Chapter 16

Elise wasn't deliberately being disobedient. Sometimes, things were just unavoidable. She didn't argue with Ben and simply nodded instead. "I'll be especially careful." Ben also took the opportunity to treat the wound on her left hand. After leaving the hospital, Elise returned to Crestwood Apartments. She made herself a simple breakfast and settled down to read. When she woke in the morning, there were no messages or missed calls. She thought to herself that no one at Hilltop Manor would starve without her. Besides, Zara was already there—she could easily soothe Samuel and Lucas in no time. Elise relished the quiet. After breakfast, she went to the lab. Henry informed her that a doctoral student had returned from abroad and would be joining them. "Who's the genius?" she asked. "I don't know," Henry replied. "It was a last-minute notice. We'll know once we see them." Elise didn't think much of it. Labs always needed fresh blood. She set down her bag and headed for the pantry.