"Is there something else?" Quennel asked, stepping out of the elevator with a cid smile.


    Lionel''s gaze darted past him into the empty elevator, a deep frown creasing his brow.


    "I was just thinking," Lionel said, his voiceced with suspicion. "This apartment is usually empty, right? Hannah and I have been having some issues. I was thinking of moving out for a bit."


    Quennel shook his head. "Bad timing, I''m afraid. My girlfriend just moved in. And this building has been sold out for ages. If you like the neighborhood, I can ask around and see if anyone''s looking to sell."


    He knew exactly what Lionel was doing. He had seen the elevator stop on the 25th floor just as Hannah was about to get in and had quickly stepped in himself. Otherwise, it would have been Hannah standing here right now.


    Lionel''s eyes narrowed. “Mom''s birthday is in a couple of days. Make sure you bring your girlfriend," he said, the words a clear challenge.


    Quennel nodded. "I was nning on it."


    "You know how much Mom wants you to get married. She''ll be thrilled to hear you''re finally seeing someone."


    "She will," Quennel agreed smoothly. "Which is why you should handle your situation with Hannah carefully. Don''t cause Mom any unnecessary stress."


    Hearing the veiled warning in his brother''s voice, Lionel glowered and stepped into the elevator. He red at the control panel. If he had ess, he would have pressed the button for the 26th floor and stormed up there to see for himself if the person hiding in the bedroom was Hannah.


    After Lionel was gone, Quennel didn''t go back upstairs right away. He sent a text to the building''s security guard. A few minutester, he received a photo confirming that Lionel''s car had left the premises. Only then did he message Hannah, telling her it was safe toe down.


    "He really didn''t leave?" Hannah asked in disbelief as she stepped out of the elevator.


    Quennel nodded. "He suspected something. But don''t worry. He only got in this time because I let him. From now on, he won''t get past the lobby without my permission."


    Hannah let out a shaky breath and sank onto the bench by the door. If you hadn''t noticed," she said, looking


    "I would havee


    up at him, "I woul sdown an


    he would have"


    he


    caught me."


    She couldn''t imagine the scene that would have followed, the rage, the endless fighting. A shiver ran down her spine, and her eyes grew moist.


    "Don''t dwell on what might have been," Quennel said gently, seeing her distress. "Are you full? If not, I can have the chef prepare something."


    Hannah shook her head. "No, thank you. I actually have ns tonight. I just need to change and head out."


    "Let me give you a ride."


    "No, really, it''s not far," she insisted, waving her hands. "Quennel, you''ve helped me so much already. I don''t want to trouble you anymore."


    Seeing her firm refusal, Quennel didn''t push, simply telling her to be safe.


    Hannah changed clothes, grabbed her car keys, and headed to the garage.


    While she had been hiding in


    Quennel''s bedroom, she had


    received a string of messages from


    Sandra, insisting they meet so she


    could apologize for the whole Xenia situation. Hannah had refused, but Sandra had been relentless, even calling her. Luckily, her phone had been on silent.


    Sandra''s uncharacteristic persistence, coupled with Lionel''s sudden appearance, felt suspicious. Annoyed and still on edge, Hannah decided to meet her. She needed an outlet for her anger, and Sandra was the perfect target.


    However, she rejected the restaurant Sandra suggested. They would meet in a public square, on her terms.