± The two bodyguards stationed at the door remained unfazed by Tyshawn¡¯s outburst. Chapter 1796 Standing beside Tyshawn, Melina couldn¡¯t help but feel exasperated by his behavior. She silently sighed to herself. If he weren¡¯t brainless and easy to manipte, she wouldn¡¯t have married him in the first ce! ¡°I apologize. We¡¯re here today to discuss our engagement with Franco,¡± Melina interjected politely. ¡°Is it Franco¡¯s direct order to prevent his grandson from entering his house?¡± The two guards maintained their stoic stance. One of them replied, ¡°Mr. Franco Mitchell is currently out. Mr. Bryson Mitchell instructed us that no one is permitted to enter or leave without his or Mr. Franco Mitchell¡¯s authorization during this time. ¡± ¡°Is Bryson your father? Why do you dance to his words?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s anger boiled over as he seized the bodyguard¡¯s cor, his voiceced with frustration. ¡°I¡¯m part of the Mitchell family. So why am I treated Like an outsider? Is Bryson the head of this family?¡± Tyshawn had always possessed a fiery temper, exacerbated by the ongoing turmoil surrounding Hannah and Bryson¡¯s affair. However, the two bodyguards, trained under Franco¡¯s guidance, remained steadfast and unyielding in the face of Tyshawn¡¯s aggression. One of them firmly pushed away Tyshawn¡¯s hand, urging, ¡°Sir, please refrain from causing a scene. ¡± Meanwhile, the altercation outside escted, drawing the attention of the butler, who emerged from the house and opened the door, only to be met by the sight of an enraged Tyshawn. ¡°Sir, what seems to be the problem here?¡± the butler inquired calmly. Tyshawn¡¯s frustration intensified upon seeing the butler. ¡°You tell me! This is my grandfather¡¯s house! Why are we being denied entry?¡± The butler¡¯s brow furrowed as he spoke sternly. ¡°Master Bryson has instructed us that entry is prohibited until his grandparents return. It¡¯s against protocol to engage in disputes on the premises. ¡± ¡°Protocol?¡± Tyshawn scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. ¡°I thought you all were loyal to my grandfather. Turns out, you¡¯re just spineless fence-sitters. Humph!¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text. With a forceful shove, Tyshawn pushed the butler aside. ¡°We¡¯re going in today! What can you possibly do to stop us? ¡° The butler crashed to the ground, emitting a cry of pain. Sensing the escting tension, the bodyguards intervened, restraining Tyshawn without causing harm. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Amidst the chaos, Hannah had navigated her way to the scene, relying on sound to guide her. Unable to see the unfolding events, she halted at a safe distance. ¡°Do you need assistance?¡± The butler, still reeling from the impact, rose to his feet, his voice strained with difort. He hurriedly addressed Hannah, ¡°Miss Moore, please return and rest. Leave this matter to us. ¡± Fearing further esction and concerned for Hannah¡¯s well-being, he hoped to prevent any harm befalling her in the midst of the chaos. However, Melina wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to strike. With a malicious smile, she directed her words towards Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, there¡¯s gossip circting outside that you lost your sight after being attacked. It appears the rumors hold some truth. ¡± Ignoring the butler¡¯s presence, Tyshawn advanced towards Hannah, his tone dripping with contempt. ¡°So, you¡¯re blind now? Seems like karma finally caught up with you!¡± But before he could approach Hannah, he was intercepted by the vignt bodyguards. ¡°Sir, please refrain from approaching Miss Moore Meanwhile, Melina took advantage of the distraction to close the distance to Hannah. ¡± Chapter 1797 Anxiously, the bodyguards called out to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore!¡± Aware of Melina¡¯s approach, Hannah remainedposed. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± As Melina drew near, she cast a defiant gaze over Hannah, examining her from head to toe. Upon encountering Hannah¡¯s sightless eyes, Melina felt a rush of satisfaction. ¡°Miss Moore, doesn¡¯t it bother you to be blind?¡± In response, Hannah offered a serene smile. ¡°Not at all. But you¡¯re about to marry Tyshawn. Does that make you happy?¡± Melina¡¯s attempt to rattle Hannah fell short, but Hannah¡¯s retort threatened to strike a nerve. ¡°You!¡± Melina eximed, her hand poised for a p aimed at Hannah, but before she could strike, her wrist was firmly grasped by Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°How?¡± Shocked, Melina couldn¡¯t believe Hannah had managed to intercept her movement despite being unable to see. Hannah had adapted seamlessly to her blindness, her senses finely attuned to her surroundings. ¡°Miss Glyn, I warned you that if you daredy a hand on me again, I wouldn¡¯t let you off easily!¡± ¡°But you¡­ Ah!¡± Melina began, only to be interrupted by a sharp pain shooting through her wrist, prompting her to plead for mercy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Could we please talk privately?¡± ¡°Why would I want to talk to you?¡± Hannah withdrew her hand, wary of Melina¡¯s intentions. ¡°You¡¯ve attempted to harm me before. I shouldn¡¯t to be alone with you. ¡± As Melina nursed her sore wrist, her expression grew somber. ¡°I¡¯m no match for you. What harm could I possibly do? We can speak privately in the garden. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Raising an eyebrow, Hannah replied, ¡°I¡¯m uncertain. Besides, I¡¯m currently unable to see, so I¡¯m unaware of your intentions. ¡± Frustrated by Hannah¡¯s reluctance, Melina gritted her teeth. ¡°Then ask them to keep their distance until we¡¯re done talking. Will that suffice?¡± ¡°What is it that you want from me?¡± Hannah inquired calmly. ¡°The Garza family is forging alliances with otherpanies to target the Mitchell Group. My family¡¯s implicated,¡± Melina revealed, a smug grin ying on her lips. ¡°Miss Moore, are you interested in discussing potential cooperation?¡± Hannah¡¯s curiosity sparked. She subtly gestured towards the people around, her hand moving like a breeze. ¡°Mind giving us a little privacy? Got some talk nned with Miss Glyn,¡± she said. The butler and bodyguards, catching Hannah¡¯s drift, gracefully stepped back, escorting Tyshawn away. His reluctance was in to see.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡°But my girlfriend¡¯s right there! Can¡¯t I stick around?¡± Tyshawn protested. Hannah¡¯s smile stayed calm. ¡°Just need a quick chat with Miss Glyn, you get me?¡± ¡°I-¡± Tyshawn started, only to be silenced by a sharp nce from one of the vignt bodyguards. Watching Tyshawn leave, Melina chimed in, a hint of intrigue in her voice. ¡°The Garza family will handle you with ease. The Mitchell family¡¯s a now tasty morsel in the business world, waiting to be carved up by the big business yers. ¡± While the Mitchell Group will surely stand strong with Bryson¡¯s support, you¡¯ve witnessed the Garza family¡¯s methods. If they rally everyone against the Mitchell family, Bryson won¡¯t stand a chance. Chapter 1798 ¡°Miss Moore, you¡¯re sharp. Let¡¯s make a deal,¡± Melina proposed, her words tinged with calction. Sensing Melina¡¯s intent, Hannah shed a knowing smile. ¡°What¡¯s amusing you?¡± Melina asked sharply. Hannah replied, ¡°I suppose you¡¯re going to tell me that if I leave Bryson, you¡¯ll ensure the Glyn family doesn¡¯t harm the Mitchell family anymore, right?¡± Though caught off guard, Melina remainedposed. ¡°That¡¯s the gist. So what?¡± Even without seeing, Hannah could feel Melina¡¯s arrogance. ¡°Miss Glyn, you¡¯re set to marry Tyshawn. But if the Glyn family is against the Mitchells, where does that leave you?¡± Melina¡¯s expression flickered, hinting at a shift in her demeanor. Hannah pressed on, ¡°Got any other ideas, Miss Glyn?¡± ¡°I am I, and the Glyn family is the Glyn family!¡± Melina scrambled to find a justification. ¡°We don¡¯t want to upset the Garza family, but if you agree, I might be able to persuade my parents. ¡± This wasn¡¯t the first time Hannah had faced such a condition. ¡°Sorry, can¡¯t go along with that. It¡¯s up to your Glyn family to make the call. If there¡¯s a genuine conflict, it¡¯s between the Mitchell family and the Glyn family.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. I won¡¯t meddle. ¡± Seeing Hannah stand her ground, Melina gritted her teeth. ¡°Hannah! Are you just going to watch the Mitchell family suffer? You can¡¯t do that! Aren¡¯t you with Bryson? Doesn¡¯t it matter to you if something happened to the Mitchell family?¡± Lifting her eyebrows in a mimicry of Melina, Hannah challenged, ¡°Bryson is Bryson, and the Mitchell family is the Mitchell family. Miss Glyn, save your breath. I won¡¯t budge no matter what offer you throw my way. ¡± Melina¡¯s hands trembled with rage, her frustration palpable. Realizing Hannah wouldn¡¯t yield, Melina relented. ¡°Fine, have it your way. Just don¡¯te crying to meter!¡± With a sharp turn, Melina stormed off, Tyshawn trailing behind. ¡®s BunnyBookery Alone in the car on the ride back to the Glyn estate, Melina punched in a number on her phone. ¡°That stubborn woman refused, no matter what I said. She¡¯s not giving up on Bryson! Looks Like she won¡¯t let him go easily. She¡¯s a tough one; that¡¯s for sure. And it¡¯s not because I didn¡¯t try!¡± Melina¡¯s cheeks flushed as she listened to the response on the other end of the line. Then she said into the phone, ¡°The Glyn family¡¯s got your back. But for Hannah, let¡¯s brainstorm other options if we can!¡± Smack! After mming the phone down, Melina tossed it aside! Seriously? Who did he think he was, saying she hadn¡¯t done anything? ncing angrily at the phone, Melina muttered, ¡°You better not let that woman, Hannah, get away with anything! Prove yourpetence!¡± In the old mansion, the butler offered apologies to Hannah. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry, Miss Moore. Won¡¯t ever happen again. ¡± Chapter 1799 ¡°No problem. ¡± Hannah tilted her head. ¡°You alright?¡± The butler grinned. ¡°I¡¯m good. Lucky you¡¯re okay. Else, exining to Master Bryson would¡¯ve been a nightmare. ¡± ¡°It¡¯s all good. Get back to your tasks. I¡¯ll head to my room. ¡± As she stepped into the living room and began to climb the stairs, Hannah¡¯s phone buzzed in her pocket, likely a message. Since she couldn¡¯t see well and it might not be crucial, she had decided to ignore it. To her surprise, it kept buzzing, suggesting multiple messages waiting for her. Just then, Dotson came downstairs. ¡°Boss! What are you doing down here? I just woke up.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Why didn¡¯t you wake me if you wanted to go out?¡± ¡°No need to worry. I¡¯m staying in,¡± Hannah said. ¡°I just fancy a stroll in the garden. Since you¡¯re here, could you check my messages for me?¡± ¡°Sure thing. ¡± Dotson grabbed Hannah¡¯s phone eagerly, his eyes lighting up at the notification. ¡°It¡¯s Lydia,¡± he said, peering at the screen with interest. ¡°She¡¯s suggesting you meet up at the candy coffee shop downtown tomorrow around noon. She also mentioned feeling exhaustedtely. After sending you this message, she¡¯s heading to bed. She wants to hang out with you tomorrow. ¡± Hannah hesitated, mindful of Lydia¡¯sck of knowledge about her eye condition. Deciding to avoid worrying Lydia, Hannah said, ¡°Let her know I¡¯m busy for now, but we can catch up in a few days. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Dotson said, quickly typing out the message. But Lydia¡¯s immediate response caught them off guard. ¡°Lydia mentioned she¡¯s feeling down and hopes you can spare some time for her. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery It was unusual for Lydia to reach out so urgently. It meant that something wasn¡¯t quite right. ¡°Let her know we¡¯ll meet at the coffee shop she mentioned. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± After Dotson sent the message, the butler¡¯s voice echoed from the living room. ¡°Miss Moore, Professor Campbell¡¯s here!¡± ¡°You naughty girl! What¡¯s gotten into you?¡± Saul eximed as soon as the butler finished. Despite his age, Saul hurried to Hannah, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s check those eyes of yours upstairs!¡± ¡°Sorry for the trouble. Come along, Dotson. ¡± ¡°Okay! Boss!¡± After returning to her room, Hannah sank onto the bed. ¡°Mr. Campbell, are you the only one visiting today? Didn¡¯t your other studentse along?¡± Chapter 1800 Saul passed the equipment to Dotson, exining, ¡°They wanted to visit, but there were too many, so I had to turn them away!¡± ncing at Hannah¡¯s eyes, Saul felt a pang of concern and sorrow. ¡°You reckless girl! How did you end up like this?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your eyes? Did you get involved in something dangerous again? Tell me the truth?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Hannah mumbled, lowering her head and looking particrly pitiful. Saul sighed and tried again in a softened tone. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look. Tell me everything so I can help you better. ¡± Hannah wasted no time and recounted the entire incident to Saul. ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of substance was sshed into my eyes. We¡¯re waiting for the police to identify it. It doesn¡¯t seem to be highly corrosive since I felt nothing when it got into my eyes, but I lost my sight just the next second. ¡± Saul immediately straightened up and examined her eyes with a shlight. Her pupils still showed no response at all. ¡°I reviewed the hospital records you sent me, and there seems to be no damage to the eyeballs or the retina. You said that only a Little bit got into your eyes which makes me think that the dose was low and only caused temporary blindness. ¡± Dotson, who had been quietly listening the whole time, instantly perked up at that. ¡°You mean boss¡¯ eyes will recover in some time?¡± Saul turned to look at him. ¡°If only it were that simple. ¡± He moved the shlight around Hannah¡¯s eyes and asked, ¡°Do you sense any changes in the light. ¡± Hannah blinked a few times trying to perceive any sort of movement but felt like there was no change. ¡°No. ¡± Saul let out a resigned sigh. ¡°That¡¯s what bothers me. You told me earlier that you could still sense light changes and now can¡¯t even do that. ¡± Saul¡¯s words struck a chord. Hannah realized she had indeed been more reliant on her other senses due to her blindness and hadn¡¯t noticed this change. ¡°Your eyes are slowly losing the ability to perceive light. ¡± Saul concluded after his examination. ¡°Although there¡¯s no visible damage, the substance must have been quite potent. Even a small amount caused temporary blindness. If we don¡¯t find a solution soon, you might be permanently blind. ¡± Dotson¡¯s heart skipped a beat at the thought of permanent blindness. He had never considered that possibility. ¡°That can¡¯t be! There are so many strange cases these days and I¡¯ve seen people recover even from amnesia. Boss will definitely get her sight back in a while. ¡± Hannah remained calm, as if she had expected this. ¡°Dotson, calm down and hear out the old man. ¡± Saul continued, ¡°Your vision loss isn¡¯t progressing rapidly, and the substance hasn¡¯t been fully analyzed yet. There¡¯s an experimental treatment for blindness, but it hasn¡¯t undergone clinical trials. I¡¯m hesitant to use it on you now. We can wait a few days for the analysis results before proceeding.N?velDrama.Org owns this text. ¡± Chapter 1801 Hannah nodded, showing no signs of worry. ¡°I¡¯ll trust your judgment. ¡± ¡°Will waiting a few days affect Boss¡¯s condition?¡± Dotson inquired anxiously. Saul waved his hand. ¡°Her condition won¡¯t deteriorate that quickly. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± Then he directed his attention to Dotson. ¡°Lad, could you step out for a moment? I need to speak with Hannah privately. ¡± ¡°Boss¡­¡± Dotson nced at Hannah, seeking her approval. She nodded. ¡°Go ahead. You don¡¯t need to stay here. I trust Saul. ¡± ¡°Yes, Boss. ¡± After Dotson left, the room fell into a brief silence. Saul¡¯s concerned voice broke the silence, weighted with worry. ¡°You were too reckless this time!¡± Hannah sighed softly, her tone tinged with regret. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I knew someone was targeting me, but I still went out. ¡± ¡°You can¡¯t lock yourself up because of this. Just be more careful next time. You have no idea how worried your fellow mentees were when they heard that you¡¯ve lost your sight. ¡± ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll be more careful in the future. ¡± Saul¡¯s demeanor softened once again. ¡°I know it¡¯s not entirely your fault. I¡¯ll see what we can do about your eyes. Once you have the results, send them to me immediately, and I¡¯ll work on a solution overnight.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. If you notice any changes in your eyes, inform me right away. ¡± Hannah, feeling a bit weary of Saul¡¯s nagging, replied, ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll take better care of myself. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Saul tapped her head with grandfatherly affection. ¡°You¡¯ve said that before. Let¡¯s hope this time brings better results. Alright, I won¡¯t trouble you further. I¡¯ll return and not waste any more of your time here. ¡± After Saul left, Hannah took a much-needed nap. When she woke up, she reached for her phone and opened an app to catch up on thetest news. As she listened to a few unimportant headlines, one piece grabbed her attention. The Mitchell family had officially severed all ties with the Garza family, dering an end to their cooperation. Understanding the implications of this development, Hannah reflected on Bryson¡¯s earlier words. ¡°No wonder he mentioned being busy with work. It must be because of this. ¡± Bryson hadn¡¯t mentioned it to her, but she understood. Thepany¡¯s decisions affected its future. Even if Bryson had told her before the matter was resolved, she knew it wouldn¡¯t alter the oue. Amidst the chaos caused by recent events, she found herself pondering the situation with the Compton family, wondering how Keith was doing on the other side. Hannah tossed her phone aside and sighed. ¡°Well, I might as well enjoy a few days of peace. ¡± The following afternoon, Hannah pulled her hair back into a ponytail and slipped into a fresh sports outfit. She climbed into Dotson¡¯s car and they headed to the designated cafe. Chapter 1802 This time, they were apanied by several bodyguards; a precaution from Bryson after the recent incident. Hannah had Dotson inform Bryson of their outing with a quick message. Soon enough, they arrived at the Candy Cafe. Dotson held the door open for Hannah, guiding her inside with a quiet whisper after a brief scan of the surroundings. ¡°Boss, your friend hasn¡¯t shown up yet. ¡± Hannah knew Lydia wouldn¡¯t be punctual. She suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s go in and have a seat while we wait for her. ¡± Dotson agreed, ¡°Okay, let me help you, Miss Moore. You¡¯re not familiar with this ce; I wouldn¡¯t want you to bump into anything. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± They had just settled into their seats at the coffee shop when a waiter approached with menus. ¡°What would you two like to drink?¡± he asked. ¡®s BunnyBookery Hannah tilted her head thoughtfully, ¡°I¡¯ll have an iced tea, please. ¡± ¡°I¡¯d like a cup of ck coffee,¡± Dotson decided. ¡°How much will that be? I¡¯ll cover it. ¡±T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. The waiter jotted down their orders and smiled, ¡°That will be 30 dors in total. ¡± As Dotson reached for his phone to pay, the waiter quickly interjected with an apologetic smile, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. Our payment system is currently down, and unfortunately, we can¡¯t ept direct payments. Could you please get some cash from nearby? My apologies for the inconvenience. We¡¯ll include a dessert on the house aspensation. ¡± Dotson nced at Hannah with a hint of hesitation, ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Hannah reassured him. ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯ll stay here and won¡¯t wander off. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Dotson stood and addressed the waiter. ¡°I¡¯m going to get some cash. Please look after thisdy for me. ¡± ¡°Of course, sir. Rest assured,¡± the waiter responded. The wind chime at the door tinkled as Dotson left. His footsteps gradually faded into the distance. Alone now, Hannah waited as the waiter brought her iced tea and set it before her with a smile. ¡°Miss, enjoy your tea. ¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Hannah said as the waiter ced her iced tea on the table. She lightly touched the cup, then settled in to wait for Dotson and Lydia. About five minutester, the door opened from the outside, admitting a series of sparse footsteps. Initially, Hannah paid little attention to the sound. It wasn¡¯t until the footsteps halted right in front of her table that she turned her ears towards the sound, though she remained silent. The woman seemed to scrutinize Hannah for a moment before she slowly approached and sat down opposite her. ¡°Do we know each other? Don¡¯t tell me you are Lydia,¡± Hannah remarked indifferently. Chapter 1803 The woman across from her finally spoke. ¡°Of course I¡¯m not Lydia. But I used her name to invite you here. You don¡¯t mind, do you?¡± Jenny had anticipated a dramatic reaction from Hannah and watched her with a hint of disdain. However, Hannah¡¯s demeanor remainedposed. ¡°I don¡¯t mind. If I did, IT wouldn¡¯t havee here. ¡± Jenny frowned, perplexed by Hannah¡¯s calm attitude. She nced around warily and said, ¡°Do you know who I am? Or¡­ have you been setting a trap for me with all these people around?¡± ¡°Of course, I don¡¯t know who you are,¡± Hannah replied. ¡°I can¡¯t see clearly right now, and your voice doesn¡¯t ring any bells. How could I possibly recognize you?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you scared?¡± Hannahughed heartily in response. ¡°If I say I¡¯m scared, will you let me go right now?¡± Jenny sneered at Hannah¡¯s reply, ¡°You¡¯re quite direct. But honesty won¡¯t change your situation. Even if you admit fear, I won¡¯t let you off. ¡± Hannah simply smiled and stayed silent. ¡®s BunnyBookery Seeing that Hannah didn¡¯t take her seriously, Jenny was even more annoyed inside. She decided to take Hannah to the Garzas¡¯ house to see if Hannah could still be arrogant. ¡°Take her away,¡± Jenny said coldly. ¡°Wait. Hannah¡¯s voice halted the advancing figures. ¡°I want to know who you are. ¡± ¡°Huh. ¡± Jenny sneered. ¡°You are so smart. Why don¡¯t you have a guess?¡± ¡°Sure. ¡± Hannah tapped the table lightly with her fingertips, her tone casual but probing. ¡°You¡¯ve spent quite a bit of time here spewing nonsense at me. You¡¯re not like the usual thugs whoe after me. Many have targeted me recently; you could be from any of their camps. ¡± Jenny chuckled in response to Hannah¡¯s analysis. ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re notoriously difficult and tend to offend everyone. ¡± Hannah brushed off Jenny¡¯sment and spected further, ¡°I¡¯ll hazard a guess at the most likely person.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. You are sent by the Garza family, and maybe you know me. If my memory serves me right-I had a notable dispute with Miss Jenny Garza over my cousin. Am I guessing right?¡± As Hannah spoke, Jenny¡¯s expression darkened incrementally. ¡°Miss Moore, I witnessed your capabilities firsthandst time. Even now, I must admit, you¡¯re impressive. Hannah offered a wry smile. ¡°And you, Miss Jenny Garza, have be moreposed than ever. ¡± However, Jenny was not appeased. ¡°ttery won¡¯t buy you time. Your associates are already restrained outside. Now, with your visionpromised, you¡¯ll struggle to defend yourself. My elders have instructed me to avoid harming you if possible. I don¡¯t want to escte things, so Miss Moore, please, let¡¯s not waste time. Either we take you by force, or you apany us willingly. ¡± Hannah rose to her feet with a calm resolve. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Jenny stood, her gaze lingering sharply on Hannah. She then turned to the bodyguard by her side,manding, ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± ¡°Yes, Miss Garza. ¡± Hannah led the way out of the coffee shop, nked by two bodyguards poised to prevent any attempt at escape. Upon reaching the exit, Hannah paused abruptly. ¡°Wait, I still have one more question. ¡± Outside, the Garza family¡¯s off-road vehicle was parked near the cafe entrance, engine idling. Chapter 1804 Jenny approached, her impatience palpable. ¡°Ask quickly. My patience is wearing thin. ¡± ¡°Is my friend okay?¡± Jenny responded dismissively, ¡°The message that lured you here was from a fake number. We haven¡¯t touched your friend. Now, will you get in the car?¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± As Hannah moved towards the car, a suddenmotion of punches and kicks erupted behind her. ¡°Miss Moore!¡± It was Dotson. Breathless and wounded, he fought off the assants and sprinted towards Hannah. Jenny reacted with lightning speed. As she raised her hand, a sharp knife materialized in her grip. The de hovered menacingly close to Hannah¡¯s neck as Jenny warned in an icy tone, ¡°If you take one more step forward, I¡¯ll kill her. ¡± Dotson, seeing the imminent danger to Hannah, halted abruptly. He was quickly subdued and pinned down by the bodyguards who rushed forward. Hannah¡¯s expression hardened into a frown.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Without missing a beat, she dered firmly, ¡°If you harm him, you won¡¯t be able to take me back today as you nned. ¡± ¡°Alright, Miss Moore. You¡¯ve pleaded your case, so we won¡¯t hurt you. But he¡¯sing with us too. I can¡¯t risk him causing more trouble,¡± Jenny dered. She shoved Hannah into the SUV and slid in beside her. ¡°Move it!¡± Jenny ordered, and the bodyguards hustled Dotson into the car behind them. The convoy sped away, leaving no evidence of the encounter. Hannah, sandwiched in the middle seat,ined and shifted to a window seat, closing her eyes in an attempt to rest. Jenny, sitting opposite, scrutinized her intently. ¡°You don¡¯t seem worried at all. ¡± ¡°Why should I be?¡± Hannah smirked without opening her eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t escape, and you¡¯re not going to kill me. You¡¯re just taking me to the Garza family. There¡¯s nothing I can do now, so why stress?¡± Jenny¡¯s face darkened at her nonchnce. How could she be so calm? She had to be dumb! ¡°Let¡¯s see how calm you are when we get there,¡± Jenny hissed, her eyes glinting with malice. ¡°We¡¯ll see if you¡¯re really stone-cold or just pretending. They¡¯ll break you!¡± Hannah chuckled softly. ¡°I¡¯m not one to break easily. You might find yourself disappointed. ¡° ¡°You¡­¡± Chapter 1805 Jenny¡¯s cheeks flushed with rage. This was the height of arrogance! She was outright humiliating her! If her father hadn¡¯t explicitly forbidden harming Hannah, she¡¯d have throttled her by now. Plus the bitch meddled in her rtionship with Edwin. She couldn¡¯t just let it slide that easy! She took a deep breath, forcing herself to regainposure.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°Fine, keep up the tough act. Let¡¯s see how long itsts. ¡± The car journeyed on for what felt like hours, and Hannah surmised they were heading to Muvrand. The bumpy ride soon made her drowsy. With nothing to do and nowhere to go, she decided to sleep. Jenny and the bodyguards exchanged bewildered nces as they watched her doze off. ¡°She really dares to sleep right now,¡± one of the bodyguards muttered. Jenny seethed with jealousy. ¡°Let her sleep. It¡¯s thest peace she¡¯ll have before we reach the Garza estate. ¡± She had met many who feared the Garza family, but Hannah¡¯s nonchnce in captivity was unprecedented. Hannah had no idea how long she¡¯d been asleep when a forceful shove shook her awake. ¡°Get up! Are you nning to nap in the car forever? We¡¯re here. Come on, we need to meet my uncle!¡± Jenny yanked her out of the car, causing Hannah to stumble. ¡°Slow down, I can¡¯t see anything. ¡± She squinted, but the murky shadows swallowed the path ahead. ¡°You have to guide me,¡± she said, reaching out her hand. Jenny, seething with frustration, grabbed her arm with a huff. ¡°Fine! Let¡¯s get moving!¡± ¡°My friend is in the car behind us,¡± Hannah said, stopping in her tracks. Jenny rolled her eyes, exasperated. ¡°Why do you have to make everything so difficult?¡± She sighed. ¡°We won¡¯t harm your friend. We¡¯ll just put him in a room and lock him up for now. He¡¯s a fighter. If we don¡¯t restrain him, he could cause problems. ¡± She tugged Hannah forward again. ¡°Will you move already?¡± ¡°Okay, okay. ¡± Hannah relented, letting Jenny guide her through the darkness until they came to a halt. ¡°Uncle, Aunt, I¡¯ve brought her. Not a scratch on her,¡± Jenny announced, her voice echoing in the unfamiliar space. Hannah¡¯s heart pounded as she faced the unknown figures before her. The surroundings were strange, the people even more so, but she forced herself to remainposed. Chapter 1806 She had no idea what they intended to do with her. Fear gnawed at her insides, but she kept her face calm, betraying none of the anxiety swirling within her. She couldn¡¯t afford to show her fear, not now. Mark Garza sat on the edge of the plush sofa, with his wife, ire snugly by his side. Their gazes were fixed on Hannah, standing just inside the doorway. ¡°Hannah, it¡¯s been too long,¡± ire said warmly, extending a hand toward her. ¡°Come closer, sweetheart. Let me get a good look at you. You¡¯ve blossomed into such a beautiful young woman. ¡± Hannah remained rooted to the spot with a nk face. Jenny furrowed her brow, puzzled. Why were they being so nice to Hannah? ¡°What¡¯s wrong, dear? Why aren¡¯t youing over?¡± ire prodded. Jenny took Hannah¡¯s hand and led her towards the sofa. ¡°Auntie, she can¡¯t see. She didn¡¯t know you were gesturing. ¡± ¡°Oh my goodness, what happened?¡± ire eximed, concern etching her face. She gently took Hannah¡¯s hand, guiding her to sit. ¡°How did this happen to you?¡± Hannah offered a faint smile. ¡°The Garza family sent people after me. That¡¯s when I lost my sight. ¡± A heavy silence descended on the room. ¡°Hannah, please don¡¯t me your grandfather. The Garza family has many members. We couldn¡¯t control what others might do,¡± ire said softly. ¡°But now that you¡¯re back, we can protect you. Stay here with us. You don¡¯t have to be scared. ¡± Hannah¡¯s smile vanished, reced by a steely resolve. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for family games. My mother and grandfather belong to the White family, not the Garza family. ¡± ire blinked, taken aback by Hannah¡¯s harsh words. She began to sob. Mark broke the silence. ¡°How can you speak to your grandmother Like that? Where was the White family when your mother was in trouble? If it weren¡¯t for us, would you and your mother have survived?¡± ¡°Enough!¡± ire intervened, intending to soothe over the situation. ¡°Hannah, we brought you back as soon as we heard what happened. We didn¡¯t know you had lost your sight. I am deeply sorry. ¡± Despite their words, Hannah¡¯s face remained impassive. The emotional pleas seemed to wash over her like a wave over stone. It was toote now to say sorry. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± she asked coldly.T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°If you really cared, Jenny wouldn¡¯t have had to kidnap me. Am I right? So stop pretending. Either kill me and be done with it or let me go! You won¡¯t get anything from me this way!¡± Mark¡¯s expression grew stern. ¡°We don¡¯t need to take you back to the Garza family to hurt you! You think badly of the Garza family. Would you havee back if we hadn¡¯t used this method?¡± ire, gentle as always, said to Hannah, ¡°This is the safest option we coulde up with. Staying with us means the Garza family won¡¯t target you anymore. ¡± Chapter 1807 Listening in, Jenny suddenly pointed at Hannah and eximed, ¡°Grandpa! You told me to bring her here. Aren¡¯t we supposed to handle her?¡± ¡°Jenny, mind your manners. Don¡¯t stoop to their level,¡± ire advised. ¡°Hanna¡¯s your cousin, after all. ¡± Jenny nearly Laughed. ¡°Grandpa, grandma, are you unaware that Bryson from the Mitchell family will confront our Garza family because of her? How can we just keep her here? Her presence here is a recipe for disaster! We should be using her to negotiate with Bryson!¡± Jenny continued, ¡°With her here, we hold Bryson¡¯s ace up his sleeve. He¡¯ll have toply with whatever you ask!¡± Hannah scoffed, ¡°Don¡¯t think about using me to threaten him. ¡± ¡°Grandma, see? This is how she reacts, and she¡¯s not going to cooperate! There was no need to be nice to her! It waspletely pointless! Someone tough like her only responds to harsh treatment!¡± Jenny looked at Hannah smugly. ¡°Why not Let me handle her? I¡¯ll keep her locked up for a few days until she learns to behave!¡± ire¡¯s face hardened. ¡°Jenny, don¡¯t behave like your uncle!¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Before Jenny could say more, Mark interrupted, ¡°Enough. Prepare a room for Hannah, and let¡¯s drop the subject. Also, remind your uncle to keep his distance from Hannah and not cause any trouble during this time. ¡± Jenny, visibly upset,plied with Mark¡¯s order without protest and went to have the room prepared. After Jenny had left the room, ire gazed at Hannah with warmth. ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re all grown up now.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. We need to share some past events with you. I know you¡¯re thoughtful. You¡¯ll understand the Garza family¡¯s challenges. ¡± Throughout the conversation, Hannah remained impassive. To her, the Garza family were like strangers. Once the room was ready, Jenny led Hannah upstairs and showed her the room. ¡°This is your room. You can stay here. ¡± After those words, Jenny turned to leave, but Hannah halted her. ¡°Hold on a second. ¡± ¡°Is there something else?¡± Jenny turned back, clearly annoyed. ¡°I¡¯m not here to serve you!¡± Hannah calmly extended her hand and said, ¡°Please return my phone. ¡± Jenny scoffed, ¡°You can¡¯t use it right now anyway. It¡¯s pointless. And remember, you¡¯re in the Garza household. Even Mr. Mitchell can¡¯t help you here. