?Chapter 497:


    When passersby approached, Javier instinctively guided Elena to the safer, inner side of the path.


    Curiosity piqued, Elena found herself stealing nces his way.


    A flush crept across Javier’s cheeks. “W-what? You’re my cousin. Isn’t it only natural that I protect you?”


    Protect her? Javier? Memories surfaced of how often he had stood against her, always taking Elyse’s side. Though her face revealed nothing, her eyes betrayed a whisper of amusement.


    “So, you’re admitting I’m your cousin now?” Elena challenged with a raised eyebrow.


    The reminder of his past behavior deepened Javier’s blush. Embarrassment mingled with frustration as he stamped his foot. “I admitted it a long time ago, okay?”


    Seeing his crimson face and earnest defense, Elena relented, choosing to spare him further teasing.


    As they entered the private room, a chorus of enthusiastic young men—brimming with passion, impulsiveness, and unfiltered honesty—immediately surrounded Elena with a flurry ofpliments.


    “Are you good at gaming? Do you want to join our team as a pro?”


    “You were so cool today!”


    “You’re so beautiful!”


    “You’re…”


    The pure-hearted young men gazed at Elena with undisguised admiration. Before Elena could even formte a response, Javier’s protective instincts red. “She’s my cousin! Could you please control yourself?”


    With sudden territorialism, Javier pushed away a teammate who ventured too close to Elena. “Why are you standing so close? Don’t even dream about it. My cousin is the most amazing designer you’ll ever meet. She’s not joining your team, so stop pestering her!”


    A shadow of regret crossed Javier’s face. He shouldn’t have brought Elena along. He couldn’t even get a word in.


    Elena gracefully declined the young men’s invitations and excused herself, iming she needed to order additional dishes when all she truly wanted was a moment of fresh air.


    I?t€$? ￠н?ρ?ε?? ?и g??l??ov?l??.??om


    Elena moved quietly through the hallway, where motion-sensor lights cast a dim glow around her. The sounds from the private room filtered through the cracks. Elena drifted toward the window. In the subdued lighting, her vision remained limited until she rounded the corner and discovered a lone figure standing by the window. She stopped abruptly. Wariness crept into her eyes.


    The man before her was tall and well-built, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist as he leaned against the wall. Shadows partially obscured his perfect features. A half-smoked cigarette hung loosely between his fingers.


    Wesley’s deep, dark eyes remained fixed on Elena. He had noticed her the moment she appeared. This marked their first encounter since that bold moment at the Empire when he had imed her lips without permission. Noticing Elena had finally detected his presence, Wesley broke the heavy silence with a measured tone. “What a coincidence.”


    At his words, the motion-sensor lights suddenly red to life, flooding the hallway with unforgiving brightness.


    Bathed in the sudden illumination, Wesley could clearly discern the wariness and rejection written across Elena’s delicate features. His brow creased subtly, and the ghost of a smile that had yed at the corner of his mouth vanished without a trace. He wondered if she despised him.


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