Mr. CEO's Substitute Bride-Chapter 949 - 945: If a Rumor Is Spread Enough, Even Lies Become Truth

"Dad, what should I do?" Hannah Hargrave frowned unhappily, "I like him, and I won’t marry anyone else."

"What’s the rush, child!" Henry Hargrave laughed helplessly at Hannah’s stubborn words, "I only said don’t be too hasty, not that it’s impossible."

"Honestly, you know I’m anxious but still play games with me!" Hannah became even more upset. Henry sighed and said, "You really have your mother’s temperament, rushing into things without planning, just acting on impulse."

At Henry’s words, Hannah disagreed, "Who says my mom only acts on impulse? She’s very shrewd. If she hadn’t been smart back then, you might have been taken away by that vixen!"

Mentioning the past made Henry feel a bit embarrassed, especially being teased by his own daughter. He quickly put on a stern face and scolded, "You, child, always speak without thinking. Why bring up things from hundreds of years ago? In this regard, you’re different from your mother!"

Realizing she misspoke, Hannah stuck out her tongue and got up from the chair to walk behind the desk, shaking her father’s arm playfully, "Dad, you know I’m always straightforward. Just a metaphor earlier..."

"Alright, stop acting cute," Henry feigned displeasure, "When you have free time, interact more with Nicholas Croft. Let the media take more photos. When the rumors spread enough, even false ones become true."

"Dad, how are you so smart?" Hannah happily gave her father a peck on the cheek, but Henry frowned disapprovingly, "You’re grown up now, still acting like a child. If the media catches this, who knows what they might write!"

"Dad, with your status, they wouldn’t dare." Hannah lifted her chin arrogantly, knowing no one would dare post her photos online without her permission.

In the afternoon, Hannah approached him voluntarily. When led into the office by the assistant, Nicholas Croft didn’t get up to greet her but leaned back in his executive chair with his legs elegantly crossed, looking at the woman walking into his office with a polite but aloof demeanor, "Miss Hargrave visiting Mr. Croft’s company, is there something urgent?"

"Nicholas, I..." Now in the office, Hannah clutched her handbag, looking very conflicted and shy.

"Please sit," Nicholas gestured politely and then instructed the assistant, "Make a cup of coffee for Miss Hargrave and bring it in."

The assistant left, and Hannah, rather than sit on the guest sofa, gracefully stepped in high heels to Nicholas’s desk, looking at him while slightly biting her lip, her shy demeanor tinged with hesitation.

"Please sit," Nicholas gestured again, placing a chair opposite his desk, typically there for chatting with acquaintances. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Hannah adjusted her skirt and sat down, her long hair styled in big waves. Though not a celebrity, her attire and makeup were even more elaborate than a star’s.

After sitting down, she placed her bag on her lap, still clutching the straps as Nicholas regarded her casually. Hesitating, she spoke, "I’m here to apologize."

"Oh?" Nicholas raised an amused eyebrow, one arm crossed over his chest while the other supported his chin. His lips curved, and his dark eyes casually exuded a charm that Hannah found irresistible.

Her heart pounded loudly, Hannah shyly lowered her head, yet her gaze remained fixed on Nicholas, biting her lower lip like a girl experiencing her first crush.