Elise never imagined she would actually faint.

She had been awake nearly all night, pushing herself beyond her limits. Yet she believed she could endure it.

But she collapsed right in front of Samuel Mitchell, of all people.

As darkness swallowed her, a terrible premonition washed over her.

Elizabeth waited at home for Elise to return from work. She had cleared her entire schedule today. She’d ordered an incredibly nutritious meal from Crestwood's finest private chef, determined to provide Elise with some much-needed nourishment. Elise had seemed to be losing weight lately. Her wrists were so slender they looked fragile enough to snap.

Elizabeth didn't understand why her heart ached so fiercely seeing Elise like this. Elise was a strong woman, tougher and more radiant than Elizabeth could ever be. Yet, fate had been unkind. It was true what they said—sometimes, the more beautiful the flower, the more tragic its fate.

She waited until half-past seven. Anxiety began to gnaw at her. There was still no sign of Elise. Elise hadn't rested properly last night; she couldn't possibly be working through another night, could she?

Did Elise think she was invincible?

The thought infuriated Elizabeth. She snatched her phone and called Elise, only to find the line disconnected. The phone was off.

That was impossible.

Elise's phone was always on. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The possibility of a dead battery was equally unlikely; Elise was meticulously careful about such things.

Impatience surged through Elizabeth. She was not one to wait passively. Without a second thought, she grabbed Elise's car keys and drove straight to Stellar Group.

She burst into Elise's office, throwing the door open.

Matthew jumped at the sudden intrusion. He had been sorting through internal requests on Elise's computer, stuck on one he couldn't resolve. He'd sent her a message but received no reply and was about to call her when the door flew open.

His eyes widened. W-Was that his favorite idol, Elizabeth York?! In the flesh? Was he really seeing her up close?

His idol rushed toward him. "Where is Elise?"

Matthew took a moment to steady his frantic nerves. "Miss Scott left the office some time ago."

Elizabeth's heart hammered against her ribs. "Did she have any business dinners tonight? Any appointments?"

"No. There was a dinner, but she said she wasn't feeling well and canceled it," Matthew replied hastily.

"Then where is she?!" Elizabeth's voice rose, sharp with panic.

A dreadful feeling solidified in her gut. She knew Elise had no other close friends. Elise's personal life was an open book to her. Elise was also intensely sensible; she wouldn't recklessly jeopardize her health. If she was overworked, she would have come straight home to rest.

Most importantly, Elise would never, ever turn off her phone without a compelling reason.

"What's wrong?" Matthew asked, his worry growing as he saw his idol's face flush with distress.

"Nothing."

Elizabeth forced herself to focus, mentally chastising her panic. She turned on her heel without another word and hurried out.

Matthew didn't get a chance to speak. He had wanted an autograph...

Elizabeth slid back into the car, ignition roaring to life. She called William as she sped away from the building.

"William, Elise is missing!"

On the other end, William's slender fingers stilled over his work. His voice was harsh. "What?"

"Elise is missing! I was waiting for her at home for dinner, and she never showed up! I called her, but her phone is off. I went to her office, and her secretary said she left work a while ago. He confirmed there were no business engagements. William, you know she doesn't have other friends. She wouldn't just disappear—"

The call cut off abruptly.

Tears welled in Elizabeth's eyes. She clutched her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Why did it feel like Elise was constantly walking into danger?

Please, she prayed silently, don't let the world be so cruel to her. Not again.