Sophia and Amanda were positively gleeful after Elise's ranking plummeted.

In their minds, this humiliation-and eventual elimination-was all Elise deserved.

Her first-round success had been pure luck, and she had barely scraped through this time.

Next round would definitely be her last!

Elise, however, appeared completely unfazed by her dropping rank or the public criticism directed at her.

After completing the second round, she poured all her energy into her work.

During her spare moments, she focused entirely on preparing her design for the upcoming challenge.

She was deep in concentration in her office when her phone abruptly rang.

Distracted by work, she answered without checking the caller ID.

"You don't have to keep up this charade, Elise." Samuel's mocking voice came through immediately.

Elise sighed inwardly. Men with fragile egos always became arrogant over the smallest things.

Meanwhile, Samuel continued with a cold laugh. "Don't think I'm fooled. You needed Stellar Group's designers for that first-round dress. But without Sophia, they're useless-they only got you through round one. I heard you're already falling behind in the second round... If I were you, I'd quit now rather than embarrass myself further."

"And why exactly do you care?" Elise responded coolly. "Shouldn't you be watching your precious Sophia more closely? Now that she's becoming famous, she might discard you in a heartbeat!"

"Sophia would never do that!" Samuel exploded, his temper ignited by Elise's words. "Stop trying to drive us apart! Our relationship is perfect, and we're getting married as soon as she wins this competition. You'll never have me, Elise!"

"Where did you get the idea that I want you?" Elise laughed, genuinely amused.

There was a time when his words would have hurt her, when she had genuinely loved him.

Now, everything about him repulsed her, and any lingering feelings had completely evaporated.

In fact, she now regretted ever falling for him, allowing him to hurt her so deeply that she found it difficult to open her heart again.

Yet Samuel continued gloating triumphantly. "It's good that you know your place, Elise. Don't think you're special just because you're involved with William Levine. I might as well tell you-he already has a fiancée, though it hasn't been publicly announced."

He had been on a business trip to Rockville recently and had accidentally overheard some interesting gossip.

"And this fiancée?" Samuel continued viciously. "You're not even worthy of shining her shoes. Stop being so naive. You're just making a complete fool of yourself-"

Elise ended the call abruptly.

She had already made the mistake of trusting him once.

She wouldn't believe a single word he said now.

Somehow, Elise managed to survive the following rounds despite consistently ranking last.

Each episode seemed like it would be her last, yet she always advanced to the next.

Samuel, Sophia, and Amanda were left with a frustrating sense of powerlessness.

It felt like every blow they aimed at her landed on something soft and unresponsive, leaving them increasingly frustrated as they watched Elise advance to the final round.

This time, it would be broadcast live.