Chapter 752: Being Rejected

"It's I who threw Charles away," Hannah said coldly.

Sarah's expression soured. It meant she'd picked up the scraps Hannah had discarded. Her opinion of Oscar had drastically changed. She'd once been proud, believing Oscar undeserving and her affection shameful. Now she realized even her father couldn't afford him. She desired a relationship with Oscar, but her father intended to match her sister with him instead—a prospect she vehemently opposed.

"Anyway, you really have bad taste," Sarah retorted.

Hannah smiled, conceding, "Yes, I do."

"Do you hate Oscar now?" Sarah asked.

"No," Hannah replied. "I just met the wrong people. Besides, everyone can live without a man. I've never relied on one. If we have a good relationship, we stay together; otherwise, we separate."

Sarah felt outmatched. "You're quite the philosopher, huh?" she gritted her teeth.

"You need to relax, too. Don't covet what others have; it's a sure path to hurt."

"What do you mean?"

"You're clever enough to figure it out."

Sarah bristled. Hannah seemed to know everything, including Sarah's feelings for Oscar—a secret she'd carefully guarded.

Silence followed.

"Miss Collins, please give me your sister's number. I assure you, I won't do anything harmful," Hannah said.

"No. We're not compatible. I won't help you."

"Then, I apologize for the intrusion."

Hannah hung up, feeling a slight mental breakdown. She glanced at her bodyguard before turning away. For things beyond her control, she chose the best path for herself.

Max watched her, feeling sympathy. Her rapid transition from agitation to calm concealed untold grievances; he dared not speculate further.

Hannah returned to the living room, composed, and dialed Justine's number.

"Hannah?"

"Sorry, Ms. Knight, I can't come over right now."

"What's wrong?" Justine was surprised. She hadn't expected Hannah to leave Susan alone in her state.

"I'm grounded—by your nephew," Hannah admitted.

Justine was stunned, speechless. Her allegiance to Oscar prevented her from blaming him. Hannah understood; family loyalty ran deep.

"Please help look after Susan. She's unfriendly, and you dislike her, but she's a simple girl, without malice. If anything happens to Edward, please take care of Susan and prevent her from harming herself," Hannah pleaded earnestly.

Justine looked at the exhausted, weeping Susan, her gaze fixed on the emergency room, appearing utterly abandoned.

"I will. I promise," Justine replied.

"Thank you, Ms. Knight," Hannah said sincerely.

"Hannah, Oscar…"

"Ms. Knight, don't worry about us. I'll respect his choices," Hannah interrupted. She didn't want to involve anyone in her relationship with Oscar. Since meeting him, things had unfolded as they would, and she wouldn't blame anyone.

Justine sighed. "Oscar acted involuntarily."

Hannah nodded. She knew; he'd simply never tried to change things.

Hannah hung up and sat silently on the sofa. Max stood beside her, worried, unsure of Oscar's whereabouts. He'd never seen Hannah so agitated and composed in such rapid succession, recognizing her strength was a façade.

At the hospital, Susan sat in a wheelchair, staring at the ER, numbly awaiting Edward's prognosis. As long as her father lived, she vowed to obey him.

Justine hung up and approached Susan, wanting to speak but hesitating. She would simply watch Susan, preventing any rash actions.

Where was Manuel?

Justine called him.

"Mum." Manuel's voice was weak.

"Where are you?"

"What's wrong?"

"Edward committed suicide. He's in the ER. Susan…" Justine looked at Susan, "If anything happens to Edward, I fear Susan won't cope."

Manuel was silent, surprised Edward had chosen this path.

"Will you come?" Justine asked, before he could reply.

"No," Manuel refused.

He didn't mention his post-operative state, receiving intravenous fluids and unable to stand due to blood loss. He feared further worrying his mother.

Justine sighed. "Okay. You and Susan… clear things up. Don't ruin yourselves for each other."

Manuel remained silent; his mother had always opposed his relationship with Susan.

"I'll watch over Susan; you attend to your own affairs," Justine added, worried about Manuel's anxiety.

"Okay."

Justine hung up. As she did, she met Susan's gaze, a strange guilt washing over her.