The breakfast was peaceful until William's phone shattered the silence. He glanced at the screen, and his expression tightened instantly.

"It's Grandfather."

Elise's eyes flickered slightly, but she kept her gaze lowered, continuing to eat. If it were a private call, William would take it elsewhere, away from her hearing.

That was his usual pattern whenever Victoria called.

"What is it?"

A moment later, panic flashed across William's face.

Elise wondered what could possibly shake William so profoundly. She noticed his hand, holding the phone, had begun to tremble.

His eyes were also reddening visibly.

"Understood. I'm on my way."

William ended the call and sat in heavy silence, his eyes fixed on nothing in particular.

"What's wrong?" Elise finally asked, her voice soft.

What news could overwhelm William to this extent?

"Ethan... he's had an accident," William said, his voice strained as he fought to control his emotions.

Elise felt her heart constrict painfully.

Judging by William's devastated expression, this was no minor incident.

"Last night, around eleven, his car went off the mountainside. It was a different cliff from where your accident occurred. The rescue team only found him at five this morning. He's in critical condition at the hospital. The doctors aren't sure if he'll pull through."

William's voice cracked, his composure clearly crumbling.

Elise felt a surge of anxiety, unsure what to say or how to comfort him.

"I need to return immediately," William stated bluntly.

Elise nodded. "I'll come with you—"

"No. You stay here. It's safer than Crestwood," William insisted firmly.

Elise opened her mouth to protest but then closed it. Now wasn't the time for arguments.

"I'll return as soon as I can."

"Take your time. I'm perfectly fine here alone," Elise replied honestly.

She didn't want William to miss seeing Ethan because of her. What if...

A cold dread settled in her stomach. She refused to finish that thought.

As long as Ethan was fighting, there was hope.

Modern medicine had advanced tremendously. His chances were good.

William said nothing more. He abandoned his half-eaten breakfast and left abruptly.

Elise's appetite vanished completely. She grabbed her phone and crutches, heading to the back garden to sit.

News of Ethan's accident weighed heavily on her conscience.

She had once set him up and never properly apologized!

Opening a browser, she searched for news about the accident but found nothing. The family had likely suppressed the information, avoiding media scrutiny.

In that case...

Did Elizabeth know?

After a moment's hesitation, Elise decided not to interfere.

Elizabeth was with Nathan now. Elise didn't want to disrupt their happiness. Besides, Nathan was close to Ethan; he would find out soon. If Nathan chose to tell Elizabeth, that was his decision. It wasn't Elise's place to meddle in their relationship.

She would respect their privacy.

Elise took a deep breath, reflecting on Ethan's life and his current plight...

Was fate being excessively cruel to him?