Chapter 850:


    Lance and Jeff missed Elliana privately, honoring her memory through silence. Sensing he’d hit a wall, Cole shifted tactics. “Why does Jeff keep a cat?”


    Darling possessed remarkable intelligence for such a small creature. The kitten had embarked on an epic journey this morning, crossing half the city from Rosewood Vi to reach the Evans Mansion on four tiny paws—a pilgrimage to visit Jeff.<fna9ab> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? ?ovelFind</fna9ab>


    Jeff had once been Darling’s devoted caretaker, holding her during meals and sleep, showering her with unconditional affection. The kitten’s memory held every gentle touch from the bald-headed boy who’d be her world. Back when Elliana departed Regal Grove, she’d entrusted Heather with Darling’s care, and Darling had been well cared for.


    Yet, oblivious to this, the Evans family believed Elliana’s supposed death had rendered Darling a stray cat, making today’s appearance seem like a pure coincidence.


    Jeff’s reunion with Darling had awakened fierce protectiveness. He carried her everywhere now,vishing her with treats and attention, terrified of losing this precious connection to what he’d just regained.


    Lance shared that devotion—with Elliana gone forever, caring for her beloved cat felt like honoring her.


    Cole’s question drew a weighty sigh from Lance. “The kitten’s name is Darling. She belonged to a friend who’s… no longer with us. Jeff and I want to care for the cat now, as our friend would have wanted. We hope you’ll allow the cat to stay.”


    “It’s fine with me,” Cole replied before approaching the mansion’s entrance.


    Something inexplicable stirred within him at the sight of the white kitten—not the usual revulsion his allergies typically triggered, but an odd sense of recognition. The feeling puzzled him, but urgent matters demanded his attention. His mother’s secrets wouldn’t unravel themselves.


    The living room buzzed with quiet conversation as Ruben held court with Bertram and Emmanuel on his throne-like sofa, while the younger Evans generation clustered nearby, absorbed in their digital worlds.


    Lаt?st chαpt?rs in g??l??ov??ls.ｃοm


    Jason upied his usual spot in the family circle. Trinity remained conspicuously absent—her humiliation at Ublento Medical University had driven her into self-imposed exile for days.


    Cole turned his attention to Ruben and said, “Grandpa, I have something important to discuss with you.”


    These days, whenever Cole stepped into any room within the Evans household, the very air seemed to thicken with unspoken dread. Voices dropped to cautious whispers, everyone terrified that any careless mention of Elliana’s name might trigger something in Cole. While no one knew precisely what that would entail, Ruben’s orders had been crystal clear, and defying him was unthinkable.


    Right now, as Cole materialized in the living room doorway, a cluster of family members, previously hunched over their phones exchanging whispered gossip, fell silent as stones. Across the expansive space, Ruben, Bertram, and Emmanuel severed their conversation mid-sentence. In the far corner, Jeff and Lancevished attention on Darling, stroking the cat with tenderness, as if the cat were the only thing in the world that mattered. Louisa perched beside Emmanuel, her face an imprable mask of studied indifference. Irene presented a stark contrast, practically glowing as she examined her freshly polished nails.


    Ever since word of Elliana’s death had reached them, she had been floating through the halls with barely contained jubtion. With Cole’s mother vanished without a trace and Elliana permanently removed from the equation, the mantle of Evans matriarch had returned to her shoulders. She reigned supreme once more—how could such triumph not intoxicate her?


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    Message from Noah: Have a really really nice weekend dear readers. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (づ ? _?)づ?


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