“Hannah, didn’t you hate nightclubs?” Charles asked.

Hannah smiled. “It’s precisely because I’ve never been to one that I want to try it before marriage.”

Charles’s face lit up. “Then let me accompany you.”

Even Susan found this sickening. She turned to Oscar and Theodore. “We’re going to the Emperor Club. It’s your place; you wouldn’t refuse us, would you?”

“I’m fine with anything,” Oscar replied nonchalantly.

Susan glanced at Theodore.

“Of course, I’m with Oscar,” he said.

“Those who don’t know us think something’s going on between you two,” Susan commented abruptly.

Theodore was speechless. “I’m straight, you know.”

“So, Mr. Wells is the recipient of affections?” Susan’s laughter was exaggerated.

Oscar shot Susan a glance, seemingly unwilling to argue. However, everyone had to admit Susan was a natural comedian.

“Then Jane and Mary, you should come too,” Susan said nonchalantly.

Hannah thought Susan was the perfect person to organize this nightclub trip. She wasn’t good at much, but organizing was her forte.

Jane and Mary exchanged a glance.

Jane replied, “I need to ask my father. Our curfew is strict.” She was clearly playing the goody-two-shoes.

Susan felt disdain. She knew Jane well; she craved male attention, even more so than Martina. At least Martina remained faithful to Manuel.

“I’ll follow my sister,” Mary stated. “If she goes, I go; if not, I don’t.”

To outsiders, their sibling bond seemed exceptionally close.

“Then ask your father and brother Wayne,” Susan reminded them, “so Wayne doesn’t complain about being left out.”

“Got it.”

Jane and Mary left. Susan wasn’t worried; Jane would go regardless.

Hannah noticed Manuel nearby.

“Manuel,” she called.

He approached, wine glass in hand, seemingly aware of the gathering.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Hannah explained, “Susan’s taking us to a nightclub. You should join us.”

Manuel glanced at Susan, who pretended not to notice, linking arms with Henry.

“We’ll go together,” Hannah said. “You’ve just returned; you should familiarize yourself with the Kensbury City crowd.”

“Okay,” Manuel readily agreed. He was easygoing and, since childhood, had always complied with Susan and Hannah’s wishes. After her difficult past, Hannah appreciated Manuel deeply. How had Susan so easily lost him?

Jane approached, whispering, “Mary and I can go. Father gave permission. My brother has plans later, but he told us to enjoy ourselves.”

“Then let’s go now,” Susan said decisively. “Theodore, tell your club to prepare a luxury suite.”

“Alright,” Theodore agreed instantly. Outsiders would assume they were close friends, but they simply moved in the same circles without any prior personal interaction. Susan effortlessly charmed anyone she chose.

The trip was settled. Hannah informed her parents, and they headed to the Emperor Club. Hannah remained uncomfortable in the environment, but persevered, entering the luxury suite to find Susan already singing enthusiastically into a microphone. Her singing was surprisingly good, livening the atmosphere and easing the awkwardness among the group, many of whom were unfamiliar with one another.

Once finished, Susan saw everyone had arrived. Raising her glass, she said, “Let’s drink to our reunion, to the joys of youth!”

Hannah laughed. She was right; it felt good to be young, to have a second chance at life, ten years younger than she’d been before.

“Cheers!” Susan exclaimed.

They toasted and drank. After their first glasses, Susan and Theodore argued playfully over who would choose the next song.

“Theodore, you’re here all night. Aren’t you tired of singing?” Susan teased.

“You sound like you’re a nightclub regular,” Theodore retorted.

“It’s your club! Prioritize your guests!”

“You organized this; I’m just providing the venue. You’re the host.”

“So, no gentlemanly behavior today?”

“I am,” Theodore said, “but my gentlemanly side only emerges when I’m with our young master, Oscar.”

“See? I knew something was going on!” Susan declared with a knowing look.

Theodore, tired of the argument, conceded, “Fine, no advantage-taking. Let’s choose one song and sing together.”

“Great idea. What shall it be?” Susan asked.

“Hiroshima mon amour.”

“Do you have a crush on me?” Susan quipped.

Theodore rolled his eyes. “Don’t you know couples who sing that song break up afterward?”

“Really?” Susan doubted him. “Anyway, don’t fall for me. I’m spoken for.”

Theodore smiled sarcastically, glancing noticeably at the quiet Manuel, whose gaze met Susan's unexpectedly. Susan quickly looked away. The song’s intro began, silencing their playful banter. They sang with animation.

In the suite, others toasted and drank, maintaining a façade of camaraderie that belied their actual relationships. It was a drinking session masquerading as a business meeting, everyone presenting a carefully crafted public persona.

Charles toasted Oscar, “Mr. Wells, we share a special bond. It’s rare for Kensbury City to have two individuals on the outstanding persons list in so many years. Let me toast to you.” Charles always seemed impeccably polite.

Oscar raised his glass, then glanced at Hannah. “Your fiancée coming too?” His use of “fiancée” instead of “Miss Cooper” felt antagonistic. Hannah recalled her kiss with Charles in the garden, but felt no guilt; her marriage to Oscar was a sham.