Chapter 1315:

Chloe’s shock was audible. “Isn’t that too confrontational?”

“If she believes I relied on connections, I should face her directly and dispel her prejudice in person.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Chloe asked, “Is her opinion of your skills that important? Your schedule is already packed—adding more would be grueling.”

“It’s important,” Elyse insisted. “She’s not just insulting me, but my teacher too. She’s suggesting that Cody’s student succeeded through connections rather than talent.”

Understanding dawned in Chloe’s voice. “I’ll contact the show’s producers and update you once it’s arranged.”

“Thank you, Chloe,” Elyse replied, a determined smile playing across her lips.

Elyse was lounging at home, anxiously awaiting an update from Chloe when her phone buzzed unexpectedly. The name flashing on the screen made her brow furrow. It was Pearce.

Without preamble, Pearce urged her to drop everything and head to the Benson family home immediately. His tone hinted at something serious—something that couldn’t wait.

Thrown completely off balance, Elyse hesitated only a moment before grabbing her keys and heading out.

The moment she arrived, a strange tension blanketed the house. It was almost palpable, clinging to the air like thick smoke.

As she stepped into the hallway, she spotted a cluster of people gathered by the entrance. Their faces were familiar—these were the same relatives who had warmly welcomed her back during her homecoming party. Pushing further inside, Elyse’s eyes landed on a striking scene. Thea knelt stiffly on the floor, her head hanging low like a scolded child. Meanwhile, Felicia sat perched in a chair, a ruler in hand, her expression as frosty as a midwinter night.

Felicia’s voice cut through the room, sharp as a blade. “Explain yourself, Thea! What were you thinking? Have I not treated you well enough? I don’t ask for your gratitude, but plotting against my entire family? That’s crossing the line!”

Her words dripped with indignation. “Who gave you the audacity to pull such a despicable stunt?”

With that, Felicia brought the ruler down on the table with a crack that made everyone in the room jump. Thea flinched visibly but scrambled to defend herself.

“Grandma, you’ve got it all wrong! I didn’t do it—I swear!”

“I was just as clueless as you!”

Felicia’s laugh was bitter and cold. “I may be old, Thea, but I’m neither blind nor foolish. Do you really think you can pull the wool over my eyes?”

Thea lowered her head, her lips pressed tightly together, no longer daring to argue.

Elyse stood rooted in the doorway, utterly baffled. She caught sight of Pearce leaning against the wall, looking completely unbothered by the chaos around him. Taking a deep breath, she stepped closer to Felicia and asked, “What’s going on here?”

At the sight of Elyse, Felicia’s icy demeanor softened. She even managed a warm smile. “Oh, Elyse, dear, why did you trouble yourself to come? It’s just a minor family issue—nothing to worry your pretty head about.”