Chapter 1178 Sowing Discord, Quarreling
Fearing Karen might actually hurt Hannah in her emotional state, Austin quickly stepped forward and pried her hand away. "What the hell are you doing? If you hurt her, I won't let it slide."
Karen stumbled back, almost falling to the ground. She steadied herself on the edge of the table and burst into hysterical laughter. "Hahaha, good, very good! My dear son, just like your heartless father, bullying me for a woman. Fine, very fine."
Karen laughed and cried simultaneously, her crazed and weathered appearance making her look particularly terrifying.
Austin had no time to deal with her; he was too busy checking on Hannah. "Hannah, are you okay? Did she hurt you?"
Hannah, hating his touch, slapped his hand away and rubbed her neck. The crazy woman had almost choked her to death. If Austin hadn't reacted quickly, she might have been meeting her maker by now.
Austin, hurt by her slap, turned to Karen, gripping her shoulders tightly. "So what Hannah said is true? My biological father is really named Hunter?"
Karen seemed to be hit by another wave of shock. She pushed his hands away, her shoulders drooping as she listlessly walked out, muttering to herself. "Haha, good, very good! Everyone bullies me! All of you bully me. All for a woman, you lay hands on me. Haha."
She didn't answer Austin's question and just walked away, looking lost and broken.
Hannah watched Karen leave, unwilling to let her go without getting answers about Oliver. She tried to run after her, but Austin stopped her.
Hannah, agitated, pushed his hand away. "What are you doing? She hasn't released Oliver yet. I need to ask her what she wants to let him go."
Austin sighed. "In her current state, do you think you can get any answers?"
Hearing this, Hannah felt all her strength drain away. Then she snapped back, grabbing Austin by the collar. "Austin, you promised me. You swore you'd make her release Oliver! Go, go find her. Isn't she your biological mother? If you ask her, she'll agree. Please, just get her to release Oliver."
She grew more and more agitated, almost dragging Austin to find Karen.
But Austin stood still, not moving or responding.
Hannah's heart sank. She understood his meaning and slapped him hard across the face. "You're despicable. You don't keep your word. You promised to release Oliver! Where's your promise? You bastard."
Austin didn't resist, lowering his head and letting her hit him. "Hannah, I'm sorry. I broke my promise this time."
Then, as if remembering something, he grabbed Hannah's hand, excitedly saying, "But don't worry. As long as you stay with me, Oliver will be safe! I won't let my mother hurt him."
Hannah pulled her hand away in disgust. Austin's touch made her feel sick.
"Trust you? How can I trust you? You haven't kept a single promise! You're a despicable liar! Oliver is only eighteen. Do you plan to imprison him for life? Do you know you're ruining his life?"
Austin couldn't think about that. He only knew his mother was right. To keep Hannah by his side forever, he had to hold onto her weakness. With his current abilities, he couldn't take on the Moore family or the Langley family. Oliver was his only leverage.
"I'm sorry..." Besides this weak apology, he didn't know what else to say. He knew Hannah would blame him. But to keep her by his side forever, let her blame him. She had blamed him for many things already. One more wouldn't matter.
Hannah's heart sank further. She realized Austin had wavered. He didn't want to release Oliver. He wanted to use Oliver to imprison her forever.
If she continued to entangle with them, it would only harm Oliver.
She had to find a way to get Charles to rescue Oliver quickly.
Thinking this, Hannah stopped arguing. Since they were despicable liars, arguing wouldn't make them release Oliver. It was better to think of another way.
Hannah softened her tone. "If you can't release Oliver, at least let me talk to him. I need to know he's safe."
"This..."
Seeing his hesitation, Hannah's eyes turned sharp. "You're not even going to grant me this small request? If you don't let me talk to him, how do I know he's still alive? Do you think I'm stupid enough to stay here and let you control me without knowing Oliver's safety?"
Austin thought she made sense. After a moment of thought, he said, "I don't have Oliver's contact information. I'll go talk to her."
Even now, he didn't call Karen "mother." Though he knew it was an unchangeable fact, he couldn't fully accept her emotionally or physically. They were connected by blood but were essentially strangers.
Hannah didn't give him a chance to refuse, speaking firmly. "If you don't let me call Oliver, I'll assume you've harmed him. In that case, I have no reason to stay. Without your leverage, why would I stay and let you control me?"
Her words left Austin no room to maneuver. His face turned pale, and he nodded. "Wait here. I'll go talk to her."
With that, he turned and left.
After they left, Hannah sat down to eat. She needed to be full to have the strength to escape. She wouldn't risk her health. She was waiting for Charles to rescue her.
Karen lived on the first floor. Austin was gone for a long time. Since her room was close to the dining room, Hannah could hear faint arguing but couldn't make out the words.
A loud crash sounded, like porcelain shattering on the floor.
Hannah raised an eyebrow, a slight smile forming on her face.
It seemed the mother and son were having a fierce argument. The more they fought, the better. If they started fighting, she could seize Karen's phone and find a chance to escape.
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