?Chapter 390:


    The Craig family stood exposed, their defeat written in the slump of their shoulders and the embarrassment clouding their faces.


    Hailee cast a level look across the Craig family before addressing them with calmposure. “You’ve all wounded me before, and I can’t tell if any of you mean it when you apologize. Still, I’ll let this go. I won’t pursue this further.”


    A collective breath escaped the Craig family. Yet, the bitter aftertaste lingered. Their pride had been ground mercilessly beneath Hailee’s heel.


    Once Hailee’s verdict was final, Merlin rose from his seat, his presence looming above the defeated Craig family. “Since Ms. Loftus has spoken, I’ll let this matter end here as well. But take this to heart—let today’s humiliation remind you to tread carefully from now on.”


    “Understood, Mr. kely,” the Craig family members answered in unison, theirplexions drained of all color.


    Merlin pivoted to Ruben, his demeanor softening as he offered a courteous farewell. “Ruben, I’m sorry for themotion tonight. I’lle by another time to make things right. It’s gettingte—I shouldn’t intrude any longer. Goodnight.”


    Ruben responded with an easy, genial smile. “Don’t worry about it.”


    Hailee bent in a small bow. “Thank you and goodnight, Mr. Evans.”


    Elliana, fearing Merlin might sweep Hailee off to some distant ce, quickly interjected, “Ruben, you see, Hailee’s my closest friend—I’ll walk her out.”


    Rubenughed, thoroughly charmed. “Go on, then. I’ve grown fond of Hailee—make sure you invite her over more often.”


    “Will do,” Elliana said with a bright smile. She slipped her arm through Hailee’s, and the pair strolled out of the vi, theirughter trailing behind them.


    Merlin’s frosty gaze lingered on their backs, his displeasure obvious.


    Cole moved to his side, tone quiet but unmistakably sharp. “That’s enough. Stare at my wife like that again and you’ll be barred from the Evans estate for good.”


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    Merlin answered with a scornful sneer and then swept past him without another word.


    Cole trailed behind at an unhurried pace.


    Once outside, Merlin red after Elliana, annoyance crackling in his voice. “Are you incapable of reining in that infuriating wife of yours? Does she need to be glued to Hailee every waking moment?”


    “What exactly do you mean by my wife bothering Hailee?” Cole raised an eyebrow, his voice thick with sarcasm as he looked at Merlin. “They’re best friends. Hailee’s known my wife long before you even showed up. And let’s be clear, Hailee never agreed to be your girlfriend, so if anyone’s being bothersome, it’s you.”


    Merlin’s cheeks reddened at the remark, but before long, a confident smirk returned to his face. “Okay, maybe Hailee hasn’t agreed to be my girlfriend in the usual sense. But she did sign up to be my secretary, my personal assistant around the clock.”


    Cole raised an eyebrow, staring at him for a moment before letting out a shortugh. “Wow. Didn’t expect you to y it this smoothly. You really lured that innocent girl into your trap already?”


    Merlin didn’t answer. He just smirked and walked away, heading straight toward Hailee.


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