Hannah dialed a familiar number. It connected instantly.

"Hi, Mrs. Wells, what can I do for you?"

"Can't I call you for nothing?"

"Of course. I'm just a little flattered."

"You're behind today's news, aren't you?" Hannah asked, already knowing the answer.

"Are you satisfied with it?"

"I'm wondering if Charles should have blacked out from anger."

"If he's not dead, it's hardly a satisfying result."

Hannah was speechless. This was ruthless.

"So, you called to praise my anger-inducing skills?" Oscar asked playfully, his voice deep and attractive.

"Of course not. That's boring. Annoying him wouldn't make me happy. I'd only be happy if he were dead!" Hannah gritted her teeth.

"I love your attitude."

Oscar's flirtation resumed. Clearing her throat, Hannah got to the point. "Susan wants to invite you to dinner tonight, to celebrate."

"Who?"

"Susan."

"I refuse," Oscar stated flatly.

Hannah's irritation was palpable. After a moment, she said, "Why such hostility towards Susan?"

"Because she's mean to Manuel," Oscar admitted, making no secret of his closeness to Manuel.

"Even Manuel doesn't mind. Why do you?"

"I'm a righteous man."

'Screwed righteous man! You're just picking on Susan,' Hannah thought.

"Anyway, I've made plans with Susan. It's fine if you don't want to go. I'll be with Theodore, Jimmy, and Manuel. It's just a drinking excuse, really." Hannah said pointedly.

"Don't you remember you're on your period? How can you drink? Do you want to die?"

"What's the place?" Oscar conceded, his resistance brief.

"The Grain and Field. Jimmy and I will pick you up after work."

"Okay," Oscar replied, a hint of reluctance in his voice.

"It's settled then. See you later."

"Tell Susan I didn't accept her invitation. It's for your sake," Oscar clarified.

Hannah didn't bother to respond. Childish, she thought.

At 5:30 p.m., Hannah left work—exactly on time, for the first time. Even Jimmy was surprised. They drove towards City Hall; Oscar finished work at six. Hannah arrived ten minutes early and waited at the gate.

While waiting, she read the day's news, her satisfaction growing with each article. She was engrossed until a knock on her car window. Charles.

Honestly, she didn't want to talk to him. But then she remembered his humiliating defeat, and the opportunity for a few sarcastic remarks seemed appealing. Who let him trick Oscar and force him to leave Kensbury City for half a year? The thought of their separation fueled her anger.

Hannah opened the door. Charles was surprised by her immediate exit; he'd only approached on instinct.

He secretly gritted his teeth, noting her increased beauty and newfound confidence. She was far from the submissive woman he remembered. Outwardly, however, he displayed disdain. "Come to pick up Oscar?"

"Or perhaps you think I'm here for you?" Hannah retorted sarcastically.

Charles's face fell. Then, affecting indifference, he said, "Don't get me wrong. I don't miss you, so spare the sarcasm."

"Those are words I'd like to return. I have no feelings for you at all."

"Realistic," Charles said coldly. "Seeing Oscar's success, you're suddenly fawning over him? You're the type of woman men despise—cheap and boring."

Hannah was about to retort when Oscar's voice cut through the air. "Whether she's interesting or not is up to me. Do you think I need your opinion?"

Hannah smiled. Oscar would handle this with far fewer words than she would need.

He immediately approached and embraced Hannah intimately; she responded warmly.

"Still that remark? A woman's appeal depends on the man. You're useless. Don't blame the girl."

"You..." Charles's face paled.

Oscar interrupted, "By the way, there are more men than women in the world. Many men will struggle to find wives. You'd better improve yourself, Charles. Having children is important."

Oscar didn't give Charles a chance to respond. He and Hannah drove off, leaving a furious Charles clenching his fists.

In the car, Hannah glanced back at Charles, curious about his level of anger. This sparked a new reaction.

"Is he more handsome than me?"

Hannah was speechless. "Are you the world's most jealous king?"

"Don't look at him again," he demanded.

"Not even to laugh?"

"No."

"You're too bossy."

"If I looked at other girls, would you be unhappy?"

"You've had many girlfriends," Hannah pointed out, suddenly feeling the sting of his past.

"Should I get a few more boyfriends then? Mm..."

Hannah's wide eyes met his as Oscar kissed her passionately. Jimmy, in the driver's seat, was unfazed, even humming quietly to himself.