Lionel stood frozen, his mind reeling from her words. He shot out a hand,


    grabbing her arm and pulling her back to face him. "I didn''t know about any of that! She went to the hospital on her own ord, I didn''t arrange it! I''ll have her sent away right..."


    Before he could finish, Hannah yanked her arm free, gave him a look of pure contempt, and walked into the house. Lionel''s jaw clenched, a muscle twitching in his cheek as he fought back his rage.


    Lily and Cora, who had been hiding nearby and listening, saw Hannah leave. Lily immediately rushed to Lionel''s side to plead her daughter''s case. Hannah caught the movement out of the corner of her eye but didn''t bother to turn around. She was done caring.


    The next morning, Cora was gone. Hannah didn''t ask where she went, but Lily''s mood was exceptionally foul. When she served breakfast, she mmed a bowl of hot porridge down in front of Hannah with a loud thud.


    The sound echoed through the quiet dining room just as Lionel wasing down the stairs. He was about to reprimand Lily when Hannah stood up.


    Without a word, Hannah picked up the bowl of scalding porridge and hurled its contents directly at Lily.


    "Aah!"


    The hot liquid sttered across her face and chest, instantly turning her skin red. Lily shrieked, stamping her feet in pain.


    "Hannah, what are you doing?!"


    "Hannah?" she repeated with a coldugh. "I may be getting divorced soon, but as long as I am in this house, I am still thedy of the house. I''ve let things slide in the past, but that doesn''t mean I''ll continue to do so."


    Lily stared at her, terrified by the arrogant,manding woman she had be, too stunned to speak.


    Hannah took a step closer, her eyes narrowed in a derisive smirk. "If you have a problem with me, goin to my mother-inw. But don''t you dare pull this act in front of me again."


    "Sir!" Lily cried, turning to Lionel as if he were her savior. "I just... my hand slipped! I put the bowl down too hard, and the madam threw it all over me!"


    Lionel nced at the mess on the floor, then coolly pulled out a chair and sat down. "This isn''t your first day working for the Rosenberg. family How could you make such a Fookle mistake?" dis voice was low and icy. "Apologize to the madam. If it happens again, you can leave this house, just like your daughter."


    Lily swayed on her feet, shocked. In the past, Mr. Rosenberg had always med Hannah for any household conflict. But today... today he had taken her side. She opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out.


    Even Hannah was taken aback. She studied him for a moment, making sure it was actually Lionel and not some impostor, before a slow, uncertain smile touched her lips.


    She sat back down and, with azy flick of her eyes, gestured for Lily to get on with it.


    Swallowing her resentment, Lily


    went back to the kitchen and


    brought out another bowl of


    porridge. This time, she ced it on the table with painstaking care holding her breath until it was settled without a sound.


    Lionel watched Hannah the entire time, waiting for a reaction. When he got none, his expression soured. Hannah noticed his sullen mood but couldn''t be bothered to figure out.


    what was irking


    kim now."


    She


    simply ate her breakfast in silence.


    After the meal, Hannah grabbed her bag to leave for work. Finally, Lionel couldn''t


    stay quiet any longer.


    "I found out about that man you asked me to investigate yesterday."