[What?!]

Samantha could sense Elizabeth's shock even through the phone.

A long silence stretched between them before Elizabeth finally responded: [You're not actually trying to please that jerk, are you?]

[Not exactly.]

[That's a relief.]

[His family wants us to have a baby.]

[...So that's why you're trying to match his preferences?]

[The Saunders have always treated me well.]

[Seriously?!]

Elizabeth was speechless, but Samantha didn't bother explaining further—she believed if she could accept the situation, fighting against it was pointless.

Suddenly, Elizabeth changed the subject. [Nathan mentioned Ryan is back.]

Samantha replied, [Yes. He arrived yesterday and came to Andrew's birthday party.]

[And you...]

[I've moved on. I'm not lying—sometimes old feelings surface, but time really does heal wounds. There are moments when I feel anxious, but when I actually see him, I'm surprisingly calm.]

[Does time really change everything?]

Elizabeth's question was as much for herself as for Samantha.

Samantha answered sincerely: [That's been my experience.]

Then she remembered their original topic and quickly typed: [We're getting off track. You never answered my question.]

Elizabeth responded: [You could learn it, theoretically...]

[...Alright.]

[But is it really worth your effort?]

From Elizabeth's perspective, Samantha would eventually divorce Andrew.

If they actually had a child together, Samantha would be sacrificing her entire future.

[No, it's not.]

Samantha would never hide the truth from Elizabeth, but this was her reality.

Elizabeth was clearly frustrated. [Honestly, how did you let things get to this point?]

[Maybe because there isn't anyone better out there for me.]

At that point, Elizabeth knew better than to push further. [Fair enough. I'll select one and send it to you on WhatsApp later.]

[Okay.]

A sudden knock interrupted their conversation. "Come in," Samantha called out.

Another woman entered and informed her, "The board chairman wants to see you, Miss Scott."

"Alright," Samantha replied, quickly leaving her office without closing her chat with Elizabeth.

On the other end, Elizabeth was thoroughly browsing through options that would suit Samantha, so focused that she didn't notice Nathan approaching from behind.

His sudden presence nearly gave her a heart attack.

"I didn't mean to startle you," Nathan explained. "You were so absorbed, you didn't see me when I walked by."

Elizabeth said nothing, simply glaring at him intensely.

The stare-down continued for an uncomfortable moment until faint moaning sounds began drifting through the air.