?Chapter 70:


    Right after stepping in to protect Elliana, Cole suddenly became aware of how absurd he might appear to those around him. The contrast between his actions and words struck him, and his gaze snapped toward Myles.


    Sure enough, Myles wasn’t even trying to hide it. His eyes carried that familiar, knowing gleam.


    Even though Myles was technically Cole’s subordinate, they had grown up together. Cole could read that look a mile away—it was silent teasing, in and simple.


    A flush of irritation red beneath Cole’s skin. His voice dropped to a frigid tone. “Why are you still standing there?”


    The intensity of that re made Myles shift ufortably. He hadn’t stayed out of choice—he simply hadn’t been dismissed.


    Clearing his throat, Myles stammered, “If there’s nothing else, Mr. Evans, I… I’ll take my leave.”


    Without waiting for a reply, Myles made a swift exit.


    Cole kept his eyes trained on the door until it clicked shut. Only then did he shift his attention back to the monitor, his gaze drawn once more to Elliana. He muttered to himself, “Heartless woman.”


    Just outside the office, Myles let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. He wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling like he’d barely dodged a bullet.


    Aron and Hugh approached with hushed voices. “How’s Mr. Evans doing?”


    “He’s dealing with a brutal case of heartbreak,” Myles said tly, his face expressionless.


    Loosening his tie, Myles gave Aron a quick order. “Send a few bodyguards to protect Mrs. Evans discreetly at the museum. Make sure she doesn’t notice them.”


    “Wait, that’s from Mr. Evans?” Hugh blinked, clearly confused.


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    All day, Cole had been fuming, tossing out bitter remarks about Elliana like confetti. It didn’t make sense for him to turn around and send protection.


    Myles gave Hugh a quick flick on the forehead. “If your brain’s not firing right, then just zip it. Don’t stress over things that are above your pay grade.”


    With a sheepish grin, Hugh rubbed the back of his head and wisely kept his mouth shut.


    Without hesitation, Aron made arrangements and sent several bodyguards to the museum.


    Elliana was unaware that Cole had been watching her from afar. Ever since his abrupt exit the night before, he hadn’t reached out, leading her to believe he wouldn’t deal with her anytime soon. In her mind, some distance between them would do them both good.


    After getting under Luciano’s skin again, Elliana felt quite pleased. What lingered even more, though, was the memory of Hailee stepping in to defend her.


    Among the crew, Hailee was practically the doormat. She barely spoke unless spoken to and often folded herself into the background just to make it through the day. But the moment Luciano came at her, Hailee had jumped to her defense without hesitation—bravely, instinctively, and without worrying about the fallout.


    Elliana had made up her mind—she wasn’t letting this friendship slip away.


    “Hailee, I really appreciate you speaking up for me back there. Come on, dinner’s on me,” Elliana said with warmth in her voice.


    “Elliana, please don’t mention it. I didn’t really do much for you. You stood up for me when Vivien picked on me, and that was quite something.” Hailee paused, worry etched across her face. “But Luciano seems to have it out for you now. It’s a good thing the museum director stepped in earlier, or Luciano might’veshed out at you. But once you’re outside the museum, things could get dangerous.”


    Elliana let out a light chuckle. “I already told you—Luciano is going to be too busy tonight dodging fallout toe after me. Trust me, he won’t have time for revenge.”


    Then, taking Hailee’s hand, she added warmly, “Let’s go. I’m treating you, no arguments.”


    Hailee didn’t resist. There was something about Elliana—her calm assurance, the way she carried herself—that made trusting her feel effortless.


    From behind the screen, Cole kept his eyes glued to the surveince feed. The moment he spotted Elliana walking hand-in-hand with Hailee,ughing without a care in the world, a dark shadow flickered across his expression. Not once had she reached for his hand like that. She could offer warmth so freely to others, yet with him, it was always frost and distance. She had no heart. An unspoken bitterness filled the room like smoke clinging to the walls.


    Since there was just an hour left before the show resumed filming, Elliana and Hailee didn’t stray far. They picked a modest restaurant directly across from the museum.


    It wasn’t the fanciest spot around, but for Hailee, it felt like stepping into a different world. The prices alone would’ve kept her out on a normal day.


    “Elliana, eating at this ce must be expensive. How about I treat you instead?” Hailee suggested.


    Without hesitation, Elliana shed a grin and opened the menu. “I already said dinner’s on me, so just let it happen. Unless, of course, you’re worried someone might tease you for eating with a so-called in Jane.”


    “Don’t be ridiculous.” Hailee chuckled. “Actually, I’ve looked at you closely. You’re not in at all. I think the heavy makeup throws people off. You should try something softer.”


    “I’m already used to it,” Elliana replied with a faint, dismissive smile. Wanting to spare Hailee the awkwardness of scanning an unfamiliar menu, Elliana took charge and ced their order.


    Once the server stepped away, Elliana propped her chin on her palm and turned to Hailee. “So tell me, what’s your dream?”


    Beneath the question was a quiet offer—Elliana was gauging whether Hailee had ambitions in the art world. If Hailee did, there was a path she could help pave.


    But Hailee’s eyes lit up with a different kind of excitement. “Right now, all I want is to meet Milena…”


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