Mr. Sinclair’s face darkened with frustration. It was clear to him that Liza had deliberately brought these three influential figures to humiliate him in front of everyone. Just as he thought the ordeal might finally be over, Richard Ryker stood up abruptly, his commanding voice cutting through the tension in the room. “Hold on, President Sinclair. Don’t leave just yet,” Richard Ryker said, his tone cold and firm. “This matter isn’t over.” The room fell silent, and a collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Richard Ryker’s sharp gaze swept over Mr. Sinclair and the others. “I overheard you earlier. You, Madam Victoria, and Miss Serena accused Liza of something disgraceful. You insulted her reputation and claimed she tarnished the Sinclair Family’s image. But let me ask—does the Sinclair Family even deserve to have Liza associated with your so-called reputation?” Mr. Sinclair’s face turned an alarming shade of red, his body trembling under the weight of Richard Ryker’s words. Richard Ryker continued, his voice steady but icy. “All Liza did was play cards with us. Yet, you stormed in here and berated her as if she’d committed a crime. Do you think we’d just sit back and let this slide? Tell me, President Sinclair, am I wrong to call you out on this?” Before Mr. Sinclair could respond, Hazel let out a cold laugh. “Honestly, you might as well accuse me of being Liza’s sugar mommy while you’re at it. Isn’t that what you’re implying?” A cold sweat broke out on Mr. Sinclair’s forehead. His voice quivered as he tried to defend himself. “N-No, you’ve misunderstood. I was only acting on what others told me…” “Oh, so you’re saying you suspected Liza was being kept by someone? That she went upstairs to meet some man in secret?” Richard Ryker’s sinister smile deepened as he turned to Liza. “Liza, you’re the eldest daughter of the Sinclair Family, yet your father lets a mistress trample all over you. And now, this so-called Madam Victoria drags people here, desperate to frame you for something you didn’t do. What a clever little scheme she’s come up with!” Liza lowered her gaze, her expression one of quiet sorrow. “What can I do?” she said softly, her voice tinged with hurt. “Dad only cares about Aunt Victori and my sister. I thought leaving home would give me some peace, but they still won’t leave me alone.” Victoria and Serena’s faces twisted in shock and barely concealed fury. Mr. Sinclair felt his thoughts spiral into chaos. He knew he couldn’t afford to provoke Richard Ryker or the others, so he forced himself to stay silent. Yet, he couldn’t let Liza paint herself as a victim and drag Victoria and Serena down in the process. Desperately trying to salvage the situation, he finally spoke, his voice filled with feigned indignation. “Liza! I admit I misunderstood you this time. But this has nothing to do with your aunt or your sister. How could you accuse them? They never doubted you for a moment!” Liza tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. “Oh? Is that so?”Mr. Sinclair clenched his fists, his anger barely restrained. “Mr Richard, Mr. Henry , Miss Hazel, please understand. This entire situation was caused by President Louis’s secretary misleading us. That’s why I made those comments earlier about severing ties with Liza. “As for Victoria and Serena, they’ve only ever tried to defend Liza. Victoria even pleaded for leniency on her behalf! But what does Liza do in return? She slanders Victoria, who has done nothing but try to care for her. Everyone knows how hard it is to be a stepmother, and Victoria has done her best. Yet Liza shows no gratitude and instead accuses her unfairly. Isn’t that truly vicious behavior?” The room was deathly silent, and Hazel arched an eyebrow in disdain. Albert, who had been quietly observing, couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Mr. Sinclair was nothing short of an expert at twisting the truth, turning lies into an elaborate performance. In Mr. Sinclair’s eyes, no matter how much injustice Liza—suffered, she was expected to endure it in silence. If she spoke up to defend herself, it would only confirm, in his twisted logic, her lack of gratitude. Victoria’s tear-streaked face was the picture of sorrow as she began her performance. “Liza, I know you resent me. I can understand that, but… haven’t I been good enough to you?” Her voice cracked, and she dabbed at her tears with a trembling hand. “For your sake, I never insisted on a wedding with your father. I didn’t want to upset you. And Serena—poor Serena—has had to live with the label of ‘illegitimate daughter’ all her life. Whenever there’s something nice in the family, Serena always insists you get it first. She only takes what’s left behind. “Serena and I… we’ve always treated you with respect, as though we were your servants. We bring you tea, care for you, love you… But still, you refuse to be satisfied!” Victoria’s voice grew louder, her sobs more dramatic. “I truly didn’t do this, Liza,” she continued, her words laced with false innocence. “It was President Louis’s secretary who claimed to have seen you and President Louis go into a room together. Even then, I defended you! I told everyone you weren’t the kind of person to do such a thing. But you…” Her voice faltered, breaking into sobs. “You actually think I would frame you! … I don’t know how to clear my name anymore!” At that moment, the bodyguards entered, escorting President Louis’s secretary. His face was pale, and he trembled visibly under the weight of the stares directed at him. He stammered, “I—I saw Miss Liza and President Louis entering a room together. It’s true. What I said… it wasn’t… wasn’t something Madam Victoria made me say.” Victoria sighed dramatically, her expression one of wounded virtue. “Liza, now you know. I had nothing to do with this. I’m innocent. If you still think I’m trying to frame you, then I have nothing left to say. I suppose I’ll have to accept the fact that you’ll always hold a grudge against me.” Serena, standing to the side, burst into tears, her sobs almost as loud as her mother’s. She looked pitiful, clutching her hands tightly and sniffling with exaggerated misery. The room filled with murmurs of sympathy for Victoria and Serena. A few of the onlookers began to turn to Liza, their voices soft yet firm with disapproval. “Miss Liza, this is just a misunderstanding,” one of them said. “Madam Victoria didn’t do anything wrong.” Another chimed in, shaking their head. “You shouldn’t accuse your stepmother unfairly. She’s done her best to care for you. You should show her some gratitude.”