Chapter 653 The Fight & The Kiss

Suddenly, Susan lunged for the phone Manuel had just produced. Manuel narrowed his eyes intensely.

"No! You are not calling Henry!" Susan declared.

Manuel's face was icy, his glare piercing. She moved closer, the scent of alcohol momentarily distracting him. Susan seized the opportunity, snatching the phone and tossing it away without a second thought. Unfortunately, it landed in the nearby swimming pool. Manuel looked furious.

Even Theodore felt a chill. Manuel rarely lost his temper; he usually endured bullying, exploding only when his phone or laptop—a hacker's most prized possessions—were touched.

Theodore recalled playing games on Manuel's laptop and the subsequent beating. Manuel's rage was terrifying. He anxiously watched, observing Manuel's anger building.

Yet Susan seemed oblivious to his fury. After tossing his phone, she declared complacently, "There! How dare you call Henry!"

Suddenly, a scream of pain and fear escaped Susan's lips. Manuel grabbed her arm, nearly wrenching it from its socket. His grip was too strong for her to resist. Already weakened and dizzy from excessive drinking, she felt nauseous.

"Jimmy!" Manuel yelled, dragging her towards the house. "Come with me." "OK," Jimmy replied, hurrying to catch up.

Manuel opened the car door, pushing Susan inside before seating himself beside her. Susan struggled, twisting in her seat.

She wasn't finished. She craved more wine! She needed to defeat Theodore. Frustration welled up inside her.

But Manuel remained indifferent, deliberately keeping his distance. He stared out the window, his back to Susan.

Surprisingly, Susan's anger dissipated. Looking at his back, she felt a wave of sadness; he was so distant, his heart miles away despite his physical proximity. Silence settled over them. Manuel didn't once glance at her.

The car arrived at Susan's luxury apartment building, but she remained seated.

Manuel waited a moment, then turned to remind her, "You're home."

Susan simply stared, offering no response.

Manuel frowned, opening the door a second later. He moved to her side and opened the door again. "Get out of the car!"

Susan wrestled with her emotions, amazed by his indifference.

"Get out of the car," Manuel repeated impatiently.

Finally, Susan exited, knowing further resistance would only result in a more forceful ejection.

Manuel closed the door, preparing to leave, when Susan grabbed his clothes to stop him. He paused.

"I want to ask you something," Susan whispered, her voice soft and hesitant. She herself was surprised by her timidity.

"Go ahead," Manuel swallowed, responding.

"Henry told me you took his 20% of the company," Susan stated directly. She had been despondent since her conversation with Henry, even refusing his offer of a ride home. Alone, she'd been unable to process it all.

Her distress had led her to Hannah's without calling, seeking solace and hoping to unburden herself. Finding Manuel and Theodore there, she'd drowned her sorrows in alcohol with Theodore. The quiet only amplified her misery.

"Hmm," Manuel acknowledged.

"Henry can't have sex with me while he still owns those shares. Once they're gone, we'll be free to..."

"What are you getting at?" Manuel interrupted, his expression impassive.

Susan's heart ached. She simply wanted to know if he'd object to her sleeping with Henry. His lack of concern, she felt, was evident in his seizure of the shares.

"Nothing," she replied, turning away.

Manuel left without hesitation.

"I'll talk to my father and tell him not to fire you," Susan blurted out. Manuel stopped.

"Henry keeps saying you only want our family's properties, but you could have had them long ago if you really wanted them. My father is shrewd; he wouldn't be so easily deceived."

"Henry was right," Manuel said bluntly.

Susan stared, stunned.

"I loved you once, but not anymore. All I want now is your family's properties. Love and money? I'll take the money!"

Tears welled in Susan's eyes. "Manuel, I want to be good to you. My father and your mother might get back together. We'll see each other often. Can't we stop being enemies?"

"Let me be clear. I'm after your father's properties!" Manuel said coldly. "Stop me if you can. Otherwise, you'll lose everything!" He turned and walked away.

Susan moved to stop him, hating this conflict. As soon as her fingers brushed his shirt, Manuel seized her hand hard, causing excruciating pain and tears. She believed his harshness stemmed from intense hatred.

She struggled, but he pressed her against the car and kissed her. The sudden shift from bitter argument to passionate kiss left Susan reeling. Was she losing her mind, or was Manuel insane?