The premiere of this season's Solo Show exploded across social media.

Viewership records were shattered overnight.

Public reaction was overwhelmingly positive.

William finally understood Elise's cryptic remark about being busy for three months.

He kept replaying her segments obsessively.

What should have been minutes stretched into half an hour of repetitive viewing.

Samuel Wilson watched his boss with growing concern.

He recognized Elise's stunning beauty—how she outshone even established celebrities.

But William's fixation seemed almost unhealthy.

Samuel stifled a chuckle at the thought.

The sound died in his throat as William's deadly glare pinned him.

"Something amusing you?" William's voice cut like ice.

"Not at all," Samuel quickly recovered. "Ms. Scott looks absolutely radiant."

William's scowl deepened, making Samuel wish he'd kept silent.

What was wrong with complimenting Elise? She was breathtaking!

"Get out," William commanded.

Samuel escaped gratefully.

Alone again, William grabbed his phone.

Elise was mid-meeting when his call came through.

Seeing his name, she sent a quick text: [In meeting. Call you later.]

William's expression darkened.

His phone buzzed with WhatsApp notifications.

Nathan Davis had posted the same clip William had been obsessing over.

[Nate] tagged William enthusiastically.

[Did you see this, Will? Your girl's on Solo Show! She's trending everywhere!]

[Nate] continued, [Fifth place despite elimination rounds? She's turning this competition upside down!]

William remained silent.

[Nate] then tagged Ethan Parker.

[Your wife's competing too. First place with Sophia Mitchell!]

The conversation attracted Andrew Saunders' attention.

[Andrew] typed, [Elise Scott, Sophia Mitchell, and Amanda Mitchell? This is getting juicy!]

[Nate] couldn't resist adding fuel. [If Elizabeth York joined, we'd have physical fights on live TV. Now that's entertainment...]

Neither William nor Ethan responded.

William's phone rang.

He answered immediately.

"Just left my meeting," Elise said. "Everything okay?"

William rarely called during work hours.

"If I relied on news feeds, I'd never know my girlfriend was becoming public property," he said coolly.

Elise fell silent.

Public property? What an exaggeration!

"It's a design competition," she explained patiently. "Three months maximum."

"Why wasn't I informed?" William pressed.

Elise hesitated—they were still navigating their relationship boundaries.

Weren't they just testing the waters?

"Or do you doubt your boyfriend's influence?" William arched an eyebrow.

"What?" Elise sounded genuinely confused.

"If Samuel Mitchell can manipulate media coverage, you think I can't?"

Understanding dawned—he was upset about Sophia overshadowing her.

Yet she'd been questioning his involvement.

Guilt and warmth warred within her.

A smile touched her lips. "Your girlfriend is perfectly capable. No need to waste your resources."

"Money opens doors," William reminded sternly.