?Chapter 597:


    Heather finally snapped out of her trance, her task dawning like a thunderp. Elliana had asked for noodles before going upstairs. But she’d been so wrapped up in worry over Hugh that the request had slipped her mindpletely. “Elliana…” she began, sheepish.


    But Elliana was in no mood to hear it. “What’s wrong with you, Heather? Are my words just background noise now? You’re standing here, but your brain is off gallivanting with some man, isn’t it?”


    “I—I didn’t mean—” Heather tried. But Elliana cut her off, voice razor-sharp. “Look at you. Spacey, distracted—what is this, some lovesick act? If you can’t function in this house without a man on your mind, then get out! Go chase after him for all I care! I’ll find someone who can cook before I starve to death!”


    A soft giggle escaped Heather’s lips.


    Normally, one re from Elliana was enough to have Heather apologizing on the spot. But today, sheughed. Elliana’s eyes narrowed. “You’reughing? Are you mocking me now? Does nothing I say matter to you anymore?”


    Heather giggled again. “No, no! You’re just too sharp. You nailed it exactly. I am lovesick!”


    Elliana froze. “You’re really lovesick?”


    Heather nodded,pletely unashamed. “Yeah. I spaced out. That’s on me. But you get it, right? You’re a woman too. When you’re in love, you get a little stupid sometimes. Please show some understanding.”


    Elliana frowned. Heather was in love with whom? Heather wasn’t seeing anyone. Her eyes scanned the room—Clifton? Kieran? Damian?


    Elliana’s gaze snapped to Clifton. He backed away like she’d pulled a gun. “Don’t look at me! I have one rule—no falling for anyone I work with!”


    “Go get Kieran and Damian!” she barked.


    Clifton shook his head. “No need. It has nothing to do with them.”


    Elliana stared. The truth clicked. They all knew. Everyone but her. She turned to Heather slowly. “So, where did you meet this guy? Someone who turns your brain to mush can’t just be some nobody. Who is it? Some powerful hotshot?”


    Heather blushed and murmured, “You know him already… He’s the head of Mr. Evans’ security detail, Hugh.”


    g?lnσν????s is your escape to fiction


    Elliana, mid-sip, choked on her water. She sputtered, coughed, and gaped at Heather. “Hugh?”


    Heather’s face turned bright red. “Yeah.”


    “Ha-ha!” Elliana burst outughing. “You—you, the sharpest woman I know—fell for Hugh, that big, bumbling blockhead? What could you possibly see in him?”


    Heather squirmed. “Love doesn’t need a reason, okay? It just happens. He might be a bit dense, but he’s exactly what I want.”


    The phrase echoed through Elliana’s mind like a bell. She remembered Cole’s voice—low, certain—saying those same words to her. She was exactly what he wanted. The memory sent an unexpected warmth curling through her chest. Her anger faded instantly. She was no longer mad at Heather, nor did she feel the urge to lecture her on her questionable taste.


    Emotions simply defy reason. So what if Heather loved a goofball like Hugh? If it worked, it worked.


    “Fine. Be lovesick. But don’t let me starve because of it. Are you going to make those noodles or not?” Elliana asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips.


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