Aspen stared in surprise at Bernard, who seemed to be protecting Hannah instead, and she hated the situation. Yes, of course, Aspen knew who Hannah was, now married to the disabled Alden Harrison, but why was Hannah at Texco? That’s what she thought.
Surely Hannah was trying to steal Jeffrey using Alden’s connections. It was disgusting to Aspen.
“Yes, of course. A woman who feels empowered because she married the son of a former billionaire,” Aspen grumbled.
Hannah clenched her fists. She was really angry.
But Bernard’s reaction was unexpected. He immediately shifted and seemed to respect Hannah with his gestures.
“Mrs. Harrison is the owner of Texco. I haven’t officially announced it yet, but I think you should know that, ma’am,” Bernard said, emphasizing the last word.
Naturally, both Aspen and Jeffrey were shocked to hear this.
“You have made an unprovoked attack, baseless accusations against the owner of the company. I don’t know if Mrs. Harrison will forgive you if she reports you to the authorities,” Bernard continued at length.
“I-I…” Aspen’s tongue was suddenly tied.
“Hannah! Please listen to me for a moment,” Jeffrey said in a panic.
“There’s a meeting we have to attend, Mr. Gulfman,” Hannah glanced at her watch. Then she glanced at Jeffrey and Aspen. “I don’t want to get into an argument that will only end in empty words,” she hissed.
Bernard nodded briefly and gestured for Hannah to go ahead to the meeting room. While Aspen and Jeffrey just stood there, dumbfounded and confused.
But Jeffrey didn’t give up so easily, he ran after Hannah and Bernard. Somehow Jeffrey had to deal with Hannah, especially since he was supposed to be in the meeting. Now all Jeffrey could think about was making Hannah feel better and willing to forgive.
“Hannah, Hannah!” Jeffrey called out.
Hannah stopped in her steps and immediately turned around. As she looked at Jeffrey, Hannah’s emotions seemed to be on the edge. All this time, Hannah had loved Jeffrey unconditionally, trusting him without ever doubting him. In Hannah’s eyes, Jeffrey was flawless.
And now? All Hannah sees is that Jeffrey was just a scumbag.
“My wife’s emotions are unstable. I beg you, can we discuss this peacefully? Without involving the authorities? I beg you,” Jeffrey pleaded.
Even he was begging for Aspen’s sake, which really made Hannah sick.
“You shouldn’t let her run around, especially here, this is not a playground,” Hannah said coldly.
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t bother you, Hannah.” Jeffrey swallowed hard.
“I don’t know, I’m not sure if you or she means what you say.” Hannah crossed her arms and gave Jeffrey a sharp, knife-like stare.
“Hannah, please…”
“You’ve betrayed me before, haven’t you?”
Jeffrey couldn’t deny it. As loud as Aspen screamed that Hannah was trying to ruin her marriage, Aspen was actually the one who had destroyed her sister’s relationship in the first place. Jeffrey knew that, and he was trying to cover it up.
“I apologize for what I did. Even leaving you on our wedding day,” Jeffrey said.
“It was our wedding day. There was never any wedding between you and me.”
“I hope you can forgive and understand, Hannah. Besides, Aspen is pregnant. I can’t just walk away from my responsibilities.”
Hannah just nodded, though she seemed indifferent.
“Yes, you better take responsibility. Don’t let her out of your sight,” Hannah said lightly.
“Thank you, Hannah.” Jeffrey looked relieved.
“So you better stay home with Aspen and take care of her.”
Jeffrey looked confused. “What do you mean, Hannah?”
“Get out of Texco and never show your face here again. Do you understand? I’ll consider it even for what your wife did to me.”
“No, Hannah. I beg you, please.”
“And never call me ‘Hannah.’ It’s ‘Mrs. Harrison’ to you.”
That was enough for Hannah to end the conversation, whereupon she immediately turned and walked toward the meeting room. From that day on, Hannah never had to see Jeffrey’s face again. It was much better.
Jeffrey just stared blankly at Hannah’s retreating back.
In the blink of an eye, Jeffrey’s fate was now on the brink. The career he had been building suddenly crumbled. Ironically, by his former lover whom he had betrayed.
Hannah had become a cold figure, and Jeffrey never thought she would act so cruelly. But was Hannah really so evil? While what Jeffrey and Aspen were doing might be even worse.
Jeffrey’s head felt like it would explode. He had never thought that Hannah would be so ruthless with him. Or had Hannah planned revenge? By using Alden Harrison’s name.
But since he had worked at Texco, Jeffrey knew that the company was run by Bernard Gulfman. How could Hannah become the owner? What Jeffrey was experiencing felt like a joke.
“How? She didn’t broaden the issue, did she?” Aspen asked as Jeffrey approached her.
Jeffrey just shook his head weakly, then grabbed Aspen’s arm and gestured for them to leave.
“Jeffrey? What is going on?” Aspen looked worried.
“We’re going home.”
“Home? But you have a meeting, didn’t you say that earlier?”
There was no answer from Jeffrey as he tried to control his chaotic emotions. Jeffrey began to wonder if only he had stopped Aspen immediately, if only Aspen hadn’t been so barbaric. If only Jeffrey hadn’t been tempted by Aspen and various other things.
Once they were outside the office, Aspen immediately pulled her arm roughly and glared at Jeffrey angrily.
“At least tell me what Hannah said. So I can scold her more if she hurt you!” Aspen exclaimed passionately.
“She fired me.”
“She what?” Aspen’s eyes widened.
“Come on, let’s go home.”
“She can’t do that! I’ll talk to her so she won’t mess with us!”
“Stop, Aspen. Please.” Jeffrey held back tears. “I don’t want us to embarrass ourselves with Hannah again. Enough, I don’t want to be humiliated again.”
“Hannah humiliated you? Just because she can’t accept that you married me?” Aspen bit her lower lip. “I can’t keep quiet.”
When Aspen tried to walk back into the office, Jeffrey grabbed her arm.
“I said stop! You’re the one who embarrassed me! You’re the one who made everything like this!”