Liza let out a soft, leisurely laugh, her tone calm yet sharp. “So it’s my fault that Sophia lacks shame? She orchestrates schemes against others, yet somehow, I’m to blame? Let me make one thing clear—I won’t bear the burden of someone else’s actions.” Her words sliced through the air like a blade, plunging the room into an icy silence. Victor Reed’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with warning. “Liza, you should know when to accept a good offer before it’s too late. By coming here today, I’ve already extended enough courtesy to your Sinclair Family. All I ask is that you kneel, apologize, and leave for overseas as instructed. Do this, and I’ll consider the matter closed. But if you choose to defy me…” At that moment, the door swung open, and a group of imposing bodyguards, dressed entirely in black, strode in. They quickly formed a circle around Liza, their presence threatening. The silent message was clear—any resistance would result in swift and harsh consequences.Mr Sinclair’s face twisted with unease, though his concern wasn’t for Liza. His worry stemmed from the potential damage to his office if things escalated. The lavish furnishings, gilded ornaments, and meticulously arranged decorations had all been carefully chosen under the guidance of a feng shui master. A scuffle here could ruin everything, and that was unacceptable. He shot Liza a furious glare and barked, “Liza! Why are you still standing there? Didn’t you hear President Reed? Get down on your knees already!” Liza remained rooted to her spot, her calm demeanor unwavering. Victor Reed sneered, the disdain in his eyes deepening. “President Sinclair, it seems your daughter isn’t as obedient as you claimed. If she won’t listen to you, perhaps you won’t mind if I step in to handle her for you?” Mr Sinclair quickly bent forward, his tone obsequious. “President Reed, please, by all means. If she must be beaten to death to learn her lesson, so be it. She’s brought this upon herself.”Victor Reed’s expression grew colder, his gaze hardening as he assessed Liza. How dare this cast-off daughter of the Sinclair Family have the audacity to challenge Sophia’s claim to becoming Mrs. Stone? Raising his hand, he gave a curt signal to the bodyguards. “You heard President Sinclair. His daughter needs to be taught a lesson. Since he’s incapable of disciplining her, I’ll take care of it.” The bodyguards advanced toward Liza without hesitation. Before they could act, a low, composed male voice resonated from the doorway. “President Reed, you seem to have quite a flair for theatrics.” The room froze. All eyes turned toward the door, startled by the unexpected interruption. George and Albert entered the room, their presence commanding immediate attention. George's polite smile carried a sharp edge as he spoke, "It seems, President Reed, that you don’t hold President Gavin’s instructions in high regard."Victor Reed's face stiffened, the weight of the situation sinking in. He vividly recalled his grandfather's reaction when Gavin’s name was mentioned. Now, he stood frozen, unsure of his next move. Outside the office, a small crowd of employees gathered, whispering among themselves. “Who are those two? They look so confident, almost untouchable,” one murmured. “That man in the white suit—he’s Albert. He’s rumored to be the protégé of some big shot. Not only that, but he’s the owner and lead designer of a top-tier luxury brand. Oh, and he’s also the heir to the Qin family fortune. Billions are waiting for him to inherit if he ever decides to quit working,” another whispered. “And the guy with the silver-framed glasses? That’s George. He may just be an assistant on paper, but he’s Gavin’s special assistant. They say he practically runs the Stone Family’s empire and is Gavin’s closest confidant. Some even joke that when George speaks, it’s as though Gavin himself has spoken.” As Gavin’s name was uttered, a hush fell over the employees. Gavin’s influence in Li City was unparalleled, and his reputation struck both fear and admiration into everyone. The realization that his representative had personally stepped in only confirmed how serious the matter had become. Inside the room, Mr Sinclair’s face darkened with dread. He recognized George immediately and understood the gravity of his presence. While he had encountered George in business dealings before, this visit felt far more ominous. His stomach churned, knowing the situation somehow revolved around Liza. He shot her a furious glare, his mind racing with resentment. He blamed her entirely for dragging him into such a predicament and wished he could silence her for good. Finally, swallowing his pride, Mr Sinclair approached George and Albert with trembling legs. He forced a smile, his voice trembling with false humility. "Special Assistant George, President Albert, what brings you both here today?"George’s gaze was icy as he replied, “We simply came to observe. After all, had we not shown up, I might never have known that President Reed was actively defying President Gavin’s directives. Am I wrong, President Reed?” His attention shifted to Victor Reed, the weight of his words unrelenting. “If I recall correctly, President Gavin made it very clear to Grandpa reed that Miss Sophia was to apologize to Miss Liza within a day. Yet here you are, trying to force an apology out of Miss Liza instead. Am I missing something?” As George spoke, he cast a quick, playful wink at Liza—so subtle that no one else noticed. The gesture was meant to reassure her, letting her know he was handling the situation. Liza’s lips curled into a faint smile, her confidence returning. But in the next instant, George’s expression turned serious once more, his tone sharp and cutting. “Explain this to me, President Reed. Why is Miss Liza, the victim in all of this, being pressured to apologize? From what I understand, your daughter, Miss Sophia, attempted to frame Miss Liza but ended up embarrassing herself in the process. Frankly, it’s laughable. Miss Sophia’s actions were foolish and reckless—traits unbecoming of someone from the Reed Family. Yet you stand here demanding the victim take responsibility? How absurd.” His words hung heavily in the air, their authority unquestionable. All eyes were on Victor Reed, who now found himself backed into a corner with no room for excuses.