?Chapter 213:


    Elliana gave a small nod. “Where did you send Paige and Vivien?”


    “I had them taken to the hospital,” Cole replied.


    A brief silence followed before Elliana said, “Paige got injured saving you. Knowing her, she’s not going to let that go without asking for something in return.”


    Cole gave a coldugh. “I’d actually like to see what kind of reward she thinks she’s entitled to.”


    Meanwhile, at the hospital, Paige began to stir, slowly waking up after a two-hour operation.


    Kiara and Darin stood close by, both visibly tense. The moment they saw Paige’s eyes flutter open, they rushed to her side.


    “Paige, what happened to you?” Kiara asked, her voice full of urgency. After Merritt’s men took Elliana, Kiara had prepared herself for the news of Elliana’s demise. But instead of tragic news about Elliana, she got word that Paige had been seriously wounded.


    Paige’s eyes filled with panic. “Mom, is this real? Am I actually alive?”


    “You’re still alive!” Kiara said again and again, her voice trembling with relief. “You’re back in Ublento now. The surgery went well, and you’re going to be okay!”


    Paige looked around the hospital room, her tension slowly fading. After a moment, she let out a long breath. Then, a weak sob escaped her lips. It really felt like she had brushed shoulders with death.


    Yesterday, after Merritt’s death, panic hadpletely taken over. The moment gunfire erupted on the yacht, Paige had run in circles, terrified and directionless. And when she saw Elliana taking down everyone in her path, the fear had struck so hard that her knees gave out. Terrified that Elliana mighte for her next, she made a split-second decision—she threw herself in front of Cole and took the…


    Bullet. She had made a desperate gamble, risking her life to earn Cole’s gratitude, hoping he’d feel obligated to protect her afterward. So far, it looked like her n had worked.


    Thinking back on the blood-soaked chaos that unfolded on the yacht, Paige started to shake again. “Mom, Merritt is dead!”


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    “What did you just say?” All color drained from Kiara’s face. Merritt had been her biggest pir of support. Without him, what would she do now?


    Darin stood just as stunned. Even though he’d never liked the shady ties between Kiara and Merritt, Merritt had been useful. His involvement had brought serious advantages to the Jones Group. He had tolerated Kiara’s connections with Merritt for the sake of profit.


    “How did Merritt die?” Darin asked.


    “He was killed by Cole,” Paige exined. “Cole thought Elliana had been murdered, and in a fit of rage, shot Merritt. Then, he turned on everyone else and killed them too.”


    That made something click in Darin’s head. He spun toward Kiara. “Why was Elliana even on Merritt’s yacht? Did you have him kidnap her? Were you nning to get rid of her?”


    Kiara’s whole body tensed. Realizing there was no way to cover it up, she lifted her chin and confessed, “Yes, I asked Merritt to do it, but—”


    Smack! Before she could say another word, Darin raised his hand and struck her across the face. “You wicked woman! Who said you could do something like that? I warned you before—you can bully Elliana if you must, but you are never to put her life in danger!”


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