‘One day.’

Sophia whispered the words to herself.

One day, she would climb to the very top.

She would crush everyone who stood in her way beneath her heel.

"Mr. Levine! What brings you to Crestwood to personally observe Elise Scott's trial?"

"You're an incredibly busy man, and your interactions with Ms. Scott have been limited. Why are you here?"

"I asked William to accompany me," Victoria interjected, smoothly cutting off the journalists' persistent questioning.

"Oh, so Mr. Levine is here as his fiancée's escort. Ms. Stuart, what is your interest in Ms. Scott's trial?" the reporters pressed, their curiosity piqued.

"I hold a great deal of admiration for Elise," Victoria stated, her tone polished and rehearsed. "My family has been eager to establish a business partnership with her, especially now that we are expanding our operations into Crestwood. It's truly unfortunate that she finds herself in this situation. I'm here today to witness the proceedings and see how this unfolds."

Her answer was impeccably corporate, yet it effectively projected an image of compassion and understanding, earning her silent approval from the onlookers.

"Does this mean the Stuart Group is formally entering the Crestwood market?"

"Naturally. We anticipate spending considerably more time here in the future."

"Of course, you'll be relocating here permanently after your marriage. Speaking of which, has a wedding date been set?"

"We haven't finalized the details yet," Victoria replied with a perfectly practiced, cordial smile. "But rest assured, once we have a date, we will share the news with everyone."

"Congratulations!" the journalists chorused, offering their well-wishes.

"Please excuse us," Victoria said politely. "The trial is scheduled to begin shortly."

"If everyone could please make a path... Thank you all for your hard work!"

The journalists quickly complied, clearing the way. They knew better than to provoke the ire of either the powerful Levine or Stuart families.

William and Victoria proceeded into the courtroom. It was already filling with a significant crowd.

As a public trial involving a figure as prominent as Elise Scott in Crestwood, it had drawn numerous influential individuals.

They had just taken their seats in the front row when Ethan arrived and settled into the seat beside William.

William shot him a sharp, questioning look. He was the one who had taken Ethan to the hospital the previous night.

He knew the extent of Ethan's injuries were not merely superficial bruises on his face.

The doctor had explicitly advised a week of hospitalization for proper recovery.

"What are you doing here?" William asked, his voice low and edged with clear disapproval.

"I just needed to see this for myself."

'Just in case Elizabeth asks...'

William's lips pressed into a thin line, but he ultimately gave a slight, silent nod of acquiescence.

Nathan and Andrew arrived just as the trial was about to commence. Andrew looked only half-awake; it had been months since he'd been conscious before noon.

Nathan also appeared utterly exhausted as they slid into the row beside William.

Despite his own fatigue, Andrew couldn't resist a jab. "Where were you last night? You were practically asleep on your feet when I picked you up. Did that woman from last night really work you over that hard?"

"None of your business," Nathan snapped, his patience worn thin.

In truth, he had spent the entire previous night helping Elizabeth move. They hadn't finished until 5 a.m., after which he had managed only a brief nap at home. The fact that he was vertical at all felt like a minor miracle.

"Hit a nerve, did I?" Andrew chuckled, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Seriously, though, what woman would get that enthusiastic with you? No offense, man, but with that physique, you probably don't have the stamina for an all-nighter. You should hit the gym with me sometime."

Andrew, with his chiseled, muscular frame, was the picture of robust health, a stark contrast to Nathan's softer, more rounded physique.

Nathan glanced down at his own midsection, a flicker of genuine concern crossing his face. "Women really don't like this?"

"You think? Who wants to cuddle a teddy bear all night—"

"Shut up!" Nathan hissed, his voice a sharp whisper that drew a stern look from a nearby bailiff.

The two men fell into a hushed, but intense, bickering match.

William turned his attention back to Ethan.

His expression was a mask of calm composure.

But his knuckles were clenched so tightly they were bone-white.