"And what...?" Scott stared at Monique's vicious expression, his voice shaking. "Do I need to spell it out any clearer?" Monique said coldly. "What I want is the entire Lewis family empire. Everything they have—the wealth, the influence, the power—it will all be mine. And you... you were just a stop along the way." "Monique, how could you—" "Scott, did you actually believe I loved you?" Monique let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Remember what I used to be? I was a cocktail waitress, working the bars. I've dealt with more men than you can imagine. You thought a few glances meant something? Please. Only a sentimental fool like you would buy into that." "That naive Kristina... She knew about me and still wouldn't step aside. She brought it on herself. Don't blame me for removing an obstacle. "Kristina was an easy kill. A pity, really..." Monique's gaze drifted toward Chloe. "That little brat didn't die back then, and now she's causing all this trouble. I should've finished her off when I had the chance." "Monique, you've done horrible things. It'll catch up with you." The man in the wheelchair trembled, slowly raising a hand to point at her. "You did all of this. You ruined my life. My family, my kids—they all suffered because of you. Even if I die, I'll make sure you're exposed. I'll see you pay for what you've done." "Oh, you'll expose me? Where's your proof?" Monique smirked. "You're just the help. Who's going to take your word over mine? It's been over twenty years—the statute of limitations has run out. Don't think I don't know how the law works. Even if I did it, there's nothing you can do to me now." Hearing her words, Scott staggered. He pressed a hand over his chest, breath growing ragged. "Monique, you're pure evil. Kristina was innocent..." Overwhelmed, Scott nearly collapsed. His assistant and lawyer quickly moved to support him, but he waved them off, steadying himself on his own. He looked at Monique, eyes filled with anguish and regret. "I failed Kristina. All these years, I've carried that guilt. I never should've let myself be swayed. I should've protected her. "You'll pay for what you've done, Monique." Scott turned, gripping his lawyer's arm firmly. "As Chairman, I am immediately revoking all shares in Lewis Group held by Monique and Ernesto." "Is that all you've got, Scott? You think that scares me?" Monique shouted, her eyes locking onto Ernesto in the crowd below the stage. "Ernesto! Tell him! Tell him he can't touch us. And say it loud—tell him Carolyn is our daughter!""What?" This time, it was Carolyn who looked stunned. She stood frozen, face pale, as if she couldn't process what she had just heard. So it was true—she really was Ernesto's child. Monique yelled again, but Ernesto, standing below, remained silent. Instead of speaking up, he took a step back, then another. Seeing him retreat, Monique raised her voice even louder. "Ernesto! Tell Scott we were together long before he came into the picture. He was nothing but a stepping stone. We're the real couple. Tell him how good we are together—how you've always been there for me, how you satisfy me every single time!" Her words grew more crude and unrestrained, stripping Scott of any remaining dignity. All the shareholders turned toward Ernesto, waiting for a response. But Ernesto ignored Monique's outburst. He continued backing away until he reached the edge of the crowd, then turned to leave. "Hey—where do you think you're going?" Two broad-shouldered men in suits blocked his path, their smiles faint and unfriendly. Ernesto glared at them. "Who the hell are you? Get out of my way!" These weren't Lewis Group security, and they weren't hotel staff. Who were they to stop him? "Sorry. You're not going anywhere today," one of them replied calmly. He stepped forward, grabbed Ernesto by the collar, and—with a sudden shift in demeanor—hauled him effortlessly onto the stage like handling a ragdoll. "The show's not over," the man said, shoving Ernesto forward. "The lead doesn't get to walk off stage early." He and his partner then crossed their arms, standing guard on either side, leaving Ernesto no room to escape. Ernesto scrambled up from the floor, disheveled and furious. He shot a venomous look toward Chloe, convinced she was behind this humiliation—that these men were here on her orders to ruin him.