William had been texting Elise nonstop before his hospital discharge.

He never explicitly asked her to visit before he left, but he filled her phone with constant messages about everything else.

He inquired about her schedule. He casually mentioned the doctors clearing him for release. He dropped hints about his recovery progress.

Every word was carefully crafted to lure her back to his side.

To his satisfaction, Elise appeared at the hospital early that morning.

Samuel Wilson was busy handling discharge paperwork and packing William's belongings.

William had changed from his hospital gown into a light blue casual shirt paired with fitted outdoor trousers. The outfit was less structured than his usual business attire, lending him an air of relaxed sophistication that complemented his striking features.

He sat motionless on the couch, his expression stormy.

Until Elise walked in.

Samuel breathed a silent sigh of relief at her arrival—he'd been dreading the consequences if she hadn't shown up.

The moment she appeared, William's icy demeanor melted into summer warmth.

"Finished packing?" Elise asked Samuel.

"Almost done," Samuel replied quickly. "Hendy is waiting in the parking lot. Mr. Levine is ready for discharge."

William gave a slight nod but made no move to stand.

Elise frowned.

Hadn't he just received medical clearance? Why wasn't he getting up?

She waited for Samuel to assist him, but Samuel tactfully pretended not to notice and made a quick exit.

He knew better than to interfere in their dynamic.

Left with no choice, Elise moved to help William stand. He immediately leaned his full weight against her.

He felt impossibly heavy.

Gritting her teeth, she supported him all the way to the waiting Maybach, which then drove them toward Chateau Emporio.

The car ride remained uncomfortably silent. Samuel, sitting in the passenger seat, felt compelled to break the tension after catching William's meaningful glance.

Why did he have to do all the work when William was the one trying to win over his wife?

"Ms. Scott, I saw the news about signing Elizabeth York as your brand ambassador," Samuel ventured.

"Oh, that's right," Elise nodded, though her eyes flickered briefly toward William.

He appeared completely composed. When he turned to meet her gaze, she had already looked away.

"Excellent choice, Ms. Scott. Elizabeth combines beauty with remarkable fashion sense. She's the perfect representative for your brand," Samuel added smoothly.

He was simultaneously complimenting Elise's business judgment and Elizabeth's appeal—skillfully praising the two most important women in William's life.

He mentally congratulated himself on his diplomacy.

"Don't you agree, boss?" he asked, seizing the opportunity to include William.

William glanced at Samuel before commenting, "The York family has good genetics."

Samuel stared at his boss through the rearview mirror, utterly speechless.

Shouldn't he be acknowledging Elise's business acumen first? Shouldn't he be flattering her by saying she outshone Elizabeth? Shouldn't he be boasting about their family's superior genes instead?

Now Samuel understood why William was making such slow progress with his wife—in fact, it would be miraculous if he ever succeeded!

Meanwhile, Elise frowned at William's words. Had he already met Elizabeth's parents?