"Do you really think this was just about money? If we wanted money or a business deal, we could have just written a letter asking for it. Why would we need her to


    The moment he finished speaking, a horrifying realization dawned on Lionel. He clenched his fists so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands bulged.


    "What were you nning to do to her?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous, each wordced with menace.


    Hannah was a woman,ing alone to a deste ce like this. She was beautiful, stunningly so. If these men weren''t after money, then they were after her.


    In that moment, he was profoundly grateful that he was the one who hade, not Hannah. He couldn''t even imagine how terrified she would be right now.


    But there was still a serious problem. He hade here on his own initiative, without knowing if Hannah was aware of his n.


    If she decided to show up now, getting out of here would be difficult. Lionel prayed that Hannah would stay away.


    Back at the Temple estate.


    Samuel had set up hisptop in the living room. The conversation between Lionel and the men filled the air as Hannah, Samuel, and Cherry sat on the sofa, listening intently.


    "Thank goodness we were careful. We almost fell for those scumbags'' trap!" Cherry said, looking at Hannah as if seeking praise. "I bet they don''t have any clue about Aunt Cheryl. They were just after you, Hannah, trying to lure you there to... do something horrible!"


    “He''s right. Listening to them now, I''m terrified. I can''t imagine what would have happened if you had gone there alone, Hannah. Even if we called for help right away, it would have been toote!"


    Samuel felt a wave of retrospective fear wash over him.


    His initial n had been to have a few people lie in ambush. Even if it was a scam, they could rush in and apprehend them.


    But if their target was Hannah herself, they might have gotten to her even if his men interven thought of them even touching her sent a chill down his spine


    He took a deep breath and turned to Cherry, offering her a rare, sincerepliment.


    "It''s a good thing you thought of sending Lionel in Hannah''s ce. Now he can


    suffer whatever they had nned for her!"


    Receiving a heartfeltpliment


    from Samuel for once, Cherry


    proudly crossed her arms, lifted her chin and looked at him smugly course You have to remember who you''re dealing with. I''m smart and capable."


    She leaned closer to Hannah. “Hannah, wouldn''t you say I did you a huge favor this time? Do you think maybe you could spare a few resources for me?"


    Hannah looked at Cherry. Aside from her initial hostility when Hannah first came home, she had actually been quite pleasant to be around.


    She was just a naive girl, terrified that her ce in the family would be usurped, which made her act out.


    But once you got to know her, you realized she was brave and cunning, with bold ideas and a decisive no-nonsense attitude. She was a sharp tool to have by your side.


    And when she had negotiated with Lionel for resources, she could have easily kept


    it to herself, but she had chosen to tell Hannah everything.


    That proved she wasn''t malicious. She could be trusted, and she could be useful.


    As for the resources she wanted, Hannah would certainly give them to her. She had, after all, helped her out immensely this time.