Elise had several reasons for her suspicion.

She could hear the warmth in Elizabeth's voice when she mentioned the silver lining.

Elizabeth never lied about her feelings. She was likely hinting that something wonderful was beginning in her life.

William had also mentioned that Ethan would look after Elizabeth.

If they could be honest with each other and clear up their misunderstandings, Elise believed reconciliation was inevitable.

"Why would you think that?" Elizabeth countered.

Despite the changes Elise sensed, traces of Elizabeth's dramatic personality remained.

Elise frowned slightly.

"How could anything happen between me and Ethan?! He can barely take care of himself. How would he dare approach me? Ethan and I..."

Elizabeth paused briefly before continuing, "I admit I was upset, staying single all these years waiting for Ethan. I cheapened myself so much that I thought it was fine even if he didn't love me and dated other women. I even fantasized he would return to me after playing around."

Elise tightened her grip on the phone, uncertain what to say.

Elizabeth continued.

"I refused to admit before that I still had feelings for Ethan. I wasn't just lying to you all, I was lying to myself. I wanted to appear carefree, like nothing Ethan did affected me. But truthfully, he made me miserable. Many times, I'd bury myself in work or drink just to forget him and the heartache..."

"Elizabeth, actually..."

"But everything's different now. I've truly moved on."

Elizabeth cut Elise off mid-sentence.

"I've fallen for someone else."

"What?" Elise was stunned.

"I can hardly believe it either—how affections can shift so suddenly," Elizabeth chuckled.

"When I confessed to Ethan that night, everything seemed perfect. Yet the next day, he was hugging another woman, being all intimate. I thought he was deliberately provoking me or rejecting me for some reason. But now I realize I was overthinking. Affection really can change in an instant."

"Are...you serious?"

Elise hated doubting Elizabeth, but this seemed too sudden.

How could Elizabeth develop feelings for someone else so quickly under such circumstances? She worried Elizabeth might be falling for a scam.

"I didn't want to tell you since it's happening so fast, and I worried you'd think I'm easy," Elizabeth said, slightly embarrassed.

Easy? Elizabeth? She remained remarkably pure despite working in the entertainment industry's corrupt environment.

Elizabeth had liked one person for eight whole years, after all.

"But I was also afraid you'd worry about me, so I thought telling the truth was best."

Elizabeth took a deep breath, gathering courage, and said, "It's Nathan."

Elise was so shocked she nearly dropped her phone.

Had she heard correctly?! Elizabeth and Nathan? Though she rarely saw them together, she instinctively felt they belonged to different worlds!

"You find it unbelievable too, don't you? I always treated Nathan like a brother, but who knew he had feelings for me all these years? Think about it—someone so cheerful and outgoing secretly crushing for so long...I was genuinely moved when I discovered this."

"Being moved doesn't equal love..."

Elise reminded her.

"I knew you'd say that. Sometimes being moved can transform into love.

Think about it—aside from love at first sight, aren't all relationships nurtured over time? How do affections develop? Isn't it because the other person does things that move you? I never expected to fancy someone like Nathan either, but after accepting him, I find I can't reject him at all."

Elise could clearly sense the happiness in Elizabeth's voice.

This was a stark contrast to their phone conversation with Samantha and Elizabeth last night.

Last night, no matter what Elizabeth said, Elise detected no hope or aspiration in her life.

But now, she could feel it.

So, was it truly over between Elizabeth and Ethan?

The thought of Ethan...