Hannah left the Emperor Club. As she was about to enter her car, a sudden thought struck her. She retrieved her phone and dialed a number. The call connected immediately. The other end was a cacophony of noise.

"Hannah, why are you calling at this hour?" Susan's excited voice crackled through the receiver. She was likely quite intoxicated.

"Where are you?" Hannah asked.

"At a club!"

"The Emperor Club?"

"How did you know?"

"I'm at the entrance. Come out."

"Why are you here?" Susan's voice exploded with anger.

"Come out, and we'll talk," Hannah replied, unwilling to explain over the phone.

Susan rushed out of the club shortly after hanging up, spotting Hannah waiting at the entrance.

"Did you really come just to see me?" Susan asked incredulously.

"Come with me," Hannah stated.

"No way! I'm having too much fun. I can't leave now," Susan protested.

"I need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"In the car." Hannah got into her car without further explanation.

Susan was hesitant but, accustomed to Hannah's influence from their childhood, reluctantly followed, pouting.

Hannah instructed the driver to go to the Phillips' villa. Then, she revealed her purpose: "My mother's birthday is in two weeks."

"So?"

"All four prominent families will receive invitations."

"And...?" Susan remained confused. It was an elders' birthday party; what did it have to do with her? The younger generation's role was simply to attend and look presentable.

"At the party, around 10 p.m., you'll invite the younger generation of the four families for drinks at the Emperor Club."

"Why?" Susan questioned.

"It's been a while since everyone's gathered," Hannah offered, a thinly veiled excuse.

"Hannah, what are you doing?"

"Make sure Jane, Mary, and Charles are included," Hannah added.

"Hannah! I'm furious!" Susan exclaimed.

Hannah ignored her, "Just do as I say. The rest is unimportant."

"You're suffocating me!" Susan fumed.

"Don't tell anyone," Hannah cautioned.

"You're crazy!" Susan felt speechless. Hannah showed no inclination to elaborate further; it seemed futile.

The car arrived at the Phillips' villa. Susan was near tears. "I want to go back to the club!"

Hannah opened the car door and pulled Susan out. "Be good. Go home." She practically dragged Susan to the villa entrance. This was Hannah's second chance at life; she feared Susan repeating past mistakes.

"Yes," Susan replied glumly. It was only 10 p.m., and she usually didn't return home until after midnight.

"Aren't you afraid Manuel will take your inheritance? Go to work more, and spend less time at the nightclub," Hannah advised.

Susan's face changed at the mention of Manuel. "Don't mention his name! It keeps me awake."

"He's living with you," Hannah pointed out.

"That's why I want to leave home!" Susan retorted indignantly.

Hannah frowned.

"I want to move in with Henry," Susan announced excitedly.

"Absolutely not!" Hannah interjected.

Susan was close to breaking down. "Hannah, since returning from Mount Northfield, you've been strange. Should I find a spiritualist to see if you've offended any spirits?"

"I'm fine."

"Then why are you fighting with me about everything? You were never like this," Susan cried, devastated. She was oblivious to Hannah's reasons, continually repeating her mistakes.

Hannah changed the subject, "Susan, how are things with you and Henry?"

"Why are you asking?" Susan blushed, a rare occurrence.

"We promised to tell each other about our first kiss and night. Are you hiding things?" Hannah expressed her displeasure.

Susan, always compliant due to Hannah's six-month age advantage and ingrained respect, confessed, "We kissed."

"Did you sleep together?" Hannah pressed.

"I wanted to, but Henry's traditional and insecure. I thought being forward would scare him."

"Alright," Hannah nodded.

"What do you mean, 'alright'?" Susan was exasperated.

"You can't sleep with him before marriage."

"What about you?" Susan countered, knowing Hannah was always critical of her. How was her relationship with Charles?

Hannah hesitated, momentarily flustered by Susan's challenge. In the original timeline, she hadn't lost her virginity until her wedding night, a gift for Charles. In this life, she would never allow him to touch her.

Susan, noticing Hannah's silence, asked, "Don't tell me you've slept with Charles!"

"No," Hannah denied.

"Oh. I thought you were. But Charles is so noble and gentle, I can't imagine him having premarital sex," Susan murmured, her opinion of Charles unwavering. Indeed, everyone in Kensbury City considered him the epitome of a gentleman. But appearances could be deceiving.

"Enough. Go rest," Hannah urged.

Susan reluctantly entered the villa. Hannah turned to leave when a familiar male voice called out, "Hannah."

Hannah froze. Manuel emerged from the shadows. He was Susan's stepbrother, only slightly older than Hannah. They had grown up together, inseparable until Manuel's overseas studies. Now, he was back.