?Chapter 44:


    Elliana shared the same thoughts as those downstairs, assuming Ruben would either use threats or persuasive words to talk her out of joining the entertainment world.


    But when she stepped into the study, Ruben’s behavior took an unexpected turn. He gestured her in with a cryptic wave. “Elliana, shut the door and have a seat.”


    Thrown off by his tone, she hesitated, but eventually shut the door behind her, crossed the room, and lowered herself into the chair facing him.


    Ruben straightened his posture, both hands loosely sped over his cane, his expression unusually kind as he studied her. “I need to ask you something important, and I want the truth.”


    “Alright. What is it?”


    “Have you and Cole slept together?”


    Elliana nearly swallowed wrong and coughed, caught off guard mid-breath. Was he seriously asking that? Of all things?


    She gaped at him, too stunned to speak, and Ruben’s genial expression abruptly cooled into disapproval. “I’ll take that as a no, then.”


    Elliana offered a strained smile, which Ruben immediately interpreted as confirmation.


    He let out a sharp, irritated grunt. “I knew that rascal Cole was just putting on a damn performance for my sake! Back in the day, he acted like he was too good for everyone—never spared a second nce for any girl. Now he thinks he can y me for a fool? Not a chance. Don’t worry, Elliana. I’ll make sure everything goes ording to n. Whether he likes it or not, it’s going to happen.”


    Elliana reached up and brushed the side of her nose, hesitant to admit that the problem wasn’t Cole—it was her own unwillingness.


    He added, “But Elliana, you can’t expect me to do all the work. You’ve got to step up. Cole’s a proud, hard-headed guy. You’ll have to make him look past the surface and recognize what makes you special. That’s how you build a real bond… And once you give him a child, he won’t stray an inch.”


    Elliana stayed silent, offering no opinion, only lowering her head as she listened.


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    After what felt like forever, Ruben finally ran out of things to say. “You got all that, right?”


    Elliana dipped her head with practiced politeness. “I got it, Ruben.”


    “Good girl.” A satisfied grin crossed Ruben’s face at her demeanor. “You can go now. I’ll handle everything tonight.”


    Elliana didn’t know what he intended to “handle,” but anything was better than enduring more of his rambling. She stood quickly and slipped out before he could start again.


    Back in her room, she shut the door behind her without a word. Downstairs, a few nosy rtives were still loitering, waiting for the show. They expected her toe storming down in tears, but the next person summoned was Cole.


    Jeff, always sniffing around for gossip, leaned in with a smug grin. “See? Elliana probably got torn to shreds up there and ran off crying. Now it’s Cole’s turn—bet Grandpa’sying into him for not keeping her under control.”


    A round of murmurs with nods followed.


    But behind the study doors, the reality was far from what they imagined.


    The moment Cole stepped inside, he was greeted by Ruben’s thundercloud expression. shing a breezy smile, Cole asked, “Grandpa, did Elliana do something to upset you?”


    “Elliana? That sweet girl? How could she upset me?” Ruben’s voice sharpened. “You’re the one who’s got me fuming!”


    Cole blinked, startled. “Me? What did I do?”


    Ruben let out a sharp, disdainful huff. “Care to exin why you haven’t consummated your marriage with Elliana?”


    Cole’s jaw tightened as he fell silent. The pieces clicked—this turned out to be what Ruben had grilled Elliana about. But admitting she’d turned him down was out of the question. The humiliation was too much. So he kept his mouth shut.


    To Ruben, though, Cole’s silence reeked of deception, and it only fueled his rage. “You’re the head of the Evans family, and this is how you act? You think responsibility’s optional now? Do you know how heartbroken Elliana looked, crying to me that you pushed her away, insulted her looks, and treated her like a stranger? How can you stand there and act like it’s nothing, after humiliating a girl with such a spotless reputation?”


    Cole dragged a hand down his face, his frustration mounting. If he hadn’t spent time with Elliana himself, he might’ve bought it. There was no way she would say any of that—Ruben was chewing him out over pure assumptions.


    Just as Cole started to find the whole thing funny, a cane smacked against his shin, and Ruben’s sharp voice rang out again. “Why am I talking to you while you’re staring into space—are you ignoring me now?”


    Cole nearly burst outughing. “Ignore you? I wouldn’t dream of it.”


    “Oh, I think you would!” Ruben shot him a blistering re. “You’ll promise me right now—you’re going to consummate the marriage with Elliana tonight!”


    Cole gave a quick nod. “Fine. It’s happening.”


    Ruben’s scowl finally eased. “Good. I’ll have the kitchen prepare a special soup for you to drinkter.”


    A special soup? Cole didn’t need to ask what kind. It was obvious Ruben wanted to make sure he didn’t just pay lip service and then wriggle out of it. To keep Ruben off his back, he gave another nod.


    “Alright, alright.”


    That was enough to leave Rubenpletely satisfied.


    At dinner, the room stayed quiet as everyone focused on their food. Out of nowhere, the butler walked in carrying a steaming bowl and set it beside Cole.


    Jeff squinted at it in surprise. “What’s that soup? Why’s Cole the only one getting some?”


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