William pressed his lips together tightly.

He didn't turn around to respond.

Victoria remained standing behind him, waiting.

"Your grandfather asked me to come," she explained softly.

"He said it's been too long since I visited Crestwood. That he missed me."

"I went directly to Levine Manor first, but he insisted I come see you."

"I couldn't refuse his request. I would have called first if I'd known."

"I'm sorry for creating this awkward situation."

William swallowed hard before turning to face her.

He wasn't angry, nor did he blame her for anything.

Despite feeling guilty, he couldn't find kind words for her.

"Come on," he said bluntly. "I'll take you back to your hotel."

Cold disappointment gripped Victoria's heart.

He still wouldn't let her stay here.

Even when they were abroad, he always sent her home like this.

No matter how late it was, no matter how many empty rooms he had.

Now back in Zidonia, he remained just as distant.

She used to think this was just how he treated everyone.

Now she understood the painful truth.

He simply wasn't interested in her.

All those years she'd foolishly waited for him to make the first move.

It was too late for regrets now.

If she'd known how things would turn out, she wouldn't have bothered with propriety.

She would have pursued him directly from the start.

Then Elise Scott would never have slipped between them.

As she got into William's car and left his apartment, he remained mostly silent.

She could feel his resentment about their engagement.

Yet he never took it out on her or demanded explanations.

Even when she claimed ignorance about the arrangement, he showed no reaction.

His coldness toward her remained unchanged.

"William?" she ventured.

"Yeah?" he responded without turning his head.

His gaze remained fixed outside the window.

"I heard James has a school sports meet tomorrow."

"Yes."

"Your grandfather asked me to join you. I was going to decline, but he said—"

"You can come," William agreed immediately.

Victoria couldn't suppress her smile.

However distant William might be, he never refused her requests.

She truly was different from other women in his life.

The next morning, Elise woke to James's phone call.

"Mommy?"

"Hello, sweetheart," she answered tenderly.

"You didn't forget about my school sports meet today, did you?" he reminded her.

"Of course not, but..."

"Are you breaking your promise, Mommy?"

James's voice instantly filled with sorrow.

"No, I'll definitely be there," Elise assured him.

She found she couldn't refuse him anything.

James had clearly inherited William's cunning nature.

Their methods might differ, but they both knew how to get what they wanted.

"It starts at one o'clock. I'll be waiting for you, Mommy."

James reminded her once more.

"Okay."

After hanging up, Elise headed to her office.

She attended meetings and made work arrangements.

Then she grabbed a quick lunch before hurrying out.

She changed into casual clothes more suitable for the sports meet.

Arriving at James's school gates, she found security registering all visitors.

Elise wasn't sure she'd be allowed entry.

But the security guard said, "James Levine's mother, right? You may enter."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"How did you know?" she couldn't help asking.

"Every student registers their parents' names and contact numbers," the guard explained.

Warmth blossomed in Elise's heart.

"Alright, thank you."

"You're welcome."

With that, she entered the school grounds and headed toward the main hall.