Elizabeth quickly dialed Elise's number, but the call wouldn't connect.

Elise never turned her phone off.

Panic rising, Elizabeth tried William next. His phone was also switched off.

Could they both have been kidnapped? That seemed impossible!

Worry gnawed at her. After a moment's hesitation, she called Nathan. "Do you know where William is? I can't reach him."

"...No idea," Nathan replied. "He's probably off celebrating with Elise, right? She looked absolutely stunning tonight. What man could resist that? If I were William, I wouldn't wait to—"

"Do you think he's anything like you?!" Elizabeth snapped, her protective instincts for William flaring up instantly.

"I'm just saying, all men have the same basic instincts..." Nathan muttered under his breath.

Some were just better at controlling their urges than others.

"Whatever. I knew you wouldn't be helpful," Elizabeth said dismissively.

"Wait, Elizabeth." Nathan stopped her before she could end the call.

"What now?"

"Feel like grabbing a drink?" he asked, the question seeming to come out of nowhere.

Elizabeth frowned. What was he plotting? It was already so late!

"Not tonight," Elizabeth refused. "I have an early call time tomorrow. But once I wrap this series, I'll have a few days off. We can get properly drunk then."

Nathan chuckled softly—he wasn't particularly invested in drinking tonight, but he was concerned Elizabeth might be upset.

"Alright then, get some rest, kiddo," he said gently.

"Yeah," Elizabeth replied and hung up.

Sinking deeper into her couch, Elizabeth concluded that Elise was most likely with William right now.

Some of her anxiety eased, but her mood soon darkened again.

'How long does it take to forget someone?' she wondered.

'When does the heartache finally stop hurting?'

Elise and William's plane touched down on Ayro Island after an eight-hour flight. They transferred to a car, then boarded a boat that finally delivered them to the private floating island.

By the time they arrived, it was past 2 PM local time. Exhaustion finally overtook Elise, and she succumbed to sleep.

William had to carry her from the car into their hotel suite.

She didn't even stir as her head found the comfortable pillows, sleeping deeply without a care.

William watched her sleep, a tender smile touching his lips.

He was about to take a shower when Elise's phone buzzed.

William quickly silenced it, answering when he saw Elizabeth's name. "Hello."

"William?" Elizabeth exclaimed from her limousine en route to the film set.

She'd decided to try Elise one more time to confirm she was safe, and someone had finally answered.

"What is it?" William asked.

"Uh, nothing..." Elizabeth murmured.

Just as William was about to hang up, she suddenly cried out, "Wait, William!"

"Yeah."

Elizabeth gathered her courage before declaring, "Don't you dare do anything to hurt Elise!"

William's lips pressed into a thin line, and Elizabeth quickly tried to backtrack. "I mean, it would be beneath you... Just don't pressure her into anything!"

"Mind your own business. I'm going to sleep," William said impatiently.

"Sleep..."

William ended the call abruptly, leaving Elizabeth's imagination running wild.

So he was sleeping with Elise right now?!

Her innocent friend Elise was about to be completely devoured by William, the big bad wolf!