As Hannah''s words echoed, the living room once again plunged into a deep, dead silence.


    Even the elders, who had been enjoying the spectacle, were stunned. None of them had expected Hannah to be this serious.


    They had heard her mention divorce proceedings before but had assumed it was just talk. They never thought she would actually go through with it, and especially not at a time like this.


    It was a tant, calcted p in Lionel''s face.


    And Lionel''s expression had turned hideously ugly, so dark it seemed to suck the light from the room.


    His eyes trembled uncontrobly as he stared at Hannah, as if he couldn''t believe what he had just heard.


    "Hannah..."


    "I told you, if you have something to say, say it from over there. Don''te near me. Are you incapable of understanding in English?"


    Seeing Lionel trying to approach Hannah again, Samuel once more stepped in to block him, his voice low and warning.


    This time, however, Lionel sidestepped him and walked directly up to Hannah.


    Samuel moved to intercept him again, but Hannah raised a hand, signaling him to stand down.


    At this point, even Cherry was growing tense.


    Lionel''s expression was deeply unsettling, like he was on the verge of exploding. The sight was genuinely frightening.


    "Lionel, I told you before that I had contacted awyer. Since you weren''t willing to divorce me amicably, we have to resort to legal action. This was ast resort."


    Hannah sat on the sofa, her long legs crossed, a faint smile on her lips as she looked up at the man standing before her, his head bowed.


    This was the first time she had ever seen such a mix of shock, disbelief, fear, worry, and confusion on his face.


    She had only ever seen such an expression on her own face, reflected in a mirror.


    To think that the tables had turned sopletely, and she was now seeing it on him. It was truly a twist of fate.


    She wondered if, in this moment,


    Lionel was finally experiencing what it was like to be in someone else''s


    shops if he finally understood the pain she had once felt.


    But probably not.


    After all, true empathy was rare in this world. Besides, what she was doing now was nothing. It couldn''t truly hurt him.


    "Hannah... You know I''m being misunderstood by the elders and framed by Quennel. No one is willing to believe me and youre the only


    one who knows this isn''t my fault."


    Lionel''s eyes were filled with a look of wronged innocence and helplessness, with


    tears even welling at the corners.


    "You know better than anyone that I


    didn''t do this. Instead of helping me


    at a time like this, you... you''re


    bringing this up now. Do you have to torment me like this? Will you only be satisfied when you see me in misery?"


    Hearing Lionel dare to me Hannah, Cherry and Samuel found their contempt for


    the man growing even stronger.


    How could he have the audacity to say such things to Hannah at this point?


    They couldn''t fathom what went on inside his head.


    Hannah''s cid expression finally began to crack, a trace of displeasure seeping through.


    She closed her eyes for a moment, then let out a derisiveugh as she looked up at him.


    "So, what you''re saying is, I should be here helping you today instead of discussing our divorce, is that right?"


    Hannah slowly stood up, taking a step forward until she was right in front of him.


    Lionel wanted to say more, but seeing the look on her face, he sensed a dangerous shift in her mood.