"I... We didn't... That wasn't us. The video is fake," Carolyn stammered, trying to salvage the situation. "Dad, listen to me. It's a deepfake. With technology today, you can make anything look real. Please don't believe it." She then pointed a furious finger at Chloe. "She already admitted she did it! This is all her fault!" Chloe remained silent, ignoring the accusation. "Enough! All of you, be quiet!" This time, it was Scott who roared, his voice raw with anger. The outburst seemed to drain him; he swayed slightly but managed to steady himself. Under the force of his shout, Carolyn fell silent, though she continued to glare defiantly at Chloe. Monique looked up at Scott, tears starting anew. "Scott, I am innocent, I swear..." "Innocent, Monique?" Scott's voice was like ice. "Are you claiming someone used AI to forge a video so perfectly that it even captured the distinct birthmark on your inner thigh?" The question hung in the air. Monique froze, staring blankly at him. She had forgotten about that detail entirely. Any protest she had been about to make died in her throat. She had nothing left to say. Carolyn had already confessed to their plot against Chloe, and now they had been utterly exposed by their own trap. A wave of crushing despair washed over Monique. She had waited so many years, scheming patiently to take control of Lewis Group. Now, that dream was shattered. Everything had been within her grasp, and now it was slipping away forever. "It's not true! Ernesto and I... We're innocent! I... I..." Monique's gaze lifted and landed on Chloe. It was all because of her. Everything had gone wrong since she appeared. Hatred burned through her. She regretted not killing this little witch when she had the chance, back when she disposed of that woman. Why had she ended up in that backwater town? Why hadn't she just died? If not for Chloe, none of this would be happening. It was all her fault.Now, it was over. "It's you... It's all because of you, Chloe! You deserve to die!" Monique's eyes, fixed on where Chloe stood, suddenly turned vicious. In a flash, she scrambled to her feet and lunged at Chloe, hands outstretched, aiming to shove her down the stage stairs. She would drag this bitch down with her, even if it was the last thing she did. "Go to hell!" "Chloe!" Arthur's shout rang out from below the stage instinctively. He moved as if to rush forward. "Arthur!" Jennifer reacted quickly, grabbing his arm with both hands, holding him back. "Chloe!" He shouted again, but his voice was lost in the collective gasp of the crowd. As Monique launched herself, Scott was the closest. He realized her intent too late, trying to intercept her, but he wasn't fast enough. Just as Monique was about to collide with Chloe, Chloe did something that stunned everyone. With barely any perceptible movement, she simply reached out and caught Monique's wrist. Then, with a sharp, controlled twist, she exerted force. "Ah!" Monique screamed, her momentum halted as she was forced down onto her knees before Chloe. A numbing pain shot through her captured arm. Monique stared up in horror. Was this some kind of trick? How could a mere touch from Chloe render her completely immobile? "Monique, you venomous creature! You never learn!" Scott rushed over and slapped her hard across the face. The blow sent Monique sprawling to the side. She touched her stinging cheek, hardly able to comprehend this final humiliation. Her dazed eyes drifted to where Ernesto stood in the crowd below. He had been grappling with reporters moments before, and now his face was scratched and bleeding. He stood there, looking utterly disgraced. The moment their eyes met, Monique saw it—a flash of pure disgust in Ernesto's gaze. There was resentment, too, for their failed plan. But any other emotion, any trace of the affection he had once professed, was absent.He looked at her with disgust. Love? Hadn't he always whispered that he loved her? That he would give her a perfect, grand wedding someday? All the sweet nothings he had murmured during their secret trysts now seemed cheap and hollow, laid bare by the video. He would say those words to any woman who flattered his ego.