The employees lingering outside the office door couldn't resist the temptation to eavesdrop. As whispers grew louder, the gossip spread like wildfire throughout the building. Within moments, everyone in the company had heard about the confrontation unfolding inside. Victoria’s expression darkened. She wasn’t oblivious to the implications of what was happening. While she didn’t fully understand the connection between the Stone Family and the Reed and Sinclair families, one thing was clear: George was staunchly defending Liza. His unwavering support puzzled her deeply. Why would someone of George’s stature side with Liza, of all people? Unable to contain her frustration, Victoria interjected, “Special Assistant George , you might not be aware of this, but Liza has a questionable character and has done many things wrong. This time, she must be at fault…” George’s gaze sharpened, his tone icy but controlled. “Madam Victoria , let me clarify something. While I may not be an extraordinary figure, I am not someone you can approach so casually. And you? You’re just a mistress clinging to someone else’s life. Keep your distance—I wouldn’t want your presence to contaminate the air around me.” The words landed like a slap, and Victoria’s face turned a mix of green and white. Being labeled a “lowly mistress” in front of so many onlookers was nothing short of humiliating. As if her mere presence repulsed him, George took a deliberate step back, his disdain evident. Victoria, overwhelmed by embarrassment, could no longer maintain her forced smile. Her composure cracked, and it took a stern look from Mr Sinclair to keep her from blurting out something reckless. Turning his attention to Victor Reed, George’s expression became steely. “President Reed, since you failed to uphold your promise, I regret to inform you that the collaboration between President Gavin and the Reed Family is officially terminated.”The words had barely left his mouth when Victor Reed’s phone rang. He hesitated before answering, and whatever the person on the other end said caused his face to pale. His jaw tightened as he shot a furious glare at Liza before storming out of the office without another word. Mr Sinclair instinctively raised his hand as if to stop him, but Victor Reed was already gone, leaving Mr Sinclair frozen in place. His body swayed slightly as the weight of the situation sank in. Albert, who had been standing by, watched the scene unfold with an air of calm detachment. He had initially come because he heard Mr Sinclair had summoned Liza, and he feared for their family’s sixth sister. Meeting George downstairs had been an unexpected twist, but seeing how things resolved, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. Turning to Mr Sinclair, Albert spoke with a polite but firm tone. “President Sinclair, I must admit that I find your methods of handling matters…unacceptable. Given this, there’s no reason for our collaboration to continue. Consider it Done.”Mr Sinclair's voice trembled with desperation. “President Albert, please, you must understand—” Albert cut him off with a calm but firm tone. “No need to explain, President Sinclair. I see the bigger picture. You sided with the Reed Family to frame your own daughter, Liza. This makes me question your loyalties. If there’s ever a conflict between me and the Reed Family in the future, I can’t trust that you wouldn’t align yourself with them against me. In business, trust and benefit go hand in hand, and I can no longer rely on either with you. With that, I’ll take my leave.” “President Albert, this is all a misunderstanding! I swear, it’s not what it looks like!” Mr Sinclair’s voice grew more frantic as he stumbled after Albert, his mind racing with confusion. He hadn’t anticipated that Albert had a personal grudge against the Reed Family. How had this situation spiraled so completely out of control? Moments earlier, the Reed Family had threatened to revoke their critical collaboration unless he coerced Liza into apologizing. Now, after their public humiliation and loss of credibility, that partnership was as good as dead. And if that wasn’t enough, Albert was now pulling his investment and severing ties altogether. Why? Why was everything crumbling so quickly? As Albert’s figure disappeared down the hallway, Mr Sinclair stood frozen, consumed by panic and frustration. His mind clung to one conclusion—this was all Liza’s fault. Everything was her fault! If she had just accepted the blame at the banquet and allowed herself to be framed by Miss Sophia, none of this would have happened. The partnerships would still be intact, and the company’s reputation wouldn’t be teetering on the edge of disaster. Victoria, standing silently beside him, shared his sentiment. Her thoughts mirrored his exactly: every misfortune could be traced back to Liza. As this realization hardened in her mind, she turned to look at Liza with a mix of resentment and unease.Throughout the entire ordeal, Liza had remained silent, standing with an air of calm that only seemed to highlight her breathtaking beauty. Yet, there was something different about her now—something Victoria couldn’t quite put her finger on. This Liza didn’t seem like someone who could be manipulated or controlled anymore. No, Victoria shook her head as if to dispel the thought. That wasn’t possible. Liza had been deliberately raised to be weak and insignificant, a nobody who could never rise above her station. There was no way she had the ability to outmaneuver everyone around her. It had to be a trick of her imagination. Liza was still the same powerless, expendable girl she had always been. She had to be. When George finally left, escorting Liza with him, the sound of the door closing seemed to snap Mr Sinclair out of his stupor. He slammed his fist onto the desk in a fit of rage, his face contorted with anger. “That cursed jinx! She’s nothing but bad luck!”Victoria, adopting a sorrowful expression, dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “Sinclair … I’ve been thinking about something. You’ve always said Liza’s reputation in high society is poor—that no one truly likes her or respects her. But why, then, is Special Assistant Song so adamantly on her side? And what about President Albert? They both seem unusually close to her.” Mr Sinclair’s fury began to simmer as her words took root. He frowned deeply, his mind racing. “You’re right. We know her reputation better than anyone else. She’s never been well-regarded in these circles. So why are men like George and Albert—both extraordinary figures—choosing to support her?”