Chapter 601: Luxury Island
The atmosphere in the room was stiff, quiet, and stifling. Hannah felt a chasm between herself and Oscar; their relationship, after all, stemmed from a fake marriage.
"How long will this take?" she asked.
Oscar was stunned. "How long until you succeed and we part?" she clarified. She didn't need to know him; she could let go of her feelings. She had endured much; she could relinquish everything.
Following this declaration, Oscar kissed her deeply. Hannah, moved, pushed him away a second later. She didn't want such intimacy, but Oscar was relentless. She couldn't break free from his grip. Her eyes met his, registering a frantic desperation, as if he sought something from her. She ceased resisting.
A tear fell. She felt helpless, a feeling echoing the terror of being held at gunpoint—a sense of impending doom. The night deepened, his kiss intensifying. Just as she anticipated the usual nightly progression, Oscar stopped, holding her close.
"I'm sorry, Hannah," he murmured.
She remained silent, unsure how to respond to his apology. The room was still. After a long pause, Oscar sat up, switching on the light. The sudden brightness made Hannah squint. When she opened her eyes, she saw him gathering clothes, helping her dress with surprising gentleness.
Hannah was bewildered. Was he going to kill her? Yet, his touch was so tender. She bit her lip, allowing him to proceed. Oscar changed his clothes as well, then took her hand and left the room.
It was midnight, perhaps one or two in the morning. She didn't know where he was taking her, but she knew resistance was futile. They departed the villa. Max watched their car drive away.
Inside, Oscar called Theodore. "I'm leaving for a while," he said. Theodore, already in bed, was clearly annoyed. "Where are you going?" he grumbled.
"The Capital," Oscar replied.
"So, you're going to tell Hannah?" Theodore laughed, shaking his head in apparent helplessness.
"Yes," Oscar confirmed.
After hanging up, Oscar seemed to glance at Hannah. She turned to the window, her back to him, deliberately distancing herself. He parked at the airport. He exited the car, helping her open the door.
She remained seated, staring at him. "Are you going to take me on a trip, then kill me in some staged accident?"
Oscar smiled—his first smile of the night. "That man's smile could captivate anyone," she thought, frowning.
"I have many ways to kill you discreetly. I wouldn't make this complicated," he said.
Hannah stared, unwavering. "Don't you want to know who I am?" He touched her head. "I'll let you know."
She was surprised by his willingness to reveal his identity. "I'll take you to a place. You'll understand then." He offered no further explanation, helping her unbuckle her seatbelt and leading her from the car.
Hannah followed him into the airport. They caught the last flight to the Capital. The journey was short, only two hours. Hannah rarely visited; in her past life, she'd only gone to see Charles, who worked there. The city felt strangely familiar.
Oscar gave her little time to acclimate. Upon landing, a black car sped them to a port on the city's outskirts, far from the bustling capital. They boarded a speedboat and headed toward an island. It was a luxurious island, dotted with impressive buildings. A magnificent villa was visible from afar.
It was 7 AM. The winter dawn in Northfield was still dim, yet the villa's lights shone brightly. Oscar led her inside—a villa grander than his Kensbury City residence. The sheer value of this artificial island was beyond her comprehension.
"Don't be afraid," Oscar said, holding her hand. "If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't bring you here."
Hannah stared at him, holding her breath as she followed him into the strange house. Through a long, wooded garden, they reached the villa's entrance. The interior was brightly lit.
Hannah hesitated, reluctant to enter. It wasn't fear of danger, but a sense of profound, hidden secrets behind the transparent doors. Should she know them all?
Oscar didn't press her. He waited, patiently allowing her to enter his world.
Hannah took a deep breath. There was no turning back. She accepted the consequences, regardless of Oscar's identity. Mustering her courage, she approached the door. As she reached it, the entrance opened, revealing a warmth contrasting sharply with the cold outside world. Hannah marveled at the cost of such a magnificent palace.