Chapter 942: Oscar Arrives

Lillian's laughter echoed in the empty warehouse, a hideous smile twisting her face. The beam of light that had previously shone on her was gone. After composing herself, she said, "Hannah, you're smarter than I thought. You knew exactly what I wanted. You're right. I won't let him go that easily. First, I'll torture him; I need to unleash my hatred. I wonder if he'd risk his life for you, Hannah. If he did, I'd kill him and die with him. If not, I'd kill you and show you why."

In truth, Hannah's death would offer Lillian some solace. Lillian's unspoken desire was to prove her own worth to Oscar, to show that she was not inferior to others in his eyes, to demonstrate that their relationship's failings weren't her fault alone. She lowered the gun, having no immediate intention of killing Hannah—this was merely a threat, intended to intimidate and torture a captive who had willingly presented herself. Yet, Hannah proved unexpectedly shrewd.

"Winston," Lillian called.

"Yes," a man's voice answered from a shadowed corner.

Hannah was startled. There had been another person in the warehouse all along. This explained why Oscar hadn't discovered Lillian; he hadn't accounted for an accomplice. Hannah glanced around, realizing this man likely had knocked her unconscious.

Lillian, sensing Hannah's thoughts, smiled coldly. "Surprising, isn't it, that I have help?"

Hannah remained silent. The deception was indeed astonishing.

"I've been in the Collins family for years," Lillian sneered. "Did you think I was just a clueless rich girl, concerned only with pleasure and romance? My siblings and I received specialized training from our father since childhood. We possess skills beyond your imagination. For instance—" She raised the gun. "My marksmanship: one hundred percent accuracy."

Hannah, surprised but not entirely shocked, understood the advantages of a privileged upbringing.

"Winston is my bodyguard," Lillian boasted. "He left temporarily when I married Oscar. During my escape, he found me and assisted discreetly, evading Oscar's notice." She was rightfully proud; she had evaded Oscar for two days. Only her deliberate revelation of her location had led him here.

"Hannah," Lillian said, her tone changing. Hannah's heart quickened. "With Oscar's abilities, how long do you think it'll take him to find us?"

Hannah didn't answer.

"An hour, I'd guess," Lillian stated confidently. Hannah bit her lip. "You've been unconscious for twenty minutes, and we've talked for another twenty. That leaves twenty minutes. In twenty minutes, you'll see Oscar. Are you looking forward to it?"

Hannah had no desire to see him again. She was here only for Una Wells.

"I am," Lillian continued, a cruel grin spreading across her face as she approached Hannah, who maintained her composure. Lillian seized Hannah's hand, eliciting a flinch and a sharp cry of pain as Lillian bit down on her finger. Using Hannah's bleeding finger, Lillian wrote on the floor beside her earlier markings: "I HATE YOU TOO, HANNAH."

As Hannah endured the agony, Lillian laughed maniacally. "What do you think Oscar will do when he sees this? Will he be furious?"

Hannah remained silent, knowing Oscar would instantly recognize Lillian's handiwork.

Lillian turned to Winston. "Is everything ready?"

"Everything is ready, Miss!"

"Good!" Lillian said. "Let's go."

Winston stepped forward. In the dim light, Hannah saw a tall figure approaching, carrying Una Wells. Una appeared to be asleep; Hannah hadn't heard a sound from the child and wondered if she'd even been present.

Lillian, noticing Hannah's gaze, said, "Don't look. She's asleep. I gave her sleeping pills."

Hannah was shocked.

"Don't look at me like that!" Lillian flared. "I'm her mother! Who pushed me to this?! " Una had been well-behaved, but there was no guarantee she wouldn't cry out. The sleeping pills ensured silence, though Lillian wondered if Una's docility was due to the medication or her own nature. It didn't matter; they were all going to die.

Lillian regained her composure, or perhaps succumbed to numbness. "Give me Una."

Winston handed Una, wrapped in a blanket, to Lillian. "Watch her," Lillian instructed Winston, who then moved to stand guard over Hannah, gun drawn, forcing her to leave with them.

They reached an abandoned pier, a speedboat waiting on the choppy waters below. As they boarded, the distant sound of approaching car engines signaled Oscar's arrival. Lillian looked back; it had happened faster than she'd anticipated. Hannah saw the headlights as well. Lillian smirked. "Let's go!" Oscar would be thwarted again. She imagined him driven to madness by her games.