Chapter 182
Seeing the worry etched on Cora’s face, Sandra simply smiled and took a bite of a pastry.
Cora’s brow furrowed. The patisserie exuded an air of relaxed luxury, and the woman across from her moved with an effortless grace, showing no sign of anger over what Cora had done.
The air conditioning was blasting, but beads of sweat trickled down Cora’s forehead. A suffocating mix of humiliation and tension gripped her.
She took a deep breath, downed a gulp of coffee, and tried again. “Do you want my help taking down Hannah p>
Cora’s frown deepened. If that was the case, she wouldn’t mind teaming up with her nemesis for now.
Sandra set down her pastry and delicately dabbed her lips with a napkin. “I’m not sure what you mean, Ms. Laurier. I’m simply returning something you lost p>
She leaned in conspiratorially. “It was quite by accident, really. Hannah mistakenly sent me a message with the garage security footage, and I happened to spot this p>
Sandra continued, her voice smooth as silk. “I know Lionel’s car is usually just for the two of them, but what if one of his friends or brothers sat in the passenger seat one day? Finding that… well, it would cause some unnecessary trouble for him. Oh, and if you can’t finish these, feel free to have them boxed up p>
With a gentle, knowing smile, she rose from the table and left, leaving Cora sitting there, completely stunned.
A cold gasp escaped Cora’s lips. It all clicked into place. Hannah knew everything. She knew what Cora was planning, but instead of confronting her, she had deliberately sent the evidence to Sandra, hoping to use Sandra to get rid of her!
The realization hit her like a physical blow. Cora’s heart hammered in her chest, and the hair on her arms stood on end. She instinctively clapped a hand over her mouth.
That bitch! Hannah was trying to get someone else to do her dirty work! It was a vicious, cruel plot.
If Sandra hadn’t been so kind-hearted and seen through Hannah’s scheme, the two of them would have torn each other apart, all for Hannah’s benefit!
Just as Sandra reached the ground floor, she spotted a familiar face.
It was Jason Cooper, the director of Sunflower Haven.
A cunning glint flickered in her eyes, which she quickly suppressed before walking over with a bright smile.
“Mr. Cooper?” she asked tentatively. When he turned, she feigned excitement. “It really is you, Mr. Cooper! For a second, I thought my eyes were deceiving me p>
Jason recognized her immediately. “Mrs. Rosenberg! I can’t believe it. What a coincidence. It’s been over a year, hasn’t it p>
Sandra didn’t correct his use of her supposed married name, instead settling into the seat beside him. “Time flies, doesn’t it? I remember the last time, Mr. Rosenberg and I came by for the children’s summer festival. We we both peen Sp swamped this year we couldn’t make it. I hope you’re not upset with us, Mr. Cooper p>
“Of course not. We understand how busy you two are. Besides, Mr. Rosenberg had a mountain of gifts sent over for the festival this year. We couldn’t be more grateful p>
Hearing this, people at the nearby tables started whispering, asking if the “Mr. Rosenberg” they were talking about was Lionel, and wondering when they had gotten married without anyone knowing.
Sandra feigned a bashful blush,
tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She avoided answering directly, instead calling over a waiter and ordering several new pastries for everyone ever having some boxed. up for the director to take back with him.
The director sat beside her, beaming from ear to ear.
“I remember Hannah mentioned once that she came from your orphanage,” Sandra said, feigning casual curiosity. “Has she been back to visit over the years p>
She had done her homework on Hannah. She’d discovered that Hannah had been severely bullied at Sunflower Haven, which was why she’d left the moment she turned eighteen and had never once returned or even mentioned her time there.