Behind that easy smiley countless nights of relentless effort, only to conclude that he was, in fact, simply outmatched.


    No talent, no knack for it. He just wasn''t as good at business as Lionel.


    Though he hade to ept this reality over the years, a bitter taste of resentment still lingered whenever it was brought up.


    They were born of the same mother, and he had been raised with every advantage. Yet, he still fell short.


    Hearing the elders criticize her son, Mrs. Mary Rosenberg bristled with indignation.


    To her, Quennel was the perfect son. She had personally groomed him, pouring her heart and soul into his upbringing. More than anyone, she had wanted him to inherit everything the Rosenberg family had to offer.


    Before Lionel''s return, he had been the brightest star, the undisputed heir. But everything changed when Lionel came back.


    Everyone''s attention shifted to Lionel. They praised his brilliance while


    simultaneously tearing down her eldest son, mocking him relentlessly.


    They were both her sons, and she couldn''t show tant favoritism, especially since Lionel had been lost for so long.


    But still...


    Mrs. Mary Rosenberg bit her lip, her fists clenching in frustration.


    Quennel noticed his mother''s reaction and gently took her hand. He offered a faint smile and said softly, "Lionel''s brilliancees from our mother''s genes. Even the greatest talent is useless without a good foundation."


    "Quennel..."


    His words were a balm to her soul. She looked up at him, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and pain.


    Quennel pressed his lips together, giving her a reassuring smile as if to say she shouldn''t pay the elders any mind.


    A bunch of old fossils with one foot in the grave, still trying to pull the strings of the Rosenberg family.


    Ten minutester, Lionel arrived at the estate. As soon as he stepped out of his car, a servant led him to the main hall on the second floor.


    The moment Lionel entered, the atmosphere grew heavy. Every face hardened, and their eyes scrutinized him.


    He hated that look. It was the same way they had looked at him when he first returned to the family.


    He couldn''t believe that after three years after all he had done for the family, after weathering crises and boosting their stock price-they were back to sizing him up just because of a minor dip.


    Lionel suppressed a wave of disgust and walked calmly to an empty chair, taking a seat.


    “Lionel, you have the nerve to show your face!" Mr. Shaw snapped when he saw Lionel stroll in, ignore the elders, and sit down as if he owned the ce.


    The sheer disrespect! He truly was a stray raised in the wild. Even years with the Rosenberg family couldn''t change his base nature.


    "Is this how you raised your younger son? He doesn''t even know how to greet his elders? Does he really think that after running the family business for a few years, he an


    look down his nose at everyone?"


    Mr. Michael Rosenberg mmed his cane on the floor again. "Get out! Walk back in and greet us properly!"


    Mr. Thorne nodded in agreement,


    pointing a finger at the door. "Get out of here right now, you disrespectful brat! I don''t know what you''ve been doing for the past three


    years but you''ve only brought


    shame to this family. We never


    should have let youe back!"