After Ethan put Elizabeth to bed, he lingered in her room.

His eyes remained fixed on her face, flushed from the wine they had shared earlier.

Her lips looked particularly tempting, moist and slightly parted in sleep.

He couldn't help but recall the passionate kiss scene she had filmed earlier that week.

Swallowing hard, he reached out with his long fingers, gently tracing her lips as if trying to erase something.

He continued this solemn ritual for what felt like an eternity, until her lips became swollen and crimson.

Just as he began to lean closer, he caught himself and straightened up abruptly.

He turned and walked out, closing the door firmly behind him.

He never saw the single tear that escaped from beneath Elizabeth's closed eyelids and traced a path down her temple.

Elise woke with a pounding headache.

Going to work while hungover was absolute torture.

Elizabeth could hold her liquor far better than she could.

Elise had spent half the night vomiting, feeling as if her world had been turned upside down.

She sipped her black coffee, hoping it would clear the fog in her brain.

Matthew entered her office politely. "Ms. Scott? The contract is ready for signing. Elizabeth York's manager called to confirm they're available to sign today."

Elise took a deep breath, rising from her chair despite the persistent throbbing in her temples. "Let's get this done."

Though she trusted Elizabeth after their evening together, part of her still found the endorsement deal too good to be true.

Having William involved in their dynamic made everything more complicated.

Getting the contract signed would finally put her mind at ease.

"Keep this confidential until the official announcement," Elise instructed Matthew, repeating the same warning she had given Elizabeth and her manager.

"Understood, Ms. Scott." Matthew nodded promptly.

She felt grateful for her new secretary—her previous one would have leaked information everywhere.

The thought of how much of Stellar Group remained under Benjamin Scott's control made her feel utterly helpless.

Still feeling unwell, Elise decided to leave work early.

She returned to her apartment, ate some takeout, took a long shower, and collapsed into bed.

Out of habit, she checked her phone before sleeping.

She opened WhatsApp, but found no new messages from William.

Well, that was to be expected.

There was no need for formal goodbyes when nothing had truly begun between them.

They could simply go their separate ways without any lingering attachments.

Elise set her phone aside and fell into a deep sleep.

She slept soundly until persistent doorbell chimes jolted her awake.

Blinking in the darkness, she saw that it was still pitch black outside.

The city seemed unusually quiet at this hour.

What time was it?

Still disoriented, she glanced at her phone—3:07 AM.

Just as she wondered if she was dreaming, the doorbell rang again.

Someone was actually at her door at this ungodly hour!

Elise quickly got up and went to check the door monitor.

William stood outside, looking surprisingly composed for the late hour.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Hadn't he said he would be away for a week?

It had only been four days.

More importantly, she had assumed things were over between them after not hearing from him all day.

Even with her limited knowledge of him, she knew he had his pride.

After a moment's hesitation, she finally opened the door.

His cheeks were slightly flushed, and she could smell alcohol on him.

Yet he stood perfectly straight, maintaining his usual regal composure.

"Did you get the wrong apartment?" Elise asked, her voice still heavy with sleep.

William simply smiled, his gaze slightly unfocused. "I'm looking for Elise Scott."

That bewitching smile of his... Men could definitely use their beauty as a weapon too.