A nearby staff member approached, saw Lionel''s conflicted expression, and couldn''t help but offer a piece of advice. "Sir, if you want to win back your wife, you shouldn''t be overly concerned with Ms. Woods'' condition. You''ve already done more than enough by rescuing her. The rest is up to her."


    "So the fact that you and your wife live as strangers — that''s also on her, right? If it weren''t for her, non of this would happen. Your priority right now should be your wife."


    The staff member''s words were a wake-up call for Lionel.


    He was right. Sandra had caused so much damage between him and Hannah, and here he was, still worrying about her health. It was wrong.


    Besides, with Sandra so grievously injured, Hannah would have to believe his story. She would see for herself the terrible things Quennel had done to Sandra.


    He thought it over and realized the staff member was absolutely right.


    If he waited for Sandra to recover and her wounds to heal, her testimony would lose all its impact.


    After some careful consideration, he decided he would take Sandra to see Hannah that very afternoon.


    When Sandra heard about his decision that afternoon, she stared at him in disbelief for several seconds, then pointed to the bandages covering her body.


    "Lionel, I know you''re desperate to see Hannah, and you want me to tell her everything. But you have to consider my physical condition."


    Her voice trembled with a hint of grievance. "Look at the state I''m in. I can barely walk. Just speaking to you leaves me breathless. And you want me to go see Hannah right now? That''s not right."


    Beyond that, there was another, more important reason.


    She didn''t know what she was supposed to say to Hannah.


    Should she tell her that Quennel had kidnapped her and done this to her?


    But if Quennel had a way to let her go, he also had a way to drag her back. He didn''t seem afraid of her revealing the truth.


    It felt to Sandra like Quennel was pushing her from behind, wanting her to name him as the culprit.


    If she did, perhaps things would take an unexpected turn. Sandra needed more time


    to think, to figure out what Quennel was plotting.


    So she didn''t want to see Hannah just yet.


    Hearing Sandra''s protests, Lionel''s brow tightened, and his voice dropped to a low, firm tone.


    "Sandra, you seem to have


    misunderstood something. I''m not discussing with you whether we


    should go see Hannah. I''m ordering you to go with me this aftern and tell her everything that has happened to you these past few days."


    "You and I have no rtionship anymore. I didn''t save you out of any


    lingering affection. I did it solely to prove the truth to Hannah so she


    won''t trust the wrong person


    Lionel''s words were ice-cold. Sandra froze for a few seconds, then looked up at him


    in disbelief.


    "Lionel, what did you just say?"


    "I''ve made myself clear enough. If you can''t understand, there''s nothing I can do. This afternoon, I''m taking you to see Hannah, and you will telther in front of me, everything that has happened to you. Do you understand?"


    With that, Lionel turned and walked away.