Chapter 847: Hold Him Back

"Susan, my life depends on you," Hannah said gravely.

Susan felt immense pressure. She couldn't afford a mistake; Hannah's life was at stake. Heavily burdened, she nodded. "I'll do my best." She would spare no effort; Hannah always trusted her.

"Okay, I'm going to shower. You need to stay alone for a while."

"Okay," Susan replied, nodding.

Even so, she was distraught, wondering how to keep Manuel from leaving without letting him suspect anything.

As soon as Hannah entered the bathroom, the smile vanished from her face. The thought of a lifetime apart filled her. Looking at her reflection, her eyes fixed on her belly, she murmured, "Sweetheart, I'm sorry. Mommy has no choice." Any risk could mean death for both of them.

Meanwhile, the wedding of Oscar, Northfield's Commander-in-Chief, and Lillian Collins was generating enormous public excitement. Every detail dominated headlines and social media. It captivated the entire nation.

Hannah browsed the overwhelmingly positive wedding coverage. Few remembered her own wedding to Oscar years ago, and fortunately, most, including Hannah herself, had forgotten it.

The day before the wedding, Oscar called. "I'll be back the day after tomorrow." He implied a return to her after the wedding, but Hannah struggled to decipher his meaning.

Was he implying she was more important? The wedding merely a formality? Or was he suggesting he'd maintain their affair even after marrying Lillian?

Hannah replied coldly, "No, spend time with Lillian. No one wants to see a husband leave his new wife alone the day after the wedding. Oscar, as a gentleman, you should be responsible."

Oscar remained silent, his grip tightening on his phone. Hannah couldn't gauge his thoughts. Perhaps this was a confession of her true feelings. Unlike before, when she'd avoided upsetting him, she felt no need to mask her emotions, especially now that she was leaving. She had made up her mind – she would leave without hatred or resentment.

From overseas, she could still be proud of him, celebrating his accomplishments as he led the country.

"Be kind to Lillian. I'll take care of myself," she said, her farewell to Oscar. She hoped he'd find happiness with Lillian. Even alone, Hannah believed she could have a good life, free from Oscar's interference.

"Good night," Oscar responded, his tone noncommittal.

Hannah hung up, knowing it was their last conversation.

For ten days, since Hannah revealed the mission, Susan had been distraught. Manuel was supposed to leave for the capital tonight for tomorrow morning's wedding. Susan had tried everything to delay him. Her only recourse was inventing trivial matters to report to him.

"Miss Phillips, are you wasting my time?" Manuel asked, his tone irritated.

He sensed something was amiss. Biting her lip, Susan resolved to do whatever it took.

"I need to leave for the capital, I have a flight to catch tonight. I have only an hour until takeoff. And because of you, I'll be rushing to the airport on an empty stomach," Manuel huffed, annoyed.

While listening, Susan focused on delaying him for at least another hour.

"Miss Phillips!" Manuel's impatience grew.

Susan quickly composed herself. "I'll pay for your dinner!"

Manuel was speechless. He wanted to end the meeting and rush to the airport. He glanced at her, stood, and said, "Report to me the day after tomorrow when I return to Kensbury. Dismissed."

He left. Susan felt like crying.

As Manuel exited the conference room, his phone rang – Theodore.

"Manuel, what's wrong? Where are you? Tomorrow is Oscar's wedding." Theodore shouted.

"I'm on my way to the airport."

"What? You said your flight was this morning."

Manuel had booked a morning flight, but Susan's constant requests for reports had led to repeated rescheduling.

"I had a tricky situation to handle," Manuel lied.

"Is it Susan?" Theodore guessed.

"No. Business. I have to go." Manuel denied it.

"Hurry. Drinks at the club!"

"Okay." Manuel hung up, arriving at his office where Clara waited. As he adjusted his tie, she offered, "Mr. Johnson, let me help."

Before he could refuse, she began untying his tie. The door burst open, revealing an anxious Susan. She would try anything to keep him, even seduction.

But seeing him with Clara, she realized her plan was futile. Manuel was incredibly self-disciplined. She remembered how, even drugged with a love potion, he'd maintained control and dismissed her. Sober, it was even less likely to work.

"Anything else?" Manuel asked, brushing Clara's hands away. He always distanced himself from Clara when Susan was around.

Yet, Susan suspected this was a pretense, masking his tender side or any arousal.

"Nothing serious... I just wanted to know when you'll be back the day after tomorrow. I'll prepare my report."