Mrs. Mary Rosenberg stared at Lionel with icy eyes. They were both her sons, but the one she hadn''t raised had turned out like this.


    "Whether you get divorced or not doesn''t benefit us. We didn''te here to listen to your sarcasm. Because of today''s events, you''re trending online again, and the family elders have taken notice!"


    The elders?


    For a moment, Lionel felt like he was living in the dark ages.


    But then he remembered Quennel telling him that the elders were nning to kick him out of the Rosenberg family.


    Five years ago, he wouldn''t have cared. He could have built his own empire without the Rosenberg family''s protection and connections.


    But things were different now.


    If those so-called elders really did disown him, they wouldn''t just send him away. They would do everything in their power to cklist him.


    All the connections and resources he had built would be cut off. They would even issue a decree, warning otherpanies that doing business with him meant making an enemy of the Rosenbergs.


    On top of that, with Hannah hating him so much now, she would surely use the Temple family''s power to obstruct him at every turn once he was no longer a Rosenberg.


    As these thoughts raced through his mind, Lionel''s smug, carefree expression slowly faded, reced by a heavy solemnity.


    Quennel caught the subtle shift in his demeanor.


    Even so, seeing Lionel''s distress did little to lift his own gloomy mood, and his brow remained furrowed.


    "Lionel, I hear the elders are offering a deal. If you agree to divorce Hannah and move into a behind-the-scenes role within the family business, they''re willing to overlook everything that''s happened recently."


    Quennel''s voice was low as he watched Lionel thoughtfully. "You''ve had a moment to consider the consequences of being cast out of the family. You know better than anyone which choice is wiser."


    Lionel said nothing, but his face grew darker.


    The atmosphere in the living room became incredibly tense.


    "End things amicably with Hannah. It will be less awkward when you see each other in the future. After all, the Rosenberg and Temple familjes still have dealings shot like you can avoid each other for the rest of


    lives."


    As Lionel''s expression soured, Quennel''s own dark mood began to lift.


    "Once you''re divorced and working behind the scenes, I''ll take care of Sandra''spensation for you, as your older brother. I also handled the trouble with the Woods family. I''ve been more than generous with you."


    Seeing Lionel''s silence, Mrs. Mary Rosenberg clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Think it over carefully There''s a meeting at the family estate tonight at eight. If you don show up, we''ll assume you''ve decided to leave the Rosenberg family. When that timees, don''t say your mother never warned you!"


    Mrs. Mary Rosenberg gave him onest, meaningful nce, then stood and left without another word.


    Quennel rose to his feet as well. As he walked past Lionel, he couldn''t resist murmuring, "won''t be helping you suppress the news this time, brother. You''ve been so ungrateful, even throwing shade at me. Why should I lift a finger for you?"


    Hearing that, Lionel instinctively looked up at him.


    He saw Quennel''s eyes glinting with a mocking smile as he left the room.


    Suppress?


    How could he say that with a straight face?


    Quennel had been the one fanning the mes behind every scandal. It was a miracle he hadn''tunched a full-blown smear campaign. And now he was talking about *suppressing* the news?


    Suddenly, a realization struck Lionel, and he scrambled for his phone.