Likewise, as Elijah was absent from the media spotlight, Soren didn't recognize him. Soren opened his mouth to clarify, beginning, "We were just…"

Elizabeth jerked her arm free from Elijah's grasp, her eyes flashing. "Mind your language," she warned. "This is my business partner, and we are here strictly for professional reasons." She cast a pointed look at Sandra, who had followed Elijah, and added with a pointed tone, "Unlike you two." Though aiming for sarcasm, Elizabeth's voice betrayed a hint of bitterness, tinged with envy. She had been distancing herself from Elijah, yet they always seemed to be in the same place. It was as if fate mocked her attempts to avoid them.

No surprise, then, that Elijah and Sandra were online darlings. In contrast to her strained interactions with Elijah, Sandra seemed perfectly complementary to him, almost as if genuinely married. This thought deepened the ache in Elizabeth's heart as she reflected on her own failing marriage.

When Elizabeth's cutting remark landed, Elijah bristled, his pride stung. His reply was sharp: "So this is how you assert your independence? By leaning on other men? If that's all, why didn't you just ask me for help?"

Her response was a cold, mocking smile. "Ask you for help? And watch you help someone else take my role? No way."

Elijah knew he was wrong, yet his stubbornness prevailed. He scornfully remarked, "What's so special about acting? You take your good fortune too lightly. Do you honestly believe success comes that easily?"

Sandra, quietly observing, struggled to maintain her smile. She'd noticed Elijah's gaze lingering on Elizabeth since he entered. While Elijah remained indifferent to Sandra's interactions with other men, Elizabeth chatting amicably with another clearly ruffled him. This ignited a sharp pang of anxiety in Sandra's heart.

With her lips pressed tightly together, Sandra intervened, her voice shy and youthful. "Ms. There seems to be a misunderstanding. I invited a musician to discuss the theme song for our upcoming show. It just so happens we're near Elijah's office, and he joined out of concern," she explained, her tone confident.

Elizabeth, unfazed, shifted her gaze, picked up a cup, and took a measured sip, dismissing the situation curtly. "Huh, ridiculous."

Unruffled, Sandra feigned a sudden realization. "Oh, it's Mr. Rodgers from Silver Elephant Media!"