The journalist was left completely flustered.

It was true—they had been firing questions nonstop from the beginning.

Elise hadn't been given a single moment to speak.

"If everyone is finished, please remain quiet for a moment," she continued, her tone even and controlled. "After I've said what I need to say, I will answer your questions—everything I know, if time allows."

The press room fell into immediate silence.

All eyes were fixed on Elise, waiting expectantly.

If there was going to be an elegant reversal here, it deserved exclusive headline coverage.

"I will admit that the photos circulating yesterday are one hundred percent genuine and not fabricated," Elise stated, her expression remaining perfectly calm.

Though some audible snickers could be heard around the room, most journalists stayed silent, waiting for Elise to continue.

"I'm sure everyone is aware that I previously worked in the PR department at Mitchell Corp. When I first joined the company alongside Samuel Mitchell, the organization was facing bankruptcy. It would never have recovered without its sponsors. The men in those photos are those very sponsors."

"Are you suggesting you prostituted yourself for Mitchell Corp?" one journalist burst out, unable to contain himself.

"That doesn't excuse your duplicity," another journalist chimed in sharply. "No matter what reasons you might have, this behavior doesn't deserve sympathy or forgiveness."

Despite the interruptions, Elise remained completely composed. "I'm telling you this to explain why I was in contact with these successful men. It was standard socialization—dinners and entertainment that business associates engage in together. Having said that, I have no need to clear my name because I've done nothing wrong. I never wronged Samuel Mitchell during our relationship because there was nothing improper between me and those men. Those seemingly incriminating photos show nothing more than inadvertent, perfectly reasonable physical contact, especially under the influence of alcohol. They're certainly nothing as impure as everyone seems to believe. Moreover, these photos were deliberately framed with malicious intent."

"Are you claiming someone framed you, Ms. Scott?" a journalist immediately asked.

"I was definitely framed," Elise confirmed.

"If that's true, why hasn't Samuel Mitchell spoken up in your defense? Why has he remained silent?" another journalist challenged.

"Everyone will know the answer to that very soon."

Beside Elise, Sophia was beginning to lose her composure.

She had a sinking feeling that Elise was completely confident now, and her palms were sweating with nervousness.

"Anyway, has anyone considered who would go through the trouble of taking those photos years ago?" Elise suddenly posed to the room. "Was I really worth that much trouble back then?"

The journalists were taken aback by the question, exchanging uncertain glances.

It was true—years ago, none of them would have wasted time on Elise when she was nobody important. Writing about her wouldn't have sold papers.

"Back then, I had nothing except Samuel Mitchell." Elise's lips curled into a cold sneer. "In other words, this was an underhanded move by someone who wanted Samuel for themselves. They created this situation to drive a wedge between us."

The conference room buzzed with renewed excitement at her words.

Was this leading to a dramatic revelation?!

"As for the person in question..." Elise turned directly toward Sophia at that moment.

Sophia had already been wound tight with tension, and she visibly flinched under Elise's icy gaze, her face instantly turning pale.

"This is a misunderstanding, sis!" Sophia cried out immediately. "I would never do anything to hurt you! We're sisters—you can't make me your scapegoat just to salvage your reputation!"