Chapter 838: Austin and Charles Meet
After Hannah hopped in the car, the Bentley zoomed off right away.
Charles watched them vanish, his brows all scrunched up. "What's their deal?" he asked.
He had a gut feeling it wasn't just a buddy-buddy thing. Hannah acted different around him, like there was some weird vibe.
Stella, worried he'd get the wrong idea and mess up her matchmaking plans, quickly said, "Didn't I tell you? They're just friends. He probably needed something from Hannah!"
Charles gave her a look, "Just friends, huh?"
Stella flashed a sweet smile, "I'm your sister; don't you trust me? They really are just friends!"
To make sure Charles bought it, she even raised her hand to swear.
"I swear, if I'm lying, I'll never get married in this lifetime."
Charles still looked doubtful.
Stella added, "You know my biggest dream is to find a guy who loves and spoils me. This is a serious promise, don't you believe me?"
She was really trying hard for Charles and Hannah's happiness.
Seeing her serious face, Charles couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, I believe you!" he chuckled.
Stella hooked her arms around his and grinned, "Since Hannah's gone, let's grab some food! I already made a reservation."
Charles didn't argue and followed her across the street.
Stella pouted, half talking to Charles, half to herself, "Honestly, I really don't like Hannah hanging out with him! His personality is super annoying!"
They both knew who she meant without saying his name.
Charles raised an eyebrow, "How annoying?"
Stella pouted, "He's controlling, rude, and always so full of himself."
From the first time she saw Austin, she couldn't stand him.
She couldn't see any good in him.
She didn't get why Hannah liked him.
Hannah got engaged to him right after she turned eighteen.
Charles didn't like gossiping, so he just listened without saying much.
But he totally underestimated how much Stella disliked Austin.
Even when they were seated in the private room, she kept ranting without repeating herself.
Meanwhile, Austin was driving in silence, eyes on the road but mind all over the place. Who knows what he was thinking.
Hannah, feeling nervous, clutched the seatbelt and finally spoke up.
"Austin, why'd you suddenly show up? Have you been waiting long? Why didn't you call me?"
A hint of sarcasm flashed in Austin's eyes.
Call? So she could cover her tracks?
He showed up unannounced on purpose, to see what she was up to with Charles.
But he didn't say that out loud. He just smiled, "Wanted to surprise you. Hungry? Let's grab some food first."
"Okay!" Hannah nodded, trying to be obedient.
Even though she felt something was off with Austin today.
She couldn't put her finger on it.
Austin didn't take Hannah to a fancy place. They found a small joint and ordered a few of her favorite dishes.
After dinner, they took a walk by the river.
Austin naturally held Hannah's hand.
Hannah's hand twitched a bit, resisting the urge to pull away, but she let him hold it.
Austin blurted out, "Hannah, let's tie the knot next year!"
He couldn't wait any longer. If she was of legal age, he would've dragged her to the altar right now.
Hannah smiled, "Didn't we already plan that when we got engaged?"
They had agreed to get hitched at twenty and register on her twentieth birthday.
Austin was terrified she'd change her mind after meeting Charles. Hearing her say this, he hugged her tight.
Austin grinned, "Yeah, we did! But lately, I've been so scared you'd back out and not wanna marry me."
Hannah listened to his erratic heartbeat and laughed, "You've been so good to me and my parents! How could I regret it? If it weren't for you, my dad would've died a long time ago! I'll never forget what you've done for us."
Austin didn't say anything, just rested his chin on her shoulder and took a deep breath.
The unknown fear made him tremble slightly.
Of course, if he hadn't schemed, Hannah wouldn't have agreed to marry him. He didn't want to think about how mad she'd be if she found out the truth. Would she call off the engagement?
Austin was lost in thought, and Hannah, unaware of his unease, pulled away from his embrace, lowered her eyes, and cautiously said, "Austin, I need to talk to you about something."
Her expression and tone made Austin wary.
"What is it?" he asked.
Hannah negotiated, "Stella said a new resort opened at Crystal Blue Lake and she wants to invite me to go! I wanna go."
Austin narrowed his eyes, "Is Charles going too?"
Hannah didn't want to lie, so she nodded, "Yeah! But it's not just the three of us, Stella's parents are going too."
Hearing this, Austin's lips pressed into a straight line, his eyes turning red.
'A vacation? With Charles again? Why is he always around?' Austin thought angrily.
Seeing him silent, Hannah, afraid he was mad, quickly said, "It's just a trip! You know, I haven't gone out to have fun in a long time."
Austin's lips slowly curved into a smile.
He was smiling, but his gaze was cold.
"Alright! If you wanna go, then go!" Austin agreed.
This time, he agreed so quickly, without stopping her.
Because he knew, stopping her wouldn't work.
Surprised by his quick agreement, Hannah happily hugged his neck.
"Thank you, Austin, thank you so much!" she beamed.
She thought she'd have to persuade him for a long time!
Austin held her bouncing body, his smile deepening, "But, you gotta promise me one thing."
Hannah looked at him in surprise.
That night, Stella sent the detailed itinerary to both Hannah and Charles.
At nine in the morning, Charles would drive to pick up Hannah, while Stella would ride with her parents. The two cars would meet at a designated spot and then head to the resort together.
Hannah, however, didn't want to and said she'd meet them directly at the resort.
Seeing her insist, Stella had no choice but to agree.
Stella arrived first and waited for them at the entrance.
Charles arrived second.
Hannah was the last to show up.
When they saw the slowly approaching Bentley, both Stella and Charles' expressions froze.
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