Chapter 980: Investigation

"What?!" Susan screamed, her voice sharp with disbelief.

Manuel hushed her, concerned their son might be disturbed. "Why did she leave?" Susan asked, her anxiety growing.

Oscar stiffened at Theodore's words. Theodore explained, "Oscar asked me to monitor their movements. I just received a message: they have a flight booked for noon tomorrow."

"Did you ask Theodore to investigate Besse?" Susan questioned Oscar.

Oscar's silence was a tacit admission.

"Aha! I think I understand why you wanted to take Sal and Una to the amusement park today. They were there, weren't they?!" Theodore smirked. Oscar hadn't realized it earlier, but the truth had quickly dawned on him. He glanced at Theodore, who quickly lowered his head and silently ate.

"What about the cake?!" Susan exclaimed, suddenly energized.

Oscar frowned.

"Don't tell me you forgot the cake?! How can you call yourself a father?!" Susan's anger flared.

Una piped up, "Auntie Susan, that nice lady criticized Daddy like that today, too."

"If Hannah sees how you treat Sal, won't she be heartbroken?" Susan lamented.

Her words left Oscar speechless. Sal, who had been quietly eating, looked up at the mention of Hannah's name.

"Fortunately, I bought one," Susan grinned, relief washing over her face. Manuel was rendered speechless.

"Max," Susan called to Max, who was working nearby.

"Mrs. Johnson?"

"Please bring the cake I bought for Sal. We'll blow out the candles."

"We haven't even finished dinner yet," Theodore grumbled.

"Besse's leaving tomorrow! Tonight's my only chance," Susan insisted.

Theodore was speechless. Oscar's behavior, and now Susan's, left him stunned. Max brought the cake, placing five candles on it for Sal. Shyly seated in the middle, Sal beamed as everyone sang "Happy Birthday." Susan's enthusiasm was infectious, lifting everyone's spirits. Una happily participated, mirroring the joyous atmosphere. After the song, they prepared to blow out the candles.

"Wait, let's sing it again," Susan suggested.

"Why do you always have such ridiculous ideas?" Theodore retorted.

Ignoring him, Susan called Max over. "Max, can you record a video?"

They sang again, Sal made a wish, and blew out the candles.

"What did you wish for, Sal?" Una asked eagerly.

"Keep it secret," Susan said, taking the phone from Max. "Saying it aloud won't make it come true," she explained to Sal. Sal nodded; Una wrinkled her nose in disappointment.

"Let's cut the cake!" Susan declared. With her help, Sal cut a piece for everyone.

"Sal, cut one more for me to take away," Susan requested.

"Okay."

"Why are you so greedy?" Theodore teased.

"Mind your own business!" Susan snapped. "You're pregnant, so you're always right!" Theodore retorted, rubbing his nose.

Everyone ate quietly, except for Susan, who thoroughly enjoyed her cake.

"You should eat less," Manuel cautioned. "The doctor said no too much sugar."

"I haven't eaten that much," Susan retorted, unconcerned.

"That's your second piece."

"The baby's eating with me! What's wrong with two pieces?"

Manuel was speechless. Theodore laughed. "Manuel, look at you!" he chuckled. "Our happiness is beyond your comprehension, you stupid cuckold!"

"Susan!"

Smiling smugly, Susan finished her cake in three bites. "Let's leave now," she announced to Manuel.

Manuel, having only eaten half his meal, put down his utensils. It was simply how things were with Susan.

Kissing Sal's cheek as they left, she whispered, "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you, Auntie Susan," Sal blushed.

"When it's time, I'll have a baby girl to marry my godson," Susan added cheerfully.

"Susan! Relatives can't marry!"

"Never mind, I'll have a little boy to play with you."

"Okay," Sal smiled.

Susan patted his head and left with Manuel. Oscar envied her closeness to Sal.

At the hotel, they checked into a deluxe suite. Susan then coaxed Manuel into getting Besse's room number, a request he couldn't refuse. After a while, Manuel stopped.

"What?" Susan asked anxiously. "Don't tell me they've left."

"Nah," Manuel shook his head. "They're in separate rooms."

"Is that a problem?" Susan asked, relieved.

"Do you think a couple would be in separate rooms?"

Suddenly, Susan understood.

"You mean, they're not a couple?" she exclaimed, excited. If that were true, Besse and Hannah could be the same person.

"Not quite. They're not at that stage in their relationship."

"But we have their background information – they grew up together. You used that to prove me wrong when I said Besse was Hannah, didn't you?"