Chapter 522: Conspiracy (15) Down in Spirit
Hannah stared at Charles frostily. This man would stop at nothing to achieve his aims, employing despicable tactics that constantly tested her endurance. She bit her lip, a surge of murderous intent flooding her. How many more unwarranted charges would he level against Oscar? She couldn't bear to see him defamed by such a man.
Charles met her gaze ironically. Hannah didn't panic; instead, her anger flared, her eyes blazing red, her body trembling despite her efforts to control herself. Seeing her thus, a long-absent thrill coursed through him. He reveled in the memory of her past swagger, her humiliating insults. But this was far from enough; it was merely the beginning. He would destroy Oscar first, then Hannah. Afterward, he would systematically dismantle the Collins family and other powerful figures in Kensbury City. His ultimate triumph would leave everyone groveling at his feet. He laughed wildly, his exhilaration uncontainable.
"Hannah, I feel sorry for you," he said.
Hannah remained vigilant. Charles advanced, closing the distance until his face was inches from hers. Jimmy bristled, but Hannah raised a hand, silencing him while he glared at Charles with steely determination. Charles smiled evilly, then reached out, cupping her chin in a gesture of blatant insult.
Jimmy snapped. "Jimmy! Stop!" Hannah commanded, restraining him. He fought to control his fury, the veins in his neck bulging. Oscar's repeated warnings to protect her echoed in his mind.
Charles's smile was sarcastic. "Oh? Aren't you going to tell him to kick my ass?"
Hannah met his eyes. "Let go of me!"
"What if I don't? What are you going to do?" he laughed.
Hannah scoffed. "You can't touch me, even if you refuse to let go."
Charles's expression clouded. He was surprised by her composure.
"Do you dare touch me now?" she challenged. "You're marrying Sarah soon. Dare you risk a scandal?"
Charles, momentarily checked, released her. He didn't dare. His goal had been to provoke Jimmy into a public altercation, thereby giving him grounds for arrest. His current strategy was to gradually weaken Hannah and isolate her. Theodore had already been detained; Jimmy and her allies would follow.
It was a clever plan, but Hannah saw through it. She would endure his disgusting behavior, knowing his impending marriage limited his options. He needed the Collins family's favor above all else, so he wouldn't risk a major scandal. This, of course, was a calculated gambit; he would exploit every opportunity to hinder their efforts for Oscar.
Silence descended. Charles turned, feigning disgust. His hasty departure masked his frustration at being exposed. "Oscar Wells is a suspect in serious crimes. No unauthorized visits are permitted!"
"Understood," the detention center staff responded respectfully.
Hannah watched him go, simmering with rage. Their attempt to see Oscar had again failed.
"Mrs. Wells," Jimmy said softly, breaking the prolonged silence.
She bit her lip. "Let's go."
They left together.
Back at the villa, Hannah lay on the bed, overwhelmed by a profound sense of helplessness. It triggered painful memories of her past life, of Charles's imprisonment and her futile struggles. A wave of icy dread washed over her as the memory of his stabbing her resurfaced, relentless and unavoidable. She cowered under the covers, trembling.
She told herself this wouldn't happen again, that she had changed everything. But even as she offered this self-reassurance, she felt herself unraveling. Had her efforts been in vain? Had she gambled, and lost, Oscar's life?
Tears flowed silently. She thought she'd forgotten how to cry, that she wouldn't allow herself such weakness. She remained curled in the corner for hours, refusing to engage with the outside world, oblivious to the public's judgment of Oscar.
Jimmy and Max waited outside her door, their anxiety growing with each passing hour, from four in the afternoon until the next morning. Max, fearing she might harm herself, raised his hand to knock, but the door opened before he could touch it.
Hannah stood there, her face serene. The desperate woman was gone, replaced by the cool composure she usually maintained.
"Sorry," she said. "I know you were worried."
Max looked at her, his distress evident. He'd served the Wells family for years, witnessing their detached approach to Oscar. But Hannah's actions revealed a depth of love he'd never seen before. Oscar, he thought, must cherish her for a lifetime and never let her down.