"Absolutely!" Elise had grown incredibly fond of James during their week together. "I've given you my number. Call me whenever you miss me. I'll visit you whenever I have free time."

"Liar, liar, pants on fire..."

Elise crouched down with some effort, bringing herself to James's eye level.

Nearby, William watched with a deepening frown as she gently ruffled the boy's hair.

"Yes, my pants are on fire," she admitted playfully.

James beamed with delight and planted a sweet kiss on her cheek.

William's frown intensified.

"I need to go now," Elise told James softly.

"Okay, Mommy. Walk carefully so you don't fall," James called out affectionately.

Despite a week passing, he still insisted on calling her Mommy. Every time Elise tried to correct him, his eyes would well up with tears, convinced she was abandoning him. She eventually gave up - he would understand when he was older.

As she limped out of the hospital room on crutches, William followed closely behind.

She considered telling him to stop multiple times but held her tongue.

Only when they reached the main entrance did she finally speak. "Mr. Levine..."

He walked past her without responding, opening the door of the black Maybach parked nearby like a perfect gentleman.

As Elise frowned in confusion, he said simply, "I'll drive you home."

"There's no need. I can manage on my own."

"I have a car," he stated matter-of-factly.

Elise stared at him. Was that supposed to impress her?

"It's no trouble," he added.

She found conversations with him particularly challenging, but decided to comply anyway.

He possessed some inexplicable ability to make refusal seem pointless - and experience had taught her that arguing with him was futile.

Once settled in the luxurious car, William asked, "Where to, Ms. Scott?"

"Crestwood Heights," she replied.

She hadn't returned to Scott Manor since coming back to the country, and her so-called family hadn't seemed to care.

William nodded to the driver, who immediately started the engine and pulled away from the hospital.

Suddenly, William leaned toward her.

Elise tensed immediately, though she'd been maintaining her guard around him - he'd always kept his distance before.

She watched as he reached for her seatbelt and secured it, making her press her lips together tightly.

After clicking the buckle into place, he said calmly, "You can unclench your fists now, Ms. Scott."

Elise glanced down in surprise.

She hadn't realized she'd been doing that.

As awkwardness filled the space between them, William added, "Don't worry. I'm not the type to take advantage of situations."

Elise felt speechless.

How arrogant could one man be?

Unable to resist, she retorted, "Then how did you end up with a child?"

She regretted the words almost immediately - they weren't close enough for such personal jokes.

Sure enough, William turned to study her, his gaze lingering for an uncomfortably long time.

Just as she considered changing the subject, he said, "It wasn't by choice."

Elise stared at him, stunned. How could a man of his stature - tall, powerful, and imposing - be forced into anything?

"She must be quite formidable," Elise ventured carefully.

"She was that night," William confirmed, his dark eyes flickering over her again.

Somehow, their conversation didn't feel as dull as she'd expected.

"What happened then? Why aren't you together?" Elise asked, both curious about James's mother and eager to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"She didn't want me."

Elise felt shocked again. Who would reject a man like him?

"If she didn't want you, why would she have your child?" It made no sense to her.

"She never wanted James," William said coolly. "She planned to abandon him after giving birth."

Elise's heart clenched painfully at the image of a newborn James - so small and defenseless - being heartlessly discarded.

"You're better off without a woman like that," she said earnestly.

William pressed his lips together and stared intently at her, as if searching for something on her face.

Self-consciously, Elise touched her cheek. "Mr. Levine?"

He turned away without responding and remained facing the window for the rest of the journey.

Elise frowned - his moods certainly changed quickly.

Still, considering she'd brought up his painful past, his reaction was understandable.

The car remained silent until it stopped outside her apartment building.

"Thank you," Elise said, maintaining her distance.

William nodded. "Take care, Ms. Scott."

"Yes," she replied, feeling relieved internally.

She had to admit she'd been slightly worried he might insist on walking her to her door. Her tolerance for strangers had already been stretched to its limit by him driving her home.

His consideration actually made her feel less wary of him - though she knew she should remain cautious.

...

Meanwhile, in the car, the driver spoke up. "Sir?"

Elise had disappeared from view, but William continued staring in the direction she'd gone, even as his phone rang persistently.

William finally turned away, his expression impassive as he answered. "Grandfather."

"Isn't James being discharged today? Why isn't he here yet?" Henry Levine demanded.

"We'll arrive soon," William replied. "But I want to be clear - we won't be staying at the manor."

"Why?" Henry sounded clearly displeased.

"James is introverted - he doesn't like crowds. I'll bring him to see you, then we're leaving," William stated firmly.

"At least stay for dinner."

It was Henry's final compromise.

"...Fine," William agreed.

He rarely returned to Crestwood after his parents' death, and wouldn't have come now if his grandfather hadn't used his health to pressure him.

And if he hadn't returned, he probably wouldn't have met her again.

...

Monday dawned clear and bright.

Elise dressed in a business suit with light makeup, her silky hair falling casually over her shoulders. Though she still needed crutches, they didn't diminish her poised and elegant appearance.

Her lawyer, Daniel Carter, accompanied her to Stellar Group.

A man approached them immediately. "Ms. Scott."

"Mr. Wright." She nodded.

Thomas Wright, deputy general manager of Stellar Group, had been one of her mother's most trusted employees. When Benjamin took over, he'd conducted major reforms, replacing most of the old guard - only Thomas remained.

His position and influence in Stellar Group spoke volumes.

"Let's go," Elise said without hesitation.

"Actually, Ms. Scott, today is..." Thomas hesitated.

Elise frowned at his reluctance to continue.

"I just received news this morning. The board chairman... your father is appointing Sophia Mitchell as CEO of Stellar Group, giving her complete authority over all company affairs. They're holding the succession ceremony right now."

Benjamin Scott and his daughter were as shameless as they were despicable!

Even so, Elise said coolly, "It doesn't matter."