?Chapter 217:


    Darin, all grins, eased up beside Paulina. “Ms. Fletcher, to what do we owe the pleasure?”


    Everyone in the room knew the Fletcher siblings were close with Cole. Paulina might have beenbeled a housekeeper, but her influence was undeniable. People like Darin had no choice but to stay on her good side.


    Paulina, calm and unreadable, saw right through the Jones family’s performance, but her face didn’t give away a thing. “Mr. Evans asked me toe by and check on Miss Jones.”


    The corners of Paige’s lips curled into a satisfied smile upon hearing this. Taking that bullet had turned out to be the smartest move she’d made. Now that Cole owed her, she was no longer someone he could simply brush aside. If she couldn’t win his heart, tying him down with a life-debt felt like the next best thing.


    “Ms. Fletcher, please let Cole know I’m alright,” Paige said cheerfully. “Tell him he doesn’t need to worry.”


    Paulina had already been briefed by the doctors about Paige’s condition, so she wasted no time. “Mr. Evans sent me to ask what sort ofpensation you’re hoping for. He doesn’t like to owe anyone.”


    Paige’s smile froze in ce, her expression stiffening.


    Kiara and Darin also looked ufortable, unsure how to react. Cole didn’t bother sugarcoating anything. To him, a life-saving favor was nothing more than a transaction. Wasn’t he supposed to be showering Paige with gratitude and promising to protect her forever? Treating it like a business deal felt like a p in the face.


    Paige forced a shaky grin, though her insides burned with frustration. “Cole’s the guy I’m crazy about. I saved him because I care about him. I didn’t expect anything in return.”


    Paulina’s gaze turned sharp, a glint of mockery in her eyes. “Miss Jones, maybe think before you speak. Didn’t I just hear you’re head-over-heels for Ran and getting married soon? So how exactly is Mr. Evans the one you’re crazy about?”


    The words hit Paige like a p, draining the color from her face.


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    Darin and Kiara looked equally awkward.


    Paulina pressed on. “At that time, Mrs. Evans had already moved Mr. Evans out of danger. Your little act wasn’t necessary. You got hurt because you threw yourself into the situation. Let’s not twist it into something it wasn’t.”


    Her tone was direct and sharp as ss as she added, “But Mr. Evans is a fair man. He won’t leave debts hanging, so he’s offering a clean payout. Just don’t turn around and pretend you’ve been wronged after milking his generosity.”


    Paige hadn’t seen any of thising. Cole had actually gone as far as sending Paulina to put her in her ce like this. Paige’s heart broke apart, her entire world falling to pieces…


    Paige truly adored Cole. After all, he possessed extraordinary brilliance and charm. Though her emotional depth might have seemed shallow to some, her appreciation for his exceptional masculine qualities felt both genuine and instinctive.


    After falling for Cole, Paige found herself unable to love another man. The experience resembled someone who had gazed upon a perfect diamond—every other stone, no matter how closely it resembled the real thing, failed to capture her attention.


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