Sophia Mitchell was also attending the charity gala, but in her capacity as the board chairwoman of Scott Enterprise.

Scott Enterprise would never have made the guest list for the prestigious annual Stuart charity ball on its own merit. It was Victoria Stuart who had personally extended the invitation to Sophia. Victoria mentioned that since they were business partners, she should offer Sophia more opportunities whenever possible.

Sophia was absolutely thrilled. She went out of her way to boast about it to her family. After all, she no longer lived in the family manor, having purchased a grander, more luxurious estate that far surpassed theirs.

Nevertheless, Victoria Scott arranged a private meeting with her. She pretended to be happy for Sophia, claiming that they could finally stand their ground within the Scott family. She also casually mentioned that Margaret Scott was being kept under miserable house arrest at the manor by Benjamin Scott himself.

Despite all her flattery, it was obvious Victoria was trying to win Sophia over to secure a portion of the Scott family fortune. However, Sophia was no fool. Having grown up observing Victoria, she knew exactly what she was scheming—once she gained Sophia's trust, she would gradually siphon off the shares Sophia held in Scott Enterprise until everything was returned to Daniel Scott.

Naturally, Sophia didn't indulge Victoria. She had her thrown out, prompting Victoria to immediately drop her facade, screaming and cursing at Sophia.

No one would take even a single percentage of her shares!

Of course, Sophia had put immense effort into her gown and makeup. She strutted down the red carpet at the Stuart charity ball, determined to steal the spotlight and flaunt her status at this exclusive high-society event.

What she didn't anticipate was that none of the journalists called out to her, despite her deliberately slow pace. No one even glanced her way. She had certainly made headlines and caused a stir in the business world when she took control of Scott Enterprise, but since then, she hadn't received a single interview request.

Although she had meticulously prepared her responses for the public appearance she so looked forward to, no one paid her any attention.

She walked exceptionally slowly, even striking a few poses to attract notice. Even so, everyone summarily ignored her.

Just as she began to wonder if Rockville's journalists were particularly hard to impress, a wave of excitement erupted from the journalists clustered at the other end of the carpet.

Sophia turned to see Patrick Montgomery and Elise Scott stepping out of a black Rolls Royce. They instantly became the red carpet's focal point as all attention shifted towards them. The journalists' fervor was so intense that Sophia almost thought she was imagining it.

It frustrated Sophia immensely, but she consoled herself with the thought that the journalists' enthusiasm was solely for Patrick's arrival.

After all, the Stuarts' status was in a league of its own. As the hosts, she owed them deference.

Yet, at that moment, she heard countless journalists bombarding Elise Scott with a barrage of questions, none of which had anything to do with the Stuarts.

What right did Elise have to show off in front of her?! Elise was essentially trampling all over her, just from the stark difference in treatment from the press!

But what was even more unacceptable? Elise was hooking up with Patrick!

She had simply set her sights on a different man now that William was with Victoria!

What gave Elise the right to switch men so effortlessly?!

First, it was Samuel Mitchell.

Then, William Levine.

And now, Patrick Montgomery!

Each time Elise switched, her new partner was richer and more influential than the last!

Sophia suppressed her boiling rage. But with absolutely no one paying her any mind, she had no choice but to leave the entrance hall gloomily.

Meanwhile, Patrick caught Elise firmly as she almost stumbled on the carpet. The journalists eagerly captured their exceedingly intimate moment.

That is, until a journalist from the back suddenly exclaimed, "It's William Levine and Victoria Stuart!"

They were finished interviewing Patrick and Elise, anyway.