?Chapter 97:


    Elliana didn’t bother wasting breath on the woman’s words. Instead, she slipped off her apron with the calm precision of someone about to unleash hell.


    Despite the heat—steam rising from the pot of boiling spaghetti and the fan whirring overhead—a chill danced down the woman’s spine as Elliana stood her ground.


    Rubbing at her arms like the air had turned cold, the woman said to Elliana, “What, cat got your tongue? Trying to flirt your way into Mr. Evans’ life?”


    With a sharp jab to Elliana’s chest, her perfectly polished nail digging in, the woman added, “Let’s be real, you’re kind of attractive, but not in his league. Get lost, or you’re finished!”


    With one swift motion, Elliana knocked the woman’s hand aside. Her words came out cold and razor-sharp. “Say sorry to my friend. Or I’ll make sure you regret not doing it.”


    Elliana had no interest in getting into it with this shy woman. The woman had shown up on Cole’s arm, and she wasn’t about to kick up more dust between them. But the woman shoved Hailee. That crossed a line she didn’t tolerate.


    Hailee, now back on her feet, brushed herself off, still shaken. Worried Elliana might make things worse with the powerhouse waiting outside, she gently tugged Elliana’s arm. “It’s fine,” she said to the woman. “Please, just wait out front.”


    Elliana’s cold aura had thrown the woman off—but Hailee’s soft approach brought her swagger back. “Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?”


    Right then, the woman’s hand shot up, ready to strike.


    Elliana moved like lightning, catching the woman’s wrist mid-air before the pnded.


    With a subtle twist, Elliana applied just enough pressure to make the woman wince. “Let go of me, you crazy freak!” the woman screamed. Unmoved, Elliana locked eyes with her. Her voice didn’t rise—and it didn’t need to. “Say you’re sorry to my friend.”


    Refusing to retreat, the woman let loose a flood of nasty insults. “Apologize to that nobody? Please. She’s nothing. I shoved her. Big deal! If I feel like stepping on her face next time, I will. You two are bottom-feeders. How dare you demand an apology?”


    ???????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ?????????ν??????﹒?????


    “‘Bottom-feeders?” Elliana’s voice dropped as she echoed. Her eyes sharpened instantly, the glint behind them nowced with something meaner—something ready to bite. She’d heard that insult one too many times—Paige and Kiara had weaponized it back then, and it had scarred her deeply. Hearing it now lit a fuse she barely kept in check.


    Elliana’s fingers clenched tighter, this time with full intent.


    “Ow—hey!” the woman shouted, her confidence cracking.


    The woman shed her teeth, wordsced with venom, as she blurted out, “You pitiful little waitress, you’re doomed! Do you even have a clue who’s sitting out there? He’s in a whole different world than you. Cross him, and you’re toast! I’m his woman. Come at me, and he’ll make you regret ever showing your face! Let go, you psycho waitress!”


    Elliana’s smile was cold, her voice colder. “No, sweetheart. You’re the one who is finished.”


    No amount of screaming helped. Elliana’s grip was locked in ce, unshaken and merciless.


    “Can’t wait to see how he reacts once I’m finished putting you in your ce,” Elliana remarked, her eyes glowing with fire.


    With one swift yank, Elliana tore straight through the woman’s fabric—clean, brutal, and loud enough to echo off the kitchen walls. What was left behind was bare skin and stunned silence—the woman stood stripped of everything but her humiliation.


    Elliana hadn’t stopped at the dress—nothing was spared, underwear included.


    The nude woman copsed in a frantic heap, screeching as she scrambled to cover herself. “You’re out of your mind! How dare you!”


    Hailee stood frozen, eyes wide, struggling to process what had just happened.


    Without blinking, Elliana reached for the nearest pot—hot, bubbling chicken soup—and calmly tipped it right over the shrieking woman’s head.


    Steam hissed from the woman’s skin as the boiling soup hit, instantly blooming red across her arms and shoulders. “Ah!” she screamed, writhing in pain.


    Screaming and wild-eyed, the woman tore out of the kitchen like a woman on fire—naked, humiliated, and oblivious to everything but pain.


    Hailee could only gape—outside waited a crew of hardened men, and this woman had just exploded into their midst wearing nothing but steam.


    “Elliana—go! Use the back door!” Hailee shouted, panic rising fast. Hailee grabbed Elliana’s hand and tried to pull her toward the back, her heart pounding. “Please! If he sees this, you’re screwed!”


    But Elliana yanked her hand free and walked toward the front entrance without a word.


    “Elliana, what are you—?” Hailee called after her, confused.


    Hailee didn’t understand the n, but she followed. She always did.


    Themotion had already drawn the attention of everyone outside. And then—bam—out came the woman, screeching, naked, and iling like a banshee let loose. All eyes were locked on her. The stunned silence was deafening. It looked like she’d gone swimming in a soup cauldron—and left her dignity behind.


    Then came Elliana, emerging calmly like a queen exiting a war zone.


    She flicked a nce around and shrugged. “Yep. That was me.”


    .


    .


    .