Chapter 566
Hannah, dressed in a flimsy slip dress and heavy makeup, sat in the room, having applied a strong perfume. She anticipated Evander's arrival for business. However, four hours passed without him appearing.
She called Edie and obtained Evander's number. When she reached him, he cursed, shouting, "Are you crazy?" before hanging up without letting her speak.
Hannah sank onto the bed, wondering why Evander disliked her. His insult and disdain stung. "How dare you, a Stewart, reject me! Just you wait!" she raged, her chest heaving.
Turning her head, she noticed the door wasn't fully closed. Freya, observing Hannah and then Odalys, asked, "What does she mean, 'Stewart'? Isn't there only one Stewart family in Crownridge? Look at her outfit. Who is she meeting?" After all, only two men belonged to that family: Evander and Percival.
Freya turned to Odalys, who revealed Hannah's plan without reservation. Selah, dumbfounded, nearly choked on her food.
"Is she out of her mind? She invited Evander to a hotel? They aren't young anymore! Besides, Edie is her best friend. Why would she ask to meet her best friend's former father-in-law?" Selah exclaimed, shocked.
"Excuse me," someone said from behind.
Several police officers appeared, causing them to step aside. Hannah, seeing the ajar door, rushed to close it, but the police pushed it open. Her embarrassment was palpable.
"Are you Ms. Hannah Bennett?" an officer asked, displaying identification. Hannah swallowed her questions and replied, "Yes."
The officer stated gravely, "We received a report accusing you of prostitution. It wasn't anonymous; we have a recording of your call. Please come with us."
"No, officer, did you make a mistake?" Hannah's face paled, realizing Evander had reported her. Anger hardened her expression as she was forcibly taken away.
Leaving the room, she saw Selah, Freya, and Odalys watching from a distance, seemingly entertained by the scene. "Odalys, did you do this?" Hannah accused, lunging at Odalys.
The police restrained Hannah, explaining, "Ms. Bennett, don't slander others. It wasn't her; it was Evander Stewart."
Hannah felt utterly disgraced, understanding Evander's intention to publicly humiliate her. She wished she could disappear.
After her arrest, Odalys entered Hannah's room, encountering a foul odor. "What is that smell?" Selah asked, nauseated. Freya opened the curtains and window.
Odalys examined the discarded packaging: "This is a forbidden scent from Thoryar. Some are applied to the body; others are used in candles, like incense. Inhalation causes delirium."
Selah and Freya stared, fascinated. Selah worried about the effects on them.
"Hannah left; the scent is ineffective. Had she stayed, we might have fallen prey. Luckily, the police arrived," Odalys explained, surprised by Hannah's use of the scent.
"How did she get it?" Freya asked, stepping back slightly with Selah.
Odalys found a hidden camera, sneering, "She planned to secretly film Evander and blackmail him, exploiting the Stewart family's pride."
The camera footage revealed Hannah applying the scent after showering, then discarding the box. Evander's absence caused her to become increasingly irritable and enraged.
"Why does she seem like a different person?" Selah asked.
Freya agreed, noting the contrast between Hannah's on-screen and in-person demeanor. Odalys explained the scent's effect: prolonged exposure causes irritability, tension, and unpredictable anger.
After viewing the footage, Selah discarded her lunch. The three women left, just as the cleaning staff arrived. Back in the dressing room, Freya and Selah prepared for their shoot while Odalys drank coffee.
"Ms. Stone," Zachery entered, relieved to see her.
"Is everything settled?" Odalys asked, surprised by his unexpected visit.