Chapter 745: The Truth

After saying those words, Henry looked up at Manuel and asked, "When did you find out who I was? Did Edward tell you today?" He sensed Manuel had known all along; the man consistently exceeded his expectations.

Manuel remained silent, focusing on how to rescue Susan.

"He's known for a long time," a woman's voice announced from behind. They turned to see Emily, having regained consciousness, approaching from the rooftop.

A sense of foreboding washed over Henry. Emily reached them, stating, "I told him."

"Emily!" Henry's expression hardened.

"Yes, I was selfish," Emily confessed, tears welling. "I didn't want you with Susan, I didn't want you to seek revenge. I only wanted you, but you kept being drawn to her. So I found Manuel. Knowing you both loved her, I hoped he'd stop you. I wished you'd put aside our feud and return to me, like we were back in the orphanage, just the two of us."

Henry's face darkened. He finally understood Manuel's recent shift in behavior—his constant opposition. Manuel had previously avoided conflict, but his attitude visibly changed after his marriage to Susan, a marriage achieved through deceit.

"When did you tell him?" Henry demanded.

"When you and Susan were about to get married," Emily replied.

Manuel's actions stemmed from his knowledge of Henry's true nature. He hadn't exposed Henry for a considerable time, revealing Henry to be merely a pathetic figure in Manuel's eyes.

"You knew! Why didn't you tell me?" Susan, agitated, confronted Manuel. She couldn't understand his silence, his inaction while she made foolish choices. He'd watched her, doing nothing.

Manuel, seeing her reddened eyes, asked, "If I had told you earlier, what do you think you would have done?"

Susan paused, realizing that knowing everything while she loved Henry would likely have led to a drastic confrontation with her father on Henry's behalf. Her actions would have been extreme, unlike her current reaction to Henry's harm. Her lips were pale, tightly pressed together.

"I hoped to win your love and oust Henry, ending the feud," Manuel explained. "But I failed. You always chose him."

"But now…" Susan began.

Henry interrupted, "So you wanted to help Susan and me, in your own way?"

"Yes," Manuel admitted, "As long as you didn't get Phillips Bank, you wouldn't harm Edward or Susan. I didn't anticipate your extremism."

"You didn't expect she'd fall for me," Henry retorted sarcastically.

Susan bit her lip; Manuel compressed his own.

"We both thought her love would last. But she left me for you. Had I known, you would have killed me."

"I won't do anything illegal," Henry stated.

"So you're reminding me I am?" Henry sneered. "But Manuel, I respect you. How could you let Susan go if you loved her? How could you suppress your feelings and help us?"

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink," Manuel said indifferently. "I tried, so I let her go."

"Giving up, you still care? You should watch me take Phillips Bank and laugh at Susan's blindness."

"I'm not as wicked as you. Knowing your plot, I won't let you succeed," Manuel declared. "I tried to bring you together; you showed no gratitude."

"Manuel, you loved her so much! You endured her misunderstandings, did all this silently!" Henry scoffed. "She's ungrateful."

"I did what I thought was right. Edward was my stepfather; I should protect his property. I'm not as noble as you believe."

"And you still care for Susan? You fear for her life, right?"

"Believe it or not," Manuel replied, offering no further explanation.

"It's all past. I want you all to die with me!"

Manuel's expression darkened.

"Call Edward," Henry ordered. "Call that old man. I want to see if he's dead!"

Manuel looked at Susan.

"No! I don't want my dad to die with me!" Susan pleaded.

"I won't," Manuel stated calmly. "I won't involve others."

Susan felt a pang of sadness at his apparent indifference to her life, struggling to control her emotions.

"You won't call him? Fine, I'll throw her off the roof," Henry threatened.

"You would anyway. Why let you kill another to get what you want?"

"Manuel, you've ended your feelings for her," Henry said slowly, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

Susan felt a sharp pain pierce her heart.