?Chapter 105:


    The iing call came from Manley.


    Cole tapped the answer button, and Manley’s familiar, yful tone filled the line. “Cole, I hope I’m not interrupting anything? I just have to ask—how did you like the woman I picked out for you?”


    Cole’s expression darkened instantly, his face stormy and unreadable. Every fiber of his being wanted to chew Manley out. All he had asked was for Manley to find him apanion, mainly to provoke Elliana. Who could’ve guessed Manley had such a horrendous sense of taste?


    From the second Cole saw the woman in the red dress, he had wanted her gone. But there hadn’t been enough time to make a change. He was stuck bringing her along, showing her off in front of Elliana. While he’d meant to get a reaction out of her, he ended up hating himself in the process. Looking back now, he had to admit that Elliana’s teasing about his awful taste was well deserved.


    Oblivious to the storm brewing on Cole’s end, Manley was clearly fishing for praise. “Hey, I followed your criteria perfectly—mature, elegant, beautiful. Meagan fits it all.”


    Meagan Pierce was the woman’s name.


    “Ha-ha,” Manley chuckled with a sly grin. “Isn’t she just adorable? So sweet, so captivating? Bet you couldn’t pull yourself away from her, huh? Come on, admit it—I nailed it, right?”


    Cole’s eyes narrowed into icy slits, and his jaw clenched tight. “Get lost!” he snapped, ending the call abruptly.


    Seeing the fury written all over Cole’s face, Myles, Aron, and Hugh felt a chilling wave rush over them. They already knew this was going to be a brutal night.


    As expected, Cole’s frigid voice sliced through the air. “What are your ns for tonight?”


    Neither Aron nor Hugh dared to open their mouths. Myles, left with no option, stumbled out a reply. “We… we don’t have anything nned for tonight.”


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    The only thing they truly wanted was to sink into their beds. The day had already drained every ounce of energy from them. After a full workload, they had been roped into following Cole to Willow Lane. First, they’d witnessed the awkward spectacle of two women seemingly fighting over Cole. Then, they’d been subjected to an overdose of sweet, nauseating affection. To top it all off, the entire situation had spiraled into chaos, leaving thempletely rattled. The emotional rollercoaster had taken a toll—they were hanging by a thread.


    Had they known things would take such a turn, they wouldn’t have pushed so hard to analyze Cole’s intentions or encouraged the trip to Willow Lane. Now, all they felt was regret. Still, none of them dared voice those thoughts. All they could do was stand still, the picture of obedience under Cole’s prating gaze.


    Cole’s eyes locked onto them, his stare carrying a sharp glint of malice. “If that’s the case, I’ll be the one to make ns for tonight.”


    Myles, Aron, and Hugh flinched at his words. They didn’t even want to guess what he had in store.


    Meanwhile, Elliana had already left Regal Grove and returned alone to the Evans family’s estate, her bold makeup reapplied to look as unpleasant as ever. Regardless of what had happened, she was still Cole’s wife—and with that title came responsibilities. Besides, Ruben had never treated her unfairly.


    It was almost midnight by the time she approached the estate. Wanting to avoid waking anyone, she parked the motorcycle far from the vi and walked the rest of the way on foot.


    She expected quiet, perhaps evenplete stillness, but the sight that greeted her in the living room caught her off guard.


    The Evans household followed a firm rule about keeping quiet after 8 p.m., and most of them usually headed to their rooms before the clock struck 9. Therefore, it was out of the ordinary to see the whole family still gathered in the living room at such ate hour.


    But tonight was different. The entire family was there. Even Ruben, who was always disciplined with his schedule, hadn’t gone to bed. To be noted, uneasiness was written across every single face in the room.


    Ruben kept shifting his gaze toward the wall clock, letting out a sigh each time. “When is sheing back?” he murmured. “Or is she noting home at all tonight?”


    Bertram and Emmanuel sat close by, clearly wanting to ease Ruben’s worry, yet neither could find the right words. They just remained seated, silently sharing in his restlessness.


    Elliana lingered in the doorway, taking in their anxious expressions. She moved forward, ready to speak. But before she could say anything, Ruben looked up and spotted her.


    “Elliana!” Ruben called out, his voice bursting with relief, cutting her off before she could even open her mouth. “There you are! I’ve been waiting so long that I thought I’d sprout gray hair! Comee sit right here beside me!”


    He enthusiastically patted the cushion next to him.


    Hearing Ruben’s joyful words, the rest of the Evans family members turned to look at Elliana, their eyes wide with curiosity, as though something remarkable had just happened.


    Only then did Elliana realize what this was. They had all been waiting for her. Such a dramatic reception—was it because they wanted to bring upst night’s disaster? Were they really nning to ask about the humiliating failure to consummate the marriage with Cole? Oh no. That was thest thing she wanted to revisit. Not in front of the entire Evans family.


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