?Chapter 359:


    There was a beat of silence before Lance responded, “Come on, Jason. You seriously didn’t know? Elliana’s Rosa—yeah, that Rosa. The international design powerhouse. Isn’t that wild?”


    Jason gave a thoughtful nod. “It is. Wild and impressive. But let me ask you this—didn’t you already know that months ago? Funny how you’re only acting impressed now. You used to talk down on designers, remember? Said they couldn’t hold a candle to your genius-level tech crowd.”


    That hit like a p. Lance had nothing to say. He mped his mouth shut and stared ahead.


    Jason didn’t follow up. He just studied Lance for a long moment and then turned his attention back to the road.


    Meanwhile, in the lead vehicle, Myles wasted no time once everyone was inside. He hit the control panel, raising the privacy partitions at both ends of the car.


    Cole didn’t wait either. He pulled Elliana onto hisp like it was the most natural thing in the world. His voice dropped to a firmmand as he said, “Don’t entertain Lance anymore. Not one word.”


    Elliana blinked at him, a little thrown by his tone. But truth be told, she hadn’t nned on chatting with Lance anyway. She gave a light nod. “Sure thing, Coley.”


    That easy agreement caught him off guard. A grin tugged at his lips as he nted a kiss on her cheek. “Honey, you used to fight me on everything. Who knew you’d turn so sweet today?”


    “Well, you just ced a big deal. I figured I should offer some premium service,” Elliana said with a cheeky smile and a shrug.


    A low chuckle escaped Cole as he leaned in close, brushing his lips near her ear. “What do you say we have sex tonight?”


    Without missing a beat, Elliana shook her head. “Not happening. That billion-dor package doesn’t include any extended services.”


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    Cole pressed a kiss to her ear, his tone dipping into something far smoother, darker. “Then let’s negotiate. Name your price—I’ll cover it.”


    Still unshaken, Elliana gave another firm shake of her head.


    “Absolutely not. You can’t buy your way into that, Cole. I already told you—we’re not rushing this.”


    Cole’s yful mood soured just a touch. He nipped at her earlobe and pinched her side with just enough pressure to earn a reaction. “You’re ruthless.”


    “Aah! Cole, you scoundrel!” Elliana shouted, caught betweenughter and a wince as the sudden touch both stung and tickled.


    That sound was mistaken for something else entirely by the others in the car.


    Aron, sitting in the backseat, turned crimson while Hugh pped both hands over his ears. “Seriously? I didn’t sign up for this!”


    Up front, the driver and Myles exchanged a nce and then returned their gazes forward like nothing had happened. Still, the corners of their mouths twitched—just slightly. Being around Cole came with the constant need to grow ustomed to scenes like that—open, unfiltered bursts of affection that popped up when one least expected them.


    Roughly an hourter, both vehicles rolled through the towering gates of the Evans estate, finallying to a stop in front of the vi.


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