Just as Hannah was about to leave the room, Alden hurried in, looking anxious and immediately pulling her into a hug.
“Sweetheart, I heard the car that brought you here was hit earlier. Are you okay? Why didn’t you call me right away?” Alden asked.
That incident happened an hour ago, and Hannah didn’t think it was important to tell Alden. It seemed either the staff or Kenneth had already spoken to her husband.
“Kenneth came to the office and told me everything,” Alden added.
Oh, so it was Kenneth.
“I’m fine. It was just a minor accident.”
“I was about to get angry, but Kenneth apologized and invited us to lunch.”
“And you agreed?”
“He insisted.”
Hannah showed a reluctant expression. At the gala dinner, Kenneth’s face was stiff, cold, and unfriendly. Hannah wondered why Kenneth wanted to have lunch. Did he have an ulterior motive?
“So we have to go meet him? Just say I’m busy or you are,” Hannah suggested.
“Hannah, I can’t give such an illogical excuse.”
“Fine. When did he suggest lunch?”
“This afternoon.”
Hannah shook her head immediately. “I can’t. I have a meeting after lunch, and I don’t want to be late. I don’t want my plans to be ruined just because of a lunch invitation.”
“Hannah, Bernard will lead the meeting. He’s here to substitute for you in urgent situations.”
“Lunch is not an urgent matter.”
“Do we have to argue over this?”
“Just Kenneth?”
Alden nodded. “Yes, just him.”
…
Finally, Hannah and Alden went to meet Kenneth at a popular Italian restaurant in Summerhill. The restaurant was busy, with a line at the entrance. When they approached the greeter, they were told Kenneth was waiting for them inside.
Hannah noticed the restaurant’s unique, cozy, and homely interior. The greeter led them to a VIP gazebo.
What made Hannah uneasy was that Kenneth wasn’t alone. He was with Sarah.
Was this deliberate? Did Kenneth bring Sarah on purpose? Or did Sarah invite herself along?
Even Alden looked surprised.
Hannah noticed Kenneth’s cold demeanor towards Alden, even when they shook hands.
“Hi, Hannah. Thank you for coming.” Kenneth immediately extended his hand to Hannah, his manner starkly different from when he greeted Alden.
“Are you okay, Hannah? I was shocked to hear about your accident,” Sarah interrupted. “Forgive my brother. He can be careless sometimes.”
Kenneth looked displeased with Sarah’s comment. Kenneth didn’t want to bring Sarah, but she insisted. Out of politeness to Hannah, Kenneth agreed to lunch, though he wasn’t eager, especially with Alden present.
“No, it’s okay.” Hannah smiled.
Sarah dominated the conversation, discussing trivial matters that made Hannah feel tired of pretending to be cheerful. Alden and Kenneth mostly stayed quiet, making Hannah feel caught in the middle.
Hannah regretted not refusing the lunch invitation.
When the food arrived, Hannah hoped to finish quickly and leave. But then Sarah spoke up.
“Why is there broccoli in Alden’s risotto?” she exclaimed. Sarah took Alden’s plate and handed it to the waiter. “Alden doesn’t like broccoli, so please remove it.”
Hearing this made Hannah uncomfortable. In all their time together, she had never seen Alden eat broccoli. But such a small detail, she didn’t know.
“No, it’s fine,” Alden replied. “It’s not a problem.”
“But your risotto will be dominated by broccoli. You’ve never liked it, Alden.” Sarah insisted.
Kenneth suddenly cleared his throat. “If he says it’s fine, then it’s fine, Sarah. Why make a fuss about it?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry…” Sarah glanced at Hannah, looking awkward. “…it’s just that, I thought. Ah, never mind.”
Really annoying, thought Hannah.
Lunch felt like hell for Hannah. Sarah kept bringing up the past, and Alden responded with only smiles and brief nods. Kenneth’s expression showed he was also displeased.
Hannah didn’t know what happened during the accident that caused Sarah to leave Alden. Kenneth seemed to be hiding something too.
A phone call interrupted Alden.
“Yes, Dane?” Alden answered.
“Sir, there’s a meeting in 30 minutes that’s urgent. I hope you can make it on time.”
Alden checked his watch. “Why didn’t you inform me earlier, Dane?”
“It’s a sudden meeting, sir. My apologies.”
“Alright, I’ll be there in 30 minutes,” Alden said.
Alden looked confused as he turned to Hannah. He had to get back to the office, but couldn’t leave Hannah to return to Texco alone.
“I need to go to the office now, Hannah. I’ll arrange for a driver to pick you up and take you to the office,” Alden said.
“I can take a taxi, don’t worry about me,” Hannah replied.
Kenneth put his fork down. “I’ll take Hannah.”
“Well, then…” Sarah wiped her mouth gracefully. “…I should go with Alden. So you don’t have to drop me off at the office, Kenneth.”
Hannah wanted to stop this nonsensical conversation! Why should Kenneth take her while Alden went with Sarah to the office?
But Hannah just smiled and nodded. “Mr. Young will take me, sweetheart. No need to call the driver, I’ll be fine.”
Hannah’s words were the opposite of her feelings.
Alden looked conflicted but had to agree. “Sorry for troubling you, Kenneth.”
“No trouble at all,” Kenneth replied flatly.
Alden and Sarah hurriedly left the restaurant, making Hannah feel even worse. Seeing Sarah so cheerful walking beside her husband made Hannah angry.
“I apologize, Hannah,” Kenneth said suddenly.
Hannah looked at Kenneth, confused. “Mr. Young, I’m no longer concerned about the car accident.”
“Please, just call me Kenneth.”
“Oh, okay.”
Hannah truly had no clue why Sarah’s brother was acting differently. Kenneth seemed to be carrying a burden he was hiding, but in front of Hannah, it seemed like he wanted to reveal it. Hannah felt afraid and suspicious; she didn’t want Kenneth to have any intentions that could hurt Alden or herself. Hannah had experience dealing with deceitful people like Francesca and Aspen.
“That’s not why I’m apologizing.”
“Then, what do you want to talk about?”