The headline screamed in bold letters: [Exclusive: Ethan Parker Spotted with Elizabeth York!]

Elise watched Elizabeth's hands tremble as she pulled out her phone to read the article.

The piece revisited Elizabeth's previous scandal, now confirming her relationship with Ethan. It specifically mentioned how Amanda Mitchell was originally cast as the female lead for Pomp and Circumstance, but the role ultimately went to Elizabeth.

With all the speculation, their relationship appeared confirmed beyond doubt.

Elise clicked on the attached photos showing Elizabeth and Ethan maintaining distance from each other. Though taken from afar, their body language clearly indicated an argument.

The article suggested they were upset about being photographed, connecting it to the previous scandal.

Naturally, the media assumed Ethan was the mosaic-censored man from earlier photos. Comparing silhouettes would lead anyone to that conclusion.

Without seeing the uncensored version, misunderstanding was inevitable.

"Damn it!" Elizabeth cursed, furious after reading the piece.

She hadn't hung up yet, and Linda was ranting on the other end. "Elizabeth, no more secrets now. Talk to Mr. Parker—decide whether to go public or issue a statement... though explaining won't work after being photographed at his mansion. Fans are more accepting of celebrities dating these days, and you two make a striking couple. I'll discuss with management about making it official, especially since we have that romantic commercial coming up..."

"There's nothing between me and Ethan Parker!" Elizabeth growled through clenched teeth.

"Elizabeth..."

"I'll call you back!" Elizabeth hung up immediately, took a deep breath, and dialed Ethan.

The moment he answered, she got straight to the point. "Please issue a statement denying our relationship immediately. I'll also declare we only have a professional connection—I don't want my career ruined because of you."

"Fine," Ethan agreed without hesitation, remaining perfectly calm. "But we need consistent stories. Why were you at my doorstep, after all?"

Elizabeth fell silent, unable to provide an explanation.

She couldn't claim they were discussing the script—that would only make things worse, showing up at his house late at night!

"Let me think about it. I'll call you later," Ethan said before hanging up, apparently without an immediate plan.

Elizabeth's hand shook as she held her phone.

Nothing had gone smoothly since she returned to Crestwood.

Beside her, Elise sensed Elizabeth's distress.

She wondered if she was imagining it, but Elizabeth definitely acted strangely around Ethan.

Weren't they relatives? Why was she so hostile toward him?

"Elizabeth? Is the person you didn't want to see... Ethan Parker?" Elise asked, though she already felt certain.

Elizabeth looked up at Elise and nodded—she didn't want to keep secrets from her.

"But why? He seemed quite decent..."

"He's hypocritical, two-faced, a wolf in sheep's clothing," Elizabeth fired off immediately.

"Really?" Elise hadn't expected Elizabeth to view Ethan so negatively.

"Appearances deceive," Elizabeth said seriously. "That applies to William too. He might have a son, but he's practically celibate. You're the only woman he's allowed close to him in all these years."

Elise was startled—how had the conversation turned to her?

She bit her lip briefly before asking, "Have you ever met James's mother?"

"No," Elizabeth said curtly. "No one in the family has met her, and William never discusses her. Honestly, if James didn't resemble William so much, we'd think he picked him up off the street, given how abstinent the man is."