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t lower her hand but continued to stare at Jenny with a firm gaze. ¡°What are you talking about? Just give me my phone. You¡¯re not imprisoning me, are you? Shouldn¡¯t I be allowed to make contact with the outside?¡± ¡°Hahaha. Jennyughed sarcastically and said, ¡°What will you do if I don¡¯t?¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not escte things, so I suggest you hand over my phone now,¡± Hannah replied, still smiling. ¡°What?¡± Believing she had misunderstood, Jenny looked at Hannah with scorn and said, ¡°You¡¯re not looking for a fight? There¡¯s no way you can beat me in your current state!¡± Chapter 1808 ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why don¡¯t we see who¡¯s better? If I win, you return my phone. ¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m afraid?¡± Jenny saw this as her chance to put Hannah in her ce and immediately epted. ¡°And if you lose?¡± ¡°That¡¯s your call,¡± Hannah replied. ¡°Alright, you said it yourself!¡± Jenny rolled her eyes and came up with a demeaning challenge. ¡°I won¡¯t hurt you-grandpa and grandma value you too much. If you lose, you¡¯ll kneel and bark like a dog. How about it? Do you dare ept Hannah remained calm and nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s begin. ¡± ¡°Stop putting on an act!¡± Jenny charged at Hannah immediately. ¡°You¡¯re too confident!¡± Her fist aimed for Hannah¡¯s face. As Jenny was certain her punch wouldnd, Hannah deftly sidestepped, and Jenny¡¯s fist merely grazed her cheek! Jenny was shocked and felt a sudden pain in her arm! She was knocked back several steps by Hannah¡¯s elbow! Surprised at Hannah¡¯s agility despite her supposed inability to see, Jenny blurted out, ¡°Can you see now?¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Obviously not, otherwise I wouldn¡¯t need ten moves to beat you,¡± Hannah responded, regaining her bnce. Frustrated by Hannah¡¯s retort, Jenny clenched her teeth and warned, ¡°Don¡¯t get c@@ky too soon!¡± Jenny and Hannah were both quick to react. During their fight, it was tough to distinguish who had the upper hand. ¡°I want to see what else you¡¯ve got!¡± Jenny lunged forward with a kick aimed at Hannah¡¯s stomach, yelling, ¡°Go to hell!¡± However, she missed and, now more desperate, attacked again. Hannah evaded Jenny¡¯s assault but still found herself being pursued! However, as the fight progressed, Hannah noticed the gap between them widening. She began to see more ws in her opponent¡¯s technique. With a taunting smile, Hannah said, ¡°It seems you¡¯re not that skilled inbat. ¡± Provoked by the taunt, Jenny, blinded by anger, was charged with lethal intent. Hannah easily sidestepped, and as Jenny attempted to strike at Hannah¡¯s neck, she experienced a sharp pain in her wrist! ¡°Ah!¡± Jenny cried out, the pain halting her attack. ¡°How is that? Does your hand hurt?¡± With a slight smile, Hannah warned, ¡°Keep going, and you might dislocate your wrist!¡± Chapter 1809 Jenny was seething with rage, yet she wasn¡¯t foolish. She realized that continuing the fight would only bring her more trouble! She shot Hannah a furious look, gritted her teeth, and warned, ¡°Don¡¯t get toofortable. I¡¯m not done with you yet!¡± With those words, Jenny, boiling with anger, turned to storm off, but Hannah¡¯s voice stopped her and said, ¡°Hand over my phone. You won¡¯t break your promise, will you?¡± Jenny paused, massaged her arm, and reluctantly pulled Hannah¡¯s phone from her pocket. As she extended her hand to hand it over, Jenny paused, struck by a bad idea. She fixed Hannah with a cold stare. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll give it back to you!¡± Then suddenly! Jenny flung the phone towards Hannah with all her might. ¡°Catch it if you can!¡± Just as Jenny was about to smirk, she noticed Hannah listening intently before firmly intercepting the phone in the air. Standing at the doorway, Hannah waved her phone at Jenny and said, ¡°Thank you. ¡± Jenny barely had time to respond before Hannah turned on her heel, opened the door, and stepped inside. With a resounding bang, she mmed the door shut, cutting off any sounds from outside. Jenny stood rooted to the spot, grinding her teeth in frustration. Damn it! Jenny stamped her feet angrily, frustration bubbling over. With no other option, she spun around and scolded Hannah as she walked away! Once inside the room, Hannah took a moment to touch the decorations around her. The extravagance was evident from a single touch. Given her current situation, she didn¡¯t have the luxury of thoroughly inspecting the room for hidden surveince devices. But that didn¡¯t bother her. She had her phone with her and wasn¡¯t confined; she could easily make a call and reach out for help. As soon as Hannah turned on her phone, it vibrated with an iing call. ¡°Hello?¡± she answered. Bryson¡¯s voice came through, tense and urgent.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Are you okay? Where are you? Is anyone with you?¡± Hearing Bryson¡¯s concern, Hannah reassured him calmly, ¡°I¡¯m safe for now. I¡¯m with the Garza family; they have arranged a ce for me to stay. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m heading to Muvrand now. ¡± Hearing that Hannah was safe, Bryson felt a wave of relief. Chapter 1810 But when he learned she was with the Garza family, his tension spiked again. ¡°Stay put for now. I think they brought me here to use as leverage against you. They don¡¯t intend to hurt me yet, so don¡¯t walk into their trap. ¡± After a brief pause, Bryson murmured, ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I should have protected you better. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that. If you were at home, they would have tricked me into leaving. Even with you around, you might not have been able to watch me every moment. But it¡¯s not all bad. Since my mom spent some time with the Garza family, maybe I can gather some useful information from them. ¡± Bryson frowned. He wanted to say something but chose to remain silent. ¡°Stay in touch with me constantly. If I don¡¯t hear from you once in a day, I¡¯ll head to Muvrand. ¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Hannah acknowledged, then added, ¡°I was about to call you, hoping you wouldn¡¯t be too worried. It¡¯s not wise to corner the Garza family. ¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Bryson murmured. ¡°I¡¯ll leave them a way out. They won¡¯t be pushed to the brink. ¡± Hannah spent two days with the Garza family. Each day, like clockwork, someone arrived to deliver meals. Even though she couldn¡¯t physically see them, she could gauge the time by their regr food deliveries. Although nobody bothered her, she was under house arrest, shadowed by someone whenever she went outside. Despite her desire to see Dotson, Jenny turned her down twice. Eventually, she managed to convince Jenny to let her talk to Dotson over the phone. The brief conversation reassured Hannah that Dotson was alright, though he sounded somewhat weak. Jenny exined that he had been so difficult to handle that they had no choice but to starve him for a few days. Only with Mark¡¯s permission could Hannah meet him. After dinner, while Hannah was idly listening to the news, there was a firm knock on the door. Hannah set her phone aside, rose from her seat, and approached the door cautiously. ¡°Who is it?¡± Merlin was there, alone and still seated in his wheelchair. He nced at Hannah and said in a strange tone, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Miss Moore to find herself in such a predicament in just a few days. ¡± Recognizing Merlin¡¯s voice, Hannah stepped aside to let him maneuver his wheelchair inside. ¡°I¡¯m alright. It¡¯s just that my sight is gone. ¡± As Merlin entered the room, he heard Hannah¡¯s words and turned to face her. ¡°You are quite the optimist. ¡± ¡°What choice do I have?¡± Hannah closed the door behind her and walked inside. ¡°No matter how desperate I get, I can¡¯t see anything.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡± She ran her hand along the sofa¡¯s edge before settling herself down with a sigh. ¡°Mr. Garza, are you here to poke fun at me today?¡± Merlin responded slowly, ¡°I¡¯m starting to regain feeling in my legs. I¡¯m beginning to believe in your abilities. Since you have been brought into the Garza family, I have some news to share with you. ¡± Curious, Hannah tilted her head and asked, ¡°What news?¡± Chapter 1811 ¡°The Garza family¡¯s property will be handed over soon. ¡± Hannah was confused. ¡°What do you mean when you say it will be handed over soon?¡± Merlin replied thoughtfully, ¡°Right now, my grandfather holds the reins, but my uncle Mathews controls the ck market operations in Muvrand. He is aiming to seizeplete control of the Garza family shares. Changes areing for the Garza family. And it¡¯s at this juncture that you¡¯ve been brought into the Garza family¡­¡± Merlin paused, his expression conveying more than his words could. Hannah strained to understand. ¡°Why do you think you are here?¡± Merlin added. Hannah shook her head, unable to connect the dots. She couldn¡¯t fathom what any of this had to do with her. ¡°I only know that the Garza family is targeting me because of some foreign powers. Moreover, I have offended the Garza family many times before, so your family wants me dead. ¡± Merlin ¡°The Garza family? It¡¯s just Mathews who wants you dead smiled and said, ¡°My grandfather doesn¡¯t want you to die. ¡± Hannah burst intoughter suddenly. ¡°So, your grandfather brought me here to protect me because he suddenly remembered he cared and didn¡¯t want me to die?¡± ¡°You really think that?¡± Merlin chuckled cynically. Hannah picked up the water bottle from the table and took a sip. ¡°My eyes are damaged, not my brain. He hasn¡¯t shown any affection for more than twenty years. Now he shows affection to me. Do I look like a fool?¡± Her reaction was just as Merlin had anticipated. ¡°If that¡¯s what you believe, then perhaps I shouldn¡¯t havee here today. ¡± Merlin continued, ¡°I have significant news to share with you. What are you willing to offer in exchange, Miss Moore?¡± Hannah replied in a hushed tone, ¡°Walls have ears, you know. ¡± ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about that. ¡± A faint smile broke through Merlin¡¯s somber demeanor. ¡°Your room has been swept clean by my people. Everything is under my surveince. So, Miss Moore, have you decided what you will give me in exchange?¡± ¡°Well, Mr. Garza, you are really something,¡± Hannah said, nodding in agreement.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. ¡°You even predicted this. ¡± Merlin tapped his fingers on the armrest of his wheelchair. ¡°I want to cooperate with you sincerely. I have some negotiation chips to offer, after all. So, Miss Moore, are you interested in knowing the news I¡¯ve brought you?¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Hannah asked. ¡°I want you to make a promise, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah tilted her head slightly. ¡°What promise?¡± ¡°The Garza family is going to fall, but that¡¯s none of my business. I want to reshuffle the Garza family, and I need your help. It¡¯s better to have one more friend than one more enemy. If I be the head of the Garza family, I can guarantee that the Garzas won¡¯t make trouble for you and Mr. Mitchell. ¡± It sounded straightforward, but upon reflection, Hannah discerned his true intentions. Chapter 1812 However, she smiled and said, ¡°You want to make the Garza family withdraw the shares of Enchantment Casino with the influence of the White family and the Mitchell family, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Indeed, I can¡¯t conceal anything from you, Miss Moore,¡± Merlin confessed openly. ¡°While Enchantment Casino won¡¯t crumble overnight, it is inevitably destined to be consumed. My uncle¡¯sck of foresight, especially his decision to oppose you, has been his gravest error. ¡± ¡°I agree,¡± Hannah dered sinctly. ¡°And the significant news you alluded to?¡± she pressed further. ¡°Mark doesn¡¯t wish for your death because he ns to align you with the Morrison family through marriage,¡± Merlin divulged. ¡°He knows my uncle¡¯s capabilities, so he wants to unite with other families to confront my uncle, and he needs a victim. My hot-tempered sister, Jenny, isn¡¯t suitable. ¡± Merlin paused, then continued, ¡°So he has targeted you. Besides, the son of the Morrison family seems to like you very much. When he heard that it was you, he made the decision immediately. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Wait!¡± Hannah interjected, slightly surprised yet recalling something. ¡°You mean the Morrison family? Is that Omar?¡± Merlin said with interest, ¡°Oh, you know each other. No wonder Omar agreed so quickly. ¡± Hannah¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°But aren¡¯t the Morrison and Bailey ns intertwined through marriage?¡± She recalled the trouble stirred by Winona. ¡°The Bailey n is now in decline, and the Morrison n will soon sever ties.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Moreover, changing a fiancee is not an impossibility,¡± Merlin stated matter-of-factly. Hannah frowned deeply, the gravity of the situation rendering her silent. ¡°I¡¯ve brought you the news. If you wish to leave, I can provide you an opportunity to escape from the Garza family. ¡± ¡°But. After a pause, Merlin locked eyes with her and said, ¡°Your situation is precarious. Even if I find a way for you to escape, it¡¯s uncertain whether you wouldn¡¯t be recaptured by them. ¡± ¡°No need for now. They don¡¯t restrict my personal freedom, which means they don¡¯t intend to harm me at the moment,¡± Hannah replied, her voice firm. ¡°I just need you to do me a favor. Dotson is still locked up. I need him to be released and to stay with me. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s not easy,¡± Merlin remarked. Hearing what Merlin said, Hannah suddenly smiled, ¡°Securing my promise isn¡¯t easy either. If you can¡¯t manage it, just forget about it. ¡± As they reached a stalemate, neither willing to back down, Merlin finally nodded. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll find a way for you. I really need your help, Miss Moore. Just wait. ¡± Bang. The moment the door closed, the smile vanished from Hannah¡¯s face. She had suspected a conspiracy within the Garza n but hadn¡¯t anticipated that Mark would scheme to marry her into the Morrison family to leverage against his own son. She hadn¡¯t faced any direct trouble for many days, which meant either this ce was under Mark¡¯s control, or Mathews couldn¡¯t intervene to cause her harm. Chapter 1813 Another possibility was that she had been secretly brought here without Mathews knowing that the person he wanted to kill was now under the protection of the Garza family. Merlin exited Hannah¡¯s room and encountered Jenny in the hallway. Seeing him emerge from Hannah¡¯s room, Jenny¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Why did youe out of that woman¡¯s room?¡± she demanded, her voice tinged with displeasure. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you were just passing by and decided to have a look. ¡± Merlin, sitting in his wheelchair with a stoic expression, looked up at Jenny and replied coolly, ¡°What concern is it of yours?¡± After speaking, he maneuvered his wheelchair to leave. As they crossed paths, Jenny turned sharply and warned, ¡°Let me tell you, don¡¯t fall for that woman¡¯s sweet words, or you¡¯ll find yourself in deep trouble. ¡± Hearing this, Merlin halted the wheelchair abruptly. ¡®s BunnyBookery He maneuvered it around and faced her. ¡°Give me the key to the dungeon,¡± he demanded. Jenny eyed him warily. ¡°What are you nning to do?¡± Merlin¡¯s voice was indifferent. ¡°I know you¡¯ve locked her man in the dungeon. I¡¯m going to take him out now. ¡± ¡°No way!¡± Jenny¡¯s eyes widened as she eximed, ¡°If something goes wrong, are you prepared to take the me?¡± ¡°You just need to give me the key,¡± Merlin replied, unwilling to waste more time arguing with his sister. But Jenny was not naive. She quickly sensed that something was amiss. With a piercing gaze, she asked Merlin, ¡°Have you been brainwashed by that woman to save her?¡± Jenny advanced towards Merlin, step by step. ¡°Merlin, you¡¯re a member of the Garza family. Aren¡¯t you being foolish to help her?¡± ¡°I just want to find someone. You¡¯re reading too much into it,¡± Merlin retorted. ¡°If you have time to spare, perhaps you should check on what our uncle is up to, so you can be prepared. ¡± ¡°There¡¯s something off about you,¡± Jenny snapped, scrutinizing Merlin. ¡°I won¡¯t give you the key. And I won¡¯t let you enter the dungeon. ¡± She continued firmly, ¡°I don¡¯t care what you¡¯re thinking-whether you want to help that woman or have your own agenda, I won¡¯t let you take her man away!¡± Despite her words, Merlin¡¯s face remained impassive as he maneuvered his wheelchair back. The coldness on his face deepened. ¡°Then I have no reason to waste more time here with you. ¡± This time, he drove the wheelchair away swiftly, giving Jenny no opportunity to respond.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Fearing that Merlin might find another way to achieve his goal, Jenny hurried straight to the dungeon and took up guard herself. Inside, Dotson was weakened but alert. When he saw Jenny enter, he red at her fiercely, like a cornered wolf. ¡°What did you do to my boss?¡± Chapter 1814 Jenny had no interest in prolonging their conversation. Standing by the door, she waved her hand dismissively and said, ¡°Your boss is fine upstairs right now. She¡¯s enjoying all the tasty food and drinks she could possibly want. You don¡¯t have to worry about her. Our people won¡¯t harm you. You¡¯ll only be here for a few more days at most. I¡¯ll release you once everything is settled.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡± However, these words deeply upset Dotson. He leaned against the door and mmed his hand on the iron frame, the sound echoing loudly. ¡°What are your ns for my boss? I¡¯m warning you, if you harm her, you won¡¯t get off easily!¡± Jenny, sitting outside, was quickly losing patience with his shouting. ¡°You¡¯re so loud! You haven¡¯t eaten in three days. How do you still have the energy to yell like this?¡± Dotson ignored her, banging on the door with even more anger. ¡°Let me out! I need to see my boss!¡± ¡°I already told you, I¡¯ll let you out in a few days. Don¡¯t you get it?¡± Jenny¡¯s gaze turned sinister. ¡°Trust me, if you keep up this noise, I might just starve you for a week or more!¡± She didn¡¯t expect that her threat would only embolden someone Like Dotson. ¡°Go ahead, try and starve me to death! If you can¡¯t do that, then when I¡¯m free, I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Now truly irritated, Jenny grabbed a stick from a bodyguard, opened the door, and aimed to give Dotson a harsh lesson. Despite being weakened from three days without food, Dotson fought back fiercely. It took three bodyguards to finally restrain him. Feeling embarrassed, Jenny¡¯s face darkened. She raised the stick, poised to strike Dotson on the head. ¡°You want to kill him and cause trouble for Grandpa?¡± Before Jenny could swing, a sudden noise from the dungeon diverted her attention. She halted and went outside, only to find Merlin there. A bodyguard was with him, approaching Dotson slowly. Jenny stepped out, threw her stick away, and crossed her arms, blocking the path. ¡°Still want to release him? What¡¯s the problem?¡± Jenny scoffed and questioned, ¡°Are you really going to defend that woman, Hannah? Aren¡¯t you worried I¡¯ll tell Grandpa and Grandma you sneaked into the dungeon today?¡± Merlin remained silent but raised his hand slightly. The guards behind him promptly showed the dungeon key. Upon seeing the dungeon key, Jenny¡¯s face visibly changed. Merlin smiled and exined, ¡°I¡¯ve already spoken to Grandpa about this. He instructed me to release this man. ¡± ¡°What the hell did you tell Grandpa? How could he possibly authorize you to release him? That can¡¯t be true!¡± Chapter 1815 Merlin shook his head. ¡°I exined the whole situation to Grandpa. He directed me to let him out. ¡± ¡°Release him!¡± Merlin said to the bodyguards behind him. The bodyguards eased their grip on the wheelchair and moved towards the room where Dotson was locked. Jenny blocked them immediately. ¡°No way! You can¡¯t take him!¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Merlin tilted his head and shed a bright smile. ¡°Jenny, are you really going to ignore Grandpa¡¯s orders?¡± Despite her anger, Jenny was powerless against Merlin now. She turned away, shooting a fierce re at Dotson who was still struggling on the ground. Jenny confronted Merlin and said, ¡°Grandpa couldn¡¯t possibly know about all this. You wanted him released, so you lied to me, right?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask Grandpa yourself. ¡± Merlin faced Jenny with a serious expression. ¡°Go ahead, ask him if I took the key. ¡± ¡°Fine! You win. ¡± Jenny was so furious that she was practically panting. She turned to her people and yelled, ¡°Release him!¡± The man inside did not release Dotson until he heard hermand. Even though Dotson feltpletely drained, he managed to get to his feet and walked through the now open door. He shot Jenny a piercing look, his eyes gleaming coldly despite his disheveled appearance. He hobbled towards Merlin, recognizing him as the visitor to his boss. ¡®s BunnyBookery As Dotson came near, Merlin signaled his bodyguards to help him, and they exited together. They vanished at the dungeon entrance. One of Jenny¡¯s men approached and said, ¡°Miss Garza, it seems Mr. Garza is going against you. ¡± ¡°Go against me? I think he¡¯s just bewitched by that woman!¡± Jenny narrowed her eyes and said, ¡°She¡¯s going to be here for a while. I have plenty of time to toy with her!¡± When Dotson stepped out of the dungeon, he realized he was in a manor. The unfamiliar surroundings made him cautious, but he remained alert despite the ordeal he had just endured. The bright sunshine outside was blinding. Squinting, Dotson looked at the person before him and said, ¡°Where is my boss? I need to see her. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m here on a mission. You need to agree to a condition before you can see her. ¡± Dotson¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°What¡¯s the condition?¡± Chapter 1816 ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon. ¡± After some time, the door to Hannah¡¯s room finally opened. Believing it was mealtime, she said, ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. Please take the food away. ¡± Right after she spoke, someone entered the room. Hannah frowned and tilted her head slightly, rxing only when she recognized the approaching footsteps. ¡°Dotson, are you all right?¡± Dotson¡¯s face held a mix of emotions, but on seeing her, he felt like crying again. ¡°Boss¡­ This was on me. I was too careless, and they took advantage of that weakness!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on that. Did they do anything to you?¡± Hannah inquired. ¡°No. ¡± Leaning on the sofa, Dotson eased himself down slowly. ¡°I know it was you who found a way to bring me out. I¡¯m so angry, I could kill them all!¡± With his fists clenched so tightly that his hands shook, Dotson said, ¡°They want me to convince you to agree to the marriage. I¡­ I had to pretend to agree, or else I¡¯m afraid that they wouldn¡¯t let me see you again. ¡± Hannah burst intoughter. ¡°I¡¯m aware. Merlin has already spoken to me about it. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Dotson scratched his head, puzzled by the unfolding events. ¡°What¡¯s actually happening?¡± he asked. ¡°We have a n, though it¡¯s somewhat risky. If it works, we might just solve this major problem involving the Garza family. ¡± Dotson¡¯s eyes sparkled with determination. ¡°Boss, fill me in! If it means resolving this issue, I¡¯m ready to take the risk!¡± Learning about Hannah¡¯s n, Dotson fell silent. After a while, he asked, ¡°Do you really have to do it, Boss? Is there no other way? If Mr. Mitchell finds out, he¡¯s going to kick up a big stink about it in Muvrand. ¡± No one knew Bryson better than Hannah, so she was aware of the possibility. Nodding, she said, ¡°Which is why we mustn¡¯t tell him. Merlin only needs us to help in controlling the Garza family. After that, he will let us go. ¡± Having no trust in Merlin, Dotson voiced his concern. ¡°Do you really believe he¡¯ll keep his word? What if he¡¯ll just use you to achieve his goal?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression grew stern. ¡°We¡¯re using each other.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. If he doesn¡¯t hold his end of the bargain, he won¡¯t get any help from me and will fail to assume control of his family. ¡± ¡°I just can¡¯t help thinking this n is too risky. If it were only me, I wouldn¡¯t hesitate. But¡­¡± Dotson trailed off, his expression pensive. ¡°Your vision is currently impaired. I¡¯m worried about you, Boss. ¡± Hanna shed a reassuring smile. ¡°You¡¯re with me, so I¡¯ll be just fine. ¡± It somehow eased Dotson¡¯s worry. Chapter 1817 Letting out a deep sigh, he said, ¡°Alright, Boss. I¡¯ll do as you say. But if I get cornered by Mr. Mitchell, I need you to step in and exin it to him. ¡± ¡°Deal,¡± Hannah agreed. After discussing some details with Dotson, Hannah told him to leave. As she was about to sleep, a knock came on the door. She climbed out of the bed and opened the door. A man stood outside and politely announced his purpose of visit, ¡°Mr. Mark Garza wants to see you now, Miss Moore. ¡± It was finally time. Hannah thought.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Nodding, Hannah said, ¡°I can¡¯t see very well. Please lead the way while I hold on to you to guide my steps. ¡± The man obliged, stepping forward to offer his arm. ¡°This way, Miss. ¡± Soon, Hannah found herself in front of Mark¡¯s study. The man knocked twice before pushing the door open and leading her in. ¡°Sir, Miss Moore is here,¡± the man announced as soon as they got inside. Mark was in the middle of a video meeting. Upon seeing theme in, he asked his assistant, who was standing on the side, to halt the meeting and have it rescheduled. ¡°You two can leave,¡± Mark instructed his assistant and the man. ¡°Excuse us, sir,¡± the man said before closing the door on the way out, the assistant following behind. ¡®s BunnyBookery There was a moment of tensed silence before Hannah spoke, asking, ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°I need your help,¡± Mark said, not beating around the bush. ¡°If you¡¯re on board, you¡¯ll also benefit from it. ¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°You want me to agree in exchange for my freedom?¡± Mark¡¯s expression hardened at her defiance. ¡°You think if I let you out you can escape this ce?¡± ¡°Cut the crap,¡± Hannah scowled, her expression turning cold. ¡°Just tell me what you want. ¡± Matching her icy gaze, Mark fell silent. After giving it a careful thought, he sighed and said, ¡°I understand you¡¯re cautious and skeptical right now. But after failing to protect your mother in the past, we are resolved to keep you safe. Whether you believe it or not, your grandmother and I only want what¡¯s best for you. That¡¯s why we¡¯ll figure out a way to marry you into the Morrison family. Once you¡¯re part of their family, no one would dare to hurt you. ¡± Silence covered the room once more. Hannah remained silent, not intending to say anything. Mark grew impatient and demanded, ¡°Say something. ¡± ¡°Why the Morrison family?¡± Hannah asked pointedly after a moment. Chapter 1818 ¡°They are a powerful family. Your safety is guaranteed under their protection and influence,¡± Mark exined. Hannah nodded in understanding but contested, ¡°But they aren¡¯t as powerful as the Mitchells. Despite facing a small crisis a while back, the Mitchells survived and thrived. ¡± Looking askance at Mark, she smiled and continued, ¡°Why choose the Morrisons over them?¡± Knowing the implication behind Hannah¡¯s question, Mark¡¯s expression shifted. ¡°Stop asking questions. You just have to trust me because I¡¯m only doing this for your sake. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t think so,¡± Hannah retorted, shing a counterfeit smile. ¡°You did the same to my mother, didn¡¯t you? You deceived her into marrying Wyatt. She was a victim. She believed in what you said, not knowing you¡¯d push her to her doom. And you still thought I¡¯d believe you?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery She dropped her smile and gave a cold look. Pressing his lips into a thin line, Mark mmed his hand on the table. ¡°We¡¯re not responsible for what happened to your mother, Hannah. It was her fate!¡± He seemed flustered and angry, making his grey hair more noticeable. ¡°Of course, it¡¯s not your fault. It was my mother¡¯s fault. If she didn¡¯t believe you, she wouldn¡¯t have ended up like that, would she?¡± Hannah replied sarcastically. Back then, the Moore family had a respectable image. Mark believed having ties with them would be beneficial to the Garza family, so he pressured Hannah¡¯s mother to marry Wyatt. Later on, it was revealed that the Moore family was a bunch of liars. Their wealth and influence were all fake. The Garzas soon found out that Hannah¡¯s mother¡¯s marriage was useless to them, so they no longer pay her any mind, and left her with the Moore family. Hannah didn¡¯t know about these things, so Mark calmed himself before he could spill things he shouldn¡¯t. In a softer tone, he said, ¡°There are things you don¡¯t know about, Hannah, so I understand why you misunderstood the situation. I don¡¯t me you. After all, you were still young back then. Trust me, this decision means no harm. Marrying into the Morrison family is for your safety and protection. ¡± Calming down a bit, Hannah asked, ¡°What if I refuse?¡± The veins on Mark¡¯s forehead bulged in frustration. Struggling to stretch his patience further, he snapped, ¡°That¡¯s not for you to decide!¡± Grabbing a teacup from the table, he threw it to the floor. The porcin shattered into pieces at once.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Hannah felt the tiny shards hit her feet, but she remained calm. ¡°What? Can¡¯t you keep up the facade of being a good grandfather?¡± Hannah¡¯s disrespectful remark was Mark¡¯sst straw. His face flushed red with anger. ¡°You! Defy me, and you¡¯ll regret it! If you don¡¯t marry into the Morrison family, our family will face its doom, and it¡¯ll be on you!¡± Turning to the door, he called out, ¡°Guards!¡± The door opened from outside at once, and two bodyguards walked in. ¡°Take her back to her room and make sure she doesn¡¯t escape! She¡¯s not to leave her room until tomorrow, when Mr. Morrison arrives. ¡± Chapter 1819 ¡°Noted, sir. ¡± The two bodyguards walked over and tried to hold Hannah¡¯s shoulders, but she shook them off. ¡°I can walk by myself,¡± she said. Hannah stopped abruptly and spoke without looking back. ¡°Mark, you better not regret this decision!¡± She walked out, leaving Mark fuming. But the man was helpless, so he watched her go, his face twisted in frustration. Unable to sit still, Mark grabbed his phone and dialed a number. ¡°Keep an eye on her,¡± he ordered. ¡°We can¡¯t let her slip away before weplete our task. ¡± After hanging up, his face went dark. The Garza family was on the brink of copse, and Mathews was circling, ready to seize control of the empire! Mark¡¯s mind raced. If he failed to secure Hannah¡¯s marriage into the Morrison family, the Garza legacy would probably fall into Mathews¡¯s hands! ¡°Never!¡± Mark hissed, his nails digging into his palms. The sharp sting grounded him. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply to calm the storm inside. When he opened them, his gaze was cold and venomous; red with hatred. The next morning, the Garza household buzzed with activity. Celebrities and guests filled the garden, where a pianist yed softly, providing a sophisticated backdrop to the chatter of high society. ¡°What¡¯s the Garza family up to today? Inviting us all like this-it must be significant,¡± someone murmured. ¡°I heard they¡¯re announcing Hannah Moore¡¯s engagement to the Morrison heir. ¡± ¡°Really? I hadn¡¯t heard a thing about it. Could it be a rumor?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true. The Morrison family confirmed it. The arrangement was rushed, though. Something must be up. ¡± As they spected, a sleek silver car glided into the driveway and came to a stop. The car door opened, revealing polished ck leather shoes, followed by a pair of long, elegant legs. The man who emerged was tall andmanding. ¡°Look, it¡¯s Omar Morrison!¡± someone eximed. ¡°You were right! The Morrison family is here to discuss the marriage!¡± ¡°Mark really lucked out.N?velDrama.Org (C) content. Omar is the sole heir to the Morrison fortune. He¡¯s far more powerful than Mathews. ¡± Chapter 1820 Omar¡¯s entrance drew every eye, like moths to a light bulb. He stood tall and aloof, exuding an aura that seemed to set him apart from everyone else, yet his undeniable presencemanded attention. Every eye followed him as he made his way toward Mark with a casual stride. ¡°Mr. Garza,¡± he greeted, his toneced with condescension. Mark¡¯s face lit up with a weing smile. ¡°Come on in, Omar. Hannah is inside. ¡± With a polite nod, Omar replied, ¡°Alright. ¡± They moved from the garden into the living room. The moment Omar stepped in, his gaze locked onto Hannah, who was seated on the sofa. On Hannah¡¯s right was Jenny, on her left, ire, and across from her sat Merlin in a wheelchair, seemingly indifferent to the proceedings around him. ¡°This is the Morrison family¡¯s heir. We¡¯ve met him before,¡± ire remarked, smiling warmly as she squeezed Hannah¡¯s hand. ¡°You young folks should chat. Hannah, I¡¯ll be outside with your grandfather, greeting the other guests. ¡± Before leaving, she gave Hannah¡¯s shoulder a gentle, encouraging pat. ¡°Hannah, enjoy your conversation with Mr. Morrison. ¡± With a final affectionate nce, ire linked arms with Mark, and they left the room together. Merlin nced at Hannah, but seeing no reaction from her, he slowly turned away. ¡°Miss Moore, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you,¡± Omar said as he settled next to Hannah, his tone familiar.