Sophia and Victoria watched Margaret verbally assault Elise with barely concealed glee.

A dark satisfaction bloomed in Sophia's chest. So what if Elise had won the press conference? Right now, Margaret was tearing her to shreds!

Elise, however, remained unnervingly calm. "Everyone knows the truth behind the Scott family's success. I won't waste my breath arguing with you. Explaining complex business matters to a sheltered housewife is like talking to a brick wall. A pointless exercise."

The sheer condescension in her tone made Margaret see red. Her hand shot up again, aiming for another slap.

This time, Elise caught her wrist firmly.

Enough was enough. No one deserved to be repeatedly humiliated.

One slap had been a lesson she'd allowed. There would not be a second.

"Let me go, you wretched girl!" Margaret shrieked, struggling. "You are never setting foot in my house again! There's no room for a disgrace like you! You've shamed our family name!"

Elise shoved Margaret's hand away with force. Her voice was icy. "I have no desire to ever enter your house again. But I will take back everything that rightfully belongs to me."

"You? Take from me? What gives you the right? Your audacity is astounding!" Margaret screamed, her face contorted with rage.

"I won't waste time explaining my rights to you here. You're incapable of understanding..."

"Elise Scott...!"

"But I will teach you the consequence of striking me."

"You dare threaten me! Do you think I'm afraid of you? You are nothing! Nothing!"

A sharp knock on the office door interrupted her tirade. Several police officers in uniform entered. "We received a report of an assault. Which one of you is the victim?"

"I am," Elise stated calmly.

Margaret glared daggers at her, but quickly switched to a placating smile. "Officers, this is all a huge misunderstanding. Just a minor family disagreement. So sorry you were bothered." She pulled a thick wad of bills from her purse and tried to press them into the lead officer's hand.

The officer immediately recoiled. "Ma'am, don't! We are here to uphold the law!"

Margaret's smile turned strained. "O-Of course. I understand your job is difficult..."

Ignoring her, the officer turned to Elise. "Do you have evidence to support your claim?"

"There are security cameras throughout my office," Elise replied smoothly. "I'll have my security team send the footage immediately. I also assume you'll need a medical report for my injury?"

"Yes, ma'am. Please proceed to the hospital for an examination. My colleagues will accompany you to document everything," the officer said. He then turned his stern gaze back to Margaret. "You need to come with us to the station."

"What?!" Margaret gasped, disbelief washing over her. "I told you, it's a family matter!"

"Assault is assault, family or not! You broke the law, and we will enforce it!" the officer barked, his expression hardening. "No more arguments. You're coming with us, now."

Margaret's face went deathly pale.

Being dragged to a police station at her age? Even if no formal charges were filed, the sheer humiliation would be unbearable! Her social standing would be ruined.

"I need to call my son!"

"You can make your call at the station!" The officer offered no leeway.

Seeing their resolute stance, Margaret had no choice. She shot Elise one last venomous look before being escorted out by the officers.

Victoria and Sophia stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded.

They never actually expected the police to take Margaret away!

They were supposed to be the ones intimidating Elise!

Scrambling, they hurried after Margaret, already frantically dialing Benjamin Scott's number.

Elise watched their panicked exit with cool detachment. She quickly gave Matthew some instructions for handling her absence, then left for the hospital alone.

During the drive, her phone buzzed incessantly. Benjamin's name flashed on the screen over a dozen times. Elise sent every call to voicemail before finally powering her phone off completely.

At the hospital, a doctor examined her face and ear. The diagnosis was temporary hearing loss in her right ear, officially classified as a minor injury.