Chloe remained composed, her gaze steady on Monique and Carolyn where they stood half-hidden. "You both have a particular interest in this coat, it seems," she said, her lips curving into a cool smile. "Since you're so fixated on it, I suppose I should address it." Everyone heard her light, humorless laugh. In the next moment, they watched as Chloe reached up and carefully removed the men's coat from her shoulders. Suddenly, a dark, angry bruise was visible on her shoulder. Against her fair skin, the elegant dress could not conceal the injury. With the concealing jacket gone, the blood-darkened mark stood out starkly. "Chloe, your shoulder—" Scott was the first to react, his face tightening at the sight. Had the coat not been covering it, her disheveled state would have been alarming to everyone the moment she arrived. "That looks serious, Ms. Lewis. She really should be at a hospital." "It's clearly a deep impact bruise. To walk away from a total wreck in that condition... It's a miracle. How terrifying." "Good heavens—is there a doctor present? To come straight here in that state... she's incredibly tough. I'd have fainted at the sight of my own blood." The crowd's attention was now fully on Chloe's injury and the fact she had come directly from a severe accident. In that moment, no one doubted the truth of the crash, and even fewer questioned why she had been wearing a man's coat. With the vivid wound on display, and given that the man had arrived in the same car as Lawrence, any gentleman would naturally have offered his jacket. To imply anything inappropriate now would seem callous and cruel. "Mr. Lewis, let's proceed! Make your announcement—we're all waiting. And afterwards, Ms. Lewis should get to a hospital right away. She mustn't be left with a scar." Nodding, Scott raised a hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, Lewis Group has prepared a film summarizing our recent progress. Please enjoy it with us." Following his gesture, all eyes turned to the large screen at the front of the ballroom. Carolyn stared at it, a secret thrill running through her. Just wait, Chloe. Your reputation won't survive what's coming. Monique glanced at the screen, then let her eyes drift to Ernesto standing in the crowd below. He met her look with a faint, knowing smirk. They exchanged a glance of shared anticipation—the real drama was about to begin. Soon, they would easily knock Scott and his precious daughter off their pedestal. In business circles, as in entertainment, nothing was more damaging than scandal. With so many eyes watching, it wouldn't matter what was true. From tonight on, people would always look at Chloe differently. As the screen gradually brightened, the long-prepared promotional film began to load. Below the stage, guests waited expectantly. Some even pulled out their phones, switching to video mode to record the Lewis Group's milestone moment. The approved media had their cameras rolling, not wanting to miss a second. Jennifer stood among them, her eyes locked on Chloe. Watching her stand there so defiantly on the stage, a sharp flash of hatred passed through Jennifer's gaze. Why couldn't you just die? If you were gone, none of this would be happening. Chloe stood calmly, gracefully lifting her eyes toward the screen. As the house lights dimmed further, the screen fully illuminated, and the promotional video began to play. But instead of the inspiring corporate montage everyone expected, there was a sharp click, and the screen went black. "What's going on?" someone muttered. They had been ready for a polished presentation, not a technical failure. In a venue this high-end, how could the equipment fail at such a crucial moment? Just as murmurs of confusion began to rise, a soft, distinctly intimate voice suddenly echoed through the banquet hall's speakers. "Oh... you're being so naughty..." The woman's breathy, delicate voice filled the space, unnaturally loud. Every guest who had been focused on the screen jolted in surprise. What... was that? It certainly didn't sound like any corporate video.