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°It seems fate has brought us together. ¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hannah replied with a sarcastic edge. ¡°What a cruel twist of fate. ¡± Her Lips pursed in annoyance as she felt a flicker of movement in front of her. ¡°Stop waving your hand in my face,¡± she snapped. Omar paused, his hand freezing mid-air. ¡°Can you see?¡± ¡°I can sense it,¡± she replied curtly. A mischievous smile tugged at Omar¡¯s lips. ¡°Even though you can¡¯t see right now, I won¡¯t hold it against you. ¡± Hannah¡¯s response was a disdainful snort, her attention clearly elsewhere. Omar gazed at Hannah, his eyes tracing the contours of her delicate profile. ¡°You know what?¡± he said with a maic low murmur that sent shivers down her spine. ¡°I think you¡¯re the most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever seen. ¡± Though she couldn¡¯t see his face, Hannah could easily imagine his smug expression. Disgust flickered in her eyes. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Chapter 1821 Omar¡¯s grin widened. ¡°I¡¯m talking about my future fiancee, of course. ¡± Before Hannah could respond, Jenny¡¯s voice sliced through, dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Are you serious? Miss Moore is way out of your league. Who are you to even think you stand a chance?¡± Omar arched an eyebrow at Jenny. ¡°Really? And what¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Jenny¡¯s smile was sharp as a de. ¡°Maybe Miss Moore thinks you¡¯re just a nobody. You don¡¯t deserve her. ¡± She nced at Hannah with a smug look. ¡°She turned down your engagement in front of Grandpa. He¡¯s furious. She¡¯s just putting on an act for you now, Mr. Morrison. Don¡¯t be fooled. ¡± Hannah nearlyughed at the absurdity. Did Jenny really think she was clever enough to stir up trouble right now? Omar¡¯s face went sour. His gaze shifted from Hannah to Jenny. ¡°Miss Garza, let¡¯s not joke around. ¡± Jenny opened her mouth to retort, but Merlin¡¯s stern voice interrupted. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Everyone knows you¡¯re trying to cause trouble for Hannah!¡± Jenny stammered, but the sudden sound of footsteps and murmuring voices from outside downed her protests. ¡°Mathews is here! What¡¯s he doing? Is he here to disrupt the party? Should we leave now?¡± ¡°Look at Old Mr. Garza¡¯s face! He¡¯s livid!¡± The bodyguards at the door tried to stop Mathews, but he and his entourage pushed past them. Mark and ire followed him into the living room. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Mark demanded with a hostile tone.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Mathews¡¯s smile was disarming. ¡°Father, you¡¯re hosting a banquet. How could I miss it?¡± He stepped forward, his eyesnding on Hannah. ¡°Are you Miss Moore? Even more stunning than I remember. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze remained steady. She blinked and asked, ¡°Have we met before?¡± ¡°Yeah, Miss Moore, you¡¯re so forgetful. I was the loser in that car race in Valmere, and you were the winner. I haven¡¯t forgotten that day. ¡± Mathews added with a hint of sarcasm, ¡°Oh, right. Miss Moore, perhaps you don¡¯t even recognize me. It¡¯s no surprise you don¡¯t recall who I am. ¡± Following his words, Hannah started to remember him slightly. She had just parted ways with the Edwards family and participated in a racing event. She recalled that a major yer had wagered on the race. Bryson had bet that she would win, and ultimately, he won the wager. Chapter 1822 Hannah guessed that the boss had lost a hefty sum that day. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you. ¡± Hannahughed and said, ¡°I remember now. That big shot behind the scenes really took a financial hit. ¡± Mathews sneered and stared at Hannah with a cold expression. He thought to himself that he should have eliminated her sooner. She was truly detestable! Just a few words from her could make him agitated. Noticing Mathews¡¯s expression, Merlin quickly interjected, ¡°Hannah, this man is actually your second uncle. ¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Hannah responded nonchntly, disregarding the others. ¡°Is this the guy who¡¯s been bothering me and looking for a chance to harm me?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Upon hearing this, the veins on Mathews¡¯s forehead throbbed, and his smile disappeared. ¡°Miss Moore, don¡¯t think you can do whatever you want just because you¡¯re engaged to the heir of the Morrison family!¡± As they spoke, the bystanders who had followed began to whisper among themselves. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Aren¡¯t Mathews and Old Mr. Garza against each other? Is Mathews here to ruin the event?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? He¡¯s here for the future fiancee of the Morrison family. ¡± ¡°But I don¡¯t understand what they are talking about.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡± ¡°Just keep quiet and enjoy the show. Let¡¯s not get ourselves into trouble!¡± Meanwhile, Mark¡¯s face turned pale. He hadn¡¯t anticipated Hannah making such a statement in front of a crowd, so he quickly tried to intervene. ¡°Well, let¡¯s leave that topic for now. Since Mathews is here, let¡¯s move on to the engagement party nned for Hannah and the Morrison family. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t object. With no way out, how could she refuse being ushered into the event by them? Besides, the wheels of fate were already in motion, and the n was underway. Who knew what might unfold next? Hannah mused and smiled softly. Just then, a servant burst in from outside, looking terrified. ¡°Mr. Garza! Something bad is happening outside! Pleasee and check. ¡± Mark furrowed his brows and tapped the floor with his cane. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The servant lowered her head and said in a trembling voice, ¡°Mr. Garza¡­ Mr. Garza¡­¡± Jenny, unable to contain her impatience, asked, ¡°What is it? What¡¯s happening outside?¡± The servant¡¯s voice shook even more. ¡°Many reporters broke into the manor! They were told that we were holding the celebration of the marriage between the Morrison and Garza families! A lot of reporters have arrived, iming they¡¯re here to document the merger of two influential families. ¡± Mathews¡¯s face turned grim immediately! Meanwhile, Mark maintained hisposure. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Gather all the reporters and instruct them to keep the peace at the banquet. I¡¯ll arrange some time for interviews. ¡± Chapter 1823 ¡°Understood, Mr. Garza. I¡¯ll ry your instructions,¡± the servant responded and rushed off. Mark shot a nce at Mathews and said, ¡°Those reporters were probably sent here on someone¡¯s orders. Let¡¯s go to the banquet area and deal with this situation first. ¡± Mark¡¯s statement carried a hint that Mathews picked up on. His face clouded over, but he chose not to escte the situation. With all eyes on them, Mathews reluctantly joined the others in heading out. Hannah stood, stretched her arms, and gave a mocking sneer. Then she walked out to the banquet hall alongside the others. Mathews had been watching Hannah covertly. Seeing her smirk, he squinted menacingly. Outside, the media had encircled the Garzas, with cameras shing and microphones extended. Jenny stuck close to Hannah and warned her, ¡°I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t even think about running away. This hall is packed with our people. Any attempt to flee will end badly for you. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have no ns to,¡± Hannah responded indifferently. Jenny, unsettled by her nonchnce, warned, ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t!¡± The reporters in front started to pose their questions. ¡°We¡¯ve heard that the Morrison family has agreed to a marriage with one of the Garza family¡¯s granddaughters. Could we speak with her?¡± ¡°We¡¯re also curious about why the Garza family has chosen to merge with the Morrison family through marriage at this time. ¡± Mark responded with a gracious smile, ¡°It¡¯s wonderful to have you here today. However, please refrain from such personal inquiries. Once the details are finalized, we will¡­¡± Before he couldplete his sentence, Hannah interrupted him. ¡°I¡¯m avable for interviews right now. ¡± Hannah made her way towards the reporters, stumbling midway before Dotson caught her to help her regain her bnce. She apologized, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I can¡¯t see anything at the moment. ¡± The reporters overheard her and swarmed towards Hannah! ¡°Are you the youngdy getting married into the Garza family?¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t noticed thisdy among the Garza family before!¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with thisdy! There was a news that the granddaughter of the White family, who had been away from home for many years, was found back. It seems to be thisdy. ¡± ¡°Is she originally a White family member? Why is she marrying into the Morrison family as a granddaughter of the Garza family? Could you rify?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve heard that the White family¡¯s granddaughter has been romantically linked to Bryson Mitchell, the CEO of the Mitchell Group in Valmere. Why is she now marrying into the Morrison family? Is there a secret involved?¡± Chapter 1824 ¡°Miss, can you answer our questions?¡± As the reporters mored for answers, Hannah¡¯s smile widened, though her voice remained even. ¡°Please, one at a time. I¡¯ll address each question.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. First off, Mr. Mitchell and I are indeed involved. The reason I¡¯m here at the Garza family¡¯s event isn¡¯t just because of their desire to align with the Morrison family, but¡­ it¡¯s also because Mr. Mark Garza took this as a chance to prevent his actual granddaughter from marrying into the Morrison family, so he chose this path. ¡± Mark¡¯s expression turned to one of utter shock. He stared at Hannah in disbelief. ¡°Hannah, what are you saying?¡± On the other side, Mathews was smirking, hoping the marriage would fall apart. ¡°What Miss Moore says could be true. When I got here, I heard some stuff, but I didn¡¯t think it was real. ¡± Hannah grinned and said clearly, ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, go ahead and check it out. If I¡¯m lying, I¡¯ll apologize for what I said today. ¡± As soon as she spoke, the reporters aimed their cameras at her and started snapping photos like crazy. Mark clenched his jaw in frustration. Hannah¡¯s words really got under his skin, but he couldn¡¯t let his anger out here. Just then, a servant quietly whispered something to Mathews. His face shifted a bit, but he quickly got a grip on himself. He shot a sneer at Hannah. ¡°If it was just a misunderstanding, let¡¯s forget about it. Miss Moore, maybe you should head home early tonight. ¡± Hannah¡¯s smile didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t bother you anymore. ¡± She started to turn away, but Mark wasn¡¯t about to let her slip away that easily! ¡°Everyone, we¡¯ve hit a bit of a snag today, so we need to wrap up the banquet earlier than nned. If you could start heading out, we¡¯d really appreciate it. ¡± He cut straight to the chase. His words caused a stir among the crowd. Reporters quickly grabbed their mics and fired off questions. ¡°Hey, Mr. Garza, are you feeling guilty?¡± ¡°Is what thisdy said true? Why are you kicking us out all of a sudden?¡± ¡°Is the Garza family really using her to get what they want?¡± The garden was in chaos, with reporters shouting questions everywhere. Still, Jenny kept a close watch on Hannah, worried that she might find a chance to slip away. ¡°Come help me, Jenny!¡± Merlin¡¯s voice caught Jenny off guard. He rolled his wheelchair in front of Jenny, blocking her way. ¡°Help Grandpa with these reporters! How can you let them swarm around here? Have you thought about tomorrow¡¯s headlines and how they might nder the Garza family?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Jenny nced towards Hannah, but Merlin cut her off. ¡°But what? If anything goes wrong, Grandpa won¡¯t forgive us!¡± Chapter 1825 ncing at Hannah, who was just standing there, Jenny bit her Lip and said, ¡°Keep an eye on her. If she runs off, we¡¯re really in trouble!¡± With that, Jenny hurried over to help clear the crowd, shooing the reporters out of the way one by one. As Omar was led into the vi, Merlin called to Hannah and Dotson, ¡°Come with me!¡± Even though Hannah couldn¡¯t see, she walked confidently. Before anyone could catch on, they had moved through the long garden corridor and reached the back garden gate. ¡°Go out through this gate here. Only my people are outside. The other people won¡¯t notice,¡± Merlin said. ¡°There¡¯s a ck car waiting for you. It¡¯s safe. ¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Merlin added, his tone turned serious. ¡°Once you¡¯re in the car, what happens on the way out of Muvrand is up to you, alive or not. When Mathews finds out you¡¯re gone, he¡¯ll have people searching everywhere. Your chances? Well, it¡¯s all about luck. ¡± ¡°Thanks. ¡± Without another word, Hannah followed Dotson out. Sitting in his wheelchair, Merlin looked at Hannah and said, ¡°You¡¯re wee. Just remember our deal as long as you make it out alive. ¡± Hannah and Dotson walked out of the manor without any trouble. Soon, Dotson spotted the ck car and helped Hannah get in. Once they were inside, the car pulled away from the Garza estate. It wasn¡¯t until the car was well away that the guy in the passenger seat turned to look at Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, sorry I¡¯m a bitte. Are you okay?¡± Hannah turned her head and recognized the voice. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Hey, are you Mr. Cartwright?¡± Layne grinned and said, ¡°Long time no see, Miss Moore. Surprised you still remember my voice. ¡± Hannah looked puzzled and asked, ¡°Mr. Cartwright, what are you doing here?¡± After exining everything to Hannah, Layne said, ¡°I¡¯m here to help you. Mr. Merlin Garza told me everything. But, Miss Moore, I had to inform Mr, Mitchell, so that¡¯s why I¡¯m here today. ¡± Hannah bit her lip, realizing why things had gone so smoothly. Bryson must have already known everything. Layne went on, ¡°It was Mr. Mitchell who set up those reporters. They¡¯ll stir up trouble for the Garza family, buying us some more time. But Mathews and the other Garzas aren¡¯t dumb. They¡¯ll catch on soon. We need a route out of Muvrand that avoids surveince.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah lowered her head, thinking for a moment before saying, ¡°The Garzas will probably figure out we¡¯re trying to take a detour. Taking the long way might just slow us down even more. ¡± She made a firm decision. ¡°Let¡¯s take the shortest route out of Muvrand!¡± ¡°That road is pretty riskytely. If the Garza family has people there, it¡¯ll be tough to avoid trouble,¡± Layne warned. Chapter 1826 Hannah¡¯s eyes showed a faint smile. ¡°Let¡¯s take a chance. Any path could be a dead end, but I believe there¡¯s always a way to survive. ¡± Sitting next to her, Dotson said, ¡°Boss, don¡¯t worry. Even if the path you choose is dangerous, I¡¯ll do everything I can to protect you!¡± The ck car sped through traffic like a dark bullet. Ten minutes after they left, the Garza family was eerily silent. Jenny knelt on the ground, her face full of frustration. Merlin sat in his wheelchair, looking stone-faced. ¡°You bunch of idiots! How could you let her get away so easily? You¡¯re worthless!¡± Mark¡¯s eyes were red with rage as he mmed his cane on the ground.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Are you all trying to destroy the Garza family? That rascal, Mathews, had the nerve to show up today! It¡¯s because he has connections at Enchantment Casino!¡± Crack! Mark knocked the teacup off the table, shattering it on the floor. ¡°Are you trying to give me a heart attack, huh?¡± Jenny wished Mathews would just get rid of Hannah permanently. Kneeling on the ground, she mumbled, ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be a big deal if Mathews took over the Garza family. ¡± Mark red at Jenny, his eyes full of menace. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Ssh! Jenny felt a cup of hot tea ssh on her face. ¡°Say that again, I dare you!¡± Mark roared. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡± Jenny looked at Mark in disbelief. ¡°How could you do this to me because of Hannah?¡± Mark¡¯s eyes turned cold. ¡°So, you want Mathews to run the Garza family because you think he¡¯ll make you the leader, and then you can take my ce, huh?¡± Shaking with fear, Jenny said, ¡°Grandpa¡­ I was wrong. Please don¡¯t be angry!¡± Mark shook his head and scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re such an idiot! Do you know why I¡¯m mad? Because you¡¯re just a loser! If you could actually get that guy from the Morrison family to like you, why would I be taking this risk?¡± Jenny stayed quiet, just looking down and taking Mark¡¯s anger. Mark turned around and plopped back down on the sofa without a word. Finally, Merlin broke the silence. ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t me Jenny. We¡¯ve spoiled her. The important thing now is to stop Mathews¡¯s people and keep them from hurting Miss Moore. ¡± Mark took a deep breath, his face darkening. ¡°She doesn¡¯t even want my protection. Fine, let them fight it out. I¡¯ll figure out how to benefit from it quietly. ¡± Chapter 1827 ¡°But Mathews isn¡¯t dumb¡­¡±Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Mark¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Why are you worried? Our men have already set up an ambush outside! When they start fighting, we just need to stir things up a bit. ¡± Then he looked at Merlin and said, ¡°Merlin, your sister¡¯s unreliable. I¡¯m counting on you for the rest. If you pull it off, I¡¯ll give you thend. ¡± Merlin nodded slightly, sounding all obedient. ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let you down. ¡± He looked down, but his eyes were gleaming with mischief. Was Mark just trying to sweeten the deal with somend? Merlin grinned. Actually he wanted the whole Garza family! Meanwhile, the car Hannah was in was racing down the road at top speed. Just like they feared, Mathews¡¯s men quickly closed in! Muvrand was a different world. Here, the rich ran everything, and Mathews was one of the big bosses. Hannah and her group were stuck on the elevated bridge, with all surrounding vehicles blocked and more than a dozen cars tailing them! The driver gripped the wheel tight, eyes fixed on the road. ¡°What do we do? If we don¡¯t find a way out, we¡¯re done for!¡± He nced nervously in the rearview mirror. ¡°They¡¯re right on our tail!¡± Hannah stayed unusually calm. ¡°Mr. Cartwright, I can¡¯t see the road well and can¡¯t figure out the situation. If we¡¯re surrounded on both sides¡­¡± Her eyes darkened. ¡°Then we¡¯ll just have to try to bust through!¡± ¡°Let me take the wheel!¡± Dotson said, eyes wide. ¡°I learned racing from my boss. I only picked up a bit, but I should be better than you. I can probably get us out of this mess!¡± The driver hesitated. ¡°If we switch drivers now, they¡¯ll block us right away. ¡± Layne spoke calmly. ¡°Listen, we can take a detour and find another path. Then we can switch drivers and make a run for it. They¡¯ve got a lot of people, but they can¡¯t block every route. We still have a shot!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The car sped up, and Layne pulled out three pistols from a box, handing two to Hannah and Dotson. ¡°Take these, just in case. ¡± Hannah held the pistol, her heart sinking. They were ying with fire! If they couldn¡¯t escape, they¡¯d be finished! At that moment, she thought of Bryson. If he were here, he¡¯d probably be scolding her for being reckless. ¡°Hey, drive faster!¡± Layne ordered, his voice cold. Chapter 1828 Sweat dripped down Hannah¡¯s forehead. She gritted her teeth, keeping her guard up every second. ¡°Miss Moore, I know what you¡¯re worried about. Just trust me, and leave everything to me,¡± Layne said, shaking his head. Hannah nodded, taking a deep breath to calm herself. ¡°Okay. ¡± The car raced down the road. Mountains and hills loomed ahead. They had to keep up the pace, no matter what! Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt on the side of the road. The driver, drenched in sweat, jumped out to switch seats with Dotson. After Dotson got into the car, he was a whole different vibe from the previous driver. He gripped the wheel and shouted, ¡°Hang on tight!¡± In an instant, the car shot forward like a rocket! The scenery flew by in a blur. Even on the twisty mountain road, Dotson didn¡¯t ease up. He quickly pulled ahead, putting some serious distance between them and their pursuers! ¡°Damn it!¡± The driver couldn¡¯t help but yell, ¡°Impressive! Are we racing now?¡± Dotson grinned. ¡°It¡¯s just getting started.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± After saying that, Dotson stomped on the elerator, and the car shot forward, zooming past the car barreling toward them! ¡°Oh my God!¡± The driver¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt a rush like this in my life!¡± Dotson tapped his finger lightly on the window, creating a sharp rhythm, ¡°It¡¯s just a warm-up! If they want to chase us, I¡¯ll make sure they lose!¡± Right then, their car was about a hundred meters ahead of Mathews¡¯s. Dotson was a professional driver, weaving through the mountain roads like they were t. He quickly left the other cars in the dust. Layne spoke up. ¡°Switch to the main road now. Their guys will be closing in soon, and it¡¯ll be tough to break through their blockade. ¡± ¡°I know!¡± With a sharp turn of the steering wheel, the car veered down the slope, heading straight for the main road! Meanwhile, Mathews¡¯s men were gathering on the other side! ¡°Damn it! What do we do? Boss, should we¡­ kill them?¡± With a sinister grin, Mathews replied, ¡°Of course! If they think they can just slip away, we¡¯ll crush them!¡± It was clear Mathews had to win this battle, or he¡¯d have no future in Muvrand! The man behind him clenched his fists, desperate to take Hannah out immediately. Chapter 1829 They all looked fierce and ready to kill. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s the n now?¡± Mathews checked his watch. ¡°Let¡¯s set up an ambush on the main road. We¡¯ll intercept them when they try to leave the city!¡± ¡°Alright, got it!¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Mathews and his men quickly followed them to the main road. As they arrived, they suddenly heard the loud roar of an engine. ¡°Hey, wait¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± Mathews frowned, immediately opening the door and getting out of the car. He looked up to see a row of luxury cars speeding towards them. Mathews was confused. ¡°Who do these people belong to?¡± There must be someone incredibly influential orchestrating this to gather so many individuals and vehicles. Mathews noted the license te numbers. It appeared they were from Valmere. Matthews became cautious. Were they sent by Bryson? With that thought, Mathews¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Block them!¡± Mathewsmanded harshly. But they were too slow to react. The cars quickly passed them! ¡°Boss, they¡¯ve gone past us!¡± his subordinate eximed nervously. Mathews clenched his jaw. ¡°Stay calm. Block them!¡± They were determined not to let those who came to aid Hannah escape. Therefore, sitting in the car, Mathews and hispanions took out their weapons and stepped on the gas. ¡°Boss, looks like we¡¯re getting backup!¡± Dotson said. Initially, he assumed the approaching fleet of luxury cars was there to confront them. He braced for a confrontation, only to realize that these cars were actually helping by blocking the vehicles chasing them from behind. ¡°Mr. Mitchell must have sent them,¡± Seeing the cars, Layne said to Hannah in a soothing tone. But Hannah was startled. Could Bryson be here as well? Her heart raced with a mix of apprehension, excitement, and a whirlwind of feelings. ¡°Could you please call Bryson?¡± Hannah found herself requesting. Chapter 1830 Layne dialed and handed her the phone. After a few rings, someone picked up. ¡°It¡¯s me. ¡± A man¡¯s deep voice came from the other end of the line. Hearing Bryson¡¯s familiar voice brought aforting warmth to Hannah, her eyes filling with tears. She tried to steady her voice and said, ¡°Are you here?¡± ¡°Right. You just keep moving forward. I¡¯ve got the rear covered,¡± Bryson responded indifferently. His voice was even, disguising the fact that he was currently engaged in an intense gunfight. When Hannah heard the gunfire on his end, she became genuinely worried for the first time. ¡°But what about your safety?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookeryBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. ¡± Bryson¡¯s tone remained soothing and steady. ¡°Just follow Layne¡¯s instructions and get out of Muvrand first. ¡± Hannah pressed her lips together, taking a moment to steady herself. ¡°Alright. ¡± Mathews was in hot pursuit, and by now, Dotson had steered them towards the main road! Mathews squinted and ordered, ¡°Keep up with them!¡± Thirteen cars sped along the road, seeming to nearly take flight! Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Mathews squinted again, surveying the cars behind through the rearview mirror. A brutal gunfight was unfolding in the vehicles behind them, with many shots being intercepted for him. Driven by a desperate need to catch Hannah, his actions bordered on frantic. Finally, he found traces of Hannah¡¯s car at the fork in the road! ¡°I¡¯ve got you now!¡± With excitement shing in his eyes, Mathews said with a ferocious smile, ¡°Seal off the exit!¡± Bang! Just then, a bullet struck Mathews¡¯s car, blowing out a tire and sending the vehicle into a wild spin! Mathews frantically wrestled with the steering wheel, trying to regain control, but it was toote. ¡°Boss!¡± The man beside Mathews turned pale with fear. He tried to steady himself and seized the wheel, attempting to bring the car under control. But it was already toote! The force of the motion mmed Mathews back into his seat. The car then rolled over and mmed into the ground with a crash! ¡°Ah!¡± Mathews¡¯s scream came from the car. Chapter 1831 ¡°Boss! Boss!¡± Mathews was curled up inside the vehicle, moaning in pain. Though he escaped a deadly injury, his left leg was broken, his right arm was dislocated, and his other arm was fractured! He was soaked in a cold sweat, his eyes red with pain! At that moment, the sound of footsteps approached the car. ¡°Boss, they areing!¡± With great effort, Mathews turned his head and saw a group of sturdy men encircling them. ¡°f@ck!¡± Mathews swore furiously, clenching his teeth as he tried to lift himself up. ¡°Wipe them out!¡± ¡°Got it!¡± his men responded. A fierce fight broke out, with their enemies greatly outnumbering them. Mathews¡¯s men was forced back, unable to hold their ground. Mathews shielded his injured leg and crouched at the bottom of the car. Dealing with these people proved challenging. Mathews realized that a direct confrontation would lead to severe losses for him and his team. ¡°Boss, are you alright?¡± one of his men inquired. While clutching his bleeding arm, Mathews yelled, ¡°Retreat! Get back, now!¡± ¡°Boss! You¡¯re injured!¡± Mathews was in such excruciating pain that sweat dripped down his forehead, and his veins throbbed visibly.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Yet, he insisted, ¡°Get me out of here!¡± ¡°But boss¡­¡± Bang! Suddenly, another bullet struck Mathews¡¯s shoulder, sttering blood across his face! ¡°Ah!!! Fall back!¡± Mathews roared in agony and with a raspy voice. The opposing side was overwhelming in numbers, and each of them was a skilled fighter! Mathews understood that his men stood no chance in this fight! Even if today were hisst day, he refused to be taken down so easily by them! Mathews sped his arm and struggled to his feet. Chapter 1832 A hint of cruelty flickered in his eyes as he silently swore revenge for today¡¯s humiliation. Over the past few years, his efforts in Muvrand had been relentless. How could he ept such a defeat now? He was determined to make that bitch suffer. ¡°Run! Run!¡± Mathews¡¯s men did everything they could to help him break through the encirclement. They finally made it to the car that had been waiting for a long time. Boom! A loud explosion echoed from behind them. Smoke and dust sttered, and mes soared into the sky! Mathews looked back. The cars behind them had exploded, and the mes were burning. Thick smoke pervaded, making the surroundings dark! ¡°Damn it!¡± Mathews was so furious he felt like he might spit blood. He did all he could to maintain control in Muvrand, but Hannah and Bryson had shattered it. Mathews was livid, wanting them dead. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The car drove off amid the smoke as Bryson¡¯s men managed to catch up. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, their cars blew up in a suicide attack and have blocked the road. We can¡¯t follow them. ¡± Bryson opened his eyes slowly, a deadly look in them.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°No need to chase them. Make sure Hannah¡¯s car is escorted out first. ¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Mitchell. What¡¯s our next move?¡± With a chilling smile, Bryson responded, ¡°I¡¯m off to meet Mark at the Garza family¡¯s home. ¡± ¡°Yes, sir. ¡± As Bryson¡¯s car began to move, several bodyguards¡¯ cars quickly followed. Meanwhile, seven or eight cars quietly left the scene with them. When Mark got the call and heard the news, his expression darkened. ¡°What a bunch of losers!¡± Chapter 1833 Mark became extremely violent. Jenny maintained an upright position, not daring to utter a word. ¡°Is everything okay?¡± ire inquired. ¡°What a dud! He failed to eliminate Hannah and let her escape!¡± At the same time, a servant raced in. ¡°Sir, there¡¯s a visitor outside the manor. He said he¡¯s here to see you!¡± ¡°Did he identify himself?¡± Mark inquired. His tone was harsh and his face looked restless. The servant stuttered, ¡°He said his name is Bryson Mitchell, from Valmere.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Who? Bryson?¡± Mark¡¯s face changed. ¡°How many people did hee here with?¡± ¡°It seems he brought a dozen people. Sir, are we going to allow theme in?¡± Mark already guessed that Bryson would conduct his men toe here and save Hannah, but he didn¡¯t forsee Bryson leading them. But it seems Bryson wouldn¡¯t stop this time around until he achieved his aim! ¡°Allow him in,¡± Mark instructed as heposed himself. He knew for a fact that since Bryson was here, it was best to let him in. The servant let him in. He was over six feet tall with a well crafted face. He had a well refined conduct and an inborn royalty. Even though Mark had groomed his mind on meeting Bryson, he was still amazed seeing Bryson, the rumored most formidable man in Valmere. ¡°Mr. Bryson Mitchell!¡± Mark quickly recovered from his trance and weed him with a warm smile. ¡°Please make yourselffortable, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Totally ignoring Mark, Bryson observed people in the living room callously and walked towards the settee. After he walked in, Merlin was wheeled in from outside and he moved closer to Mark¡¯s side. Mark took a very brief look at Merlin, after which he looked at Bryson and asked, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, to what do I owe this pleasure?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have time to fudge the issue or fool around. ¡± Bryson, with his eyes fixed on Mark, asked with an expressionless face, ¡°Did you instruct your men to escort Hannah here?¡± ¡°Who?¡± Mark yed dumb and said to Bryson, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you have it all wrong. I love Hannah dearly. I could not possibly do something like that. ¡± ¡°Hmm, I see. Is that so?¡± A cold smile appeared on Bryson¡¯s Lip. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you can make further enquiries if you doubt me. ¡± Bryson narrowed his eyes and gave Mark a death stare that made him frightened. Mark immediately recollected himself and showed his warm-heartedness. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to offend you, Mr. Mitchell, but some things are not what you think it is. Hannah is our Granddaughter and we really dote on her. ¡± ire, wearing a warmhearted smile, said, ¡°That¡¯s true! Hannah is our granddaughter and we will always love her no matter what. Mark equally loves her but finds it difficult to express it. ¡± Chapter 1834 ¡°Is that so?¡± Bryson said with a cold tone and an arched brow, ¡°But I was informed that Hannah was brought here against her will in order to get her married into the Garza family. ¡± Shit! How on earth did this news spread? Mark was so mad, but acted like he wasn¡¯t guilty at all. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s been a mix-up somewhere. Notwithstanding the fact that Hannah¡¯s mom is not our biological daughter, we came through for her when Hannah¡¯s dad was unable to pay off his debts. ¡± ire chipped in, ¡°Yes, Mr. Mitchell. Mark has always been worried about Hannah. When he got the news about her being in danger at Valmere, he quickly came up with a n to get her out of there!¡± Bryson, with a subtle smile on his lips, said, ¡°But I got news that the Garza family had cut off all ties with the Moore Family since their demise. ¡± A glint of mortification was seen on ire¡¯s face. Mark¡¯s face went rigid for a second but came back to normal. Then he exined softly, ¡°After Hannah¡¯s father went bankrupt, we felt deeply sorry for her. After all, I am her grandfather.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. How could I stomach the fact that she was all alone?¡± Bryson had a contemptuous smile on his face and jeering in his eyes. How many people in this world didn¡¯t depend on the advantages they got to sustain their rtionships? Only a child would be tricked into believing this utterance from Mark. It was already hrious enough to think that he could y a fast one on Bryson with such remark. Bryson had his back inclined on the chair and his legs in a pretzel¡¯ style. He wore a scornful look, as if he was looking at an insignificant person. ¡°I came here to inform you that Hannah is my woman and no one cany a finger on her!