?Chapter 611:


    Standing by, Elliana was thoroughly entertained. Watching Manley visibly squirm after Adah’s “idental” roast was pure gold. She pressed her lips together, trying—and failing—to hide theughter dancing in her eyes.


    Cole caught the flicker of amusement on her face and couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his own.


    Keen to redirect the conversation and recover his bruised ego, Manley turned toward Elliana.


    “So, what brings you two out here?” he asked, forcing casual charm into his tone.


    Elliana offered a breezy smile. “Just killing time. Hanging out.”


    Manley jumped on it. “Then why don’t you join us? We’re all friends here, right?”


    “Sure,” Elliana replied without hesitation.


    In an instant, Adah wrapped herself around An’s arm like ivy on a trellis, beaming as if they were already celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary.


    “Yes, yes! Let’s all stick together!”


    An recoiled like he’d been electrocuted, attempting to wriggle free. But Adah only tightened her grip, leaning in close with the confidence of someone who didn’t understand the concept of personal space.


    “Look!” she said loudly, baring her teeth like a prize pony. “Elliana paid to get these fixed. Aren’t they shiny? Don’t you love them?”


    Adah’s overly familiar antics made An’s skin crawl. When she shed her teeth to show off her new dental fillings, pulling her lips back in a crude grin, he had to clench his fists just to stop himself from reacting. A public scene was thest thing he wanted.


    But the moment his eyesnded on the straight, gleaming row of white teeth, he froze. There was something about them. The pristine line of white felt oddly familiar—so familiar that it rooted him to the spot. He couldn’t exin it, but the sight gripped him with a strange, unshakable sense of recognition. He stared, unable to look away.


    Adah had expected An to be disgusted, maybe even furious enough to call off their engagement. But instead, his unwavering gaze unsettled her. Still stuck in her role as the clueless hick, she couldn’t react—not without blowing her cover. So she remained there, awkwardly frozen under his scrutiny.


    They stood facing each other. Adah studied his chiseled features, taking in every sharp line and shadow. An, meanwhile, remained fixated on her teeth. The contrast between them was almostical—a refined, dashing man captivated by a woman who looked deliberately ugly. The entire scene felt like something out of a fever dream.


    Watching the bizarre moment unfold, Manley’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. No way. Was this seriously happening? First, Cole had fallen for Elliana, the ugly woman. Now An was looking at the equally unattractive Adah like she was some kind of goddess in disguise? Was this some sick pattern repeating itself?


    Elliana and Adah—a perfect pair of best friends, both equally ugly and somehow still drawing in the city’s most eligible bachelors. Cole already treated Elliana like she was something rare and precious. If An started behaving the same way with Adah, the Four Golden Bachelors would be aughingstock.


    Manley swallowed hard, cold dread creeping in. Whatever madness had overtaken Cole and An, he swore he wouldn’t be next. He had standards. He’d never fall for an ugly woman, let alone marry one.


    While Manley stewed in his private spiral of horror, Elliana was thoroughly enjoying the unfolding drama between Adah and An. An, who had looked visibly annoyed with Adah just moments ago, now seemedpletely absorbed, while Adah, in contrast, looked like her disguise was beginning to crack.


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