Chapter 1114: Doyle's Alert

Hannah stepped toward the French windows. Doyle's gaze followed her; she had been distant, treating him like a stranger for days. His heart ached, but he remained cautious. He watched silently as she approached the window and closed it.

Her earlier haste had prevented her from noticing Oscar hiding behind the curtains outside. Maintaining composure, Hannah swiftly lowered both the window and curtain.

Returning to bed, she declared, "It's late. I'm going to sleep," clearly dismissing him. Doyle, noticing her damp hair, offered, "Let me dry your hair."

He rose, heading toward the bathroom where one of their maids, knocked unconscious by Oscar, lay still.

"Doyle," Hannah said icily, "I won't accept your help. Why bother?"

His movement halted. "You can leave. I can manage better than you think," she added coldly, her rejection unmistakable.

"Do you hate me?" Doyle asked sarcastically.

"Don't you think your actions warrant my hatred?" she replied instantly.

Doyle remained silent; his forceful advances on an unwilling woman were undeniable.

He slowly approached her bed, encountering her resistance. "Do you know why I went out tonight?" he asked.

"I don't want to know."

"Besse invited me," Doyle continued, "but I suspected a trap."

Hannah's lips tightened, though she couldn't deny a flicker of admiration for his perceptiveness. Besse's invitation had been a ruse to allow Oscar to abduct Hannah unnoticed. But Doyle's vigilance, or perhaps his innate caution, had thwarted them.

"Hannah, would you escape if you could?" he asked.

"If I had the chance, I would leave."

Her words conveyed her abhorrence and desire for distance.

"If that's the case, I'll get revenge!" Doyle threatened, each word sharp.

Hannah saw the cruelty in his eyes. He was no longer the playful man who treated her like a queen. She met his gaze coldly. "Doyle, you've destroyed any good feelings I had. Whether I leave your side or not, I'll feel nothing for you."

"No, as long as you don't leave, you'll fall in love again," he insisted confidently.

"I never loved you!"

"You will." He persisted firmly.

Suddenly, his phone rang. He rose, taking the call and walking toward the balcony.

Hannah's eyes narrowed as he approached. "Is that Besse?"

He paused, then turned. "Yes."

"Since this concerns us all, why the secrecy? What will you say to Besse? How will you hurt us both?" Hannah demanded.

"All right," Doyle nodded, activating the speakerphone and facing Hannah. A woman's voice asked, "Doyle, where are you?"

"At home." "I've been waiting half an hour."

"Sorry."

"Why didn't you come?"

"Things came up."

"Is it because of Hannah?" the voice sneered.

Doyle glanced at Hannah. "Yes."

"She's become so important?"

"Sorry."

"Do you think an apology suffices? Have you considered my feelings? It was a car accident, but for me... it was waking up to everything changed... cough cough..."

She began coughing violently. Doyle's eyes reddened with guilt, but he remained silent. After a pause, she said, "Doyle, I'll wait, no matter how long. If you don't come..."

A pause. Doyle's expression shifted.

"...you might not see me again. Like the last car accident."

The call ended. Doyle stood frozen, slowly lowering the phone, his eyes teary, his face impassive.

"Aren't you going?" Hannah asked.

"Do you want me to go?"

"If you're a man, take responsibility," Hannah said.

"Hannah, wasn't what you said tonight excessive?" Doyle scrutinized her, suspicion in his voice.

Hannah remained silent, her expression unreadable.

"Are you hiding something, a plan?" he asked. "I just want you to regret this. If Besse moves you, set me free."

"Even though she threatened me, I won't go. I feel guilty, but I won't go. I fear being manipulated."

"Whatever you decide," Hannah said, lying down to end the conversation.

Looking at her, Doyle said, "Hannah, let's sleep together tonight."

Her body trembled. "Is this your promise? That as long as I didn't leave, you wouldn't force me?"

"I just felt... tonight might be our last night together."

"You're despicable!" she raged.

"I can no longer stand tall before you." He approached, lifting her blanket. "Let's break all barriers, then."