Chapter 1027

Hannah remained motionless, her gaze intense as she scrutinized him, attempting to decipher his thoughts. Ralph, intimidated by her stillness, remained where he was, fearing a sudden shift in her mood and another attack. He noticed, however, that her complexion had improved considerably after applying makeup; she was no longer as pale and appeared much recovered.

"Heather, are you okay? Are your injuries better?" he asked cautiously, hoping to express his concern without provoking her. He was mistaken. Hannah's heart throbbed; she hadn't seen him for days, her opportunities thwarted since her sister moved into the Russell Estate. A longing, growing stronger with each passing day, consumed her. She had never missed anyone like this, not even her parents during extended absences. An overwhelming urge to run to him, to throw herself into his arms, battled with her carefully constructed persona. As Heather, she had to maintain composure. She remained silent, immobile.

Ralph's concern, however, was clearly directed at her sister. He was worried about Heather's injuries; that was why he'd visited the company. The concern in his eyes was for Heather, not Hannah. Regardless of her excitement and longing, Heather was the one on his mind; he was unaware of Hannah's existence. Her eyes darkened. "It's none of your business," she said coldly.

Ralph was stunned, his lips pursed in shock. He'd misjudged the situation; this woman was exceedingly difficult. Just then, Chloe entered with coffee, momentarily easing the tension. Ralph accepted the coffee, dismissing Chloe with a wave. Chloe, noting Hannah's lack of acknowledgment, quietly withdrew.

Alone again, Ralph sipped his coffee leisurely. "Mm, this is excellent. Your company's coffee is even better than ours at home. Where do you source the beans?"

"No idea," Hannah replied curtly. She rarely visited the company, only to assist her sister with paperwork, always rushing in and out. She'd never paid attention to the coffee; it was her sister's preference. Hannah preferred green tea—bitter yet with a lingering sweetness—occasionally comparing her life to its taste, wondering when that sweetness would arrive. The thought amused her, its whimsical nature striking her.

Ralph, twice rebuffed, remained silent, sensing her displeasure. He retreated to the far end of the sofa, his coffee clutched in his hand, wary of another potential outburst, positioning himself for a hasty escape if necessary.