“Second, if it''s really as we suspect and he arranged this, my epting the transfer would be like silently admitting that you ept his gesture. Then he''d hold it over your headter, saying, ''You epted this, so why won''t you forgive me?""


    That point hit home, striking a chord deep within Hannah.


    "Finally, I''m a person, not one of his chess pieces to be moved wherever he pleases. Back then, he had all the power and we were helpless, so we had no choice but to ept our fate ande here."


    "But things are different now. He needs something from you; he wants to mend things with you. And you''re a Temple now. For him to move me around without your permission is a tant sign of disrespect.”


    Tess grew more incensed as she spoke, wishing she could march over and p Lionel across the face.


    She took a deep breath, reining in her anger. "Look, as much as I want to see you, it''s okay. We have plenty of time. When we retire, we can live here together. There''s no rush. For now, let''s just focus on living our own lives well."


    As Hannah listened to Tess'' analysis, she found it incredibly logical, but her heart ached with a bitter pang of guilt.


    It was all her fault. If it weren''t for her, Tess would never have suffered such an injustice. She was the one who had ruined things for her.


    When Hannah didn''t reply, Tess guessed what she was thinking and let out a heartyugh.


    "I know what''s going through your head, what you''re torn up about. But you need to remember one thing: I am choosing to stay here. It''s my decision. He isn''t forcing me to stay. Do you understand the difference? This is my choice, not something being done to me. So you don''t need to feel bad for me."


    Hannah nodded, her voice thick with emotion as she managed a quiet, “I know."


    After chatting for a little while longer, they hung up. Tess went straight to her manager and told him she didn''t want the transfer. She made it clear that if any simr offers came up in the future, he should reject them on her behalf. She was not leaving Nyston.


    Her manager felt it was a shame


    and wanted to urge her to reconsider, but then he thought better of it. As her boss, he was aware of theplicated history behind her initial transfer.


    He called his superiors to ry the situation.


    Since the person in question wasn''t willing to be transferred, there was nothing more to be said.


    They passed the message along to Lionel.


    When Lionel heard the news, he was stunned for a few seconds before hanging up without a word.


    He had genuinely believed that this gesture would make both Hannab and Tees happy that they would be thrilled to be reunited. He never imagined that his brilliant n would be t-out rejected.


    No matter how he thought about it, it felt incredibly strange. Had Hannan already figured out he was that


    }.m


    the one pulling the strings? Was


    why she refused?  fo


    He couldn''t figure out the reason, no matter how hard he tried.


    Sandra sat on the bed in her room, watching Lionel, who was slumped in a chair opposite her.


    Even though he hadn''t used the speakerphone, she could tell from the look on his face that whatever n he had cooked up had failed.


    At that thought, Sandra couldn''t help but let out a smallugh. She quickly pped a


    hand over her mouth, but it was toote. Lionel had heard her.


    He slowly lifted his head, his gaze sharp and severe as it locked onto her.