?Chapter 237:


    Elliana shot him a sharp nce, then turned away with a haughty flick of her chin. “I don’t feel like exining.”


    Cole reached out and gently pinched her cheek, a yful gesture full of fondness. He didn’t press her any further. She remained an enigma to him, and he was in no rush to unravel her secrets. He’d get there—little by little.


    At that moment, a knock echoed at the door.


    Once they gave the go-ahead, Paulina stepped inside. “Mr. Evans, Mrs. Evans, dinner is ready.”


    Paulina had always been Cole’s trusted housekeeper. During Elliana’s stay at the Evans estate, she had been the one to look after her. Now that Elliana lived with Cole in Regal Grove, Paulina had moved in with them as well.


    Cole nced at Elliana. “Are you hungry?”


    Elliana gave him a nod.


    “Want to head downstairs for dinner now?” Cole asked.


    “Sure, but you go ahead. I’ll take a shower first,” Elliana replied.


    With that, she turned and made her way into the bathroom. The heavy makeup and hastily tied bun wig had started to feel suffocating. She needed a quick refresh before sitting down to eat.


    Once she stepped into the bathroom, Cole made his way downstairs, with Paulina following close behind, exuding the care and attentiveness of a trusted confidant.


    After finishing her shower, Elliana towel-dried her hair and slipped into a soft nightgown before heading downstairs.


    She hadn’t expected to find a fully stocked wardrobe waiting for her at Regal Grove. Every single outfit she pulled from the closet fit her perfectly. Obviously, Cole had nned ahead, down to the smallest detail. That realization brought a gentle warmth to her chest. She made her way down the staircase and walked straight toward the dining room.


    As she reached the doorway, she caught sight of Cole seated at the head of the table, casually reading a newspaper. Paulina stood nearby, chatting with him, while Myles, Aron, and Hugh stood in a quiet row, listening in. The group carried a natural ease around each other, the kind that only came from years of shared history.


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    Elliana couldn’t stop the flicker of envy she felt toward Cole. No matter how rich or influential a person might be, it was rare to have people nearby who were both loyal and close, and he was undeniably lucky.


    “Hi there,” Elliana said, her smile soft and inviting. Wanting to match the rxed energy in the room, she deliberately lowered her voice, letting it take on a gentler, more yful tone.


    Cole looked up at the sound. His eyes swept over her flowing gown and long, damp hair, and something in his expression quietly melted. Myles, ever calm behind his signature ck-rimmed sses, gave a small nod, keeping his usual refinedposure.


    Aron and Hugh, on the other hand, went bright red. The two of them had always been shy around women, and now, faced with someone as breathtaking as Elliana, stripped of any disguise, they stood frozen, hands twitching slightly.


    Paulina’s expression shifted in an instant. Her brows drew together, and she moved instinctively to stand in front of Cole. Her tone sharpened. “Who are you? How did you get inside Regal Grove?” Paulina had never seen Elliana’s real face before and still imagined her as the in woman from before.


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