Elise wasn't physically beside her, but Elizabeth could practically sense the overwhelming workload Elise was buried under.

Elizabeth released a heavy sigh.

Perhaps drowning herself in work was Elise's way of forgetting all the distressing matters. She had always been like this, ever since those earlier days. Her career had consumed her completely, leaving little room for anything else.

Elise set her phone aside and made her way to the conference room. Today's meeting was focused on the upcoming bid, and the afternoon would be dedicated to planning the launch of their new brand line.

A business must constantly innovate to thrive.

By the time the meeting concluded, office hours had ended. Yet, Elise remained at her desk, steadily working through the mountain of internal requests awaiting her attention.

As she worked in focused silence, her phone vibrated.

She glanced at the screen and declined the call. Moments later, it rang again. This time, it was an unknown number.

After a brief hesitation, she answered. "Hello?"

"Miss Scott? This is the Crestwood Police Department. We require your assistance in clarifying some details regarding the assault incident involving Brandon Miller and Samuel Mitchell last night. Please come down to the station."

"Understood," Elise replied. "Should I come now?"

"Immediately would be best."

"I'll be there shortly," Elise said before ending the call. She gathered her work materials and exited her office.

Matthew was surprised to see her leaving; she rarely departed early.

"Miss Scott."

"My computer remains on. Numerous internal requests are still pending. I need you to handle them. Contact me if anything requires my direct input."

"Of course," Matthew responded promptly.

Elise hailed a cab to the police station. She was an cautious driver at the best of times, and after a largely sleepless night, she had deemed it safer not to drive herself to work, fearing fatigue would impair her.

Upon arriving at the station, she found Samuel was already there.

She had ignored his earlier call, unwilling to engage with him. She had been so swamped with work that the previous night's altercation with Brandon had nearly slipped her mind.

"Miss Scott, Mr. Mitchell. Please accompany me to the office. We have a few points we need you both to clarify."

"Certainly," Elise agreed readily, fully prepared to cooperate.

She was determined to press charges against Brandon. On this matter, there was no room for negotiation. It was precisely why she had ignored all calls from Margaret since Brandon's detention.

An eye for an eye. That was a principle Elise had always lived by.

She spent over an hour at the station. As she and Samuel stepped outside, he spoke up.

"Let me drive you back. I have my car."

"That won't be necessary," Elise declined.

"Finding a cab at this hour will be difficult."

"I'm in no particular hurry."

"Then have dinner with me?" Samuel suggested.

Before she could refuse, he continued, "I don't mean anything by it. After everything Mitchell Corp has been through recently, I've come to realize how much you did for me back then. I deeply regret my actions toward you. I know it's far too late for apologies, but I just want one chance to express my remorse sincerely. After this, I promise I won't bother you again."

"That really isn't necessary," Elise refused, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Samuel clenched his jaw, frustration simmering. He hadn't anticipated her being so utterly cold. It made him question whether her past feelings for him had ever been genuine at all. Here he was, humbling himself, and she remained so detached, so unmoved.

"Samuel, if you truly felt any regret or guilt toward me, you wouldn't be pestering me now. This sudden kindness can only mean you have an ulterior motive."

Samuel flushed with anger, exposed by her blunt words.

"I know exactly what you're thinking, and I won't give you any opportunity to take advantage of the situation," Elise stated flatly before turning to leave.

Rage burned in Samuel's eyes, his body trembling with the effort to contain it.

Just as he felt his control was about to shatter, Elise suddenly collapsed right before him.