Chapter 131: Irritation

Hannah dedicated herself to work. Rose arrived and reported that Maxwell Watson and Mason Porter had completed their resignation procedures. Humiliated, they had processed their departures swiftly. Following their exit, sales staff slated for reassignment promptly transitioned their duties. Within days, the sales department was revitalized, and work resumed its normal course.

With the turmoil resolved, Hannah commenced her marketing efforts. Determined, she considered failure unthinkable. She meticulously reviewed the sales department’s outstanding items, resolving any outstanding issues. Her phone rang. Recognizing the caller ID, she answered cautiously, mindful of a past misunderstanding with Oscar. Seeing “Susan,” she answered, "Hi, Susan."

"Where did you kidnap my Hannah?!" Susan's voice was sharp.

Hannah frowned. "My Hannah isn't that brash, aggressive, and flamboyant. Who are you?"

"You're being ridiculous," Hannah felt speechless. "How else could you have changed so drastically? I barely recognize you! I read about you threatening employees and letting the second-largest shareholder take the fall." Susan’s voice rose. "How did you do it? You always overlooked things before! What am I supposed to think?"

Hannah chuckled, "You're jealous."

"Yes! I am! Terribly jealous!" Susan retorted. "You're beautiful, talented, and powerful! You've utterly eclipsed me! We're not friends anymore."

"A nut," Hannah whispered, knowing Susan was teasing.

"But seriously, Hannah, are you okay?" Susan's tone shifted.

"I'm fine."

"You seem like a different person."

"Because I've learned something."

"What?"

"Keep improving yourself."

Susan's lips tightened. "You're laughing at me." Susan, despite her adult status, retained a childlike quality. Although estranged from her father due to her mother, she received a substantial allowance.

"So, want to learn self-reliance like me?"

"No!" Susan instantly replied. "I have Henry! Unlike you, I don't have an unreliable husband." Her meaning was clear—a reference to Oscar. Their marriage, a matter of convenience, was a win-win arrangement lacking genuine interdependence.

"By the way, they reported you were on the roof negotiating with an employee about to jump! Don't risk your life just to threaten someone, okay?" Susan exclaimed. Despite her outward demeanor, Susan possessed a surprising sensitivity to others' feelings, often masked by her personality.

"Okay, I understand," Hannah replied calmly.

"Anyway," Susan yawned, "I'm barely awake. Going back to sleep."

"It's after 4:00 PM. Sleeping all day? Where were you last night?"

"The club! Didn't I call? Did you ask Oscar about last night? The woman with him? Their relationship? Was she pregnant?" Susan’s excitement flared again.

Hannah paused. "Take it easy. I've told you, I have nothing to do with Oscar. Don't worry."

"Okay, okay, I'll shut up."

"Aren't you my best friend? You just care about me," Hannah smiled.

"Hannah, you're getting good at buttering me up," Susan said, gritting her teeth.

Their conversation continued, ending with Susan hanging up, slightly disgruntled. She felt overshadowed by Hannah's beauty and talent, and defeated in their argument. She wondered about the nature of their friendship, her unwavering loyalty, and willingness to do anything for Hannah. It felt, in some ways, masochistic.

Susan lay in bed, sleep evading her. Last night's events replayed in her mind: the kiss with Manuel. Despite her tiredness, sleep remained elusive. She felt fortunate to have the day off. Though not truly sleepy, she lacked the energy to move. Hunger gnawed, but she remained immobile, staring at the ceiling. Again, her mind returned to the night before, her actions with Manuel. The realization of her own initiative in their encounter left her disgusted. Finally, she rose, the relentless mental replay threatening to drive her mad.