Chapter 225: The Interview (1) – Work in the City Hall

Oscar was undeniably a womanizer, yet he managed to project an image of sweetness and purity. Hannah avoided his gaze, meticulously buttoning her jacket.

"Actually," Oscar said, "I'd prefer you unbutton them, one by one."

Speechless, Hannah felt her patience wearing thin.

"Pick a tie for me," Oscar demanded.

Suppressing her irritation, Hannah complied. It was insignificant; she would simply treat him as a demanding invalid.

Opening the closet, she found it overflowing with ties. Oscar, unsurprisingly, was a lavish spender. Many were luxury brands, still bearing their tags.

"A formal one," Oscar reminded her.

Hannah offered a cold smile, despising his formal attire, which she perceived as a tactic for attracting women. It made sense; women were drawn to refined men, and such meticulous dressing implied attention, a gesture most women appreciated.

Finally, she chose a blue and black striped tie—one she remembered Oscar wearing in her previous life. As a designer, she was attuned to quality, and she’d been impressed by his taste then. Of course, such appreciation was ironic, given their past animosity.

She handed him the tie.

"Help me with it," Oscar requested, pleased with her selection.

Hannah, eager to conclude this task before work, stood on tiptoe and expertly tied the tie, a skill honed from frequently tying Charles's ties. He'd always let her, regardless of the occasion, claiming the tie evoked feelings of warmth and love, a reminder to return home early.

Of course, it had all been a lie. He'd routinely forget, sleep with other women, and discard her carefully tied ties.

"Who were you thinking of?" Oscar asked, noticing her sudden silence and altered expression.

Hannah recovered, offering a light smile. Charles wasn't worth her anger anymore.

"A scumbag," she said.

"Charles?" Oscar asked, his tone assertive.

Hannah nodded; there was no point in concealing it. She had, after all, died at Charles's hands.

"You used to tie them for him?" Oscar asked calmly.

Hannah finished the tie, admiring her handiwork. "You don't want to know the details," she replied.

"I think so," he said, letting the subject drop.

Hannah sensed Oscar avoiding the topic of her past with Charles.

He handed her his suit. Without prompting, she dressed him, then watched him examine himself in the full-length mirror. He looked dashing in a suit. She’d once believed a womanizer like Oscar was incongruous in formal wear, but realized that handsomeness transcended clothing.

Watching him preen, Hannah blurted out, "Am I the only one who helps her husband dress to pick up girls?"

Oscar, looking at his reflection, smiled. "So, you think I'm going out to meet someone and satisfy my sexual desires?"

"Honestly," Oscar said cheerfully, "as a grown man, having a wet dream this morning is somewhat unusual. But compared to my libido, my career matters more."

Hannah blinked.

"I have a job interview," Oscar explained.

Hannah frowned, having assumed a date. The morning's wet dream had contributed to that assumption, causing a blush. "Don't you read the news? There's an interview for government officers in Northfield today." She knew about the interview.

Surprised, she asked, "To work at City Hall, you need to pass a written exam first, right? You wouldn't be invited to an interview otherwise."

"Any problem?"

"You passed the written exam?" she asked, unaware of his having taken it, or even registered. It hadn't occurred in her previous life—that was at least three years later.

"Ready for a surprise?" Oscar grinned. "I came in first."

She remembered Charles having been first.

"Charles was second," Oscar added.

Hannah felt he could read her mind.

"Wait for my good news, wife," he whispered, leaning in for a soft, warm kiss. "Gotta go," he said, checking his appearance before leaving the cloakroom.

Hannah was stunned. Her second life had significantly altered the course of events.

Later, Oscar sat in Theodore's car.

"How's the wound?" Theodore asked.

"Healing," Oscar replied indifferently.

"Sure you're doing this now?" Theodore questioned, referring to the City Hall job. Oscar nodded.

"Didn't you say you'd wait three years, until things were settled?" Theodore frowned, puzzled by the sudden change of plans. He hadn't known about the exam until Oscar requested a ride to City Hall.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," Oscar said vaguely.

Theodore doubted it, suspecting Oscar's newfound urgency stemmed from his feelings for Hannah, a desire to quickly finish his mission and be with her. He recognized the ploy, but conceded that finishing sooner was indeed preferable. He fell silent, focusing on driving.

At the interview hall, Theodore found several candidates waiting, including Charles.

"Hey, who do you think topped the written exam?" a candidate asked.

"Charles Sawyer, for sure!" another replied.

Oscar simply smiled and entered the hall.