Charles stared intently at Hannah, her smile unwavering, her demeanor firm. He suppressed his burgeoning anger. He had come this far; what more did she want? He had shown her respect, humbled himself—what else could he possibly do?

"What will it take for you to marry me?" he asked, a hint of anger coloring his words. The pretense was wearing thin, and Hannah knew it. It felt wrong to be so ungrateful.

She sneered. "I won't marry you, no matter what."

"Hannah, there's a limit to everything!" Charles's voice dropped. "If you break off this marriage, it's over. I swear I won't marry you again!"

"That's what I want," Hannah replied indifferently.

Charles was furious. "You made me do so much! You even made me kneel! You intend to humiliate me, don't you? You don't want to forgive me? You never wanted this wedding, did you?"

"No," Hannah admitted. Her actions were revenge for his past cruelties in her previous life, though it felt far from sufficient, a mere beginning to her plan.

"Hannah, you'll regret this!" Charles threatened.

"I won't."

His irritation mounted. He had humbled himself, shown no shame, yet he felt utterly played. His suppressed anger bubbled to the surface, threatening to erupt into a tantrum, regardless of his image.

"Hannah, that's enough!" Lorie roared, cutting through the tension.

Hannah met her gaze coldly. Lorie feared Charles might do something irreparable; her sudden hostility was unnerving. In a fleeting moment, Lorie saw a ghostly resemblance to Hannah's grandfather—a kingly aura, intimidating even in repose. She understood then why the grandfather had always favored Hannah; she was his image.

"Grandma, I'll say it again: I control my marriage. If this affects your interests, forgive my treachery; I won't sacrifice my happiness for you," Hannah declared, her tone sharp and resolute. She wouldn't compromise.

Lorie was instantly enraged. "This is for your own good! You grew up together, your families are equals. You want to break it off over a small mistake? You're impulsive!"

"A small mistake?" Hannah retorted sarcastically. "To you, Charles's infidelity is small? Yet when Grandpa socialized with female subordinates, you made a huge fuss! You forgave and even encouraged him when he was involved with another woman?"

"Hannah!" Lorie exploded.

"If you can't do it, why demand I do?" Hannah challenged fiercely.

Lorie felt humiliated. She was pressured by the Sawyer family to secure the marriage, yet she, the Cooper matriarch, couldn't control her own granddaughter.

"Grandma, treat others as you'd be treated," Hannah's tone softened, bowing respectfully. "My attitude was poor, I apologize for angering you. But don't judge my situation from your perspective."

Lorie felt like the villain, forcing her granddaughter into marriage.

"Hannah, this is for your good. This breakup is a pity. Give Charles another chance. If he mistreats you again, I'll avenge you," Lorie said gravely, implying the wedding must proceed.

Hannah laughed. "Grandma, I know you mean well. But Charles and I can't go back. I have principles, pride. I won't allow my marriage to be trampled on. Please understand."

Lorie's newly pleasant smile curdled into anger. Hannah, refusing further argument, bowed and turned to leave.

"Hannah, are you delusional? With your circumstances, do you think you'll find better than Charles? You refuse to listen! Who would dare marry a woman who disrespects a man? Don't be shameless!" Lorie's words were brutal.

Hannah bit her lip. In Lorie's eyes, she was irredeemable, so flawed that Lorie would demean her own granddaughter. She glared at Lorie, ready to respond, when a magnetic male voice cut through the air.

"Who says...no one marries her?"

All eyes turned to a man in a white suit emerging from the shadows, walking towards Hannah, his gaze fixed on her.

"Marry me."

Hannah felt a flicker of temptation.