Martina's Revenge (1)

Hannah's words sent Oscar plummeting from grace; he appeared deeply depressed. Jimmy and Max, standing nearby, were equally shocked by Hannah's threat. Tears welled in Hannah's eyes, as if she had lost something irreplaceable without Oscar. She hadn't realized how vital he was to her new life. Suddenly, a phone rang in the quiet corridor, startling her. She answered immediately, "Hi, Manuel."

"Are you at the villa?"

"No, at the hospital."

Manuel frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Oscar's having surgery for a gastric perforation."

"I'll be right there."

"Okay." Hannah hung up. It then struck her that she should call Oscar's parents. She'd almost forgotten. "I should call them," she murmured.

Max stopped her. "Master Oscar has been very independent since childhood and rarely bothers the Wells family when he's in trouble."

Hannah frowned, confused. "What do you mean, 'bother the Wells'? Isn't he part of the Wells family?"

Max offered no further explanation, only saying, "Don't worry. He'll be safe." Hannah, for some reason, heeded his words. Besides, Oscar hadn't suggested calling his parents before the operation.

Half an hour later, footsteps approached. Hannah saw Manuel entering.

"How's he doing?" Manuel asked.

"No idea. It's been almost an hour," Hannah replied.

Manuel nodded. "Where's Theodore?" Hannah suddenly realized she hadn't heard from Theodore since the court case.

"He's been detained for fifteen days in Kensbury Detention Center for contempt of court."

Hannah was speechless. Theodore had been detained twice for Oscar's sake.

"Theodore's father has considerable influence in Kensbury City; he'll be released soon, right?" she asked, reasoning that his father's influence wouldn't extend to River Town, where Theodore had previously been detained.

Manuel explained, "Laird didn't intervene this time. He wanted Theodore to learn a lesson. The point is..." Manuel trailed off as Oscar emerged from the operating room. The rest of Theodore's story was inconsequential. Laird had previously intervened in River Town only because Oscar needed Theodore's help. The situation seemed almost unbelievable as a father-son dynamic.

"Don't worry about him," Manuel said. "A troublesome man lives long. He'll be fine."

Hannah considered his words and found them sensible. They spoke for a while, and Hannah gradually calmed down, though she kept glancing at the operating room. Manuel, though also concerned, showed little outward anxiety. He was reading a message on his phone. He'd been neglecting work lately due to his cousin's business. He was now reading a message about the International Sway Bank’s establishment in Kensbury City and the impact it would have on Phillips Bank, where he worked. An emergency meeting was scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Manuel was still reading when a phone call arrived. His expression changed. A few seconds later, he answered, "Martina."

"Manuel?" Martina's voice was sharp with anger.

Manuel didn't reply.

"You took Sarah away today, didn't you?" Martina's rage was barely contained.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't you?" Martina's eyes were red with fury, but she was still controlling herself. With her family's help, she'd escaped the police and fled Kensbury City and Northfield by boat. She'd have been arrested if she hadn't reacted swiftly and escaped during a confrontation with Sarah. She knew Sarah would kill her if caught. She'd abandoned her brother, mother, and her homeland.

The location tracking app on her phone revealed Manuel's involvement. She’d had her phone except during dinner with Manuel. She’d thought he was taking advantage of her but discovered he'd set a trap. It was heartbreaking; the man she loved had destroyed her family and life.

"I heard the police are looking for you," Manuel said, calmly. "I suggest you leave Northfield immediately to avoid legal consequences. Your exact location is unknown now, but that won't last. You know what the Collins family is capable of."

"Are you worried about me, or making amends for your guilt?" Martina asked sarcastically.

"Your choice," Manuel said before hanging up. Martina meant nothing to him; his leniency towards her during Sarah's rescue was simply because he wasn't cruel.

As Manuel put down his phone and turned to return to the operating room, a message from Martina appeared: "You will regret this, Manuel!"