After their meal, Elise and Elizabeth settled on the plush living room sofa.

Fresh fruit slices rested on the coffee table beside steaming mugs.

The large television screen glowed, casting shifting lights across the room.

Elizabeth, deeply embedded in the entertainment world, found humor everywhere.

A simple variety show segment had her clutching her stomach, laughter bubbling uncontrollably.

Life felt brighter, lighter, when shared with someone who laughed so freely.

Elise instinctively reached for her phone, a habitual gesture.

Even away from the office, work demands persisted.

Her fingers moved swiftly, replying to messages.

Beside her, Elizabeth's joyous peals continued.

The sound wasn't intrusive to Elise.

It was a comforting, vibrant backdrop to her task.

Finishing her replies, Elise began scrolling through news headlines.

Her breath hitched abruptly.

The color drained from her face.

Elizabeth's laughter subsided as the TV segment ended.

She reached for her coffee mug, then noticed Elise's stark expression.

"What happened?" Elizabeth asked, concern sharp in her voice.

Any shadow on Elise's face usually signaled trouble.

"News about Samuel," Elise stated, her tone unnervingly flat. "They're reporting his attempted assault on me last night."

Elizabeth shot to her feet. "What? Samuel attacked you last night?!"

Her perspective always zeroed in on the personal betrayal.

"Yes," Elise confirmed quietly.

"That despicable snake! I knew he was arrogant, but this? He's pure filth!" Elizabeth spat, fury coloring her words.

Elise remained silent, her focus locked on the article.

Details were sparse, but the core fact was clear: Samuel Mitchell was in police custody, accused of attempting to violate her.

Several grainy photos accompanied the piece.

They showed her and Samuel on a bed.

Her image depicted struggle, resistance.

His showed force, domination.

The story was spreading like wildfire across the internet.

Elise's initial thought pointed toward William.

Public outrage would ensure Samuel received the harshest possible legal consequences.

But as her initial shock cooled, doubt crept in.

William wouldn't operate from the shadows only to emerge at the finale.

Which meant only one other possibility...

Elise's eyes narrowed, the pieces clicking into place.

A bitter taste filled her mouth.

Sophia was utterly ruthless.

Her self-preservation instinct was absolute, even at the expense of family.

Regardless of Samuel's flaws, his devotion to Sophia had been genuine.

Yet Sophia had stabbed him in the back without a second thought.

Elizabeth was now on her own phone, scrolling furiously, muttering curses under her breath.

The article's comment section overflowed with venom directed at Samuel.

{You never truly know someone, do you? Samuel Mitchell is utterly revolting!}

{Beyond the cheating, he tries to force himself on his ex-fiancée? This redefines low.}

{Sophia, wake up! Is this man really worth your love? Dump him immediately!}

{This monster deserves the maximum sentence. No tolerance for such depravity!}

{Everyone, boycott Mitchell Corp! Their brand is tainted!}

Samuel's reputation lay in ruins, shattered in a single day.