Sophia's knuckles were white, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to contain the fury boiling inside her.

No matter how much she sacrificed for the Scotts, they would never truly accept her. In their eyes, she remained nothing more than Daniel's ordinary employee.

A cold sneer twisted her lips. She wasn't one to accept defeat quietly.

Once she secured the majority shares of Scott Enterprises, she would make every single one of them pay. She would ensure their suffering was thorough and complete.

Only three days remained.

Three days until Elise's trial.

And once the verdict was delivered...

The mere thought sent a thrill of delight coursing through her veins.

The night before Elise's trial, she and Samantha meticulously organized all the documents and evidence for her defense.

Just as Samantha finished packing and prepared to leave, Elise suddenly spoke.

"Samantha..."

After working closely together, they had developed a genuine bond.

"Yes?" Samantha turned, her expression questioning.

"Do you know anything about Elizabeth?"

Elise couldn't resist asking. Two weeks had passed without any contact from Elizabeth. The silence was deeply unsettling, and worry gnawed at her.

"What about her?"

Samantha looked puzzled, then comprehension dawned.

"Right, she's been incredibly busy. She promised to stay with you until your trial, but she's completely vanished."

Elise pressed her lips together. She had hoped Elizabeth might have reached out to Samantha, given their long-standing friendship.

Seeing Elise's grave expression, Samantha grew concerned.

"Wait, did something happen to her?"

"Elizabeth isn't Nancy Levine's biological child," Elise stated clearly.

"What?! That's impossible!" Samantha exclaimed, naturally skeptical.

"She's the spitting image of Ivan York. She's practically Ivan in a dress!"

Something so absurd couldn't happen to someone like Elizabeth. Samantha always believed that someone as bright, cheerful, and kind-hearted as Elizabeth was blessed with good fortune.

Wasn't this terribly unfair?

Elise quickly recounted everything that had transpired, adding, "It's been over two weeks now. I still can't reach her. I have no idea what she's doing or where she went!"

"I'll call her right now." Samantha immediately pulled out her phone.

Elise almost reminded her that Elizabeth's phone was off, but what if it was on now? Surprisingly, the call connected. No one answered immediately, but the phone was definitely powered on.

Both Elise and Samantha held their breath. Elizabeth answered on the very last ring.

"Samantha."

Hearing that familiar voice, both women felt their eyes well with tears.

"Where are you?" Samantha demanded without preamble.

"I'm..."

Elizabeth murmured, pausing briefly before finishing, "...exactly where I need to be."

"What does that mean? Never mind, just get back here. Elise and I just finished preparing her defense. We're heading to court tomorrow. If you can't make it, I'm coming to get you myself."

"How is everything? Does she have a good chance tomorrow?" Elizabeth asked, deftly avoiding Samantha's demands.

Samantha, however, set a condition.

"Come back, and I'll tell you everything."