Despite her best efforts, Elise still couldn't get James to pronounce the words correctly that evening.

She couldn't bring herself to push him any harder. Seeing his tired eyes, she decided to let him sleep early. She would return tomorrow to continue their lessons.

But once James was tucked into bed, he clung to her arm tightly. His pleading eyes made it impossible for her to leave.

So she stayed, lying beside him until he fell asleep.

Watching his peaceful, sleeping face softened her heart completely. She leaned down and gently kissed his forehead, feeling that familiar reluctance to leave him.

Just as she was about to slip away, James murmured in his sleep.

"Cool whip... Cool whip..."

Her heart ached sharply. Had she been too demanding? She only wanted to protect him from being teased by classmates and teachers, never realizing how much pressure she was putting on him.

Remembering William's words earlier, she kissed James's forehead again, guilt washing over her. She promised herself she would be more patient tomorrow. After carefully adjusting his blanket, she finally left the room, though every step away felt difficult.

William was still working at the bar counter when she emerged.

"Is James asleep?" he asked without looking up from his laptop.

"Yes," Elise nodded.

"I need to discuss something with you."

"Go ahead."

"Could James stay at my place for the next few days?" she proposed. "I'll take him to school and pick him up after work. I'll give him tutoring every evening until he masters the basics, then I'll bring him back."

"Are you sure you can manage that daily schedule, Miss Scott?" William asked directly. "From what I understand, you start work at eight-thirty, but James doesn't begin school until nine. Will you be leaving work early to collect him at four? Besides myself, I only trust Charles with James."

Elise hesitated. Her current project required intense focus lately.

Her calendar was packed with meetings and tasks every day. Tomorrow's schedule was already filled until six in the evening.

"If that doesn't work for you, I can have James brought to your residence daily and picked up afterward," William suggested.

"That won't be necessary," Elise refused immediately, knowing it would disrupt James's bedtime routine.

She finally conceded. "I'll continue coming here instead. But I'll rearrange my work schedule as much as possible. Once I've stabilized my hours, I'd appreciate if you'd reconsider my proposal."

"Of course," William agreed.

"I should be going now," she said, gathering her belongings.

"It's quite late, Miss Scott. You should have something warm before you leave."

Elise frowned slightly.

"Charles prepared some soup for you," William explained, already rising from his chair. He went to the kitchen and returned with a steaming bowl. "It's still warm. Best to drink it now."

She was about to refuse when William added, "Please don't reject Charles's kindness. It's not easy for a man his age to get up at this hour."

The man was only fifty - practically middle-aged by modern standards! Still, Elise didn't protest.

As expected, William remained as shrewd as ever. She took a sip and had to admit the soup was excellent.

Her throat had been sore from all the talking during their lesson, and the warm liquid soothed it immediately.

When she finished the soup and prepared to leave, William was already waiting by the door, wearing his shoes.

"Allow me to see you home, Miss Scott."

"I drove here myself."

"It's no trouble at all." Elise didn't argue further.

Soon, her car led the way through the night streets, with William's Maybach following closely behind all the way to her apartment building.