Chapter 15 - Every Chance Meeting Was Her Long Premeditation As Elisa walked over alone, the hesitant reporters all rushed forward, shoving microphones in her face and asking sharp, probing questions. Elisa's petite body was wedged in the crowd. She felt her body being constantly pushed, crowded, pulled and tugged. Her sick and feverish mind was already unfocused, and facing the crowd's piercing stares and questions, she felt as though she was being torn apart and devoured alive. In the chaos, there was a sudden "Bang!" Someone's camera had collided with Elisa's forehead, the sharp edge scraping her skin and splitting it open in a small cut. Bright red blood trickled down her forehead into her eyes. Her vision filled with red, and the stinging pain forced Elisa to close her eyes. After her eyes had adjusted to the irritation, she opened them again. The reporters in front of her seemed oblivious to her injury. They continued shoving their microphones upward relentlessly. One of them raised a mic and asked an unrelated question: "Miss Powell, we heard that Mr. Burns originally had a fiancee four years ago. Was it you who came between them? Is this true?" As soon as the reporter finished asking, there were gasps all around. Elisa and Hamish had been married four years but never appeared together in public, so everyone guessed they had a loveless marriage of convenience. But no one expected there to be such a shocking backstory - that Elisa was a third party. And third parties never came to good ends. Elisa reached up and wiped the blood from her forehead. Her gaunt little face broke into a dazzling smile at the cameras, the corners of her lips turning upward, though her eyes remained chillingly cold and somewhat crazed. All of Elisa's subtle actions were magnified in front of the reporters. Not speaking was seen as admitting guilt, smiling was seen as mockery and disrespect - she was the epitome of shamelessness. Just as they were about to continue questioning her, Elisa suddenly stood still in an open space and bent her knees, kneeling down. She kept her back ramrod straight, as if nothing could break her. The reporters were taken aback, then immediately stirred into an uproar. The princess of the Powell family, Elisa, had actually knelt down in front of the cameras! So all kinds of sensational headlines instantly appeared across major online platforms: "#Elisa kneels to win back husband, apologizes to ex-fiancee#" "#Elisa kneels to repent for her murderous father#" "#The princess of the Powell family turns out to be a third party? Kneels in public begging for forgiveness#" The cameras all turned to focus on her, capturing her kneeling image. "Miss Powell, now that the Powell Group is facing bankruptcy, will Mr. Burns divorce you?" A reporter asked another sharp question. The flashbulbs focused on Elisa's face, trying to capture her subtle expressions. But no matter how long they held on her, Elisa remained expressionless. Voices clamored around her as Elisa gazed emptily ahead. A sense of loneliness closed in on her from all sides, seeming ready to swallow her whole. The dark clouds overhead grew thicker and heavier, as if ready to collapse at any moment. After a few muffled rumbles of thunder, the winds picked up and rain poured down in thick drops that hit Elisa's nose. Her long lashes fluttered lightly. Seeing the rain, the photographers immediately put away their equipment and the reporters scattered to find shelter, leaving only Elisa still kneeling in place. The downpour drenched her face and soaked her clothes, plastering them to her body. She was very cold, as if the chill had seeped through her skin into her bones, even her soul was shivering. Hamish stood not far behind her, watching as she knelt motionless like a puppet in the curtain of rain. By the time Tobias arrived with bodyguards, most of the onlookers had already dispersed. The bodyguards formed a circle around Elisa, shielding her from the crowd. Not understanding the situation, Tobias clicked his tongue and asked Hamish beside him, "Why is Miss Powell kneeling? How long has she been like this?" "Not long, half an hour." Tobias glanced over - it seemed Hamish had ordered her to kneel, though the reason was unclear. Since Hamish said half an hour, it would be exactly half an hour, not a second more or less. Tobias looked at the woman kneeling in the middle of the road and suddenly felt a twinge of pity. Somehow the victims' families got word that Elisa was kneeling here, and a group of them came running over in the rain, throwing whatever trash they had prepared at her. A green soda can struck directly on the wound on Elisa's forehead, the yellowish liquid streaming down her blood-smeared face. Hamish walked slowly toward the rain, holding the umbrella over himself. The downpour beat heavily on the umbrella with a pattering sound. His innate aura drew frequent backward glances from passersby. He stood in front of Elisa and held the umbrella over her. Only now did Elisa react slightly. She looked up and stared intently at Hamish, as if looking past him at someone else. The two gazed at each other like this - one standing, one kneeling. She was as lowly as mud while Hamish loomed high above. After the rainwater mixed with her tears and grew hot and scalding, Elisa asked hoarsely, "Is... is the time up?" "Yes, you can get up now." But Elisa didn't move. It wasn't that she didn't want to get up, but that she couldn't. Her body was already weak, and after being locked up for four days then kneeling in the heavy rain for half an hour, even she didn't know how she had endured it. The icy chill penetrated into her knees, as if she was kneeling on a bed of nails digging into her bones. She couldn't help coughing lightly, almost bringing up blood. "Hamish, how many years have we known each other?" Hamish wondered if the cold had damaged Elisa's brain - why was she suddenly asking this? But still he answered, "Six years." Elisa shook her head, muttering inexplicably, "No, not six years. Sixteen years." That spring day so long ago, she hadn't thought much, only wanted to remember him and love him. And so she had loved him for a full sixteen years. Whether it was meeting him six years ago, or forcing him to marry her four years ago, it had all been in preparation over the course of a decade. She had planned the beginning perfectly, yet never imagined how cruelly Hamish could end things. Title: ReelTalk EP 33 - Unveiling Modern Elegance with Eli Jane Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance Status: ongoing In this captivating episode of ReelTalk, delve into the intriguing world of Eli Jane, a formidable queen whose journey unfolds with both grace and resilience. Discover the profound impact of her experiences, intricately weaving together moments of triumph and challenge, shaping her into the remarkable individual she is today. Eli Jane's narrative transcends mere storytelling; it embodies a modern redefinition of elegance, drawing readers into a realm where vulnerability meets strength. As she navigates through highs and lows, her authenticity shines through, resonating with audiences on a deeply emotional level. Explore the depths of her character as she confronts life's complexities with unwavering determination and unwavering spirit. What sets ReelTalk EP 33 apart is its ability to capture the essence of human emotion and resilience, transcending traditional romance narratives. Eli Jane's journey not only entertains but also inspires, leaving readers with a renewed sense of hope and empowerment. Experience this modern tale of elegance and self-discovery available to read online at CrushReel.