It was the truth. It was Lionel''s words that had shattered her self-esteem.


    She had finally regained her confidence at her old firm, but then Sandra appeared, and her newfound self-worth was trampled again and again.


    Thank goodness she had been clear-headed enough toe to the Keystone Group. Working with these people, she was finally realizing just how capable she truly was.


    "What?" her colleague eximed. "I can''t believe you were ever that lovesick. Just from this morning, I''m already in awe of you. You''re incredible!"


    "Exactly! You came in today and solved a problem we''ve been stuck on for weeks. If you''re not brilliant, who is?" another chimed in.


    "Who is this scumbag? Did you dump him? Men like that will ruin your life! They''re just afraid their woman will be more sessful than them and leave, so they resort to these pathetic tactics!"


    One by one, they all chimed in, cursing the scumbag, wishing all sorts of ill upon him and his ancestors.


    The scumbag in question was sitting at the next table, pretending to work on his tablet, a vein throbbing in his temple as he struggled to contain his anger.


    Hannah caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye and felt a surge of satisfaction.


    "We broke up, but he won''t leave me alone," Hannah said.


    "Hah, he probably sees you shining at the Keystone Group and wants totch onto you now that you''re sessful. That''s why he won''t let go!"


    "That''s right, Hannah, don''t you dare go soft on him! There are plenty of fish in the sea. We women need to focus on our careers!"


    Hannah nodded. "I know. I won''t go soft again."


    Before the meal, she went to the restroom. On her way out, she ran straight into Lionel.


    She tried to walk past him as if he were a stranger, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a corner.


    "Hannah,


    a scum didn''t know you were with morning without waiting ove


    a scumbag," he said, his eyes he said, his eyes fixed


    on her And why did you leave this


    for me?


    Hannah''s expression was cool. "Aren''t you the scumbag, Lionel? How can you be so clueless?"


    His voice was hoarse. "I told you, suggesting other firms was for your own good. I have never denied your abilities!"


    Hearing the same old excuse,


    ket


    Hannah couldn''t help butugh. She


    wrenewed herum


    free and looked


    up at him, her gaze unflinching.


    "So, Mr. Rosenberg, you acknowledge my abilities now? You think I''m good


    enough for the Rosenberg Group?"


    Without hesitation, he replied, "If you want, the Rosenberg Group will always have a ce for you."


    Hannah shook her head. “The


    Rosenberg Group of today is not et


    worthy of my abilities. Besides,


    you''ve already found yoursn excellentwyer."  fo


    The ce she had once desperately wanted to be was now a ce she despised.


    What was the point of being offered something she could no longer have?


    Hannah turned to leave, unwilling to say another word.


    Lionel stepped forward, pulling her back. He braced a hand against the wall, trapping her between his body and the hard surface.


    His eyes were deep and intense as he stared at her. He leaned in close and whispered something in her ear.


    Hannah''s eyes flew open, her face a mask of disbelief.