Elise looked up at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth studied her expression carefully.

"You're wondering how William ended up bringing James home, aren't you?"

Elise nodded slowly.

Elizabeth gave her a knowing smirk.

"Of course he never tells you anything important."

In truth, Elise hadn't actually asked William about it.

She preferred to let him share such personal matters voluntarily.

Elizabeth closed her eyes briefly, searching her memories.

"William was twenty-one when James came to live with us.

Our grandfather Henry was the one who brought him home.

William didn't even know he had a son until then."

She paused, choosing her words carefully.

"As for how grandfather found out... let's just say he has his ways.

He always knows everything that happens in our family."

Elizabeth's voice softened with the memory.

"William was still studying abroad when grandfather returned with James.

I overheard him on the phone saying the mother abandoned James at the hospital right after giving birth.

That's why grandfather brought him to us."

A sharp pain pierced Elise's chest.

Though William had mentioned James was abandoned, hearing the details still shocked her.

The thought of a newborn being left behind made her feel suffocated.

It reminded her of her own lost child.

Tears welled in Elise's eyes without warning.

Elizabeth stared at her in alarm.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I'm not sure," Elise whispered as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"My chest suddenly hurts so much."

"I felt the same sadness when I first saw James," Elizabeth admitted.

"What kind of woman could abandon her own child?

If I were William, I'd never forgive her!"

She crossed her arms indignantly.

"Actually, I don't think William has forgiven her either."

Elise nodded silently, wiping her tears.

Elizabeth continued with growing frustration.

Seriously, what woman in her right mind would abandon William and his son?

Is he not handsome enough?

Not wealthy enough?

Not powerful enough?

She must be completely blind!"

Elise wondered about that woman too.

Who could sleep with William and then disappear without a trace?

Elizabeth sighed heavily.

"One time Nathan Davis and I got drunk and discussed that woman.

We both agreed she must have been a stranger William met by chance.

She probably didn't know about his family's status and wealth.

Maybe she even thought he was some kind of gigolo because of his looks."

Elise choked slightly, surprised by Elizabeth's blunt words.

"Be honest," Elizabeth insisted.

"What other reason could any woman have for dumping my brother?"

Her pride in William was evident, quite different from her attitude toward Ethan.

Thinking of Ethan reminded Elise of their current situation.

"Elizabeth, shouldn't you be focusing on your scandal with Ethan?"

She was impressed Elizabeth could remain so calm and gossip about William.

Elizabeth remained completely unbothered.

"You get used to these things in show business.

It'll get resolved eventually.

There were rumors before that I slept my way to the top.

This time, at least it's only Ethan Parker..."

Her voice trailed off, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features.

"You could just reveal your identity," Elise suggested.

"That would solve everything naturally."

"Hasn't William told you?" Elizabeth asked.

"Everyone in the Levine family opposes my acting career.

They all want me to help William with the family business.

My parents are the worst about it."

She made a face.

"I have zero interest in business management.

Acting is my only passion.

That's why my parents and grandfather made an agreement—

I can't use the family's influence in my career,

or I have to come home and work in the family business."

Elizabeth sighed wearily.

"If I reveal my identity now,

that counts as using family connections.

Grandfather would drag me back home immediately!"

"That does complicate things," Elise said thoughtfully.

"You and Ethan were photographed right outside Levine Manor.

That's going to be difficult to explain..."

"He said he'll handle it, so I'll let him," Elizabeth said, clearly done thinking about it.

She'd never been good with complicated planning anyway.

Her grades in school had been so poor that Ethan had to tutor her for years...

"I'm going to sleep now," Elizabeth announced suddenly.

"My head hurts from all this thinking."

"Alright, get some rest," Elise told her.

"I'm going to take a shower.

I'll check on you when I'm done."