"Hannah, it''s one thing if you don''t want to eat, but you have no right to upset the master and make him lose his appetite! How can you be so selfish?"


    Hannah ignored Cora''s insubordinate tone, her face impassive as she continued to watch her movie.


    But Cora wouldn''t let it go. She continued her tirade, even stepping directly in front of the television to block Hannah''s view.


    "I''m talking to you! Are you deaf?" She nted her hands on her hips, her voice dripping with usation. "Have you forgotten who you have to thank for thefortable life you''re living? How dare you throw a tantrum and disrespect the master? Who do you think you are..."


    SMACK!


    Before Cora could finish, Hannah''s hand shot out. A sharp, crisp pnded squarely on her face.


    Cora''s head snapped to the side, her hair falling across her face. She stood frozen in disbelief for several seconds before raising a hand to her stinging, hot cheek, slowly turning back.


    "You... you hit me? Hannah, are you insane? You actually..."


    SMACK!


    Another p, just as hard, struck her other cheek. Now both sides were perfectly symmetrical, a bright red handprint blooming on each.


    "So what if I hit you? Cora, no matter how important your mother is in this house, she''s still staff. And you? You''re just the daughter of the help."


    Hannah had never looked down on anyone for being a servant; after all, everyone was just trying to make a living. But this woman seemed to think her mother''s position gave her the right to act like she owned the ce,pletely forgetting her station.


    "Lionel and I are having a fight. Whether he eats or not has nothing to do with you. If you''re so concerned, go cook him a meal, carry it up to him, and spoon- feed him yourself. If he still won''t eat, why don''t you feed him mouth-to-mouth?"


    Hannah took a step forward, looking down at her with pure disgust. "Let''s be honest. You''re just waiting for Lionel and me to divorce so you can crawl into his bed, ckmail him into marrying you and then use your new title as Mrs. Rosenberg to? after me."


    Cora''s expression froze. She was stunned that Hannah had seen right through her n, and her eyelid began to twitch uncontrobly.


    “It''s a good n, Cora, but you have to be more patient. What if, on the day we''re supposed to sign the papers, I just... don''t show up? Then the divorce wouldn''t be finalized, would it? What would happen to your dream of bing Mrs. Rosenberg then?"


    Hearing this, Cora bit her lower lip, hard.


    She hadn''t considered that. The way they were fighting, a divorce seemed inevitable But Hannah was unpredictable and shameless. What if she decided to cling to her wealth and status, refusing to give up her position as Mrs. Rosenberg Cora would be stuck under herthumb forever.


    Seeing her silence, Hannah stepped closer with a faint smile and patted Cora''s cheek. "If you know what''s good for you, you''ll learn to stay in yourne. Until this divorce is final, you can coddle him,fort him, feed him hell you can even sleep with him, I don''t care. But stay out of my sight. Do you understand?"


    Hannah watched with a cool smile as Cora''s face grew uglier. Just then, her


    phone rang—it was the delivery driver. She answered it and went outside to get her food.


    Upstairs, Lionel watched the entire exchange on the security monitor. As he listened to Hannah''s words, his expression grew darker and colder. He nearly stormed downstairs to confront her.