Chapter 729: Manuel Returns
Susan paused. "Forget it. I'll handle it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. No more delays."
"All right," Hannah replied, unwilling to push her. Some things Susan needed to face alone.
"By the way, are you still at work?"
"Yes," Susan said, her fury simmering. Manuel had vanished for almost a month, leaving the company's affairs to her and her father. He insisted she help, despite her lack of knowledge. It had been a nightmare.
"I almost threw up," she confessed. "I used to loathe Manuel, but now I can't wait for him to return. Otherwise, my dad—and I—will have a nervous breakdown."
"Now you understand Manuel's importance?" Hannah asked.
"No," Susan admitted, "but his presence would ease the pressure."
"Aren't you afraid he'll take your property?"
Susan remained silent.
Hannah sighed. "If you're afraid, learn to rely on yourself. No one is dependable for a lifetime."
"Why have you changed since your trip to the capital? You seem much older," Susan observed.
Hannah smiled. The experience of helplessness and near-death had underscored the importance of strength—physical and mental.
"Were you unhappy in the capital?" Susan asked, sensing a disillusionment in Hannah. Shouldn't she be overjoyed—her husband promoted, a baby on the way? Shouldn't she be laughing?
"No. Pregnancy has made me more emotional," Hannah replied, her tone perfunctory.
Susan didn't dwell on it.
After lunch, Susan reluctantly returned to the company, summoned by her father. She berated herself; her actions always betrayed her thoughts. She should have simply left her father alone.
At Phillips Bank, she froze. Manuel was there. She'd thought him gone for good.
Affecting composure, Susan approached her father. Their strained relationship stemmed from Manuel's drugging and subsequent disappearance.
"So urgent to call me back? What's the matter?" she asked.
"It's working hours. Shouldn't you be at the company?" Edward snapped, his disappointment evident.
"I visited Hannah. She's unwell after returning from the capital," Susan explained, her tone tight.
Manuel glanced at her, but looked away when she met his gaze.
Edward started to question her about Hannah, but Susan interrupted him.
"I was gone half a day. Manuel's been gone a month! Why reprimand me? Why not him?"
"He was dealing with critical issues," Edward retorted. "But you never focus on your work."
"You force me to work when you know I can't concentrate," Susan countered.
"Susan Phillips, you want me to donate my inheritance to charity, don't you?" Edward's irritation flared.
Susan remained silent, avoiding further conflict.
"Manuel is back. He'll handle many things," Edward sighed. "You need to transfer your work to him."
"Did you hear that?" Edward emphasized.
"Yes," Susan replied. Her father's short temper had become increasingly frequent. She endured it only because of his kindness.
"Manuel, the work I transferred might be bothersome," Edward said, "My blood pressure's been high lately, and the doctor advised more rest."
"You're too kind," Manuel responded.
"Susan, learn from Manuel," Edward instructed.
"Got it," Susan retorted impatiently. "Even unwell, you still lecture me. Aren't you afraid of a stroke?"
"Susan!" Edward warned.
"All right, I'll stop," Susan conceded, feeling the familiar weight of her father's authority.
Leaving his office, they reached an elevator simultaneously.
"When should I transfer my work?" Susan asked.
"No need," Manuel said curtly.
Susan frowned.
"I know what you're doing. You don't need to transfer everything alone," he clarified.
Suppressing her anger, Susan pressed the elevator button. They exited in silence. Back in her office, she’d barely calmed down when Henry arrived.
"I heard Manuel's back?" Henry asked casually.
"Yes. I saw him in my father's office."
"Where has he been?"
"I don't know. I didn't ask," Susan said indifferently. "I don't care."
"Right," Henry smiled. "Why did your father call you in?"
"To hand over my work to Manuel. He wasn't here before; everything fell to my dad. Now Manuel's back, my father can finally relax."