Chapter 237: Martina’s Apology

Martina had previously restrained her anger, believing her brother would marry Hannah. She planned to make Hannah pay dearly once they were family. Now, with their relationship established, that opportunity was lost.

“If you’re unwilling, you don’t have to,” Hannah said, refusing to force her. Martina muttered, “Which paper should I send it to? Maybe…”

“Martina!” Charles interjected sternly. “Apologize for your inappropriate words!”

“Brother!” Martina’s eyes welled up. “Have you forgotten our family teachings? How can you say such shameless things?” Charles rebuked, affecting an air of propriety.

Martina wept, not from a lack of her brother’s love, but from his repeated submission to Hannah’s threats. She’d always seen him as omnipotent, invincible. Why was he now consistently outmatched?

“Apologize to Hannah now,” Charles demanded, his gaze unwavering. There was no room for negotiation.

Martina gritted her teeth and reluctantly said, “I apologize.”

“Apologize to whom?” Hannah inquired.

“To you.”

“So you admit your words were directed at me?” Hannah raised an eyebrow.

Martina, struggling to avoid a full admission, replied, “No.” A full confession would only complicate matters.

“Then apologize to everyone,” Hannah stated bluntly.

Martina, nearing her breaking point, reluctantly agreed to apologize to Hannah; after all, the Hannah family was one of the four powerful families, surpassing even the Sawyers. But several people present were merely distant Phillips relatives! Was she, a woman of her status, truly expected to apologize to them?

“You don’t seem sincere,” Hannah remarked flatly, picking up her phone—a clear indication of her intentions.

“I apologize to everyone,” Martina forced herself to say.

“For what?” Hannah asked, her eyebrow arched. Martina felt tears welling.

“You don’t know?” Hannah prompted kindly. “You apologize for using disgusting language and making everyone uncomfortable.”

Martina stared at her.

“Can’t you say it?” Hannah asked softly, yet her demeanor remained assertive.

With tears streaming, Martina stammered, “I’m sorry, everyone. I said something inappropriate and made you uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”

As a Sawyer, she’d always been arrogant and domineering. The humiliation of this forced humility was profound.

Hannah smiled. “Martina, I’m not trying to humiliate you. I want you to learn. You spoke those words here, and we merely argued. But if you behaved this way with a more powerful aristocratic family, the consequences would be far worse. Have you considered that?”

Martina glared; Hannah was portraying herself as virtuous. But she couldn't reveal her anger. She simply said, “I know I was wrong, and I won’t do it again.”

“That’s great,” Hannah nodded, her pleased expression infuriating Martina.

“Can you delete the recording?” Martina asked.

“Yes, of course,” Hannah agreed. Martina waited expectantly, only to hear, “But not now.”

Rage propelled Martina toward Hannah, but Charles restrained her.

“I didn’t promise to delete it after your apology. I said I’d forgive you.”

“Hannah, don’t…” Charles covered Martina’s mouth before she could finish. Desperate, Martina struggled, tears welling.

“Hannah, I don’t think we should involve others in our conflict,” Charles said calmly.

He was remarkably adept; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so easily manipulated in their past life. His words subtly implied Hannah was deliberately provoking his family.

“What conflict?” Hannah countered. “If you think there’s a conflict, that’s your wishful thinking. I’m happy now. I even thank you for not marrying me.”

Charles’s face darkened. Hannah’s unexpected fluency and self-assuredness surprised him. He couldn’t gain the upper hand. He even questioned if this was the same “agreeable” Hannah he knew.

“Regardless, this should end. Martina apologized. Continuing this is unreasonable,” Charles said, striving for composure. He refused to let Hannah goad him into losing his grace.

“This is the end,” Hannah stated. “But why not delete the recording?”

“I keep it so Martina learns. If she forgets, my efforts are wasted. As long as she doesn’t repeat this, I won’t share it. But if she does, I won’t accept another apology; I’ll release it publicly.”

Charles glared, fists clenched.

“This benefits your family too. If Martina says something inappropriate and causes trouble, an apology won’t suffice,” Hannah added innocently.

Charles felt an overwhelming urge to lash out, but knew refutation was futile. Hannah held all the cards.

He left with Martina, fearing he’d lose control.

Martina departed reluctantly. Hannah watched them go indifferently, pleased to be rid of them. She found the Sawyers utterly repugnant.

She smiled faintly, satisfied. She’d not only banished two troublesome individuals but also secured a recording that would ensure Martina’s future silence, no matter how furious she became.