Chapter 253: Couldn't Help It

It was late at night. Hannah had reviewed all the contracts, finding nothing amiss. She checked the time; it was already eleven o'clock. Another review would spill over into the next morning.

Stretching, she reminded herself not to succumb to exhaustion. Having died once, she valued life above all else. As long as she lived, anything was possible.

She closed the files, powered down her laptop, and gathered her things. "Jimmy," she said, "that's all for today."

"Yes, Mrs. Wells."

Sitting in Jimmy's car, Hannah gazed at the sparsely populated street. "Jimmy," she asked, avoiding sentimentality, "were you Oscar's driver before working for me?"

"Yes," Jimmy nodded.

"So you know him well?"

"What do you want to know, Mrs. Wells?" Jimmy was attentive.

"Is he a good man?" Hannah asked directly.

Jimmy hesitated. He wasn't deliberately withholding information, but the question stumped him. In their world, the concepts of "good" and "bad" were relative; success was the ultimate measure.

"Never mind," Hannah said, assuming Jimmy wouldn't answer. She'd tried several times already; his lips were sealed. Then, abruptly, Jimmy replied, "Yes. A good man."

Hannah was surprised. "I don't know what others think," Jimmy clarified, "but to me, Mr. Wells is a good man."

"Really?" Hannah murmured, not entirely unconvinced. Someone like Jimmy would either refuse to answer or tell the truth.

She thought of Oscar, a man of contradictions, impossible to fully understand. Was he really a good man? No, of course not. Jimmy hadn't lied, but his answer was conditional; to him, Oscar was a good man. What about others? What about her?

A light smile touched her lips. Did she truly care about Oscar? Was that why she'd sought his character assessment?

The car arrived at Oscar's manor. Only Max would wait for her, no matter how late it became. Hannah didn't believe Oscar's employees were bad people; that was why, despite his enigmatic nature, she still trusted him.

If Oscar were merely pretending, what about the others? Were they equally adept at deception? If so, Oscar was far better at it than Charles, and she could only conclude she'd been cursed.

"Mrs. Wells, welcome home," Max greeted her. "I'll bring you dessert. Please have a seat."

"Thanks, Max."

Max presented the dessert. "Enjoy, Mrs. Wells."

"Okay."

While eating, Hannah asked, "Max, is Oscar back?"

"Yes. Mr. Wells returned early today, around six. Shall I call him for you?"

"No, thank you."

She wondered if Oscar's busy schedule had prevented him from calling. She shouldn't have expected anything from him.

Finishing the dessert, she ascended to the bedroom, pausing momentarily before the door. It was late, and Oscar seemed capable of caring for himself; there was no need for them to sleep together. She quietly turned the knob, but the door swung open, and Oscar pulled her inside, closing it behind him.

Pressed against the door, she was kissed deeply and aggressively. She struggled, wondering if he were sleepwalking or why he was so possessive.

"Os…Oscar…let go…" she managed between kisses. His lips were burning hot.

"You…" She was losing herself in the kiss. Oscar was an expert kisser. She found herself reaching up, deepening the kiss. Why fight it? She’d had a long, difficult day, and felt desperate. It was the first time she'd felt truly threatened in a long time, and couldn’t take it lightly. Sex, she’d heard, was relaxing. She'd never found it pleasurable before, but she decided to try.

Perhaps Oscar was different. He was a good kisser. Maybe he was good in bed too. She decided to give it her all.

She kissed him passionately, falling onto the bed with him. She reached into his shirt… But Oscar paused, then rolled over, cuddling her close, kissing her with renewed passion.

The atmosphere intensified.

"Wait!" Oscar suddenly stopped, grabbing her hand.

Hannah blushed, her body radiating allure.

"No condom?" she gasped, her breath hot on his face.

Oscar's heart pounded; it had been racing since she'd initiated the intimacy, now even faster.

Hannah knew what she was doing!

"It's fine. I'm in my safe period," she added.

Oscar swallowed hard. Anyone who could resist now was a fool.