Chapter 918 The Decision
Hannah stood in front of Charles, arms spread wide like a human shield, staring down Quentin and Lisa.
For Charles, she was ready to defy her parents for the first time ever.
Seeing Hannah use her tiny frame to protect him, Charles felt a wave of emotion, his eyes softening.
He'd spent his whole life protecting others, and now, for the first time, someone other than his parents was standing up for him. It felt pretty damn good.
Hannah took a deep breath, gathering her courage, and said, "Whether you like it or not, he's the guy I love. I'm not marrying anyone else! I know Austin's done a lot for our family, and I can pay him back in other ways, but marrying him isn't one of them."
Quentin pointed at her with a shaking finger, just like that day in the private room.
Hannah knew Quentin was pissed again, and she felt a pang of guilt. She lowered her head, her voice softening, a mix of pleading and frustration.
"Dad, I'm begging you, please let us be together. I really love him. I can't stand Austin! I've known him for years; if I was gonna fall for him, it would've happened by now. It hasn't, and it won't. A loveless marriage won't work. It'll just mess us both up."
Quentin's face turned beet red as he struggled to breathe.
Hannah clenched her fists, telling herself not to back down, "Dad, please, let us be together."
Charles pushed Hannah aside gently, gripping her right hand with his left, his face set in determination, "Time will prove everything. I'll show you with my actions that I truly love Hannah. I'll make her the happiest woman in the world."
Quentin was stubborn as a mule, refusing to listen, "Hannah, you can only choose one: him or me! If you choose him, then leave our house with him, and I'll consider you no longer my daughter. If you choose me, then break up with him immediately and never contact him again. Then marry Austin tomorrow."
Stella laughed bitterly, "We've said so much, and you haven't listened to a single word, have you? I've seen stubborn people, but never anyone as stubborn as you. What's wrong with Charles? How is he worse than Austin?"
Quentin's expression stayed stone-cold, "Anyway, it's up to you. Choose him or choose me."
He seemed sure Hannah would pick him. Though he was fuming, his emotions started to settle.
He knew his daughter well.
Not long ago, she had agreed to marry Austin for his sake, and today she would surely agree to break up with Charles.
Quentin continued, "Think about it. What can this guy give you? He's crippled now. In the future, you might have to help him walk. Marrying him would ruin your life. I've chosen the best path for you. If you listen to me, you'll be set for life."
Stella was fuming, "Charles may have trouble walking now, but he'll get better! How can you be so sure he can't provide for Hannah? Charles has enough money to last them several lifetimes..."
Before she could finish saying "several lifetimes," Hannah cut in, "That's enough! I've made my choice!"
Everyone's eyes turned to Hannah.
Quentin was sure she'd pick him.
Charles was also sure she'd pick him.
If she had any doubts, she wouldn't have backed out at the last moment of the wedding today. But he didn't want Hannah to make a choice just for his sake.
Charles started, "Hannah, you don't have to—"
But Hannah knew exactly what he was about to say. She slapped her hand over his mouth, afraid she might chicken out, and quickly said, "Dad, even though I'm leaving today, you're still my father. I'll come see you another day!"
Translation: She picked Charles, so she was outta there.
Quentin was gasping for air, his chest heaving like he was about to pass out. Stella rolled her eyes and said, "Some tricks only work once. They won't work again."
Quentin was floored.
Lisa was floored too.
Hannah didn't dare look at Quentin, afraid she'd lose her nerve. She lowered her head, helped Charles up from the chair, and whispered in his ear, "Let's bounce."
"Hannah." Charles suddenly felt like a total failure.
In business, he could handle anything thrown his way.
But when it came to feelings, he was always tripping over himself.
Hannah said, "He's pissed right now. If we stay, it'll just get uglier. Let's come back when he's cooled off and ask for his forgiveness."
Charles thought she had a point, so he didn't push it and left with Randy and Stella.
Quentin had planned to fake fainting to scare Hannah.
But Stella's words threw him off, and he didn't react in time, just watching them leave.
Stella was right! He had been faking it.
Though he was mad, he'd had time to adjust.
The last time he fainted from anger, it was because it hit him out of nowhere. It was the first time Hannah had been so defiant, and he couldn't handle it, so he passed out.
From the hospital to home, almost a month had passed, so he wasn't as shocked and angry anymore.
Hearing the door close, Lisa let go of Quentin, picked up the health supplements on the table with a look of disdain, and was about to toss them in the trash. But when she saw the price tag, her eyes nearly popped out.
Lisa exclaimed, "Quentin, come check this out!"
Quentin was genuinely feeling off.
But he wasn't about to faint. He had planned to fake it to make Hannah choose him. But Stella had seen right through him.
Hearing Lisa's shout, he took a breath and walked over, annoyed, "What now?"
Lisa pointed at the price tag, eyes wide, "This box of health supplements costs over $2,000!"
Oh my God! In her forty-some years, she had never seen such pricey health supplements.
Quentin's expression shifted slightly.
Lisa carefully put down the box and picked up another, handling it like it was fine china, afraid of breaking it.
"And look, this one's even pricier, over $4,000! That crippled guy is really splurging, giving us such expensive gifts on the first meeting. I wonder if we can return these for cash. It'd last us a long time."
Quentin, who had been too mad to think straight earlier, now calmed down and sensed something was off.
That guy Charles, though crippled, had this air of nobility that regular folks didn't have.
Dropping nearly $10,000 on health supplements like it was nothing showed he was loaded.
Could it be that his family was well-off?
His thoughts were interrupted by Lisa's shout, "Quentin, look, there's a small box underneath that costs $20,000! Who is this generous guy? But he doesn't look rich at all! He even came by taxi."
Quentin glanced at Lisa, who was holding the health supplements like they were gold, said nothing, and silently went back to his room. He took out his phone and called Austin.
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