?Chapter 238:


    Before Elliana could get a word in, Paulina turned her frustration toward Aron and Hugh. “You two are the heads of Mr. Evans’ security. How did a stranger walk in without either of you noticing?”


    Even though Elliana looked like she’d stepped out of a dream, Paulina stayed grounded. She wasn’t the type to be swayed by appearances. Her loyalty was to Cole, and that always came first. In her mind, the prettier a woman was, the more dangerous she could be. This gorgeous “stranger” might be an assassin sent by one of Cole’s enemies. Aron and Hugh looked like someone had dumped cold water over their heads. A stranger? What stranger?


    Myles quickly stepped forward, his voice calm. “Paulina, this is Mrs. Evans.”


    Just in case Paulina didn’t catch on, Myles added gently, “Elliana.” Paulina froze in ce, the shocknding like a blow. Her eyes darted back to Elliana, now wide with disbelief.


    Elliana let out a softugh. “Sorry about that, Paulina. I didn’t put on any makeup after showering. Didn’t mean to catch you off guard.”


    Paulina’s lips twitched, unsure of how to respond. The transformation was stunning. Who could’ve guessed that the woman everyone had once written off was hiding a face more captivating than any celebrity on a screen? No wonder Cole waspletely spellbound. It finally all made sense.


    Trying to recover, Paulina quickly stepped forward and pulled out a chair. “Mrs. Evans, pleasee sit.”


    Elliana sat down gracefully and then turned to Cole with a yful glint in her eye. Her next remark had the entire room torn betweenughter and disbelief…


    “Everyone must be so ustomed to seeing me with makeup that my bare face caused such a wave of shock! I might as well put the makeup back,” Elliana remarked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Myles, Aron, and Hugh shifted slightly, their expressions betraying a peculiar blend of amusement and difort.


    Cole, however, gazed at Elliana with undisguised adoration, his smile tender and warm.


    Paulina’s cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. “Not at all, Mrs. Evans! Please don’t misunderstand. You should embrace whatever makes you feel at ease. I wasn’t frightened—merely caught off guard for a moment.”


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    Elliana’s softughter filled the room as she decided to release Paulina from her gentle teasing. Even someone asposed and dignified as Paulina was leftpletely at a loss for words by her antics.


    Suddenly, Cole copsed dramatically onto the table.


    rm shed across everyone’s faces, and Elliana darted forward. “What’s wrong?”


    Cole rested his head on his uninjured arm, turning to her with exaggerated weakness in his eyes. “I’m absolutely famished and too weak to move… Someone must feed me.”


    Paulina, who had begun to step forward, halted abruptly.


    Myles, Aron, and Hugh, having just sprung to attention, now stood ck-jawed and utterly speechless.


    After a moment’s hesitation, Paulina exchanged meaningful nces with her brothers and then pivoted toward the exit. Myles, Aron, and Hugh trailed behind her without dy. None wished to intrude upon the couple’s intimate moment.


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