"Lionel, look!" she said, her voice grave as she showed him her phone. "We''re trending again."
Lionel nced at the sensational headline and the carefully selected photos. He frowned and took out his own phone to call Owen and have it taken down.
"You know, it''s strange," Sandra said, putting her phone away. "We used to go out to dinner all the time, and this never happened. But ever since Hannah asked for a divorce, we''re constantly in the news." She quickly backtracked. "Oh, don''t get me wrong. I''m not saying Hannah is behind this. I know she would never do something like that."
Lionel''s expression darkened.
"I was just thinking out loud," Sandra added. “It''s just such a coincidence. And it''s not like this would benefit her in any way. She loves you too much to ever hurt you like this."
The elevator doors opened, and Lionel strode out without a word. Sandra followed, a thoughtful frown on her face. At his office door, she paused.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Lionel, I think it''s best if I keep my distance. I don''t want to cause any more trouble for you. And if Hannah sees this, she''ll be furious." She forced a bright smile. "I''ve already caused enough problems. I can''t be the reason for another fight between you two."
With that, she turned and walked away. Lionel watched her go, his frown
deepening. He opened a drawer and took out a new phone with a fresh SIM card, and dialed Hannah''s number.
“Hannah, about the news..."
"Careful, it''s hot."
The line had just connected when he heard a familiar male voice in the background.
"I remember you like the garlic spare ribs, right? This ce has the best. Try some."
"Okay, thanks!” Hannah replied, then spoke into the phone. "Hello, who is this?"
There was a pause, then a voice
tight with anger. "Who is this? The
moment I''m gone, you run off:
another man. Are you that
desperate, Hannah?
You don''t ever
recognize my voice anymore?"
Hannah nced at the soup Yves had just set in front of her andughed She hadn''t
voice at first esphis
talking to her.
"You wouldn''t even be here if it weren''t for your grandmother. You have no right to
talk to me. And stop calling me. I''m busy."
"Busy? What could you possibly be..."
The line went dead. He tried calling back, but she had already blocked him.
Yves, hearing her side of the conversation, blinked innocently. "Was I not supposed to talk just now?"
"He wasn''t supposed to call me."
"Who was that?" a colleague asked. "The jerk you were telling us about?"
Hannah nodded. "Forget him. Let''s eat."
The department was having a celebratory lunch. Afterwards, Yves and Hannah headed to the airport. When they got to first ss Hannah saw a familiar face.
"Quennel?"