"What are youughing at? Do you have a better idea? Sandra, if you cane up with a good n, I''ll send you abroad just like I promised."


    His words made Sandra''s heart skip a beat. She blinked, looking up at him in disbelief, but then, after a few seconds of silence, she squashed the flicker of excitement inside her.


    After a moment, Sandra finally spoke.


    "Even if I had an idea, I would never tell you. You already promised me before that if


    I did what you asked, you''d let me go and give me money."


    She wasn''t going to trust this liar again.


    She gestured around the room, her tone venomous. "But look at what you''ve done. You gave me nothing. You''ve kept me locked up here. And now you expect me to help you? You must be dreaming. It''s never going to happen, do you hear me?"


    If he had actually kept his promise back then, she would have dly helped him


    now.


    After all, it was just an idea. She coulde up with one easily enough.


    But he didn''t keep his word.


    What if she gave him a brilliant idea that actually worked and got him back together with Hannah?


    "I didn''t keep my promise because the matter wasn''t fully resolved. And I told you back then that I would only let you go after everything was settled. It''s not settled, so


    I can''t let you go."


    "Fine, fine, there''s no point in discussing this anymore. Even if I had a n, I


    wouldn''t tell you. Please leave. I need to take a nap.”


    With that, Sandra slipped off her shoes,y down on the bed, and turned her back to him, clearly done with the conversation.


    “Sandra, it seems you''ve forgotten something."


    Lionel''s eyes narrowed as he stared


    at her back. "I told you yesterda


    ! your m


    called me, asking where you are."


    His voice was faced with a chilling warning. "Do you really think you''re in any position to bargain with me like in the old days? Since you''re unwilling to offer any ideas, you''re of


    no use to me. I''ll just call rec


    parents right now and have them


    Lionel''s expression was grim.


    He pulled out his phone, found Sandra''s mother''s number, and prepared to dial. She was really getting ahead of herself.


    "Wait!"


    Damn him!


    She hadpletely forgotten about that crucial detail. If he called her mother, she would be taken away.


    She had ignored them when she went abroad, and now, if she fell back into their hands, there was no chance of a peaceful life.


    Even before their family went bankrupt, they were nning to marry her off to some disgusting old man for money.


    Now that they were broke, she couldn''t even imagine what they would do to her. The thought alone was agonizing.


    "Wait for what? If you''re not willing to stay here and help me strategize, then you can leave. I don''t keep useless people around. Unless, of


    Kand


    and


    course you''re willing to stay an


    help mee up with a n."