But Lionel''s ambitions were huge back then. A full stomach meant nothing to him, whereas Sandra''s help had an enormous impact. That''s why he was grateful to her.


    Combined with his guilt over drugging her, it exined why he had tried so hard to be good to her after his marriage, while treating Hannah so poorly.


    "No, that''s not it. You''re wrong. Stop talking... I don''t know anything! I don''t understand!"


    Lionel mmed his hands on the table, his voice a furious roar.


    Lies. It was all lies. Everything she said was wrong!


    "If you believe what I said is wrong, then it''s wrong. But your refusal to admit it is your own problem. You should ask yourself, what do you really see Hannah as?”


    Sandra sat back down, a faint, mocking smile on her lips.


    "All the advice I''ve given you has been based on the assumption that you two are equals. If you don''t see it that way, then nothing you do will ever work. And I won''t be giving you any more advice."


    "Kill me, do whatever you want. I can see now that you never intended to let me go, just as you promised. Lionel, I don''t trust you anymore, just like Hannah doesn''t trust you."


    "Have you said enough? If you keep spewing this nonsense, I have no problem killing you right now."


    Her words had pushed him over the edge, and he bellowed with rage.


    "If you have the guts to kill me, then do it! Who knows, maybe Hannah will be thrilled. Maybe she''ll finally see you as a man who can take charge and she''lle back to you!"


    He roared, but Sandra''s voice was even louder.


    "But your brother will never let you get away with it. The moment I''m dead, he''ll investigate and find a way to put you behind bars. Then he''ll have Hannah all to himself."


    Everyone feared death, but if Lionel really had it in him to kill her, he would have done it already. Why wait until now?


    Besides, her death wouldn''t benefit him in any way.


    So, for now at least, she was safe.


    If she were in Quennel''s hands, then she might actually worry about being killed.


    "Treat Hannah as if she were me. Lionel, that''s thest piece of advice I''m giving you. If that doesn''t work. then one no matter who they are, will be able to help you. Do you understand?"


    With that, Sandra fell silent and turned her back to him.


    Deep


    follow her advice. If he seeded, perhaps he would let her


    per, she hoped Lionel would


    go out of gratitude for her help Content,


    But if he still chose to kill her or keep her imprisoned, then she would ept her fate.


    Besides, if it came to that, she wouldn''t be the only one to suffer. So would Hannah.


    Because if Hannah took Lionel back again, the consequences would be unimaginable.


    Lionel stared at her back, saying nothing. He just turned and left in silence.


    He was lost in thought, his mind a battlefield of conflict, unsure if he should believe what Sandra had said.


    Her analysis, in particr, had struck a chord deep within him, and a small part of him felt it was right.


    But he had been good to Hannah! When they had nothing, he worked hard to build his business and- shared his earnings with her. Otherwise, he would have


    vekevel.n


    the money for himself.