"Is that an urgent call from the office?" Hannah asked. "I can just grab a cab."


    "Just a spam call," Yves said smoothly. As his phone buzzed again, he silenced it and set it to Do Not Disturb. "These scammers are relentless these days. You''d think they''d get the message."


    "You never know."


    "Well, maybe they need a few more shocks to the system to clear their heads," Yves remarked, stopping at a red light. He picked up his phone and typed a quick message. "Maybe then they''ll reflect on why they''re making such stupid choices."


    [Yves: Driving. Do not disturb.]


    "You''re right," Hannah agreed, ying along. "There are warnings everywhere, but some people still fall for it. You can only say they brought it on themselves."


    It was true. Who really believed in high-paying jobs with no experience or education required? It was obviously a scam, yet people fell for it time and time again.


    "Exactly. They bring it on themselves," Yves said, locking his phone without checking the reply and tossing it aside. "They get what they deserve."


    Lionel stared at the message, feeling a fresh surge of rage. First Hannah''s stunt this morning, and now this. What in the world were they ying at?


    Half an hourter, Yves dropped Hannah off at the designated spot.


    From a distance, Tess saw a sleek, expensive car pull up and frowned, craning her neck to see the driver. When she saw it wasn''t Lionel but a handsome stranger helping Hannah out, a wave of relief washed over her, and she ran toward them.


    Hannah thanked Yves and turned to greet her friend.


    "Tess, it''s been so long! You look..."


    "Forget about me, who is that gorgeous man?" Tess cut in,


    grabbing Hannah''s arm excitedly. "My God, he''s a hundred times.


    hotter than that scumbag huskel


    of yours. She shook Hannah''s arm. "He seems so gentle but wait, she added, her tone shifting abruptly. "Men are all liars. How long have you known him? Do you really know him? Is he legit?"


    Tess'' excitement soured as she


    remembered Lionel. Years ago, that bastard had been the


    same-perfectly charming, endlessly


    gentle acting as if


    le would g


    Hannah the world. And look how


    that turned out. What if this handsome stranger was just another...


    She sighed heavily.


    "Ugh, all men are the same. Maybe it''s better to just date. When you get tired of them, you break up. No messy divorce proceedings. It''s so much easier Just say goodbye, and it''s over the next day!"


    Hannah couldn''t help butugh at her friend''s dramatic reversal. "That''s Yves, my


    new boss. He''s the eldest son of the Lancaster family. What kind of drama are you imagining?"


    "Who? The Lancasters?" Tess gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    "Yes, the Lancasters. Yves Lancaster."


    As Hannah gave her a brief rundown of events, Tess listened, her mouth hanging open in stunned silence. Finally, Hannah reached out and gently pushed her friend''s chin up, a fond, knowing smile on her face.


    "It''s all in the past now," Hannah said softly. "My contract is almost up. I''ll talk to Yves about resigning. If that doesn''t work, I''ll just ask him to transfer me to the southern branch."


    Tess took a deep breath, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she looked up at the sky.