It’s a threat.
What Alden did might be reported to the authorities. From the time she returned from the funeral until just before dinner, Hannah had been thinking about Alden’s words.
The emotional turmoil in her heart was obvious; Alden’s actions could possibly fall under the category of threats, unpleasant behavior, or who knows what else.
But Hannah had no hard evidence. It was all verbal, and Alden could deny it. Especially since there were no witnesses. And there’s no guarantee that the police would support her if she reported it.
Who doesn’t know the Harrison family? It might not be Alden who ends up in jail; it could be the other way around.
Hannah was at a dead end.
Glancing at her phone screen, which showed seven in the evening, Hannah shuffled out of bed. Lazily, she made her way to the dining room; she felt like staying in her room and letting her stomach growl.
It was the day of John’s funeral, and Hannah’s sadness was compounded by the people around her. She regretted ever having thought Alden was a good man. He was nothing more than a spider, wrapping up his prey and slowly sucking it dry.
“Good evening, sir,” Hannah greeted reflexively.
When she entered the dining room, she was surprised to find Alden already there. Alden’s refreshed appearance did nothing to soften Hannah’s resolve.
In fact, it made her even more angry.
Hannah’s hand set the stainless steel food cover aside. Hannah’s appetite was completely ruined, but she decided to eat as quickly as possible. At least she wouldn’t have to look at Alden’s face.
Disgusting!
“Are you angry?” Alden asked suddenly.
Hannah glanced at him briefly, then looked back down at her plate. Was there any need to answer? It must have been obvious by now.
“Be as angry as you like.”
Hannah’s reaction to this was just a short sigh, followed by a quick exhalation.
Don’t let Alden’s words provoke you, Hannah repeated in her mind. The man was enjoying making Hannah suffer.
Unbeknownst to Hannah, Alden was quietly watching the woman in front of him. For some reason, Alden didn’t like situations like the funeral. He used to enjoy the silence between them.
But if this silence was because Hannah was angry and truly silent, it unsettled Alden.
“You should think more wisely, that being with me forever would benefit you,” Alden said.
There was no answer from Hannah. Irritating, Alden thought, annoyed.
“Are you not listening to me?” he asked.
Once again, Hannah just looked at him, then nodded briefly without saying a word.
“At least say something!”
Hannah put down her spoon. “Okay.”
“Look, I just don’t want your family to bother you anymore. At least you won’t be accessible to them while you live with me. Security won’t allow Mrs. Sears or Aspen to set foot on the property.”
“I can leave this place far behind once I’ve paid off all my debts.”
“And what will you do outside of Summerhill?”
“I’ll work.”
Alden felt he had made the wrong move. Hannah wasn’t a spoiled woman, always complaining about something or having trouble living. Alden also knew that Hannah had always worked hard to support her family.
Of course, leaving Summerhill wouldn’t be difficult for Hannah. Now Hannah felt as if her future was being snatched away from her by Alden.
“I apologize,” Alden said quietly.
Hannah’s hand stopped just as she was about to scoop up her food, and she looked at Alden with an incredulous expression. It was the first time Hannah had ever heard Alden apologize and it felt so strange.
“I said I was sorry.”
“Okay, sir.”
“If you really want to sell the house, go ahead. I won’t stop you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Once again, the atmosphere fell silent. Alden felt very disturbed; he was confused as to why Hannah was so calm. Yesterday, Hannah seemed so weak, almost wanting to end her own life.
But now? She was like a different person.
When Hannah was in despair, there was a feeling in Alden’s heart to protect her. Alden was pained because he knew what it was like to be left alone. But Hannah, now so cold, made Alden anxious.
“I do not know when the house will be sold, Hannah. I can’t guarantee that.” Alden cleared his throat quietly. “But I’m asking you to stay here until it does.”
Hannah nodded. “Okay, sir.”
“I’m changing the arrangement, Hannah. I’ve decided that we will be married for one year, whether or not the house is sold during our marriage.”
This time Hannah looked directly at Alden and didn’t look away. “Why?” she asked.
“Because from the beginning I wanted you to be my right hand at Texco. But perhaps you have plans to go far away from Summerhill. If you’ve paid off your debts, what’s the point of me holding you back?”
Hannah nodded only briefly.
“So for this one year, I want you to keep Texco. And I’ll find the right candidate to replace you,” Alden continued.
“To be your slave?”
“To be my right hand.”
Of course, Alden couldn’t have another slave like Hannah, unless another woman got into debt and asked for his help. At least for a year, if Alden only asked Hannah to be his right hand, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Besides, how could Alden want offspring from Hannah?
For some reason, the name Sarah just popped into Hannah’s mind. It seemed that only a woman named Sarah was unforgettable to Alden. Surely, one day, Alden would want to marry Sarah.
“We’ll start thinking about company business again next week after your mourning period. I’ve spoken to Mr. Gulfman; you’ll be introduced as my right-hand man at Texco,” Alden explained.
For some reason, Hannah still felt unprepared. People’s fleeting ridicule made her confidence crumble instantly. When the company announces that Alden shares ownership with Hannah, it’s like a double-edged sword.
If Hannah can’t fulfill her duties, it could be a big problem. Texco will become a target, and Alden, who painstakingly built it, will suffer the consequences.
“Are you sure, sir?” Hannah asked cautiously.
“Maybe it’s time people knew the company was mine and you were my right hand. Along with Mr. Gulfman.”
“I hope this doesn’t backfire and cause problems for the company,” Hannah interjected suddenly.
“Problems? What makes you think that?”
“No, sir. It’s nothing.”
“Because I’m in a wheelchair, and the company’s value could go down because of my condition. That’s what you mean, isn’t it?”