Hannah persuaded her parents, though their doubt lingered. Their acquiescence, however, stemmed from her unwavering determination, and they agreed to support her unconditionally in canceling her marriage to Charles.
Returning to her room, Hannah lay on the bed she'd longed for. The simple act of returning to her own bed, which she hadn't previously missed, now felt heavy with unforeseen tragedy. She examined the super card Oscar had given her. "Who is this man? Is collaborating with him the right decision?" she wondered.
In her previous life, she'd helped Charles overcome obstacles to expand his business. The only insurmountable obstacle, consistently underestimated, was Oscar—unyieldingly stubborn. His call the night before her wedding remained an enigma; a prank, or something more?
To ruin the Sawyer family, she needed an accomplice. She took out her phone and called Kensbury City's largest luxury mall.
"Hello, Miss Cooper, how may I assist you?" the customer service representative inquired respectfully.
"Can I use this card by providing the number?" Hannah asked.
"Is it one of our co-branded cards?" the representative asked.
"I'm not sure."
"Please provide the number, and I'll check for you."
Hannah gave her the number. The representative's deference intensified after checking. "Miss Cooper, this is our super VIP card. You may purchase anything from our mall without limit. We offer video purchasing and home delivery."
Hannah stared at the card, astonished by its power. She'd heard of wealthy families creating high-end super cards, but never one with unlimited spending, especially at a luxury mall. She could shop until bankruptcy!
Without hesitation, she said, "No video purchasing needed. Please process my order according to this list, and deliver to…" After dictating her extensive list, she ended the call and went to sleep, needing rest to process the overwhelming reality of her rebirth.
Mount Northfield housed a prestigious private club, its opulence and exclusive membership beyond the reach of mere wealth. Oscar was a regular. He sat in a cliffside suite, a French window framing a breathtaking panorama. He idly smoked a cigarette. Friends played billiards behind him, surrounded by women engaged in frivolous activities.
"Oscar, your phone's ringing," Theodore Wold, seated beside him, said.
Oscar glanced at it. Theodore saw a lengthy expense report. "Which woman did you deplete your funds on this time?" he asked, fearing significant losses.
Oscar checked his phone; a cascade of purchase notifications flooded in.
"You've been too generous," Theodore groaned, "and you haven't even kissed a woman!"
"I have to be generous to my wife," Oscar announced.
Theodore stared, "What did you say?"
"I'm getting married," Oscar replied, extinguishing his cigarette with a charming smile. Theodore, momentarily mesmerized, exclaimed, "What did you just say?!"
Oscar grabbed his blazer. "Prepare the wedding gift," he said, and left.
At the entrance, a woman approached flirtatiously. "Oscar…"
He glared, "Get lost!"
The woman recoiled, stunned. The rumors of his welcoming demeanor were clearly false. She fled under his cold gaze, fearing for her safety. It was her first such party; she'd aimed to approach Oscar, but this incredibly handsome, wealthy man was clearly not someone to trifle with.
Hannah awoke to a persistent ringing. She recognized Oscar's number instantly, despite not having it saved. Restraining her anger, she answered, "Hi."
"If I recall, I only intended to pay your medical bills," he said, his voice rough but engaging.
Hannah remembered using his money to force contact. She chuckled, "I told you I'd consider it dowry."
"So, that's why you spent thirty million of my money?"
She hadn't realized the sum. "I wasn't wasting your money," she replied.
"And that means?"
"Help me defeat the Sawyer family, and I'll help you with your problems."
Silence followed. Oscar's expression shifted. How did she know his plans?
Hannah anticipated his thoughts. "I know you better than you think."
"Am I the one at a disadvantage?" he asked coldly.
"No, you should be glad I chose to help you, rather than…" Hannah said, “…Charles.”
In her past life, Oscar had clashed with Charles without success. They were locked in a bitter rivalry, with the victor unknown until her death. Charles, the more despicable of the two, had used the Cooper Group's wealth to claim a noble title after her death. Hannah fought back tears, suppressing the memory of her torture.
"I thought you were lovey-dovey? I'm surprised you'd cooperate with me," he said skeptically.
"Attend my wedding, and you'll see how sincere I am," she replied, knowing further words were futile. Actions, after all, spoke louder than words.
"Sure," Oscar agreed immediately. He either believed her knowledge was valuable, or saw only benefits in the collaboration.
Hannah was taken aback by his directness, but maintained her composure—a self- protective habit honed by her past suffering and privileged upbringing.
"Deal," she said.