?Chapter 96:


    Something in Cole’s tone sent a jolt through Elliana, her pulse kicking up without warning. A part of her couldn’t help but wonder—had he recognized her? Was this his twisted way of calling her out? Then again, the odds were slim. It just didn’t add up. In his mind, she had been the quirky girl with the loud clothes and too much eyeliner. The heartbreaker he was dissing was some pure, pretty type. He didn’t refer to her. It seemed getting rejected by her wasn’t the only hit to his ego. Some other beauty must’ve strung him along, dangled a promise, and then walked off without looking back.


    Elliana had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep fromughing.


    Seriously? Mr. Billionaire brooding over heartbreak like a lovesick teen? All that money, all that charm—and still couldn’tnd a steady win? Ragging on a random waitress like this? Just how many heartbreaks had it taken to turn Cole into this bitter, dramatic mess?


    Meanwhile, the woman,beled a seductress by Cole, didn’t seem fazed. Instead, she giggled and turned the heat up even more. “Mr. Evans, I only wanna be your seductress…”


    With her words still hanging in the air, the woman slipped off one heel and let her foot wander beneath the table—slowly tracing its way up Cole’s leg in a not-so-subtle tease.


    From her awkward spot at the table’s edge, Elliana took in every second of the cringe-worthy performance. She couldn’t help but flick her gaze toward Cole, waiting for his reaction. Her mind tossed her back to that time Paige brushed his sleeve, and he’d recoiled so hard that he tossed his jacket straight into a trash bin. If that didn’t scream germaphobe, nothing did. Any unwanted touch was met with instant rejection. So what exactly was Cole supposed to do with this woman’s foot sliding around in his pant leg?


    Elliana spotted the shift—his jaw tensed, brows narrowed—but just as quickly, he smoothed it over like nothing had happened.


    Cole’s gaze met the woman’s with a teasing glint, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “Steady, tiger. Wrong setting for that kind of y. Save it forter tonight.”


    The woman withdrew with an exaggerated pout, practically vibrating with anticipation. “Let’s eat fast, Mr. Evans. Nights like this shouldn’t be wasted on small talk.”


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    “Whatever you say,” Cole replied with casual ease.


    Without warning, Cole turned his attention back to Elliana, his voice shifting as he said, “Some women don’t know a good thing when they’ve got it. They push away their nice husbands and then cry when thetter are sweet on someone else.”


    The words hit Elliana like a p—suddenly, everything snapped into focus. No more guessing—Cole recognized her. This wasn’t some random stop. He’de to this diner gunning for her. Getting tossed out the night before had clearly bruised his ego, and now he was back, arm-in-arm with another woman, his way of getting back at her.


    She narrowed her eyes. Unbelievable, he really went this far?


    Without warning, Cole grabbed a menu and thrust it at Elliana. “Whip me up a creamy chicken spaghetti,” he instructed coldly, his eyes locked on hers. “And I mean you. Personally.”


    Before Elliana could speak, Hailee interjected, trying to defuse the situation, “Sir, she’s not one of our cooks—just helps out front. I’ll take care of your order.”


    “I said I want her to do it,” Cole retorted, never taking his eyes off Elliana. “If she doesn’t, this diner’s done for tomorrow.”


    No sugarcoating that one—it was a threat, in and sharp.


    The image kept looping in Elliana’s mind—Cole sitting still, unfazed, while stilettos turned into bare feet under the table. Maybe he really was into that woman. Oddly enough, a flicker of irritation sparked in her chest. She was the one who turned him away, who made it clear she wanted nothing to do with the whole “Mrs. Evans” package. So why did watching him flirt with someone else feel like a punch to the gut? Could that twist in her chest actually be jealousy?


    Elliana quickly brushed the thought aside. Cole was old news—someone she’d already crossed off the list.


    Shaking off the weird emotions, Elliana pped on a yful smile. “Got it. One creamy spaghettiing right up.”


    Without another nce, Elliana spun on her heel and sauntered toward the kitchen like she owned the ce.


    Still stunned, Hailee scrambled to follow close behind.


    Inside, the kitchen looked like controlled chaos—pans nging, steam hissing. Elliana paused at the threshold, clearly overwhelmed.


    “Elliana, seriously—leave it to me,” Hailee said as she grabbed ingredients like it was second nature. “This whole thing’s ridiculous. I’m sorry it got dumped on you.”


    A quiet sigh escaped Elliana. “No, Hailee, this is on me. You and your dad are caught in my mess.”


    And it wasn’t just this diner. The guards posted outside meant the whole block was probably losing customers. The guilt sat heavy on Elliana’s shoulders.


    As Elliana and Hailee kept chatting, the crisp sound of heels striking the floor rang out behind them. Then, the woman strutted in like she owned the ce.


    Hailee held her ground, her voice calm but resolute as she said, “Sorry, ma’am, customers aren’t allowed back here. I’ll have to ask you to return to the front.”


    “Back off!” the woman shouted.


    Moments ago, the woman had been sugar and silk. Now, she was all ws. Without a second thought, she shoved Hailee hard, knocking her straight to the floor.


    A chill settled behind Elliana’s eyes, her gaze narrowing like twin des drawn in silence.


    The woman missed the warning signs, storming over in her heels with her chin lifted high. “You pathetic little waitress, actually thinking you can take my man? You done with life or what?”


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