The reporters swarmed them relentlessly.

Victoria answered with visible reluctance. "Elise Scott verbally assaulted my mother-in-law. She even shoved her several times. My mother-in-law is seventy. She would have fallen if I hadn't caught her. She's deeply distressed. It took a long time to calm her down enough to leave. Please, don't disturb her further. She only wants what's best for the children. She wants family peace."

Having said that, she helped Margaret depart.

The journalists didn't dare to follow. Margaret was indeed very elderly. No one could shoulder the responsibility if she fainted. Or if something more severe occurred.

Elise stood before the glass wall of her office. She watched the scene below with a cool detachment. The journalists eventually dispersed.

She turned to Matthew, who stood behind her. "Go to security. Request the footage from my office. The footage of Margaret Scott. Send it to the media immediately."

Elise would never show mercy to the Scotts.

"Yes, Miss Scott," Matthew replied respectfully.

By afternoon, numerous media outlets published stories. They detailed Elise's alleged abuse towards her grandmother, Margaret Scott. The topic quickly trended online.

However, it had barely reached the top spot. New articles emerged, refuting the initial claims. These rebuttals promptly shot to first place on the hot searches.

It was a massive, public slap in the face. Margaret was reduced to a laughingstock. Almost instantly, public opinion turned against her.

Comments flooded in. 'Senile.' 'Age doesn't bring wisdom.' 'She got what she deserved.' The criticism was scathing. It was enough to give the old woman a heart attack.

Furious, Margaret swung the back of her hand. She struck Victoria hard across the face. A large, crimson welt immediately bloomed on Victoria's cheek.

Despite this, Margaret's rage was not quelled. She was determined to vent all her frustration onto Victoria.

"You wretched woman! You knew Elise wouldn't let this slide! Yet you suggested such a stupid plan! How can I possibly show my face in public now?!"

Victoria was equally furious.

Even after all these years, Margaret still struck and scolded her.

She was a person, not a dog!

She raised her own hand. She slapped Margaret back with equal force. The old woman was left utterly dumbstruck.

Margaret's fury reignited. How dare Victoria lay a hand on her!

Where did this woman find the nerve?!

"I'll kill you, Victoria Scott!" Margaret snarled, her expression turning vicious.

Before she could act on her threat, Victoria suddenly collapsed. She fell to the floor beside the tea table. She appeared to be in immense pain.

Margaret hadn't even processed this when Benjamin started yelling unexpectedly. "Haven't you caused enough trouble for this family?!"

Margaret turned to him quickly. "Benjamin! She hit me!"

"Did she?!" Benjamin snapped, his patience with his mother completely gone.

"She just did—"

"Benjamin, it's alright." Victoria's voice was tearful as she pushed herself up from the floor. She looked utterly feeble. "She's just upset and needed to vent. Please don't blame her. I told her not to confront Elise. She refused to listen. She was certain Elise would hear her out. The media reported what happened. She couldn't handle the backlash and…"

"Victoria! This was your idea! How dare you—"

"Enough!" Benjamin barked. He wanted no explanations from Margaret. "What do you do besides embarrass us all?! I sometimes wish it was you who died instead of Father! All you do is create more problems for me!"

"W-What?!" Margaret never expected such venom from her son.

Benjamin ignored her stunned expression. "Someone get in here!" he shouted. "Lock her in her room! Make sure she doesn't leave!"