Just after they ordered, Hannah received a text from Quennel. [Contact me when you''re done with lunch. We need to talk.]


    She typed back a quick "Okay," but her mind was reeling. A dozen different thoughts and worries crashed down on her at once.


    Thankfully, Samuel was a natural conversationalist, and a few witty remarks were enough to pull her out of her anxious spiral.


    After lunch, Hannah made a quick excuse and left, heading to the cafe Quennel had suggested.


    When she pushed open the door to the private room, Quennel was on the phone by the window. His brow was slightly furrowed, but his expression softened when he saw her. He gestured for her to take a seat.


    Less than a minuteter, he hung up and sat down across from her.


    "I''ve heard about what Sandra did," Quennel said, his voice calm as he lifted a kettle. Boiling water streamed into the teapot, and the rich aroma of tea instantly filled the room. "I warned Lionel to stop helping the Woods family, but he found a loophole, getting his cronies to do it for him."


    Quennel''s eyes were downcast as he expertly prepared the coffee. "I had a word with their parents. The Woods family will have to pay back double for every project they were given."


    He ced a cup in front of her. "Hannah, about the orphanage... do you trust Lionel to handle it? If you don''t, leave it to me. I''ll take care of everything for you."


    Quennel looked at her then, his deep-set eyes waiting for her answer.


    In truth, he had already looked into the matter. It had been years, and there was no hard evidence to prove what Jason had done back then, but the man''s character was undeniably corrupt. He had a long history of embezzlement and abusing his position to mistreat the children in his care. That alone was enough to prove that Hannah had suffered a terrible injustice.


    When Lily had brought Cora to his mother toin, he had been there by chance. Hearing what they had to say, he had almost lost control and stormed off to confront Lionel himself.


    Hannah stared into the cup in front of her, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. She lifted it, blew on the steaming liquid, and took a sip.


    "I..." she began, her voice thick with emotion, "I want to see what he''ll do. How he''ll handle it."


    Quennel nodded, taking a sip of his own coffee. It was the answer he had expected.


    "Quennel, your meeting with Sandra earlier... what was that about?"


    "You know Kim Rosenberg, don''t you?"


    Hannah nodded. "I''ve heard the name. By generation, he''s your nephew, right?"


    "That''s


    but thought. He married a year ago,


    since divorced. His


    l.ne


    parents have been trying to arrange another marriage for him and asked me to help find a suitable match."


    Hannah''s eyes widened. She looked at Quennel, and he gave a slight, confirming nod.


    "You''re going to introduce him to Sandra?"


    A small smile yed on Quennel''s


    lips. "Yes. I''ve already spoken with


    with


    Mr and Mrs. Woods, Theyre very pleased with the match. I expect the wedding will be in a few days."


    e''


    Hannah opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. She didn''t know what to say She tried again but the words wouldn''te Finally, she just frowned.


    She had heard stories about Kim. This felt wrong, somehow.


    She met Quennel''s gaze, hesitating before finally asking, “Quennel... you''re not doing this because of me, are you?"