"At last! I'm starving!"

Elizabeth exclaimed with excitement as she approached them.

Elise felt a pang of guilt. She knew Elizabeth had been patiently waiting for them, going without food all day just to share the meal together.

"Aren't you joining us, William?" Elizabeth asked the man standing motionless nearby. "You worked tirelessly through the night. You must be famished. Look, you're practically withering away from hunger! Come sit. I ordered some nourishing soup specifically for you."

Elizabeth's enthusiasm was palpable, but William's gaze remained fixed on Elise. Just then, his stomach emitted a loud, unmistakable growl.

"Elizabeth went through the trouble of ordering for you. You should eat before you go," Elise finally relented.

William had been suppressing a smile, but the corners of his lips curved upward at her response.

Elizabeth also wore a knowing smile at Elise's words.

Somehow, Elise felt like she had just fallen into a carefully laid trap by the two of them.

The three settled around the dining table and began their meal.

Elizabeth, being the most animated of the trio, immediately started pointing out various dishes. "This herbal chicken soup is for you, Elise. It replenishes energy and strengthens kidney function. It also helps with those dark circles from staying up too late. Drink this, and you'll feel completely revitalized. And this special herbal blend is for you, William. It's for... well, I don't think I need to explain its purpose, do I?"

Elizabeth finished with a suggestive wink directed at William.

William could only stare in disbelief.

Seriously? Hadn't he endured enough last night?!

"Hurry up and drink your soup," Elizabeth urged as she served bowls to both of them.

"Don't forget to eat something yourself," Elise said, deliberately ignoring William.

"I wish I could indulge like you," Elizabeth groaned. "My meal is completely different from yours. I ordered a low-fat special. I'm an actress, remember? I can't afford to indulge in rich foods like this."

"I've told you before to quit this acting career and come work at Levine Holdings," William stated firmly.

"Absolutely not!" Elizabeth refused outright. "I'd rather starve on the streets than be trapped in some monotonous office job!"

William glared at her words, but Elizabeth pretended not to notice.

Elise attempted to lighten the atmosphere by changing the subject. "Where did you stay last night?"

"I didn't want to be in the way, so I checked into a hotel. I've taken the last few days off since I only have one final scene to shoot anyway, so there's no rush. I've asked my agent to postpone all other work for now. All this traveling has left me completely exhausted."

"Your health should be your priority," Elise admonished gently.

"Right back at you! You barely slept the night before and worked nonstop yesterday. It's already so late today—you absolutely shouldn't go to work! In fact, I suggest you take tomorrow off too and give yourself proper rest. Look how thin you've become! Even your... assets seem to have shrunk!" Elizabeth fretted.

"They're not small. They're perfectly proportioned," William interjected casually.

Elise pressed her lips together at his comment, feeling heat rush to the tips of her ears.

Elizabeth couldn't contain her laughter. "Even if Elise were a man, you'd still be head over heels for her, wouldn't you?"

William choked on the spoonful of soup he was drinking. After clearing his throat, he actually considered her words seriously for a moment before nodding. "Well, that's not entirely impossible."

This sudden, blatant display of affection made Elizabeth feel like she'd suddenly lost her appetite for her low-fat meal.

"You should leave once you finish eating," Elise told him, keeping her eyes firmly on her bowl.

William had only taken a few spoonfuls, but he admitted he felt reasonably full after having some rice with it.

Besides, Elise had urged him to leave multiple times now.

Staying any longer would only risk annoying her further, so leaving was the wiser choice.

More importantly, there were pressing matters requiring his attention—Samuel Mitchell, for instance.

William quietly set down his utensils.

Before departing, he said, "Make sure you eat well. The size of your chest isn't what matters. What's important is that you don't lose any more weight."

Elise was rendered speechless by his words, while Elizabeth was still chuckling after he left.

"Oh my... William is such a wonderful man, isn't he?" Elizabeth said proudly.

Elise neither denied nor agreed with the statement. She refused to comment on a man who was already engaged.

The fact that she ate heartily during that meal also had nothing to do with William's advice. She was simply hungry, and she had learned from recent mistakes.

Samuel had managed to catch her off guard because she had been too exhausted and neglected her health.

She wouldn't allow history to repeat itself.

When she thought of Samuel, her eyes turned hard and cold.

{ Some people in this world simply didn't deserve any mercy!