Elise turned and entered her door passcode. She stepped inside once the door clicked open.

The man who had promised to leave moments ago remained rooted outside her doorway.

"It's getting late. You should go now," she urged him once more.

"Alright," William replied instantly.

Yet his body betrayed his words, refusing to move from her doorstep.

Elise clenched her jaw and shut the door firmly. She activated the door monitor immediately. William still stood there, unmoving.

Exasperated, she swung the door open again. "I thought you were leaving?"

"I just remembered something important," he said, his expression turning serious. "You never gave me a birthday gift."

Elise pressed her lips together. She had assumed this would be their final parting tonight! Any gift would only encourage false hopes and complicate matters further.

"Anything would suffice," William insisted, his meaningful gaze impossible to ignore.

She sighed deeply, realizing he wouldn't leave until satisfied. Resigning herself, she approached him, rose on her toes, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

William froze completely. When his eyes met hers again, Elise felt heat rushing to her cheeks, her composure crumbling under his intense stare.

"Just go already," she mumbled, looking away.

"I never expected you preferred... physical expressions of affection." A smug smile played on his lips. "I actually thought a simple 'happy birthday' would be enough."

His eyes, which had been clouded with alcohol earlier, now sparkled with clear amusement. He had received more than he anticipated, yet pretended otherwise?!

She desperately wanted to wipe that self-satisfied look off his face right then.

"That being said," he continued, his voice dropping to a deeper, more intimate tone, "I definitely prefer your method of celebration."

Elise felt her cheeks burning crimson.

"Goodnight," he finally said, turning to leave with evident satisfaction.

She slammed the door shut immediately, leaning against it while clutching her flaming cheeks.

Elizabeth's question echoed in her mind - had she asked if William was good?

Yes, he certainly was exceptional!

She couldn't help wondering how many other women had fallen under his spell, dancing to his tune just like this.

Elise woke much later than usual, having struggled to fall asleep. The persistent ringing of her phone finally dragged her from slumber.

She reacted minimally upon seeing the caller ID, answering with unusual calmness.

"Elise Scott!" Benjamin was shouting through the receiver. "Why aren't you at the hospital?!"

"Am I expected to live there permanently?" Elise responded coolly.

Benjamin had no choice but to swallow his frustration.

It had taken him two full days to persuade his mother to apologize to Elise, hoping to settle matters out of court.

They arrived at the hospital only to discover Elise had been discharged.

She was deliberately making this difficult, wasn't she?!

Margaret had been scowling throughout the journey to the hospital. Now her face contorted with pure rage. "She expects me to visit her personally to apologize?! Who does she think she is?! Tell her to come to the family mansion immediately!"

Margaret's voice carried so loudly that Elise heard every word clearly.

Benjamin had obviously brought Margaret to the hospital to apologize, but it appeared Margaret intended to threaten Elise instead.

Seeing no point in continuing the conversation, Elise simply ended the call.

Naturally, Benjamin was furious about being hung up on.

Wheeling to face Margaret, he thundered, "Don't you understand the situation?! Elise wants you behind bars! The only reason you weren't held in police custody longer is because of your age! That doesn't make you innocent or entitled to special treatment! Plus, William Levine is backing Elise - all she needs to do is say the word, and you'll be serving time!"