Elise was stunned. "What did he say?"

Elizabeth repeated Ethan's message. "He told me to warn you not to trust anything my grandfather says. Don't make any rash decisions. And you should wait for William to explain everything to you."

Elise pressed her lips together.

So Ethan knew everything. That explained why he had been so helpful all these years.

She had honestly believed he was just being kind.

Still, Elizabeth couldn't resist defending William.

"Listen, Elise," Elizabeth said urgently. "My brother would never fall for Victoria Stuart. The elders must have arranged this engagement without his knowledge. If William knew about it, he would never have brought you to the banquet hall. Even if he doesn't love you, he wouldn't humiliate himself like that or create unnecessary trouble. You have to trust William!"

Elise responded calmly, "Elizabeth, what do you think will happen now that your grandfather has publicly announced William's engagement to Victoria? Even if William refuses to cooperate?"

Elizabeth was speechless. She hadn't considered that far ahead. All she cared about was that William was being forced into this.

Elise continued reasoning with her. "What-ifs don't matter when the outcome can't be changed."

Elizabeth felt confused. Since when was Elise the logical one here?

But Elizabeth argued anyway, blinded by her devotion to her brother. "No, Elise... What I mean is you should still have faith in William. I agree my grandfather made the first move to trap him, but William never accepts defeat. He'll find a way to break off the engagement with Victoria. Please don't give up on him?"

Elise didn't want to crush Elizabeth's hopes completely.

The Stuarts ruled Rockville and ranked among the top five most powerful dynasties in Zidonia. They had a reputation to maintain. They wouldn't easily annul an engagement once it was publicly announced.

In fact, the announcement had already pushed them past the point of no return.

"I'm not giving up on him," Elise said.

Before Elizabeth could smile, Elise added, "All good things must come to an end."

Elizabeth was speechless.

Was there really no chance to turn this around?

Elise clearly had feelings for William, even if she hid them well. Why else would she tolerate William's advances, especially after being betrayed by a scoundrel like Samuel?

Did people in love really end things so simply?

Elizabeth suddenly remembered what Ethan said—that he had anticipated what Elise would believe, and what she would ultimately decide.

How did that man know something Elizabeth didn't?

"Elizabeth, no matter what happens between William and me, our friendship won't change," Elise assured her.

Elizabeth pressed her lips together.

She wasn't worried about their friendship being affected... She just thought it was such a shame that Elise and William were splitting up like this!

There was so much she wanted to say, but Elizabeth ultimately remained silent. She decided it was better to wait for William to properly explain things to Elise.

When Elizabeth woke the next morning, Elise was already gone.

Elizabeth had struggled to fall asleep until very late.

She didn't know if Elise had actually slept, though she had remained motionless all night.

Still, she wasn't surprised to find Elise gone when she checked the clock and saw it was already 9 AM.

A workaholic like Elise would be working even if the world was ending.

After washing up, Elizabeth went to the living room and saw breakfast prepared on the dining table. A note beside it read: [Everything is sugar-free and low fat. You have nothing to worry about.]

Tears welled in Elizabeth's eyes.

Elise had still made breakfast for her despite everything?

Elizabeth's heart ached for Elise. She couldn't help wanting to dedicate her heart and soul to her!