Chapter 252: Find Someone to Replace Her

Charles wasn't particularly intelligent, though not entirely stupid. He excelled when guided, much like she had done previously. She had offered him countless suggestions, which he'd implemented flawlessly. His earlier defeat stemmed from his unpreparedness for her sudden change and his underestimation of her. Now, he would take her more seriously.

Hannah tried to compose herself. She had to manage him, regardless of the difficulty. She had no other options. She reread the documents from the courthouse.

The phone rang. "Manuel," she answered.

"I've stolen all the Cooper Group General Affairs Department contracts, packaged them, and sent them to your email. There are many. Are you sure you can review them all? I heard your father's case is coming up soon."

"Yes," Hannah replied. "Thanks."

"Not at all." Hannah hung up.

She had planned to question him about his wedding night with Susan, but recent events left her little time for such concerns. She opened her computer, downloaded the contracts, and began her review. She suspected something significant lay behind the hundred-million-dollar private contract, something perhaps hidden within these documents.

Manuel called Oscar. "I've sent the documents to Hannah, and a copy to you."

"OK."

"You'll help Hannah, right?"

"What do you think?"

"I think you will."

"Then why ask?"

"I was checking if you needed help."

"I'll let you know. Your top priority is your recovery."

"OK."

"And don't let Susan manipulate you."

Manuel was silent. Susan wasn't as malicious as they believed.

After the call, Manuel left his room. It was afternoon. He had ordered breakfast earlier and intended to have lunch with Susan, but she was still asleep. He knew her sleep schedule was erratic; sometimes she slept all day without eating, which worried him.

He hesitated, then decided to go to her room and knock. The door swung open as he raised his hand. Susan appeared, looking languid and her disdain was evident. Manuel looked away, fortunate to be in his wheelchair.

"What?" she asked.

"I'm ordering lunch. What would you like?"

"I'll go out."

"Oh, okay." Manuel left.

Susan watched him go, clenching her teeth. They could have had a good relationship, but Manuel's approach forced her to fight back.

She returned to her room and dressed. It was four o'clock. She hadn't slept much the previous night, falling asleep only to wake from a nightmare. Unable to return to sleep, she browsed her phone and read about Hannah's family troubles. She worried, calling Hannah, but finding her calm, relaxed her fears. She eventually drifted back to sleep, waking at four o'clock.

Susan was startled. Manuel had waited for her to have lunch. She refused to feel guilty; it was his choice.

She quickly dressed and applied makeup, eager to leave. As she opened the door, Manuel called from the living room.

"Don't interfere in my life," she snapped.

Manuel smiled wryly. Who was he to interfere?

"My mother hired a servant. Any preferences?"

"No." The servant wouldn't care for her.

"Male or female?" Manuel persisted, sensing her impatience.

"Whatever." She was putting on her shoes.

"OK."

"Female," Susan said, leaving.

Manuel was confused.

"Female. Attractive. Under 25. Preferably just turned 20," Susan clarified.

"Under 25 or 20? Limits our options."

"Why ask my preferences if you can't comply?"

Manuel remained silent.

Susan left, slamming the door. Manuel surveyed the empty house, regretting its size. He'd wanted to give Susan the best, fearing she'd resent a smaller space.

He called his mother. "We hired a servant. I'll bring her later…"

"I want a younger female servant."

Justine's reaction was sharp. "Manuel, you don't usually pick and choose. Susan requested this, right?"

"Yes."

"And you're letting her?"

"It's not against my principles."

"Principles? Since when have you had principles around Susan?"

Manuel paused. "Just do as Susan asked."

"Don't you see she's making things difficult?" Justine was disappointed. She couldn't understand why her son had fallen for such a woman.

"No," Manuel said. Susan wasn't making things difficult; she was finding a replacement.