The journalists kept firing questions.

Each one was more insulting than the last.

They were shredding Sophia's dignity to pieces.

She was still sobbing.

She couldn't process the complete and utter destruction of her life.

Everything was falling apart around her.

Finally, she bit her lip hard.

She forced herself to calm down.

She knew she had to say something today.

There was no escaping it.

She was no amateur.

She had years of experience in this game.

Elise was a fool if she thought Sophia would go down without a fight.

A dangerous glint flashed in Sophia's eyes.

But her expression was that of a wounded puppy.

"Samuel and I are in love."

Elise smirked coldly.

So she finally admitted it.

Sophia continued, her voice trembling.

"We kept it from my sister because we didn't want to hurt her."

"Samuel was even willing to marry her out of obligation."

"If not for that fire, I would have stepped back silently."

"I would have let their marriage happen."

"Stepped back silently?" a journalist mocked.

"More like you'd keep sleeping with your own sister's husband!"

The barb hit its mark.

Sophia flinched but protested vehemently.

"No! I would never come between a married couple."

"That's not how I was raised."

"Noel, if I recall correctly," the same journalist sneered.

"Your mother was little more than a glorified mistress."

"I can't speak to your upbringing."

"But it seems some traits are hereditary."

"I..." Sophia was speechless.

The cruel remarks brought fresh tears to her eyes.

She hadn't expected them to be this vicious.

Hadn't Samuel paid them off?

Why was no one defending her?

Why wasn't anyone changing the subject?

Rage burned in Sophia's chest.

What had she ever seen in Samuel?

The man was utterly useless.

Nearby, Elise couldn't suppress a quiet laugh.

Greed always leads to loss.

They had wanted everything.

Now they had nothing.

Of course, Elise had orchestrated this press conference.

Her goal was to humiliate Sophia.

And the journalists were professionals.

They were masters of verbal combat.

"Whether you believe me or not," Sophia argued weakly.

"I would have stepped aside if Samuel married my sister."

"Being with him has always been painful."

"The guilt toward my sister is constant."

"But sometimes you can't control your heart."

"Love doesn't care about right or wrong."

"Samuel only got with my sister because they were both lonely abroad."

"There was never any real love between them."

"He stayed with her because he felt indebted."

"Because she did so much for him."

She sobbed miserably.

"I know the public won't understand my relationship with Samuel."

"I'm not asking for forgiveness."

"I'll accept all the criticism without complaint."

"In fact, I'm relieved my sister exposed us."

"I've carried this guilt for so long."

"My time with Samuel has always been shadowed by it."

"It's always been so dark..."

Elise had to admire Sophia's resilience.

Her ability to twist the narrative was impressive.

But Elise simply watched.

She observed the performance like it was a tragic comedy.

Then Sophia turned to Elise.

Her expression was one of pained sincerity.

"Sis, I don't blame you for humiliating me like this."

"I actually thank you for giving me this release."

"I hope you can understand."

"Samuel and I... we just couldn't help ourselves."

"I value our sisterly bond so much."

"Please, I beg you to forgive us..."

Elise smiled faintly.

Her voice was calm and neutral.

"No."