Chapter 397: As Long as They Are My Blood!
Lorie settled into Miguel's office while Hannah and her father returned to their own for the contract signing with Sawyer. After reviewing the terms, Miguel turned to Hannah, his surprise evident in his speechless expression. Lee’s absence had been accommodated; the Sawyer Group was represented by Martina.
Martina gnashed her teeth as she signed the contract. Hannah and Miguel ignored her obvious displeasure. Miguel, adopting a kindly tone, remarked, "Martina, you must be exhausted after such a demanding day."
Martina glared at him, snorted, and left immediately, her anger palpable. Watching her go, Hannah felt an inexplicable surge of happiness. Memories of her past flooded back—Martina's scorn, her relentless bullying, the damage it had inflicted on Hannah's reputation.
"Hannah, there's a board meeting in half an hour," Miguel announced cheerfully.
Hannah chuckled. "Dad, are you going to show off?"
"This is an opportunity no father would miss, especially with an amazing daughter like mine!" Miguel confirmed, "You must join us."
"No problem." Her father's vanity, she knew, needed to be satisfied.
After Miguel left, Hannah returned to her office. On impulse, she called Oscar. She simply wanted to share her joyful day.
"Honey," Oscar exclaimed upon answering.
Hannah felt shy about the intimate term but didn't object. "Are you busy?" she asked.
"No," Oscar replied in his magnetic voice, "Actually, I can't stop thinking about you."
"Come on!"
Chuckling, Oscar added, "Can I interpret your call as a sign that I'm wanted?"
"Then I apologize for your inaccurate interpretation," Hannah countered.
"What you did is far more honest than what you said," Oscar retorted.
"I called to share how I outmaneuvered Charles this time," Hannah admitted, "I just needed someone to share my excitement with."
"Doesn't that prove my interpretation correct?" Oscar stated confidently.
Hannah was speechless, momentarily stunned by his self-assuredness. But he was right; she had missed him.
"When will you be back?" Hannah asked, abandoning her pretense.
"So I'm wanted, then?"
"Can you just answer my question?" He enjoyed their wordplay.
"Perhaps, we'll still need to wait six months."
This disappointed Hannah.
"I'm not aiming for any achievements that would give City Hall an excuse to recall me early. Any success could put me at risk later. And I think you're intelligent enough to understand that."
Hannah bit her lip. She understood perfectly. The more he did, the greater the chance of error. Inaction was the safest course for the next six months.
"Hannah," he said intimately, his voice a seductive lure. She felt captivated by the simple call.
"Just stay home and wait for me."
"All right," Hannah nodded. What else could she do?
"One more thing," Hannah said, remembering something.
"What is it?"
"Today, my aunt went on and on about the Cooper inheritance, claiming Wayne was the sole heir and threatening Grandma to protect her son. I was so annoyed I said my children would be Coopers too. He could be an heir as well."
"And then?" Oscar asked.
"Then Grandma and my parents were thrilled," Hannah explained carefully, "I don't think I can take it back; I don't want to disappoint them. So…"
"So what?"
"So, could our first child be a Cooper?" Hannah asked. She was confident of his agreement but worried about his potential unease.
"Our first child?" Oscar seemed to grasp her meaning.
"Right. We'll have two, one a Cooper, one a Wells. Is that okay?"
"Of course," Oscar agreed instantly.
"Really?" Hannah exclaimed, surprised by his immediate and seemingly enthusiastic agreement.
"Yes," Oscar confirmed.
"Oscar, I…" Hannah was overcome with emotion.
In Northfield, a traditional society, family names held significant weight. Most men prioritized their children's surnames.
"As long as they're my blood, I don't give a damn whether he's a Cooper or a Wells," Oscar teased.
"Oscar, this isn't a joke!" Hannah said helplessly. He had a knack for irritating her, making her feel as though she was betraying him.
"I have to go," Hannah said, frustrated.
"Honey, I love you," Oscar blurted out, naturally and unexpectedly.
A declaration of love! Hannah's heart pounded. Was this the moment to express her gratitude for his agreement about the children's names? His quick promise had touched her, yet it seemed he was the one more affected. Why? Was he simply moved by her promise of children?
She hadn't opposed having children with Oscar, but she had been reluctant before their love blossomed. Now, it felt natural for a loving couple.
A pang of pain shot through her as she recalled Charles surreptitiously giving her contraceptives in her previous life.
"Love you too," she replied, a heartfelt confession. She was deeply in love with this man.
She hung up quickly, overwhelmed by shyness and blushing cheeks. Even after all this time, she felt like a lovestruck girl around him. The lingering blush faded only after the call ended, leaving her resolved to shower him with love upon their reunion.
…
Driving away from the Cooper Group building, Martina was consumed by a furious rage. Hannah's triumphant face fueled her anger, a flame that could ignite a destructive impulse. When had Hannah become so aggressive and arrogant? Martina remembered her as prey, trapped by her brother and his family, helpless to escape. What magic had enabled her to break free?
Martina had expected the Sawyer Group to win the South Bay New Town project. Instead, the Cooper Group had triumphed. The more she thought, the angrier she became. She picked up her phone and called Charles, her voice a furious yell, "Charles! This is unforgivable!"