Chapter 1030: The Person Who Helped Her

Minerva forcefully withdrew her hand, turning to glare at the man approaching from behind. "Isn't this Manuel, Susan's perennial backup?" she sneered. "I heard you finally became the main squeeze and married her. What's up, Susan? Since Henry died, you settled for second best?"

Susan slapped her hard. Minerva's face flushed crimson and swelled.

Besse emerged from the courthouse just as Susan struck Minerva. She observed the altercation silently from a distance.

"Susan, you hit me! How dare you?" Minerva cried, raising her hand to retaliate.

Manuel immediately grabbed her wrist, preventing her from moving. Minerva winced in pain.

"Let go of me, Manuel!"

Susan slapped her again. The sharp sound stunned Minerva, who stared at Susan with wide, shocked eyes.

"The first slap is for insulting me," Susan said, rubbing her palm. "My relationship with Manuel is none of your business. You're not worthy of an opinion."

Minerva's eyes blazed with fury, but Manuel's grip held her immobile.

"The second slap is for Hannah," Susan continued. "I only slapped you instead of reporting you for plagiarism because someone as insignificant as you isn't worth our time or effort. You don't deserve it."

"Susan!"

"Manuel, let her go. Don't soil your hands."

"Susan!"

Ignoring Minerva, Susan turned toward Besse, who was leaving the courthouse. Manuel released Minerva as Susan departed. Minerva, seething with rage but knowing she couldn't win a fight, endured the humiliation and left.

Manuel made a phone call, coldly instructing, "Cyberbully Minerva." She deserved it for hurting others, especially his wife. There would be no end to her suffering. He then rejoined Susan.

Theodore watched the couple, feeling inexplicably envious, thinking of Little Bunny, who had dumped him—though he suspected it was a ploy for attention. Noticing a familiar black car parked below the courthouse steps and realizing Susan and Manuel needed nothing from him, he left.

Outside the courthouse, Susan approached Besse.

"Congratulations on your acquittal," she said.

Besse smiled faintly. "My lawyer said your evidence about Minerva plagiarizing Hannah's work was crucial."

"I didn't tell you beforehand to avoid stressing you," Susan explained. "You're not mad, are you?"

"Why would I be? You helped me immensely," Besse replied gratefully. "Though, I went from plagiarizing Minerva's work to yours…I hope your friend isn't offended."

Susan shook her head. "It just makes me feel like you and my friend are becoming more alike. Sometimes I can hardly tell the difference."

Besse was speechless.

Susan, sensing her emotional outburst, said, "Let's go. Leave this place."

"Yes," Besse nodded.

Doyle joined them, putting his arm around Besse as they walked away. On the steps below, reporters bombarded Minerva with embarrassing questions, reducing her to tears. However, the reporters were blocked by a throng of black-suited bodyguards as Besse, Susan, Manuel, and Doyle approached their waiting car. Besse, though noticing the protective detail, didn't inquire.

They drove away silently.

Later, Besse announced, "I'm leaving with Doyle soon." The thought of leaving Susan saddened her; she wasn't ready to say goodbye, and a future meeting seemed uncertain.

"Leaving now?" Susan asked.

"Yes, our flight's at 1 PM. We need to pack."

"So early? You won't even have lunch."

"We'll eat at the airport."

"Okay," Susan agreed.

There was no reason to keep Besse, who had planned to leave after the trial. Yet, Susan couldn't help glancing at the car following them. She knew who was inside, watching them. He had seen Besse and Doyle embrace after leaving the courtroom. The pursuit wasn't to get Besse's attention; it simply coincided with their route.

At the intersection, the black car turned away. Susan watched it disappear, lost in thought. Besse noticed, but remained silent.

Back at the villa, Besse packed while Susan watched. Besse had few belongings. Doyle was still unpacking.

"Besse," Susan began hesitantly, "there's something I should tell you."

Besse smiled. "Go ahead." She knew Susan; she couldn't keep things bottled up.

"The evidence of Minerva's plagiarism wasn't mine. It was Oscar's."

Besse had suspected as much, knowing Susan's lack of attention to detail.

"He asked if Hannah had designed anything related to the Angel collection. We found a video in Hannah's storage room that led us to Zeny."