Charles was dumbfounded. Her slap landed with stunning force. He stared, utterly disoriented. "How dare this woman!" he thought. "An upper-class woman should know better than to behave so brazenly!" He was furious at being struck in public. The moment his daze lifted, she shrugged off his hand and left. Charles clenched his fists, desperately trying to devise a plan to keep her and salvage their wedding.

Suddenly, a stern, elderly voice cut through the air, "Stop!" All eyes turned to the stage. Lorie, supported by Roger, strode to the center, her fury aimed squarely at Hannah. Hannah paused, not from fear, but a premonition of utter humiliation. She turned to face Lorie.

Lorie showed no mercy. "Is marriage child's play?" she shouted. "This nonsense must stop!" Before Hannah could respond, Lorie continued, "This marriage was promised by your grandfather. The Sawyer family is here to marry you. Do you disrespect your grandfather and elders by leaving? Do you even understand family discipline?"

Hannah hadn't anticipated the Sawyers' swift response. She knew they weren't to be underestimated; they had cheated her once. But she was no longer the easily intimidated woman who blindly obeyed. She looked at Lorie and said, "Grandma, does this engagement compel me to marry a murderer?"

Lorie's face darkened. "There's no need for arguments!" she snapped. "If he were a murderer, I'd admit it, but he isn't! He made a mistake, a common one for men. Instead of supporting him, you abandoned him! We Coopers don't tolerate such ingratitude!"

"Ungrateful?" Hannah retorted. "So, my being cheated is wrong, but his infidelity should be forgiven unconditionally?"

"Hannah!" Lorie exploded. "How dare you speak like that!"

Hannah's voice rose, her temper flaring. "Yes, how dare I, Grandma! This marriage is mine. I choose my path to happiness. You can't dictate my life with your authority! Does my well-being matter, or only your family's advantage?"

"Shut up!" Lorie roared.

"You're the one who should shut up, you savage!" Hannah shot back.

"Hannah, are you deliberately causing trouble?" Lorie demanded, exasperated. Hannah's defiance, especially in public, stunned her. Previously, even mild criticism had subdued Hannah. Now, she openly defied her, causing Lorie to lose face. Outsiders would see her as unable to control her granddaughter, perhaps even powerless within the Cooper family. The thought enraged Lorie.

Hannah, unconcerned, said indifferently, "Now I understand why Grandpa disliked you so much. Your values are warped!"

"Hannah! This is utter rebellion! Do you want a lesson?" Roger intervened.

Hannah turned to him. "I don't wish to embarrass the family. But if you're upholding Cooper family honor, let's discuss the root of this – Charles's affair with your daughter, Jane!"

Roger's expression shifted. The Sawyers had pressured him into forcing the wedding; his private dealings with them and his desire to reclaim the Cooper Group had swayed him. He'd overlooked his daughter's role in this. His presence on stage was now a source of shame.

Hannah pressed her advantage. "Uncle, Charles claimed Jane seduced him. Is that true? A confrontation is needed. If it is, I might forgive him."

"You!" Roger fumed, enraged.

Charles, seizing the opportunity, cried, "Where's Jane? I need to confront her!" The truth was out, freeing him from Jane's potential exposure. He'd only been playing with Jane, seeing her as inferior to Hannah, the true Cooper princess. Jane was the daughter of a concubine; he'd already shown her more than enough mercy.

Roger's face hardened. Charles, meant to be an ally, had betrayed him.

The Sawyers forced Jane onto the stage. Her glittering gown shone, a stark contrast to her inner turmoil. She felt beautiful, yet exposed. She looked at Charles, believing he could still save her. She played the vulnerable victim.

But Charles declared, "Jane, why did you drug me, using such despicable tactics to force me to wrong Hannah?"