Chapter 81: Are you seeing the same thing I’m seeing?

"Ah... but there’s nothing much I can think of!"

Alex suddenly yelled, scratching his head in frustration. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t come up with a single plan that would make Clara believe him.

He slumped back, staring blankly ahead.

"She’s not the problem right now. It’s Julianna who’s gone completely silent on me."

His thoughts shifted back to the woman who had suddenly started ghosting him. And with his pockets getting emptier by the day, Alex desperately needed to find a way to get her talking to him again.

Unfortunately, there was only one option left.

Alex’s expression turned serious.

Without wasting another second, he stood up and walked out of his house.

Meanwhile, inside Hayes Enterprise, Julianna had just returned to her office after attending a meeting when her assistant came rushing toward her.

"Madam, you need to see this."

His urgent tone made Julianna frown. She took the phone from his hand, and the moment she saw what was on the screen, her expression changed.

"There is no way Grace Sterling just publicly declared Clara her daughter-in-law."

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

She had always believed that as long as the members of the Sterling family continued to despise Clara, Clara would never truly be accepted into the family. She might have married Dominic, but in Julianna’s mind, that marriage would never be enough to make her a real member of the Sterling family.

But now... Grace had publicly acknowledged Clara as her daughter-in-law. That single gesture was enough to make Julianna’s blood boil.

"Damn it!"

She slammed the phone onto the table.

Her assistant flinched.

’My phone...’

He desperately wanted to save it, but one look at Julianna’s furious expression made him decide that his phone was probably better off sacrificed for the cause.

Before he could even mourn its possible death, Julianna looked up.

"Don’t let Dad find out about this."

The assistant immediately nodded.

"Yes, Madam."

"Now go and get rid of this."

The assistant grabbed his phone and hurried out of the office as if his life depended on it.

Once the door closed behind him, Julianna leaned forward, bracing both hands against the table.

She let out a bitter sneer.

She knew exactly why Dorothy had gone there. Dorothy had already told her about the deal Clara had snatched away from them.

But never once had Julianna expected someone from the Sterling family to actually stand behind Clara.

’What exactly did this Clara do to get Grace on her side?’

She narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out what she had missed.

Before she could think any further, the office door suddenly opened again.

Her assistant came rushing back inside.

Julianna’s eyebrows shot up.

"What happened now?"

The man was panting as though he had just run a marathon.

"Madam... you have an uninvited visitor."

Julianna’s frown deepened.

"Who?"

The assistant hesitated.

And somehow, that hesitation made Julianna even more suspicious.

"He’s already waiting outside."

Julianna stared at him.

"Who is it?"

The assistant swallowed.

"Alex."

***

Meanwhile, somewhere in a secluded spot, Hannah was completely absorbed in the livestream playing on her phone.

The moment she saw Dorothy getting another coffee thrown in her direction, she couldn’t contain herself.

"That’s it, girl! Go on! Throw another coffee at her!"

Her voice was loud enough to make several people passing by turn their heads.

Mark, who was sitting beside her, immediately lowered his head in embarrassment.

A man passing by slowed down and looked at him with concern.

"Is everything okay, sir?"

"Oh, yes! Yes, everything is perfectly fine." Mark forced a smile and waved his hand dismissively. "She’s just... a very enthusiastic person, you know."

The man glanced at Hannah, who was still staring intensely at her phone as if she were watching the final match of a championship.

Then he looked back at Mark.

"Right..."

His expression clearly said he wasn’t convinced, but he decided it was none of his business and walked away.

Mark waited until the man was out of earshot before turning toward Hannah.

"Hannah, can you please keep your voice down? You’re drawing attention."

Hannah didn’t even look at him.

"Why? I’m just cheering for her."

"You’re practically giving commentary to the entire street."

"I am?"

"Yes."

She finally paused and looked around.

Only then did she notice several people staring at them.

One woman walking past whispered to her companion, "Why is she staring at us like we’ve offended her?"

"Hehe..." Mark immediately smiled awkwardly. "Everything is fine. She’s not angry."

The second he said it, he felt a sudden chill.

Slowly, he turned his head.

Hannah was glaring at him.

Not just glaring.

She was practically shooting daggers at him.

"You don’t have to keep explaining me to strangers," she said.

Mark’s smile vanished instantly.

"Right."

"People are going to think I’m crazy."

