He took out another cigarette, but before he could light it, Cora came rushing


    over.


    "Mr. Rosenberg, Ms. Woods is here."


    Knowing Hannah was just outside, Cora deliberately raised her voice, making sure she would overhear.


    Lionel''s head whipped around. Seeing no reaction from Hannah, he put a finger to his lips, signaling for Cora to be quiet.


    "What is she doing here?"


    Cora just shook her head.


    Lionel''s brow furrowed. After a moment of thought, he lowered his voice. "Have her wait for me in the living room. I''ll be down in a minute."


    "Ms. Woods said she was worried about causing another misunderstanding, so she''s waiting for you in the courtyard."


    Lionel''s frustration mounted. Of all the times for Sandra to show up, it had to be now. Suddenly, a thought struck him. His gaze sharpened, turning cold and menacing as he stared at Cora. "Did you call her?"


    Cora''s eyes darted nervously to the floor. She couldn''t meet his gaze.


    "Cora, I''m warning you," he said, his voice a low growl. "Stay out of my business."


    With that, he strode toward the stairs.


    Once he was gone, Cora let out a breath she hadn''t realized she was holding. She nced at Hannah through the ss door, then, after a moment''s hesitation, slid it open and stepped onto the balcony.


    "Sandra knows Jason."


    After taking the photo, Cora had done some digging. At first, she couldn''t understand why a pampered heiress would associate with an orphanage warden. But after eavesdropping today, it all made sense.


    "Sandra set you up. She deliberately had him take you there. It was all a scheme."


    Cora walked over to Hannah. Seeing the woman who had so arrogantly pped her now curled up on the swing, broken and red-eyed, brought a sharp, satisfying pleasure.


    "I''m the one who called Sandra here. She''s downstairs right now. You can see them from here. Aren''t you curious what they''re talking about?"


    Cora moved to the edge of the balcony, positioning herself in a blind spot where she wouldn''t be seen from below.


    "Are you sure you don''t want to look? It seems Mr. Rosenberg isforting Ms. Woods." She watched as Lionel hurried over to Sandra, then nced back at Hannah.


    The sunlight caught in Hannah''s hair, creating a golden halo around her tear- streaked face. She looked pitiable, a tragic figure, yet the man who should have beenforting her was downstairs with another woman.


    "Do you know why Lionel doesn''t love you anymore, Hannah?" Cora said, her eyes fixed on the scene below. "Because men prefer women like Sandra-gentle, delicate, women who know when to yield and be affectionate."


    "Not someone like you," she sneered, "who only knows how to scream and hit, who doesn''t understand how to make a man the center of her world. You deserve this. If I were you..."


    Cora caught herself, realizing she was saying too much. She snapped her mouth shut, her eyes filled with a sudden hatred for Sandra. That maniptive spoiled woman, who couldn''t even cook or clean, was no match for her!


    Once Hannah was out of the picture, it would just be her and Sandra. And then, she would make Lionel feel


    more like a man than he ever had


    She would show him that


    befor she was the one who was truly right


    for him. She could cook, clean, be yful and cute, depend on him, tter him-she would satisfy his every need. She would be the perfect Mrs. Rosenberg.


    “Ha.” Hannah, who had been silent all this time, let out a short, sharpugh.


    "What are youughing at?" Cora spun around, ring at her. The sound was grating. "Am I wrong? You''re the one who failed. You''re about to get divorced, so don''t you dare stand in our way!"