“I don’t want to waste my breath with you!” Charles said impatiently, his voice low. He was clearly annoyed by Hannah’s words, but unwilling to show it.

“I’m just calling to say you should learn from this project. If you keep acting against me, I swear I won’t let you get away with it! Don’t blame me for being ruthless then!” he declared. He’d simply called to boast and threaten her.

Hannah remained calm. Charles, to her, was utterly ridiculous. Coldly, she said, “Charles, watch out! You’ll regret this.”

“What the hell did you mean? Are you cursing me!” Charles exploded.

“It won’t be entertaining enough if you go to hell too soon,” Hannah retorted, hanging up abruptly. She wouldn't waste another second on him.

Hannah put down the phone, tidied her desk, and went to Rose’s office. Rose was surprised by her sudden appearance.

“Ms. Hannah,” Rose said respectfully, rising.

“I’ll be on vacation for a week.”

“What?” Rose was shocked.

“I’m leaving now. I’ll be back next Monday.”

“Ms. Hannah, are you…?” Rose asked anxiously. Everyone else thought she was desperate.

“Try not to disturb me this week unless it’s urgent.”

“Okay, Ms. Hannah…”

Hannah started to leave.

“Ms. Hannah,” Rose stopped her.

“What?” Hannah asked.

“Any work arrangements?” Rose asked, remembering Hannah’s previous, overwhelming vacation workload. This abrupt departure seemed strange.

“Just finish the current work. That’s all,” Hannah said lightly. “We’ll address other tasks when I return.”

Rose watched her go, bewildered by Hannah’s apparent devastation over the project. It seemed unbelievable.

Hannah had booked a flight to River Town. She packed her belongings and left with Jimmy. From her first-class seat, she scrolled through her phone, checking the day’s news. She suspected the bid results would be headline news. She opened her news app, and the notifications appeared instantly:

‘Sawyer Group Wins 10 Billion South Bay New Town Project! What a Surprise!’

‘Hannah Might Be Held Accountable for Cooper Group’s Losses!’

‘Sawyer Group Prioritizes Public Welfare Over Profit in South Bay New Town Project.’

‘Sawyer Group Implies Cooper Group’s Casual Approach Led to Their Bid Failure.’

Hannah read numerous articles. The Sawyer Group had undeniably stolen the spotlight. Every twist in the story was a potential hashtag.

She also read comments about Sawyer Group’s soaring stock prices and analyses suggesting their win stemmed from family conflict, concluding Charles was more competent than Hannah, regardless of his ethics.

Hannah laughed coldly, wondering if Charles was trying to whitewash his actions through this success. She switched off her phone—not from disinterest, but because the plane was about to take off. She remained composed.

She wasn't angry at the Sawyers for slighting her family, nor at those claiming Charles’s superiority. She simply dismissed it as a joke.

The five-hour flight to River Town, a city unfamiliar to both Hannah and Jimmy, ended at 6 pm. Hannah knew Oscar’s address; he’d sent it after settling there, jokingly inviting her to catch him cheating.

She wondered if he was baiting her or genuinely inviting her. Oscar was certainly cunning.

They took a cab to Oscar’s apartment complex. Anticipation fluttered in her chest. She imagined Oscar’s reaction to her surprise visit.

Would he be as excited?

She tried to quell her excitement, fearing her heart might burst. They reached his door.

Hannah rang the doorbell. No answer. She rang again, with the same result.

“Should we call Mr. Wells?” Jimmy suggested.

“No,” Hannah said, wanting to maintain the surprise.

“Should we wait here?” Jimmy asked.

Hannah nodded, noticing a keypad. She entered a sequence of numbers. The lock clicked open. Both were surprised.

“You know the password, Mrs. Wells?” Jimmy asked casually.

“I guessed,” Hannah replied.

They entered Oscar's apartment, familiar from their video chats. She moved her suitcase to Oscar’s bedroom, saying, “Jimmy, you can stay here.” She gestured to the next room.

“No, I’m not staying,” Jimmy said flatly.

“Why not?” Hannah asked, surprised.

“Mr. Wells wouldn’t approve,” he explained.

“That’s not true,” Hannah insisted.

“He’d see me as a third wheel.”

Hannah was speechless.

“I’ll stay at a nearby hotel, Mrs. Wells. Call if you want to go out; I’ll pick you up,” Jimmy said, leaving with his luggage.

Hannah felt sorry for him but remained silent.

She sat on the couch, waiting for Oscar. He usually returned around 9 pm. Two hours remained, and she was bored. She called Susan, noticing missed calls from her upon landing.

Susan’s voice screeched through the phone, “I’m calling the police if you don’t call back!” Her voice was deafening.