?Chapter 207:


    “Exactly,” Manley continued. “Cole’s uncharacteristic manner clearly indicates the absence of danger. He’s either engaging in a calcted performance or flirtatiously ying with Elliana while disregarding any potential threat from her.”


    He concluded emphatically, “Therefore, our intervention remains premature.”


    Following this analysis, Myles, Aron, and Hughpsed into contemtive silence.


    An and Merlin shifted ufortably. Despite their status as heirs to prestigious families and rumors of their prolific romantic conquests, reality marked them as rtive novices in matters of intimacy. Before Manley’s seasoned perspective, they experienced profound embarrassment.


    Observing the difort on An’s and Merlin’s expressions, Manley swelled with unprecedented pride. Among the fourpanions, he—the youngest—often perceived his character and wisdom as inferior. Today, however, he radiated the authority of a natural leader, a sensation he found exhrating.


    Within the room, neither Elliana nor Cole suspected the eavesdropping ensemble outside.


    Elliana regarded Cole with speechless incredulity and challenged him. “Are you fabricating your distress?”


    Cole met her prating gaze and, rather than responding directly, posed his own question. “I sustained this injury protecting you. Don’t you believe such a sacrifice merits some modestpensation?”


    Cole looked like a kid eagerly waiting for his favorite treat.


    Elliana was both amused and exasperated by his reaction. For someone who carried himself with such authority in public, he turned surprisingly childish behind closed doors. Still, given that he was hurt, she figured she could cut him some ck.


    “I’ll give you a reward, but just so we’re clear—you’re injured. No touching, no funny business.”


    Cole let out a quiet chuckle. “Alright.”


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    He found himself genuinely curious about what kind of reward she had in mind.


    “Close your eyes,” Elliana said, her voice calm.


    Without hesitation, Cole shut his eyes.


    Taking a slow breath, Elliana steadied herself and gently removed her sses. Since she had chosen to ept his proposal and see where their rtionship could go, showing him her real face felt like a necessary step. After all, what kind of rtionship would they have if she couldn’t even let him see her as she truly was? Not to mention, he was her husband now.


    She ced the sses carefully on the table and turned back to him. “You can open your eyes now.”


    Cole opened his eyes slowly, anticipation flickering across his face. In that tiny pause before he saw her, his mind ran through all kinds of possibilities. Maybe she had a gift waiting for him. Maybe she would finally break her usual reserve and give him a sweet kiss.


    But nothing could have prepared him for this—for her to take off her sses and let him see her entire face so openly, sopletely.


    Earlier, she had told him that since he’d annoyed her, she wasn’t going to let him see her full face today. But now, her earlier words no longer held any weight. What mattered in this moment was that he was finally seeing what he had longed to see.


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