In the luxurious private room, Hannah met Oscar’s gaze. “Are you afraid?” she asked.

Oscar’s expression was serious.

“Afraid I’ll lie?” Hannah’s tone was firm, though phrased as a question.

“Ms. Cooper, don’t overestimate me,” Oscar retorted disdainfully.

“Then why don’t you believe me?” she challenged.

“What makes you think you deserve my trust?” Oscar raised a skeptical eyebrow.

She seemed to possess nothing that warranted it.

“You know Charles isn’t a good man,” she stated.

Oscar pursed his lips, appraising her. He knew Charles was dangerous, a fact that had prompted him to secretly investigate and uncover the man’s secrets. But Hannah? How could she, a woman not yet married to Charles, know so much? How could she be so certain of his character?

“I know now, too,” Hannah said, meeting his gaze. “Why would I marry a hypocrite?”

Oscar listened calmly to her explanation.

“Not only will I not marry him, I’ll make him suffer twice what I have,” Hannah declared emphatically.

Her decisive voice resonated in the quiet room. Silence followed.

“What do you want my help with?” Oscar finally asked, his agreement implicit.

Hannah remained anxious. She couldn’t be sure a few words would sway him completely, yet he’d unexpectedly agreed. Overthinking was pointless; this arrangement benefited them both. Oscar was intelligent; he wouldn’t refuse.

“In a fortnight, my mother celebrates her 50th birthday. My father will host a grand party, inviting all the dignitaries of Kensbury City, including you,” she said bluntly.

“And then?”

“My cousin, Jane, is intensely jealous. She believed I was marrying the best man in Kensbury City, Charles, so she planned to sabotage the wedding by seducing him,” Hannah explained.

Oscar understood.

“Charles isn’t one to refuse a woman’s advances. He might refrain during the wedding preparations, but not indefinitely. On the night of my mother’s party, Jane will try to seduce him, hoping to blackmail him into marriage.”

“He won’t let her blackmail him,” Oscar stated confidently.

“No, a man like Charles easily discards women. He has countless ways to silence Jane. However, he won’t expect me to ruin his reputation by exposing his infidelity. He still trusts me.”

“You want me to discreetly record them?”

“Yes,” Hannah nodded, knowing he understood.

She turned to Theodore, who seemed unconcerned. He smiled flippantly when she addressed him. “Ms. Cooper’s instructions?”

“Finding someone to secretly film them shouldn’t be difficult for you,” she said.

Theodore shrugged noncommittally. Oscar agreed, leaving Theodore no choice but to comply.

“But Ms. Cooper,” Oscar said, “be prepared.”

“A warning?” she asked.

“Knowing Charles's true nature… I fear you may struggle to accept the truth,” Oscar said gravely.

“I know how vile he is,” Hannah insisted. “Ruin him.”

Oscar looked surprised, perhaps by her transformation, but his usual indifference quickly returned. Hannah, feeling uncomfortable, turned to leave. Then, she paused.

“Oscar,” she said, turning back. His gaze held hers, momentarily captivating her. The idea of asking him to “behave” felt unnecessary; no man would refuse a woman throwing herself at them—Charles wouldn’t, and neither would Oscar.

“Ms. Cooper, is there something else?” Oscar noticed her hesitation.

But she changed her mind. “Don’t contract AIDS,” she said, her tone different than she intended.

Oscar’s face hardened.

“I’m afraid you’ll die before our deal is complete,” she finished, then left.

Oscar watched her go. Theodore, barely containing his laughter, finally burst out. He calmed down enough to suggest telling Hannah that the women at the club underwent regular health checks, then amended this to assure her that the women couldn't even touch Oscar.

Oscar ignored him and left. Outside, a woman waited.

“Oscar,” she called flirtatiously, emboldened by seeing Hannah’s earlier success. Oscar had even called her "babe" earlier. He turned at her voice; her heart pounded.

“Don’t call me ‘hubby’ again,” he said coldly.

Her face drained of color. She remembered calling him "hubby" while he was on the phone, and realized the warning in his words.