Samuel was left clenching his jaw. "Don't get too cocky, Elise!"

Still, he had become the joke of Crestwood's elite circles after being denied an invitation to Levine Holdings' anniversary celebration. Amanda's exposure for trying to frame Elise had completely destroyed his family's reputation. No one in Crestwood's business community took the Mitchells seriously anymore.

To make matters worse, the investors Elise had brought to Mitchell Corp were now threatening to pull their funding.

If this continued, Mitchell Corp would face bankruptcy just like they had years ago.

Despite this, Samuel only grew more vicious toward Elise. "Victoria is a thousand times better than you. You know prominent families care about lineage, and she and William share genuine feelings. Not to mention, William's son is hers! What exactly do you have that's better than Victoria?"

"I don't need to compete with her. All that matters is knowing William would stand against your family and the Stuarts for me," Elise replied calmly.

Samuel was left speechless with rage, though he had to admit the truth—even if William wouldn't marry Elise, he could easily make the Stuarts and Mitchells suffer if he cared about Elise at all.

"Everyone has their limits, Samuel. Stop humiliating yourself like this!" Elise was about to hang up when Samuel shouted desperately, "Wait!"

Though Elise pressed her lips together, she kept the phone to her ear.

"Why did you hide being Lovely from me?" Samuel demanded, unable to keep the tremor from his voice.

He couldn't accept that Elise had completely deceived him.

If he had known Elise was Lovely, he would never have ended their relationship.

If he hadn't broken up with her, Elise wouldn't have driven him to this desperate situation!

He had to admit he'd been impressed when Sophia placed fifth in that international fashion design competition. Mitchell Corp ran a fashion brand, after all—they needed famous designers.

He thought he was being clever and strategic, but it had backfired spectacularly.

He would be lying if he said he didn't regret his choices, but he'd never admit it, even on his deathbed!

Despite his demanding tone, Elise countered coldly, "Does it even matter now?"

"Were you ever sincere with me, Elise?!" Samuel growled through gritted teeth. "Would you have hidden so much if you truly cared?!"

"You're questioning my sincerity after everything you did?!" Elise retorted sharply. "I won't explain myself to a man who cheated on me. You have no right to question my past feelings for you! No matter what I felt, it doesn't change that you betrayed me or your countless attempts to ruin my reputation!"

Samuel's hand trembled as he held the phone.

He had no defense against Elise's accusations.

He knew he could never win against her, yet he couldn't stop himself from calling.

He just needed to vent the frustration that had been building inside him, and...

Clenching his jaw again, he snarled viciously, "One last warning, Elise—break things off with William now if you know what's good for you. Don't fool yourself into thinking you'll end up with him. Victoria isn't someone you can—"

Elise simply hung up mid-sentence.

She certainly didn't need Samuel's reminders—she understood her position better than he did.

Elizabeth ended up visiting the set of Pomp and Circumstance.

Staying home alone was boring anyway, and she was eager to finish filming her scenes.

When she arrived, Penelope informed her they were shooting the bed scene today.

It seemed Ethan had already found a body double for Elizabeth. She only needed to film a few close-up shots.

She smirked, genuinely curious about how attractive the double Ethan had chosen would be!