Elise bit down on her lower lip, refusing to speak.

"I have no idea."

"Well, he never would tell me," Elizabeth said casually. She added, "By the way, I have my final scene to shoot tonight. It's been postponed because of my other commitments. Once it's done, I'll have my manager clear my schedule. I'll stay with you until your legal situation is resolved."

"You really don't have to disrupt your work for me..." Elise began.

"It's my decision. Please don't refuse me," Elizabeth stated firmly, leaving no room for argument. "My assistant is taking me to the studio shortly. I should finish around 2 or 3 AM. Just wait for me at home."

Elise didn't want to dampen Elizabeth's sincere offer. She remained on the sofa after Elizabeth departed, her gaze distant and unfocused.

She couldn't find any peace. Facing criminal charges, she wasn't as fearless as she pretended to be. Her fingers trembled slightly. Finally, she picked up her phone and dialed a familiar number.

"William."

"Yes?"

His voice sounded controlled, perhaps even startled by her call.

"The person you should look into for my case is Sophia," she informed him.

She had decided to share her suspicions with him.

"Right," William replied. "My team is already examining any connections between Helen Williams and Sophia. We're looking for leverage. Personally, I believe if Helen is willing to go down with you, Sophia must have something serious on her. Something Helen can't risk being exposed. Or the offer Sophia made was simply too good to refuse."

"My guess is it's the former," Elise shared her assessment.

"Agreed. I'll dig deeper into her background."

"But if we move too obviously, we might tip them off. The whole case feels like a setup."

"I'll be very careful."

"Thank you," Elise said, her tone formal.

William was silent for a moment before responding, "It's the least I can do."

The dynamic between them remained complex and strained.

After ending the call, Elise released a heavy, weary sigh.

After everything they had been through, there were moments she truly didn't know what choices to make. Or how to face him.

Meanwhile, on the set of 'Pomp and Circumstance', Elizabeth was preparing for a wire-flying stunt sequence.

She had performed similar stunts before, always insisting on doing her own work. This time, however, a stunt double was being used.

"What's going on?" Elizabeth asked her assistant, Penelope.

"Mr. Parker arranged it," Penelope answered hesitantly.

She was acutely aware of the tension between Ethan and Elizabeth.

Worried Elizabeth might storm onto the set and start another argument, she quickly added, "Honestly, I think he's doing this for your safety. This stunt involves jumping from that massive archway. It must be over thirty feet high. The double is a perfect match for you. No one will know the difference. You'll just film the close-up shots afterward."

Elizabeth felt a flash of anger, but Ethan, as the director, had the final say.

And Penelope had a point – Elizabeth had a pronounced fear of heights. Her previous wire work had never exceeded fifteen feet. She didn't want to hold up the entire production because of her personal phobia.

"Let's go see for ourselves," she said finally.