Elise's gaze met William's.

Their eyes locked in a silent exchange.

Unspoken words hung between them.

Yet nothing was said aloud.

The tension was palpable until Victoria broke the silence. "Patrick, my dear cousin. What a shame you beat me to a partnership with Elise!"

"Is that so?" Patrick responded with his usual diplomatic tone toward Victoria.

"I've been wanting to collaborate with her for ages," Victoria continued, her disappointment seeming genuine. "But you two seem to have formed such a strong connection. It's been bothering me for weeks."

"Now, now—let's not be greedy, Victoria. Mr. Levine here leads multiple elite businesses with vast resources. I'm just starting out, so don't crush my opportunities so quickly," Patrick joked, subtly mocking the Stuart family's notorious ambition.

"Oh, come now. We're family, aren't we? What's mine is yours. I genuinely wish you success in your partnership with Elise. William, darling, let's toast to their collaboration," Victoria said.

She wrapped her arm possessively around William's, deliberately pulling him closer as she proposed the toast, clearly trying to demonstrate their intimacy.

Elise watched impassively as William neither raised his glass nor refused the toast.

He remained motionless when Victoria prompted him to drink, creating an awkward moment.

Patrick smoothly intervened. "You might not be aware, Mr. Levine, but Miss Scott can't drink for the next few days due to health reasons."

William's sharp gaze cut toward Patrick, who pretended not to notice as he continued, "So perhaps we can skip the formalities. We're family, after all. No need for such ceremony. You're the guest of honor tonight with many people waiting to speak with you. Don't worry about us—we'll manage just fine."

"In that case, we'll take our leave," Victoria smiled brightly. "Please enjoy the rest of the ball. William and I should continue mingling."

"Of course. Don't let us keep you."

Victoria tugged gently on William's arm, signaling their departure.

Yet William's eyes remained fixed on Elise, who stood so naturally beautiful beside Patrick.

"William," Victoria murmured softly, "your grandfather and mine are waiting just over there."

William swallowed hard, but ultimately walked away with her without uttering a word.

Once they were out of earshot, Patrick sighed dramatically. "What a disappointment."

Elise took a slow sip of her water, her expression unreadable. "What is?"

"William not sweeping you away right here and now."

Elise rolled her eyes while Patrick shrugged. "I was hoping to provoke him enough to make a scene. Imagine him storming out with you, burning bridges with the Stuart family while I reap the benefits."

"You're underestimating him," Elise stated bluntly.

"Well, he certainly has more self-control than I anticipated," Patrick chuckled.

"Just as you're overestimating my importance to him," Elise added flatly.

It was a factual statement, clarifying that Patrick had miscalculated her significance in William's life.

"Actually, you're the one underestimating your influence, Miss Scott," Patrick countered with a knowing smile. "If you'd been watching William's hands, you'd have seen he was clenching them so tightly he might have broken his own bones."

Elise blinked, then quickly looked away after a brief glance.

They had both chosen their separate paths.

Sympathizing with each other served no purpose now.

"The air feels heavy in here. I need some space," Elise said, setting down her glass and preparing to leave.

"Wait." Patrick stopped her. "The most interesting part is just beginning."