?Chapter 35:


    Seeing that Ran couldn’t turn things around, Kiara roared at the Ublento Hotel manager, “This is a textbook case of a big shot stomping on the little guy! I’m going to blow this wide open and file aint!”


    Paige jumped in, adding, “Ublento Hotel has always boasted about its top-notch service. Now you’re throwing the soon-to-be fiancée out of her own engagement party? Aren’t you worried about dragging your name through the mud?”


    Paige and Kiara thought their words would make the manager second-guess his actions, but instead, he let out a mocking chuckle. “Miss Jones, let’s make this quick. Walk out on your own, or should I call security to show you the door?”


    “You!” Paige was so angry that she started shaking like a leaf. In the past, with her self-acimed title of Cole’s fiancée and Ublento’s reigning social queen, she had been treated like royalty everywhere she went. She had never been humiliated like this. Today, she was being publicly shamed, and there was nothing she could do to fight back. Biting her lip, she stormed out on her own.


    Once outside the Ublento Hotel, Kiara pounced. “Paige, how did you get on Lexi’s bad side?”


    Paige was already crying. “I’ve never even met Lexi. How could I have pissed her off?”


    Paige had hoped that this engagement party would mark her grandeback, but instead, her pride was shattered, and the night turned into aplete disaster. She wasn’t about to take this lying down! Choking back tears, Paige said, “Mom, it has to be Elliana pulling the strings. She’s throwing Cole’s name around, and that’s why Ublento treated me like dirt!”


    Kiara’s blood boiled at the thought. “Cole wouldn’t fall for someone as in as Elliana, but as long as she’s his wife, he’s forced to back her in public. It’s all about the Evans family’s image. But if she thinks she can bury us with that hollow title, she’s got another thinging! Don’t worry, Paige. Elliana’s days of gloating are numbered. We’ve still got a card to y.”


    Meanwhile, after Cole whisked Elliana out of the banquet hall, he didn’t head home. Instead, he led her to the swanky top-floor suite for dinner. Ublento Hotel had twenty floors, each more expensive than thest. Only the crème de crème got ess to the penthouse suite.


    Inside, Elliana’s phone pinged with a message. “Lexi, the person you can’t stand just got the boot from Ublento Hotel.” Elliana smirked and set her phone down.


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    Cole handed her the menu. “Order whatever you’re craving.” Elliana took it and selected a few of her favorite dishes.


    Watching her navigate the menu with ease, Cole’s lips curved into a smile. She was clearly no stranger to this ce. The ignored, in-Jane daughter of the Jones family, left to rot in a backyard shed, couldn’t possibly afford to dine at Ublento Hotel. She had to be here under some other identity. But who was she, really?


    As he mulled it over, Elliana passed the menu back. “I’m done. Your turn.”


    Cole didn’t budge. “I’m good with whatever you like. Just double it for me.”


    Elliana caught the glint in his eye and knew he was about to turn on the charm. To avoid any flirty lines that might make her blush, she stayed quiet, duplicated her order for him, and handed it to the waiter. The waiter took the order, slipped out, and shut the suite door with a polite air.


    Now alone in the suite, Cole’s gaze sharpened, raking over Elliana from head to toe, as if he were peeling back her clothes with his eyes.


    Feeling exposed, she coughed lightly, steering the conversation elsewhere. “Uh, this ne is way too pricey. I should give it back now.”


    She reached to unsp it.


    But before she could, arge hand closed over hers, firm and unyielding. In a sh, he tugged, and shended on hisp, his strong arms caging her in.


    Her silky dress slipped slightly as she settled, pressing her closer to his chest.


    The heat from his thighs and the tight grip on her waist sent warmth coursing through her, his presence overwhelming.


    Elliana’s face burned with embarrassment. She squirmed to get free, but the more she moved, the tighter Cole held her, locking her in ce. He leaned close, his breath hot against her ear, his voice a low, dangerous purr. “Keep wiggling, and I can’t promise we won’t pick up where we left off the night I was away on business.”


    That night? Elliana froze, his words sinking in like a warning shot. Despite his crisp ck suit and cool, detached vibe, she could sense the raw energy coiled inside him, just waiting for a spark to set it off. She wasn’t about to light that fuse. Plus, he’d given her an extravagant gift and stood up for her in the banquet hall.


    “Going back now would be ungrateful,” she reasoned, trying to maintainposure. “Please let me up. We’re in a restaurant…”


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