He wanted to exin further, but seeing his mother''s fury, he knew it was pointless. It was better to leave for now.


    Lionel stood up and looked at his mother. "Alright, Mom, I''ll go. But I''m going to get to the bottom of this. Quennel himself said I could call the police if I find any evidence that he''s involved."


    Crash!


    Mary mmed her teacup down at his feet. She shot up from her seat, pointed a finger at his nose, and screamed.


    "You ungrateful son! The Rosenberg family took you in and gave you this life of privilege, and now you''re suspecting Quennel? You want to send him to jail? Are you trying to destroy this family to satisfy yourself?"


    She was livid. "Don''t you realize what a scandal this will cause? What will people think of the Rosenberg family? Your sordid affair with Hannah has already been all over the news, damaging our reputation!"


    "The family has lost so much money because of you, and we haven''t even held you ountable for it! And you have the nerve to push your luck? Get out! Get out of my sight! I''ll pretend I never had a son like you!"


    A nearby servant rushed over to urge Lionel to leave before things escted further.


    Another servant began cleaning up the mess and poured Mrs. Rosenberg a fresh cup of tea.


    Fuming, Mary stormed upstairs to the study. Quennel was working and looked up as the door burst open.


    "Who on earth managed to upset my dear mother so much? Come, sit down. Let me give you a shoulder rub to help you rx. And you lot, go heat up a ss of milk."


    Quennel rose and walked toward his mother.


    "I don''t want anything. I can''t stomach a thing right now."


    He paused, then went to pour her a ss of water instead. "Then let me get you some warm water. Surely you won''t refuse a ss of water from your own son?"


    Mary looked up at him with a resentful expression. "You''re still being a smooth-talker at a time like this."


    "I''m not being a smooth-talker, I''m just concerned about you, Mom. Quennel handed her the ss of water then moved behind her and Began gently kneading her shoulders.


    "You must have seen Lionel on your way up, didn''t you? Was he the one who made you angry? Don''t waste your energy on him. Once I''m done with my work, I''ll teach him a lesson for you and make sure he knows not to cross you again. Don''t let him ger to you. It''s not worth it."


    "I don''t want to be angry with him, but he had the gall to say you kidnapped that woman! He''s


    suspecting you now! I don''t know how the Rosemberg family ended up With such a viper, always suspecting own."


    his on


    The warm water and the soothing massage on her shoulders eased half of Mary''s anger.


    Thank goodness she had one good, older son. No matter what happened, he was always there to share her burdens andfort her.


    That was why she had been so reluctant to ept Lionel''s return. She already had one good son; she didn''t want another.