?Chapter 252:


    Trinity had already bragged about meeting Dr. Atkinson, getting along, and winning him over. But this was the first time she’d described him.


    As she painted the picture, the room fell silent. Everyone leaned in. Even Ruben stayed quiet and listened.


    When she finished, Ruben gave a nod, and the others figured her description checked out. Her description rang true.


    They pictured the kind of wise, old figure one would see in a movie—calm, grey-haired, maybe even saintly.


    “Now I really want to meet him.”


    “Who wouldn’t?”


    “Too bad we’re not Trinity. No way he’d show up for us.”


    “She’s so lucky.”


    Trinity soaked it in—the admiration, the envy. Her pride swelled. This was her moment in the spotlight. After all, she’d done what even Cole couldn’t—she met the great Dr. Atkinson and brought him to their door.


    But Elliana wasn’t buying it. She’d listened closely to Trinity’s story, curious about who had faked being her. Turned out, it was some old guy. She couldn’t help but wonder if this guy was a legit old man or just someone in a costume.


    Her thoughts were spinning when she noticed someone watching her. She turned. It was Cole. He was staring, a small smile tugging at his lips.


    Elliana shifted, uneasy under his gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she whispered.


    Cole chuckled softly and leaned in. “I saw that look in your eyes. You don’t believe her story, do you? You know it’s fake.”


    Elliana blinked, surprised. Cole was sharp. Too sharp. She’d let her mask slip for a second, and he’d caught it. It was almost scary. Cole saw the flicker in her eyes and smiled wider—like he was in on a private joke.


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    To the rest of the room, it didn’t look like a smart exchange. It looked like in old flirting. Everyone watching thought the same thing—what was going on with Cole?


    No one could really make sense of Cole’s affection toward Elliana. They were buzzing about Trinity pulling off the impossible—bringing in Dr. Atkinson. But there was Cole, acting all sweet with his oddball wife. Was he forgetting the family business?


    If Cole had married some drop-dead gorgeous beauty, they might have understood why he was acting like a lovesick fool. History had enough examples of men throwing away empires for a pretty face, and he would just be another one lost in love. But Elliana? She was as in as toast. What was Cole even seeing in her?


    The room was filled with silent judgment. Cole and Elliana were getting roasted in everyone’s heads.


    Trinity kept her faceposed, but deep down, her chest burned with envy and disappointment. She was hurt. She had pulled off something huge for the Evans family. She got Dr. Atkinson toe. Why wasn’t Cole praising her? Why wasn’t he even looking her way? How did Elliana—in, awkward Elliana—always steal the moment? Was Elliana some kind of witch, casting spells on Cole or something?


    Even Ruben, who had supported Cole’s marriage to Elliana from the start, was confused. He had hoped Cole and Elliana would grow closer, but seeing them so touchy right in front of him? That was something.


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