The doctor's words hung in the air, met only by prolonged silence from William.

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor ventured cautiously, "Mr. Levine?"

"So there are no alternatives?" William's voice was strained, trembling slightly.

"None," the doctor confirmed.

"Understood."

William ended the call abruptly. He felt his composure shattering.

He drew several deep breaths, fighting to maintain control enough to focus on driving. Finally reaching Crestwood Heights' underground parking, he parked swiftly, unbuckled his seatbelt, and exited the vehicle. The moment he stepped away, Elise grew visibly more agitated.

Outside, William paused for a few seconds, forcing calm upon himself before opening the passenger door to retrieve Elise. He hurried her toward the elevator, pressing the button for her floor.

Throughout the ascent, Elise shifted restlessly in his embrace. Her delicate fingers had already torn several buttons from his white shirt, revealing taut muscles beneath.

When the elevator arrived, William rushed out and rang the doorbell. Holding Elise prevented him from entering the security code.

Elizabeth yanked the door open almost instantly, her movements rough with obvious worry. Her eyes were red-rimmed when she saw Elise in her cousin's arms. She had been waiting inside, growing increasingly terrified as time passed. She had repeatedly called William, who hadn't answered, knowing he must have gone to rescue Elise. While she trusted his capabilities, the lack of updates had kept her anxiety mounting.

The suffocating pressure in her chest finally eased upon seeing Elise safe in William's arms.

But when Elizabeth looked closer at Elise, panic surged through her again.

She had never seen Elise in such a state. Her impression of Elise was always one of majesty and nobility.

Elise seemed above ordinary people, appearing goddess-like in any formal attire.

Moreover, she always maintained a pure, elegant countenance.

Elizabeth never imagined Elise could look so seductive and alluring... to the point where she felt a nosebleed might be imminent.

Plus, seeing William drenched in sweat and breathing heavily...

Well, William wasn't in that condition simply from carrying Elise, was he? Clearly, he had been teased to the brink of his endurance.

In conclusion...

Elise had definitely been set up and drugged tonight.

Just who would be so sinister and despicable to commit such a repulsive act?! Before Elizabeth could speak, William hurriedly pushed past her into Elise's bedroom and laid her down.

The moment he released her, Elizabeth saw William preparing to leave, but Elise reached up, hooking her arms around his neck. She pressed hot, wet kisses against his lips...

Oh my god! Elizabeth stood stunned into silence by the scene unfolding before her.

Was this appropriate for her to watch? Could she really witness this happening for free? Oh god, this was too intense.

More importantly, it was breathtakingly beautiful! Elizabeth suddenly felt it was a pity these two wouldn't be making an R-rated film.

"Get out!"

William hissed, his expression severe.

His sharp tone snapped Elizabeth from her daze.

See no evil! Elizabeth immediately turned to leave, but remembered something and hurriedly added, "Don't forget to be gentle when you... well, you know. You look like you're about to lose control, so please don't hurt Elise..."

William's bloodshot eyes frightened her.

How long had he been restraining himself? His eyes were completely blood-filled! Those unaware might think William was the one who had been drugged! Well, Elizabeth didn't blame him for his appearance.

Who could possibly resist Elise in this condition? Closing the door behind her, Elizabeth briefly considered the situation before deciding to leave the apartment entirely.

They needed sufficient space to do what needed to be done, right? Obviously, she knew how to read the room.

Back in the room, William gathered Elise into his arms again and carried her to the bathroom. He quickly turned on the shower, drenching Elise under the cold water.

The sudden temperature change made Elise shiver violently.

It was October now, and the nights were cooler than usual.

Elise shot William a pitiful look, seeming to regain momentary consciousness.

William's heart ached at the sight.

"I'm afraid you'll kill me when you wake up tomorrow morning," William confessed.

Elise blinked her large doe eyes, looking exactly like an abandoned puppy.

The last time they were in this situation, she had given him the same look when he refused her. It had been impossible to resist that expression, so he had let go and indulged, losing all self-control.

He had nearly died in her bed that night.

Of course, the entire blame didn't rest solely on Elise's shoulders.

William himself had lost control that night.

This time... he wouldn't let his heart soften. He dared not imagine how disgusted Elise would be tomorrow when she regained her senses if he did.

The last time he indulged, Elise had hated him for years.

This time, she might hate him for the rest of her life.

He couldn't be deceived by her current expression.

Despite everything, she could easily become hostile at the slightest provocation.

However, William tensed the next moment.

Elise wasn't the only one under the cold shower. He stood beneath it too. His condition was no better than hers.

The difference was, he still retained his rationality; hers had completely vanished.

Elise pressed her wet body closer to him.

Her clothes were thoroughly soaked now, revealing almost everything beneath.

Though under cold water, her hands felt frighteningly hot as they pressed him down onto the floor.

Water covered the floor everywhere, and the cold spray continued beating down on them.

It did nothing to cool the heated atmosphere.

Elise bent down, sinking her teeth harshly into his neck, as if retaliating for his earlier rejection.

William squeezed his eyes shut.

Seriously, Elise would be the death of him.

The next day at dawn, the curtains fluttered gently in the morning breeze.

Sunlight streamed through the cracks, spilling across the floor.

Elise opened her eyes to the warmth on her face, immediately wincing as painful aches resonated through her body. She felt as if her body were falling apart.

For a moment, she couldn't process her surroundings or recall where she was.

It was as if she had short-term amnesia, unable to remember anything from last night. She blinked, looking around, her gaze landing on the man lying beside her.

His head was buried under the covers, his back turned toward her. He slept soundly, his breathing even, showing no signs of waking.

She suddenly recalled an identical scene from when she was eighteen years old, waking up one morning.

Back then, she had been so shocked that she scrambled out of bed and fell to the floor.

In a frantic rush, she had grabbed her clothes and fled as quickly as possible.

Wait.

Had she...

Transmigrated back to the past?!