"Don''t forget, Sandra only came running to you with an exnation after the investigation results came out. Think about it, Lionel. Stop lying to yourself."


    Clutching a change of clothes, Hannah walked into the bathroom, unwilling to waste another breath on him.


    Lionel watched her leave, a suffocating weight settling in his chest. He staggered back and copsed onto the nearby sofa.


    He had believed the video, it was true. But his first reaction hadn''t been disgust. It had been a sharp, protective ache for her. He''d been worried she was hurting, which was why he''d rushed to her side, promising to stand by her.


    So how... how had everything fallen apart like this?


    He dropped his head into his hands, his fingers digging into his scalp in a storm of frustration.


    Hiding by the doorway, Cora watched the scene unfold. A smirk she couldn''t contain spread across her face as she saw them fighting again.


    Good, she thought. Let them fight. Let them scream the house down. Maybe they''ll evene to blows.


    The only downside was that with them at each other''s throats, Hannah would never have the chance to discover the little surprise Cora had nted in Lionel''s


    car.


    As she was plotting her next move, she saw her mother beckoning to her from down the hall.


    "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Have you learned nothing?" Lily hissed in a low voice. "Tell me, how in the world did you get tangled up with Sandra from the Woods family?"


    "Sandra? You mean that bankrupt socialite?"


    "She called, asking to meet you," Lily said, her voice tight with anxiety. "What


    mess have you gotten yourself into now? Who did you piss off? I''m telling you, we only have a few days left. You need to lie low and keep your head down. I''ve already gotten everything ready for you!"


    "I don''t even know her," Cora said, her eyes darting as she quickly pieced together Sandra''s likely motive. "A meeting? Fine Mom, give m? her number. I''ll go see what she wants."


    "You be careful," Lily warned. "Don''t let her y you. This is the most critical time for us. We can''t afford a single mistake, you understand?"


    Cora added the contact, nodded, and went back to her room with a sly smile.


    The next day, Cora arrived at the designated high-end patisserie for afternoon tea.


    She tensed the moment she walked in, forcing a nonchnt air as if she belonged there, and calmly followed the hostess to a table.


    Sandra was already waiting, the tableden with an array of delicate, exquisite pastries.


    "Ms. Laurier, good morning." Sandra picked up a paper gift bag from the seat beside her and handed it over. "A little something for our first meeting. Open it, see if you like it."


    Sandra''s smile was all teeth, her intentions anything but friendly. Cora''s guard went up another notch, but she returned the smile and epted the bag.


    Inside was a small, t, square box. Cora ced it on the table, her mind racing with possibilities.


    But the moment she opened it, her face fell. She mmed the lid shut, a prickling fear crawling up her spine Her eyes darted around the room, ensuring no one was paying them any attention before she shoved the box back into the bag.


    "You really should take better care of your things Leaving them scattered about is not only embarrassing, but it could also cost you your job,". Sandra said, taking a delicate sip of her coffee. Seeing Cora''s grim expression, she smiled faintly picked up another, muchrger bag.


    "Thetest from this season''s collection. See if you like it."


    After the first "gift," Cora was wary. She nced at the bag but didn''t dare open it. "What do you want?"