The conference room buzzed with energy as they stepped inside.

Camera flashes erupted instantly. Journalists had been waiting. They recognized Elise immediately. Shutters clicked rapidly. The room filled with blinding white light.

Elise wore a sharp black pantsuit. It was both stylish and professional. Her composure was striking. She didn't appear broken or desperate. She held her head high.

Sophia stood beside her. Her eyes were already red-rimmed. She looked like she'd been crying for hours. The contrast between the two women was stark. Most reporters ignored Sophia completely.

Questions flew at Elise the moment she reached the podium.

"Ms. Scott! Are you here to admit to the affairs documented in yesterday's articles?"

"How do you justify cheating on a man like Samuel Mitchell? Do you feel any shame?"

"Elizabeth York publicly supported you. What did you promise her in return?"

"Do you believe your actions are morally acceptable?"

"This scandal could destroy Stellar Group! You wrested control from your own father! Don't the employees deserve better?"

The room descended into chaos. Voices overlapped. Accusations hung thick in the air.

Elise remained silent. She didn't interrupt. She didn't demand order. She simply waited. Her pale skin seemed almost translucent under the relentless flashes.

Across town, Samuel watched the live stream on his phone. His expression was unreadable. The comment section scrolled rapidly. Viewership numbers climbed. Every major news outlet was broadcasting this.

The entire country was watching. Elise was about to experience total humiliation.

Amanda Mitchell sat in Samuel's office. As Mitchell Corp's brand ambassador, she often visited. Today, she'd come specifically to watch the press conference with her brother.

Her interest wasn't solely in Elise's downfall. She wanted Elizabeth York to suffer too. Elizabeth's unwavering support for Elise made her complicit. If Elise crashed and burned, Elizabeth shouldn't escape unscathed.

Amanda's hostility toward Elizabeth ran deep. It wasn't just professional jealousy, though Elizabeth's permanent A-list status and stolen role still stung. It was also about Ethan Parker.

A woman's intuition told Amanda that something significant existed between Elizabeth and Ethan. And Amanda had developed genuine feelings for Ethan.

It started when he risked his safety to protect her. During their subsequent work on the short film, she'd been captivated by his talent and dedication. Under his direction, she'd delivered her best performance in years. The footage surprised even her.

Ethan truly deserved his reputation as the best director for female actors. For the first time in her life, Amanda felt something real. Previous relationships felt shallow compared to this. She could actually imagine marrying him. Spending her life with him.

Back in the conference room, the journalists finally paused. They'd exhausted their initial barrage of questions.

One reporter snapped impatiently, "You called this press conference, Ms. Scott! Why aren't you speaking?"

Elise's gaze swept across the room. Her voice was calm and clear when she finally responded.

"Was I given an opportunity to speak?"