Chapter 782: Hannah's Intention

They were at an impasse. Oscar didn't defend himself; he seemingly never did. He had no reason to; Hannah's words, though injurious, were true.

"I want you to take better care of yourself," she said.

Hannah remained silent, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips.

Oscar rose and addressed Max. "Look after her."

"Yes, Master," Max replied respectfully. He considered Oscar a good man, incapable of infidelity, and believed he must be facing difficulties.

Oscar left, as Hannah wished—she wouldn't allow him even a few minutes more.

Outside the ward, he encountered Sarah. She refused to accept her wronging at Hannah's hands or her rejection by Oscar. She had returned to explain herself and expose Hannah's scheme. The moment Oscar emerged, Sarah grabbed his arm, attempting to reiterate her claims.

Oscar slapped her. Sarah was stunned. He slapped me! How could he? Why? she wondered.

Glaring at him, she cried, "You hit me! Will you tell my father and sister? How could you do this?" Tears streamed down her face.

"If you so much as touch Hannah, I'll kill you," Oscar said coldly, the words fierce and tight-lipped.

"I didn't! Hannah fell; she framed me! Why don't you believe me?" Sarah wailed.

"If she says so," Oscar replied.

"Oscar!" Sarah screamed, trembling with anger and disbelief.

"Hannah doesn't want to see you. Stay away from her!" he demanded.

Sarah's fury erupted. "Hannah doesn't want to see me? Why? Who does she think she is?"

Suddenly, Oscar seized her throat.

Terror and rage filled Sarah's wide eyes. She barely believed Oscar would kill her, but his actions revealed a terrifying reality: she couldn't afford to offend him, or Hannah. She gasped for breath as Oscar released his grip, only after she thought she would die. He then threw her heavily to the floor.

Gasping in pain, Sarah collapsed. Angry and frightened, she dared not voice her grievances.

Oscar glared at her, his coldness intensifying as the ward door slammed shut.

Hannah, having heard a commotion, asked Max to open the door. She witnessed Oscar striking Sarah. Even Max was disturbed; he knew Sarah's identity and understood Oscar couldn't explain killing her to the Collins family. Hannah watched with cold eyes. Max believed she understood his concern, that she knew Oscar acted to protect her, yet she remained impassive, silent. She merely told Max to close the door afterward, as if watching a play.

Oscar stood silently by the door before leaving. Sarah lay trembling on the floor, clenching her fists, vowing revenge.

The door opened; Hannah emerged and looked down at her.

Sarah glared, shouting, "You're happy?"

"Yep, very happy," Hannah nodded.

"You bitch!" Sarah hissed. "Don't count your chickens. You'll pay for this!"

"Oscar would do anything for me, a single word from me is enough," Hannah said.

"You…"

"Don't you realize I was merely pretending?" Hannah interrupted.

Sarah glared, incandescent with rage.

"He knew, yet he still did that for me. Don't you understand?" Hannah continued.

"Do you think this is good for him? My father won't let him get away with this! Does he think he can do as he pleases? Most of the power is controlled by my father. A tit-for-tat fight will cause chaos; you'll be the one who suffers!" Sarah shouted hysterically.

"Do you think you're so important that your father would risk his status for you?" Hannah sneered.

Sarah was speechless, acutely aware of her insignificance within the powerful Collins family. Her father would never risk the family's foundation for her.

Hannah looked at Sarah, recognizing her sense of superiority and inability to accept defeat. "We have the same goal," she stated.

"Stop it! I'll never believe you! Don't think you can frame me again!" Sarah seethed.

Hannah simply said, "Don't you want me to leave Oscar? I do."