Hannah stared at Jeffrey in disbelief. Before, Jeffrey had always been sweet, his words soft, his behavior never bad.
But the man Hannah faced now seemed like a stranger. It only made Hannah more disappointed and dejected.
Tears almost fell, threatening to wet Hannah’s cheeks, and she desperately held them back.
“Can’t you answer me, Hannah? Everyone wants to know what you can do for this company,” Jeffrey pressed.
“I-I…” Hannah stuttered.
“We’re starting the meeting! If you want to make a scene, please leave,” Susan interjected, half driving Jeffrey away.
Jeffrey would surely stop and sit down again, as Hannah suspected. But the faces of the people there began to show disgust as they looked at Hannah.
“Please, Hannah. Sit down,” Susan pleaded.
Finally, Hannah could only sit, too afraid to do anything. Because what Jeffrey said was true, Hannah didn’t have the ability to understand her job description at Texco. Hannah had already lost before she even entered the battlefield.
The meeting, which lasted an hour and forty minutes, seemed like a long time to Hannah. Throughout the meeting, Hannah remained silent. However, she watched as Susan eloquently explained Bernard’s assignment.
In the end, Hannah learned from the meeting that day, just as she had in college.
When the meeting ended, people rushed out of the room, whispering like buzzing bees. But Hannah could hear their conversation, which was clearly gossiping about her. Hannah felt like just going home or disappearing from everyone’s sight.
“Let’s go to lunch,” Susan suggested.
Hannah shook her head. Eating lunch in the cafeteria was like walking into a lion’s den. It was better for Hannah to skip lunch and stay in her office, away from everyone.
“You have to eat, Hannah,” Susan insisted. “How can you face other people’s talk if your body has no energy?”
“I don’t know.”
“Just face it, Hannah. Running away won’t get you anywhere.”
Reluctantly, Hannah followed Susan. Despite her reluctance, Hannah did what Susan said. They went to the cafeteria, and it was like high school, when there were always groups trying to oppress the weak.
When they saw Hannah arrive, there was mocking laughter from some groups sitting in chairs while they looked at her with disdain.
It must have been very disgusting for them to see the wife of a former billionaire’s son suddenly working at Texco without any selection.
Hannah didn’t have to work hard to get her position now; she just had to open her legs in front of Alden and she could get anything.
Even if Hannah didn’t work, Alden could still provide.
Maybe in these people’s eyes, Hannah’s work was part of her boredom relief.
Susan placed the tray on the table and sat down immediately. She seemed indifferent to the people’s whispers. In fact, Hannah was grateful that Susan was with her.
No matter if Susan was doing it because of Bernard’s orders and might not like her task. But Hannah was very thankful to Susan.
“You don’t have to lower your face, Hannah,” Susan said.
“You don’t know what it’s like to have people talking about you, and it’s ringing in your ears.”
Susan took a sip of sparkling water and sighed softly. “But you got into Texco on the fast track, didn’t you? Because of your husband’s connections?”
Hannah froze for a moment. She couldn’t lie, it was true. Texco’s owner was Alden.
“Yes,” Hannah nodded reluctantly.
“So why are you sad or angry about what people say?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just enjoy it, Hannah. Not everyone has your privileges. What else do you have to think about?”
*
As dinner approached, Hannah had already arrived at the Harrison residence. As Hannah walked toward the dining room, she was suddenly surprised to see Alden waiting on the threshold of the family room.
Politely, Hannah nodded at Alden.
“Good evening, sir,” she greeted him softly.
“Why did you just stay silent when your ex-boyfriend mocked you like that?” Alden asked loudly.
“What do you mean?”
Alden grumbled, “Stupid.”
The word stung Hannah, but she tried to hold back her emotions. Just as Hannah felt much calmer upon her return, she was suddenly faced with another attack.
Angrily, Alden entered the living room, then approached the coffee table and sipped the remaining tea from his cup. Hannah followed him from behind.
“Can’t you defend yourself, Hannah?” Alden asked.
Hannah looked confused. “Sir, can you explain what’s going on?”
“No need to pretend, Hannah!” Alden snapped and threw the cup to the floor.
The sound of the broken cup instantly made Hannah tense.
“I saw everything, you just stayed silent when your ex-boyfriend mocked you before the meeting,” Alden revealed.
“What should I do then?”
“Fight! You are my wife, you should be able to uphold the honor of my family!”
Hannah’s mind immediately became confused and uncertain.
Isn’t it a man’s job to protect a woman? Is it wrong for a woman to just keep quiet and take it? Because not everything Hannah could face would be met with fierce resistance.
If Alden knew all this, didn’t he have the power? It would be very easy for him to fire Jeffrey for being rude to Hannah. But what Hannah got from her husband was not comforting words or actions, but more pressure.
“Can you at least give me words that everything is going to be okay when I feel so bad today?” Hannah asked, tears streaming down her face. “I never intended to make you feel ashamed, sir.”
“You’re supposed to be a tough woman, not a crybaby, Hannah!”
“Because what Jeffrey said is true, I don’t understand my new job at Texco.”
“Learn, Hannah! You’re not stupid!” Alden pointed out.
“I need time, sir.”
Alden sighed. “Maybe what your ex-boyfriend said is true, you’re not competent. Even he chose your sister as his wife.”
That was an insult Hannah couldn’t take.
“Divorce me!” Hannah said firmly.
“Oh my God, is that all you can do?”
“I can’t accept your poisonous words!”
Alden shook his head and looked arrogantly at Hannah. “I will never divorce you. And you will leave my house immediately. Let’s see if you can survive on the streets without my help.”
Both of Hannah’s hands clenched. “Fine.”