"Oh no, that''s not necessary. I already told Mr. Lancaster I''d treat him to dinner when he''s free."


    Before Hannah could finish, Quennel''s voice turned slightly sullen. "And what about me?"


    "Of course I''m treating you to dinner too!"


    Hearing the cheerful lilt in her voice, Quennel was relieved that the incident hadn''t affected her too deeply.


    He chuckled softly. "You just started a new job. I couldn''t let you spend your money like that. You don''t need to treat me separately. Just bring me along."


    His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. "And tell Mr. Lancaster he doesn''t need to trouble himself with the investigation. The Rosenberg family will take care of its own."


    Hannah''sshes fluttered down. Treating them both to one meal felt a bit strange, as if it diminished her gratitude. But Quennel had said it so smoothly, she felt she couldn''t refuse.


    "Let me ask Mr. Lancaster, and I''ll get back to you, okay?"


    "Of course," Quennel''s low, gentleugh rumbled through the phone. "Have you had lunch?"


    "We just finished. My colleagues were a huge help, so I treated them today."


    "You''re bing more and more thoughtful. It''s hot out this afternoon, so don''t stay outside too long. Get back to the office before you get sunburned."


    Quennel''s considerate words made Hannah''s cheeks flush. She wasn''t sure if it was the sun or his voice, but she felt a little dizzy, her skin warm.


    "...Okay. Thank you, Quennel."


    "There''s no need for thanks between us. Go on now."


    After hanging up, Hannah stood motionless for a moment, Quennel''s voice still echoing in her ears. It was


    That she snapped out of und


    only when Anna called her name


    walked back to her friends under the shade of an umbre.


    In his office at the corporate headquarters, Quennel ended the call, his long fingers tapping a slow rhythm on the desk His deep, intense gaze was fixed on Yves'' profile on the screen.


    "His own house is on fire, and he still has time to meddle in my affairs."


    He closed the window with a decisive click and returned to his work.


    Hannah messaged Yves about the dinner. She had secretly hoped he would decline, but to her surprise, he readily agreed. With nothing more to say she asked them both for their avability to schedule the meal.


    That evening, when Hannah returned home, she found an unexpected guest- Sandra.


    "Lionel, you don''t have to see me out. I''ll be going now." Just as she was about to leave, Sandra saw Hannah walk in. She offered a graceful, polite nod and a hello before departing.


    Hannah watched her go, a sharine smile on her face, before stepping inside.


    In the living room, Cora was sulking, her face a thundercloud of resentment. Hannah ignored her, went to the closet to change, and then came down for dinner.


    Throughout the meal, Lionel tried to start a conversation several times, but he never managed to get the words out. After dinner, just as he was about to speak, Hannah cut him off.


    "I have work to do tonight. Have someone bring up a snack around nine-thirty."


    With that, she went upstairs, effectively shutting down any possibility of a conversation.


    Cora, who had been observing from the sidelines, finally made up her mind. Clenching her fists, she followed Hannah upstairs and knocked on the guest room door.


    "Ma''am, I need to talk to you."