Chapter 458 The Game (1)

Edward, wanting to avoid disappointing Manuel, simply nodded. "Fine, I trust you."

"Then I should go."

"Manuel," Edward called.

"Yes?" Manuel responded.

"Justine..." Edward hesitated.

Manuel explained, "She's been in a bad mood lately, upset about Susan's abortion. She went on a trip to relax. And I think the relationship between my mother and you... perhaps you should handle it yourselves. It will be easier without my intervention."

Edward agreed, "That's right." It was clear Justine didn't wish to see him.

"Then I'll go."

"Okay."

Manuel left Edward's office. He wasn't sure of his mother's feelings for Edward, but he would support her regardless. He chose to remain neutral.

He entered the elevator, around lunchtime. The ride from the chairman's top-floor office to the third-floor canteen was crowded. He was pressed into a corner and overheard snippets of conversation:

"Have you seen the news? Mr. Johnson and Miss Phillips are divorced! That explains Miss Phillips and Mr. Parker's closeness. I saw them acting suspiciously in the office; I thought she was cheating. Turns out, they were already divorced."

"I don't understand why Miss Phillips dislikes Mr. Johnson. He's cute."

"That doesn't matter. Mr. Johnson is lame! No one wants to marry a disabled man," a woman declared. "I'd choose Mr. Parker too."

"Welcome to the real world," she sighed. "We'll do the same thing... Sh!" They abruptly fell silent as the doors opened and two more people entered.

It was Susan and Henry, from different floors. Henry had clearly visited Susan's office. They maintained a composed public demeanor, standing side-by-side. The gossiping women subtly nudged each other, directing their attention to the couple. They were avidly observing the unfolding drama.

Reaching the third floor, most passengers exited, but Manuel, having lost his appetite for the canteen, remained, intending to go to the ground floor. As the doors were about to close, a hand stopped them. Susan rushed in, her eyes widening upon seeing Manuel. She had forgotten her phone and lunch, feeling unnerved without it, but hadn't anticipated encountering him. He pressed the button and asked, "Which floor?"

Susan replied hastily, "13."

Manuel pressed the button. The elevator ascended in silence.

"Why aren't you having lunch?" Susan finally asked.

"I ordered delivery."

"I thought you never ate takeout," Susan frowned, remembering his stringent self-discipline.

"People change," Manuel stated flatly.

Susan bit her lip, sensing a deeper meaning. They arrived at the 13th floor. Manuel pressed the close button as she exited, the doors sealing shut before she turned. Susan took a deep breath and resolved to avoid him.

Manuel returned to his office, ordered food, then called Hannah. "Hi, Hannah, am I disturbing you?"

"No." Hannah had just finished a bento Max had made.

"Anything important?"

"The board of directors said I wasn't qualified today."

"And?"

"I ignored them."

"So..."

"I found Henry has many supporters at Phillips Bank."

Hannah was calm. "I knew. Edward is getting older, less involved in the company. He lets Henry make decisions. Henry's responsible; it's reasonable he gains respect."

"Once this settles, I'll arrange things with Phillips Bank personnel."

"Excellent," Hannah agreed wholeheartedly.

"Just wanted to tell you what I saw at Phillips Bank. I won't disrupt your lunch break."

"Okay."

"Oh, right," Manuel added, "I heard you and Oscar are planning a baby."

"..." Hannah was mortified.

"Good luck," Manuel teased.

"All right. I'll go," she said.

"Bye."

Hanging up, Hannah touched her belly.

Would they succeed this time?

She'd never actively considered children, but Oscar's influence made her yearn for motherhood, making her unexpectedly vulnerable.

That afternoon, Rose excitedly knocked on Hannah's door.

"What?" Hannah asked.

"Bills' secretary called! He wants to meet you tomorrow at 10 AM at his hotel to discuss the international e-commerce project." Rose was ecstatic. "Ms. Hannah, what did you say to him at the banquet yesterday? How did you secure this opportunity? It's incredible!"

Hannah chuckled, knowing it wouldn't be easy. "Okay. Let Tan in."

"Yes!" Rose nodded eagerly. "I'm a huge fan, Ms. Hannah."

"That's it, my spaniel."

"I truly admire you," Rose insisted.

"Got it," Hannah waved. "Just go."

Her lack of excitement impressed Rose even more. People like Hannah couldn't help but succeed, she thought.

Tan entered. "Ms. Hannah, you wanted to see me?"

Hannah nodded. "Bills Jones called about cooperation. What do you think?"