Chapter 238: Do Your Lips Swell Because of a Male Mosquito Bite?

Charles and Martina's departure barely registered at the banquet; others at their table even breathed a sigh of relief. They'd feared a clash between the high-status guests. Their relief contrasted with their admiration for Hannah's deft handling of the situation. She'd cleverly used a seemingly trivial incident to humiliate Martina, gaining a strategic advantage. Martina would likely avoid crossing Hannah in the future.

Manuel and Susan then approached to offer toasts. Manuel, in a wheelchair, and Susan, standing tall, made a striking pair. Manuel, unfazed by the height difference, raised his glass high for a toast. Hannah clinked glasses with him, followed by someone else who, perhaps deliberately, clinked too forcefully, nearly shattering the glass. Manuel, entirely innocent, endured the awkwardness. The table offered congratulations and drinks.

“Where’s Martina?” Susan frowned, surprised by Martina's absence. She had arranged the seating, hoping to ignite Charles's fury by placing him with Hannah and Oscar, highlighting Hannah's happiness in her new marriage, and exposing Charles's infidelity. But her plan had failed.

“They’ve left,” Hannah stated simply.

“They’ve left? Manuel’s here, but she’s gone?!” Susan blurted out, then immediately regretted her impulsive remark. She'd witnessed their kiss in Manuel's lounge. Knowing Martina's penchant for dramatic responses to hardship, Susan anticipated some extravagant reaction. She even considered letting Manuel leave with Martina—a thought she found oddly pleasing. How could Martina just leave?

Hannah glared at Susan, then at Manuel, whose slight smile betrayed his forced composure. "Susan," Hannah said, exasperated. Susan was bewildered by Hannah's apparent defense of Manuel, questioning their long-standing friendship and loyalty. Hannah's betrayal was evident in Susan's gaze.

"Go drink with others. Manuel hasn't fully recovered. Finish the ceremony, eat something, and rest this afternoon," Hannah urged.

Reluctantly, Susan turned to leave, then noticed something. "Hannah, why are your lips swollen?"

Hannah flushed, embarrassed. The burning and pain had subsided, but the swelling was still noticeable.

“Could it be…” Susan paused dramatically, “…a mosquito bite?”

Hannah chuckled, unsure if Susan was teasing or offering a way out. "Yeah, a long-legged mosquito from the garden."

“A male one, I bet,” Susan quipped, adding, “A particularly lascivious one…”

Hannah's face burned crimson. Oscar's displeasure was evident. Before Susan could continue, Manuel grasped her hand.

"We should go," he said firmly.

Susan felt a surge of annoyance but, constrained by their surroundings, reluctantly left with him. A staff member pushed Manuel's wheelchair. Once at a sufficient distance, Susan promptly withdrew her hand. Manuel remained unfazed and calmly explained, “Don’t offend Oscar.”

“Why?” Susan asked.

“Just don’t,” he repeated.

Susan rolled her eyes, unconvinced. They completed their toasting rounds, then sat, barely eating before Manuel departed. Susan followed shortly after, disinclined to socialize. She entered a room accompanied by a staff member, only to realize she was sharing it with Manuel. She turned to leave.

"Susan!" Justine's cold voice stopped her. "Where are you going? This is your room!"

"I won’t sleep with Manuel!"

"Then why did you marry him?"

"You made me!" Susan raged, incredulous that Justine didn't understand her predicament.

"You could have resisted," Justine replied calmly.

Susan's anger flared. Had she not resisted? Was it even possible?

"If you can't resist it, then accept it," Justine said. "Come in and take care of Manuel!"

"Why should I?" Susan retorted, their argument—their first in years—a shocking breach in their long-standing relationship. Justine’s usual deference, born of her father’s influence, was gone.

“Because you married him! Because you're husband and wife! Because he's injured because of you! He even collapsed today at your wedding! Can’t you see that?!”

Seeing Manuel's collapse softened Susan. Her voice lowered. "He agreed to it, didn't he?"

"So, am I blaming you? I just want you to take care of him. Is that a problem?” Justine asked.

“Aren’t you taking care of him?”

“I don’t want to.”

Susan was speechless. Justine left, adding as she closed the door, “Take good care of him, or you’ll learn what a legendary evil mother-in-law is like!” But Susan dismissed the threat.