The family dinner had been a preliminary announcement, a warning to those within the family to put aside any greedy ambitions. The formal celebration would serve to officially introduce Ms. Temple, Cheryl''s daughter, to society. At the event, they would also announce that Hannah would be temporarily managing her mother''s assets.


    "Be sure to send me an invitation. I am Hannah''s family, after all, and I am truly happy for her," Quennel said, his eyes filled with warmth as he smiled at Hannah.


    Hannah nodded, but a knot of anxiety formed in her stomach. With the divorce and finding her family happening at the same time, she hadpletely forgotten to tell Quennel.


    Lionel stood by, powerless and unable to offer any exnation. Admitting that they were on the verge of divorce would only make them aughingstock. He had no choice but to swallow his pride and ept the me for his apparentck of courtesy.


    Cherry, having finally found her way back to the main hall, spotted Hannah and immediately headed over. Seeing Quennel standing next to her, she slowed her pace, smoothed her dress, and approached them with an air of practiced elegance.


    "Mr. Rosenberg, a pleasure. I''m Cherry, Peter''s niece," she said softly, nudging Hannah with her elbow as a signal to move aside.


    Hannah smirked inwardly but stepped back without protest.


    Quennel gave Cherry a brief nod, but his attention quickly returned to Hannah. He


    took a step toward her. "Hannah, could I have a word with you?"


    "Of course, Quennel."


    She followed him out to a balcony overlooking the gardens.


    "Is it too cold out here? We can find another spot if you''d like."


    The autumn night had a slight chill, but there was only a gentle breeze.


    Hannah shook her head. "I''m sorry, Quennel. So much has been happeningtely. I told Grandma when+visited her the other day, but then got distracted andpletely forgot to tell you."


    Quennel smiled warmly. "Do you really think I brought you out here to scold you?"


    His eyes crinkled at the corners.


    "How have you been settling in at the Temple estate? Are youfortable? If the main house isn''t to your liking, have a vi nearby You could move there, and it would still be easy to visit your


    grandparents."


    He had known about her moving in with the Temples but had waited to bring it up until he saw them together tonight.


    "It''s been good. My grandparents are wonderful to me, just like our Grandma."


    A genuine smile lit up her face as she spoke of them. She may have missed out on a parent''s love, but she was blessed with an abundance of love from her grandparents.


    "That''s good to hear. If you run into any trouble there, you know you can alwayse to me. Even if you and Lionel divorce, I will always be your family. That will never change."


    A faint blush crept up Hannah''s cheeks, whether from his words or the cool night air, she couldn''t tell.


    "Has Lionel been giving you a hard time again? Is that why you didn''t tell him?"


    Hannah thought for a moment and decided to tell him everything. When she finished, she looked at him, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.


    "The way he''s acting, I don''t think he''s going to agree to the divorce I''ve even threatened to go public. with our marriage to ruin his reputation, but he doesn''t seem to care. Quennel, what should I do?"