Chapter 7
Hannah’s underlying message was crystal clear–she was accusing Daphine of being flirty and bringing up Mason’s name as an attempt to intimidate
her.
“Does it matter to me if he’s angry?” Daphne sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. Even if Mason were to die from anger, she wouldn’t feel any guilt at all
Hannah froze. But just as she began to formulate a response, Yancey cut in. “That’s enough.”
Chester shot a sideways glance at Hannah, his mood tense and his expression stern. “It seems like you have a lot of opinions about today’s charity auction, don’t you, Mr. Goodman!”
“You’ve misunderstood Yancey pressed his thin lips together. He knew the Goodman and Sheppard families needed to maintain a façade of harmony, it wasn’t worth ruining it over 20 million or a scorned woman like Daphne.
Chester steered in response. Is that so? Well, that’s good.”
Yancey nodded.
At that moment. Martin Anderson, the lobby manager, approached with a big smile. “Mr. Sheppard, Mr. Goodman, you’re both here. Your reserved Jables are all set up”
Just as Yancey intended to step forward, Chester halted abruptly. He turned to Martin, his tone sharp and commanding. “Let’s close the restaurant today. I don’t want any random women coming in here and dirtying our dishes”
Martin looked taken aback. “Ranborn women?”
Without offering another word, Chester turned and strode away, taking Daphne along with him toward a private room on the second floor.
Martin caught sight of Hannah’s sullen expression and quickly pieced together Chester’s remark. With an apologetic smile, he said, “Mr. Goodman, and to this lady. I’m really sorry, but our restaurant is closed today. Please choose another place”
Hannah felt a surge of indignation at the perceived slight, understanding precisely what Chester meant and who he referred to. She dropped her pretense of politeness and shot back, “Why can she go in?”
were only for
She had asked in advance if she could reserve a private room, but was told no. The reason given was that the second–floor rooms we guests approved by the restaurant owner. Yet now, Dapline was being let in.
Martin explained patiently. That’s a guest of Mr. Sheppard. We’re sorry if this makes you uncomfortable. However, we regret to inform you that our restaurant is not welcoming any guests for dining today,”
Hannah had never been treated so badly before and finally lost it. “Do you think I’m just any woman? The woman who just walked in is the one who’s out of line. She’s not even divorced yet, and she’s already gening all cozy with her new fling.”
Her voice escalated with each word, her face flushed bright red from the anger boiling inside her. She was so furious that her words just kept getting
harsher and iursher.
Martin, dropped lus smile, the atmosphere shifting drastically as he said sternly, “Miss, please stop with the baseless accusations. Our restaurant does not welcome you. Please leave immediately, or I’ll have to call security
g a close eve
eye on things, ready to jump in the second Martin gave
The security guard by the door had already spotted the commotion and was keeping a the word.
Instinctively, Hannah turned to look at Yancey, only to find his gaze fixed on her, deep and probing, as if he had been silently observing her every
action
Suddenly, she recalled her recent behavior, starkly contrasting with her usual self. Her face went pale as she dropped her head, tears welling up. “Yancey, I didn’t mean for it to be like this, but they went too far. I really wasn’t…
Yancey frowned, annoyance flickering in his expression at her fears. He didn’t comfort her, instead, he directed his questioning at Martin. “Is Chester the Lots of your restaurant?”
Marun nodded respectfully. Yes, Mr. Goodman.”
Yancey fell silent for a moment, weighing his words. “What is that woman’s relationship with him?“
Martin hesitated before shaking his head. “That’s not something I can find out. Please understand, Mr. Goodman” He gestured, urging Yancey to täke Hannah and leave.
Not getting the answers he craved, Yancey remained quiet, frustration etched across his face as he stared at the staircase leading to the second floor.
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10:51 AM H
Chapter 7
Images of Daphne and Chester laughing and talking as they ascended flashed vividly in his mind. Chester’s suit jacket draped over Daphne’s shoulders, their proximity suggesting an intimacy that ignited a simmering rage within him.
After a pause, his deep voice cut through the tense silence. “Let’s go.” he said, looking straight at Hannah
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Though reluctant, Hannah didn’t dare oppose Yancey’s decision. She could only leave the restaurant, biting back her frustration. As she exited, she noticed the security guard outside casting a wary glance in her direction, making her grip her bag tighter.
In that brief moment, memories of her childhood flooded her mind–those mocking eyes that had always trailed her. No matter how much Mason doted on her, it didn’t change the fact that she was an illegitimate child. The whispers and sideways glances were always there, labeling her as just the mistress’s daughter.
“If it weren’t for Daphne, Hannah thought bitterly, a surge of hatred washing over her, Td be the rightful heir of the Shaw family. I wouldn’t have to carry the shame of being born out of wedlock or face all the endless mockery!
Her grip on her purse strap tightened so much it almost distorted d its shape. Just then, Yancey’s voice cut through her reverie. “Hannah?”
Snapping back to reality, Hannah realized the driver had arrived, and the car was parked directly in front of them. Yancey stood beside her, his expression dark and inscrutable
——
A jolt of fear coursed through her, the sensation of being completely seen crashing down on her. She quickly lowered her gaze, concealing hatred and panic swirling in her eyes.
She forced herself to maintain a delicate demeanor, and as soon as she got into the car, she leaned closer to Yancey, her voice softening. “Yancey, could
you come home with me?”
Mason had hinted more than once that she should entice Yancey to come home
With Matthew critically ill, the real power of the Goodman Group had shifted entirely to Yancey. He was poised to inherit the vast empire, a stark contrast to three years ago when his family dismissed him from the list of heirs, deeming him unworthy.
If Hannah had known three years ago how things would end up, she never would’ve underestimated Yancey. To get out of the arranged marriage, she’d run off with Jackson from the Lynn family, leaving Daphne to marry Yancey in her place.
Hannah had thought she was dodging a buller, only to plunge into a far greater disaster. While Yancey had risen to become the CEO of the Goodman Group, Jackson, once perceived as a multi–billionaire heir, turned out to be nothing more than a spoiled, good–for–nothing rich kid
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