Sophia’s denial was too detailed, too rehearsed.
Even she seemed to realize it, panic flickering in her eyes the moment the words left her mouth.
The reporters exchanged puzzled glances.
But since she wasn’t the focus, they quickly turned their attention back to Elise.
“Do you know who this person is, Ms. Scott?”
“Who would secretly set you up like this?”
“What’s their motive? Jealousy? Resentment?”
Elise remained unnervingly calm amid their eager questioning.
She replied coolly, “The woman who’s with Samuel Mitchell now… No, let me correct that—the woman who was already involved with Samuel while he and I were still together—she’s the one you’re looking for.”
A ripple of excitement spread through the crowd.
So it was Samuel who had cheated, not Elise!
What a shocking twist!
“Sis, you can’t lie to the press like this!” Sophia cried out, feigning righteousness. “I know you’re just trying to shift blame and save Stellar Group, but Samuel was always good to you! Dragging him down with you is unfair to Mitchell Corp!”
Her words planted a seed of doubt among the journalists.
Maybe Elise really was trying to frame her own sister to clear her name.
One reporter spoke up skeptically, “We sympathize with your situation, Ms. Scott, but your word alone isn’t enough to convince anyone.”
A faint, smug smile touched Sophia’s lips.
Did Elise really think she could turn this around so easily?
Another journalist turned to Sophia. “Ms. Sophia, you were close to both of them. Who do you think was at fault in their relationship?”
Sophia quickly composed herself. “They were always so good together. Elise loved Samuel, and he adored her… I don’t know exactly why they broke up, but I’m sure neither of them is to blame. And whoever took those photos must have framed the situation—my sister would never do anything to hurt Samuel.”
Though she appeared to defend Elise, her words subtly reinforced the idea that Elise was lying.
Yet Elise only chuckled softly.
Sophia would stop at nothing to ruin her—she knew that all too well by now.
Elise glanced at Matthew, who immediately lowered the projector screen and dimmed the lights.
A series of photos flashed across the screen.
Images of Sophia and Samuel together.
The first photo showed them celebrating Samuel’s birthday, cheeks pressed together affectionately beside a cake with the number ‘26’.
Elise felt a pang of guilt even now, remembering that night.
She had been out courting sponsors, came home drunk, and missed his birthday.
He told her it was fine, that he understood.
How laughable, in hindsight.
“No! That’s not what it looks like!” Sophia shrieked, her voice trembling.
She was horrified—how had Elise gotten hold of something so private?
“Please, everyone, don’t misunderstand,” Sophia pleaded desperately. “My sister couldn’t make it to Samuel’s birthday, so I went in her place… It wasn’t just the two of us! There were others there too!”
Elise smirked coldly.
It was precisely because of those “others” that she had managed to obtain the photo.
How had she never suspected Samuel’s betrayal before?
No one was convinced by Sophia’ frantic excuses.
All eyes remained fixed on the screen as the second photo appeared.
This one showed Sophia and Samuel swimming at an exclusive private club in Crestwood.
Sophia wore a revealing bikini, her body pressed tightly against Samuel’s.