Chapter 944: Hannah's Persuasion
"I don't want it," Theodore said, deeply moved. The overwhelming emotion nearly overwhelmed him.
"It's yours. I won't take it. I can spend a lifetime guarding this empire, but I won't accept you as my boss empty-handed," Theodore refused, his voice firm. "If I return alive, I'll fulfill my duty. But if I don't..."
Even trying to hold back, tears streamed down Theodore's face. The memory of his childhood—the cruel training, the fear, the uncontrollable sobs—surfaced. As they grew up, the tears lessened, but now they flowed freely.
He said solemnly, "I entrust the Wells family's empire to you."
"I'm going!" Theodore exclaimed. "Let me go! I swear, if Hannah or Una is harmed, I will not return alive!"
Oscar never doubted Theodore's sincerity. He simply didn't want him to bear the family's burden alone. Theodore had already sacrificed enough.
"Theodore, you have family."
A tremor ran through Theodore's heart. He thought of his aging father, Laird Wold, his face etched with the passage of time.
"Your father, your wife, your son..." Oscar continued gently.
Theodore remembered his wife, Little Bunny, and their son, Nicholas. Distance had weakened their bond, but the image of Nicholas' face pierced him with pain.
"This is my mission; they will understand," Theodore said.
"You don't have to, Theodore. Cherish your family." Oscar didn't want Theodore to repeat his own mistakes—a life spent serving others, only to lose them all.
"Oscar..."
"This is an order!" Oscar's tone was cold.
Theodore, his eyes brimming with tears, stared at Oscar. Years of brotherhood couldn't overcome this command. He fought back his emotions as Oscar, his gaze resolute, turned away.
Theodore clenched his fists, watching Oscar board the ship. He longed to stop him, but knew violence would only worsen things. He couldn't bear to see harm befall those he loved.
On the coast, a lone yacht was surrounded by ships closing in. Lillian felt trapped, suffocated. How much effort had Oscar expended to kill her? She glared at the ships, instruments of his potential wrath. She felt teetering on the edge of desperation.
Hannah spoke, "Oscar hasn't acted. What does that mean?"
Lillian, bloodshot eyes fixed on Hannah, clutched her trembling gun.
"He still has reservations," Hannah reminded her.
"He can't bear to see you die?!" Lillian retorted sarcastically.
"It's not just me, it's Una," Hannah replied.
"He doesn't care about Una!" Lillian screamed.
Una trembled, her fear evident in her innocent eyes. Lillian's heart ached. She yearned to provide Una a better life, but felt powerless.
"There are ways to test Oscar's feelings for Una without resorting to her death," Hannah urged, anxious about Lillian's volatile state.
"So... what do you suggest?" Lillian asked.
"Oscar will come. If he doesn't, we're dead. When he arrives, demand he come alone. If he does, it means someone here matters to him—either you or Una. Use that as leverage!"
"And then?"
"If you could save Una's life, would you choose her death?"
Lillian hesitated. She craved a future for Una, but saw it as impossible. The choice between a shared death and Una's unfulfilled life was agonizing. She’d choose the former, unless Una could become someone special, a noble princess of the Wells family.
"If you don't want that outcome, give Una a chance."