Hannah returned to Harrison’s residence feeling insecure. She was wearing an oversized white shirt that almost competed with her skirt. Her wet clothes were carried in a paper bag, along with pens and notebooks from Texco, as if she had just returned from a company visit and received freebies.
When Edward opened the door, Hannah was surprised to see Alden waiting in the hallway. Alden’s hand was pressed to his lips, his sharp eyes scanning Hannah’s appearance from top to bottom.
“Uh, hello,” Hannah greeted awkwardly.
“Why are you dressed like this for a visit to Texco?” Alden shot at her.
“My clothes got wet because of an incident,” Hannah cleared her throat, “Mr. Gulfman lent me his shirt.”
Alden sighed softly and shook his head. “Can’t you be more careful, Hannah?”
“I’m sorry,”
“Change your clothes now,” Alden ordered. “You’re embarrassing me.”
Hannah nodded quickly, then hurried past Alden, almost running. Hannah wanted to throw the paper bag in Alden’s arrogant face. How dare Alden say that Hannah was embarrassing him?
Despite the smooth meeting with Bernard, Hannah had talked more about non-business matters. Bernard hadn’t said a word about the contents of the folder Hannah had given him. What was embarrassing about it? Because Hannah had been splashed by Aspen? Hannah walked quickly, cursing.
Even Hannah covered up Aspen’s actions in front of Alden.
Hannah’s figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor, still being watched by Edward, the butler. The head butler stood frozen, glancing only at his young master.
“Sir, if I may…”
“Not now, Edward,” Alden interrupted.
“But Mrs. Hannah is innocent.”
Edward watched the surveillance footage sent by Bernard and clearly heard the conversation between Hannah and Aspen. But why was Alden still cruel to Hannah? Edward couldn’t stand it.
“It’s her fault for talking to her stepsister,” Alden said. Then he turned in his wheelchair. “Hannah shouldn’t have given her a chance,” he continued, pushing the wheelchair forward.
“They’re sisters, sir.” Edward followed Alden from behind.
“Useless siblings shouldn’t be bothered with, Edward. You understand that, don’t you?”
Edward nodded obediently. “Yes, and I apologize for my rash manner of speaking.”
“When will you leave with Dad?” Alden changed the subject.
“In five days, sir. The flight is making room for Mr. Maxim’s bed in the cabin.” Edward cleared his throat quietly. “Don’t you want to visit your father in the hospital, sir?”
“No.” Alden shook his head.
When Alden’s wheelchair stopped in front of the family room, Edward quickly opened the door.
“If Dad wants to see Hannah, just let him,” Alden said suddenly.
“Yes, sir.”
Alden entered the family room, and Edward quickly closed the door. The sound of the wheelchair was so soft as it rolled across the carpet, and then Alden stopped in front of the desk in the corner. Alden was checking some files on his laptop that Texco had sent him a few minutes ago.
But Alden opened his personal email again, which contained a video recording of Bernard showing surveillance camera footage. He oversaw it, listening to every conversation between Aspen and Hannah.
“Naive woman,” Alden muttered, half annoyed.
Alden picked up the phone next to the laptop and called Bernard.
“Hello, Mr. Harrison?” Bernard greeted from the other end of the line.
“Mr. Gulfman, can you arrange an earlier time so Hannah can start working to replace my position at Texco?” Alden asked, not beating around the bush.
“Well, I think it will take time for the interior and the furniture, and…”
Alden immediately cut him off, “How long?”
“Maybe ten days.”
“Make it five.”
“Sure, Mr. Harrison.” Then came a gentle throat clearing. “Your wife is a beautiful and attractive woman, in a good way. She has a good personality. You must be fortunate to marry her.”
“I don’t need all that. As long as Hannah can work well without making mistakes, that’s enough for me,” Alden replied coldly.
“Ah, yes… you’re right,” Bernard chuckled awkwardly.
“I’ll end this conversation. Thank you, Mr. Gulfman.”
Alden immediately hung up without hearing any further response from Bernard. He started to text Hannah, but Alden paused for a moment.
“I don’t have her phone number,” Alden muttered irritably.
Annoyed, Alden pulled his chair out of the living room. He made his way to Hannah’s bedroom because – in his opinion – something essential needed to be conveyed. When he reached the front of the bedroom door, Alden knocked a little loudly.
“Just a minute!” came the answer from inside.
Hannah opened the door, surprised to see Alden standing on the threshold.
“Mr. Alden? What brings you here?” Hannah asked spontaneously.
“Can’t I visit you?”
“Ah…” Hannah looked confused. “It’s not that, I’m just surprised. That’s all.”
Hannah opened the door wider, friendly, inviting Alden to come in if he wished. But the man stayed there, not moving his wheelchair at all.
“What did you talk to Mr. Gulfman about?” Alden asked.
“Not much. I just had to give him the file. As per your instructions.”
“In five days, you’ll be working at Texco. As my representative or secretary, whatever you want to call it, you need to be there,” Alden paused, “to be my right hand.”
Hannah must have been shocked several times that day, but Alden’s statement really startled her.
“But I have a job!” Hannah objected.
“I consider your salary from Texco to be the repayment of a debt.”
“I married you, and now I must pay off a debt?”
Their eyes locked. Alden remained cold as he stared at Hannah, who looked back reluctantly.
“You offered yourself to me,” Alden said.
Hannah lowered her eyes, feeling her words come back to haunt her.
“Quit your old job and start working for Texco. The salary you receive will still be yours,” Alden concluded. “Isn’t that fair? You still have to pay your father’s support, right?”
Hannah needed help understanding what Alden’s connection to Texco was. Could Alden have asked Bernard to allow Hannah to work there? But why? Especially if Hannah wants to avoid setting foot in that company.
Jeffrey was there. Would Hannah have to see Jeffrey every day?
“I can work overtime at my old job to cover my father’s medical expenses,” Hannah whispered quietly.
“Unfortunately, I don’t want to have dinner alone. I don’t want my wife to work late.”
Hannah sighed deeply. “Fine.”
Alden hadn’t expected Hannah to be so compliant; his assumption that Hannah would resist working at Texco was mistaken. Somehow, Alden felt that playing with Hannah had become very interesting.
Suddenly, the man handed Hannah his phone.
“Enter your phone number. I need to be able to talk to you anytime I want.”