Chapter 1309:

Elyse gave her a grateful look. “Thank you, Chloe. I trust you’ll sort it out.”

By the time they arrived at the next filming location, Chloe was already on her phone, making calls and pulling strings to address the growing online storm. Elyse, meanwhile, focused on preparing for her shoot.

But before Chloe could fully manage the situation, Pearce had already seen the online posts and comments.

When he reviewed the live broadcast recordings, Pearce noticed the contentious segment had been edited out. Only a few scattered clips remained online, hinting at the incident.

Frowning, he picked up his phone and dialed Elyse.

Elyse, busy with work, didn’t answer. It wasn’t until evening, after several attempts, that they finally connected.

Elyse was out to dinner with Chloe when her phone buzzed.

Answering, she sounded puzzled. “What’s up, Pearce? Don’t tell me you miss me again.”

Pearce’s voice carried a hint of irritation. “Can’t I call you for no reason?”

Elyse rolled her eyes, keeping her tone light. “I’m really busy. If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. Otherwise, let me go so I can rest early.”

“You’re going to drive me insane,” Pearce muttered. Then, cutting to the chase, he said, “I saw the posts about Thea online. Ignore her. She’s already been abandoned by the Benson family.”

Elyse, mid-bite of her dinner, froze. “Abandoned? When did that happen?”

Pearce, sitting in his office and absentmindedly twirling a pen, replied, “It was around the time you went abroad for the competition. Thea’s father wasn’t content with being a minor player in the Benson family. He conspired with rivals to frame my dad. But I caught wind of it and stopped it.”

Elyse’s brows furrowed. “And then?”

Pearce chuckled darkly.

“Then I gave Grandma the evidence. She was so furious she called the police and had Thea’s father arrested.”

Elyse leaned back in her chair, processing the revelation. “I see. So, Thea had a breakdown and started resenting me because of that?”

Pearce laughed heartily. “Not quite. Thea didn’t stop there. She wasn’t just angry at Grandma; she contacted those same rivals, plotting to harm her. If it weren’t for a servant’s timely intervention, Grandma could’ve been killed.”

Elyse nearly choked on her drink. “Thea tried to harm Grandma? What on earth was she thinking? Wasn’t Grandma good to her?”

Pearce shrugged, though his disdain was palpable. “Who knows? But let’s not forget this—Thea and her father were never true Bensons. Her dad was adopted by Grandma after your dad ran away from home. She took him in as a replacement, but it’s clear he and his family never truly belonged.”

Elyse’s mind raced as she connected the dots. “So, Thea made all these mistakes herself. But why is she accusing me of ruining her?” . . .