For the next while, he absolutely couldn''t do anything else. He couldn''t let the elders find anything amiss.


    Mrs. Mary Rosenberg watched her son lost in thought, her anxiety growing. She was starting to think that her son really had done it and was only lying now to cate her.


    Mrs. Mary Rosenberg was seriously considering going to the elders and confessing that she did it, taking the fall for her son before they investigated further. If they found out it was him, it would be toote.


    Just as she was nning when to go, Quennel noticed his mother''s strange mood. "Mom, I already told you, this has nothing to do with me. I didn''t do it. You don''t need to take the fall for me or anything. Just rx."


    He patiently soothed her again. "If I had done it, I would have told the elders privately long ago. Why would I let it get to this point? Besides, this is about Lionel. Why would I get involved and tarnish my own record?"


    "I''m not as foolish as you think. You can rest easy. Maybe one of the household staff really did do it, you never know."


    Seeing that her son had read her mind, Mrs. Mary Rosenberg didn''t deny it. She just nodded forcefully and remained silent, not saying another word.


    Lionel went to his guest room, pushed open the doors to the balcony, and sat down on a chair, gazing at the distant scenery, lost in thought.


    He didn''t do this, which meant it could only be Quennel.


    After all, they were the only ones present at the time. But he didn''t understand Quennel''s motive. Did he want to ruin his reputation, to get him trending online again?


    But this incident was different from the others. Doing this offered Quennel no benefits, only downsides.


    Or had he simply not expected Hannah to post it online, getting him entangled in the mess?


    Lionel mulled it over and over but couldn''t make sense of it. The whole affair was shrouded in mystery.


    As he was thinking, a member of the staff brought him toiletries. Looking at the staff member, he suddenly had an idea.


    "Let me borrow your phone. I need to call Hannah. After I''m done, go report to the elders that I spoke with hep You can stand right here and listen to what I say to her."


    Everyone in the house knew he was practically under surveince, so they were aware of everything he did.


    Hannah looked at the unfamiliar number on her phone. After a moment''s thought, she started a recording and then answered.


    "It''s me, Lionel," he said in a low voice.


    He briefly exined to Hannah what had happened at the house that day.


    "Why are you telling me this?"


    “Hannah, I wanted to ask if you know who told Cherry about this."


    Lionel''s tone was sincere. “The elders are investigating, and I can guarantee you that I didn''t do it. But I''m worried someone might try to frame me, so I was hoping you coulde forward and be a witness me.


    Lionel knew the chances were slim, but if he didn''t try, there was no hope at all. If he did, maybe Hannah would feel sorry for his current, predicament and agree to be his


    witness.


    Hannah was silent on the other end for a few seconds before she finally spoke slowly.