"I appreciate your assistance with the legal proceedings," Elise stated clearly.

William was the person who uncovered all the crucial evidence, particularly the proof showing the finance department had hired someone to forge her signature on those documents.

"I was the cause of everything that happened. You don't owe me any thanks."

Elise didn't say anything more. She genuinely hoped from the depths of her soul that William and Victoria would marry soon, completely severing any remaining connection between her and William.

Yet, because William was the reason her situation had stabilized, she felt she had no right to make such a request.

"Oh, right." Elise changed the subject. "Are you aware that Elizabeth and Nathan are dating now?"

"I am," William replied.

Elise wasn't surprised. She never had reason to question his capability or the speed at which he acquired such information.

"From what Elizabeth has shared with me, she and Nathan have a very good relationship. I won't speculate on whether their bond is purely platonic or romantic, but I can feel Elizabeth's happiness. Therefore, I hope you won't interfere. To be perfectly blunt, I don't want you telling Elizabeth about everything Ethan kept from her in the past. I don't want him disrupting her current peace and happiness."

"Don't worry, he won't," William assured her. "Even though Ethan is family, I've always valued my friends just as highly. If Nathan truly loves Elizabeth, and if she genuinely accepts him, they have my blessing and my wishes for their happiness. Not just from me, but from Ethan as well."

Elise looked at him. She felt William trusted Ethan unconditionally.

"Ethan and I were there last night when Nathan and Elizabeth confirmed their feelings for each other. Ethan turned and left afterward."

William noticed the disbelief in Elise's eyes and clarified further. "If he had intended to sabotage their relationship or fight for Elizabeth's affections, he wouldn't have walked away. Ethan is a good man."

Elise nodded in agreement. She recalled the time Ethan had taken her to the hospital when she was drunk.

Even though he knew there was history between her and William, she was still practically a stranger to him, someone he could have easily ignored.

Yet, driven by simple kindness, he ensured she got to the hospital, settled in, and was alright before he left.

"Matters of the heart are difficult to control." William could sense Elise's sympathy for Ethan.

"That's precisely why I don't dare let go. The moment I do, I know it will only drift further away from me."

With those words, William walked away.

Elise watched his retreating figure.

She understood the meaning behind his final sentence perfectly, of course.

Elise took a deep breath.

William's persistence was starting to affect her, just a little, but she refused to admit it.

On Monday, Sophia arrived at the weekly board of directors meeting for Scott Enterprises earlier than the scheduled time and took the chairman's seat.

The other directors exchanged glances.

Sophia had always been sensible and knew her place.

Why was she sitting there today? Even if Benjamin was busy and unable to attend, delegating her to chair the meeting, she should have had the self-awareness to sit in the adjacent seat instead.

Of course, since she was a member of the Scott family, the other directors remained silent.

At the last moment, Benjamin entered the meeting room with Daniel.

His face darkened immediately upon seeing Sophia seated in his chair.

Although Benjamin had affection for Sophia and sometimes felt a twinge of guilt over his favoritism towards his son, he was visibly upset by her audacity in taking his seat.

Daniel had always been impulsive and hot-headed.

Following his father into the room and seeing Sophia in the chairman's seat, his blood boiled. "Sophia, have you lost your mind? How dare you sit in Dad's chair! Get up now! You're making a fool of yourself!"

Sophia glanced at Daniel and completely ignored his outburst.

Daniel was shocked by her dismissive attitude.

He was accustomed to being the prince of the Scott household, the heir to Scott Enterprises, after all.

Who would dare challenge him? He stormed towards Sophia, fully intending to yank her out of the chair, when Sophia produced a document stating she was the majority shareholder of Scott Enterprises.

She announced loudly, "I now hold forty-one percent of Scott Enterprises' shares, making me the largest shareholder. According to the company's bylaws, the majority shareholder holds the position of chairman of Scott Enterprises! In other words, effective today, I officially assume the role of chairman of Scott Enterprises."