“Don't push me, Mitchel, and we can coexist peacefully," Alexis offered.

Mitchel looked up, his voice devoid of warmth.

“Done with your nonsense? Leave, immediately!"

“How dare you!" Alexis, seething with rage yet controlling his fury, suggested, “Perhaps try to tolerate Eloise. I'm not insisting on you marrying her. But if we ally with the Benton Group for the energy project, it benefits us all, doesn't it?"

His implication was clear. Mitchel could feign a relationship with Eloise until securing the project, then cite any trivial reason for a breakup.

Unfazed, Mitchel hit the No. 1 button on his desk phone and commanded, "Matteo, escort the guest out.”

After being shown to the door, Alexis, fuming, managed to compose himself upon seeing Eloise, assuring her with a forced smile, “Mitchel is a bit aloof and detached sometimes. He needs your warmth and charm to thaw his frostiness, understand?"

Eloise's face lit up with understanding.

"Yes, I got it. Thank you, Alexis."

Pleased by her adoring gaze, Alexis started to strategize.

He seized the opportunity, knowing Mitchel's looks were a magnet for young women.

"You're the only one I see as my daughter-in-law, Eloise.

Make me proud," he encouraged.

Eloise's nod carried the weight of her growing hopes.

After Alexis' departure, Eloise headed straight for Mitchel's office but was halted by Matteo.

Matteo offered a gentle refusal, "Apologies, Miss Benton. Mr. Dixon is occupied with a conference call."

Eloise insisted, "I'll wait here for him."

Matteo, reluctant to send her away due to the Benton family's newfound prominence, allowed her to wait, offering snacks and drinks.

Meanwhile, Raegan had sold her apartment. After clearing her housing loan, she amassed $2.7 million, still short for her debt.

Left with no choice, she borrowed an additional $300, 000 from Nicole, totaling $3 million.