"Who told you that? Was it Hannah?”


    "It doesn''t matter how I know. What matters is that I also know you went to see Samuel this morning."


    Sandra, who had been sitting tensely and silently ever since Quennel arrived, could no longer contain herself.


    She turned to Lionel, her voice a sharp whisper. “You went to see Samuel? What for? He''s on Hannah''s side! Don''t tell me you tried to bribe him with money or resources to be your informant and report all of Hannah''s activities to you."


    If she had known that was his n this morning, she would have stopped him.


    "Can''t you use your brain before you act?" Sandra''s voice grew louder with agitation, ending in a shout.


    "How I do things is none of your business! Who are you to speak? And who allowed you downstairs? Get back to your room!"


    "I asked your staff to bring her down," Quennel interjected smoothly. "After all, I''m here to help you deal with her. You im you want to reconcile with Hannah, yet you have your mistress living in your house. Do you really think that''s okay? You''re only this brazen because Hannah isn''t here to see it!"


    "Or perhaps you''re worried Sandra will be kidnapped again, so you''re keeping her close to ''protect'' her. So she can keep manufacturing false evidence for you?"


    Quennel had been stunned when he first heard that Lionel was not only keeping Sandra around but letting her live in his house. He''d thought his informant had made a mistake.


    Coming here today confirmed it was true.


    Pet


    "You should have figured it out by now. Hannah doesn''t care who kidnapped Sandra. Even if Sandra dropped dead in front of her right now, she wouldn''t care who did it she''d probably be thrilled And yet, you''re still protecting her. I don''t understand it. We are biological brothers, so how did you turn out to be such an idiot?"


    The two of them tag-teamed him, their words chipping away at his pride. The anger


    inside Lionel burned, but he had no rebuttal.


    Everything they said was true.


    He took a deep breath and red at Quennel. What I do with her is my business. It has nothing to do with you Why are you really here if you don''t get to the point, then get out! You''re not wee here!"


    "You want to get back together with Hannah, don''t you? It''s simple. You don''t have to do anythingplicated. Just kick Sandra out right now. Then, let a rumor of get back to Hannah Who knows it might change her opinion of you."


    Anyone hearing Quennel would have thought he was genuinely trying to help.


    But the two of them had been at odds since the day he returned home, and Lionel didn''t believe for a second that he had his best interests at heart.


    After a moment of silence, Lionel took another deep breath and demanded, "What do you want from me? I know you''re not this generous."


    Quennel knew he wouldn''t be easily convinced, so he decided toy his cards on the table.


    "I have a file that needs your attention. It''s urgent, and I have other things to handle. Mom won''t let you take over thepany, but she can''t expect you to do absolutely nothing rted to its affairs."


    It''s absurd that you can just sit back and reap the rewards without lifting a finger.