Hannah ignored Susan. She had parked near the Heroic Restaurant. Susan adored the restaurant's dishes; no matter her guest, she always chose it, leading strangers to believe she owned the place.

Unhappily, Susan followed Hannah into the suite. A man stood before a French window, looking princely. He turned, offering a bland smile. Hannah instantly thought "Prince Charming" a fitting description. He exuded a fairy-prince aura, lacking Oscar's striking handsomeness or Charles's pretentious gentleness and dignity.

"Been waiting long?" Hannah asked.

"No, I just arrived," Manuel replied.

"Let's sit down," Hannah said.

Manuel found a seat. Susan sat as far from him as possible. Hannah noticed but didn't respond; Manuel seemed unaffected.

The waitress arrived, deferentially presenting menus. They perused them simultaneously.

"Manuel, it's been a long time. Anything you'd especially like to try? These are regional dishes from Kensbury City," Hannah asked.

Before Manuel could answer, Susan blurted, "I suppose there's no chili abroad, right? A nice chance to eat some here!"

Manuel pursed his lips, silent. They knew each other's tastes, having grown up together. Manuel had moved to Kensbury City from the capital at eight. Capital city food leaned towards sweetness; Kensbury's was spicier. Despite years here, he'd never fully adapted. Years away hadn't improved his tolerance. Susan, however, ordered a fiery array of dishes.

"Would you like some vegetables? We have…"

"I want them all with lots of hot pepper!"

"Oh, alright. But Miss Phillips, those dishes seem very spicy. I'd suggest a plain vegetable soup…"

"Nah, give me a beer instead," Susan immediately rejected, startling the waitress.

"Please hurry, I'm starving!" Susan urged, preventing others from ordering.

Hannah saw Manuel close his menu, seemingly finished. She returned hers to the waitress. Susan, engrossed in her phone, ignored Hannah and Manuel, appearing an outsider.

Fortunately, the food arrived quickly. Susan dug in enthusiastically. Hannah ate a few bites; accustomed to spice, she managed. Manuel, however, hadn't touched his chopsticks. Hannah was about to call the waitress when Susan, pouring her beer, said, "I probably should have brought you a welcome-home wine or something."

Hannah glanced at her. She knew Manuel couldn't handle alcohol!

Manuel took his glass. "Thank you," he said, joining them in drinking. Susan, initially ignoring Manuel, now aggressively competed with him.

"Eat something," Hannah intervened. Manuel would collapse if he continued!

Manuel nodded. Hannah suspected an upset stomach as he picked up a piece of meat, taking a small bite. He coughed, his face flushing. Hannah quickly gave him water. He drank, but the coughing persisted.

"Why are you so weak? It's been years," Susan teased.

Manuel suppressed his cough. "I just choked," he said, then immediately picked up another piece of meat and ate it without issue. Susan said nothing more, eating as if alone.

A knock came at the door. Martina entered. Susan felt annoyed; she liked Charles but intensely disliked Martina. At school, they'd clashed, nearly fighting.

"Manuel, why didn't you contact me? I didn't know you were back, but my friend saw you," Martina complained.

Manuel replied indifferently, "I just returned; I'm a bit busy."

"Busy doing what? Joining Phillips Bank?" Martina blurted.

Susan flinched.

"No, I started a small company with friends," Manuel answered.

"Wow, so different from someone who relies on their parents and only goes to nightclubs," Martina sneered.

"Are you talking about yourself?" Susan interrupted.

"What are you talking about?" Martina snapped. "When have I been to a nightclub?"

"I have proof," Susan said, producing her phone. A picture showed Martina drunk in a bar. "Who's this handsome man hugging you?" She showed it to Manuel. "What do you think…hey!"

"Ah!" Susan screamed as Martina snatched the phone and tossed it out the window into the river.

"Martina Sawyer! You bitch!" Susan raged, grabbing Martina's hair. Martina retaliated, grabbing Susan's hair. The fight they'd avoided at school finally erupted. Martina cried, "Help me, Hannah!"

Hannah offered a grim smile. In her previous life, she'd stopped Susan from overpowering Martina. No more. Now, she would simply watch.