Brandon could see the disdain in Elise's eyes. His expression darkened as he continued speaking. "You need to understand something, Elise. This current attention you're getting is only temporary. Your past remains problematic. Once the hype dies down, people will go back to looking down on you. You should be grateful that I'm willing to overlook your history."

"Mr. Miller, are you suggesting that if I date you, you'll use your influence to ensure my company faces no obstacles in Crestwood?" Elise asked directly.

A smug smile spread across Brandon's face. "Exactly. You're getting the better end of this arrangement if we start seeing each other-"

The man standing behind him finally spoke up. "Mr. Miller."

Brandon immediately turned to find Samuel Wilson standing there. His expression transformed instantly - from arrogant superiority to fawning obsequiousness.

"Oh, Mr. Wilson! What a pleasant surprise!" Brandon exclaimed, eagerly extending his hand.

Everyone at Levine Holdings knew Samuel served as William's personal assistant and essentially acted as his second-in-command.

Nobody dared disrespect him.

Samuel glanced briefly at Brandon's outstretched hand before pointedly ignoring it.

Brandon awkwardly withdrew his hand, his face flushing with embarrassment.

"Since when did you gain the authority to make decisions for Levine Holdings, Mr. Miller?" Samuel asked calmly, though his words carried clear mockery.

Panic immediately gripped Brandon. "This is all a misunderstanding, Mr. Wilson! I was just...you see, this woman was arranged to marry me through family connections. She was trying to ask for favors for her personal business. Of course I wouldn't abuse my position for a woman's sake. I merely needed to put her in her place..."

Samuel raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Are you certain she was the one seeking your help?"

"Oh, they're all like that. Women always try to use their looks to get special treatment-"

"Brandon Miller - she's not someone you get to disrespect," Samuel stated coldly, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Brandon stared in disbelief before quickly recovering. "Mr. Wilson, she's no saint. You know how complicated some people's personal lives can be. You shouldn't let yourself be deceived by her appearance alone..."

"I certainly know my place," Samuel replied bluntly.

Brandon looked even more confused now.

"Report to Finance tomorrow to collect any outstanding wages," Samuel said, clearly unwilling to waste more time on someone so insignificant. "You're dismissed from Levine Holdings effective immediately."

"What?!" Brandon thought he must have misheard. Then agitation took over. "You're just William Levine's assistant! You don't have the authority to fire anyone!"

"You're correct - I don't," Samuel acknowledged. "But you're still fired."

"What kind of nonsense is this?!" Brandon shouted.

"You can figure that out yourself," Samuel said coolly before signaling to the nearby security guards. "Escort him out."

Within moments, several imposing security guards stood menacingly before Brandon, forcing him to leave while he cut a pathetic figure.

Only after being marched out of the banquet hall did realization dawn on him.

Was Samuel implying that William himself had ordered his termination?

And that Elise was William's woman?!

His legs turned to jelly the moment this understanding struck him.

Back inside the banquet hall, Samuel was offering apologies. "Ms. Scott, I hope your evening wasn't ruined by such an insignificant person from our company."

Insignificant?

Elise smiled, understanding more clearly why William always kept Samuel by his side.

His use of "insignificant" provided such perfect contrast to Brandon's earlier smug arrogance!

It definitely earned her appreciation.

Her gaze then drifted upward to the second floor, where a familiar figure leaned casually against the handrail, smiling tenderly down at her before turning to disappear into the shadows.