Chapter 1185: One Last Request

At the romantic restaurant, Hannah remained silent. She couldn't promise anything. With time, she could forget the past and start anew, without resentment. But she feared she'd never truly overcome it, risking further harm.

"Hannah," Oscar's magnetic voice was cautious, full of deep affection, "not now, not at any specific time—as long as you don't disappear again."

His humility—his simple wish that she not disappear—trembled her heart. She was touched, but deeply concerned. Twice wounded by love, through rebirth and death, she dared not lower her guard.

Her silence was, in fact, the best answer for Oscar. He only wanted her by his side; nothing more.

They dined in companionable silence, an unspoken understanding between them. During dinner, Oscar's phone buzzed with a message alert. He checked it—a reflex for a leader, ensuring no work-related message went unnoticed. But this time, his face changed. Hannah saw the emotional shift, stark against his usual composure.

"What happened?" Hannah asked, concerned, laying down her cutlery.

"Theodore is in trouble," Oscar said slowly, his gaze fixed on Hannah.

The news froze her. It explained his drastic expression.

"What happened?" she asked, worried.

"He's been reported for abusing his power," Oscar said, hiding nothing.

"No way!" Hannah exclaimed, incredulous. "Theodore's careless, but he wouldn't mess up something important."

"I thought so too," Oscar replied, "but Little Bunny's involved... I think he might have done something foolish."

"How will you solve this?" she asked.

The report, initially confidential, could have remained so. But as the nation's leader, Oscar couldn't bend the law for personal reasons.

Oscar shook his head, indicating he hadn't yet devised a solution. He glanced at Hannah's plate. "Finished eating?"

Hannah nodded quickly. He needed to return to deal with Theodore. He stood. "I'll take you back."

"It's okay. Go handle things."

"Don't worry."

"Oscar,"

"Rest assured, I have discretion," Oscar smiled, a smile so irresistible it was hard to refuse.

He drove Hannah back to Cooper Manor. Watching her enter the gate, he left, immediately dialing a number. His expression remained tight.

"Theodore."

"Hmm."

"Where?"

"I knew you'd come, so I'm in your office," Theodore replied, sounding more relaxed than Oscar.

"Wait for me."

"Okay."

Theodore hung up. The smile faded from his lips. Some things, he realized, couldn't be concealed. He'd thought he could do it flawlessly, but with so many watching, his high position made concealment almost impossible. He waited in Oscar's office.

Over two hours later, Oscar returned; dawn was breaking. Only Theodore, aside from the guards, was in the building. He turned at the sound of hurried footsteps.

Oscar went straight to his chair, removed his jacket, and went straight to the point. "What's going on?"

Theodore concealed nothing. Even though it was difficult, he spoke.

After a long explanation, silence hung heavy. Theodore didn't know what Oscar was thinking—perhaps wrestling with a dilemma. But he needn't worry. The report, made with the reporter's real name, meant he'd made preparations; there was no turning back. Oscar was strict, always followed the rules; anything less wouldn't inspire confidence.

"Sorry, Oscar. I disappointed you," Theodore said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Oscar looked at him, noting his apparent nonchalance. Knowing Theodore intimately, Oscar understood: the greater the indifference, the deeper the hurt.

"You never disappoint me, from our teens until now."

Theodore's eyes reddened. The affirmation, the trust from his friend, meant the world. Legal sanctions were nothing; Oscar's disappointment was his true fear.

"I'll turn myself in."

"Theodore," Oscar's brow furrowed.

"Listen," Theodore interrupted, "I thought I could carry this burden for life, avoid tarnishing you. My father knew. He learned about Addison's case. The last time he beat me was his punishment. He didn't report me because I used you as a shield. Now you know, there's no reason to resist."

Oscar watched him silently.

"It hasn't been exposed publicly, but internally, they know. If you let me go, I'll truly harm you. People want to see us fail. I don't want to be the eternal sinner, destroying what the Wells family built. Punishing me might actually be a good thing."

Theodore murmured, "So, Oscar, don't think about it. Let the law judge me. I have only one last request."

Oscar nodded.

"Give me time to explain to Little Bunny," Theodore said, unable to let go. "She's a good girl, and I've ruined her. I feel terrible."