The internet was ablaze with opinions, as it always was.

Some netizens condemned the Stuarts as cowards, abandoning ship at the first sign of trouble and showing no loyalty.

Others defended the Stuarts' decision, arguing that crime should never be tolerated and deserved immediate, harsh consequences.

Power spoke volumes. The majority sided with the powerful Stuarts, while the Levines had no voice left to defend themselves.

Five days later, a text arrived from Patrick. It informed Elise that William had been transferred back to Crestwood. The location of his detention was included.

She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the screen. Finally, she decided to go.

Patrick had clearly arranged everything in advance. She was granted access to see William without any questions.

They sat across from each other, a heavy silence pressing down on them. Elise suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

His weary appearance, the shadows under his eyes, tugged painfully at her heart.

She had to know the truth. "Are the charges against you real?" she finally asked, her voice low.

"No," William replied, his gaze steady.

Her heart clenched. "You did this just to annul the engagement with Victoria? You fabricated all of it?"

"Yes."

"Why?" The word was a whisper, laden with confusion and hurt.

"So everyone could walk away unscathed. So no one else would get caught in the crossfire."

"And what about you?" Elise demanded, her emotions threatening to break through her carefully constructed calm. "What happens to you?"

"Do you actually care?" A faint, tired smile touched his lips. Despite the stubble and the bleakness of his situation, his handsomeness remained, sharpened by hardship.

Elise didn't answer. What was the point of such questions now? Patrick had told her the charges involved embezzling three billion dollars. A conviction meant William's life was effectively over.

Anger, sharp and sudden, flared within her. "How is this any different from actually marrying Victoria? The outcome is the same for me! You're still gone!"

"Were you worried I'd be executed?" William asked, seemingly amused by her outburst.

"No," she stated coldly, locking her feelings away. "I'm thinking of James. He's suffering because of his father's irresponsible choices. But it's fine. I'll be more careful next time. I'll find him a father who won't throw his life away."

"I'm not dead yet, and you're already planning to replace me?" William let out a dry, humorless laugh.

"I'm completely serious."

"I'm not going anywhere," William said, his voice dropping to a low, intense whisper. "The charges won't stick. I'll be free. This was the only way to force the Stuarts to break the engagement permanently."

"And then what?" Elise shot back, her eyes narrowing. "When they realize you played them, what do you think they'll do? They won't just let this go."

"By then," William said, a dangerous glint in his eyes, "they won't have the power to do anything about it."

Elise frowned, sensing a deeper scheme at play, a hidden card he hadn't revealed.

"Knowing that is enough for now," William continued, his gaze piercing through her. "As long as I'm breathing, Elise, I will never allow James to call another man his father."