Samuel took his time feeding William, finally finishing the task before practically fleeing the room.

He did remember to politely lock the door behind him though.

Elise glanced at the clock, noticing it was already 10 PM—definitely time for her to head home.

Just as she was about to speak, William's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Could you help me with a sponge bath?"

She turned toward him, and he continued, "The doctors said I shouldn't shower yet."

She knew that medical instruction perfectly well—but was it appropriate for her to be the one doing it?!

"I'm not comfortable with male attendants touching me," William explained, and Elise immediately recalled that all the rehabilitation staff were indeed men.

"I don't think I'll be able to sleep feeling this unclean," William added softly. "Please."

Elise drew a deep breath at that moment.

She believed in returning favors, and this time she owed William far more than just a simple favor.

She walked to the bathroom, filled a basin with warm water, and soaked a soft towel before returning to his bedside.

"Close your eyes," Elise instructed. "I'll start with your face."

William complied obediently, feeling only the gentle, warm pressure of the towel moving carefully across his features.

After wringing out the towel, Elise moved to his neck and collarbone area. "Should I continue?" she asked.

"Yes," he responded quietly.

Elise set down the towel, mentally preparing herself before unbuttoning William's hospital gown, revealing his well-defined chest.

It wasn't as if she was unfamiliar with male anatomy—or shirtless men, for that matter.

She'd supervised numerous photoshoots with male models who often worked shirtless.

Yet she felt heat rising to her cheeks as she observed the perfect, tempting muscular contours of William's chest and abdomen.

Even through the towel, she could feel the firm yet resilient texture of his muscles.

She meticulously wiped him down, moving methodically to his arms and legs.

By the time she finished, she was breathing heavily, unsure whether from exertion or... something else entirely.

Just as she picked up the basin to leave, William's voice stopped her. "You missed a spot."

Elise stiffened slightly, her fingers tightening unconsciously around the basin.

Give him an inch, and he'd definitely take a mile!

"I can manage that part myself," William added, but Elise was already clenching her jaw.

No matter how she looked at it, he was clearly doing this intentionally!

"I'll get you fresh water," she said curtly before returning to the washroom for clean water and another towel.

William noticed her reaction, a faint smile touching his lips as he accepted the towel from her.

Elise deliberately looked away, and after what felt like an eternity, he announced, "Done."

She turned back to him but instructed him to drop the towel into the basin rather than taking it directly from his hands.

With that task completed, she returned to the washroom and disposed of the used towel.

When everything was settled, she announced, "I'm leaving now."

"Will you come tomorrow?" William asked.

Elise remained silent—there was overwhelming work waiting for her at Stellar Group.

"That's fine if you can't make it," William continued. "I'll just be here alone, feeling isolated and lonely. No one to keep me company, and this injury does ache quite a bit... but it's nothing serious, really."

Elise was rendered speechless.

How could anyone be so deliberately manipulative?!