Chapter 224: Hannah has a boyfriend.

Dominic’s gaze hardened, causing Grace to quickly raise both hands in defeat.

"Alright, alright. I’ll stop."

She leaned toward Jonathan and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"But I still think they should have been inside their room."

Jonathan nodded seriously.

"Absolutely."

Dominic’s eyes narrowed.

"Do you two want to discuss this further?"

Both immediately shook their heads.

"No."

"Not at all."

Toto barked.

Grace smiled at the puppy.

"At least someone here has common sense."

Clara couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore.

Dominic simply sighed.

He was beginning to regret letting his family visit.

Grace had already heard about Toto from Hannah, but the moment she actually met the puppy, she had fallen completely in love with him.

"What did you want to talk about?" Dominic asked, bringing everyone’s attention back to the matter at hand.

Grace exchanged a hesitant glance with Jonathan before looking at her son. She bit her lip, clearly unsure whether her suspicion was worth mentioning.

After a moment, she finally decided to speak.

"I think Hannah has a boyfriend."

The moment those words left her mouth, Clara nearly choked on her own saliva.

"Cough! Cough!"

Dominic immediately frowned and patted her back while Jonathan quickly reached for the glass of water on the table and handed it to her.

"Here, drink some."

"Thank you, Dad," Clara managed to say before taking a sip.

She glanced around at the three people watching her.

Hannah, you are in big trouble.

Clara continued sipping her water, desperately pretending she hadn’t heard anything.

However, the person sitting beside her wasn’t fooled.

"Are you feeling better?" Dominic asked, studying her face. "Or should we take you to the doctor?"

Clara froze.

"No! I’m perfectly fine."

Dominic’s brows furrowed. "You were choking."

"I just... swallowed wrong," she laughed awkwardly.

Grace stared at her suspiciously. Jonathan also looked unconvinced.

Clara smiled and continued, taking another sip of water.

She couldn’t possibly tell them that the reason she was choking had nothing to do with the water.

Her best friend’s secret had just been exposed, and she was already mentally preparing herself for the interrogation Hannah was about to face.

Dominic glanced between Clara and his parents.

"Why do you think Hannah has a boyfriend?"

Grace immediately sighed.

"Because I heard her sleep-talking and calling someone ’baby,’" Grace explained.

Clara nearly choked on her water again.

She quickly swallowed, forcing herself to remain calm. The last thing she needed was for everyone to notice her reaction and start wondering why she looked like she had just been caught committing a crime.

She quietly placed the glass on the table and put on her most innocent smile.

"Mom, what if it was just a dream?" Clara suggested. "And ’baby’ could mean anything. Maybe she was talking about... a puppy?"

Grace stared at her.

"A puppy?"

Clara nodded immediately.

"Yes. Puppies are babies too."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.

"Then why did she sound so happy while saying it?"

Clara’s smile stiffened.

"Well... maybe she was dreaming about a very cute puppy."

Beside her, Dominic remained silent, watching Clara with narrowed eyes.

[Why is she defending Hannah so desperately?]

Clara’s heart skipped a beat.

She avoided looking at him.

Grace, however, seemed more interested in her theory.

"But Hannah doesn’t even have a puppy."

Clara’s smile nearly disappeared.

"Well, dreams don’t exactly follow logic, Mom."

Jonathan chuckled.

"That is true."

Grace still looked suspicious.

"I don’t know. Something feels strange about that girl lately."

Clara nodded enthusiastically.

"She’s probably just... growing up."

[That was a terrible excuse.]

Clara’s eyes widened slightly.

She silently prayed Dominic wouldn’t say anything.

Grace sighed. "I suppose we’ll have to ask her ourselves."

Clara’s heart sank.

Hannah, I’m sorry. I tried.

Dominic rubbed his forehead and let out a tired sigh.

"And what exactly are you going to ask her? Whether she has a boyfriend?" he asked, looking at his mother. "Mom, she’s an adult. She has every right to fall in love again."

Clara’s eyes softened at his words.

Hannah had only ever loved one person since she was young, and unfortunately, that person had been none other than Eric—the biggest scum she had ever trusted.

For years, Hannah had believed his lies and held on to a relationship that had been built on nothing but deception. But after finally seeing his true face, she had chosen to break free.

And if Hannah wanted to open her heart to someone again, there was absolutely nothing wrong with that.

"Dom..." Clara looked at him with sparkling eyes. "You’re so thoughtful."

Dominic glanced at her.

"Of course I am."

Clara smiled proudly.

See? This is why I love you.

But before she could admire her husband any further, Dominic continued.

"However, whoever that person is, he’ll have to go through us first."

"..."

Clara’s smile slowly disappeared and her shoulders slumped.

Just when she thought Dominic had finally said something sensible, he had somehow managed to turn himself into the biggest obstacle in his sister’s love life.

Grace chuckled with a cold glint crossing her eyes. "That’s what I was thinking too."

Jonathan nodded in agreement.

"We should at least know who the man is."

Clara stared at them in disbelief.

Oh, no.

She could already imagine Mark standing in front of Dominic while Dominic interrogated him like a criminal suspect.

What are his intentions toward Hannah?

What does he do for a living?

Why does he want to date my sister?

And does he understand what happens if he hurts her?

Clara almost groaned.

Only heaven can save Mark.

Dominic suddenly glanced at her. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing," Clara said quickly, forcing a smile. "I was just thinking you’re going to be a very supportive brother."

Dominic nodded. "I am."

Clara’s smile twitched.

That is exactly what I’m worried about.

While the Sterling family was already planning how to test Hannah’s mysterious boyfriend, Mark, who was completely unaware of what was coming, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.