"I knew you were a smart woman, Ms. Laurier," Hannah said. She had expected more of a fight, but then again, a person like Sandra rarely inspired true loyalty.


    The fact that Sandra had to offer up such an expensive ne proved she had to buy Gloria''s cooperation.


    Gloria, however, couldn''t manage a smile. She stood frozen, unsure if she should leave, terrified that Hannah would call her back again.


    When Hannah remained silent, Gloria finally worked up the courage to ask, “May I go now?"


    Hannah nodded. "I''ll have our driver take you home."


    "No, that''s not necessary!" Gloria quickly refused, worried that Hannah wasn''t being kind but was simply trying to find out where she lived.


    "Alright then. But..." Hannah drew out the word, her eyes fixed on the ne around Gloria''s neck.


    "When you go to see Mr. Rosenberg, remember to wear this. If he refuses to meet with you, just tell him Hannah sent you."


    Gloria nodded, but just as she turned to leave, Hannah stopped her again, this time only to get her contact information.


    After she left, Hannah and Samuel settled in the living room to watch TV.


    Half an hour passed, and neither Gary nor Cherry reappeared.


    "Can you believe them? That''s a brother and sister for you. Same rotten attitude. They bring a guest home and then just abandon her," Samuel said with disgust.


    "It worked out well, though," Hannah replied. "She did me a huge favor." She was already looking forward to seeing the meeting between Gloria and Lionel.


    The next day at lunchtime, Hannah and Samuel left work and drove to the address Gloria had sent them.


    Gloria was already waiting at the café. She had done as Hannah instructed.


    At first, she had only mentioned Sandra''s name when trying to schedule the meeting, but Lionel''s assistant had ignored her.


    It was only when she said Hannah had sent her that they agreed to a meeting.


    Gloria took out her phone, opened the front-facing camera, and was adjusting her hair when she saw two


    familiar figures in the reflection She whipped her head around and saw Hannah and Samuel.


    When Hannah caught her eye, she simply smiled.


    Gloria''s breath hitched. She quickly turned back around and shut off her phone, using the dark screen to peek behind her. What were they doing here? made sense now why Hannah had texted her that morning asking for the location of the meeting. She had thought they were


    just checking up on her, not that they nned to watch in person.


    A few minutester, Lionel arrived.


    Hannah and Samuel were seated in a booth partially obscured by arge nt, so he didn''t see them.


    “What did Hannah send you for?" Lionel asked, getting straight to the point as soon as he sat down.


    Gloria was taken aback. She had spent hours on her makeup and outfit, hoping to impress him.


    After all, by any objective measure, she was far more attractive than Sandra. Yet this man hadn''t even given her a second nce before interrogating her.


    She took a deep breath, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and let her long, delicate fingers trail from her ear down her neck, finally resting


    herrbone tracing it lightly in


    on her


    a suggestive manner.


    After this little performance, she looked up at Lionel, confident she had captured his attention.


    Instead, she found him staring at her with a look of undisguised impatience.


    This... this wasn''t right. Normally, a move like that would have had any man hooked. Even if they tried to hide it, their eyes would betray their interest.