Henry repeated the words firmly. "Go. Take James with you."

Elise studied him for a long moment, her gaze unwavering. Then she spoke softly. "If you miss him, call me anytime. I'll bring him to you, whether you're in Crestwood or overseas."

Henry gave a slight nod.

"Take care of yourself," Elise said, rising from her seat. She offered him a respectful bow before turning to leave his study.

As she descended to the main lobby, she found James sitting patiently on the sofa, waiting for her.

The moment he spotted her, he immediately rushed forward. "Mommy!"

That clear, youthful voice filled Elise's heart with warmth—her son remained the greatest comfort life had given her.

Kneeling before the boy, she asked gently, "You're going to live with me from now on, alright?"

"Alright. Daddy told me I'd be staying with you after he married Victoria...but he didn't, did he?" James asked, confusion evident in his young voice. "Did Daddy do something bad? Why did they take him away?"

A bitter taste filled Elise's mouth.

The boy had just started elementary school—far too young to be burdened with adult troubles when he should be enjoying a carefree childhood.

"Don't worry about that. Your daddy will be just fine," she reassured him.

"That's what he told me too," James said with conviction. "He promised nothing bad would happen to him, and he told me to take good care of you while he's gone."

Tears welled in Elise's eyes. She felt she owed James so much, especially when he showed such maturity beyond his years.

"Don't cry, Mommy. I'm a big boy now! I'll protect you," James declared seriously, placing his small hands on her cheeks. "No matter what happens, you have me. I'll never leave your side."

"Okay," Elise said, composing herself.

She stood up and took James's hand, leading him toward the exit. Just as they stepped through the front door, she glanced back.

James followed her gaze, and they both saw Henry in his wheelchair, watching them from the second-floor balcony.

Elise whispered to James, "Go on. Say goodbye to your great-grandpa."

James obediently waved at Henry. From that distance, Elise couldn't tell if tears glistened in the old man's eyes.

William's arrest had undoubtedly become a major scandal. Media outlets continued reporting on Levine Holdings for weeks, digging up every piece of dirt they could find about the Levine family.

Reports detailed how Levine Holdings' management was deteriorating daily, along with the mysterious disappearance of Ethan Parker. Rumors spread online claiming Ethan had fled because he knew the Levines faced serious trouble, and since he was adopted anyway, he had no real loyalty.

Despite the wildfire spread of various rumors, the Levine family never came forward to deny any of them.

Instead, they finally made an official announcement: Levine Holdings would undergo liquidation.

No one could have predicted that the wildest rumors would prove true. Countless netizens expressed disbelief at the official statement.

Though only two months had passed since William's arrest, were they really giving up without a fight? It seemed the family had fallen apart immediately after William's departure—was there truly no one left who could hold things together?

Yet that was simply the reality they faced.

Once Levine Holdings announced its liquidation, every major corporation began circling like vultures.

After all, Levine Holdings had been a corporate giant that dominated multiple industries in Crestwood. Any company that acquired even part of it would immediately rise to prominence.

Naturally, no single corporation possessed the resources to acquire all of Levine Holdings alone.