"I know what to do. I''ll handle it myself. You should stay out of it, just in case he gets suspicious and it leads back to you."


    Quennel stood up and let out a small, sharpugh. "Mom, you just get some rest. Leave the rest to me."


    Mary nodded.


    After leaving, Quennel sent a message to Hannah, asking her to have dinner with him that evening.


    That evening, at the restaurant.


    When Hannah arrived at the private dining room, Quennel was already there. "Sorry, traffic was a nightmare. I hope I didn''t keep you waiting too long."


    Quennel stood and walked over to pull out her chair. "You''re neverte. I was just early."


    Hannah couldn''t help butugh. So much had happenedtely, but for some reason, his words made all the pressure momentarily vanish.


    "I actually asked you here tonight because there''s something I wanted to tell you. The board issued a notice today, reassigning Lionel to handle things at a factory in the suburbs."


    Quennel sat down andid it all out. "My mother told him about it today, but he said he''s located Sandra. Now the two things are in conflict. If he goes after her, he can''t report to the factory, and the board will have another reason to send him off to the south, or even abroad. But if he doesn''t go after Sandra, he''ll be letting you down."


    He looked at her with a troubled expression. "As for the online scandal, I''ve been trying to suppress it. I released everything about what Mr. Cooper from Sunflower Haven did, proving that while the video footage is real, nothing actually happened to you. But the story is still trending, and people won''t stop talking."


    Seeing the pained look on Quennel''s face, Hannah couldn''t help butugh out loud.


    Quennel was taken aback by her heartyughter.


    "Hannah, what...?"


    "Quennel, thank you," Hannah said. "I know you''ve been trying to help me ever since this started. But ultimately, this isn''t your fight. You don''t need to worry about me."


    "Someone else is responsible for handling this. If he can''t do it, then so be it. I won''t show him any mercy. I''m giving him this time, this choice. If he chooses the factory, then there''s nothing more to be said."


    MS


    She had been in this kind of situation with him many times before, and the oue was always the same he never chase her. She had She had no reason to believe this time would be any different.


    "Hannah, your problem is my problem. If you don''t want me to get involved right now, I''ll respect that. But if he chooses the factory, I will step in and settle this for you!"


    Hearing Quennel''s words, Hannah''s eyes welled up with tears. She took a deep breath.


    "Alright. Then I thank you, Quennel!"


    "There''s no need for such formalities between us."


    Quennel had expected to spend more timeforting Hannah, but he was surprised by how


    clear headed she was about the situation. They chatted for a little white longer before parting ways.


    Just as Hannah was about to get into her car, she saw someone walking toward her.