The elevator ascended smoothly toward Elise's apartment floor.

When the doors slid open, she found Elizabeth leaning heavily against her front door.

Elizabeth's face was flushed a deep crimson.

She was clearly intoxicated.

Elise hurried toward her. "Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth's eyes fluttered open, glassy and unfocused.

Tears welled up instantly when she recognized Elise. "You're finally home."

"What are you doing here?" Elise asked with concern. "You're completely drunk."

"Finished filming early today," Elizabeth slurred. "Went out drinking with some friends."

Her breath reeked strongly of alcohol.

How much had she actually consumed?

"With Samantha?" Elise inquired.

"No, she's swamped with work and traveling for business anyway," Elizabeth mumbled. "Went with other friends... Burp! Drinking buddies."

She belched loudly.

Elise knew Samantha wouldn't be so irresponsible.

She quickly unlocked the door and guided Elizabeth inside. "Why didn't you call me if you were waiting out here?"

"Didn't want to interrupt your date with William," Elizabeth slurred, then suddenly gagged.

Elise swiftly steered her toward the bathroom.

Elizabeth collapsed before the toilet, clutching it as she began vomiting violently.

The retching continued for what felt like ages.

Elizabeth clutched her stomach miserably while Elise rubbed soothing circles on her back. "Feeling any better? Should I get you some water?"

"I need a bath," Elizabeth announced abruptly.

"Can you manage on your own?"

"Yeah."

Elise hurried to fill the bathtub with warm water.

She gathered fresh towels and clean clothes for Elizabeth.

After Elizabeth finished bathing, Elise handed her a warm honey drink she'd prepared.

Elizabeth settled into Elise's bed, sipping the sweet beverage with a tired smile. "Knew you'd take good care of me once I got here."

Elise smiled wryly—Elizabeth's face remained pale from vomiting, yet she still managed to beam. "Don't you have plenty of staff at home to look after you?"

"Levine Manor has people I'd rather not see right now."

"Fighting with your parents? Or Henry Levine?" Elise asked gently.

"No." Elizabeth denied it flatly, offering no further explanation.

She simply pulled the blankets up to her chin. "I'm going to sleep now."

Elise never pressed about others' private matters.

As she stood to leave, Elizabeth's phone began ringing insistently.

Elise retrieved it from Elizabeth's bag and handed it over. "It's Linda."

Though clearly annoyed, Elizabeth answered. "Linda…"

"Are you with Ethan Parker right now?" Linda demanded immediately.

Elizabeth's heart jolted violently.

It was ridiculous how her pulse raced anytime that man's name came up.

She maintained a calm tone. "Who's feeding you nonsense this time?"

"Someone photographed you with him!" Linda exclaimed grimly.

Elizabeth bolted upright in bed, startling Elise beside her.

Elise watched as Elizabeth frantically tapped her phone screen, scrolling through breaking news alerts with trembling fingers.