258 Miss Payne, dignified and respectable

Hannah Johnson wasn't attending the banquet; claiming to be busy with work was just an excuse. A bigger reason was the recent scandal in the Hugh Family: Liam Hugh's affair was the talk of the town. There were those who wanted to laugh at her, and others who attempted to seize the opportunity to marry her, consuming her family's wealth.

She was exhausted dealing with these people.

"Sister, are you really not going?" Zoe Bell tried on a gown; her leg was inconvenient, so Hannah accompanied her into the changing room.

"Do you hope I'll go?"

"I do." Zoe adjusted her clothes. "I don't have many friends."

She turned and looked at Hannah. "Sister, please just come with me, okay?"

Hannah laughed. "When did you learn to be so coquettish?"

"If you're really too busy, then forget it," Zoe sighed.

Hannah rubbed her temples.

What's been going on lately?