police.

As the night wore on, Natalie suggested that Damon drive Eliza home, but Jacob intervened once again, offering to take Eliza with him instead.

As Eliza and Natalie prepared to hail a cab, Dexter suddenly appeared, offering to drive them home. Natalie eagerly accepted and climbed into the car, but Eliza hesitated, her instincts on high alert. She couldn't shake the feeling that Dexter's piercing eyes had been fixed on her all evening, watching her every move.

Eliza thanked Natalie and Dexter before stepping out of the car. Just as she closed the door, a knock on the window made Dexter and Natalie turn to see who it was. Robert, Eliza's ex-boyfriend, stood outside, his face twisted in frustration.

Robert had been waiting downstairs for Eliza since afternoon, and seeing her emerge from the luxury car had ignited his anger. He strode over to the car, knocking furiously on the door. "Open the door! Who are you? What's your relationship with Eliza?"

Dexter turned to Natalie, his eyebrow raised. "Do you know him?"

Natalie's expression turned cold. "Eliza's ex-boyfriend. The cheater."

Robert continued to knock, but Dexter ignored him. Natalie snapped, "Uncle, let's get out of here. Who does he think he is?"

An icy smile spread across Dexter's handsome face. With a smooth motion, he accelerated the car, leaving Robert standing alone in the darkness.

Robert's face turned red with rage as the car sped away. He stomped his feet and yelled at the top of his lungs, "What kind of man hides in a car? Come out if you dare!" But his words were lost in the wind, and Dexter was long gone.

Robert's fury boiled over as he watched the car disappear into the distance. He was left standing alone, with no one to vent his anger on. "Damn it!" he cursed, clenching his jaw. "She's already found a new guy after just three days?"

Robert's anger simmered, fueled by his wounded pride. "If that man hadn't hidden in his car, I would've taught him a lesson!" he muttered to himself, his fists still clenched in frustration.

-----

Eliza had just changed into comfortable clothes and washed her face when a knock on the door startled her. She hesitated for a moment before approaching the door and peeking through the peephole. Her brows furrowed when she saw Robert standing outside.

Eliza glared at Robert through the peephole, her annoyance growing with each passing moment. She took a deep breath and decided not to open the door. However, Robert refused to give up, his knocks growing louder and more aggressive.

Still seething from his encounter with Dexter, Robert's anger boiled over. "Eliza, open the door!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the hallway.

When Eliza remained silent, Robert continued to harass her. "Eliza, I know you're home. I saw you come back earlier. Your sister and I were worried sick about you. We called you so many times, but you didn't even pick up. Why didn't you answer our calls? Don't you know how worried we were?"

Robert's words were laced with a mix of concern and accusation, but Eliza remained unmoved, her resolve to ignore him steadfast.

Eliza had had enough. She flung open the door, her eyes blazing with anger. "Enough, Robert," she cut him off ruthlessly. "I'm not a three-year-old child. Leave. You're not welcome here."

Robert's face fell, his expression a mix of shock and hurt. "Eli!" he protested, but Eliza's icy demeanor didn't waver.

"How can you find someone new in just three days?" Robert's voice turned accusatory. "Do you sleep with him?" His words dripped with venom, and Eliza's anger reached a boiling point.

"Enough!" Eliza's patience had worn thin. "If you won't leave, I'll call the police." Her voice was firm and resolute.

Without another word, Eliza slammed the door shut, leaving Robert standing alone in the hallway.

Robert's fury intensified as he stood alone in the hallway, Eliza's silence a stark contrast to his escalating anger. "Eli, open the door! Let's talk!" he yelled, pounding on the door. "Do you think evading me will solve the problem? You can't avoid me forever!"

Just as Robert was about to continue his tirade, a voice interrupted him. "Excuse me, are you a resident here?"

Robert's rant was cut short as two police officers appeared behind him, their eyes scrutinizing him before speaking. "Someone filed a police report about a disturbance in the area. If you're not a resident here, please come with us."

Without resistance, Robert was escorted away by the officers, finally giving Eliza some peace.

Just as she began to let her guard down, her phone rang, shrill in the silence. Eliza hesitated, unsure about answering the unknown number, but curiosity got the better of her. "Hello?"

A low, smooth male voice replied, "It's me."

Eliza's confusion deepened. "Who?"

"It's me, Dexter. Has he left yet?" The smooth, low voice on the other end of the line sent a shiver down Eliza's spine.

"Huh?" Eliza's surprise was palpable. She hadn't expected to hear from Dexter, and she certainly hadn't given him her number. "How did you...?" she trailed off, her mind racing.

"You were the one who called the police?" Eliza's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. She had been about to call the police herself, but they had arrived before she could make the call. She had assumed it was her neighbor who had intervened, but it seemed Dexter Cooper had been the one to come to her aid.