Chapter 5: Chapter 5

It was such a thorough investigation. She was treated as the sole suspect, with every effort directed at finding evidence to prove she was guilty.

Hannah had always believed that even if the fact that she entered the office was disclosed, Alexander’s investigation out of vigilance wouldn’t be that thorough. Hence, she saw no need to tamper with the surveillance records, deeming it an unnecessary precaution.

She hadn’t expected Alexander to be so merciless when dealing with matters related to her.

Defeated, Hannah went limp and collapsed on the ground.

Joseph was even more devastated than her.

“You really did this? You… Why would you?” Joseph’s eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed Hannah’s arm, questioning her in agitation.

Embarrassed by his son’s behavior, Hector quickly pulled Joseph aside. “What else could be the reason? She’s jealous and wants to take Mrs. Quirk’s place.”

As if struck by a bolt from the blue, Joseph exclaimed, “You’re in love with Alexander? No, that’s impossible!”

Hector felt an impending headache. Just how foolish can my son be? He’s completely blind to the truth, which everyone else can see.

Isabella shared Hector’s sentiment.

Yeah, he really is blind. He’s so into Ms. Gates, yet he has no idea Ms. Gates is in love with Alexander.

After Isabella finished saying that internally, she looked up only to see a flicker of surprise flash across Alexander’s otherwise composed face.

Wait, what? Don’t tell me Alexander never realized Ms. Gates had feelings for him. He’s such a dense man!

Alexander, already feeling awkward from Isabella’s inner thoughts, felt his cheeks burn as his expression faltered.

What is going on? I thought this was just a simple incident of an enemy bribing Ms. Gates to steal trade secrets and using Isabella as a scapegoat! Ms. Gates is in love with me? How is that possible?

“No, no! I don’t have any ulterior motives!” Hannah cried out in panic, looking at Alexander anxiously. “Yes, I did all that, but it’s nothing like what you think! I did all this to help Eleanor!”

In an instant, the entire place fell silent.

Eleanor was Alexander’s first crush.

Alexander’s expression shifted. “What did you say?”

Hannah quickly revealed, “Eleanor is coming home.”

Alexander widened his eyes, as he glanced at Isabella uneasily.

Ah, Eleanor. I know her. She’s Alexander’s first crush who heartlessly abandoned him years ago. They were once deemed a match made in heaven in high society.

Alexander was surprised that Isabella knew that, too.

Isabella wondered what Eleanor had to do with Hannah’s actions.

Alexander turned to look at Hannah with a serious expression. She’s right. What did that have to do with what she did?

Hannah, seemingly clinging to a last strand of hope, blurted out, “Eleanor and I are the best of friends. She was forced to leave you. I didn’t want the two of you to miss out on a chance at love because of a misunderstanding. I know you won’t divorce without a good reason, which is why I’m willing to play the villain in hopes of creating an opportunity for you and Eleanor.”

After saying that, Hannah lowered her head, feigning distress as if she was forced to do something she didn’t want to.

Hannah was indeed Eleanor’s best friend, and their connection drew Alexander and Hannah closer, too. Otherwise, Alexander wouldn’t have been comfortable allowing her to be the secretary and trust her wholeheartedly when he initially recruited her into the corporation.

During their college years, Hannah had witnessed his love story with Eleanor, even occasionally playing matchmaker for them. Therefore, when Alexander heard everyone speculating that Hannah had feelings for him, he found it entirely implausible.

The onlookers were all taken aback by yet another twist in the story. However, only a few people actually believed it. After all, it was clear as day that Hannah was madly in love with Alexander.

However, this was the first time everyone found out Hannah was actually the best friend of Alexander’s first crush.

Hannah had never said a word about that before this, and everyone could discern what she had in her mind.

Wait. There’s another piece of gossip juicier than that. Mr. Alexander’s first crush is coming back? And their breakup was just a misunderstanding?

Thrilled, everyone stole glances at Alexander, expecting him to press on for answers while his wife was still around.

This is exciting!

In the meantime, Isabella scoffed. Didn’t have a choice? Misunderstanding? As if! This is all too fishy.

Alexander quickly changed the subject to stop Isabella from prying.

“You’ve caused such a great loss to the company for your own selfish desires and even got others involved. No excuse could possibly absolve you of responsibility,” Alexander declared coldly.

Isabella’s attention was easily diverted by Alexander’s words, a common trait among young people to lose focus. Yeah, he’s right, especially since her reasons are all made up. But why did she suddenly come up with this excuse? Let me see…

Alexander was about to discuss the solution of the matter when he, too, became curious about the explanation Isabella might come up with.

Oh, I know. She’d been hinting all along that her relationship with Alexander was more than meets the eye, baiting me into causing a scene. She was plotting to slowly push me out of the picture and then win Alexander’s heart. But she didn’t anticipate that Eleanor would be returning and knew she couldn’t compete with Alexander’s first crush. So, she wanted to buy herself some time to become Alexander’s wife before Eleanor’s return. No wonder she was so eager to finish me off that she didn’t even consider the numerous flaws in her plan. Now that she was exposed, she could only use Eleanor as an excuse, fabricating the lie that she only did this for Eleanor’s sake and wishing Alexander would be lenient with her. But, if Alexander were to find out that Hannah had feelings for him and that her actions were driven by her own selfish desires, he’d show her no mercy, and she’d lose whatever opportunities she might have had. Hah! She’s clearly desperate. Alexander would never fall for that.

Alexander, who almost fell for it, felt embarrassed.

He recalled past events and thought of how Hannah would drive Isabella crazy whenever the latter came to visit him. Hannah would always play the victim, intensifying Isabella’s rage.

Previously, Alexander had always blamed Isabella for being too temperamental. Now, upon reflection, he was filled with guilt, and his resentment toward Hannah grew.

Not interested in finding out Hannah’s motives, he simply stated in a cold voice, “Call the police.”

Hannah’s head snapped up as her vision went black. She said in disbelief, “Alexander, I did it because—”

“Whatever you have to say, tell it to the police,” Alexander cut her short.

Alexander’s ruthlessness made everyone’s hearts skip a beat. In the end, he still chose the most severe course of action.

“Alexander Quirk!” Hannah almost went mad and tried to grab Alexander, but the latter dodged her. Pointing at Isabella, she furiously snapped, “You always gave her a way out, so why are you so harsh on me? Even if I haven’t made significant contributions, I’ve put in a lot of effort working for you for ten years, and this is how you treat me?”

Only then did Alexander glance at her. “That’s because you’re not my wife.”

That single sentence from him seemed to carry underlying meanings, piercing Hannah’s heart like a sharp dagger.

Hannah was dumbfounded.

Before long, the relevant individuals were escorted away by the police, and Isabella was forced to make a trip to the police station, too.

Joseph, as foolish as ever, even tried shouldering the blame for Hannah because he fell for Hannah’s lie and decided to continue being her simp. In response, Hector passed out from fury.

Fortunately, the evidence was irrefutable, making it impossible for Joseph to shoulder the blame even if he wanted to.

In the end, Hannah shrieked furiously at Isabella, “Alexander will surely divorce you once Eleanor returns, so don’t celebrate too early!”

That was such a villainous remark, yet Isabella was brimming with anticipation. Really? If that’s the case, I hope she’ll hurry up!