Chapter 248: Drives Lorie Away Aggressively

“I don’t care what you think. I’m here to ask your father to resign to protect Cooper Group’s reputation!” Lorie declared, abruptly ceasing her tirade. The families' existing conflict rendered further discussion pointless.

Hannah smiled. “Even if my father steps down, it won’t be Uncle’s turn.”

“Who else?” Lorie demanded fiercely.

“Me,” Hannah stated firmly.

“You? You’re a woman! How can you run the Cooper family business?” Lorie scoffed, her disdain evident.

“Grandma, by your logic, since women are unqualified to lead Cooper Group, you, as a woman, are also unqualified,” Hannah retorted sarcastically.

Lorie was speechless.

“Therefore, Grandma, please be quiet! Whether my father remains chairman and who manages the company is his business, none of yours!” Hannah declared authoritatively.

“I’m the eldest in this family! Of course, I have a say in Cooper Group!”

“Grandpa gave Cooper Group to my father!” Hannah insisted. “That means my father manages it. You can offer opinions, but the final decision isn't yours. Remember that, Grandma.”

“Hannah, you disobedient child! Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution for contradicting me?”

“I am. That’s why I need to distance myself from you. If divine retribution strikes you, I don’t want to be affected.”

“Hannah!” Lorie trembled with rage.

Hannah remained calm. “Demanding my father give the chairmanship to your uncle is excessive. He’s a relative; I’m family. Does anyone give their possessions unconditionally to relatives over family? Your request is unreasonable, Grandma.”

“Hannah, who are you calling unreasonable? We offered advice to protect Cooper Group, and you insult us! Relatives? You clearly don't consider us family!”

“Uncle, that’s you, not us,” Hannah replied indifferently. “If you truly considered us family, you wouldn’t continuously scheme against us…”

“I didn’t—”

“Did or didn’t, you know the truth. Don’t pretend. My father, mother, and I aren't fools. We know your intentions. To avoid further embarrassment, let’s end this. My father and I need to discuss his wrongful accusation.” Hannah effectively issued an eviction.

Roger exchanged a look with Lorie. She knew arguing further would only result in humiliation.

They exchanged a glance before Lorie left with a parting shot, “If you ruin the Cooper family, you’ll be remembered as a sinner.”

The remark was directed at Miguel, whose tolerance for her mother seemed limitless. Hannah understood her father’s overly filial nature – bordering on foolish – and accepted the role of the antagonist.

Miguel sighed, disappointed yet again in her mother's behavior.

“Dad, don’t worry about Grandma and Uncle. Don't be so kind; don't give them opportunities to cause more trouble. They won't cause significant harm. Now let's examine the case.”

“Should we call Jackie?”

“No, let’s review it ourselves,” Hannah decided. She recalled Jackie being bribed by Charles Sawyer in her previous life. While he hadn't been swayed then, it was unnecessary. The circumstances were different now. Since he could be bought, they needed to be cautious.

“Okay,” Miguel nodded readily.

Hannah produced the documents from the procuratorate.

Michelle, having heard the news circulating online, was frantic.

“Is it serious?” she asked anxiously.

“Not really,” Hannah stated flatly. “It’s a frame-up; the truth will come out.”

“That’s good. The news made it seem dire; it nearly scared me to death.”

“You don’t have that much faith in your husband?” Hannah teased.

Michelle blushed, playfully scolding, “Hannah!”

Hannah smiled. “Mom, please make tea for my father and me. We need to study the case.”

“Okay.” Michelle left.

Hannah placed the documents before her and her father.

Miguel asked, “Hannah, why do you trust me so much? Do you truly believe I’m incapable of illegal activity?”

“Of course,” Hannah affirmed.

Miguel was touched. He stroked Hannah’s hair, “Having a daughter like you is better than ten sons!”

“Ten sons? Just waiting for their inheritance to be plundered!” Hannah quipped.

Miguel was speechless.

“Dad, Dore, the contractor – how well do you know him?” Hannah changed the subject seriously.

“I don’t know him well. Maxwell Watson handled the bidding process.”

“So you didn’t personally sign the contract for this project?”

“I probably did. For such a large project, I would have signed and reviewed the contract. I recall doing so and found no issues.”

“The contract itself is fine. The problem is the other party claims you demanded a twenty-million bribe for the Planning Administration director.”

“Do they have proof I requested that?”

“Here’s a contract you privately signed. Take a look.” Hannah presented it.

Miguel examined it. “It’s my signature.”

“But there’s a glaring flaw,” Hannah noted, looking at Miguel. “There are no fingerprints!”