¡± Mark, with furrowed eyebrows, asked, ¡°What exactly do you mean, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°If you darey a finger on her, it¡¯s as good as upsetting me. Do I need to remind you what the implications of getting into my bad books are?¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you¡¯re overstepping your boundaries,¡± Mark said with a grave tone. It gradually became exhausting for him to keep his cool. ¡°I¡¯m overstepping my boundaries? I can annihte the whole of the Garza family and make you go into debt within the twinkle of an eye. ¡± ¡°Bryson!¡± If Hannah was present, she would not believe that Bryson could say such a thing. He¡¯d been in the line of business for the longest of time and she had always heard people refer to him as ¡°the merciless business tycoon. ¡± But this was the first time he issued real threats to someone else. He had amanding ambience coupled with his words which left Mark dumbstruck for a brief period of time. ¡°Don¡¯t taste my patience, or else no one can save you from my wrath,¡± Bryson said while standing and looking down on Mark. Chapter 1835 After that, he turned around and exited the manor, his men following suit. ¡°Grandpa, what is our next course of action?¡± Merlin questioned. Bryson stated the fact that he was there for no other person but Hannah. The Mitchell family wouldn¡¯t let them off if any harm came to her. ¡°I have urged Matthew to keep his distance from Hannah, but¡­¡± Mark clenched his teeth while wearing a cloudy look on his face. After pondering on it for a while, he abruptly lifted up his head with fury in his eyes. ¡°Since he has already dered war, I¡¯m going to lock horns with him till one of us is defeated. I¡¯d love to see just how long Matthews would survive without my support!¡± Mark turned his head, looking at Jenny and Merlin. ¡°I need the both of you to handle two things for me.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± While they were heading back home, Bryson told Yosef to arrange everything when they got to Valmere. He had to go see Hannah at the hospital. Yosef nodded in agreement. After a minute of silence in the car, Yosef said, ¡°Sir, about the contract between us and the Moreno family¡­. ¡± Immediately, Bryson paused to think for a second. He quickly remembered the contract he had signed with Brodie Moreno a few days ago. A trace of loathing whooshed across his face. With his eyes closed, he spoke in a hushed tone. ¡°Scrap the contract. ¡± ¡°Alright, sir. ¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Bryson immediately opened up his eyes and said in an indifferent voice. Yosef, looking confused, asked, ¡°Anything else, Mr. Mitchell?¡± ¡°Since Brodie is hell bent on fooling around with me, I¡¯ll y along with him. ¡± There was a look of disdain on his face, and his eyes gleamed with an intense ice-cold and dark look. ¡°Okay, sir. ¡± Late in the evening, at the hospital. Bryson had just gotten to the ward when he heard a boisterous ttering from inside the room. He reached out and opened the door, his eyes falling on Saul speaking with Hannah. Lydia and Brayden were both sitting on the couch, as well as Maloney. The sound of him pushing the door caught the attention of everyone in the ward and they all stared in his direction, causing the room to be quiet. Hannah turned her head and said with a yful smile, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, they¡¯re all afraid to say anything now that you¡¯re present. ¡± Bryson walked over to Hannah and looked at Saul who was sitting beside her, ¡°How are her eyes?¡± ¡°She¡¯s fine. Fortunately, she has returned in time. I¡¯ve given medicines for her. They will start to act in three days. ¡± Chapter 1836 ¡°Okay. That¡¯s good. ¡± Bryson leaned closer to pinch Hannah¡¯s cheek. However, he soon remembered others were around and dropped his hand. ¡°Thank God. I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay. ¡± Maloney sneered. ¡°Yes, she¡¯s fine. But she scared us all to death. ¡± Just then, the door flew open. Edwin anxiously rushed inside.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Hannah! Are you all right?¡± He grabbed Hannah¡¯s arms and examined her nervously. Bryson immediately pulled him back. ¡°Be careful. ¡± Edwin stepped back as he realized what he was doing and looked at Hannah again, his eyes gleaming with concern. ¡°Hannah, they told me that you were in the hospital. What happened?¡± He looked into Hannah¡¯s eyes and asked, ¡°Hannah¡­ Have you lost your vision?¡± His voice trembled. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± replied Hannah, smiling. ¡°What do you mean you¡¯re fine? I know everything. Did the Garza family abduct you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. Really,¡± Hannahforted him. ¡°That incident has nothing to do with my eyesight. My eyes are fine. Don¡¯t worry too much about it. ¡± However, Edwin was still worried. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll somehow find a way to fix your eyesight. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I need a favor from you though. Don¡¯t tell anything about my eyesight or what the Garza family did to our grandfather. Please help me hide it from him,¡± said Hannah. ¡°But¡­¡± Edwin wanted to refute. However, Hannah pressed further. ¡°As I said, my eyes are fine. Just do as I say. ¡± Edwin sighed helplessly. He looked into Hannah¡¯s stubborn eyes and had no choice but to give in. ¡°I know, Hannah. ¡± Bryson nced at Edwin and turned to look at Maloney. ¡°How¡¯s the investigation going?¡± ¡°The construction quality by the Moreno Group in this project was significantly below standard. The Moreno Group has a real estatepany that is in directpetition with the Mitchell Group and is actively seeking to exploit this situation to frame the Mitchell Group. ¡± ¡°ALL right. I see. ¡± Bryson¡¯s lips curled into a sneer. ¡°No wonder the Moreno Group was sopetitive and aggressive with our project. Now I understand they were trying to set us up. ¡± Chapter 1837 Hannah frowned quizzically. ¡°The Moreno family? Why would the Moreno family discuss partnership with you?¡± The Moreno family held the maximum shares in Enchantment Casino. Besides, they were one of the families against Bryson Maloney arched an eyebrow and said, ¡°They just want to make Bryson suffer.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. The Moreno family is hiding behind the Garza family while causing trouble. I¡¯ll make sure they don¡¯t get away with it,¡± Bryson promised Hannah. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°Yosef. ¡± Bryson looked at Yosef and continued, ¡°I want you to send someone to watch Mathews in Muvrand. If he does anything unusual, inform me right away. ¡± ¡°Yes, sir. ¡± ¡°Well, you guys can leave now. ¡± Bryson waved his hand. ¡°Okay¡­ Let¡¯s get out of here. ¡± Edwin stood up. As he walked to the door, he stopped and turned to Hannah. ¡°Don¡¯t starve, Hannah. Eat well and make sure you don¡¯t lose weight. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t know whether to cry orugh. ¡°Well, you better remember not to tell them what happened to me. Otherwise, they¡¯ll worry about me. ¡± ¡°I know, Hannah. I will thwart the news as soon as I go back. Grandpa and Jalen won¡¯t find it. ¡± Lydia was reluctant to leave. ¡°Hannah, I¡¯ll leave now. We¡¯lle and see you soon. ¡± ¡°ALL right. Don¡¯t worry about me. See you soon. ¡± Hannah waved at them. Once everyone left, Bryson, Maloney, and Hannah were all alone in the room. Maloney nced at Bryson, cleared his throat, and asked, ¡°It¡¯s just the three of us now. Since I¡¯m the third wheel, shall I leave now?¡± Bryson looked at him and smirked. ¡°Since you already know, why don¡¯t you leave? What are you still doing here?¡± ¡°Okay, I will get out right now!¡± He left and the door closed with a click. Bryson and Hannah were the only ones in the room. ¡°Thank you,¡± said Hannah. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be too polite to me. ¡± Bryson sat down and looked at Hannah. He then smiled and smoothed her brows. ¡°If you ever repeat, I will lock you up. ¡± Although his tone was t, Hannah could sense his uneasiness and anxiety. She smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯re too bossy, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Chapter 1838 Bryson snorted, grasped her waist, and pulled her into his arms. Hannah couldn¡¯t see anything but felt the warmth of his hug. His arms wrapped around her, trapping her between his chest and the bed. Hannah tried wriggling out of his hold but failed. ¡°Mr. Mitchell,¡± she croaked. Just as she opened her mouth to speak again, she felt his lips against her. Before she knew it, his hot tongue slid into her mouth and massaged against hers. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Hannah moaned as her mind went nk and her body turned Limp. She couldn¡¯t breathe until he let go of her. Her face flushed red as shyness painted her sightless eyes. ¡°You¡¯re shameless!¡± Bryson smiled. ¡°If I had shame, how can I ki*s you?¡± His voice was thick with Lust. ¡°ALL right. Stop it. Don¡¯t you have any work to do?¡± Hannah nudged Bryson¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Are you driving me away?¡± He squinted, his unhappiness evident on his face. Hannah felt Bryson was acting like a childtely. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to deal with the Moreno Group?¡± asked Hannah. ¡°There¡¯s no hurry. ¡± Bryson wrapped his arms around Hannah¡¯s waist and pulled her closer. ¡°He thinks I¡¯m in his trap right now and waiting to catch me. Let him wait. ¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid he¡¯ll do something crazy when he realizes his n has gone wrong and has no escape?¡± ¡°He wouldn¡¯t dare, and, most importantly, he can¡¯t. ¡± Bryson shrugged casually. ¡°The moment he realizes he can¡¯t escape from me now, I¡¯ll make sure he is defenseless. Amelie¡¯s overseas contacts are being looked after. The Chadwich family¡¯s legacy remains unshakeable. Your father has no ns of dealing with her now. ¡± Hannah closed her eyes and leaned against Bryson¡¯s arm. ¡°Did Maloney tell you that?¡± ¡°Yes. Your father ns to use her to draw her family into a trap. Once they¡¯re captured, he can seize control of the Chadwich family in one go. ¡± ¡°Bryson¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m here. What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± Hannah said, leaning against Bryson.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Good night, sweetheart. ¡± ¡°Good night,¡± Hannah replied and slowly closed her eyes. Bryson gazed at her sleeping face tenderly. Chapter 1839 The next morning, Hannah woke to find Bryson gone. After she finished washing up, the door opened, and the smell of food drifted in. Bryson, dressed more casually than usual, seemed more rxed. ¡°I went and got your favorite breakfast. Make sure you eat. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Hannah said, leaning back against the bed and blinking slowly. ¡°The doctor told me yesterday that if all goes well, my eyesight should return to normal next month. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson said as he passed her the food. ¡°I¡¯ve decided. Once your eyes are better, you should return to the Compton family with Maloney. ¡± Hannah took a bite of the food. She wasn¡¯t surprised by Bryson¡¯s statement. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is it because of the trouble between the Garza and Moreno families? Are you trying to get me out of here?¡± After a pause, she realized what he was implying. She said casually, ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll be safe if I just flee abroad?¡± Bryson responded, ¡°At least the Chadwich family isn¡¯t what it used to be. It will be safer for you overseas. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to run. No matter where I go, they¡¯ll find me. I¡¯ll never truly be free. ¡± Hannah said, ¡°I appreciate your concern for me. But I don¡¯t want to live in hiding. Moreover, even without the Garza family, there are still others out there who wille after me. ¡± For instance, Leviathan, hidden in the shadows, was poised to strike like a viper. Hiding was futile. Moreover, she didn¡¯t need to hide. After a brief pause, Hannah added, ¡°I want to live in the sunlight, not hide in the shadows. ¡± She didn¡¯t need to rely on any influential figure. She was strong enough to defend herself. Bryson observed her resolute profile and remained silent for a long time. Eventually, he chuckled. ¡°I knew you¡¯d say that because that¡¯s just who you are. ¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah turned to hear what Bryson would say next. Bryson looked deeply into her eyes and said earnestly, ¡°No matter what happens, remember that I¡¯m always here for you. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah smiled, and the tension from their earlier disagreement seemed to dissolve at that moment. After the Garza family incident subsided, things calmed down for a bit. Saul¡¯s treatment appeared to be working, as Hannah mentioned.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. About a weekter, Saul came to examine Hannah¡¯s eyes again. She was sensitive to the light. Saul waved his finger before her and asked, ¡°Can you see this number clearly?¡± Chapter 1840 ¡°Okay¡­¡± Hannah squinted. It was as if a thin cloth covered her eyes. She could see shapes but not the fine details. ¡°Two?¡± Saul turned off the small torch and said, ¡°Her recovery is going well, but her vision is still slightly blurry. We¡¯ll check the progress in a week.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± Hannah blinked and said, ¡°I¡¯m okay. At least I can make out shapes now. I¡¯m not in any rush. ¡± Saul nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯ll return to theboratory today. You could stay nearby if you like. It would make it easier for me to monitor your recovery. ¡± ¡°No need, old man. If there¡¯s an issue with my eyes, I¡¯ll call you immediately. I¡¯m not a child. I know when something¡¯s wrong. ¡± Hannah smiled confidently and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯m fine. ¡± Respecting Hannah¡¯s decision to stay put, Saul didn¡¯t insist. Before he left, he mentioned, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone check on you every two weeks, If all is well, we might increase the dosage in thest week. ¡± ¡°Okay, I understand. ¡± After bidding farewell to Saul, Hannah got into the car Bryson had arranged and headed to his vi. Upon her arrival at the vi, she was shown to a room Bryson had prepared for her. The decoration was simple but to her liking. Opening the wardrobe, she was surprised. All her clothes had been reced with new ones, each fit her perfectly. She opened a drawer and found various elegant dresses, simple in design yet delicate. She chose a long blue dress, slipped on her slippers, and walked to the window. The view from the Mitchell family¡¯s house was breathtaking, featuring lush gardens, man-made hills, flowing rivers, birdsong, and the sweet scent of flowers. Even with her slightly blurred vision, the scenery had a dreamlike quality. Hannah took a deep breath and smiled. Knock, knock, knock. Someone knocked at the door. Hannahposed herself and opened it. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Miss Moore, Mr. Mitchell mentioned there¡¯s a banquet tonight. You¡¯ll need to get dressed up. I¡¯ve brought the dress he picked out for you. ¡± ¡°Thank you. ¡± Hannah epted the bag from the servant and returned to her room. The dresses and essories Bryson had arranged were all luxurious and custom-made by well-known designers. As evening set in, the lights illuminated the surroundings. Chapter 1841 Hannah drove to the hotel. Bryson was already there, standing outside the hotel, his tall stature and striking features drawing the attention of many guests. When Hannah arrived, Bryson went downstairs, opened the car door, held her hand, and helped her out, his eyes soft with tenderness. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯mte,¡± Hannah said. Bryson smiled, still holding her hand. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just got here myself. ¡± Together, they entered the hotel arm in arm. Hannah walked into the banquet hall, drawing envious and admiring looks from many women present. This was Hannah¡¯s first official party since she came back. She moved closer to Bryson and whispered, ¡°What¡¯s the asion?¡± Bryson replied, ¡°We¡¯re about to start a new project at thepany. This is a celebration for that. ¡± He continued, ¡°But that¡¯s just the official reason. ¡± Bryson took her hand and said in a hushed tone meant only for her, ¡°The Moreno Group is also sending representatives tonight. We¡¯re hosting this celebration as a front for them. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyebrows lifted subtly as they entered the banquet hall, steering away from the previous topic. The Mitchell Group, a powerhouse in the business world, boasted diverse interests spanning entertainment, hotels, real estate, and tourism. Being the industry giant, the Mitchell family wielded formidable influence. Once the groupunched a project, it seized media attention, swiftly bing Valmere¡¯s hottest topic. Tonight¡¯s banquet, besides promoting their project, drew a crowd from the entertainment world, including numerous celebrities.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Inside the hall, people toasted and conversed, enveloped in an atmosphere of elegance. Bryson and Hannah entered hand in hand, immediatelymanding attention. Hannah dazzled in a long, pale yellow off-shoulder dress that entuated herplexion. Thece on her chest, embellished with fine diamonds, shimmered alluringly. Her slender waist and crystal high heelspleted her graceful appearance, drawing admiration from all the women present. Bryson, tall and straight in a navy blue tuxedo, exuded a cold, untouchable demeanor with his angr features and deep eyes. As Hannah held his arm, she smiled sweetly. Together, they appeared as a perfect couple, stirring envy among onlookers. In the bustling crowd, conflicts inevitably brewed. Shortly after their arrival, someone approached with a ss of wine. Chapter 1842 With a courteous smile, Brodie Moreno remarked, ¡°Congrattions, Mr. Mitchell, on securing another significant project.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. In the future, cooperating more with our Moreno Group could benefit both ourpanies, don¡¯t you think?¡± As if noticing Hannah for the first time, he then asked in confusion, ¡°And who might this be?¡± Bryson gazed at Hanna and said, ¡°This is my fiancee. ¡± Brodie¡¯s surprise was fleeting, reced by a smile. ¡°Ah, Miss Moore! Your charm precedes you. Now I see it¡¯s well-deserved. ¡± ¡°You¡¯re too kind,¡± Hannah replied graciously. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you two to your conversation. ¡± Bryson watched her depart before turning back to Brodie. ¡°Anything else?¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, there¡¯s another opportunity for cooperation. Are you interested?¡± Brodie asked, taking a sip of wine. ¡°Now that we¡¯ve decided to join forces, I should be honest with you,¡± he continued. The Moreno Group sought a cooperation agreement with the Jenkins Group, but they had a pre-existingmitment. The Moreno Group invested a hundred million annually for 50% ownership, while the Jenkins Group invested eight hundred million. Unexpectedly, the Jenkins Group terminated the agreement, causing substantial losses for the Moreno Group. They were looking to recover those funds. Brodie aimed to win over the Mitchell Group through this coboration, confident that their backing would shield them from the Jenkins Group¡¯s challenges. Bryson squinted thoughtfully. ¡°Mr. Moreno, are you suggesting I take on the Jenkins Group for you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Brodie eximed, setting down his ss. ¡°Yourpany dwarfs ours. We seek your partnership for your strength. If we recover the funds, I propose giving you 50% of the 3 billion withdrawn by the Jenkins Group. ¡± The offer was enticing, but Bryson knew high returns often entailed high risks. Brodie¡¯s pitch didn¡¯t entirely convince him. Bryson swirled his drink. ¡°Mr. Moreno, recovering three billion isn¡¯t straightforward. The Moreno and Jenkins Groups are now rivals. We¡¯re wary of getting entangled. ¡± He turned the question back to Brodie. Brodie smiled, unfazed. Despite the Mitchell family¡¯s business prowess, theycked the cunning of the Jenkins Group. Bryson was his key ally, though Brodie considered other potential allies first. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you¡¯ve misunderstood,¡± Brodie rified. ¡°I didn¡¯t intend for you to get directly involved. I simply hope you¡¯ll consider asting partnership. We can discuss termster. ¡± Bryson gave him a cold nce. ¡°Mr. Moreno, you have a solid n, but unfortunately, I¡¯m not short on funds. ¡± With that, he turned and departed, disregarding Brodie¡¯s expression as he left. A glint of cunning crossed Brodie¡¯s eyes as he watched Bryson walk away. Chapter 1843 Meanwhile, Hannah sat in a corner, dining alone while several young men attempted to strike up conversations. ¡°Would you like a drink with us?¡± one of them asked. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not interested,¡± she politely declined, unwilling to engage with strangers. Disappointed by her disinterest and intimidated by her confident demeanor, the men exchanged nces and departed dejectedly. ¡°Are you Hannah Moore?¡± a sharp female voice interrupted. Hannah looked up to find three elegantly dressed women standing nearby. They were a bit far for her to see their faces clearly, but their voice and tone indicated they weren¡¯t friendly. Hoping to avoid trouble, Hannah lowered her head and asked, ¡°What do you want from me?¡± ¡°Who do you think you are?¡± sneered Ryleigh Hopkins from the left. ¡°How could Mr. Mitchell choose you over Melina?¡± Ryleigh was Melina¡¯s best friend, the only daughter of the Hopkins family. Arrogant and domineering, often wielding her power to intimidate others, Ryleigh had a close bond with Melina. Ryleigh rolled her eyes.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Let me be blunt, I¡¯m here to cause you trouble today,¡± she dered. ¡°You¡¯re shameless, meddling in someone else¡¯s rtionship and ying the mistress!¡± Hannah frowned at the usation. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡± Two girls nking Ryleigh chimed in, ¡°Stop pretending! Are you denying you¡¯re not a mistress who meddled between Miss Glyn and Mr. Mitchell? You shameless woman!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard you got divorced because of your affairs and seduced men everywhere. From the looks of it, you must enjoy messing around with men!¡± Did they thrive on rumors? Hannah stood taller than the women before her, sneering. ¡°I heard your father was unfaithful to your mother, and your mother also betrayed him. You might not even be his daughter. And I know you slept with thisdy¡¯s fiance. ¡± The girl, stung by Hannah¡¯s words, immediately erupted. ¡°What nonsense are you spewing? How dare you spread lies about me!¡± Hannah raised her eyebrow. ¡°Didn¡¯t you start this? Why get upset over a few words?¡± Hannah didn¡¯t take these three women seriously at all. Hannah¡¯s dismissive attitude only fueled their anger, causing them to rush at her impulsively. Hannah had anticipated their move and had already retreated a few steps. As they approached, she quickly kicked their knees. ¡°ARI¡± Chapter 1844 Their cries of pain filled the air as they stumbled back and fell onto the sofa behind them. With not many people around, their dilemma went mostly unnoticed Despite her throbbing leg, Ryleigh managed to stand up and pointed at Hannah usingly.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°How dare you hit me? Do you know who I am?¡± Hannah turned, shaking her head solemnly. She could barely see Ryleigh¡¯s figure and didn¡¯t recognize her. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are. ¡± Feeling embarrassed, Ryleigh took a deep breath and red at Hannah. ¡°You¡¯ve insulted me. Just you wait!¡± Hannah shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Alright, show me what you can do. ¡± Ryleigh¡¯s anger intensified in the face of Hannah¡¯s calm. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure the Mitchell family sees your true colors and kicks you out!¡± While talking, she pulled out her phone and began dialing. Hannah approached with a calm smile, took the phone, and turned it off. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Ryleigh asked, flustered. ¡°Give me back my phone!¡± Hannah tossed the phone back to her. ¡°Today¡¯s the Mitchell Group¡¯s banquet. Let¡¯s not make a scene. Don¡¯t try me. ¡± She said sternly, ¡°Now, get out of here!¡± Humiliated but unwilling to confront further, Ryleigh and her friends quickly left. Once they were gone, Hannah let out a sigh of relief. A waiter came over with drinks. ¡°Hello, Miss. Can I help you?¡± ¡°Thank you, I¡¯ve got it,¡± Hannah answered, epting the juice. Her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Bryson. ¡°Are you full?¡± Hannah almost choked upon reading it. She scanned the room but Bryson was nowhere to be seen. She coughed and quickly typed a response. ¡°Did you see me? Where are you?¡± Bryson, sittingfortably on a sofa, chuckled at her message. Chapter 1845 ¡°I have something else to do. Stay put. I¡¯ll be there soon. ¡± After reading his reply, Hannah set her phone down and returned to her meal. After all, the party was held to lure the Moreno family over. She didn¡¯t need to join them. Outside in a small garden, Ryleigh, still fuming, was taking out her frustration on the cracked stones beneath her feet, while her friends looked on, hesitant to intervene. ¡®s BunnyBookery Ryleigh stomped on the gravel, her eyes zing with anger. Why was Hannah so arrogant? How could she win against Melina? She was of a lower status! How could Bryson be interested in her? Ryleigh breathed heavily with fury as she confronted her two followers. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m worse than Hannah?¡± The two exchanged nces and replied together, careful not to provoke her further. ¡°Of course not!¡± Ryleigh¡¯s expression eased a bit, but her face was still stormy. ¡°I thought I had a chance with Bryson if Melina didn¡¯t, but now this bitch is with him! How can I notpare to her in family background and looks?¡± Hearing Ryleigh¡¯s frantic words, the two girls kept silent, not daring to disagree. But deep inside, they couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge that Ryleigh didn¡¯t quite match Hannah¡¯s beauty. The girls kept this opinion to themselves, knowing it would upset Ryleigh if spoken aloud. ¡°Ryleigh, she must have yed dirty to get ahead. You¡¯re much better than her,¡± the girl beside Ryleigh reassured, squeezing her hand. ¡°Even if she marries into the Mitchell family, Franco won¡¯t ept her!¡± another girl said. ¡°Yes!¡± Ryleigh¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°You¡¯re right! Franco must dislike that bitch! As long as Franco hates her, she¡¯ll be ousted from the Mitchell family and her reputation in Valmere will be ruined!¡± Ryleigh felt much better after expressing these thoughts.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That¡¯s right! Ryleigh, you¡¯re absolutely correct!¡± the two girls praised her. ¡°You have the power to make Hannah suffer if you wish!¡± Meanwhile, Hannah was eating when she suddenly felt a weird sensation, as if she were being watched by a snake, causing her to shiver. She scowled, confused by this unsettling feeling. Outside the banquet hall, Grace entered the banquet hall with Franco, his arm in hers, receiving greetings and congrattions from many guests. With a gracious smile, Franco acknowledged each greeting. Chapter 1846 ¡°Mr. Franco Mitchell, congrattions! You look so vibrant. I¡¯m quite jealous!¡± ¡°Franco, please ept our apologies for beingte. We were held up with urgent matters at thepany. ¡± Franco, who had rarely attended banquets in recent years, surprised everyone by attending this one. Despite a recent scandal at the Mitchell Group, Bryson¡¯s influence had kept the family¡¯s reputation intact. Several toppanies were eager to coborate with the Mitchell Group and were attempting to win favor tonight. Franco smiled. ¡°Thank you for making it to the party. I hope it hasn¡¯t thrown off your busy schedules. ¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. He then turned to Grace, who was by his side, and asked with a smile, ¡°Why are you so quiet today? You¡¯re usually the life of the party. ¡± Grace answered with a bright smile, her youthful look masking her sharp mind. ¡°On such a special night, I just need to be by your side, Grandpa. Also, Bryson mentioned he¡¯s tied up with an important business matter today and asked me to apany you. ¡± Franco, although strict with Bryson, always showed a soft spot for Grace. ¡°Okay. ¡± At that moment, Ryleigh and her friends walked up to Franco. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, do you remember me?¡± Ryleigh asked cheerfully. ¡°I¡¯m Ryleigh Hopkins, a friend of Melina, the daughter of the Hopkins family. ¡± Franco gave her a brief nod, though it was evident he didn¡¯t recall her. Undeterred, Ryleigh pressed on, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯ve brought a gift for you today. ¡± She took out a small, fancy box and gave it to Franco. ¡°Thanks. ¡± Franco didn¡¯t take it right away. ¡°You really don¡¯t need to get me gifts. ¡± Riley quickly said, ¡°Actually, my father wanted me to give this to you. Please take it. ¡± After hesitating for a moment, Franco epted the box. ¡°Alright, if you insist. ¡± Ryleigh¡¯s face lit up with a happy smile. She then turned to Grace and said, ¡°Grace, I¡¯ve got something for you too. ¡± Grace blinked, about to say no politely, when Ryleigh produced a velvet box. Ryleigh opened it to reveal a diamond ring the size of a dove¡¯s egg. ¡°Do you like it?¡± Grace was shocked. She really didn¡¯t expect such a fancy gift. ¡°Grace, the top jewelers made it!¡± Ryleigh grinned and said, ¡°There¡¯s only one like this in the world. Try it on!¡± Grace hesitated for a moment. ¡°Honestly, this is too much. ¡± Chapter 1847 Grace felt like she knew Ryleigh, but she just couldn¡¯t remember who she was. Ryleigh¡¯s friendly manner with her grandfather and the expensive gift made Grace feel uneasy. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s not that expensive!¡± Ryleigh waved her hand. ¡°Just try it on and see how it looks!¡± Grace shook her head, frowning. ¡°It¡¯s too much. I can¡¯t ept it. ¡± Ryleigh started to get a bit nervous. She was here tonight to win favor with Bryson¡¯s family and had defended Melina just to stir things up with Hannah. Now, her n was falling apart, and she felt desperate. ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ just a small gift. ¡± Before Ryleigh could finish, Franco cut in, ¡°Grace is right. We can¡¯t just take your gifts without a reason. If the one you gave Grace was so expensive, this one must be even pricier. ¡± Franco handed the gift back to Ryleigh. ¡°Sorry. I can¡¯t take it. ¡± He then started to walk away with Grace. Seeing them about to leave, Ryleigh called out, ¡°Hey, wait!¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Ryleigh said, ¡°I still need to talk to you, Mr. Mitchell. It¡¯s about your grandson. ¡± Grace looked at Ryleigh, confused. ¡°My brother? What about him?¡± ¡°Actually¡­¡± Ryleigh hesitated in front of Grace. Franco said, ¡°Grace, why don¡¯t you give us a minute? You should go greet the guests at the banquet. ¡± Grace cast a wary look at Ryleigh. ¡°But¡­¡± Franco continued softly, ¡°Head to the garden, sweetheart. I need to talk with Miss Hopkins. ¡± Grace was worried, but she nodded when she saw her grandfather was serious. ¡°Okay, Grandpa. Call me if you need anything. ¡± Franco waved for Grace to leave. Once Grace was gone, he turned to Ryleigh. ¡°What did you want to tell me?¡± Ryleigh began fabricating lies about Hannah, mixing facts with guesses. She thought Franco would be mad when he heard this, but he stayed calm. Ryleigh was a bit flustered and stammered, ¡°Hey, Mr. Mitchell, are you even listening to me?¡± Chapter 1848 ¡°Yeah,¡± Franco replied. ¡°Are you saying all this because you¡¯re jealous of Hannah?¡± Franco¡¯s words hit the mark, and Ryleigh bit her lip, looking embarrassed. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t. . ¡± ¡°Then why did you talk bad about Hannah?¡± Franco¡¯s voice was low and intense, making Ryleigh shiver. ¡°I¡¯m just telling the truth. People say she used your grandson to hook up with other guys. If it¡¯s all lies, why are there rumors? They can¡¯t be without reason. ¡± Ryleigh was still trying to make her case to Franco. ¡°Since Miss Glyn is no longer an option, if your grandson marries Hannah, the Mitchell family could have big problems. ¡± Franco smiled and looked at her. ¡°So, who do you think would be better for Bryson?¡± She clearly wanted to suggest herself for the marriage, but Franco pretended he didn¡¯t understand what she meant. ¡°Look, Mr. Mitchell!¡± Ryleigh sounded a bit anxious. ¡°I think my family background is better than Hannah¡¯s. I can help your grandson more. You should consider choosing me. ¡± Franco smiled knowingly and said, ¡°I see what you¡¯re doing. You¡¯re trying to lift yourself up by putting Hannah down. ¡± With his years of experience in the business world, Franco could tell Ryleigh was lying, but he didn¡¯t want to call her out. He just sneered and said, ¡°I¡¯m not really into getting involved in my grandson¡¯s affairs, especially his love life. ¡± Ryleigh froze, her face turning pale. This was nothing like what she had expected! Wasn¡¯t Franco supposed to get angry and tell Hannah to leave the banquet? Franco looked at Ryleigh with a wry smile and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear any more of that nder. ¡± Franco made it clear he was on Hannah¡¯s side, so he couldn¡¯t stand her badmouthing Hannah. Ryleigh bit her lip and replied in a hurt tone, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I was just being impulsive. I believed the rumors and thought it was her fault. Since Miss Moore is getting along well with your grandson now, it¡¯s a relief to me. ¡± Ryleigh was shifting all the me and acting like she didn¡¯t know anything. Franco didn¡¯t want to waste time with someone like her. