Chapter 578: Martina's Pathetic Ending

Hannah sat on the toilet, her face flushed, her heart pounding. She muttered a curse at Oscar. Fortunately, she’d brought her phone, a familiar comfort in stressful moments. A news headline caught her eye: "Martina Sawyer's body found on X Beach, recovered by local fishermen."

She clicked the link, recognizing the blurred image of the swollen corpse as Martina, despite the poor quality. Martina had died last night. How?

When Hannah had sent Manuel to save Sarah, she’d hoped he would spare Martina. She intensely disliked Martina, yet would have respected Manuel's decision to let her live, given Martina's deep affection for him. She'd assumed he wouldn't be capable of killing her. Martina's disappearance during Charles and Loretta's arrest had gone unexplained. Her death, however, was completely unexpected—she'd died before Charles and Loretta were even sentenced. What had happened? Had the Collins family found and killed her?

Hannah decided to call Manuel.

Manuel was dressing, aided by Tia, his servant, who had stayed with him the previous night due to his serious injuries. His back was heavily bandaged. Tia, hesitant to touch his wounds, gently applied the gauze. "Mr. Johnson," she ventured, "perhaps you should take the day off. Putting on your shirt will inevitably rub against the wounds. What if they reopen?"

"I'm fine," Manuel replied, already buttoned and seemingly unfazed. Tia found it hard to understand why such a wealthy man—rich even without his bank salary—would push himself so hard. She started to protest, but his phone rang.

"Hello, Hannah," Manuel answered.

"Hi, Manuel. Did you read the news?"

"About what?"

"Martina's dead," Hannah stated. "Fishermen found her body on X Beach."

"I see," Manuel replied calmly.

Hannah's brow furrowed. "Aren't you surprised? You knew?"

"Yeah."

"Were you involved in her death?"

Manuel didn't hesitate, recounting the events of the previous night.

"So, Martina committed suicide—for you," Hannah concluded.

Manuel didn't deny it.

"She thought Susan was dead, too," Hannah continued, "but you saved her." She wondered if Martina would have gone mad knowing Susan still lived. Hannah wouldn't mourn Martina, considering their past.

"How are you?" Hannah asked.

"I'm OK."

"You won't tell Susan?"

"No."

"She might be moved if she knew the truth," Hannah suggested.

"I don't need that, and I don't want her to be," Manuel said firmly. "I haven't considered getting back together with her since I let her go. Please keep this secret."

"Really? You're that disappointed with Susan?" Hannah sighed, surprised at his apparent ease in relinquishing that leverage.

"I tried once. I don't want to try again, or burden us both. Martina's love helped me understand my feelings for Susan."

"But I always believed Susan loved you. In the previous life…"

"Hannah," Manuel interrupted.

Hannah pursed her lips, knowing he'd moved on but still harboring a desire to reunite them. She sighed, "Okay. I'll stop. Love is between two people."

"Hmm," Manuel changed the subject. "How's Oscar today?"

"Um… in high spirits," Hannah replied, her tone suggesting a different meaning.

Manuel smiled subtly, understanding her implication. "Good. Take care of him. Bye."

"Take care of yourself," Hannah said.

Manuel hung up, the pain in his back intense. He attempted to put on his jacket. Keys in hand, he was about to leave.

"Tia,"

"Yes, Mr. Johnson," Tia responded instantly, visibly nervous at the sight of his back.

"Can you drive?"

"I got my license a couple of days ago," she replied, explaining she'd taken the test to occupy her free time and save money for a car.

"Drive me to the office."

"But I haven't driven on the road yet," Tia worried.

"Consider it practice."

Tia, speechless, agreed. She drove slowly, nervously sweating, finally reaching the Phillips Bank building.

Tia parked. "Drive the car back home. Pick me up after work. I'll let you know if I work late."

"Okay," Tia nodded.

Manuel patiently gave her instructions, pointing out the lights, then exited the car. He saw Susan standing there, watching them. He closed the door, saying, "Be safe."

"Okay."

Manuel entered the building. Susan stared at his back, bewildered by the seemingly intimate interaction she'd just witnessed, wondering what it all meant to her.