The question stunned not only Cherry but Samuel as well. He stared at Hannah, wondering what she was nning.


    Cherry nodded eagerly. "Have you finallye to your senses and decided to introduce me to him?"


    Hannah just smiled.


    Cherry sat down, crossing her arms with a triumphant smirk. "You''re smarter than you look. Introduce me to Quennel, and if things work out between us, I''ll be your sister-inw. Don''t worry, I''ll treat you well."


    Samuel pressed his lips together, turning away to hide hisughter. He knew she was foolish, but this was a new level of dense.


    "If Quennel is at the g tonight, I''ll introduce you," Hannah said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes, which held a flicker of ice.


    She had never met her mother, but she was the child her mother had fought for, defying family expectations and enduring gossip to bring into the world. These people had tried to carve up her mother''s legacy the moment she was gone. They would not get away with it.


    As evening fell, Hannah, Samuel, and Peter got into the car to head to the g. Just as they were about to leave, Cherry rushed out, her gown swishing around her.


    "Samuel, get out. Take the other car," she demanded, pulling open the door. "I need to talk to Hannah about Quennel. Don''t get in our way."


    Samuel blinked, staring at her in disbelief before ncing at Hannah.


    Hannah gave a slight shake of her head, signaling for him to get out. He was confused but did as she asked.


    "That''s better," Cherry chirped. "Now hurry up, don''t waste our time!"


    With a scowl, Samuel stepped out of the car. The moment he did, Hannah opened her door and got out as well.


    Samuel''s jaw dropped. Of course. He should have known Hannah wouldn''t let Cherry get off that easily.


    Cherry was equally stunned. She had just settled into her seat when Hannah exited from the other side. A secondter, she heard the click of the locks.


    "Uncle Peter?” Cherry leaned forward to look at him in the front passenger seat. "Uncle Peter, tell the driver to open the doors. I need to go with Hannah.”


    "If you get out, you''re not going to the g," Peter said, his voice t.


    "But I have to go! I don''t know anything about Quennel. I need to ask Hannah about him so don''t say the wrong thing and offend Tum when I meet him!" she pleaded.


    "Besides, ift get together with Quennel,could help you with


    business deals if you want to


    partner with the Rosenberg family you''ll have to go through me..."


    Before she could finish, Peter signaled for the driver to unlock the doors.


    Cherry smirked. "See? At least you have some sense, Uncle Peter. Not like them."


    She stepped out of the car, and


    Peter immediately told the driver to go. As she stood on the curb, she watched in horror as a second par, with Harman and Samquel inside, sped past her, leaving her alone in the evening air.


    "Hey! Are you crazy? You just left! Didn''t you see me get out?"


    She stomped her foot in frustration, feeling utterly yed. She turned to get back into her uncle''s car, only to find that it, too, was gone. She was stranded.


    "Aaaargh! I can''t believe this! You did it on purpose! You''re all just bullying me!" she shrieked, stomping her feet on the pavement in a full-blown tantrum.