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, you can head back. I¡¯ve got things to deal with here. ¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± The smile disappeared from Ryleigh¡¯s face as soon as she turned around. That lousy bitch, Hannah! After Ryleigh left, Franco called Grace back from the garden. When Grace returned, she saw that Franco was in a bad mood, so she asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Grandpa?¡±Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 1849 ¡°Nothing serious. ¡± Franco had a stern look on his face as he asked, ¡°Miss Moore is here tonight, right?¡± Ryleigh shifted all responsibility onto others while feigning innocence. Franco had no intention of wasting time on such a person. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, you may head back first. I have matters to attend to here.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± The smile vanished from Ryleigh¡¯s face the moment she turned away. ¡°Hannah, you¡¯re such a bitch,¡± Ryleigh thought to herself. Once Ryleigh departed, Franco summoned Grace back from the garden. Returning from the garden, Grace noticed Franco¡¯s sour mood and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Grandpa?¡± ¡°Nothing. ¡± With a stern expression etched on his weathered face, Franco inquired, ¡°Miss Moore is also present tonight, right?¡± ¡°Yes. ¡± Grace nodded, bewildered. ¡°Do you wish to see her, Grandpa?¡± Franco instructed Grace, ¡°Bring her hereter. I need to speak with her privately. ¡± Grace obediently agreed, ¡°Very well. I will go find Hannah now. ¡± Franco had coldly dismissed Ryleigh, who returned to her friends with a pale countenance. ¡®s BunnyBookery Ryleigh¡¯s friends approached one by one. ¡°Ryleigh, how¡¯s everything? Is Franco really going to break off with Hannah?¡± Not wanting to lose face, Ryleigh snorted contemptuously. ¡°Breaking up with her is nothing. I¡¯ve already instructed Franco to tell Hannah to terminate the engagement. ¡± Ryleigh¡¯s friends were stunned and praised her. ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s amazing. ¡± Ryleigh lifted her chin proudly. ¡°Of course. Mr. Bryson Mitchell is the most esteemed man in Valmere. His future wife must be exceptional. ¡± Hannah isn¡¯t up to his standards. Another girl chimed in, ¡°Exactly. She¡¯s not fit to be Mrs. Mitchell. ¡± During their excitement, a voice interrupted from the side, ¡°Who says that Hannah isn¡¯t deserving of being Mrs. Mitchell?¡± Everyone was taken aback. Turning to look at Grace, they saw her ring at them with anger. The girls were startled. ¡°Miss¡­ Miss Mitchell, when did you arrive?¡± They had been chatting so joyfully that they hadn¡¯t noticed Grace¡¯s arrival. Chapter 1850 Grace appeared perturbed, her gaze tinged with mischief. ¡°I just arrived a moment ago. ¡± She fixed a piercing stare on Ryleigh. ¡°I heard someone suggest that if Hannah isn¡¯t worthy of Mr. Mitchell, you believe you¡¯re suitable to marry into the Mitchell family. ¡± The girls¡¯ faces nched with fear, and they vehemently denied it. Unfazed, Grace was astute and not easily deceived. She took out her phone and dered, ¡°I recorded your conversation. Would you like to hear it?¡± The recording captured their unscrupulousughter at Hannah, which irked Ryleigh. ¡°Miss Mitchell, I don¡¯t believe I¡¯ve offended you. Why are you eavesdropping on us?¡± ¡°This is a public ce. If you freely criticize others, shouldn¡¯t you expect to be heard?¡± Because Grace was Bryson¡¯s sister, Ryleigh didn¡¯t dare to mistreat her. After all, Bryson¡¯s influence in the business world was potent enough to keep them in check. Ryleigh managed a strained smile. ¡°I misunderstood earlier. I apologize, Miss Mitchell. Is that eptable?¡± Grace scoffed, her expression grave. ¡°Your apology isn¡¯t enough. You spoke ill of Hannah; you owe her an apology. ¡± A heavy silence followed. Ryleigh¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment and anger. Grace¡¯s demand that Ryleigh apologize to Hannah made Ryleigh feel like she¡¯d rather die. Ryleigh¡¯s demeanor towards Grace turned icy. ¡°Just because you¡¯re the Mitchell family¡¯s daughter doesn¡¯t mean you can bully us. We were just gossiping about Hannah. Why should I apologize?¡± Struggling to control her anger, Ryleigh continued, ¡°Miss Mitchell, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being unfair?¡± ¡°I am being unfair. ¡± Grace retorted sharply, her eyes shing. ¡°Why should I show you respect when you disrespect Hannah?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Ryleigh faltered under Grace¡¯s words. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself that arguing with a fool like Grace was pointless. Forced smile in ce, Ryleigh attempted to soothe Grace. ¡°Miss Mitchell, I just found out Hannah is your friend. It was a joke. Please don¡¯t take it so seriously. ¡± Seeing through Ryleigh¡¯s insincerity, Grace frowned. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m gullible? You can¡¯t smooth things over with me that easily. ¡± Ryleigh was on the brink of losing her temper, but unable to confront Grace directly, she gritted her teeth and endured. ¡°Well, what do you suggest I do?¡± Grace tilted her head in thought for a moment. ¡°In the future, refrain from speaking ill of Hannah. Whether you ept it or not, Hannah will be Bryson¡¯s wife. Criticizing her is like tarnishing Bryson¡¯s reputation, and I won¡¯t tolerate it. ¡± Ryleigh clenched her teeth and replied, ¡°Miss Mitchell, you¡¯re right. I won¡¯t speak ill of her again. You can trust me. ¡± Grace nodded earnestly. ¡°I¡¯ll believe you this time. Consider this a warning. But if I hear any more nder from you, you¡¯ll owe Hannah an apology. ¡± With that, Grace hurriedly departed, leaving Ryleigh and her friends behind.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Once Grace was left, Ryleigh¡¯s friends couldn¡¯t resist discussing the situation. Chapter 1851 ¡°Ryleigh, didn¡¯t Franco assure you that Hannah would never marry Bryson?¡± Why did this contradict what Ryleigh just said? Everyone was specting. Ryleigh seethed with humiliation. ¡°Just leave me alone. ¡± After all her friends evaded the issue, Ryleigh nced towards Bryson in the distance. ¡®s BunnyBookery Since she couldn¡¯t win Bryson¡¯s favor openly, she reasoned that resorting to underhanded tactics wouldn¡¯t make much difference. After all, the final winner would be the real winner. Eventually, Grace discovered Hannah in a corner of the banquet hall. Breathing a sigh of relief, Grace inquired, ¡°Hannah, why are you alone? Where is my brother?¡± ¡°He¡¯s attending to some business and won¡¯t join me untilter. What brings you here?¡± ¡°Oh. ¡± Grace recalled something urgent. ¡°Grandpa wants to see you. He didn¡¯t say what it¡¯s about. ¡± Given Franco¡¯s desire to meet with Hannah, he likely had something significant to discuss with her. Hannah nodded. ¡°Alright, take me to him now. ¡± Knowing Hannah¡¯s eyes were still healing, Grace ensured her safety as they headed towards Franco. Upon arrival, Franco was seated on a sofa near the banquet hall. Grace assisted Hannah to sit down and announced, ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯ve brought Hannah. ¡± Franco scrutinized Hannah¡¯s eyes and inquired, ¡°How are your eyes?¡± Hannah smiled softly. ¡°My eyes are getting better. What did you want to talk to me about today?¡± Franco nced at Grace. ¡°Grace. .Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± Before he could finish, Grace understood immediately. She stepped back and said, ¡°I get it. Grandpa, you have something to discuss with Hannah alone. I¡¯ll leave you two and go have some fun. ¡± Once Grace had left, Franco turned to Hannah with a serious expression. ¡°The girl from the Hopkins family who came today is trouble. She cozied up to Bryson and even spoke poorly of you in front of me. ¡± Hannah suddenly realized that the girl Franco mentioned must be Ryleigh, the one who had caused her trouble for no apparent reason. Nodding in understanding, Hannah said, ¡°Was she causing you trouble? She¡¯s a friend of Melina. We met just now. ¡± Franco raised his eyebrow slightly. ¡°And what happened?¡± ¡°We had a bit of a verbal sparring match,¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°But it¡¯s no big deal. ¡± Chapter 1852 Franco let out a sigh. ¡°You¡¯re too forgiving. ¡± ¡°Not entirely. If I let everyment affect me, I¡¯d be living in a prison of others¡¯ opinions. ¡± Hannah pursed her lips and smiled.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Franco¡¯s expression grew more serious. ¡°Actually, I asked to speak with you today because I want you to be cautious around her. ¡± Hannah was stunned; she hadn¡¯t expected Franco to warn her about this. Franco continued, ¡°Bryson had remained chaste since he was a child. Apart from you, he¡¯s never been Linked romantically to anyone. ¡± Franco paused briefly before adding, ¡°Of course, the daughter of the Glyn family is not involved with him. They grew up together, and people just like to gossip. ¡± Hannah sensed that Franco was trying to rify things about Bryson for her. ¡°If you hear any rumorster on, don¡¯t hesitate toe to me or Bryson directly. Don¡¯t keep it to yourself. ¡± When Hannah first met Franco, she thought he was a tough old man-stubborn and unwilling to listen to anyone. But now, it seemed Franco was actually a kind-hearted man with a sharp tongue but a tender heart. Hannah smiled at Franco. ¡°I understand your concern for Bryson. We won¡¯t let misunderstandingse between us. Please rest assured, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± As Hannah spoke with Franco, Bryson was identally sshed with red wine by a waiter. The Moreno family, along with several others, aimed to finalize a contract for a coborative project with the Mitchell family that evening. Bryson was growing weary of watching those people conspire and try to deceive him for financial gain. He had spent too much time with them, worried he wouldn¡¯t be able to meet Hannahter. Just as he was about to leave, a passing waiter identally spilled wine on him. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯m truly sorry. I didn¡¯t mean it. I have no idea what came over me. Please reconsider before making any decisions about my employment. ¡± Luckily, the wine only stained Bryson¡¯s shirt, though he still needed to change. Brodie was frustrated. They were almost there, but now Bryson had to leave and get changed. Turning to the waiter, Brodie snapped, ¡°How could you be so clumsy? I think it might be best to rece someone as careless as you. ¡± The waiter appeared flustered, repeatedly apologizing to Bryson as he held the tray. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯m sincerely sorry. I¡­ I¡¯d be happy to make it up to you. ¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Bryson rose, his tone chilly. ¡°I¡¯ll handle changing. You can leave now. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. I truly appreciate it. ¡± Watching Bryson prepare to depart, Brodie grew anxious. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, our partnership¡­¡± Bryson nced at Brodie, neither confirming nor denying their arrangement. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss it another time. ¡± Chapter 1853 Bryson headed upstairs to take a shower and wash off the smell of alcohol from his body. He requested someone to bring a fresh set of clothes to the room. Soon after, Bryson heard a knock on the door outside the bathroom. Assuming it was the delivery of his clothing, Bryson tersely instructed, ¡°Leave the clothes and leave. ¡± The person outside remained silent, neither speaking nor continuing to knock on the door. After his shower, Bryson emerged from the bathroom with a bath towel wrapped around his waist, only to discover that the lights in the room were off and darkness had fallen outside. Furrowing his brow, Bryson wondered if the person delivering his clothes had turned off the lights. Bryson took two steps forward, reaching out to find the light switch. Suddenly, a figure lunged at him, wrapping him in a tight hug in the darkness. The scent was overpowering-nothing like Hannah¡¯s fragrance.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Without hesitation, Bryson pushed the woman away. His expression was as cold as ice as he walked over to switch on the Light. The moment the light was on, Ryleigh, who had stumbled and fallen to the floor, instinctively squeezed her eyes shut. Bryson regarded her with icy eyes. ¡°How did you get in?¡± Ryleigh rubbed her arms, rising from the floor with a sweet tone. ¡°Bryson, it¡¯s me. Surely you recognize me?¡± Ryleigh possessed an attractive appearance, evident in her well-maintained skin that radiated a dewy glow, indicating diligent skincare. Bryson¡¯s expression tightened at her feigned demeanor. Despite Ryleigh¡¯s attempts to draw closer, Bryson retreated two paces to avoid her. ¡°Fuck off!¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes zed with infinite disgust. ¡°Bryson¡­¡± Ryleigh¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, tears flowing freely. ¡°Bryson, how could you speak to me Like that?¡± Bryson sensed there was something wrong with the woman¡¯s demeanor and decided he didn¡¯t want to engage in pointless conversation with her. Turning to leave, Bryson was abruptly hugged from behind by Ryleigh. Chapter 1854 ¡°Don¡¯t leave, Bryson. I really care for you. ¡± Suddenly, Bryson whirled around, seizing her by the neck with a lethal re. ¡°I don¡¯t harm women, but don¡¯t push me. ¡± ¡°Ahem! Ahem. ¡± Ryleigh found her throat constricted, unable to stifle her coughs. Bryson released his grip and pushed her aside. As he turned to leave, he suddenly felt a wave of weakness wash over him, apanied by a slight dizziness. He recognized this sensation. He turned around, and despite being drugged, his intimidating presence frightened Ryleigh so much that her legs gave way, causing her to fall to her knees. ¡°You dare to drug me? You¡¯re asking for trouble. ¡± The drug¡¯s potency was overwhelming. Bryson¡¯s brows furrowed deeply as he made his way toward the door. Meanwhile, Ryleigh, nowposed, nced at the burning incense nearby, feeling her body gradually warming up. ¡°Bryson, you can¡¯t leave. You¡¯re mine. It wasn¡¯t easy for me to get rid of Melina. I won¡¯t allow you to be with Hannah. ¡± The drug¡¯s effects were so intense that Bryson struggled to maintain hisposure as he approached the door. In the midst of it all, Ryleigh had discarded her dress and hugged Bryson from behind. ¡°Bryson, be with me. I don¡¯t need titles or status. I just want to be with you. ¡± ¡°I think you¡¯re courting death. ¡± As the drug¡¯s effects intensified, Bryson¡¯s grasp on sanity began to slip. He whirled around, and his hand shot out to sp Ryleigh¡¯s neck. ¡°Ah! Help! HELP!¡± Ryleigh¡¯s screams pierced the air as she iled desperately. She hadn¡¯t anticipated this turn of events. The supposed lust was reced instead by Bryson¡¯s intense desire to kill. The drug¡¯s potence made Bryson uncontrobly strong. Ryleigh felt her consciousness slip as Bryson¡¯s grip tightened. Her hands fell to her sides, and her body went limp. She was on the verge of passing out. In a split second, Bryson managed to control Ryleigh with one hand. Repulsed, he wrapped her in a sheet, shoved her into the bathroom, and locked the door behind her. Bang! He pushed the door open and staggered out of the room. His vision began to blur. He summoned enough strength to call Yosef.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Then, everything went ck. After receiving the phone call, Yosef hurried to find Bryson and made a point to inform Franco first. Upon hearing that Bryson might be in trouble, Hannah stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll help you look for him. ¡± ¡°Hannah, let us handle it. ¡± Grace held Hannah¡¯s arm and reasoned, ¡°Your eyes haven¡¯t fully recovered yet. You should be careful not to get hurt. ¡± Chapter 1855 ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Hannah insisted. In her eyes, Bryson was always careful and rarely involved in idents. Feeling uneasy about not searching for Bryson herself, Hannah said, ¡°My vision is just a little blurry, but I can still recognize Bryson. Let¡¯s search everywhere. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Yosef nodded in agreement and rushed to the banquet hall to look for Bryson. In all honesty, Hannah felt apprehensive, worried that Bryson might fall into a trap set by Brodie. At this moment, she reached the center of the hall and surveyed the scene. The ce was crowded, so any foul y was likely to be seen. With a blurry vision, Hannah nced up at the second floor. She had a feeling she should continue her search for Bryson there. The lighting on the second floor was dim, making Hannah¡¯s alreadypromised vision even worse. She almost groped her way forward. Just as she approached the end of the corridor, she tripped over something and nearly fell. Realizing something amiss, Hannah crouched down to feel for whatever had tripped her.N?velDrama.Org content rights. As her fingertips brushed the object, its unexpected warmth startled her. It was a person lying on the floor. Unable to see clearly, Hannah extended her hand to touch the person¡¯s face to determine if it was Bryson. However, before her fingers could make contact, the person on the floor seized her hand. The hand that gripped hers was feverishly hot. The man forcefully shook off her touch andmanded in an icy voice, ¡°Get out of my way. ¡± Recognizing Bryson¡¯s voice, Hannah immediately clung to his arm. ¡°It¡¯s me. ¡± Bryson knew this voice all too well. He squinted to try to discern the source, but only darkness met his eyes. He tried to force his eyes open wider, but it remained pitch ck. Frustrated, he gritted his teeth and tried to clear his mind, but it was futile. He balled his hand into a fist as he fought the overwhelming urge surging through him, while the other clung tightly to Hannah. It was as if he was scared he would lose her the moment he let go. ¡°Bryson¡­ Bryson¡­ Bryson. ¡± Realizing something was wrong with Bryson, Hannah helped him to his feet and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take you to a room to rest. ¡± They entered an empty room, where Hannah closed the door and gently guided Bryson to the bed. She then began to check on him. Chapter 1856 A frown formed on her face when she felt his feverish skin and assessed his overall state. Given Bryson¡¯s condition, Hannah knew it was pointless to ask him how he had been drugged. She retrieved ice cubes from the refrigerator, filled a basin with cold water, and grabbed a towel to help bring down Bryson¡¯s fever. As she ced the ice-wrapped towel on his forehead, he seemed to regain a bit of rity. However, when he opened his eyes, his gaze was unfocused. He looked at Hannah and almost instinctively jerked his hand away. ¡°Get¡­ get out. ¡± In his confused state, he mistook her for Ryleigh, so his words cut through. Knowing that Bryson wasn¡¯t fully aware, Hannah didn¡¯t take offense. She continued to gently wipe his neck with the icy towel. Suddenly, Bryson seized Hannah¡¯s arm and flung her onto the bed. The towel and its ice cubes scattered across the floor, sending ice skittering in all directions. Bryson hovered over Hannah, breathing heavily. His kissesnded urgently on her neck. He kissed her fervently as if driven by hunger and desperation. His tongue pried open Hannah¡¯s teeth. Their lips remained locked together until they finally ran out of breath. ¡°Hannah¡­¡± Bryson propped himself up with his arms on the bed and peered at her. ¡°You¡¯re Hannah. ¡± ¡°Yes, I am. ¡± Hannah gently stroked his face. Relieved, Bryson smiled and leaned in to kiss her softly again. Hannah closed her eyes and returned his kiss. His hand slipped under her clothes and began to caress her plump breast. His touch was warm as if fueled by a fire within, igniting a tender warmth wherever he touched. Hannah¡¯s cheeks flushed a deep red. She grasped his wrist and copied his movements. As his rationality slipped further away, Bryson¡¯s mind blurred the lines between Hannah and Ryleigh.N?velDrama.Org content rights. He acted on instinct and sought sce in the closeness they shared. He leaned closer and nibbled in her earlobe, making Hannah tremble and moan. ¡°Hmm¡­ Hmm. ¡± With her face glowing with a rosy blush, Hannah tilted her head back slightly and responded instinctively to his intensity. Her legs encircled his waist, pulling him closer. Chapter 1857 The scene was marked by a wild, passionate rhythm. Like a greedy beast, Bryson made love with her as hard as he could. As the intensity increased, Hannah found it increasingly difficult to withstand the forceful movements. She squirmed, fueling his desire even more. Bryson lifted her up, letting her straddle him. As a result, their bodies pressed closely together. ¡°Hannah¡­¡± he called out to her in a hoarse voice. Hannah, overwhelmed by the sensations, let out a low moan. Their bodies melded together. She could feel every line and muscle of his taut form against her. A few momentster, the stimtion became nearly unbearable. Her legs tightly wrapped around his, pulling him even closer and leaving no space between them. ¡°Ah,¡± she moaned, her voice carrying an enticing allure. He responded with increased fervor. Each movement was deep and intense as if reaching for her very core. ¡®s BunnyBookery Her resistance melted away, yielding to his every move. Eventually, the overwhelming intensity proved too much for Hannah, and she slipped into unconsciousness. When Bryson regained consciousness, he could only feel the softness of a body in the darkness. His body tensed, snapping him out of his daze. The warmth he had felt in his heart before was gone, reced by a chilling emptiness. He recalled that before he lost consciousness, he had pushed that woman into the bathroom and locked her in. The person he was holding now was¡­ Bryson was too frightened to contemte further. His fragmented memories resurfaced, intensifying his agony. He switched on the light with a trembling hand and took a deep breath. Turning around, he found Hannah peacefully asleep! A wave of relief washed over him instantly. He moved closer to her and tenderly caressed her eyebrows and eyelids.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Hannah was lightly dozing. Feeling Bryson¡¯s touch, she opened her eyes, puzzled, and looked up into his striking face. He gazed back at her, his expressionplex and unreadable. Hannah blinked. Just as she tried to sit up, Bryson gently held her shoulders, keeping her in ce. She looked at him, surprised. ¡°Bryson?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Hannah. ¡± Bryson¡¯s voice was steady, revealing no fluctuations in emotion. Chapter 1858 His tone was soft and hoarse, tinged with a hint of regret. She felt a mix of confusion and concern. ¡°Why are you apologizing to me?¡± Hannah grasped Bryson¡¯s hand warmly and advised, ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself. ¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. After reassuring Bryson, she asked, ¡°Why were you still out in the corridor after being drugged? Was it because of Brodie?¡± ¡°No. ¡± Bryson¡¯s expression grew somber. ¡°A crazy woman approached me. She¡¯s probably still locked up in that room. ¡± ¡°A crazy woman?¡± Hannah looked at him, her head tilted slightly in bewilderment. Bryson responded, ¡°Come on. I¡¯ll show you. ¡± Once they had freshened up, Bryson led Hannah back to the original room. Upon opening the door, they heard someone banging on the bathroom door. ¡°Help¡­¡± The woman¡¯s voice was feeble. Hannah turned towards Bryson, ready to open the door, but he stopped her. ¡°Let me handle this. ¡± Bryson walked over and opened the door. As a figure dashed out, he quickly stepped aside to avoid her. Ryleigh, looking disheveled, kept mumbling, ¡°It¡¯s so hot. It¡¯s so hot. ¡± Bryson stared at her without emotion and said coldly, ¡°It¡¯s her. ¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Ryleigh was clueless about what Bryson meant. She was just overwhelmed by a burning sensation throughout her body and desperately needed relief. Despite the blurred vision, Hannah recognized the figure as Ryleigh. Without a second thought, Hannah fetched arge basin of cold water from the bathroom and dumped it over Ryleigh. ¡°Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!¡± The cold water made Ryleigh cough violently, helping her regain some awareness. Noticing smoke rising in the distance, Hannah quickly doused the incense with water from a bottle. ¡°This substance is meant to incite mating behavior. ¡± Hannah nced coldly at the woman on the floor andmanded, ¡°Tell the Hopkins family toe get her. ¡± Bryson showed no intention of assisting Ryleigh. ¡°She brought this on herself. She¡¯ll have to face the consequences. ¡± With that, he took Hannah¡¯s hand, and they left the scene. After their departure, the room¡¯s door opened once more. A tall figure emerged-it was Brodie. Chapter 1859 He crouched down, tapped Ryleigh¡¯s face, and sneered, ¡°Faking a fainting spell? That¡¯s low, even for you. Ryleigh, is this the best you can do?¡± With a dismissive snort, Brodie got up to leave. Suddenly, Ryleigh clutched at his trouser leg. Lifting her head, her neck, and her chest bare, she pleaded through clenched teeth, saying, ¡°Mr. Moreno, just give me one more chance. I¡¯ll prove myself¡­¡± ¡°Hahaha,¡± Brodie sneered. ¡°You failed tonight. Do you really think you can win Bryson over now?¡± Upon hearing this, Ryleigh¡¯s pupils contracted, and her eyes filled with tears. ¡°Mr. Moreno, please¡­ please grant my wish. ¡± As she wept, Brodie yanked his trouser leg away with a Look of disgust. ¡°Ryleigh, I gave you your chance tonight. ¡± He nced at the extinguished incense on the ground and said, ¡°This drug is costly. It was utterly wasteful to use it on you. You¡¯ve be useless to us. The Moreno and Hopkins families will end their coboration. And you. . ¡± Brodie bent down, lifting Ryleigh¡¯s chin with his slender finger, his expression mocking. ¡°You don¡¯t belong at Mitchell Group and certainly don¡¯t deserve the Moreno name.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°I¡­ Mr. Moreno, I admit my mistake. I¡¯ll do anything if you give me another chance. ¡± His eyes narrowed, shining with an odd light. After a moment, he released her chin and gazed down at her as she knelt before him. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, the Hopkins family doesn¡¯t have significant business in Salisbca, except for one up-anding project. ¡± Brodie said slowly, ¡°If the Hopkins family relinquishes this project, I might consider sparing you. ¡± ¡°No! Mr. Moreno, please no. ¡± Ryleigh shook her head frantically, pleading, ¡°Please have mercy on me. ¡± Even Ryleigh understood that the Hopkins Group¡¯s future hinged on this project. If she conceded it to Brodie, it would spell disaster for them. ¡°Don¡¯t beg me. ¡± Brodie raised his eyebrows and fixed his gaze on her. ¡°The choice is yours to make. I don¡¯t want to target the Hopkins family. I¡¯ll give you one more chance to win over Bryson. If you miss this chance, don¡¯t hold it against me if I show no mercy. ¡± Brodie turned and walked away, leaving Ryleigh frozen on the floor. ¡°Mr. Moreno¡­¡± Her Lips quivered as she called out. Brodie paused but didn¡¯t look back. ¡°Ryleigh, you better take advantage of this chance, or¡­¡± His voice carried a menacing tone. Ryleigh¡¯s hands clenched tightly as she whispered, ¡°Mr. Moreno, I¡­ I understand. ¡± ¡°Well, I hope you won¡¯t let me down again,¡± Brodie said casually and departed. The room fell dark once more. Chapter 1860 Ryleigh sat on the floor, her shoulders shaking from the emotional strain. Bryson and Hannah exited the banquet hall. Yosef drove them back since Bryson had been drinking. Resting against the car seat, Bryson held Hannah¡¯s hand firmly, though he remained silent. Feeling his warm grip, Hannah nced over and caught his intense gaze. Their eyes locked. Bryson¡¯s lips were tight as if he were on the verge of saying something but chose not to. Hannah averted her gaze, concealing her feelings. Hannah suspected there was more to Ryleigh¡¯s situation than met the eye, but without evidence, confronting Ryleigh was not an option, especially not while she was Lucid. Thankfully, Bryson encountered Hannah on this asion. With anyone else outside the room, the scenario might have beplex. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Bryson¡¯s deep voice broke the silence as he looked intently at Hannah. ¡°Nothing. ¡± With a gentle smile, Hannah turned her gaze away and looked out the window. The view outside appeared as though it were shrouded in a hazy veil. In such circumstances, whether she stayed in Cadilind or returned to the Comptons¡¯ home, she would face numerous challenges. Leviathan might still be in Cadilind, but there was also a lead overseas regarding Hannah¡¯s mother. Staying in Cadilind to confront Leviathan seemed like a waste of time. The Enchantment Casino in Muvrand had already positioned itself against the Mitchell family. Hannah was concerned that, although the Garza family had ceased their attacks, other adversaries might still pose a significant threat to Bryson. Hannah feared that her departure might embolden those individuals to target Bryson more aggressively. Hannah closed her eyes, finding it difficult to decide between the two options. The car remained silent until they reached their destination. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, we¡¯ve arrived. ¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Hannah only realized they had reached their amodations when she heard Yosef¡¯s voice. Stepping out of the car, Hannah asked Bryson, ¡°Grace¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s going back with Grandpa,¡± Bryson reassured her softly. ¡°Rest well here and take care of your eyes. You can stay here without worry. Nobody will bother you here. ¡± With that, Bryson led Hannah into the vi and showed her to her room to rest. Chapter 1861 Bryson then headed to the study to work on hisputer. Shortly after, there was a knock on the door. ¡°Come in. ¡± Yosef entered, closed the door gently, and informed Bryson, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, Caleb investigated in Caditown. ¡± Yosef hesitated and continued, ¡°However, she has been deceased for quite some time, so we can¡¯t obtain any hair or tissue for DNA testing with Miss Moore. We only have a few photos, which might not yield the results. ¡± Bryson¡¯s expression grew stern. ¡°Have Caleb keep looking. We can¡¯t overlook any details. ¡± ¡°Yes, I understand. ¡± Yosef paused, then added, ¡°Also, Mr. Mitchell, besides Ryleigh¡¯s actions, there was a waiter who assisted her. We¡¯ve detained him. He revealed that Ryleigh paid him a substantial amount to deliberately spill wine on you, creating an opportunity for her to get closer. ¡± Bryson¡¯s face hardened. ¡°Who¡¯s behind this?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°We¡¯ve investigated. It appears that Ryleigh acted on her own without anyone else prompting her to do so. ¡± Yosef coughed awkwardly. ¡°She seems to be an acquaintance of Miss Glyn and had a crush on you previously, so¡­¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Bryson interrupted Yosef with a frosty tone. ¡°Leave now. ¡± As Yosef was about to exit, Bryson added, ¡°Keep this from Hannah for now. Only tell her once everything¡¯s been fully investigated. ¡± Yosef nodded and exited quietly. Bryson gently pushed open the bedroom door and entered. He saw Hannah curled up on the bed, a nket draped over her legs.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. A flicker ofpassion crossed his face. He approached and eased the nket down. Her delicate features were exposed. At that moment, her longshes were slightly furled, and a hint of worry marked her brow, clearly showing she hadn¡¯t slept well. Bryson raised his hand to caress her cheek, his gaze intense. ¡°What should I do?¡± he whispered, his eyes reflecting his inner turmoil. He was torn, unsure of the right choice. He longed to keep her safe in Cadilind, yet he feared his previous discoveries might prove true. Ayer of dread lingered in his heart. After he left the room silently, Hannah heard the door shut and slowly opened her eyes. She stared at the door, bewildered. As she blinked slowly, she murmured, ¡°Bryson, what are you keeping from me?¡± Many found no rest that night, including Ryleigh, who felt threatened. The next morning, Ryleigh visited Melina¡¯s ce. ¡°Melina, I meant to stand up for youst night, but I never expected that witch Hannah to cross the Hopkins family. ¡± Melina was painting her nails. Upon hearing Ryleigh, she looked up sharply. ¡°Ryleigh, I once considered you a friend, but perhaps I was mistaken. ¡± Ryleigh replied defensively, ¡°How can that be? Aren¡¯t we best friends? Why would you say that suddenly?¡± Chapter 1862 With a slight smile, Melina responded, ¡°I heard you weren¡¯t really defending mest night, but rather trying to charm Bryson. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t believe them, Melina. I confronted that witch, Hannah, for you. I didn¡¯t do anything else. ¡± Ryleigh persisted in her denial, saying, ¡°I did it all for you. Why do you misunderstand me like this?¡± ¡°How have I misunderstood you?¡± Melina twirled her freshly polished nails casually. ¡°Aren¡¯t you also vying with Hannah for the role of Mrs. Mitchell?¡± Melina eyed Ryleigh and scoffed, ¡°I thought you were a true friend. I didn¡¯t expect you to betray me. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°What are you talking about, Melina?¡± ¡°Do you really think your so-called friends wouldn¡¯t betray you and tell me aboutst night?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Melina rose slowly, towering over Ryleigh, and said deliberately, ¡°You know whether it¡¯s true or not. ¡± She paused, then added, ¡°Since you¡¯ve yed me for a fool, don¡¯t be surprised when I turn my back on you. We¡¯re done being friends. ¡± In a panic, Ryleigh grabbed Melina¡¯s arm. ¡°Please, don¡¯t end our friendship. ¡± ¡°Fuck off!