Chapter 261: Lorie's Denial

Hannah sneered at the thought. Roger, the one who’d leveled the accusation, was the culprit.

She turned to Oscar. "Have you gathered all the evidence? Against both Roger and Maxwell?"

Oscar remained silent.

Hannah's annoyance grew. "Hey!" He seemed oblivious. "What's wrong with you?"

Oscar offered only a casual glance. Hannah's gaze fixed on him, then understanding dawned. He was reacting to her mention of Charles.

How narrow-minded! she thought. She herself hadn't begrudged his past affairs. "Hey, I've given up on Charles!" she declared. She'd compromised repeatedly since marrying him, always falling into his traps. He was dangerous.

"Of course, I have it recorded," Oscar finally said.

"You kept it?"

"Theodore has it. He'll give it to me at the court session."

"Don't you need to review it, prepare your statement?"

"Are you doubting me?" Oscar asked seriously.

"No, of course I trust you," Hannah hastened to assure him. She knew what tricks he might play if angered.

"Good girl," Oscar smiled. The charm was menacing to Hannah. She stepped back to avoid his touch; his outstretched finger froze, then dropped. "I'm tired. Showering. I'll be downstairs for dinner."

"Need a hand with your shower?"

"Shut up!" Hannah fled upstairs, locking her door. She wasn't sure he wouldn't break it down.

After showering and changing, while drying her hair, she checked her phone. A news alert: Lorie Cox had officially denied Hannah's declaration, blaming Miguel's betrayal.

The article detailed Lorie's counter-argument: her declaration was motivated by her grandfather's will, which provided for her monthly expenses. Her claim of Miguel offering her money was false. She didn't intend to force Miguel's abdication, but insisted he was incompetent to lead Cooper Group. She also accused him of falsifying his father's will, a matter she intended to pursue legally.

Hannah felt less angry. The more Lorie refuted, the more her embarrassment would grow when the truth emerged. In two days, the world would witness Lorie and Roger's humiliation.

"Hannah, are you drowning yourself?" Oscar's voice came from outside.

Hannah remained silent.

"I'm breaking the door down," he warned, sounding serious. She believed him.

She quickly opened the door. His panicked expression vanished instantly, replaced by his usual composure. He was annoyed. "Why's the door locked after your shower?" She hadn't wanted to see him.

"Why not use the hairdryer?" he frowned.

"I'll do it later," she replied, touching her wet hair.

"What if you catch a cold?"

"I'm not that weak!"

"Come here." He took her hand, leading her into the bathroom and seating her before the mirror. He began drying her hair.

Hannah wanted to speak, but refrained. She found it hard to resist Oscar's affection. It struck her how she'd once believed Charles's kindness. He hadn't done anything special, yet she'd fallen hard, innocently believing their childhood connection guaranteed reciprocated love.

Hannah, what an idiot!

Touched, she watched him dry her hair. She recalled Oscar's past reputation as a playboy. Yet, a few encounters from her previous life resurfaced. He'd never refused attention, securing the affections of those he desired. One incident stood out.

At a private concert, she'd bumped into him on her way to the restroom. She'd instinctively grabbed his clothes to avoid falling, only to be pushed away. She remembered a fleeting look of panic, followed by his emotionless departure. He'd been the worst man in her eyes.

Now she wondered if the push was instinctive, a habitual avoidance of touch. Was he a playboy who hated being touched?

She stared at him, drying her hair with a charming expression. Though rumored to be surrounded by mistresses, she couldn't recall their names.

"Hannah, that look makes me think you want…," he looked in the mirror, "…to have sex with me."

Her contemplation was interrupted. She was suddenly repulsed.