?Chapter 246:


    Cole maintained hisposed exterior, but crimson betrayal crept across his ears. His expression suggested volumes of unspoken poetry, yet all he managed was a breathless, “Okay.”


    Elliana’sughter spilled forth like wind chimes, her eyes illuminated with mischief and affection. With a final farewell pressed against his lips, she glided from the room with ethereal lightness.


    Cole remained sprawled across the mattress, listening to the percussion of Elliana’s footsteps cascading down the staircase. His fingers drifted to his mouth, still electrified from her touch. Her kisses had transferred the subtle essence of the mango candy she’d savored.


    He traced his tongue across his lips, capturing that lingering sweetness—a forbidden indulgence that awakened his senses.


    As he prepared to rise and approach the window for a final glimpse of Elliana’s departure, thunderous footfalls pounded up the stairs. Within heartbeats, Elliana burst through the doorway, panic radiating from her posture. “Honey, we’re facing a catastrophe!”


    Cole stood up slowly, his eyes sweeping over Elliana’s flushed face, still red from her rush back upstairs. “What’s going on?” he asked.


    “Your grandpa called. He wants us to head back to the family estate together. He said it’s something important,” Elliana replied.


    Since returning from the yacht, Elliana and Cole hadn’t swung by the Evans family estate. They had only made a quick phone call to update their safety. Ruben, wanting to give the newlyweds room to grow closer, hadn’t pressured them toe back.


    Cole’s expression didn’t change. “Did he say what it was about?”


    Elliana shook her head. “Not a word. But from how he sounded, it’s serious.”


    Cole gave a quick nod. “Alright then, let’s go now.”


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    With a cheerful “Got it,” Elliana darted off to the bathroom to do her makeup.


    Elliana had nned to meet Hailee without the disguise, but heading back to the Evans estate with Cole meant putting the mask back on. While Elliana touched up in the bathroom, Cole got dressed and stretched out on the bed, waiting patiently for her to finish.


    Before long, Elliana emerged, confidently rocking the messy wig and over-the-top makeup.


    Cole looked her over and let out augh. “How long are you nning to keep this circus act running?”


    Elliana gave a casual shrug, as if it were no big deal. “I was going to drop it once I turned twenty. But then I learned about our married state. So, I figured I might as well stick with it. Now I’m kind of enjoying the effect.”


    To Cole, there was something about Elliana—always calcting, always a few steps ahead, like she was ying a game only she understood. He found it oddly entertaining. He had no problem with the strange disguise, and he wasn’t in any rush to make her take it off. Deep down, Cole knew the truth—his wife was drop-dead gorgeous, and that was all he needed. She could parade around in public looking like chaos on two legs, but at home, she was pure beauty, reserved just for him. That alone made him feel like the luckiest man alive.


    Once everything was ready, Cole and Elliana got into the car and headed for the Evans family estate.


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