?Chapter 179:


    Merlin gave him a t look. “With today’s tech? I don’t need a woman to have a kid.”


    “Fair point.” Manley nodded slowly. “But still, Merlin, what’s life without a woman to spice it up?”


    Manley pointed at Cole, still wrapped around Elliana. “You telling me you don’t feel even a little jealous, seeing that? No itch to find someone to hold onto like that?”


    Merlin’s history as an international special forces operative had left an indelible mark on his soul. Every fiber of his being remained entrenched in the relentless rush of high-stakes missions and life-or-death decisions. His face was a mask of ice—unyielding and emotionless—and his eyes never lingered on a woman. He didn’t merely reject the idea of marriage; he dismissed all desire. No one had ever cracked the frozen fortress guarding his heart.


    Watching Merlin, Manley’s concern deepened. Spotting an opportunity when Cole kissed Elliana passionately, he decided to break through Merlin’s stubborn armor and shed light on the intricate dance between men and women—perhaps to awaken something long dormant.


    “Disgusting!” Merlin retorted sharply, his voice cold and harsh.


    Manley stared, dumbfounded. Such a passionate, yearning kiss would have left anyone else flushed and breathless, yet Merlin dismissed it with disdain? Truly, he was as frigid as an iceberg.


    After releasing his silent frustration, Manley’s stubborn resolve red. Unwilling to concede, he pressed harder. “Merlin, have you ever stopped to consider that maybe there’s an issue with your repulsion of women and long-time abstinence? Perhaps you ought to consult a doctor.”


    “Get lost!” Merlin bellowed, his voice booming like thunder, spittle flying andnding squarely on Manley’s face.


    Manley wiped his face, muttering, “Shit! Shouldn’t have brought this topic up.”


    Manley now realized that attempting to discuss romance with Merlin was like reasoning with stone—clearly a pointless endeavor. If Merlin insisted on remaining oblivious to matters of the heart, he resolved he’d stop wasting his time and concern.


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    Manley had somehow managed to irritate both An and Merlin within minutes.


    Across the room, Cole clung to Elliana as if he feared she might vanish at any moment. His kiss was wild, almost desperate, a torrent of longing pouring into every touch as if he could bridge every moment lost between them and pull her irrevocably close.


    Elliana could only endure Cole’s fervent embrace and kisses, her body trapped beneath his burning touch. His lips scorched with heat, and his entire presence radiated intensity. She tried to push him away, pressing her hands firmly against his chest, but he stood immovable, solid as a wall.


    The harder Elliana tried to push away, the tighter Cole’s hold became. He pinned her against the wall, his kisses raining down relentlessly on her face, overwhelming and unyielding.


    She wished to plead for restraint, to remind him this wasn’t the right moment, but he refused to relent. Each time she parted her lips to speak, he imed them once more, his fiery tongue sweeping over hers with relentless fervor. All that escaped her were soft, breathless gasps, fragmented and tender.


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