Chapter 466: The Game (9) Threaten Henry
Manuel fell silent, understanding Hannah’s implication. Sparing Henry meant losing Susan forever; not sparing him risked alienating the Phillips family. He couldn't predict Susan's allegiance.
He lit a cigarette, rising from his chair without his cane. His left leg, though weight-bearing, still limped. He stood by the French window, smoking in a daze. Ultimately, he chose to leave Henry be.
His mind was made up; he couldn't retract his decision. He'd tried, to no avail. He extinguished the cigarette and dialed a number.
"Henry."
"Manuel?" Susan answered.
Manuel pursed his lips. "I need to speak with Henry."
"He's cooking. What's wrong?" Susan's voice was confused.
"Work."
"It's Saturday!" Susan exclaimed, unhappy.
"Fine. I'll call Monday." Manuel started to hang up.
"Wait," Susan interrupted. "I'll get him." She feared Henry would miss something important.
"Thank you," Manuel replied politely, his tone distant.
Susan, inexplicably upset yet calm, handed the phone to Henry. "Honey, it's for you."
"Who is it?"
"Manuel."
Henry frowned. "He said it's about work."
"Okay, honey. Keep an eye on the pork. Don't get burned," Henry murmured to Susan, taking the phone.
"Okay."
Manuel overheard their tender exchange. Then Henry's indifferent voice: "What is it?"
"Got a minute? I need to talk."
"I'm at Susan's. No."
"I can wait." Manuel remained calm.
"About what?" Henry pressed.
"Work. I can't explain over the phone. We need to meet."
"Urgent?"
"Yes."
"I'll meet you after lunch. Where?"
"The office."
"Two p.m."
"Okay."
Henry hung up, returning to the kitchen to inform Susan, "Manuel needs me at his office at two."
"He's doing this on purpose! It's Saturday!" Susan fumed.
"Maybe it's important."
"He's making things difficult," Susan insisted.
Henry remained silent, seemingly absorbing her anger. He aimed to cultivate Susan's dislike for Manuel.
"He's my boss. Don't worry. We have tomorrow. I'll take you for a walk in the park."
"Deal!" Susan smiled. "Deal."
They cooked and ate together, their interaction a stark contrast to Susan's coldness around Manuel.
Back in his office, Manuel answered the phone. "Mum."
"Did you eat well?" Justine asked.
"Yeah." Manuel glanced at the fast food on his desk.
"Really? Fast food?" Justine doubted him.
"Yeah."
"I told you not to! It's bad for your stomach. You and Oscar have the stomach bug. I'm sending Tia to cook and deliver meals to your office."
"Don't overreact. That's excessive."
"I insist. I'll tell Tia to move in…"
"Mum, that's ruining her reputation. Just have her bring meals daily."
"Fine. Take care of yourself. Don't let Susan ruin you."
"I won't."
"I don't believe you."
"Mum, Edward asked about you the other day." Manuel changed the subject.
"He called. I'm not interested. Don't interfere." Justine dismissed him.
"He's good to you."
"We'll see. I'm busy. Bye."
"Okay." Manuel hung up, staring at the fast food, his appetite gone.
At two p.m., a knock sounded.
"Come in," Manuel said coldly. Henry entered, calling back to someone, "Wait for me."
Manuel guessed Susan was waiting. Henry closed the door and entered.
Manuel adopted a poker face. "What is it?"
Manuel showed him a copy of a mortgage statement.
Henry's eyes flickered with panic, though he tried to mask it.
"It's all official. What's the problem?" Henry retorted.
Instead of arguing, Manuel produced a copy of the mortgage statement.
Henry frowned. He'd instructed the archives that no one could copy those documents without his knowledge, even the chairman. How had Manuel obtained it?
Manuel hadn't obtained it directly. All documents required online approval, and electronic records were top secret. Only one person had access. It was a significant breach. Henry couldn’t believe Manuel had an electronic copy.
Manuel hadn't obtained it officially. He'd hacked the company intranet. But there was no need for explanation. He then produced two property certificates. "They're fake."