"What the hell were you thinking, going to Sandra and saying all that? What are you trying to aplish?!"
Lionel mmed his phone on the table, his voice booming with humiliated rage.
"Cherry, this is between me and Sandra. What are you doing getting involved? Do you think just because we''ve teamed up a few times you can start telling me what to do?!"
Faced with Lionel''s fury, Cherry''s expression remained unchanged, a faint smile ying on her lips as she watched him.
"Cherry, you''re going to get this trending news squashed right now, or our partnership is over. Do you hear me?!"
Lionel pointed a finger at the phone on the table. "And from now on, you stay out of my business with Sandra!"
“Lionel, you must still be groggy from your nap. Did you even listen to my conversation with Sandra? I probably should havee to you first."
Cherry gave him a meaningful look. "But on second thought, I decided to go to Sandra first. I wanted to see how she would react."
"What''s that supposed to mean?"
"You really don''t get it? It means you can''t give Sandra that settlement money. Hannah will object. If you pay her, Hannah will raise hell. But if you don''t, Sandra will keep harassing you."
Cherry exined the situation with an air of magnanimity, as if she were selflessly helping him.
"The reason I brought this up is because I was worried you''d pay Sandra off too soon. When Hannah finds out, she''lle after you again."
"We''re partners. We agreed that I''d
let you makes a move. I went to Sandra to get her to back down, but I never expected she''d try to ckmail you."
know the second Hannah
As she spoke, Cherry let out a long sigh, shaking her head in feigned disappointment. You see? A partner. as good as me... you couldn''t find another one if you tried. And yet here you are,ining."
"Lionel, oh, Lionel. Have you even considered what you''ll tell Hannah if you actually give Sandra that money?"
Cherry raised an eyebrow, watching as panic slowly dawned on Lionel''s face. A subtle smile touched her lips.
*Panic. That''s right. The more he panics, the more he''ll think he needs me. He''lle to me for help with everything.*
"Lionel, I think you''re starting to see the problem. You owe me an apology. I''m genuinely trying my best to make our partnership work."
Lionel''s Adam''s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his brow furrowed in frustration. He looked up at Cherry, his expression grim.
After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke. "Cherry, do you have a n?"
"What?"
"I have to pay the settlement.
There''s no way around it." His tone had softened, losing its earlier- sharpness. "But Hannah... could you try to talk to her? If give her the
same amount I give Sandra."
If he didn''t pay, the police would never let it go, and Sandra would cause an even bigger scene.
He..... he hadn''t thought about this problem at all.
After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke. “Cherry, do you have a n?"
"What?"
"I have to pay the settlement.
There''s no way around it." His tone had softened, losing its earlier- sharpness. "But Hannah... could you try to talk to her? If give her the same amount I give Sandra."
If he didn''t pay, the police would never let it go, and Sandra would cause an even bigger scene.
He... he hadn''t thought about this problem at all.
After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke. “Cherry, do you have a n?"
"What?"
"I have to pay the settlement.
There''s no way around it." His tone
had softened, losing its earlier
sharpness. "But Hannah... could
try to talk to her? I give
herd
same amount I give Sandra."
you
the
If he didn''t pay, the police would never let it go, and Sandra would cause an even
bigger scene.
He... he hadn''t thought about this problem at all.