It’s unclear how Hamish had the nerve to say such words as “loving her the most.”
Even if every man in the world perished, leaving only him, she would never consider him as the one most suitable for her.
Come what may, Elisa wouldn’t believe she and Louis would falter here at Hamish’s hands after everything they had been through together.
But what Elisa never anticipated was that Hamish’s target from the start wasn’t Louis.
Just as he had said before, his love for Elisa isn’t any less than Louis’s, and likewise, Louis’s love for Elisa wouldn’t be any less than his.
At times, Hamish himself didn’t know how he could measure up to Louis.
Elisa had only been in his memory for thirteen years, whereas Louis had been in Elisa’s heart for twenty-five years.
Twenty-five years, all of her youth, the most beautiful time in her life and memories, she had given it all to Louis.
What did he have to compete with Louis?
Sitting in the corner, Hamish restrained himself, lowering his head to look at his somewhat dusty fingertips.
His silent and downcast demeanor gave off an otherworldly sense of detachment.
“How are the preparations coming along?” Hamish asked Tobias behind him.
Tobias leaned in to respond, “We’ll be able to see the results tonight.”
After a muffled cough, Hamish, hoarse, replied with a single word, “Good.”
From the beginning, Hamish had never planned to focus his efforts against Louis; he aimed for the other members of the White family.
Just like with the Baker family before, if history were to repeat itself, and the White family chose to abandon Elisa, then even if he gambled, he would have won.
Hamish didn’t think he would lose; the White family had only known Elisa for two years, how could they have such deep feelings to trade a billion-dollar industry for a woman unrelated to them?
The Baker family had watched Elisa grow up from a young age, treating her like their own daughter, yet in the end, they chose to “discard” her.
After the abandonment, there were barely any inquiries, they didn’t even care whether she was alive or dead.
People like that don’t deserve to be Elisa’s family.
In the latter half of the event, the host held up the donation list, expressing gratitude to the media.
As the names on the list were nearing the end, many people looked in Elisa’s direction, their eyes filled with undisguised mockery.
“What has Elisa donated? Did she just come to walk the red carpet and eat?”
“This is not just embarrassing for her, but for the entire White family.”
“The list isn’t finished yet, why the rush?”
“Do you think Elisa’s name will appear later? The further down the donation list, the higher the status and background. Listen to the names being read, they are all billionaires in the business world.”
“After starring in so many movies and TV shows, can’t she even donate a small amount of money? Does she come here expecting the White family to prepare for her?”
Some people at the scene secretly started a live broadcast, and the barrage of comments also discussed Elisa’s failure to donate.
In such a setting, arriving empty-handed, although supported by Louis, she was still just a person from a humble background, despite being an award-winning actress.
As they proceeded, the whispered conversations became louder, and more and more eyes were fixed on Elisa, even some of the cameras were pointed at her face, wanting to capture every subtle expression, but unfortunately, Elisa’s face displayed no embarrassment, only a polite smile.
Louis frowned, wanting to have the security guards throw out those who were talking behind Elisa’s back. Just as he was about to act, Elisa gently caught his index finger. “Don’t,” she said.
“But they…” Louis started.
Without leaving a trace, Elisa glanced at those people and passed by with a smile. “I know you’re angry at them for fabricating things about me, but the more you argue with them, the more they’ll thrive on it.”
Louis naturally understood these principles. He could be indifferent, but he didn’t want Elisa to be wronged.
“Reality will give them a good slap in the face, and we won’t waste any more time.”
With a few words, Elisa reassured Louis.
As the host continued to read the donations, until the last page, the looks of disdain directed at Elisa grew more and more intense.
“Last but not least, I want to give special thanks to…” Suddenly, the host raised their voice, and everyone in the venue turned to look at the stage.
The host bowed deeply in the direction where Elisa was seated.
“Thanks to the $150 million donation from Elisa – Miss Powell, Chairwoman of AW Group…”
The people who were just gossipingpaused instantly. What did $150 million mean? At most, they had donated a few tens of thousands.
On the surface, it was a charity dinner, but in reality, most people were here for vanity.
Some people wired money directly, while others would bring out jewelry and diamonds.
To give several million was already considered a focal point. The White family had donated $50 million, and yet Elisa had donated $150 million, equal to the total amount from the entire event.
$150 million. Those who had just shown disdainful looks were frozen, their expressions twitching.
For a moment, they thought they had misheard, but seeing the host bowing towards Elisa, and hearing the announcement.
“The Chairwoman of AW Group?”
“A. W is Elisa’s? Am I hearing this correctly? Is it the A. W that emerged out of nowhere, invested in numerous TV shows and movies, and received various major awards, as an economic company with a market value of $8 billion in just a year and a half?”
What was even more shocking than $150 million was the revelation that Elisa was the Executive Director of AW Group. No one had expected this turn of events.
Both the people at the event and those online fell silent after hearing this news.
After a brief silence, there was disbelief, as if they had been struck by lightning, briefly dazed.
They remembered the rumors they had spread, suggesting that there were unspeakable secrets between Elisa and A. W.
That A. W’s president was keeping Elisa and provided her with various resources to boost her career.
Additionally, when Elisa announced her departure from the entertainment industry, many people online had condemned her, claiming she had climbed the ladder of success with the help of men.
It was truly laughable. It turned out that they were the ones in the wrong from start to finish.
Elisa didn’t need capital backing, as she was her own capital. She didn’t need to rely on anyone for resources, as she had plenty of her own.
After the incident, some doubted if Elisa could have started the company with the backing of the White Group.
However, it was quickly confirmed that this was impossible. While the White Group was outstanding, it was impossible for them to create an $8 billion economic company from scratch.
Subsequently, the official account of AW Group came forward to publicly disclose Elisa’s true background and resume.
Holding 85% of AW Group’s shares, this revelation dealt a heavy blow to all the previous allegations.
The so-called “fans” who had claimed that Elisa was unworthy of Louis fell completely silent.