Michelle was frightened by Roger's aggressiveness and quickly protected Hannah. Hannah's expression darkened. Seeing Roger raise his hand to slap her, she immediately pulled out her phone and yelled, "If you dare lay a finger on me, I'll take you to court! And I mean it!"

Roger's hand froze. "I'm recording this," Hannah said. "Do you still want to hit me?" Roger trembled with rage, but didn't strike. Wayne quickly intervened, "Dad, don't argue with this slut. She might be arrogant now, but her bad karma will catch up to her one day."

Roger slammed his hand down, then snarled at Hannah, "One day, you and your family will be doomed." That had been true in her previous life, but in this life, no one would harm her family. Hannah took her mother's hand and left the Cooper Residence, leaving the mansion in an uproar.

"When did that brat become so eloquent?" Esther fumed, observing Hannah's self-assured demeanor. Lorie exploded, shouting in her eldest daughter-in-law's face, "You idiot! You've disappointed me after all these years!"

Esther was stunned. She'd been helping scold Hannah; when had she offended Lorie? She felt deeply unhappy. Roger, bursting with rage, yelled, "You're useless! My mother cherished that sapphire for so long, and because of you, Hannah took it back!"

Esther's face flushed with humiliation. She hadn't realized she'd fallen into Hannah's trap so easily. That bitch. She vowed revenge.

Mary spoke softly, her voice seemingly harmless, "It's actually quite easy to deal with Hannah."

Lorie looked at her with disdain. Mary, with her background, was even less desirable than Hannah, and Lorie had always treated her poorly. "What ideas could you possibly have?" she sneered.

"Hannah's pride stems from her father's business and her marriage to Charles. Without the marriage, she'd be less reckless," Mary suggested.

"Anyone could figure that out," Esther snapped.

Mary continued, "If Jane were with Charles, Hannah would be powerless."

Esther and Jane, who was sitting nearby, were both startled. Jane, the rightful Cooper heir, felt indignant that Hannah had stolen her spotlight, including Northfield's most eligible bachelor.

"There's a month until the wedding," Jane said. "If we stop Hannah from marrying Charles, she won't dare act so boldly."

"Easy for you to say," Jane teased. "You know how much Charles likes Hannah."

Mary hesitated, "It's not easy to make Charles fall for you in a month, but..."

"Spit it out, you underclass spawn," Jane interrupted.

"Jane!" Roger reprimanded.

Jane rolled her eyes; that little slut had won her father's heart.

Mary said cautiously, "I'm afraid you'll be upset, but..."

"I'll be unhappier if you don't!" Jane demanded.

After a glance at her father's encouraging look, Mary said quietly, "It would be easy if you slept with Charles."

Everyone stared. Mary, embarrassed, quickly explained, "It's just an idea. If it's inappropriate, forget I said anything. I just don't want to see Granny, Dad, Mom, and my siblings bullied by Hannah." Her eyes welled up; she looked fragile and fearful of reprimand.

Esther found her tears irritating. "Enough, stop crying. People will think we're mistreating you."

Mary sobbed silently. Lorie announced, "We'll discuss Hannah and Charles's marriage later. I need to rest. Roger, take me to my room."

Roger readily agreed, understanding his mother likely favored Mary's suggestion and wanted to discuss it privately. Otherwise, Mary would have faced harsh criticism.

After they left, Jane mocked Mary, "Despicable. Were those underhanded tricks your deceased mother's ideas? How many men have you slept with?"

Mary's eyes filled with tears again. "No, Jane, I was doing it for your own good..."

Jane left with another curse. Wayne and Esther followed, leaving Mary alone. Without witnesses, Mary's pitiful facade dropped, replaced by a grim smile. She knew the Coopers would use her suggestion, and she wouldn't be the kind, selfless person she'd pretended to be. She would let Jane destroy herself, then take her place, replacing Hannah as the true mistress of the Cooper family.

Meanwhile, Hannah and Michelle were driving home. Michelle, still recovering from the shock, exclaimed, "Hannah, you were brilliant today! You truly impressed me."

Hannah chuckled. "Mom, I won't let Granny bully you again."

Michelle said, "But how could you be so bold? You made Granny's face go pale."

Hannah replied, "Granny was too harsh. Mom, don't feel obligated to respect her; she doesn't deserve it. You respected her, but she tried to harm you."

Hannah's unspoken thoughts: I won't kill her, but only if Lorie learns to stop. If she doesn't repent, don't blame me for punishing her, even if she's my grandmother!