Chapter 6 No More Pretenses!

• The moment Hannah mentioned calling to confront Timothy, Claire's composure shattered instantly.
• She knew exactly what she had done. If Timothy exposed the truth about the pendant, everything would be over.
• Desperation flooded her voice as she pleaded, "Hannah, don't call him. The divorce is final, don't get tangled up with that monster again! As long as you build a good life with Jonathan from now on, no matter how much suffering Hudson and I endure, we'll accept it without complaint. I don't want you making trouble, I just want you to be safe. You spent six years with that b*stard, and now that he's powerful, if he comes after you again, it'll be a nightmare!"
• Hannah's eyes grew glassy with unshed tears, her heart softening at the sight of Claire's distress. "Mom…"
• In that moment, guilt gnawed at Hannah.
• In her memory, Claire had never backed down from anything. She was razor-sharp, fiercely unapologetic, and utterly unshakable.
• Now, for the sake of Hannah's happiness, she was swallowing her pride and humiliation like broken glass. Hannah felt like she had failed her as a daughter.
• And Timothy had changed beyond recognition. He was no longer the gentle, attentive husband who had once cared for her with unwavering devotion.
• "Hannah, let it go," Claire urged, seizing the opportunity as Hannah hesitated. "Listen to me, there's nothing that needs you here. You and Jonathan have other matters to handle."
• "She's right, Hannah," Jonathan added, stepping closer with a hint of urgency in his voice. "Don't forget, you have that business gala in Southonville tonight. Ms. Royce, the heiress of the Royce family, one of Southonville's four great families, will be attending. If you can form a connection with her, it'll be a huge advantage for us."
• "Exactly!" Claire's eyes lit up. "Go pick out a stunning gown. You can't afford to miss this opportunity. If you befriend Ms. Royce, and we establish ties with the Royce family, the Miller family will finally secure its place in Froston. After that, all those so-called elites will be beneath us, watching as we rise above them!"
• "The Royce family isn't just focused on Froston," Jonathan added smugly. "They have influence across all of Southonville and Nortonville. But Ms. Royce has a reputation for being cold and distant, she's not easy to approach. Luckily, I know one of their executives. I'll introduce you, and with any luck, you'll meet Ms. Royce herself."
• "Oh, Jonathan, my dear son-in-law," Claire gushed, gripping his hand like a lifeline. "You're truly a blessing to the Miller family. Having you marry Hannah was the greatest fortune we could have asked for!"
• Hannah shook her head, her voice cool and distant. "Thank you, Mr. Jonathan."
• Turning to Claire, she added, "Mom, we'll leave now. Please take care of things here."
• After leaving the hospital, Hannah sat in silence, unease gnawing at her thoughts.
• "Zayn, do you think I really misjudged him?" she asked quietly.
• "Could Timothy really be such a despicable, selfish b*stard? A man who only cares about money?" The question weighed on her like a lead. For six years, Timothy had done the housework, raised their child, and had never once raised his voice. She never had to wonder what to eat or wear because he always took care of the details.
• Now, realizing what he had become, she couldn't shake the sting of betrayal.
• Zayn, her driver and secretary, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. "Ms. Hannah, I warned you before, Timothy was never as decent as he seemed. He must have had an agenda with the Miller family from the beginning, but you didn't believe me. Now that the divorce is done, his true colors are showing. He seriously injured your mom and Mr. Hudson. How much more proof do you need?"
• Hannah shook her head, frustration clouding her voice. "I know, but my mom's nature isn't a mystery to me. She's always been sharp and a little arrogant, and as the family business grew, so did her temper. Timothy was never the type to lash out without reason. I can't help but wonder if she did something that finally pushed him over the edge."
• Jonathan, unable to hold back, scoffed. "Hannah, are you really that naive? Tell me, did your mom suddenly become like this after your divorce?"
• Hannah froze. "Of course not!"
• Jonathan clapped his hands together. "Then that's it, isn't it? You have to understand, when Timothy was still married to you, he lived off your family, bottling up his resentment without daring to let it out. Now that he's divorced, he has nothing holding him back. Of course he wants revenge! You've been in business for years, don't tell me you don't understand something this basic."
• The realization hit Hannah like a bolt of lightning.
• "Think about it, Timothy's just a loser, a failure who'll never rise above his circumstances. Marrying someone like you, practically born under a lucky star, of course he had to worship the ground you walked on! Otherwise, what would he have left if you divorced him? He's not an idiot. He knew your mom's temper all along. The only reason he never lashed out before was because he was afraid you'd leave him. Now, he doesn't care anymore."
• Jonathan's words slithered into her ears like poison.
• "Shameless!" Hannah finally exploded. "Timothy, I never thought you could be such a petty man! Are you even a man at all? If you've got the guts, come at me! Hurting my mom and brother makes you nothing but a coward!"
• Her anger flared hotter with every word. Without thinking, Hannah pulled out her phone and dialed Timothy's number.
• At that moment, Timothy was sitting in his car with his eyes closed, resting. The vibration of his phone snapped him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and froze when he saw Hannah's name. After a long pause, he sighed and answered, "I didn't think you'd ever call me again."
• Hannah was stunned by his first words. For a moment, her mind went blank.
• What does he mean by "I didn't think you'd call me?" He's a grown man, attacking his ex-mother-in-law and brother-in-law! Does he really think everyone's just going to sit back and let it slide?
• "Timothy, you pathetic loser! I must've been blind to ever associate with sc*m like you. You're nothing but a lowlife, a disgusting waste of space! Are you even a man? I've never met anyone as revolting as you!"
• Hannah didn't hold back, letting the insults pour out like venom.
• "Listen to me, Timothy. The biggest mistake of my life was marrying someone like you. I'll regret it for the rest of my days!"
• Timothy fell silent.
• It felt like a thousand steel needles had pierced through his heart, each jab an unbearable pain that left him gasping for breath, his head spinning.
• No matter how angry she had been before, Hannah had never insulted him like a raging storm, like a shrew screaming in the streets.
• "If you're angry, if you feel cheated, if you think you didn't get enough money, come after me! How could you hit my mom and hurt my brother? Are you even human? You're nothing but a monster! A person like you doesn't deserve wealth. You deserve to be pathetic for the rest of your miserable life!"
• Timothy's silence only fueled Hannah's rage. She assumed his guilt had shut him up.
• "Hmph! Coward. I'm giving you a chance to explain yourself. If you can't give me a reason, just wait for me and the Miller family to rain hell on you!"