William's voice cut through the tension. "James waited over an hour for you. He usually goes to bed much earlier."

Elise felt her heart flutter unexpectedly. She pressed her lips together. "Actually, Mr. Levine, you could have simply explained that I'm not his mother."

William's dark eyes studied her intently. The sudden silence made Elise question if she had spoken out of turn.

She decided not to overthink it. "The fire was just an accident anyway. You didn't need to send me meals or have your staff look after me. How much for the phone? I'll transfer the money."

"I thought you were more perceptive, Ms. Scott."

Elise felt confused. What had she done to appear otherwise?

"James needs a mother," William continued, his voice smooth and confident.

"So?" Elise raised an eyebrow.

William maintained his intense gaze for a long moment. When he spoke again, his voice deepened. "And he likes you. So you should realize I'm courting you, Ms. Scott."

Elise was rendered speechless.

She would never have guessed. All his actions felt more like impositions than courtship.

"You don't need to answer immediately, Ms. Scott. After all..." William paused thoughtfully. "We're still practically strangers."

They were indeed just two people who happened to cross paths.

Taking a calming breath, Elise said, "Don't you think you're being rather immature about relationships, Mr. Levine?"

William raised an eyebrow. She was already proving difficult, and now she seemed even more distant.

"Courting me just because your son likes me? Am I merely a convenience to you? What if James decides he prefers another woman to be his mother someday? Will you court her too, Mr. Levine?"

Elise paused to collect herself, realizing her tone had turned sharp. "I apologize, Mr. Levine, but I don't share your perspective."

"The courting has nothing to do with my son. He simply happens to like you as well, just as I do," William stated plainly.

Elise wondered if she had misheard.

A sudden declaration of affection... It had to be some kind of joke, right? They had only met hours ago!

"You needn't worry about James developing feelings for another woman either, Ms. Scott," William said, emphasizing each word. "Loyalty runs in our family."

Elise found herself speechless once more.

Had that man just complimented both himself and his son simultaneously?

Was he actually offering her... a promise?

Still, she refused to be swept along by his pace. Besides, she absolutely couldn't reciprocate feelings from someone she just met. "Whatever your intentions, Mr. Levine, I'm serious when I say I'm rejecting your advances."

William simply watched her with his intense dark eyes.

"Please don't disturb me again, Mr. Levine. All you need to do is provide appropriate compensation—"

"I reject your rejection," William interrupted, his tone firm and decisive.

Annoyance flashed in Elise's eyes. "Do you even know anything about my past? I'm not the ideal woman you might imagine."

"I never doubt my judgment, nor do I take issue with someone's past."

"Someone told me that before too, and you saw how that turned out."

How could she possibly trust a stranger she just met?

"Don't compare me to trash."

The hospital room fell silent.

William's lips tightened almost imperceptibly, his expression turning so cold it made Elise's heart skip a beat.

His reaction made her feel as if she had genuinely offended him. Yet, she suddenly laughed without quite understanding why.

Perhaps because there was still someone in this world who would take her side.

From everyone else's perspective, Samuel had been too good for her—a belief even her own father shared.

William's gaze shifted as he watched her laugh. "In the coming days, I will demonstrate the difference between myself and trash, Ms. Scott."

In other words, he intended to pursue her wholeheartedly!

With those words, he turned to leave, seemingly unwilling to waste more time on discussion.

After all, no one could change his mind once it was made up.

"Mr. Levine." Elise quickly stopped him when she regained her composure.

William paused but didn't turn around.

"I suggest you investigate my past first."

"That won't be necessary."

With those brief, direct words, he left without stopping this time.

...

Elise returned to her hospital room and settled into bed.

Glancing at the phone, she remembered she still needed to transfer the payment to William.

Yet she quickly decided against it—he clearly didn't need the money, and she could consider it compensation for her emotional distress.

She dialed an unfamiliar number she had memorized. "Mr. Carter? It's Elise Scott."

"Good afternoon, Ms. Scott."

"I wish to claim Stellar Group—the company my mother left me. Would there be any complications?"

"Of course not," the lawyer replied immediately. "Your mother explicitly stated in her will that the company belongs to you. You can claim it whenever you're ready."

Since her mother's passing, Stellar Group, which specialized in fashion, had been managed by Benjamin as custodian, even after Elise was sent abroad. When she returned to the country with Samuel, she had wanted to take over and manage it, but she had devoted all her time and energy to saving Mitchell Corp from its crisis. Unable to focus elsewhere, she had postponed the idea until now.

"Please accompany me to the company's office when the time comes."

"I'll be ready whenever you need me." Daniel Carter agreed without hesitation.

...

Elise remained in the hospital for a week, and James visited frequently. While she didn't mind spending time with him, it meant occasionally seeing William.

That said, she didn't find him unpleasant—after his 'declaration' the other day, he hadn't actually done anything pursuing.

In fact, he was often so quiet he might as well have been invisible. She began to wonder if he had spoken impulsively, or if he genuinely didn't understand what 'courting' involved.

The only consistent effort was his insistence that Charles delivered her meals daily, and curiously, the food seemed to suit her tastes better each day.

As Elise packed her belongings, she took nothing except the phone William had given her.

"Mommy, will I see you again?" James looked at her with sad eyes, longing evident across his face.

The boy presented a striking contrast to the seemingly detached man standing nearby.