Chapter 240: An Erotic Thing

Oscar's aristocratic background perfectly explained Charles's failure to defeat him, despite employing various methods. But if Oscar was indeed from an aristocratic family, what was his connection to the Wells family? Hannah had never heard of any such link. Oscar, naturally, remained silent.

Hannah bandaged his wound. Before taping it, she cautioned, "Do I tape it again? It restricts airflow and slows healing."

"It doesn't matter," Oscar replied carelessly. Hannah understood his reluctance; he feared the wound reopening and exposing a hidden truth. But who was he hiding from?

"I've heard the Wells family has ties to a former Northfield aristocratic family—also named Wells," she said, narrowing her eyes.

Oscar remained silent. "Are you from that family?" Hannah asked, her curiosity piqued. Oscar's Adam's apple moved subtly. Hannah, recalling that someone once called an Adam's apple sexy, now realized a handsome man could be attractive in any way.

"Are you referring to the royal Wells family, once dominant over all aristocratic families, but ultimately exterminated by allied families?" Oscar calmly asked, surprising Hannah.

"I was just mentioning it," Hannah stammered, suddenly losing interest in the topic. Oscar smiled, a hint of playful disdain in his eyes. "Are you sure you were just mentioning it?"

Hannah gritted her teeth, feeling the urge to resist his provocation. Before she could respond, Oscar said, "Anyway, I won't tell you anything." The futility of their exchange, the wasted emotions, struck her. Hannah, ultimately timid in the face of certain facts, changed the subject.

"Let's go out," she said, deciding to confront the issue later. Whatever Oscar's background, she would accept it. As she turned to leave, Oscar grabbed her arm.

Hannah frowned. "Come here," he commanded.

"For what?"

"To finish what we started."

"Oscar," she protested, "Didn't I say I can't control myself?"

"Aren't you in control now?" Hannah retorted, noting his sudden composure after appearing on the verge of losing control. She admired his self-control.

"Not really," Oscar admitted bluntly.

Hannah glared. The next second, he pulled her close. Shock and shyness washed over Hannah. His lack of reserve and restraint astounded her.

She stared at him, a long, intense gaze. Later, she repeatedly washed her hands, the skin feeling raw.

"Come help me shower," he requested.

"Oscar, don't push it! Isn't this enough?!" Hannah protested, her face flushed crimson. Oscar clearly enjoyed her embarrassment.

"It's easy for my wound to get wet if I shower myself," he explained.

"Can't you just not shower?"

"No."

"That's your problem," she retorted.

"Anyway, my private parts have been…" Oscar trailed off, feigning shyness. Hannah recognized the act.

"You've seen my whole body naked," he winked. Hannah conceded that his attempt at sexiness surpassed any woman's. She usually gave in to avoid his relentless nagging. Again, she yielded, assisting him in the shower at the risk of further irritating her hands.

Exhausted and damp, she showered and returned to find Oscar in bed, the door closed. Without speaking, she called for new clothes, then joined him in bed, now accustomed to their shared sleeping space. Tired, she closed her eyes. Then, Oscar's arms encircled her.

Hannah was speechless. Their marriage was purely a matter of convenience. Did he understand that? She felt a surge of anger.

Susan awoke to Justine's furious voice. "Susan, is this how you care for Manuel? Do you want him to die?!"

Susan, having lost two video games and fallen asleep while monitoring Manuel's IV, was bewildered. The IV bag was empty, and the syringe contained a disturbing amount of blood. Manuel's doctor scrambled to correct the situation. Justine's rage was palpable.

After berating Susan for her negligence, Justine anxiously watched the doctor return the blood to Manuel. "Madam, please hold Mr. Johnson's hand; the bleeding needs time to stop," the doctor instructed.

Justine, about to comply, turned to Susan. "Come over!"

Reluctant, Susan obeyed only after seeing Justine's fury, a lingering resentment from their father's divorce fueling her anger. Susan, pressing Manuel's hand, felt a heavy guilt. Justine's anger didn't subside, even after Susan's compliance. "If I hadn't checked on him, you wouldn't even know if he died!"