¡± Melina forcefully shook off Ryleigh¡¯s grip. Ryleigh lost her bnce and fell, her knees scraping and bleeding on the floor. ¡°Melina!¡± Despite the pain, Ryleigh tried desperately to reach out to Melina. ¡°I confess, I¡¯ve had my own agenda. I do find myself attracted to Mr. Bryson Mitchell, but¡­ I really do value our friendship¡­¡± Then, Ryleigh¡¯s voice softened to a whisper, saying, ¡°Aren¡¯t you with Tyshawn now? As your friend, I thought it better for me than someone else with Bryson. But¡­¡± Suddenly, Ryleigh looked up earnestly at Melina. ¡°I truly did want to help you teach Hannah a lesson. You have to believe me. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Melina asked sarcastically. ¡°Yes,¡± Melina scoffed, ¡°If you were really honest with me, you wouldn¡¯t have gossiped to those friends before about why I should be the one beside Bryson. Now, I¡¯m stuck with Tyshawn. You¡¯re actually pleased about that, aren¡¯t you? Why keep up the act with me?¡± Ryleigh went pale. ¡°You¡­ How did you find out?¡± Melina sneered, ¡°Did you think I was oblivious?¡± Ryleigh shuddered and looked at Melina, her eyes wide with shock. Melina said, ¡°I just acted like I was clueless. We were close once, so it¡¯s only right that I was aware of your actions. ¡± With a smile more painful than tears, Ryleigh croaked, ¡± I used to be jealous of you, but I truly valued our friendship. ¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°Forget about sincerity. I¡¯ve seen too many betrayals,¡± Melina replied. Chapter 1863 While Bryson didn¡¯t particrly like Melina, she didn¡¯t despise him. What she truly loathed were her parents, who pressured her into marrying someone she didn¡¯t choose. ¡°I understand why you¡¯vee to me today. I¡¯m willing to work with you so you can marry Bryson. ¡± Ryleigh had thought asking Melina for help was hopeless, but to her surprise, Melina agreed. Ryleigh looked up eagerly and asked, ¡°Really?¡± Melina replied coldly, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true. Even if I don¡¯t see you as a friend anymore, we¡¯re allies now. You¡¯re right about one thing. I¡¯d rather see you with Bryson than Hannah. But there¡¯s one condition. ¡± Melina fixed her eyes on Ryleigh. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your motives for marrying Bryson or how you n to profit from the Mitchell family and support the Hopkins family. But once you¡¯re married to Bryson, you must assist me with the Mitchell Group. ¡± With Melina¡¯s support now assured, Ryleigh didn¡¯t hesitate. She nodded quickly and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If you help me be Mrs. Bryson Mitchell, then I¡¯ll support you. ¡± A hint of cunning shed in Melina¡¯s eyes. ¡°Good. Just make sure you remember what you¡¯ve promised today. ¡± After finalizing their agreement, Melina sat and said calmly, ¡°Franco¡¯s 80th birthday party ising up soon. The Mitchells will surely throw a big celebration. That¡¯s your chance. ¡± As their conversation turned to the topic of drugging, Ryleigh¡¯s expression darkened. Her recent attempt on Bryson had nearly backfired. ¡°I don¡¯t think it would work.N?velDrama.Org content rights. Mr. Bryson Mitchell is too cautious. I won¡¯t be able to pull it off. ¡± Melina scoffed, ¡°With our help, your chances of sess increase significantly. Besides, who told you to target him? I¡¯ve heard that Hannah¡¯s vision has been impairedtely. She¡¯s vulnerable now. It¡¯s the perfect time to strike. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Melina added maliciously, ¡°Do you think Bryson could ignore it if he saw Hannah in apromising situation with someone else?¡± Hearing this, Ryleigh was stunned, and then a wild fervor ignited in her eyes. Yes, this was her opportunity to undermine Hannah. ¡°But it seems her vision has recovered slightly, and she can make out some things. ¡± Melina said with disdain, ¡°Tyshawn will be involved in the family affairs by then. I¡¯ll have him make some adjustments. Nobody will suspect a thing. ¡± ¡°But Mr. Bryson Mitchell¡­¡± Ryleigh still seemed hesitant. Melina¡¯s patience was wearing thin. ¡°I have my strategies. All I need from you is to cooperate fully. Don¡¯t let me down, or you¡¯ll be on your own. ¡± Ryleigh was taken aback but quickly agreed. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll work with you smoothly and avoid any issues. ¡± The next day, while Bryson was at work, Saul and his team came to provide Hannah with her follow-up treatment. As Saul examined Hannah, he frowned deeply. ¡°Didn¡¯t you get the rest I prescribed? Your eyes are healing too slowly. ¡± Flustered, Hannah faltered and said, ¡°Well¡­¡± Her expression confirmed his suspicions. Saul¡¯s face grew stern. ¡°If you neglect your health and something worsens with your eyes, I¡¯ll be upset. ¡± Hannah reassured him, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Saul. I¡¯ll rest properly and recover quickly. ¡± Chapter 1864 ¡°You always say that, but you never follow through. ¡± Saul felt powerless to change Hannah¡¯s habits. He instructed her, ¡°Every night before bed, apply the medicinal drops.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. It has to be every single day. ¡± ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll remember. ¡± ¡°Starting tomorrow, you should drink this medicinal soup for a while. It¡¯s been enhanced with an additional herb that¡¯s beneficial for your eyes. ¡± Handing her the bowl, Saul added, ¡°I supervised its preparation. Try the soup first. ¡± Hannah lifted the bowl to her nose and inhaled. With a frown, she said, ¡°That¡¯s ginseng. It may not actually benefit my eyes. It seems more like afort thing. ¡± Saul¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Just drink it. You¡¯re the patient here. You need to follow my advice. ¡± ¡°Alright. Hannah downed the soup quickly, her face contorting at the taste. ¡°This medicine is too bitter. ¡± Saul handed her a piece of candy, teasing, ¡°You¡¯re a top doctor, and yet youin about the bitterness?¡± Hannah unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth. ¡°How can it be the same? The bitterness is still there, even for a top doctor. It¡¯s not like I lose my sense of taste. ¡± Saulughed and cautioned her, ¡°Be careful these days. Avoid alcohol and don¡¯t mix other medicines. ¡± ¡°Understood. ¡± After Saul departed, Hannah was caught up on some sleep when her phone rang. Hannah pressed the answer button and brought the phone to her ear. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°I might be heading back soon. ¡± Recognizing Maloney¡¯s voice, Hannah raised her eyebrows and asked, ¡°Are you returning so soon?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been away for a month. There¡¯s been an issue with the Pierce family. I need to return to handle it. ¡± With a light smile, Hannah teased, ¡°Is someone threatening your position in the Pierce family?¡± A brief silence followed. After a pause, Hannah asked seriously, ¡°Did I guess right?¡± ¡°Close enough. ¡± Maloney¡¯s tone was more somber as he exined, ¡°I¡¯ve expanded our business operations in Cadilind significantly. This has made some people so nervous they can¡¯t wait to see me reced. They¡¯re worried that if I returnter, I¡¯ll be even more entrenched, and they¡¯ll be less able to challenge me. I¡¯ve spoken with the head of the Compton family and managed to hold off their schemes for now. But if I don¡¯t return soon, I¡¯m not sure what underhanded tactics they might resort to. ¡± Hannah understood the predicament Maloney was in and responded, ¡°Okay. You should head back. ¡± After a moment, Maloney asked, ¡°Do you want to return with me?¡± Chapter 1865 Hannah was taken aback. ¡°Did Wace send you to ask me?¡± ¡°No, he¡¯d rather you didn¡¯t rush back. He doesn¡¯t know much of your situation in Cadilind and thinks it¡¯s safer for you here than back home. I just wanted to know if you had any thoughts about returning with me. ¡± Hannah grew quiet. Whichever decision she made, it promised to be a difficult one. Sensing Hannah¡¯s hesitation, Maloney understood her dilemma. ¡°I understand where you¡¯reing from. ¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Switching the subject, Hannah asked, ¡°When are you nning to leave?¡± ¡°My flight is scheduled for the afternoon two days from now,¡± Maloney replied. Hannah was somewhat surprised. ¡°You¡¯re leaving so soon?¡± ¡°Yes. I can¡¯t afford to dy my return. ¡± Maloney hesitated briefly before adding, ¡°You have another day to think it over. Let me know tomorrow night if you¡¯ve decided whether toe with me or stay. ¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Hannah replied tly. ¡°Let me think it over. ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. After ending the call, Hannah sank into the sofa, lost in thought for a few moments. Eventually, she retrieved her phone and began scrolling through it. After some searching, she located a group photo in her album. The figures in the picture were slightly blurry due to its age. Hannah touched her mother¡¯s image gently with her fingertips. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. I will uncover the truth behind your death and what happened back then. ¡± The next morning, Hannah dialed Maloney¡¯s number. ¡°I¡¯ve made my decision. I¡¯ll handle things here first and then join you abroad. ¡± Anticipating her choice, Maloney responded calmly, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll handle the Pierce family matters first and wait for your return. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah paused. ¡°Take care on your journey. ¡± In the following days, Hannah stayed peacefully at Bryson¡¯s vi, passing time in solitude. Once Dotson had fully recovered, he moved to Bryson¡¯s vi to keep Hannahpany during her recovery. ¡°Ms. Moore, how are your eyes?¡± Hannah rxed in the yard, savoring her coffee. ¡°My vision has been improving steadily these past two days. I expect it¡¯ll be back to normal in another couple of days. ¡± ¡°Good to hear. ¡± Chapter 1866 He continued, ¡°There¡¯s word from Kite that Amelie has fled with the faction she built within the Compton family. Even though the Chadwich family is crumbling, Amelie managed to escape with a significant number of followers. It won¡¯t be easy to track her down. ¡± Amelie had spent many years in the Compton family, so it was natural for her to have loyal supporters. Without resources, Amelie wouldn¡¯t have been able to cause such disruption upon Hannah¡¯s return. ¡°I suppose she won¡¯t give up easily. Is Joselyn secured?¡± Dotson assured her, ¡°Joselyn can¡¯t escape. When Amelie fled, she left Joselyn behindpletely. Joselyn is currently under our direct control, and she¡¯s being held in a room by the head of the Compton family. I¡¯m not sure about the oue of the ongoing investigation. Keith and the others should have more information on that. ¡± Hannah remarked, ¡°I¡¯ll ask Keith about itter. ¡± Joselyn had endured significant hardship in recent days. Initially, she managed to upy herself, but as time wore on, she seemed to unravel. In less than two weeks, Joselyn had noticeably lost weight. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her face was pale like a lifeless shell as shey on the bed. Refusing food entirely, shecked the strength to even stand. During this period, her father showed no concern for her well-being.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. If not for the doctor, it would be a challenge for her to even speak. One day, the sudden sound of footsteps echoed outside her door. Joselyn tensed, ncing anxiously toward the entrance, only to see Keith and Trent enter. ¡°Why are you both here?¡± Joselyn recoiled, retreating further onto the bed. ¡°If you¡¯re here to humiliate me on Hannah¡¯s behalf, save your breath. I won¡¯t say a word, no matter what you do. ¡± Trent pulled a chair into the room and sat down. His tone was indifferent as he spoke. ¡°Regardless, you¡¯ve been working for Amelie. Even if you stay silent now, do you think you can remain in the Compton family? We¡¯re only here to hear the truth from you. If you refuse to speak, the inevitable consequence will be expulsion from the Compton family. ¡± ¡°You! You two. ¡± Joselyn¡¯s anger made her body tremble. ¡°You¡¯re both so ruthless. Even at my lowest, I won¡¯t submit to being bullied by you. When Hannah wasn¡¯t around, I was your sister. But now that she¡¯s back, everything has changed ¡ª your attitudes towards me, and even Dad¡¯s. ¡± Joselyn¡¯s expression turned pained. ¡°I¡¯m no longer the family¡¯s little princess. I¡¯ve alreadypromised, but why do I have to bow down to Hannah in everything? I¡¯m also a daughter of the Compton family. If all Dad wanted was to reim his own daughter, why did he bring me into the Compton family in the first ce?¡± Joselyn¡¯s hair hung loose around her face, giving her the appearance of someone on the brink of madness. Witnessing her erratic behavior, Keith was unmoved. He frowned and rebuked, ¡°Don¡¯t forget your actions in the past. What right do you have to me us now? You entered the Compton family through Amelie¡¯s influence, not because Father ever acknowledged you as his daughter. ¡± Trent¡¯s gaze hardened as he spoke icily to Joselyn. ¡°Have you forgotten how you became part of the Compton family? You¡¯ve always been loyal to Amelie, and yet you expect Father¡¯s affection. Perhaps you¡¯re demanding a bit too much. ¡± ¡°You¡¯ve had enough of Amelie¡¯s control over you,¡± Trent said coldly. ¡°It¡¯s not like you haven¡¯t thought about trying to get on Father¡¯s good side, but he¡¯s never cared about you. And after Hannah came back, all that resentment in you boiled over. Even without her in the picture now, Father still won¡¯t recognize you as his daughter. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m not wrong. I haven¡¯t done anything wrong. ¡± Joselyn sneered bitterly. ¡°I¡¯m just the loser. But what about Hannah?¡± Chapter 1867 Her voice rose, trembling with anger as her face paled, twisted with hatred. ¡°Why did she get to be the favorite of the Compton family as soon as she came back? That position should¡¯ve been mine! She stole what belonged to me. How is that fair? I¡¯m not wrong!¡± Keith¡¯s eyes narrowed, his tone ice-cold. ¡°I didn¡¯te here to listen to your pity party. We already know everything about you. And frankly, we don¡¯t care anymore.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Amelie¡¯s gone. She has fled the Compton family with her people. She¡¯s left you behind to take the fall, Joselyn. ¡± Joselyn froze, her hysterical ranting to an abrupt halt. Keith pressed on. ¡°She left you here because you¡¯re not worth protecting anymore. After over ten years in the Compton family, you¡¯re just a pawn to her now. Father doesn¡¯t want to kill you-yet. But this room? It¡¯s the only ce you¡¯ll be allowed from now on. ¡± Trent walked around the room, clicking his tongue mockingly. ¡°If I were locked up in here for life, I¡¯d probably go mad. If not, I¡¯m sure I wouldn¡¯tst long. ¡± Turning back toward Joselyn, his smile was chilling. ¡°To make sure you don¡¯t try anything stupid, once we leave, someone wille in and remove anything you could use to harm yourself. After all, the Compton family¡¯s too ¡®kind¡¯ to let you die that easily. There will be a doctor and maid with you 24/7, ensuring you don¡¯t try anything reckless likemitting suicide. If you do, they¡¯ll rush you to the hospital before you even get a chance to seed. ¡± Joselyn¡¯s face stiffened, her lips quivering. ¡°You. you. ¡± The fear was palpable now, stronger than ever. Joselyn begged, her voice shaking, ¡°Please, let me go. I swear, I don¡¯t know anything else. ¡± Trent shrugged, indifferent. ¡°Sorry, but you¡¯re out of bargaining chips. The best thing you can do if you want to stay alive is to sit tight. ¡± ¡°We¡¯re leaving,¡± Keith added, starting toward the door. Seeing herst hope slip away, Joselyn cried out, her voice frantic, ¡°Wait! I know Amelie¡¯s secret. It¡¯s important to you. ¡± She continued, her voice growing more anxious, ¡°It¡¯s important to you and Hannah!¡± Trent and Keith exchanged nces, then turned back to her. ¡°What secret?¡± Trent asked. Joselyn, breathing hard, locked eyes with them. ¡°If I tell you, will you let me go?¡± Trent scoffed. ¡°You think you¡¯re in any position to negotiate? Amelie only kept you around for so long to use you as a shield, even to hurt Hannah when the time came. Do you think she¡¯d share anything worthwhile with you?¡± For a moment, Joselyn was speechless, unsure how to defend herself. Keith¡¯s patience was running thin. ¡°We¡¯re done here. Let¡¯s go. ¡± ¡°I do know! Please promise me-if I tell you, you¡¯ll let me go!¡± Joselyn shouted, panicked. Keith turned slowly, his expression cold. ¡°If what you say is true, we¡¯ll let you go. But if you lie. ¡± He didn¡¯t need to finish the sentence. She knew she¡¯d be dead if she lied. ¡°Promise me first!¡± Joselyn clung to the hope that she could escape. Chapter 1868 Trent nodded.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Fine. Spill it. What¡¯s the secret?¡± Joselyn swallowed hard, then said in a low, deliberate voice, ¡°I know that Hannah¡¯s mother was killed by Amelie. ¡± ¡°What ?¡± Trent and Keith¡¯s eyes widened, both of them stunned. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Trent demanded. Taking a breath, Joselyn said clearly, ¡°I overheard it. A year ago, when I was about to knock on Amelie¡¯s room door, I heard her on the phone. She said everything had been carefully arranged, and no one would notice if she moved against Hannah. Father didn¡¯t even know Hannah¡¯s true identity back then. ¡± Joselyn paused, watching their reactions before continuing, ¡°Amelie said Hannah¡¯s return was a threat to her because Hannah was Father¡¯s daughter. If the truth came out about what happened years ago, it would all point back to Amelie. So she wanted the person on the phone to help her kill Hannah in Cadilind. But there¡¯s more. Amelie kept another secret. In an abandoned mental hospital, she hid a girl-someone who looked just like Hannah after surgery. She nned to rece Hannah with this girl once the real Hannah was dead so she could control the entire Compton family Like puppets. ¡± The revtion left Trent and Keith speechless, shock written all over their faces. The weight of Joselyn¡¯s words hung heavily in the room. They had never expected Amelie to be the murderer. Still struggling to believe what he had just heard, Trent asked, ¡°Can you swear that what you¡¯ve said is true?¡± ¡°Do you think I¡¯d lie at this point? Everything I¡¯ve said is true,¡± Joselyn, visibly nervous but determined, replied. Trent nodded, his tone dark. ¡°I¡¯m warning you-if any part of this is a lie, you¡¯ll never leave this room again. ¡± Clenching her fists, Joselyn didn¡¯t dare protest. ¡°When can I leave?¡± ¡°We keep our promises. As soon as we confirm your story, you¡¯ll be free,¡± Keith replied. He signaled to Trent and said, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go first. ¡± The two of them stepped outside, walking in tense silence. Trent spoke first. ¡°Should we tell Father? What she said could be a lie-just her way of getting out. ¡± Keith frowned. ¡°She didn¡¯t seem like she was lying. If this is true, Father¡¯s going to be furious. ¡± ¡°But we don¡¯t know for sure yet. Father will me us if we jump the gun and tell him it¡¯s all false. ¡± Keith sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°You¡¯re right. We¡¯ll investigate quietly. If Joselyn¡¯s telling the truth, we¡¯ll bring everything to Father. ¡± Trent nced at his brother. ¡°Should we tell Hannah first?¡± Chapter 1869 Hearing Hannah¡¯s name, Keith froze for a moment. Then he shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t tell her just yet,¡± he said. Then he turned to Trent, looking serious. ¡°Let¡¯s figure out if this is true before we do anything. ¡± Trent frowned, obviously not on board with Keith¡¯s idea. Keith stopped him before he could say anything. ¡°I get that you¡¯re worried about Hannah, but we can¡¯t panic right now. ¡± ¡°But even if it¡¯s not true, we can keep it from Dad. If we tell Hannah, she can be on guard. Who knows what Amelie¡¯s up to, she might go after Hannah,¡± Trent argued. Keith tried to convince him. ¡°We¡¯ve got some leads. Let¡¯s speed up our investigation. Once we¡¯re sure, we can tell Hannah. It won¡¯t be toote. ¡± After a moment of silence, Trent said, ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m just a bit anxious. ¡± ¡°Do you think what Joselyn said is true? I don¡¯t really trust her,¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery Trent mumbled. Keith thought for a moment. ¡°We don¡¯t have much choice but to trust her right now. Her life is in our hands, so she shouldn¡¯t lie. ¡± They were just about to leave the vi when Keith¡¯s phone rang. He pulled it out and was surprised to see the name on the screen. ¡°Who¡¯s calling you?¡± Trent asked,ing over. He froze when he saw the name. ¡°Hannah?¡± Keith quickly answered the phone. ¡°Hey, Hannah. What¡¯s up? Why the sudden call?¡± ¡°I heard from Dotson that Amelie ran off and left Joselyn at Compton Manor?¡± Keith, realizing where this was heading, tried to steer the conversation. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve got someone watching Joselyn. Don¡¯t worry about Amelie. Dad has got people on her trail. We should hear something soon. I¡¯ll call you as soon as we have news, and then you can decide if you want toe back or stay in Cadilind. ¡± Hannah said tly, ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m asking. Have you gotten anything out of Joselyn?¡± Keith hesitated for a moment, exchanging nces with Trent, before deciding to lie. ¡°I haven¡¯t been able to get anything out of her yet. I think Amelie left Joselyn at Compton Manor to use her as a scapegoat. Joselyn is just a spent pawn to her now. Amelie sees no use in keeping her around, which is why she was left behind. ¡± Keith continued, mixing truth with lies, ¡°Plus, Joselyn isn¡¯t in a good mental state. She seems a bit crazy. We¡¯ve got people watching her. If I find out anything concrete, I¡¯ll let you know. ¡± ¡°Okay then. ¡± Hannah didn¡¯t push further. ¡°You two be careful. After Amelie escaped, she took a lot of people with her. She¡¯s scheming. Since she failed to sabotage me a few times and I destroyed her base, she¡¯s going to want revenge. When she can¡¯t get to me in Cadilind, she¡¯ll look for a chance to go after you guys. So, stay on guard.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± Keith¡¯s voice rxed a bit. ¡°Got it, Hannah. Don¡¯t worry. Dad has been keeping an eye on the people from the Compton family that Amelie took with her. They¡¯re somewhat traceable. But Amelie is too cautious, and none of those people stayed with her. We can¡¯t make any sudden moves and risk tipping her off. ¡± Hannah sighed softly. ¡°Thank you. ¡± ¡°Silly girl, you don¡¯t need to thank me. ¡± Keith smiled. ¡°This is important for all of us. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll handle it. Just take care of yourself in Cadilind so we don¡¯t have to worry about you. ¡± Chapter 1870 ¡°Got it,¡± Hannah replied. After hanging up, Keith¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°We can¡¯t wait any longer. We need to start investigating this ourselves. Dotson also told me that things aren¡¯t looking good for Hannah. We have to find Amelie as soon as possible. ¡± Trent stretched and said confidently, ¡°I¡¯ll get people on it in the next few days. I¡¯ll track Amelie down. She can¡¯t hide forever. ¡± Meanwhile, Hannah hadn¡¯t seen Bryson for several days. He seemed busiertely, but she didn¡¯t ask about his whereabouts or call to see what he was up to. Hannah took Saul¡¯s advice and spent ten days recovering at the vi. Her eyes were nearly back to normal, which pleased Saul greatly. Before he left, Saul reminded Hannah to keep taking her medication for another two weeks to speed up her recovery. After seeing Saul off, Hannah rxed on the sofa with a magazine. She eventually drifted off to sleep. ¡°Since you¡¯re sleepy, why don¡¯t you go rest in your room?¡± Hannah felt herself being gently lifted up, Bryson¡¯s familiar voice reaching her ears. Still half-awake, she blinked and looked at Bryson. ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± she murmured. Bryson gentlyid her down on the bed, and she drifted off again. Bryson tucked her in, checked the time on the wall clock, and stepped out to the window for a smoke. When Hannah finally woke up, it was already nine in the evening, with rain outside. After freshening up, she went downstairs. Bryson was Lounging on the sofa. Hearing her footsteps, he looked up and said, ¡°Dinner¡¯s been ready for a while. Come eat with me. ¡± Hannah nodded and took a seat at the table. Bryson got up, walked over, and handed her a fork. ¡°How are you feeling today? Are your eyes improving?¡± ¡°I¡¯m feeling much better. Saul said my eyes are almost back to normal. Just need to keep taking these pills to make sure,¡± Hannah said. Bryson nodded. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡± They sat quietly at the table for a while, eating. Eventually, Hannah broke the silence. ¡°Why did youe back today? Did you finish your work?¡± Bryson shook his head. ¡°No, there¡¯s still a lot going on over there. It¡¯s not finished. ¡± Hannah looked up at Bryson, noticing he seemed thinner. Frowning, she asked, ¡°Has it been toughtely?¡± Chapter 1871 ¡°No,¡± Bryson replied, trying not to concern Hannah. ¡°No matter how tough things get, they can¡¯t touch the Mitchell family. ¡± But when he thought about Tyshawn, his expression hardened. ¡°The Glyn family is teaming up with the Moreno family. They think they can ignore me. ¡± Hannah raised her eyebrows slightly. ¡°Tyshawn is quite capable. Is he really trying to help overthrow the Mitchell family?¡± Bryson responded calmly, ¡°No matter what, he won¡¯t get any shares of the Mitchell family while I¡¯m around. Tyshawn is acting out of desperation. Since he can¡¯t get a share of the Mitchell family, it¡¯s no surprise he¡¯s teaming up with others to try to attack us. He¡¯s just a fool who doesn¡¯t realize he¡¯s being used. ¡± Hannah handed Bryson a ss of water and asked, ¡°So, what brought you back today?¡± ¡°I returned early tonight because tomorrow is Grandpa¡¯s birthday,¡± Bryson exined. ¡°His birthday party will be held at Mitchell Manor. ¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Tomorrow? Why am I only hearing about this now? I haven¡¯t prepared anything for your grandpa. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve taken care of it,¡± Bryson reassured her with a doting look. ¡®s BunnyBookery ¡°I prepared a gift from both of us a long time ago. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll take you to Mitchell Manor for the celebration. I¡¯m just worried you might not want to attend. The entire Mitchell family will be there, along with some of their associates. ¡± Hannah chuckled.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°I¡¯ll go. I wouldn¡¯t let you face them all by yourself. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be d to have you there. ¡± The 80th birthday celebration for Franco was a grand affair held at Mitchell Manor, attended by many prominent families from Valmere who came to offer their congrattions. The atmosphere was lively and splendid. Hannah was dressed in a striking red gown, her long, glossy ck hair cascading over her shoulders. Her slender neck was elegantly poised, and her skin glowed under the soft lights. A subtle makeup enhanced her delicate features, adding to her natural beauty. Upon their arrival at Mitchell Manor, Hannah and Bryson were greeted by the sight of a man passionately addressing the gathering. Tyshawn, positioning himself at the center of attention, seemed to take credit for organizing the event as he toasted the dignitaries. Leaning closer to Bryson while they walked, Hannah whispered with a smile, ¡°Your cousin really has no shame. ¡± Bryson¡¯s expression remained stoic, but his voice carried a hint of sarcasm. ¡°If he weren¡¯t shameless, how could he boast about that fictitious six billion dors?¡± Laughter escaped Hannah as she followed Bryson deeper into the hall. Noticing Bryson¡¯s arrival, the other guests quickly excused themselves from Tyshawn¡¯spany to greet him. This situation left Tyshawn, who had just been toasting, feeling rather embarrassed. He stood frozen, wine ss in hand, suddenly left out of attention. Bryson, however, seemed indifferent to the drama unfolding. He casually smiled and engaged in conversation with the other guests. At that moment, Tyshawn attempted to regain someposure, forcing a smile. ¡°Why did youe back? I thought you¡¯d be too swamped with work. ¡± Chapter 1872 Bryson gave Tyshawn a brief nce. ¡°Of course I came back. It¡¯s Grandpa¡¯s 8@th birthday party. Wouldn¡¯t miss it for the world. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯s Laugh was strained and ufortable. ¡°Thank you for making the effort. ¡± With that, he turned away and left, teeth clenched in frustration. Bryson looked away, his expression still indifferent, and continued to mingle, his smile gentle and unassuming. By his side, Hannah stood with grace and poise. Together, they were the epitome of elegance, surrounded by esteemed guests, giving the impression that they had a vast circle of friends. ¡°He¡¯s just back to being the CEO again. What¡¯s he got to be proud of?¡± In the shadows, Tyshawn was fuming, his gaze fixed bitterly on Bryson. ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re useless. ¡± Watching Bryson and Hannah from a distance, Melina couldn¡¯t hide her contempt for Tyshawn, though her eyes betrayed a hint of jealousy. ¡°If you werepetent, you would continue to be CEO. Even if Bryson returns, that position was supposed to be yours. ¡± Melina sneered further, ¡°But you caused the Mitchell Group to lose so much money, and Bryson had to step in to salvage the situation. Do you think people are here to tter you?¡± ¡°You say.N?velDrama.Org content rights. say that again,¡± Tyshawn challenged, turning to face Melina with fury in his eyes as he gripped his wine ss. ¡°If you¡¯re still hung up on Bryson, go be with him. Stop bothering me. ¡± Enraged by Tyshawn¡¯s retort, Melina¡¯s expression darkened; her lips pressed tightly together. ¡°Do you think I want to bother you? Am I wrong? If you werepetent, would you be sidelined by the Mitchell Group like this?¡± In a swift motion, Tyshawn raised his hand, intending to p Melina. But she met his gaze defiantly and challenged, ¡°Go ahead, hit me if you dare. Don¡¯t forget what our ns are now. If you p me, the Glyn family won¡¯t work with you anymore. ¡± Gritting his teeth, Tyshawn restrained himself, eventually lowering his hand. ¡°You¡¯d better stop talking nonsense then,¡± he muttered. ¡°Ha ha. ¡± As Franco descended the stairs, she remarked to Tyshawn, ¡°Instead of ming me, maybe you should consider why you¡¯re in your current position and who may be responsible for it. ¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Tyshawn red at Melina, frustration evident in his tone. ¡°I am in this position, of course, because of Bryson. ¡± Melina pursed her lips and gave a grim smile. ¡°Really? If it weren¡¯t for your grandfather¡¯s favoritism, would you be in this mess? Have you considered why the Mitchell family resources always lean towards Bryson? You make one mistake, and Franco can¡¯t tolerate you. Doesn¡¯t that show his bias towards Bryson?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s face twitched slightly, his gaze shifting to follow theughing Franco. His expression grew increasinglyplex. Melina¡¯s voice dropped to a slow, deliberate pace. ¡°The person you should really resent is Franco. If he had shown you a bit more love, you would be the CEO of the Mitchell Group right now, standing in the spotlight instead of Bryson. ¡± She continued, her tone tinged with usation, ¡°Franco has cleared all the obstacles from Bryson¡¯s path, like Hurst and others. Think about it-aren¡¯t you the next person Franco would get rid of?¡± Tyshawn shivered, staring back at Melina in disbelief. ¡°Stop spouting nonsense. ¡± Chapter 1873 Melina¡¯sugh was cold and mocking. ¡°You know in your heart whether I¡¯m speaking the truth. If Franco really cared about you, why would he dy your engagement to me?¡± Clenching his fists, Tyshawn retorted, ¡°That¡¯s just because our rtionship isn¡¯t seen as honorable, and Grandpa isn¡¯t pleased with it. ¡± ¡°Really? Then tell me, why would your grandfather sabotage a union between the Mitchell and Glyn families instead of supporting your engagement to me? Do you honestly think he did this for your benefit? You are too naive, aren¡¯t you?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s pupils narrowed sharply as he fixed Melina with an intense gaze. Melina smiled subtly. ¡°I¡¯m just reminding you. Don¡¯t forget our partnership. You need to think this through. If your grandfather discovers the true purpose behind our engagement, I fear the consequences will be dire for you. ¡± Her voice was soft, yet each word struck Tyshawn like a hammer, leaving him gasping for air. It was Melina¡¯s final remark thatpletely dismantled his defenses.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Franco is the primary barrier preventing you from taking control of the Mitchell family. Our n cannot proceed without removing him from the picture. ¡± Tyshawn swallowed hard, his eyes involuntarily seeking out Franco in the distance. ¡°You¡­ You want me to kill my own grandfather?¡± he stammered, disbelief coloring his tone. Melina¡¯s smile turned sinister, her voice dropping to a ghostly, alluring whisper. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. It¡¯s up to you, Tyshawn. Decide whether you want to keep the Mitchell family legacy in your hands or not. ¡± Melina shrugged vacantly. ¡°You¡¯ll have to do it at some point anyway. Why not do it right away and be done with it?¡± Hearing herment, Tyshawn stared at Melina with furrowed brows before growling at her. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to tell me what to do!¡± His reaction sent Melina¡¯s eyebrow up. She then smirked and walked away in her high heels. Tyshawn had bloodshot eyes. When she left, he shook his head and picked up the ss of wine. As he took a swig, he looked in Franco¡¯s direction and felt his fingers get cold. At that moment, he thought about his n with Melina. He set his wine ss down and took a deep breath, then slowly made his way towards Franco. ¡°Grandpa. ¡± Respect was evident in his tone. Franco nodded and looked up at Tyshawn. When he noticed he was hesitating to speak, he frowned. ¡°Do you have something to say?