Chapter 492: They Must Be Long-Lost Friends!

Charles signed the contract, allowing the e-commerce project to resume. Hannah spent the entire day preparing for the official launch, working late despite her promise not to. She stretched, wondering why Oscar hadn't contacted her. She realized he hadn't bothered her during work. Just as she left, Susan called.

"Why'd you call?" Hannah asked.

"You wouldn't call, so I had to!" Susan's tone was sharp.

Hannah knew she'd neglected Susan due to her workload. Susan, however, only asked, "Where are you?"

"Just leaving work."

"Come to the Emperor Club."

"It's too late," Hannah declined, thinking of Oscar.

"It's only after nine."

"I have work tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's Saturday."

"Oscar's back," Hannah admitted, knowing Susan wouldn't let it go otherwise.

"Huh," Susan sneered. "I knew you were smitten with that jerk."

"I saw him at the club," Susan continued, "and asked you to catch him in the act."

Hannah was stunned.

"Hurry! He and Theodore are getting quite drunk," Susan urged.

Hannah's face fell. So, that's why Oscar hadn't pushed her to go home. She'd thought him considerate; instead, he was with other women. "I'll be right there!" she snapped, hanging up and summoning Jimmy.

Susan smirked, having watched Oscar and Theodore for a while. They were alone in Theodore's private box—no women, no waiters, just two men enjoying drinks. Despite the lie necessary to lure Hannah, Susan genuinely wanted her there. Bored and lonely, she felt out of place amidst the dancing women, fearing the empty night awaiting her at home. Thoughts of her miscarriage—a depressing episode she believed would haunt her forever—weighed heavily. She sat anxiously in a corner, watching the door.

After ten minutes, she smiled, seeing Hannah arrive, breathless. Hannah’s repeated claims of indifference toward Oscar were, Susan thought, simply another example of women saying one thing and meaning another. Hannah’s anxious arrival, however, suggested otherwise.

Hannah, seeing Susan, immediately scolded her. "You're drinking after a miscarriage? How irresponsible!"

Susan rolled her eyes. "Hannah, it's been three months. Let it go."

Hannah tried to respond but was pulled toward Theodore's box. "Come, I'll show you the 'big scene.'"

Approaching, they were stopped by a guard. "No trespassers!" he warned.

Susan, puffing out her chest, retorted, "This is Mrs. Wells, wife of your boss's best friend. Move it!"

The guard paused, then spoke into his microphone. Soon, they were admitted.

Inside, Oscar and Theodore were alone. Oscar smiled faintly at Hannah's arrival. Theodore quipped, "Obviously, Mrs. Wells can't leave my buddy alone, even for a moment."

Hannah glared at Susan. Where was this scandalous scene? Catching whom in the act?

Susan, sensing Hannah's displeasure, stammered, "You should be happy! Do you want him to have an affair?" Hannah found Susan increasingly unreasonable.

Susan smoothly added, "A chance meeting is better than a planned one. Let's all have a drink."

"Who says so?" Theodore scoffed. "We're having fun and don't need anyone else."

"Come on! Be a man! A woman's offering a drink, and you refuse? What's wrong with you?!" Susan yelled.

Theodore bristled, remembering their past clashes.

Hannah intervened, "Since we're here, we might as well join you." Oscar also gave Theodore a look.

"A gentleman doesn't fight women," Theodore conceded, and so did Susan, pouting as she sat beside Hannah.

Oscar sat beside Hannah. "Why didn't you text me after work?"

"Were you waiting for my text?" Hannah retorted.

"I didn't want to disturb you, my dear."

"So you chose to drink with him, then?"

"My dear, I swear I didn't drink a drop of wine."

Hannah chuckled.

What a loving couple! Their affection was palpable. Susan rolled her eyes and raised her glass. "Drink up."

Theodore, though initially reluctant, drank with them, finding their company surprisingly tolerable. He'd never seen Susan drink so openly and honestly; despite their recent conflict, she displayed a pleasant side while drinking. The two, previously at odds, seemed to become unlikely friends.

Watching them arm-in-arm like old pals, Hannah quipped, "Are they long-lost siblings or something?"

Oscar, sipping water, replied, "Everyone has a less-than-bright friend who brings joy. They're those friends."

Hannah smiled broadly. The scene was indeed felicitous.