Chapter 185: At Daggers Drawn

Hannah called Theodore. He answered lazily, "God, it's so early. You're harassing me!" His tone was full of resentment. Hannah checked her watch; it was already 9:00.

"Didn't I ask you a favor the other day?" she asked.

"What favor?" he replied gruffly.

"I need you to investigate Win and Herman Garcia's scandals. Have you uncovered anything?"

He seemed to have finally woken up. "Yeah," he said, his voice now considerably more sober. Hannah knew she'd made the right choice. In her previous life, Oscar's success had been inextricably linked to Theodore's support.

"Please expose it for me. Thank you," she said politely.

Theodore cautioned, "If you do this, Janet will be ruined."

"So you're worried about something?" Hannah asked directly.

After a pause, he said, "What?"

"You're worried about Oscar."

"Why?"

"Isn't she his ex?" Hannah raised an eyebrow.

Theodore smiled. That's what this is about, she thought. He'd apparently believed they were a couple, hence the animosity. Women could be ruthless, too.

"Hasn't Oscar clarified that?" Theodore asked, surprised.

"What?"

"Nothing." He decided against further comment; Oscar hadn't explained it, so he had no right to.

Hannah frowned. Theodore could be rather irritating sometimes. Still, no one was truly reliable in business. Everything he handled, however, always went smoothly.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

"Okay," Theodore agreed.

After thanking him again, Hannah hung up.

Theodore then called Oscar: "Your wife asked me to expose Win's scandal. Janet paid one hundred million for her endorsement. If the scandal breaks, she'll suffer massive losses, and Win can't cover the penalties. But that's not the point. More importantly, Janet's invested heavily in the business district project; this will devastate her."

"So?" Oscar asked.

"So you have no objection, right?"

"It's time she learned her lesson," Oscar replied, without a trace of softness.

Theodore obeyed. He'd always been loyal to Oscar.

In the Starlight Group's planning and marketing director's office, Janet sat in her luxurious chair, scrolling through news on her phone. Hannah's image dominated the internet; everything about her was positive, eclipsing Janet. Janet had planned a decisive attack, only to be completely outmaneuvered. The memory of Hannah's triumph that night fueled her anger. She wouldn't let it stand. The loss of one luxury brand was insignificant. She could easily cripple the Light Building project.

She picked up the phone and called her secretary: "Is everything ready for the launch event?"

"Yes, Ms. Burke."

"Are you sure all the media are invited?"

"Yes, it's all confirmed."

"And the trending topic is secured?"

"Yes. As soon as the event begins, it will be trending."

"We can't afford any mistakes today," she warned.

"Yes."

Janet hung up, seething. Hannah thought a single brand could make a shopping mall thrive – what a joke! It was the appeal of A-list celebrities and the business district's management that truly mattered. Starlight Group's customer focus and years of retail experience were a strong foundation; bringing down the Light Building would be easy. Janet felt victory was within her grasp.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered impatiently, "We're over, remember?"

"I'm not begging you back."

"Then what do you want?" Janet sneered. Her relationship with Thomas had been purely to spite Oscar. He was now expendable; she owed him no consideration.

"Don't antagonize Hannah," Thomas warned.

"Funny," Janet scoffed. "Why? Do you have a crush on her?"

His demeanor shifted sharply.

"You go after every woman Oscar's associated with, don't you?" Janet pressed. "Me and Hannah. Thomas, you can't compete with him, so why even try? Accept your limitations!"

"Janet, we had a relationship," Thomas said angrily. "I'm telling you this for your own good. If you ignore me, you'll suffer the consequences. I won't help you."

Janet retorted disdainfully, "I don't need your help, and you can't offer it! Let's be clear: Hannah and I are at daggers drawn!"

"Then you'll lose," Thomas said, each word deliberate.

"Are you threatening me?" Janet ignored him, stating proudly, "Oscar wouldn't hurt me."

"Why are you so sure?"

"He owes me."

"Janet, you don't know…"

"Enough!" Janet had no patience. "I'm done talking to you! Whether it's because of Hannah or because you still have feelings for me, I won't change my mind. Don't call me again! In my world, there's only Oscar."

Thomas hung up, his fingers trembling. He'd tried to help; now it was her responsibility. He would not interfere.

Janet slammed the phone down angrily. How dare he plead with her for Hannah's sake? It was too late to change her mind, unless Oscar intervened. Since Hannah wouldn't let Oscar go, she vowed to push her to the brink.