¡± After a long silence, Tyshawn mustered up some courage. ¡°Grandpa, there are too many people here. Can we go to your studyter and talk in private, just you and me?¡± Although Franco initially wanted to refuse him, he decided to reconsider. ¡°Alright. Come with me upstairs in a while. ¡± ¡°Okay, Grandpa. I understand. ¡± Meanwhile, Hannah and Grace were chatting in the garden outside. ¡°Grace, what¡¯re you doing out here? Why don¡¯t you join the party and get something to eat?¡± Melina suddenly appeared in the garden and smiled kindly at Grace. Chapter 1874 Grace was having a nice chat with Hannah but when she saw Melina, her smile immediately froze. ¡°Miss Glyn. ¡± Receiving this response, the smile on Melina¡¯s face was reced with a sad pout. ¡°Gosh, Grace. When did we get so distant?¡± She then shifted her gaze to Hannah and asked smarmily, ¡°Are you a little embarrassed because Miss Moore is here?¡± However, Hannah simply pretended she didn¡¯t see her. After all, she wouldn¡¯t attack anyone unless they came at her first. Besides, she was toozy to deal with Melina anyway. ¡°Oh, Miss Moore, how are your eyes? They will recover in this lifetime, won¡¯t they?¡± Clearly displeased by the snide, Grace frowned.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Miss Glyn, don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a little insensitive?¡± All of a sudden, Melina put on her innocent face. ¡°Oh, no. I¡¯m sorry. There¡¯d been a misunderstanding. I was just a little worried about Miss Moore. ¡± Grace still wanted to retort, but Hannah lifted her hand to stop her. ¡°Actually, Miss Glyn, my eyes are all better. Thank you for your concern. ¡± At that moment, Melina looked into her eyes, and the faint smile on her face slowly faded. As soon as they locked eyes, Hannah blinked at her. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Miss Glyn? Why do you look so surprised? You¡¯re not disappointed that my eyes have recovered, are you?¡± Suddenly, Melina forced the corners of her mouth upwards into a smile. ¡°Oh, Miss Moore. You really like to joke around. ¡± She then shifted her attention to Grace, still with her taut smile. ¡°Could you go in first, Grace? We can chatter. ¡± Standing next to Hannah, Grace didn¡¯t seem to have any intentions of leaving. ¡°I think I¡¯d rather stay. ¡± Naturally, the size and form of Melina¡¯s smile kept changing, albeit slightly. Right now, she was struggling to keep it nice and big. ¡°I won¡¯t eat her, Grace. I just need to tell her something. It¡¯ll just be a few minutes. ¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Whatever that is, you can say it in front of Grace. ¡± At this point, Melina was already gritting her teeth, but she still approached their conversation with the same big smile. ¡°I think we¡¯ve learned our Lesson not to involve others in our conflicts. This is a private matter between you and me, I think it¡¯s best we keep it that way. After all¡­¡± Melina paused on purpose and squinted at Hannah. ¡°There are some things you¡¯d like to stay in the dark, don¡¯t you, Miss Moore?¡± Right then, Hannah lowered her eyes. She looked at Grace and said tly, ¡°I guess Miss Glyn here really is eager to talk to me alone. It¡¯s okay, Grace. You can go. I¡¯ll see youter when we¡¯re done here. ¡± Of course, Grace was still reluctant to part with Hannah, but she couldn¡¯t argue with how firm Hannah was and decided to just go along with it. Before she left, Grace tugged on Hannah¡¯s top and whispered, ¡°If anything happens,e in and tell me immediately. ¡± ¡°Got it. ¡± Hannah dotingly patted Grace¡¯s head. ¡°Just go. ¡± Chapter 1875 Melina kept a faint smile on her face as she watched Grace leave. ¡°So, Grace is loyal to you now, huh?¡± Thinking the remark didn¡¯t warrant a response, Hannah ignored it and redirected the subject. ¡°If you have something to say, just say it. There¡¯s no need to resort to using your lousy tactics on me like you did before. ¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not here for that. I just came to bring you some information that you might find useful. ¡± Melina smirked and raised an eyebrow. ¡°I assume you¡¯ve met Ryleigh.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. You remember her, right? After all, she was bold enough to drug Bryson at the banquetst time. ¡± Obviously, Hannah didn¡¯t appreciate the reminder and red at Melina. ¡°Where are you going with this?¡± ¡°Nothing. Just that, she ns to do it to you this time to make sure you¡¯d make a fool of yourself at the party tonight. ¡± Melina shrugged, seeming indifferent despite sounding concerned. ¡°So you¡¯d better not touch any of the drinks there. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t give you a heads-up. ¡± The idea sounded ridiculous, so Hannah couldn¡¯t help but frown. ¡°So you only came over here to warn me that Ryleigh will try to drug me tonight?¡± ¡®s BunnyBookery The smirk on Melina¡¯s face grew wider into an almost ingratiating smile. ¡°It¡¯s good that you understand. Anyway, that¡¯s all I wanted to talk to you about. I¡¯ll leave now. ¡± As soon as Melina turned around, Hannah¡¯s voice came up from behind her. ¡°Why bother warning me? What¡¯s in it for you?¡± By now, Melina had stopped walking and smirked weirdly once more. Before she faced Hannah, however, she reced the smirk with a delicate smile. ¡°Do you think I have any reason to lie to you? I simply wanted to let you know. It¡¯s up to you if you¡¯d believe me or not. If it turns out I¡¯m lying, then no harm, no foul¡­ you didn¡¯t lose anything. What do you think is there for me to gain in that?¡± After saying that, Melina turned around and headed for a different passage in the garden. For nearly ten minutes, Grace waited at the door for Hannah, anxious to find out what happened. ¡°What did Melina tell you?¡± Recalling what Melina had said, Hannah decided not to tell Grace so she wouldn¡¯t worry. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Nothing important. ¡± She then offered her a reassuring smile and diverted the topic instead. ¡°Do you know where your brother is?¡± ¡°He¡¯s upfront dealing with the guests. ¡± Grace raised her palms up and shrugged. ¡°Grandpa¡¯s old, so all social tasks have been handed over to my brother. ¡± Suddenly, Grace seemed a little dispirited and grumbled to Hannah. ¡°My aunt and other rtives are also here. Every time I hear them speak, their voice is always dripping with sarcasm. It¡¯s like they have nothing nice to say. I was only in there for a few minutes and I¡¯ve already shed with them a few times, so I just came here to wait for you. ¡± Hannah gently rubbed her head tofort her a little. When she nced up at the terrace, she did see several nobledies gathered together as they looked down at them with unfriendly eyes. The moment they met her gaze, they rolled their eyes indifferently and whispered among themselves. ¡°Let¡¯s go sit in the lounge over there. ¡± Hannah held Grace¡¯s hand as they walked out. ¡°Your brother will be entertaining the guests for a while. It¡¯s probably better if we stay out of his way and let him deal with them. ¡± Grace nodded and followed her obediently. Chapter 1876 Meanwhile, as much as Hannah was careful to believe everything Melina had told her, she kept her wits about her and still had Grace stay by her side all night just in case. ¡°Okay. Don¡¯t worry, Hannah. I¡¯ll be here. ¡± When they had gotten far enough, Brodie emerged from a corner. Brodie was handsome. With his ostensible elegance and gentlemanly demeanor, many debutantes were quite enamored of him. Indeed, it was his appearance that attracted the attention of many daughters of rich and powerful families. However, at this moment, he was nowhere else to be found but in this corner, walking towards Hannah. ¡°Long time no see, Miss Moore. ¡± Hannah, walking towards the lounge with Grace, paused when she nced back and spotted Brodie. Brodie appeared unruffled. ¡°Oh, my apologies, Miss Moore. Last time we met, it seemed you didn¡¯t recognize me. Do you not know who I am?¡± ¡°You¡¯re from the Moreno family. Your voice gives it away,¡± Hannah replied evenly.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°You¡¯re sharp, Miss Moore. ¡± With a smile, Brodie proposed, ¡°May I invite you to join me for a drink?¡± Hannah frowned. ¡°Not interested in drinking right now. ¡± Brodie grinned. ¡°Am I being too forward? Miss Moore, care to dance with me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not fond of dancing either. ¡± Hannah declined firmly. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, Mr. Moreno, we¡¯ll be on our way. ¡± Brodie remained unruffled. Instead, he shed a charming smile. ¡°I simply wish to get to know you, Miss Moore. You don¡¯t have to refuse me, do you?¡± Hannah frowned. ¡°Mr. Moreno, I don¡¯t believe we¡¯re acquainted. ¡± ¡°We will be, once I get to know you. ¡± Standing beside Hannah, Grace couldn¡¯t contain her anger. ¡°Hannah already said she doesn¡¯t want to know you. Why are you so insistent? Hannah is dating my brother. You don¡¯t need to go to such Lengths to impress her. ¡± Upon hearing this, Brodie looked at Grace with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re Bryson¡¯s sister, Grace?¡± Grace nodded proudly. ¡°Do you know my brother?¡± Brodie¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll be your brother¡¯s future business partner. Naturally, I know him well. ¡± Grace snorted. ¡°That¡¯s irrelevant. Bottom Line, Hannah¡¯s going to be my sister-inw. ¡± Raising an eyebrow, Brodie turned to Hannah and asked, ¡°Sister-in-Law? Miss Moore, are you engaged to Mr. Mitchell?¡± Brodie was persistent. Hannah took Grace¡¯s hand, ready to leave. ¡°I don¡¯t think discussing my personal life with you is necessary. ¡± But Brodie was prepared. He stepped in front of Hannah and said, ¡°I don¡¯t mind sharing a secret with you, Miss Moore. ¡± Chapter 1877 ¡°Humph. ¡± Hannah sneered, meeting Brodie¡¯s gaze seriously. ¡°It seems like there are many people with secrets at this party. But I¡¯m not interested in yours, Mr. Moreno. Please step aside. ¡± Brodie maintained his smile, but he showed no intention of stepping aside. ¡°Miss Moore, I believe you¡¯ll find this matter intriguing. ¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze turned icy as his tone grew more frivolous. Staring coldly at the smiling face before her, Hannah spoke firmly, ¡°Mr. Moreno, this is thest time I¡¯ll ask. Please move out of my way. ¡± Bang! ¡°Ah!!! Help! Help! Someone fell down the stairs. ¡± As soon as Hannah finished speaking, she was about to move when she heard a scream nearby. Suddenly, chaos erupted at the birthday party. ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Franco Mitchell. He fell down the stairs. ¡± ¡°Quick, someone help him!¡± Upon hearing it was Franco who had fallen, Hannah disregarded Brodie still beside her and swiftly lifted her dress, sprinting towards the stairs in the living room. ¡°Please, make way!¡± Hannah¡¯s voice rose as she hurried towards the stairs. Francoy unconscious on the floor, and no one dared to move him. ¡°Grace, please call the hospital immediately. ¡± As soon as Hannah finished speaking, she knelt beside Franco and began examining his body. Bryson arrived shortly after, exuding a menacing aura that parted the crowd. No one dared to approach him. ¡°How is he?¡± Bryson¡¯s deep, hoarse voice carried a suffocating weight. Hannah didn¡¯t look up, her brow furrowed as she inspected Franco¡¯s wounds. ¡°He¡¯s injured at the back of his head. ¡± She continued to assess Franco¡¯s condition. ¡°His leg is broken, left scap fractured, but his internal organs seem intact for now.N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡± Franco, aging and in peril,y in imminent danger of death. Hannah withheld thest sentence, fearing it would only heighten Bryson¡¯s concern for Franco. ¡°Grandpa! Grandpa!¡± Tyshawn pushed through the crowd, desperate to reach Franco lying unconscious on the floor. ¡°What happened to Grandpa?¡± Bryson seized Tyshawn¡¯s cor, preventing him from getting closer. Chapter 1878 He fixed Tyshawn with a cold stare and ordered, ¡°Leave. ¡± Tyshawn struggled to shake off Bryson. ¡°I¡¯m concerned about grandpa. Why are you grabbing me? I need to get Grandpa to the hospital immediately. ¡± ¡°Stop shouting. ¡± Hannah rose and interjected, calming Tyshawn¡¯s outburst. ¡°No one should move Franco. We must wait for medical professionals to attend to him. ¡± Hannah fixed Tyshawn with a cold stare. ¡°You want to move Franco without permission? Are you trying to harm him?¡± Tyshawn felt scared. ncing around, he couldn¡¯t help but respond, ¡°I didn¡¯t. Don¡¯t use me. I¡­ I just didn¡¯t understand. ¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t understand yet you were shouting to save Franco?¡± Hannah¡¯s expression darkened, her demeanor intimidating. ¡°If you cause trouble again, I won¡¯t hesitate to act firmly. ¡± After Hannah¡¯s warning, Bryson forcibly removed Tyshawn. Tyshawn stumbled to the ground, nursing his sore rear, ring at Bryson but refraining from speaking further. Tyshawn anxiously watched Franco¡¯s pallid face, his heart racing. With everyone focused on Franco, no one noticed Tyshawn slip away quietly. After pulling Melina into the garden, Tyshawn eximed with near hysteria, ¡°What if Franco doesn¡¯t die? He is just in aa now. ¡± With a nonchnt expression, Melina nced outside towards the gathering crowd. ¡°What are you worried about? There will be plenty of opportunities to act once we¡¯re at the hospital. He might not even wake up. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so optimistic. ¡± Tyshawn fidgeted nervously, pacing back and forth. ¡°Hannah is formidable. What if grandpa does wake up?¡± Melina sneered and turned to face Tyshawn. ¡°It¡¯s a high-risk, high- reward situation. If you¡¯re so afraid now, why did you go through with it before?¡± ¡°You traitor!¡± Tyshawn grabbed Melina by the neck and seethed, ¡°If you hadn¡¯t manipted me, would I have ever hurt him? Do you think you¡¯ll get away with it if anything happens to me?¡± Melina wasn¡¯t as strong as Tyshawn.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. She struggled to breathe from the chokehold. Melina leaned weakly against the wall with a scornful smile. ¡°Tyshawn, you have time to confront me. Why not follow them to the hospital? If Franco wakes up, it won¡¯t be me who suffers first. ¡± Tyshawn nced outside. The paramedics arrived quickly. Hannah and Bryson followed them to the hospital. Tyshawn¡¯s hand, which had been choking Melina¡¯s neck, finally loosened. He said viciously, ¡°If I struggle, you¡¯ll struggle too. ¡± ¡°Humph¡­¡± A sarcastic smile appeared on Melina¡¯s face. Tyshawn hurriedly walked out and saw the Moreno family approaching. Chapter 1879 He paused for a moment. Tyshawn was about to leave but was stopped by Brodie¡¯s words. ¡°Mr. Mitchell, are you going to the hospital? We¡¯re also heading there to see Franco. Would you like to join us?¡± Tyshawn turned to look at Brodie. Tyshawn knew Brodie was recently discussing business with Bryson. He was unsure of Brodie¡¯s intentions in striking up a conversation with him at this moment. ¡°No need,¡± Tyshawn refused Brodie. However, Brodie caught up with Tyshawn and said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I think the Mitchell family car has been driven out. If you don¡¯t mind, you can take mine. ¡± Tyshawn had arrived with Melina. After their argument, he couldn¡¯t stand the thought of driving her car. Tyshawn agreed. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s leave now. ¡± Brodie smiled and winked at his driver. He then led Tyshawn outside. They both got into the car, and the atmosphere was quiet. After a while, the car smoothly merged onto the main road. Brodie then said, ¡°Franco is seriously injured. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯ll wake up. ¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Tyshawn shifted his gaze and replied casually, ¡°My grandfather will be fine. ¡± ¡°Of course, I hope Franco recovers, but one must always n for the worst. ¡± Brodie added meaningfully, ¡°If Franco is critically ill from his fall, the Mitchell Group might need to reshuffle. Mr. Mitchell,¡± Brodie looked at Tyshawn and said, pretending to be confused, ¡°I¡¯ve been in constantmunication with Mr. Bryson Mitchell. I¡¯m not sure of your position in thepany yet. ¡± Brodie¡¯s words were like a sharp sword, stabbing directly into Tyshawn¡¯s heart, making his expression change. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not in thepany now. I¡¯m going to develop my own business. ¡± ¡°Oh. ¡± Brodie nodded thoughtfully. ¡°You¡¯re really something. You¡¯ve got a big family business and you¡¯re going out on your own to start your own venture. I¡¯m not as good as you. ¡± Brodie¡¯s words sounded likepliments, but to Tyshawn, they felt like taunts. Almost everyone in Valmere knew that the Mitchell Group had lost billions, and its stock had fallen. As the CEO, Tyshawn had been ousted just a few months after taking office. Tyshawn wondered if Brodie was unaware. Brodie seemed oblivious to Tyshawn¡¯s reaction and continued, ¡°I¡¯m also experiencing some problems in my business with Bryson. Ourpany¡¯s main focus isn¡¯t in Valmere, so Bryson has many areas of disagreement about our cooperation. ¡± Brodie sighed. ¡°We really want to work with the Mitchell Group, but now¡­ Maybe it¡¯s not possible. ¡± Tyshawn nced around and then asked Brodie, ¡°What kind of project are you looking to coborate on?¡± ¡°Our project has been focused on game software development, and now we aim to enter the Valmere market as well. ¡± Chapter 1880 Seeing Tyshawn¡¯s interest, Brodie smiled and said, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, you are not an outsider. I will be direct with you. The software development market is highly profitable. I have conducted market research here. There aren¡¯t many software developers in Valmere, and few online games achieve significant sess. The Mitchell family is very influential in Valmere. I originally thought that our two families working together would form a strong alliance. We could make a significant breakthrough in game software development. ¡± Brodie shook his head with a hint of regret. ¡°It¡¯s just that Bryson has been hesitant, so I can¡¯t make any promises¡­ That contract signed some time ago made tens of millions of dors, which is just a small profit. I hoped Bryson would reconsider our cooperation after that, but he never responded. ¡± Tens of millions of dors was a small profit? Tyshawn¡¯s emotions churned almost uncontrobly. ¡°Mr. Moreno, you certainly have a knack for this. ¡± Brodie smiled. ¡°In fact, I think you are also an undiscovered talent. If we work together, we should be invincible in the business world of Valmere. Why don¡¯t our two families coborate for mutual benefit?¡± Tyshawn clenched his fists tightly. He couldn¡¯t deny that every word Brodie said echoed his thoughts. Tyshawn had been waiting for an opportunity to outmaneuver Bryson. Now someone was telling Tyshawn that this opportunityy right before him. How could he resist? Tyshawn lowered his head, eyes burning with determination, trying to steady his voice. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We will definitely coborate. ¡± Brodie regarded Tyshawn with a knowing smile. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. ¡± At the hospital. Franco was in critical condition. After being rushed to the hospital, he underwent a thorough examination. Aside from the severe intracranial bleeding at the back of Franco¡¯s head, the rest of the situation wasn¡¯t too critical. Franco urgently needed a craniotomy, but due to his advanced age, no doctor at the hospital dared to perform the surgery. Under these circumstances, there was a high likelihood that Franco wouldn¡¯t regain consciousness on the operating table. Alexandra cried hysterically, her face extremely pale. Bryson held her, trying tofort her, but her pain was evident. ¡°Doctor, please save my grandfather. Please¡­ Boo¡­Hoo¡­¡± Grace was in tears too, leaning on Hannah for support. The hospital director, with a grave expression, addressed Bryson. ¡°Given Franco¡¯s condition, we rmend conservative treatment, but¡­ With Franco¡¯s current condition, even if we opt for conservative treatment, I¡¯m afraid that. . ¡± ¡°Let me do it. ¡± Hannah¡¯s voice cut through, resolute andmanding. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the X-ray. Prepare the operating room, gather the staff. I¡¯ll perform the surgery. ¡± The director stared at her in astonishment. ¡°You¡­ Are you a doctor too?¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Chapter 1881 Hannah didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I¡¯m licensed. Is there anyone else here willing to operate on him?¡± Her words silenced the room. Hannah turned to Bryson. ¡°Do you trust me? I promise your grandfather will make it through. ¡± With deep resolve in his eyes, Bryson said firmly, ¡°I trust you. ¡± As Hannah prepared to change into scrubs, Tyshawn and his mother rushed in. ¡°I don¡¯t agree. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯s face twisted with anger as he approached the doctors. ¡°A craniotomy is too risky. You can¡¯t just take my cousin¡¯s word for it. What if something goes wrong during the operation?¡± He gave Hannah a cold stare. ¡°Who knows if this woman even has a valid medical license. I don¡¯t believe she¡¯s capable of performing the surgery. I do not approve of this operation. ¡± Makenna chimed in, her voiceced with sarcasm. ¡°My son is right. Does this ¡®Miss Moore¡¯ really have a license to practice medicine? She could be nning something sinister. Bryson alone shouldn¡¯t decide. If anything happens to Franco, can she be held ountable?¡± Hannah shot a re at the pair. ¡°I can take full responsibility. ¡± ¡°Bah!¡± Makenna scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s easy for you to say. Who knows what you¡¯re really up to?¡± Bryson¡¯s expression darkened. He fixed Makenna with a hard stare. ¡°Say that again, I dare you. ¡± Makenna shrank back in fear, her voice wavering. ¡°Regardless, we will not agree to authorize the surgery. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need your permission. ¡± A frail voice, tinged with age, came from Bryson¡¯s direction. Alexandra gathered herself and turned to Hannah. ¡°The craniotomy must proceed. ¡± Trembling, Alexandra reached out to Hannah. ¡°Miss Moore, I entrust Franco to you. Ensure hees out of the 0. R safely. ¡± Hannah nodded resolutely. ¡°You can count on me, Mrs. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell will be fine, I promise. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Alexandra¡¯s silver hair shimmered as she steadied herself. ¡°I¡¯ll sign. Begin the surgery immediately. ¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights. Tyshawn¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Grandma, are you sure? We don¡¯t know if she¡¯s capable¡­¡± Crack! Alexandra¡¯s hand struck Tyshawn¡¯s face. Furious and trembling, she spoke through gritted teeth. ¡°If you obstruct this again, get out of this hospital this instant. ¡± Chapter 1882 Seeing Tyshawn pped, Makenna cried out in concern, ¡°Alexandra, Tyshawn is just trying to look out for Franco. How could you hit him like that?¡± Bryson remained stern and instructed his bodyguards to escort them away. Meanwhile, Hannah quickly prepared for surgery, changing into sterile attire. With no opportunity to argue further, Makenna fell silent. Tyshawn¡¯s face swelled instantly from the p. He covered it, seething with hatred towards Hannah and Bryson, but he could only stand by silently. Tyshawn understood that he could only pull off that maneuver once. Continuing to create a disturbance would raise suspicions. The operating room door closed. Everyone¡¯s eyes were glued to the door, hearts pounding with anxiety. They held their breath, dreading any bad news. Tyshawn, however, hoped for the worst. He wished Franco would not survive the surgery. His eyes fixed on the closed door, and Tyshawn¡¯s expression turned cold and calcting.This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. An hourter, The door suddenly opened. Hannah emerged in sterile attire, followed by doctors and nurses wheeling out a bed. Almost all the Mitchells gathered around Hannah. Tyshawn eagerly asked, ¡°How is my grandfather?¡± He anticipated Hannah announcing the operation¡¯s failure. Hannah nced indifferently at Tyshawn, then met Bryson¡¯s gaze. She nodded and said, ¡°The surgery went well and promptly. Franco may wake in a few days after the anesthesia wears off. ¡± Bryson felt relieved and smiled warmly at Hannah. ¡°Franco, it¡¯s wonderful you¡¯re alright. ¡± Alexandra, eyes reddened, watched Franco being wheeled out. ¡°Grandma, don¡¯t get too upset. Grandpa is okay now. Please take care of yourself. ¡± Afterforting Alexandra softly, Bryson told Grace, ¡°Take grandma home, Grace. I¡¯ll stay with grandpa tonight. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Grace rubbed her eyes, red and swollen, then supported Alexandra, leaving with a few guards. Hannah removed her mask and cap, her hair slightly disheveled. Bryson approached, gently smoothing Hannah¡¯s hair. ¡°Thank you. ¡± ¡°The most crucial thing is that Franco is well. ¡± Chapter 1883 Hannah rubbed her shoulders and nced at Tyshawn, who stood nearby with a solemn expression. Hannah moved closer to Bryson. To an observer, it might seem a disy of affection between lovers. In a voice meant only for him, Hannah said, ¡°Come outside with me. I need to speak with you privately. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Sensing the gravity of Hannah¡¯s words, Bryson patted her back and took her hand as they stepped outside. Alone together, Hannah looked around cautiously and whispered to Bryson, ¡°I¡¯m concerned about Tyshawn¡¯s reaction. We should investigate him thoroughly. ¡± ¡°I¡¯ve noticed. ¡± Bryson¡¯s demeanor hardened. ¡°Hisck of concern for Grandpa¡¯s health and this situation is troubling. His response today was unusually intense. ¡± Bryson stared out the window, his gaze intense. Thinking of Franco¡¯s fall down the stairs earlier, his expression darkened, his eyes chilling. Hannah urged Bryson, ¡°While there are nurses watching over Franco in the ICU, I think we should increase the number of rotating bodyguards. ¡± ¡°I understand. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve made arrangements. ¡± Bryson¡¯s gaze softened as he looked at Hannah. ¡°You must be exhausted after today¡¯s surgery. Go back and rest early. ¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°I need to stay at the hospital tonight. Despite the sessful operation, I¡¯m afraid of an ident. I¡¯ll personally monitor Franco¡¯s condition until he wakes up. ¡± Only after Hannah felt at ease did she recall the incident at the birthday party. ¡°I don¡¯t believe in conspiracy theories. Why did Franco suddenly fall down the stairs?¡± Hannah frowned. ¡°Franco usually haspany around him. Why was he alone upstairs this time?¡± Bryson shared her concern. ¡°I¡¯ll have it investigated. Something doesn¡¯t sit right about today¡¯s events. ¡± Not far from the hospital steps, amidst numerous cars, a ck vehicle remained unnoticed. The driver remarked, ¡°Mr. Moreno, Tyshawn doesn¡¯t seem too clever. I worry he might fail and implicate us. ¡± ¡°I only intended to do business with him. How do you mean ¡®implicate¡¯?¡± With hands crossed on hisp, Brodie observed the two figures on the steps through the car window. ¡°I¡¯m just a businessman. I work with whoever benefits me. ¡± ¡°But don¡¯t we already have Ryleigh¡¯s card? Despite her absence tonight, she¡¯s not entirely useless. ¡± Brodie scoffed. ¡°Do you really think they can turn things around? These two losers were pawns from the start. They¡¯ve done me a favor by making Bryson¡¯s situation worse. ¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± The driver hesitated, addressing Brodie, ¡°Mr.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Moreno, what¡¯s our next move?¡± Brodie¡¯s eyes gleamed with cunning. ¡°It all depends on what Tyshawn is capable of. ¡± In the corridor of the hospital. Makenna remained unaware that Tyshawn was responsible for Franco¡¯s fall down the stairs. Sheined sharply, ¡°Why did this happen suddenly? Franco was saved by that woman. I dread to think how much it¡¯ll cost to treat Franco now. ¡± Chapter 1884 She red at her son beside her and continued, ¡°And your father spends all his time drinking and enjoying himself, never around when we need him. If he were here, we could have had some influence in that situation just now. ¡± Tyshawn was already on edge. He frowned and snapped, ¡°Enough! I¡¯m already irritated, Mom. Can you please be quiet for a moment?¡± Seeing Tyshawn¡¯s bad attitude, Makenna was shocked for a second, then got angry. ¡°I worked hard to raise you for 20 years. Now you¡¯re grown up and talking to me like that?¡± She red at Tyshawn and said, ¡°Believe me, I¡¯ll beat you to death. ¡± ¡°Go ahead, beat me to death if you can. ¡± Tyshawn stared at her coldly. ¡°If you want to get nothing, just keep making a scene. ¡± Makenna felt a pang of guilt and calmed down. She looked at his face hesitantly and said, ¡°I just¡­ I¡¯m just worried we won¡¯t get anything if Franco dies. ¡± Tyshawn lowered his voice, sounding sinister. ¡°It¡¯d be better if he were dead. Without him in control, even Bryson might not be able to manage everything. Then, if I hit Bryson hard, it¡¯s anyone¡¯s guess who¡¯lle out on top. ¡± He looked at his mother and pleaded, ¡°Mom, I need you to do something for me. You have to be careful. If you mess this up, we¡¯re going to be in serious trouble. ¡± Makenna eyed her son suspiciously. ¡°What are you nning?¡± As night fell, the city grew quiet, with only the neon lights still glowing. Late at night in the hospital, the corridor lights flickered faintly. Bryson stood guard outside the ICU, with several of his bodyguards posted outside the ward. Even if someone got past the bodyguards, Bryson would still be able to detect anyone entering the room in time. Around 3:00 a. m. , a sudden phone call rang out. Bryson opened his eyes, but there was no trace of sleepiness in his cold gaze. He picked up the phone and answered, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Mr. Mitchell, the public rtions department just discovered that foreignpany stocks are fluctuating wildly. It looks Like someone is intentionally manipting the market. ¡± Bryson lowered his head, his emotions hidden by the darkness in the room. ¡°This guy is manipting the stock market now because he¡¯s sure I don¡¯t have the energy to monitor foreign markets. ¡± He chuckled. ¡°In that case¡­ There¡¯s no need to hold back. ¡± Yosef got the message and quickly said, ¡°I Understand. I¡¯ll have our people take action right away and block their path. ¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson replied.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. After hanging up, he couldn¡¯t get back to sleep. He went to check on Franco in the ward and then stepped out. The bodyguards outside had changed shifts. When they saw Brysone out, they immediately greeted him, ¡°Mr. Mitchell. ¡± Bryson instructed, ¡°Stay here and don¡¯t let anyone in. ¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Mitchell,¡± they responded. Chapter 1885 As Bryson walked past the nurse¡¯s desk, he noticed there was only one nurse on the night shift. Bryson walked down the corridor until he reached room 701. He gently opened the door. ¡°Who is it?¡± A sharp female voice called out as the lights suddenly flicked on. The brightness made Bryson frown. ¡°Bryson?¡± Hannah said, leaning against the sofa with her fingers on the light switch. When she saw it was Bryson who hade in, her expression softened. ¡°Why are you here at this time?¡± she asked. Bryson walked in, closed the door behind him, and said, ¡°I should be asking you why you¡¯re still up. ¡± Hannah rubbed her forehead and said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I haven¡¯t tried to sleep. I¡¯m just worried about Franco. I wake up at the slightest sound. How¡¯s he doing now?¡± Bryson walked over and sat down next to her. ¡°He¡¯s stable. Tonight should be quiet. I¡¯ll stay here with you. Just try to get some rest. ¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°No, you¡¯d better go back.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. I¡¯m worried something else might happen. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my men are outside guarding. Tyshawn won¡¯t dare to try anything. ¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s tired face, Bryson frowned and said, ¡°You still have a few more days here. Are you nning to stay awake the whole time? I¡¯ll stay with you. You should get some sleep. ¡± Actually, Hannah had been pushing herself, her nerves on edge. With Bryson¡¯s arrival, she finally began to rx. Feeling too sleepy to keep her eyes open, she raised a hand to rub her eyes. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll just rest on the sofa for a bit. ¡± Bryson didn¡¯t press her to go to bed. ¡°Alright, get some sleep. ¡± Hannah leaned back against the sofa and closed her eyes, quickly drifting off to sleep. As she dozed off, she leaned slightly, resting her head on Bryson¡¯s shoulder. He looked down at her peaceful face and smiled. Feeling his phone buzz in his pocket, Bryson¡¯s smile faded. He pulled out his phone and saw multiple messages waiting. After ncing at the sender, he pocketed the phone. Gently supporting Hannah¡¯s head, he ensured she wasfortable on the sofa before quietly standing up. He checked to make sure she was still asleep before stepping out. Outside, Bryson took out his phone to call Brayden. Chapter 1886 As soon as Brayden picked up the phone, his voice sounded exhausted. ¡°Hello? Bryson, you¡¯ve really angered the Garza family in Muvrand this time. Mathews is offering a $200 million bounty on your head in the ck market. ¡± Bryson chuckled cynically. ¡°He can still cough up $200 million? Seems like he¡¯s still got some cash left. Keep cleaning out his business. ¡± Brayden gasped. ¡°Bryson, Mathews has put a $200 million bounty on your life. Why haven¡¯t you responded to this at all?