Chapter 301: A Twist of Fate (1) Not Attractive Enough

"So, you still love Charles, not Oscar?" Susan guessed.

"Nope. From now on, I'm focusing on myself," Hannah replied, emphasizing each word.

Susan stared, surprised. Hannah, as far as she knew, was the type to wholeheartedly devote herself to love.

Hannah abruptly changed the subject. "What about you and Manuel?" she asked, seemingly unwilling to delve further into her own relationship with Oscar.

"What else can it be? It can't get any worse!" Susan rolled her eyes.

"You've spent so much time together, and still haven't…connected? Nothing?"

"Hit it off? Don't be ridiculous! We barely spend half an hour together each day."

Hannah frowned.

"Yeah, Manuel stays in his room. When I was unemployed, I worked nights and slept days. We had completely different schedules," Susan explained. "Now I have a job, but he's still asleep when I leave and back in his room when I return."

She wasn't sure if she was avoiding him, or vice versa. She even questioned who had truly been forced into this marriage, suspecting Manuel's disgust ran deeper than hers. Could he have only married her for Phillips Bank? She knew it! Justine and Manuel were up to something.

"Manuel should break the ice," Hannah mused, suggesting a direct conversation was needed.

"A man like him? He'll die alone," Susan concluded flatly.

Hannah remained silent as the waiter arrived with their food.

"Beer? I've been depressed all day," Susan offered.

Hannah agreed. They ate and drank, joined by Jimmy, who remained quiet throughout the meal.

"Easy on the beer," Hannah cautioned.

"Don't worry, I won't get drunk again. I'd kill myself if I ended up in the wrong room again," Susan joked, then grimaced.

"What? You got drunk and went to the wrong room?" Hannah's curiosity was piqued.

"Yeah, at the Cooper Group anniversary. I stumbled into Manuel's room. Thinking about it still makes me sick."

"Did you…sleep with him?" Hannah asked bluntly.

Susan blushed furiously. "No! Absolutely not! I would have killed myself!"

"That just proves you're not attractive enough," Hannah teased.

Susan's eyes widened in shock.

"Don't you think? You were alone, in the same bed, and nothing happened? I bet he barely touched you. You're just not attractive to him," Hannah pressed.

Susan was speechless. She hadn't considered it before, but Hannah's words resonated. She slept soundly that night, yet awoke in the same position, lying on Manuel's chest, while he turned away. He clearly disliked her. He was only after her family's assets!

"Did you sleep with Oscar?" Susan suddenly asked Hannah.

Hannah was caught off guard. She struggled to explain that despite sharing a bed, nothing had happened with Oscar.

"Of course you did. Men like Oscar are probably amazing in bed," Susan commented.

Hannah steered the conversation away, fearing a detailed discussion of sex. Thankfully, Susan readily changed the subject.

They left the restaurant at 8 pm. Susan, having had beer, couldn't drive, so Hannah dropped her off.

"Sleep well. Work hard tomorrow," Hannah advised at Susan's apartment gate.

"You sound like my father."

"But you never listen to him."

Susan chuckled; it was true. They said goodnight.

Watching Hannah's car drive away, Susan noted her friend's newfound strength and independence, contrasting sharply with her own loneliness. A phone call interrupted her thoughts.

"Susan, you haven't been to the club! The girls are here, come join us!"

"It's too late…"

"Nightlife's just starting! It's been ages, we miss you!"

"I have work tomorrow."

"It's your father's company. Come on!"

"I'll see you at the weekend," Susan refused.

"So, are you becoming a good little wife now?" The caller teased.

"I just don't feel like it. Long day."

"Annie said you and Manuel were in love in college. You're just getting back together…"

"Shut up!" Susan snapped. "Damn it, where are you? I'm coming." She couldn't stand hearing anyone suggest she loved Manuel.

"Same place. We'll be waiting," the girl replied, her tone malicious.

Susan hung up, hailed a cab, and headed to the club. Once there, the girl told Martina, "Susan's on her way."

Martina handed the girl a pill. "Make sure she takes it later. You'll get what you want."

The girl readily agreed. Martina smiled coldly. Bribing Susan's friends was easy. She would watch as Susan was trapped, broken, and separated from Manuel. Manuel was hers, and hers alone.