Chapter 951: Four Years

Four years passed. A stylish woman, with two small children in tow, entered a luxurious hotel in Northfield's capital. She yelled into her phone, "Manuel, if you dare yell at me again, I swear I'll take your son and jump off a building!"

Manuel was furious. Susan had run away from home in her third month of pregnancy, taking his cousin's children, Salem and Una Wells, with her.

"Send Sal and Una back," Manuel pleaded, his voice carefully controlled. He dared not provoke her.

"What's wrong with fresh air? Sal's cooped up studying all day. He'll turn into Oscar, who never smiles!" Susan complained indignantly. "I didn't even want to bring Una, but Sal insisted."

"Where are you?"

"I'll be back soon. Don't call again. Don't ruin my mood! The doctor said pregnant women need positive emotions..."

"Don't eat ice cream, barbecue, or street food..." Manuel managed before Susan hung up.

She took an oversized ice cream cone from Salem and ate it leisurely.

"Aunt Susan, is Uncle Manuel mad?" Salem asked, having overheard their conversation.

"He's just stingy," Susan replied nonchalantly. Their argument had begun during their trip from Kensbury City. Manuel had restricted her diet and constantly interrupted her. In anger, she'd bought a plane ticket and collected Salem and Una from Oscar's house.

Salem and Una, nearly five, were unknown to the media.

"But Aunt Susan," Salem said, his mature words belying his young voice, "you should avoid cold food; it's not good for the baby."

Salem increasingly resembled Oscar; Hannah's influence was fading. The thought of Hannah brought a fresh wave of unbearable grief. She hadn't imagined Hannah dying, let alone so mysteriously.

She remembered four years prior: Manuel's red eyes, his unusual demeanor. She'd feared cancer, but he'd revealed Hannah's death.

Initially, she'd refused to believe it. Hannah had been so healthy. But finding Hannah's villa empty confirmed the truth.

In the capital, she learned Hannah and Lillian had died at sea – Lillian was suspected of murder. No bodies were recovered, only a photograph found beneath Hannah's grave.

Oscar, critically injured, had been absent. Although Susan didn't understand Lillian and Hannah's fate, she briefly wished Oscar dead, suspecting his involvement. Yet, only he survived.

After six months in intensive care, Oscar reappeared. He'd brought Salem back from abroad. Salem initially rejected him, as did Hannah's parents. Salem was their only remaining hope. Oscar didn't force the issue, allowing Salem to stay with his grandparents, Miguel and Michelle, in Kensbury City. But every night, regardless of how late he worked, Oscar returned to the Cooper Manor.

Hannah's parents initially forbade his entry, but relented after witnessing his nightly vigil, repeated for years. They eventually allowed him contact with Salem, who eventually warmed to him.

Blood ties proved unbreakable.

Another year passed. Oscar collapsed during a live television interview, exhausted from his daily trips to Kensbury City. Northfield believed he'd succumbed to overwork; only Hannah's parents knew the truth. He sometimes arrived as late as 2 or 3 a.m.

Finally, a compromise was reached: Salem was entrusted to Oscar, returning with him to the capital. Fortunately, Oscar wasn't entirely consumed by grief; he ensured Hannah's parents had regular time with Salem.

The following years were peaceful under Oscar's leadership. Northfield prospered, and Susan eventually healed.

She sighed, patting Salem's head. He resembled his father, yet possessed an undeniable charm.

"Okay," Susan conceded, unwilling to hurt his feelings.

"Mm-hmm!" Salem replied, smiling sweetly – a smile reminiscent of Hannah's.