?<strong>Chapter 1315:</strong>


    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 seeded 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 ying across her lips.


    Elyse was lounging at home, anxiously awaiting an update from Chloe when her phone buzzed unexpectedly. The name shing 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.


    Thrownpletely off bnce, Elyse hesitated only for a moment before grabbing her keys and heading out.


    The moment she arrived, a strange tension nketed 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 rtives who had warmly weed her back during her homing party. Pushing further inside, Elyse’s eyesnded 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 de. “Exin 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’sugh 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, lookingpletely 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 toe? It’s just a minor family issue—nothing to worry your pretty head about.”


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