Sandra took several deep breaths, her mind racing.


    An idea suddenly struck her, and she quickly typed out a message.


    As evening fell, dotting the sky with stars, Hannah drove to the restaurant she had booked. She had expected it would take a few days to coordinate schedules with both men, but they had settled on a time and ce almost immediately.


    The thought of facing both of them at once filled her with a strange anxiety. What would they talk about? What if it was awkward?


    Half an hourter, she arrived. Quennel was already there.


    "Mr. Lancaster has ast-minute meeting. He''ll be a littlete," she exined as she sat down.


    "No matter. Are you hungry? We can order something first," Quennel said, passing her the menu.


    Before Hannah could reply, a familiar voice cut in.


    "Mr. Quennel Rosenberg, Ms. Green. What a coincidence to see you here."


    They both turned. It was Sandra, with Lionel at her side.


    The moment Lionel saw Hannah, his face darkened. He had sent her a message, and she hadn''t replied. And here she was, having dinner with Quennel. He had warned her countless times that Quennel was not to be trusted, but she never listened.


    "It is, isn''t it?" Hannah said smoothly. "Quennel and Mr. Lancaster were a great help to me recently, so this is my way of thanking them. Mr. Lancaster will be here shortly."


    As if on cue, Yves arrived.


    "Well, well, if it isn''t the inseparable


    pair," Yves drawled, striding past


    them to sit opposite Hannah. "Looks


    us.


    like we have a problem. A four-person table, and five of How unfortunate. He shot a mocking grin at Lionel. "Should we ask for a bigger table, or should the three of us leave you two alone?"


    "Truly unfortunate," Quennel added with a cold sneer.


    Sandra felt a hot flush of embarrassment. She had assumed Hannah was meeting Quennel alone; she hadn''t anticipated Yves crashing the party.


    "Let''s get a bigger table," Lionel said.


    "I don''t think so," Hannah immediately countered. She looked directly at Lionel, a faint, challenging smile on her lips. This is


    thank you dinner. It wouldn''t be


    appropriate for two unrted people to join, would it?"


    Lionel''s already dark expression grew thunderous, but Hannah pretended not to


    notice, calmly asking the waiter for the house specials.


    Defeated, Sandra had no choice but to lead Lionel to the adjacent table.


    The three of them chatted


    animatedly moving from gratitude for their help to the quality of the food, to new business ventures, and finally to praising Hannah''s


    professional skills Yves mentioned that he had to fend off several attempts from other firms trying to poach her.


    Inevitably, the conversation circled back to the deepfake incident.


    "If it weren''t for Quennel and Mr. Lancaster, I don''t know what I would have done," Hannah said sincerely.


    "You work for me. Did you think I''d stand by and do nothing?" Yves retorted. "Especially since your husband has neither backbone nor a sense of responsibility. Divorcing him is the smartest choice you''ve ever made."


    He nced over at Lionel with a derisive snort. "Look at him, can''t even wait for


    the ink on the divorce papers to dry. He was probably hoping you really had been ruined."


    Lionel, who had been staring at his te, was about to speak when a hand pressed down on his shoulder.