Elise was feeling incredibly bored.

She decided to call Charles.

"Hello Charles, it's Elise Scott."

"Good afternoon, Ms. Scott. I have your number saved. How may I assist you?"

Charles maintained his usual respectful tone.

"It's the weekend. Is James at home?"

"Yes, he is."

"May I take him to my place for an overnight stay?" Elise inquired.

Elizabeth was away for the weekend, attending an event in another city.

"Ms. Scott, please hold while I check," Charles said politely.

"Are you asking William? He wouldn't be available to speak with you," Elise stated directly.

"No. Mr. Levine previously instructed that you may take Young Master James anytime. I'm simply checking with Young Master James himself. He's currently playing with his toys and doesn't appreciate interruptions when he's focused."

"Of course. Thank you then," Elise responded courteously, choosing to ignore certain implications in Charles's words.

After a brief pause, Charles returned to the phone.

"Young Master James is quite excited about you coming to pick him up, Ms. Scott."

"I'll be there in approximately thirty minutes."

"Very well."

After ending the call, Elise drove directly to Chateau Emporio where James resided.

The elevator opened directly into the apartment's entrance, and her eyes widened in surprise.

Through the open doorway, she spotted a familiar figure standing in the center of the living room.

She hadn't expected to encounter Victoria here.

Victoria heard the elevator's arrival and turned to see Elise.

Their eyes met across the space.

While no visible hostility existed between them, neither woman initiated conversation.

Elise couldn't determine if William was present.

Standing in the hallway, she could only see a partial view of the living room.

"Mommy!"

James clearly expressed his excitement at seeing Elise.

He rushed from the living room straight into her arms.

Elise knelt down to embrace him properly, holding him tightly.

Emotions swelled within her, though she worked hard to conceal them.

"Mommy, why haven't you visited me for so long? Daddy disappeared a few days ago and I couldn't even reach him by phone. Did Daddy hide you somewhere so I couldn't see you? Daddy's being so selfish not wanting to share you," James complained with a pout.

Children certainly say the most unexpected things.

Elise wondered what Victoria must be thinking hearing James's words.

She focused entirely on James, missing the expression in Victoria's eyes.

She comforted him, saying, "I won't let this happen again from now on, alright?"

'From this point forward, we'll be going our separate ways.'

"Ms. Scott."

Victoria's voice reached her ears, gentle and polite.

Elise released James and stood up, meeting Victoria's gaze directly.

Both women stood at similar heights, with Victoria having a slight advantage of a couple inches.

"I didn't anticipate seeing you here."

Victoria extended her hand first.

"I'm Victoria Stuart."

"Hello, Ms. Stuart."

Elise reciprocated the handshake.

She shouldn't be surprised Victoria knew her identity.

Still, it felt surreal how calmly this encounter between romantic rivals was unfolding.

They shook hands briefly before Victoria continued, "It's the weekend.

William and I planned to take James to Levine Manor, but we just heard Charles mention you want to take James to your residence."

"I want to be with Mommy." James made his preference clear immediately.

"Alright."

Victoria crouched down to James's eye level.

She spoke in a friendly manner, "You can go wherever you wish. Since you were little, have I ever denied you anything you wanted?"

She affectionately ruffled James's hair.

"But Daddy..."

James began to whine.

At that precise moment, Elise watched William emerge from the living room into the hallway.