Chapter 43

She wasn’t in the habit of wearing jewelry. She used to put some on for visits to the estate, but after enduring endless passive-aggressive comments from the family, she had stopped bothering.

Besides, Lionel’s attitude made it seem as if the jewelry was merely lent to her, not truly gifted, which made her dislike wearing it even more.

She also never wore the expensive designer clothes that filled her closet, preferring her own outfits instead.

Seeing her ignore him, Lionel walked over to her jewelry stand and noticed several empty spots.

“Why is some of it missing p>

His sudden question didn’t fluster her in the slightest; she had prepared her answer long ago.

“I sent them out to be serviced,” she said calmly, walking out of the room.

Her explanation didn’t arouse his suspicion.

“They were just sent over. Do they need servicing already?” he asked, following her.

Just sent over?

Hannah couldn’t help but frown. The last time he gave her a necklace was last Christmas. What did he mean, “just sent over p>

She was about to retort with a sarcastic comment when she remembered something.

That necklace she’d had her eye on a while back-he had promised to buy it for her, but in the end, he had given it to Sandra.

It seemed he had mistaken a gift meant for another woman as one for her, yet he could still ask such a question with such self-assurance.

At that thought, a mocking remark slipped out. “When something gets tainted, you get it cleaned. Am I wrong p>

Hannah descended the stairs and headed for the door.

Lionel stood at the top of the staircase, watching her leave, gritting his teeth.

Was it really out for servicing, or was she deliberately not wearing it to spite him? The car ride was silent. They arrived at the estate and entered one after the other.

His grandmother was away at a church praying, so she wasn’t home.

Lionel’s older brother, Quennel Rosenberg, had just arrived as well.

Seeing that everyone was present, a servant led them into the dining room and signaled for the dishes to be served.

“Quennel, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time you found someone,” Mr. Ryan Rosenberg began.

Quennel smiled, his every move exuding the grace of a refined gentleman. “Dad, I’ve told you before, I have no intention of getting married p>

Mr. Ryan Rosenberg’s face flushed with anger. “Not getting married? What kind of nonsense is that p>

Unfazed by his father’s outburst,

Quennel replied with his usual composure; “When I was the only son, you pressured me relentlessly, afraid the Rosenberg family line would end. Now that my younger brother has returned and taken a wife, you no longer have to worry about that p>

Hannah’s hand, holding her fork, trembled for a moment before she steadied it and continued eating.

“Nonsense! If you don’t marry and have children, what will you do when you’re old? In a few days, I’ll have your mother arrange some dates for you, and you will

go p>

“When I’m old, I’ll live in a retirement

home,” he said with a faint smile, his

deep eyes turning to Hannah. “Or could leave my entire fortune to my sister-in-law’s child. Then I’ll just have to trouble her and her child to look after me. That would solve everything, wouldn’t it p>

Whether it was his words or the sudden autumn chill in the night air, the temperature in the dining room plummeted, sending a shiver through everyone.

“She wouldn’t watch me grow old with no one to care for me, would she p>

Quennel leaned forward slightly, turning to look at Hannah.

Faced with this question, Hannah didn’t know how to respond. She decided to pretend she hadn’t heard and kept her head down, focusing on her food.

His words provoked an immediate and sharp response from Mrs. Mary Rosenberg. “If I’m counting on her to have a child, I might as well count on you getting married, She’s been married into this family for three years with not a peep p>

Hannah’s grip on her fork tightened.

A peep… In three years, Lionel hasn’t so much as touched me. How could there possibly be a peep?

Even if she told the truth, Mary would only berate her for being useless.

Hannah’s lashes fluttered down as she bit her lip, a ridiculous idea forming in her mind.