Lionel hadn''t expected Hannah toe out and see him, but after a short wait, she appeared.


    His expression darkened, however, when he saw Samuel and Cherry following behind her.


    With Cherry here, he knew any attempt to have a serious conversation with Hannah would be sabotaged.


    Besides, Cherry had bullied Hannah relentlessly when she first returned, so why was Hannah associating with her now?


    Could Cherry be ckmailing her?


    But what could she possibly have on Hannah?


    Lionel racked his brain but couldn''te up with an answer.


    He felt like the list of things he couldn''t understand was just growing longer and longer, one mystery piling on top of another.


    "Hannah, I have something important to tell you," he said, stepping closer and speaking in a low voice through the gate. "The reporters are everywhere. It wouldn''t be good if they heard."


    Cherry craned her neck, peering at the surrounding bushes.


    She had to admit, the paparazzi these dayscked the professionalism of the old guard.


    They were hiding so obviously it was as if they were afraid people *wouldn''t* notice them.


    "Lionel, what is there left for us to talk about? I already told you about the divorce proceedings. The papers were filed a while ago. If you didn''t take it seriously, that''s your problem."


    Hannah looked through the iron bars at Lionel''s anxious face and continued, "Or maybe you thought I was bluffing back then and didn''t care. That''s also your problem."


    Lionel showing up now was a surprise to Hannah.


    But the wordsing out of his mouth were entirely predictable. She could have guessed exactly what he was here to say.


    And since he knew the paparazzi were out there, what made him think she would possibly let him in?


    "Or were you nning to talk about something else?" Hannah asked, her gaze full of meaning.


    Lionel instinctively clenched his jaw. He felt a pang of guilt but forced a calm expression. "I wanted to talk to you about something else."


    "What is it?"


    "It''s not convenient to say it here."


    "Then don''t say it."


    eant


    "No, that''s not what I mean. I let''s go inside." Lionel gripped the gate, his voice dropping to a


    whisper. I don''t want the paparazzi


    to hear about this."


    fo


    "Lionel, all of our business is already public knowledge. There''s nothing to hide, because everyone already knows."


    Watching his desperate expression, Hannah couldn''t help but let a faint,posed smile grace her lips.


    "Lionel, either say what you have to say, or forget it. I don''t have time to waste on you here."


    Samuel, who had been standing by silently finally spoke up. "Lionel,


    you''re not going to talk, then lee. I me


    Hannah has other things to


    do


    go.


    "Hannah, he''s still the same, trying to force you to do what he wants. Let''s just go,


    don''t waste your breath on him," Cherry added.


    Seeing Cherry and Samuel chipping in, Lionel felt a genuine fear that Hannah would listen to them and simply walk away.


    He steeled himself and gripped the iron gate tighter.


    She was right. Just as Hannah said, all their dirtyundry had already been aired out for the paparazzi,t the media and even the public to see. There was no point in hiding anymore.