Quennel looked up from his juice. "Hannah. What a coincidence. We''re on the same flight."


    "Mr. Rosenberg, fancy seeing you here," Yves said, stepping out from behind Hannah. "And we''re in the same row! Hannah, why don''t we switch? You take the aisle seat so you can chat with Quennel."


    He took her bag and settled into the window seat. Hannah, seeing no way to refuse, sat down.


    "When we get to Sova, are you heading to the office or straight home?" Quennel asked.


    "Straight home."


    "Good," he said, his tone suddenly serious. "I have something to discuss with Lionel. We''ll go together when wend. No need to trouble Mr. Lancaster."


    Yves leaned back, azy smile on his face, and said nothing.


    During the flight, Quennel only made small talk, asking about her time in Ryth. Hannah was dying to ask what he wanted to talk to Lionel about, especially given his grim expression, but with Yves there, she kept quiet.


    When they arrived home, Lionel was already there. The sight of Hannah and Quennel walking in together made his jaw tighten.


    "Why didn''t you call me from the airport?"


    "We were on the same flight," Quennel said, his voice hard. "Lionel, you''ve gone too far this time."


    He walked into the living room and sat down. Hannah, thinking Quennel was about to bring up the kidnapping, decided to stay.


    Lionel''s eyes met his brother''s, and a flicker of anger crossed his face. "What are you talking about?"


    "Everyone knows you have feelings for Sandra, but you are a married man. You have a wife. Can''t you act like it?" Quennel''s voice was sharp with reprimands This is the second. time you two have been all over the news. I managed to keep thest one from Grandma, but she found out about this one. The shock sent her to the hospital."


    "What?" Hannah cried. "When did this happen? Is she okay? Which hospital?"


    "Calm down, Hannah. It''s not serious. You and Lionel can go see her tomorrow," Quennel reassured her.


    Hannah''s heart, which had been pounding in her chest, finally slowed. She poured herself a ss of water her hand trembling. She looked at Lionel, her eyes filled with a Cold fury.


    "There is nothing going on between Sandra and me," Lionel said. "It''s all just baseless rumors."


    "Then why are they only spreading


    rumors about you? This little escapade of yours is affecting the Rosenberg Group''s stock prices Stop treating your marriage like a game. If you can''t clean up your own mess, I''ll do it for you."


    Quennel then turned to Hannah and told her to go upstairs and rest; he needed to speak with Lionel alone.


    Hannah nodded and went upstairs, calling Mrs. Rosenberg Sr. on the way.


    Once she was gone, Quennel''s voice dropped. "Zona has been caught. I''ve taken care of the kidnapping issue. Stop causing trouble for the family."


    Lionel was silent for a moment, his face a mask of controlled rage. "It was Mother, wasn''t it? What was she trying to do?"


    Quennel picked up the cup of water Hannah had poured for him and took a sip, his fingers tracing the delicate porcin.