"Who knows? But after all the mistakes she''s made, I doubt she''d do it again. Besides, it seems like she''s starting to look up to you."


    Samuel''s eyes glinted as a mischievous idea struck him, and he chuckled.


    "Seriously, Hannah, if Lionel starts bothering you again, just send Cherry over to bother him instead. It''s not like she has anything better to do."


    Hannah shot Samuel a thoughtful, sideways nce.


    "Why are you looking at me like that? I was just trying to help."


    "Oh, it''s nothing. I just think that''s an excellent idea. When we get home, I''ll see what Cherry''s up to. I have to go back to the office in a couple of days, and if Lionel shows up again, I won''t have the time or energy for him. Cherry can handle it."


    She had to admit, Samuel''s idea was brilliant.


    Meanwhile.


    After Samuel left, Lionel sat alone in the cafe, lost in thought for a long time.


    About half an hourter, he finally got up, left the cafe, and drove home.


    When he arrived, he found Sandra in the living room, along with an unwee visitor.


    "What are you doing in my house?"


    Lionel red at Quennel, who was seatedfortably in the center of the sofa with a cup of coffee and some pastries beside him.


    Steam was still rising from the cup, suggesting he hadn''t been there long.


    "A concerned older brotheres to see how his younger brother is doing, and this


    is the wee I get? You sound more like you''re interrogating a criminal. That''s not very respectful, is it?"


    Quennel lifted his cup, taking an elegant sip, looking for all the world like a genuinely caring sibling.


    Lionel''s brow tightened at his words. He walked over and sat down on the armchair opposite him, crossing his long legs and fixing Quennel with a furious stare.


    "There''s no one else here, Quennel. You can drop the act. Don''t give me this nonsense. If you have something to say, say it. If not, get out. I don''t want to see you."


    "I don''t have any particr business, no. I was just curious. You''ve been fired from thepany and barred from the factories, so what have you been doing at home? Have you really just given up, with no intention of trying to get any of it back?"


    To be honest, Lionel had stopped thinking about any of that.


    His ambition seemed to have vanished the moment Hannah mentioned divorce.


    Besides, all his thoughts were consumed by her now.


    He figured that once he and Hannah reconciled, he could deal with thepany


    and factoriester. After all, everyone knew he had the talent for it.


    "I wonder how thepany and factories are doing now that you''ve taken them from me. Are they- running so poorly that you''ve made mess you can''t fix? Is that why, you''re here, looking for my help?"


    Lionel raised an eyebrow, a mocking smirk on his face. "If that''s the case, you''d better adjust your attitude. Get and


    on your knees and beg me,


    maybe just maybe ill consider helping you.


    Quennel chuckled and shook his head.


    "Sorry to disappoint you, but thepany and the factories are running perfectly


    fine. No issues at all. So it seems you won''t get to see me on my knees."


    "But I might get to see you on yours. After all, you''re so desperate you''ve resorted to teaming up with a mistress."


    At Quennel''s words, Lionel''s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.