Chapter 203: Oscar, Are You Bad?

"So, what is your relationship to Janet Burke?" Hannah asked.

After confiding her secret, she posed the question directly.

"Hannah, I am not a giddy man," Oscar replied slowly. "I had nothing to do with Janet Burke." He added this as Hannah pondered something.

Hannah turned, looking at him. In the darkness, their eyes met. She didn't understand why she believed him.

"Oscar, can you tell me who you are?"

"Is that important to you?"

"Yes," she said hesitantly, slightly worried about his answer. He was often somber and callous, a stark contrast to her nature. She wasn't sure she could accept his response.

"I'm sorry," Oscar signed. "I can't tell you."

Hannah felt a little upset. "It doesn't mean I don't trust you," she said. "I don't want to mess up your life."

She pursed her lips. "Oscar, are you bad?" she finally asked.

"I'm not a good one," he replied, his answer ambiguous. "But I won't harm you." It sounded like a promise.

Gazing at him, Hannah remained uncertain whether to believe him. That night, they shared secrets, yet each held some back. When Hannah awoke, Oscar was gone.

He usually lingered in bed, especially during his leg injury recovery. She didn't know when his leg healed; the previous night, when he rescued her, there was no sign of injury. He even carried her all the way back. It was incredibly heartwarming. The thought spurred her to rise.

Though bandaged like a mummy, she only suffered minor cuts and bruises and felt much better after a night's rest. She went downstairs, finding Max busy with his tasks.

"Ms. Wells," he hurried forward.

"Where's Oscar?"

"He's left."

Hannah was stunned. "Where did he go?"

"To the capital."

This upset her. How could he leave without telling me? Last night he was so affectionate, but this morning he left without a word, she thought.

"Master Oscar had things to attend to," Max explained.

"It has nothing to do with me," Hannah said coldly.

Max smiled, observing her reaction. Mrs. Wells says one thing, but means another, he mused.

"Ms. Wells, would you like breakfast?"

"Yes, thank you."

Hannah went to the table. Max served breakfast and then resumed his work, knowing she preferred solitude.

While eating, she watched the news and gasped. She clicked on a live report: "Early this morning, a female body was found in the old warehouse on Wisteria Street. Two male bodies were found outside, one with a horrifying lower body injury." Hannah zoomed in on the photo.

Despite the black bars, she recognized them instantly. The woman was Janet Burke, and the men were her followers from the previous night.

Shock and fear gripped her. Did Oscar do this? But Janet Burke shouldn't have been killed by Oscar. He wouldn't resort to such tactics. Perhaps she committed suicide, she thought, sitting rigidly.

The phone rang, startling her.

"Oscar," she said, seeing his name.

"Did you wake up?"

"Yes," she replied.

"I hurried back last night. Things aren't settled yet," he explained his early departure.

"Okay," Hannah said softly.

"Are you unhappy?" he chuckled.

He was right. She had been unhappy about his leaving, but the news had captivated her. Composing herself, she said calmly, "Oscar, Janet Burke is dead."

Silence followed.

"And so are the two men following her," Hannah added, feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation.

After a long pause, Oscar asked, "Are you afraid of me?"

Hannah's mind went blank. Her past life's tragic fate fueled her fear of repeating past mistakes.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you," Oscar's soothing voice reassured her.

Unsure how to handle the charged silence, Hannah felt Oscar preparing to hang up.

"When will you come back?" she asked, changing the subject, escaping the uncomfortable reality.

"Do you want me to come back?" Oscar seemed to laugh at himself.

"Light Building reopens the day after tomorrow. I want you to cut the ribbon with me."

"Okay," he agreed immediately.

"Will you come back on time?" she asked incredulously.

"Since you miss me, I must hurry back."

"See you the day after tomorrow," Oscar grinned.

"Okay."

Hanging up, Hannah fell silent. She glanced at the news again, deciding to let go of her doubts. They had embarked on this path, and there was no turning back. She had to trust her chosen way.

After breakfast, Hannah went to work as usual. Most of her injuries were concealed. Her face, with makeup, appeared unharmed. Her driver wasn't Jimmy, but someone else, clearly sent by Oscar. He'd arranged for another driver, knowing she would be going out.

Such gestures always moved her. He wasn't one for flattery, yet his actions spoke volumes of his profound love. He was a stark contrast to Charles Sawyer, who showered her with empty words and took no action. Oscar and Charles were radically different. She wouldn't doubt Oscar's love because of Charles.