Chapter 179: A Phone Ring of Bummer

Theodore paid the price for his words—he was ejected from the car. Standing alone on the street, he watched the car disappear.

"Shit! Oscar! You little bastard!" he raged. He'd been dumped for Hannah! Just hours ago, he'd searched the city for a bouquet of roses. "Bros before hoes, man!"

Theodore felt a surge of irritation. He reached for his phone, about to call his chauffeur, then changed his mind, dialing another number. After a long wait, Manuel answered.

"Hey, Theodore, what's up?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm coding at home," Manuel replied.

"What a nerd!" Theodore teased.

Manuel chuckled. "Hey, what's this about?" He didn't seem bothered by the teasing.

"Come out for drinks."

"But I need to finish coding…"

"Cut the crap! It's on me!" Theodore's voice sharpened. "You just broke up with your girlfriend, right? You need to vent!"

It had been a while since Manuel's last heartbreak.

"Send me your location. I'll pick you up," Theodore demanded, then hung up.

Manuel accepted the invitation with a sigh. As the youngest of their trio, he was used to deferring to the others. He saved his code, changed clothes, and went outside. As he reached the gate, a car pulled up. Instinctively, he ducked back. Surrounded by darkness, he barely saw the car before Henry stepped out, going around to open the door for Susan.

She emerged, hand in hand with Henry, who escorted her toward the mansion. They lingered at the gate, reluctant to part.

"Hey, just go get some sleep. Our wedding's next month," Henry said gently.

"I want to spend every minute with you," Susan murmured, leaning into him.

Smiling, Henry hugged her tightly. "Me too. I want to get you home right now!"

"Henry," Susan whispered, looking up at him affectionately. He mirrored her gaze. She tiptoed closer, her arms wrapping around his neck.

Just as their lips were about to meet, a phone rang. Startled, they both turned toward the sound.

Flustered, Manuel took a moment to silence his phone. He noticed their strange expressions.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," he said, embarrassed.

Susan and Henry, however, wore sullen expressions.

"I gotta go. Keep doing what you're doing," Manuel said, walking past them. He got into his car and drove away. Susan and Henry watched him go.

"Did he do anything to you?" Henry asked abruptly.

Still sullen, Susan was surprised. "What?"

"Just asking. I'm worried he still has feelings for you," Henry said, a hint of jealousy in his voice. "After all, you grew up together."

"That's why I hate him," Susan huffed.

"Alright, good night," Henry said, stroking her head.

"Good night," Susan replied, ending the sweet talk.

Manuel's phone call had been a real bummer.

She smiled at Henry. "Hey, don't work too late. Get to bed when you get home, okay?"

"Okay," he nodded.

After a farewell kiss, she entered the mansion. Only after she disappeared did Henry return to his car. He started the engine and drove away, his expression impassive. His phone rang.

He answered. "Linn?"

"Are you going to marry Susan?" a sobbing voice asked.

A glint of ruthlessness appeared in his eyes. "You know why I'm marrying her."

"But what about us?"

"I'll make it up to you."

"I don't want that! I want your love!"

"Linn, as soon as I control Phillips Bank, it will be the bride price for our marriage."

Linn's sobs were choked with sadness.

"In less than five years!" Henry promised. He would spend the next five years with Susan, then take everything from the Phillips family.

…

Back in her room, Susan showered and lay in bed, but struggled to sleep. Remembering tonight's product launch, she thrilled at Hannah's brilliance, noting the exceedingly jealous expressions of Charles and Janet. This filled her with happiness.

She knew Janet was there to hook up with Oscar, but Janet had been utterly humiliated by Hannah. Susan suspected Janet’s best moment of the night was completely eclipsed by the news that Hannah was Celina’s lead designer. As for Charles, that disgusting cheater, he must regret divorcing Hannah to marry Jane, who was now deceased. The thought of Charles’s affair with Jane before marrying Hannah still irritated her.

Finally, Susan felt the sweet taste of revenge. Surpassing Charles in every aspect would be the ultimate retaliation. Thrilled, she dialed Hannah's number. As childhood friends, Susan yearned to know when Hannah had become such a formidable woman.