?Chapter 598:


    Heather perked up immediately. “On it!” she chirped, bolting into the kitchen.


    Left alone, Elliana drifted back toward the sofa. She paused, pulled out her phone, and after a heartbeat’s hesitation, dialed Cole’s number.


    The phone was answered on the very first ring. Cole’s voice came through, warm and smooth. “Hello?”


    Myles hadn’t returned to the Evans estate to report yet, so Cole still had no idea how Elliana had reacted to his gifts. But the moment he saw her name on the caller ID, excitement bubbled inside him. Surely, she’d finally given in. His grand gestures must have done the trick.


    But to his surprise, Elliana’s voice came cold as steel. “Mr. Evans, get your man in check. If he pulls another sleazy stunt, I’ll y him alive.”


    Cole’s smile faltered. He didn’t need the full story—he could piece it together. She must have caught wind of something between Hugh and her chef.


    What Cole didn’t know yet was that Elliana was actually Death Thorn, and that the chef in question was Heather, a trained killer. But even without the full picture, he could tell Heather was no ordinary woman. No doubt, Heather could toy with a man like Hugh the same way a cat yed with a mouse. After all, she had made the first move, not Hugh. The bnce of power had always leaned her way. Yet, here Elliana was, calling to issue a warning and demanding he rein in his subordinate.


    Amused and slightly wronged, Cole shot back, “Let me ask you something. Who do you think is more likely to break hearts—your little chef, or my guy Hugh?”


    Elliana went quiet, so Cole knew. She was thest to find out. The sparks between Heather and Hugh hadpletely slipped past her. She didn’t know the details, but she couldn’t deny the truth in Cole’s words. Heather was unpredictable, sharp, and dangerous. Hugh, on the other hand, was as open and honest as they came. If anyone was walking into heartbreak, it was him.


    Before she could fire back, Cole added, “Since you’re my ex-wife, I’ll be straight with you. Maybe it’s you who needs to rein in your subordinate. If your chef wants to date, let her. Just make sure she doesn’t break Hugh’s heart. That woman’s not exactly harmless.”


    Elliana’s lips twitched in irritation as his words sank in, leaving her at a loss for aeback. Pissed off, she shifted the conversation by finding fault with his tone. “Stop using that tone with me! I hate it!” she snapped.


    A low chuckle escaped him. “What? Since when do you get to dictate what tone I use when addressing you? You emphasized that we’re divorced. How about we remarry now, and I will obey whatever tone you want me to use when speaking to you?”


    “Dream on! I am not remarrying you! Just don’t use that tone with me anymore!” she shot back.


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    Hisugh softened, almost fond. “Alright, alright. Ms. Marsh, now tell me—did you like my gifts?”


    Elliana crossed her arms, adopting a lofty tone. “I told Myles to pass the message, but I’ll say it again. You can’t win me back by throwing money at me. I’m not that shallow, and my pride’s not for sale. And let’s not forget—you’re the one who asked for a divorce with those harsh words. Don’t think a few presents can undo that. Save your money.”


    Cole’s voice was calm and velvet-smooth. “That’s fair. If you don’t want to see them as romantic, take them as a patient’s thank-you to his doctor. No strings attached.”


    She paused, chewing on his words. He had a point. Treating a case like Psychephrenia wasn’t easy. The research alone had drained her time and energy. A gesture of thanks wasn’t exactly inappropriate. A slow smile crept across her face. “In that case, I’ll ept them.”


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