Chapter 9 News Headlines, Charles' Humiliation

The next day, early in the morning, Hannah had just gotten out of bed and was sitting on the toilet when she received a call from Susan.

Susan sounded excited on the other end, "Hannah, have you seen today's news?"

"...I was just about to check."

"Both your Charles and Oscar are trending!" Susan exclaimed.

"Who said Charles is mine?" Hannah retorted irritably.

"So, that means Oscar is?" Susan teased her.

"Susan!"

"Anyway, take a look at the news. I find it quite interesting." Susan laughed exaggeratedly and said. After that, she hung up the phone.

Hannah already knew what the media would be writing without even looking. It would most likely be some comments and evaluations about Oscar and Charles.

And she was right.

Hannah looked at the trending lists on various websites.

"#CharityBanquet Raises Over a Billion, Oscar Donates the Highest Amount"

"#Not Worth Love? Charles Unwilling to Spend 30 Million to Marry Hannah"

"#Oscar, the Spendthrift, Gifts 30 Million Worth of Gems"

This was the first time Oscar made it to the top of the trending news not because of gossip but even on official financial and social news headlines, with mixed reviews. And it was also Charles' first time being ridiculed and belittled.

When Charles saw the news, his anger was clearly visible on his face. He had always received constant praise, but this time, the media pointed out his flaws, calling him stingy, claiming he didn't love Hannah enough, and that he wasn't as perfect as the rumors portrayed him to be. It even touched on the economic condition of the Sawyer family, stating that their financial situation was problematic. Indeed, there was a problem. And that was why Charles was so eager to marry Hannah immediately and secure unconditional financing from the Cooper family. But he never expected that, at this critical moment things almost fell apart for him because of Oscar. What made him even angrier was that when the stock market opened for the Sawyer Group, it dropped directly to the limit down. To stabilize the stock market, the Sawyer Group had to move a significant amount of funds to keep it stable, which only worsened the situation for the Sawyer Group.

Charles was trembling with anger, but he told himself to remain calm. The most important thing now was to marry Hannah first. If he could control the Cooper family, which was the second most financially powerful family among Northfield, with the combined financial power of the Cooper and the Sawyer, he would crush the Wells family, and what could Oscar do then? Of course, once he took over the Cooper family, he would have the capital to ascend the noble path. With this in mind, Charles smirked. He would repay this humiliation he received today with interest.

Hannah found the trending news quite interesting as she looked at them.

Susan called again, "Did you see it?"

"I did," Hannah replied. "By the way, why are you so excited?"

"I'm excited for you!" Susan's emotions were stirred. "I used to think your taste wasn't good and even planned to advise you. But now, I suddenly realize that Hannah, your taste is great! You can even find something admirable in a scumbag like Oscar."

Hannah wasn't sure if Susan was praising her or not.

"Oscar and I aren't what you think." Said Hannah.

"What do you mean?" Susan asked eagerly.

"You'll find out later."

"You're keeping things from me now? Hannah Cooper, you've changed!" Susan accused.

"Oh, by the way," Susan suddenly remembered something. "Manuel is back."

"Oh?"

The past few days were a blur in her memory.

"I noticed he came back quietly last night and startled me. The thing is..." Susan hesitated and didn't finish her sentence. Hannah became more interested.

"Anyway, his return definitely doesn't bode well. He's definitely here to steal my family inheritance!" Susan asserted. "I won't let him succeed."

Hannah wanted to tell her. The one trying to steal the inheritance wasn't her half-brother, but the person she had always loved and longed for. However, she felt that she needed time for Susan to believe.

"Since you don't want Manuel to take your inheritance, why don't you go to work at the company and take control of it yourself? Then everything will be fine, right?"

"Well..." Susan didn't answer. She didn't actually want to go to work. She mumbled, "Isn't Henry still around? He can help me support our family!"

Susan was like Hannah in the past, as innocent as she used to be.

"In any case, think about my suggestion. I have to go now. My grandmother called me."

"What good can come from your grandmother calling you?" Susan said indignantly.

Indeed, nothing good could come from it. That was why she needed to take the time to deal with those people properly. Hannah hung up on Susan and answered the call from Lorie Cooper.

"Grandma..."

"Who were you talking to? Ignoring my calls for so long! Just like your father, no respect for people!" Grandma's voice was clearly unfriendly.

Hannah held the phone and endured for a moment. Her grandmother had never liked her; she doted on Wayne Cooper, Uncle Roger's eldest son. Over the years, Hannah and her father had avoided Lorie at all costs to prevent conflicts.

But now, she was back to being 22 years old. She didn't plan to let herself be so suppressed, not "What do you want with me, grandma?" asked Hannah.

"Come back to he old house!" Grandma said abruptly and hung up the phone.

Hannah's face darkened. She felt it was time to teach this arrogant old lady lesson. Otherwise, Lorie might actually think she was the queen. Hannah put down her phone, quickly freshened up, and then headed downstairs to leave.

"Hannah, you haven't even had breakfast. Where are you going?" Michelle quickly called out to her daughter.

"I'm going to Grandma's."

"What are you going there for?" Michelle seemed surprised. Deep down, she genuinely feared her mother-in-law. Ever since she married into the Cooper family, she never gained Lorie's favor, mainly because Michelle was a commoner, and Lorie looked down on her. Fortunately, Hannah's grandfather liked Michelle very much, which was why he agreed to her parents’ marriage. After getting married, Michelle avoided Lorie as much as possible. Now she heard that her daughter was going to face an unkind old lady.

"Grandma said she needs to talk to me."

"What about?"

"She didn't say."

Michelle couldn't openly oppose Lorie these past years, so naturally, she wouldn't stop her daughter from going either. She thought for a moment and said, "I'll keep you company."

"Are you worried Grandma will bully me?"

"When hasn't she bullied you," Michelle said with a hint of annoyance.

"Your presence won't be of any help." Hannah bluntly pointed out. It was true; she knew too well that her mother didn't want to provoke major family conflicts and would never stand up to Grandma.

"At least I won't let your grandma attack you alone." This was Michelle's way of protecting her the most.

Hannah smiled. Her mom was truly kind-hearted.

"Let's go." Said Hannah.

“I’ll show you how I'll handle your mother-in-law for you, mom.” Hannah thought to herself.