Elise and William returned to the private room. Nathan and the others immediately pulled William aside to continue drinking once they were back.

Not wanting William to worry about her feeling out of place, Elise selected a few songs to sing.

The scene in the private room settled into one where the ladies sang while the men indulged in their drinks.

Time slipped by quickly, and it grew late.

After singing lifted her spirits, Elizabeth leaned against Elise, her words slightly slurred from drink. "So? What did my dear William do to you out there?"

"Nothing happened," Elise replied, shaking her head a little too quickly.

"Nothing?" Elizabeth studied Elise's face intently, her expression full of doubt. "He was in a noticeably better mood when you two came back. And you're drinking freely now, though we could barely persuade you before... Are you sure nothing happened between you?"

Under Elizabeth's persistent gaze, Elise began to feel a flush of guilt. A knowing, suggestive smile spread across Elizabeth's face. "I see."

"It's not what you're thinking," Elise hurried to clarify—she didn't need a vivid imagination to guess Elizabeth's implication!

"It's not? I even saw scratch marks on his hand... Tell me the truth, was he good? I've always said that men who look that good usually are..."

Elise's cheeks burned as Elizabeth continued her bold speculation. Just as she gathered her thoughts to explain what really occurred, William's voice cut sharply through the noise. "Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth flinched. Wasn't he busy drinking with Nathan and the others?

But his attention had clearly been fixed on Elise the entire time.

"I need to use the restroom," Elizabeth announced, and made a hasty exit.

Elise couldn't help a small smile at how intimidated Elizabeth was by William... though, thinking about it, his quiet, solemn demeanor could indeed be quite formidable.

"Let's go," William told Elise, his tone softening considerably.

"What about everyone else?" Elise asked, glancing at the group.

"They can stay if they want," he replied flatly. It was past midnight—far too late.

"But if you leave now..."

"It's after twelve. My birthday is over. I'm no longer the guest of honor," William stated, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.

Elise found herself agreeing. Without another word, she left the room with him.

Elizabeth headed for a restroom further down the hall since Nathan was occupying the one attached to their private room.

She had soundly defeated him in their drinking game earlier.

Pausing in the corridor, her steps faltered as she spotted two unmistakable figures ahead—a sight that soured her mood instantly.

Yet, she couldn't look away, her stare fixed on them until they grew self-conscious and broke apart.

"You're utterly despicable, Andrew," Elizabeth snarled through clenched teeth.

Andrew merely chuckled, completely unbothered by her open insult.

"Move. I'm going to the restroom," she snapped.

Andrew stepped aside, and the woman with him did the same.

As Elizabeth brushed past them, she suddenly pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and shouted into the receiver, "Haven't you had enough of Andrew's cheating, Samantha?! He's constantly unfaithful! Should I hire you a male escort? A premium one—complete satisfaction guaranteed!"

Andrew's expression darkened instantly. The woman beside him noticed the change immediately.

She attempted to soothe him. "Oh, Mr. Saunders..."

"Get lost!" he roared.

The woman was taken aback. He had been perfectly pleasant with her moments before, receptive to her advances.

Now, he was discarding her just like that!

It was well-known in the club that Andrew was as handsome as he was generous. Any woman who spent a night with him was guaranteed satisfaction, both physically and materially!

However, the woman could only watch, fuming, as Andrew strode away coolly.

After finishing her call, Elizabeth returned from the restroom to find the private room... now completely empty.

It went without saying that William had taken Elise home, while Andrew was off philandering with another woman.

Nathan had likely made his escape after Elizabeth humiliated him in their drinking contest.

And as for Ethan... he had consumed quite a lot tonight as well.