Chapter 504

At the Luminara Group, Hannah had just wrapped up a meeting when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw Evelyn's name-Claude's mother.

Evelyn's voice carried a warm friendliness. "Ms.Scott, are you free for lunch today? I'd like to invite you to a meal."

Hannah was a little taken aback. They'd only met once before. Why the sudden lunch invitation?

"I'd like to have a casual chat with you." Evelyn paused, her tone softening even more. "But let's keep this between us for now-don't let Claude know."

Hannah tightened her grip on the phone. Instinct told her this lunch was anything but casual. After a brief hesitation, she agreed politely. "Alright, Mrs. Hobbes.

Please send me the location."

At noon, Hannah arrived right on time at the restaurant Evelyn had chosen. By the window, Evelyn was already seated with a young woman Hannah didn't recognize.

The moment Evelyn spotted Hannah, her face lit up with a smile. She waved warmly. "Ms. Scott,come sit here."

Evelyn took Hannáh's hand with practiced affection and gestured to the woman beside her. "Let me introduce you. This is Bonnie Sandoval."

Turning to Bonnie, Evelyn added, "Bonnie, this is Hannah-the Ms. Scott I've often mentioned."

A flicker of surprise crossed Hannah's expression,but she quickly masked it with a courteous smile and nodded politely. "Hello, Miss Sandoval."

Bonnie returned the smile gracefully.

"Not sure what you like, so I ordered a few of the restaurant's signature dishes," Evelyn said as she gently pushed the menu toward Hannah. "See if they

suit your taste?"

Without glancing at the menu, Hannah replied with an easy smile, "It's fine, Mrs. Hobbes. I'm not picky.Whatever you ordered will be wonderful, I'm sure."

Evelyn nodded in approval, her gaze kind yet calculating as she shifted the conversation. "You know, I've always been grateful to the Scott family.If it weren't for your parents taking Claude in and caring for him all these years, I can't imagine how he would have turned out. Your family raised him so well -we've never forgotten that kindness."

Hannah inclined her head modestly. "You're too generous, Mrs. Hobbes. Claude has always been sensible. My parents often said he was easier to raise than I was. He never gave them any headache."

Evelyn smiled, though her eyes continued to scrutinize Hannah's expression. Casually, she steered the conversation toward a sharper point."Oh, look at me, getting carried away in conversation and forgetting to formally tell you. Bonnie is the match my family has chosen for Claude. The two

families are already in talks. Ms. Scott, what do you think of Bonnie?"

The Hobbes family had long since given up on Lindsay, so Bonnie was their new candidate.

Bonnie's smile faltered ever so slightly. She lifted her coffee cup and took a slow sip, hiding her awkwardness.

Hannah found the question awkward-it felt impolite to judge someone sitting right there. So,she chose the safest reply, offering a polite smile. "She's very beautiful and has a lovely demeanor."

Evelyn seemed dissatisfied with this answer, or perhaps intentionally so, as her smile grew more meaningful, her tone gaining a slightly testing edge."What if she becomes Claude's wife? How would you feel about that?"

Bonnie's composure wavered again, her expression tight with embarrassment, but she kept quiet.

Hannah frowned slightly. Evelyn's question felt

unusually blunt and strange. Assuming Evelyn was genuinely seeking her input, she kept her answer diplomatic. "Marriage is a major decision, and Claude's opinion matters most. Since it concerns him, wouldn't it be better if he were here to talk about it himself?"

Her response was purely out of respect for Claude and a matter-of-fact approach.

However, Evelyn interpreted it differently. The warmth drained from her smile, her eyes sharpening with suspicion. To her, Hannah's words sounded like an excuse-evidence that she disapproved of the match and even harbored feelings toward Claude.

Evelyn sat in silence for a few beats before turning to Bonnie with a sudden, almost forced smile. "Bonnie,I just remembered a pastry shop nearby that sells wonderful tarts. I'm craving them-could you pick some up for me?"

Catching the cue, Bonnie rose immediately. "Of course, Mrs. Hobbes. I'll go now."

She gave Hannah a polite nod before walking out.

Once Bonnie was gone, the air at the table shifted.The warmth evaporated, leaving behind a heavy,charged tension.

Evelyn's smile disappeared completely. She dabbed at her lips with a napkin and then lifted her head.Her eyes were cold and sharp as glass. "Ms. Scott, I don't like beating around the bush, so l'll be straightforward."