Ralph recognized the man as Heather's assistant and the car as belonging to the Riggs family. He didn't, however, interfere. "If Heather refuses to leave," he mused, "so what if this car is here to pick her up?" He waved the man away. "I'll take her back later. Go home and wait for further instructions."

He tried to put his arm around her waist, but missed. Hannah took a step forward, her lips bitten, and Ralph's jacket slipped from her shoulder to the ground.

"Annie..." he whispered, surprised, reaching out to detain her.

Hannah, however, simply looked over her shoulder at him with a strained smile. "Go home," she said. "I have to go. Let's... keep in touch."

She entered the car, the door closing behind her. "Annie! Annie!" Ralph rushed forward, attempting to open the door, but the assistant blocked him. "Please behave, Mr. Russell," the man said smoothly. He returned to the passenger seat, and the car sped away.

Ralph remained where he stood, watching until the car vanished. He felt as if "Heather" had been kidnapped. Why did Annie look so fearful? Why is the Riggs family's daughter afraid of her assistant? He tried calling her, but she didn't answer. Frustrated by his wasted efforts, he angrily stamped his foot.

In the car, Hannah sat rigidly, her hands clasped on her knees. She gazed at the front seat. Chump was silent. As Heather's assistant, Chump was not only a skilled fighter but also one of the few who knew of her existence and could tell them apart. He usually stayed with Heather and never accompanied Hannah, even when she pretended to be her sister.

If he's come to pick me up, it must be on Heather's orders. She must be furious to have sent him.

"Is my sister angry?" she asked quietly, her lips pursed.

Chump responded emotionlessly, his sunglasses glinting as he glanced over his shoulder. "What are you talking about, Miss? Since when do you have a sister?"

Hannah fell silent, remaining so for the rest of the journey. Chump didn't look back. As the car moved forward, her heart sank. She wondered what awaited her. Although she had prepared herself mentally, actually confronting her sister was a different matter entirely.

Oh, Heather...