?Chapter 196:


    Elliana gazed at Cole, but he kept his head lowered, his eyes focused—not on her—but on the ck pistol resting silently on the table.


    “Ms. Marsh, I think it’s time you gave us a reasonable exnation,” Merlin said, his voice slicing through the silence.


    Rather than answer immediately, Elliana nced at Cole, hoping for even a flicker of reassurance. But his expression was unreadable, and the disappointment settled in her chest like a weight. She turned her attention to Merlin instead, meeting his sharp gaze. There was no mistaking the threat behind those eyes—if he believed she was endangering Cole, he’d pull the trigger without a second thought.


    Everything about Merlin radiated cold precision, a man born for split-second violence.


    But Elliana didn’t flinch. Her voice rang out, sharper and more resolute than his. “My life isn’t a courtroom, and I owe you no testimony. You don’t get to demand answers.”


    “You!” For the first time, a crack appeared in Merlin’s cold demeanor. He couldn’t keep the violent urge buried any longer. He shot to his feet without warning.


    His sudden movement stirred the room. Tension rolled in like a tide, and the energy turned sharp, brimming with confrontation.


    With a coin gripped tightly in her hand, Elliana sat still. Her face was far calmer than Merlin’s, but the calm was misleading. Anyone who truly knew her could see that if Merlin moved an inch too fast, that coin would be sailing at him like a bullet. It was quite a coincidence that both she and Cole had mastered the deadly art of using a coin as a weapon.


    She might have had feelings for Cole. She might have known how close Merlin was to Cole. Still, none of that would stop her from doing what she had to do to survive.


    That was when Cole finally broke the silence, turning to Elliana. “Please go back to your room.”


    There was a quiet stillness in his voice, so smooth that it gave away nothing at all.


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    Myles, who had been keeping a tense posture the whole time, suddenly stepped forward. He looked at Elliana and said, “Mrs. Evans, allow me to take you back to your room.”


    For a brief moment, Elliana stayed still. Then, she got to her feet and walked out with Myles. She had no real desire to treat these people like enemies. If Cole chose not to believe her, then ending the marriage would be the cleanest option. If he preferred to speak with his friends in private, she would not stand in the way.


    After Elliana stepped into the room, Myles remained by the doorway to guard it.


    The door separated the two spaces, keeping every word and sound from passing through.


    Merlin walked over and sat down across from Cole. An and Manley followed and took their seats as well.


    Cole kept his eyes down. Whatever he was feeling stayed buried deep.


    “What’s going through your head, Cole?” Merlin asked.


    When Merlin saw Cole’s mouth mped shut, refusing to give a reply, his voice sharpened. “When did you be so indecisive? I doubt you haven’t thought about what we’re all worried about.” Still, Cole said nothing.


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