Chapter 738: Manuel Gets Informed

Emily glanced at Susan before lowering her head to enjoy breakfast with Henry. They leisurely dined, pointedly ignoring Susan.

Susan glared, sizing Emily up. She’d believed Henry lived alone, so this woman’s intimacy with him was startling. The relationship clearly held special significance.

They finished breakfast. Henry wiped his lips, asking, "Are you sure you don't want some?" Susan looked away.

"Dump the rest," Henry told Emily.

Emily nodded, disposing of the leftovers before entering the shabby kitchen. Henry leaned back, giving Susan a quizzical look. She remained silent, clenching her teeth.

"Susan, guess when I'll hear back from your father?" Henry asked.

"He'll never call you back! He doesn't love me that much. He wouldn't die for me," Susan huffed.

"I know how much your father loves you. Susan, it's foolish—you never cherish those who cherish you."

Susan glared. "You never repent until you lose it. Just like what you did to Manuel."

"Enough with that?"

"I don't want to continue this, but your feelings for Manuel exasperate me," Henry said wryly.

Susan found him insufferable. She yearned to kill him.

"Susan, it would be better if you harbored no feelings for him…" Henry murmured, a flicker of malice in his otherwise pitying eyes.

"You're insane! You goddamn psycho!" Susan cursed.

Henry offered a bitter smile. He was sober now, free from the heartbreak of their past relationship, returned to his true self.

"Henry…" Emily called softly from the kitchen.

Henry averted his gaze, transforming completely in her presence. Susan seethed, wondering about their relationship.

"You stayed up all night with a head injury. You should sleep," Emily suggested warmly.

He conceded; fatigue and the lingering headache from his injury weighed heavily. He looked at Susan.

"You don't want to sleep?"

"No!" Susan huffed.

Henry sneered; his face devoid of any affection for her. He felt the sting of a broken heart.

Henry went to the bedroom, leaving Susan and Emily alone. Driven by curiosity, Susan asked, "What's your relationship with Henry?"

Emily remained silent.

"Your name is Emily, right?"

Silence.

"You love him?"

Susan detected a subtle shift in Emily's expression.

"Do you know he's committing a crime?"

Again, silence. Susan realized Henry had compelled Emily's silence. No matter how hard she tried, she'd get no answers.

She stopped questioning, surveying her surroundings. She was lost and worried about her father—what if he succumbed to Henry's demands? The thought of her father sacrificing himself for her filled her with dread; she'd be consumed by guilt, possibly facing death as well.

Inside Phillips Manor, Edward calmed himself after taking his anti-hypertensive medication. The name Barry Anderson was hazy. He'd promised Barry a loan but, blinded by ambition and profit, reneged. He never anticipated Barry's suicide. He'd planned to reinstate Barry as CEO after acquiring SkyRainbow's shares. The news of Barry's death stunned him.

Remorse haunted him for a time, but as a seasoned businessman, he adapted. He'd largely forgotten Barry until his son's revenge, involving Susan, shattered his composure. The thought of Susan's kidnapping was agonizing.

Despite her willfulness, Susan was precious to him. He was helpless, his face livid, struggling to regain control.

He contemplated rescuing her. Henry demanded Edward transfer all his shares to Susan, then relinquish control to Henry. This would give Henry the Phillips Bank, a family legacy. Edward struggled to comply.

However, Susan's life outweighed the bank's value. He was about to call his lawyer, but instead dialed Manuel's number. He needed Manuel's counsel, but feared calling the police might endanger Susan. Manuel was his only trust.

Manuel, resting after receiving stitches for a reopened wound from the elevator incident, had seen Susan’s missed calls but hadn't returned them. He held little hope for her, but Edward's call set him on edge.

It was early morning. He feared the worst. He answered, "Edward?"

"Manuel, Henry kidnapped Susan!" Edward's voice was choked with anguish.