For years, under the influence of Mr Sinclair, Victoria, and Serena, the employees of the Sinclair Corporation had been conditioned to see Liza as a troublemaker. She was painted as a liability, someone who always caused problems and left others to clean up her mess. When word spread that the Meng Corporation was threatening to end their collaboration over something tied to Liza, the employees were quick to brand her a curse on the family. But George’s words turned their assumptions upside down. He claimed Liza was innocent—a victim, in fact. His pointed remarks suggested that the real culprit was the eldest daughter of the Reed Family. Could that be true? The employees exchanged glances, their focus shifting to the imposing bodyguards encircling Liza. Victor Reed’s righteous indignation earlier suddenly seemed hollow. They recalled how confidently he had declared his intention to discipline Liza on behalf of her family. The irony was glaring: here was a man who couldn’t manage his own daughter’s behavior but claimed the right to “educate” someone else’s. Victor Reed’s expression darkened as he spoke in defense of himself. “Special Assistant George, you can’t just say that. Liza disrupted our banquet and caused a scene.” George raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with mock understanding. “Ah, I see now. The Reed Family’s so-called banquet wasn’t really about celebration, was it? It was a calculated setup to entrap Miss Liza. On the surface, it looked like an event, but in reality, it was a scheme. If your plan succeeded, Miss Liza would be carted off to prison. If it failed, you’d pin the blame on her for ruining your precious banquet. Either way, you come out ahead, and Miss Liza takes the fall.” He took a step closer, his words cutting like a blade. “And now, because your little scheme didn’t work, you’re trying to force Miss Liza to kneel before you and ship her overseas? After all this manipulation, isn’t the goal obvious? You’re just looking for a way to get rid of her, aren’t you?” “Special Assistant George!” Victor Reed’s voice rose, anger and panic leaking into his tone. “You should be careful with your accusations!” George chuckled dryly. “Oh, did I strike a nerve? Feeling embarrassed because I spelled it out?” Victor Reed’s face turned red with fury, his breaths coming faster. His thoughts betrayed his pride: yes, he believed it was Liza’s fault. She had no business occupying a place that should have been his Sophia’s. His daughter, in his eyes, was unparalleled—worthy of only the best in life. Her attempt to frame Liza wasn’t a mistake but a reflection of her own high standards. In his twisted logic, Liza should have accepted her role as the scapegoat with gratitude. Because Sophia could never be wrong. The tension in the room grew unbearable, the hostility almost tangible. Mr Sinclair stood at the sidelines, watching helplessly as the situation spiraled out of control. Anxiety consumed him. Both Victor Reed and George were men of power and influence, far beyond what the Sinclair Corporation could handle. Offending either of them would have devastating consequences for his business. His gaze flicked to Liza, resentment flaring. This girl was nothing but a walking disaster! One problem after another seemed to follow her like a shadow. How was he supposed to salvage this now? Mr Sinclair clenched his fists tightly, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface. If he had foreseen the trouble Liza would bring, he would have left her to fend for herself rather than bringing her back into the family. Letting her perish outside would have been a far simpler solution. Forcing a strained smile, he addressed George in an ingratiating tone, “Special Assistant Liza, there seems to be some misunderstanding here. President Reed isn’t here to cause trouble. He came to apologize on behalf of Miss Sophia. I’ve already accepted his apology on Liza’s behalf. Besides, I don’t believe this whole situation is entirely Miss Sophia’s fault. If Liza hadn’t provoked her, things wouldn’t have escalated to this extent.” His words were quick, desperate, and insincere. “In fact, just before you arrived, Liza herself expressed her willingness to apologize to President Reed. She admitted that she acted impulsively at the banquet and didn’t consider the Reed Family’s reputation. Everything was perfectly harmonious before you came in…” George cut him off with a sharp laugh, his disdain unmistakable. “President Sinclair, do you even think before you speak? Your lies are as flimsy as they are ridiculous.” The smirk on George’s face deepened. “Do you really think someone like Liza—our boss’ wife, no less—would ever bow her head to someone who wronged her? Let’s be clear: she has done nothing wrong here. If there’s anyone who should be apologizing, it’s Miss Sophia.” He took a step closer, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “It’s amazing, really. You justify Miss Sophia’s actions by blaming your own daughter. According to your logic, mad dogs don’t bite people for no reason. Yet here you are, defending a lunatic who targeted Liza unprovoked. That’s exactly what Miss Sophia is—a lunatic who lashes out at anyone she sees fit.” George’s words cut deeper with each sentence. “What’s even more astounding is your complete lack of care for the truth. Instead of asking if your daughter was wronged, you blindly sided with others, forcing her to apologize. And when those people turned violent, you just stood there, complicit in their actions. What a stellar example of fatherhood you’ve set, President Sinclair.” Pausing for a moment, George’s expression shifted to one of mock realization. “Oh, but I suppose your behavior makes sense. After all, Liza is your legitimate daughter—the rightful heir to her late mother’s inheritance. Isn’t that why you’re so eager to push her aside? As long as she’s out of the picture, everything her mother left behind will fall neatly into your lap, won’t it?” With every word, Mr Sinclair’s face turned a deeper shade of red. By the end, his expression was a mix of humiliation and fury, his teeth grinding together as he struggled to maintain composure. His gaze burned with barely contained rage, yet he dared not raise his voice against George. The weight of the assistant’s words—and the authority behind them—left Mr Sinclair feeling utterly powerless.