"I was going to call you yesterday about those trending topics, but I couldn''t. Work was too crazy, and this is the first chance I''ve had."


    Quennel''s voice carried a hint of contempt and amusement. “I saw the posts, and I think Cherry was absolutely right. If you pay thempensation, you''ll be using your joint marital assets, and Hannah will definitely have a problem with that."


    "Besides, the Woods couple doesn''t look like they''ll be easy to deal with. If you drag this out too long, they''ll probably torment you endlessly. So, Lionel, have you figured out what you''re going to do?"


    Lionel was silent for a few seconds before his voice came out low and hoarse.


    "What I do is none of your business. Are you managing thepany alright? Or do you need me toe help you?"


    Hearing him resort to sarcasm even in this situation, Quennelughed out loud on the other end of the line.


    "Lionel, I can''t deny your business skills are superior to mine, but your character is seriouslycking. I''m calling you out of kindness, not to mock you. I thought of a way to help you. How about it? Interested in hearing it?"


    No matter how dire things got, he would never believe Quennel would be kind enough to help him find a solution.


    He was cut from the same cloth as Cherry.


    Everything they did was driven by a motive; they would never help someone out of the goodness of their hearts.


    For people like them, everything was a transaction. There was no such thing as genuine help.


    "Quennel, are you running into trouble at thepany again? Do you need my help? If so, just admit it. I can help you. There''s no need to beat around the bush like this."


    Unfazed by Lionel''s taunt, Quennel remained calm.


    He stood up and walked to the balcony outside his office, gazing down at the bustling traffic below. Feeling the gentle breeze, he paused for a few seconds before speaking with a sense of release.


    "What good are strong business


    skills if your character is rotten? Like Cherry said, the moment you offerpensation to the Woods family, Hannah will surely object. No matter the amount, if you don''t pay, that couple will cause a scene.


    "When it all blows up, the Rosenberg and Temple families will be disgraced because


    of you, affecting the stock market. Do you think the Rosenberg elders will just sit


    back and watch? Let me give you a little inside information."


    Quennel''s voice deepened, turning serious.


    "A few of the


    e elders can''t stand to stay abroad any longer and are preparing toe back and deal with you. They held a meeting


    yesterday, discussing wheth


    you


    should be allowed to remain in the Rosenberg family. Lionel, there''s something you need to understand."


    of


    "You''ve been under the protection of the Rosenberg family all these years, which is why others have stayed away from you. Once you''re out the family, do you really think they''ll just stand by Without the shield of the Rosenberg name protecting you, how long do you think you''dst in Sova?"


    His fingers rested on the railing, his index finger tapping rhythmically, making a soft thudding sound. On the other end of the line, Lionel said nothing, but his breathing grew heavier, and his brow furrowed even more deeply.


    Sitting on the bed, he unconsciously gripped the silk sheets, twisting them into a wrinkled mess.


    The air around him seemed to freeze as time stood still. Everything became so quiet he could only hear his own heart, pounding violently against his ribs as if trying to break free.


    "Once those people make their move, Hannah probably won''t even have to divorce you—she''ll be a widow. That would be quite convenient, actually. She''d still be part of our Rosenberg family, just without you in the way. Don''t you agree?"