Quennel, sitting beside his grandmother, replied, "She was probably just tired from her business trip a few days ago. That''s likely why she''s thinner."


    "Oh, right, I remember now. That Lancaster boy sent her to Nyston, didn''t he? Why so far away?"


    "She has a good friend who used to be in Sova but moved to Nyston after some trouble. Mr. Lancaster probably took that into ount when he sent Hannah there. After finishing her work, she stayed in Nyston for a while to visit her friend beforeing back."


    Quennel shared the details of Hannah''s recent activities with his grandmother.


    Sitting nearby, Lionel listened, a bitter taste in his mouth. He was unsettled by how much Quennel knew about Hannah''s life.


    He had assumed Quennel only knew the basics, but he knew everything.


    Every detail, every move.


    It was as if he had someone following Hannah, monitoring her every moment.


    The thought filled him with disgust. If Hannah knew he was keeping such a close watch on her, would she start to despise Quennel?


    An idea began to form in Lionel''s mind.


    "Why did her friend suddenly move from Sova to Nyston for work? Is her family from Nyston?" his grandmother asked, confused.


    Quennel didn''t answer, merely lifting his eyes to nce at Lionel.


    That subtle movement was immediately caught by the grandmother.


    Her brow furrowed as she turned to Lionel.


    "Did you have something to do with her friend moving to Nyston?" she asked, her tone displeased. "You''re truly cold-hearted! It''s bad enough you treat Hanrah poorly but new you''re taking it out on her friends too?"


    Lionel pressed his lips together. "That... it was just an ident. I misunderstood the situation back then. Besides, I didn''t drive her away. She chose to leave on her own."


    As he said it, another thought urred to him.


    Hannah and Tess were so close. If he could get Tess a job back in Sova, would Hannah''s anger subside?


    Quennel shot Lionel a meaningful look, a faint smile ying on his lips before he suppressed it.


    "About the Sandra situation," Mary said, walking over. "What exactly are you trying to do? You were trending online again today, making us aughingstock. Do you have any idea what my socialite circle is saying about me when I go out?"


    "I didn''t kidnap Sandra. Quennel did, and then he med me for it, making Hannah misunderstand."


    Lionel stated directly, "He knew I was going to exin things to Hannah, but he went to see her anyway, and even arranged to meet in a cafe! We were supposed to talk at the Temple family''s home."


    Quennel said nothing, simply cing his phone on the table.


    The screen disyed his chat history with Hannah.


    "The reservation was made in advance. You were the one who insisted on seeing Hannah at that exact time, so she had to squeeze you in."


    Quennel raised an eyebrow. "Look at you, Lionel. Always ming someone else.


    Can''t you ever just me yourself? Hannah doesn''t even care about this, but you''re the one forcing the issue, and then you me others."


    "You-!"


    "I think you should just drop it. This has been going on for days, it''s humiliating, and you''re wasting Hannah''s time. Even if took the me for you, do you really think Hannah would just forgive you and take you back?"