Mark glanced at the people still watching them.

"They already might."

Hannah’s eyes narrowed.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Good."

Mark wisely kept his mouth shut.

Hannah sighed and finally locked her phone before slipping it back into her bag.

She hadn’t come here intending to attract attention. Her only purpose had been to meet Mark. But when he mentioned that Clara’s family situation was being livestreamed, curiosity had gotten the better of her.

One minute, she had been casually watching.

The next, she had become Clara’s most enthusiastic cheerleader.

And honestly, she couldn’t even regret it.

"Anyway," Hannah said, looking satisfied, "that was worth it."

Mark stared at her.

"You nearly caused a traffic incident."

"At least I didn’t throw the coffee."

Mark blinked.

"That’s your defense?"

Hannah shrugged.

"Of course. I’m showing restraint."

Mark rubbed his forehead. Somehow, that wasn’t reassuring at all.

Suddenly, Hannah fell silent and let out a long sigh.

"By the way, that’s not why I called you here."

Mark visibly relaxed. His eyes remained fixed on her calm expression as he waited for her to continue.

"I’ll attend Eric’s wedding."

Mark went completely still.

For several seconds, he said nothing. When the silence stretched on, a hint of panic crossed Hannah’s face.

"Why are you suddenly so quiet? Say something."

Mark was still processing her words. Honestly, he hadn’t expected her to say anything like that.

"Are you sure?" he finally asked, his voice skeptical.

Hannah frowned. "Didn’t you tell me I shouldn’t let my past control me?"

"I did."

"And you don’t remember telling me that?"

"I remember," Mark replied. "I’m just surprised that your solution is to attend your ex’s wedding."

Hannah’s expression immediately changed.

It felt as though someone had thrown a bucket of cold water over her.

"What’s wrong with that?"

"Nothing," Mark quickly said. "I’m just asking if you’re really prepared for it."

Hannah narrowed her eyes.

Mark suddenly wondered if he had said the wrong thing.

When Hannah closed her eyes and took several slow breaths, he became even more nervous.

"Am I in trouble?" he muttered.

"Very much."

Mark’s face went pale.

"Great."

Despite herself, Hannah almost smiled. She leaned back against the bench and sighed.

"But..." Her expression softened. "I’m actually happy you put some sense into my head."

Mark blinked.

"I was spending so much time spiraling over what happened that I forgot I still had a life to live."

Her eyes drifted toward the distance.

Hannah knew how deeply she had loved Eric. She had given him everything, only for him to betray her and cheat on her.

But she was done allowing his choices to define her.

"If I really want to move on, I need to face it one last time," she said firmly. "I want closure, Mark. And I think attending the wedding is the only way I’ll get it."

She paused before adding, "Besides, I’m not going to let them think I’m weak."

The determination in her eyes made Mark’s heart soften.

He had always known Hannah as a strong and confident woman. Seeing that version of her slowly return made him genuinely happy.

"You were never weak, Hannah," he said quietly. "You just got played by someone who had no idea how to love you."

Hannah looked at him for a moment before a small smile appeared. Something about Mark had left an impression on her, and the way his mere presence eased her mind piqued her interest even further.

"You’re surprisingly wise sometimes."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "Sometimes?"

"Don’t push your luck."

He chuckled. "Fine. I’ll take it."

The two spent some time talking, but Hannah couldn’t shake the shy awkwardness she felt around Mark.

She kept remembering the kisses they had shared—not once, but twice—and both times, she had been the one to initiate them. The thought alone made her want to lean closer and ask for more.

But she quickly pushed the thought away.

She didn’t want to scare Mark off or make him think she was taking advantage of his feelings. Whatever was growing between them, she wanted it to happen naturally.

"Okay, then. I’ll take my leave," she finally said.

Mark looked at her for a moment before slowly nodding.

"Alright. Take care."

The two walked toward the parked car together. Hannah offered him a small smile before reaching for the door.

But just as she was about to get inside, something caught the corner of her eye.

She froze and her jaw dropped.

"Holy shit!"

Mark immediately turned toward her. "What?"

"Mark, are you seeing the same thing I’m seeing?"

Her voice was filled with disbelief.

Mark frowned, clearly confused by her reaction. "What are you—"

Before he could finish, Hannah pointed toward a particular direction.

Mark followed her finger.

The moment he saw what had caught her attention, his expression went completely still.