Hannah’s heart pounded as she gazed at the man before her. She had never seen Oscar in a white suit, not in her past life or this one. His hair was impeccably coiffed; he appeared more mature and dependable than ever. His eyes held a tender affection as he looked at her. A laugh bubbled up; this Oscar was somehow different from the one she knew. This man seemed to possess her own foresight. Silently, she composed herself, acknowledging the elaborate nature of this display. She’d thought Oscar wouldn't come, but his unexpected arrival startled her.

Suddenly, Oscar extended a hand. Theodore, from offstage, quickly presented a bouquet of red roses. The roses, seemingly encrusted with diamonds, glittered brilliantly. The sparkling bouquet captivated everyone, especially the women present, including Hannah. She always felt Oscar, with his capacity for surprise, was a stark contrast to Charles. Charles was predictable, his every action by the book; his so-called romance was easily anticipated. She reflected on Charles's resentment of her rigidity and her dislike of his inflexibility and lack of imagination. Comparison, she knew, was harmful.

She watched as Oscar knelt. A hush fell over the world. The scene stilled as Oscar’s sudden action silenced everyone. "Hannah," he said, "marry me."

Tension gripped Hannah; her fingers trembled. She’d never expected this. If he'd simply asked, she would have said yes. She unclenched her jaw, a radiant smile blooming on her lips. "Yes," she breathed.

Her answer stunned the audience. They’d considered such drama impossible, yet here it was, unfolding amongst Kensbury City's elite families. Some might even call it the "Drama of the Year."

Hannah reached for Oscar's roses. Charles, jolted from his shock, lunged forward, attempting to pull Hannah away. But someone was faster, sweeping Hannah into a protective embrace, completely thwarting Charles's advance. The speed was astonishing. Hannah barely registered being lifted into Oscar's arms.

Not only Hannah, but Charles, too, was dumbfounded. He remained frozen for a moment, unable to process the events.

"Mr. Sawyer," Oscar said, holding Hannah close, a clear assertion of his claim, "please behave yourself."

Charles clenched his fists. "Are you crazy?" he raged at Hannah. "Do you know who you're marrying? He's the young master of the Wells family, one of Kensbury City's Four Families! Who do you think he is?!"

Hannah's face hardened. She found herself inexplicably irritated by Charles's disdain for Oscar. "Do you know what kind of man he is? Do you know how many women he's slept with? You want to marry him?! Hannah, think about what you're doing!" Charles's threat was laced with suppressed fury.

"Only you can be unfaithful, but I can't marry someone else?" Hannah retorted sarcastically. "It's a 'mistake all men make' if you sleep with other women, but a character flaw if Oscar does?"

"Am I the same as him?" Charles ground out.

"No," Hannah said bluntly, "You're worse."

"Hannah!" Charles felt a surge of murderous rage. Even if she wouldn't marry him, she couldn't marry another man publicly. It was a matter of male pride, an unforgivable insult.

"I won't allow it!" Lorie interjected.

As Hannah began to respond, Oscar gently covered her mouth with his hand. A wave of emotion washed over her; she still needed someone to rely on, though she hadn't dared to hope for it. The gesture between them was undeniably intimate. Charles's eyes blazed.

"Madame Cooper," Oscar asked humbly and politely, a stark contrast to Charles's furious outburst, "are you dissatisfied with me in any way?"

Once, Oscar had been the frivolous playboy, Charles the charmingly successful gentleman. In a single instant, their roles had completely reversed. Oscar seemed a hundred times more noble than Charles.

"What do you possess that warrants my satisfaction?" Lorie's contempt was palpable.

"In terms of family," Oscar said calmly, "isn't the Wells family suitable for the Cooper family?" He showed no reaction to her disdain.

Lorie was speechless. The Wells family, the pinnacle of Kensbury City's Four Families, far surpassed both the Coopers and the Sawyers.

"In terms of appearance," Oscar continued, "am I significantly less attractive than Charles?" His question was met with knowing silence; Oscar was notoriously handsome. Charles, apart from a carefully cultivated air of gentility, was unremarkable.

"In terms of achievements," Oscar continued, his tone gentle yet powerful, "Charles's greatest honor is Northfield's Outstanding Youth Award. I, coincidentally, have also received that award." His words left Lorie stunned.

"In terms of generosity," Oscar went on, "I spent thirty million on Hannah's beloved sapphire; Charles merely watched as others took it." Lorie’s pallor mirrored Charles’s.

"And academically," Oscar continued, raising an eyebrow, "Charles holds a double master's degree from Northfield's top university. I hold a double master's degree from the world's best." He addressed Theodore, who immediately produced Oscar's credentials. Oscar handed them to Lorie. She glanced at them, unconvinced he possessed such distinguished qualifications.

"The most important point," Oscar concluded, "is that Hannah will be the only woman I ever marry."