The atmosphere at the Stellar Group production plant was explosive.

Angry workers surrounded Elise Scott, their shouts drowning out her attempts to speak.

She knew this was Benjamin Scott's doing. Simon had orchestrated this chaos.

Arguing with this manipulated mob was pointless. They wouldn't listen.

Elise made a quick decision.

She leaned closer to Matthew, her voice barely audible over the roar. "Find a way out. Call the police."

"But you'll be alone here, Ms. Scott-"

"I can handle this. Just go."

Matthew nodded, slowly releasing her arm as he began maneuvering through the crowd.

The workers' attention remained fixed on Elise, allowing Matthew to slip away unnoticed.

He was impressed by her composure under pressure, though he feared they might not escape unscathed.

After making the emergency call, police sirens soon pierced the air.

The sound ignited fresh fury among the workers.

"They brought cops!"

"Elise Scott called them! She never intended to resolve this!"

The scene descended into greater chaos as police officers rushed into the plant.

Elise seized the distraction, trying to push through the turbulent crowd.

Matthew watched anxiously from the sidelines, his eyes never leaving Elise.

Suddenly, his blood ran cold. "Ms. Scott! Behind you!"

A worker swung a steel pipe directly at Elise's back.

Her heart hammered against her ribs. This impact could cause serious injury.

Trapped with no escape route, and police too distant to intervene, she braced for impact.

A heavy thud echoed through the sudden silence.

Even the attacker seemed stunned by his own actions.

Police immediately subdued the man, pinning him to the concrete floor.

Elise, expecting searing pain, found herself instead enveloped in strong, protective arms.

She opened her eyes to discover William Levine shielding her, having taken the full force of the blow.

"Mr. Levine!" Samuel Wilson stood frozen nearby.

When William learned Elise was heading to the factory, he'd abandoned everything—including a critical afternoon meeting—racing to North City's industrial district.

They arrived to find workers rioting and police swarming the plant.

Samuel had no idea how William had spotted Elise in the chaos or moved fast enough to protect her from that swinging pipe.

"William..." Elise breathed, her voice trembling.

William coughed, pain evident in his strained voice. "I'm alright."

But how could he be fine after such a brutal strike?

"Don't be ridiculous!" Elise turned to Samuel. "Get him to a hospital! Now!"

"Right away!"

Samuel rushed forward to help support William, his face pale with concern.