Chapter 1113: Face to Face
"I believe in you, Mr. Commander," Carol affirmed. "To prevent accidents, I'll help save Hannah. But ultimately, I hope you'll take responsibility. Frankly, I don't want Doyle to hate me."
Oscar readily agreed. He wouldn't jeopardize Doyle and Carol's relationship. "I'm having Besse call Doyle tonight, asking him out. You can use that time to get Hannah."
"Alright," Oscar replied.
"It's up to you tonight," Carol reiterated.
After hanging up, Oscar told Theodore, "We're rescuing Hannah tonight."
"Okay," Theodore responded. "I've arranged a plane at the airport for our immediate departure."
Oscar nodded, rose, and stepped onto the balcony. He lit a cigarette. Theodore joined him, also lighting one, after completing his arrangements.
That night, Oscar would either save Hannah or abandon her—Theodore wasn't sure which. Oscar probably wasn't either.
At nightfall, finding Doyle already gone, Oscar and Theodore proceeded to Queen Carol's villa, where armed guards stood watch. Brute force was impractical. Despite Carol providing twenty men, Oscar wanted to avoid escalation.
After observing, Oscar said, "I'll scale that wall."
Theodore nodded. They had Carol's villa blueprint, aiding their infiltration. Oscar led Theodore to another side, where others waited for their signal.
Reaching their point, Oscar signaled Theodore, who crouched. Oscar used Theodore as a springboard, leaping onto a tree branch, climbing to conceal himself among the leaves.
Once certain no patrols were nearby, Oscar descended, stealthily entering the mansion, navigating past busy servants.
He evaded detection until reaching the staircase, then quickly ascended to the second floor, where Hannah was expected to be. A servant, hearing a noise, glanced towards the stairs but saw nothing.
Oscar cautiously checked each room until finding Hannah on a chaise lounge, a servant attending to her.
The maid started to scream, but Hannah quickly covered her mouth. The servant, startled, felt a sharp pain in her neck and fainted.
Hannah, trembling, saw Oscar. She'd never expected him to appear, let alone care about her situation with Doyle.
Face-to-face, unanswered questions hung heavy in the air. Hannah simply wanted to leave.
"Are you here to take me away?" she asked calmly.
"If you're willing," Oscar replied, nodding slightly, "I will."
"Let's go," Hannah said, her action speaking louder than words.
"We'll jump from the window."
Hannah didn't object; it seemed their best option. They reached a balcony.
"I'll go first!" Oscar said, indicating a spot below. "You jump after me; I'll catch you!"
"Okay," Hannah replied eagerly.
Suddenly, a voice called, "Your Highness!"
Hannah's heart leaped. Doyle's return was unexpected.
"Go!" Hannah urged, rushing back into her room. Her absence would prompt a search, jeopardizing Oscar. She could only stall Doyle.
She dragged the unconscious maid into the bathroom, quickly undressed, rinsed herself, and donned a bathrobe. As she opened the door, Doyle entered.
He noticed she'd just showered, feeling a slight relief. He'd planned to meet Besse, but an unease had brought him back. He saw nothing unusual in Hannah's demeanor. She ignored him, walking to her bed.
Doyle noticed an open window.
"Why is the window open?" he asked, sensing a draft.
He went to the balcony. Hannah, fearing Oscar's presence, tried to stop him. "Doyle, isn't your leg injured?"
He paused, looking at his leg. Despite the pain, his earlier nervousness had driven him from his wheelchair to Hannah's room, only then realizing the extent of his own pain.
"I'll close it," Hannah said, rising and moving towards the balcony.