Chapter 235: Oscar Threatened Charles

Charles was beaten hard and fell to the ground. Moments earlier, while leaving the hall with Martina, he'd seen Oscar engaged in pleasant conversation with Hannah's parents. He hadn't anticipated Oscar's swift pursuit of Hannah.

Rising, Charles saw Oscar holding Hannah protectively. Oscar's possessiveness was evident as Hannah leaned against his chest, motionless, afraid to even brush against his still-healing wound. As Oscar had pulled her into his embrace, he'd pressed her against his injury; Hannah could imagine the sharp pain, despite his outwardly calm demeanor.

"Charles, if you dare touch her, I will…" Oscar trailed off, but the unspoken threat, conveyed through his mouth's movement and ominous aura, left Charles fearing for his life.

Charles resolved to show no weakness. He'd suffered immense humiliation at their hands and vowed never to be embarrassed before them again. Yet, here he was, embarrassed once more.

He retorted angrily, "Oscar, don't be so self-righteous. You think your recent promotion makes you superior? You're kidding yourself! It's not as simple as you think."

"Mr. Sawyer, please be careful. You've worked so hard to achieve this position; don't abandon your efforts now."

"Oscar, one day, you'll eat your words."

"The feeling is mutual."

Charles stormed off, disdaining further argument. Unbeknownst to him, his tragedy had begun, and he would pay dearly.

"Do you enjoy watching a man like that?" Oscar asked Hannah.

Unwilling to engage with Oscar's childish display, Hannah disengaged and prepared to leave for lunch.

"Mmm!" Hannah gasped, eyes widening.

Oscar, impatient and domineering, silenced her protest with a kiss. His chest wound still tender, she dared not resist, fearing further injury. Pinned against the wall, she endured his kiss.

Charles, looking back, witnessed the passionate embrace, Hannah's face flushed. Compared to this, his kisses with Hannah had been dull and lifeless.

Gritting his teeth, Charles denied his feelings for Hannah, suppressing the memory of her with another man. His anger stemmed not from a loss of Hannah, but from the profound humiliation he felt as a man. Even if she didn't belong to him, she shouldn't belong to anyone else. He vowed to make her pay and beg for his forgiveness.

Oscar's long kiss left Hannah's lips swollen and burning. Still dissatisfied, he traced and pressed his fingers to her lips.

"Oscar, it hurts!" Hannah cried, her eyes reddening. She sensed his anger.

They were partners, nothing more; at least, that's what Hannah believed. Even if she'd been with another man, his anger was unjustified, as Charles hadn't actually touched her. Yet, like Charles, Oscar's possessiveness could not tolerate her with another.

Finally releasing her lips, Oscar attempted to conceal his anger.

"Why are you angry?" Hannah asked.

"I'm petty," Oscar admitted, playfully.

"Loony."

"Yes, only a loony is so afraid of you being bullied. Only a loony gets this angry when you are bullied, but not when he is." Frustrated, Oscar roared.

Hannah understood. Oscar's fury stemmed from her being bullied by the brutal Charles; he was angry at his own helplessness. A touch of warmth spread through her.

Calmer now, her voice softened. "Anyway, he didn't do anything to me."

"What constitutes 'something' to you?"

"If I hadn't arrived, would you have let him?"

"I would have screamed," Hannah assured him, "I'd rather face misunderstanding and gossip."

Oscar's pupils dilated slightly.

"I'd rather you touch me than Charles," Hannah confessed. With Oscar, she instinctively bristled against Charles, perhaps accustomed to Oscar's respectful restraint upon her refusal.

She was certain she could repel Oscar if he went too far; a trust she couldn't explain. Having endured cruelty in past lives, she rarely trusted, yet she trusted Oscar.

"Are you comparing me to that scumbag, Charles?" Oscar roared after a tense silence.

"From a certain perspective, you two are similar," Hannah stated bluntly.

Charles frowned.

"In terms of the number of women you've flirted with," she clarified.

Oscar smiled, a smile that both frightened and captivated Hannah. Despite his demonic appearance, he was undeniably alluring.

In that moment, Hannah considered Oscar the most attractive man in the world.