Matthew’s eyes hardened as he looked at Valerie, surrounded by a crowd. He considered her foolish. “Since you have a past with Isabel, you should have been more cautious. Now, you’ve been set up. She’s covered in wine; let’s see what you’ll do.”

“Leave her alone,” Matthew said, his disdain for less intelligent people well-known.

Isabel’s words—unheard—drew a crowd, pressuring Valerie to apologize.

“These fools,” Matthew muttered. “Valerie, you’re a fool too. You were eloquent before me; why are you speechless now?” Impatience flickered across his brow. He turned and left.

Charles was surprised. Expecting Matthew to ignore Valerie and return to the conference room, he watched him stride down the stairs.

Charles froze. “Mr. Grant, didn’t you say you’d leave Miss Warren alone?”

“She’s my wife. No one bullies her.” Matthew hurried down the stairs. The conference room’s attention was on Valerie and Isabel, so no one noticed his departure.

Just as he reached the bottom, Valerie, still surrounded by the crowd, stepped closer to Isabel.

Isabel recoiled. “What are you going to do? Are you going to pour something on me again, or hit me? Please leave me alone!” She played the victim, cowering behind her protector, feigning terror.

The man, unaware of Isabel’s act, felt compelled to protect her. He stopped Valerie. “Miss, please apologize to Miss Spencer. You hurt her.”

Valerie sniffed, then smiled faintly. “Sir, compassion is good, but consider if it’s deserved.”

The man looked impatient. “She seems kind, but her words are vicious! Miss Spencer was splashed, yet she’s aggressive.” Valerie maintained her slight smile. “Since Isabel is avoiding me, I need verification.” She handed the man her glass.

He resisted at first, judging Valerie harshly. Only upon closer inspection of the glass did surprise dawn on his face.

“What tricks are you playing? Even if you humiliate me, I won’t yield!” Isabel, oblivious to the man’s change in expression, continued rallying support to pressure Valerie, hoping to alert superiors and end Valerie’s career at Arion Cars.

The man, however, looked at Isabel, holding up the glass. “Miss Spencer, you accused Miss Warren of humiliating you and spilling wine, correct?”

Isabel, noticing the man’s shift in demeanor, gritted her teeth. “Yes. She holds a grudge and made a fool of me. You all saw it!”

The man raised the glass. “Then how do you explain that Miss Warren’s glass contains water?”

A murmur rippled through the onlookers.

“What?” Isabel stared, disbelief dawning as she snatched the glass. It was indeed full of water.

Valerie had only drunk water, making it impossible for her to have splashed Isabel with wine. The crowd reacted; Valerie's composure now made sense. She hadn't refuted Isabel’s accusations because she had nothing to refute.

Isabel suddenly remembered: Valerie initially could have taken the glass from her, preventing the wine from being spilled; Isabel had changed her mind and spilled it on herself.

“You did that on purpose!” Isabel shrieked. “You deliberately didn’t drink, forcing me to spill wine on myself!”