Up in the office, the two brothers were oblivious to the gossip, but the atmosphere between them was heavier than ever.


    Quennel sat on the sofa. An assistant brought in two cups of coffee and then left to continue his work.


    "The video was Sandra''s doing, wasn''t it? Is she still in the hospital?" Quennel asked. “I''ve already spent money to have the trending topic suppressed, but it seems someone keeps buying more exposure. We can''t get it to go down."


    Lionel''s brow tightened in confusion. "I''ve been trying to suppress it too!"


    At his words, Quennel let out a coldugh. "What, are you suggesting that I''m the one paying to keep that video trending?"


    Lionel didn''t answer, his expression grave as he stared at Quennel.


    Being watched like that, Quennel''s smile only widened. "And what reason would I have to do that?" he sneered.


    "What good does it do me to keep Hannah''s video up there for everyone to see? Everyone knows I''m close to her; I''ve always treated her like my real sister. How could I stand by and watch something like this happen to her?"


    Quennel''s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at his brother, a chilling smile on his face. “On the other hand, you have every reason to want it to stay trending. After all, you despise her for wanting a divorce, and from the looks of it, that''s exactly where you two are headed."


    "And if you''re getting divorced, you wouldn''t want her to be happy. So you''d use this to ruin her reputation, make it impossible for her to marry anyone else, and force her toe begging for you to take her back. Besides, Sandra is your lover. Who''s to say you didn''t secretly arrange this with her? Her reputation is already ruined, after all."


    "Quennel, that''s a baseless usation!"


    Hearing him so calmly utter such nder, Lionel shot to his feet, his voice rising in anger.


    “Hannah and I have had our issues, but I care about her deeply. I would never do anything to hurt her! The moment I saw that video online, I started trying to suppress


    it."


    "Instead of ming me, maybe we should be looking at you. You just took over your position, and manyan the family are unhappy about it. They want to see you fail. You''re afraid I''ll get my position back, so you''re keeping the video trending to ensure I''m too busy dealing with this mess to do anything about you."


    Lionel''s face was dark with fury as he stared at Quennel, his words dripping with usation. "Quennel,


    you''ve always valued power mo than family Don''t think I dont know


    I''


    what you''re really like!"


    Faced with Lionel''s outburst, Quennel''s expression remained unchanged, his smile


    asposed as ever.


    He picked up his coffee, took a sip, and then stood up. "If you''re so convinced it was me, then go to the police. Tell them I framed my own sister inw. I have a meeting to attend. You can enjoy your time in your old office."


    Quennel walked over, patted his shoulder, and left with a meaningful smile.


    Lionel was left alone in the office. The once-familiar space now felt alien. He took a deep breath and sat back down.


    Could there be someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes?


    Besides Sandra, who else hated Hannah this much?