Chapter 936: Hannah Disappears

That night, Hannah returned to Northfield, sooner than she anticipated. She'd expected to be away for at least a year or two.

Theodore met her at Capital International Airport. "Hannah," he said, approaching her. The emotion he felt at her return was palpable, though some things remained unspoken.

Hannah nodded. "I'll take you to Oscar's," Theodore stated.

"What's the situation?" Hannah asked.

Theodore was forthcoming. "We haven't found Lillian. We've locked down the Capital and Northfield. She must still be here, but she hasn't been seen." He pursed his lips, his tone serious. "I'm prepared for the worst."

"What about Oscar?" Hannah asked anxiously. Was he prepared as well?

Theodore shook his head. "Since Una disappeared, he hasn't spoken, barely slept. He just sits. I don't know what he's thinking." Hannah could imagine his despair.

"If Oscar weren't in such a state, I wouldn't have let you come back," Theodore explained sincerely.

"I understand," Hannah replied, knowing Oscar's importance to Theodore. Yet, Theodore wasn't one to crumble under pressure; his request for her help indicated the severity of the situation.

"I'll use the restroom first," Hannah said.

As they left the terminal, escorted by bodyguards, Hannah abruptly excused herself to the restroom. Theodore, preoccupied, nodded absently. She went to the restroom while they waited outside.

After a considerable time, Theodore cautiously peeked inside, resisting the urge to intervene. He reasoned that if Hannah didn't want to return, she would have refused earlier. He wouldn't force her.

Twenty minutes later, he called Hannah. No answer. He tried again; still nothing. He assumed she was in trouble; he couldn't imagine her leaving willingly. Her safety was paramount.

He burst into the restroom, eliciting screams. His men and he searched frantically, finding Hannah's phone in a cubicle. A message appeared on the screen: "I'm out of here. Don't try to find me." The SIM card was her international one. He punched the door in fury, startling the women inside. "Find her!" he roared. "Yes, sir!"

Meanwhile, Hannah, using the restroom as a pretext to evade Theodore, had smoothly escaped. She'd anticipated his lack of vigilance given her promise to return. She'd quickly changed her clothes with a woman's help. She'd considered that Theodore might strangle her if caught, but believed she could achieve more independently. More importantly, she felt her presence wouldn't help Oscar. She didn't consider herself crucial to him.

A taxi took her downtown. Prepared with cash for untraceable transactions, she bought a new phone and SIM card.

She sent a message using the new number, hoping for a response, however unlikely or delayed. Another taxi took her to a clothing store, where she bought a new outfit, anticipating Theodore's review of security footage.

She couldn't check into a hotel, so she went to a 24-hour restaurant for food, planning her next steps. Her phone rang, an unfamiliar number; her heart pounded.

Lillian, despite the risk of revealing her location, had kept her phone on, checking for information.

Hannah answered. "Lillian."

"Hannah? I thought Oscar was playing games!" Lillian retorted sarcastically.

"It's me," Hannah stated flatly. "I'm in the Capital. I want to meet."

Lillian laughed. "You think I'll give you the chance? You want me to reveal myself so Oscar can kill me! I won't die easily; I won't fall into your hands!"

"Oscar isn't with me," Hannah explained calmly. "He doesn't know where you are. I contacted you because of Una Wells."

Lillian scoffed. "You care about her?"

"I do," Hannah affirmed. "Cian Wells saved my life; Una is all he has left. His child. I can't ignore that."

"Oscar is ruthless. Where do you stand? I suspect your strained relationship with him was an act to lower my guard, and my father's."