Chapter 541: The Trial (1) Calumniated

This was a productive workday for Hannah. She had lost track of how many days she'd been absent from her office since Oscar's arrest. Stretching to relieve her tired body, she was about to leave when Miguel pushed open the door and entered.

"Dad," Hannah called, seeing him.

"Why the surprise visit?" Miguel asked amiably, approaching her. "I've delegated most of your business to Tan, so you can focus on Oscar's case."

Hannah smiled. "Dad, do you have any doubts about Oscar? Are you sure you can fully support my efforts to clear his name? Aren't you worried Cooper might be implicated if Oscar is found guilty?"

"I trust Oscar," Miguel said confidently. "Besides, I believe my daughter's judgment; it's always sound." He would support any decision she made.

Hannah was touched. She knew her family would always stand by her. Overwhelmed, she ran into Miguel's arms. "Thank you, Dad."

She'd placed herself on the opposite side of the Collins family when she chose to help Oscar, and her father's unwavering support meant the world to her. Any mistake could be devastating.

"My foolish little girl," Miguel said, his generosity ever present. He never refused his daughter.

"How's Grandma?" Hannah asked, lifting her head.

Mary's death had deeply affected Lorie. Even putting aside her dissatisfaction with Mary, Lorie wouldn't have felt so guilty about their last argument had Mary still been alive. Mary's death had left Lorie consumed by guilt and sorrow. Hannah had heard Lorie weeping inconsolably over her granddaughter's fate.

"Your grandmother's still grieving, given her age. There's little we can do. But I'm planning a trip for her, with your mother and me, once this is over. Time will heal," Miguel said.

"Great," Hannah replied, avoiding further discussion. Lorie had never been a kind grandmother, and Hannah might have included her in her revenge if she hadn't considered her father.

They changed the subject and chatted until Hannah's phone rang. Knowing she was busy, Miguel offered some warm encouragement before leaving.

Hannah answered Theodore's call. "Hi, Theodore, any news?"

"Sarah Collins is confirmed pregnant," Theodore stated. After returning from the capital, they’d assigned tasks, and upon returning to Kensbury, they began executing their plan. To cripple Charles's marriage, they had to strike at its core.

Hannah looked somber. Charles's plan was brilliantly conceived; he’d built a strong defense, anticipating the day he might lose everything.

"Okay, I understand," Hannah said. "Keep an eye on Sarah Collins. I'll try to arrange a private meeting with her."

"No problem," Theodore replied. "According to my father's sources, Oscar's trial begins next Monday, barring any unforeseen circumstances. That gives us four days. The court will notify you soon."

"Proceed as planned," Hannah instructed. "It's unlikely Oscar's case will conclude with the first trial. Our goal is to implicate Charles."

"Understood," Theodore replied.

They hung up. The call intensified Hannah's reluctance to leave her chair. Monday was approaching, and she would see Oscar again. Was he alright? Memories of their last jailhouse meeting haunted her. She bit her lip, stifling the pain welling up inside.

Her phone rang again. "Hello," she answered.

"Well, I heard you made a surprise visit to your office today, so I'm calling to offer my 'regards' as an old friend. Giving up? Giving up on saving Oscar? Giving up your conspiracy against me? Why surrender so easily before your husband goes to court? Oh, it seems you weren't that in love with the poor fellow," Charles taunted contemptuously.

Engaging Charles was undesirable, yet necessary. She had to deceive him. "Thanks for your concern. However, that's my business. Should I interpret your call as a confession of lingering affection?"

"Come on! Can you be more repulsive?" Charles mocked. "Sarah is superior to you in every way. Why would I have any interest in you?"

"Then why not leave me alone?"

"Are you serious? I can't let you go."

"Then why do you keep calling? To torment me?"

"Reflecting on your suffering...exhilarates me."

"Well, that's a particularly nasty brand of excitement," Hannah retorted ironically.

"But you're smart to give up on Oscar," Charles said, ignoring her sarcasm; he relished her suffering. "Don't fight it. Oscar has no escape this time. The sooner you give up, the safer the Coopers will be."

Hannah clenched her phone. This was the reason for his call—to ensure she abandoned Oscar. She hung up decisively. Silence was her best weapon; the more she spoke, the more suspicious Charles might become. She had to appear to have abandoned Oscar, misleading everyone.

…

Monday arrived. Oscar's case dominated the Kensbury City news. His trial was underway. As a celebrity, his case was front-page news.

It was 10 a.m. When Hannah, Theodore, and Jimmy reached the courthouse, they were met with a throng of reporters. As soon as they exited the car, they were besieged.

"Mrs. Wells, can you comment on the corruption and rape charges against Oscar?"

"Given the Wells family's wealth, why would Oscar commit a fifty-million-dollar corruption scheme?"

"What's your response to the accusation that Oscar raped your sister, driving her to suicide?"

"Was your public image of a loving couple a façade? Was your marriage a convenience?"

"Oscar Wells was a notorious playboy who lost his morals after marriage. How do you feel about him?"

The reporters' questions, each more spiteful than the last, overwhelmed her. Listening to them, Hannah grew pale. She realized how deeply she cared, and how unbearable it was to see Oscar so viciously defamed.