Elise glanced at her phone once before setting it aside, along with her fork.

"Is the dish not to your liking, Ms. Scott?" the chef inquired anxiously.

"No, I just feel a bit unwell," Elise offered a faint smile. The food was perfectly fine, but her mind was already playing tricks on her body.

"Shall I call the doctor for another examination?" the chef suggested.

"That won't be necessary."

The doctor had departed days ago, having confirmed her broken leg was the only health concern.

"In that case..."

"Please, carry on with your duties. Pay me no mind," Elise said, rising with the aid of her crutches and making her way out of the mansion.

Truthfully, she was feeling restless.

Sometimes, you can deceive everyone around you, but you can never lie to yourself.

Her phone buzzed abruptly. Seeing the caller ID, she took a steadying breath and forced cheer into her voice. "Elizabeth."

"Are you still in Rockville?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing major. I was hoping to invite you and Samantha over to sample my cooking. I'm certain my skills have improved. You two would give me honest feedback, unlike Nathan, who praises everything I make. His excessive kindness is rather transparent, and I genuinely wish to gauge my actual progress."

Despite Elizabeth's complaints about Nathan, the underlying happiness in her tone was unmistakable.

Elise managed a slight smile. "I'm afraid I must disappoint you. It seems I won't be returning to Crestwood anytime soon."

"Wait, are you and Patrick Montgomery really an item? Are you at his estate right now? Living together?"

Elizabeth sounded thrilled, clearly having seen the news reports. She had even texted Elise earlier for confirmation.

Elise remained silent. The situation was too convoluted to explain briefly, and this public perception was somewhat unavoidable now.

"Are you truly giving up on my cousin—I mean, William?" Elizabeth pressed.

"The man left you, and you're still defending him?" Elise couldn't resist teasing.

"Honestly, given the circumstances, his hands were tied. He had to choose his aunt," Elizabeth replied, her inherent kindness always leading her to consider others' perspectives. "The Levines prioritize family above all else. That familial pressure is immense."

Her insight was sharp.

Yet, she quickly grew agitated again. "Hold on—we were discussing you! Seriously, are you dating Patrick? Or is this a strategic move to keep Victoria off your back?"

"There's nothing romantic between Patrick and me. It's merely media speculation and gossip. Neither of us can clarify the situation publicly right now; it would be inconvenient."

"I knew it! There's no way you'd move on that quickly." Elizabeth giggled.

"Hey. Even if I were dating Patrick, it wouldn't be 'moving on' from William," Elise corrected gently.

"Fine, it's all dear William's fault for turning his back on you. That said, Elise, I have this strong feeling you shouldn't give up until William actually marries Victoria. No matter what elaborate schemes she devises, he would never genuinely marry her."

In the end, Elizabeth's loyalty to William shone through.

Elise sometimes wondered what virtues William possessed to earn such unwavering devotion from someone as perceptive as Elizabeth.

"Alright, I'll stop. I know it upsets you—frankly, it infuriates me too, seeing Victoria clinging to William in the news every single day," Elizabeth rambled, then her tone shifted, becoming unusually serious. "Elise. Do you think Nathan and I should..."

She trailed off abruptly, and Elise found herself genuinely curious about what Elizabeth was too embarrassed to voice.

She waited patiently until Elizabeth took a sharp breath and asked, "Do you think Nathan and I should... sleep together?"

"You haven't yet?" The question slipped out before Elise could stop it, and she immediately sensed the awkwardness hanging in the air.