"I think a friend of mine was on a blind date with him yesterday," Hannah said, taking a picture of the photo with her phone. “I''ll ask her about it. If it''s him, maybe I can get some information out of her."


    "That would be amazing!"


    Hannah took the file back to her desk and examined the photo again. The man''s name was Hans, a Ryth local whose family owned a small techpany. He wasn''t particrly good-looking.


    Recalling the man''s demands, Hannah realized the Woods family must be in serious trouble. In the past, someone with Sandra''s pride and connections would have only considered suitors from Sova''s elite, never someone from out of town. While she didn''t know the details, the situation was perfect. With a little push, she could probably provoke Sandra into doing something reckless, something that would guarantee her divorce from Lionel. Maybe she could even catch them in the act, or better yet, have Sandra foolishly send her photographic evidence.


    Just as she was wondering how to arrange a meeting with Sandra, a text from Lionel came through.


    [Let''s have dinner tonight. Grandma is asking for an update. You can send her a picture of us.]


    A few days ago, a message like this would have annoyed her. Today, it made her ecstatic.


    She quickly replied with a simple, "Okay."


    Lionel frowned when he saw her immediate response. Yesterday, she hadn''t replied at all, and he hadn''te home. She hadn''t been angry, nor had she bothered to check on him. Now, she was replying instantly. Was she just trying to get back at him, and now that she had his attention, she was satisfied?


    A faint smile touched his lips. Her personality hadn''t changed much at all.


    That evening, Hannah sent Lionel the address of the restaurant. When he arrived and saw two people sitting in the private room, he hesitated for a moment before walking in.


    "Lionel, you''re here!" Sandra started to stand but immediately winced and sat back down, a pained smile on her face. "I thought my ankle would be better today, but it''s still so sore."


    Hannah, who had been sipping her water, paused. In the two minutes Sandra had been there, she hadn''t mentioned her ankle once. But the moment Lionel appeared, the pain magically returned. What convenient timing.


    "Lionel took me stargazing


    yesterday, and I twisted my ankleing down the stairs," Sandra exined with a helpless sigh. "He ended up staying with me at the hospital all night. I was so womed it would affect his work today.


    Hannah set her ss down, her gaze dropping. So he was just ying nurse. She had imagined something far more scandalous What a disappointment. Still, the timing of the injury was suspicious, but Hannah couldn''t be bothered to dwell on it.


    "That spot is supposed to be amazing for stargazing. We should all go together next time!" Sandra suggested enthusiastically.


    "Sure," Hannah agreed.


    Seeing Hannah''spleteck of reaction, Sandra felt a surge of satisfaction. Her little "ident" had been the right move after all. The more indifferent Hannah acted, the easier it would be to manipte the situation.


    "Oh, Hannah, there''s something I have to tell you," she said, feigning reluctance. "My ankle was so bad yesterday that Lionel had to carry me down the stairs felt should tell you myself, so you wouldn''t bear it


    from someone else and get the wrong idea."


    Lionel sat down, his eyes instinctively darting to Hannah.


    Hannah calmly pushed a menu toward him. "Isn''t that what he should have done?


    He couldn''t just stand there and watch you struggle. He would have done the same for anyone."