Chapter 209: Manuel Had an Accident

Hannah rushed from the room. Oscar watched her go and called Theodore.

"I think we're in the clear," Theodore stated bluntly, anticipating Oscar's question about their daytime pursuers. "You've been with Hannah all day, and nothing happened. I bet they're gone."

"Okay," Oscar replied. "Find out what happened to Manuel."

Theodore frowned. "What's wrong?"

"It might be related to Susan. Check it out and let me know."

"Okay." Theodore hung up immediately. He knew Manuel was walking a dangerous path because of Susan.

Hannah called Jimmy, who lived nearby and was usually on call. She disliked bothering him late, but was hesitant to go out alone after recent events. She got in her car and called Susan.

"Hannah," Susan's voice trembled. "Are you coming?"

"I'm on my way. Did you call 911?"

"Yes. They're coming," Susan sobbed. "What if Manuel dies? Will I be shot?" Her self-centered concern hinted at a lack of genuine remorse.

"No, you won't. Wait for the ambulance. Stay calm!" Hannah reassured her.

"Hmm," Susan mumbled.

Hannah hung up and told Jimmy, "Please hurry."

"Okay," Jimmy responded, accelerating immediately. His urgency surprised Hannah.

They arrived quickly. The ambulance was already there, loading Manuel, who was covered in blood. Hannah rushed to Susan, pulling her into the ambulance for transport to the city hospital.

Susan, trembling and stained with Manuel's blood, sat in the ambulance. Hannah held her hand tightly. "Manuel will be fine. Trust me!" Despite her confidence, the sight of the blood-soaked, weakened Manuel frightened her.

Susan nodded, crying uncontrollably. She was clearly terrified.

The ambulance arrived at the hospital, where medical personnel awaited. They quickly transferred Manuel to a bed and wheeled him to the ER. Hannah and Susan followed.

Suddenly, Susan stumbled, falling due to her high heels and hurried pace. Hannah knelt to help. "Are you okay?"

Susan sobbed harder. "It hurts so much..."

Hannah sighed. "Don't panic. It won't help."

Susan bit her lip, revealing conflicting emotions. She claimed to hate Manuel and Justine, yet couldn't bear to harm them. Her tough exterior hid a tender heart, and the accident weighed heavily on her conscience.

"Can you stand?"

Susan nodded, and Hannah helped her limp towards the ER, where Manuel had already been admitted.

"Hannah, will Manuel die?" Susan asked, her voice trembling as she stared at the ER's bright lights. The scene terrified her.

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Hannah countered, unconcerned, knowing Manuel would survive.

Susan froze. "But I'm afraid I'll die too."

Hannah was taken aback, then changed the subject. "What happened tonight? Why were you with Manuel? You don't like him, do you?"

Susan remained silent. Hannah already knew, remembering from her previous life that Susan had been clubbing that night. A week from her wedding, she'd been making the most of her freedom. Manuel had called, wanting to speak in person.

Initially, Susan had refused, but decided to give him one last chance; a final opportunity to make things clear and end his pursuit. She arrived at the designated meeting place.

"Susan, please don't marry Henry," Manuel pleaded.

Susan felt annoyance but, committed to her resolution, suppressed her disgust. "You want me to marry you instead?"

"If..."

"There's no 'if'!" Susan interrupted. "I don't love you. Don't think that kiss meant anything! We were teenagers, curious, longing for romance. You're attractive, I admit that; I was captivated. But that was a stupid mistake."

Manuel remained silent.

"I thought you'd seen what I've done these years," Susan continued. "I hate you. Don't make me hate you more."

Manuel knew she disliked him, perhaps even felt disgust. He'd initially resolved to give up, disappear, and eventually forget her. But he'd changed his mind, trying to stop the wedding, acutely aware of his unlikeable position in her eyes.

Susan, however, felt nothing significant for Manuel, perhaps a fleeting touch of sympathy. He had always been kind to her, leading her to occasionally question his feelings, but she ultimately believed his actions stemmed from a desire to maintain a connection with the Phillips family. Deep down, she had never accepted his love; that kiss had been a spontaneous accident.