Chapter 461: The Game (4) A Winning Game

"Hannah!" Martina's anger flared instantly. Hannah's taunts—that Manuel wouldn't love her despite her advances—were infuriating. Martina trembled, furious at the memory of Manuel's cold shoulder. She longed to slap Hannah senseless.

But Hannah remained unfazed, dismissing Martina with a calm, cool demeanor. She turned, glancing at Charles, her eyes lingering on the white gauze on the back of his hand before a disdainful smile flickered across her lips.

Charles noticed, his discomfort palpable. He attempted to speak.

"Well, Mr. Jones will sign with me if you don't hurry," Hannah said, feigning a kindly reminder.

"In your dreams!" Martina thundered. "It's utter nonsense that your insignificant platform thinks it can compete with Sawyer! We know what Bills wants—a large-scale operation, and only Sawyer Group can deliver. Everything you're doing is an insult!"

"Had I known, I wouldn't have advised you to go into online business," she added.

"Oh, spare me the self-importance. My brother's decision is his own," Martina retorted.

Hannah, glancing at Charles, remained silent. The advice she'd given him had ultimately been his own ideas, and no one knew the extent of her contributions to Charles and the Sawyer family. The same held true for the e-commerce platform; she'd made Charles a pioneer, a decision she now regretted. Fortunately, the Sawyers hadn't capitalized on her brilliant idea.

"Whose idea was it? Your brother knows best! You're not fooling anyone. Frankly, I'd rather not waste my time. Excuse me." Hannah stated.

The Sawyers couldn't ignore Hannah's indifference and confidence. They still couldn't fathom her transformation—her current uncontainable, threatening presence.

Hannah, however, ignored them, boarding the elevator with Tan and Rose. The Sawyers exited as they entered. Rose pressed the down button; as the doors closed, Hannah offered a sardonic smile.

Charles clenched his fists, vowing revenge.

Back in the car, Rose remarked, "The Sawyers were arrogant! I wonder how they'll react when they learn about Mr. Jones's cooperation model."

"React?" Hannah gazed out the window. A simple reaction wouldn't suffice; for someone like Charles, she envisioned something far more… thorough.

That afternoon, Bills called to inform Hannah of his agreement with Sawyer Group; the contract signing was set for two days hence. He'd sign a separate contract with her afterward.

Things unfolded precisely as she'd planned. She then called Manuel.

"Hello, Manuel."

"Yes."

"Bills has agreed with Sawyer Group. Monitor their loan application from Phillips Bank. And ensure the process is completely legal and above board."

"OK." Manuel replied.

Hannah hung up, awaiting the culmination of her plan.

A week later, headlines announced the Sawyer-Bills international e-commerce agreement. It was Northfield's first such project, a landmark achievement. Sawyer celebrated wildly, their stock prices soaring. It was their most successful venture to date. From Hannah's perspective, ten years ahead, e-commerce represented immense future potential.

In her previous life, Sawyer Group's e-commerce success propelled them to second place among Northfield's powerhouses, behind only Wells Group. They later acquired Cooper Group, becoming the undisputed leader.

The Sawyer family were unrivaled in the business world. Charles's career flourished, with only occasional setbacks from Oscar. He reveled in his perceived superiority, a feeling Hannah intended to prevent this time.

Bills invited Hannah to a celebratory dinner that evening, before departing the following morning. She attended with Tan, seeing him as a valuable asset for her future acquisition of Cooper Group. He'd earned her favor, and she had high expectations for him.

Hannah dressed meticulously. Her natural beauty, enhanced by the dress, was breathtaking.

"Ms. Hannah, sometimes your beauty overshadows your abilities," Tan commented.

Northfield rarely saw such stunning beauty, particularly one with her charisma and powerful aura.

"Oh, really?" Hannah replied, unconcerned.

She wouldn't again conceal her strengths, unlike before when she'd dressed in oversized clothes at Charles's insistence, earning the label of a pretty but dowdy housewife.

"How could I not!" Tan quickly corrected.

"Good," Hannah said, flipping her hair before confidently entering the VIP room in her heels.

Her entrance commanded immediate attention. She possessed an undeniable magnetism, captivating both men and women, even those who disliked her.

Martina glared at Hannah, consumed by jealousy, questioning her presence at Bills' private dinner. The realization that Bills had already signed with Sawyer Group only intensified her bewilderment and resentment.