?Chapter 211:


    Drawing her into his embrace, Cole shut his eyes with contentment. “Join me for some sleep. You’re forbidden to leave until I awaken.”


    Relief washed over him. She had atst warmed up to him and given their rtionship a shot. The fear of her evicting him from her bed had vanished.


    Elliana, however, squirmed with difort. “Shouldn’t you put on some attire before sleeping?”


    His shirtless form pressed against her so intimately—difort bloomed within her.


    “Nope. I prefer sleeping unclothed,” Cole responded withnguid indifference.


    Elliana’s rosy lips formed a delicate pout. “That verges on impropriety.”


    Cole’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Honey, on our wedding night, you stripped me naked to the waist and clung to me for a whole night. Have you forgotten? This hardly marks our first intimate slumber. Why such primness now?”


    Elliana found herself speechless. Despite her sleepwalking that fateful night—acting without conscious intent—the undeniable truth remained: she had indeed stripped him bare and embraced him throughout the night.


    Her arguments dissolved, yet his teasing tone kindled rebellion. For retribution, she stealthily extended her fingers and administered a sharp pinch to his waist.


    “Ouch!” Cole emitted a stifled groan, swiftly capturing her mischievous hand. The conflicting sensations of difort and ticklishness left him simultaneously amused and exasperated.


    Having exacted her small vengeance, satisfaction washed over Elliana—her demeanor transforming to sweetness andpliance. Since he desired to hold her during his slumber, so be it. She nestled her delicate cheek against his chest.


    Yielding and docile as a kitten, Elliana rested peacefully, her body wrapped in warmth. As Cole’s steady breathing resonated above her, tranquility enveloped her, and she surrendered to sleep.


    Outside the bedroom, Myles and Aron each delivered a swift kick to Hugh. This impetuous fool! He perpetually instigated trouble, entangling them in the aftermath. The urge to thrash him pulsed through them.


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    Hugh, acutely aware of his recklessness, endured the punishment in silence. He meekly retreated to the corner for contemtion. Meanwhile, An, Merlin, and Manley imed the furthest sofa from the bedroom entrance.


    Upon sitting, An immediately extracted his phone, scrolling through news articles to mask the profound awkwardness permeating his being. Merlin, visibly irate, mmed his fist against the table, his countenance cold with displeasure.


    Manley, conversely, convulsed withughter, gasping between breaths. “Gentlemen, let this serve as our education. Cole harbors a genuine devotion for Elliana. Her potential danger matters nothing to him. We must cease our interference.”


    An and Merlin concurred wholeheartedly. Even if Cole eventually suffered consequences through his association with Elliana, the choice remained his alone. Their meddling would constitute the true transgression.


    After a momentary silence descended, Manley scrutinized Merlin’s stormy face. “Merlin, what’s with that face? Are you unwell?”


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