¡± ¡°I want to see if he can kill me,¡± Bryson said casually, with a slight sneer and cruelty in his voice. Brayden suddenly felt a chill go down his spine. ¡°Are you going to¡­¡± Bryson raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with ruthless coldness. ¡°He wants me dead. So, I want him to know what it feels like to lose all his power and status. ¡± Knowing Bryson always kept his promises, Brayden quickly asked, ¡°What¡¯s the n? Do you need my help?¡± ¡°The most important thing for you now is to watch the Muvrand market closely. Don¡¯t let Mathews exploit any weaknesses,¡± Bryson reminded Brayden. ¡°Remember, I told you to observe him, not to get into a desperate fight. If he suspects anything, back off immediately. This is between Hannah, me, and the Garza family. I don¡¯t want to drag you into it. ¡± Brayden agreed but hesitated. ¡°But you¡¯vepletely fallen out with the Garza family now. They won¡¯t let this go. What if theye after you in the future? And now, all the shareholders of Enchantment Casino in Muvrand are keeping an eye on you. ¡± ¡°They¡¯re just a bunch of misfits. I don¡¯t take them seriously,¡± Bryson said with a cold sneer. After wrapping up business, Brayden brought up the incident at the birthday party. ¡°I heard about Franco¡¯s fall down the stairs. I won¡¯t make it to the hospital. How¡¯s he doing now?¡± ¡°He¡¯s okay. Thanks to Hannah, he¡¯s stable now. ¡± Brayden let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this. ¡°Then I guess I don¡¯t need to worry. I¡¯ll call you right away if anything elsees up there.Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡± ¡°Alright, got it,¡± Bryson replied. After ending the call, he headed back to Hannah¡¯s room. He walked over and gently touched Hannah¡¯s head. Leaning down, he kissed her Lightly on her slender eyshes. Afterward, Bryson left her room and returned to Franco¡¯s room. Around 7 o¡¯clock in the morning, Hannah woke up. She didn¡¯t get much sleep. After she freshened up, she headed to Franco¡¯s ward. After checking on him, she finally felt relieved. ¡°Franco is recovering well from the surgery. He¡¯ll need to be monitored for a while, but there shouldn¡¯t be any major issues. ¡± Relieved, Bryson¡¯s worried expression faded as he looked at her. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten breakfast yet, have you? I¡¯ll have them bring something for you. ¡± ¡°Alright. ¡± Hannah nodded. Just as she settled onto the sofa, she heard a loud noiseing from outside. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 1887 She and Bryson exchanged nces and walked to the door together. Outside, Makenna was making a scene, holding a thermos and yelling, ¡°Why won¡¯t you let me in? I¡¯m part of the Mitchell family too! Isn¡¯t Bryson being too controlling?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here to visit Franco! What do you mean by stopping me from entering here? How dare you!¡± Makenna¡¯s voice was so loud that guests and nurses from several VIP wards around came out to watch. At that moment, Makenna¡¯s voice grew even louder. ¡°Do you have any purpose to stop me from entering! We don¡¯t even know if Franco¡¯s surgery was sessful. In the Mitchell family, only Bryson is allowed to see him! Who knows what intentions he has!¡± The more Makenna spoke, the more convinced she became of her righteousness. She continued, ¡°You all fawn over us until trouble arises. Now that Franco¡¯s life is at stake, you be ruthless. Bryson can¡¯t handle this behind our backs. Today, I want everyone here to judge for us!¡± Makenna¡¯s mor drew the attention of nurses and doctors who attempted to intervene. ¡°Madam, here is hospital. Please don¡¯t make any noise here!¡± With widened eyes and a defiant stance, Makenna pushed the nurse next to her. ¡°Fuck off! If you¡¯re telling me I can¡¯t make noise, then make them let me in! Why can they enter the ward and not us, his own family?¡± Despite her tirade, the nurses, though frustrated, did not confront her, recognizing her as a member of the powerful Mitchell family. Left with no other choice, the nurses patiently tried to persuade her not to disturb the peace of the patients.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. ¡°Enough!¡± Suddenly, an authoritative voice echoed from the door of the VIP ward. With a loud bang, the door swung open. Bryson stepped out, his eyes cold as he fixed them on Makenna. ¡°Are you here just to cause a disturbance?¡± Startled, Makenna stepped back, her earlier fury cooling. Gathering her courage, she retorted, ¡°I don¡¯t care. You have no right to stop me from seeing Franco!¡± Bryson, no longer willing to engage, signaled to a bodyguard beside him. ¡°Please escort her out,¡± he ordered firmly. Makenna refused to leave and shouted defiantly, ¡°Bryson, if you dare drive me away, I¡¯ll expose you to the media right now! You must be nning to harm Franco. You¡¯re afraid we¡¯ll discover the truth, so I must expose it!¡± Bryson, his expression icy, squinted at Makenna and retorted, ¡°How dare you fabricate such stories in front of the media?¡± Standing beside Bryson, Hannah, her eyes cold yet striking, interjected, ¡°If you continue to shout, you¡¯ll only disturb Mr. Franco Mitchell¡¯s rest and potentially harm his recovery. It seems you don¡¯t actually want him to recover. Perhaps you¡¯re plotting something?¡± Makenna felt overwhelmed and verbally attacked by Hannah. ¡°You! You bitch! What nonsense are you spouting?¡± With a slight smile, Hannah replied, ¡°You can spread falsehoods, yet you won¡¯t allow others to speak the truth? You¡¯d better leave soon. If the bodyguards have to intervene, it won¡¯t be pleasant. ¡± Hannah¡¯s understated threat deeply unsettled Makenna. Chapter 1888 Gritting her teeth in frustration yet feeling outmaneuvered, Makenna didn¡¯t dare linger any longer. She turned around, shooting a venomous re at Hannah. ¡°You¡¯re so glib! Just wait and see!¡± With those final words, Makenna quickly grabbed the insted container she¡¯d brought and left via the elevator. As she departed, Bryson turned back to the bodyguard beside him and ordered, ¡°Go and get two breakfasts. ¡± ¡°Yes, boss. ¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org. After Makenna¡¯s departure, Hannah turned tofort the nurse who had been pushed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about her; she¡¯s not right in the head. If she ever tries to hurt you again when we¡¯re not around, just call the police. ¡± The nurse looked at Hannah with gratitude. ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore. I¡¯m fine, it was just a push. ¡± Hannah smiled warmly and said, ¡°Thank you all for your hard work these days. To show my appreciation, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea today are all on me. ¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Moore! Thank you so much!¡± Meanwhile, Makenna, carrying the insted container, fled to the back of the building, a secluded area away from the hospital. There, Tyshawn was smoking. As he noticed Makenna approaching, he stubbed out his cigarette and tossed it aside. ¡°How did it go? Have you sent it in?¡± Makenna¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Bullshit! The hospital¡¯s like a fortress. I couldn¡¯t even get into that ward. No matter what I do, they just don¡¯t let me in. It¡¯s like they¡¯re on high alert against us. ¡± Frustrated, Tyshawn kicked a stone at his feet. ¡°If that old man wakes up, it¡¯ll ruin everything. No, we must find a way to kill him!¡± Clutching the insted container, Makenna voiced her concerns. ¡°If we actually manage to get this inside and something happens to Franco¡­ the police could trace it back to us. Isn¡¯t this n too risky?¡± ¡°Then what do you suggest? We can¡¯t just sit back and watch Franco recover!¡± After a moment of silence, Tyshawn looked up at Makenna with a calcting gaze. ¡°Mom, if something really happens, you can shift the me onto others. After all, they can¡¯t find any evidence if he¡¯s already dead! Even if they find evidence, we can just pin it on a couple of scapegoats. What can Bryson really do to us?¡± Tyshawn whispered these words viciously, a sinister smile ying on his Lips. ¡°Then¡­ I¡¯ll just do as you suggested!¡± Makenna, tense and determined, affirmed her agreement with her son. It was worth risking for the Mitchell family¡¯s assets! ¡°But now the main issue is that we can¡¯t even get into the room. How are we supposed to execute our n?¡± Tyshawn¡¯s eyes glinted with malice as he schemed. ¡°I¡¯ve figured out a way to stage an ident. Since we can¡¯t get to him alone, let¡¯s make it a bigger incident that affects everyone. ¡± Meanwhile, back in the hospital, Hannah was changing a thin nket on Franco¡¯s bed when Bryson¡¯s bodyguard entered with breakfast. ¡°Eat something first. ¡± Chapter 1889 Bryson instructed the bodyguard to ce the food down and invited Hannah to join him for breakfast. ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah went over and sat down. Bryson lifted the lid off the congee, and steam instantly billowed out. Stirring the congee, Hannah said to Bryson, ¡°I¡¯m nning to call Dotson to the hospital too. I¡¯ve been feeling a bit uneasy. ¡± ¡°Uneasy?¡± Bryson echoed, his interest piqued as he peeled an egg with delicate precision. ¡°Yes,¡± she continued, nodding. ¡°Given what happened today, it¡¯s clear Tyshawn is preparing to make a move. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust your men but having Dotson here would just make me feel safer. ¡±N?velDrama.Org is the owner. ¡°Okay,¡± Bryson responded, cing the neatly peeled egg on a clean te and sliding it towards Hannah. ¡°You should call Dotson toe overter. ¡± Just as Hannah was about to respond, Bryson¡¯s phone interrupted their conversation with its ringing. Bryson¡¯s expression grew colder as he answered, ¡°I¡¯ll head back this afternoon to handle it. Okay, I understand. ¡± After he hung up, Hannah looked at him curiously. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Do you have something to deal with at thepany?¡± ¡°Nothing serious. ¡± Bryson maintained a neutral expression as he downyed the situation. ¡°There¡¯s a general shareholders¡¯ meeting this afternoon. I need to be there in person. ¡± Hannah nodded in understanding. ¡°No problem. I¡¯ll call Dotson overter. With both of us here, Mr. Franco Mitchell will be in good hands. ¡± Bryson gazed at Hannah with a deep concern in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m worried about you. ¡± Bryson¡¯s mind was a whirlwind of worry, fixated solely on one fear: that Tyshawn might act out of desperation and harm Hannah. Hannah paused, her eyes wide with surprise. Then, with a serene smile, she replied, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t think Tyshawn has the nerve to cause trouble in a hospital. ¡± Before Dotson arrived, Bryson got into the car driven by Yosef and headed to the Mitchell Group. Watching Bryson¡¯s car leave, Tyshawn, who had been waiting outside the hospital, squinted and immediately pulled out his phone. ¡°Bryson¡¯s gone. Not sure if he¡¯ll be back this afternoon. If he doesn¡¯t return, we act today. ¡± The voice on the other end spoke, causing Tyshawn to grit his teeth in frustration. ¡°It¡¯s safer to act at night. We have the upper hand today. If we don¡¯t move now, my grandpa will spill everything when he wakes up. ¡± After hanging up, Tyshawn scanned the area to ensure no one was watching before he left. Meanwhile, Dotson had already entered the hospital through the back door and taken the elevator up to the ward. Hannah turned to Dotson, her tone soft but serious. ¡°You¡¯ve got a tough few days ahead. Someone needs to keep watch over Franco¡¯s ward. Bryson¡¯s busy withpany matters, so I need you to help out. ¡± ¡°Boss, don¡¯t mention it. It¡¯s my duty. ¡± Chapter 1890 The afternoon passed uneventfully, and by 10:00 p. m. , the hallway was eerily quiet. Hannah nced at her phone, breaking the silence. ¡°Dotson, you should get some rest. I¡¯ll take the first half of the night, and you can cover the second. ¡± ¡°I¡¯m feeling good. Let¡¯s stay on alert together. I¡¯ll keep watch in the outer room while you stay in the inner room. That way, we can alert each other if something happens,¡± Dotson suggested. Hannah hesitated briefly before nodding.N?velDrama.Org is the owner. ¡°Alright. Be vignt. If you notice anything strange, knock on the door and wake me. ¡± Dotson nodded. ¡°I understand. ¡± Hannah leaned against the sofa, her eyes fixed on Franco lying in bed. She couldn¡¯t sleep, her mind racing with worry and thoughts of what could go wrong. Just past 2 a. m. , a wave of sleepiness hit Hannah. She felt herself drifting off when a sudden, urgent knock jolted her awake. Her mind cleared instantly. She hurried to the door and opened it. Dotson stood there, urgency in his eyes. ¡°Boss, this floor is on fire. We need to go. ¡± ¡°On fire?¡± Hannah¡¯s brow furrowed. She sensed something was amiss; the timing was too convenient for a mere ident. ¡°Help me move Franco¡¯s bed,¡± she instructed Dotson and turned back into the room. ¡°Yes, Boss. ¡± Together, they wheeled the bed towards the ward door. Outside, chaos reigned as patients scrambled to escape, flooding the stairways. A bodyguard stood at the door, looking rmed. Hannah, maintaining herposure, addressed him, ¡°Protect Franco and get him out of here safely. ¡± She gave Dotson a meaningful look. ¡°You go with them. We can¡¯t risk anything happening during the evacuation. ¡± ¡°But what about you, Boss?¡± Dotson¡¯s face creased with concern. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll be fine,¡± Hannah reassured him, her gaze shifting towards the source of the fire. ¡°Even if I can¡¯t get out through the stairways, I can always find another way. The priority is getting Franco to safety. ¡± Seeing her resolve, Dotson nodded and followed the bodyguards, guiding Franco off the floor. Once they were gone, Hannah exhaled a sigh of relief. She massaged her sore shoulder before moving towards the fire. The smoke grew thicker as she advanced, forcing her to cover her mouth and nose. She bent forward, trying to stay below the densest smoke. Nearby, an exit passageway beckoned, but the fire engulfed the safe route. Escape seemed impossible. The heat was overwhelming, and the smoke stung Hannah¡¯s eyes, forcing her to squint. Amid the chaos, she spotted the evidence she had been looking for. Fighting off dizziness, she took some quick photos. As she aimed for more, a chilling sensation crept up her spine. Spinning around, she saw Makenna standing there, eyes wild, clutching a fruit knife. The flickering mes cast an eerie light on her face. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 1891 ¡°Hannah! You¡¯ve been a thorn in my side for too long. Now that you know, I can¡¯t let you leave here alive. ¡± Hannah raised her arm to shield her mouth and nose from the acrid smoke. Her eyes were sharp and unwavering despite the suffocating air. Makenna had chosen the wrong enemy. Hearing Makenna¡¯s hysterical outburst, Hannah sprang into action. Despite her slender frame, Hannah was formidable. Using her physical prowess, she swiftly overpowered Makenna. Panting heavily, she delivered a few hard kicks to Makenna¡¯s chest, eliciting agonized screams as Makenna tried to wriggle free. Hannah bent down, grabbed Makenna¡¯s hair, and began dragging her out. A N G E L A ¡®s L I B R A R Y She couldn¡¯t leave her to perish in the mes. With all her might, Hannah pulled Makenna to the door of the exit passageway and forced it open. Just as she was about to shut it, the sharp smell of gasoline hit her, causing her to cough violently. Bang! A loud explosion sounded. The entire door frame copsed, narrowly missing Hannah. Reacting quickly, Hannah gritted her teeth and pulled Makenna away from the copsing door. They barely escaped with their lives. Makenna¡¯s voice trembled with fear as she pleaded, ¡°Hannah! Please, let me go. I wasn¡¯t thinking clearly. I¡¯ve learned my lesson!¡± Hannah¡¯s expression remained cold and unyielding as she dragged Makenna down the stairs. ¡°Hannah, I was wrong. We¡¯re both part of the Mitchell family. Give me another chance. You don¡¯t want to tarnish the family¡¯s name, do you? Spare me for Bryson¡¯s sake. ¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Hannah halted, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Makenna shook her head frantically. ¡°No, I wouldn¡¯t dare. I¡¯m just stating the facts. If you expose me, the Mitchell family will be mired in a public scandal. ¡± Hannah sneered. ¡°And if I leave you here to burn, will that affect the Mitchell family?¡± Makenna was too weak to get up. With the firefighters and police still on their way, she faced the prospect of death. Her eyes widened in terror. ¡°No, please¡­¡± Makenna tried to keep pleading, but Hannah had heard enough. She dragged her to the hospital foyer downstairs and threw her onto the floor. Dotson, spotting Hannah, let out a sigh of relief and rushed over. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 1892 ¡°Boss. ¡± Seeing that Hannah was unharmed, Dotson nced at the half¡ªconscious woman on the floor and asked, ¡°Who is she?¡± ¡°She¡¯s the one who set the fire tonight,¡± Hannah replied, her voice steady. ¡°Did the hospital call the police?¡± ¡°Yes. Franco is safe, and the hospital has called the authorities. The firefighters and police should be here any minute. ¡± Dotson looked back at the battered woman on the floor. ¡°What should we do with her?¡± ¡°Have the bodyguards keep a close watch on her. Don¡¯t let her escape. If she gets away, someone might try to cover for her. ¡± ¡°Understood, Boss. I¡¯ll handle it. ¡± As Dotson took charge, Hannah nced at the billowing smoke still pouring from the upper floors. She pursed her Lips and sighed, hoping the fire wouldn¡¯t spread too quickly. A N G E L A ¡®s L I B R A R Y Although she had dodged the worst of it, Hannah¡¯s throat still burned from the smoke. The fire raged on, and all she could do was wait for the fire trucks to arrive. ¡°Miss Moore! Miss Moore!¡± The sudden call pulled Hannah from her thoughts. She turned towards the voice, confused. Yosef appeared, looking more disheveled than she had ever seen him. Relief washed over his face when he saw her. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay. Mr. Mitchell knows about the fire and is on his way. I live nearby, so he asked me to check on things. I¡¯m relieved to see you¡¯re safe. That¡¯s great. ¡± Hannah patted Yosef¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Franco is fine too. Tell Bryson to be careful on his way here. ¡± ¡°Got it! I¡¯ll call him right now. ¡± The chaotic night slowly gave way to dawn, and as exhaustion finally overtook her, Hannah dozed off while keeping vigil at Franco¡¯s bedside. When she awoke, Bryson was already sitting by Franco¡¯s bedside. ¡°When did you get here? Why didn¡¯t you wake me up?¡± she asked, rubbing her eyes. Upon noticing Hannah awake, Bryson moved from the bed to sit next to her. ¡°I¡¯m worried you haven¡¯t rested enough. ¡± Hannah¡¯s lips twitched into a smile as she responded, ¡°I slept well enough. Thankfully, nothing happenedst night.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡± Her voice was hoarse. With a concerned frown, Bryson suggested, ¡°You should have the doctor check you out. ¡± ¡°No need. ¡± Hannah coughed and reassured him, ¡°I just inhaled some smoke. I¡¯ll be fine in a couple of days. ¡± Then, curious about the previous evening¡¯s events, she asked, ¡°What happenedst night after the police and firefighters arrived?¡± ¡°Luckily, it was caught early. Only the floor where it urred had an issue with the fire escape, and no one was injured. ¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 1893 Bryson¡¯s expression turned stern as he continued, ¡°Makenna was taken to the police station but hasn¡¯t said much. She ims she was framed, saying she was there because she feared something might happen to Grandpa. ¡± Bryson scoffed, ¡°The surveince camera on that floor was out. The police haven¡¯t found any footage from the scene, so they can¡¯t charge Makenna yet. Tyshawn is seeking bail for her. I¡¯ve managed to thwart him. ¡± Hannah pulled out her phone and said, ¡°I have photos. The lock on the fire escape door was deliberately jammed, and there¡¯s paint sttered on it, which I photographed. I met Makennast night. She had a knife and tried to attack me, but I managed to defend myself and get her downstairs. These pieces of evidence should keep her detained for a while. ¡± Bryson was unaware that Makenna had attempted to attack Hannah. Bunny Bookery Shocked by her revtion, he grimaced and said, ¡°I was considering letting Makenna off. Clearly, that would be a mistake. ¡± ¡°Ahem. . . ¡± While they were talking, a cough echoed from a distant bed. Bryson and Hannah exchanged a surprised nce. The two of them quickly approached the bed. ¡°Grandpa!¡± ¡°Franco!¡± As Franco opened his eyes, his gaze was vacant and unfocused as he slowly turned towards them. ¡°Bryson¡­¡± Franco¡¯s voice was weak, as if speaking took all his energy. Hannah quickly reassured him, ¡°You just woke up. Try to stay calm. We¡¯re here with you. The surgery went well. Don¡¯t worry. ¡± Franco closed his eyes then looked at Bryson, seemingly eager tomunicate.Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Understanding the unspoken words, Bryson showed rare tenderness and took Franco¡¯s hand. ¡°I know what you want to say. Now¡¯s not the time. We¡¯ll discuss it when you¡¯re stronger. ¡± Hearing this, Francoposed himself and nodded slowly yet decisively. Exhausted by the effort, Franco soon fell asleep. After some time, a bodyguard entered and said to them, ¡°Mr. Bryson Mitchell, Tyshawn is outside asking to see Mr. Franco Mitchell. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes shed with anger. ¡°How dare he show up here?¡± Hannah gently pressed Bryson¡¯s shoulder and shook her head, signaling caution. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for confrontation. Let¡¯s find out what he wants first, then we can decide how to handle it. ¡± Bryson took a deep breath, blinked, and nodded. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s see him. ¡± After the two of them went out, they saw Tyshawn waiting outside. Chapter 1894 Tyshawn already looked upset, but his expression darkened further upon seeing the two of them. ¡°Bryson, move aside. I need to see grandpa. ¡± Bryson met his gaze with a cold stare. ¡°That¡¯s not going to happen. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯s frustration boiled over. ¡°You¡¯ve locked up my mom. You threw her into the police station without allowing bail. I need to talk to Grandpa about this. ¡± Hannah interjected, ¡°He¡¯s not awake yet. How do you expect him to make any judgment for you? Makenna tried to stab me with a fruit knife yesterday. This is the hard truth. She deserved to be in the police station. ¡± ¡°My mom¡¯s been mentally unstable recently. You should show somepassion. ¡± ¡°Hmph. Can you prove she¡¯s mentally ill? Why didn¡¯t she consider the consequences when she picked up the knife?¡± Hannah scoffed. A N G E L A ¡®s L I B R A R Y Tyshawn was taken aback, his face reddening. He stared at Hannah, then gritted his teeth and said, ¡°I need to see Grandpa today. ¡± With these words, Tyshawn reached out his hand and tried to push away Bryson who was blocking his way. Bryson grunted dismissively and blocked his path, staring him down. ¡°Leave now. ¡± Confronted with Bryson¡¯s stern expression, Tyshawn instinctively recoiled but still tried to hold his ground, insisting, ¡°Step aside. ¡± Tyshawn attempted to push past Bryson, but Bryson held firm and shoved him. Unlike Bryson, Tyshawn wasn¡¯t ustomed to physical confrontations, having lived a life of luxury. At that moment, Tyshawn found himself repeatedly pushed back by Bryson, seemingly unable to withstand even a single blow. Tyshawn¡¯s gaze shifted to Hannah standing behind Bryson. Clenching his teeth in anger, he said, ¡°Hannah, do you think you¡¯re safe just because a man is standing up for you? I¡¯m warning you, as long as I¡¯m alive, you¡¯ll never be a part of the Mitchell family. ¡± Hannah scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. Joining the Mitchell family isn¡¯t my life¡¯s goal. ¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Seeing that Tyshawn began to talk nonsense, Bryson raised his hand and asked several bodyguards to march Tyshawn and throw him out. Refusing to give up, Tyshawn looked back desperately and yelled, ¡°Hannah! You¡¯ve ndered my mother. I¡¯ll take you to court for your false usations. ¡± As his voice faded, Bryson escorted Hannah back into the ward. Hannah said, ¡°Continuing this way isn¡¯t right. If he keeps showing up to cause trouble, even if we manage to keep an eye on things every day, it will never end. Since Tyshawn is so desperate to see Franco, I have an idea. ¡± Intrigued, Bryson raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡± Hannah smiled and whispered her idea to Bryson. Bryson remarked, ¡°That¡¯s smart. Better to take initiative than let others dictate our actions. ¡± After being thrown out, Tyshawn stumbled onto the roadside. He awkwardly got to his feet and was about to hail a cab when he was blocked by a ck car. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 1895 The driver¡¯s window rolled down, and Brodie looked out at Tyshawn with a slight smile. Tyshawn, brushing off the dirt, asked, ¡°Mr. Moreno, did youe just to mock me?¡± ¡°No, I just happened to be passing by. ¡± Brodie was about to roll up the window. Without a second thought, Tyshawn opened the passenger door and sat down. ¡°Mr. Moreno, what do you say to a deal?¡± Brodie didn¡¯t eject him from the car. Instead, he turned to Tyshawn and asked lightly, ¡°What are you proposing, Mr. Mitchell? What sort of deal can we have?¡± ¡°The reason the Moreno Group hasn¡¯t been able to take over the project in Salisbca is because of Bryson, isn¡¯t it? I might not fully understand it, but it seems clear. I¡¯m not really sure about the game software development you mentioned earlier. But if you and I work together, and if I end up in control of the Mitchell Group, I don¡¯t see why they wouldn¡¯t agree to partner with you. ¡± Brodie narrowed his eyes slightly and responded with a smile, ¡°Mr. Mitchell, I¡¯m a businessman. I have no use for empty promises. Currently, Bryson holds all the projects. Isn¡¯t it a bit much to make such an empty promise?¡± Tyshawn clenched his teeth. ¡°If I do be the CEO of the Mitchell Group¡­¡± ¡°Then I will definitely cooperate with you. ¡± Brodie nced at Tyshawn and added, ¡°As I mentioned, I¡¯m driven by profit. I partner with whoever benefits my interests. ¡± Tyshawn¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Understood. Don¡¯t forget what you said. ¡± Bang! A N G E L A ¡®s L I B R A R Y Tyshawn mmed the car door shut and limped away, disappearing from Brodie¡¯s view. Once Tyshawn was out of sight, Brodie¡¯s smile faded, and he said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. ¡± Later that afternoon, Bryson apanied Hannah to the police station to provide evidence.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Hannah handed over crucial photos and witness statements concerning the arson. ¡°Miss Moore, rest assured, we aremitted to resolving this case of arson and we¡¯ll never let the culprit get away with it,¡± the officer said earnestly. Hannah nodded and then inquired, ¡°May I see Makenna?¡± The officer nced at Bryson and, seeing his nod, said, ¡°Yes, follow me. Arriving at the detention center, Hannah said to Bryson, ¡°I¡¯ll go in by myself. Wait here for me. ¡± Bryson responded, ¡°Be careful. ¡± ¡°Okay. ¡± Hannah proceeded with the police officer to the meeting room. After a short wait, two policewomen escorted Makenna into the room. ¡°Hannah, how dare you show up after what you¡¯ve done to me?¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 1896 Upon seeing Hannah, Makenna appeared unhinged. She lurched forward as if to attack Hannah, yelling, ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you. I swear, I¡¯ll kill you. ¡± The policemen quickly restrained Makenna and forced her into a nearby chair. They cuffed her to the chair, preventing any escape. Once the police left and the room grew quiet, Makenna red at Hannah. ¡°Arresting me won¡¯t do you any good! My son will bail me out. You think I¡¯ll end up in jail? No way!¡± She seethed, wishing she could bite Hannah. ¡°You think you can lock me up, Hannah? Keep dreaming! Aren¡¯t you just here tough at me? Let me tell you, once I¡¯m out, I¡¯ll still be the Mitchell family¡¯s nobledy. You¡¯ll never marry into the family. Never!¡± Hannah smirked slightly, staring at Makenna. ¡°You¡¯re just like your son, always making threats. I¡¯m not here to waste time with you. ¡± She added, ¡°Maybe you won¡¯t get bailed out. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me! My son will definitely bail me out!¡± Makenna narrowed her eyes at Hannah. ¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to. ¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hannah pulled out her phone and uploaded the video and photos she had taken. ¡°You think we can¡¯t gather evidence just because the upstairs monitor is broken? The police are collecting fingerprints now. With my video and me as a witness, you¡¯re not getting out. ¡± A N G E L A ¡®s L I B R A R Y Makenna broke down, shouting hysterically, ¡°You bitch! You ruined my life! You want to destroy my son!¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze was cold. ¡°You know what your son has done and what you¡¯ve done. ¡± Makenna stared at Hannah, realization dawning on her. She shook her head in horror. ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about!¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re not the main culprit, but you¡¯ll be the scapegoat. ¡± Makenna kept shaking her head, refusing to listen. ¡°Get out! Get out! There¡¯s no way! My son would never do this to me! Hannah stood up, looking down at her. ¡°You can choose not to believe me, but you¡¯ll regret it one day. ¡± With that, she turned and walked away, ignoring Makenna¡¯s frantic gaze. Makenna slumped in her chair, tears streaming down her face. She couldn¡¯t fathom how everything had gone so wrong. Then fear gripped her as she realized Tyshawn might note to her rescue after all. No way! This couldn¡¯t be happening. That woman must have tried to drive a wedge between them. Her son would never abandon her! As Hannah walked out, Bryson stood up. ¡°Did she say anything to you?¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°No, nothing. She looks really unwell. Be careful. If Tyshawn can¡¯t bail her out, he might try something drastic. ¡± Bryson nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll head to the hospital to make sure everything¡¯s secure. ¡± ¡°Good idea. ¡± Meanwhile, in a cafe, two people sat across from each other. Brodie sipped his coffee, eyeing hispanion. ¡°Miss Glyn, have you considered my proposal?¡± ¡°Why should I work with you?¡± Melina raised her head to meet his gaze. ¡°I¡¯ll be honest. I¡¯m not trying to marry into the Mitchell family. I want to see them bankrupt and their reputation destroyed.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. I have no interest in your business. ¡± Chapter 1897 Brodie remainedposed. ¡°You don¡¯t want to marry into the Mitchell family? Really? Are you sure about that?¡± Melina stared at him. ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Brodie took a slow sip of his coffee before speaking. ¡°I know you still have feelings for Bryson. ¡± ¡°That¡¯s nonsense!¡± Melina frowned. ¡°Is it?¡± Brodie replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. ¡°Let me guess what you¡¯re thinking. Franco Mitchell¡¯s fate is still up in the air. If Tyshawn seeds, you¡¯ll have proof of his crime. If he fails, he might end up in prison for life. Either way, he won¡¯t bother you anymore, and you¡¯ll be free to do whatever you want. ¡± Melina paused, setting down her cup. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± ¡°I want to work with you,¡± Brodie said simply. Melinaughed dryly. ¡°Our family might not be as powerful as the Mitchells, but we¡¯re not fools, Mr. Moreno. Just a couple of days ago, Ryleigh was your partner. Now you¡¯re here with me? You must have tried to team up with Tyshawn beforeing to me, right? You¡¯re casting a wide, seeing who you can use. ¡± Brodie nodded, not missing a beat. ¡°Why not choose to work with me, Miss Glyn? We both know what we want. Isn¡¯t it better to use each other? I used them because they were just tools. You and I, we¡¯re real partners. ¡± Melina narrowed her eyes, considering his words. After a moment, she nodded. ¡°Alright, I agree. ¡± Brodie finally smiled. ¡°Excellent. We¡¯re partners now. ¡± After a moment, Melina asked, ¡°What do you n to do with them? The Mitchell family¡¯s economy has been declining for years. Their stock price has plummeted, and they have capital chain issues. Even though Bryson has helped them recover a few times, it won¡¯t take much to push the Mitchell Group into bankruptcy. ¡± She nced at Brodie as if he were naive. ¡°With Bryson around, taking down the Mitchell family won¡¯t be as easy as you think. ¡± . .Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Library Brodie shrugged. ¡°True, but when the shepherds quarrel, the wolf has a winning game. I just need to stir things up. The result is all that matters to me. Everyone Loves to kick someone when they¡¯re down. I¡¯m not the only one looking to exploit the Mitchell family¡¯s troubles. As long as they fall, I win. ¡± Melina felt a chill at his confidence. He wasn¡¯t just ying games. But thinking of Bryson, her resolve hardened. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll cooperate. You can count on me. ¡± That evening, Bryson and Hannah stayed at a cafe near the hospital instead of going back. Dotson called Hannah. ¡°Boss, I saw Tyshawn change clothes and sneak into the hospital. Should we act now?¡± ¡°No, let him be,¡± Hannah replied calmly. ¡°He¡¯ll head to the ward soon. Tell our men to hold back. We¡¯ll be there shortly. ¡± ¡°Got it, boss. Don¡¯t worry. He won¡¯t be able to harm Mr. Franco Mitchell!¡± After hanging up, Hannah turned to Bryson. ¡°Looks like Tyshawn is making his move tonight. ¡± Bryson¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°Let¡¯s head back. ¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Dotson will handle him. ¡± They paid the bill, left the cafe, and walked to the hospital. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!