Sandra''s voice was a raw, heartbroken scream. She turned and fled without another word.


    Lionel stood alone in the living room, her words piercing his heart like a thousand tiny needles.


    Both women had saved him, but Sandra''s contribution had been far greater. Without her, he wouldn''t have even been able to finish his education. He would have been an uneducated nobody, unable topete with Quennel for control of the family business.


    And she was right. He was the one forcing her to apologize, not Hannah. And given how much Hannah despised her, a proper apology probably wouldn''t have made a difference anyway.


    He stood there for a long time, lost in thought, before finally deciding to go upstairs and talk to Hannah. If he hadn''t insisted on the apology in the first ce, none of this would have happened. He regretted his meddling.


    He went to the guest room and knocked before entering. Hannah was at her desk, and on herputer screen was the live feed from the living room security


    camera.


    She turned at the sound of the door opening, her eyes meeting his.


    Seeing the conflicted look on his face, sheughed.


    "You don''t have to say anything. I don''t want to hear it, and I don''t want to fight. I know why you''re here."


    Without hesitation, she picked up her phone, dialed Sandra''s number, and put it on speaker.


    "Hello, Hannah, I was just..."


    "Ms. Woods," Hannah interrupted, her voice calm and formal. "You can delete the apology you posted this afternoon. And you don''t need to apologize to me again. You did nothing wrong. The fault lies with me for being petty and holding a grudge."


    "I''m in no position to forgive you, so let''s just consider this matter closed. How does that sound?"


    She spoke with the detached tone of someone negotiating a business deal. Lionel was stunned. So was Sandra.


    She had barely left the house, and here was Hannah, calling her with such a conciliatory tone.


    Sandra could haveughed out loud.


    For a moment, she had thought Lionel no longer cared for her, but this proved she still held a significant ce in his heart.


    Otherwise, why would Hannah have caffed so quickly?


    Hannah, with a smirk. You''ll never be


    triumphannah, she thought


    able topete with me


    "Hannah, it was really all my fault. I caused you se much trouble.


    grateful that you''ve chosen mee


    forgive me."


    "Mm-hmm."


    Satisfied, Hannah ended the call and walked toward Lionel.


    "Are you happy with this oue? If not, I can always post a public apology myself."


    "Hannah, that''s not what I came to talk to you about. I just.....”


    Hannah just smiled and shook her head, reaching out to straighten his slightly crooked tie.


    The unexpected gesture made Lionel''s eyes widen in disbelief.


    She smoothed his tie, then pulled her hand back.


    And pped him.


    SMACK!